FBI Task Force Arrests 18 in RI on Drug and Firearms Charges

The U.S. Attorney's office announced Thursday that 18 individuals, fifteen of whom were previously convicted of felony drug and/or firearm charges, and thirteen of whom are currently serving terms of state or federal probation, have been charged in federal court in Providence with trafficking drugs and/or firearms, the result of a series of FBI Safe Streets Task Force Project Safe Neighborhoods investigations.

United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman said in a statement, “It is unfortunate, and really distressing, that Defendants with previous criminal histories would remain undeterred from continuing to deal in drugs, and, in some instances, even firearms. Thanks to the exemplary, and truly heroic, work of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, these alleged bad actors – who endanger our neighborhoods and threaten our families with gun and drug violence – now face the prospect of significant incarceration in federal prison.”  

“These arrests and seizures show our relentless determination to mitigate the drug-fueled violence plaguing our communities at the hands of previously convicted felons who continue to demonstrate why they are a serious threat to public safety,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “The hard-working citizens of Rhode Island should not be handcuffed by fear of leaving their homes and getting caught in the crosshairs of a drug deal. Let it be clear, the rule of law is not optional, and our Safe Streets Task Force will continue to do everything it can to stop the flow of illegal narcotics and firearms onto our streets.”

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

“Operation River Fork,” launched by the Safe Streets Task Force in Woonsocket in January, expanded over the past ten months to include investigations in Providence, Warwick and Cranston. The investigations identified three separate alleged drug and/or firearms trafficking conspiracies involving a total of nine individuals, and eight individuals who have been charged based on their alleged independent drug and/or firearm trafficking activities," according to the Feds.

Leading up to eight arrests and the execution of two court-authorized search warrants on Wednesday, and seven arrests today, forty-seven controlled drug and firearm transactions monitored by members of the Safe Street Task Force resulted in the seizure of three loaded firearms, approximately one kilogram of crack cocaine, and forty grams of fentanyl. 

As a result of the arrests and search warrants executed on Wednesday and Thursday, three loaded firearms, approximately 350 grams of crack cocaine, 130 grams of fentanyl, 120 grams of powder cocaine, and $122,000 in cash were seized by law enforcement.

If convicted as charged in criminal complaints filed with the court, thirteen of the nineteen individuals face mandatory minimum sentences of five years in federal prison.

 

HERE IS WHO HAS BEEN ARRESTED ACCORDING TO THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT

Arrested Wednesday

Anthony Medeiros, 29, Woonsocket

Three counts of the Distribution of 28 grams or More of Cocaine Base
Two counts of Distribution of Cocaine Base
One count of Conspiracy to distribute a Controlled Substance

Bradley Dewalt. 28, Woonsocket

One count of the Distribution of Cocaine Base
One count of Conspiracy to distribute a Controlled Substance

Michael Fernandes, 27, Woonsocket

Two counts of the Distribution of 28 grams or More of Cocaine Base
One count of Distribution of Cocaine Base
One count of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance

Mariah Raymond, 26, Woonsocket

One count of the Distribution of 28 grams or More of Cocaine Base
One count of Conspiracy to distribute a Controlled Substance

Josue Gomez Sanchez, 26, Woonsocket

Distribution of 28 Grams or More of Cocaine Base
Distribution of Cocaine Base

Jose Perez, 27, Woonsocket

Two counts of Distribution of 28 grams of More of Cocaine Base
One count of Distribution of Cocaine Base

Michael Wilkerson, 36, Woonsocket

One count of Distribution of 28 Grams or More of Cocaine Base
One count of Distribution of Cocaine Base

Bruce Perez Gonzalez, 25, Woonsocket

Distribution of 28 grams of More of Cocaine Base 
Distribution of Cocaine Base

 

Arrested Thursday

Joel Figueroa, 24, Providence

Two counts of Distribution of less than 28 grams of Cocaine Base 
One count of Conspiracy to Distribute of Cocaine Base
One count of Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm

Ricardo Pierre, 41, Warwick

Five counts of Distribution of 28 grams of More of Cocaine Base

Ronnie Smith, 32, Cranston

One count of Distribution of 28 grams of More of Cocaine Base
One count of Distribution of Cocaine Base

Michael Rodriguez, 25, Providence

One count of Distribution of 28 grams of More of Cocaine Base
Two counts of Distribution of Cocaine Base

Angel Aviles, 22, Cranston

Conspiracy to distribute cocaine base, heroin and fentanyl and distribution of cocaine base, heroin and fentanyl

 

Juan Batista, 35, Woonsocket

Conspiracy to distribute cocaine base, heroin and fentanyl and distribution of cocaine base, heroin and fentanyl

 

Natalie Cassidy, 26, Woonsocket

Conspiracy to distribute cocaine base, heroin and fentanyl and distribution of cocaine base, heroin and fentanyl

 

Detained at the ACI on Unrelated Charges

 

Brady Robinson, 26, Woonsocket

Felon in Possession of a Firearm

Alfonso Merced, 35, Woonsocket

Felon in Possession of a Firearm

Josimar Pereira, 24, Woonsocket

Two counts of the offense of distribution of a controlled substance, cocaine base; and 
Six counts of distribution of a controlled substance, cocaine base and fentanyl

429 Too Many Requests

---

openresty