News Release
U.S. Department of Justice
United States Attorney
District of Rhode Island
February 1, 2008
Guilty verdict in a two-kilogram cocaine delivery
A federal jury in Providence has found Ricardo Mejia, 37, guilty of taking part in the delivery of two kilograms of cocaine outside a fast food restaurant on Broad Street, Providence, in December 2006. Evidence presented to the jury showed that Mejia’s job was to provide protection for Eudy Antonio Tejada-Pichardo, who pleaded guilty last month to making the delivery.
United States Attorney Robert Clark Corrente announced the verdict, which the jury returned yesterday after four hours of deliberation that followed a four-day trial before U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith.
During the trial, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sandra R. Beckner and Milind M. Shah presented evidence that, at about 9:15 PM on December 18, 2006, Mejia and Tejada-Pichardo arrived at the fast food restaurant. A short time later, another man arrived in a vehicle. Soto placed a large suitcase into the back seat of that vehicle, got into it, and the two men drove away. Mejia followed in another car. At that point, Drug Enforcement Administration agents and Providence Police detectives moved in and arrested both men.
From the suitcase, which had a false bottom, agents removed about two kilograms of cocaine. In the car in which Mejia was riding, agents found a loaded .45 caliber pistol with an obliterated serial number.
The jury found Mejia guilty of two charges: conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. On January 15, Tejada-Pichardo, 25, who is also known as Enoc Soto, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and to possessing with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.
Conspiracy and possessing with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine each carries a prison sentence of five to 40 years, and a maximum fine of $2,000,000 fine. Possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime carries a sentence of five years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence imposed, and a maximum fine of $250,000.
Neither defendant’s address is reflected in court records. However, evidence presented at Mejia’s trial indicated that they had both arrived in Providence from Lawrence, Massachusetts, on the day of the delivery.
Mejia is scheduled to be sentenced on April 18, and Tejada-Pichardo on May 2. Both are detained in federal custody.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Providence Police Department investigated the case.
Contact: 401-709-5032 Thomas.connell@usdoj.gov