Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced that Ramiro Morales (DOB: 5/19/72), with a last known address of 25 Lapre Road, North Smithfield, pled guilty to multiple counts of first degree child molestation before Superior Court Justice Edward C. Clifton.
Morales was sentenced to 55 years, with 30 to serve and the remainder suspended with probation. Under the Jessica Lundsford Act, which Morales is subject to, any person convicted of first or second degree child molestation is subject to community supervision upon completion of their sentence, and anyone convicted of first degree child molestation shall be on community supervision for life, which includes electronic GPS monitoring for life.
Had the case proceeded to trial, the State was prepared to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Morales molested three minor children under the age of 14.
On or about the dates between January 1, 1997 and January 30, 2004, Morales molested a minor relative. The victim later disclosed the molestation to a parent, who contacted police. Morales was arrested by the Cranston Police in December 2008 and subsequently released on $20,000 surety bail. Through the course of the police investigation, it was discovered that Morales was molesting two minors under 14 years of age with whom he resided. He was arrested in June 2009 on the new molestation charges and has been held without bail since.
"Ramiro Morales is a child predator who violated the innocence of three young children. His heinous actions after being arrested the first time for molestation are a clear indication of his complete and utter lack of remorse. I applaud the coordinated efforts by police to put Morales behind bars where he can no longer hurt anyone," said Attorney General Kilmartin.
The investigation was handled by several police departments including the Cranston Police, Coventry Police, North Smithfield Police, and Rhode Island State Police. Assistant Attorney General Feidlim Gill and Special Assistant Attorney General Judith Laliberte prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of Attorney General.