Two Rhode Island men charged after several drugs, $50k cash, 2 guns, ammo, three vehicles seized

Attorney General Peter Neronha announced that a Pawtucket man and an East Providence man have been charged in Providence County Superior Court with 29 counts of drug trafficking and gun-related offenses following their arrest by the Rhode Island State Police on January 19, 2023.

On July 18, 2023, the Office of the Attorney General charged 32-year-old Kevon Lassiter and 31-year-old Odell Lora by way of criminal information, each with five counts of possession of 1oz to 1kg of a controlled substance (cocaine, fentanyl, xylazine, acetyl fentanyl, and para-fluorofentanyl), five counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (cocaine, fentanyl, xylazine, acetyl fentanyl, and para-fluorofentanyl), five counts of conspiracy to possess 1oz to 1kg of a controlled substance (cocaine, fentanyl, xylazine, acetyl fentanyl, and para-fluorofentanyl), five counts of conspiracy to possess with intent to deliver 1oz to 1kg of a controlled substance (cocaine, fentanyl, xylazine, acetyl fentanyl, and para-fluorofentanyl), and two counts of maintaining a common nuisance. Additionally, Kevon Lassiter was charged with two counts of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, two counts of possession of a large-capacity magazine, one count of possession of a stolen firearm, and one count of possession of a firearm while delivering cocaine and/or fentanyl.

As alleged in the criminal information, beginning in October 2022, the RISP High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and the Providence District of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration began investigating the co-defendants, who they suspected to be involved in drug distribution in Rhode Island. Investigators conducted controlled purchases and surveillance to identify from where the co-defendants were distributing drugs, and then applied for and obtained search warrants for Odell Lora’s East Providence residence, a Scituate business associated with him, and Kevon Lassiter’s Pawtucket residence.

As further alleged, at approximately 10:00 a.m. on January l9, 2023, members of the HIDTA Task Force and DEA executed search warrants on both residences and the Scituate business, arresting both defendants. It is alleged investigators found and seized:

· 672 grams of cocaine

· 60 grams of crack cocaine

· 416 grams of fentanyl

· 262 grams of Marijuana

· $50,900 in cash

· One stolen Smith and Wesson .38 caliber loaded revolver

· One Glock Model 22 .40 caliber pistol

· One sixteen-round large capacity magazine containing ammunition

· One twenty-nine-round large capacity magazine containing ammunition

· Three vehicles

· Scales and packaging material used in the distribution of illegal narcotics.

The co-defendants are scheduled for a pre-trial conference on September 19, 2023, in Providence County Superior Court.