Providence Man Gets 25-Years In Prison For Molesting Girl Under 14

PROVIDENCE, RI — A Providence man was sentenced Monday to 25 years in state prison after prosecutors proved he molested a girl under the age of 14 between 2013 and 2019.

Jose Lantigua, 62, received a 60-year sentence, with 25 years to serve, and a 35-year suspended sentence with 60 years of probation. A Providence County Superior Court judge also issued a no-contact order between Lantigua and his victim and is requiring Lantigua to register as a sex offender and receive counseling.

On Sept. 28, 2022, a jury found Lantigua guilty of first-degree child molestation and second-degree child molestation, following a week-long trial.

"This defendant was a serial predator, and the lengthy sentence here reflects the severity of the trauma he imposed on the victim," Attorney General Peter Neronha said. "This victim’s decision to bravely confront the defendant demonstrates the powerful impact of victim testimony. It isn’t always easy to come forward, but often it helps bring criminals to justice. I am enormously grateful to this victim, as well as the Providence police for their outstanding work in this case and so many others."

During the trial, prosecutors proved that between 2013 and 2019, Lantigua sexually assaulted a girl under the age of 14 several times at a home in Providence. Prosecutors said Lantigua knew the victim.

"Cases involving child sexual assault are some of the most difficult cases investigated by the men and women of the Providence Police Department," Providence Police Col. Oscar Perez said. "Our thoughts are with the victim and her loved ones at this time, and hope that this lengthy sentence can bring them some semblance of peace."

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