Crime & Safety

Johnston Man Agrees To Permanent Injunction In Civil Rights Case

Vincent B. Smith, of 39 Dale Ave., signs a consent judgment promising to stop the alleged harassment of his neighbors.

From the press office of Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Kilmartin:

Attorney General Peter Kilmartin announced on April 5 that Vincent B. Smith, of 39 Dale Ave., Johnston, has signed a consent judgment and a permanent injunction in the civil rights violation case brought against Mr. Smith by the Office of Attorney General on behalf of Jennifer L. Piscione and Roger R. Ditusa. The consent judgment and permanent injunction were entered today by Superior Court Justice Walter R. Stone.

The permanent injunction restrains and enjoins Mr. Smith from assaulting, threatening, intimidating, interfering with, molesting, harassing, annoying and/or contacting Ms. Piscione, any lessee or tenant of Ms. Piscione, Roger DiTusa, or any member of the immediate family of Ms. Piscione and/or Mr. DiTusa.

The injunction also restrains Mr. Smith from entering, damaging, or otherwise interfering with the peaceful use and enjoyment of the property of Ms. Piscione, any lessee or tenant of Ms. Piscione, and Mr. DiTusa. Should Mr. Smith violate the injunction, the State may proceed against him, seeking he be held in contempt of Court and assessed a civil penalty.

The complaint alleged that Mr. Smith engaged in a continuing pattern and practice of racial, homophobic and sexist statements and actions.

Mr. Smith is currently being held without bail at the ACI on a bail violation related to the vandalism charge brought forward by the Johnston Police.

Read about Smith's arrest in the JohnstonPatch Police Log of March 15.

Find out what's happening in Johnstonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

He was again arrested by the Johnston Police on a separate criminal charge of domestic violence while on bail for the vandalism charge. A status conference is scheduled for Thursday, April 7, in Kent County District Court (Courtroom 2B).


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