Providence man to serve 25 years for child molestation

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A Providence man will spend the next 25 years at the Adult Correctional Institutions for sexually assaulting a minor.

According to Attorney General Peter Neronha, 60-year-old Jose Lantigua was sentenced to 60 years with 25 to serve and a 35-year suspended sentence with 60 years of probation after being convicted of one count of child molestation and one count of second-degree child molestation.

During the trial, the State proved that between 2013 and 2019, Lantigua sexually assaulted a girl under the age of 14, who was known to him, multiple times at a home in Providence.

“This defendant was a serial predator, and the lengthy sentence here reflects the severity of the trauma he imposed on the victim,” said Attorney General Neronha.

“This victim’s decision to bravely confront the defendant demonstrates the powerful impact of victim testimony. It isn’t always easy to come forward, but often it helps bring criminals to justice. I am enormously grateful to this victim, as well as the Providence Police for their outstanding work in this case and so many others,” AG Neronha continued.

Along with his sentence, Lantigua must also comply with all statutory requirements related to sex offender registration and attend counseling.