Scott Baptista, Rape and Suboxone Possession, MA 2024

FALL RIVER – In a shocking turn of events, Scott Baptista, 42, of Fall River, was sentenced to two years in federal prison for raping a woman and violating the terms of his supervised release. The court’s decision came after Baptista was found guilty of taking an un-prescribed suboxone pill and raping a victim who later died of a drug overdose.

Baptista had previously pleaded guilty to selling a stolen firearm, resulting in a 55-month federal prison sentence followed by 36 months of supervised release. However, Judge Denise J. Casper revoked his supervised release following the latest charges.

The Commonwealth was forced to dismiss related state criminal charges due to the victim’s inability to testify after her death. Despite Baptista claiming the sexual encounter was consensual, the court found him guilty by a preponderance of the evidence.

Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb announced the sentence, noting that Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Kanwit from the Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case. Judge Casper’s decision to revoke supervised release and impose the maximum penalty underscores the severity of the violation.

Baptista’s actions have not only cost him his freedom but also taken a tragic toll on the victim’s family. The Fall River community is left grappling with the horror of this case, serving as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of violating court orders.

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