Easton Child Molester Sentenced to Prison

Bristol County District Attorney’s Office

Thomas M. Quinn III
District Attorney

Press Release
September 9, 2021​

A 55-year-old Easton man was sentenced to serve up to a decade in prison last week after pleading guilty to indecently assaulting a 13-year-old girl, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

Manual DaCruz pleaded guilty on August 31 in Fall River Superior Court to indictments charging him with three count of Indecent Assault and Battery on a Person Under the Age of 14.

In late Winter of 2017, the defendant began “tickling” the victim, who would spend weekends at the Easton home the defendant shared with her mother. This soon progressed to massaging and touching the child on her breasts, buttocks and vagina.  She also reported that he put his tongue on her vagina and tried to penetrate her.

The victim eventually told a friend about the abuse, who in turn told the victim’s mother about it. The defendant was arrested and charged soon thereafter.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney MaryClare Flynn and the seven to ten year state prison sentence was imposed by Judge Renee Dupuis.  The defendant will also be placed on supervised probation for another 10 years after he is released from prison.

“The defendant took advantage of his access  to the victim and repeatedly molested her. I am pleased the defendant has been held accountable for this very disturbing conduct which has significantly impacted the victim. I hope she can move forward with her life,” District Attorney Quinn said.

Contact:

Gregg Miliote

Director of Communications

774-292-9576