PROVIDENCE, RI – Attorney General Peter F. Neronha reports a Cranston man has been sentenced in Providence County Superior Court to 35 years at the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI) after pleading guilty to Warwick child molestation charges that he sexually assaulting a girl under 14 in 2021.
On May 1, 2025, at a hearing before Superior Court Justice David Cruise, Chandler Cardente, 30, plead no contest to six counts of first-degree child molestation. Cruise sentenced the defendant to 60 years with 35 to serve and 60 years of probation. Additionally, Cruise issued a no contact order between the defendant and the victim. Finally, the judge ordered Cardente register as a sex offender, attend sex offender counseling, and be subject to community supervision.
“This defendant deserves every bit of the lengthy sentence he received for his terrible crimes,” said Neronha. “While nothing can undo the pain caused, the young victim in this case demonstrated incredible courage by telling her story in her exceptional victim impact statement. She is an inspiration for victims everywhere. I am also grateful for the hard work of the Burrillville Police Department and Cranston Police Department on this difficult case.”
Had the child molestation case proceeded to trial, the State was prepared to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that on December 10, 2021, the defendant assaulted a female victim under the age of 14 in Warwick after connecting with the victim via social media.
“I am grateful for the tireless work of the Burrillville Police Department and our partnership with Attorney General’s Office,” said Colonel Stephen J. Lynch, Burrillville Police Chief. “Cases like these are devastating for the victim and difficult for the community, and I am grateful that justice will be served.”
Assistant Attorney General Shannon Signore of the Attorney General’s Office, Detective Ryan Hughes of the Burrillville Police Department, and Detective Anthony McHugh of the Cranston Police Department led the investigation and prosecution of this case.
Author: Rob Borkowski
Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at editor@warwickpost.com with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.
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