State of Rhode Island Office of Attorney General

10/10/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/10/2024 11:38

Following trial, Providence man guilty of child molestation

Following trial, Providence man guilty of child molestation

Published on Thursday, October 10, 2024

Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced today that a Providence man has been found guilty in Providence County Superior Court of sexually assaulting a female victim under the age of 14 between 2013 and 2018.

On October 7, 2024, following the conclusion of a five-day jury trial before Superior Court Justice Maureen B. Keough, the jury found Kevin Frias (age 42) guilty of two counts of first-degree child molestation and three counts of second-degree child molestation.

The defendant is currently being held without bail at the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI) pending a sentencing hearing scheduled for January 10, 2025.

"I'm not interested in wasting words on this defendant," said Attorney General Neronha. "This child victim is a true hero, demonstrating incredible bravery in the face of unimaginable trauma. We must continue to support victims by creating safe environments for them to come forward so that they may heal, and we may bring perpetrators to justice. I am grateful to the Providence Police Department and my prosecutors for their hard work on this difficult case, and to the jury for getting it right."

During the trial, the State proved beyond a reasonable doubt that between 2013 and 2018, the defendant assaulted a female victim under the age of 14, who was known to him, multiple times at his home in Providence.

"The Providence Police Department aims to bring justice to those who perpetrate violent crimes," said Providence Police Colonel Oscar L. Perez, Jr. "The victim involved is commended for her strength throughout this case, resulting of the conviction of the defendant. I am grateful for the work of our detectives and officers, as well as the Attorney General's Office, during the investigation and prosecution of this case."

Assistant Attorneys General Shannon Signore and Special Assistant Attorney General Megan Andrews of the Office of the Attorney General and Detective Theodore Michaels (retired) and Detective Terrence Green (retired) of the Providence Police Department led the investigation and prosecution of the case.

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