Rhode Island man sentenced to prison after having girlfriend deliver drugs for him

PROVIDENCE – A Woonsocket man who led a crack cocaine distribution operation, and who attempted to disguise his involvement by having others deliver drugs that he had arranged to sell, has been sentenced to five years in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.

According to court documents, during an FBI Safe Streets Task Force and Project Safe Neighborhoods investigation into the sale of crack cocaine in and around Woonsocket in early 2020, Anthony Medeiros, 31, arranged at least four sales of crack cocaine, utilizing text messaging, phone calls, and Snapchat.

On each occasion, in an effort to insulate himself from responsibility for his role in trafficking crack cocaine, Medeiros utilized a “runner” to deliver the drugs that he sold. In at least one instance, Medeiros had his girlfriend deliver crack cocaine that he had arranged to sell.

Arrested and detained in federal custody in October 2020, and indicted in November 2020, Medeiros pleaded guilty on May 6, 2021, to conspiracy to distribute cocaine base; distribution of cocaine base; and two counts of distribution of 28 grams or more of cocaine base. He was sentenced on Monday by U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy to 60 months of incarceration to be followed by 4 years of federal supervised release.