Father and Son Charged With Growing Marijuana

Unless otherwise noted, information about the following incidents was supplied by the South Kingstown Police Department. An arrest does not indicate a conviction.

Kevin L. White, 49, and William Andrade, 23, of 248 Holly Road, South Kingstown, were arrested at about 3:02 p.m. on Oct. 20 and charged with two felony counts each of cultivation of marijuana and hashish, and possession of marijuana, second offense.

Police said White is Andrade’s father. White was also charged with assault.

According to police, a no-knock search warrant was obtained for their home, based on an ongoing drug investigation. Officers broke into the home through the front door, yelling out their presence and the search warrant.

Police said the house was dark, but as an officer shined a flashlight into the hallway, White butted his head into the officer’s chest. White was then arrested after a brief struggled.

According to police, when they asked White why he had assaulted an officer, he told them, “I thought you were a bunch of ******* trying to rob me.”

Police said about $2,400 in cash was confiscated off White’s person. South Kingstown police detectives searched the house, and White and Andrade were charged with the felony drug offenses.

According to police, the following items were confiscated:

• 29 mature marijuana plants
• 30 marijuana seedlings
• More than four pounds of marijuana
• An unspecified quantity of hashish
• About $3,000 in cash
• Growing lights and equipment

Based on the felony charges and past offenses, White and Andrade were held without bail and transferred to the ACI. Arraignment was scheduled for today.

According to online records, White and Andrade have previous arrests and pleas to similar offenses.

• In November 2008, White pleaded no contest to two South Kingstown felony counts of possession of marijuana with an intent to deliver, and an additional charge of felony drug possession. He was ordered to serve 3.5 years at the ACI, followed by 16.5 years of probation and a 16.5-year suspended sentence, and to complete 400 hours of community service. Because of his most recent arrest, a violation hearing is scheduled for Oct. 24.
• In April 2009, White pleaded no contest to a South Kingstown police charge of assault. He was ordered to serve 30 days at the ACI, to pay court costs and to have no contact with the victim of his assault. In return for his plea, an additional charge of disorderly conduct was dismissed.
• In January 2011, White pleaded no contest to an East Providence police charge of driving without a license. He was ordered to pay a fine.
• In March 2011, White pleaded no contest to an East Providence police charge of larceny, value less than $1,500. He was ordered to pay restitution and to serve six months probation.

The following charges are recorded for Andrade:

• In September 2010, Andrade pleaded no contest to a South Kingstown police charge of driving with a suspended license. He was ordered to pay a fine.
• In October 2010, Andrade pleaded no contest to a Narragansett police charge of possession of marijuana. He was ordered to complete substance abuse counseling and 100 hours of community service, and to serve a year of probation and a year-long suspended sentence. An additional charge of felony drug possession was dismissed in return for his plea.
• In September 2012, Andrade was charged with driving with a suspended license and possession of marijuana, second offense – a felony. For details of the arrest, click here. Felony screening is scheduled for Oct. 23.

Unless otherwise noted, the information for this article was compiled from South Kingstown police reports, which are available for review by any member of the public at their headquarters. If we’re missing a call or report you’re interested in knowing about, feel free to leave a comment or to send Local Editor Stephen Greenwell a message at Stephen.greenwell@patch.com.

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