RI Man Who Raped and Recorded a One Year Old in Taunton Imprisoned for Decades
Bristol County District Attorney’s Office
Thomas M. Quinn III
District Attorney
Press Release
June 30, 2023
A 25-year-old former Woonsocket, RI man who raped and indecently assaulted his one year old daughter and recorded portions of it while in Taunton will spend the next 20 to 25 years in state prison, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.
Cody Mercure pled guilty in Fall River Superior Court this week to indictments charging him with Rape of a Child-Aggravated by Age, Indecent Assault and Battery on a Person under 14 and Possession of Child Pornography.
The incidents occurred on February 19, 2021 on a day when the defendant had custody of the child. He brought the child to a friend’s house in Taunton and while in a bathroom, committed the acts connected to these indictments.
The investigation began after a priority one cyber tip was received by Rhode Island State Police. The Bristol County District Attorney’s Special Victims Unit then took the lead on the case and eventually made the arrest. The defendant was also indicted federal for the creation of child sexual exploitation and dissemination of child pornography. He was sentenced in that case in April to serve 15 to 25 years in prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release.
During a sentencing hearing before Judge Raffi Yessayan, Assistant District Attorney Casey Smith argued that based on the heinous nature of the crime and the recording of it, the defendant should be sentenced to serve 20 to 25 years in state prison, to be followed by 20 years of supervised probation. The defense argued for a 10 year prison term, followed by 10 years of probation. Judge Yessayan, however, agreed with the Commonwealth’s recommendation, sentencing the defendant to serve 20 to 25 years in prison and an additional 20 years of supervised probation. The state and federal prison terms will run concurrent to one another.
“The conduct of the defendant is despicable and difficult to comprehend. He clearly has a demented mind and these sentences will keep him off of the street for a lengthy period of time, which is clearly necessary to protect children,” District Attorney Quinn said.
Contact:
Gregg Miliote
Director of Communications
774-292-9576