Warwick Man Sentenced For Violent Assault

WARWICK, RI — A Warwick man has been sentenced to serve four years at the Adult Correctional Institutions following his arrest last year for assaulting a former girlfriend, causing serious injuries.

Gregory Ward, 38, appeared in Kent County Superior Court on July 29 where he pleaded nolo contendere to a charge of domestic felony assault resulting in serious bodily injury.

Ward was sentenced to 10 years with four to serve and the balance suspended with probation. The court further ordered that Ward must complete a batterer’s intervention program and issued a no contact order between Ward and his victim.

At the time of the assault, Ward was on probation from a 2019 assault against the same victim. Ward's picture subsequently appeared on a statewide most-wanted list. He was arrested on the new charges in October of 2020.

“For as long as I have been a prosecutor, domestic violence cases have been among those that have troubled me the most, because of the physical and emotional harm they cause, oftentimes long lasting,” said Attorney General Peter F. Neronha. “Given this defendant’s history of domestic abuse, putting him in prison for an extended period, where his ability to harm current or prior domestic partners he views as vulnerable will be eliminated, is entirely appropriate. I am grateful to the victim for coming forward and displaying great courage throughout this case.”

Prosecutors said that during the early morning hours of August 31, 2020, Ward severely beat his former girlfriend at her home in Warwick, inflicting serious injuries. Prior to the assault, the victim encountered Ward at a nearby bar and he later followed her home, despite the victim telling Ward to leave her alone. Following the assault, the victim woke up bleeding from her head and without her cell phone. She ran to a neighbor’s home to call the police.

The victim was transported to the hospital and treated for serious injuries, including facial fractures, lacerations on her scalp, and a brain bleed, Neronha's office said.

Special Assistant Attorney General David T. Bonzagni of the Office of the Attorney General and Detective Christian Vargas of the Warwick Police Department led the investigation and prosecution of the case.