News Release
U.S. Department of Justice
Peter F. Neronha
United States Attorney
District of Rhode Island

April 15, 2010

CENTRAL FALLS MAN HELD ON FEDERAL DRUG CHARGES

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Napoleon Andrade, 29, of Central Falls, R.I., has been ordered detained following his arraignment on federal drug charges, according to United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha.  A federal grand jury issued indictments naming Andrade which remained sealed until his arrest and arraignment before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge David L. Martin.

Based on a multi-agency investigation, a federal grand jury indicted Andrade on one count of possession of more than 500 grams of cocaine with the intent to distribute and the attempted possession of more than 50 grams of crack cocaine with the intent to distribute. If convicted, Andrade faces up to life in federal prison on the crack cocaine charge and up to 40 years in prison on the cocaine charge.

Andrade entered a plea of not guilty at his arraignment. In ordering Andrade detained, Magistrate Judge Martin noted Andrade’s past criminal record, including the unlawful possession of a firearm, and deemed him a flight risk. Magistrate Judge Martin noted arrest warrants have been issued in the past for the defendant after he failed to appear at scheduled court proceedings.

An indictment is merely an allegation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Pawtucket Police, Providence Police, Central Falls Police, Rhode Island State Police and the Rhode Island Department of the Attorney General.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Adi K. Goldstein and Gerard B. Sullivan.

Contact: 401-709-5357
USARI.Media@usdoj.gov