W. Warwick Man Sentenced for Drug Trafficking, Bank Fraud

PROVIDENCE – Christian M. Domenech, 24, of West Warwick, was sentenced today to 36 months in federal prison for his participation in a conspiracy to traffic heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine, and for bank fraud.

Domenech pleaded guilty on July 14, 2017, to an indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute heroin, three counts of distribution of heroin, 14 counts of distribution of crack cocaine, possession with the intent to distribute heroin, possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, possession with the intent to distribute crack cocaine and bank fraud.

At sentencing, U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith also ordered Domenech to serve 3 years supervised release upon completion of his prison term. The government and the defense recommended to the Court a sentence of 36 months of incarceration be imposed. The U.S. Sentencing Guideline imprisonment range in this matter is 41 to 51 months.

Domenech’s sentence is announced by Acting United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch, Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division, and Colonel Ann C. Assumpico, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police.

Domenech, and a co-defendant in this matter, Robert Wilkins, 26, of West Warwick, were arrested on July 12, 2016, following a three-month FBI Safe Streets Task Force investigation into the defendants’ drug trafficking activities. Wilkins pleaded guilty on July 28, 2017, to conspiracy, trafficking heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine, and for bank fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced on November 20, 2017.

According to information presented to the Court, in March 2016, the FBI Safe Streets Task Force developed information that Robert Wilkins was involved in the distribution of heroin and crack cocaine while on federal supervised release from a previous drug trafficking conviction and term of incarceration. The investigation included several purchases of between one gram and seven grams of crack cocaine and heroin for between $80 dollars and $350 dollars. Each transaction was monitored by law enforcement. Domenech was present for nearly all of the transactions.

Additionally, a Rhode Island State Police Financial Crimes Unit investigation determined that beginning in December 2015, the defendants created and deposited bogus checks into bank accounts each established, and withdrew some of those funds. According to information presented to the Court, Christian Domenech deposited a total of $10,000 in bogus checks and withdrew $2,000 in cash. Robert Wilkins deposited a total of $10,000 in bogus checks and withdrew a total of $2,099.55.

On July 12, 2016, FBI Safe Street Task Force agents, with the assistance of the West Warwick Police Department and the DEA, executed a court authorized search of the defendants’ Church Street, West Warwick residence. Varying quantities of cocaine, crack cocaine, and heroin was seized, along with approximately $800 in cash. Law enforcement also seized two vehicles.

The defendants have been detained since their arrest.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald R. Gendron.

The FBI Safe Street Tasks Force consists of members of the Providence, Cranston, Woonsocket and Central Falls Police Departments, Rhode Island State Police and investigators from the Rhode Island Department of Corrections.

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