2nd Defendant Sentenced in Heroin, Crack Cocaine, Bank Fraud Conspiracy

PROVIDENCE – The second of two West Warwick men charged with participating in a heroin, crack cocaine trafficking and bank fraud conspiracy was sentenced on Wednesday to 60 months in federal prison.

Robert Wilkins, 26, pleaded guilty on July 28, 2017, to one count each of conspiracy to deliver heroin, possession with the intent to deliver heroin, conspiracy to deliver 28 grams or more of cocaine base, possession with the intent to deliver cocaine base, possession with the intent to deliver cocaine, three counts of delivery of heroin, fifteen counts of delivery of cocaine base, and one count of bank fraud.

At sentencing, U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith ordered Wilkins to serve four years supervised release upon completion of his term of incarceration and to pay $2,000 in restitution. The U.S. Sentencing Guideline imprisonment range in this matter is 57-71 months. However, statutes under which this defendant was charged require a minimum mandatory sentence of 60 months incarceration. The government recommended the Court impose a sentence of 71 months in prison.

A codefendant in this matter, Christian M. Domenech, 23, of West Warwick, was sentenced on October 20, 2017, to 36 months in prison. Domenech pleaded guilty on July 14, 2017, to an indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute heroin, three counts of distribution of heroin, 14 counts of distribution of crack cocaine, possession with the intent to distribute heroin, possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, possession with the intent to distribute crack cocaine and bank fraud.

The sentences are announced by United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division; and Colonel Ann C. Assumpico, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police.

According to court documents and information presented to the court, a three-month investigation by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force into the defendants’ drug trafficking activity included numerous purchases from the defendants of between one gram and seven grams of crack cocaine and heroin for between $80 dollars and $350 dollars. Each transaction was monitored by law enforcement.

Additionally, a Rhode Island State Police Financial Crimes Unit investigation determined that beginning in December 2015, the defendants created and deposited bogus checks into bank accounts each established, and withdrew some of those funds. The investigation determined that Christian Domenech deposited a total of $10,000 in bogus checks and withdrew $2,000 in cash. Robert Wilkins deposited a total of $10,000 in bogus checks and withdrew a total of $2,099.55.

On July 12, 2016, FBI Safe Street Task Force agents, with the assistance of the West Warwick Police Department and the DEA, executed a court-authorized search of the defendants’ West Warwick residence. Varying quantities of cocaine, crack cocaine, and heroin was seized, along with approximately $800 in cash. Law enforcement also seized two vehicles.

Robert Wilkins and Christian Domenech have been detained in federal custody since their arrest in July 2016.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald R. Gendron.

United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch and Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division, thank the West Warwick Police Department and the DEA for their assistance investigating the drug trafficking activities of Robert Wilkins and Christian Domenech.

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