Leader of conspiracy sentenced after pleading guilty to drug trafficking charges

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The leader of a large-scale drug trafficking conspiracy was sentenced after he was found trafficking powder cocaine and fentanyl just three months after completing a previous sentence for drug trafficking, according to Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

51-year-old William Mendez was sentenced to 14 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.

In September 2021, Mendez and over a dozen others were charged for involvement in a conspiracy led by Mendez. Bloom said many of the defendants had been convicted for firearm, robbery, assault, assault with intent to commit murder, and/or domestic violence charges.

Prior to this arrest, Mendez served over 22 years in prison for three separate felony drug convictions and two separate violent felony assault convictions, according to Bloom.

At the time Mendez was arrested, he had been out of state prison for less than three months, and was on probation after completing almost seven years of jail time.

During the arrest, law enforcement seized about $78,000 from Mendez.

In October 2024, Mendez pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms of more of cocaine and conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.