Providence Man Sentenced For Molesting A Child Several Times

PROVIDENCE, RI — A Providence man was sentenced to nine years in state prison after he admitted to sexually assaulting a girl under the age of 14, Attorney General Peter Neronha said Monday.

Last week, Richard Hernandez Fernandez, 23, was sentenced after pleading guilty to sexual assault on a person under 14. Prosecutors said Fernandez sexually assaulted his victim numerous times between 2016 and 2018. According to prosecutors, the assaults happened at a home in Providence.

"Sexual assaults against children are the source of tremendous trauma for victims," Neronha said. "I am grateful to this victim for coming forward and seeking justice against the perpetrator of these terrible crimes. I would like to thank the Providence Police Department for their diligent efforts during the investigation of this case, and in so many others."

Following his prison sentence, Fernandez must serve 25 years of probation. He must also register as a sex offender.

"Cases involving the sexual assault of children are some of the most difficult investigations conducted by the men and women of the Providence Police Department," Providence Police Col. Oscar Perez said. "I thank the Office of the Attorney General for their prosecution of this case and the members of the Providence police for their diligence in seeking justice for victims of horrific crimes. I hope that this sentence will bring some semblance of peace to the victim involved."

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