Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced that Paul Desjardins (age 30), of Woonsocket, pleaded guilty on May 8, to counts of second-degree child abuse, domestic simple assault, and violation of a no contact order. Superior Court Justice Netti C. Vogel sentenced Desjardins to 10 years with one year to serve at the ACI and the balance suspended with probation.
Had the case proceeded to trial, the State was prepared to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that on January 20, 2016, Desjardins assaulted his then girlfriend during an argument at their apartment on Grove Street in Woonsocket after she confronted him about marks and bruising found on the face of her child. On July 3, 2017, Desjardins again assaulted the same victim at her apartment on Joffre Street during an argument over childcare. Desjardins also violated a no-contact order in December 2017 after he contacted the victim via Snapchat.
The Woonsocket Police Department led the investigation and Special Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Burke prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of the Attorney General.
###