Woonsocket Radio News Room

 

West Warwick man indicted on child molestation and sexual assault charges following State Police investigation

 

An indictment, information, or complaint is merely an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

 

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – On April 28, 2022, the Providence County Grand Jury returned an indictment charging a West Warwick man with two counts of first-degree child molestation and one count of first-degree sexual assault.

 

As alleged in the indictment, Russel Trafford (age 54) is accused of sexually assaulting a female victim multiple times, beginning when the victim was under the age of 14. The defendant is alleged to have assaulted the victim between August 1, 2000, and January 2, 2004, at locations in the city of Providence.

 

In February 2022, the Rhode Island State Police (RISP) Major Crimes Unit began an investigation into allegations against the defendant shared with them by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Following their investigation, the Office of the Attorney General presented the case before the Providence County Grand Jury who handed up the three-count indictment against the defendant.

 

The RISP arrested the defendant on April 24, 2022, and later that day he was arraigned in Providence County Superior Court. The defendant is scheduled for a determination of attorney hearing on May 5, 2022, in Providence County Superior Court.

 

Russel Trafford (age 54)

West Warwick, R.I.

P1-2022-1534A

 

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