Pawtucket Man Convicted Of Child Molestation

PAWTUCKET, RI — A Pawtucket man was found guilty of multiple counts of child molestation in Providence County Superior Court.

After a six-day trial, a jury on Monday found Milton Aponte, 43, guilty of one count of first-degree child molestation, three counts of second-degree child molestation and one count of simple assault.

"Sexual assaults against children at the hands of a trusted adult remain an ongoing, devastating problem in Rhode Island – we have charged over 400 such cases over the last five years alone,” said Attorney General Peter Neronha in a statement Friday. "While nothing can reverse the damage the defendant has caused, it is my hope that his conviction and the lengthy sentence of imprisonment he now faces will bring a measure of justice for the victim and her family. I am grateful to the victim for coming forward and demonstrating strength and resiliency throughout the investigation and prosecution of this case."

Between 2012 and 2018, Aponte sexually assaulted a girl under 14 at several Pawtucket locations. The victim came forward in 2018, and Pawtucket police learned the victim was abused numerous times between the ages of 8 and 13.

"Cases such as these are devastating for the victim and difficult for the community. However, I want to thank the whole team who has worked on this case and the willingness of the victim to come forward as we worked to investigate this terrible crime," said Acting Public Safety Director Chief Tina Goncalves. "The Pawtucket Police Department and Attorney General’s Office were dedicated to this case and spent countless hours on investigation and prosecution of the defendant."

Aponte was previously convicted of first-degree child molestation in 1998. After his release in 2012, Aponte was serving the remainder of a 40-year suspended sentence.

Aponte will return to court on March 28 for sentencing. He is being held without bail for violating the terms of his release and is being charged with failure to register as a sex offender. That case is pending in Superior Court.