Bristol County drug trafficker sentenced to state prison in Fall River Superior Court

A 38-year-old Taunton fentanyl and cocaine trafficker was sentenced Monday in Fall River Superior Court to state prison, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn III announced.

Gleden Rodriguez pleaded guilty to indictments charging him with Fentanyl Trafficking, Cocaine Trafficking, Possession with Intent to Distribute Class A and B drugs, and Unlawful Possession of Ammunition. He was sentenced to serve three-and-a-half to five years.

On May 4, 2022, Taunton Police executed a court-approved search warrant at the defendant’s Liberty Street home. In the home, investigators found a container of illegally possessed ammunition, and they also located over 100 grams of cocaine, 84 grams fentanyl, $1,000 cash, and indicia of drug distribution including a digital scale, a magic bullet full of powder, many packets of bundles of wax paper in various colors, known by investigators to be used to package drugs for sale. Just prior to the warrant execution, police observed multiple visitors who were known drug users and suspected customers going up to Rodriguez’s apartment.

The defendant previously served a five-to-seven-year prison sentence after being convicted of firearm and armed robbery offense in 2007. He also has a prior drug dealing conviction.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Shawn Guilderson and the state prison sentence was imposed by Judge Daniel O’Shea.

“The defendant is a repeat offender who was profiting by selling deadly narcotics in our community. He needs to be kept off the street to protect the public.” District Attorney Quinn said