United States Drug Enforcement Administration

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A Lawrence, Massachusetts man who trafficked more than three pounds of crystal methamphetamine was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Providence, announced United States Attorney Charles C. Calenda. 

Hector Gonzalez Michel, 35, was sentenced on March 5, 2026 by U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. to 121 months of imprisonment to be followed by 5 years of supervised release. 

“Methamphetamine trafficking continues to pose a serious threat to public safety and well-being of our communities,” said United States Attorney Charles C. Calenda. “This sentence holds the defendant accountable and reflects the tireless work of our law enforcement partners to disrupt the flow of dangerous drugs throughout New England.” 

“Trafficking pounds of crystal meth isn’t just a crime, it’s a direct attack on the safety and health of our communities,” said Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge, New England Field Division. “When someone moves this amount of methamphetamine, the damage reaches far beyond one neighborhood. Our mission is to stop that pipeline and hold those responsible accountable.”

Court records show that members of the Rhode Island DEA Task Force developed information that Gonzalez Michel was preparing to deliver a substantial quantity of crystal meth to an individual in Boston. 

Rhode Island and Boston DEA Task Force agents and Boston Police Detectives later intercepted the delivery as he arrived outside a Boston residence where he was delivering the drugs.  Police recovered approximately 3.4 pounds of crystal methamphetamine stored inside a small cooler that Gonzalez Michel was carrying.

Gonzalez Michel previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stacey A. Erickson.

The Rhode Island DEA Drug Task Force is comprised of personnel from the DEA, Rhode Island State Police, the East Providence, Cranston, Coventry, Newport, North Kingstown, Pawtucket, Providence, South Kingstown, Warwick, West Warwick, and Woonsocket Police Departments, Amtrak Police, and the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation. 

Members of the DEA Boston Task Force Group 5 assisted in the investigation and arrest of Gonzalez Michel.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.