Former radio talk show host sentenced for assaulting 8-year-old girl

FALL RIVER, Mass. (WLNE) — A former radio talk show host and newspaper editor was convicted Tuesday of assaulting a young girl.

According to court documents, 53-year-old Richard Oliveira was convicted of indecent assault and battery on a person under the age of 14 and assault and battery.

Oliveira was sentenced to two years in the house of corrections with one year to serve and the balance suspended for three years.

During the trial, the victim testified that when she was eight years old, she went into Oliveira’s bedroom seeking comfort during a storm.

When she was inside the bedroom, Oliveira sexually assaulter her.

About two years later, Oliveira punished the victim for throwing out his cigarettes by dragging her around the house by her hair, and while doing so, ripped hair out of her head.

The victim testified that she threw away the cigarettes because she was suffering from asthma and it was difficult for her to breath when Oliveira was smoking.

“[Oliveira] took advantage of his position of trust and engaged in despicable conduct by molesting an eight year old girl.  In addition, he later violently assaulted the girl. [Oliveira’s] conduct is difficult to comprehend,” District Attorney Quinn said.

“Based on the facts of the case, I feel the defendant should have been sentenced to a longer period of incarceration.  I commend the victim for coming forward and fir testifying in court under very difficult circumstances,” he concluded.