North Providence man convicted of molesting his girlfriend's daughter

PROVIDENCE — A North Providence man was convicted in Superior Court on Wednesday of molesting his girlfriend's daughter.

Joseph Coletta, 46, was found guilty of five counts of second-degree child molestation after a weeklong trial, according to a news release from Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha. The jury deliberated for a day.

“It is heartbreaking whenever a child is victimized in this way, in particular because we know the road to recovery is long and difficult. The defendant’s conduct here stole this child’s innocence and forever changed her future. The bill for that conduct has come due. He faces a long period of incarceration, and deservedly so,” Neronha said.

During the trial, the prosecution proved that Coletta molested the girl on diverse dates between 2008 and 2012, while the girl was between the ages of 8 and 12, Neronha said. It happened in Providence, North Providence and Lincoln.

Coletta is being held without bail pending sentencing, which will be scheduled for a later date.