Armed Career Criminal Sentenced To 18 Years In Federal Prison

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Aaron Young, 37, of Providence, an armed career criminal previously convicted and sentenced in state court on felony assault, robbery and drug trafficking charges, was sentenced today in federal court to 216 months in federal prison on federal drug trafficking and firearms charges, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Providence Police Chief Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr.

Young was arrested by Providence Police in January 2013 during an investigation into his drug trafficking activities. Young has been held in state custody since his arrest by Providence Police as a parole violator on his previous state convictions.

At sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge Mary M. Lisi also ordered Young to serve 5 years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. Young pleaded guilty on October 28, 2013, to one count each of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to information presented to the court, on January 7, 2013, Providence Police and R.I. DEA drug task force agents executed court authorized search warrants at Young’s Providence residence. As officers and agents entered Young’s second floor apartment through a front door, officers outside the rear of the building watched as Young exited his apartment through a rear door, discarded a bag and exited the building. Young was detained as he left the building and the bag discarded by Young, which contained a total 2.1 grams of cocaine in five packets, was recovered. A search of Young’s apartment resulted in the seizure of a loaded 9mm handgun with 15 live rounds in the magazine and items used in the sale and distribution of cocaine.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul F. Daly, Jr., with the assistance of R.I. Assistant Attorney General Jim Baum.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the R.I. DEA drug task force assisted Providence Police in the investigation of this matter.

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