Multiple Counts of First Degree Sexual Assault Child Molestation in Providence Rhode Island
Charges
- Multiple Counts of First Degree Sexual Assault Child Molestation in violation of RIGL § 11-37-8.1; and
- Multiple Count Second Degree Child Molestation Sexual Assault, in violation of RIGL § 11-37-8.3
Court Information
Providence, Rhode Island
Rhode Island Superior Court (Providence County)
Case Overview
A man was accused by his girlfriend’s granddaughter of sexual assault. She alleged multiple instances of sexual touching and digital penetration of her vagina. Because she was under the age of 14 when she alleges these events occurred, the man was arrested and indicted in Rhode Island Superior Court with multiple counts of Second Degree Child Molestation (sexual contact) and First Degree-Child Molestation (penetration). He retained Rhode Island Sex Crime Defense Lawyer, John L. Calcagni III, to defend him in this matter.
The State had no corroborating evidence other than the girl’s word. The entire family lives in a multifamily dwelling. The man, his girlfriend, and her grandkids all lives on one floor. The accuser’s father and other relatives lived on the first and second floors, yet no one saw, heard, or suspected a thing. The man declined a lengthy jail offer to resolve this case and demanded his right to trial. During the weekend before jury selection, the State moved to dismiss all but one charge of Second Degree Child Molestation Sexual Assault. Based on this sudden and unexpected development, Attorney Calcagni successfully persuaded the two prosecutors on the case to amend of the remaining sex offense to the felony non-sex offense of Felony Assault. The man then admitted responsibility to this less severe charge and received a suspended sentence probation. This result enabled him to avoid the risk of trial and sex offender registration.
Case Result
Amended to Felony Assault and Suspended Sentence with Probation.