NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. — A Turners Falls man facing charges in connection with firing a BB/pellet gun at people and property in Buckland earlier this year was one of two people arrested in Rhode Island on Saturday for the alleged sexual assault of two 12-year-old girls.

Austin Sumner and Dustin Buckley, of Enfield, Connecticut, both 19, were taken into custody by North Kingstown Police officers in the early morning hours on a beach following an investigation. When authorities located the suspects, they also found an intoxicated 12-year-old boy known to the young men, and suspect Sumner and Buckley supplied the child with marijuana and alcohol.

Sumner has been charged with two counts of first degree child molestation and single counts of indecent solicitation of a child, contributing to delinquency of a child under 16 and possession of alcohol by a person 18 to 21. Except for indecent solicitation of a child, Buckley faces the same charges, as well as an additional two counts of first degree child molestation. Both men were arraigned in the Third Division District Court in Warwick on Monday and are being held without bail.

According to the North Kingstown (Rhode Island) Police Department, a 12-year-old girl called 911 at 2:51 a.m. on Saturday reporting that she and her friend of the same age were sexually assaulted by two adult males in the parking area on Marine Road, near a bike path. Officers responded, located the girls and determined they were at a Coventry residence when they were contacted via Snapchat by one of the suspects. The girls were picked up at a nearby park in Coventry at approximately 1 a.m. and were reportedly taken to the Marine Road parking lot. One of the females was allegedly sexually assaulted by both suspects while in the vehicle and outside of it, according to police. 

The unoccupied vehicle was still in the parking area when officers arrived. The girls also indicated to police that the two men had a tent somewhere near the beach.

Rhode Island State Police and East Greenwich Police responded to assist in forming a perimeter and providing drone and K-9 services. According to the North Kingstown Police, both suspects were located, along with the 12-year-old boy.

Sumner, who was 18 at the time, was one of two teenagers arrested in June for using a BB/pellet gun to shoot at people and property in Buckland. He and Adam Maynard, of Greenfield, were taken into custody by Massachusetts State Police following a traffic stop in Buckland. Sumner was charged with two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, malicious destruction of property, and disorderly conduct. Maynard was charged with single counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and disorderly conduct.

Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-930-4120.