Cocaine, Firearms Seized; Two Arrested In South County Drug Trafficking Investigation
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - John J. Arvanitis, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England Field Division, United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, South Kingstown Police Chief Vincent Vespia and Narragansett Police Chief Dean Hoxsie announced an ongoing investigation into the alleged trafficking of crack cocaine in South Kingstown and Narragansett resulting in the arrest on Thursday of a Narragansett couple, Damon Graham, 33, and Ashley Sekator-Graham, 30, and the seizure of crack cocaine, cocaine powder and two firearms.
Graham was ordered detained by U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond following his initial appearance in U.S. District Court on Thursday on a criminal complaint charging him with one count each of conspiracy to distribute cocaine base, conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Sekator-Graham was released to home confinement with electronic monitoring following an initial appearance before Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond on Thursday on a criminal complaint charging her with one count each of conspiracy to distribute cocaine base and conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base.
According to an affidavit in support of the criminal complaints filed with the court, an investigation by South Kingstown Police, Narragansett Police and the Drug Enforcement (DEA) into the alleged drug trafficking activities of the couple in South Kingstown included electronically monitored drug sales and the execution of a court authorized search of the couple’s Narragansett home. According to the affidavit, the search of the couple’s home resulted in the seizure of nearly 130 grams of crack cocaine, a 9mm handgun and ammunition, and more than $3,700 in cash.
In addition, a court authorized search of a storage unit in Narragansett resulted in the seizure of approximately seven ounces of cocaine powder and a .38 caliber handgun and ammunition.
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.
