Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced that yesterday Antonio Neri (age 36), with a last known address of 115 Church Hill Drive, Cranston, pleaded nolo contendere to possession of a firearm after being previously convicted of a crime of violence and possession of marijuana with intent to deliver. Under the terms of the plea agreement before Superior Court Magistrate John F. McBurney, the defendant was sentenced to 20 years with 10 years to serve and the remainder suspended with probation.
Had the case proceeded to trial, the State was prepared to prove that having been previously convicted of assault with a dangerous weapon in 1998, Neri was prohibited from possessing a firearm. Further, the State was prepared to prove that Neri was operating an illegal marijuana grow.
On May 14, 2014, Cranston Police responded to 115 Church Hill Drive for a report of an activated burglar alarm for the basement of the residence. Upon arrival, police noticed two broken basement windows and rear basement door ajar. When securing the scene, the police located a marijuana grow in the basement. After securing a search warrant for the premises, police located a loaded. 32 caliber handgun in the nightstand in an upstairs bedroom.
Cranston Police determined Neri was a resident of the premise, along with his girlfriend, Natalia Foussekis, and two children. Foussekis was charged with three counts of possession of a controlled substance. That case is pending. The Department of Children, Youth and Families were contacted regarding the welfare of the two children.
"This defendant, a felon with a violent criminal past, was operating an illegal marijuana grow in a residential neighborhood, creating a significant public safety and public health risk," said Attorney General Kilmartin. "I commend the fine work of the police officers for putting this drug dealer out of business and behind bars for a significant period of time."
Cranston Police Detective Ronald Fuoroli led the investigation. Special Assistant Attorney General Peter Roklan prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of Attorney General.