New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
A 46-year-old Fall River man was convicted of raping his five-year-old relative after trial in Superior Court yesterday and was sentenced to serve 10 to 15 years in state prison, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.
Dennis Dilibero was convicted by a jury of his peers late yesterday afternoon of a single count indictment charging him with aggravated statutory rape.
The six day trial in Fall River Superior Court was prosecuted by Second Assistant District Attorney Silvia Rudman and Assistant District Attorney Jessica Stone. The jury deliberated for about four hours before returning its verdict. During a sentencing hearing held immediately after the conviction was announced, prosecutors argued to Judge Raffi Yessayan that the defendant should serve 15 to 20 years in state prison. The defense, however, requested a 10 year state prison sentence. After hearing from both sides, Judge Yessayan handed down a 10 to 15 year state prison sentence for the defendant.
On August 11, 2014, the victim’s mother reported to Fall River Police that her five-year-old son told her that the defendant, who is a family relative, put his penis in the young boy’s mouth while the boy was at the defendant’s home in Fall River. An investigation ensued, which led to the indictment and arrest of the defendant. The victim did testify during the trial.
“I would like to thank the jury for the amount of time they spent on this troubling case and for rendering a verdict that was supported by the evidence—in particular, the child’s testimony,” said District Attorney Quinn. ”I watched the young victim testify and admired his courage and composure under very difficult circumstances. It is hard to comprehend a young child having to testify against a trusted family member.
”I also want to commend Second Assistant District Attorney Silvia Rudman and Assistant District Attorney Jessica Stone for their efforts in this case.”
