Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin today announced that Francisco Bonilla (DOB: 11/8/78), aka "Cisco," with a last known address of 393 Plainfield Street, Providence, pleaded guilty to felony assault, conspiracy to commit felony assault, carrying a firearm without a license and use of a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence (P1-2012-2811DG). Bonilla also pleaded guilty to another count of possession of a firearm without a license (P2-2013-0020AG). Bonilla is the known leader of the local MS-13 gang.
Under the plea agreement, Bonilla was sentenced by Superior Court Justice Robert D. Krause to a total of 20 years, with 10 to serve and the remainder suspended with probation, non-parolable.
Had the case proceeded to trial, the State was prepared to prove beyond a reasonable doubt, that on January 14, 2011, Bonilla, along with three members of MS-13, drove to 46 Lowell Avenue, Providence, the residence of rival gang Tiny Rascal Gang (TRG) leader Ruben Montufar. Once at the residence, Bonilla exited the vehicle, took out a .380 caliber handgun and fired into the occupied residence. No one was injured during the incident. The state was also prepared to prove beyond a reasonable doubt, that on August 11, 2011, Bonilla was in possession of a .25 caliber handgun without a license.
Bonilla was indicted by a Providence County Grand Jury on October 5, 2012, and arrested on October 10, 2012, as a result of a nearly two year investigation by the Rhode Island Safe Streets Task Force, a joint Providence Police and FBI taskforce, into the illegal activity of known MS-13 gang members and associates.
"Putting Cisco Bonilla, the known leader of MS 13 in Rhode Island, behind bars for ten years will create a major disruption in gang's violent, criminal enterprise," said Attorney General Kilmartin. "Make no mistake though. While Cisco has been put on ice for a long time, gang activity will continue to exist, especially in our urban communities. And, as long as they do, I will not waiver in my commitment to disrupt and dismantle them and will make use of all available resources to protect our neighborhoods from the scourge of gang violence."
Special Assistant Attorney General, James Baum, chief of Juvenile and Community Prosecution Unit, prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of Attorney General.