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Cranston Felon Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal Prison
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Cranston Felon Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal Prison

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Abel Perez, 31, of Cranston, was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for trafficking heroin, being a felon in possession of a firearm and for use of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

Perez was arrested on September 7, 2011, by agents and officers assigned to the DEA Drug Task Force following a five-month undercover investigation into Perez’s drug trafficking activities.

At sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith also ordered Perez to serve four years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term.

Perez pleaded guilty on February 3, 2012, to one count each of possession with the intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

According to information presented to the court, DEA Drug Task Force agents made several controlled purchases of varying amounts of heroin from Perez beginning in April 2011.

Agents seized more than 500 grams of heroin and a loaded .22 caliber semi-automatic handgun from a secret compartment behind the vehicle’s radio during a search of Perez’s vehicle and residences. Additional quantities of heroin, approximately $7,000 in cash, a .357 revolver and an assortment of ammunition were also found.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Adi Goldstein.

The DEA Drug Task Force is comprised of agents and law enforcement officers from the DEA, ATF, IRS, Homeland Security Investigations, Rhode Island State Police and Cranston, East Providence, Pawtucket, Providence, Newport, Warwick and Woonsocket Police Departments.

Perez’s prison term consists of 84 months for possession with the intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and being a felon in possession of a firearm, and a consecutive sentence of 60 months for possession of firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.