Judge Torres ruled that Sands' prior criminal record classified him as a career offender, which exposed him to a lengthier prison sentence under federal guidelines. Prior convictions In June, Sands pled guilty to conspiracy and distribution of both powder cocaine and crack cocaine. His prior record includes convictions in Connecticut for drug trafficking, armed assault, and burglary. Mott pled guilty in June to conspiracy and five counts of distributing crack cocaine. Sands and Mott are two of 29 defendants charged federally as a result of Operation Stateline, which was initiated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation after Westerly Police asked for help with an escalating crack cocaine problem in their town.
Federal charges are pending against two defendants.
Also participating in Operation Stateline were the Rhode Island State Police , Westerly Police , Hopkinton Police , Stonington Police , the Connecticut Statewide Narcotics Task Force, and detectives assigned to the FBI's Safe Streets Task Force from the Providence , Pawtucket , and Woonsocket Police Departments. Tactical support was provided by the Rhode Island National Guard . Assistant U.S. Attorney Gerard B. Sullivan is prosecuting the federal cases.