RI Woman Sentenced For Child Molestation

JAMESTOWN, RI — A Rhode Island woman was sentenced Monday in Providence County Superior Court to three years in prison after pleading to sexually assaulting a boy under age 14 between 2016 and 2018.

Maria Asciolla, 60, of Jamestown, entered an Alford plea to four counts of first-degree child molestation. An Alford plea means the defendant claims their innocence, while admitting the prosecution has enough evidence for a conviction.

Attorney General Peter Neronha said the state objected to the court’s acceptance of an Alford plea, but in the eyes of the legal system, the Asciolla is guilty and now convicted of first-degree child molestation.

At the sentencing hearing before Superior Court Justice Daniel Procaccini, the court sentenced the Asciolla to a 25-year sentence, with three years to serve at the ACI and a 22 years suspended sentence with probation. The court also issued a no contact order between the defendant and the victim.

Additionally, the Asciolla must register as a sex offender, attend sex offender counseling and is subject to community supervision requirements under state law. Prosecutors recommended a total sentence of 40 years, with 15 years to serve in prison.

"Every child in Rhode Island deserves to grow up in a caring and safe environment, and yet we know all too well that this is not the case for far too many, including the victim here," Neronha said in a statement. "Over the past five years alone, we have charged over 400 cases involving sexual assaults against children. It is my hope that today’s result will bring a measure of justice for the victim, in this challenging and emotionally charged case. I thank the Jamestown Police Department for their outstanding work and partnership in the investigation and prosecution of this case."

Had this case proceeded to trial, the State was prepared to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that between 2016 and 2018, the defendant sexually assaulted a male relative under the age of 14, who was known to her, at a location in Jamestown.

“It is a very tragic case for everyone involved,” said Edward A. Mello, Chief of the Jamestown Police Department. “I commend the work of Detective Carlino and the Attorney General’s Office for the thorough investigation. One that began following the reports of concerned residents and led to this outcome.”

Asciolla was ordered to surrender to prison authorities on July 18.