ACI inmate gets 6 years for selling crack cocaine behind bars

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE)– An inmate of the Adult Correctional Institute was sentenced to over six years in federal prison today for running a crack cocaine distribution ring while imprisoned.

James Gomes, 33, formerly of Pawtucket, had previously pleaded guilty to a scheme in which fellow inmates provided him with drug buyers outside the prison. Court documents say that Gomes passed the information on to his mother, Lisa Ellis, 51, of Pawtucket, and two associates, Joshua Moore, 19, formerly of Pawtucket, and Gerald Price, 34, of Cranston. Moore and Price were then responsible for delivering the drugs to customers, prosecutors said.

Gomes had pleaded guilty in October 2019 to  conspiracy to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base, one count of distribution of 28 grams or more of cocaine base, and three counts of distribution of cocaine base; today he received 77 months in federal prison, to be served concurrently with his ACI term, followed by four years of supervised parole.

Moore and Price had both pleaded guilty to conspiracy and distribution charges in 2019, and each received sentences of 60 months in federal prison, with four years of supervised parole.

Ellis is still awaiting a federal trial for conspiracy and distribution charges.

©WLNE-TV/ABC 6 2020