Providence man sentenced to life in prison for 2021 laundromat murder

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A Providence man was sentenced to life in prison for the 2021 murder of 38-year-old Melbin Ricardo Perez Reyes.

At a hearing on November 10, 2023, 24-year-old Johan Quinones entered a plea of nolo contendere to one count of murder, one count of using a firearm while committing a crime of violence and one count of carrying a pistol without a license. He was sentenced to life with a consecutive 10-year sentenced at the ACI in Cranston.

Officials say that if the case had gone to trial, the state was prepared to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that on October 12, 2021, Quinones shot and killed Reyes during an attempted robbery in a Providence laundromat.

On the evening of Oct. 12, Quinones visited a Laundromax on Broad Street in Providence. While sitting in a car outside the business, Quinones saw Reyes enter the building with a large gold chain.

A short while later, Quinones entered the laundromat, approached Reyes from behind, pulling out a gun and pushed it against his back and demanded he give him his chain.

After a brief struggle, Quinones shot Reyes in the chest, ultimately killing him.

Quinones was positively identified as the shooter by investigators through still frames of the laundromat’s surveillance footage.

“Unfortunately, this is what often happens when firearms get into the hands of violent criminals,” said Providence Police Colonel Oscar L. Perez Jr.

“While there is no justice that can undo the pain caused to this victim’s family, I hope that this sentencing helps them feel that justice was served. I also want to thank our hardworking officers and investigators, as well as our partners at the Attorney General’s Office,” he continued.