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Willys Enrique Santana Ramirez, 48, of Providence, was sentenced to seven years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute 40+ grams of fentanyl. He and his brother-in-law distributed fentanyl powder and pills designed to mimic prescription oxycodone; Ramirez arranged delivery of approximately 900 pills for $45,000. His co-conspirator received five years in a separate 2024 sentencing.
Nelson Reyes Luciano, 41, of Johnston, received a 6.5-year federal sentence after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine. The scheme involved shipping 10 parcels from California to a Providence residence between 2022 and arrest. A search warrant execution recovered cocaine, fentanyl, scales, baggies, presses, and respirators for drug packaging.
U.S. District Judge Melissa R. DuBose issued a preliminary injunction Friday blocking the Department of Justice from enforcing immigration-related restrictions on grants for domestic violence and sexual assault services. The order, sought by 25 state domestic violence coalitions including the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, prevents DOJ from barring organizations from serving noncitizens or those unable to immediately prove citizenship. The injunction continues litigation that challenges DOJ funding conditions imposed in January under the Trump administration's policies on DEI and 'gender ideology.'
U.S. District Judge Mary S. McElroy dismissed the Justice Department's lawsuit demanding Rhode Island's voter registration rolls, ruling that federal voter registration laws do not authorize a "fishing expedition" by the Trump administration. McElroy found that the Attorney General's stated purpose—to ensure compliance with voter registration laws—does not plausibly relate to individual voting rights. The ruling comes amid similar challenges to DOJ voter-roll demands in other states.
The Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission suspended its retail license lottery after U.S. District Judge Melissa DuBose issued an April 8 order temporarily halting the process. Three federal lawsuits challenge the state's requirement that all cannabis license holders be majority owned by Rhode Island residents, arguing it violates the Dormant Commerce Clause. DuBose found plaintiffs likely to succeed on the merits. The commission is appealing and legal strategy remains confidential as litigation continues.
U.S. District Judge Mary McElroy dismissed the Justice Department's lawsuit demanding detailed voter registration information from Rhode Island, ruling federal law does not permit 'the kind of fishing expedition it seeks here.' The Trump administration had sought unredacted voter rolls including partial Social Security numbers and driver's license data. The decision follows similar rejections in California, Michigan, Oregon, and Massachusetts, marking the fifth consecutive court loss for DOJ in its nationwide voter data collection campaign.
U.S. District Judge Mary McElroy dismissed the Trump administration's lawsuit seeking unredacted voter data from Rhode Island, calling the DOJ's effort a "fishing expedition" with no plausible factual basis. The ruling marks the fifth consecutive judicial defeat nationwide for the DOJ's voter-data demands. Secretary of State Gregg Amore, represented by AG Peter Neronha, said the decision reaffirms state authority over voter file privacy.
Rhode Island Family Court Judge Felix Gill denied Scott Naso's motion to suspend a trial over grandparents' visitation rights, ruling the state statute is "narrowly tailored" and does not violate parental constitutional rights. Gill also excluded a key witness for the grandparents after she violated the court's sequestration order. The trial, which began in October, has now spanned 16 days in Kent County Family Court.
U.S. District Judge Melissa DuBose (D.R.I.) issued a preliminary injunction halting DOJ restrictions on Office of Justice Programs grants that would have barred domestic-violence organizations from serving undocumented immigrants. The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence spearheaded a multi-state suit challenging the funding conditions imposed in January 2026. Plaintiff groups call the injunction a temporary victory pending permanent relief.
Nelson Reyes Luciano, 41, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Mary S. McElroy to 78 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute cocaine and fentanyl. Reyes Luciano shipped 10 parcels of narcotics from California to a Providence co-conspirator's home; law enforcement recovered drugs, scales, presses, and packaging materials during a search warrant execution.
The City of Providence settled a lawsuit with Sybil Bailey, its former human resources director, paying $45,000 (plus legal fees) to resolve claims she was wrongfully terminated during Jorge Elorza's mayoral tenure. Bailey alleged age and sex discrimination after being fired in 2019; the city denies wrongdoing. A 2020 City Council dispute over an earlier $138,000 severance deal helped trigger the suit.
