WARWICK, RI — A Warwick man faces charges of meth trafficking and illegal firearm possession after an ATF task force including Warwick Police detectives and Pawtucket Police caught him and another Pawtucket meth dealer, seizing 173 grams of meth, last week.
Both Jon Cascella, 48, of Warwick, and Christopher Bergeron, 45, of Pawtucket, have been ordered detained in federal custody in on-going investigations into the trafficking of methamphetamine, announced Acting United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch Monday.
Cascella was arrested by members of an ATF task force on May 4, 2017, moments after he allegedly took possession of a firearm and cash during an exchange with an undercover law enforcement officer for 7.4 grams of methamphetamine.
The U.S. Department of Justice alleges in court documents that on five occasions between March 29 and May 4, 2017, Cascella sold between 1.5 grams and 7.7 grams of methamphetamine to an undercover Warwick police officer for between $100 and $750.
Shortly after the first transaction, Cascella repeatedly asked to purchase a firearm for protection. The undercover Warwick officer agreed to sell a gun to Cascella. On May 4, Cascella met with a second undercover officer who allegedly exchanged a .380 caliber semi-automatic handgun and $600 in cash for 7.4 grams of methamphetamine.
Cascella was arrested moments after he allegedly took possession of the firearm. He later told investigators that he needed the firearm because methamphetamine had previously been stolen from his residence.
A court authorized search of Cascella’s residence on May 4 resulted in the seizure of approximately 9.6 grams of methamphetamine.
While investigating Cascella, members of the task force learned that Christopher Bergeron, 45, of Pawtucket, previously convicted in federal court of trafficking methamphetamine, was again involved in selling the drug, according to the US Attorney’s office.
On May 4, Bergeron’s vehicle was surrounded by Warwick police in the parking lot of a restaurant in Warwick, and approximately 15 grams of methamphetamine was located inside the vehicle.
Pawtucket police executed a court authorized search of Bergeron’s home and seized 121 grams of methamphetamine and 5.4 grams of cocaine.
On May 5, Bergeron appeared in U.S. District Court as a federal probation violator and was ordered detained in federal custody. Bergeron had been sentenced in September 2016 to 3 years federal probation, after being convicted in U.S. District Court of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Bergeron was charged by the Warwick Police Department with manufacture/possession/deliver of a schedule I/II controlled substance; by the Pawtucket Police Department with manufacture/possession/deliver of methamphetamine, possession with the intent to deliver methamphetamine, possession with the intent to deliver cocaine, and maintaining a common nuisance/controlled substance.
Cascella was charged with multiple counts of trafficking methamphetamine, being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Milind M. Shah.
 The DEA is currently assisting the ATF task force, and the Warwick and Pawtucket Police Departments in the investigation of these cases.
Author: Rob Borkowski
Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at [email protected] with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.
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