18-year-old Rhode Island man indicted for the murder of 28-year-old Jovani Velez

An 18-year-old Rhode Island man has been indicted for the murder of 28-year-old Jovani Velez.

On Thursday, the Providence County Grand Jury returned an indictment charging Elijah Soto of Pawtucket with one count of murder, one count of conspiracy to commit murder, one count of discharging a firearm while in the commission of a crime of violence resulting in death, one count of carrying a pistol without a license, one count of conspiring to violate the controlled substances act, one count of delivery of cocaine, one count of possession of cocaine 10 grams or less, and one count of keeping and maintaining a common nuisance.

According to Pawtucket Police, on January 30th, the Pawtucket Police Major Crime Unit Detectives began an investigation into the shooting death of Cumberland’s Velez that occurred on Carnation Street.

On April 21st, after an extensive investigation, and with the assistance of the Attorney General’s Office, an arrest warrant was obtained for Soto for his alleged involvement in the homicide.

On May 2nd, Soto was brought into Providence District Court and arraigned

Soto is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday in the Providence County Superior Court.