Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced that Carlos Vincente (age 28), of Providence, waived criminal information and pleaded nolo contendere on Wednesday October 11, 2017 before Superior Court Judge Luis M. Matos to possession of a firearm after a conviction for a crime of violence and carrying a pistol without a license. Under the terms of the plea agreement, Vincente, a known member of the C-Block criminal street gang, was sentenced to 19 years with nine years to serve and the remainder suspended with probation.
Had the matter proceeded to trial, the State was prepared to prove that on February 21, 2017, Vincente possessed a Kel-Tec 0.9 millimeter pistol without a license and after having previously been convicted of a crime of violence in Rhode Island. Both a palm print on the magazine and a DNA profile extracted from the gun matched Carlos Vincente.
"This was excellent work by the Providence Police Department in getting another illegal gun off our streets, putting a dangerous gang member behind bars before he was able to use the weapon, likely injuring or killing someone," said Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin.
Providence Detective Daniel O'Connell led the investigation and Special Assistant Attorney General Edward Mullaney prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of the Attorney General.