Providence men charged with illegal firearms possession and fentanyl distribution

Published on Friday, January 05, 2024

An indictment, information, or complaint is merely an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced that two Providence men have been charged in Providence County Superior Court with illegally possessing multiple firearms and distributing fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, and xylazine in the Providence area.

On November 28, 2023, the Office of the Attorney General charged Juan Cintron (age 34, P2-2023-3759AG) and Matthew Torres (age 25, P2-2023-3759BG), by way of criminal information, with one count of possession of one ounce to one kilogram of fentanyl, one count of possession of one ounce to one kilogram of cocaine, one count of possession with intent to deliver fentanyl, one count of possession with intent to deliver cocaine, one count of possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to deliver xylazine, one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to deliver controlled substances, two counts of possession of a firearm while possessing with intent to deliver controlled substances, and two counts of possession of a firearm after a previous conviction of a crime of violence.

As alleged in the criminal information, in December 2022, members of the Rhode Island State Police (RISP) High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Task Force initiated an investigation into suspected fentanyl distribution by the defendants.

It is alleged that on January 25, 2023, investigators executed a warrant at a home on Borinquen Street in Providence where they arrested the defendants and seized quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, fentanyl pills, methamphetamine, xylazine, and drug paraphernalia. Investigators also seized a Smith & Wesson .32 caliber revolver and a Glock .380 caliber semi-automatic handgun.

The defendants are scheduled for a pre-arraignment conference on February 2, 2024, in Providence County Superior Court.

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