Arrested for Possession with Intent to Distribute and Distribution of Methamphetamine in Rhode Island
Criminal Charges:
Man Arrested by Federal Bureau of Investigation and charged in the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island for Possession with Intent to Distribute and Distribution of 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine.
Case Overview:
Members of the Cranston Police and Federal Drug Enforcement Agency conducted a long-term investigation into the distribution of large quantities of methamphetamine in Rhode Island. Members learned of a reported meth dealer through a confidential informant. After learning of the man, investigators conducted several controlled drug buys from the man using the informant. These efforts taught investigators the location of the suspected dealer’s home and his drug stash location. Based on this information, they obtained warrants for the man’s arrest and to search his home. They executed the arrest warrant without incident and charged the man in U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island with Possession with Intent to Distribute and Distribution of 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine. This particular charge carries a potential mandatory minimum jail sentence of five years and a maximum potential sentence of 40 years. However, because the man had a prior felony drug conviction for which he was then on probation in Rhode Island Superior Court, the government filed notice of a sentencing enhancement under 21 U.S.C. § 851, which increased the man’s potential mandatory minimum sentence to 10 years. As such, the State of Rhode Island also filed a notice of probation violation. The man retained Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer, John L. Calcagni III, to defend him in both federal and state courts.
Case Result:
60 months of incarceration followed by 4 years of supervised release. Attorney John L. Calcagni III successfully defeated the sentencing enhancement in federal court and negotiated the terms of a plea agreement. At sentencing, the man’s applicable sentencing guidelines range was 87 – 108 months, with an applicable mandatory minimum sentence of 60 months or five years. The government advocated for a sentence within these guidelines. Federal Attorney John L. Calcagni III pushed back against this request and successfully persuaded the Court to impose no more than the applicable mandatory minimum sentence of 60 months. Criminal Attorney John L. Calcagni III then appeared with his client in Rhode Island Superior Court where he admitted to a probation violation and received no added punishment.
United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island
United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island
1 Exchange Terrace
Providence, RI 02903
Phone: 401-752-7200