Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced that Alexander Dejesus (age 25), of Chicopee, was sentenced yesterday before Superior Court Justice Robert D. Krause to 40 years after pleading guilty to one count of manslaughter and one count of carrying a pistol without a license. The charges stem from a 2016 incident that claimed the life of Dylan Contreras.
Dejesus was given a full sentence of 30 years with 21 years to serve at the ACI and the balance suspended with probation for the manslaughter charge. He was also given a 10-year suspended sentence for carrying a pistol without a license, which will run consecutively to his sentence for manslaughter. Additionally, Dejesus was sentenced to serve 3 years at the ACI for his role in a 2017 drive-by shooting at the Crawford Street Bridge in Providence.
Had the case proceeded to trial, the State was prepared to prove beyond a reasonable doubt, that in the early morning hours on September 24, 2016, in the city of Pawtucket, Dejesus was unlawfully in possession of a .38 caliber semi-automatic handgun while walking on Japonica Street after leaving a party. The victim Dylan Contreras, was alone in his vehicle, driving down Japonica Street. when he pulled alongside Dejesus and three other individuals. Words were exchanged, and Dejesus drew his gun and fired it twice at the victim, striking him and causing his death.
The case was investigated Detectives Ray Doran and Sue Cormier of the Pawtucket Police Department. Assistant Attorney General Stacey Veroni and Special Assistant Attorney General David Bonzagni prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of the Attorney General.
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