RI Man Charged with Sexually Assaulting Child at Rehoboth Church

Rehoboth Police arrested an East Providence man over the weekend on charges of Indecent Assault and Battery on a Child Under 14 years of age.

Joaquim R. Arruda, age 49, of 73 Grosvenor Avenue was taken into custody on the charges.

At approximately 11:00 p.m., Rehoboth Police Officer Thomas Ranley and Sergeant Mark Rossi responded to the Holy Ghost Brotherhood of Charity hall at 43 Broad Street, Rehoboth to investigate a possible sexual assault on a 12-year-old female a private function at the hall.  

Upon the officers' arrival on the scene, they conducted a preliminary investigation which led them to identify Mr. Arruda as a suspect in the indecent assault and battery.  Based on the officers' investigation they, took Mr. Arruda into custody.  

At one point while the officers were on scene an angry crowd of bystanders developed around the police cruisers and the department's K-9 had to be called to the scene to assist in dispersing the crowd.  

Arruda was transported to police headquarters where he was booked and processed before being brought before Bail Clerk Phil Leddy. Arruda was unable to post $8000.00 cash bail and he was held over the weekend at the New Bedford House of Corrections.     

Arruda was arraigned at Taunton District Court on Monday, but had to reappear  Tuesday due to the fact that an interpreter was not available

Bail was raised to $10,000 cash bail.  His next date in court is 08/24/2010 for a Pre-Trial Conference.