PORTSMOUTH — A local man has been indicted n charges that he molested a child 14 years of age or younger earlier this year.
The Newport County Grand Jury reported out an indictment Sept. 12 charging John E. Tingstad, 26, of 20 Attleboro Ave., Portsmouth, with two counts of first-degree child molestation.
According to Portsmouth police, at 11:10 p.m. on March 29, police observed Mr. Tingstad and a female in a vehicle parked on the grassy area of the Common Fence Point playground. Police investigated and observed Mr. Tingstad and a Fall River female inside, police said, adding that girl identified herself as being 13 years old.
After obtaining a warrant, police arrested Mr. Tingstad at his home on April 2. An investigation was conducted by members of the detective division, which revealed that Mr. Tingstad had had sexual intercourse with the girl, police said.
The case was turned over to the R.I. Attorney General’s Office.
Mr. Tingstad is scheduled to be arraigned in Newport County Superior Court on Oct. 16, 2014.
