Newport Resident Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking
PROVIDENCE – Pedro Jimenez-Rodriguez, 41, of Newport, pleaded guilty in federal court in Providence today to possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more cocaine. According to a plea agreement filed in this matter, the government will recommend a term of imprisonment of 72 months when Jimenez-Rodriguez is sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., on August 31, 2017.
Pedro Jimenez-Rodriguez’s guilty plea is announced by Acting United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch; Newport Police Chief Gary T. Silva; Sean M. Boyce, Team Leader of the Providence U.S. Postal Inspection Service field office; and Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) New England field division.
According to information presented to the court, in late 2016, the Newport Police Department, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the R.I. DEA Drug Task Force were investigating Jimenez-Rodriguez’s drug trafficking activity. On January 10, 2017, a U.S. Postal Inspector learned that a package was being shipped from Puerto Rico to Jimenez-Rodriguez’s Newport residence. On January 12, 2017, the package arrived at the Providence Postal Office, and a Cranston Police K-9 indicated the presence of narcotics inside the package. A federal search warrant was obtained, and an examination of the contents of the package resulted in the discovery of 1.13 kilograms of cocaine stuffed inside a pink children’s ottoman. The package was resealed and a controlled delivery of the package by a U.S. Postal Service Inspector was scheduled.
On January 13, 2017, a U.S. Postal Inspector delivered the package to Pedro Jimenez-Rodriguez. Shortly after he took custody of the package, Newport Police and members of the R.I. DEA Drug Task Force executed a court authorized search of Jimenez-Rodriguez’s residence. The ottoman containing the cocaine was seized, along with various items used in the packaging and distribution of cocaine, an electronic money counter and $3,055 in cash.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Zechariah Chafee.