Former Bristol Youth Coach Found Guilty of Child Molestation

A former Bristol youth football coach has been found guilty of child molestation.

Jesse Perry, 61, of 140 Beattie St., was found guilty after a jury-waived trial by Superior Court Justice Netti C. Vogel, who concluded that the state proved that Perry molested a young man on multiple occasions between 1990 and 1997.

The victim testified that Perry was his youth football coach and a father-like figure to him. The molestation began when he about 10-years-old and continued until he was 17.

The victim disclosed the alleged abuse to Bristol Police during the course of a separate investigation in 2012.

Justice Vogel heard testimony from three other individuals who reported being inappropriately touched by the defendant in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The molestations were reported to Bristol Police in 2004 but the statute of limitations had expired and the State was unable to proceed forward with charges.

The defendant remains held without bail until sentencing. Bristol Police Sgt. Steve St. Pierre led the investigation with assistance from the Rhode Island State Police Detective Matthew Salisbury. Special Assistant Attorneys General John Dean and Shannon Signore, Chief of the Child Abuse Unit, prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of Attorney General.