55-year-old Easton man sentenced to prison in Fall River court for indecently assaulting 13-year-old girl

A 55-year-old Easton man was sentenced to serve up to a decade in prison last week after pleading guilty to indecently assaulting a 13-year-old girl, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

Manuel DaCruz pleaded guilty on August 31 in Fall River Superior Court to indictments charging him with three counts of Indecent Assault and Battery on a Person Under the Age of 14.

In late Winter of 2017, the defendant began “tickling” the victim, who would spend weekends at the Easton home DaCruz shared with her mother. This soon progressed to massaging and touching the child on her breasts, buttocks and vagina. She also reported that he put his tongue on her vagina and tried to penetrate her.

The victim eventually told a friend about the abuse, who in turn told the victim’s mother about it. The defendant was arrested and charged soon thereafter.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney MaryClare Flynn and the seven to ten year state prison sentence was imposed by Judge Renee Dupuis. DaCruz will also be placed on supervised probation for another 10 years after he is released from prison.

“The defendant took advantage of his access to the victim and repeatedly molested her. I am pleased the defendant has been held accountable for this very disturbing conduct which has significantly impacted the victim. I hope she can move forward with her life,” District Attorney Quinn said.