United States Drug Enforcement Administration

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -  - Audi Pineda, 39, of Pawtucket, a career offender, was sentenced on Wednesday in U.S. District Court to 120 months in federal prison, having been convicted by federal court jury on October 18, 2012, of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute oxycodone, and possession with the intent to distribute oxycodone.

The sentence was announced by John J. Arvanitis, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’(DEA) New England Field Division; United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; and, Pawtucket Police Chief Paul King.

During a two-day trial, the government presented evidence to a jury that on August 11, 2011, Pawtucket Police detectives and agents from the DEA Drug Task Force conducted court authorized searches in Pawtucket of a barber shop where Pineda was employed and of his residence.

At the barber shop, a total of 33 oxycodone pills and three cell phones were seized from Pineda and from his work station. A search of Pineda’s residence resulted in the discovery of a hidden compartment built into a basement wall which contained more than twelve grams of cocaine.  In a separate location in a wall near a basement bathroom agents discovered a plastic bag containing $36,000 in U.S. currency. 

The government also presented evidence to the jury of several cell phone text message conversations between Pineda and others on the cell phones seized which detailed drug dealing activities by Pineda.

The jury acquitted Pineda of one count of possession with the intent to distribute cocaine.

At sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell ordered Pineda to serve three years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term.