Related Federal Cases
- Providence Man Sentenced to 70 Months for Cocaine Trafficking Conspiracy Involving USPS Kidnapping · Puerto Rico
- Providence Man Sentenced for Kidnapping USPS Employee in Cocaine Trafficking Plot · Puerto Rico
- South Kingstown Man Faces Cocaine Trafficking Charges · Rhode Island
- Buffalos Gang Members Nabbed in Child Sex Trafficking · Massachusetts
- Garcia Gets 24 Months for Trafficking Teens · Massachusetts
Woonsocket Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Cocaine Trafficking
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Eddie Carrasquillo, 29, of Woonsocket, has been sentenced to 121 months in federal prison for trafficking cocaine and maintaining a drug-related property, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, John J. Arvanitis, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) New England Field Division, and Woonsocket Police Chief Thomas S. Carey.
At sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith also ordered Carrasquillo to serve seven years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. Carrasquillo pleaded guilty on May 16, 2013, as charged in a federal indictment returned in February 2013, to one count each of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, distribution of 500 grams or more of cocaine and maintaining a drug-related premises.
As a result of the investigation, law enforcement seized approximately one kilogram of cocaine, $409,120 in cash and a 2007 Honda vehicle. According to information provided to the court, in January 2013, the Woonsocket Police Department’s Vice Unit received information and complaints about a suspected drug-house operating in a residential neighborhood near downtown Woonsocket. Area residents complained of a steady stream of vehicle traffic and visitors to and from the residence.
In response, on January 9, 2013, Woonsocket Police and R.I. DEA Drug Task Force agents began a surveillance of the residence, and they recovered discarded items from the building’s trash that were consistent with items used in the preparation and distribution of drugs. About 90 minutes later, Woonsocket Police attempted to stop a second vehicle which was seen arriving and leaving from the suspected drug-house.
The driver, Paul Noriega, 27, of Warwick, was arrested after attempting to flee at a high rate of speed. Officers located and recovered a digital scale, a kilo of cocaine weighing 6.2 pounds, and a quantity of crack cocaine that had been tossed from the vehicle. Noriega, who has been detained since his arrest, pleaded guilty on March 8, 2013, in U.S. District Court, to one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.
Carrasquillo has been detained since his arrest. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sandra R. Hebert.
RELATED: Pawtucket Fraudster Martinez Gets 73 Months in Federal Prison
RELATED: Johnston Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Trafficking 2M+ Fentanyl Doses
Key Facts
- State: Rhode Island
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News