Two Convicted in 2019 Providence Sexual Assault, Robbery

PROVIDENCE, RI–  Two Providence men have been convicted in Providence County Superior Court of multiple counts of sexual assault and armed robbery of two women in Providence in 2019.

On March 13, 2023, Diamond Wilson-Wooten, 28, entered a plea of nolo contendere to multiple counts of first-degree sexual assault and first-degree robbery. His co-defendant, DeWaun Smith, 21, entered a plea of nolo contendere to similar charges on March 9, 2023. Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced the convictions this morning.

Diamond Wilson-Wooten is scheduled to be sentenced on May 22, 2023, in Providence County Superior Court. DeWuan Smith is scheduled to be sentenced on May 25, 2023, in Providence County Superior Court.

Had the case proceeded to trial, the State was prepared to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that during the early morning hours of January 20, 2019, the defendants, along with a previously convicted co-defendant, sexually assaulted and robbed two fwomen at gunpoint in the area of Manton Avenue in Providence, Neronha’s office stated.

At about 4 a.m. that morning, Diamond Wilson-Wooten, DeWaun Smith, and co-defendant Hector Cintron were traveling in a vehicle in the area of Manton Ave. Wilson-Wooten, the driver of the vehicle, cut off another vehicle occupied by the two women. Wilson-Wooten and Smith jumped out of their vehicle and Smith ordered the victims out of their vehicle at gunpoint. The men took an Apple Watch, jewelry, and cash from the victims before driving away.

Shortly thereafter, the defendants encountered the victims’ car again on a nearby street. DeWaun Smith exited the vehicle, again armed with a gun, and jumped into the backseat of the victims’ car and forced them to follow the vehicle driven by Wilson-Wooten to a location off of Manton Ave.

The defendants then, at gunpoint, sexually assaulted the women.

On Sept. 9, 2022, Hector Cintron was convicted of three counts of first-degree sexual assault, conspiracy to commit first-degree sexual assault, and use of a firearm during a crime of violence and sentenced to 37 years, with 17 years to serve at the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI), and a 20-year suspended sentence with 37 years of probation. The defendant was ordered by the Court to register as a sex offender, complete sex offender counseling, and is subject to community supervision. The court also issued a No Contact Order between the defendant and his victims.

“No result in a courtroom can undo the traumatic harm the defendants caused the two victims in this case, but I hope their convictions will bring some measure of comfort to them and their loved ones,” said Attorney General Neronha. “The defendants now face a lengthy state prison sentence, I am grateful to the Providence Police Department for their continued outstanding work and partnership in this case, and in so many others.”

“Our thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones and hope that this verdict brings them some semblance of peace. I am proud of the work conducted by the men and women of the Providence Police Department throughout this investigation and thank the prosecutors at the Office of the Attorney General,” said Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez.

Detectives Robert Melaragno, Matthew Rampone, and Christopher Ziroli of the Providence Police Department and Special Assistant Attorneys General Jonathan Burke and Jessica Villella of the Office of the Attorney General led the investigation and prosecution of the case.