Man who plays Patriots mascot arrested in prostitution sting
Published: December 11, 2009
Updated: December 11, 2009
PROVIDENCE—Rhode Island State Police said they’ve arrested 14 people for prostitution-related crimes since a new law went into effect that banned indoor prostitution, including a man who plays the New England Patriots’ mascot.
State police said Friday that since last month, they have arrested eight men, five women and one 17-year-old girl for prostitution or for procurement of sexual conduct for a fee.
Law enforcement sources told NBC 10 one of the johns who tried to pay for sex with a prostitute was 47-year-old Robert Sormanti of Warwick. He is one of several people who plays the Pat the Patriot mascot.
“The Pat Patriot mascot costume is worn by multiple people, each of whom are held responsible and accountable for their actions. The individual in question has been suspended. The mascot responsibilities will continue to be fulfilled by others,“ said a statement from the team.
A call to Sormanti’s home was not immediately returned.
These are the first arrests since the governor signed a new law that closed a loophole that made indoor prostitution legal. Eight men and six women were arrested.
Over the past month, state police conducted two stings. In one, they placed an ad on the adult section of Craigslist. A woman, really a state trooper, offered sex for money.
“Shortly after posting to the Web site, we received numerous calls from males seeking sexual conduct in return for a fee,“ state police Capt. David Neill said.
The second sting involved a state trooper answering escort ads on Craigslist and in local newspapers.
One of the prostitutes arrested was a 17-year-old girl.
“There was a 17-year-old arrested. Coupled with some of the conversations from the johns, it’s reprehensible that we have a young girl who’s put in a difficult socio-economic situation, and she feels this is a good trade to go to. Well, that’s not,“ said state police Col. Brendan Doherty.
One prostitute told the state police she makes $1,000 a day. Two of the hookers showed up to meeting places—hotels and motels in the Providence metropolitan area—in a new Mercedes and a 750-series BMW.
A bill signed into law in November made prostitution a misdemeanor crime regardless of where it occurs. Previously, indoor prostitution was allowed in Rhode Island because of a legal loophole inadvertently introduced by the legislature in 1980.
The alleged johns face up to a year in prison and a $1,000 fine. The women arrested for prostitution face six months in prison and $1,000 fine.
The state police said the women arrested for prostitution were:
Katelynn Pegg, 18, of 8 Albro Ave., Taunton, Mass.
Charlenne Lavasseur, 48, of 11 Gail Ave., Cranston
Christine Aurelio, 29, of 464 Buchanan St., Pawtucket
Nicole Moyniham, 22, of 187 Cottage St., Pawtucket
Jessica Neves, 22, of 55 Wannisett Ave., East Providence
“Jane Doe,“ 17
The state police said the men arrested for procurement of sexual conduct for a fee were:
Antonio Lima, 59, of 39 Willard Ave., Seekonk, Mass.
Ahmed Farhane, 33, of 136 George St., Pawtucket
Steven Jobe, 54, of 152 Bayard St., Providence
Robert McVey, 56, of 140 Kettle Pond Drive, South Kingstown
Robert Sormanti, 47, 31 Todd St., Warwick
Kennth Stiles, 47, of 29 Judge St., Fall River, Mass.
William Lee, 43, of 5 Cecile St., Lincoln
Daniel Fleming, 38, of 62 Lawn Ave., Warwick
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Reader Reactions
why do we care what “other people” do in there own time? do we want “other people” knowing what we do in our own time? I BET WE DO NOT. this guy was a nobody till he put that costume on—now that makes him “somebody” with National fame-pretty sad!
Thank you….
At this time, prostitution is illegal. The trusted Pat Patriot is was arrested for performing an illegal activity. Ok, he shouldn’t be fired but given his role, he should certainly be suspended without pay until his guilt is established. If he was DUI, I would not want him driving my kids. If he involved in the perversion of prostitution, I do not want him close to my kids. It has nothing to do with whether I think sex is ok. In my view there isn’t a large leap between paying for sex favors and forcing it on a child. Of course, I suppose he and she used contraception, which makes it a sin in the eyes of the Catholic church as well.
Have these not been reasonable questions AG Somerset? Your last post avoided them and insulted me. Now your not responding at all.
I think I understand where you are coming from. It’s the position of most insecure people who say one thing and then try to avoid the reality of the true degree of intelligence of their statement.
Watch….if you respond.. you’ll respond to this post and still avoid my questions.
Read my last post and answer my questions. Prove me wrong please.
No not Catholic and after doing a report on the Church and looking in depth at abortion. I believe I now am pro-life. It was horrible the things I have read. However I will always be open to a reasonable argument in regards to it. I’m 17 I have very little conflicts.
What I believe that should be condoned is the privacy of ones sexual activities. I believe one is not a pervert for doing exactly the same thing physically that a fine upstanding citizen like yourself does. The simple act of money changing hands instead of a dinner being bought or a trip to the movies has you labeling this man a pervert. You certainly can call him a criminal using that definition of pervert (of the law) but your inference to “Perverted Pat” suggests a sexual pervert when his sex with that prostitute might have been as normal as you and your wife. I’m trying to understand what the difference is, providing, he’s not driving your daughter keeping your daughter away from someone who has been arrested for drunk driving? I’m wondering (not confronting you) if you think because it was sex that was paid for that makes it a sexual perversion in your mind and how you come to that conclusion if you yourself have sex?
Ok Ches:
So if I understand it, you are a pro-life, anti abortion catholic that condones prostitution for people who are dealing with kids on a regular basis.
I think I understand where you are coming from. It’s the position of most conflicted Catholics who say one thing and practice another.
Ok fair enough.
But I see your calling him Pat Pervert so you think what he did was perverted?
Or are you your saying because he had sex and paid for it, He"s a threat to to young women?
See I’m just a kid myself but if I thought he was dangerous I wouldn’t want to send him…. How did you put it?
(I’ll be sure to send him to your daughter to keep him away from mine.}Yea…. I wouldn’t want to send him to your daughter? I don’t understand? Are you saying that sex is perverted? You have children and had sex are you a threat? I’d be willing to bet your wife doesn’t think so.
How would anyone know whos under the mask even if they changed him?
I very well remember your views on the catholic church and there abortion issues. You I believe are more of a threat to daughters in this world.
Try reading the constitution of the United States. Nobody has been convicted of anything. One day it could be your name published due to some mix up. Save your judgment for after the conviction or pleas. It’s no wonder this self-centered-self-rightist fascist society is circling the bowl.
Well, the next time Pat Pervert is taking group photos at family day, I’ll be sure to send him over to your daughter to keep him away from mine.
He is a public figure dealing with kids, women, etc. I think I’d like to see a little more discretion.
This is like the Patriots saying the video taping was ok because every team does it. Now isn’t that a great example for adult fathers to set for their children. Oh, it was ok to cheat kids, every team does it.
AG Somerset??
With all respect I was wondering why this touches you so personally that you feel the need that this man should be fired. Certainly its not for the reputation of the team when this would pale in contrast with many of the team members antics on any given Friday night during the off season. Because they pay for it?
You do understand that the State making this a crime in reality after 30 years has no moral validity in the application. All those names listed were given a green light and the prostitutes now listed as criminals were given there start by our state and there incredible lack of foresight. They might have just as well have put a sign out stating no street walking just take it inside and you are ok to do it.
I’m sure you have thought about what it would be like to loose your job. You would wish this on another man for indiscretions that you don’t happen to agree with? Do not call it a moral crime….not in Rhode Island you can’t. Not until the last prostitute and the last John die of old age.
I would sincerely like your response.
Lets face it either way you look at it this loophole was a disgrace to begin with Rhode Island is not Las Vegas personally I cannot believe they let the laws go unchaged for so long, but the fact is prostitution does happen in RI and will continue to happen I personally would prefer people to have the people who find it neccesary to participate in these activities to do it behind closed doors instead of out on the street and in the parks. In a perfect world there would be no prostitutes but this is not a perfect world. The economy stinks right now, heck $1000 a day tax free? beats my lousy under $300 a week UI check….lol. I agree lets put the tax dollars towards stopping the drug dealers and violence in Providence.
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