Repeat New Bedford Domestic Abuser Sentence to a Decade in Prison
Bristol County District Attorney’s Office
Thomas M. Quinn III
District Attorney
Press Release
June 21, 2021
A 30-year-old New Bedford man convicted of a litany of domestic assault and home invasion-related crimes was sentenced last Friday to serve a decade in state prison, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.
Pedro Fuentes pleaded guilty in Fall River Superior Court to indictments charging him with four counts of armed assault in a dwelling, and one count each of assault and battery in violation of a restraining order. home invasion, resisting arrest, assault and battery on a police officer, assault and battery on a family or household member, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, intimidation and violation of a restraining order.
On October 4, 2019 police met with the female victim, who had several bruises, at the police station on Rockdale Avenue. She reported that on October 3, the defendant had beat her up by striking her in the face with closed fists and that he bruised her face and right eye. She also had bruising about her body on her arms, shoulder and legs as a result of being kicked by defendant who wore boots.
She immediately filed for a restraining order and told police he threatened to kill her and her family. After telling the defendant about the restraining order, he told her to drop the order, tell police she was retracting her statement, and that if she didn’t comply, he would kill her family.
On October 5, 2019 the victim reported to police that the defendant had violated the order by calling her and threatening to kill her and rape her mother. A witness also corroborated this phone call.
Despite being arrested for the above mentioned incidents, the defendant was back out on the streets two months later when on December 9, 2019, he kicked in the same victim’s apartment door and entered while brandishing a firearm.
The victim was inside the apartment with a friend and two children. The defendant pointed the gun at all of them and made several threats before fleeing.
When police tracked down the defendant on December 20th, the defendant violently resisted arrest and assaulted a detective.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Shawn Guilderson and the 10-year state prison term was imposed by Judge Raffi Yessayan, who also ordered the defendant to undergo counseling and be placed on probation for an additional four years.
The defendant has already been convicted twice of domestic violence related crimes and served jail time in both instances.
“The defendant has a history of committing violent acts of domestic violence and drug dealing. He violently assaulted his ex-girlfriend in front of two young children,” District Attorney Quinn said. “This is outrageous conduct and the defendant has clearly demonstrated that he is a danger to the community, and does not belong out on the street. This case once again highlights the importance of video surveillance in solving crimes.”
Contact:
Gregg Miliote
Director of Communications
774-292-9576