Providence man sentenced to prison for child molestation, sexual assault

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A Providence man was sentenced to 12 years in state prison for sexually assaulting three minors.

Attorney General Peter Neronha announced Monday that 34-year-old Brian Watson pleaded no contest to sexually assaulting two female victims under the age of 14, and one female victim under the age of 18 in 2023.

Watson was sentenced to 40 years, with 12 years to serve at the Adult Correctional Institutions and a 28-year suspended sentence with 40 years of probation, according to Neronha.

The attorney general said Watson waived indictment in two cases and entered a plea of nolo contendere to two counts of first-degree child molestation and one count of sexual assault at a hearing on June 12, 2024.

State officials said they were prepared to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that between Aug. 1, 2023, and Nov. 27, 2023, the defendant molested two female victims under the age of 14 at a residence in Providence, had the case proceeded to trial.

The third instance took place on or around March 3, 2023, at a hotel in Cranston, according to information gathered by state officials.

Authorities had gathered information suggesting Watson knew all three victims.

The investigation was launched after the youngest of the three victims disclosed the assault to a mandatory reporter at her school, according to officials.

“I commend the incredible bravery of these victims in fighting through their pain and coming forward to hold this defendant accountable,” Neronha said.

Watson is required to register as a sex offender for life and attend sex offender counseling.