Pawtucket man sentenced to life for 2022 murder

PAWTUCKET, R.I. — Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced that a Pawtucket man has been sentenced in Providence County Superior Court to life in prison for the 2022 murder of 28-year-old Jovani Velez.

On October 30, 2025, 28-year-old Jovon Depina pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and possession of a ghost gun. Providence Superior Court Justice Robert D. Krause sentenced him to life behind bars, plus a consecutive ten-year term, five years to serve, and ten years of probation for the ghost gun charge.

“When criminals have access to firearms, in this case a ghost gun, lives are lost; it’s as simple and tragic as that,” Attorney General Neronha said in a statement. “The defendant chose to escalate a verbal dispute into murder, and Jovani’s life was taken far too soon. While nothing can bring him back, I hope his loved ones find some peace knowing justice has been served. I thank the Pawtucket Police Department and the prosecutors in my office for their dedication and excellent work on this case.”

According to court records, on January 30, 2022, at approximately 6:51 p.m., Depina and co-defendant Elijah Soto met Velez in a Pawtucket parking lot near Park and Laurel Streets to sell Velez cocaine. Velez got into the backseat of the Nissan driven by Depina and Soto. Following the sale, an argument erupted in the vehicle, after which Velez exited to wait for his ride.

Depina then had Soto drive him home where he went inside and returned to the vehicle carrying a ghost gun. They drove back to the parking lot, where Velez was still waiting for a ride. Surveillance footage showed Depina exiting the vehicle and firing multiple rounds, striking Velez in the abdomen and killing him.

Pawtucket Man sentenced to life.