Brooklyn Man Sentenced for Trafficking Cocaine & Marijuana

A 29-year-old man from Brooklyn, N.Y., has been sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for trafficking cocaine and marijuana, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha.

Charles Fermin was convicted by a federal court jury in Rhode Island in September 2012 of the charges. He was also ordered to serve 3 years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term.

The conviction stems from an investigation by the Rhode Island State Police High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, which arrested Fermin on January 6, 2012. At the time of his arrest, Fermin was in possession of a suitcase containing a loaded .357 Magnum revolver, 33 pounds of marijuana, more than an ounce of cocaine, and drug trafficking paraphernalia.

During an ongoing investigation, HIDTA Task Force agents watched as Fermin carted the suitcase around several Providence streets, pausing at one point to make a cell phone call. When approached, the defendant told arresting officers that he had found the suitcase after it had been tossed over a nearby fence by an unknown person, and that he was unaware of its contents.

The jury convicted Fermin of cocaine and marijuana trafficking, but acquitted him of a firearms charge. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sandra R. Hebert.

The Rhode Island State Police High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force is comprised of members of law enforcement from the Rhode Island State Police, ATF, DEA, ICE-HSI, R.I. National Guard, and the Johnston, Pawtucket, Providence and Smithfield Police Departments.

U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith handed down the sentence. Fermin’s prison term is set to begin immediately.