Fall River Man Charged With Statutory Rape of a Child Sentenced to Prison
Bristol County District Attorney’s Office
Thomas M. Quinn III
District Attorney
Press Release
September 1, 2016
Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced today that a 37-year-old Fall River man will serve six to seven years in state prison after being convicted this week of statutory rape of a child and indecent assault and battery of a child.
Richard Brown submitted an “unagreed plea” in Fall River Superior Court on Tuesday, just as his trial was set to begin. During the plea hearing, Assistant District Attorney Kristen Wiley argued for an eight to 12 year state prison sentence, to be followed by 10 years of supervised probation with numerous conditions. The defendant, however, requested a five to six year prison sentence.
Superior Court Judge E. Susan Garsh, after hearing from both sides, sentenced Mr. Brown to serve six to seven years in state prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised probation. The terms of his probation will include registering as a sex offender, GPS monitoring, and completing all prescribed sex offender treatment protocols. The defendant will also be prohibited from working or volunteering in any capacity that puts him in contact with children.
The defendant was arrested by Fall River Police on May 20, 2015 after the now 17-year-old female victim came forward and told a relative about the sexual abuse she suffered when she was a young child between the ages of six and eight. The defendant, who was in a relationship with the victim’s mother and was living with them, was accused of digitally raping her on numerous occasions and manipulating the victim into performing sex acts on him.
Due to the nature of the crimes and the need to protect the victim’s identity, no further facts can be released.
“This defendant took advantage of his relationship with the victim and committed life-altering crimes against this young victim. I commend the victim for coming forward under difficult circumstances, and thank her for her perseverance,” District Attorney Quinn said. “I’m pleased that the defendant was sentenced to state prison for this heinous conduct. I hope the victim can now move forward with her life.”
Contact:
Gregg Miliote
Director of Communications
508-997-0711
774-292-9576—cell