Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced that Joseph "Black" Segrain (age 34), of Pawtucket, was sentenced today to a total of 90 years with 80 years to serve, of which 35 years is non-parolable, for his role in the January 9, 2017 daytime drive-by shooting in downtown Providence that left Matthew Depina seriously injured. In addition, he was sentenced to another nine years having been found in violation of his probation for an earlier drug trafficking conviction.
Segrain was found guilty by a Providence County Superior Court jury in February 2018 on all charges including one count of assault with a dangerous weapon, one count of discharging a firearm while in the commission of a crime of violence, one count of drive-by shooting, one count of possession of a firearm without a license, one count of possession of a firearm having been previously convicted of a crime of violence, and one count of conspiracy. The defendant was also declared a habitual offender.
During the trial, presided over by Justice Robert D. Krause, the State provide that on January 9th, 2017, Joseph Segrain (AKA Back), John Laboy, Jose Morales (AKA Pookie), Eugene McClain, Alexander DeJesus (AKA Bird), Brandon Bates, Stephan Nava, Ardeci Tomas, Jashon Dent, and Nathan Filomeno-Tek, went to the Providence County Superior Courthouse to support John Laboy who was scheduled for a court proceeding before Justice Robert D. Krause, and with the intention to assault rival gang member, Carlos Depina, a member of the "Bucket West" gang who also was expected to appear before Justice Krause on that day.
When Segrain and others arrived at the courthouse, they entered the courtroom where Carlos Depina was sitting. Soon after, he and the other individuals were kicked out of the courtroom. While on the front steps of the courthouse, John Laboy posted a Facebook Live video threating Depina and the "Bucket West" gang.
After being kicked off the courthouse steps by the Sheriffs, the group proceeded to leave in three vehicles. The defendant drove away in a black BMW SUV. The vehicles all met on Benevolent Street, where the group sat and watched a white sedan associated with Carlos Depina.
While they were waiting, the defendant and his co-conspirators agreed to physically assault Depina when he returned to the car. After waiting on Benevolent Street for approximately 40 minutes, the group spotted an individual, later identified as the victim Matthew Depina, return to the vehicle and drive away. Matthew Depina is a relative to Carlos Depina, the intended target, but is not associated with the "Bucket West" gang.
As Matthew Depina began to drive, the three vehicles containing members of Bucket East began to chase the vehicle.
After running through red lights, the defendant and co-conspirators caught up to the white sedan and its one occupant, at which time, Segrain and Filomen-Tek fired their guns several times from the black BMW SUV. Also in the Black BMW was Eugene McClain, Stephan Nava, Jashon Dent, and Alexander Dejesus.
After the shooting, Joseph Segrain drove the BMW to a parking lot where they stashed the motor vehicle and left in other cars.
"I hope Joseph Segrain has learned a valuable lesson – if you engage in gang violence and show a complete and utter lack of respect for human life, you will receive a lengthy sentence for your crimes," said Attorney General Kilmartin.
Providence Detectives Angelo A'Vant and Theodore Michael investigated the case and Assistant Attorney General John Moreira and Special Assistant Attorney General Peter Roklan prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of Attorney General.