Former Providence Catholic Diocese Priest Indicted For Sexual Assault

PROVIDENCE, RI — An indictment was returned by a Statewide Grand Jury charging a former priest in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence with sexually assaulting a juvenile male victim between 1981 and 1982, Attorney General Peter F. Neronha and Colonel Darnell S. Weaver said Monday.

Kevin Fisette, 66, of Dayville Connecticut, was charged with one count of first-degree sexual assault on May 25 as a result of an ongoing investigation by Rhode Island State police into clergy child sexual abuse.

According to the indictment, the assault took place in Burrillville between January 1, 1981, and December 31, 1982. Fisette became a priest on November 21, 1981. At the time of the alleged assault, he was appointed to serve as a Deacon in Our Lady of Victory Parish, in Hopkinton, and as a Chaplain at Rhode Island Hospital.

In August 2009, Fisette was removed from ministry by the Diocese of Providence, but he has not been laicized, or dismissed from the clerical state, by the Catholic Church, the Attorney General said.

"Our broad investigation of clergy child sexual abuse in Rhode Island has had, from its inception, two principal purposes: to prepare a comprehensive report of our findings regarding such abuse and the Diocese' response to it, and along the way bringing individual criminal cases as they are developed, where the facts as alleged warrant them," said Attorney General Neronha.

This is the fourth case this office has brought against a clergy member based on child sexual abuse allegations, Neronha continued. "Our investigation remains active and ongoing. I am grateful to the Rhode Island State Police for their partnership throughout the investigation."

In connection with that review, the Attorney General's Office has gained access to over 70 years of Diocese records. The office's review develops evidence of alleged criminal misconduct, and the Rhode Island State Police say they are committed to conducting a thorough investigation of each alleged misconduct and bringing criminal charges where appropriate.

In November 2021, a statewide Grand Jury returned an indictment charging former priest James Silva with multiple counts of child molestation. The case against Silva is being prosecuted in Providence County Superior Court.

On May 5, 2021, a Statewide Grand Jury returned an indictment charging former Smithfield Priest Edward Kelley with multiple counts of sexual assault. In February 2022, the defendant was found by the court to be incompetent to stand trial.

In November 2020, a Statewide Grand Jury returned an indictment charging former Woonsocket priest John Petrocelli with multiple counts of child molestation. The case against Petrocelli is being prosecuted in Providence County Superior Court.

Fisette is scheduled to be arraigned on June 8 in Providence County Superior Court.