Four Individuals Arraigned on Drug Trafficking, Firearms Charges
Saturday, July 10, 2021
Providence Police and the Rhode Island Attorney General's Office announced Friday that four individuals were arraigned Thursday on multiple felony charges in Sixth Division District Court, following a joint investigation into drug trafficking and illegal firearms in the greater Providence area.
Jose Martinez and Antonio Vazquez face multiple felony counts, including possession with intent to deliver fentanyl, cocaine, and marijuana; possession with intent to deliver between one ounce and one kilogram of fentanyl; conspiracy to violate the Uniform Controlled Substances Act; possession of a ghost gun; alteration of identifying marks on a firearm; and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
Sheridan Fernandez and Malayshia Iaciofano-Murray were each charged with one count of possession of a controlled substance.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe defendants were arrested on July 7, following the execution of search warrants at residences in Providence and Pawtucket where investigators seized significant amounts of narcotics, illegal firearms, cash, and drug paraphernalia.
About Investigation
On July 7, detectives from the Providence Police Department arrested Martinez, following a vehicle stop, and seized approximately 97 fentanyl pills and approximately $1,500 in cash.
Shortly thereafter, detectives executed a search warrant at a residence on Salina Street in Providence where they seized approximately 800 additional fentanyl pills and arrested Fernandez.
Detectives later executed a search warrant at a residence and vehicle on Dunnell Avenue in Pawtucket where they seized approximately 630 fentanyl pills; amounts of crack cocaine, heroin, and marijuana; a .40 caliber ghost gun with a 30-round magazine containing 23 rounds and laser attachment, a 9mm Smith and Wesson semi-automatic pistol with an obliterated serial number; approximately $8,000 in cash; and drug paraphernalia.
Detectives arrested Vazquez and Iaciofano-Murray at the residence on Dunnell Avenue.
In total, detectives seized approximately 1,586 fentanyl pills and approximately $9,566 in cash.
Martinez and Vazquez are being held without bail on the new charges. The State also presented Vazquez as a Superior Court probation violator and Martinez as a Superior Court bail violator.
Defendant/charges:
Jose Martinez (age 23), Providence, R.I.
One count of possession with intent to deliver fentanyl; one count of possession with intent to deliver cocaine; one count of possession with intent to deliver marijuana; once count of possession with intent to deliver one ounce to one kilogram of fentanyl; one count of conspiracy; one count of possession of a firearm while possessing with intent to deliver a controlled substance; one count of possession of a ghost gun; one count of alteration of identification marks on a firearm; and one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
Antonio Vazquez (age 26), Pawtucket, R.I.
One count of possession with intent to deliver fentanyl; one count of possession with intent to deliver cocaine; one count of possession with intent to deliver marijuana; once count of possession with intent to deliver one ounce to one kilogram of fentanyl; one count of conspiracy; one count of possession of a firearm while possessing with intent to deliver a controlled substance; one count of carrying a pistol without a license; one count of alteration of identification marks on a firearm; and one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
Sheridan Fernandes (age 20), Woonsocket, R.I.
One count of possession of fentanyl
Malayshia Iaciofano-Murray (age 21), Pawtucket, R.I.
One count of possession of heroin.
An indictment, information, or complaint is merely an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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