Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced that Robert Fonseca (age 30), of East Providence, was sentenced today on his guilty plea before Superior Court Justice Robert D. Krause to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon, discharge of a firearm while committing a crime of violence, and possession of a firearm without a license for the February 2, 2017 shooting of Scott Oliveira of Barrington.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Fonseca was sentenced to 12 years to serve on the charge of assault with a dangerous weapon, a consecutive 20 years suspended with probation, non-parolable, on the charge of discharging a firearm, and 10 years to serve concurrently on the charge of possession of a firearm without a license. In addition, Fonseca was ordered to have no contact with the victim and must undergo mental health counseling.
Had the case proceeded to trial, the State was prepared to prove that on February 2, 2017, Scott Oliveira spoke with his marijuana dealer regarding Oliveira's displeasure with the quality of marijuana he had purchased. The defendant, who was the marijuana supplier, overheard the comments and got on the telephone with Oliveira, at which time Oliveira suggested they meet in person to discuss the issue.
The defendant agreed to meet Oliveira at his residence in Barrington. Armed with a .45 caliber firearm, Fonseca drove from East Providence to Barrington to meet with Oliveira. When the defendant arrived at the victim's residence, he got out of his vehicle and attempted to fire the weapon at Oliveira.
Initially the firearm jammed, at which point Oliveira asked Fonseca if he was really going to kill him over the comments about the poor quality of marijuana, to which he replied, "yes," and fired the weapon again, getting off three bullets. One bullet struck Oliveira in the stomach and two bullets lodged into a nearby home.
Fonseca fled the scene in his motor vehicle. He was apprehended later that evening in East Providence.
Barrington Captain Dino DeCresenzo led the investigation with assistance from the East Providence Police and Pawtucket Police. Assistant Attorney General Daniel Guglielmo prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of Attorney General.