RI Man Sentenced For Attacking Mail Carrier, Trafficking Cocaine

PROVIDENCE, RI — A Providence man was sentenced Monday to three years and four months in federal prison after admitted he assaulted and robbed a U.S. Postal Service carrier and trafficked more than 500 grams of cocaine.

Juan Bautista Rosario-Sandoval, 31, was sentenced after he pleaded guilty in December 2023 to conspiracy to assault and rob a U.S. mail carrier and conspiracy to possess more than 500 grams of cocaine.

Rosario-Sandoval admitted that, on Sept. 18, 2021, he and another person tried to steal a package from a U.S. mail carrier. Prosecutors said the package was priority mail being sent to a Providence address.

When the mail carrier refused to hand over the package, Rosario-Sandoval and another person opened the doors of the mail truck, began to pull at and punch the carrier, and then stole and ran away with the package, prosecutors said. Prosecutors said the mail carrier suffered several injuries.

Rosario-Sandoval also admitted to receiving several packages of cocaine delivered through the U.S. Mail to addresses in Providence. Prosecutors said there was more than 500 grams of cocaine.

Prosecutors said Rosario-Sandoval is a citizen of the Dominican Republic and will face immigration proceedings following his prison sentence.

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