Wareham man charged with soliciting a minor in Portsmouth

Aug 30, 2024

PORTSMOUTH, RI — A Wareham man was arrested and charged with a felony and two misdemeanors after traveling to Portsmouth, Rhode Island to solicit sex from an underage girl on Thursday, Aug. 29.

According to the Portsmouth Police Detective Division, Wareham resident John Magee, 28, was charged with the felony of indecent solicitation of a minor, and the misdemeanors of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and possession of weapons other than firearms.

He was released on $5,000 personal recognizance under the conditions that he does not use the internet, smartphones or computers, and that he have no unsupervised contact with children.

If found guilty, Mcgee’s felony charge can carry a penalty of no less than five years in prison. The two misdemeanor charges can carry a maximum penalty of  two years in prison and a $1,500 fine under Rhode Island General Law. 

Portsmouth Police Detectives found Magee in his vehicle at the Portsmouth Plaza, 3001 East Main Road, pulled him over and took him into custody. Police found knives, marijuana and drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle. Police added that Magee had planned to give the marijuana to the underage girl. 

At an Aug. 29 arraignment hearing in the Rhode Island Second Division District Court, Magee did not enter a plea and was assigned a public defender.