Newport Man Indicted for Child Molestation

The Newport County Grand Jury today handed down a five-count indictment charging a 19-year-old Newport man with five counts of first degree child molestation.

Duane Gomes, of 3 Prescott Place, allegedly molested a child 14-years-old or under between June 1 and July 31 of 2013, according to the indictment.

The alleged molestation occurred in Newport.

Gomes is due to be arraigned on Aug. 14 in Newport County Superior Court.

Court records show Gomes was arrested by Middletown police in June for disorderly conduct while out on bail. He pleaded no contest to the charge and was eventually released on bail after being sentenced to a six month suspended prison term and six months of probation.

Police obtained a warrant after he failed to appear on July 31 for an ability to pay costs hearing related to the disorderly conduct charge. That warrant was vacated today in lieu of the indictment.