Providence man arrested for alleged ‘grooming behavior’ of child through Snapchat

MIDDLEBOROUGH, Mass. (WLNE) — A Providence man has been arrested for allegedly sending sexually explicit social media messages to a child in Middleborough, Mass.

Efrain Ixcuna, 28, is charged with enticement of a child under 16, attempt to commit a crime and reckless sexual endangerment of a child, according to Middleborough Police Chief Robert Ferreira, Jr.

The allegations were first reported to Middleborough police on September 5, when a parent reported that their child had been receiving inappropriate sexual messages from an unknown male.

According to Chief Ferreira, the subject was identified as Ixcuna through Middleborough PD’s investigation.

He allegedly contacted the child through social media app Snapchat, and tried to convince the child that he was 16-years-old, according to Ferreira.

Middleborough police detectives initiated an undercover operation where they took control of the child’s cell phone with parental consent.

Detectives continued the communication with Ixcuna and repeatedly informed him that the child was underage.

The suspect continued to send sexually explicit messages “consistent with grooming behavior,” and asked repeatedly for photographs and in-person meetings, said Chief Ferreira.

A meeting was arranged by undercover detectives, and Ixcuna was arrested at the chosen meeting place Sunday without incident.

Jewelry and a stuffed animal were seized during a search of Ixcuna’s vehicle that police determined were gifts intended for the child, according to Chief Ferreira.

Ixcuna will be arraigned Monday at Wareham District Court.