Jury convicts Glocester man of multiple counts of child molestation

Published on Thursday, February 08, 2024

Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced that a Glocester man has been found guilty following a jury trial in Providence County Superior Court of multiple counts of child molestation against a female victim under the age of 14 between 2005 and 2009.

On February 6, 2024, following the conclusion of a 12-day jury trial before Superior Court Justice Daniel A. Procaccini, a jury found James Ballou (age 45) guilty of one count of first-degree child molestation and two counts of second-degree child molestation.

The defendant is currently being held without bail at the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI) pending a sentencing hearing to be scheduled later.

“Sexual assaults against children have devastating, lifelong impacts on victims,” said Attorney General Neronha. “So often these terrible crimes go unreported, leaving child victims to suffer in silence. And yet, just as in this case, justice is possible when victims come forward to hold their attackers accountable. The bravery of the victim in this case is beyond admirable and the defendant will now finally face consequences for his crimes. I commend the Burrillville and Glocester Police Departments for helping to deliver justice through their outstanding police work and advocacy.”

During the trial, the State proved beyond a reasonable doubt that between 2005 and 2009, the defendant sexually assaulted a female victim under the age of 14, who was known to him, at homes in Glocester and Burrillville.

“I am thankful to the victim for coming forward and telling her story,” said Chief Stephen J. Lynch of the Burrillville Police Department. “The defendant has finally been held accountable for his actions and our community is safer for it. I am thankful for the hard work of our officers and investigators, in both the Burrillville and Glocester Police Departments as well as the Office of the Attorney General, for their investigation and prosecution of this case.”

Special Assistant Attorneys General Ania Zielinski and Danielle Beauvais of the Office of the Attorney General, Detective Lieutenant Guy Riendeau (Retired) and Detective Lieutenant Jason Cahill of the Burrillville Police Department, and Sergeant Kimberly Bertholic of the Glocester Police Department led the investigation and prosecution of the case.

###