Woonsocket man sentenced for setting fire at apartment occupied by one adult, three children

WOONSOCKET, R.I. (WLNE)- A Woonsocket man has been sentenced to serve five years at the ACI after pleading to setting a fire at an occupied apartment in 2020, according to Attorney General Peter F. Neronha.

Luis Rivas Melendez, 31, entered a plea of nolo contendere to one count of first-degree arson.

One adult and three children were home when Melendez set the fire at an apartment on Bourdon Boulevard.

The fire followed a domestic dispute between the suspect and one of the occupants, according to AG Neronha.

Around 3:30a.m., Melendez visited the apartment to attend a birthday party for his significant other, who resided there.

Melendez left and returned at 6:30 a.m., demanding the keys to his significant other’s car.

The defendant walked to the downstairs level of the apartment and proceeded to light a couch on fire, after being denied the keys.

Upon smelling the smoke, the four occupants of the apartment ran downstairs and saw Melendez dragging a burning couch out of the apartment and onto the lawn.

The Woonsocket Fire and Police Departments responded to a 9-1-1 call at the residence.

According to investigators, the fire caused substantial damage to a downstairs room, entryway, and door frame of the apartment.

Melendez was arrested three days later, says officials.

The court sentenced Melendez to 10 years at the ACI, with five years to serve and the balance of the sentence suspended with probation.

Additionally, a no contact order with the victims was issued.