Man Ordered to Surrender Gun for Felony Plea

Douglas Authelet, 37, of 54D Cambridge Ave. in Warwick, pleaded no contest on March 11 to a North Kingstown police felony charge of carrying a pistol without a license.

Authelet was ordered to pay $450 in assessments, and to forfeit the firearm. A deferred sentence was also imposed. In return for his plea, an additional charge of carrying a weapon while under the influence was dismissed.

According to South Kingstown and North Kingstown police reports included in court files, in August 2012 Authelet assaulted a man in the dining room of Casey’s Grill and Bar. Authelet later told police that the man was having an affair with his girlfriend, but the woman told police that they had broken up.

Police said Authelet left Casey’s before an arrest could be made, and a bulletin was issued for an Audi he was driving. A traffic stop was made in North Kingstown later that night.

According to police, a search of the car revealed a handgun, $8,273 in cash, and a small amount of marijuana and hashish. Authelet allegedly told police that he took the gun from a home shared with his ex-girlfriend because he was afraid she was going to kill him.

However, police said that based on Authelet’s behavior at the restaurant, and statements from his ex-girlfriend, he was determined to be the primary aggressor.

Police noted that Authelet smelled strongly of alcohol during the traffic stop, but he passed field sobriety tests, and his blood alcohol level tested at only 0.037 via a preliminary breath test. Police said Authelet had a valid medical marijuana card.

In October 2012, Authelet pleaded to a South Kingstown police charge of assault stemming from the incident at Casey’s. He was ordered to serve a year-long suspended sentence and a year of probation, and to pay restitution. In return for his plea, an additional charge of vandalism was dismissed.

According to online records, Authelet has nine previous arrests:

• In April 2009, Authelet pleaded no contest to a charge of driving with a suspended license. No fines or loss of license was imposed.
• In July 2008, Authelet pleaded no contest to a Warwick police charge of assault. He was ordered to serve a year of probation, and to pay restitution and court costs. Additional charges of domestic assault and domestic disorderly conduct were dismissed.
• In November 2005, Authelet pleaded no contest to a Warwick police charge of driving with a suspended license. He was ordered to pay a fine and court costs.
• In March 2004, a Warwick police charge of violating a protective order was dismissed.
• In February 2004, East Greenwich police charges of driving with a suspended license and failure to answer a summons were dismissed. According to online records, the case was handled in traffic court.
• In July 2001, Authelet pleaded no contest to a Rhode Island State Police charge emanating from the Wickford Barracks of driving with a suspended license. He was ordered to pay a fine and court costs.
• In October 1998, Authelet pleaded no contest to a Warwick police charge of driving with a suspended license. He was ordered to pay a fine and court costs.
• In May 1998, Authelet pleaded no contest to a Coventry police charge of drunken driving. He was ordered to pay a fine and court costs, to surrender his license for three months, and to complete a diversion program.
• In August 1996, Authelet pleaded no contest to Warwick police charges of disorderly conduct, vandalism and assault. He was ordered to pay restitution, and to serve a year-long suspended sentence and a year of probation.

Unless otherwise noted, files at Washington County Superior Court contain the information about the following court cases. You can review them at the McGrath Judicial Complex.