Rhode Island resident Ian D. Andrade, 37, of Tiverton, faces up to life in federal prison for trafficking cocaine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to information presented to the court, Andrade was arrested by Newport Police on November 8, 2013, after officers stopped and executed a court-authorized search of Andrade’s vehicle, resulting in the seizure of approximately 400 grams of cocaine packaged for sale, a loaded firearm, and more than $4,400 in cash.
Andrade pleaded guilty to trafficking cocaine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime on Wednesday. He will be sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., on August 7, 2014.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Pamela E. Chin. The Rhode Island DEA Drug Task Force assisted Newport Police in this matter.
Under federal law, possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute is punishable by a statutory penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime is punishable by a statutory penalty of up to life imprisonment with a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years in federal prison, to run consecutive to the sentence imposed for possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, and a fine of up to $250,000.
Andrade’s guilty plea and potential sentence serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of engaging in drug trafficking and possessing firearms in furtherance of such crimes.
The Newport Police Department and the Rhode Island DEA Drug Task Force are to be commended for their tireless efforts in bringing Andrade to justice.
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- Salee Yang, Cocaine Trafficking, Rhode Island 2012 · Rhode Island
- Ashley Sekator-Graham, Cocaine Trafficking, Rhode Island 2013 · Rhode Island
- Felix Reyes, Crack Cocaine Trafficking, Rhode Island 2012 · Rhode Island
Key Facts
- State: Rhode Island
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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