Central Falls Man Charged In Drug Probe By DEA And Woonsocket Police
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - An undercover investigation by the Drug Enforcement (DEA) and Woonsocket Police into the alleged distribution of crack cocaine in Woonsocket has resulted in the arrest of a Central Falls man previously convicted twice on felony drug charges.
Eddie Torie Barr, 35, charged by way of a Criminal Complaint with distribution of crack cocaine and arrested by DEA agents and Woonsocket detectives, was ordered detained Wednesday by U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond. If convicted, Barr could face more than 17 years in federal prison.
Steven W. Derr, Special Agent in Charge of the New England Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration; The arrest of Barr was announced by U.S. Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Woonsocket Police Chief Thomas S. Carey.
According to an Affidavit in support of a Criminal Complaint filed with the Court and information presented to the Court during Barr’s initial appearance, it is alleged that on three occasions between January 7 and January 25, 2011, Barr allegedly sold crack cocaine in varying amounts to undercover Woonsocket Police detectives posing as drug traffickers. It is alleged Barr sold more than 48 grams of crack cocaine to the detectives for a total of $2,480.
A Criminal Complaintis merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
If convicted, Barr, who has two prior felony narcotics distribution convictions, could be declared a career offender by the Court. Federal sentencing guidelines recommend a minimum sentence of 210 - 260 months imprisonment.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New Haven Safe Streets Task (composed of members of members of the New Haven, Ansonia, Milford and East Haven Police Department, and the Connecticut State Police and the Connecticut Department of Correction), the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Task (composed of members of the New Haven, West Haven, Meriden, Ansonia, Hamden and Branford Police Departments), along with substantial participation by members of the New Haven and Hamden Police Departments. The United States Marshals Service also assisted the investigation.
The investigation was funded in significant part by the United States Attorney’s Office Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force and supported by the Office’s Project Safe Neighborhoods and Anti-Gang programs.
