South Kingstown man sentenced to serve 25 years in state prison for child molestation

South Kingstown man sentenced to serve 25 years in state prison for child molestation

Published on Tuesday, August 06, 2024

Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced today that a South Kingstown man has been sentenced in Washington County Superior Court to serve 25 years at the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI) after pleading nolo contendere to multiple counts of child molestation against a victim under the age of 14 from 2015 to 2022.

At a hearing on August 5, 2024, before Superior Court Justice Melanie Wilk Thunberg, Rudolph Bliss (age 55) pleaded nolo contendere to two counts of first-degree child molestation. Judge Thunberg sentenced the defendant to 40 years, with 25 years to serve at the ACI, and a 15-year suspended sentence with 40 years of probation. Finally, the defendant must register as a sex offender, comply with all statutory requirements relating to sex offender registration, and complete sex offender counseling.

"Crimes like these are uniquely devastating in how they impact victims, their families, and our communities," said Attorney General Neronha. "This victim demonstrated exceptional courage in coming forward and testifying. Because they spoke up, they ensured their attacker was held accountable for his crimes and protected other victims from a dangerous criminal. I am grateful to the South Kingstown Police Department for their investigative work in this case and many others."

Had the case proceeded to trial, the State was prepared to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant sexually assaulted a victim under the age of 14, who was known to him, multiple times at a South Kingstown residence between 2015 and 2022. The defendant, a registered sex offender, was on probation at the time.

"My heart goes out to the victim and their family, and it is my sincere hope that this outcome brings them some measure of comfort and justice," said Chief Matthew C. Moynihan. "I am incredibly proud of the diligent and relentless work done by the South Kingstown Police Department, in collaboration with the Attorney General's Office, to ensure that this predator was brought to justice and will no longer be a threat to our community."

Assistant Attorney General Mark Trovato of the Attorney General and Detective Jennifer Natale and Sergeant Joshua Eidam of the South Kingstown Police Department led the investigation and prosecution of this case.

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