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Seven Arrested at Narragansett Smoke Shop as
For Immediate Release: July 15, 2003 Contact: Major John J. Leyden, Jr. Field Operations Officer RISP Headquarters (401) 444-1002
In June 2003, information was received that the Narragansett Indian Tribe was planning to open a smoke shop on reservation land on South County Trail in Charlestown. The Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office advised that members of the Narragansett Indian Tribe are not exempt from Rhode Island law, whether they are operating on Sovereign land or not. The Rhode Island Division of Taxation also advised that permits to make retail sales and a cigarette dealer’s license were required. Additionally, in order to obtain necessary stamps, importation of cigarettes into the State of Rhode Island must be reported within 24 hours. Information was also received that the Seneca Indian Tribe in New York would supply the initial start up costs as well as the cigarettes. Vehicles with New York registrations were seen delivering boxes to a trailer on South Country Trail in Charlestown. The sign on the roof of the trailer advertised “Narragansett Smoke Shop.” Tribal leaders were advised through negotiations with the Governor’s Office and the Attorney General’s Department that a smoke shop cannot open without proper permits and that non-taxable cigarettes cannot be sold. On Saturday, July 12th, Charlestown Police advised the Hope Valley Barracks that they believed that the smoke shop had opened, and several cars were observed in the parking lot and along the roadway. A trooper responded to the Smoke Shop and asked Chief Matthew Thomas to show him a copy of the sales permit. Chief Thomas stated that permits were not needed and requested that the trooper leave the property. An undercover detective and representative of the R.I. Division of Taxation later responded to the Smoke Shop and were able to purchase cigarettes. No sales permit was posted inside the facility, and taxes were not recorded, which are violations of Rhode Island General Laws. Based on this information, Rhode Island State Police Detectives submitted an affidavit to request a search warrant for the facility. The search warrant was signed on Saturday, July 12th at 9:45 p.m. by District Court Associate Judge Richard A. Gonnella. Copies of the affidavit and search warrant are attached. On Monday, July 14th, members of the Rhode Island State Police executed the court-authorized search warrant at the Narragansett Smoke Shop. Troopers were met with strong resistance from armed Narragansett Tribal Police Officers. Those Tribal Officers made no effort to comply with our orders to execute the search warrant; in fact, they assumed a hostile and uncooperative posture, leading to the unnecessary alternation. Members of the Tribe blocked the facility and ignored the troopers’ requests to stand aside so they could protect State Police Detectives, who were in the process of executing the search warrant inside the shop. As a result, seven members of the tribe were arrested for assault, assault on a police officer, obstruction of justice, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest. The following arrests were made: Randy Noka, age 45, of 366 Church Street, Richmond for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. Subject was arraigned at the Hope Valley Barracks and released on $1,000 personal recognizance. Bella Noka, age 38, of 366 Church Street, Richmond for simple assault, disorderly conduct, and obstruction of justice. Subject was arraigned at the Hope Valley Barracks and misdemeanor released, due to a medical condition. Thawn Harris, age 24, of 21 Indian Cedar Drive, Charlestown for assault on a police officer and resisting arrest. Subject was arraigned at the Hope Valley Barracks and released on $1,000 personal recognizance. John Brown, age 44, of P.O. Box 607, Wyoming for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. Subject was arraigned at the Hope Valley barracks and released on $1,000 personal recognizance. Hiawatha Brown, age 50, of a last known address of 1030 Oaklawn Avenue, Cranston for simple assault, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest. Subject was arraigned at the Hope Valley Barracks and released on $1,000 surety bail. Matthew Thomas, age 42, of P.O. Box 1640, Charlestown for disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and assault on a police officer. Subject was arraigned at the Hope Valley Barracks and released on $1,000 surety bail. Additionally, a juvenile was arrested for disorderly conduct and was petitioned to Family Court. The investigation is continuing. |