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Interim Report of the Providence County Grand Jury (Reported August 27, 2013)

Please note: An indictment, information, or complaint is merely an allegation. The U.S. Constitution guarantees that a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

George Betters, DOB: 5/10/85 151 General Street Providence, RI P1-2013-2535AG

Stephano Castro, DOB: 11/20/90 3 Samoset Avenue Providence, RI P1-2013-2535BG

Damon Schmitz, DOB: 7/24/87 31 Clym Street Providence, RI P1-2013-2535CG

The Providence County Grand Jury reported out an indictment charging George Betters, Stephano Castro and Damon Schmitz each with two counts of first degree robbery, two counts of conspiracy, two counts of carrying a firearm without a license, four counts of use for a firearm while committing a crime of violence. In addition, Betters was indicted on two counts of being in possession of a firearm being previously convicted of a crime of violence, possession and of cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to deliver, two counts of possession of a firearm while in possession of a controlled substance, resisting arrest, and obstruction of a police officer.

Castro was also indicted on one count of resisting arrest, and Schmitz was indicted on two counts of possession of a firearm while being previously convicted of a crime of violence.

It is alleged that on or about April 8, 2013, Betters, Castro and Schmitz, and an unnamed juvenile co-conspirator, broke into the home of Michael Padilla and robbed Padilla and Jose Rosario at gun point. The victims provided the Providence Police with a description of the motor vehicle in which the defendants fled. A short time later, Providence Police spotted the motor vehicle on Pleasant Valley Parkway.

As the police approached the vehicle, it is alleged that Betters and Castro fled while Schmitz and the unnamed juvenile co-conspirator stayed in the vehicle. Police captured Betters and Castro after a lengthy foot chase. It is alleged that Betters was in possession of cocaine. Police seized two firearms from the vehicle.

The alleged events took place in Providence and the Providence Police conducted the investigation. Betters, Castro and Schmitz are scheduled to be arraigned in Providence County Superior Court, before Superior Court Justice Robert D. Krause on September 3, 2013.

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