Fall River Fugitive Apprehended in Child Sex Trafficking Case

A fugitive wanted in connection with the sex trafficking of a child in Fall River has been arrested.

Massachusetts State Police and Fall River Police announced Wednesday that Thomas Almeida, 57, had been arrested this past Sunday, August 6, on a warrant charging him in connection with the sex trafficking of a child.

The victim, a juvenile female, was held against her will, drugged and forced to engage in sexual acts.

Almeida was the last defendant in the case to be arrested, authorities said, because he fled from Massachusetts in 2018 and was possibly in Florida.

The investigation by Fall River Police in 2018 led to a warrant charging Almeida with sexual conduct with a child under 18. The two defendants charged with trafficking the child were previously convicted and are currently serving lengthy state prison terms.

Fall River Police learned on August 6 that Almeida may be back in the area, and the investigation led law enforcement to T.F. Green International Airport in Warwick, Rhode Island, where Almeida was located at the JetBlue Terminal awaiting a return flight to Florida. He was taken into custody without incident.

Almeida was held in Rhode Island as a fugitive from justice. The Bristol County District Attorney’s Office will coordinate his return to Massachusetts to face trial, where he may also face additional charges.