News Release
U.S. Department of Justice
Peter F. Neronha
United States Attorney
District of Rhode Island
January 9, 2012
Providence Man Sentenced to 77 Months in Federal Prison on Federal Drug Trafficking and Firearm Charges
More than a kilo of marijuana seized from the defendant’s apartment
located near a Providence elementary school
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A Providence man arrested by Providence Detectives after a court authorized search of his apartment resulted in the seizure of more than a kilo of marijuana and a loaded firearm was sentenced on Friday to 77 months in federal prison on federal drug and firearm charges.
Sony Sanchez, 26, pled guilty in September 2011 to federal charges of possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of an elementary school and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Sanchez was also sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. to serve four years of supervised release upon his release from federal prison.
Sanchez’s sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Providence Public Safety Commissioner Steven M. Pare.
According to information presented to the court, on January 28, 2011, members of the Providence Narcotics and Organized Crime Bureau executed a state authorized search warrant at Sony Sanchez’s residence, which is located within 1,000 feet of the Alfred Lima Elementary School. The search resulted in the seizure of approximately 1.1 kilos of marijuana recovered from various locations within the residence; a loaded Hi-Point .380 pistol; $1,236 in cash; and various items used in the trafficking of marijuana.
According to court records and information presented to the court, Sanchez was previously convicted on state felony drug charges which resulted in a sentence of more than one year in prison.
Sanchez has been detained since his arrest in January 2011.
The matter was prosecuted in federal court by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ly T. Chin and Richard W. Rose, with the assistance of Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard B. Myrus.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms (ATF) and Explosives assisted Providence Police in the investigation.
Contact: 401-709-5357
USARI.Media@usdoj.gov
