After recently being released at the time, Providence man admits to drug trafficking charges

PROVIDENCE – A Providence man arrested in November 2017 while on federal supervised release, having recently completed serving a term of imprisonment of 60 months for trafficking heroin in 2011, admitted on Friday to trafficking methamphetamine (meth), fentanyl, and heroin in 2017.

Luis Alberto Gonzalez-Ruiz, 35, was arrested by members of the Rhode Island DEA Drug Task Force and Rhode Island State Police on November 10, 2017, following an undercover investigation into his most recent drug trafficking activities.

On October 16, 2017, while under surveillance by members of the DEA Drug Task Force, Gonzalez-Ruiz delivered more than three kilograms of meth to another person. The meth was seized a short time later by DEA agents.

Additionally, on the day of his arrest, law enforcement seized from Gonzalez-Ruiz’s bedroom inside his Providence residence approximately 264 grams of fentanyl, approximately 281 grams of heroin mixed with fentanyl, cutting agents, digital scales, and other items commonly used by drug traffickers to package and distribute narcotics.

Law enforcement also seized a .380 semi-automatic pistol they located under his bedroom pillow.

Appearing Friday before U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., Gonzalez-Ruiz pleaded guilty to distribution of 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession of 100 grams or more of heroin with intent to distribute, and possession of 40 grams or more of fentanyl with intent to distribute.

Gonzalez-Ruiz’s guilty plea is announced by United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England Field Division Brian D. Boyle, and Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police Colonel James M. Manni.

Gonzalez-Ruiz is scheduled to be sentenced on April 2, 2020.

Distribution of 500 grams or more of methamphetamine is punishable by statutory penalties of 10 years to life imprisonment to be followed by 5 years to lifetime supervised release. Possession of 100 grams or more of heroin with intent to distribute and possession of 40 grams or more of fentanyl with intent to distribute are each punishable by 5-40 years imprisonment to be followed by 4 years to lifetime supervised release.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Gerard B. Sullivan, with the assistance of Assistant United States Attorney Stacey P. Veroni.