2 Years Ago, RI Man Sentenced to 9 Years on Drug Charges - Now, Arrested Again
GoLocalProv News Team
2 Years Ago, RI Man Sentenced to 9 Years on Drug Charges - Now, Arrested Again
One of the men arrested, Luis Enrique Molina, already had a lengthy record of arrests and incarceration.
Court records show that on June 12, 2020, Judge Kristin Rodgers sentenced Molina to nine years on drug charges, after he had been charged with a dozen felonies related to both drugs and firearms stemming from the February 2019 State Police arrest.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe term to serve however was set at 27 months with 81 months suspended.
Molina ultimately served 19 months of Rodgers' nine-year sentence and was released in September 2020.
This past week, Molina was arrested once again on weapons and fentanyl charges.
Arrest, Release, Arrest Backdrop
On February 5, 2019 the Rhode Island State Police High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force announced the arrest of four Providence brothers on narcotics, weapons and criminal conspiracy charges.
The State Police said it executed two search warrants during which task force members seized approximately 90 grams of fentanyl, a handgun and ammunition and nearly $300K cash.
They posted the contraband in a press release; the four men arrested were identified at the time as Luis Miguel Molina, 23, Luis Armando Molina, 21, Luis Alberto Molina, 29 -- and Luis Enrique Molina, 28,
State records secured by GoLocalProv show that Enrique Molina was released on September 17, 2020.
Last week, Molina was arrested again — on fentanyl drug and gun charges.
Latest Charges
On Friday, December 3, 2021, shortly before 10:30 PM, police reported that they encountered a SUV stopped on Adelaide Avenue by Elmwood Avenue, that had what police said appeared to be illegal tinting on its windows.
Police approached the vehicle and said they recognized the operator as Molina from his prior offenses.
According to police, they observed that Molina was acting nervously, and saw a gun in his lap.
Police stated they were able to detain Molina and determine that the firearm was a 9mm semi-automatic weapon loaded with live cartridges — including in the chamber.
Providence police said that they also located bags of suspected — and later confirmed — fentanyl; they also noted that Molina was in possession of over $6,000 in cash.
Police said Molina will be charged with carrying a pistol without a license; possessing a firearm during the possession with the intent to deliver fentanyl; and persons prohibited from carrying a firearm after convicted of a crime of violence.
He was also issued a summons for the illegal vehicle window tint.
Molina is being represented by attorney David Cooper. When reached on Tuesday, Cooper confirmed Molina is being held without bail.
As GoLocal reported in November, the City of Providence continues to see suspects arrested and charged with gun crimes, only to be released and arrested on new and even more serious gun charges.
LUIS ENRIQUE MOLINA ACI RECORD
