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

August 6, 2010

PROVIDENCE MAN SENTENCED FOR POSSESSING ALTERED FIREARM; DRUG DEALING NEAR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A Dominican national living with his family across the street from a Providence elementary school has been sentenced to federal prison and faces deportation proceedings for possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute near a school and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Jose A. Payamps, 40, was sentenced Thursday in U.S. District Court to 18 months in federal prison and 6 years supervised release. Payamps pleaded guilty to the charges in May.

The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Peter F. Neronha, which was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith.

At the time of the defendant’s guilty plea, Assistant U.S. Attorney Milind M. Shah told the court that the government was prepared to present evidence at trial that Providence Police executed a search warrant at Payamps’ home on February 11, 2010. Officers seized two bags of cocaine and a loaded 9 mm semiautomatic pistol with an obliterated serial number. Payamps’ home is located 149 feet from the entrance to the Robert L. Bailey, IV Elementary School.

Following his incarceration in federal prison, Payamps will be turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials for deportation proceedings.

The matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Providence Police.

###

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