Following trial, Massachusetts man to serve 19 years in state prison for child molestation

Following trial, Massachusetts man to serve 19 years in state prison for child molestation

Published on Tuesday, September 10, 2024

Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced today that a Massachusetts man has been sentenced in Kent County Superior Court to serve 19 years at the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI) for sexually assaulting a male victim under the age of 14.

At a hearing on September 6, 2024, Court Justice Luis M. Matos sentenced Joao Soares (age 32) to 40 years, with 19 years to serve at the ACI, and a 21-year suspended sentence with 40 years of probation. The defendant must also register as a sex offender, comply with all statutory requirements relating to sex offender registration, and complete sex offender counseling. There is also a No-Contact Order between the defendant and the victim and with children under the age of 16 years old.

On June 5, 2024, following the conclusion of a three-day trial, a jury found the defendant guilty of seven counts of first-degree child molestation and one count of second-degree child molestation.

"Behind every case we prosecute involving childhood sexual abuse is a courageous victim who, despite enduring incredible trauma, held their attacker accountable," said Attorney General Neronha. "I want to thank the victim in this case for his incredible bravery in coming forward and providing a powerful statement to the court, thereby ensuring the defendant is held responsible for his crimes. I am grateful to the Warwick Police Department for their outstanding work during the investigation and prosecution of this case."

During the trial, the State proved beyond a reasonable doubt that between 2007 and 2009, the defendant sexually assaulted a male victim, under the age of 14 and known to him, at a home in Warwick.

"The victim's bravery in coming forward allowed justice to be served, and for that I am grateful," said Warwick Chief of Police Colonel Bradford Connor. "I appreciate the efforts of our detectives and prosecutors in the Attorney General's Office on their successful investigation and prosecution of this offender. Hopefully, this sentencing will help in the ongoing healing process for the victim and his loved ones."

Special Assistant Attorneys General Arthur DeFelice and Doug Ciullo of the Office of the Attorney General and Sergeant Nate Chea and Detective Joseph DeDonato (retired) of the Warwick Police Department led the investigation and prosecution of the case.

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