Bail Granted in Methamphetamine Distribution Case in U.S. District Court, Rhode Island

Criminal Charges:

Man charged in the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island for:

• Distribution of Methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841 (a)(1) and (b)(1)(A)

Case Overview:

A California man was arrested and charged in United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island for his alleged involvement with trafficking in methamphetamines. Federal agents conducted a long-term investigation into the man using a cooperating witness who was caught red-handed in Rhode Island, for drug trafficking, and was working under a signed cooperation agreement with the government to reduce his sentence. The cooperator told authorities that the man from California was his drug supplier. However, the cooperator communicated with his supplier mainly by text message, seldom by phone or video chat, and never met the supplier in person. As such, the cooperator was unable to positively identify the man as his actual drug supplier. The drugs in question were shipped to Rhode Island from California, where the man lives. After speculating that the man served as the cooperator’s supplier, authorities obtained a search warrant for his California home. When law enforcement agents went to the man’s home to execute the warrant, he had a mental breakdown. He refused to answer the door, initially believing he was being robbed. Once he was finally convinced that the officers were in fact police, he threatened to harm both them and him with a firearm. He also asked officers not to take his money, further signifying his mental health episode. Eventually, the man disarmed himself and surrendered to authorities, at which time he was taken into custody. After being represented by three lawyers over the course of approximately 18 months, none of whom were able to get him released on bail, he hired Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer, John L. Calcagni III, to defend him in this matter.

Case Result: Bail Granted.

Attorney Calcagni reviewed the evidence, formulated a strategy, and filed a motion for bail. After two hearings, where the government strongly opposed the Defense Motion for Bond, the Court ordered the man’s pretrial release.