U.S. Attorney Charges Dominican National With Drug Trafficking and Illegal Re-Entry
Tuesday, July 07, 2020
A Providence man who was once deported in March 2015 to his native Dominican Republic, having entered the United States illegally in March 2013, and who is currently facing a drug trafficking charge in Massachusetts, has been ordered detained in federal custody in Rhode Island, charged with illegal re-entry into the United States and with trafficking fentanyl.
Franklin Carlos Soto, 33, was arrested by members of the Rhode Island FBI Safe Street Task Force on July 2, 2020, following an investigation that included the alleged purchase from Soto of 50 grams of fentanyl for $2,500 on June 9 and June 18, and the alleged purchase from Soto of 25 grams of fentanyl for $1,250 on June 25. Each of the alleged transactions were monitored by members of the FBI Safe Streets Task Force.
On Thursday, members of the task force arrested Soto and executed a federal court-authorized search warrant at Soto’s residence and at a second Providence residence allegedly used by Soto as a stash house. Agents and officers seized a total of approximately 200 grams of fentanyl and a loaded 9mm ammo clip.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTSoto appeared on Monday before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan and was ordered detained, charged by way of a federal criminal complaint with two counts of distribution of more than 40 grams of fentanyl, one count of distribution of less than 40 grams of fentanyl, and one count of illegal re-entry into the United States, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman and Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division Joseph R. Bonavolonta.
Additionally, an immigration detainer has been filed against Soto by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
