Providence man sentenced to 25 years for manslaughter

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A Providence man was sentenced to 25 years at the ACI Friday for the stabbing death of a 31-year-old  man.

Michael Domenech, 38, was sentenced to 30 years with five years suspended sentence and 30 years of probation.

The conviction stems from a September 2020 drug buy near Swiss Street in Providence where the victim entered the defendant’s Jeep to make the transaction.

After he obtained seven grams of fentanyl from Domenech, the victim, Corey Vargas, reportedly took off running.

Vargas then called the driver of the Jeep to pick him up down the street.

Not knowing the defendant was still in the vehicle, the driver complied and the defendant left the vehicle and stabbed the victim 13 times upon arrival.

The victim got into the Jeep and was driven to a nearby fire station on Atwells Avenue where rescuers tended to his injuries.

He was later transported to Rhode Island Hospital where he died from his injuries.

Domenech was identified via surveillance footage and witness testimony and was arrested on October 10, 2020 attempting to cross into Mexico from California.

“I commend the men and women of the Providence Police Department for their tireless efforts to bring perpetrators of violent crimes and drug-related violence to justice,” said Providence Police Colonel Oscar L. Perez, Jr.