August 11, 2025 – Springfield, Massachusetts – Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni has announced that Benito Roman, 57, formerly of Springfield, has been sentenced to serve 10 to 13 years in state prison with 3 years of probation, following his convictions for Aggravated Rape of a Child, two counts of Indecent Assault and Battery on a Child Under Fourteen and two counts of Intimidation of a Witness. Roman was convicted on July 2, 2025, following a three-day jury trial before the Honorable James Manitsas. 

Between the ages of 6 and 8, the victim was subjected to repeated sexual abuse by Roman. The defendant told the child not to tell their mother about the abuse. Years later, the abuse was disclosed by the victim during an unrelated investigation by the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families.  Following the disclosure, an investigation was conducted by Detective Samantha Jones with assistance from Detective Daniel Regan of the Springfield Police Department, which included a forensic interview of the child victim. Roman was indicted by a Hampden County Grand Jury on February 7, 2023, arrested in Florida, and extradited to Massachusetts for arraignment on July 7, 2023.

“The courage shown by this young survivor in coming forward, testifying, and confronting their abuser is extraordinary,” said Gulluni. “Their strength and resilience are an inspiration. This sentence ensures the defendant is held accountable for his reprehensible actions, and my office remains committed to standing with and fighting for survivors of sexual abuse.”

The child victim attended the sentencing held on July 9, 2025, and submitted a victim impact statement describing the profound and lasting effects of the defendant’s actions.

The Commonwealth was represented by Assistant District Attorney Amy D. Wilson, with the assistance of Victim Witness Advocate Shavon Ennis.