PROVIDENCE - Christian M. Domenech, 24, of West Warwick, pleaded guilty today to federal heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine trafficking charges and to bank fraud, announced Acting United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division; and Colonel Ann C. Assumpico, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police.
A co-defendant in this matter, Robert Wilkins, 25, of West Warwick has agreed to plead guilty in this matter, and is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court for a change-of-plea hearing on July 28, 2017.
Appearing before U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith today, Domenech pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to deliver heroin; three counts of delivery of heroin; fifteen counts of delivery of crack cocaine; one count of possession with the intent to distribute heroin; one count of possession with the intent to deliver cocaine; one count of possession with the intent to deliver crack cocaine; and one count of bank fraud.
Domenech is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 20, 2017.
According to court documents, a three-month investigation by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force into Domenech and Wilkins’ alleged drug trafficking activity included numerous purchases from the defendants of between one gram and seven grams of crack cocaine and heroin for between $80 dollars and $350 dollars. Each alleged transaction was monitored by law enforcement.
Additionally, according to court documents, a Rhode Island State Police Financial Crimes Unit investigation determined that beginning in December 2015, the defendants allegedly created and deposited bogus checks into bank accounts each established, and withdrew some of those funds. It is alleged that Christian Domenech deposited a total of $10,000 in bogus checks and withdrew $2,000 in cash. It is alleged that Robert Wilkins deposited a total of $10,000 in bogus checks and withdrew at total of $2,099.55.
On July 12, 2016, FBI Safe Street Task Force agents, with the assistance of the West Warwick Police Department and the DEA, executed a court authorized search of the defendants’ Church Street, West Warwick residence. Varying quantities of cocaine, crack cocaine, and heroin were seized, along with approximately $800 in cash. Law enforcement also seized two vehicles.
Domenech and Wilkins have been detained since their arrest.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald R. Gendron.
The FBI’s Safe Streets Violent Gang Task Force consists of agents and law enforcement officers from the FBI, RI State Police, Providence, Cranston, Woonsocket, and Central Falls Police Departments and the Rhode Island Department of Corrections.
Acting United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division; and Colonel Ann C. Assumpico, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police thank the West Warwick Police Department and the DEA for their assistance in the investigation of this matter.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
