Woonsocket Woman Sentenced For Drug Running

WOONSOCKET, RI — A Woonsocket woman was sentenced Thursday to one year and one day in prison, who acted as a drug runner for two Rhode Island men convicted of brokering drug deals and supplying fentanyl and crack cocaine.

Natalie Cassidy, 28, pleaded guilty in May 2021 to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base, distribution of cocaine base and fentanyl, and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

During her guilty plea, Cassidy admitted to working with Juan Batista, 36, of Woonsocket, and Angel Aviles, 33, of Cranston. She delivered drugs to people the two men made deals with.

Batista and Aviles are awaiting sentencing, having pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base, distribution of cocaine base and fentanyl, and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.