A former Rhode Island resident, Carl Sharp, aged 49, has been sentenced to ten years in federal prison for methamphetamine distribution. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha. Sharp, now residing in Peoria, Arizona, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., to 120 months of incarceration followed by five years of supervised release.
Sharp pleaded guilty on October 15, 2024, to distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. His criminal history includes convictions for drug trafficking and violent offenses. He was previously acquitted of a murder charge due to the death of a key witness.
The investigation into Sharp's activities revealed that he mailed multiple packages containing drugs from Western states to Rhode Island through the U.S. Mail system. Thirteen packages were identified during the investigation; six were sent by Sharp himself. Searches authorized by the court led to the seizure of over four kilograms of methamphetamine and nearly 250 grams of cocaine.
One package was delivered to an address used by Sharp for drug trafficking purposes, while another ended up at the home of an unsuspecting elderly woman who reported it after discovering its contents.
A financial probe into Sharp's bank records showed deposits exceeding $320,000 in unexplained cash between January 2022 and May 2024.
Assistant United States Attorney Sandra R. Hebert prosecuted the case with investigations conducted by the United States Postal Inspection Service and assistance from the FBI.
