Fall River Man Receives Sentence For Statutory Rape

A five to seven year prison sentence was handed down for a Fall River man convicted of having a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old female relative.

Gregg Miliote, Director of Communications for the Bristol County District Attorney's Office, announced on Wednesday that 26-year-old Robert Heaberlin Jr. pled guilty to four counts of statutory rape.

Fall River Police received a call from the victim’s mother on September 10, 2015 who said she witnessed her young daughter and the then 25 year old Heaberlin engaging in inappropriate contact.

Miliote says that, after further questioning, the victim disclosed that she had been involved in a year long sexual relationship with Heaberlin.

There was additional evidence of the relationship provided through text messages between the victim and defendant.

Miliote says that in an effort to protect the victim’s identity, they will not be providing any other facts about the case.

Heaberlin must also serve three years of probation after his release and register as a sex offender.