Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced today that a Providence man has been sentenced in Providence County Superior Court to serve 12 years at the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI) for sexually assaulting two female victims under the age of 14 and one female victim under the age of 18 in 2023.
At a hearing on June 12, 2024, Brian Watson (age 34) waived indictment in two cases and entered a plea of nolo contendere to two counts of first-degree child molestation and one count of sexual assault. Superior Court Magistrate John F. McBurney III sentenced the defendant to 40 years with 12 years to serve at the ACI, and a 28-year suspended sentence with 40 years of probation. The defendant is required to register as a sex offender for life and attend sex offender counseling. Additionally, Magistrate McBurney issued a No Contact Order between the defendant and the victims.
“I commend the incredible bravery of these victims in fighting through their pain and coming forward to hold this defendant accountable,” said Attorney General Peter F. Neronha. “While no punishment can reverse the pain this defendant has caused, I hope this disposition provides a measure of comfort to the victims and their families. Additionally, I want to thank the Providence Police Department for their commitment to delivering justice in this case and many others.”
Had the case proceeded to trial, the State was prepared to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that between August 1, 2023, and November 27, 2023, Watson molested two female victims under the age of 14, who were known to him, at a residence in Providence. Additionally, on or around March 3, 2023, Watson had sexual contact with the third victim under the age of 18 at a hotel in Cranston.
The Providence and Cranston Police Departments began investigating Watson after the youngest victim disclosed the assault to a mandatory reporter at her school.
“I would like to thank the Attorney General’s Office and our hard-working detectives for the successful investigation and prosecution of this offender," said Providence Police Colonel Oscar L. Perez Jr., "and I am thankful for the victims for their bravery in making that possible.” He added: “These cases are never easy on the victims’ families and it is the Providence Police Department’s hope that this sentencing will help in the healing process.”
Assistant Attorney General Shannon Signore and Special Assistant Attorney General Taylor Dumpson from Neronha's office led alongside Detective Koren Garcia from Providence Police Department and Detective Michael Iacone from Cranston Police Department.
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