Providence Fentanyl Supplier Gets 6-Plus Years In Prison

PROVIDENCE, RI — A Providence man who admitted he supplied fentanyl to a mid-level drug trafficker was sentenced Thursday to nearly 6-and-a-half years in federal prison, U.S. Attorney Zachary Cunha said.

Keven Restrepo, 32, formerly of Kissimmee, Florida, was arrested in September 2021, following a joint drug trafficking investigation between the FBI and the Providence Police Department. Federal prosecutors said the investigation resulted in the arrest of 16 people, including Restrepo.

According to court documents, Restrepo set up several fentanyl deliveries to a Providence man, and instructed him on how to "cut," or increase the weight of fentanyl he was selling to him to increase its volume and provide a greater profit. On at least two occasions, Restrepo set-up deliveries that totaled 70 grams of fentanyl.

With judicial approval, investigators monitored and recorded telephone conversations in which Restrepo boasted of supplying significant quantities of drugs to others in the past, detailed how to "cut" and increase the volume of drugs and discussed getting a gun.

At the time of his arrest, Restrepo was on bail and awaiting sentencing in Rhode Island state court, having been convicted of numerous gun and assault charges, including a gang-related incident where someone was shot and suffered serious injuries.

Restrepo pleaded guilty on Dec. 12, 2022, to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. He was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mary McElroy to 77 months in federal prison, followed by four years of federal supervised release.