Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced that Jason Williams (age 43) pleaded nolo contendere on Tuesday before Superior Court Justice Kristin E. Rodgers to multiple counts of breaking and entering throughout several towns in Rhode Island. Under the terms of the plea agreement, the defendant was sentenced to 25 years with eight years to serve and the remainder suspended with probation. In addition, the defendant was ordered to pay restitution for the items he stole from the homeowners.
Had the case proceeded to trial, the state was prepared to prove that between February 2012 and October 2012, Williams broke into several homes in the towns of Lincoln, Johnston, Burrillville, Cranston, Narragansett, Richmond, and South Kingstown, stealing jewelry and cash.
Cranston Police Department led the investigation with assistance from police departments in the towns in which the break-ins occurred.
"Jason Williams was a one man crime spree," said Attorney General Peter Kilmartin. "Through cooperation by police departments and old fashioned investigative efforts, Jason Williams was identified as the suspect and apprehended for his brazen crimes."
Cranston Police Colonel Winquist stated, "This sentence is the direct result of a tremendous effort by members of the Cranston Police Department to include Lieutenant Michael Pezzullo, Detective Jamie Cahill and Detective Baccari who worked in conjunction with multiple local police departments in Rhode Island. I also want to commend the prosecutors from the Attorney General's Office who were instrumental in securing a lengthy jail sentence. Mr. Williams lengthy incarceration will ensure that he will be unable to victimize other homeowners for many years to come."
Assistant Attorney General John Krollman and Special Assistant Attorney General Kimberly Ahern prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of Attorney General.