Warwick domestic altercation ends in arrest and multiple criminal charges
Criminal Charges:
Man charged in the Rhode Island Superior Court (Kent County) for:
- Carrying a Pistol Without License or Permit, in violation of R.I.G.L. § 11-47-8(a)
- Domestic Felony Assault and/or Battery, in violation of R.I.G.L. § 11-5-2(b)
- Domestic Simple Assault and/or Battery, in violation of R.I.G.L. § 11-5-3(b)
- Domestic Disorderly Conduct, in violation of R.I.G.L. § 11-45-1(a)
City, State, County and Court:
Warwick, Rhode Island, Kent County
Rhode Island Superior Court (Kent County)
Case Overview:
A couple got into a domestic altercation in the man’s hotel room. Noises from their verbal and physical altercation disrupted other guests who called hotel management. During the fight, the man alleged struck the woman with a firearm and threatened to shoot her. This was overheard by other guests and relayed to hotel management, who called police. Warwick Police arrived on scene. Upon entering the man’s hotel room, they found it to be in disarray. They observed physical injuries to the woman and also a semi-automatic handgun in plain view on the bed. The man, who was from Alabama and in Rhode Island temporarily for work, did not have a permit for the firearm. Based on the gun, observed injuries to the woman, and statements from witnesses, the man was arrested and charged in Rhode Island Superior Court with a series of domestic violence felonies and misdemeanors. He retained Rhode Island Criminal Defense Lawyer, John L. Calcagni III, to defend him in this matter.
Case Result: 5-Year Deferred Sentence.
Because of the man’s employment with a defense contracting agency, he could not sustain a felony conviction without losing his job. Over time, Attorney Calcagni persuaded prosecutors to resolve this case with what is known under Rhode Island criminal procedure as a deferred sentence. This required the man to admit responsibility to the charged crimes, but did not result in any punishment. Instead, the imposition of sentence is deferred for up to 5 years. Providing the man is not charged with a new offense during the deferred sentencing period, the case will be dismissed in the end, and eligible to be expunged from public record.