Rapper with song ‘Sell Drugsz’ gets prison for selling drugs
EAST PROVIDENCE - A Johnston rapper whose songs include “Sell Drugsz,” “Feds Watching” and “All White,” was sentenced Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Providence to 36 months in federal prison for trafficking heroin and fentanyl in East Providence in 2016.
Michael Persaud, aka “Montana Millz,” 30, also faces sentencing in Lebanon County, PA., having been convicted at trial in August 2017 on 16 of 23 heroin trafficking, conspiracy and other drug trafficking related charges brought as a result of an investigation into his drug trafficking activities in Pennsylvania.
Persaud’s sentence, imposed by U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., was announced by United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch; East Providence Police Chief Christopher Parella; and Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England Field Division.
The U.S. Sentencing Guidelines range of imprisonment in this matter is 78-97 months. The government recommended the court impose a sentence of 78 months in prison.
Persaud pleaded guilty on Oct. 23, 2017, to five counts of distribution of fentanyl, and one count each of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl and distribution of heroin.
According to information presented to the court, during a 4 ½ month period of time beginning in October 2016, an East Providence undercover detective arranged for several purchases of heroin and fentanyl from Persaud. In total, nearly 22 grams of fentanyl and 2 grams of heroin were delivered to the detective.
In several instances, Persaud used other individuals to assist in the delivery of the drugs. In at least two such instances, Persaud was driven by his girlfriend and mother of three of his children to deliver fentanyl to the undercover detective.
On March 30, 2017, members of the East Providence Police Department, with the assistance of the Rhode Island DEA Drug Task Force, executed a court-authorized search of the Providence residence of the mother of one of Michael Persaud’s children. Law enforcement seized 44 grams of fentanyl hidden in the residence by Persaud.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ly T. Chin and Ronald R. Gendron.