Cranston man sentence to life in prison for kidnapping and assault
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A Cranston man has been sentenced to life in prison for the kidnapping and assault of two females in 2020.
Attorney General Peter F. Neronha has announced that 38-year-old Luis Martinez-Romero pleaded guilty to one count of kidnapping of a minor, one count of first-degree child molestation, and one count of first-degree sexual assault. Martinez-Romero was ordered sex offender registration and counseling, as well a no contact order.
In 2020, the defendant approached two women at Rhode Island Hospital and identified himself as their ride-share driver. Martinez-Romero dropped one of the women off, before sexually assaulting the other in his car and dropping her off at home.
In October of that same year, Luis Martinez-Romero kidnapped a child a nine-year-old at her bus stop, sexually assaulted her in his car, before driving her back. His DNA collected from the February incident would solve both cases.
In a statement, Neronha said:
“I won’t be wasting my words on this defendant, other than to say he got exactly what he deserved. I’m incredibly grateful to the victims in these cases. Their extraordinary courage in reporting their assaults has saved other women and children from experiencing similar crimes at the hands of this defendant. I also want to thank the Providence Police Department for their outstanding work in these cases and countless others.”
In a statement, Providence Police Colonel Oscar L. Perez said:
“Because of the victims’ bravery in these cases, this defendant will be held accountable for his terrible crimes,” said Providence Police Colonel Oscar L. Perez. “As always, I am grateful for the men and women of the Providence Police Department, who work tirelessly to ensure our community is safe from criminals like this defendant.
