Mayor Smiley, Colonel Perez Announce Arrest of 20 Individuals Involved in Illegal Drug Sales in Kennedy Plaza
Providence, RI – Mayor Brett P. Smiley and Colonel Oscar L. Perez, Jr. announced that after a month-long investigation, the Providence Police Department has obtained 22 arrest warrants for individuals involved in the organized possession and distribution of illegal narcotics in the Kennedy Plaza area. The majority of the 22 suspects have criminal histories and 14 of them have prior convictions for serious or violent crimes including: robbery, sexual assault, felony assault, illegal firearms offenses, drug distribution offenses, and domestic violence, 10 of these suspects are parole violators and include one subject who was also arrested in the previous operation at Kennedy Plaza.
“Since taking office, I have prioritized investments and strategies that elevate public safety, improve behavioral health supports, and promote nonviolence throughout downtown and across our city,” said Mayor Brett Smiley. “I commend the Providence Police Department for this incredible milestone in ensuring that this area remains safe for the many people who live, work, and visit Providence every day. My administration will continue to invest in innovative public safety programs and new police academies that help ensure we have more officers present on patrol and in our neighborhoods and are better trained to hold perpetrators of these crimes accountable.”
Throughout this investigation, members of the Providence Police Department’s Narcotics Bureau, with assistance from the Patrol Bureau, conducted an undercover investigation in the downtown Kennedy Plaza area to address the distribution and use of illegal narcotics.
The majority of the individuals charged in this undercover operation are from Providence and are on probation for prior arrests. During this operation, the subjects were charged with multiple counts of Unlawful Delivery of Cocaine and Conspiracy. During this investigation, the Narcotics Bureau worked closely with the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office and the Rhode Island Toxicology Laboratory.
“I want to commend and thank the men and women of the Providence Police Department for their tireless efforts to keep our community safe and remove illegal narcotics from our neighborhoods,” said Colonel Oscar L. Perez, Jr. “Illegal possession and distribution of narcotics in Providence is not tolerated and this historic investigation should send a clear message to our community that individuals who engage in illegal activity will be held accountable.”
Those charged in the investigation are:
Amir Ghaffar: Unlawful delivery of cocaine and conspiracy.
Luis Carbonell: Unlawful delivery of cocaine and conspiracy.
Douglas Nalls: Unlawful delivery of cocaine, conspiracy.
Rafael Jackson: Unlawful delivery of cocaine, conspiracy.
Jose Dias: Unlawful delivery of cocaine.
Willie Rathbone: Unlawful delivery of cocaine, conspiracy.
Wayne Perry: Unlawful Delivery of Cocaine, Conspiracy.
Jimmy Douglas: Unlawful Delivery of Cocaine, Conspiracy.
Radhames Dominguez: Two Counts of Unlawful Delivery of Cocaine, Conspiracy.
Roger Beaudet: Unlawful Delivery of Cocaine, Two Counts of Conspiracy.
Kahlee Walker: Unlawful Delivery of Cocaine, Conspiracy.
Jamal Holder-Brisbon: Unlawful Delivery of Cocaine.
Josh Yvon: Unlawful Delivery of Cocaine, Conspiracy.
Valentino Biscette: Unlawful Delivery of Cocaine, Conspiracy.
General Washington: Unlawful Delivery of Cocaine, Conspiracy.
Chante Pates: Unlawful Delivery of Cocaine.
Michael Kelley: Unlawful Delivery of Cocaine, Unlawful Delivery of Schedule IV.
David Voccola: Unlawful Delivery of Cocaine, Conspiracy.
Christina Pierce: Unlawful Delivery of Cocaine, Conspiracy.
Gordon Butler: Unlawful Delivery of Cocaine.
Jose Diaz: Unlawful Delivery of Cocaine, Conspiracy. Wilbur Davis: Unlawful delivery of cocaine, conspiracy.
One had also been charged in an earlier undercover operation at Kennedy Plaza.
