Warren Teen Sold THC Vapes To Mt. Hope High School Students, Caught With 'Ghost Gun': AG

WARREN, RI — A Warren man was charged last month after he sold marijuana and THC vape cartridges to Mt. Hope High School students in 2022, Attorney General Peter Neronha said Wednesday.

On April 20, the attorney general's office charged Dakota Rioux, 19, with possession of marijuana (1 kilogram to 5 kilograms), possession with intent to deliver marijuana, possession with intent to deliver THC, possession of a ghost gun while possessing with intent to deliver marijuana and THC, possession of a ghost gun, carrying a pistol without a license, and keeping or maintaining a common nuisance.

In January 2022, Bristol police received complaints concerning the sale of marijuana and THC vape cartridges at Mt. Hope High School. Prosecutors said investigators identified Rioux as a suspect and began surveillance on his home. According to prosecutors, police saw behavior indicating Rioux was selling drugs.

On April 19, 2022, officers from the Bristol and Warren police departments searched Rioux's home and seized a 9-mm "ghost gun," about $51,000 in cash, several kilograms of marijuana, 340 THC vape cartridges, and drug paraphernalia, prosecutors said. Rioux was taken into custody that day and has been held without bail ever since.

Rioux is scheduled for a pre-arraignment conference on June 19 in Providence Superior Court.