The Rhode Island State Police tracked a Cadillac Escalade via GPS, conducted thermal imaging of multiple buildings and searched 13 businesses and homes in bringing down what investigators alleged was a large-scale illegal cannabis grow operation in 2024.
Now, one of the men arrested in that sting, Kenneth LaFlamme of North Providence, is challenging more than two dozen search warrants executed in the investigation. He claims they are based on unreliable and, in several instances, absolutely incorrect information provided by Det. Matthew C. Lynch, then assigned to the agency’s Intelligence Unit.
Kevin J. Bristow, LaFlamme’s lawyer, argues in court documents that Lynch’s statements – including saying LaFlamme was in Westerly in August 2024 when he was, in fact, in Florida – demonstrate a “reckless disregard for the truth.”
“When these false and reckless statements are removed from the warrant affidavits, the warrant applications lack the requisite probable cause,” Bristow said in court papers.
LaFlamme is seeking to suppress much of the evidence gathered in the case.
The ...
A man arrested in a 2024 Rhode Island marijuana bust is challenging the search warrants used in the investigation. The defendant's lawyer alleges a state police detective provided false and reckle...