Estefano J. Lobo, Crack Trafficking, Rhode Island 2023

PROVIDENCE, RI – Estefano J. Lobo, 31, of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, is heading back to federal prison after being sentenced to five years for trafficking crack cocaine – a crime committed while he was already on supervised release for previous drug and firearm convictions. The repeat offender’s latest scheme has landed him a 60-month sentence handed down Tuesday by U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith.

Lobo, a man with a rap sheet stretching back to 2010 with eight prior felony convictions, pleaded guilty in October 2022 to possession of cocaine base and cocaine with intent to distribute. The feds say Lobo wasted no time returning to his old habits, dealing crack cocaine for several months after being released from a three-year federal prison term in March 2022.

ATF agents and Pawtucket Police detectives caught Lobo red-handed during an investigation into his renewed drug activity. Surveillance teams witnessed a direct hand-to-hand transaction where Lobo delivered crack cocaine to an individual. The bust occurred while Lobo was supposed to be following the rules of his supervised release – a clear indication, authorities say, that he has no intention of reforming.

A search of Lobo’s residence turned up a significant stash: 98.45 grams of crack cocaine, $7,652 in cash, and tools used to process cocaine powder into the more potent crack form. At the time of his arrest, he was already carrying 1.35 grams of crack and $580 in cash. The evidence paints a picture of a full-scale drug operation, not just a one-off transaction.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Milind M. Shah prosecuted the case. The sentence includes three years of federal supervised release following his prison term, though given Lobo’s history, it remains to be seen whether he’ll abide by those conditions. The ATF’s Boston Field Division spearheaded the investigation, working alongside local Pawtucket Police.

This case serves as a stark reminder that repeat offenders often return to criminal activity despite opportunities for rehabilitation. Lobo’s actions demonstrate a blatant disregard for the law and a continued commitment to profiting from the destruction caused by illegal drugs. He’ll now have five years to contemplate his choices behind bars.

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