News Release
U.S. Department of Justice
United States Attorney
District of Rhode Island
November 21, 2008
Drug dealer is sentenced to ten years
for heroin & a gun
A federal judge has sentenced Robert Cruz, 29, to ten years in prison for trafficking in heroin and possessing a firearm. In April 2006, Pawtucket Police seized heroin, drug-trafficking materials, a pistol, and a bullet-proof vest from Cruz’s Benefit Street apartment. Cruz has two prior drug-trafficking convictions.
United States Attorney Robert Clark Corrente announced the sentence, which Chief U.S. District Court Judge Mary M. Lisi imposed yesterday in U.S. District Court, Providence.
In June, Cruz pleaded guilty to possessing with intent to distribute heroin and being a felon in possession of a firearm. At the plea hearing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Zechariah Chafee said the government could prove that, on April 12, 2006, Pawtucket Police, executing a search warrant at Cruz’s apartment, found several bags or heroin, a loaded .380 caliber semi-automatic handgun, and several boxes and magazines of ammunition, including hollow point bullets. The officers also seized about $1,100 in cash and a “Second Chance” bullet-proof vest.
Cruz was twice previously convicted of heroin trafficking, in 2004 and 1998. Since his arrest in 2006, he has been incarcerated at the state Adult Correctional Institutions.
Pawtucket Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation.