First drug dealer charged under Kristen’s Law in RI

November 30, 2018 1:17 pm

NEWPORT, R.I. (WLNE) – A Westport man was arrested Thursday in connection with a fatal narcotics overdose back in September—the first person charged under Kristen’s Law in Rhode Island after it was signed into law earlier this year.

Following the fatal overdose of a 29-year-old Newport resident on September 10th, Newport Police began an investigation, identifying the dealer responsible for supplying the victim with Fentanyl as Cary Pacheco, 54, of Westport, Mass.

Through a series of phone calls and text messages with Pacheco, an Undercover Newport Police Detective and a cooperating witness arranged to purchase 20 bags of Fentanyl with a street value of $115 from Pacheco in Newport on the morning of Thursday, November 29th.

According to Newport Police, Pacheco arrived at the location Thursday morning with a second male, identified as Michael Vandenburgh, 49, of Fall River.

Police said Pacheco directed Vandenburgh to sell the Fentanyl to the Undercover Detective, after which both Pacheco and Vandenburgh were placed under arrest.

Pacheco was found to have an additional 61 bags of Fentanyl on his person at the time of his arrest.

Pacheco was charged with Controlled Substance Delivery resulting in Death, known as Kristen’s Law, which was signed into law to dole out harsher punishments to drug dealers whose customers suffer fatal overdoses. He was also charged with Delivery of Heroin, Controlled Substance Conspiracy, and Possession with Intent Deliver a Controlled Substance.

Vandenburgh was charged with Delivery of Heroin and Controlled substance Conspiracy for the controlled purchase on Thursday.

Both men were arraigned in Newport County District Court on Friday.