Providence man sentenced to serve 10 years in state prison for sexual assault
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced today that a Providence man has been sentenced in Washington County Superior Court to serve 10 years at the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI) for first-degree sexual assault against a female victim in 2020.
At a hearing on April 10, 2024, Superior Court Justice Melanie Wilk Thunberg sentenced Aaron Lewis (age 38) to 25 years with 10 years to serve at the ACI and a 15-year suspended sentence with 25 years of probation. Judge Thunberg also ordered that the defendant register as a sex offender and undergo sex offender counseling, and additionally issued a No Contact Order between the defendant and the victim. On February 5, 2024, Judge Thunberg found the defendant guilty of two counts of first-degree sexual assault.
“There are many ways we can collectively support victims of sexual violence, and one of them is prosecuting perpetrators to the full extent of the law,” said Attorney General Neronha. “Statistically, more than two out of three sexual assaults go unreported in this country. That’s why successful prosecution of sexual assault cases is so important: it helps victims realize that justice is possible. I am grateful to the South Kingstown Police Department for their outstanding work and advocacy in this case.”
During the trial, the State proved beyond a reasonable doubt that on May 24, 2020, the defendant sexually assaulted a female victim, who was known to him, at a residence in South Kingstown. That night, both the defendant and the victim attended a house party in South Kingstown. During the party, the defendant made multiple sexual advances toward the victim, each of which she rebuffed. Later that night, as the victim slept, the defendant sexually assaulted with her while she was incapacitated. On May 25, the victim reported the sexual assault to South County Hospital.
“Because of the victim’s bravery, the defendant has been held accountable for this terrible crime,” said Chief Matthew Moynihan of the South Kingstown Police Department. “I am thankful for the hard work of our officers and investigators, as well as the Office of the Attorney General, for their investigation and prosecution of this case.”
Assistant Attorney General Mark Trovato of the Office of the Attorney General and Detective Gary Marquis of the South Kingstown Police Department led the investigation and prosecution of the case
