News Release
U.S. Department of Justice
Peter F. Neronha
United States Attorney
District of Rhode Island
September 7, 2011
DRUG TRAFFICKING CHARGES RESULT IN
188 MONTH FEDERAL PRISON SENTENCE FOR NORTH SMITHFIELD MAN
Two officers injured, one seriously, when defendant attacks officers
as they prepared to search his residence for drugs and firearms
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A North Smithfield man who injured two officers as they awaited a search warrant to search the man’s apartment for drugs and firearms, breaking the hand of one of them, has been sentenced to 188 months in federal prison. Wayne Simon, 36, pleaded guilty in May 2011 to a four count federal Indictment charging him with possessing cocaine and oxycodone with the intent to distribute; possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute; and being a felon in possession of ammunition. No Plea Agreement was filed in this case.
Simon’s sentence, imposed by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Mary M. Lisi, was announced by U.S. Attorney Peter F. Neronha and North Smithfield Police Chief Steven E. Reynolds.
According to court documents and information presented to the court by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sandra R. Hebert, on November 15, 2010, North Smithfield Police obtained a search warrant to search Simon’s residence based on information developed by detectives regarding Simon’s cocaine and marijuana trafficking, and his possession and use of firearms. Officers secured Simon’s residence while awaiting the arrival of detectives with a search warrant.
While officers awaited the arrival of detectives, the defendant arrived and attempted to force his way past the officers to enter his residence. When officers attempted to stop him, Simon violently resisted the officers. The defendant injured two officers before he was eventually subdued; one of the officers suffered a broken hand, requiring surgery.
A search of Simon’s resulted in the discovery of 327 grams of cocaine, 2244 grams of marijuana, 353 oxycodone pills (30 mg), a quantity of ecstasy, and numerous other pills. Detectives also found packaging material, ledgers, five scales, thirty-seven rounds of Federal .22 caliber ammunition, five rounds of Remington 9 mm ammunition, and ten rounds of El Dorado Cartridge Corporation 9mm ammunition. Detectives also found a safe containing $29,100, which was the proceeds of drug trafficking. When Simon was arrested he was found to have $1,257 on his person.
Simon has been detained since his arrest.
ATF and DEA agents assisted with the investigation.
Contact: 401-709-5357
USARI.Media@usdoj.gov
