Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin today announced that Jonathan Archie (DOB:8/27/88), with a last known address of 175 Carpenter Street, Providence, pleaded guilty before Superior Court Justice Sara Taft-Carter to the November 2009 sexual assault and robbery of a North Providence woman. In accordance with the plea agreement, Archie was sentenced to 60 years with 40 to serve and the remainder suspended with probation.
Had the case proceeded to trial, the State was prepared to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that midday on November 7, 2009 Jonathan Archie grabbed a 19-year old North Providence woman as she was walking down Smith Street, forced her behind a building, held a knife to her throat and violently raped her.
After the assault, the victim went to a nearby business and called 911, where she provided authorities with details of her assailant, including a physical description and that he shared with her that he had recently move to Rhode Island from South Carolina. She was taken to Women & Infants Hospital where a rape kit was taken.
Later that afternoon, North Providence Police Detective Chuck Davey informed the oncoming police officers of the incident and a description of the suspect. A fellow officer coming duty recalled responding to a call days before where police officers confirmed that one of the involved parties, Archie, had recently moved from South Carolina. From there, Detective Davey obtained an August 2009 photograph of Archie and placed it in a photo array. The victim picked Archie out of the photo array as her assailant. In addition, a witness who saw someone matching Archie's description near the scene of the crime also identified him from the photo array.
"The victim is a very brave young woman who assisted with the prosecution of her attacker, having to relive this horrific ordeal time and time again," said Attorney General Kilmartin. "She showed great strength and courage throughout this entire process. It is my hope that she find peace knowing her assailant will remain behind bars for a very long time."
North Providence Police Detective Chuck Davey led the investigation and Assistant Attorney General Thomas O'Brien prosecuted the case of behalf of the Office of Attorney General.