PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Jaheeim Benton, 26, of Pawtucket, a member of the YNIC street gang, pleaded guilty in federal court in Providence today to trafficking crack cocaine, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Daniel J. Kumor, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
According to court documents, on at least six occasions between January and November 2015, Benton sold a person, who was assisting an ATF law enforcement task force in their investigation of Benton’s gang and drug trafficking activities, several plastic baggies containing crack cocaine. Each of the transactions was monitored by law enforcement.
In addition, according to a plea agreement filed in this matter, a court authorized search of Benton’s residence on November 4, 2015, resulted in the seizure of approximately 1.2 grams of crack cocaine and numerous items used in the packaging and distribution of crack cocaine.
Appearing before U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith, Benton pleaded guilty possession with the intent to distribute crack cocaine.
Benton, who has been detained in federal custody since his arrest on November 4, 2015, is scheduled to be sentenced on July 15, 2016. According to court records and information presented to the court, Benton was previously convicted in Rhode Island state court on multiple assault and firearms charges.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Milind M. Shah.
This matter was investigated by an ATF Task Force consisting of agents and officers from ATF; Providence, Cranston, Central Falls and Pawtucket Police Departments; and the Special Investigations Unit at the Rhode Island Department of Corrections.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
