From Frank Sinatra Impersonator to Conviction for Child Molestation
GoLocalProv News Team
From Frank Sinatra Impersonator to Conviction for Child Molestation
Cerbo was a Frank Sinatra impersonator and did a stint with a show where he performed Michael Buble songs. He played at local hot spots - restaurants on Federal Hill and clubs throughout New England.
In November of 2018, Cerbo was arrested and charged with molesting a boy. At the time of the arrest, Cerbo was 40.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTBy January of 2019, a message was posted to Cerbo's celebrity Facebook page blamed the mother of the child.
The legal process went on for nearly 40 months. Cerbo's attorney was John Cicilline - the defense attorney who is the son of Jack Cicilline, the long-time attorney for New England crime boss Raymond Patriarca, and he is the brother of U.S. Congressman David Cicilline (D-RI).
The Crime
According to court documents available in 2018, the boy told police it was consensual, but the boy’s mother wanted to file a criminal complaint.
A second man – Matthew Heuser, then-37, of East Greenwich was also charged in the case. His case is still pending according to court documents.
According to police reports, Heuser is the one who brought the boy to Cerbo’s house on November 19, 2018. Prosecutors said Heuser allegedly watched Cerbo and the boy together then molested the boy himself before dropping him off at a doughnut shop just before 4:30 a.m.
After Cerbo’s arrest, a message was posted on Cerbo's Facebook page to profess his innocent and blamed the mother of the boy.
“To all you who judge, and don't believe innocent until proven guilty...First off this kid is no innocent!!! He's a gay male who poses to be an adult on adult dating sights and apparently quite often...Who would ever expect that an under age male would ever be able to step out at 4 am. for a date...And what the hell is wrong with his mother not keeping a proper watch on him...She has caught him before with these apps on his phone and probably did nothing,” wrote Cerbo.
The post on Cerbo's Facebook page also claimed that he was being targeted because of his celebrity status.
“But because Tony Cerbo is a Celebrity in this state, the police, the news, and the state's attorney are thrilled to have this Big Celebrity Bust and are playing it for all it's worth to them. Especially the Chief of Police in Johnston, Richard Tamburini, who is like family, and has known Tony since he was a baby! He often calls on Tony Cerbo for him to sing for charity events which he always gladly did it...This young man changed his story like 3 times already and has been heard saying he didn't do anything that he didn't want to and he has no problems with either of the men allegedly involved, and that it's his mother and the police pushing this. Tony Cerbo NEVER touched this kid, and anyone who knows him knows this, and hence is why he has so many supporters!” was written on Cerbo's page.
The final portion of the post repeatedly attacked the mother of the then 13-year-old boy.
Also posted to the Facebook page was a photo of Cerbo with Mayor Joe Polisena and Police Chief (now retired) Richard Tamburini of Johnston, his hometown.
Big Sentence, Could Be Eligible for Parole in Just a Few Years
After three years plus of legal delays, Cerbo was convicted and sentenced earlier this month.
One the first-degree charge Cerbo was convicted of this month was child molestation sexual assault. He was sentenced to 30 years, nine to serve (but retroactive to November of 2018). Therefore, Cerbo has only six years to serve and will be eligible for parole after a third of his sentence.
Cerbo was also convicted of conspiracy and was sentenced to 10 years to run concurrently.
Across the internet are promotional websites promoting Cerbo. On YouTube, there are dozens of videos of his appearances some are viewed hundreds of times and others tens of thousands of times.
02/11/2022
Sentence (Judicial Officer: Keough, Associate Justice Maureen B.)
1. First Degree Child Molestation Sexual Assault
Judgment of Conviction Entered
Criminal Sentence
Effective Date: 02/11/2022
Full Sentence: 30 Years
Term: 9 Years
Retroactive Date: 11/27/2018
Suspended: 21 Years
Probation: 30 Years
Condition - Adult:
1. No Contact with Victim, 02/11/2022, Active 02/11/2022
2. Register as Sex Offender, Sex Offender Registration for life, 02/11/2022, Active 02/11/2022
3. Sex Offender Program, Sex Offender Counseling and comply with all conditions, 02/11/2022, Active 02/11/2022
4. Total Assessments, counts 1 and two, $1103.25, 02/11/2022, Active 02/11/2022
02/11/2022
Sentence (Judicial Officer: Keough, Associate Justice Maureen B.)
2. Conspiracy - Felony Greater Than 5 to 10 Years
Judgment of Conviction Entered
Criminal Sentence
Effective Date: 02/11/2022
Full Sentence: 10 Years
Suspended: 10 Years
Probation: 10 Years
Concurrent with Count one
Credit for Time Served
Credit Details: 11/27/2018