Convicted killer arrested on drug, gun charges

WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI) — A man who spent 27 years behind bars for a murder in Providence could be headed back to prison after he was arrested by Rhode Island State Police.

Jay Scholl, 54, of West Warwick, was arraigned at Kent County District Court Friday on various drug and gun charges.

While executing a search warrant at Scholl’s Epworth Avenue home Friday morning, state police said they discovered 64 grams of cocaine, 28 grams of fentanyl, assorted prescription drugs, drug-packaging materials, a .40-caliber handgun, ammunition, and $11,368 in cash.

The gun was later found to be reported stolen, police said.

Scholl was arrested and charged with seven counts of manufacture/delivery/possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a schedule II substance, two counts of manufacture/delivery/possession with intent to manufacture or deliver one ounce to one kilogram of a schedule I-II substance, and one count each of manufacture/delivery/possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a schedule IV substance, possession of a stolen firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm while committing a controlled substance violation.

In addition, Scholl was charged with violating the terms of his probation. For a July 1990 murder, he was sentenced to 50 years with 30 to serve and the rest suspended with probation. According to state police, he was released on Sept. 29, 2017, after having served approximately 27 years in prison.