SOMERSET, M.A. — Somerset police have arrested a 33-year-old Cranston man in connection with a Snapchat child enticement case, alleging he used the social media platform to communicate with someone he believed to be a minor, according to investigators.
Authorities say the investigation began in late January after police received a report that Michael Gallo, 33, of Cranston, had been sending lewd images, videos, and messages to a juvenile through the social media app Snapchat.
During the conversations, police say Gallo told the victim he was 22 years old. Investigators said the juvenile informed Gallo of their actual age, making it clear that the person he was communicating with was under the age of 14.
According to police, Gallo later arranged to meet the juvenile in person, and on Sunday, he traveled to a predetermined location in Somerset believing he was meeting the victim.
Officers were waiting at the location and took Gallo into custody without incident.
Gallo is now facing several charges, including distributing obscene matter to a minor, two counts of enticement of a child under 16, and accosting or annoying another person, police said.
He was arraigned Monday in Fall River District Court, where a judge set bail at $25,000.
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