Convicted drug dealer pleads guilty to new charges

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A Rhode Island man who previously spent time in federal prison on drug charges has pleaded guilty to dealing methamphetamine, fentanyl, and heroin while still on probation, federal prosecutors said Tuesday.

Luis Alberto Gonzalez-Ruiz, 35, of Providence, pleaded guilty last week to distribution of 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession of 100 grams or more of heroin with intent to distribute, and possession of 40 grams or more of fentanyl with intent to distribute, according to the U.S. attorney for Rhode Island.

Sentencing was scheduled for April 2.

Gonzalez-Ruiz was sentenced to five years in prison in 2011 for trafficking heroin, prosecutors said.

While still on federal supervised release, he was arrested again in November 2017 after federal agents and state police placed him under surveillance and observed him delivering more than three kilograms of meth to another person.

In addition, police seized drugs and drug packaging materials as well as a gun from his home.