Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced that Superior Court Justice Daniel A. Procaccini sentenced Julio Morais (age 51), with a last known address of 23 Walker Street, Pawtucket, to 50 years, with 35 to serve for child molestation. In addition, Morais was ordered to undergo sex offender counseling, lifetime registration and community notification upon his release, and no contact with the victim. Morais was found guilty in September of four counts of first degree child molestation.
During the course of the trial, the State proved beyond a reasonable doubt that starting in 2002, Morais molested a young girl, the daughter of his girlfriend whom he subsequently married, from the time she was approximately seven and one half to 13 years of age. Morais intimidated his young victim into not telling anyone of the abuse because he told her no one would believe her and she would get into trouble.
The victim reported the molestation in September 2010, when she was 15, by writing a letter to her church leader who contacted the police and DCYF. The victim is 18 years old today.
"Julio Morais used his position as a father figure violate and intimidate his young victim. It was her faith in God that helped her escape her prison and find the strength to bring her abuser to justice," said Attorney General Kilmartin.
The Pawtucket Police conducted the investigation into the molestation, with the assistance of Hasbro Children's Hospital. Special Assistant Attorney General and Chief of the Child Abuse Unit Shannon Signore prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of Attorney General.