Ski Mask Assailant Also Suspect in Three Providence Assaults

NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI— Criminal charges are piling up against Roger Corbin, 53, the convicted sex offender accused a week ago of grabbing a North Kingstown woman and attempting to drag her into the woods. He faced more charges in Providence District Court today.

According to the criminal court clerk, he is a suspect in three new cases in the capital city, where he was arraigned today.

In the first case, Corbin was charged with felony assault and battery and assault with intent to commit a felony. In the second case, he faced the identical charges. In the third case, he was charged with one felony assault and battery and one misdemeanor simple assault.

According to records, he was supposed to be assigned a public defender today. He is due back in court on March 1.

North Kingstown police arrested him Friday and and charged with felony assault with a dangerous weapon and assault to commit a felony, police said.

According to the statement on the police department's web page, the woman was walking on Devil's Foot Road near Heritage Village Apartments around 8 p.m. on Dec.1. A man allegedly came up from behind, grabbed her and tried to force her into the woods at knife point.

He was wearing a ski mask, she told police. She was able to fight him off. He ran away. Police searched the area but did not find the suspect that night. But detectives investigated and identified the suspect as Corbin, a level three registered sex offender.

He was taken into custody on Dec. 2, arraigned and transferred to the state prison where he is being held without bail.