MIDDLEBOROUGH — A Providence man was arrested Sunday after allegedly attempting to meet with a local juvenile following an undercover police operation.
Efrain Ixcuna, 28, of Providence, was charged with enticement of a child under 16, attempt to commit a crime and reckless sexual endangerment of a child.
On Sept. 5, a parent reported to Middleborough Police that their child had been receiving inappropriate and sexual messages from an unknown male.
The investigation revealed that the male, later identified as Ixcuna, initially contacted the child through Snapchat.
Ixcuna continued communications by text messages and allegedly attempted to deceive the child by falsely claiming he was 16 years old.
The Middleborough Detective Unit began an investigation and assumed undercover control of the child’s cell phone with their parents’ consent.
Ixcuna was repeatedly informed that the child was underage but allegedly continued to send sexually explicit messages, including repeatedly asking for photographs and in-person meetings.
Undercover detectives arranged a meeting for Sunday and arrested Ixcuna at that location without incident.
A search of Ixcuna’s vehicle revealed what appeared to be gifts intended for the child, including jewelry and a stuffed animal.
Ixcuna is scheduled to be arraigned Monday in Wareham District Court.
