John Nunez Sentenced

PROVIDENCE, RI – John Nunez, 47, of Providence, was sentenced today to 40 months in federal prison for trafficking cocaine and crack cocaine and for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch and Providence Police Chief Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr.

At sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., also ordered Nunez to serve 3 years supervised release upon completion of his term of incarceration. Nunez pleaded guilty on April 4, 2018, to one count of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine base with intent to distribute, and felon in possession of a firearm.

The U.S. Sentencing Guideline imprisonment range in this matter is 51 to 63 months. The government recommended a term of incarceration of 40 months.

According to information presented to the Court, in late summer 2015, detectives assigned to the Providence Police Department Narcotics Unit developed information that Nunez was trafficking drugs from his residence. As part of their investigation, detectives arranged for the purchase of cocaine from the defendant.

Detectives developed information that on September 4, 2015, Nunez would be leaving his residence with a large amount of cocaine. As Nunez left his residence, detectives approached Nunez who, upon seeing the detectives, tossed a package inside his vehicle and stated, “It’s not mine and I don’t live here.” Detectives retrieved the bag, and from inside a glass case in the bag detectives discovered two bags of heroin, two bags of cocaine powder and eleven bags of crack cocaine.

Detectives executed a court-authorized search of Nunez’s residence. From inside the residence detectives seized 533.5 grams of cocaine, 71.5 grams of crack cocaine, .4 grams of heroin, a 9mm semi-automatic firearm, and items used in the packaging and distribution of illegal narcotics.

According to court records, Nunez was previously convicted on drug trafficking charges in state and federal courts in New York. He was also convicted for escape from a New York prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Terrence P. Donnelly, with the assistance of Assistant U.S. Attorney Gerard B. Sullivan.