Dominican National Indicted on Fentanyl Trafficking, ID Theft, Heath Care Fraud Charges

PROVIDENCE – A Dominican national living in Providence, who allegedly delivered fentanyl on at least four occasions and who allegedly adopted a stolen identity and used it to gain a Rhode Island driver’s license and Medicaid benefits, was indicted by a federal grand jury today on charges of trafficking fentanyl, aggravated identity theft, misusing a Social Security number, and health care fraud.

Joaquin Soto-Medina, aka P.C.R., 47, was arrested by members of the Woonsocket Police Department on October 7, 2019, moments after he exited a residence in Woonsocket that a court-authorized search by Woonsocket Police Detectives allegedly revealed was a drug stash house. It is alleged that at the time of his arrest Soto-Medina was found to be carrying 18 plastic baggies containing fentanyl.

Prior to the search of the residence, it is alleged that on four occasions between August 28, 2019, and September 17, 2019, Soto-Medina delivered baggies containing one gram of fentanyl to another person.

According to court documents and information presented to the Court, a subsequent investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General determined that in 2014, Soto-Medina allegedly used the stolen identity of an individual living in Puerto Rico, including that person’s Social Security number, to obtain a Rhode Island driver’s license. In 2016, he allegedly used the stolen identification when filing an application for and being approved to receive Medicaid health benefits.

 A federal grand jury today charged Joaquin Soto-Medina with two counts of false representation of a Social Security number, and one count each of aggravated identity theft, health care fraud, conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and aiding and abetting, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Woonsocket Police Chief Thomas Oates, Homeland Security Investigations Acting Special Agent in Charge Jason Molina, and Phillip Coyne, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General.

 Conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and aiding and abetting each are punishable by statutory penalties of a minimum mandatory 10 years up to life in federal prison and 5 years supervised release. Health care fraud is punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment and 3 years supervised release. False representation of a Social Security number is punishable by 5 years imprisonment and 3 years supervised release. Aggravated identity theft is punishable by 2 years imprisonment, consecutive to any other sentence imposed in this matter.

According to court documents, in 2001, Soto-Medina, a Dominican national, was found to be in the United States illegally. After being administratively charged with entering the United States without inspection, he voluntarily returned to the Dominican Republic.

An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dulce Donovan.             

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