Dartmouth Police, Massachusetts State Police Charge 3 with Compensatory Sexual Conduct with a Child Under 18, Other Charges – Fall River Reporter

DARTMOUTH, MA – Three local men have been arrested on disturbing charges.

According to police, members of the Dartmouth Police Department Investigative Services Division and Community Impact Unit, in collaboration with the Massachusetts State Police High Risk Victims Unit, conducted an undercover operation Wednesday to combat the growing threat of commercial sexual exploitation of minors.

Detectives working undercover made appointments with suspects in the area day and night. Numerous individuals started communicating.

As a result of the operation, a total of three adult men were arrested and charged with sexual conduct for consideration with a child under the age of 18, enticing a child under the age of 16, and attempting to commit a crime.

The suspects were identified as Ernest Santos, 36, of New Bedford, Dominic Medeiros, 20, of New Bedford, and David Detorres, 50, of New Bedford.

“The Dartmouth Police Department is committed to making the city safer and protecting its most vulnerable residents,” said Dartmouth Police Chief Brian P. Levesque. “Thanks to the efforts of the officers involved and our partnership with the Massachusetts State Police, we have been able to prevent the exploitation of minors in our community.