PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A
former Pawtucket police officer has been ordered to serve 2 1/2 years in prison
on charges he assaulted and tried to strangle a girlfriend last year.
Stephen Ricco, 41, pleaded no
contest Wednesday to the domestic assault and strangulation charges. The Rhode
Island attorney general’s office dropped a charge of first-degree sexual
assault. The paper reported the plea agreement was reached with the approval of
the girlfriend.
A judge suspended the rest of
Ricco’s 10-year sentence. Ricco was also issued a no-contact order and ordered
to undergo substance abuse treatment and attend an intervention program for
batterers.
Ricco was arrested last year
after his girlfriend reported to North Smithfield police that he had raped and
assaulted her.
