DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

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

For Immediate Release

Thursday, April 19, 2018
Stephen G. Dambruch
, United States Attorney
Contact: Jim Martin

Warwick Resident Sentenced to Federal Prison on Methamphetamine Trafficking and Firearms Charges

PROVIDENCE, RI – A Warwick man charged and convicted as the result of a Project Safe Neighborhoods investigation with trafficking methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm he used in furtherance of his drug trafficking activities was sentenced today to 10 years in federal prison.

Jon Cascella, 49, of Warwick, was convicted by a federal court jury on December 5, 2017, on four counts of distribution of methamphetamine, two counts of distribution of 5 grams or more of methamphetamine, and one count each of possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine, being a felon in possession of a firearm arm and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

Project Safe Neighborhoods is a federal, state and local law enforcement collaboration to identify, investigate and prosecute individuals responsible for violent crimes in our neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

At sentencing, U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith also ordered Cascella to serve 7 years supervised release upon completion of his term of incarceration. The U.S. Sentencing Guidelines imprisonment range in this matter is 152-175 months. The government recommended the court impose a sentence of 152 months incarceration to be followed by 5 years supervised release.

According to the government’s evidence presented at trial, on five occasions between March 29 and May 4, 2017, Cascella sold over 15.6 grams of methamphetamine to a Warwick undercover police officer. The transactions were electronically monitored and recorded. Beginning shortly after the first transaction, Cascella repeatedly expressed an interest in purchasing a firearm for protection. The undercover officer agreed to assist Cascella obtain a firearm.

According to the government’s evidence, on May 4, 2017, Cascella met with an ATF undercover agent who exchanged a .380 caliber semi-automatic handgun and $600 in cash for nearly 7 grams of methamphetamine. A storage garage where the transaction for the firearm took place was outfitted with several law enforcement video and audio recording devices. Cascella was arrested moments after he took possession of the firearm.

A court authorized search of Cascella’s residence following his arrest resulted in the seizure of approximately 8.6 grams of methamphetamine.

Cascella’s sentenced is announced by United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch; Mickey Leadingham, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division of Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); and Warwick Police Chief Colonel Stephen M. McCartney.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Milind M. Shah.The matter was investigated by ATF and the Warwick Police Department.

 

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Boston Field Division