Massachusetts man sentenced to prison for raping, abusing, and beating young family member

A 61-year-old Taunton man raped and indecently assaulted a young family member was sentenced to serve 10 to 12 years in state prison, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn announced.

Antonio Nascimento-Depina was convicted by a jury in Fall River Superior Court on two counts of Aggravated Rape of a Child and three counts of Indecent Assault and Battery on a Person Under the Age of 14. The conviction came after a five-day trial before Judge Daniel O’Shea.

On July 28-29, 2018, the victim was home alone with the defendant and her 7-year-old brother. After she and her brother finished watching an educational cartoon, Nascimento-Depina called her into his room. While in there, he proceeded to rape and abuse and indecently assault and beat her.

On August 1, 2018, during a DCF home visit, the victim was asked how things were going, at which point she disclosed the sexual abuse. Police were immediately contacted, and an investigation ensued, resulting in the eventual arrest of the defendant.

“I am very pleased the jury held the defendant accountable for this very perverted and violent conduct committed against the young victim. He took advantage of his relationship with the victim to sexually abuse her,” District Attorney Quinn said. “I commend the victim for having the courage to come forward.”

During victim impact statements in open court, the victim’s immigrant mother told the judge, “This is justice.”

Assistant District Attorney Caleb Weiner had argued for a 15-to-20-year state prison sentence in addition to a 10-year supervised probationary period upon his release from prison due to the egregious facts of the case.