Bristol County man sentenced in Fall River Superior Court after being accused of drugging woman at bar, raping her

A Bristol County man was sentenced Friday in Fall River Superior Court on charges of Rape and Intimidation of a Witness.

According to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, Dino Balanca, 50, of Taunton, was sentenced by the Honorable Rene Dupuis to serve a State Prison sentence of 6-10 years for Rape with a 3-year probation sentence to run from and after on the Intimidation of a Witness. 

On February 8, 2018, the victim, who was 27 years old, and a co-worker of the defendant, closed out her shift at the Sandbar Grill in Taunton.  The defendant who was also working that evening offered the victim a ride home as she did not drive.  Balanca indicated that he could provide a ride to the victim after he went to nearby Bobby’s Pub for a drink.  At Bobby’s Pub the victim ordered one drink and at some point, went to the restroom.  Upon her return, the Balanca provided her a second drink, which she did not order and was not present when it was poured.  After consuming a portion of the second drink, the victim went outside to smoke a cigarette.  The last memory she has is of smoking a cigarette. She had no memory of the remainder of the evening.  At approximately 2:00 a.m. on February 9, 2018, the victim’s boyfriend received frantic calls from the victim who indicated she was outside and did not know where she was.  The victim’s boyfriend drove to the Taunton area to look for the victim. It was approximately 17 degrees outside that evening.  An hour and forty minutes later, the victim was located by her boyfriend outside with noted injuries to her person.  The victim had a bleeding gash above her right eye, an injury to her leg and foot and the victim was disoriented and not responsive to his questions.

The victim also did not have her purse in her possession when she was located on the street in Taunton.  The victim had no memory of what happened that night after consuming some of the contents of the second drink.  Through text messages the next morning, Balanca confirmed that he had the victim’s purse in his car which the victim retrieved with her boyfriend.  Balanca stated to the victim that he had no knowledge of what happened to her and stated she left Bobby’s Pub on her own accord.  Due to the victim’s concern about what had happened to her the night before, she went to Morton Hospital where she was treated for her physical injuries and also had a sexual assault kit performed.  The kit later revealed that male sperm cells were located on an internal swab that were a match to the Defendant’s DNA. The victim during her testimony at trial indicated she had a boyfriend at the time of the incident and would never have consented to sexual intercourse with Balanca. 

Balanca provided different versions of events to police.  He stated the victim left on her own when he went to the restroom at Bobby’s Pub.  He stated an employee of Bobby’s Pub located the victim’s purse and provided it to him.  However, surveillance video from both the Sandbar Grill and Bobby’s Pub showed Balanca and the victim walking together towards his car at 1:00 am on 2/9/2018.  The video showed the victim and Balanca getting into his vehicle upon leaving Bobby’s Pub at a time when the victim was in possession of her purse.  Balanca then further stated to the police that he and the victim did get in his vehicle together, but he was not sure where he dropped her off as he did not recall. Then he told police he dropped her off at her home. 

During the trial, Balanca testified in his own defense and provided yet another version of events indicating that he and the victim left Bobby’s Pub together and then had consensual sex.  He also testified that he previously lied to the police. 

The jury after hearing all of the evidence convicted Balanca of raping the victim and lying to the police during their investigation. 

The case was prosecuted by Second Assistant District Attorney Silvia Rudman and Assistant District Attorney Kalene Kobza.

“I am pleased that the jury held the defendant accountable for taking advantage of the victim whom he knew.  The defendant purchased a drink for the victim when she was not present and after consuming some of the drink, she became extremely impaired.  The DNA evidence was critical in the case as the defendant lied to the police during the investigation.  I hope the conviction will give the victim closure and allow her to move forward with her life.  I commend her perseverance from the time of the assault to the end of the court process,” District Attorney Quinn said.