North Providence Resident Charged with Producing, Possessing Child Pornography

PROVIDENCE – Francis Scott, 36, of North Providence, made an initial appearance in federal court in Providence today on a federal criminal complaint charging him with producing and possessing child pornography, announced Acting United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch; Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin; Providence Police Chief Hugh T. Clements, Jr.; and Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division.

Scott was ordered detained by U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan.

 According to information presented to the Court, it is alleged that on February 14, 2017, Scott offered a juvenile female a ride to her Providence high school. Instead of driving her to the school, Scott allegedly drove to a parking lot behind a Providence building where he allegedly sexually assaulted the juvenile female while in his car. It is alleged that Scott video recorded the assault on his cell phone.

According to information presented to the court, it is alleged that after Scott attacked the young female, he drove her to a parking lot near the high school and dropped her off. The victim fled into the school and reported the attack.

According to information presented to the Court, Providence Police officers and detectives, including a detective assigned to the Providence Police Major Crimes Unit and Special Victims Unit, and who is a member of the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force, canvassed the area where the student was allegedly picked up and where the alleged attack took place. Over the next several days, piecing together information and evidence gathered from several locations, including video surveillance, investigators identified the vehicle allegedly used in the assault. The vehicle was traced back to Scott’s girlfriend. It was determined that Francis Scott was allegedly driving the vehicle the day of the assault.

Francis Scott was arrested by Providence Police on February 23, 2017, and charged in Rhode Island state court with kidnapping and second-degree sexual assault. The investigation into Scott’s alleged criminal activities continued after the arrest. Scott was subsequently indicted by a Rhode Island state grand jury on May 17, 2017, on one count each of kidnapping of a minor with intent to sexually assault, 2nd degree sexual assault, assault with dangerous weapon, 1st degree sexual assault , 2nd degree robbery and 3 counts of 2nd degree sexual assault. He was ordered detained at the Adult Correctional Institutions. 

The Providence Police Department and the FBI continue to investigate the alleged criminal conduct of Francis Scott. Anyone with information concerning these alleged matters, or who believe they may have been a victim of Scott’s alleged criminal conduct, are urged to contact the Providence office of the FBI at (401) 272-8310.

The case against Francis Scott in federal court is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise M. Barton. Cases charges in Rhode Island Superior Court are being prosecuted by Rhode Island Special Assistant Attorney General Meghan McDonough.

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