Law Enforcement Steps Up: 6 Arrested in World Cup Human Trafficking Sting

By Brett Fletcher

While the world turns its attention to the excitement of the FIFA World Cup, law enforcement agencies in our region are focusing on a much darker reality. Major international sporting events bring incredible economic and cultural energy to host communities, but they also unfortunately create a breeding ground for traffickers looking to exploit vulnerable individuals.

​In response, a massive multi-agency task force recently launched Operation “Red Card,” a proactive enforcement sting aimed directly at human trafficking, child exploitation, and commercial sex acts.

​The Rhode Island State Police, alongside local and federal partners, announced the arrest of six individuals connected to the operation.

​The Arrests and Charges

​The ongoing investigation has led to major charges ranging from solicitation to federal-level child exploitation. Here is who was arrested:

• ​Richard Lallier (34, Rehoboth, MA): Arraigned in US District Court and held without bail. Charged with Federal Attempted Enticement, Attempted Interstate Travel for Sexual Contact with a Minor, and Attempted Transmission of Obscene Material to a Minor.
• ​Joshua Lincoln (27, North Providence, RI): Released on personal recognizance. Charged with Indecent Solicitation of a Minor and Electronically Disseminating Indecent Material to a Minor.
• ​Jacob Palazzo (26, Cranston, RI): Released on personal recognizance. Charged with Indecent Solicitation of a Minor.
• ​Franco Miccoli (60, Johnston, RI): Released on personal recognizance. Charged with Procurement of Sexual Conduct for a Fee.
• ​Travis Shaw (38, Tiverton, RI): Released on personal recognizance. Charged with Electronically Disseminating Indecent Material to a Minor.
• ​Rocky Joseph (38, Central Falls, RI): Released on personal recognizance. Charged with Electronically Disseminating Indecent Material to a Minor.

​Spotting the Signs and Taking Action

​Human trafficking isn't always hidden away in the shadows—it frequently happens right in plain sight. Authorities urge all of us to stay vigilant. Keep an eye out for individuals who appear to be heavily controlled, coerced, or who aren't allowed to speak freely for themselves.

​If you see something that doesn't feel right, do not hesitate to speak up. You can contact local law enforcement directly or reach out to the National Human Trafficking Hotline. It is completely confidential, free, and available 24/7.

• ​National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888
• ​Text: "HELP" or "INFO" to 233733
• ​Website: humantraffickinghotline.org

​Agency Contacts & Resources

​Operation "Red Card" was made possible through the joint coordination of several state and federal agencies. For more information, media inquiries, or to report a crime, you can reach out to them below:

• ​Rhode Island State Police (RISP)
  • ​Contact: Major Kenneth Moriarty – 401-764-5604
  • ​Address: 311 Danielson Pike, North Scituate, RI 02857
  • ​Website: risp.ri.gov
• ​Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) - Boston Field Office
  • ​Contact: 857-386-2000
  • ​Website: fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/boston
• ​Massachusetts State Police (MSP)
  • ​Website: mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-state-police
• ​Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General
  • ​Contact: 401-274-4400
  • ​Website: riag.ri.gov
• ​U.S. Attorney's Office - District of Rhode Island
  • ​Contact: 401-709-5000
  • ​Website: justice.gov/usao-ri
• ​Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS)
• ​Website: ncis.navy.mil

Trinity Mount Ministries - NCMEC - AMBER Alerts - Active Missing Children Posters - UPDATE - 06/25/2026

Help Find Missing Children. Let's Put An End To Child Abuse And Exploitation... Care.

Active Missing Children Posters Below.

Active AMBER Alerts

Name	Missing From	Issued For	Alert Date
Daleyza Fregoso	Los Angeles, CA	CA	May 25, 2026
Allen Fischer	Monteview, ID	ID	Jun 23, 2025
Rachelle Fischer	Monteview, ID	ID	Jun 23, 2025
Calliope Godwin	Albuquerque, NM	NM	Jun 8, 2026

			Active AMBER Alert cases will remain on this page updated to 6 months from activation.  Following that, active missing child posters can be found by using the search tool here. Notice: The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children® certifies the posters on this site only if they contain the NCMEC logo and the 1-800-THE-LOST® (1-800-843-5678) number. All other posters are the responsibility of the agency whose logo appears on the poster.

   

​No Place to Hide: How Multi-Agency Coalitions Are Dismantling Child Exploitation in Northeast Florida

 

By Brett Fletcher

​When it comes to protecting the most vulnerable members of our society, the old way of doing things—where individual police departments worked strictly within their own city limits—is no longer enough. Digital predators don’t care about county lines or jurisdictional boundaries.

​That is why the recent success of Operation Checkmate in Jacksonville, Florida, is so significant. It represents a massive win for child safety and serves as a blueprint for the future of law enforcement: absolute, unyielding collaboration.

​The Breakthrough: Operation Checkmate

​Led by Sheriff T.K. Waters and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) alongside 16 partner agencies, Operation Checkmate was a intensive undercover sting targeting predators who use the internet to solicit minors.

• ​The Operation: Undercover detectives posed as young teenagers online. Over a five-day period, they interacted with adults attempting to arrange sexual encounters. When those suspects arrived at designated meeting locations expecting a minor, they were instead met by SWAT teams and narcotics units.

• ​The Results: The operation culminated in 29 arrests of individuals ranging in age from 22 to 72, spanning various socioeconomic backgrounds—including a youth athletics coach and a local venue security manager. Active warrants remain open for additional suspects.

​The Shield: Who is Involved?

​An operation of this scale requires a massive, coordinated infrastructure. Several key organizations and task forces worked behind the scenes to make these arrests possible:

​1. The Northeast Florida INTERCEPT Task Force

​The Inter-agency Child Exploitation and Persons Trafficking (INTERCEPT) Task Force is a specialized coalition that serves as a national model. It brings together local, state, and federal law enforcement—including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Jacksonville, the JSO, and the Sheriff’s Offices of Clay, St. Johns, and Putnam counties. By operating out of a unified command structure, they seamlessly share intelligence, bypass bureaucratic red tape, and track digital footprints across county lines.

​2. Operation Light Shine

​Operation Light Shine is a specialized non-profit organization that helps build and support the INTERCEPT Task Force model. Under leadership like Executive Director Bryan Weight, Operation Light Shine doesn't just raise awareness; they provide law enforcement with the cutting-edge technology, funding, advanced training, and logistical support necessary to fight modern digital exploitation. Supported heavily by donors like the Tim Tebow Foundation, they ensure intercept teams have the physical tools they need to rescue children and capture predators.

​"Today's announcement is a reminder that those working to exploit children are not operating in the shadows unnoticed. Dedicated investigators, analysts, prosecutors, and task force partners are working every day to identify offenders and bring them to justice."

​The message to anyone seeking to harm or exploit a child is simple, direct, and non-negotiable: Your time is running out. We will see you soon.

​Resources & How to Report Help

​Protecting children requires a whole-of-community approach. If you suspect child exploitation, human trafficking, or online grooming, use the official, verified channels below to report it or find support.

​To Report Suspected Abuse or Exploitation

• ​National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)
  • ​CyberTipline: report.cybertip.org
  • ​Phone: 1-800-843-5678 (1-800-THE-LOST)

• ​Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tip Line
  • ​Online: ice.gov/tipline
  • ​Phone: 1-866-347-2423
• ​National Human Trafficking Hotline
  • ​Text: Text "HELP" or "INFO" to 233733 (BEFREE)
  • ​Phone: 1-888-373-7888

​Learn More & Support the Mission

• ​Operation Light Shine: Learn about their task force initiatives at operationlightshine.org.
• ​Jacksonville Sheriff's Office: Stay updated on local safety initiatives at jaxsheriff.org.
• ​Tim Tebow Foundation: Discover their anti-human trafficking and child protection sectors at timtebowfoundation.org.