Tiverton Man Who Raped 2 Women Sentenced To Life In Prison

TIVERTON, RI — A Tiverton man was sentenced to life in prison last week after prosecutors proved he raped two women — one in 2006 and the other in 2018.

Providence County Superior Court Justice Maureen Keogh sentenced Brian Brownell, 59, Wednesday to a life sentence with a 20-year consecutive sentence to serve at the Rhode Island Adult Correctional Institutions in Cranston. Brownell was convicted of two counts of first-degree sexual assault on May 11, following a four-day trial.

"With this sentencing, the punishment fits the crimes," Attorney General Peter Neronha said. "While these victims should be commended for the incredible courage they demonstrated in testifying against their assailant, the fact remains that the incredible pain he caused each of them is lifelong, which is why this life sentence is appropriate. I am grateful for the exceptional work of the Tiverton and Newport police departments and the prosecutors in my office, in this case, and in so many others."

During the trial, the state proved Brownell, a registered sex offender, raped a woman he knew at a Newport home in May 2006. State prosecutors also proved Brownell raped another woman he knew in May 2018 at a home in Tiverton.

Brownell was convicted of indecent assault and battery on a person under 14 in Massachusetts in 2000 and possession of child pornography in Rhode Island in 2015.

"This defendant has proven he is beyond rehabilitation, and today’s sentencing reflects the severity of his crimes," Tiverton Police Chief Patrick Jones said. "I want to thank the hard-working men and women of the Tiverton Police Department and the attorney general's office for their diligence in investigating and prosecuting the defendant."

Have a news tip? Email jimmy.bentley@patch.com.