An Indiana man has been convicted in Washington County Superior Court for child molestation and sexual assault stemming from a 1987 cold case. The verdict was delivered on December 11, 2025, after a nine-day trial presided over by Superior Court Justice Sarah Taft-Carter.
Frank Thies, age 69, was found guilty of one count of first-degree child molestation and one count of first-degree sexual assault. He is being held without bail as he awaits sentencing.
Attorney General Peter F. Neronha commented on the resolution of the case: “Through advancements in genetic genealogy, we are finally able to close the book on this difficult case. These two victims demonstrated immense courage during the original investigation, as well as in the decades since. Now, this defendant will finally be held accountable for his crimes. I want to thank the prosecutors in my Office and the Rhode Island State Police for bringing long overdue justice to these victims.”
According to evidence presented at trial, Thies sexually assaulted two juvenile female victims at knifepoint in Exeter woods on April 12, 1987. Both victims were under fourteen years old and did not know Thies.
Rhode Island State Police Colonel Darnell S. Weaver acknowledged those involved: “I appreciate the efforts of our Troopers and prosecutors in the Attorney General’s Office on their successful investigation and prosecution of this defendant. I hope that this conviction provides some closure for the victims.”
The case was investigated and prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Timothy Healy and Special Assistant Attorney General Jessica Villella from the Attorney General’s Office, along with Detective Sergeant Kyle Draper and Major Michael Quinn (ret.) from Rhode Island State Police. The investigation also received support from members of Indiana State Police.
