Providence Man Gets 10-Year Prison Sentence For Raping Woman

PROVIDENCE, RI — A Providence man was sentenced to 10 years in state prison after pleading to raping a woman in 2022, Attorney General Peter Neronha said Thursday.

On April 3, David Lainez, 22, pleaded nolo contendere to first-degree sexual assault before Superior Court Justice R. David Cruise.

"I want to commend the victim in this case for bravely coming forward and naming her attacker, ultimately ensuring the defendant was held accountable," Neronha said. "Sexual assault is among the worst types of crimes we prosecute, and convictions of offenders helps show other victims that justice is possible in these types of cases."

Had the case proceeded to trial, prosecutors said they were prepared to prove Lainez sexually assaulted a woman he knew at a Providence home.

"Sexual assault has traumatic and lifelong impacts on victims, which is why it is so important to hold offenders responsible for their crimes," Providence Police Col. Oscar Perez said. "Justice was served in this case, and I thank Detective Sherman, the men and women of the Providence Police Department, and the Attorney General’s Office for their hard work throughout this case and commitment to public safety."

Following Lainez's prison sentence, he must serve 35 years of probation.

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