Convicted Drug Trafficker Pleads Guilty To Federal Firearm Charge

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Fernando Santana, 26, of Providence, faces up to 10 years in federal prison when he is sentenced in December, having pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Providence to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Providence Police Chief Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr.

It is also alleged that Santana violated the terms of his federal supervised release imposed in 2011, at which time he also received a term of imprisonment of 37 months for drug trafficking.

According to information presented to the court, Santana was arrested by Providence Police on May 22, 2013, following a brief foot pursuit. Santana admitted to the court that while fleeing police he stashed a loaded .357 revolver belonging to him in a stack of mattresses. He pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to information presented to the court, detectives and officers responded to a dispatch broadcast of an individual or individuals with a gun in a South Side neighborhood. As a Providence detective exited his vehicle to speak with two men who fit the description of the individuals described in the broadcast, Santana fled on foot. An officer in pursuit came upon Santana and noticed him grasping at his waist. As the officer continued the pursuit and came around the corner in a rear yard he noticed Santana retracting his hand from between a pile of mattresses. Santana was apprehended a short distance away. A loaded .357 revolver was retrieved from the pile of mattresses.

Santana is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Mary M. Lisi on December 12, 2013. At sentencing, Santana faces statutory penalties for being a felon in possession of a firearm of up to 10 years in federal prison to be followed by up to 3 years supervised release.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lee H. Vilker and Richard B. Myrus.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives assisted Providence Police in the investigation of this matter.

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