2 ACI Inmates Found Guilty For 2017 Stabbing

CRANSTON, RI — Two inmates at Cranston's Adult Correctional Institutions were found guilty of a 2017 stabbing that sent another victim to the hospital. Justin Santerre, 38, of Fall River, and Jeffrey Wilson, 63, of Providence, were convicted in Providence County Superior Court on Jan. 31.

Wilson was found guilty of one count each of assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a weapon other than a gun while in prison, conspiracy to commit assault and disorderly conduct. Santerre, meanwhile, was convicted of one count each of conspiracy to commit assault with a dangerous weapon and disorderly conduct. Both are set to be sentenced on March 27.

According to Attorney General Peter Neronha's Office, Santerre, Wilson and a third maximum-security inmate, 50-year-old Brian Audette, went after another inmate, Salvatore Romano, just before 10 a.m. on July 2, 2017. Using a sharpened 10-inch metal rod and razors blades, the trio "brutally attacked" Romano, punching him as well. The victim was taken to Rhode Island Hospital with injuries to his head, face, back and chest, requiring sutures and staples.

During the trial, video surveillance and witness statements showed that Romano, who had been placed in segregation due to a previous fight with another inmate, was returned to his regular cell around 7:45 that morning. Santerre, Wilson and Audette were friends with the other inmate, Richard Dupont.

Following his release from segregation, Romano went to the recreation yard around 9 a.m., when he was targeted. The fight last for about 20 seconds before correctional officers arrived and broke it up.

Surveillance footage shown during the trial depicted Santerre on his knees with his back to the camera, punching Romano, who was laying on the ground, as Wilson used the metal rod to stab the victim three times.

"I commend the Rhode Island State Police and the Department of Corrections investigators for conducting a thorough and effective investigation in this case," Attorney General Neronha said. "The kind of behavior engaged in by the defendants here significantly endangers not only other inmates but also DOC staff, and warrants substantial investigative and prosecutorial effort."

Audette pleaded guilty to his charges in connection with the incident in 2018 and had an additional 10 years added to his sentence. Last July, he was charged with felony assault in connection with a fight that ended in Audette stabbing another inmate.