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Coventry, R.I. – According to police, over the past several months, detectives with the Coventry Police Department’s Special Operations Unit initiated a narcotics investigation into a drug trafficking organization operating in and around the Town of Coventry. Through extensive surveillance and investigative efforts, detectives identified 33-year-old Richard Martin Jr., of Beach Street, Coventry, R.I., as the primary target of the investigation.
During the course of the investigation, multiple associates were identified, along with additional residences, located within the City of Warwick, frequently utilized by Martin Jr. and his associates.
On April 6th, detectives from the Coventry Police Department, in conjunction with detectives from the Warwick Police Department, executed multiple court-authorized search warrants in an effort to dismantle the organization.
During the course of a search warrant in Coventry, detectives, along with K9 Nixo, located approximately 1.8 pounds of suspected cocaine concealed within a sophisticated vehicle hide. Additionally, a 9mm handgun, a large sum of cash, along with packaging and weighing materials consistent with drug trafficking, were recovered from the residence.
As a result of the investigation, Martin Jr. has been charged with two counts of Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance, Use of a Firearm While Committing a Crime of Violence, and Controlled Substance Conspiracy.
Additionally, 40-year-old Jason Tallo, of Warwick, R.I., an alleged narcotics trafficking accomplice of Martin Jr., was taken into custody in the Town of Coventry and was subsequently charged with Controlled Substance Conspiracy.
Martin Jr. and Tallo were transported to Kent County District Court, where they were arraigned on their respective charges before a 3rd District Court judge. Martin Jr. was subsequently ordered to be held without bail, while Tallo had his bail set at $25,000 with surety.
This investigation remains ongoing and additional arrests are expected
Awilda Perez Goris was arrested shortly after 2 p.m. Tuesday on charges of obtaining more than $10,000 under false pretenses and accessing a computer for fraudulent purposes, the Rhode Island State Police said in a media release.
Perez Goris, a resident of Uxbridge, was processed at the Wickford Barracks, arraigned and issued a notice to appear in court, according to the release.
Rhode Island composers have until August 10 to apply for $30,000 fellowships from the Rhode Island Foundation, with three grants available to emerging and mid-career musicians looking to advance their work.
The grants come through the Foundation’s Robert and Margaret MacColl Johnson Fellowship Fund and are unrestricted — meaning recipients can use the money however best serves their artistic growth, whether that’s creating new work, purchasing equipment, traveling, researching, or training in new technologies and techniques.
Applicants must have lived in Rhode Island for at least 12 months before the deadline. Current high school and college students, graduate students enrolled in degree programs, and composers at advanced levels of career achievement are not eligible. Submissions may be in any genre, including chamber, choral, contemporary, electronic, experimental, jazz, opera, musical theater, symphonic, and world music.
Recipients are selected by a panel of out-of-state industry professionals managed by the Artist Communities Alliance. Previous fellows include cellist Adrienne Taylor, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Courtney Swain, and electroacoustic composer Kristina Warren.
The MacColl Johnson Fellowships rotate among composers, writers, and visual artists on a three-year cycle; next year’s round will go to writers. The fund was established in 2003 in honor of Rhode Islanders Robert and Margaret MacColl Johnson, both devoted to the arts throughout their lives.
More information and applications are at artistcommunities.org.
LINCOLN, R.I. (WPRI) — First responders in Lincoln conducted an extensive search of the waters at Lincoln Woods Beach Sunday evening.
Officials say they received a credible call about a possible drowning. The response caused multiple boats in the water and crews also deployed a drone.
Divers were also seen on the beach and in the water. Multiple departments responded.
The Rhode Island DEM was also on scene.
Access close to the beach was blocked off. Some nearby roads were also blocked off within the park.
After a near four hour search, officials determined there was no one in the water.
Officials stressed the importance of water and swim safety during the summer months.
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