SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) - A Brazilian judge has issued an arrest warrant for a U.S. immigration officer from Rhode Island who is accused of soliciting an 11-year-old boy for sex in Rio de Janeiro.

Police inspector Jairo Pessanha said 43-year-old Michael Joseph Clifford of Providence is accused of taking the boy to his Copacabana hotel room last month and paying $175 for sex with him. Clifford is accused of child sex exploitation and sexual abuse of minors.

The Associated Press left messages seeking comment at several
phone numbers listed under Clifford's name in the Providence area, but they were not immediately returned. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Washington said the agent has been placed on leave while it conducts its own investigation.

Pessanha said the suspect traveled to Brazil frequently to escort deported illegal immigrants.