No Indictment in Rhode Island Child Molestation Investigation
Criminal Charge:
Investigation for 1st Degree Child Molestation, in violation of RIGL § 11-37-8.1
City, County, and Court:
- Providence, Rhode Island
- Providence County
- Rhode Island Superior Court (Providence County)
Case Overview:
Providence Police investigated allegations of child molestation and sexual assault against a Massachusetts police officer. The allegations were made against the man by his adopted sister. The man’s mother raised her biological children until they attained adulthood, and then elected to adopt two younger children: a girl and a boy. The adopted female, now a grown woman, accused her adopted brother of sexually assaulting and molesting her many years ago, when she was being raised by the man’s mother and residing in their family home. After learning he was under investigation and being placed on administrative leave by his employer (a local police department), the man immediately retained Sex Crimes Defense Lawyer, John L. Calcagni III, to represent him in connection with this very serious investigation.
Case Result: No Indictment.
Attorney Calcagni interviewed several witnesses and gathered text message communications between the man and his accuser that transpired between them over the years. The harmlessness and normality of their communications undermined the credibility of the woman’s otherwise delayed and uncorroborated sex assault claims. Attorney Calcagni then prepared his client and arranged for him to testify before the grand jury investigating the allegations. Soon after, the grand jury voted to not indict the man based on the woman’s claims. As a result, this case was closed absent a finding of probable cause to support a criminal indictment, and the police officer has since returned to duty.