PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WHDH)– During an undercover sting, police found a missing Massachusetts teenager living with a convicted sex offender in Rhode Island.
Officers found the 15-year-old dancing at strip club in South Providence.
"On July 29th, officers of the Narcotics and Organized Crimes Bureau were notified by Boston Police and the Department of Homeland Security that they believed a 15-year-old girl that was missing from Boston was dancing at Cheaters nightclub," said Major David Lapatin, Providence Police Department.
Investigators from Boston Police, Providence Police and Homeland Security then launched an undercover operation.
It led them to 51-year-old Troy Footman of Dorchester. Footman is a convicted sex offender with a long criminal history that includes rape and running a prostitution ring. He's been arrested and charged with sex trafficking of a minor and is being held on $150,000 bail.
The teen has been turned over to child protective services.