Drug Trafficking Case in Providence RI
Criminal Charges:
Two co-defendants charged in Rhode Island Superior Court for:
- Possession of 1 Ounce to 1 Kilogram of Cocaine, in violation of R.I.G.L. § 21-28-4.01.1(a)(2)(ii)
- Possession with Intent to Deliver Cocaine, in violation of R.I.G.L. § 21-28-4.01 (a)(4)(i)
- Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Deliver Cocaine, in violation of R.I.G.L. § 21-28-2.08
City, County and Court:
Providence, Rhode Island, Providence County
Rhode Island Superior Court (Providence County)
Case Overview:
Members of the Rhode Island State Police conducted a narcotics investigation with the assistance of a confidential informant. Police used the information to make several controlled purchases of cocaine from a suspected dealer. After successfully making the purchases, police obtained a search warrant for the man’s apartment, where he resided with a roommate. Inside they discovered and seized drug packaging materials, digital scales, and 37 grams of cocaine. Based on these discoveries, they arrested the target of their investigation. Police also arrested the less culpable roommate because of text messages found on his phone, which showed that he periodically left drug packages on the porch of his home, at the dealer’s request, to be collected by drug customers. Both men were charged with drug trafficking and conspiracy charges, initially in Rhode Island District Court. They retained Rhode Island Criminal Defense Lawyer, John L. Calcagni III, to defend them.
Case Result:
Attorney Calcagni successfully persuaded the Court to release his clients on bail, over the State’s objection. Once the cases transferred from District to Superior Court, Attorney Calcagni successfully negotiated pretrial dispositions for his clients after submitting mitigation packages on their behalf. The less culpable roommate received a deferred sentence, mainly due to his former military service, lack of criminal record, full-time employment, and limited involvement with drug dealing activities. Resolving the dealer’s case proved to be more challenging because he had prior drug arrests and convictions on his record. Notwithstanding, Attorney Calcagni persuaded the prosecution to resolve the case with a 5-year suspended sentence with probation, again sparing this repeat client from having to serve any time at the ACI.
- Co-Defendant #1: Deferred Sentence
- Co-Defendant #2: Suspended Sentence