Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced that Denzel Richardson (age 24), of Providence pleaded guilty yesterday before Superior Court Justice Robert D. Krause to one count of possession of a firearm without a license and one count of possession of a firearm after been previously convicted of a crime of violence (robbery), and one count of resisting arrest. Under the terms of the plea, Richardson was sentenced to a total of 20 years with 12 years to serve and the remainder suspended with probation.
Had the case proceeded to trial, the State as prepared to prove that on May 4, 2016, at approximately 1:15 a.m., Providence Patrolman Eric Chabot noticed Richardson in the vicinity of the 7-11 near Charles Street acting suspicious. Richardson fled when he spotted the police. A pursuit ensued and police witnessed Richardson tossing something as he ran, later identified as a loaded Jennings .22 caliber firearm. Richardson was captured and arrested.
"The good work of the Providence Police led to the arrest and prosecution of a violent criminal and took one more illegal gun off out streets," said Attorney General Kilmartin.
The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant Attorney General Joseph McBurney.