Fall River firefighter tried to solicit minor for sex, R.I. State Police say

PROVIDENCE — A Fall River firefighter was arrested Tuesday on child exploitation charges after investigators said he tried to meet with someone he believed was a 14-year-old Rhode Island girl for sexual acts.

The Rhode Island State Police’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force arrested Edward Mathias, 40, of 56 Wheeler St. in Fall River.

Authorities said Mathias was arrested after soliciting someone he believed was a 14-year-old girl in Rhode Island for sexual activity. He was taken into custody after going to a “prearranged location” to meet the girl for sex acts, the state police said.

Authorities didn’t disclose where Mathias tried to meet the person he believed was a 14-year-old.

Mathias was arraigned in District Court, Warwick, before Magistrate J. Patrick O’Neill, and released on personal recognizance, meaning he didn’t have to put up any money to secure his release.

He was also given special bail conditions, including no contact with children and restricted internet use. Mathias is a 10-year firefighter for the Fall River Fire Department, the Rhode Island State Police say.

He faces charges of indecent solicitation of a child and electronic dissemination of indecent material to a minor. Because the charges are felonies, which are heard in Superior Court, Mathias did not enter a plea at his arraignment in District Court.

Fall River Fire Chief John D. Lynch said Mathias was assigned to Ladder 4 at the Flint Fire Station. He had no prior disciplinary action with the department, Lynch said.

Mathias is now on paid administrative leave, and the department will pursue unpaid administrative leave, which should be done in five days or less, Lynch said. The fire department is doing its own internal investigation, as well as the state police investigation, Lynch said.

Depending on how the case winds up, further disciplinary action, including termination, is possible, Lynch said.

“This is a dark day for (the Fall River Fire Department),” Lynch said.