Two men are facing serious charges after Lowell police say they showed up at a local hotel on Sunday expecting to pay for sex with a 15‑year‑old. Marciel Neto, 45, of Lowell, and David Passacantilli, 53, of Reading, were arrested at a hotel on Industrial Avenue East and later arraigned in Lowell District Court, according to authorities. Both men were released on personal recognizance and ordered to stay away from minors while the case plays out.
Arrests and charges
Investigators posing online as a commercial‑sex advertiser arranged meetings with the two men, then arrested them when they responded to the ad and arrived at the designated hotel, according to Boston Herald. Court records and police reports cited by the outlet state that Passacantilli agreed to pay $100 and was carrying $883 in cash, while Neto agreed to pay between $120 and $130 depending on condom use and had $351 on him. Each man is charged with enticing a child under 16, paying for sexual conduct with a child under 18, and attempting to commit rape of a child.
How the operation was staffed
The Lowell Police Department’s Investigative Services division notes that its Special Investigations unit handles vice‑related enforcement, including narcotics and commercial‑sex cases, according to the Lowell Police Department. In recent years, state police teams such as the High Risk Victim Unit have joined local departments on undercover “anti‑john” operations, as reported by WCVB. Those multiagency stings are set up to stop would‑be offenders before a real child is put in harm’s way.
Legal exposure
Under Massachusetts law, paying for sexual conduct with a minor is treated far more harshly than cases involving only adults. The statute governing sex for a fee, G.L. c. 272, § 53A, makes it a felony to pay or agree to pay for sexual conduct with someone under 18 and allows for prison time along with substantial fines, as laid out by the state legislature. The potential sentence depends on the specific counts brought and whether prosecutors pursue indictments in superior court. Neto and Passacantilli remain presumed innocent and will have the chance to challenge the accusations at upcoming court dates.
What’s next
At arraignment, both men were ordered to have no contact with minors, and Neto was additionally required to surrender his passport. They are scheduled to return to court for a probable‑cause hearing on April 16, 2026, according to Boston Herald. The judge released them on personal recognizance until that hearing, and court filings indicate a Portuguese‑language interpreter assisted Neto during his arraignment. Prosecutors are expected to outline their evidence at the probable‑cause hearing before deciding on any additional filings.
Anyone with information related to this case is asked by Lowell Police to call the department’s tip line at (978) 937‑3200. To report suspected online sexual exploitation in general, members of the public can contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s CyberTipline at 1‑800‑THE‑LOST or file a report at report.cybertip.org. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
