New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
On Wednesday, January 30, detectives of the Wareham Police Department obtained an arrest warrant for Ronald Franklin Jr., 59, of 3026 Cranberry Highway. Mr. Franklin is a registered Level 3 sex offender, which the Commonwealth defines as “Having a high risk of re-offending and pose a high degree of danger to the public.”
The warrant was obtained after an intensive investigation in which detectives collected evidence and spoke to potential victims regarding the reported activities of Mr. Franklin. The actual warrant was for the charge of dissemination of matter harmful to minors.
On Thursday morning, at 6:00 a.m. Patrol Officers Christopher Corner, Calib Larue and a detective went to the Silver Lake Motel and arrested Mr. Franklin on the warrant. At a hearing later in the afternoon at Wareham District Court, Mr. Franklin was ordered held on $25,000 bail.
Acting Chief John Walcek said, “The detectives received information into possible illegal activities involving Mr. Franklin and conducted a thorough investigation, leading to this warrant being issued.” He added, “I cannot stress enough the importance of our department protecting vulnerable populations, especially children. If we receive information that there are potentially harmful crimes involving minors the case will be aggressively investigated to ensure their safety.” Lastly he said,
“I would like to thank the team from the Plymouth County DA’s office who argued the case for this high bail, they did a great job.”
