Three Detained in Central Falls Police, FBI Investigation into Alleged Crack Cocaine Trafficking Conspiracy
| U.S. Attorney’s Office November 13, 2013 |
PROVIDENCE, RI—Three men arrested by Central Falls Police, the FBI, and officers and agents assigned to the FBI-Rhode Island Safe Streets Task Force were ordered detained in federal custody on Tuesday on charges of allegedly participating in a conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, Vincent B. Lisi, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Office of the FBI, and Central Falls Police Chief James J. Mendonca.
Angel Vigo, 20, of Central Falls; Adalberto Negron, 30, of Woonsocket; and Edwin Nieves, 24, with a last known address in Pawtucket, were ordered detained by U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond during their initial appearance in federal court, charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine base. The three men were arrested on Friday.
According to an affidavit in support of criminal complaints against Vigo, Negron, and Nieves and filed with the court, it is alleged that on at least 10 occasions an individual operating at the direction of law enforcement allegedly arranged for the purchase and accepted delivery of varying amounts of crack cocaine from Vigo, Negron, and Nieves. According to the affidavit, telephone calls to arrange the alleged purchases of crack cocaine and the alleged deliveries of the drugs were monitored by law enforcement. The alleged deliveries took place in Central Falls and Pawtucket.
A criminal complaint 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.
Conspiracy to distribute cocaine base is punishable by a statutory penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William J. Ferland.
The matter was investigated by the FBI, FBI-Rhode Island Safe Streets Task Force, and the Central Falls Police Department, with the assistance of officers from the Cranston, Providence, and Norton, Massachusetts Police Departments and the Massachusetts State Police.