Vol. CXXXII · No. CLXXXIFRIDAY, JULY 10, 2026Ocean State Edition

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181 articles · page 15 of 16
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Judge acquits Providence teacher Joseph Gannon on all sexual assault charges

Rhode Island Superior Court Judge Luis Matos found former Nathanael Greene Middle School teacher Joseph Gannon, 51, not guilty of four counts of first-degree sexual assault and related charges. The judge ruled the state failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Gannon coerced the victim into a sexual relationship. Gannon, who had been accused of repeatedly assaulting a former student beginning when she was 15, was released following the bench trial.

bostonglobe.comAPR 23, 2026
JudiciaryPrimary

Providence Man sentenced to 84 months for fentanyl trafficking conspiracy

U.S. District Judge Mary S. McElroy sentenced Willys Enrique Santana Ramirez, 48, of Providence, to seven years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl on behalf of a Mexican drug supplier. The investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration resulted in the seizure of over 8,900 fentanyl-laced counterfeit oxycodone pills and additional fentanyl powder. Santana Ramirez pleaded guilty in February 2025 and will serve four years of supervised release after imprisonment.

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dea.govAPR 23, 2026
JudiciaryPaywall

Former bank employee reaches plea deal in federal fraud case involving dementia patient

Carlos Bras, a former Santander Bank relationship manager from East Providence, reached a federal plea agreement on charges of mail fraud and aggravated identity theft. Prosecutors allege Bras used employee privileges to scam a 78-year-old Massachusetts man with dementia out of more than $126,000. Under the agreement filed in U.S. District Court in Providence, Bras will forfeit $126,143 and plead guilty to two charges; a change-of-plea hearing is scheduled for May 4 before Judge Melissa R. DuBose.

bostonglobe.comAPR 23, 2026
JudiciaryPrimary

Cranston man pleads guilty in federal drug trafficking conspiracy

Lengsy Prum, 39, of Cranston, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Boston to conspiracy to distribute cocaine, MDMA, and ketamine. A DEA investigation found Prum personally delivered 3.2 kilograms of ketamine to undercover agents; a search of his Cranston residence yielded six kilograms of ketamine, 6.6 kilograms of cocaine, and 4.2 kilograms of MDMA. U.S. District Judge Julia E. Kobick scheduled sentencing for July 8, 2026.

dea.govAPR 23, 2026
JudiciaryFree press

Attorney General resolves investigation into antisemitic hazing at Smithfield High School

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha announced an agreement with Smithfield Public Schools following an investigation into alleged antisemitic hazing of a Jewish freshman by varsity football team members. The investigation found the district "struggled to investigate" the incident, lacked proper documentation, and failed to enact a safety plan for the victim's return. The resolution, approved by the school committee, requires preventative and corrective actions including improved incident investigation protocols.

turnto10.comAPR 23, 2026
JudiciaryFree press

Five arrested after prostitution and money laundering probe at Providence massage parlor

Rhode Island State Police arrested five individuals following a monthslong investigation into commercial sexual activity and money laundering at Smilers Day Spa on North Main Street in Providence. Police recovered four suspected human-trafficking victims and seized $81,500 in cash. Five defendants face felony charges including Larry Chow, Naja Ho, Monica Chow, Yong Kim, and Haiyue Cui. The spa had previously been raided and shut down for prostitution and suspected trafficking in 2019.

wpri.comAPR 23, 2026
GovernanceJudiciaryFree press

House Speaker Shekarchi to Decide on Supreme Court Bid Within Three Weeks

Rhode Island House Speaker Joseph Shekarchi announced he will decide within three weeks whether to pursue a Rhode Island Supreme Court appointment. The announcement comes amid speculation about his political future and potential judicial openings. Shekarchi's decision would have significant implications for both the General Assembly leadership and the state judiciary.

digital-stage.wpri.comAPR 23, 2026
GovernanceJudiciaryFree press

House Speaker Shekarchi to decide on Supreme Court bid within three weeks

Rhode Island House Speaker Joe Shekarchi will decide within the next three weeks whether to pursue a seat on the state Supreme Court. The decision comes as a vacancy on the court creates a potential opening. Shekarchi's potential departure would significantly impact state legislative leadership and the composition of the state's highest court.

digital-stage.wpri.comAPR 22, 2026
GovernanceJudiciaryFree press

Rhode Island House passes bills strengthening clergy sex abuse accountability

The Rhode Island House of Representatives passed legislation addressing clergy sexual abuse following the Attorney General's recent report on abuse within the Catholic Church. The bills aim to strengthen accountability measures and protections for abuse survivors through enhanced reporting and legal mechanisms.

whatsgoingoninrhodeisland.comAPR 22, 2026
JudiciaryGovernanceFree press

Federal Court Allows Out-of-State Attorneys to File Habeas Petitions in Rhode Island

The U.S. District Court for Rhode Island issued a general order on April 13 permitting out-of-state attorneys to represent detainees filing habeas corpus petitions pro bono for one year. The order responds to a 232% surge in such petitions in 2026, with immigration-related cases comprising 32% of all civil filings. Attorneys must be in good standing with at least one federal or state bar to qualify under the temporary rule.

browndailyherald.comAPR 22, 2026
GovernanceCommerceFree press

House Passes Newberry's Business Climate Reform Act to Restructure Corporate Law

Republican Rep. Brian Newberry introduced the Business Climate Reform Act, a bipartisan bill co-sponsored by Speaker Shekarchi and Minority Leader Chippendale that aims to significantly overhaul Rhode Island's corporate, trust, and estate laws. The legislation seeks to make Rhode Island competitive with Delaware and other states for business incorporation, potentially generating new state revenue streams. Changes include allowing anonymous LLCs, creating a Delaware-style Court of Chancery, and adopting protected-series LLC structures.

nrinow.newsAPR 21, 2026
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