Two men in federal custody following drug trafficking, bank fraud charges

July 12, 2016 4:50 pm

By News Staff

Two men were taken into federal custody Tuesday on drug trafficking and bank fraud charges.

Robert Wilkins, 25, and Christian M. Domenech, 24, of West Warwick, were arrested following an investigation by the FBI Safe Street Task Force into their alleged drug trafficking activities, and also an investigation by the Rhode Island State Police Financial Crimes Unit into allegations of bank fraud.

The investigation charging them with trafficking crack cocaine, trafficking heroin and bank fraud is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division, and Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police.

A three-month FBI into the alleged drug trafficking activity included numerous purchases from the defendants of crack cocaine and heroin, ranging from one gram to seven grams for between $80 dollars and $350 dollars.

A Rhode Island State Police Financial Crimes Unit investigation determined that beginning in December 2015, the defendants allegedly created and deposited bogus checks into bank accounts each established, and withdrew some of those funds. It is alleged that Christian Domenech deposited a total of $10,000 in bogus checks and withdrew $2,000 in cash. It is alleged that Robert Wilkins deposited a total of $10,000 in bogus checks and withdrew at total of $2099.55.

Tuesday, the FBI, West Warwick Police Department and the DEA executed a court authorized search of the defendants’ Church Street, West Warwick, residence. An undetermined quantity of cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin and approximately $800 in cash were seized. Law enforcement also seized two vehicles parked at the residence.

The two men were free on court-ordered conditions of release on unrelated crimes at the time of their arrest. Wilkins was sentenced in November of 2014 for trafficking crack cocaine. Domenech was charged with trafficking heroin back in November of 2015 and had been convicted in court on drug trafficking charges.