justice

Miguel Evangelista Carrasco Criminal Complaint and Initial Appearance

New York Man Detained in Rhode Island on Drug Trafficking and Conspiracy Charges

 

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A New York man who allegedly fled federal and state law enforcement by running onto an Interstate Rte. 95 offramp as officers and agents attempted to arrest him on drug trafficking charges has been ordered detained in federal custody following an initial appearance in U.S. District Court, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.

 

A federal criminal complaint charges Miguel Evangelista Carrasco, 31, of Bronx, NY, with possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

 

It is alleged in charging documents that earlier this month U.S. Postal Service Inspection agents, with the assistance of a Rhode Island State Police narcotic trained K-9, determined that a package shipped from Puerto Rico to a Warwick, RI, address likely contained narcotics. A court-authorized search of the package on February 14, 2021, revealed a gift-wrapped package sprayed with foam; inside was a brick like object, wrapped in saran wrap, carbon paper, and rubber, containing two kilograms of cocaine.

 

Charging documents allege that on February 17 and again on Wednesday of this week, Carrasco appeared at the U.S. Postal Service’s Providence Processing and Distribution Center to claim the package. He presented a redelivery slip left by the Postal Service at the Warwick address and displayed an image which appeared to be a Rhode Island driver’s license which contained a photograph of Carrasco and the name of the individual to whom the package was addressed.  As Carrasco left the post office with the package, he was confronted by U.S. Postal Inspection Service agents and members of the Rhode Island State Police High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force. Carrasco fled on foot, running onto an Interstate Rte. 95 offramp, where he was apprehended after falling on the roadway, injuring his hands, feet, and left leg.

 

A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

 

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stacey P. Veroni.