North Carolina Resident Indicted, Detained on Firearms, Drug Trafficking Charges

PROVIDENCE – Anthony M. Thompson, 39, of Charlotte, NC, was arraigned and ordered detained in federal custody today on a federal grand jury indictment returned on Tuesday charging him with being a felon in possession of firearms, possession with the intent to distribute methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, Ecstasy), and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Rhode Island State Police arrested Thompson on June 20, 2017, following a traffic stop on Rte. 95 during which it is alleged that a cache of loaded, high-powered firearms, camouflage equipment, night-vision goggles, and more than 400 grams of suspected Ecstasy were seized from Thompson’s vehicle.

At the time of his arrest, it was alleged that Thompson, while being questioned outside of his vehicle by a trooper about information he allegedly provided to the trooper regarding his criminal record, shoved the trooper and took off running in the travel lane, against the traffic. After he allegedly failed to respond to commands to stop, including warnings that he would be Tasered, Thompson was Tasered, halted and arrested.

Thompson appeared today before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond. A not guilty plea was entered. Thompson was returned to the ACI where he has been detained on Rhode Island state charges brought in this matter.

Acting United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch and Colonel Ann C. Assumpico thank the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Rhode Island Department of Attorney General for their assistance with this matter.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Milind M. Shah.

###