Interim Report of the Providence County Grand Jury
Reported October 13, 2022
An indictment, information, or complaint is merely an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Elijah Soto (age 19)
Pawtucket, RI
P1/22-3638AG
On October 13, 2022, the Providence County Grand Jury returned an indictment charging Elijah Soto with a total of eight counts: one count of murder, one count of conspiracy to commit murder, one count of discharging a firearm while in the commission of a crime of violence resulting in death, one count of carrying a pistol without a license, one count of conspiring to violate the controlled substances act, one count of delivery of cocaine, one count of possession of cocaine 10 grams or less, and one count of keeping and maintaining a common nuisance.
The alleged acts occurred in the city of Pawtucket between January 30, 2022 and January 31, 2022. The Pawtucket Police Department conducted the investigation.
The defendant is scheduled to be arraigned on October 19, 2022 in the Providence County Superior Court.
Steven Benitez (age 20)
Central Falls, RI
P1/22-3639ADV
On October 13, 2022, the Providence County Grand Jury returned an indictment charging Steven Benitez with a total of six counts: three counts of domestic first-degree sexual assault, one count of domestic second-degree sexual assault, one count of domestic battery by strangulation, and one count of domestic simple assault.
The alleged acts occurred in the city of Cumberland sometime on May 30, 2022. The Cumberland Police Department conducted the investigation.
The defendant is scheduled to be arraigned on November 2, 2022, in the Providence County Superior Court.
Justin Kulas (age 40)
Cranston, RI
P1/22-3640A
On October 13, 2022, the Providence County Grand Jury returned an indictment charging Justin Kulas with one count of first-degree robbery.
The alleged act occurred in the city of Providence sometime on March 9, 2022. The Providence Police Department conducted the investigation.
The defendant is scheduled to be arraigned on November 2, 2022, in the Providence County Superior Court.
Jeffrey Hart (age 52)
Middleburg, FL
P1/22-3641A
On October 13, 2022, the Providence County Grand Jury returned an indictment charging Jeffrey Hart with one count of first-degree sexual assault.
The alleged act occurred in the city of North Providence sometime on August 6, 2022. The North Providence Police Department conducted the investigation.
The defendant was arraigned on October 14, 2022 in Providence County Superior Court.
Jonatan De Leon (age 38)
Providence, RI
P1/22-3642A
On October 13, 2022, the Providence County Grand Jury returned an indictment charging Jonatan De Leon with one count of possession of more than 1 kilogram of cocaine, two counts of conspiracy to violate Rhode Island’s Controlled Substances Act, and one count of possession with intent to deliver cocaine.
The alleged act occurred in the city of Pawtucket sometime on May 23, 2022. The Pawtucket Police Department conducted the investigation.
The defendant is scheduled to be arraigned on November 2, 2022, in the Providence County Superior Court.
Wendy Encarnacion De Leon (age 32)
Pawtucket, RI
P1/22-3642B
On October 13, 2022, the Providence County Grand Jury returned an indictment charging Wendy Encarnacion De Leon with one count of possession of more than 1 kilogram of cocaine, two counts of conspiracy to violate Rhode Island’s Controlled Substances Act, and one count of possession with intent to deliver cocaine.
The alleged act occurred in the city of Pawtucket sometime on May 23, 2022. The Pawtucket Police Department conducted the investigation.
The defendant is scheduled to be arraigned on November 2, 2022, in the Providence County Superior Court.
