Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin today announced that Richard "Junior" Pena, age 40, with a last known address of 54 Aschem Street in Providence, pled guilty before Superior Court Justice Robert D. Krause to possession with intent to deliver heroin, possession with intent to deliver fentanyl, possession of one ounce to one kilogram of heroin, conspiracy to possess with intent to deliver heroin and fentanyl, possession of a firearm while possessing with intent to deliver controlled substance, and conspiracy to deliver heroin.
Co-defendant Henry "Jose" Ortiz, age 37, with a last known address of 53 March Street in Providence, pled guilty before Judge Krause on September 29, 2014 to possession with intent to deliver heroin, possession with intent to deliver fentanyl, possession of one ounce to one kilogram of heroin, conspiracy to possess with intent to deliver heroin and fentanyl, conspiracy to deliver heroin and delivery of heroin.
Pena and Ortiz were identified as the two ringleaders of a large-scale heroin distribution ring that was the subject of a 16-month investigation by the Rhode Island State Police High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force and Office of Attorney General, dubbed "Operation Hybrid."
Pena and Ortiz remain held without bail and will be sentenced on December 10, 2014.
"The investigation and prosecution of two of Rhode Island's biggest heroin kingpins is a testament to the effectiveness of multiple law enforcement agencies working together. Our investigation disrupted a significant drug operation and removed heroin and fentanyl off our streets and out of our neighborhoods," said Attorney General Peter Kilmartin.
"This investigation is one of many ways that we are collaborating with other law enforcement agencies in the community to impact the overdose death rate from heroin and fentanyl. I commend our troopers and members of the Attorney General's Office who work diligently on the front lines taking this poison off the street and holding those who distribute accountable," stated Colonel Steven G. O'Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police.
In December 2013, Attorney General Kilmartin and Colonel O'Donnell announced the arrest of Ortiz, Pena and 10 other individuals by members of the Rhode Island State Police / HIDTA Task Force.
During the investigation, the HIDTA Task Force developed information that two subjects, identified only by their street names "Jose" and "Junior," were the leaders of a large heroin distribution network operating in the City of Providence. These subjects were also known to utilize several vehicles containing elaborate, electronically operated hidden compartments to conceal their illicit trade. The subjects were later positively identified as Henry Ortiz and Richard Pena.
In November 2013, the Honorable Alice Gibney, Presiding Justice of the Rhode Island Superior Court, signed two court orders authorizing Rhode Island State Police/HIDTA Task Force to intercept communications over three cellular telephone numbers utilized by "Jose" and "Junior," to operate and conduct criminal operations, to include: Delivery of Schedule Controlled Substances (R.I.G.L. 21-28-4.01) and Conspiracy to Violate the Uniform Controlled Substances Act (R.I.G.L 21-28-4.08); in violation of the General Laws of Rhode Island (1956) as amended (Reenactment 2002).
Members of the HIDTA Task Force maintained electronic audio intercept surveillance of the telephone accounts from Tuesday, November 12, 2013 up to and including Wednesday, December 11, 2013. Over the course of this investigation, the Rhode Island State Police/HIDTA Task Force positively identified numerous individuals as co-conspirators in the illegal heroin distribution operation.
Throughout the course of this investigation, members of the intercept team established, through numerous intercepted telephone conversations and surveillances, that Ortiz and Pena were conducting an illegal drug trafficking operation. Members also conducted physical surveillance and observed them meeting with known and unknown individuals for the purpose of distributing heroin for profit.
On December 11, 2013, the Rhode Island State Police/HIDTA Task Force arrested 12 individuals for various charges. Members also executed six search warrants on residences and businesses in Providence, North Providence and Pawtucket, and seized heroin and fentanyl, as well as two firearms, ammunition, drug packaging paraphernalia, digital scales, nine motor vehicles of which several had hidden compartments and over $11,000 in United States currency.
The HIDTA Task Force is comprised of members from the Rhode Island State Police, Johnston Police, Providence Police, North Providence Police, Pawtucket Police, Smithfield Police, Central Falls Police, the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement/ Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Rhode Island National Guard. Assistant Attorney General James Baum and Special Assistant Attorney General Joseph McBurney prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of Attorney General.