Several Sentenced For RI Prison Drug Conspiracy

CRANSTON, RI — A man accused of delivering cocaine in a drug trafficking ring run by an Adult Correctional Institution inmate was sentenced to five years in prison on Monday. Gerald Price, 34, was one of two men charged for their role in the conspiracy.

According to the Rhode Island U.S. Attorney's Office, Price delivered cocaine for imprisoned ringleader James Gomes, 30, admitting that he brought the drug to a customer who was not in jail. The deal was organized through a phone conference call, reportedly facilitated by Gomes' mother, Lisa Ellis, 51, of Pawtucket.

Court documents showed that Gomes called Ellis on June 22, 2018, who then conferenced Price into the call. Price then told Gomes he had a buyer for crack cocaine, asking him to deliver the drugs, then give the money to Ellis.

Later that day, Price arranged to meet up with the buyer, who was actually an undercover police officer, a few days later. On June 26, he gave the officer 30 grams of crack coaine in exchange for $1,920. Price then gave the money to Ellis, who kept some and deposited the rest in Price's prison bank account.

After the initial sale, Gomes asked Price to sell the same person a gun. While he initially agreed, Price later refused, saying he believed the buyer to be an undercover officer.

On Nov. 8, 2019, Price pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base and distribution of 28 grams or more of cocaine base. He has previously been convicted and imprisoned on several gun and drug charges.

On Monday, Price was sentenced to serve five years in federal prison followed by four years of supervised release.

On Oct. 15, 2019, Gomes pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base and distribution of 28 grams or more of cocaine base and to three counts of distribution of cocaine base. He is set to be sentenced on March 19.

Ellis, meanwhile, was indicted on charges of one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine base, and four counts of distribution of cocaine base. She is still awaiting trial in U.S. District Court.

A second man was also charged in connection with the conspiracy. Joshua Moore, 29, formerly of Pawtucket, also admitting to delivering cocaine to Gomes' customers. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine base, and to four counts of distribution of cocaine base on Sept. 4, 2019, and was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison followed by four years of supervised release on Nov. 21.