School Committee Member Arrested For Domestic Assault

A member of the North Kingstown School Committee is facing charges of domestic assault after an altercation last week.

Larry Ceresi, 40, of 129 Ricci Lane and former chair of the school committee, is facing charges of domestic assault, domestic disorderly conduct and domestic refusal to relinquish a phone after an altercation on April 2.

According to reports from the , Ceresi assaulted a woman in his home after he went through her cell phone and saw a message from a male friend. The victim told police that Ceresi grabbed a curling iron from her hands and reportedly ripped it from the power outlet before allegedly shoving her, causing her to trip.

Reports go on to say that Ceresi allegedly called the woman obscenities and ordered her to leave his residence on Ricci Lane. According to police, at one point during the altercation Ceresi tried to stop the woman from going upstairs and allegedly tore her pajama shorts.

Though the woman alleged that Ceresi tried to take the home's cordless phone from her, Ceresi denied preventing her from using the phone.

"We're obviously going through some painful and challenging times as a family," said Ceresi in a statement regarding the arrest. "Though I know I'm a public official, I would expect people to give my family some privacy during this time."

Ceresi is scheduled for arraignment in Third District Court on April 17.