Paul Edward Parker
The Providence Journal
SCITUATE, R.I. — A dead battery led to two correctional officers being assaulted on Monday and further charges against a man awaiting trial on a child molestation indictment, according to state police Lt. Jay Gibbs.
Jessie D. Gabriau, 26, with a last known address of 2 Prospect Ave., Coventry, was out on bail on home confinement on the child molestation charges out of North Kingstown Monday night when the battery died on the ankle bracelet that monitors his whereabouts, Gibbs said. Officers at the Adult Correctional Institutions called Gabriau to come in to have the battery changed.
When he arrived, the officers suspected him of being drunk, a violation of his bail terms, Gibbs said. They tried to arrest him, but only got one handcuff on before he assaulted them and fled in a car at about 10:50 p.m., Gibbs said.
State troopers tracked him down at 20 Highland Ave., Apartment G, in the Phenix section of West Warwick, and took him into custody.
Gabriau was charged with two counts of felony assault, one felony count of assault on a person 65 or older, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. He is set to be arraigned on the new charges in District Court, Warwick, Tuesday.
The correctional officers were treated at Rhode Island Hospital for head wounds and released, Gibbs said.
Online court records show that Gabriau, who also spells his first name “Jesse,” was indicted May 27 on two counts of first-degree child molestation and one count of second-degree child molestation. That case was scheduled for a pretrial conference on Aug. 4.
2016 The Providence Journal