Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin today announced that Randy Lopez (age 31), with a last known address of 697 Park Ave, 1st floor, Woonsocket, pleaded guilty today to drug and gun charges before Superior Court Justice Robert D. Krause. Lopez pleaded guilty to possession with intent to deliver crack cocaine, two counts of possession of firearm after being previously convicted for crime of violence, and possession of a firearm with an altered serial number.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Lopez was sentenced to 35 years with 15 years to serve and the remainder suspended with probation, on the new charges. Lopez, who was on probation for a 2009 robbery at the time of the new charges, was also sentenced to an additional 10 years, non-parolable, to run concurrent, as a probation violator.
Had the case proceeded to trial, the State was prepared to prove that on March 12, 2015 members of the Rhode Island State Police High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force and the North Smithfield Police Department conducted a joint investigation that led to the execution of a court-authorized search warrant at the residence of the defendant that resulted in the seizure of a .9mm Highpoint revolver with an altered serial number, a .25 caliber firearm, six grams of crack cocaine, 40 grams of marijuana and $1,262 in United States currency.
"After his first conviction, Randy Lopez was given a chance to turn his life around, but he rejected that opportunity. Instead, he chose to continue down the path of dealing drugs and leading a life of guns and violence. Because of that choice, Randy Lopez will spend the next 15 years in prison," said Attorney General Kilmartin. "Taking illegal firearms – and those who possess them – off our streets makes our communities safer and stronger."
The HIDTA Task Force and North Smithfield Police, with assistance from the Woonsocket Police, led the investigation. Special Assistant Attorney General James McBurney prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of Attorney General.