Woonsocket man sentenced to 16 years in state prison for 2020 sexual assault
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced today that a Woonsocket man has been sentenced in Providence County Superior Court to serve 16 years at the Adult Correctional institutions (ACI) for sexually assaulting his neighbor in 2020.
At a hearing on January 3, 2024, before Superior Court Justice Maureen Keough, David Molitor (age 39) entered a guilty plea to one count of first-degree sexual assault and was sentenced to 30 years, with 16 years to serve at the ACI and a 14-year suspended sentence, with 30 years of probation. Judge Keough also issued a no-contact order between the defendant and the victim. Additionally, the defendant must register as a sex offender, comply with all statutory requirements relating to sex offender registration, and complete sex offender counseling.
“While today’s sentencing cannot undo the traumatic harm the defendant caused the victim in this case, I hope this just and lengthy prison sentence will bring some measure of comfort to her loved ones,” said Attorney General Neronha. “I also want to acknowledge the victim for her bravery throughout this case. I am grateful for our continued partnership with the Woonsocket Police Department and commend the hard work by the investigative team and the prosecution team for their work on this case.”
Had the case proceeded to trial, the State was prepared to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that during the late evening hours of February 20, 2020, the defendant sexually assaulted his neighbor, while threatening her with a BB gun and a knife, at an apartment in Woonsocket.
“The men and women of the Woonsocket Police Department are committed to protecting our residents, and holding accountable those that seek to harm their fellow neighbors,” said Woonsocket Police Chief Thomas F. Oates, III. “Our thoughts are with the victim and her loved ones and hope that this verdict brings them some semblance of peace. I am proud of the work conducted by the Woonsocket Police Department throughout this investigation and thank the prosecutors at the Office of the Attorney General for bringing the defendant to justice.”
Detective Thomas Gormley of the Woonsocket Police Department and Special Assistant Attorneys General Jessica Villella and Jillian Dubois of the Office of the Attorney General led the investigation and prosecution of the case.
