Providence Man Sentenced For Sexually Assaulting A 16-Year-Old Girl

PROVIDENCE, RI — A Providence man was sentenced Friday to 12 years in state prison for sexually assaulting an unconscious 16-year-old girl in 2019.

On Wednesday, Malcom Baptista, 21, pleaded nolo contendere to first-degree sexual assault, conspiracy to commit sexual assault, possession of child pornography and obstruction of justice. Prosecutors said Baptista was one of at least five men who sexually assaulted the teen, and was the fifth defendant convicted.

"The defendant here violated that most basic principle — that every person, at all times, under all circumstances — is entitled to be free from an assault against their person,"Attorney General Peter Neronha said. "The defendant took advantage of the young victim’s helpless condition. He demonstrated utter disregard for her. The significant prison sentence he now faces is more than warranted. It is justice."

Had the case proceeded to trial, prosecutors said they were prepared to prove that between Dec. 19 and Dec. 20, 2019, Baptista sexually assaulted the teen at a home on Wesleyan Avenue in Providence.

Prosecutors said Baptista was part of a group that sexually assaulted the victim and recorded portions of the assault on a cellphone. Video of the assault was later uploaded to Facebook.

Investigators identified the Baptista and the other assailants from the videos.

As of Friday, four additional co-defendants have been convicted for their roles in the sexual assault.

• In July 2021, Carlos Chacon was convicted of first-degree sexual assault and was sentenced to serve 12 years at the Rhode Island Adult Correctional Institute (ACI) in Cranston
• On Oct. 27, 2022, Antonio Leiva was convicted of first-degree sexual assault and sentenced to serve 12 years at the ACI.
• On Dec. 13, 2022, Jose Vargas was convicted of second-degree sexual assault and sentenced to serve eight years at the ACI.
• On Jan. 25, 2023, Richard Chester was convicted of first-degree sexual assault and sentenced to serve 12 years at the ACI.

The cases against two remaining defendants charged with misdemeanor offenses are pending in Providence County Superior Court.

"The defendant involved in this incident has been convicted of a horrific and disturbing crime that has caused pain and suffering to the victim and their family," Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez said. "I am proud of the work conducted by the men and women of the Providence Police Department throughout this investigation, and thank the prosecutors at the Office of the Attorney General."

At the hearing, before Superior Court Justice Richard Raspallo, the court sentenced Baptista to 20 years, with 12 years to serve at the ACI, and an eight-year suspended sentence and 20 years of probation.

Baptista was also ordered to register as a sex offender, complete sex offender counseling, and is subject to community supervision. The court also issued a no-contact order between the Baptista and his victim.