Newport Wedding Melee — Nearly Two Years Later, Has Justice Been Served?

Newport Wedding Melee — Nearly Two Years Later, Has Justice Been Served?

In 2023, GoLocal published a number of videos relating to a melee between a wedding party and Newport Police. Six were charged for the incident. Five of the cases have been disposed of, and one case is still pending. No one has received any prison time. 

The videos showed one Newport police officer repeatedly punched in the face by one of the men in the wedding party.

The officer — Sergeant Stephen Carrig — was injured, required surgery, and missed months of work.

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

The man charged, Rober Nash, is now 32 years old. He was charged with two felonies — “assault of a police officer” and felony assault — on November 6, 2023, nearly two months after the incident on September 20, 2023.

Nash is being represented by former State Representative Chris Millea.

After Nash posted bail ($5,000 surety) at his January 11, 2024, arraignment, there have been 18 “pre-trial conferences” on the calendar.

Of note, Nash’s defense made a motion to refer him to the “Superior Court Diversion Program” - a program that “is designed to offer an alternative to traditional conviction, sentencing, and incarceration for persons charged with a non-violent felony offense by providing eligible defendants with a framework of supervision and services in lieu of incarceration and/or probation."

Nash was ruled ineligible because the alleged crimes were a “disqualifying offense.”

On May 27, 2025, court records show there was a “trial date certain” — the date of which was “vacated by judge” — Stephen Nugent.

Since then, there have been three status conferences on the calendar. The next court hearing on Nash’s charges is scheduled for September 11, nearly two years to the day since the incident.

The state prosecutor on the case is Assistant Attorney General Eric Batista.

 

 

Rachael Onik — Grabbed at Police Officer’s Gun Belt and Dropped David Cicilline’s Name

For Rachael Onik — who was seen on video grabbing at an officer’s belt with his gun during the melee — her case is now “closed.”

Onik, now 33, had been charged with three felonies - including “larceny from a person” due to her actions - and five misdemeanors including simple assault, resisting arrest, obstructing an officer in the execution of duty, and disorderly conduct.

She pleaded “nolo” to all charges. 

A plea of nolo in Rhode Island is considered an admission of guilt.

On May 9, 2025, she was ordered to 100 hours of community service by Judge Stephen Nugent.

On one of the charges of “larceny from a person,” she was given a “full sentence” of 5 years, home confinement for 3 years, a two-year suspended sentence, and five years probation.

She also received a “five-year sentence” on the second larceny charge - and was placed on five years’ probation.

On the simple assault charge, she received a suspended one-year sentence and was placed on one year of probation.

Onik received the same sentence for “obstructing an officer in execution” of duty and resisting arrest.

For the disorderly conduct charge, she received a 6-month suspended sentence and was placed on 6 months' probation.

All of her probation runs concurrently.

Prior to the violence, Rachael Onik’s husband was detained by Newport Police.

 

Call My Dad, Call David

 

 

The detention of David Onik was the first incident in a melee.

Another video shows the bride of the wedding — Kylie Swain, then-28 of South Weymouth, MA — striking another Newport Police officer. SEE VIDEO HERE

The video shows David and Rachael telling a Newport Police Officer that David is being unfairly detained and that they are going to make phone calls.

As the body camera footage begins and Newport Police are interviewing members of The Landing staff outside of the camera view, David Onik repeatedly says, "I didn't do anything." SEE VIDEO ABOVE

At one point, a Newport Police Officer asks Rachael Onik for her name, and she refuses. 1:00.

Then, before David Onik is "detained "by Newport Police, his wife says she is going to call “Cicilline.” 1:36

“Yea, my Dad, call David [Cicilline],” said David Onik. 1:39

Rachael then says she is calling “Konnie” — a reference to Konstantin Onik, her father-in-law who was a top director at Ocean State Job Lot.

The senior Onik is also a business partner with Marc Perlman in another company, K & M Investment, LLC.

The ties between the Oniks go back years with David Cicilline, the former state representative, former Providence Mayor and former Congressman.

Campaign financial reports show that Konstantin Onik donated $5,000 to Cicilline’s campaigns. Then, on May 10, 2010, the Cicilline state committee refunded $1,400 to Konstantin Onik, and he made a $1,400 donation to Cicilline’s federal campaign committee for Congress. And, a month later he donated another $1,000 to Cicilline.

Today, Cicilline serves as the head of the Rhode Island Foundation.