Providence Man To Serve 7 Years For Child Molestation

PROVIDENCE, RI — A Providence man has been sentenced to serve seven years at the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI) after pleading to molesting a female victim under the age of 14 in 2018 , said Attorney General Peter F. Neronha in a news release Wednesday.

Jeffri Espejo-Yanez, 38, pleaded nolo contendere to one count of second-degree child molestation in Providence County Superior Court and was sentenced to 20 years at the ACI with seven years to serve and the balance suspended with probation.

The court also ordered Espejo-Yanez to register as a sex offender, complete sex offender counseling, remain subject to community supervision, and have no contact with his victim.

"This Office prosecutes cases like this one all too often – where a 'trusted' adult sexually exploits a young child," said Attorney General Neronha. "Such criminal conduct causes irreparable harm to victims and their families. I have been so impressed by the victim's strength, and grateful to her and her family for coming forward and for their willingness to see this case through to the end."

The investigation into Espejo-Yanez was conducted by the Providence Police Department.