Felony firearm charges have landed a Providence man in federal prison for nearly six years. Fernando Santana, 27, was sentenced to 70 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and for violating the terms of his supervised release, United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha announced.
Santana was arrested by Providence Police on May 22, 2013, after a brief foot pursuit. During the chase, he stashed a loaded .357 revolver in a stack of mattresses. At the time of his arrest, Santana was serving a term of supervised release imposed in 2011, which followed a 37-month term of imprisonment for drug trafficking.
According to information presented to the court, detectives and officers responded to a dispatch broadcast of an individual or individuals with a gun in a South Side neighborhood. As a Providence detective exited his vehicle to speak with two men who fit the description of the individuals described in the broadcast, Santana fled on foot. An officer in pursuit came upon Santana and noticed him grasping at his waist. As the officer continued the pursuit and came around the corner in a rear yard, he noticed Santana retracting his hand from between a pile of mattresses.
Santana was apprehended a short distance away. A loaded .357 revolver was retrieved from the pile of mattresses. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lee H. Vilker and Richard B. Myrus.
U.S. District Court Judge Mary M. Lisi also ordered Santana to serve three years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives assisted Providence Police in the investigation of this matter.
The sentencing comes after Santana pleaded guilty on September 24, 2013, to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The conviction marks the latest chapter in Santana’s dealings with the law, following his previous federal conviction for drug trafficking.
Providence Police Chief Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr. praised the work of the officers involved in the investigation, stating they demonstrated exceptional bravery and dedication to keeping the community safe.
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Key Facts
- State: Rhode Island
- Category: Violent Crime|Drug Trafficking|Weapons
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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