A Tiverton man facing a child sex crime admitted in court last week that he enticed and brought a 13-year-old girl with him from Pennsylvania to Rhode Island for the purposes of sex nearly three years ago.

According to United States Attorney Zachary Cunha, William Stewart, 22, of 44 High Hill Road, pleaded guilty Friday to enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity, transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, and interstate travel with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.

Stewart, 19 at the time of the offense, said in court that he met the girl in an online chat platform and sought to have a sexual relationship with her. He told the court that in June 2021, he traveled to Pennsylvania, where he met the girl at her home. On the drive north to Tiverton, he told the court, they engaged in sexual activity at a hotel in New Haven, Ct., and that behavior continued once they were back in Rhode Island. He also introduced the girl to his family, he said.

Three days after their arrival, on July 7, the child contacted a friend via SnapChat and asked for help. Tiverton police were notified and responded to the High Hill Road home. At the time, Tiverton Police Capt. Michael Miguel said she was found in Stewart's basement and did not appear to be injured. According to Captain Miguel, the day she was found was her 14th birthday,

Captain Miguel said that other family members were present at the home, but there was no evidence that they were aware of the girl’s actual age. Police believe that both Mr. Stewart and the girl misrepresented her age.

Stewart is scheduled to be sentenced in mid-June.