DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney's Office
District of Rhode Island

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Peter F. Neronha
, United States Attorney
Contact: Jim Martin

Providence Felon Sentenced To More Than Six Years in Federal Prison on Heroin Trafficking, Firearm Charges

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Jose Fuentes, 43, of Providence, was sentenced today to 77 months in federal prison for trafficking heroin and for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Daniel J. Kumor, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

At sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge Mary M. Lisi also ordered Fuentes to serve three years supervised release upon completion of his prison term. Fuentes pleaded guilty on June 2, 2014, to three counts of distribution of heroin and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to information presented to the court at the time of Jose Fuentes guilty plea, on three occasions Fuentes sold various amounts of heroin to ATF undercover agents. The third sale of heroin to ATF agents included the exchange of a firearm as partial payment for heroin.

According to information presented to the court, on March 5, 2012, Fuentes sold to an ATF undercover agent 4.4 grams of heroin for $325.00; on March 16, 2012, Fuentes sold to an ATF undercover agent 9.9 grams of heroin for $650; and on October 12, 2012, Fuentes sold to an ATF agent .77 grams of heroin in exchange for a .380 semi-automatic pistol and $100 in cash.

Fuentes was taken into custody by ATF agents immediately after he took possession of the firearm and the drug transaction was completed. He has been detained since his arrest.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul F. Daly, Jr.

###

Boston Field Division