Juan Rivera is seen in Providence Superior Court, Wednesday, March 30, 2022. (WLNE)
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A Providence man was sentenced to consecutive life terms for first-degree murder back in 2021, according to the Attorney General.
Juan Rivera, 37, was found guilty of one count of murder, one count of conspiracy to commit murder, and a host of other charges in Providence Superior Court back in March.
At his sentencing on July 2, he was officially sentenced to consecutive life sentences for first-degree murder and discharging of a firearm during the commission of a crime in violence, resulting in death.
The judge deemed the defendant a habitual offender and imposed an additional 10-year consecutive sentence, the first five years of which are non-parole eligible.
In 2021, Rivera was found to have entered Roque’s Café wearing a mask and black hooded sweatshirt.
He would go on to to shoot Jorge Isaac Garcia six times, killing him.
During the investigation, police gathered numerous pieces of surveillance footage and cell phone data to find Rivera.
“Senseless violence and tragedies such as this reverberate through our communities, and those who perpetrate these acts must continue to be removed from our streets to better prevent them from occurring,” said Providence Police Colonel Oscar L. Perez Jr in a statement.
“While there is no justice that can undo the pain caused to this victim’s family, it is my hope that this sentencing provides a measure of comfort. I commend the outstanding work conducted by our officers and investigators, as well as our partners at the Attorney General’s Office,” he said.