Fall River man sentenced for domestic abuse and armed robbery

A 37-year-old Fall River man who fled the scene after assaulting his girlfriend last October only to be arrested a month later after committing an armed robbery, was sentenced to serve three to four years in state prison, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

Carlos Maisonet pleaded guilty in Fall River Superior Court last week to a one-count indictment charging him with armed robbery. He also pleaded guilty in Fall River District Court to charges of assault and battery on a family or household member, and vandalizing property.

On October 7, 2017, Fall River Police responded to a call for a domestic assault and battery. Upon arrival they spoke with the victim, who stated that on October 6 she had gotten into an argument with her ex-boyfriend, the defendant, at a bar. After the defendant made some threats toward the victim, she left and went home.

The victim awoke at roughly 8:45 a.m. the following morning to the sound of her air conditioner being pushed into her room. The victim attempted to push it back, but it ultimately fell to the floor. The defendant climbed into her apartment through the open window and pushed victim to the ground, punching her in the face. The defendant then broke the victim’s television sets and fled. A warrant issued for his arrest at that time.

About a month later, in early November 2017, Fall River Police responded to an armed robbery at Cumberland Farms on Stafford Road. The store clerk relayed to them that a male had entered the store and requested cigarettes. When the clerk turned around, the male brandished a knife and demanded the money from the register. As the female victim was attempting to open the drawer, the male was tapping the knife on the register, intimidating her. Officers spoke with another witness who stated he observed the male exit the store, and was able to get a look at him and determine the direction he was headed. Officers also viewed surveillance footage and circulated a still image of the male suspect to other officers. A short time later, officers observed a male matching the description provided entering an apartment at Maple Gardens. Officers were granted consent to enter by a female resident of the apartment. Officers identified the male who entered as this defendant. Officers found a jacket matching the description of that used in the robbery, and also found an amount of cash consistent with the amount taken.

The defendant was sentenced to serve three to four years in state prison in Superior Court and two years in the house of corrections in District Court.  The sentences will run concurrently.

The cases were prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Melissa Hendrie.

“The defendant broke into his ex-girlfriend’s apartment by forcibly ripping out her air conditioning unit, and assaulting her. He fled the scene and committed an armed robbery before being apprehended,” District Attorney Quinn said. “A key to this case was that Judge Kevan Finnerty held him without bail as a danger to the community in the district court. This defendant clearly presented a danger to community and I’m pleased he is being held accountable for his violent behavior.”