Arizona Man Detained on Methamphetamine Trafficking Charges

PROVIDENCE, RI – An Arizona man has been ordered detained in federal custody in Rhode Island after more than four kilograms of methamphetamine were seized in an investigation into the trafficking of methamphetamine into Rhode Island from western states, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.

According to charging documents unsealed in U.S. District Court in Providence, it is alleged that Carl Sharp, 49, of Peoria, AZ, participated in a conspiracy to ship controlled substances through the U.S. Mail from Arizona, California, and Nevada to numerous addresses in the Providence Metro Area, and to ship money from Rhode Island out West.

It is alleged that United States Postal Inspectors (USPS) identified at least 16 Priority Mail parcels that were shipped to Rhode Island from the Western United States, and six related parcels that were sent from Rhode Island to Western states. Investigators seized and searched four of these packages pursuant to federal search warrants and seized 4.44 kilograms of methamphetamine, 249 grams of cocaine, and $3,000 in cash.

According to court documents, a financial investigation of Sharp, conducted with the assistance of the FBI, determined that, between January 2022 and May 2024, Sharp deposited over $320,000 in cash into his personal bank account.  Most of these cash deposits were made at ATMs in Arizona and Rhode Island, with some of the money deposited at ATMs in California, Nevada, and Massachusetts. It is alleged that during this time, Sharp withdrew over $225,000 in cash at casinos. According to investigators, casinos are often used to launder money by converting illicit funds into chips and then cashing out those chips after gambling. 

Sharp was ordered detained following his initial appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge on Monday on a criminal complaint charging him with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine. He was arrested by Providence Police in the early morning hours of July 6, 2024.

A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sandra R. Hebert.

A federal indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sandra R. Hebert.

The matter was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, with the assistance of the Providence Police Department.

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