Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced that Carlos Rios, aka Ricardo Arias, 41, of Boston, Massachusetts, and Carlos Reyes-Sanchez, age 33, of Sarasota, Florida, were sentenced yesterday for the January 2012 beating and death of 49-year-old Victor Baez of Cranston, RI.
Rios pleaded nolo contendere before Superior Court Justice Kristin Rodgers to one count of manslaughter. He was sentenced to 30 years, with 20 years to serve, the balance suspended, and 30 years probation.
Reyes-Sanchez pleaded nolo contendere before Superior Court Magistrate John F. McBurney to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon in connection with his role in the assault on Mr. Baez. Under the terms of the plea, he was sentenced to 10 years, with nine months to serve, the balance suspended, and 10 years probation.
Had the case proceeded to trial, the State was prepared to prove that Victor Baez was found beaten and unconscious outside his home on Third Avenue in Cranston in the early morning hours of January 30, 2012. He was transported to Rhode Island Hospital, and later succumbed to his injuries on May 26, 2012.
Based on information gathered by the Cranston Police Department during their investigation, it was determined that Mr. Baez and Carlos Rios had gotten into an altercation at a birthday party for Rios earlier in the evening. A few hours later, Rios, accompanied by Reyes-Sanchez, went over to Mr. Baez's residence to confront him again. When Mr. Baez returned home, he was accosted and beaten by Rios.
The case was investigated by the Cranston Police Department led by Captain Sean Carmody and Detectives John Ryan and Robert Lindsay. Assistant Attorney General John Krollman prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of Attorney General.