Resident of Puerto Rico sentenced in Fall River Court after physically and sexually abusing mother and her 4 children in multiple communities

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn, III announced that a 54-year-old man pled guilty and was sentenced Tuesday in the Fall River Superior Court. 

Fernando Rodriguez of Puerto Rico was sentenced to serve six to nine years in the State Prison followed by three years of supervised probation for Rape and an Indecent Assault and Battery on a Person with an Intellectual Disability. 

The female victim and her family were living in Puerto Rico when Rodriguez entered their lives.  The defendant abused the victim’s mother and all of her four children, both physically and sexually.  The victim, her family, and Rodriguez moved to Somerset, MA and then to Fall River, MA.  On or about July 9, 2015, Rodriguez walked into the victim’s bedroom and demanded she disrobe.  The victim was 20 years old at the time and suffered from both physical and cognitive disabilities.  The victim’s mother and siblings went grocery shopping, but the victim remained in the residence as walking long distances was difficult for her.  The victim, being placed in fear because of the defendant’s demands, was then raped and indecently assaulted by the victim.  Later that night there was a domestic assault against the victim’s mother and the police were called.  The victim’s family went to court the next day to obtain restraining orders against Rodriguez.  The victim disclosed in her restraining order affidavit the abuse she had suffered dating back to Puerto Rico.  The defendant was present in court for the restraining order hearing and then he fled the area.  The defendant was eventually located in 2023 in Washington, DC.  He was arrested and brought back to the Commonwealth. 

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Kalene Kobza and Jennifer Czapiga.

“The defendant repeatedly molested the victim starting in Puerto Rico and continuing when the family moved to Fall River. He terrorized the victim and her family who were very pleased that the defendant was finally held accountable for the abuse he inflicted on the victim. I commend her courage and perseverance. The defendant has been in custody since he was extradited from Washington, DC in 2023,” District Attorney Tom Quinn said.