Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- A Newport man with past drug convictions has pleaded guilty to federal charges of dealing a sizeable amount of crack cocaine last spring.

André B. Williams, 29, signed the plea agreement on Wednesday and admitted guilt to two felony counts of knowingly and intentionally distributing five grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine base.

The authorities said the drug deals occurred last year on May 28 -- 7.6 grams -- and June 4 -- 5.3 grams.

The plea agreement includes language that prohibits Williams from attempting to vacate any of his past convictions, including two drug charges that were adjudicated in Newport Superior Court in 2000 and 2002.

In the 2000 case, Williams received a 5-year sentence with all but 6 months of it suspended. In the 2002 case, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison and was ordered to serve 2 years, with the remainder of the sentence suspended.

The Newport police were the charging agency in both cases.

Chief Judge Mary M. Lisi accepted Williams guilty plea and set sentencing for Sept. 11. He is being held without bail at the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility in Central Falls.
Under the federal sentencing guidelines, Williams faces, on each count, a mandatory minimum of five years in prison, fines and supervised release upon the completion of his prison term.

 Tags  Central Falls RI crack cocaine Newport RI

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