Central Falls Man Admits To Trafficking Crack: Feds

PROVIDENCE, RI —A Central Falls man with an extensive criminal record pleaded guilty on Wednesday in federal court to trafficking crack cocaine, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Rhode Island announced.

David Leite, 43, pleaded guilty to possession with extent to distribute more than 28 grams of a mixture containing cocaine base (crack cocaine). Leite initially was arrested and charged in Sept. 2019, and he has been in federal custody since his first appearance in federal court that month, officials said.

In a release, federal officials said Leite previously was convicted for drug trafficking, assault, breaking and entering and domestic assault.

According to federal officials, Leite was arrested by Cranston police in Sept. 2019 following an investigation into the defendant's activities, which included surveillance of Leite and the defendant being observed selling crack cocaine. As a result, court-authorized search warrants of Leite's home and vehicles were issued.

When officials were preparing execute a court-authorized search warrant of Leite's home, they received information the defendant would be transporting a significant quantity of narcotics to Cranston, officials said.

On Sept. 24, 2019, Cranston police pulled over Leite as he was driving away from his home. According to information presented to the court, officers smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle and observed multiple cell phones and a significant amount of loose cash in the center cup holder.

The defendant was asked to step out of the vehicle, at which point a search of the vehicle uncovered a bag containing 38.1 grams of crack cocaine and a bag containing 11.45 grams of cocaine salts, which were hidden behind the faceplate of the vehicle's radio. Officers also seized $13,340 in cash and two cell phones.

On the same day, according to information presented to the court, officers also executed a court-authorized search of Leite's home in which they seized a digital scale and other items used in the packaging and distribution of narcotics and $2,679 in cash.

Leite first was charged in Rhode Island state court on September 25, 2019, and he appeared in federal court five days later, where he was charged in this matter by way of a federal criminal complaint.

Leite is scheduled to be sentenced in U.S. District Court on November 30, 2021.