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Monday, November 4, 2024

Warwick man found guilty of child molestation; sentencing scheduled for January

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Attorney General Peter Neronha | Facebook Website

Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced that a Warwick man was found guilty in Kent County Superior Court of sexually assaulting a girl under the age of 14 in 2023.

On October 23, 2024, after a three-day jury trial before Superior Court Justice Luis M. Matos, the jury convicted Steven Porricelli, aged 53, of two counts of second-degree child molestation.

The defendant is being held without bail at the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI) pending a sentencing hearing set for January 24, 2025.

“Sexual assault against children forever changes the course of their lives, which have only just begun,” said Attorney General Neronha. “In coming forward and telling her story, this victim demonstrated incredible bravery, even as she dealt with incredible trauma. The more we can help child victims feel safe in coming forward, the more we can successfully prosecute these perpetrators. I am grateful to the Warwick Police Department and my prosecutors for their excellent work on this case.”

During the trial, it was proven beyond a reasonable doubt that on May 19, 2023, Porricelli assaulted a female victim under the age of 14 at a home in Warwick. The victim was known to him.

“Sexual assault cases involving children are among the most difficult cases we investigate,” said Colonel Bradford E. Connor, Warwick Police Chief. “I commend the bravery that this victim displayed throughout this process, thereby ensuring that no more children will suffer at the hands of this defendant. I also want to thank Detective Arico and our partners at the Attorney General’s Office for their hard work on this difficult case.”

Special Assistant Attorneys General Arthur DeFelice and Megan Andrews from the Office of the Attorney General and Detective Adam Arico from the Warwick Police Department led both investigation and prosecution efforts.

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