Woonsocket Man Sentenced For Molesting Girl Under 14

WOONSOCKET, RI — A Woonsocket man was sentenced to 13 years in state prison after being convicted of molesting a girl under the age of 14, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said Monday.

On Friday, Peterson Ramirez, 37, pleaded nolo contendere to first-degree child molestation and conspiracy to commit first-degree child molestation.

"Child molestation is a terrible crime that forever changes the life of a young person," Neronha said. "This victim’s extraordinary courage in coming forward to tell her story will help prevent other children from experiencing similar pain at the hands of this defendant. I thank the Woonsocket Police Department for their outstanding work and partnership during the investigation and prosecution of this case."

Had the case proceeded to trial, prosecutors said they were prepared to prove that between 2018 and 2021, Ramirez sexually assaulted an underage girl he knew several times at a Woonsocket home.

"I commend the victim’s bravery in coming forward so that this defendant could be held accountable," Woonsocket Police Chief Thomas Oates said. "Justice was served in this case, and I thank Detective Koneczny, the men and women of the Woonsocket Police Department, and the Attorney General’s Office for their hard work."

Following Ramirez's prison sentence, he must serve 30 years of probation. He must also register as a sex offense for life.

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