RI Man Catches Fentanyl, Weapons Charges While Awaiting Trial

NORTH PROVIDENCE, RI — Keurys Pena was out on bond awaiting trial for drug trafficking charges. Pena is also on probation for four other state court cases. On Thursday, two additional charges were levied against Pena after a separate investigation.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Rhode Island announced this week that Pena was ordered detained in federal custody as the result of an FBI Safe Street Task Force and Providence Police Narcotics Unit Project Safe Neighborhoods investigation into his alleged dealing of fentanyl powder and fentanyl pills, as well as for allegedly being in the unlawful possession of a firearm.

Court documents say that on at least seven occasions between June 9 and Oct. 6, 2022, Pena sold who the feds are calling an "individual" fentanyl pills and fentanyl powder in quantities that ranged from 1.66 grams to 238.5 grams. On Sept. 8, 2022, Pena sold the same "individual" a 9mm handgun, authorities said. In total, Pena is believed to have sold the individual over 900 grams of narcotics for $14,770.

On Tuesday, FBI agents and Providence Police detectives executed court-authorized searches of Pena’s residence and a drug stash house that he allegedly operated in Pawtucket. From the stash house, law enforcement seized over 500 grams of fentanyl in pill and powder form and parts to a pill press used to make counterfeit narcotics containing fentanyl, officials said.

Ammunition, an unsecured firearm, and a pill press were seized from Pena’s residence, officials said.

Pena is charged with the distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl and unlawful possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

According to court records, Pena has been convicted multiple times in state courts on drug trafficking charges. Additionally, he has been convicted on firearm, assault, domestic assault, forgery, breaking and entering, and assault/escape of an inmate charges.