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

December 1, 2010

TWO INDICTED FOR POSSESSION OF MORE THAN 500 GRAMS OF COCAINE WITH THE INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE

PROVIDENCE, R.I. –  Two Providence men arrested by Rhode Island State Police last month for possession of cocaine were indicted by a federal grand jury today on charges of conspiracy and possession of 500 grams or more of cocaine with the intent to distribute.

Louis Manuel Breton, 33, and Jose Moya Hernandez, 31, were indicted on one count each of conspiracy, possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, and possession of 500 grams or more of cocaine with the intent to distribute. Hernandez, who has been previously deported from the United States on two occasions, was also indicted on a charge of illegal reentry.

The indictment was announced by U.S. Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Rhode Island State Police Superintendent Colonel Brendan P. Doherty.

            According to court documents, on November 8, 2010, based on information developed by state police detectives and surveillance of the defendant’s activities on numerous occasions, a state police detective stopped a vehicle carrying the defendants. A narcotics-trained K-9 dog positively alerted officers to both the outside and inside of the vehicle. A search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of 350 grams of cocaine in a hidden compartment in the dashboard.

A Providence apartment was also searched pursuant to a search warrant where, in a hidden compartment in a bureau, detectives discovered 1200 grams of cocaine.

An indictment is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The matter was investigated by the Rhode Island State Police with the assistance of Smithfield Police.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Adi Goldstein.

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