Cranston Resident Indicted, Detained on Firearms, Drug Trafficking Charges

PROVIDENCE – Derek Plomaritis, 26, of Cranston, was ordered detained following his arraignment in U.S. District Court on Tuesday on a 5-count federal indictment charging him with making false statements to licensed firearms dealers and on Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) forms when purchasing a total of four firearms; being in possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes; being in possession of a firearm while being an unlawful user of a controlled substance; and possession with the intent to distribute marijuana.

During the November 2016 acquisition of a 9mm semi-automatic pistol and a 7.62 mm semi-automatic pistol from a federally licensed firearms dealer, and the January 2017 acquisition of a Glock 9mm semi-automatic pistol and a Beretta 9mm semi-automatic pistol from a second licensed firearms dealer, it is alleged that Plomaritis falsely answered a question on ATF forms about unlawful use of marijuana, narcotics or any other controlled substance.

The indictment and arraignment of Plomaritis are announced by Acting United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch; Cranston Police Chief Colonel Michael J. Winquist; and Mickey Leadingham, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division of ATF.

According to information presented to the court, on June 6, 2017, an ATF agent contacted Plomaritis to meet and discuss his purchase of the firearms. Plomaritis agreed to meet at the ATF office to speak with the agent, and said that he was on his way. He failed to appear. Rather, a Cranston Police detective assisting ATF with the investigation observed Plomaritis leaving the area of his residence, speeding and running stop signs in a Mercedes. A short time later, Plomaritis was observed by the same detective on a motorbike, speeding and running stop signs before returning to the driveway of his residence. The detective followed behind and identified himself in the driveway of Plomaritis’ residence. Plomaritis tried to leave on the motorbike, but was blocked by the detective.

The detective allegedly detected an odor of marijuana on and around Plomaritis. It is alleged that the detective discovered marijuana and one of the firearms purchased by Plomaritis inside a backpack carried by Plomaritis. The detective also smelled marijuana coming from the residence and observed from the basement window of the residence, a marijuana grow. A search of Plomaritis’ residence with Plomaritis’ consent allegedly resulted in the seizure of 13 adult marijuana plants, 24 seedlings, and more than 700 grams of marijuana in plastic bags stashed in attic space above a hallway closet. The three other firearms purchased by Plomaritis, along with approximately 11 magazines and a substantial amount of ammunition, were also seized from the residence.  One of the two loaded firearms found inside the residence was found on a dining room chair feet away from a child’s high chair.

An indictment is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ly T. Chin.

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