Two Rhode Island men sentenced to prison for murder of 19-year-old Massachusetts teen celebrating her birthday

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Attorney General Peter Neronha announced today that two Providence men have been sentenced in Providence County Superior Court to serve double life sentences for the murder of 19-year-old Berta Pereira-Roldan of Revere in 2019. 

On Monday, Superior Court Justice Robert Krause sentenced Johnny Veng, 35, and Marklyn Brown, 31, to double life sentences plus a consecutive 80 years, 40 of which are non-parolable, for the murder of Pereira-Roldan. Veng’s sentence will run consecutively to a nine-year sentence he is serving for a separate gun case. On March 21, 2025, a jury convicted both men of first-degree murder and related charges before Justice Krause.

Veng was found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder, first-degree murder, discharging a firearm resulting in death, assault with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, discharging a firearm causing injury, two counts of carrying a pistol without a license, and possessing a firearm after a violent crime conviction.

Brown was convicted of the same charges: conspiracy to commit murder, first-degree murder, discharging a firearm resulting in death, assault with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, discharging a firearm causing injury, two counts of carrying a pistol without a license, and possessing a firearm after a violent crime conviction.

Attorney General Neronha stated, “When guns are wielded by those willing to use them, tragedies like this devastate our community. Berta, an innocent bystander celebrating her nineteenth birthday, was taken from her family in a senseless act. These double life sentences cannot bring her back, but I hope they offer her family peace. I thank my office’s attorneys and the Providence Police for their diligent work on this complex case.”

The State proved that Veng and Brown shot and killed Pereira-Roldan and injured Crystal Peloquin outside a Providence nightclub on September 29, 2019. Providence Police responded to Detroit Avenue after reports of shots fired, finding Pereira-Roldan dead from multiple gunshot wounds and Peloquin seriously injured. The victims, who did not know each other, had just left a nearby nightclub. Pereira-Roldan was celebrating her birthday with friends.

Surveillance and witness testimony showed the defendants circling the area in a vehicle at least three times before the shooting and fleeing afterward. Police recovered 16 shell casings at the scene. On October 17, 2019, two firearms were found in a Mitchell Street backyard, linked to the crime via surveillance showing a Dodge Durango, identified in the Detroit Avenue footage, arriving there minutes after the shooting. Two individuals were seen leaving the firearms in the yard.

Investigators traced the Durango’s license plate, seizing the vehicle and finding Veng’s DNA and fingerprint inside. Cellular data placed Veng at the scene during the murder. State Crime Lab analysis confirmed the Mitchell Street firearms matched the shell casings, with Brown’s DNA on the Glock pistol and magazine.

Providence Police Colonel Oscar L. Perez Jr. said, “Gun violence has no place in our community. Our officers work tirelessly to bring justice and ensure safety. I’m grateful for their efforts and our partnership with the Attorney General’s Office.”

According to a previous fundraiser, Berta Maria Pereira Roldan was described as “a radiant, ambitious and fun-loving young woman. A loving daughter, a sister, and a best friend to all. She excelled as a high school graduate, and was looked up to by many.”

The investigation and prosecution were led by Special Assistant Attorneys General Edward G. Mullaney and L. Gregory Abilheira, alongside retired Providence Police Detective Theodore Michael, Sergeant Timothy McGann, and Detective Kevin Costa.