News Summary
Authorities in Pawtucket recently arrested three registered sex offenders for failing to comply with registration requirements and soliciting minors. The arrests highlight ongoing concerns about public safety and the need for strict adherence to sex offender laws. Law enforcement’s collaborative efforts aim to protect minors and ensure offenders are held accountable. This initiative underscores the vigilance required to monitor dangerous individuals in the community.
Pawtucket, RI – Three registered sex offenders were recently arrested in separate incidents for either failing to register or soliciting minors, raising concerns about public safety. The arrests took place over two days as law enforcement agencies collaborated to apprehend individuals in violation of sex offender registration laws.
On Wednesday, Dakota Lemieux was taken into custody by the Rhode Island State Police Violent Fugitive Task Force alongside the Pawtucket Police Department for failing to register as a sex offender. Law enforcement apprehended Lemieux without incident, after which he was placed in the custody of Pawtucket Police.
The following day, another suspect, 35-year-old Antonio Luis Median-Santiago, was arrested based on a federal warrant. Median-Santiago faces serious charges related to the indecent assault of a minor under the age of 13, in addition to also failing to register as a sex offender. In November 2023, he had previously pleaded guilty to not registering after being released from a halfway house in Pennsylvania. In June 2022, he had attempted to evade authorities by barricading himself in an apartment; however, he surrendered after a standoff lasting approximately 30 minutes. Similar to Lemieux, Median-Santiago was apprehended without issue and transported to the Providence Federal Courthouse.
In another development, 53-year-old Rodney Ootton was apprehended on Wednesday by the Rhode Island State Police/Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Ootton faces three counts of indecent solicitation of a child after he arrived at a predetermined location to meet someone he believed to be a 14-year-old girl for sexual activity. Authorities arrested him when he arrived at the meeting spot. Ootton’s criminal history includes a conviction for statutory rape in Tennessee from December 1998, for which he received a one-year suspended sentence coupled with probation. His requirement to register as a sex offender for that conviction expired on December 1, 2009.
Indecent solicitation of a child is a serious offense, with a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison for those convicted. The actions of Lemieux, Median-Santiago, and Ootton highlight ongoing concerns surrounding compliance with sex offender registration laws and the protection of minors from potential predators.
The arrests were part of a larger effort by law enforcement to keep communities safe and ensure that sexual offenders are held accountable for adhering to registration regulations. Ensuring the safety of children remains a high priority for the authorities, and these recent arrests underscore the vigilance necessary in monitoring offenders who may pose a threat.
In Rhode Island, sex offenders are required to register with local law enforcement agencies upon their release from incarceration or following treatment programs. Failure to register can lead to significant legal repercussions, including possible imprisonment. Moreover, the arrest of these individuals exemplifies the continued efforts by law enforcement to investigate and enforce compliance, serving as a reminder of the challenges faced in combating sexual offenses against minors.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Registered Sex Offender Sentenced for Child Exploitation
Pawtucket Sex Offender Antonio Luis Median-Santiago Captured
Pawtucket Man Sentenced to 17 Years for Child Molestation
Additional Resources
- Patch: Pawtucket Sex Offender Arrested for Failing to Register
- Wikipedia: Sex Offender Registration
- Turn to 10: Johnnie Doe Sentenced to Prison in Child Molestation Case
- Google Search: Pawtucket sex offender arrest
- Providence Journal: Pawtucket Man Charged with Indecent Solicitation of Child
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Child Abuse
- GoLocal Prov: New Pawtucket Man Pleads Guilty to Sex Trafficking
- Google News: Pawtucket sex trafficking
Author: STAFF HERE PROVIDENCE WRITER
PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER The PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREProvidence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Providence, Providence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as WaterFire, Rhode Island International Film Festival, and Rhode Island Comic Con. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in finance and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Citizens Financial Group and Textron. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Rhode Island's dynamic landscape.
