Fall River level 3 sex offender with history of assault, other crimes, sentenced to prison

A 44-year-old Level 3 Sex Offender from Fall River who carjacked a vehicle and indecently assaulted its female driver was sentenced to serve 12 years in prison last week, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

According to Gregg Miliote of the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, Richard DaSilva pleaded guilty in Fall River Superior Court to indictments charging him with carjacking, indecent assault and battery on a person over 14, failure to register as a sex offender and two counts of assault and battery.

On March 10, 2017 Dartmouth Police received numerous 911 calls regarding a disturbance on Striper Circle. 911 callers stated that a young woman was running from house to house banging on doors seeking help. When police arrived on scene, they learned that earlier in the evening the female victim and her boyfriend were at the Belmont Club in Fall River. During the evening, they struck up a conversation with the defendant and as they were about to leave the club the defendant had requested a ride. The couple first drove to a Cumberland Farms in Somerset for gas. When the boyfriend went inside to pay, the defendant began asking the female victim for sexual favors, telling her that he will pay her. When she refused, he reached into the front seat and groped her breasts.

After the victims told the defendant to leave the car, he began getting angry, told them he already gave them $20 for gas money and demanded they drive him to his final destination. The defendant directs the female driver into Dartmouth onto Striper Circle, and then demands that the female driver turn the car off. When the female victim refused to comply, the defendant angrily tell her to do what he says and tells them he has a gun. The defendant grabbed the female victim by the hair and yanked her head back and forth. The female victim opened her door and threw herself out of the car. She then began to run to nearby homes for help. In the meantime, the defendant began pummeling the male victim with punches to the face and tells him if he does not exit the car immediately, he will shoot him. After the male victim exits the car, the defendant jumps into the driver’s seat and speeds away. The vehicle was eventually recovered four days later in Fall River near the defendant’s mother’s address.

The defendant had previously served committed prison and jail time for sexual assault, impersonating a police officer, kidnapping and assault to rape.

In addition to the 12 year state prison term, Judge Gregg Pasquale also placed the defendant on supervised probation for an additional five years. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Casey Smith.

“This is a very dangerous defendant who has a history of sexual assault and other violent crimes. He is preying on two innocent people who were just enjoying a night out. This is an individual who needs to be kept off the streets for as long as possible to protect the public,” District Attorney Quinn said. “Although well-intentioned, this case highlights the dangers of letting strangers into your car, especially in the middle of the night.”