RI Man Pleads Guilty to Child Molestation and Sexual Assault

Stephen Melise, age 42, formerly of Woonsocket and with a last known address of Warwick, pleaded guilty before Superior Court Magistrate John F. McBurney to six counts of second degree child molestation, five counts of first degree sexual assault and one count of indecent solicitation of a minor. 

Under the terms of the plea agreement, Melise was sentenced to a total of 50 years, with 15 to serve and the remainder suspended with probation. In addition, Melise was ordered to have no contact with the two victims, ordered to undergo sex offender counseling, and is subjected to lifetime sex offender registration and community notification. 
 
Had the case proceeded to trial, the State was prepared to prove that Melise molested a young girl, to whom he was related, from the time the girl was 13 to 16 years of age.  The young girl reported the abuse to her mother, who reported it to the Woonsocket Police. In addition, Melise attempted to solicit another young girl, age 12, to whom was related to the other victim.
 
Woonsocket Police Detective Ronald Marcos and Detective Sgt. Matt Ryan led the investigation. Special Assistant Attorney General and Chief of the Child Abuse Unit Shannon Signore prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of Attorney General

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