Providence man sentenced to prison for shooting death of Leonardo Tavares

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Attorney General Peter Neronha announced today that a Providence man has been sentenced in Providence County Superior Court for the 2021 murder of Leonardo Tavares.

At a hearing on Monday, Superior Court Justice Maureen Keough sentenced 23-year-old Jahcolin Rodrigues to life in prison, with an additional 20 years to serve at the ACI. On August 15, Rodrigues plead guilty to one count of first-degree murder and one count of discharging a firearm from a motor vehicle.

“Gun violence in our state remains an unfortunate reality, forever changing the lives of those directly and indirectly affected,” said Attorney General Neronha. “Thankfully, the punishment fits the crime here; no longer will this defendant be able to cause irreparable harm to our communities. I want to thank the Pawtucket Police for their partnership in this case and so many others.”

Had the case proceeded to a trial, the State was prepared to prove that Rodrigues shot and killed Leonardo Tavares on Randall Street in Pawtucket.

On the afternoon of May 15, 2021, Rodrigues spotted Tavares while driving through Pawtucket in a Subaru Impreza. After circling the block, Rodrigues fired multiple shots into Tavares’ Nissan Rogue, killing the victim. Several witnesses positively identified Rodrigues from video surveillance footage of the crime obtained by Pawtucket detectives.

Investigators determined that Rodrigues had an ongoing feud with members and affiliates of the Bucket West street gang and believed that the victim was affiliated with Bucket West.

“I want to thank Detective Barrett and Sergeant Gould for their hard work on this case,” said Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves.“Each day we work to end gun violence in our city, and the Pawtucket Police Department will continue to work with the Attorney General’s Office to ensure that violent criminals are brought to justice.”

Special Assistant Attorneys General Alison Bittl and Edward G. Mullaney of the Office of the Attorney General and Detective Ethan Barrett and Sergeant Justin Gould of the Pawtucket Police Department led the investigation and prosecution of the case, with the assistance of Detectives Matthew McGloin and Jonathan Desmarais of the Providence Police Department.