August 26, 2026 – Springfield, Massachusetts – Dennis Brown, 45, of Springfield, was sentenced on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, in Hampden Superior Court after a jury found him guilty on all counts of drugging for sexual intercourse, aggravated rape, indecent assault and battery on a person over 14, witness intimidation, and violation of a restraining order.

Following Brown’s conviction by the jury on August 21, 2026, Brown was sentenced to 18 to 20 years on the charges of drugging for sexual intercourse, aggravated rape, and indecent assault and battery on a person over 14. On those charges, the Commonwealth had requested 33 to 40 years. He was also sentenced to four to five years on the charges of witness intimidation and violation of a restraining order. On those charges, the Commonwealth had requested eight to 10 years. 

The defense requested 10 years to 10 and one day, which is the minimum for the charge of drugging for sexual intercourse.

With the charges combined, Brown is sentenced to 22 to 25 years.

The facts of the trial established that the defendant conspired over Facebook messenger and discussed a plan to give the victim a combination of medications under the guise that it would improve their sleep issues. On this advice, the victim took four pills and went to bed. When the victim woke up, while in and out of consciousness, Brown committed sexual acts on the victim.

Despite being severely compromised from the medication, the victim had the wherewithal to demand that Brown stop, and then crawled out of the room.

After the assault, Brown continued to talk about a plan to cover up what he had done, and ways to manipulate the victim’s memory so they wouldn’t believe it happened to them. The victim, however, did remember, and reported it to police the next day.

After the victim got a restraining order against Brown, he sent two letters to the victim’s sibling living at the same address, containing discouragement and threats about how the victim should not testify and what the consequences would be.

The case was tried over eight days, resulting in the jury’s convictions on August 21, 2026. During the trial, the victim provided testimony, detailing the crime and the effect it has had on their life.

“We are pleased with the guilty verdict and the sentence imposed in this case. Even amidst the difficult work we do everyday, this case stands out for its depravity,” said District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni. “I thank the victim for their courage and faith in us and the system to get this right. I also thank our team, led by ADA Dana Parsons, for their hard work and commitment to justice for this victim.”

The case against the co-defendant, the victim’s mother, is still pending. 

The Commonwealth was represented by Assistant District Attorney Dana Parsons and Victim Witness Advocate Lauren Musa.