Woonsocket Radio News Room

 

Warren man charged for possession of ghost gun, selling THC vape cartridges to students

An indictment, information, or complaint is merely an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced that a Warren man has been charged in Providence County Superior Court with multiple offenses including possession of a ghost gun and selling marijuana stemming from an investigation by the Bristol and Warren police departments into the prevalence of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) vape cartridges within Mt. Hope High School.


On April 20, 2023, the Office of the Attorney General charged Dakota Rioux (age 19) by way of criminal information, with one count of possession of marijuana (1kg to 5kg), one count of possession with intent to deliver marijuana, one count of possession with intent to deliver THC, one count of possession of a ghost gun while possessing with intent to deliver marijuana and THC, one count of possession of a ghost gun, one count of carrying a pistol without a license, and one count of keeping or maintaining a common nuisance.

 

As alleged in the criminal information, in January 2022, Bristol Police began investigating complaints concerning the possible sale of marijuana and THC vape cartridges at Mt. Hope High School. Investigators identified the defendant as a suspect and began surveilling his Warren residence, and allegedly observed behavior indicating the sale of drugs.

 

On the morning of April 19, 2022, officers from the Bristol and Warren police departments, with assistance from the Bristol County Sherriff’s Office, executed a search warrant at the defendant’s home and seized a Polymer80 9mm ghost gun, approximately $51,000 in cash, several kilograms of marijuana, approximately 340 THC vape cartridges, and drug paraphernalia. The defendant was arrested that morning and is being held without bail.

 

The defendant is scheduled for a pre-arraignment conference on June 19, 2023, in Providence County Superior Court.

 

 

President Trump says the tariffs imposed on other countries are having the desired effect, and he's now open to negotiations. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said his initial tariff plan is over, and he's watching it settle in. He said every country has called, asking to cut a trade deal with the U.S. to avoid the tariffs.        Stocks are closing sharply lower one day after President Trump announced sweeping global tariffs. The S&P 500 had its worse day since 2020 as the White House announced a baseline tariff rate of ten-percent against most countries yesterday that will go into effect on Saturday. At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 16-79 to 40-545. The S&P 500 lost 274 points to 53-96. The Nasdaq lost 10-50 points to 16-550.        A multi-day severe weather event is unfolding for more than 55-million people. It comes after at least seven people were killed in the South Central U.S. after storms that included several tornadoes hit the region yesterday. Tonight, there is still a tornado threat for the same areas, but forecasters warn there could also be potentially catastrophic flooding in the Mid-South and Midwest.        The Federal Aviation Administration is offering more support to air traffic controllers at Reagan National Airport. The Critical Incident Stress Management team will be meeting with airport personnel sometime early this month. The FAA is also reviewing the arrival rate at the airport and will conduct regular wellness checks.        The Senate has confirmed Dr. Mehmet Oz as administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The television personality was confirmed on a party-line vote of 53-45. Oz now assumes a role that provides health insurance to roughly 160 million Americans.        Steven Spielberg and George Lucas top the latest Forbes list of celebrity billionaires. The latest Forbes ranking of the world's wealthiest people includes 18 celebrities, with film director Steven Spielberg topping the list at five-point-three-billion dollars. Star Wars creator George Lucas is in second place with a net worth of five-point-one-billion dollars.       

Old News Archives