Providence man sentenced for trafficking cocaine, fentanyl

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A Providence man was sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking, U.S. Attorney Zachary Cunha said.

According to court documents, Josimar Pereira, 36, sold more than $3,600 worth of cocaine and fentanyl to someone while under investigation by the FBI back in 2020.

Officials said Pereira was making deals with the other person over a one-month period. Authorities said they seized the drugs after each deal.

Pereira pleaded guilty in 2022 to charges of distribution of cocaine and distribution of fentanyl and was sentenced in Providence District Court on Monday.

He was sentenced to serve 44 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

Officials said at the time of his arrest, Pereira was serving a term of state probation for his 2018 conviction of possession a sawed-off shotgun or rifle.