Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced that all the individuals involved in a violent home invasion in July 2014 on Forsyth Street in Providence that left two individuals injured have pleaded to their roles.
Miguel Perez (age 21) of Primrose Avenue, Providence, pleaded guilty Thursday before Superior Court Justice Robert D. Krause to burglary, conspiracy, weapons and assault charges. Perez was sentenced to 40 years with 20 years to serve and the remainder suspended with probation, non-parolable.
Evan Waston (age 24), of Tobey Street, Providence, pleaded guilty before Judge Krause on March 12, 2015 to burglary, conspiracy, weapons and assault charges. Watson was sentenced to 40 years with 30 years to serve and the remainder suspended with probation, non-parolable.
Three other individuals have pleaded guilty to their roles in the home invasion and are waiting to be sentenced. Tommy Ngo, aka Tommy Bun, (age 24), of Union Avenue, Providence, pleaded guilty before Justice Krause on January 30, 2015. Vypatda Sophan (age 23), of Whittier Avenue, Providence, pleaded guilty before Judge Krause on March 20, 2015. Venessa Potter (age 23), of Fuller Avenue Central Falls, pleaded guilty before Superior Court Justice Netti C. Vogel on August 7, 2014.
Had the case proceeded to trial, the State was prepared to prove that on July 11, 2014, looking for money, Watson, Perez, Ngo, Sophan and Potter conspired to burglarize a residence on Forsyth Street in Providence. Sophan and Potter knocked on the front door while the three men, armed with a .9 mm, a .22 caliber and a BB gun and wearing masks, hung back. As the owner of the residence opened the door, the three men rushed the door, forcing the owner inside the residence.
Once inside, the three masked gunmen forced the owner, his wife and his daughter into the living room where the gunmen attempted to tie them up. A scuffle ensued and Perez and Watson fired their guns with bullets striking the owner in the foot and his daughter in the backside hip. Finding no money, the three gunmen fled the scene. The homeowner identified one of the women who knocked on the door.
The investigation led the Providence Police to identify the other four as suspects. On July 17, 2014, Providence Police located and arrested Watson, Perez and Ngo, where they seized two of the firearms used in the burglary and a third firearm, a .22 sawed-off rifle.
"Thinking it would be an easy score, these five defendants stormed the home of an innocent family looking for cash. Too many young people in our urban communities have a romanticized notion of living like gangsters, armed with guns and causing mayhem, giving no thought to the real life consequences of their actions," said Attorney General Kilmartin. "This is the type of senseless violence that must be met with stiff criminal penalties. These defendants wanted to live like gangsters, and now they can serve long prison sentences like a gangster."
Providence Police Detective Jonathan Primiano led the investigation. Special Assistant Attorneys General Joseph McBurney and Sara Tindall-Woodman prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of Attorney General.