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Massachusetts man sentenced to seven years in prison for elder abuse

Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced that Kevin Viara (age 50), of Seekonk, MA, pleaded guilty on June 17, 2019 to one count of domestic kidnapping; two counts of domestic assault of a person over 60, bodily injury resulting; and one count of vandalism. Providence County Superior Court Justice Netti C. Vogel sentenced Viara to a 20-year full sentence, with seven years to serve and the balance suspended with probation. The charges stem from a 2017 incident where Viara kidnapped and assaulted his then 74-year-old mother.

As conditions to the plea agreement, Viara was ordered to complete both batterers intervention and anger management programs. The Court also issued a No Contact Order between Viara and the victim. Additionally, Viara will undergo a mental health and substance abuse evaluation and any subsequent treatment as recommended.

The State was prepared to show that on September 10, 2017, Viara visited the victim's home in East Providence and, during his visit, became angry and violent when she refused to draft a letter for him. Viara then held the victim against her will at her home for approximately eight hours. During that time, Viara verbally threatened to kill the victim and assaulted her with a broken shard of glass and a wooden stick, causing several injuries, including a broken arm. Viara also destroyed several items in the victim's home.

The victim was later able to call the East Providence Police Department from her cell phone and was subsequently taken to Miriam Hospital for treatment.

The East Providence Police Department conducted the investigation into the case. Special Assistant Attorneys General Molly Kapstein Cote and Eric Batista prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of the Attorney General.

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