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Date: 10-21-2019
Case Style:
United States of America v. James Gomes
Case Number: 1:18-cr-00110-JJM-PAS
Judge: John J. McConnell, Jr.
Court: United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island (Providence County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: Milind M. Shah
Defendant's Attorney:
Call 888-354-4529 if you need help finding a conspiracy to distribute cocaine criminal defense lawyer in Providence, Rhode Island
Description:
Providence, RI - ACI Inmate Admits to Running Crack Cocaine Distribution Conspiracy
An inmate at the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI) admitted in federal court today that on multiple occasions, while incarcerated at the ACI, he arranged for the sale and delivery of crack cocaine to individuals outside of the state prison.
James Gomes, 30, admitted to the Court that on several occasions in 2018, fellow inmates provided Gomes with prospective buyers and their contact information. Gomes admitted that he often passed the information through his mother, Lisa Ellis, 51, of Pawtucket, to two individuals, Joshua Moore, 19, formerly of Pawtucket, and Gerald Price, 34, of Cranston, who allegedly delivered crack cocaine to Gomes’ customers.
According to information presented to the Court, a Project Safe Neighborhoods Investigation by the Rhode Island Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Task Force determined that, using his prison call account and the accounts of others, Gomes frequently called his mother, Lisa Ellis, and would direct her to establish conference calls with Moore and Price. During the conference calls, Gomes admitted, he would direct Ellis, Moore and/or Price to sell crack cocaine to others. Ellis allegedly kept a small portion of the proceeds from the sales for herself and deposited the rest of the money into Gomes’ ACI prison account.
Appearing today before U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., Gomes pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base and distribution of 28 grams or more of cocaine base, and three counts of distribution of cocaine base, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman and Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Kelly D. Brady.
Gomes is scheduled to be sentenced on January 20, 2020.
Joshua Moore pleaded guilty on September 4, 2019, to conspiracy to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base and three counts of distribution of cocaine base. He is scheduled to be sentenced on November 20, 2019; Lisa Ellis is awaiting trial on charges of conspiracy to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base and four counts of distribution of cocaine base; Gerald Price is awaiting trial on charges of conspiracy to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base and distribution of cocaine base.
An indictment is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Project Safe Neighborhoods is a federal, state and local law enforcement collaboration to identify, investigate and prosecute individuals responsible for violent crimes in our neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Milind M. Shah.
The ATF Task Force is comprised of agents and officers from ATF, Providence Police Department, Pawtucket Police Department, Cranston Police Department, Rhode Island State Police, and the Rhode Island Department of Corrections.
Charges:
CONSPIRACY TO DISTRIBUTE AND POSSESS WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE COCAINE BASE all in Violation of 21 USC 846
(1)
DISTRIBUTION OF COCAINE BASE in Violation of 21 USC 841(a)(1)&(b)(1)(C); 18 USC 2 and Pinkerton v. United States 328 US 640(1946)
(2)
DISTRIBUTION OF COCAINE BASE 21 USC 841(a)(1)&(b)(1)(C); 18 USC 2 and Pinkerton v. United States 328 US 640(1946)
(3)
DISTRIBUTION OF COCAINE BASE21 USC 841(a)(1)&(b)(1)(C); 18 USC 2 and Pinkerton v. United States 328 US 640(1946)
(4)
DISTRIBUTION OF COCAINE BASE 21 USC 841(a)(1)&(b)(1)(B); 18 USC 2 and Pinkerton v. United States 328 US 640(1946)
(5)
Outcome: 10/15/2019 Minute Entry for proceedings held before District Judge John J. McConnell, Jr.:Change of Plea Hearing as to James Gomes held on 10/15/2019, Plea entered by James Gomes (1) Guilty Count 1,2,3,4,5. Milind Shah for Government. Joanne Daley for Defendant. Defendant present & sworn. Court verifies that the Defendant has reviewed the charges and binding plea with his attorney. Court questions Defendant and reviews maximum penalties, sentencing guidelines, and constitutional rights. Defendant pleads guilty to Counts 1-5. Court accepts plea & adjudges defendant guilty. Court defers on the binding plea. Sentencing Hearing is 1/14/2020 at 10:00 am. Defendant remanded. Court adjourned. (Court Reporter Karen Wischnowsky in Courtroom 4 at 10:40 am.)(McGuire, Vickie) (Entered: 10/15/2019)
10/15/2019 NOTICE OF HEARING DEFENDANT REQUEST as to James Gomes. Sentencing set for 1/14/2020 at 10:00 AM in Courtroom 1 before District Judge John J. McConnell, Jr.(McGuire, Vickie) (Entered: 10/15/2019)
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Defendant's Experts:
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