Crack Cocaine Dealer Sentenced to 48 Months in Prison
PROVIDENCE – A Pawtucket man who was the focus of a four-month investigation by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, the Rhode Island State Police, and the Pawtucket Police Department into his drug trafficking activities was sentenced today to 48 months in federal prison.
Samuel Hernandez, 24, was arrested on June 11, 2019, when, for the sixth time since February 25, 2019, while under law enforcement surveillance, he was preparing to deliver between 1.1 grams and 2.97 grams of crack cocaine for between $100 and $220.
The crack cocaine was seized by a member of law enforcement following each delivery.
According to information presented to the Court, Hernandez was arrested when he arrived at a pre-determined location while under law enforcement surveillance to deliver crack cocaine in exchange for cash. In addition to carrying 2.5 grams of crack cocaine packaged for sale, Hernandez was found to be carrying a package containing 26.3 grams of crack cocaine.
A court-authorized search of his home resulted in the seizure of $9,290 in cash and two digital scales.
Hernandez pleaded guilty on August 22, 2019, to possession with intent to deliver cocaine base.
At sentencing today, U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith sentenced Hernandez to 48 months of incarceration to be followed by 3 years supervised release and the forfeiture of the $9,290 seized from Hernandez’s residence, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police Colonel James M. Manni, and Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gerard B. Sullivan.
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Jim Martin
(401) 709-5357