A Tiverton man will spend 10 years in prison for molesting a young girl in Tiverton.

Joao Morais, 71, of 338 Canonicus St., pleaded no contest to two counts of first degree child molestation on Wednesday, Jan. 31, in Rhode Island Superior Court. Justice William E. Carnes Jr. ordered him to serve 10 years, with a 20-year suspended sentence and 30 years of probation. The judge also issued a no contact order between Morais and his victim, and upon his release Morais must register as a sex offender, attend sex offender counseling, and will be subject to lifetime GPS monitoring.

Had the case continued to trial, prosecutors said they could prove that between late February and late August 2023, Morais sexually assaulted a female under the age of 14 at a home in Tiverton. Tiverton police arrested him at his home on Friday, Sept. 8.

“Cases such as these are beyond tragic for victims, their loved ones, and entire communities,” said Chief Patrick W. Jones of the Tiverton Police Department. “I am thankful for the hard work of our officers and investigators, as well as the Office of the Attorney General, for their investigation and successful prosecution of this case.”

Assistant Attorney General Eric A. Batista of the Office of the Attorney General and Detective Lieutenant Brendan McKinnon of the Tiverton Police Department led the investigation and prosecution of the case.