Providence man to serve 10 years in state prison for first-degree sexual assault
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced that a Providence man has been sentenced in Providence County Superior Court to serve 10 years at the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI) for sexually assaulting a female victim in Providence in 2022.
On April 3, 2024, at a hearing before Superior Court Justice R. David Cruise, David Lainez (age 22) pleaded nolo contendere to one count of first-degree sexual assault. Judge Cruise sentenced the defendant to 35 years with 10 years to serve at the ACI and a 25-year suspended sentence with 35 years of probation. Additionally, the judge ordered a No Contact Order between the defendant and the victim, sex offender registration, and sex offender counseling.
“I want to commend the victim in this case for bravely coming forward and naming her attacker, ultimately ensuring the defendant was held accountable,” said Attorney General Neronha. “Sexual assault is among the worst types of crimes we prosecute, and convictions of offenders helps show other victims that justice is possible in these types of cases. I want to thank the Providence Police Department for their outstanding work and partnership in this case.”
Had the case proceeded to trial, the State was prepared to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant sexually assaulted a female victim, who was known to him, at a residence in Providence.
“Sexual assault has traumatic and lifelong impacts on victims, which is why it is so important to hold offenders responsible for their crimes,” said Providence Police Colonel Oscar L. Perez. “Justice was served in this case, and I thank Detective Sherman, the men and women of the Providence Police Department, and the Attorney General’s Office for their hard work throughout this case and commitment to public safety.”
Assistant Attorney General Shannon Signore and Special Assistant Attorney General Taylor Matook of the Office of the Attorney General and Detective Jared Sherman of the Providence Police Department led the investigation and prosecution of the case.
