Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced that on Wednesday May 29, 2019, Pablo Lopez Baez (age 39), of Providence, pleaded nolo contendere to carrying a pistol without a license before Superior Court Magistrate Richard D. Raspallo. Under the terms of the plea agreement, Baez was sentenced to 10 years with five years to serve and the remainder suspended with probation.
Had the case proceeded to trial, the State was prepared to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that on March 18, 2019, Providence police officers stopped a car that had crashed into two unmarked police vehicles and attempted to flee. Pablo Lopez Baez was found in the passenger seat of the car in possession of a 9-millimeter pistol, which he did not have a permit to carry. The pistol was later successfully test fired and found to be operable.
Providence Police Detective Alex Kanelopoulos led the investigation and Special Assistant Attorney General Edward G. Mullaney prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of the Attorney General.
###