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Cranston Man Sentenced to 30 Years for 2011 Sexual Assault

Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced that Paulo DaCosta (DOB: 6/4/74) with a last known address of 83 Smith Street, Cranston, was sentenced to 30 years, with 18 to serve, for a 2011 sexual assault.

DaCosta pled nolo contendere before Superior Court Justice Judith Colenback Savage on March 6, 2013 to one count of first degree sexual assault and two counts of second degree sexual assault. Justice Savage sentenced DaCosta to 30 years, with 18 to serve and the remainder suspended with probation, on the count of first degree sexual assault. In addition, DaCosta was sentenced to 15 years, with 10 years to serve and the remainder suspended with probation, to run concurrent, for the two counts of second degree sexual assault. Additionally, upon his release DaCosta will be subject to GPS monitoring, registration as a sex offender, and is required to attend sex offender and alcohol counseling during incarceration and upon release.

Had the case proceeded to trial, the State was prepared to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that on September 14, 2011, DaCosta sexually assaulted a young girl who was known to him, with the assault being in the first and second degree.

The investigation was led by Cranston Police Detective Craig Pieranunzi. Special Assistant Attorney General Ania Zielinski prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of Attorney General.

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