Warwick Man Sentenced for Traveling with the Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct

PROVIDENCE, RI – A Warwick man who previously admitted to a federal judge that he traveled to a local hotel via a commercial rideshare provider with the intent to have sex with a person he thought to be 13 years old was sentenced today to six years in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.

Zachary Q. Baker 39, admitted that on March 10, 2023, he responded to an online advertisement for escorts that contained images of what appeared to be two young females being offered for a “short visit” and a “little fun.” Baker engaged in a lengthy series of text messages with a person he believed was offering a 13-year-old and an 11-year-old for sex in exchange for a fee.

According to information presented to the court, after several hours of text messaging, Baker traveled to a local hotel via a rideshare where he met with the person he believed was arranging for a sexual encounter with one or both of the girls. The person with whom Baker was communicating and with whom he met was, in fact, a Homeland Security Investigations agent.

Baker was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Senior Judge William E. Smith to 72 months of incarceration to be followed by 10 years of federal supervised release. Baker pleaded guilty on July 9, 2024, to a charge of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Paul F. Daly, Jr.

The matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.

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