District of Rhode Island
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Providence Man Admits to False Use of a Social Security Number to Defraud Rhode Island Food Stamp, Medicaid ProgramsRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A Providence man today admitted to a federal court judge that he fraudulently used another individual’s Social Security number to defraud the Rhode Island Medicaid Managed Care Program of more than $39,000, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Program of more than $7,000, and also used the number to obtain a Rhode Island identification card, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.
Diomedes Ramirez Rodriguez, 48, a Dominican national, pleaded guilty to false representation of a Social Security number, health care fraud, theft of public money, and false representation of citizenship.
According to court documents and information presented to the court, between March 2014 and August 2020, Ramirez Rodriguez used a Social Security number and other documents belonging to another person to fraudulently gain $39,023 in health care benefits from RITE Care, Rhode Island’s Medicaid Managed Care Program.
In a second scheme that ran from March 2017 to August 2020, using the same Social Security number, Ramirez Rodriguez applied for and was approved to receive $7,342 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from the Rhode Island Department of Human Services.
Finally, in March 2018, Ramirez Rodriguez falsely stated that he was a United States citizen when applying for and receiving a Rhode Island identification card from the Rhode Island Department of Motor Vehicles.
Ramirez Rodriguez is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy on February 28, 2022.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul F. Daly, Jr.
The matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations; U.S. Department of Health and Human Service Office of Inspector General, Boston Field Office; U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Service, Boston Field Office; U.S. Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General/Office of Investigations; and U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General.
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North Carolina Man Sentenced for Trafficking a Dozen Loaded Firearms into Rhode IslandRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A North Carolina man who was found in possession of a dozen loaded, high-powered firearms, night-vision goggles, a taser, and other like items during a traffic stop by Rhode Island State Police on Rte. 95 was sentenced today to eight years in federal prison, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.
Anthony Mondrez Thompson, 43, pleaded guilty in federal court on November 6, 2020, to the charge of being a felon in possession of firearms.
According to court documents, during the stop, following a confrontation with a State Police trooper, Thompson attempted to flee on foot on Rte. 95 and was tasered. A search of his vehicle resulted in the seizure of a loaded Glock .40 caliber pistol from under the driver’s seat and a flashlight attachment and laser sight attachment for the Glock .40; eleven loaded firearms and ammunition clips were located in the rear of the vehicle; and a backpack located on the backseat containing camouflage-patterned clothing, a taser, a can of pepper spray, night vision goggles, a machete, handcuffs, and handgun holsters was also recovered.
“Day in and day out, law enforcement and federal prosecutors work closely to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals and off the streets of our neighborhoods,” noted Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus. “This defendant traveled from North Carolina with an arsenal of loaded firearms, ammunition, and other weapons. Their seizure, and today’s federal sentence, are an unequivocal win for our communities and for the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods Program.”
“As always I am grateful for the vigilance and dedication of our Troopers, but am especially proud today as our Troopers were responsible for apprehending this dangerous individual and seizing a cache of weapons,” said James M. Manni, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and Director of the Department of Public Safety. “I want to commend the rest of our law enforcement team for ensuring that this case was brought to a successful conclusion.”
An analysis of the firearms by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) determined that at least three of the firearms seized from Thompson had been reported stolen.
“Felons who possess firearms endanger our communities” said James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge ATF Boston Field Division “ATF will continue to partner with federal, state, and local agencies to keep firearms out of the wrong hands. As a convicted felon, this sentence ensures that our communities will be safer and sends a message that there are real and severe consequences for firearm offenses.”
Appearing today before U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., Thompson was sentenced to 96 months of incarceration to be followed by two years of federal supervised release.
This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
The case was prosecuted in federal court by Assistant U.S. Attorney Milind M. Shah.
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Scituate Resident Admits to Possessing, Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A Scituate man who admitted to sharing sexually explicit images of prepubescent girls with individuals he believed to be the parents of a 13-year-old girl pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of possession of child pornography and distribution of child pornography, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.
David C. Duquette, 54, admitted to the court that in February 2019, during a series of online communications, he sent a person he believed to be the father of the girl at least two images of child pornography. The person Duquette was communicating with was, in fact, an undercover Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agent.
According to court documents, the agent, who posed as both the mother and the father of the 13-year-old girl, engaged in a series of online exchanges with Duquette. In those exchanges, Duquette admitted to them that he had, in the past, communicated online with young teenage girls and that some of them shared sexually explicit images with him. When the agent, posing as the father of the 13-year-old girl suggested he too shared an interest in viewing child pornography, Duquette sent him two sexually explicit images depicting prepubescent girls.
At the time of his arrest on April 17, 2019, HSI agents discovered approximately 1,400 images of child pornography on a cellphone belonging to Duquette.
Appearing on Monday before U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Duquette pleaded guilty to charges of possession of child pornography and distribution of child pornography. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 22, 2022.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Terrence P. Donnelly.
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Superseding Indictments Charge Three Bank Employees and Eight Others in Alleged Counterfeit Checks and Bank Fraud SchemesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Acting United State Attorney Richard B. Myrus announced today that a pair of superseding indictments unsealed in federal court in Providence charge eleven individuals, including three bank employees, with participating in schemes to defraud local banks by creating and depositing checks, then withdrawing bank funds prior to financial institutions discovering the fraudulent activity. The counterfeit checks contained personal account information belonging to, among others, individuals, small businesses, an insurance company, and an attorney’s office.
According to the indictments, four defendants allegedly participated in one scheme that defrauded banks for approximately one year beginning in April 2020. Seven individuals allegedly participated in an unrelated scheme that defrauded banks for approximately 14 months beginning in January 2020.
In one of the schemes, an indictment unsealed on Thursday alleges that Terrance Richardson, 30, of Providence, obtained and stole checks and bank account information belonging to businesses and individuals, and used the information to create counterfeit checks. The indictment alleges that Richardson gained the assistance of Machaela Farias, 26, of Providence, an employee at Santander Bank, to facilitate the deposit of the counterfeit checks.
It is further alleged that as part of the scheme, Richardson and others obtained debit card information of individuals who agreed to be compensated for allowing counterfeit checks to be deposited into their bank accounts. Once the checks were deposited, Richardson, Farias, Johanna Arias, 33, of Providence, Jordan Robertson, 24, of Providence, and others, quickly withdrew the funds from the accounts. The indictment alleges that members of the conspiracy deposited at least $165,154 in counterfeit checks and withdrew at least $89,453 in cash.
The indictment charges Richardson, Farias, Arias, and Robertson with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and 14 counts of bank fraud. Additionally, Richardson is charged with aggravated identity theft.
In an unrelated matter, an indictment unsealed on November 15, 2021, alleges that Richard Koboi, 26, of Providence, Maximillan Mwah, 38, and Godgift Rosler, 33, of Pawtucket, obtained and stole checks and bank account information belonging to small businesses and individuals. It is alleged that some of the account information and checks were accessed and provided by Savonnah Briggs, 26, and Isha-Lee Savage, 23, of Providence, while working at Citizens Bank and Santander Bank respectively. The information was allegedly used to create counterfeit checks that Koboi, Mwah, and others deposited into the bank accounts of individuals that were paid in exchange for their agreement to allow their bank accounts to be used. Nearly$70,000 in counterfeit checks was deposited into the accounts. The indictment alleges that Koboi, Mwah, Junior Richards, 24, of Pawtucket, Darren Maenza, 27, of Pawtucket, and others made rapid withdrawals, cash transfers, and debit card purchases from the accounts.
The indictment charges each defendant with conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Additionally, the indictment charges Richards, Maenza, and Rosler with 12 counts of bank fraud and Richard Koboi with 12 counts of bank fraud and one count each of aggravated identity theft and felon in possession of a firearm.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ly T. Chin.
The matter was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Acting United States Attorney Myrus thanks the FBI for its assisting in the arrest of several of the defendants.
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Providence Man Sentenced to Ten Years in Prison for Trafficking CocaineRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A Providence man who previously served nearly twenty years in federal prison for trafficking cocaine has been sentenced to ten years in prison for possessing 500 grams or more of cocaine with the intent to distribute, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.
According to court documents, while on federal supervised release less than four years after being released from federal prison, Jesus Martinez, 49, was found in December 2020 by U.S. Postal Inspection Service Inspectors to be in possession of more than three kilograms of cocaine.
Beginning in the fall of 2020, Postal Inspectors tracked several parcels that exhibited strong evidence that they contained narcotics that were mailed to Martinez. As part of the investigation, on December 9, 2020, Postal Inspectors executed court-authorized searches of Martinez’s Providence residence and a vehicle he was known to drive frequently. From inside Martinez’s apartment Postal Inspectors seized nearly 202 grams of cocaine and $52,880 in cash. From inside the vehicle, law enforcement seized nearly 3,000 grams of cocaine.
Martinez admitted to investigators that about six months prior to his arrest, he had begun having parcels of cocaine shipped from Puerto Rico to various locations in Providence. Martinez claimed to have paid $37,000 per kilo of cocaine, selling them to customers for $42,000.
Martinez pleaded guilty on September 8, 2021, to possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. He was sentenced on Friday by U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith to 120 months in federal prison to be followed by eight years of federal supervised release.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Zechariah Chafee.
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Registered Sex Offender Sentenced to 235 Months in Federal Prison on Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A Woonsocket man previously convicted in Rhode Island state court on child molestation and child pornography charges, and later found to be in possession of images and videos of child pornography while serving a term of state probation, was sentenced today to more than nineteen years in federal prison on charges of access with intent to view child pornography and possession of child pornography, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.
In November 2015, less than two years after being sentenced in state court to a five-year suspended sentence for possessing child pornography, Jason D. Boudreau, 47, was found by law enforcement to be in possession of cell phone on which he had accessed and viewed over 600 images and videos of child pornography. That phone was seized by law enforcement and a month later, he was again found to be in possession of another cell phone with more than 100 images of child pornography.
According to court documents, on November 20, 2015, following a tip that a child pornography video was uploaded to the internet from his home, members of the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations agents, and Woonsocket Police Detectives executed a court-authorized search of Boudreau’s residence. Several digital media storage devices and a cellular telephone were seized. A forensic examination of the devices revealed that during an approximately two-month period, Boudreau had accessed and viewed 677 images of child pornography on his cell phone. The images depict adult males using infants, toddlers, and other prepubescent girls for sexual acts, and included images of sex acts of children involving bondage. A month later, after a criminal complaint and warrant issued for his arrest, law enforcement located Boudreau in Branford, CT. At the time of his arrest, he was found to be in possession of another cell phone containing more than 100 images of child pornography.
Boudreau was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., to 235 months of incarceration in federal prison to be followed by lifetime federal supervised release. Additionally, the court ordered that Boudreau is subject to searches by U.S. Probation and/or members of law enforcement of his residence, automobile, workplace, computer, and other electronic communication or data storage devices or media with or without reasonable suspicion of a violation of the terms of his supervised release.
According to court records, Boudreau was convicted on a charge of simple assault in Rhode Island State court in December 2009, and that case involved his assault on an eleven-year-old child. Boudreau was next convicted in Rhode Island state court in March 2012 on a charge of 2nd degree child molestation. He was sentenced to eight years in prison, two years to serve, 6 years suspended. In January 2014, Boudreau was convicted in Rhode Island state court for possession of child pornography and sentenced to a five-year suspended sentence with probation and ordered to register as a sex offender. Additionally, in November 2013, Boudreau was arrested on a charge of felony risk of injury to a child filed in Connecticut Superior Court in Danielson, CT based on conduct involving a 14-year-old girl.
The case in federal court in Providence was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise M. Barton.
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Justice Department Announces $139 Million for Law Enforcement to Advance Community PolicingRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The Department of Justice today announced more than $139 million in grant funding through the Department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) COPS Hiring Program (CHP). The awards provide direct funding to 183 law enforcement agencies across the nation, allowing those agencies to hire 1,066 additional full-time law enforcement professionals. Five communities in Rhode Island were awarded funding totaling $750,000.
“We are committed to providing police departments with the resources needed to help ensure community safety and build community trust,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The grants we are announcing today will enable law enforcement agencies across the country to hire more than 1,000 additional officers to support vitally important community oriented policing programs.”
“Our local law enforcement partners play an integral role in the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction strategy,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Richard Myrus. “The COPS hiring program and today’s grants reflect our commitment to local law enforcement, community-based policing, and to the broader goal of keeping the people of Rhode Island safe by reducing violent crime.”
The following Rhode Island communities received awards:
- North Providence - $125,000
- Richmond - $125,000
- Scituate - $125,000
- Smithfield - $125,000
- Tiverton - $250,000
CHP is a competitive award program intended to reduce crime and advance public safety through community policing. CHP provides funds directly to law enforcement agencies to hire new or rehire additional career law enforcement officers, thereby increasing their community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts. Of the 183 agencies awarded grants today, approximately half will use the funding to focus on building legitimacy and trust between law enforcement and communities; 41 agencies will seek to address high rates of gun violence; 21 will focus on other areas of violence; and 19 will focus CHP resources on combating hate and domestic extremism or supporting police-based response to persons in crisis. The complete list of awards can be found here.
Since its creation in 1994, COPS has invested more than $14 billion to advance community policing, including grants awarded to more than 13,000 state, local and Tribal law enforcement agencies to fund the hiring and redeployment of more than 135,000 officers. CHP, COPS’ flagship program, continues to be in demand today: In FY21, COPS received 590 applications requesting nearly 3,000 law enforcement positions. For FY22, President Biden has requested $537.0 million for CHP, an increase of $300 million.
To learn more about CHP, please visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/chp-award. For additional information about the COPS Office, please visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/.
The COPS Office is the federal component of the Department of Justice responsible for advancing community policing nationwide. The only Department of Justice agency with policing in its name, the COPS Office was established in 1994 and has been the cornerstone of the nation’s crime fighting strategy with grants, a variety of knowledge resource products, and training and technical assistance. Through the years, the COPS Office has become the go-to organization for law enforcement agencies across the country and continues to listen to the field and provide the resources that are needed to reduce crime and build trust between law enforcement and the communities served.
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Two Sentenced in Lottery Scams that Defrauded SeniorsRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Two Jamaican citizens who participated in lottery scams that defrauded U.S citizens, primarily senior citizens in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and several other states, of more than a half-million dollars, have been sentenced to federal prison, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.
Unsuspecting victims were contacted by scammers and told they had won large sums of money in a lottery but were required to pre-pay taxes or fees in order to collect their winnings. In some instances, tens, and even hundreds of thousands of dollars were paid by unsuspecting victims into bank accounts controlled by Jason Wedderburn, 41, and Kayan Kitson, 38.
Wedderburn was sentenced today by U.S District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy to a term of incarceration of 36 months to be followed by 3 years of federal supervised release. Kayan was sentenced on October 12, 2021, to 30 months of incarceration to be followed by 3 years of federal supervised release.
According to information presented to the court, an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service determined that beginning in May 2018, Wedderburn and Kitson conspired together and with others in Jamaica and in the United States to defraud U.S. citizens through a lottery scam. As part of the conspiracy, Wedderburn opened and controlled at least four bank accounts through which victim funds passed. Kitson opened at least one bank account for the same purpose. Once ill-gotten funds were deposited, members of the conspiracy in the United States and in Jamaica withdrew cash or transferred proceeds to other accounts controlled by members of the conspiracy.
No lottery winnings were ever paid to any of the individuals contacted by the scammers. According to court documents, some victims were bilked out of tens of thousands of dollars. One Massachusetts victim was defrauded of more than $325,000. In total, victims were defrauded of more than $700,000. Wedderburn and Kayan, detained since their arrest in Florida in August 2020, pleaded guilty in July in U.S. District Court in Providence to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud.
The cases were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sandra R. Hebert with the assistance of Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine D. Lowell.
Acting United States Attorney Myrus thanks the FBI for its assistance with this case.
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Sex Offender Sentenced to Ten Years in Prison for Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A registered sex offender who was the subject of three separate law enforcement investigations for possessing and distributing child pornography was sentenced today to ten years in federal prison, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.
Thomas Andreozzi, 60, of North Providence, convicted in Rhode Island state court in November 2014 for possessing child pornography, and ordered to register as a sex offender, was found by Homeland Security Investigations in May 2020 to be using an IP address and at least five different accounts on a social media platform to upload child pornography. Andreozzi communicated to another person via the app that “I have lots of young stuff.” “I have little girls,” and “I have lots.”
Separately, in June 2020, the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Massachusetts ICAC that an individual in Rhode Island uploaded 14 files of child pornography. Further investigation determined that the IP address used belonged to Thomas Andreozzi.
Additionally, in July 2020, the FBI and the Winnebago County, Wisconsin, Sherriff’s Department investigated the sharing of child pornography via a social media platform by a user who claimed to be a 30-year-old in California and who was actively molesting a young female. The FBI traced the IP address that was used to share the child pornography to Andreozzi’s North Providence apartment.
At the time of Andreozzi’s arrest in July 2020, a cell phone in his hand was found to be opened to an electronic media storage service. A Rhode Island ICAC analyst observed numerous files containing child pornography stored in Andreozzi’s storage account. Also located on the phone was the social media application and user account brought to the attention of the FBI and the Winnebago County Sherriff’s office.
At sentencing today, Andreozzi, who pleaded guilty in August to possession of child pornography, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy to 120 months in federal prison to be followed by five years of federal supervised release.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John P. McAdams.
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Georgia Man Sentenced for Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – An Atlanta, GA, man who admitted to exchanging child pornography with individuals across the country, including sending images of child pornography to an undercover member of the Rhode Island States Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, was sentenced today to nine years in federal prison, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.
According to court documents and information presented to the Court, in January 2019, during a series of online chatroom conversations with a Rhode Island State Police detective who was working in an undercover capacity, Joseph Grossman, 43, sent approximately 40 images of child pornography. Investigators determined that the IP address used to send the images was associated with Grossman.
On February 27, 2019, the Rhode Island State Police detective and a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Providence agent, assisted by HSI agents in Atlanta, executed a court-authorized search of Grossman’s Atlanta residence, seized several electronic devices, and arrested Grossman. Investigators identified numerous people across the country with whom Grossman communicated and exchanged child pornography.
Grossman pleaded guilty in July 2019 to distribution of child pornography. He was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., to 108 months of incarceration to be followed by 10 years of federal supervised release.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sandra R. Hebert.
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Pascoag Man Admits to Possessing and Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A Pascoag man arrested twice on child pornography charges faces between five and twenty years in federal prison when he is sentenced in February 2022, having pleaded guilty today to charges of distribution and possession of child pornography, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.
According to court documents and information presented to the court, in November 2018, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents developed information that an IP address in Rhode Island was being used to post child pornography on an Internet messaging and networking application. On November 20, 2018, HSI agents discovered at least 19 videos depicting child pornography posted by the same user at the Pascoag residence, later identified as Jacob S. Munroe, 23.
On June 5, 2019, while executing a court-authorized search of Munroe’s residence, images and videos depicting child pornography were observed on Munroe’s cell phone. Munroe was arrested and released on unsecured bond. In an unrelated investigation, on November 4, 2020, while awaiting trial on charges related to his November 2018 arrest, Munroe was arrested by Rhode Island State Police when it was determined that on August 24, 2020, he downloaded images depicting child pornography.
Appearing today before U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., Munroe pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography and two counts of possession of child pornography. He is scheduled to be sentenced on February 22, 2022.
Distribution of child pornography is punishable by a statutory penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison, with a minimum mandatory term of incarceration of 5 years. Possession of child pornography is punishable by a term of incarceration of up to 20 years.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Terrence P Donnelly.
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Four of Five Individuals Indicted in Large-Scale Drug Trafficking Conspiracy Also Indicted for Allegedly Kidnapping a U.S. Postal Service Letter CarrierRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - A federal indictment unsealed in U.S. District Court today that charges five individuals with allegedly participating in a large-scale drug trafficking conspiracy involving numerous packages containing kilogram quantities of cocaine shipped from Puerto Rico, also charges four of the co-conspirators with allegedly kidnapping a U.S. Postal Service letter carrier at gunpoint as they searched for cocaine they claimed was missing from a delivered package, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.
The indictment charges Edgar Medina, 36, of Johnston, and Alijah Parsons, 29, Irving Medina, 31, Andres Garay, 35, and Ronald Hall, 39, all of Providence with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and aiding and abetting the possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine; Edgar Medina, Alijah Parsons, Irving Medina, and Andres Garay with aiding and abetting kidnapping; and Irving Medina with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
The indictment alleges that in the days prior to the June 1, 2021, abduction of the postal carrier, some members of the drug trafficking conspiracy surveilled U.S. Postal employees in an effort to identify and follow a postal worker they mistakenly believed had delivered a parcel in Pawtucket. Members of the conspiracy then allegedly kidnapped the letter carrier at gunpoint and drove him at gunpoint to his home, interrogating him about missing cocaine. After it became obvious he knew nothing about the missing cocaine, and after the men learned that the letter carrier did not have a key with him to allow them to enter his locked home to search for cocaine, the letter carrier was returned unharmed to an area near where his postal truck was parked.
According to court documents, during the investigation into the abduction, Postal Inspectors learned of several packages that had been previously shipped from fictitious people and addresses in Puerto Rico to actual addresses in Pawtucket, Cranston, Johnston, and Providence. As the investigation continued, agents intercepted three additional packages that a Rhode Island State Police K-9 alerted for the presence of narcotics. Court-authorized searches of the packages resulted in the discovery of a total of more than three kilograms of cocaine.
Postal Inspectors arranged for controlled deliveries of the packages on June 8, 2021, while recipient addresses were under surveillance by U.S. Postal Service Inspectors, members of the Rhode Island State Police High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, and the Rhode Island State Police Violent Fugitive Task Force. As the packages were delivered, Edgar Medina, Andres Garay, and Ronald Hall were arrested. Court-authorized searches of vehicles and residences associated with the defendants resulted in the seizure of, among other things, masks and a winter cap fitting the description of items worn by the individuals involved in the kidnapping, as well as batons, a set of brass knuckles, and a Taser.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christine D. Lowell and Sandra R Hebert.
A federal indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Acting United States Attorney Myrus and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service thank Pawtucket Police for their assistance in the investigation of these matters.
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Rhode Island Priest Appears in Federal Court on Charges of Distributing, Receiving Child PornographyRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Father James W. Jackson, 66, arrested on October 30, 2021, by the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force on state child pornography charges, made an initial appearance in U.S. District Court today on a federal criminal complaint charging him with distributing child pornography, and possessing and accessing with intent to view child pornography.
According to court documents, on September 4, 2021, an East Providence Detective assigned to the ICAC Task Force identified an IP address allegedly being utilized to share files of child sexual abuse material on a peer-to-peer file-sharing network. It was determined that the IP address was assigned to the rectory at St. Mary’s Church in Providence, where Jackson served as a priest. The IP address was allegedly used multiple times between September 26 and October 17, 2021, to view and share videos consistent with child sexual abuse material.
On October 30, 2021, the East Providence Detective and other members of the ICAC Task Force executed a court-authorized search of two rooms inside St. Mary’s rectory used by Jackson. An on-scene forensic preview of a two-terabyte external digital storage device allegedly belonging to Jackson was found to contain videos to include prepubescent females, including infants and toddlers, engaged in various sexual acts.
Jackson, who had been free on bail having been charged by Rhode Island State Police with possession of child pornography, transfer of child pornography, and child erotica prohibited, appeared today before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan on a federal criminal complaint charging him with distributing child pornography and possessing and accessing with intent to view child pornography. He was released on unsecured bond with electronic monitoring, and allowed to travel to Kansas to live with a family member.
Distributing child pornography is punishable by a statutory penalty of up to twenty years in federal prison, with a minimum mandatory term of incarceration of five years. Possessing and accessing with intent to view child pornography is punishable by up to twenty years of incarceration.
A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Anyone who would like to provide additional information should contact Homeland Security Investigations at (401) 734-8114.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. McAdams.
The Rhode Island ICAC Task Force is comprised of members of the Rhode Island State Police Computer Crimes Unit and detectives from the Warwick, East Providence, North Kingstown, Portsmouth, Cranston, and Bristol Police Departments, and agents from Homeland Security Investigations and United States Postal Inspection Services.
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Grand Jury Indicts Six in Ongoing Investigations into COVID Unemployment Insurance Fraud SchemesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A federal grand jury has returned four indictments charging six individuals with allegedly executing schemes to defraud unemployment agencies in multiple states by fraudulently applying for and receiving tens of thousands of dollars in regular and expanded pandemic related unemployment insurance benefits, at times using the stolen identities of unsuspecting individuals, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus and Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha.
It is alleged that the defendants filed unemployment insurance claims online, seeking benefits from the Federal Pandemic Assistance Program and the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation Program, both of which are designed to aid persons impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic. The indictments allege that when filing for benefits, the defendants fraudulently claimed to have been previously employed in each state, but were, at the time, unemployed. In some instances, investigations by the FBI and Rhode Island State Police into the alleged unemployed fraud schemes discovered unrelated criminal conduct.
On Wednesday a federal grand jury returned indictments charging:
Francois Parker, 35, of Providence, with two counts of wire fraud, one count of theft of government money, and two counts of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. The indictment alleges that between April 2020 and October 2020, Parker submitted fraudulent claims for unemployment insurance benefits in Rhode Island, California, Arizona, Louisiana, Colorado, Texas, New York, Virginia, Wisconsin, Nevada, and Massachusetts. When filing claims in Rhode Island, Parker allegedly claimed, falsely, that he had been employed in Rhode Island from May 20, 2019 to March 17, 2020, as a babysitter. Six states allegedly paid Parker a total of approximately $77,254. Four states denied Parker’s claims.
During the investigation into Parker’s alleged fraudulent filing for unemployment benefits, law enforcement found Parker, who was previously convicted of a felony crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year, to be in possession of two loaded firearms and more than 200 rounds of live ammunition.
Derrick Gadson, 35, of North Providence, with two counts of wire fraud and one count each of theft of government property and aggravated identity theft. His indictment alleges that beginning in June 2020, Gadson fraudulently submitted online applications for unemployment insurance benefits and other federal pandemic benefits in Arizona, and Massachusetts. It is alleged that Gadson collected a total of approximately $17,325 dollars in benefits that he was not entitled to receive.
Additionally, it was alleged that as part of his scheme to allegedly defraud one or more unemployment insurance programs, Gadson allegedly used the stolen identity of another individual without that person’s permission.
Rashaad Smith Muskelly, 30, of Lincoln, with two counts of wire fraud and one count each of theft of government money and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. The indictment alleges that beginning in April 2020, Muskelly fraudulently submitted online applications for unemployment insurance benefits and other federal Pandemic unemployment insurance benefits in Rhode Island, California, Arizona, New York, Texas, Virginia, Nevada, and Massachusetts. In a filing with the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training (RIDLT), Muskelly fraudulently claimed to have been employed as a “travel barber.” He was paid approximately $14,658 by RIDLT. An FBI and Rhode Island State Police investigation determined that Muskelly allegedly collected a total of $82,991in fraudulent unemployment insurance benefits.
During the investigation into Muskelly’s alleged fraudulent benefit filings, law enforcement found Muskelly, who was previously convicted of a felony crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year, to be in possession of loaded semi-automatic pistol.
Jamel Newman, 23, of Pawtucket, Darren Robinson, 21, of Providence, and Rashaad Hill, 21, of Providence are named in a sixteen-count indictment charging each with conspiracy, wire fraud, theft of government funds, and aggravated identity theft. The indictment alleges that beginning in at least April 2020, the defendants conspired with one another to defraud employment insurance benefits programs, including pandemic unemployment assistance programs in California, Arizona, Nevada, and Massachusetts. The indictment alleges some applications submitted by one or more members of the conspiracy used the names and stolen personal information of others.
During the investigation into Newman’s alleged participation in the conspiracy, it is alleged in the indictment that he was found to be in possession of a loaded semi-automatic pistol. Newman is prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his September 2017 and August 2019 convictions in Rhode Island state court on charges of domestic violence – simple assault and/or battery.
These matters and other cases of alleged criminal activity related to fraudulent applications for unemployment insurance benefits due to the pandemic are being investigated jointly by the FBI and Rhode Island State Police, with the assistance of the U.S. Department of Labor. Cases are jointly reviewed, charged and prosecuted by a team including Assistant U.S. Attorneys Denise M. Barton, Stacey P. Veroni, G. Michael Seaman, and Rhode Island Assistant Attorney General John M. Moreira, chief of the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Public Integrity Unit.
Rhode Islanders who believe their personal identification has been stolen and used to fraudulently obtain unemployment benefits are urged to contact the Rhode Island State Police at [email protected] or the FBI Providence office at (401) 272-8310.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID- 19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
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State Inmate Sentenced to Federal Prison for Arranging Sale of a Firearm and Meth Sales from Behind BarsRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A Rhode Island state prison inmate who arranged by telephone from within the prison to sell a firearm and methamphetamine to an individual outside the prison whose telephone number he was provided by a fellow inmate was sentenced on Monday to 48 months in federal prison on firearm and drug trafficking charges, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.
According to information presented to the court, in October 2020, Tyler Bagley, 29, telephoned his then girlfriend, Bernice Chase, 39, of Providence, and, using coded language, instructed her to call a phone number he provided to her to arrange for the sale of a firearm that he had previously obtained. Chase called the number and arranged to meet the next day with the buyer to provide him with a Glock9mm pistol in exchange for $450. About an hour after the transaction was completed, Bagley telephoned Chase and instructed her to deposit $200 into his prison account and for her to keep the remainder of the proceeds. Unbeknownst to Bagley and Chase, the individual that purchased the firearm was an undercover agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, ad Explosives.
About a month later, Bagley contacted Chase by telephone from inside the prison and, using coded language, told Chase to again contact the person that purchased the firearm and to sell him 28 grams of methamphetamine. A day later, Chase and the ATF undercover agent met, and she provided the agent with 14 grams of meth in exchange for $800. Chase told Bagley that she could not get the full 28 grams, but she was able to get 15 and made 300 dollars profit. Bagley instructed Chase to keep half of the proceeds and to deposit half into his prison account.
Analysis at a DEA laboratory established that the methamphetamine sold to the undercover agent weighed 14.058 grams and was 97% pure.
Tyler Bagley pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court on July 16, 2021, to felon in possession of a firearm and conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. He was sentenced on Monday by U.S. District Court Judge William E. smith to 48 months of incarceration to be followed by 3 years of federal supervised release.
Bernice Chase pleaded guilty on September 28, 2021, to a two-count information charging her with felon in possession of a firearm and conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. She is scheduled to be sentenced on January 7, 2022.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Zechariah Chafee.
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U.S. Attorney’s Office Partners with the Justice Department to Combat RedliningRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island announces today that it is partnering with the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division as it launches the department’s new Combatting Redlining Initiative.
Redlining is an illegal practice in which lenders avoid providing services to individuals living in communities of color because of the race or national origin of the people who live in those communities. The new Initiative represents the department’s most aggressive and coordinated enforcement effort to address redlining, which is prohibited by the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act.
“Lending discrimination runs counter to fundamental promises of our economic system,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “When people are denied credit simply because of their race or national origin, their ability to share in our nation’s prosperity is all but eliminated. Today, we are committing ourselves to addressing modern-day redlining by making far more robust use of our fair lending authorities. We will spare no resource to ensure that federal fair lending laws are vigorously enforced and that financial institutions provide equal opportunity for every American to obtain credit.”
“Our Office is proud to be at the front line of efforts to address the pernicious effects of redlining in our communities,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Myrus. “Addressing the lasting historical effects of this conduct starts with ensuring that no vestige of this conduct remains in current lending practices, and we look forward to working closely with our partners in the Civil Rights Division in this effort.”
Redlining, a practice institutionalized by the federal government during the New Deal era and implemented then and now by private lenders, has had a lasting negative impact. For American families, homeownership remains the principal means of building wealth, and the deprivation of investment in and access to mortgage lending services for communities of color have contributed to families of color persistently lagging behind in homeownership rates and net worth compared to white families. The gap in homeownership rates between white and Black families is larger today than it was in 1960, before the passage of the Fair Housing Act of 1968.
This Initiative, which will be led by the Civil Rights Division’s Housing and Civil Enforcement Section in partnership with U.S. Attorney’s Offices, will build on the longstanding work by the Division that seeks to make mortgage credit and homeownership accessible to all Americans on the same terms, regardless of race or national origin and regardless of the neighborhood where they live. The initiative will:
- Utilize U.S. Attorneys’ Offices as force multipliers to ensure that fair lending enforcement is informed by local expertise on housing markets and the credit needs of local communities of color.
- Expand the department’s analyses of potential redlining to both depository and non-depository institutions. Non-depository lenders are not traditional banks and do not provide typical banking services, but engage in mortgage lending and now make the majority of mortgages in this country.
- Strengthen our partnership with financial regulatory agencies such as to ensure the identification and referrals of fair lending violations to the Department of Justice.
- Increase coordination with State Attorneys General on potential fair lending violations.
Individuals may report lending discrimination by calling the Justice Department’s Housing Discrimination Tip Line at 1-833-591-0291, or submitting a report online.
Additional information about the Rhode Island U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Civil Rights Programs is available at www.justice.gov/usao-ri.
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U.S. Attorney’s Office Emmy Nominated Circles and Silence Debuts in Rhode Island SchoolsRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The United States Attorney’s Office’s Emmy nominated documentary Circles and Silence, a powerful sixteen-minute film narrated by a diverse group of Rhode Island young adults who share their personal journey through drug dependency and recovery, made its Rhode Island school debut in Cumberland last week with presentations to approximately 150 high school students.
The film’s classroom debut, scheduled for early 2021, was delayed due to COVID restrictions.
Circles and Silence documents the distinct paths that led these young people to addiction, in some instances to prison, and their journeys to successfully managing their addiction and recovery to pursue healthy and productive lifestyles. Several of the individuals profiled in the film appeared in-person at Cumberland High School for the film’s debut and participated in open and frank discussions with the students.
“Substance abuse continues to take a tremendous toll on every aspect of our communities, on our friends, and our family members,” commented Acting U.S. Attorney Richard B. Myrus. “I commend these individuals’ courage and willingness to share their struggles with addiction, and their determination to find a path forward, with students across Rhode Island.”
In addition to presenting the film, the United States Attorney’s Office Circles and Silence outreach program provides audiences with critical information about substance abuse disorder and the many prevention, recovery, and social service programs available statewide through an expansive network of providers.
The United States Attorney's Community Outreach Office is available to provide the Circles and Silence program to Rhode Island students grades 7-12, and to community and not-for-profit organizations at no cost. To learn more about the Circles and Silence Program or to schedule a presentation contact United States Attorney’s Office Community Engagement & Crime Prevention Coordinator David Neill at (401) 709-5035 or at [email protected].
The documentary film Circles and Silence was produced collaboratively by the United States Attorney’s Office and three Rhode Island-based production companies, Left of Creative, with offices in South Kingstown and Los Angeles, CA, DK Communications in Providence, and Ocean State Video in Cranston. Video clips of the film may be viewed and/or downloaded at https://www.justice.gov/usao-ri/circles-and-silence.
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Indictment Unsealed Charges Three in Fraud Scheme Targeting Rhode Island SeniorsRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A federal indictment unsealed in U.S. District Court in Providence on Friday charges three individuals with allegedly participating in a so called “Grandparent Scam” to defraud at least eleven elderly Rhode Island residents in nine communities of thousands of dollars, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.
The indictment alleges that members of the conspiracy contacted Rhode Island senior citizens by telephone, posing as their grandchild, a lawyer, or other individual, and falsely claimed the grandchild had been in a car accident, had been arrested, and that cash was needed for bail and legal fees.
The indictment charges Bryan Valdez-Espinosa, 21, of Union City, NJ., with conspiracy to commit wire fraud; and Diego A. Alarcon, 22, of Union City, NJ, and Jason Hatcher, 39, of New York, NY, with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
Valdez-Espinosa, arrested by Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) agents last week and arraigned on Friday, was released on unsecured bond. Federal arrest warrants have been issued for Alarcon and Hatcher. Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Alarcon or Hatcher are asked to contact the United States Marshals Service in Providence at (401) 528-5000.
According to the indictment and information presented to the court, an investigation by HSI determined that between June 9 and June 11, 2021, the three men allegedly participated in a scheme to contact elderly Rhode Islanders and pose as the person’s grandchild, claiming that they had been arrested and needed money for bail. The victims were instructed to gather the necessary funds in cash and provide the cash to a courier who would arrive at their home later that day. Several victims were contacted multiple times, in some instances by an individual claiming to be an attorney, seeking additional funds because, they claimed, the amount of cash bail had increased due to additional and more serious criminal charges being brought against their grandchild. The victims were instructed to provide the additional cash to a courier; to mail the cash to an address in Florida; or to electronically transfer the funds to an account in the Dominican Republic. Some victims were told that a “gag order” was in effect and that they were prohibited from telling anyone about the case or the cash payments.
Eleven of the twelve victims allegedly contacted by members of the conspiracy provided cash payments ranging from $6,000 to $99,225. Relatives of one person targeted by the scammers intervened and chased away a person who attempted to retrieve $9,500 in cash.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William F. Ferland.
Acting United States Attorney Myrus thanks the Barrington, Cranston, Coventry, Cumberland, East Providence, Hopkinton, Johnston, Smithfield, and Warwick Police Departments for their assistance in investigating and assisting residents in their community allegedly victimized by this scam.
A federal indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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Rhode Island Man Convicted for Illegally Obtaining and Selling Sixteen Firearms, Lying to Federal AgentsRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A federal jury in Providence on Wednesday convicted a Warwick man on charges that he acted as an unlicensed federal firearms dealer when he purchased and took possession of sixteen firearms over a period of sixteen months in two states and then sold the firearms to other individuals. The jury also found that he made false statements in order to purchase the firearms, claiming, untruthfully, that he was not an unlawful user of a controlled substance.
The jury convicted Ademola Kayode, Jr., 30, of engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license, possessing a firearm as an unlawful user of controlled substances, making a false statement during the purchase of firearms, and two counts of making false statements to federal agents, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.
According to the government’s evidence presented at trial, an investigation by ATF agents determined that between March 25, 2015, and July 16, 2016, Kayode falsely asserted on ATF background forms required for gun purchases that he was not a user of controlled substances, when in fact he was. In total, Kayode purchased sixteen firearms in sixteen months from federally licensed firearms dealers in Rhode Island and Georgia during this period, in addition to others on the Internet. Kayode came to the attention of ATF agents because of his repeated purchases of firearms in a relatively short period of time, often the same or similar model. An investigation determined that Kayode repeatedly sold firearms without a federal firearms license to do so, and at least five of those firearms ended up in the hands of individuals who were legally prohibited from possessing them.
As part of the investigation, in June 2016, Kayode was surveilled by ATF agents as he left a Rhode Island firearms dealer after taking possession of four firearms he had purchased. Kayode, who rode as a passenger in the back seat of a vehicle, rode past the area of his residence and then into South Providence. He later told investigators that he had taken those firearms, and others he had purchased in Rhode Island, to Georgia. Two of those firearms were later recovered in Providence by Rhode Island State Police and the FBI from people who were legally prohibited from possessing them.
To date, five of the sixteen firearms purchased by Kayode between March 2015 and July 2016 have been recovered by law enforcement. Three of the guns were recovered in Rhode Island, one in Atlanta, and one in Queens, New York. All were in the possession of individuals who are legally prohibited from possessing firearms.
During a recorded interview with ATF agents on July 28, 2016, and introduced as evidence during the trial, Kayode was unable or refused to provide ATF agents with an accounting as to where the guns he had purchased over the past sixteen months could be located. Kayode told agents that he brought the guns to Georgia and that they were in “different places,” and that he had used them in a music video. He told investigators he was planning to bring the guns back to Rhode Island. In the same interview, after first denying he sold any firearms at all, Kayode told investigators he sold firearms to people he met through Armslist, an online firearms marketplace.
According to the government’s evidence, although it appeared that Kayode purchased firearms through Armslist, ATF agents found no evidence that Kayode, who is not a licensed federal firearms dealer, sold any firearms on the website.
According to evidence presented to the jury, two days after being interviewed by ATF agents, Kayode went to the Warwick Police Station and reported that a storage shed in his yard had been broken into and a safe containing the firearms he purchased in Rhode Island and Georgia, along with a leaf blower and grass trimmer, had been stolen. A Warwick Police Officer who responded with other officers to Kayode’s residence testified at trial that they found no evidence of the shed having been broken into or of a safe having been in the shed.
As a result of a review by ATF agents of thousands of Kayode’s text messages, emails, and other communications, and additional evidence gathered during the investigation, it was determined that Kayode regularly resold firearms that he purchased from licensed dealers to others for a higher price than he paid. Some of those guns ended up in the possession of persons who were legally prohibited from possessing firearms. It was also determined that Kayode had numerous communications about purchasing and obtaining marijuana.
Kayode, who had been released on unsecured bond while awaiting trial, was ordered detained following the return of the jury’s verdict. Kayode is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith, who presided over the three-day trial, on February 8, 2022.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Ronald R. Gendron and Lee H. Vilker.
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Providence Man Pleads Guilty to Trafficking Substantial Quantities of Fentanyl and HeroinRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Providence man who attempted to sell two kilograms of fentanyl and nearly 400 grams of heroin while under surveillance by members of the DEA Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force in March 2019 today pleaded guilty in federal court to fentanyl and heroin trafficking charges, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.
Josimar Delacruz-Reyes, 31, appeared before U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., and pleaded guilty to possession with intent to deliver 400 grams or more of fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.
According to information presented to the court, during a DEA investigation into Delacruz-Reyes’ drug trafficking activities, arrangements were made to purchase two kilograms of fentanyl and approximately 400 grams of heroin from Delacruz Reyes for an agreed upon price of $115,000. The buyer arranged to meet with Delacruz-Reyes near the defendant’s Providence residence to carry out the transaction. On March 18, 2019, DEA Task Force members electronically monitored Delacruz-Reyes as he delivered the fentanyl and heroin. The drugs were seized by law enforcement and Delacruz-Reyes was arrested shortly after the delivery when Delacruz-Reyes traveled to a nearby coffee shop where he was expecting to receive a cash payment for the drugs.
A court-authorized search of Delacruz-Reyes’ residence which followed his arrest resulted in the seizure of an additional 151 grams of fentanyl.
Delacruz-Reyes, who has been detained in federal custody since his arrest, is scheduled to be sentenced on January 20, 2022.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul F. Daly, Jr.
The matter was investigated by the Boston-based DEA Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, with substantial assistance from law enforcement agents and officers assigned to the Rhode Island Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force and the Providence Police Department Narcotics and Organized Crime Bureau.
The Rhode Island DEA Drug Task Force is comprised of law enforcement personnel from DEA, United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, AMTRAK Police, Rhode Island Department of Attorney General – Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigations, Rhode Island State Police, and the East Providence, Central Falls, Coventry, Cranston, Newport, North Kingstown, Pawtucket, Providence, South Kingstown, Warwick, West Warwick and Woonsocket Police Departments.
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Rhode Island Man Who Sought $4.7 Million in COVID Relief Loans Sentenced for Defrauding CARES Act Paycheck Protection ProgramRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – For the second time in one week, a defendant has been sentenced in U.S. District Court in Providence, RI, to a significant term of incarceration in federal prison for defrauding or attempting to defraud the Paycheck Protection Program administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.
Today, Michael C. Moller, 42, a Middletown, R.I., man previously convicted and sentenced to 108 months in federal prison for committing four armed bank robberies while on home confinement for an even earlier tax fraud conviction, was sentenced to 82 months and one day in federal prison for fraudulently seeking more than $4.7 million in Paycheck Protection Program loans and violating the terms of his term of federal supervised release.
Today’s sentence follows the October 7, 2021, resolution of criminal charges against David Adler Staveley, a/k/a Kurt David Sanborn, a/k/a David Sanborn, 54, of Andover, MA, the first person in the country charged with defrauding or attempting to defraud the Paycheck Protection Program. Staveley was sentenced to 56 months in federal prison for filing four fraudulent loan applications totaling more than $543,700 for business he did not own.
In this most recent case, an investigation by the FBI and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation determined that, while on federal supervised release, having completed his term of incarceration on the bank robbery convictions, Michael C. Moller, 42, submitted 11 fraudulent loan applications totaling $4,725,742 in his own name, as well as in the names of his father, and in the names of his girlfriend’s son and the brother. Moller received $599,251 from these fraudulent loans, which were designed to assist small businesses that were struggling to survive because of the pandemic.
According to court records, prior to his convictions for robbing four banks and for defrauding the Paycheck Protection Program, Moller was convicted in state courts in Rhode Island and Massachusetts nine times for larceny/obtaining money under false pretenses. Additionally, he was twice convicted in federal courts on tax fraud charges.
According to court documents filed while Moller was awaiting sentencing for defrauding the Paycheck Protection Program, an FBI investigation determined that while detained at the Wyatt Detention Center, he defrauded two fellow inmates by convincing them to give him thousands of dollars in cash as payment for the services of a purported lawyer who would assist them in their criminal and immigration cases. In calls made by Moller from inside the Wyatt Detention Center and reviewed by the FBI, Moller impersonated an attorney named “Sam” and directed individuals associated with the inmates to provide his girlfriend with thousands of dollars in cash. The wife of one inmate delivered $5,000 in cash to Moller’s girlfriend; a friend of another inmate is believed to have delivered approximately $12,000 in cash. One of the victims reported that Moller told him to pack his belongings because the attorney Moller had supposedly hired had arranged for bail to be posted. Bail was never posted.
In recorded conversations between Moller and his girlfriend, and reviewed by the FBI, it was learned that the money was spent on marijuana, gambling, and on Moller’s commissary account at the Wyatt Detention Center.
Appearing today before U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy, Moller was sentenced to a total of 82 months and one day in federal prison to be followed by 3 years of federal supervised release. Moller was ordered to pay restitution to banks totaling $599,251.
The cases were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee H. Vilker.
Acting United States Attorney Myrus thanks the SBA Office of Inspector General and the FDIC Office of Inspector General for their assistance in the investigation that determined that Moller had defrauded the Paycheck Protection Program.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID- 19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
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First Person Charged for Fraudulently Seeking COVID Relief Business Loans SentencedRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE - A Massachusetts man who became the first person in the country charged with fraudulently seeking forgivable pandemic relief small business loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and who faked suicide shortly after his arrest resulting in a nationwide search for him by the U.S. Marshals Service, was sentenced today to 56 months in federal prison, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.
David Adler Staveley, a/k/a Kurt David Sanborn, a/k/a David Sanborn, 54, of Andover, MA, conspired with David Andrew Butziger, 53, of Warwick, RI, to file four fraudulent CARES Act Paycheck Protection Program forgivable loan applications with a Rhode Island bank, falsely claiming they owned businesses with large monthly payrolls when, in fact, they did not own the businesses. Staveley admitted that as part of the scheme, on April 6, 2020, he and Butziger filed fraudulent loan applications seeking $185,570 to pay employees at Top of the Bay restaurant in Warwick, RI; $144,050 at Remington House Inn restaurant in Warwick, RI; $108,777 at On The Trax restaurant in Berlin, MA; and $105,381 to pay employees at Dock Wireless, an unincorporated business.
Staveley had no ownership interest in Top of the Bay, Remington House Inn, or On The Trax which were closed at the time the loan applications were submitted and remain closed. Dock Wireless had no employees and no wages were ever paid by the business.
Three weeks after being charged and appearing in U.S. District Court in May 2020, and released to home detention with electronic monitoring, Staveley removed his electronic monitoring device, staged his own suicide, and fled. Staveley left suicide notes with associates and left his wallet in his unlocked car that he parked along the ocean in Massachusetts. Further investigation determined that between May 26 and July 23, 2020, Staveley, who was to have appeared in federal court on June 2, 2020, traveled to various states using false identities and stolen license plates. He was apprehended by the United States Marshals Service in Alpharetta, GA., on July 23, 2020.
Appearing today before U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy, Staveley was sentenced to 56 months in federal prison to be followed by 3 years of federal supervised release.
Butziger is scheduled to be sentenced on November 1, 2021.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee H. Vilker.
The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation.
The Justice Department acknowledges and thanks the SBA Office of Inspector General and the FDIC, Office of Inspector General for their assistance in the investigation.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID- 19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
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Business Owners Plead Guilty in Two Separate Tax Fraud CasesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The owners of separate and unrelated businesses pleaded guilty in federal court in Providence to charges they failed to report substantial amounts of income to the Internal Revenue Service and failed to pay taxes on the income, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.
On Wednesday, Gladys Rossi, 53, the sole owner and operator of R.I.J. Inc, a Providence-based company that affixes price tags to jewelry for other companies, admitted to a federal court judge that she failed to disclose more than $1.2 million dollars in gross revenue and failed to pay more than $400,000 in taxes due to the Internal Revenue Service for tax years 2012 through 2015.
According to court documents, from 2012 through 2015, Rossi paid employees under-the-table and failed to maintain or prepare business records that accurately tracked expenditures, gross income, net income, profits, and dividend disbursements. An investigation by Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation determined that business and personal tax returns filed by Rossi failed to report income totaling $1,226,707.21, resulting in an underpayment of taxes of at least $407,767.
Appearing before U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy, Rossi pleaded guilty to two counts of filing a false tax document. She is scheduled to be sentenced on January 12, 2022. According to a plea agreement filed in this matter, the defendant will pay full restitution to the Internal Revenue Service, including all back taxes and interest.
In a separate prosecution, Richard Karski, 59, of Brighton, MA, today admitted that for tax years 2015 through 2018, he failed to report $1,917,658.96 in business and personal income and failed to pay $192,814 in taxes due the Internal Revenue Service.
According to court documents and information presented to the court, an investigation by Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation determined that from 2015 through 2018, Karski operated K.C.O. Builders based in Quincy, MA. During that time Karski traveled to Rhode Island and cashed checks he received from his customers at a check-cashing business in Rhode Island. He failed to declare any of the income or pay any taxes to the Internal Revenue Service.
Appearing before U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy, Karski pleaded guilty to tax evasion. He is scheduled to be sentenced on January 18, 2022. According to a plea agreement filed in this matter, the defendant will pay full restitution to the Internal Revenue Service.
The case brought against Gladys Rossi is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Milind M. Shah. The case brought against Richard Karski is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee H. Vilker.
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Rhode Island Men Resolve Case Brought for Touching Off Needless Ocean Search and Rescue Operation with Distress FlaresRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The United States today announced that it has reached an agreement to resolve civil claims against two Block Island residents: Perry C. Phillips, 31, and Benjamin C. Foster, 33, whose actions touched off a needless and expensive maritime search and rescue operation off the coast of Block Island.
As detailed in a civil complaint filed today in Federal Court in Providence, the two men, intending to celebrate a friend’s wedding in the Breezy Point area of Block Island, borrowed a nautical flare gun and flares, and set out in a small skiff on the evening of on June 6, 2020. When they reached the vicinity of the wedding reception, Phillips and Foster discharged three of the flares, recording their actions on video for posting on social media. At least one of the two knew at the time that the flares were a maritime distress signal, and both understood that it was improper to use them as they did. The pair then returned to shore, unaware that their actions prompted observers to report the flares to the New Shoreham harbormaster, who in turn alerted the U.S. Coast Guard.
Interpreting the flares as a nautical distress signal, the Coast Guard, alongside local authorities, launched a multi-hour search operation off the waters and shoreline in the area where the flares were sighted. The search involved a surface vessel and two Coast Guard helicopters, including one based in Point Judith and another at U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod.
Under federal law, falsely communicating a distress signal and causing the Coast Guard to attempt to save lives and property when no help is needed is illegal and carries civil and/or criminal penalties. Under this agreement, the Defendants have admitted to the conduct alleged by the Government and will pay a statutory civil penalty of $10,000 to resolve this matter.
Today’s filing and resolution is announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Richard B. Myrus and Captain Clinton J. Prindle of United State Coast Guard Sector Southeast New England.
The case was litigated by Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.
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Pawtucket Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Trafficking CocaineRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Pawtucket man who sold a kilogram of cocaine to another person while under law enforcement surveillance was sentenced on Monday to six-and-a-half years in federal prison, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.
Modesto Mercado, 38, pleaded guilty on May 4, 2021, to conspiracy and to distributing 500 grams or more of cocaine. At the time of his guilty plea, Mercado admitted that on February 12, 2020, he met with an individual by Facetime to arrange to sell that person a kilogram of cocaine for $30,000. During a later in-person meeting with the buyer, Mercado raised the price for the kilogram to $31,500, with the additional $1,500 to be split between himself and a person assisting him in arranging the purchase. Mercado told the buyer he could supply as many kilograms of cocaine as the buyer wanted to purchase.
According to information presented to the court, later that evening, while under surveillance by agents from Homeland Security Investigations, Mercado met with the buyer and another individual and sold a kilogram of cocaine. After the buyer claimed he could not pay more than the original agreed upon price of $30,000, Mercado indicated he wanted to remove and keep 150 grams of pure cocaine from the kilogram and replace it with cocaine that had been mixed with cutting agents, keeping the 150 grams for himself.
Mercado was sentenced on Monday by U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy to 78 months of incarceration to be followed by four years of federal supervised release.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald R. Gendron.
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Leader of $2.4 Million Dollar Fraud Scheme Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A Massachusetts used car dealer admitted to a federal court judge in Providence, RI, that he led a wide-ranging conspiracy to defraud financial institutions in several states of more than $2.4 million dollars by obtaining and attempting to obtain car loans using stolen personal identifying information of others and fraudulent documents, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.
Rolando E. Estrella, 32, of Dracut, Mass., the former owner of a used car dealership in Lawrence, MA, admitted to the court that he recruited, employed, advised, and directed others to file fraudulent used car loan applications, open bank accounts, deposit fraudulently obtained used car loan checks, and execute cash withdrawals of the fraudulently obtained funds.
Estrella is among nine individuals named in an indictment returned in February 2020, and subsequently in a superseding indictment, that alleged Estrella, and others working at his direction, opened bank accounts with major banks and smaller credit unions using other individuals’ personal identifying information. Estrella and his confederates then used that information, along with falsified automobile titles and other counterfeit documents, including, to apply for and received used car and truck loans. The loan funds were deposited into bank accounts opened by members of the conspiracy in the supposed “sellers’” names. Members of the conspiracy quickly withdrew the funds from banks in the form of cash.
According to information presented to the court, Estrella and his co-defendants intended to defraud financial institutions of $2,419,054.
Appearing Friday before U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., Estrella pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, seven counts of bank fraud, and fraudulent use of a Social Security number. He is scheduled to be sentenced on January 20, 2022.
In addition to Estrella, four others charged in this matter have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing. The remaining four defendants are awaiting trial.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William J. Ferland.
The investigation into this fraud ring which operated throughout the northeast was conducted by the Social Security Office of Inspector General and the United States Secret Service.
A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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Dominican National Sentenced for Trafficking Fentanyl, Health Care Fraud, ID Theft, Misuse of a Social Security NumberRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Dominican national who operated a drug stash house and arranged for the sale of fentanyl on multiple occasions, and who used the stolen identity and Social Security number of another person to gain Rhode Island Medicaid benefits and Rhode Island driver’s licenses and permits, was sentenced today to seven years in federal prison, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.
Jeurin Celado, 31, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith to 96 months of incarceration to be followed by four years of federal supervised release and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $4,726.50 to the Rhode Island Medicaid Program. Celado pleaded guilty on April 2, 2021, to false representation of a Social Security number, aggravated identity theft, health care fraud, and conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.
At the time of his guilty plea, Celado admitted to the court that from 2010 until August 2019, he used the name, date of birth, and Social Security number of a person he does not know to obtain permits and driver’s licenses from the Rhode Island Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
In addition, Celado admitted that beginning in August 2014 and continuing through July 2018, he used the same stolen identity and Social Security number to obtain Rhode Island Medicaid benefits, health insurance that as a non-United States citizen he was ineligible to receive. Celado obtained Medicaid benefits valued at approximately $4,726.50.
Additionally, according to information presented to the court, in August and September 2019, an undercover drug investigation by the Woonsocket Police Department included arranging for four undercover purchases of fentanyl from a person known as “Tony.” On each occasion, “Tony” directed the buyer to a location where that person was met by a “runner” who delivered the drugs in exchange for cash. The investigation determined that “Tony” was, in fact, Jeurin Celado, and that he was using an apartment in Manville as a stash house and a location to cut and prepare drugs for delivery. On October 7, 2019, during a court-authorized search of the apartment, law enforcement discovered between 40 and 400 grams of fentanyl and other items consistent with a drug distribution operation.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dulce Donovan.
The various investigations into Celado’s criminal activities were conducted by the Woonsocket Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General.
Acting United States Attorney Myrus acknowledges and thanks the United States Marshals Service for its assistance in locating and assisting in the arrest of the defendant.
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Individuals Previously Convicted of Violent Crimes and Gun Offenses Among Seventeen Charged in Operation Rhode RunnerRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – More than a dozen individuals previously convicted on violent crime charges, including firearm, robbery, assault, assault with intent to commit murder, and domestic violence charges, are among seventeen individuals charged in federal court as the result of a five-month FBI Safe Street Task Force, DEA, and Providence Police Narcotics Bureau Project Safe Neighborhoods investigation into a wide-ranging street-level drug trafficking conspiracy. At least nine of the individuals are currently on Rhode Island state probation.
On Thursday, 250 members of federal, state, and local law enforcement, including four SWAT teams, fanned out in Providence, Cranston, Pawtucket, Woonsocket, North Smithfield, Fall River, Taunton, and Kissimmee, FL, with sixteen federal arrest warrants for individuals named in an indictment unsealed in U.S. District Court today. A seventeenth individual was arrested and charged by way of a federal criminal complaint. Agents and officers also executed fourteen court-authorized search warrants.
To date, the investigation, dubbed Operation Rhode Runner, has resulted in the seizure of more than three kilos of cocaine, 750 grams of fentanyl, 1,500 fentanyl pills disguised as Percocet, 500 grams of crack cocaine, and $100,000 in cash.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to using all of the tools available to reduce violent crime and make our streets safer. The illegal narcotics trade drives violence; thanks to this investigation a drug trafficking conspiracy has been dismantled, and defendants who have been previously convicted of numerous violent crimes are again in custody,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Richard Myrus. “We truly appreciate the tireless work of the FBI task force, the DEA, the Providence Police, and all of our other law enforcement partners, which culminated in today’s flawlessly executed operation.”
"Today's takedown has removed a significant number of drug traffickers--the majority of whom are convicted felons with violent criminal histories--from our streets. There's no question our communities are much safer now. We believe this crew's constant churn of drug transactions has kept Rhode Island flush with dangerous and deadly narcotics that have endangered our neighborhoods for quite some time," said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. "Operation Rhode Runner is just another example of how the FBI and our law enforcement partners are working together to remove the most significant drivers of violent crime from our communities. We want drug traffickers and violent offenders to know that we fish with a spear and not a net, and we are focused on them."
“Illegal drug distribution ravages the very foundations of our families and communities here in Rhode Island,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle. “Let these arrests serve as an example to those who distribute poisons like fentanyl and cocaine, that DEA will aggressively pursue and hold you accountable. This investigation demonstrates the strength and continued commitment of our law enforcement partners in Rhode Island.”
“This long term and large-scale interstate narcotics operation has resulted in the removal of high level, career criminals from the streets and should act as a deterrent to individuals who continue to participate in the distribution of lethal drugs such as fentanyl and cocaine, as in this case,” said Colonel Hugh T. Clements. Jr. “Distribution of illegal narcotics continues to plague urban communities and we will continue to be vigilant in the apprehension of criminals working within these groups, and ensure they are prosecuted to the highest extent of the law. “I commend the members of the Providence Police Narcotics Bureau and our law enforcement partners for their efforts and information sharing throughout this investigation, showing once again their commitment to ridding our streets of deadly narcotics, potentially saving the lives of many.”
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stacey P. Veroni, with the assistance of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christine D. Lowell and Sandra R. Hebert.
Acting United Sates Attorney Myrus thanks the FBI, DEA, and Providence Police Department for leading this investigation; the United States Postal Inspection Service for their invaluable assistance throughout the investigation; and the United States Marshals Service, Rhode Island State Police, Cranston, Central Falls, Fall River, North Smithfield, Pawtucket, Portsmouth, Warwick, West Warwick, and Woonsocket Police Departments for their assistance with today’s arrests and the execution of search warrants; and the Rhode Island Department of Corrections with prisoner transport.
OPERATION RHODE RUNNER DEFENDANTS
Victor Aponte Cirino, 22, Taunton, MA
Pending in RI state court: Possession w/intent to distribute ounce to a kilo of cocaine
Ramon Barriera, 50, Providence (career offender currently on state probation)
Previous convictions: 2004 - Drug trafficking (2), carrying a firearm during commission of a violent crime; 2014, 2015 – Drug trafficking
Miguel Colon, 35, Providence (currently on state probation)
Previous convictions: 2016 - Possession of a firearm, drug trafficking (4)
Rafael Cruz, 72, Providence (career offender)
Previous convictions: 1988, 2008, 2014 Drug trafficking; 2002 Felony assault
Juan Gonzalez, 44, Providence (currently on state probation)
Previous convictions: 2004, 2015, 2020 - Drug trafficking; 2020 - Felony assault (firearm), domestic assault by strangulation
Nelson Hazin, 53, Providence
Previous convictions: 1999 (2), 2007, 2015 - Drug trafficking; 2010 Possession of a firearm after conviction of a violent crime
Anthony Lacoste, 30, Woonsocket (currently on state probation)
Previous convictions: 2011 - Breaking and entering; 2013, 2014 - Felony assault, carrying a firearm w/out a license
Jonathan Masa Gonzalez, 21, Providence
No criminal record
Ricardo Martinez, Jr., 34, Providence (currently on state probation)
Previous convictions: 2006, 2009, 2013, 2020 - Various drug and drug trafficking charges
William Mendez, 46, Cranston (career offender currently on state probation)
Previous convictions: 1995, 2008, 2014 - Drug trafficking; 2002 - Assault with intent to murder, breaking and entering; 2008 Carrying a firearm during the commission of a violent crime
Maria Ortiz-Nieves, 40, Providence
No criminal record
Kevin Restrepo, 30, Providence and Kissimmee, FL (currently on state probation, bail violator)
Previous convictions: 2007 - Felony assault & conspiracy; 2009 Drug possession; 2013 (various dates) - assault, domestic violence, first-degree robbery, discharge of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime
Pending cases in RI state court: Assault w/dangerous weapon – firearm (2), carrying a pistol without a license (2); discharge of a firearm from a motor vehicle creating substantial risk of death (2); discharge of a weapon while committing a crime of violence (2); conspiracy to possess a pistol without a license (2); possession of a firearm after conviction of a felony (2); discharge of a firearm in a compact area.
Karla Rivera Rosa, 31, Fall River, MA
Pending drug trafficking case in Massachusetts (cocaine and oxycodone)
Felix Robles, 60, Providence (career offender)
Previous convictions: 2006, 2007, 2009 - Drug Trafficking
Juan C. Rodriguez, 35, Providence (currently on state probation)
Previous convictions: 2005 (2), 2007, 2014 - Various drug and drug trafficking charges
Charles Sims, 57, Providence
Previous convictions: 1984 - Robbery; 1985, 1992 (2), 2001 - Breaking and entering, assault; 1986 - escape, assault by an inmate; 1989 - escape; 1996 - Inciting a riot (ACI); 2006 - Drug trafficking
Juan Betancourt Sosa, 26, New Bedford (career offender currently on bail)
Previous conviction: 2021 – Carrying a pistol without a license; Pending cases in RI state court: Possession of a pistol without a license, possession w/intent to distribute one ounce to one kilo of cocaine
Former Navy Commander Sentenced to Life in Federal Prison for Coercing a Minor, Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A former U.S. Navy pilot who admitted to coercing a minor to engage in illicit sexual conduct and to distributing, receiving, and possessing child pornography, all while actively serving in the U.S. Navy and following his retirement from active service, was sentenced today to life in federal prison, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.
Lieutenant Commander Ronald W. Zenga, 45, of Middletown, RI, pleaded guilty on November 19, 2020, to coercion of a minor, distribution of child pornography, receipt of child pornography, and possession of child pornography. He was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., to life in federal prison and lifetime federal supervised release, and pay restitution to the victim in the amount of $500,000.
“Cases involving the coercion and sexual exploitation of children are among the most heart-wrenching and disturbing cases that federal prosecutors confront. This case is particularly troubling because, as the prosecutor in this case stated in a court filing, ‘[Zenga] abused the most sacred trust a human being can be given, responsibility for the health and well-being of another living soul,’’’ noted Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus. “Thanks to the work of our dedicated law enforcement partners both here and abroad, this defendant has been held to account for his vile crimes. We hope that today’s result will provide some relief to the victim in knowing that the man who preyed upon her will be safely locked away.”
“Ronald Zenga committed heinous crimes and had the audacity to brag about his exploits online—hubris which ultimately led to his arrest. The abuse and exploitation of children is deeply cruel, violating the trust and safety of victims and generating trauma that may never fully heal. We hope that today’s sentence provides a measure of justice to those he harmed,” said Matthew Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge for the Homeland Security Investigations’ Boston Field Office. “Homeland Security Investigations is grateful to our international partners for their vigilance and assistance in this case.”
“Today’s sentencing closes the case for the exceptional team of investigators and prosecutors that worked tirelessly to pursue Mr. Zenga for his crimes, but today our thoughts are with his victims who continue to suffer from his actions,” said Colonel James M. Manni, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and Director of the Department of Public Safety. “The Rhode Island State Police is grateful for the definitive outcome of this investigation and proud to work with this outstanding group of law enforcement agencies to bring justice to Mr. Zenga’s victims.”
According to court documents and information provided to the court, in September 2018, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents in Providence received information from the Bedfordshire Police Department (BPD) in the United Kingdom that an individual, later identified as Zenga, was communicating with a BPD agent through a Russian file sharing website. The communications graphically described ongoing sexual encounters with a young minor child. Zenga described several years of sexual encounters with a child, dating back to the child’s prepubescent years.
On October 17, 2018, HSI agents and members of the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force arrested Zenga and executed a court-authorized search of his Middletown residence. Forensic previews of Zenga’s electronic devices resulted in the discovery of emails and files of child pornography shared, received, and possessed by Zenga.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. McAdams.
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Convicted Felon Ordered Held for Allegedly Importing Firearm Silencer, Silencer Parts from ChinaRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – David Worster, 35, of Pawtucket, a convicted felon previously convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm, ammunition, and explosive devices, was arrested on Wednesday and ordered detained in federal custody on charges of unlawful importation of firearms/silencers he allegedly ordered from China, and for the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition seized by law enforcement during his arrest, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.
It is alleged in court documents that in December 2020, a package mailed from China to Worster was examined by Border Protection (CBP) agents and found to contain a firearm silencer or suppressor parts. The contents of the parcel were falsely described on a U.S. Customs form as being a “Fuel Filter.”
Additionally, on August 4, 2021, CBP notified Homeland Security Investigations in Providence of a package mailed in July from China addressed to Worster’s girlfriend. A CBP inspection of the contents of the package, and further examination of photographs of the contents of the package by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Technology Industry Services agents, determined that the package contained a firearm silencer. The contents of the package were falsely described on a U.S. Customs form as being “Shoe charm.”
On Wednesday, members of the HSI Providence Task Force and the HSI Boston Special Response Team, with the assistance of ATF agents and Pawtucket Police, arrested Worster and executed a court-authorized search of his residence. Agents and officers seized a .22 caliber rifle and ammunition, a 9mm magazine, a flak jacket and military style helmet, and various tools and components for constructing firearms.
According to court records, in 2008 Worster was investigated by ATF in Massachusetts for drug trafficking and for selling a firearm. At the time of his arrest in December 2008, ATF agents discovered two pipe bombs inside Worster’s storage locker. He was ultimately convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, two counts of possession of an explosive device, and resisting arrest. Additionally, in April 2009, Worster was arrested in Massachusetts and convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
The case in U.S. District Court in Providence is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Milind M. Shah.
The Providence HSI Task Force is comprised of agents and officers from HSI and the Pawtucket, Warwick, and Newport Police Departments.
Acting United States Attorney Myrus thanks the Massachusetts and Rhode Island State Police for their assistance in the investigation of this matter and with the arrest of Worster.
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Providence Man Pleads Guilty to Firearm and Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A Providence man arrested during an FBI Safe Streets Task Force investigation into the sale of firearms and drugs in Providence and Woonsocket has pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and firearm charges.
Joel Figueroa, 25, pleaded guilty on Monday to two counts of distribution of crack cocaine and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Figueroa will be sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy on November 18, 2021.
According to information presented to the court, on February 13, 2020, Figueroa arranged via a social media application to sell crack cocaine and a firearm to an individual the following day. On February 14, 2020, Figueroa sold a person just over five grams of crack cocaine for $265 and arranged to sell that person a firearm. Later that day, Figueroa obtained a .22 caliber long rifle pistol from an unidentified male and transferred it in exchange for $300 to the person to whom he had sold crack cocaine. A month later, Figueroa sold the same person more than seven grams of crack cocaine, again making the arrangements through a social media application.
According to court documents, at the time Figueroa transferred the firearm to another individual he was serving a five-year suspended state sentence for possession with the intent to deliver cocaine.
At sentencing in federal court in November, Figueroa faces statutory penalties of up to a total of 50 years in federal prison.
Joel Figueroa’s guilty plea is announced by Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stacey P. Veroni.
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Registered Sex Offender Facing 10-20 Years Imprisonment on Child Pornography ChargeRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A registered sex offender investigated by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies for possessing and distributing child pornography is facing between ten and twenty years in federal prison, having pled guilty today to possession of child pornography, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.
Thomas Andreozzi, 60, of North Providence, is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy on November 17, 2021.
At a hearing today in U.S. District Court, the government detailed three separate investigations into Andreozzi’s criminal activity involving child pornography since a previous conviction in Rhode Island state court in November 2014 for possessing child pornography.
According to information presented to the court, in May 2020, Homeland Security Investigations received information that an IP address, later identified by law enforcement as belonging to Andreozzi, was used to upload child pornography via a social media platform. Further investigation determined that Andreozzi used at least five different accounts on the application to view and upload child pornography. Andreozzi communicated to another person via the app that “I have lots of young stuff.” “I have little girls,” and “I have lots.”
Separately, in June 2020, the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Massachusetts ICAC that an individual in Rhode Island uploaded 14 files of child pornography. Further investigation determined that the IP address used belonged to Thomas Andreozzi.
Additionally, the FBI and the Winnebago County, Wisconsin, Sherriff’s department investigated the sharing of child pornography via a social media platform on July 20, 2020. The user claimed to be a 30-year-old in California who was actively molesting a young female. The FBI traced the IP address that shared the child pornography to Andreozzi’s North Providence apartment.
A cell phone in Andreozzi’s hand during a court-authorized search of his residence at the time of his arrest in July 2020, was opened to an electronic media storage service. A Rhode Island ICAC analyst observed numerous files containing child pornography stored in Andreozzi’s storage account. Also located on the phone was the social media application and user account brought to the attention of the FBI and the Winnebago County Sherriff’s office.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John P. McAdams.
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Convicted Felon Sentenced for Possessing Firearm with an Obliterated Serial NumberRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A Pawtucket man convicted in Rhode Island state court in 2007 and in 2009 on drug trafficking charges, and found during a traffic stop by Pawtucket Police in October 2020 to be in possession of a loaded semi-automatic pistol with an obliterated serial number, was sentenced today to 60 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.
Jonathan Reyes, 35, was stopped by Pawtucket Police on October 14, 2020, when he was observed not wearing a seatbelt and driving a car with out-of-state license plates that were registered to a different vehicle. Reyes claimed to police that he had just purchased the vehicle. He provided them with a Bill of Sale that did not contain a VIN, date of sale/purchase, or signatures of the buyer/seller.
According to court documents, after Reyes and a front seat passenger were asked to exit the vehicle, officers discovered a loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol with an obliterated serial number inside a black satchel/fanny pack. As Reyes was being placed under arrest, he briefly attempted to flee police but was quickly apprehended.
Reyes pleaded guilty on June 1, 2021, to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Reyes was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith to 60 months of incarceration in federal prison to be followed by three years of federal supervised release.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys William J. Ferland and Ly T. Chin.
The matter was investigated by the Pawtucket Police Department with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
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Three Charged in Fraud Schemes Targeting Home Improvement RetailersRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Federal arrest warrants were executed today against two individuals on charges they allegedly participated in a large-scale conspiracy to defraud Home Depot stores in at least three New England states. A third person alleged to have taken part in the scheme is being sought by law enforcement.
Court documents allege that Samuel Machuca, a/k/a/ Ithier Batista-Rodriguez, a/k/a Angel Garcia-Sanchez, 50, of Attleboro, MA, Luiyi Taveras-Garcia, 33, of Providence, and Abel Bier Romero, 28, of Cranston, used stolen personal identifying information and stolen or fraudulently created business credit accounts to purchase more than $600,000 in building, roofing, electrical, plumbing and other contractor supplies from Home Depot stores in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard B Myrus.
Earlier today, more than $30,000 dollars’ worth of construction materials allegedly obtained fraudulently were recovered by federal agents from a garage in Cranston.
According to court documents, since November 2020, several individuals have contacted Home Depot customer service and “Pro desks” in the three New England states, placing orders for various construction and contractor supplies. The orders were paid for with fraudulently created or stolen credit account information, including names, credit card numbers, security codes, and phone numbers. Notification was sent to the “customer” at the phone number provided when the order was ready for pick-up. Two or three individuals then picked-up the order, often utilizing the same white truck to transport the materials.
Samuel Machuca and Luiyi Taveras-Garcia appeared today before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond. Machuca was ordered detained andTaveras-Garcia was released on unsecured bond on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft. Abel Bier Romero is similarly charged and is being sought by authorities.
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 William J. Ferland.
The matter was investigated by the United States Secret Service New England Cyber Fraud Task Force, with the assistance of the Smithfield Police Department.
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Central Falls Man Admits to Trafficking Crack CocaineRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A Central Falls man with an extensive criminal record, including convictions for drug trafficking, assault, breaking and entering, and domestic assault, today pleaded guilty in federal court to possession with the intent to distribute more than 28 grams of a mixture containing cocaine base (crack cocaine), announced Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.
David Leite,43, was arrested by Cranston Police in September 2019, following an investigation that included surveillance of Leite’s activities, two purchases from him of crack cocaine, and the issuance of two court-authorized search warrants for his residence and one of his vehicles.
On September 24, 2019, as Cranston Police were preparing to execute a court-authorized search of Leite’s residence, detectives received information that on that day Leite would be transporting a significant quantity of narcotics to Cranston. Leite was observed leaving his home in a motor vehicle and was followed into Cranston where he was soon stopped by police.
According to information presented to the court, when officers approached Leite’s vehicle they smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle, and observed multiple cell phones, and a significant amount of loose cash in the center cup holder. Leite was asked to step out of the vehicle.
A search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of a bag containing 38.1 grams of crack cocaine and a bag containing 11.45 grams of cocaine salts, hidden behind the faceplate of the vehicle’s radio. Officers also seized, among other items, $13,340 in cash and two cell phones. On the same day, law enforcement executed the court-authorized search of Leite’s residence and seized a digital scale and other items used in the packaging and distribution of narcotics and a total of $2,679 in U.S. currency.
Leite, first charged in Rhode Island state court on September 25, 2019, appeared in federal court on September 30, 2019, and was charged in this matter by way of a federal criminal complaint. He has been detained in federal custody since his initial appearance in U.S. District Court.
Leite is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., on November 30, 2021.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stacey P. Veroni.
The matter was investigated by the Cranston Police Department, Central Falls Police Department, and the Rhode Island DEA Drug Task Force.
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Providence Man Charged in Fraud Scheme Targeting Food Suppliers and Local Businesses, Assaulting Federal AgentsRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A Providence man arrested nine days after he allegedly eluded arrest by ramming federal law enforcement vehicles, nearly running down an FBI agent and task force officer in the process, was ordered detained in federal custody today on charges he allegedly executed a scheme to defraud local businesses, including a number of well-known businesses, of more than $831,000, and that he allegedly assaulted federal law enforcement agents, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.
It is alleged in court documents that Paul Diogenes, a/k/a Paul Dejullio, 49, created a fictitious catering company, listing his alias as president, in order to obtain credit from food distributors to purchase more than $831,769 in product, including hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of lobster, sea bass, shrimp, scallops, filet, rib eye steak, and wild boar.
Diogenes is also alleged to have used stolen identities and banking information from several well-known businesses and restaurants to obtain funds to pay for some of these products. Court documents allege that Diogenes then resold much of the fraudulently obtained food products, in some instances to the same businesses whose banking information he allegedly used to pay food suppliers.
On August 3, 2021, armed with an arrest warrant for Diogenes, FBI agents task force officers, and Rhode Island State Police surveilled Diogenes and followed him as he drove into a parking lot behind an East Providence business. As agents and officers converged to effect his arrest, Diogenes allegedly placed his car in reverse and rammed it into an FBI task force vehicle, with a task force officer and State Police trooper still inside. Diogenes then drove the vehicle forward towards an FBI agent who had to quickly jump out of the way to avoid being hit. Diogenes proceeded to ram his car into a delivery van parked nearby, before driving toward a second FBI vehicle, narrowly missing a Providence Police officer assigned to the task force who had just exited the vehicle moments before. Using a gap he had created by ramming the law enforcement vehicles, Diogenes proceeded to drive off and elude arrest.
Diogenes, who was believed to be carrying more than $100,000, remained a fugitive for nine days, allegedly moving from one hotel to the next using various false names. He was apprehended at a hotel in Middleborough, MA.
Diogenes appeared today before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan on criminal complaints charging him with wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and felony assault of a federal officer.
A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S Attorney Lee H. Vilker.
Diogenes’s alleged fraud was investigated by the FBI’s Rhode Island Complex Financial Crimes Task Force, with the assistance of Rhode Island State Police and the Providence, Woonsocket, East Providence, Bourne, and Fall River Police Departments.
The search for Diogenes after eluding arresting agents and officers was conducted by the FBI and the Rhode Island and Massachusetts U.S. Marshals Violent Fugitive Task Forces.
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Nurse Practitioner Charged in Alleged $2.3 Million Health Care Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A registered nurse and nurse practitioner who allegedly billed and received more than $2.3 million dollars from commercial health insurers and Medicaid for services he falsely claimed to have performed on patients in Rhode Island, New York, and Florida is in federal custody in Florida and will be brought to Rhode Island to face health care fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering charges, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.
It is alleged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Rhode Island on August 6, 2021, that among his schemes, Alexander E. Istomin, 55, of Florida, routinely submitted claims for health insurance payments for in-person patient services he claimed to have performed in East Greenwich, New York, and Florida, but that investigators determined were at times when Istomin was actually in another state or out of the country. In other instances, Istomin allegedly billed insurance companies and Medicare for services he claimed to have provided to patients who themselves were out of state or out of the country at the time.
It is alleged in the indictment that as part of the scheme Istomin waived copayments for some Medicare patients despite being aware that waiving copayments is prohibited by Medicare. By waiving copayments they otherwise would be responsible for, Istomin induced his patients not to report his fraudulent billing to Medicare.
According to information presented to the court, no patient services were provided at Istomin’s East Greenwich business, Rhode Island Diagnostic Center, or his New York office. Neither office is equipped to provide patient care. It is alleged that Istomin rented and used the East Greenwich office space in name only for billing purposes and to receive insurance payments made payable to his Rhode Island business.
The indictment alleges that since February 2014, in Rhode Island, the Eastern District of New York, the Southern District of Florida, and elsewhere, Istomin fraudulently billed and received approximately $2,309,468.16 from commercial health insurers and Medicare for services he did not provide to patients. The indictment charges Istomin with health care fraud, eight counts of mail fraud, and money laundering.
The government has moved in the indictment that, upon a conviction for health care fraud and mail fraud, Istomin shall forfeit to the United States any and all interest in any property, real or personal, from proceeds traceable to his alleged criminal fraudulent activity, totaling $2,309,468.
A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Istomin was arrested on August 11, 2021, in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, by agents from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, and the FBI.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dulce Donovan, with the Assistance of Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Rogers.
The matter was investigated the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, and the FBI.
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Justice Department Reaches Agreement with Brown University to Ensure Equal Access for Students with Mental Health DisabilitiesRead the Press Release
The Justice Department and U.S Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island today announced a settlement agreement with Brown University to ensure that students with mental health disabilities have equal access to educational programs.
The agreement resolves the department’s findings that Brown University violated Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by not allowing students who took medical leave for mental health reasons to return to school even though they were ready to return to campus life.
The settlement agreement protects the rights of students with mental health disabilities to have equal access to Brown’s educational programs. The agreement also ensures that Brown will make reasonable modifications to its policies for students with mental health disabilities seeking to return from medical leave.
Title III of the ADA requires places of public accommodation like colleges and universities to provide individuals with disabilities, including mental health disabilities, with an equal opportunity to participate in their programs and services. The ADA also requires colleges and universities to make reasonable modifications to their policies for students with disabilities when needed.
The department’s investigation found that, between fall 2012 and spring 2017, dozens of undergraduate students were denied readmission to Brown after taking mental health-related medical leave. These students met the requirements for returning to Brown, and each of the students’ treatment providers reported to Brown that the students were ready to resume their studies and participate in campus life. Yet, the department found that Brown denied the students’ applications for readmission, depriving these students of the opportunity to participate in and benefit from Brown’s educational programs.
As a result of the agreement announced today, Brown will:
- revise its undergraduate leave policies and practices to be consistent with Title III of the ADA;
- provide training on Title III of the ADA to all faculty and staff responsible for evaluating or making decisions about requests to take or return from leaves of absence; and
- pay $684,000 to compensate the undergraduate students who were harmed.
“Students with disabilities deserve access to equal opportunity to help ensure that they can achieve their educational goals," said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department is committed to ensuring that colleges and universities do not exclude students on the basis of their disability or because they took time to receive the treatment they needed to thrive. “We will keep fighting to ensure equal access for students with mental health disabilities at colleges and universities across our country.”
“Universities play a critical role in fulfilling the ADA’s promise of equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities,” said Acting United States Attorney Richard Myrus for the District of Rhode Island. “Instead of imposing extra barriers on students seeking to return to campus from medical leave, universities must reasonably accommodate students who are treating their mental health disabilities. I want to thank Brown University for its cooperation throughout our investigation and its willingness both to address the issues identified and to compensate the students who were wrongfully denied readmission. The policies that Brown has agreed to implement should serve as a timely reminder to other colleges and universities to ensure that their medical leave policies must not discriminate against students with mental health disabilities.”
This matter was handled jointly by Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Romero of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island and the Disability Rights Section of the Department’s Civil Rights Division. July 26, 2021 marked the 31st Anniversary of the ADA. The Justice Department plays a central role in advancing the nation’s goal of equal opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for people with disabilities. For more information on the Civil Rights Division, please visit http://www.justice.gov/crt. For more information on the ADA, please call the department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 (TDD 800-514-0383) or visit www.ada.gov. ADA complaints may be filed online at http://www.ada.gov/complaint. Additional information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office Civil Rights Programs is available at http://www.justice.gov/usao-ri.
Brown University Required to Ensure Equal Access for Students with Mental Health DisabilitiesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The United States Attorney’s Office and the Justice Department today announced a settlement agreement with Brown University to ensure that students with mental health disabilities have equal access to educational programs. The agreement resolves the Department’s findings that Brown University violated Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by not allowing students who took medical leave for mental health reasons to return to school even though they were ready to return to campus life.
The settlement agreement protects the rights of students with mental health disabilities to have equal access to Brown’s educational programs. The agreement also ensures that Brown will make reasonable modifications to its policies for students with mental health disabilities seeking to return from medical leave.
Title III of the ADA requires places of public accommodation like colleges and universities to provide individuals with disabilities, including mental health disabilities, with an equal opportunity to participate in their programs and services. The ADA also requires colleges and universities to make reasonable modifications to their policies for students with disabilities when needed.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Justice Department’s investigation found that, between fall 2012 and spring 2017, dozens of undergraduate students were denied readmission to Brown after taking mental health-related medical leave. These students met the requirements for returning to Brown, and each of the students’ treatment providers reported to Brown that the students were ready to resume their studies and participate in campus life. Yet, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Department found that Brown denied the students’ applications for readmission, depriving these students of the opportunity to participate in and benefit from Brown’s educational programs.
As a result of the agreement announced today, Brown will:
• revise its undergraduate leave policies and practices to be consistent with Title III of the ADA;
• provide training on Title III of the ADA to all faculty and staff responsible for evaluating or making decisions about requests to take or return from leaves of absence; and
• pay $684,000 to compensate the undergraduate students who were harmed.
“Universities play a critical role in fulfilling the ADA’s promise of equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities. Instead of imposing extra barriers on students seeking to return to campus from medical leave, universities must reasonably accommodate students who are treating their mental health disabilities,” said Acting United States Attorney Richard Myrus. “I want to thank Brown University for its cooperation throughout our investigation and its willingness both to address the issues identified and to compensate the students who were wrongfully denied readmission. The policies that Brown has agreed to implement should serve as a timely reminder to other colleges and universities to ensure that their medical leave policies must not discriminate against students with mental health disabilities.”
“Students with disabilities deserve access to equal opportunity to help ensure that they can achieve their educational goals. The Justice Department is committed to ensuring that colleges and universities do not exclude students on the basis of their disability or because they took time to receive the treatment they needed to thrive,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “We will keep fighting to ensure equal access for students with mental health disabilities at colleges and universities across our country.”
This matter was handled jointly by Assistant United States Attorney Amy Romero of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island and the Disability Rights Section of the Department’s Civil Rights Division.
July 26, 2021 marked the 31st Anniversary of the ADA. The Justice Department plays a central role in advancing the nation’s goal of equal opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for people with disabilities. For more information on the Civil Rights Division, please visit http://www.justice.gov/crt. For more information on the ADA, please call the department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 (TDD 800-514-0383) or visit www.ada.gov. ADA complaints may be filed online at http://www.ada.gov/complaint.
Additional information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office Civil Rights Programs is available at http://www.justice.gov/usao-ri.
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Rhode Island, Massachusetts Healthcare Provider Resolves Allegations of Discriminatory PracticesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The United States Attorney’s Offices in the Districts of Rhode Island and Massachusetts, and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), announced today that they have reached agreement with twelve skilled nursing facilities in Rhode Island and Massachusetts operated by Genesis HealthCare Inc, to resolve allegations that the facilities denied admission to prospective residents because they were taking an FDA-approved medical treatment to treat Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and the Rehabilitation Act.
The investigation was opened after the U.S. Attorney’s Offices received complaints alleging that individuals were denied admission to Genesis facilities located in Rhode Island and Massachusetts because they were being treated with buprenorphine or methadone, medications used to treat OUD. Many individuals receiving medication to treat OUD have a disability under federal civil rights laws. The complainants were seeking admission for health issues unrelated to their dependency, but also needed the facilities to administer medication for OUD, as they would administer any other medication for any other chronic illness. In cooperation with the U.S. Attorney’s Offices, HHS initiated an investigation to determine whether, and to what extent, these facilities were refusing to admit individuals taking medication to treat OUD.
Under the terms of the agreement, the twelve skilled nursing facilities operated by Genesis HealthCare in Rhode Island and Massachusetts will, among other things, adopt a non-discrimination policy, and provide training on federal civil rights laws and OUD to admissions personnel. The company will also pay a civil penalty of $60,000. $50,000 of the penalty will be suspended and forgiven if the Genesis designated facilities comply with the terms of the agreement.
“As Rhode Island and the rest of the country continues to confront an overdose crisis, individuals in recovery should never have to face discriminatory barriers to healthcare,” said Acting United States Attorney for the District of Rhode Island Richard Myrus. “Elimination of these discriminatory barriers is not only a right under federal civil rights laws, it can be a matter of life and death. We appreciate Genesis’s cooperation in modifying its policies for compliance with the ADA, and we encourage other skilled nursing facilities to proactively do the same.”
“The ADA is the law of the land, and the ADA makes it illegal to discriminate against people with disabilities – including Opioid Use Disorder,” said Acting United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts Nathaniel R. Mendell. “All providers must comply with the ADA, and we are happy to vindicate the rights of those in recovery by protecting their fair access to necessary treatment.”
“Secretary Becerra has made advancing the goal of ending the Opioid Crisis a key priority for HHS, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this deadly crisis. This agreement and the steps that Genesis is taking across its facilities advances this important goal by ensuring civil rights laws protect healthcare access for people who are in treatment for Opioid Use Disorder,” said HHS Acting OCR Director Dr. Robinsue Frohboese.
This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Romero in the District of Rhode Island, Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Bloom in the District of Massachusetts, and HHS Supervisory Equal Opportunity Specialist Erin Walker.
The U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the District of Rhode Island and Massachusetts are committed to investigating alleged violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Those interested in learning more about the Americans with Disabilities Act may access www.ada.gov, visit the web site of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island at www.justice.gov/usao-ri/civil-rights-enforcement, or call the Department of Justice’s toll-free information line at (800) 514-0301 or (800) 514-0383 (TTY).
Information about filing a complaint in Rhode Island, including instructions for filing a complaint online, can be found at https://www.justice.gov/usao-ri/civil-rights-enforcement.
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Ringleader of Schemes to Steal and Sell Construction Equipment, Recreation Vehicles SentencedRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A Cranston man who organized and executed schemes to steal and sell nearly $700,000 worth of excavators, sport boats, jet skis, all-terrain vehicles, and trailers from dealerships and marinas in four New England states was sentenced today to five years in federal prison, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.
From November 2019 through July 2020, Jose A. Montes, aka Jose Rivera, aka “Tuto”, 37, led one or more individuals under the cover of darkness to break into business and steal three Bobcat excavators, ten jet skis, four boats, eight all-terrain vehicles, and ten trailers. Some of the equipment was subsequently recovered by police; several of the items were hauled to Florida and sold; some items remain unaccounted for.
Montes previously admitted to the court that:
- On October 22, 2019, Montes and a person he recruited forcibly entered a locked Rehoboth, MA, business and stole four jet skis and two double trailers valued at a total of nearly $52,000. Two of the watercrafts were later recovered in Cranston by the Cranston Police.
- On November 18, 2019, Montes and another person cut the lock off a gate leading to a marina in South Kingstown and stole a 22-foot sport boat sitting atop a trailer, with a combined value at $30,000. The boat and trailer were later recovered by law enforcement in Sarasota, FL.
- On December 28, 2019, Montes and two others forcibly entered a marina in Tiverton and stole two sport fishing boats sitting atop trailers, worth a total of nearly $201,000. The boats were towed to a property in Johnston. Montes later removed the engine from one boat in Scituate. The vessel was recovered by police. The second boat was towed to Sarasota, FL, where it was to be sold. It was located and seized by law enforcement.
- Twice on the evening of April 10, 2020, and once the next evening, Montes forcibly entered a Bobcat dealership in Auburn, MA and loaded a Bobcat machine onto a trailer previously reported stolen in Massachusetts. The machines stolen on April 10, 2020, were taken to a property in North Scituate. The machine stolen on April 11, 2020 was brought to a property in Glocester. All three of the machines, valued at a total of $195,000, were recovered by law enforcement.
- On April 12, 2020, Montes and another person forcibly entered a Vernon, CT, business where they pushed an all-terrain vehicle and three-wheeled street motor vehicle onto a trailer. Their attempt to steal the vehicles was interrupted, and the men fled as police responded to the area for an unrelated matter. Undeterred, the two men then traveled to a nearby business where they stole an all-terrain vehicle, a jet ski, and two trailers, valued at a total of $22,700.
- On July 20, 2020, Montes and two men he recruited unlawfully entered a business in Easton, MA, and stole three jet skis and three trailers valued at a total of more than $17,500. One of the trailers was recovered by Easton Police in Providence.
- On July 29, Montes and others stole from a Hampstead, NH, business four all-terrain vehicles, two jet skis, and two trailers, valued in total at $77,098. One of the all-terrain vehicles was located on August 2, 2020 but was subsequently stolen again after being towed by Providence Police. A week later Hampstead Police recovered one of the stolen all-terrain vehicles.
Montes pleaded guilty on May 12, 2021, to eight counts of interstate transportation of stolen property and three counts of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property. He was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy to 60 months in federal prison to be followed by three years of federal supervised release.
Eight additional defendants have been charged in this matter.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys William J. Ferland and Ly T. Chin.
The investigation was launched by the Johnston and North Providence Police Departments, and later joined by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force. The investigation merged with a parallel investigation being conducted by Rhode Island and Connecticut State Police, and the Easton, Mass., and the Hampstead, N.H., Police Departments.
Acting United States Attorney Myrus thanks the Tiverton, South Kingstown, Scituate, Cranston and Providence, R.I., and Auburn, Mass., Police Departments and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office in Sarasota, FL, for their assistance in the investigations.
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Providence Man Charged in Schemes to Defraud RI Businesses, MA FoundationRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A Providence man has been charged in federal court based on allegations that he orchestrated schemes to defraud Rhode Island businesses and a Massachusetts foundation of tens of thousands of dollars by depositing fraudulent checks drawn on the entities and quickly withdrawing the funds before it was determined by the banks that the checks were bogus, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.
The government has alleged that Rachon Waite, 31, known to some as “RJ,” 31, made social media solicitations seeking persons willing to provide him with their debit cards and personal identifying number (PIN), and/or access to their bank accounts so that he could deposit fraudulent checks as part of the scheme, promising to pay them for the use of this account information.
Waite made an initial appearance in federal court this afternoon, charged by way of a federal criminal complaint with wire fraud, bank fraud, access device (ATM) fraud, and aggravated identity theft.
According to court documents, in early March 2021, a Bristol-based engineering company reported to the Bristol Police Department that a fraudulent check drawn on their business account in the amount of $23,754 had been cashed. An investigation determined that the check had been made out to and was deposited into a Coventry resident’s bank account. The bank account holder told investigators that he responded to a solicitation posted on social media by a person he came to know as “RJ,” and provided “RJ” with his debit card and PIN. The account holder agreed to let “RJ” use his bank account to deposit checks and withdraw funds, in return receiving a portion of the amount of money withdrawn. On March 19, 2021, the account holder saw that his account was overdrawn by approximately $24,000. The next day the account was closed by the bank and the remaining funds were kept by the bank, including funds from the account holder’s paycheck. The account holder was unable to contact “RJ” again and his debit card was never returned.
According to court documents, at in early March, a Wrentham, Massachusetts-based foundation reported to Wrentham Police that two fraudulent checks totaling nearly $15,000 were drawn on the foundation’s bank account and cashed. Two individuals whose accounts were identified by law enforcement as allegedly used to assist in the fraud described a similar scheme to that which defrauded the Bristol engineering company. They too communicated with “RJ” and provided him with their debit cards and PINs, in return for the promise of a portion of funds deposited into and withdrawn from their accounts. A description of the person with whom the account holders met with matched the description of the person who allegedly facilitated the fraud against the Bristol company.
A Coventry woman who allegedly provided “RJ” with her debit card and PIN was allegedly paid $2,000 for the use of her banking information when “RJ” withdrew $7,000 from the woman’s account. He allegedly deposited a fraudulent foundation check for $7,417,14. A Johnston man who allegedly provided his ATM card and PIN to “RJ” never heard from “RJ” again. It is alleged that Waite deposited a fraudulent foundation check for $7,117.40 into the Johnston man’s account and withdrew most of the funds.
Rachon Waite was released to the custody of OpenDoors RI following his initial appearance in U.S. District Court. 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 United States Attorney Denise M. Barton.
The matter was investigated by the FBI, Bristol Police Department, and Wrentham Police Department.
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Tiverton Man Charged with Enticement, Transporting a Minor with Intent to Engage in Criminal Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A 20-year-old Tiverton man is facing charges in federal court in Providence on allegations that he allegedly enticed and transported a 13-year-old from Pennsylvania to Tiverton with the intent to engage in sexual activity.
William Stewart was arrested by Tiverton Police on July 5, 2021, one day after allegedly arriving with the minor at the home of his grandparents. It is alleged that Stewart picked up the minor late in the evening of June 30 at or near the victim’s grandparents’ home in Pennsylvania. The minor was reported missing on the morning of July 1. It is alleged that Stewart engaged in sexual contact with the minor on multiple occasions while en route to Rhode Island, and while at his grandparent’s home.
Stewart is charged by way of a federal criminal complaint with transportation of a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, interstate travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, and coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in illicit sexual activity, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.
According to a criminal complaint filed with the court, it is alleged that Stewart, who was living with his father in Pennsylvania, and the 13-year-old, who was living with grandparents in Pennsylvania, exchanged communications via Snapchat prior to meeting in person on June 30. In Snapchat communications obtained by court order as part of a Pennsylvania State Police missing juvenile investigation, while the two talked about traveling to Rhode Island together, the minor told Stewart that she was 13 years old.
According to court documents, while the two were en route to Rhode Island, Stewart allegedly made stops in Philadelphia and Camden, NJ, prior to arriving at a motel in New London, CT. Stewart and the minor stayed at a motel in New London for three days, in the room of an acquaintance of Stewart. While there, it is alleged that Stewart had sexual contact with the minor multiple times. Stewart purchased a wig to disguise the minor. The two then drove to Rhode Island, arriving at the home of Stewart’s grandparents on July 4.
According to the criminal complaint, on July 5, the minor contacted a friend via Snapchat and asked for help. The minor allegedly tried to leave Stewart on at least two occasions, but Stewart threatened harm with a knife.
Based on information provided by Pennsylvania law enforcement, Tiverton Police went to the home of Stewart’s grandparents where they located the missing minor and Stewart in the basement of the residence. As part of their investigation, Tiverton Police conducted a court-authorized search of the residence and seized multiple items including a black knife, a wig, and bedding. Stewart is currently detained at the Adult Correctional Institutions on state charges brought in this matter.
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 G. Michael Seaman, with the assistance of Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. McAdams.
The investigation is being conducted by the Tiverton Police Department, the FBI, and Homeland Security Investigations.
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Warwick Man Sentenced to More than Eleven Years for Transporting a Minor with Intent to Engage in SexRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A 45-year-old Warwick man who befriended online a 15-year-old Michigan girl and executed a plan to run away with her was sentenced in federal court in Providence, RI, today to more than eleven years in federal prison and twenty years of federal supervised release for transporting the girl from her hometown to Rhode Island with the intent of repeatedly engaging in illicit sex and for having her send him sexually explicit images of herself.
According to court documents, in mid-July 2019, Charles Morancey befriended the Hopkins, MI, 15-year-old who expressed to him that she was experiencing difficulties at home. During online conversations that Morancey often turned sexually explicit and graphic, he helped the 15-year-old create a plan to run away from home with him and to prevent her parents from locating or contacting her or from accessing her social media accounts. He advised her to remove and destroy her cell phone sim card and to change passwords or delete her social media accounts. The girl chose not to follow all of Morancey’s instructions.
On August 2, 2019, the 15-year-old left her home without her parent’s knowledge and met Morancey at a nearby location. Morancey drove the girl to his Warwick residence, stopping in an Indiana rest area during the two-day drive to engage in sexual contact. Upon arriving in Rhode Island, Morancey engaged in sexual activity with the minor girl on multiple occasions.
On August 6, 2019, the Allegan County Sherriff’s Department obtained an emergency search warrant for the missing teen’s Instagram account, and determined that the girl had logged on to her account from an IP address in Rhode Island. The investigation determined that the IP address belonged to Morancey. Warwick Police were notified and responded to Morancey’s residence where they located the missing girl. Later that afternoon, Morancey was located in Warwick driving his vehicle and was arrested.
Charles Morancey pled guilty on November 18, 2019, to a two-count information charging him with travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct and receipt of child pornography.
Today’s sentencing of Morancey by U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith to 135 months in federal prison to be followed by twenty years of federal supervised release, and an assessment in the amount of $5,000 pursuant to the Justice for Victims Trafficking Act, is announced by Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lee H. Vilker.
The matter was investigated by the Allegan County Sherriff’s Office and the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force, with the assistance of the Warwick Police Department.
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Registered Sex Offender Indicted on Attempted Enticement, Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A 31-year-old North Smithfield registered sex offender who allegedly posed as a 17-year-old during explicit Instagram communications with two young teenage boys living in Florida has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Providence on charges that he allegedly attempted to induce the boys to engage in illicit sexual activity and that he attempted to send the boys obscene materials.
The grand jury returned a six-count indictment on Friday charging Nicholas Sannicandro with two counts of attempted inducement of a minor to engage in illicit sexual activity, two counts of attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor, one count of possession and access with intent to view child pornography, and offenses by a registered sex offender.
According to court records, Nicholas Sannicandro was convicted in 2011 in Massachusetts for possession of child pornography and was required to register as a sex offender. Subsequently, he was convicted twice in 2018 in Massachusetts for disseminating matter harmful to a minor.
According to court documents and information presented to court, in May, a woman reported to the North Port, FL, Police Department that an unidentified person had sent inappropriate sexual communications to her 13-year-old son via an Instagram account with the name “Jackasslures”, a fishing-related online site. The woman also reported that her son had received a package containing a fishing lure sent by a person associated with Instagram account. North Port Police determined that the account belonged to Sannicandro, and that the 13-year-old learned of the online site from a 14-year-old middle-school classmate. The 14-year-old allegedly had been communicating with “Jackasslures” since late January 2021.
According to court documents, a North Port law enforcement officer assumed the online identity of the 14-year-old and began communicating with “Jackasslures” in an undercover capacity. The officer stated to “Jackasslures” that he had just turned fourteen and that he would be travelling to Warwick in June. “Jackasslures” allegedly sent the undercover officer images of himself, of the inside of his boat, and of himself wrapped in a blanket on the boat with the caption of “I’M COZY IN MY BED ON. MY BOAT[.]” He also sent an invitation to go out on the boat to go night-fishing. During further online communications, Sannicandro allegedly sent a sexually explicit image to the undercover officer and a live video while performing a sex act on himself.
Sannicandro was arrested at a Warwick marina on June 22, where he was allegedly expecting to meet with the 14-year-old. The meeting had been arranged by the North Port, FL, undercover officer posing online as the boy.
The indictment of Nicholas Sannicandro is announced by Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus. A federal indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
If convicted as charged in the indictment, Sannicandro faces statutory penalties that include a minimum of 10 years - up to life in federal prison.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John P. McAdams.
The matter was investigated by the FBI and North Port, FL, Police Department, who, along with the Rhode Island State Police, members of the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and Warwick Police arrested Sannicandro in Warwick on June 22.
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Correctional Officer, Two Inmates Among Five Charged in Scheme to Smuggle Contraband into Wyatt Detention CenterRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility correctional officer, two detainees, a defendant released from the Wyatt due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and another person have been charged by way of federal criminal complaints for their alleged participation in a scheme to smuggle Suboxone into the Central Falls facility, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.
It is alleged in court documents that, in early and mid-February, two inmates housed at the Wyatt Detention Center, Emmanuel Nolasco, 34, and Matthew Pizarro, 32, communicated with former detainee Roosevelt Dale, 32, of Providence, and Yahaira Cristina Contreras, 29, of Providence, to arrange to provide Suboxone strips to correctional officer Kaii Almeida-Falcones, 25, who then smuggled the Suboxone inside the facility. Dale had been released from the Wyatt in May 2020, after claiming he was at heightened risk to contract Covid-19.
According to Court documents, on February 15, members of the Wyatt Detention Center Professional Standards Unit searched Nolasco’s cell and seized approximately 70 loose strips and a “brick” of 100 strips of Suboxone. Later that day, Almeida-Falcones was placed on paid leave and told by Wyatt Detention Center administrators not to return to the facility until advised to do so.
Kaii Almeida-Falcones, Emmanuel Nolasco, Matthew Pizarro, Roosevelt Dale, and Yahaira Cristina Contreras are charged by way of federal criminal complaints with drug trafficking and providing contraband in prison.
Almeida-Falcones, Contreras, and Dale were arrested Friday morning by members of the FBI and United States Marshals Service, with assistance from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Inspector General and appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan. Dale was ordered detained. Almeida-Falcones and Contreras were released on conditions.
Emmanuel Nolasco remains detained at the Wyatt Detention Center awaiting trial in an unrelated matter. Matthew Pizarro is currently incarcerated at United States Penitentiary Hazelton in Bruceton Mills, VA. Both will have court appearances at a later date.
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 United States Attorneys John P. McAdams and Terrence P. Donnelly.
The matter was investigated by the FBI, the United States Marshals Service, the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Inspector General, and the Professional Standards Unit at the Wyatt Detention Center.
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Jamaican Nationals Plead Guilty to Defrauding U.S. Citizens via Lottery ScamsRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Two Jamaican nationals admitted to a federal court judge in Providence that they participated in lottery scams that defrauded U.S citizens in several states, including Rhode Island and Massachusetts, of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Unsuspecting victims were contacted by scammers, told they had won large sums of money in a lottery, but were required to pay “fees” to collect their winnings.
According to court documents, beginning in at least May 2018, Jason Wedderburn 42, and Kayan Kitson, 38, participated in a conspiracy in which conspirators made unsolicited contact with people in several states, often times senior citizens, informing them that they had won hundreds of thousands of dollars, and in some instances over a million dollars, in a lottery. For them to collect their winnings, victims were told they first would have to pay “up-front fees” such as taxes or processing costs. The victims were instructed to either mail to Wedderburn, Kitson, or others, checks or money orders made out to the defendants to cover the cost of the fees, or were provided instructions for depositing the funds into bank accounts controlled by the defendants and others. Payments ranged from thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Some victims were contacted multiple times and told they needed to make additional payments. Once deposited, the funds were either quickly withdrawn, transferred to other bank accounts, or withdrawn from ATMs in Jamaica.
No lottery winnings were ever paid to any of the individuals contacted by the scammers. According to court documents, one Massachusetts victim was defrauded of more than $325,000. In total, over $600,000 was stolen primarily from elderly victims as part of the scam.
Appearing before U.S District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy, Jason Wedderburn and Kayan Kitson, detained since their arrest in Florida in August 2020, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.
Wedderburn, who pled guilty on Tuesday, and Kitson who pled guilty today are scheduled to be sentenced on October 6, 2021.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sandra R. Hebert, with the assistance of Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine D. Lowell.
The matter was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Acting United States Attorney Myrus thanks the FBI for its assistance.
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Georgia Man Pleads Guilty in Bank Fraud Scheme Exploiting Homeless in Rhode IslandRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A Georgia man, one of four charged in March with running a scheme in which Providence area homeless and transient individuals were recruited to cash counterfeit business checks in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Maine, in exchange for cash payments, pleaded guilty in federal court in Providence today to conspiracy to commit bank fraud.
A United States Secret Service-led investigation determined that from October 2018 through February 2021, numerous homeless individuals were arrested at banks throughout the region attempting to cash counterfeit business checks. Many of them reported similar patterns of being approached by one or more males in Providence and being offered the opportunity to cash bogus checks in return for cash payments.
According to information presented to the court, among those approaching individuals to cash checks was Michael Williams, 26, of East Point, GA. Once a person agreed to cash a check, Williams and his co-conspirators, Austin Weaver, 31, of Decatur, GA, Cortavious Benford, 26, of Atlanta, GA, and Jalen Ronald Stanford, 28, of East Point, GA, allegedly created a counterfeit check made payable to the individual and then drove him or her to a bank to cash it. The checks were generally in the amount of $2,000 or more. Individuals were often paid about $100 per check that they successfully cashed.
On February 5, 2021, Williams and Cortavious Benford allegedly recruited and drove a homeless person to a Providence bank to cash a check. They threatened to injure the man if he failed to provide them with all the proceeds. From inside the bank, the man pointed to a white sedan that was parked outside of the bank as containing the individuals who recruited him and provided him with the counterfeit check. Providence Police located the vehicle a short distance away and arrested Williams and Benford. They were found to be in possession of $12,000 in cash.
A court-authorized search of a Providence residence that law enforcement determined the co-conspirators used when in Rhode Island resulted in the seizure of items used in the creation of counterfeit checks, including a computer, which had a program used to design and print checks, a printer, blank check stock, and an envelope containing numerous stolen checks and approximately $5,000 in cash.
Several completed fraudulent checks, which included known cashers and victim business information were found on the computer.
The investigation determined that using homeless and itinerant individuals, Williams and his co-conspirators allegedly attempted to cash approximately $677,687 worth of counterfeit checks throughout the New England region, causing losses to financial institutions of approximately $480,000.
Appearing today before U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., Michael Williams pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, announced Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus. Williams is scheduled to be sentenced on September 21, 2021.
Cortavious Benford, Austin Weaver, and Jalen Ronald Stanford, are awaiting trial.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee H. Vilker.
Charges brought in this case are merely accusations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Acting United States Attorney Myrus thanks the Providence and Medway, MA, Police Departments for their assistance in the investigation of this matter.
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Woonsocket Man Sentenced for Possessing 50,000 Images of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Woonsocket man found by members of the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force to be in possession of more than 50,000 images and 200 videos of child pornography was sentenced today to three-and-a-half years in federal prison.
In November 2018, members of the ICAC Task Force conducted an online child exploitation investigation involving the use of peer-to-peer networks. Detectives observed an IP address they later determined belonged to Jason P. Muschiano, 39, sharing files of child pornography.
On February 14, 2019, members of the task force executed a court-authorized search of Muschiano’s residence. During the search, Muschiano admitted to law enforcement that he had previously downloaded and viewed child pornography depicting toddlers ages three, four, and five. A forensic audit of digital storage devices seized from Muschiano’s residence revealed more than 50,000 images and 200 videos depicting child pornography.
On February 21, 2020, Muschiano pled guilty in U.S. District Court to possession of child pornography. He was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy to 42 months in federal prison to be followed by five years of federal supervised release.
Muschiano’s sentence is announced by Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.
This Project Safe Childhood case, investigated by members of the ICAC Task Force, was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dulce Donovan.
The Rhode Island ICAC Task Force is comprised of members of the Rhode Island State Police Computer Crimes Unit, detectives from the Warwick, Cranston, Newport, East Providence, Pawtucket, Bristol, and Portsmouth Police Departments, and agents from Homeland Security Investigations.
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$1.3 Million Fraud Ringleader Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, RI – The leader of a multi-state conspiracy that executed multiple schemes to defraud banks, finance companies, car dealerships, and retailers of more than $1.3 million was sentenced today to more than seven years in federal prison.
According to court documents, soon after arriving in the United States from the Dominican Republic in 2016, Octavio Andres Difo-Castro, 30, of Brooklyn, NY, began purchasing blocks of stolen identifying information of unsuspecting victims from the dark web. The identities were used to create high-quality drivers’ licenses and other documents he provided to individuals who worked at his direction to execute schemes that defrauded financial institutions and retailers.
Difo-Castro’s schemes included using the stolen identities and fraudulent documents to open bank accounts that were used to deposit and withdraw fraudulently obtained funds; to pose as both the seller and the buyer of vehicles in order to fraudulently secure bank and/or credit union financing from financial institutions in several states; and to obtain retail store credit and to make purchases at clothing and cellphone retailers in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania.
According to court documents, banks and credit unions were defrauded of $899,866; cellphone retailers of $117,341; and clothing retailers of $14,067.
Difo-Castro pleaded guilty on September 19, 2019, to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to access device fraud, two counts of aggravated identity theft, and nineteen counts of wire fraud. He was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., to 87 months in federal prison to be followed by three years of federal supervised release. He was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $649,180.
Difo-Castro’s sentence is announced by Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus.
Also charged and convicted in these matters are:
- Reynaldo Martinez, 25, of Providence. Martinez pleaded guilty in November 2017 to four counts of aggravated identity theft, two counts of access fraud, and one count each of bank fraud, conspiracy to commit fraud, attempted access fraud, and interstate transportation of stolen goods. He was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison and ordered to pay restitution totaling $38,126.62.
- Jason McDonald, 38, of Attleboro, MA. McDonald pleaded guilty in March 2018 to conspiracy, attempted bank fraud, fraudulent use of a Social Security number, and aggravated identity theft. He was sentenced to 39 months in federal prison and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $29,825.
- Donald A. Wicklund, 34, of Pawtucket, pleaded guilty in April 2018 to two counts of wire fraud, five counts of fraudulent use of a Social Security Number, five counts of aggravated identity theft and three counts of bank fraud. He was sentenced by to 24 months and one day in federal prison and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $80,799.
- Yenesia Pujols, 48, of Providence, R.I., pleaded guilty in October 2019 to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and three counts of wire fraud. She was sentenced to two years and one day in federal prison and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $86,144.
- Angel L. Morales, 54, of New York, NY, pleaded guilty in September 2019 to two counts of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, seven counts of bank fraud, and two counts of aggravated identity theft. He was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $116,000.
- Patricia Peralta, 30, of Patterson, N.J., pleaded guilty on August 21, 2019, to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit access fraud, aggravated identity theft, wire fraud, and fraudulent use of a Social Security number. She is awaiting sentencing.
Also charged for his alleged participation in the conspiracy is Israel Arana Ruiz Velasco, 27, whose whereabouts are unknown. Velasco is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and sixteen counts of wire fraud. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William J. Ferland, with the assistance of Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Cunha.
The investigations were conducted by the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General/Office of Investigations, and the U.S. Secret Service.
Acting United States Richard B. Myrus acknowledges the United States Postal Inspection Service; the East Providence, Warwick, Seekonk and Mansfield Police Departments; and the Rhode Island State Police for their assistance in the investigation of these matters.
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