Taunton previously registered level 3 sex offender sentenced to prison in Fall River for assault with intent to rape and kidnapping of neighbor

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn, III announced that a 49-year-old man was convicted of Assault with Intent to Rape, Indecent Assault and Battery on a Person over 14 and Kidnapping on October 3, 2025, after a jury trial in the Fall River Superior Court.

Patrick Pesante of Taunton was sentenced by the Honorable Thomas Perrino to serve a State Prison sentence of 13-15 years followed by 5 years of supervised probation.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Matthew Lopes and Jose Vazquez.

On the evening of August 22, 2023, the defendant, who resided in Taunton, lured his neighbor, a 45-year-old female, to his apartment using a ruse that he needed assistance booking a hotel room because his mother had died.  After multiple requests, the victim accompanied the defendant to his residence.  Once at the threshold of the door, Pesante placed the victim in a bearhug, grabbed at her arms, and pulled at her shirt.  The victim pleaded with him to release her to no avail.  During the struggle, the victim fell to the ground and attempted to escape out of a screen door.  Pesante pulled her back into the apartment and attempted to pull the victim’s shorts off.  The victim started screaming for help.  The victim’s 17-year-old daughter along with two neighbors heard the victim’s screams and ran to her aid.  He released the victim upon seeing one of the neighbors.  When police arrived, Pesante exited his residence and was sweating heavily.  He exhibited odd behavior, stating the victim was a monster. He was given Narcan by police and transported to a local hospital.  Medical treatment determined the Pesante had cocaine and alcohol in his system.  At trial, he presented an expert who testified he could have been experiencing cocaine induced hallucinations at the time of the attack.  The Commonwealth offered evidence in rebuttal of a prior incident with Pesante from 2004 when he asked a male to assist him in translating a call and once the male was in his apartment, the defendant attacked him. 

“The defendant is a sexual predator who was a Level 3 Sex Offender when he lured the victim to his apartment and tried to rape her.  The defendant has served prior state prison sentences for similar conduct and does not belong out in society where he can attempt to harm other unsuspecting victims.,” District Attorney Tom Quinn said.