A Rhode Island rapper whose songs include “Sell Drugsz” and “Feds Watching” was sentenced this week to three years in federal prison for trafficking heroin and fentanyl.
Michael Persaud, aka “Montana Millz,” 30, of Johnston, pleaded guilty in October to five counts of distribution of fentanyl and one count each of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl and distribution of heroin.
Prosecutors said he was arrested following a 4-1/2 month investigation during which an undercover East Providence police detective arranged for several purchases of heroin and fentanyl from Persaud, totaling nearly 22 grams of fentanyl and 2 grams of heroin.
In several instances, prosecutors said Persaud used other people to assist in the delivery of the drugs. On at least two occasions, he was driven by his girlfriend and mother of three of his children to deliver fentanyl to the undercover detective.
Police had been watching Persaud for several months before arresting him early this year. They had not known of his stage name or drug-referencing songs prior to the case, said Jim Martin, a spokesman for federal prosecutors in Providence.
In a court filing seeking a lenient sentence, Persaud’s lawyers cited his music career as evidence of his work ethic, without referencing “Sell Drugsz” or “Feds Watching.”
“Persaud has shown an ability and a proclivity to work at legitimate jobs throughout his life and knows the value of hard work and self-sufficiency,” his attorneys wrote.
