Pawtucket Man to be Detained in Federal Custody on Charges of Heroin & Cocaine Trafficking

GoLocalProv News Team

Pawtucket Man to be Detained in Federal Custody on Charges of Heroin & Cocaine Trafficking

Aaron Philbert, 29, of Pawtucket has been ordered detained in federal custody after appearing in U.S. District Court in Providence on Tuesday.

Philbert is being held on heroin and cocaine trafficking charges, as well as for allegedly being a felon in possession of two loaded firearms that he allegedly used in furtherance of his alleged drug trafficking crimes.

A federal grand jury on Thursday returned a four-count indictment charging Philbert with possession of cocaine with the in ten to distribute, possession of heroin with the intent to distribute, being a felon in possession of firearms, and possession of firearms which he allegedly used in furtherance of his alleged trafficking crimes.

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A not guilty plea was entered during his arraignment before U.S. District Court Judge Patricia Sullivan.

The Investigation

According to information presented to the court, on February 8, 2016, during an investigation into Philbert's alleged drug trafficking activities, law enforcement executed a court authorized search warrant inside Philbert's residence and allegedly seized a loaded Glock 21, .45 caliber pistol that had  been reported stolen, a loaded .357 magnum revolver, 13.8 grams of heroin, over an ounce of cocaine and more than $11,000 in cash, as well as numerous items used in the packaging and distribution of drugs.

According to court records and information presented to the court, Philbert, who was on federal supervised release at the time of his arrest in February, pleaded guilty in May 2010 to one count of possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of cocaine base. He was sentenced in June 2011, to 63 months incarceration followed by 5 years supervised release.

The Indictment

An indictment is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard W. Rose.


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