Cranston Gang Member Awaiting Murder Trial Sentenced on Gun, Drug Charges

One of a group of gang members who gunned down a 22-year-old Providence man in Oct. 2014 will serve four years in federal prison on gun and drug trafficking charges after being sentenced Thursday in U.S. District Court.

Antonio Fortes, 25, of Cranston, is still facing murder, assault and other weapons charges in connection with the killing of Terry Robinson outside the Chad Brown housing complex.

Fortes pleaded guilty in September of this year to one count each of possession with intent to deliver heroin, possession with the intent to distribute crack cocaine and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

U.S. Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Daniel J. Kumor, special agent in charge of the Boston Field Division of ATF said in a statement that Fortes was investigated by ATF agents who conducted controlled buys of crack.

A search of his apartment in March resulted in the seizure of ”numerous packets of heroin, crack cocaine and a loaded .45 caliber handgun,” according to a news release.

At sentencing, U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith also ordered Fortes to serve three years supervised release upon completion of his prison term, the first six months to be served in home confinement.

Another Cranston man, Tevin Briggs, 21, pleaded guilty in April to murder, assault and firearm charges in connection with Robinson’s slaying.

According to court documents, Briggs and two other associates were driving around Providence on Oct. 22, 2014 looking for members of the Chad Brown street gang as part during a round of tit-for-tat violence.

Fortes called and alerted Briggs that he had spotted members of the Chad Brown gang inside a black Camry located at a convenience store near the Chad Brown housing projects.

Finding the black Camry in a parking lot on Fillmore Street, defendants Moten and Briggs, both armed with guns, walked towards the motor vehicle and fired at the passengers as they fled from the scene on foot.

A bullet struck Delacy Andrade in the buttock and a bullet struck Terry Robinson in the head causing his death. The third individual was not struck.

Police from Cranston, Pawtucket and Providence assisted ATF agents during the investigations.