Providence repeat offender sentenced to prison for trafficking drugs in Southeastern Massachusetts

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A Providence man previously convicted and incarcerated on drug trafficking charges was sentenced to more than four years in federal prison on additional and unrelated drug trafficking and firearm charges brought as the result of a Project Safe Neighborhoods investigation, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.

Joaquin Fabian, 24, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy to 50 months of incarceration to be followed by three years of federal supervised release. He pleaded guilty in December to possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

According to charging documents and information presented to the court, in January 2021, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Task Force agents and Providence Police Detectives determined that Fabian regularly drove to Southeastern Massachusetts to conduct drug trafficking business, routinely changing vehicles and employing counter-surveillance techniques in an effort to avoid detection. During one such trip on April 14, 2021, he posted a photograph on social media of a handgun positioned between his legs while he was seated in a motor vehicle.

As Fabian returned to the area of his Providence residence, members of the ATF Task Force conducted a traffic stop of his vehicle. As he exited the vehicle, Fabian grabbed towards his waistline consistent with efforts to draw a firearm, and fled on foot. Task Force officers quickly located Fabian; a Glock semi-automatic pistol, consistent with the firearm in the photograph, was located on the ground nearby.

Following Fabian’s arrest, a total of 64.8 grams of cocaine, 1,030.9 grams of marijuana, three loaded magazines of ammunition, nearly 300 rounds of assorted ammunition, and $18,802 in cash were seized from Fabian’s vehicle and residence.

Fabian had recently completed a term of incarceration at the Adult Correctional Institutions for a drug trafficking conviction prior to his arrest in April 2021. Additionally, he was free on bail awaiting trial in state court on unrelated assault and firearm charges.

The case in federal court was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William J. Ferland. United States Attorney Cunha thanks the Providence Police Department for their support and assistance in this investigation.

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.