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June 4, 2007

RIPTA driver guilty of sex assaults on 3 passengers

SOUTH KINGSTOWN -- A Washington County Superior Court jury today found a Rhode Island Public Transit Authority bus driver guilty of sexually assaulting three developmentally disabled passengers two years ago.

In August 2005, police accused Jose R. Rivera, 48, of assaulting the three women during his route to and from the Adeline LaPlante Center, an adult rehabilitation center in Peace Dale. Police began their investigation after learning the special-needs clients had revealed independently that their driver, Rivera, had “touched them in private places,” court records show.

After deliberating about 3 ½ hours, the jury found Rivera, of 12 Kent St., Pawtucket, guilty of two counts of first-degree and four counts of second-degree sexual assault as well as simple assault for incidents that took place in the woods and other places along the route, according to the Attorney General’s Office.

The women, ages 22, 37 and 39 at the time of the assaults, testified during the two-week trial before Judge Stephen P. Nugent.

“We’re very proud of the three complainants,” said Asst. Atty. Gen. Craig V. Montecalvo. “We’re impressed by their bravery.”

Nugent ordered Rivera held after the verdict was read. He faces life terms for each first-degree count alone at his sentencing Aug. 7.

-- Journal staff writer Katie Mulvaney

Posted by Mike McKinney  at 5:31 PM | Permalink

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