PROVIDENCE, RI - An East Greenwich man charged during an investigation by North Kingstown Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) into drug trafficking in and around a North Kingstown public housing complex has pleaded guilty in federal court to trafficking fentanyl.
Jason Palmer, 43, pleaded guilty on Thursday, as charged in a federal indictment, to distribution of fentanyl, announced United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch, North Kingstown Police Chief Patrick Flanagan, and Albert P. Angelucci, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s New England Field Division.
According to information presented to the Court, during the summer of 2017, in an effort to stem drug trafficking in and around certain North Kingstown public housing complexes, North Kingstown Police and DEA agents established an apartment in the Heritage House complex to house an individual assisting law enforcement with the investigation. The individual took up residence in the apartment with the intent of befriending individuals allegedly trafficking illegal narcotics.
IIn August 2017, the individual assisting law enforcement met and spoke with Palmer, and inquired about obtaining 5 grams of heroin. Palmer agreed to sell the individual heroin at a cost of $100 per gram. On Aug. 24, 2017, Palmer sold the individual what Palmer said was 5 grams of heroin. DEA laboratory tests showed that Palmer actually sold the individual approximately 4.2 grams of a mixture containing fentanyl and cocaine.
Palmer, who is detained in federal custody, is scheduled to be sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith on Sept. 14, 2018. Distribution of fentanyl is punishable by statutory penalties of up to 20 years imprisonment followed by a term of supervised release of 3 years to life, and a fine of up to $1,000,000.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald R. Gendron.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
