Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced that Sandry Russell (age 31), with a last known address of 124 Cleveland Street, Providence, entered a guilty plea yesterday before Superior Court Justice Robert D. Krause to burglary, felony assault, using a firearm while committing a crime of violence and possession of a firearm while being previously convicted of a crime of violence. Under the terms of the plea agreement, Russell was sentenced to 33 years with 13 years to serve and the remainder suspended with probation, without the benefit of parole.
Had the case proceeded to trial, the State was prepared to prove that on the evening of April 13, 2014, Russell shot an individual during an attempted home invasion at the Manton Avenue Housing Authority. Russell, armed with a pistol and wearing a mask, knocked on the door of an apartment. When the resident opened the door, Russell tried to force his way into the apartment. A struggle ensued during which the defendant's mask came off and the victim was shot in the knee. Russell fled the scene and was later identified by the victim.
Providence Police Detectives Robert Melaragno and Timothy McGann led the investigation. Special Assistant Attorney Generals Robert E. Johnson, IV, and Peter Roklan prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of Attorney General.