Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced that on July 2, 2015, Sterling Stevens pleaded guilty before Superior Court Justice Robert D. Krause to multiple charges relating to the October 21, 2014 armed attempted robbery and shooting at the Baez Market on Public Street in Providence. Stevens pleaded guilty to assault with the intent to rob, assault with a dangerous weapon, discharge of a firearm while committing a crime of violence, and possession of firearm after being convicted of a crime of violence.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Stevens was sentenced to 40 years, with 20 years to serve and the remainder suspended with probation, non-paroleable.
Had the case proceeded to trial, the State was prepared to prove that on October 21, 2014, at approximately 10 p.m., Stevens, armed with a loaded .38 caliber firearm, approached the owner of the Baez Market as he was closing the store. Stevens demanded money and when the owner refused, Stevens fired the .38 caliber with the bullet striking the owner in the right arm. Stevens then fled the market.
Surveillance video from outside the market helped police develop Stevens as the suspect. In addition, the victim identified Stevens as the shooter from a photo array.
"This defendant has a long criminal history with guns and drugs and has continued to engage in violent criminal behavior when he is not incarcerated. His choices have resulted in a sentence of 20 years to serve for his crime, taking a violent criminal off our streets for a significant period of time," said Attorney General Kilmartin.
Providence Police Detectives Angelo A'vant and Ronald Riley led the investigation and Special Assistant Attorneys General Joseph J. McBurney and Jeffrey Q. Morin prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of Attorney General.