Providence man to serve 28 years in prison for 2013 murder

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Attorney General Peter Neronha said Wednesday that a Providence man was sentenced to serve 28 years in prison for his role in the killing of a 78-year-old man.

Joel Valdez, 34, pleaded guilty to one count of second degree murder, one count of conspiracy to commit robbery, and multiple counts of breaking and entering, larceny, and conspiracy stemming from several additional cases.

In October 2013, Valdez and his co-defendant, Leopoldo Belen, broke into a third-floor apartment on Ontario Street.

Delor Cabral, the homeowner, rushed upstairs to investigate the disturbance. Belen threw Cabral to the floor and stomped on him, before the men fled the scene.

Cabral suffered significant trauma to the head and neck, and later died from injuries nearly one month later.

Belen was convicted of second degree murder earlier this year and was sentenced to life in prison.

“Today marks a completion of the investigation and prosecution of two defendants for their violent actions that led to the death of beloved member of the community,” said Steven Paré, Providence Commissioner of Public Safety.