On Friday, July 31, 2020, at 11:45 A.M., Smithfield Detectives arrested Archie Emerson, age 75, retired pastor of the Ocean State Baptist Church in Smithfield, charging him with 2nd, Degree Child Molestation.
Smithfield Detectives received a complaint from a female known to Emerson, reporting she was molested by Emerson from the ages of 6 to 11. Smithfield Detectives obtained a search warrant and an arrest warrant for Emerson and his residence. Detectives seized computers and related items from the residence. Pastor Emerson was taken into custody without incident.
Pastor Emerson was later brought to Third District Court in Warwick, where he appeared before the Honorable Magistrate Joseph P. Ippolito Jr. Bail was set at $50,000 personal recognizance and he is scheduled to appear in Superior Court on October 30th, 2020, to answer the charge.
Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Smithfield Detective Division at 401-233-1036.
