Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced that a Scituate man has been sentenced to 13 years in state prison for child molestation. Mark Salerno, aged 42, was sentenced at Providence County Superior Court for sexually assaulting a female victim under the age of 14 multiple times in 2021.
On November 6, 2024, during a hearing before Superior Court Justice Linda Rekas Sloan, Salerno pleaded nolo contendere to two counts of first-degree child molestation. The court imposed a sentence of 40 years, with 13 years to be served at the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI) and an additional 40 years on probation. A no-contact order was issued between Salerno and his victim. Furthermore, he is required to register as a sex offender, attend counseling, and adhere to community supervision requirements under state law.
Attorney General Neronha commended the bravery of the victim for coming forward. “I want to recognize the extraordinary bravery of another victim whose courage in coming forward helped bring her attacker to justice,” said Attorney General Neronha. He added that supporting victims is essential for public safety and thanked the Rhode Island State Police and prosecutors for their efforts in this case.
The State was ready to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Salerno assaulted the victim known to him multiple times between January and April of 2021 in Scituate had the case gone to trial.
Rhode Island State Police Colonel Darnell S. Weaver expressed gratitude for the victim's courage. “I am grateful for this victim’s bravery in coming forward and enabling justice to prevail,” he said. He also acknowledged the work of Troopers and prosecutors from the Attorney General’s Office involved in investigating and prosecuting the case.
Assistant Attorney General Shannon Signore from the Office of the Attorney General and Detective Ian Andrade from the Rhode Island State Police led this investigation and prosecution.