Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

PROVIDENCE, RI – Two Pawtucket residents have pleaded guilty to federal charges and a third person is awaiting trial for their alleged participation in a drug trafficking conspiracy which operated out of a Pawtucket residence, announced United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch, Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves and Mickey Leadingham, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division of ATF.

Appearing today before U. S District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., Brandon Querceto, 31, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin and possession with intent to distribute 28 grams of more of cocaine base. On Friday, Jacqueline Caraballo, 44, pleaded guilty before U. S District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., to conspiracy to distribute heroin, five counts of distribution of heroin, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, cocaine base and heroin, and one count each of possession with intent to distribute heroin, possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base.

A third defendant arrested and charged in this matter, Michael Querceto, 33, is awaiting trial in federal court on one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin, four counts of distribution of heroin, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine and cocaine base, and one count each of possession with intent to distribute heroin, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes.

According to information presented to the Court, in September 2017, Pawtucket Police received information that an individual in Pawtucket was allegedly dealing heroin, arranging for the drug transactions via his cell telephone. Pawtucket Police linked the phone to Michael Querceto. The investigation also determined that Michael Querceto, his brother Brandon Querceto and Jacqueline Caraballo shared the same residence.

According to information presented to the Court, a Pawtucket Police Department undercover officer allegedly called Michael Querceto several times to arrange for a series of purchases of heroin.  After the purchases were made over the course of several weeks, a court-authorized search warrant was obtained and executed at the Pawtucket residence, at which time law enforcement seized, among other drugs, heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, steroids, fentanyl, $6,796 in cash, and a handgun.

According to information presented to the Court, it is alleged that Jacqueline Caraballo conspired with Michael Querceto to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine. It is alleged that on at least five occasions she distributed heroin, four times with Michael Querceto.

According to information presented to the Court , during the court-authorized search of the residence, law enforcement seized from Brandon Querceto’s bedroom more than 5 grams of heroin and nearly 60 grams of crack cocaine packaged for distribution.

All three defendants have been detained since their arrest. Brandon Querceto and Jacqueline Caraballo are scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., on September 11, 2018.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald R. Gendron.

The matter was investigated by the Pawtucket Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

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