Career Offender Sentenced to More than 12 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking Crack Cocaine

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Richard Palmisano, 41, formerly of Central Falls, a career offender with a criminal history dating back more than twenty years, including convictions on drug trafficking, firearms and assault charges, was sentenced today to 150 months in federal prison for trafficking more than 90 grams of crack cocaine, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; Daniel J. Kumor, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division of ATF; and Central Falls Police Chief Colonel James J. Mendonca.

At sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge Mary M. Lisi also ordered Palmisano to serve five years supervised release upon completion of his prison term. Palmisano pleaded guilty on February 19, 2015, as charged in a six-count indictment to six counts of distribution of crack cocaine. No plea agreement was filed in this matter.

According to court records and information presented to the court, a joint investigation in the spring and summer of 2014 by ATF agents and Central Falls Police into Palmisano’s drug trafficking activities included five purchases of crack cocaine from Palmisano by an ATF undercover agent between April 24 and July 18. The purchases were of between 7.45 grams and more than 31grams for between $400 and $1,700.

Additionally, a court-authorized search of Palmisano’s residence, with the assistance of Rhode Island State Police and Providence Police, resulted in the seizure of 31 grams of crack cocaine which the undercover ATF agent had previously arranged to purchase from Palmisano.

Palmisano has been detained in federal custody since his arrest by ATF agents and Central Falls Police on August 7, 2014.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Milind M. Shah.