PROVIDENCE – Lisa Ellis, 52, of Pawtucket, has admitted in federal court to assisting her son, James Gomes, 33, in a massive drug trafficking operation while he was incarcerated. The mother and son duo directed the illegal sale of crack cocaine from inside the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI).
According to court documents, Ellis knew her son was dealing drugs and admitted to aiding him on at least one occasion. She was arrested alongside Gomes during a January 22, 2018, raid on her residence, where police uncovered drug trafficking evidence.
Ellis confessed that she served as a point-of-contact for her son, coordinating drug sales from the inside of prison. She would receive calls from Gomes at ACI and then confer with his associates via cell phone to arrange deals outside the facility. Proceeds were divided, with a portion going to Gomes’ prison account.
Among those involved were Joshua Moore, 19, and Gerald Price, 34, who sold drugs for Gomes. Ellis pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., alongside her son and his associates.
Lisa Ellis faces a sentence on November 10, 2020, carrying penalties of up to 20 years in prison, a life term of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million. Her son Gomes was sentenced to 77 months in federal prison followed by four years of supervised release.
The cases were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Milind M. Shah, marking another victory in the ongoing battle against drug trafficking within correctional facilities.
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Key Facts
- State: Rhode Island
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Public Corruption
- Source: Official Source ↗
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