District of Rhode Island
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
R.I. Slaughterhouse, Owners Indicted for Placing USDA Stamps on Uninspected ProductsRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A federal grand jury in Providence today returned a three-count indictment charging a Johnston, Rhode Island, beef slaughterhouse and its owners with affixing United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspection stamps on beef products without authorization of the USDA.
It is alleged in the indictment that Rhode Island Beef and Veal, Inc., and its owners, Michael A. Quattrucci and Joel Quattrucci, intended to defraud its customers by using an official mark of inspection, a USDA stamp, on beef, falsely representing that the beef had been inspected and passed by the USDA when, in fact, it had not.
It is also alleged in the indictment that the defendants prepared beef for use as food at establishments preparing such beef for commerce, without complying with the requirements of the Federal Meat Inspection Act.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case, announced by United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman and Paul Kiecker, Administrator of the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Zechariah Chafee.
The matter was investigated by the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service.
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Justice Department Releases Information on Election Day Efforts to Protect the Right to Vote and Prosecute Ballot FraudRead the Press Release
Continuing a longstanding Justice Department tradition, Attorney General William P. Barr issued the following statement: “Americans have the opportunity once again to help shape the future of this nation by exercising their right to vote. It is a right that forms the foundation of our democratic system of government, and is precious to all Americans. The Department of Justice will work tirelessly alongside other federal, state, and local agencies to protect that right as it is administered by state and local jurisdictions across the nation.”
In anticipation of the upcoming general elections, the Department of Justice today provided information about its particular efforts, through the Criminal Division, Civil Rights Division, and National Security Division, to ensure that all qualified voters have the opportunity to cast their ballots and have their votes counted free of discrimination, intimidation, or fraud in the election process.
Criminal Division and the Department’s 94 U.S. Attorney’s Offices:
The department’s Criminal Division oversees the enforcement of federal laws that criminalize certain forms of election fraud and vindicate the integrity of the federal election process.
The Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and the department’s 94 U.S. Attorney’s Offices are responsible for enforcing the federal criminal laws that prohibit various forms of election fraud, such as destruction of ballots, vote-buying, multiple voting, submission of fraudulent ballots or registrations, and alteration of votes, and malfeasance by postal or election officials and employees. The Criminal Division is also responsible for enforcing federal criminal law prohibiting voter intimidation for reasons other than race, color, national origin, or religion (as noted below, voter intimidation that has a basis in race, color, national origin, or religion is addressed by the Civil Rights Division).
The U.S. Attorney’s Offices around the country designate Assistant U.S. Attorneys who serve as District Election Officers (DEOs) in the respective Districts. DEOs are responsible for overseeing potential election-crime matters in their Districts, and for coordinating with the department’s election-crime experts in Washington, D.C.
From now through Nov. 3, 2020, the U.S. Attorney’s Offices will work with specially trained FBI personnel in each district to ensure that complaints from the public involving possible election fraud are handled appropriately. Specifically:
•In consultation with federal prosecutors at the Public Integrity Section in Washington, D.C., the District Election Officers in U.S. Attorney’s Offices, FBI officials at headquarters in Washington, D.C., and FBI special agents serving as Election Crime Coordinators in the FBI’s 56 field offices will be on duty while polls are open to receive complaints from the public.
•Election-crime complaints should be directed to the local U.S. Attorney’s Offices or the local FBI office. A list of U.S. Attorney’s Offices and their telephone numbers can be found at http://www.justice.gov/usao/districts/. A list of FBI offices and accompanying telephone numbers can be found at www.fbi.gov/contact-us.
•Public Integrity Section prosecutors are available to consult and coordinate with the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the FBI regarding the handling of election-crime allegations.
All complaints related to violence, threats of violence, or intimidation at a polling place should be reported first to local police authorities by calling 911; after alerting local law enforcement to such emergencies by calling 911, the public should contact the department.
In Rhode Island, United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman announced that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Terrence P. Donnelly will lead the efforts of the United States Attorney’s Office. AUSA Donnelly has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the District of Rhode Island, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of complaints of election fraud and voting rights abuses in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington. AUSA Donnelly can be reached by the public on Election Day at (401) 709-5068.
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on Election Day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at (401) 272-8310.
Civil Rights Division:
The department's Civil Rights Division is responsible for ensuring compliance with the civil provisions of federal statutes that protect the right to vote, and with the criminal provisions of federal statutes prohibiting discriminatory interference with that right.
The Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section enforces the civil provisions of a wide range of federal statutes that protect the right to vote including: the Voting Rights Act; the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act; the National Voter Registration Act; the Help America Vote Act; and the Civil Rights Acts. Among other things, collectively, these laws:
•Prohibit election practices that have either a discriminatory purpose or a discriminatory result on account of race, color, or language minority status;
•Prohibit intimidation of voters;
•Provide that voters who need assistance in voting because of disability or illiteracy can obtain assistance from a person of their choice (other than agents of their employer or union);
•Provide for accessible voting systems for voters with disabilities;
•Provide for provisional ballots for voters who assert they are registered and eligible, but whose names do not appear on poll books;
•Provide for absentee voting for absent uniformed service members, their family members, and U.S. citizens living abroad; and
•Provide for covered States to offer citizens the opportunity to register to vote through offices that provide driver licenses, public assistance, and disability services, as well as through the mail; and to take steps regarding maintaining voter registration lists.
The Civil Rights Division’s Disability Rights Section enforces the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that prohibits discrimination in voting based on disability.
The Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section enforces federal criminal statutes that prohibit voter intimidation and vote suppression based on race, color, national origin, or religion.
On Election Day, Nov. 3, 2020, the Civil Rights Division will implement a comprehensive program to help ensure the right to vote that will include the following:
•The Civil Rights Division will conduct monitoring in the field under the federal voting rights statutes.
•Civil Rights Division attorneys in the Voting, Disability Rights, and Criminal Sections in Washington, D.C., will be ready to receive complaints of potential violations relating to any of the statutes the Civil Rights Division enforces. Attorneys in the division will coordinate within the Department of Justice and will take appropriate action concerning these complaints before, during, and after Election Day.
•Individuals with complaints related to possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can call the department’s toll-free telephone line at 800-253-3931, and also can submit complaints through a link on the department’s website, at https://civilrights.justice.gov/.
•Individuals with questions or complaints related to the ADA may call the Justice Department’s toll-free ADA information line at 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TDD), or submit a complaint through a link on the department’s ADA website, at ada.gov.
•Once again, complaints related to violence, threats of violence, or intimidation at a polling place should always be reported immediately to local authorities by calling 911. They should also be reported to the department after local authorities are contacted.
National Security Division:
The department's National Security Division supervises the investigation and prosecution of cases affecting or relating to national security, including any cases involving foreign interference in elections or violent extremist threats to elections. In this context:
•The National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section oversees matters involving a range of malign influence activities that foreign governments may attempt, including computer hacking of election or campaign infrastructure; covert information operations (e.g., to promulgate disinformation through social media); covert efforts to support or denigrate political candidates or organizations; and other covert influence operations that might violate various criminal statutes.
•The National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section oversees matters involving international and domestic terrorism and supports law enforcement in preventing any acts of terrorism that impact Americans, including any violent extremism that might threaten election security.
As in past elections, on Nov. 3, 2020, the National Security Division will work closely with counterparts at the FBI and our U.S. Attorney’s Offices to protect our nation’s elections from any national security threats. In particular, attorneys from both sections will be partnered with FBI Headquarters components to provide support to U.S. Attorney’s Offices and FBI Field Offices to counter any such threats. Again, complaints related to violence, threats of violence, or intimidation at a polling place should always be reported immediately to local authorities by calling 911 and, after local authorities are contacted, then should also be reported to the department.
Both protecting the right to vote and combating election fraud are essential to maintaining the confidence of all Americans in our democratic system of government. The department encourages anyone with information suggesting voting rights concerns or ballot fraud to contact the appropriate authorities, and notes in particular that the Department of Homeland Security plays its own important role in safeguarding critical election infrastructure from cyber and other threats.
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Second Arrest in Newport in Three Days on Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – For the second time in three days, agents from Homeland Security Investigations, members of the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), and Newport Police executed a court-authorized search of a Newport residence and arrested a Newport resident on federal child pornography charges.
Agents and officers today arrested William H. Normandin, 43, on charges of distributing and possessing child pornography. On Tuesday, members of the same the law enforcement agencies arrested Craig A Mulvey, 39, on the same charges, in an unrelated case.
According to court documents, in January 2020, HSI agents in Providence received information from HSI agents in Ottawa that they had been notified that on August 11, 2019, an individual, with a user name later determined to allegedly belong to Normandin, had uploaded a video of child pornography into a chat room on a social media platform used by some to view and distribute child pornography. It was later determined by investigators in Rhode Island that the child pornography had allegedly been uploaded from an IP address at Normandin’s residence. Subsequently, the ICAC Task Force received additional information that child pornography was allegedly shared on the same social media platform on multiple occasions in February 2020 by a user determined to allegedly be Normandin while utilizing a different account.
Agents and officers executed a court-authorized search at Normandin’s residence today. A preliminary review of Normandin’s smartphone conducted by a Computer Forensic Analyst who is a member of the ICAC Task Force revealed screen shots/video stills of videos that are alleged to be child pornography.
Normandin appeared this afternoon before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond on a criminal complaint charging him with distribution of child pornography and possessing and accessing child pornography, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Homeland Security Investigations Acting Special Agent in Charge David Magdycz, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police Colonel James M. Manni, and Newport Police Chief Gary T. Silva.
Normandin was released on unsecured bond and electronic monitoring.
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 John P. McAdams.
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Trucking Company Owner Admits to Falsifying Driver RecordsRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – The owner of a now defunct Woonsocket commercial trucking company admitted to a federal court judge in Providence that he altered thousands of electronic entries in service logbooks for approximately 20 drivers in order to conceal the actual drive time and “on-duty” time of drivers.
U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) regulations, enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a division of the USDOT, require accurate record keeping and operational requirements, including records related to drivers’ actual hours of service.
Damir Sisic, 29, of Woonsocket, owner of the now defunct Sisic Transport Service LLC (STS), admitted that he routinely altered data collected by onboard electronic data gathering devices installed in his trucks that reflected the actual number of hours his drivers operated the vehicles.
Sisic owned approximately eleven commercial truck tractors and ten box-style commercial trailers, and employed between seven and ten drivers at a time. Each vehicle was equipped with an electronic device that recorded the location of each truck, and the start and stop time of each vehicle. Sisic admitted that he accessed and altered that data on thousands of occasions. He admitted that he routinely concealed from the USDOT and FMCSA that his drivers were routinely exceeding the maximum number of driving hours and “on-duty” hours without the required off-duty hours, in violation of federal law.
According to court documents, Sisic provided altered driving records to a State Trooper investigating the fatality of an STS driver who was driving an STS truck that occurred in Oklahoma on April 22, 2018. In addition, Sisic provided altered driving records for numerous STS drivers to an FMCSA investigator during a compliance review.
Sisic pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Providence to conspiracy to falsify records, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman and Special Agent in Charge Douglas Shoemaker, U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Northeast Region.
Sisic is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy on January 7, 2021.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ly T. Chin.
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Convicted Felon Detained on Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Pawtucket man previously convicted in Rhode Island state court on felony drug trafficking and misdemeanor domestic assault charges has been ordered detained in federal custody, having been found to allegedly be in possession of a loaded firearm.
On October 14, 2020, Pawtucket Police Officers observing traffic allegedly observed the driver of a vehicle with Virginia license plates, later identified as Jonathan Reyes, 34, of Pawtucket, to be not wearing a seatbelt. Additionally, officers determined that the license plates displayed on the vehicle were registered to a different make and model. As a result, they initiated a traffic stop.
According to court documents, as officers pulled the vehicle over, they allegedly observed Reyes reach across his body, remove a dark object from his chest, and place it in an area out of the officers’ sight. After being advised of the reason for the traffic stop, Reyes allegedly told the officers that he had just purchased the vehicle. He provided officers with a Bill of Sale that allegedly did not contain a VIN number, date of sale/purchase, or signatures of the seller/buyer. A further check of the registration plates determined the vehicle was improperly registered.
While speaking with Reyes regarding his improperly registered vehicle, the officer noticed a dark satchel/fanny pack in the middle of the back seat. When asked what he removed from his chest area as officers were stopping his vehicle, Reyes allegedly told officers that he had removed his seat belt. Reyes and a passenger were asked to leave the vehicle. During a search of the vehicle officers allegedly discovered a loaded Sig Sauer semi-automatic handgun with an obliterated serial number. Officers also allegedly discovered a pill bottle with a ripped label containing suspected Adderall pills.
Reyes, who allegedly attempted to flee police and allegedly resisted officers as he was being placed under arrest, was charged in Rhode Island state court on firearm, drug and resisting arrest charges.
Today, Reyes appeared in federal court before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan charged with felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and with felon in possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. He was ordered detained in federal custody, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves, and Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Kelly D. Brady.
A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
If convicted as charged in the criminal complaint, Reyes faces a statutory sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison to be followed by 3 years of supervised release.
The case in federal court is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys William J. Ferland and Ly T. Chin.
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R.I. Man Admits to Fraudulently Seeking $4.7 Million in COVID-19 Stimulus LoansRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Middletown, R.I., man currently serving a term of federal supervised release having been convicted and incarcerated for robbing four banks, admitted in federal court in Providence today to fraudulently seeking more than $4.7 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) forgivable loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
The CARES Act was passed by Congress to assist businesses impacted by the pandemic.
Michael C. Moller, 41, admitted that he applied for and received nearly $600,000 in PPP loans he claimed were to be used to pay employees for a Fall River, MA, businesses he operated, “Top Notch Tile.” FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation agents determined that “Top Notch Tile” was not incorporated with the Massachusetts Secretary of State, nor could investigators locate any tax or bank records for the company.
Moller admitted that he filed a PPP loan application in his name, and that he caused other applications to be filed in the name of his father and his girlfriend’s brother. As a result of those fraudulent bank loan applications, financial institutions provided Moller a total of $599,251 dollars in stimulus PPP loans he was not entitled to receive.
Additionally, Moller admitted that acting alone, or with family members and associates, he caused eleven fraudulent PPP loan applications to be filed in the name of his girlfriend’s son. The money was to pay employees of “Alves Top Notch,” a Fall River-based business for which investigators could find no records. Among the eight applications were three nearly identical ones filed with different financial institutions, each seeking $734,300 in SBA guaranteed PPP loans. None of the eleven fraudulent applications filed in the name of Moller’s girlfriend’s son resulted in the disbursement of PPP loans.
Appearing today before U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy, Moller pleaded guilty to bank fraud, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division Joseph R. Bonavolonta, and Acting Special Agent in Charge of Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Joleen Simpson.
Moller, who remains detained in federal custody, is scheduled to be sentenced on January 19, 2021.
According to court records, Moller was convicted in the District of Massachusetts in 2010 for fraud and received a sentence of twenty-four months of supervised release. During his term of supervised release, Moller was convicted of four counts of bank robbery and sentenced to 108 months imprisonment and three years of supervised release. His term of supervised release is scheduled to terminate in July 2022.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee H. Vilker.
The matter was investigated by the FBI and IRS-Criminal Investigation, with the assistance of the SBA Office of Inspector General and the FDIC Office of Inspector General.
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Newport Resident Detained on Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A 39 year-old Newport man has been ordered detained following his arrest this morning on federal child pornography charges.
Craig M. Mulvey was arrested as Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), members of the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and Newport Police executed a court-authorized search of the Newport residence where Mulvey lives. During the search, it is alleged that numerous images and videos containing child pornography were located on a laptop belonging to Mulvey.
Additionally, in a segregated compartment in a nightstand located in Mulvey’s bedroom, investigators located two pairs of soiled little girl’s underwear and a thumb drive.
According to court documents, in February 2020, HSI agents in Providence received information from HSI agents in Ottawa that an image of child pornography had been uploaded to a social media platform from an Internet address later determined to belong to the Newport residence where Mulvey resides. In October, HSI determined that a login used to access and upload the image of child pornography to the social media platform allegedly belonged to Mulvey.
Mulvey appeared this afternoon before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond and was ordered detained on a criminal complaint charging him with distribution of child pornography and possessing and accessing child pornography, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Homeland Security Investigations Acting Special Agent in Charge David Magdycz, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police Colonel James M. Manni, and Newport Police Chief Gary T. Silva.
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 John P. McAdams.
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Businessmen Indicted in Multi-Million Dollar Scheme to Avoid Federal Employment TaxesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – Two Woonsocket businessman who operated a drywall subcontracting business that performed jobs for large construction companies and projects, and that utilized several business addresses in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, are named in a twenty-eight count federal indictment. The indictment alleges that the two individuals executed schemes to avoid paying federal employment taxes by paying employees in cash, often times delivered to worksites in backpacks, and failing to submit the actual amount of employment tax payments due the IRS.
It is alleged in the indictment that for four years beginning in 2013, Jesus Jose Mendez, 43 and Jamie Zambrano, 35, operators of J&J Drywall, Inc., which later became known as Empire, Inc., used check cashing businesses to cash more than 600 business receipts totaling more than $16 million. During that time period, the defendants made more than $4 million in deposits into the business’ bank accounts.
It is alleged in the indictment that Mendez and Zambrano conspired to pay a substantial number of their employees, many of whom were illegal aliens, in cash. Payroll funds were delivered to worksites in backpacks. A small number of employees were paid by Mendez and Zambrano via official payroll, to include withholdings.
It is alleged that Zambrano and Mendez conducted more than 120 cash deposits of between $9,000 and $10,000, often times on consecutive days. Many of the deposits were in the exact amount of $9,900. It is alleged that deposits were frequently structured in amounts of less than $10,000 to avoid federal reporting requirements by financial institutions.
It is alleged that Zambrano and Mendez filed forms with the IRS and the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance reporting wages paid between 2013 and 2017 totaling $4.3 million, when in fact the company received approximately $20.1 million in gross receipts.
Mendez was arraigned in federal court in Providence on Monday and released on unsecured bond, charged by way of an indictment which charges him and Zambrano with conspiracy to defraud the United States, 17 counts of failure to collect and pay employment taxes, tax evasion, eight counts of structuring financial transactions to avoid reporting requirements, and wire fraud, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Joleen Simpson, and Michael C. Mikulka, Special Agent-in-Charge, New York Region, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.
An arrest warrant has been issued for Zambrano.
A federal indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. McAdams.
The matter was investigated by Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation and U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, with substantial assistance from the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Labor-Management Standards in Boston.
United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman thanks Homeland Security Investigations and the Rhode Island State Police for their assistance in the investigation of this matter.
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Warwick Man Detained on Charges of Possessing and Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Warwick man who allegedly shared links of child pornography while participating in an online group chat was ordered detained in federal custody until a hearing on Friday following his arrest today by members of the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force and an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Providence on child pornography charges.
It is alleged that Owen Batista, 26, posted links on a social media platform where members allegedly distribute videos and images of child pornography. It is alleged that Batista directed members of the platform to online digital storage folders that, a forensic review by FBI agents determined, contained 738 files. A forensic examination determined that seventeen of eighteen mp4 videos downloaded and viewed by FBI agents allegedly depicted the sexual abuse of children.
According to court documents, at the time of his arrest Batista allegedly told agents that he opened a social media account on the platform used for sharing child pornography by using a family member’s email address. A brief forensic review by task force agents of Batista’s iPad at the time of his arrest allegedly revealed a video depicting child pornography. Batista allegedly told agents that he thought the video contained “midget porn” and was unaware that the video depicted child pornography.
Batista appeared before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan and was ordered detained until a Friday hearing on a criminal complaint charging him with possession of child pornography and distribution of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman and Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division Joseph R. Bonavolonta.
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 Lee H. Vilker.
The FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force is comprised of FBI agents and members of the Providence and Warwick Police Departments.
United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman and FBI Boston Division Special Agent in Charge Joseph R. Bonavolonta thank the FBI in Salt Lake City, Utah, for their assistance in this investigation.
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Pawtucket Man Indicted, Arraigned for Alleged Attempted Enticement of a MinorRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Pawtucket man was arraigned in federal court in Providence today on an indictment charging him with attempting to transfer obscene material to a minor and attempting to engage in prohibited sexual activity with a minor.
It is alleged that Tomy J. Fitton, 40, engaged in sexually explicit online chatroom conversations with a person he believed to be a 14 year-old girl and sent the girl multiple sexually explicit photographs. It is alleged that during the online chats, Fitton arranged to meet the girl at a specified location in Providence and to engage in illicit sexual activity.
The person Fitton was allegedly communicating with online was actually a member of the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. Fitton was arrested by members of the ICAC Task Force when he arrived at the Providence location.
It is alleged that a forensic examination of a cell phone belonging to Fitton revealed the chatroom conversations between Fitton and a member of the ICAC Task Force and the sexually explicit photographs he alleged sent to the person he believed to be a 14 year-old girl.
Fitton was ordered detained in federal custody following his arraignment today before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan on an indictment charging him with attempted enticement of a minor to engage in prohibited sexual activity and attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police Colonel James M. Manni, and Homeland Security Investigations Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael S. Shea.
A federal indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
If convicted as charged in the indictment, Fitton faces statutory penalties of between 10 years and life imprisonment and 5 years to lifetime supervised release.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald R. Gendron.
The Rhode Island ICAC Task Force is comprised of members of the Rhode Island State Police Computer Crimes Unit along with detectives from the Warwick Police Department, Cranston Police Department, Newport Police Department, East Providence Police Department, Pawtucket Police Department, Bristol Police Department, North Kingstown Police Department, Portsmouth Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations.
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19th Annual National Prescription Drug Take Back DayRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – DEA is holding its 19th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 24 at locations in Rhode Island and across the country. The nationwide event aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications.
Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.
Collection sites will adhere to local COVID-19 guidelines and regulations in order to maintain the safety of all participants and local law enforcement.
“The initiative – now in its tenth year – addresses a vital public safety and public health issue,” said DEA Acting Administrator Timothy Shea. “Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Together with our partners, we are not only holding National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, but offering other ways to dispose of unwanted, unused, and expired prescription medications.”
“Our take-back events highlight the problems associated to prescription drug abuse and gives our citizens an opportunity to contribute to the solution,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle. “These efforts help remove unwanted, expired and unused prescription pills that can be abused, stolen or resold which helps our continued dedication to combat the prescription pill, fentanyl and heroin epidemic of substance abuse and addiction.”
“An important component in our collective effort to eliminate the scourge of substance abuse and addiction is the elimination, from our homes, of unneeded prescription medications,” noted United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman. “ I commend the DEA for their continued “take-back” events and promotions, and urge all Rhode Islanders to participate in this most worthwhile endeavor.”
Given the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency, DEA wants to ensure that the public is aware of other ways they can dispose of unwanted prescription drugs without having to leave their homes. Both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency have tips on how to safely dispose of drugs at home.
In addition to DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, prescription drugs can be disposed of at any of the 11,000 DEA authorized collectors at any time throughout the year. For more information, visit: https://apps2.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubdispsearch/spring/main?execution=e1s1.
DEA also encourages the public to reach out to their local law enforcement to find out if they have any permanent drug disposal locations throughout their local community.
DEA and its partners will collect tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms. DEA will also accept vape pens or other e-cigarette devices from individual consumers, only after the batteries are removed from the devices. If the battery cannot be removed, individual consumers can check with large electronic chain stores who may accept the vape pen or e-cigarette devices for proper disposal. Liquids, including intravenous solutions, syringes and other sharps, and illegal drugs cannot be dropped off. This service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
For more information on DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, and to find a collection site near you, visit www.deatakeback.com.
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Five Arrested, More Than $1.1M Seized in Federal, State Investigation into CARES Act Unemployment Benefits Fraud in Rhode IslandRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – Five individuals in Florida have been arrested and more than $1.1 million dollars in cash has been seized in a wide-ranging, ongoing joint federal and state investigation into a significant number of fraudulent unemployment insurance claims submitted to the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training (RIDLT), and elsewhere, for benefits funded in part by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The CARES Act was passed by Congress to assist, among others, individuals whose employment has been impacted by the pandemic.
On Tuesday, four individuals were arrested in the Southern District of Florida by Rhode Island-based FBI and IRS agents. A fifth defendant was arrested in the Middle District of Florida on Wednesday.
At the time of the arrests, court-authorized searches resulted in the seizure of more than $1.2 million dollars in cash, several hundred debit cards in the names of individuals whose identities were allegedly stolen, a large collection of high-end jewelry, and six firearms.
According to court documents, it is alleged that Allen Bien-Aime, 29, of Lehigh Acres, James Legerme, 29, of Sunrise, Junior Mertile, 30, of Pembroke Pines, Tony Mertile, 28, of Miramar, and Irvin Vilneus, 28, of North Lauderdale, were involved in complex schemes to use stolen personal identifying information belonging to Rhode Islanders, and others, to apply online for unemployment benefits, and to have those benefits direct deposited into one of many bank accounts opened expressly for receiving fraudulently obtained unemployment insurance benefit payments, as well as fraudulently obtained federal and state tax refunds.
It is alleged that, using stolen personal identifying information, at least three of the individuals filed fraudulent applications with RIDLT or other state unemployment systems to obtain unemployment benefits. All five are alleged to have withdrawn fraudulently obtained funds shortly after the funds were deposited and posted to bank accounts in the names of other individuals.
“As today's announcement makes clear, there are serious, criminal, consequences to making use of stolen personal identification information, filing fraudulent applications for unemployment insurance, and withdrawing such fraudulently obtained funds for one's own, unlawful, benefit,” said United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman. “The federal government, with its many dedicated components and with the invaluable assistance of our state and local law enforcement partners, is committed to and will spare no effort in ensuring that unemployment insurance funds not be fraudulently misdirected by scammers and away from the hardworking Rhode Islanders entitled to and deserving of unemployment benefits.”
“What these individuals are accused of doing is absolutely despicable. They cashed in on a public health crisis by allegedly stealing the identities of innocent victims and unemployment benefits that are a lifeline for thousands of Rhode Islanders trying to feed their families,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “It’s critical that every dollar spent goes to someone who actually needs it, and not to con artists trying to cheat the system. That’s why the FBI and our law enforcement partners will not stop until everyone responsible has been identified and brought to justice.”
“When people collect benefits they aren’t entitled to, as is alleged here, they reduce the amount of benefits that are available to those who are eligible and who really need them,” said Attorney General Peter F. Neronha. “These defendants’ alleged conduct sought to defraud the government during a crucial time as it provided assistance to struggling Rhode Islanders. That’s why this work is important, and that's why we do it.”
Colonel James M. Manni, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and Director of the Department of Public Safety stated, “During a time when life was brought to a standstill by an unprecedented pandemic, these individuals chose to prey on the most vulnerable and those in need of the government’s assistance. Their indiscriminate criminal actions affected tens of thousands of Americans and the full weight of Federal, State and Local investigative forces was used to bring them to justice.”
“Investigating fraud involving the Unemployment Insurance Program is an important part of the mission of the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, particularly now when our nation is providing billions of dollars in unemployment benefits to American workers in need due to the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Office of Inspector General will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to vigorously investigate unemployment insurance fraud,” stated Michael C. Mikulka, Special Agent-in-Charge, New York Region, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.
“Stealing funds designated to help American taxpayers during the COVID pandemic is both disgraceful and criminal,” stated Acting Special Agent in Charge Joleen Simpson of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division. “Today’s arrests exemplify IRS-CI’s commitment to provide resources to combat COVID related fraud and to work jointly with our law enforcement partners in pursuit of this endeavor.”
The five defendants, each charged by way of federal criminal complaints with bank fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, access device fraud, money laundering, conspiracy to commit money laundering, aggravated identity theft, theft of public money, conspiracy to commit theft of public money, conspiracy to commit access, conspiracy to commit access device fraud, and conspiracy to commit aggravated identity theft, were arrested without incident and have made initial appearances in U.S. District Courts in Florida. The defendants will appear in U.S. District Court in Providence on dates yet to be determined.
A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Tony Mertile, Junior Mertile, James Legerme, and Irvin Vilneus made their initial appearances in Magistrate Court this morning in the Southern District of Florida. They have been detained in custody pending further proceedings scheduled for Monday, October 26.
The case is being prosecuted in U.S. District Court by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Denise M. Barton and Stacey P. Veroni and Rhode Island Assistant Attorney General John M. Moreira, chief of the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Public Integrity Unit.
This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the United States Attorney’s Office, Rhode Island Department of the Attorney General, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Rhode Island State Police, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations, and the Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General, with substantial assistance from the United States Postal Inspection Service, United States Secret Service, and United States Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General/Office of Investigations.
United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha and FBI Boston Division Special Agent in Charge Joseph R. Bonavolonta thank the Miami Division of the FBI and the Fort Myers Resident Agency of the FBI Tampa Division for assistance they provided to the FBI’s Complex Financial Crimes Unit in the arrest of the defendants, and the U.S. Marshal Service in Florida for their assistance detaining the defendants.
United States Attorney Weisman extends his gratitude to the United States Attorneys and prosecutors in the Middle District of Florida and the Southern District of Florida for their assistance.
Rhode Islanders who believe their personal identification has been stolen and used to fraudulently obtain unemployment benefits from the RIDLT are urged to contact the Rhode Island State Police at [email protected] or the FBI Providence office at (401) 272-8310.
U.S. Attorney Weisman Announces $208,000 Grant to Help Track Sex OffendersRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE - United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman today announced an award of $208,803 to the RI Public Safety Grant Administration Office in Department of Justice grants to develop and improve systems to register and track sex offenders in Rhode Island. Awarded by the Department’s Office of Justice Programs, these grants help states, U.S. territories and tribal communities register and track sex offenders and enable them to meet the requirements of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). Funds also help maintain the Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website.
“Citizens are better protected from sexual violence when jurisdictions follow SORNA’s standards,” said OJP Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan. “The Office of Justice Programs is committed to giving state, territory and tribal officials the resources they need to register and track sex offenders and prevent known threats in one community from posing new dangers to others.”
OJP’s Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering and Tracking (SMART Office) is awarding approximately $16 million to jurisdictions across the country to develop and enhance programs designed to implement the provisions of SORNA. The SMART Office is awarding almost $800,000 to provide training and technical assistance to jurisdictions implementing SORNA standards. The U.S. Center for SafeSport will receive the $2.3 million Keep Young Athletes Safe grant to continue developing a comprehensive training and prevention program to prevent abuse in the athletic programs of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee and related sports organizations. The SMART Office will award nearly $1 million to the Institute for Intergovernmental Research to support maintenance, operations and technological improvements for the Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website, NSOPW.gov, which links state, territorial and tribal public registry websites and allows the public to search for registered sex offenders on a national scale.
“Our mission at the SMART Office is to help our state, tribal and territorial partners register and provide notification to the public of sex offenders within their jurisdictions,” said Kendel Ehrlich, Director of the SMART Office. “We will continue to provide both law enforcement and the public with the tools they need to better inform and protect their communities and themselves.”
More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
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Fentanyl Dealer Sentenced to Seven Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Pawtucket man who admitted to selling significant quantities of fentanyl on the streets of Pawtucket, his fourth conviction on drug trafficking charges, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Providence to seven years in federal prison.
Jessie Yanez, 34, was arrested by members of the Cranston Police Department on November 16, 2019, following an investigation by members of the Pawtucket Police Department and the FBI Safe Streets Task Force. The investigation included four controlled purchases of varying amounts of fentanyl and cocaine from Yanez.
According to information presented to the court, Yanez sold an individual 3.5 grams of fentanyl for $240 on October 28, 2019, 20 grams of fentanyl for $1,800 on November 1, 2019, 50 grams of fentanyl for $2,750 on November 6, 2019, and 50 grams of cocaine for $1,900 on November 14, 2019.
Yanez, who has been detained since his arrest, pleaded guilty on June 25, 2019, to two counts of distribution of less than 40 grams of fentanyl, one count of distribution of more than 40 grams of fentanyl, and one count of distribution of less than 500 grams of cocaine.
Today, U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., sentenced Yanez to 84 months incarceration to be followed by four years of supervised release, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Cranston Police Chief Colonel Michael J. Winquist, Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves, and Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division Joseph R. Bonavolonta.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney’s Stacey P. Veroni and Gerard B. Sullivan.
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Eighteen Charged in Project Safe Neighborhoods Drug and Firearms InvestigationsRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, RI – Eighteen individuals, fifteen of whom were previously convicted of felony drug and/or firearm charges, and thirteen of whom are currently serving terms of state or federal probation, have been charged in federal court in Providence with trafficking drugs and/or firearms, the result of a series of FBI Safe Streets Task Force Project Safe Neighborhoods investigations.
“Operation River Fork,” launched by the Safe Streets Task Force in Woonsocket in January, expanded over the past ten months to include investigations in Providence, Warwick and Cranston. The investigations identified three separate alleged drug and/or firearms trafficking conspiracies involving a total of nine individuals, and eight individuals who have been charged based on their alleged independent drug and/or firearm trafficking activities.
Leading up to eight arrests and the execution of two court-authorized search warrants on Wednesday, and seven arrests today, forty-seven controlled drug and firearm transactions monitored by members of the Safe Street Task Force resulted in the seizure of three loaded firearms, approximately one kilogram of crack cocaine, and forty grams of fentanyl.
As a result of the arrests and search warrants executed on Wednesday and Thursday, three loaded firearms, approximately 350 grams of crack cocaine, 130 grams of fentanyl, 120 grams of powder cocaine, and $122,000 in cash were seized by law enforcement.
If convicted as charged in criminal complaints filed with the court, thirteen of the nineteen individuals face mandatory minimum sentences of five years in federal prison.
United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman noted, “It is unfortunate, and really distressing, that Defendants with previous criminal histories would remain undeterred from continuing to deal in drugs, and, in some instances, even firearms. Thanks to the exemplary, and truly heroic, work of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, these alleged bad actors – who endanger our neighborhoods and threaten our families with gun and drug violence – now face the prospect of significant incarceration in federal prison.”
“These arrests and seizures show our relentless determination to mitigate the drug-fueled violence plaguing our communities at the hands of previously convicted felons who continue to demonstrate why they are a serious threat to public safety,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “The hard-working citizens of Rhode Island should not be handcuffed by fear of leaving their homes and getting caught in the crosshairs of a drug deal. Let it be clear, the rule of law is not optional, and our Safe Streets Task Force will continue to do everything it can to stop the flow of illegal narcotics and firearms onto our streets.”
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is 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.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
These Project Safe Neighborhood cases are being prosecuted by a team of prosecutors to include Assistant United States Attorneys Stacey P. Veroni, Gerard B. Sullivan, Ly T. Chin, Christine D. Lowell, and Ronald R. Gendron.
The FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force is comprised of agents and law enforcement officers from the FBI, Rhode Island State Police, the Providence, Cranston, Woonsocket, Pawtucket, West Warwick, and Central Falls Police Departments, the Rhode Island National Guard, and the U.S. Marshals Service.
Arrested Wednesday
Anthony Medeiros, 29, Woonsocket
- Three counts of the Distribution of 28 grams or More of Cocaine Base
- Two counts of Distribution of Cocaine Base
- One count of Conspiracy to distribute a Controlled Substance
Bradley Dewalt. 28, Woonsocket
- One count of the Distribution of Cocaine Base
- One count of Conspiracy to distribute a Controlled Substance
Michael Fernandes, 27, Woonsocket
- Two counts of the Distribution of 28 grams or More of Cocaine Base
- One count of Distribution of Cocaine Base
- One count of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance
Mariah Raymond, 26, Woonsocket
- One count of the Distribution of 28 grams or More of Cocaine Base
- One count of Conspiracy to distribute a Controlled Substance
Josue Gomez Sanchez, 26, Woonsocket
- Distribution of 28 Grams or More of Cocaine Base
- Distribution of Cocaine Base
Jose Perez, 27, Woonsocket
- Two counts of Distribution of 28 grams of More of Cocaine Base
- One count of Distribution of Cocaine Base
Michael Wilkerson, 36, Woonsocket
- One count of Distribution of 28 Grams or More of Cocaine Base
- One count of Distribution of Cocaine Base
Bruce Perez Gonzalez, 25, Woonsocket
- Distribution of 28 grams of More of Cocaine Base
- Distribution of Cocaine Base
Arrested Thursday
Joel Figueroa, 24, Providence
- Two counts of Distribution of less than 28 grams of Cocaine Base
- One count of Conspiracy to Distribute of Cocaine Base
- One count of Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm
Ricardo Pierre, 41, Warwick
- Five counts of Distribution of 28 grams of More of Cocaine Base
Ronnie Smith, 32, Cranston
- One count of Distribution of 28 grams of More of Cocaine Base
- One count of Distribution of Cocaine Base
Michael Rodriguez, 25, Providence
- One count of Distribution of 28 grams of More of Cocaine Base
- Two counts of Distribution of Cocaine Base
Angel Aviles, 22, Cranston
- Conspiracy to distribute cocaine base, heroin and fentanyl and distribution of cocaine base, heroin and fentanyl
Juan Batista, 35, Woonsocket
- Conspiracy to distribute cocaine base, heroin and fentanyl and distribution of cocaine base, heroin and fentanyl
Natalie Cassidy, 26, Woonsocket
- Conspiracy to distribute cocaine base, heroin and fentanyl and distribution of cocaine base, heroin and fentanyl
Detained at the ACI on Unrelated Charges
Brady Robinson, 26, Woonsocket
- Felon in Possession of a Firearm
Alfonso Merced, 35, Woonsocket
- Felon in Possession of a Firearm
Josimar Pereira, 24, Woonsocket
- Two counts of the offense of distribution of a controlled substance, cocaine base; and
- Six counts of distribution of a controlled substance, cocaine base and fentanyl
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U.S. Attorney Weisman Announces $6M to Assist Victims in Rhode IslandRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – U.S. Attorney Aaron L. Weisman today announced $5,996,014 in Department of Justice grants to assist victims in Rhode Island. The grants, awarded by the Department’s Office of Justice Programs, are part of almost 1.8 billion distributed to state victim assistance and compensation programs to fund thousands of local victim assistance programs across the country and to provide millions in compensation to victims of crime.
The Office for Victims of Crime, a component of the Department’s Office of Justice Programs, flagship formula grant program is supported by the Crime Victims Fund (the Fund), which was established under The Victims of Crime Act. The Fund supports a broad array of programs and services that focus on helping victims in the immediate aftermath of crime and continuing to support them as they rebuild their lives. In FY 2019 alone, VOCA grants served over seven million victims and paid more than $399 million in compensation claims.
“Advocates, service providers, and law enforcement agencies from around the country stand ready to help crime victims exercise their legal rights and reclaim their lives,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “These new funding resources continue this administration’s unprecedented commitment to providing the support necessary for victims of crimes to be able to heal and recover.”
The awards made to organizations in the Rhode Island will support local direct victim service programs, including children’s advocacy centers, domestic violence shelters, rape crisis centers, human trafficking and elder abuse programs, civil legal services, crime victims’ rights enforcement, as well as victim assistance positions in prosecutors’ offices and law enforcement departments.
“Agencies across Rhode Island work tirelessly 365 days a year to assist and provide services to crime victims in so many ways,” noted United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman. “The financial support provided by the Department of Justice is paramount to ensuring that these agencies have the financial resources they need to provide support to hundreds, if not thousands of Rhode Islanders each year.”
State victim compensation programs will receive over $133 million to supplement the state funds that offset victims’ financial burdens resulting from crime. This compensation is often extremely vital to victims who face enormous financial setbacks from medical fees, lost income, dependent care, funeral expenses and other costs.
“The services made available by this funding represent a lifeline for tens of thousands of survivors each month, many of whom otherwise would have no place to turn in a moment of profound crisis,” said Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the Office of Justice Programs. “These awards will help service providers, as well as law enforcement agencies and prosecutors’ offices respond to the many emotional and material challenges that crime victims in our country face every day.”
The Fund is financed by fines and penalties paid by convicted federal offenders and does not include tax dollars. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
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U.S Attorney's Office, FBI Establish Election Fraud and Voting Rights Abuse HotlinesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE - United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Terrence P. Donnelly will lead the efforts of the United States Attorney’s Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 3, 2020, general election. AUSA Donnelly has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the District of Rhode Island, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of complaints of election fraud and voting rights abuses in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring election fraud and discrimination at the polls and combating these violations whenever and wherever they occur. The Department’s long-standing Election Day Program furthers these goals, and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible election fraud and voting rights violations while the polls are open on Election Day.
Federal law protects against such crimes as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from acts that intimidate or harass them. For example, actions of persons designed to interrupt or intimidate voters at polling places by questioning or challenging them, or by photographing or videotaping them, under the pretext that these are actions to uncover illegal voting may violate federal voting rights law. Further, federal law protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or illiteracy).
The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of election fraud or voting rights abuses on November 3, 2020, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, United States Attorney Weisman stated that AUSA/DEO Donnelly will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. AUSA Donnelly can be reached by the public at (401) 709-5068.
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on Election Day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at (401) 272-8310.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section in Washington, DC by phone at 1-800-253-3931 or (202) 307-2767, by fax at (202) 307-3961, by email to [email protected] or by complaint form at http://www.justice.gov/crt/complaint/votintake/index.php
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New York Man Admits to Traveling to Rhode Island to Engage in Sex with a MinorRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A New York man admitted to a federal court judge in Providence today that after befriending and engaging in sexually explicit communications online with a 15-year-old Rhode Island boy he relocated to Rhode Island and repeatedly engaged in illicit sexual activity with the minor.
Caleb Brown, 24, and the 15-year-old were discovered by Warwick Police in a baseball field dugout in August 2019, after a concerned citizen reported to police that a male was observed living in the dugout with what appeared to be a minor child.
According to information presented to the court, as Warwick officers arrived at the park Brown and the boy began to run away, but were quickly halted. Brown initially identified himself to police as “Clay Connors.”
After placing Brown in a police cruiser, the 15-year-old told police he met Brown online approximately six months prior and that he had been dating Brown for that period of time. The youngster told police that he had been spending nights outside with Brown, while telling his parent’s he was staying at a friend’s house.
Prior to traveling to Rhode Island from Bronx, New York, by bus to meet up with the 15-year-old in July 2019, Brown and the victim engaged in sexually explicit online communications and exchanged sexually explicit images. Officers viewed a steady stream of intimate and sexually explicit
text messages between Brown and the boy. The text messages also revealed discussions of where the two should meet and sleep, and Brown advising the youngster with ways to conceal the true nature of their relationship. For example, a text sent by Brown to the 15-year-old on August 8, 2019 read: “Just chill somewhere close. We need to come up with a code or protocol for this (expletive) cause I don’t want the whole town trying to figure us out.”
Investigators also discovered 12 videos taken by Brown of him engaged in sexual contact with the victim.
Appearing today before Mary S. McElroy, Brown pleaded guilty to travelling with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman and Warwick Police Chief Colonel Rick Rathbun.
At sentencing on December 17, 2020, according to a plea agreement filed in this matter, the defendant faces a sentence of 60 months of incarceration.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee H. Vilker.
United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman and Warwick Police Chief Colonel Rick Rathbun thank the FBI and the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force for their assistance in the investigation of this matter.
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Registered Sex Offender Faces 10 Years in Prison for Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A registered sex offender arrested by members of the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force while he sat in a restaurant parking lot accessing the business’ Wi-Fi-feed to view child pornography is facing 10 years in federal prison after pleading guilty today to possession of child pornography after having previously been convicted for possession of child.
Vincent J. Siravo, 41, of Westerly, convicted in Rhode Island state court in 2008 for possessing child pornography, has been detained in federal custody since August 4, 2020.
According to information presented to the court, the ICAC Task Force developed information that on multiple occasions a device was connecting to an IP address assigned to a South Kingstown restaurant, and that the device had accessed a file sharing network and possessed files of child pornography.
On October 16, 2019, a member of the Task Force received notification that a device on a peer-to-peer file sharing network was accessing the Internet connection assigned to the restaurant. A State Police Detective responded to the restaurant and discovered Siravo sitting in his car, parked in a handicap parking spot, with a laptop computer on his lap. Siravo was uncooperative and provided a false name to law enforcement. His true identity was confirmed through his vehicle registration. Law enforcement determined that Siravo was a Level 1 sex offender.
A court-authorized search of Siravo’s computer revealed a large quantity of child pornography. A full forensic review of the computer revealed approximately 2,200 video files and approximately 1,600 images depicting child pornography. Among the child pornography files discovered on Siravo’s computer were files identified as having been downloaded by someone using the restaurant IP address on March 21 through March 22, 2017.
Siravo’s guilty plea before U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy is announced by United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police Colonel James M. Manni, and Homeland Security Investigations Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael S. Shea.
Possession of child pornography after having previously been convicted for possession of child is punishable by 10-20 years in federal prison, lifetime supervise release, and a fine of $250,000.
According to a plea agreement filed with the court, at a sentencing hearing scheduled to be held on December 14, 2020, the government and the defendant will jointly recommend the court sentence Siravo to a 10-year term of incarceration in federal prison.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee. H. Vilker.
The Rhode Island ICAC Task Force is comprised of members of the Rhode Island State Police Computer Crimes Unit along with detectives from the Warwick Police Department, Cranston Police Department, Newport Police Department, East Providence Police Department, Pawtucket Police Department, Bristol Police Department, North Kingstown Police Department, Portsmouth Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations.
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Operations Manager Indicted in Scheme to Sell Counterfeit Clothing to the U.S. MilitaryRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – An operations manager of a North Dakota-based company that sells clothing and others items to the U.S. military, U.S. government, police, and others, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Providence, RI, for his alleged role in a conspiracy that sold more than twenty million dollars-worth of counterfeit goods to military and government purchasers.
It is alleged that Terry Roe, 48, of Burlington, ND, conspired with at least one other individual, Ramin Kohanbash, 50, of Brooklyn, NY, to obtain counterfeit clothing, apparel, and gear. Kohanbash in turn worked with Bernard Klein, 39, also of Brooklyn, to arrange for these goods to be manufactured in China and Pakistan and imported into the United States. The indictment alleges that Roe, and others working at his direction through his position as an operations manager for the North Dakota company, then arranged for these counterfeit goods to be sold and delivered to the U.S. military, and other government and law enforcement agencies, including to the Rhode Island National Guard in East Greenwich, RI, as part of an investigatory controlled purchase. As alleged, Roe and others working at his direction falsely represented to the U.S. military and its suppliers that the counterfeit goods were manufactured in the United States as required.
Klein, a New York businessman, and Kohanbash, a New Jersey wholesaler, have both been separately charged, and previously admitted in U.S. District Court in Providence that they conspired with each other, and others, to arrange the mass production of goods in China and Pakistan that carried counterfeit markings and labels identical to genuine trademarks registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Klein and Kohanbash instructed the Chinese on how to label and package the goods in order to avoid problems when shipments were inspected by U.S. Customs.
Among the counterfeit items produced in China and Pakistan and shipped to Kohanbash in the United States for distribution were counterfeit United Join Forces® Multicam® APEC parkas, counterfeit FREE® hoods, counterfeit Polartec® fleece shirts, and Gen III Level 7 parkas bearing counterfeit Primaloft® and ADS® hangtags. Some of the counterfeit items sold as part of the conspiracy lacked the required safety measures. Specifically, the counterfeit FREE® hoods were not actually fire resistant as indicated by the labels and hangtags. Additionally, the counterfeit Multicam® APEC parkas lacked the required NIR technology which would make the service member wearing the jacket difficult to detect by an enemy using night vision goggles.
A federal grand jury on Wednesday returned an indictment charging Roe with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and traffic in counterfeit goods, mail fraud, and trafficking in counterfeit goods.
The indictment of Roe is announced by United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman; Leigh-Alistair Barzey, Special Agent-in-Charge of Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Northeast Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Joseph P. Dattoria, General Services Administration Office of Inspector General, New England Regional Investigations Office; Resident Agent in Charge Michael D. Conner, Boston Fraud Resident Agency, US Army Criminal Investigation Command, – Major Procurement Fraud Unit; Jason T. Hein, Special Agent in Charge, Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Office of Procurement Fraud Detachment 6, Joint Base Andrews, MD; Homeland Security Investigations Newark, NJ, Special Agent in Charge Jason J. Molina; and Troy Miller, Director of Customs and Border Protection, New York Field Office.
Ramin Kohanbash pled guilty on June 12, 2019, in U.S. District Court in Providence to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and trafficking in counterfeit goods. He is scheduled to be sentenced on January 22, 2021.
Bernard Klein pleaded guilty on August 25, 2020, in U.S. District Court in Providence to conspiracy to commit mail fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced on December 4, 2020.
A federal indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sandra R. Hebert, Zachary A. Cunha, and Lee H. Vilker.
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Grand Jury Indicts Registered Sex Offender on Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A registered sex offender convicted in 2014 of possessing child pornography was indicted today by a federal grand jury on two counts of distribution and one count of possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police Colonel James M. Manni, and Homeland Security Investigations Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael S. Shea.
If convicted, Thomas Andreozzi, 59, of North Providence, faces a minimum term of incarceration of 10 years in federal prison.
According to court documents, it is alleged that in May 2020, Andreozzi uploaded images depicting child pornography while communicating with a person online. It is alleged that Andreozzi also boasted, “I have lots of young stuff” and “I have little girls.”
Andreozzi was arrested at his home in July by members of the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. As Task Force agents and officers approached Andreozzi’s residence, he allegedly fled inside his apartment and refused law enforcement commands to open the door. After forcing their way into Andreozzi’s apartment, agents and officers immediately seized a cell phone from Andreozzi’s hand and another on a nearby table. It is alleged that the phone in Andreozzi’s hand was opened to an online electronic media storage service. Numerous files of child pornography were allegedly observed by law enforcement.
A federal indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Distribution of child pornography is punishable by statutory penalties of 15-30 years imprisonment to be followed by up to lifetime supervised release. Possession and accessing child pornography with intent to view is punishable by statutory penalties of 10-20 years imprisonment to be followed by up to lifetime supervised release.
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 along with detectives from the Warwick Police Department, Cranston Police Department, Newport Police Department, East Providence Police Department, Pawtucket Police Department, Bristol Police Department, North Kingstown Police Department, Woonsocket Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations.
United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman thanks the FBI and the Winnebago County Sherriff’s Department in Winnebago County, Wisconsin for their assistance in the investigation of this matter.
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Board of Elections Agrees to Address ADA Compliance IssuesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island Board of Elections has today agreed to a Settlement Agreement with the United States under which it is required to promptly undertake steps to ensure that all individuals, regardless of disability, can fully access its newly leased and renovated facility at 2000 Plainfield Pike in Cranston. This agreement will remedy a number of significant deficiencies and will bring the facility into compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman.
This agreement follows an extensive investigation by the United States Attorney’s Office, prompted by a citizen’s complaint that the Plainfield Pike facility was not fully accessible to individuals with disabilities. Under Title II of the ADA, which prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities by public entities, “no qualified individual with a disability shall, because a public entity’s facilities are inaccessible to or unusable by individuals with disabilities, be excluded from participation in, or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of a public entity, or be subjected to discrimination by a public entity.”
Under this Agreement, the Board of Elections is required, within 30 days, to engage the services of a registered design professional to survey the Plainfield Pike facility and to create a remediation plan to ensure that, among other things, that individuals with disabilities can readily park, enter, and exit the building, as well as ensuring their ability to access and participate in public hearings and use other facilities at the Board of Elections office. According to the Agreement, within two months the Board of Elections shall submit a design plan to the United States Attorney’s Office for approval. Upon approval by the United States, the Board of elections shall promptly select a contractor to begin work. Remediation work must be completed within six months of the execution of the Agreement.
The matter was litigated for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy R. Romero.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island is committed to investigating alleged violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Those interested in learning more about architectural barriers to access under 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, including instructions for filing a complaint online, can be found at www.ada.gov/filing_complaint.htm.
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United States Attorney's Office Debuts Circles and SilenceRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman today announced that the United Attorney’s Office will debut its Circles and Silence community outreach program on September 24, during a virtual opioid addiction and prevention town hall Zoom meeting for residents of the Blackstone Valley hosted by the Woonsocket Prevention Coalition.
On Thursday, September 24, the Woonsocket Prevention Coalition will be joined by Dr. James McDonald, Medical Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health, Major Dennis Leahey (Ret.), Program Manager, RI State Police HOPE Initiative, and United States Attorney’s Office Community Engagement & Crime Prevention Coordinator David Neill. The program, beginning at 6:30pm on Zoom, will discuss the opioid epidemic and its effect on individuals, families and our communities and host the premiere screening of the Circles and Silence.
The public is encouraged to join the Zoom Town Hall Meeting by clicking https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85449845545?pwd=MXdiR2pQMkVGNjV2eTB0ckVUVkpTZz09 or use Zoom meeting ID 854 4984 5545, Passcode 337318.
Circles and Silence, a powerful, locally produced sixteen minute documentary film is narrated by a diverse group of Rhode Island young adults whose personal true-life stories delve deeply into their distinct journeys of drug dependency and recovery. The film documents their paths from addiction, in some instances to prison, to successful management of addiction, to working daily to lead productive and healthy lifestyles.
“Recognizing and coping with substance abuse disorder, whether personally or by assisting a family member or friend who is struggling, is even more urgent during these difficult times in which we have witnessed a significant increase in substance abuse,” commented United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman. “The individuals we meet in Circles and Silence bravely share their challenges and their successes as they work hard to remain on a positive path forward.”
In addition to sharing their stories in this remarkable documentary, individuals who appear in the film will participate in live talk-backs with audiences. Additionally, the United States Attorney’s Office makes available to audiences critical information about substance abuse disorder and the many prevention, recovery, and social service programs available statewide through an expansive network.
The documentary film Circles and Silence was produced collaboratively by the United States Attorney’s Office and two Rhode Island-based production companies, Left of Creative, with offices in South Kingstown and Los Angeles, CA, and DK Communications in Providence.
Video clips from Circles and Silence can be viewed at https://www.justice.gov/usao-ri/circles-and-silence .
The United States Attorney's Community Outreach Office is available to provide a Circles and Silence program to all Rhode Island schools and 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]
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RI Man Charged with Fraudulently Seeking $4.7 Million in Covid-19 Stimulus LoansRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Middletown, RI, man currently on federal supervised release having been previously sentenced for robbing four banks, is facing charges in federal court in Providence for allegedly filing fraudulent loan applications seeking more than $4.7 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) forgivable loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The CARES Act was passed by Congress to assist businesses impacted by the pandemic.
It is alleged that Michael C. Moller, 41, applied for and received nearly $600,000 in PPP loans to pay employees for Fall River, MA, businesses, none of which are incorporated with the Massachusetts Secretary of State, or for which investigators could locate any tax or bank records.
According to court documents, it is alleged that Moller filed a PPP loan application in his name, and caused applications to be filed in the name of his father and his girlfriend’s brother. As a result of those bank loan applications, financial institutions provided Moller a total of $599,251 dollars in stimulus PPP loans he was not entitled to receive.
Additionally, it is alleged that Moller, alone or with family members and associates, filed eight fraudulent PPP loan applications, all in the name of his girlfriend’s son, to pay employees for a Fall River-based business for which investigators could find no records. Among the eight applications were three nearly identical ones filed with different financial institutions, each seeking $734,300 in SBA guaranteed PPP loans. None of the eleven applications allegedly filed in the name of Moller’s girlfriend’s son resulted in the disbursement of PPP loans.
Moller, arrested today by FBI and IRS- Criminal Investigation agents on a criminal complaint charging him with making false statements to influence the Small Business Administration and with bank fraud, appeared before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond and was ordered detained.
According to court records, Moller was convicted in the District of Massachusetts in 2010 for fraud and received a sentence of twenty-four months of supervised release. During his term of supervised release, Moller was convicted of four counts of bank robbery and sentenced to 108 months imprisonment and three years of supervised release. His term of supervised release is scheduled to terminate in July 2022.
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 Lee H. Vilker.
The matter is being investigated by the FBI and IRS-Criminal Investigation, with the assistance of the SBA Office of Inspector General and the FDIC Office of Inspector General.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
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Warwick Man Admits to Conspire to Fraudulently Obtain COVID-19 Stimulus LoansRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Warwick man today admitted to a federal court judge that he participated in a conspiracy with a Massachusetts man to submit fraudulent bank loan applications to a Rhode Island bank in an effort to obtain hundreds of thousands of dollars in forgivable loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, passed by Congress to assist businesses impacted by the pandemic.
David Andrew Butziger, 52, admitted that he conspired with David Adler Staveley, a/k/a Kurt David Sanborn, a/k/a David Sanborn, 53, of Andover, MA, to seek forgivable loans guaranteed by the SBA, claiming to have dozens of employees earning wages at four different business, three restaurants and an electronics business, when, in fact, there were no employees working for any of the businesses.
Butziger admitted that he submitted a loan application to BankNewport under the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), part of the CARES Act passed by Congress on March 29,2000, on behalf of an unincorporated entity that he called Dock Wireless. The loan application was in the amount of $105,381.50 and fraudulently represented that Dock Wireless had 7 employees and an average monthly payroll of $42,152.60. According to the government, in truth and in fact, Dock Wireless had no employees and no wages were ever paid by Dock Wireless.
Butziger admitted that he conspired with Staveley who himself allegedly submitted three fraudulent bank loan applications for SBA loans under the PPP totaling $438,577. It is alleged that Staveley claimed the loans were to be used to pay employees at three restaurants he claimed to own and to be operating, including Top of the Bay and Remington House in Warwick and On The Trax in Berlin, MA.
An investigation determined that Remington House and On The Trax were not open for business prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and at the time the loan applications were submitted, and that Staveley did not own or have any role in Top of the Bay restaurant.
Appearing today before U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy, Butziger pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Special Agent in Charge Joseph R. Bonavolonta of the FBI’s Boston Field Office, and Acting Special Agent in Charge of Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Joleen Simpson.
Butziger is scheduled to be sentenced on December 18, 2020.
A federal grand jury returned an indictment on September 2, 2020, charging Staveley with three counts of bank fraud and one count each of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, false statements to influence the SBA, aggravated identity theft, and failure to appear in court as required.
After having been having been charged by way of a federal criminal complaint in May 2020 for his alleged role in the conspiracy to gain four fraudulent SBA PPP loans, and while on pre-trial release, Staveley allegedly faked his own death and failed to appear in court, as ordered by the court. It is alleged that from May 26, 2020, to July 23, 2020, in an effort to avoid apprehension, Staveley traveled to various States using false identities and stolen license plates. He was apprehended by the United States Marshals Service in Alpharetta, Georgia on July 23, 2020.
Staveley is now detained in federal custody while awaiting trial.
A federal indictment and a criminal complaint are merely accusations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee H. Vilker.
The Justice Department acknowledges and thanks the SBA Office of Inspector General and the FDIC, Office of Inspector General for their efforts investigating this mater.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
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Indian National Admits to Participating in Telemarketing Scam to Defraud AmericansRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – An Indian national has admitted to a federal court judge in Rhode Island that he sought to misappropriate funds from bank accounts of victims across the United States, using personal and banking information obtained from the victims earlier in the course of an India-based telemarketing scheme.
Chirag Sachdeva, 30, admitted that he participated in a telemarketing scheme that offered victims supposed computer protection services after misleading them to believe that malware had been detected on their computers. While executing the scheme, call center operators in India obtained personal and banking information from victims' computers through remote access applications and from the victims directly. Sachdeva admitted that he later attempted to use the personal and banking information to misappropriate funds from the victims’ bank accounts.
Sachdeva admitted that he contacted an acquaintance in Rhode Island and enlisted him to assist in accessing and stealing funds from the victims’ bank accounts. According to court documents, an FBI investigation determined that Sachdeva provided his acquaintance with personal and banking information sufficient to enable online access into the accounts of at least seven individuals, each over the age of 65. The investigation determined that the intended loss to these victims totaled $600,000.
Unbeknownst to Sachdeva, his acquaintance in Rhode Island was assisting the FBI in an investigation into the telemarking fraud scheme. Sachdeva was arrested by FBI agents on February 16, 2020, as he deplaned in Boston from a flight from India.
Appearing on Monday before U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., Sachdeva pleaded guilty to seven counts of wire fraud, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman and Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division Joseph R. Bonavolonta.
Sachdeva, who has been detained since his arrest, is scheduled to be sentenced on December 8, 2020. Wire fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison, 3 years’ supervised release, and a fine of $250,000.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Milind M. Shah.
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Iron and Steel Company Owner Admits to Pocketing Employees Federal Withholding TaxesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – The owner of two Rhode Island businesses that supply steel and iron to construction sites today admitted that over a period of two years he intentionally failed to turn over to the IRS in excess of $570,000 in employment taxes withheld from his employees. Instead, he admitted, he used the funds to finance personal expenditures such as rent payments on a luxury home and online dating services.
Steven M. Allard, 58, of North Scituate, owner and operator of BR Steel Corporation in Burrillville and Greystone Iron Corporation in Smithfield, admitted to the court that from at least 2017 through 2018, he failed to turn over to the IRS federal employment taxes and FICA payments withheld from his employees, totaling in excess of $570,000. According to court documents, Allard used the money to pay for personal expenditures such as the purchase of over $216,000 in “credits” to an online dating website, RussianBrides.com, and $93,000 in rent payments for a luxury home in Scituate.
BR Steel and Greystone Iron are steel erection companies specializing in major construction projects such as shopping malls and school buildings. BR Steel employs between 45 and 55 employees. Greystone Iron employs between 75 and 85 employees.
Appearing before U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., Allard pleaded guilty to willful failure to collect or pay over taxes, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Joleen Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division Joseph R. Bonavolonta, and Carol S. Hamilton, Regional Director, U.S. Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration.
Today’s conviction marks the third conviction of Allard in federal court in Providence.
In 2009 Allard pleaded guilty to tax evasion and bankruptcy fraud, and was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison. Allard admitted to the court that from March 2005 to July 2006, he diverted for his and his wife’s personal use approximately $1.6 million dollars due the IRS in employment taxes. He also admitted to making false statements about real estate holdings in a bankruptcy filing in 2005.
Prior to his 2009 conviction, Allard was found guilty by a jury at trial of accepting kickbacks from public employees, and was sentenced to 10 months in federal prison.
Steven Allard is scheduled to be sentenced in this latest matter on November 30, 2020. Willful failure to collect or pay over taxes is punishable by statutory penalties of up to 5 years in federal prison, 3 years’ supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sandra R. Hebert.
The matter was investigated by Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, FBI, and U.S. Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration.
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Meth Trafficker Facing 10 Years to Life in PrisonRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Providence woman who today admitted to a federal court judge that she ran a drug trafficking conspiracy from her apartment that distributed between 150 grams and 500 grams of nearly pure methamphetamine, also referred to as “ice,” faces between 10 years to life in federal prison when she is sentenced in November.
Alexa Samoiloff, 51, admitted that she facilitated drug deals from, among other places, her apartment and from motel rooms, and often provided instructions to co-conspirators using an encrypted app. At her direction, payments for meth in furtherance of the conspiracy were often sent to Samoiloff via Walmart/MoneyGram wire transfers.
During the course of their investigation, the FBI Safe Streets Task Force conducted nine undercover purchases of between 7 and 46 grams of “ice,” that proved to be at least 90% pure.
On October 18, 2019, law enforcement members conducted a search of Samoiloff’s residence and seized approximately 31 grams of crystal meth, 5 digital scales, an ammunition container with 109 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 10 knives, 3 swords, a crossbow, multiple cell phones, hypodermic needles, and various items used in the packaging and distribution of meth.
Appearing today before U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., Samoiloff pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine; and three counts of distribution of 5 grams or more of methamphetamine, aiding and abetting, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman and Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division Joseph R. Bonavolonta.
Samoiloff is scheduled to be sentenced by Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr on November 30, 2020.
Conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine is punishable by statutory penalties of a minimum of 10 years up to life in federal prison and 5 years to lifetime supervised release. Possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine is punishable by a minimum of 5 years up to 40 years in prison and 4 years to lifetime supervised release. Distribution of 5 grams or more of methamphetamine; aiding and abetting is punishable by a minimum of 5 years up to 40 years in prison and 4 years to lifetime supervised release.
Steven Robinson, 48, of Providence, a co-defendant in this matter, pleaded guilty on March 11, 2020, to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He is scheduled to be sentenced on October 28, 2020.
Jacob Abbruzzese, 46, of Cranston, a co-defendant in this matter, pleaded guilty on July 23, 2020, to conspiracy with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He is scheduled to be sentenced on October 23, 2020.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christine D. Lowell and Sandra R. Hebert.
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Department of Justice Awards Sojourner House $550,000 for Transitional Housing AssistanceRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman today announced the Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women has awarded Sojourner House $550,000 to fund a Transitional Housing Program.
The Transitional Housing Program provides aid to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking who are homeless, or in need of transitional housing or other housing assistance, as a result of their victimization, and for whom emergency shelter services or other crisis intervention services are unavailable or insufficient.
In August, the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs and its component, the Office for Victims of Crime, awarded a $499,998 grant to Sojourner House to provide safe, stable housing and appropriate services to victims of human trafficking.
“I am pleased the Department of Justice continues to recognize the critical support Sojourner House provides to our community by providing much needed financial support,” said United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman. “Sadly, incidents of domestic violence and other forms of violence, particularly against women, have spiked during these unprecedented times. The Transitional Housing Program, and other support services provided by Sojourner House and by agencies across the state, are providing much needed support and resources, often times a lifeline, to victims at a time when they are most vulnerable.”
According to Sojourner House’s grant application, the funds will be used to provide housing and supportive services to move survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking who are homeless to permanent housing. The project will assist clients for between 6 and 24 months.
Services offered will focus on empowering victims towards self-sufficiency as well as meeting the needs of the underserved Hispanic, Spanish-speaking, immigrant, Deaf, rural, LGBTQIA+, men, and human trafficking survivor population in the region. The range of optional services will include: rental and utility assistance, case management, safety planning, childcare, transportation, career counseling, financial and credit counseling, support groups, individual counseling, job training, education attainment, limited legal assistance, and housing advocacy.
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Bookkeeper to Plead Guilty to Embezzling $749,000; Fraudulently Collecting TDIRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A former bookkeeper/office manager for a Rhode Island law firm, accused of embezzling more than $740,000 from her employer and fraudulently collecting nearly $20,000 in temporary disability insurance payments, will plead guilty to bank fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft charges, according to signed documents filed today in federal court in Providence.
According to an information and plea agreement filed in U.S. District Court, Sarah Gaulin, 39, a former employee of the law firm of Hamel, Waxler, Allen and Collins (HWAC), allegedly devised and executed schemes to obtain law firm funds by preparing and cashing HWAC checks made payable to herself, which included the signature of a law firm partner which Gaulin signed without authorization; preparing HWAC checks payable to her own creditors; and preparing HWAC checks payable to law firm credit card companies for personal purchases she made.
It is alleged that from at least January 2012 to May 2019, Gaulin defrauded HWAC of approximately $740,953.
It is alleged in court documents that, in a separate scheme, Gaulin submitted fraudulent bank statements to a Rhode Island bank as part of a mortgage application she filed with the bank. It is alleged her submitted personal bank statements reflected a positive balance when in fact her actual account was routinely overdrawn. Additionally, it is alleged that she reflected her rent was among her monthly expenses she paid when in fact she had been using funds she illegally obtained from HWAC to make the payments.
In a third scheme, as detailed in court documents, it is alleged that from March 26, 2016, to July, 23, 2016, and from May 5, 2018, to August 11, 2018, Gaulin fraudulently collected approximately $19,588 in temporary disability insurance payments from the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training by claiming she was unable to work due to injury or illness. Gaulin, in fact, remained employed during the time she was collecting the benefits.
According to a plea agreement filed with the court, Gaulin will plead guilty to an information charging her with two counts of bank fraud, and one count each of aggravated identity theft and wire fraud, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police Colonel James M. Manni, and Christina D. Scaringi, Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Region of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General.
An information is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dulce Donovan.
The matter was investigated by Rhode Island State Police and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General.
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One Person Indicted, Second Person to Plead Guilty in COVID-19 Stimulus Fraud InvestigationRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Massachusetts man who failed to appear in federal court in Rhode Island and who allegedly faked his own death after being charged and arraigned on fraud and conspiracy charges for his alleged participation in a conspiracy to file bank loan applications fraudulently seeking more than a half-million dollars in forgivable loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Providence.
David Adler Staveley, a/k/a Kurt David Sanborn, a/k/a David Sanborn, 53, of Andover, MA, has been indicted on three counts of bank fraud and one count each of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, false statements to influence the SBA, aggravated identity theft, and failure to appear in court as required.
According to an information and plea agreement filed with the court, alleged co-conspirator David Andrew Butziger, 52, of Warwick RI, has agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud. A court date has not yet been scheduled.
It is alleged that Staveley and Butziger conspired to seek forgivable loans guaranteed by the SBA, claiming to have dozens of employees earning wages at four different business, three restaurants and an electronics business, entities when, in fact, there were no employees working for any of the businesses. Additionally, it is alleged that Staveley posed as his brother in real estate transactions.
It is alleged in the indictment that Staveley, following his arrest on May 5, 2020, and released by the court on unsecured bond with certain travel restrictions, violated the terms of pre-trial release when he traveled to Connecticut without the approval of the court or United States Probation. On May 11, 2020, the court ordered Staveley to home confinement with GPS monitoring. While awaiting a further court hearing on the pre-trial release violation, it is alleged that Staveley cut off his electronic monitoring bracelet and fled.
According to the indictment, in an effort to deceive law enforcement into believing that he had died, it is alleged that Staveley staged his suicide by, among other things, leaving suicide notes with associates and in his car, which he left unlocked and parked by the Atlantic Ocean. It is alleged that from May 26, 2020, to July 23, 2020, in an effort to avoid apprehension, Staveley traveled to various States using false identities and stolen license plates. He was apprehended by the United States Marshals Service in Alpharetta, Georgia on July 23, 2020.
The CARES Act is a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020, designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses, through the PPP. In April 2020, Congress authorized over $300 billion in additional PPP funding.
The PPP allows qualifying small-businesses and other organizations to receive loans with a maturity of two years and an interest rate of one percent. PPP loan proceeds must be used by businesses on payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. The PPP allows the interest and principal to be forgiven if businesses spend the proceeds on these expenses within eight weeks of receipt and use at least 75 percent of the forgiven amount for payroll.
The indictment of Staveley and the filing of an information and plea agreement in the case against Butziger are announced by United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Special Agent in Charge Joseph R. Bonavolonta of the FBI’s Boston Field Office, and Acting Special Agent in Charge of Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Joleen Simpson.
A federal indictment and an information are merely accusations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee H. Vilker.
The Justice Department acknowledges and thanks the SBA Office of Inspector General and the FDIC, Office of Inspector General for their efforts investigating this mater.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
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Meth Dealer Sentenced to Five Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Providence man who was one of twenty-six people indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2018 as the result of a series of ATF Task Force and FBI Safe Streets Task Force undercover Project Safe Neighborhoods investigations targeting individuals illegally obtaining and/or trafficking firearms, and trafficking narcotics, was sentenced today to five years in federal prison for trafficking methamphetamine.
According to court documents, in September 2018, Jason Moriera, 39, of Providence, sold an individual 56.5 grams of methamphetamine for $2,000. The transaction was monitored by members of law enforcement. The drugs were quickly seized by law enforcement.
As the result of the ATF and FBI investigations, twenty-six individuals were indicted and more than two-dozen firearms, including three AK-47 and two AR-15 assault rifles, along with significant quantities of heroin, fentanyl, crack cocaine, and methamphetamine were seized.
Many of the individuals arrested as a result of these Project Safe Neighborhoods were members of or associated with street gangs.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is 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.
Moreira pleaded guilty on May 22, 2020, to possession with intent to distribute and distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Appearing today before U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith, Moreira was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison to be followed by 4 years’ supervised release.
Moriera’s sentence is announced by United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division Joseph R. Bonavolonta, and Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division of ATF Kelly D. Brady.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Terrence P. Donnelly.
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Six Indicted in Money Laundering Schemes Tied to Nigerian ScamsRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A federal grand jury in Providence has returned a superseding indictment charging six individuals with allegedly laundering millions of dollars gained through multi-faceted fraud schemes run out of Nigeria, primarily targeting elderly U.S. citizens.
It is alleged that dozens of victims were befriended by scammers feigning romantic intentions through online social media platforms and dating sites. Scammers used the relationships and trust they built to convince victims to provide them with money to assist with business ventures or debt.
Other victims were allegedly convinced by Nigerian scammers that they had won a sweepstakes, but that upfront cash payments were required to release the funds to the winner. Yet other victims were allegedly scammed by paying rent to individuals who purported to own property they in fact did not own or control. In addition, other victims were scammed into paying fraudulent shipping costs for items sold online.
“Elder fraud is an international crime that finds its victims wherever they live. Federal, state, and local law enforcement has made it a priority to do whatever it takes to track down and hold accountable fraudsters, particularly those who target our vulnerable populations, no matter where they are,” said United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman. “As in this investigation, often times victims first reach out to their local police departments to report they have been swindled. Led by the FBI and US Postal Inspection Service, nearly two-dozen law enforcement agencies worked together to identify this group of fraudsters and to hold them responsible for their selfish, reprehensible actions preying on one of our most vulnerable population.”
“These individuals are accused of conspiring to scam dozens of unsuspecting victims all over the country, including right here in the Ocean State, out of millions of dollars, using a variety of fraudulent schemes that we traced right back to Nigeria,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Every day, the FBI and our law enforcement partners are working hard to put these fraudsters out of business. This case should serve as a reminder to view every contact with a stranger with skepticism and don’t trust anyone calling, texting or emailing with a deal that sounds too good to be true.”
An FBI investigation, with substantial assistance from U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Tallmadge, Ohio, and Moscow, Idaho, Police Departments, determined that victims were instructed by scammers in Nigeria to wire cash to bank accounts or to mail payments in the form of cash or money orders to various mailing addresses controlled by scammers in Rhode Island. It is alleged that to conceal the source and location of the funds, members of the conspiracy moved the money through multiple banks and businesses in Rhode Island and Idaho, and elsewhere. Much of the proceeds were eventually sent on to Nigeria. Members of the conspiracy also used ill-gotten cash to purchase vehicles that were shipped to Nigeria.
The grand jury returned a superseding indictment on Friday charging Adetunji Abudu, 34, and Olabode Shaba, 33, of North Providence; Dotun Olawale Alonge, 44, and Oladipupu Shodipo, 41, of Providence; Samson Ikotun, 33, of East Providence; and Oluwaseyi Akintola, 35, of Moscow, Idaho with money laundering conspiracy and money laundering.
Oladipupu Shodipo was arrested this morning and appeared before U.S. District Court in Providence. He was released on unsecured bond.
Samson Ikotun, previously charged with conspiracy and money laundering, is detained in federal custody while awaiting trial. He is scheduled to be arraigned on the superseding indictment on September 9, 2020.
Olabode Shaba, previously charged with conspiracy and money laundering, is currently on home detention awaiting trial. He is scheduled to be arraigned on the superseding indictment on September 2, 2020.
Arrest warrants have been issued for Abudu, Alonge, and Akintola.
The ongoing investigation and return of a superseding indictment in this matter are announced by United States Attorney Aaron Weisman, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Joseph W. Cronin, Tallmadge, Ohio, Police Chief Ronald Williams, and Moscow, Idaho, Police Chief James Fry.
A federal 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 John P. McAdams.
United States Attorney Aaron Weisman and FBI Boston Division Special Agent in Charge Joseph R. Bonavolonta thank United States Customs and Border Patrol; United States Secret Service; Rhode Island State Police; Providence, North Providence, East Providence, and Johnston, RI, Police Departments; Seekonk, Newton, Norfolk, and Hull, MA, Police Departments; New York State Police; Murphysboro, IL, Police Department; Greybull, WY, Police Department; Grand Island, NE, Police Department; Boca Raton, FL, Police Department; Lake County, FL, Sheriff’s Office; Brecknock Township, PA, Police Department; East Ridge, TN, Police Department; and San Angelo, TX, Police Department for their assistance in this investigation.
Combatting elder abuse and financial fraud targeted at seniors is a key priority of the Department of Justice. If you are a victim or know a victim of elder fraud, you can call 1-877-FTC-HELP or go to ftc.gov/complaint. For downloadable Elder Abuse Prevention resources and for information about community outreach programs in Rhode Island, visit the United States Attorney’s Office’s Elder Justice Initiative web page at https://www.justice.gov/usao-ri/elder-justice
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South Kingstown Man Ordered to Home Confinement on Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A 25-year-old South Kingstown man was arrested today and ordered to home confinement following an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Providence on federal child pornography charges.
It is alleged in court documents that William Schock shared a sexually explicit image of a prepubescent female with others, using an online social media app. It is alleged that Schock also downloaded and stored video files depicting child pornography.
According to court documents, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents in Ottawa provided information to HSI agents in Providence of an IP address that was used to upload an image of child pornography. HSI Providence agents determined that the IP address allegedly belonged to a subscriber in South Kingstown, and that at least two accounts allowing access to the social media app used to upload child pornography were allegedly accessed from that IP address.
Earlier today, HSI agents, assisted by the Rhode Island State Police and members of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, executed a court-authorized search of Schock’s residence. An on-scene forensic preview of Schock’s cell phone allegedly revealed a password protected app for file storage that, once accessed, revealed numerous videos that depict child pornography.
Schock appeared before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan, charged by way of a federal criminal complaint with distribution of child pornography and possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Homeland Security Investigations Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael S. Shea, and Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police Colonel James M. Manni.
Schock was released to home confinement with electronic GPS monitoring.
According to court documents, William Schock was arrested by Rhode Island State Police in 2015 and charged with indecent solicitation of a child. In 2016, Schock pleaded guilty to two counts of cyberstalking.
A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Distribution of child pornography is punishable by statutory penalties of 5-20 years in federal prison and 5 years to lifetime supervised release. Possession of child pornography is punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment followed by 5 years to lifetime supervised release.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Terrence P. Donnelly.
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Manufacturing Broker Pleads Guilty in Conspiracy to Manufacture and Sell Counterfeit GoodsRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Brooklyn, NY, businessman appeared before a U.S. District Court judge in Providence, R.I., on Tuesday and admitted that he brokered the manufacturing of counterfeit clothing, apparel and gear manufactured in China and Pakistan that was shipped to wholesalers in the United States for distribution. Some of the counterfeit items were distributed to members of the United States military.
Bernard Klein, 39, admitted that he conspired with New York wholesaler Ramin Kohanbash, 50, and at least one other person, to arrange the mass production of goods in China and Pakistan that carried counterfeit markings and labels identical to genuine trademarks registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
According to court documents, Klein was sent samples of genuine clothing, apparel, and gear by Kohanbash to be reproduced. Prior to the approval of mass production of the counterfeit goods, Klein emailed photographs of the goods, as well as hangtags and labels, to Kohanbash for approval. After making any changes ordered by Kohanbash, Klein facilitated the manufacturing of goods that contained counterfeit markings identical to genuine marks registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
According to information presented to the court, Klein and Kohanbash instructed the manufacturers on how to fold and package the counterfeit goods, and to affix removable “Made in China” stickers in order to avoid problems when shipments were inspected by U.S. Customs.
Among the counterfeit items produced in China and Pakistan and shipped to Kohanbash in the United States for distribution were counterfeit FREE® hoods, counterfeit Polartec® fleece shirts, and Gen III Level 7 parkas bearing counterfeit Primaloft® hangtags.
According to information presented to the court, in August 2018, 60 counterfeit Polartec® fleece shirts were shipped to a business in North Kingstown, RI, and in October 2018, counterfeit parkas and trousers were shipped to the Rhode Island National Guard in East Greenwich, RI. The parkas contained counterfeit Primaloft® hangtags and labels. Both shipments were the result of controlled purchases as part of the investigation.
Appearing Tuesday before U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith, Klein pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman; Leigh-Alistair Barzey, Special Agent-in-Charge of Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Northeast Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Joseph P. Dattoria, General Services Administration Office of Inspector General, New England Regional Investigations Office; Resident Agent in Charge Michael D. Conner, Boston Fraud Resident Agency, US Army Criminal Investigation Command; Jason T. Hein, Special Agent in Charge, Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Office of Procurement Fraud Detachment 6, Joint Base Andrews, MD; Homeland Security Investigations Newark, NJ, Special Agent in Charge Jason J. Molina; and Troy Miller, Director of Customs and Border Protection, New York Field Office.
On June 13, 2019, Ramin Kohanbash pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and trafficking in counterfeit goods. At the time of his guilty plea, Kohanbash admitted that among the items he and others arranged to counterfeit were 200 military parkas of a type used by U.S. Air Force personnel stationed in Afghanistan. These parkas were falsely represented to be genuine Multicam®, a fabric which incorporates specialized near-infrared management technology designed to make the wearer more difficult to detect with equipment such as night-vision goggles.
Klein is scheduled to be sentenced on December 4, 2020. Kohanbash is scheduled to be sentenced on January 22, 2021.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sandra R. Hebert, Zachary A. Cunha, and Lee H. Vilker.
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Registered Sex Offender Detained on Solicitation, Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A registered sex offender previously convicted in Rhode Island state court for indecent solicitation of a child was arraigned today on new federal charges of enticement of a minor to engage in sexual conduct, and possessing and distributing child pornography.
According to court documents, in January 2020, members of the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that an individual uploaded an image of child pornography from an IP address in Rhode Island. An investigation by members of the ICAC determined that the IP address belonged to an Internet subscriber in West Warwick.
Further investigation by members of the ICAC determined that Robert H. King, 35, of Cranston, who was staying with a friend in West Warwick, allegedly sent several messages on social media platforms, contacting juveniles and sending them sexual messages. Among the alleged online conversations was a sexually explicit conversation King had with a girl who allegedly informed him that she was twelve years old. It is alleged that King solicited the pre-teen to engage in sexual activity.
On March 26, 2020, members of the ICAC Task Force executed a court-authorized search of the West Warwick residence where King was staying and took possession of his cell phone. A forensic audit of King’s cell phone allegedly revealed approximately 135 images of child pornography.
King, charged previously in Rhode Island state court in this matter, appeared today before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond and was ordered detained in federal custody on a federal criminal complaint charging him with coercion/enticement of a minor to engage in sexual conduct, possession of child pornography, and distribution of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Rhode Island State Police Superintendent Colonel James M. Manni, and Homeland Security Investigations Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael S. Shea.
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 Ronald R. Gendron.
United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman thanks the Rhode Island Department of the Attorney General for their assistance in the preparation of this matter for prosecution in federal court.
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Inmate's Mother Admits to Participating in Son's Drug Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A mother today admitted to a federal court judge that she participated in a drug trafficking conspiracy run by her son while he was incarcerated in the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI). The son, with the mother’s assistance, directed drug dealers to sell crack cocaine to people outside of the prison.
According to court documents, on January 22, 2018, during an investigation of the drug trafficking activities of Pawtucket residents James Gomes, 33, and his mother, Lisa Ellis, 52, police executed a court-authorized search of Ellis’ residence and arrested both Ellis and Gomes. Ellis at the time told police she knew her son was dealing crack cocaine and admitted that she assisted on at least one occasion. Ellis and Gomes were charged with drug trafficking offenses in Rhode Island state court. Gomes was detained at the ACI, while Ellis was released on bail. According to court documents, Gomes continued dealing crack cocaine from inside the prison, with his mother’s assistance.
Appearing today in federal court, Ellis admitted that she acted as point-of-contact for her son as he executed a scheme from inside the prison to have crack cocaine delivered to prospective buyers outside of prison. Ellis admitted that on her receiving her son’s calls from the ACI, she conferenced in his associates on her cell phone, who were then directed by Gomes to make crack cocaine sales, specifying customer, quantity, and price. She also admitted that those associates would bring her the proceeds of the sales, a portion of which she kept and the remainder of which she deposited in Gomes’ prison account.
Joshua Moore, 19, formerly of Pawtucket, and Gerald Price, 34, of Cranston, were among the associates who sold drugs for Gomes.
Appearing today before U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., Ellis pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine base and distribution of 28 grams or more of cocaine base, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman and Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Kelly D. Brady.
Ellis is scheduled to be sentenced on November 10, 2020. Conspiracy to distribute cocaine base and distribution of 28 grams or more of cocaine base are each punishable by statutory penalties of up to 20 years imprisonment, with a mandatory minimum term of incarceration of 5 years; a life term of supervised release; and a fine of up to $1,000,000.
In this matter, Gomes pleaded guilty on October 15, 2019, to one count of conspiracy to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base, one count of distribution of 28 grams or more of cocaine base, and three counts of distribution of cocaine base. He was sentenced on July 8, 2020, to 77 months in federal prison, to be served concurrently with his present term of incarceration at the ACI on state charges. His term of incarceration in federal prison is to be followed by 4 years’ federal supervised release.
Joshua Moore pleaded guilty on September 4, 2019, to conspiracy to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base and three counts of distribution of cocaine base. He was sentenced on November 21, 2019, to 60 months in federal prison to be followed by 4 years of supervised release.
Gerald Price pleaded guilty on November 8, 2019, to conspiracy to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base, distribution of 28 grams or more of cocaine base, and three counts of distribution of cocaine base. He was sentenced on February 24, 2020, to 60 months incarceration to be followed by 4 years of supervised release.
The cases in federal court are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Milind M. Shah.
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Indian National Pleads Guilty in Telemarketing ScamRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – An Indian National appearing today before a U.S. District Court Judge in Providence, RI, admitted to participating in a “Tech Support” telemarketing scam based in India, in which call center operators falsely represented themselves to be associated with Microsoft Corporation, falsely represented to victims that malware or viruses had been detected on their computers, and offered supposed services to remove the malware.
During the scam, members of the conspiracy gained access to the victims’ online banking user names and passwords. Using that information, funds were taken from the victim accounts.
Abrar Anjum, 34, admitted to the court that he allowed members of the conspiracy to use bank accounts under his control in the United States to receive funds taken from victim accounts. Anjum admitted that in return for allowing members of the conspiracy to deposit fraudulently obtained funds into his bank accounts, he was allowed to keep a portion of the funds. He transferred the remaining funds to his co-conspirators in India.
According to court documents, the “Tech Support” scheme operated out of call centers in India.
Anjum was arrested by FBI agents on February 3, 2020, prior to his boarding a flight to India from JFK Airport, and was arraigned the next day in U.S. District Court in Providence.
Appearing today before U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., Anjum, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman and Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division Joseph R. Bonavolonta.
Anjum, who remains detained in federal custody, is scheduled to be sentenced on October 21, 2020.
Conspiracy to commit wire fraud is punishable by statutory penalties of up to 20 years in federal prison, 3 years’ supervised release, and a fine of $250,000.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Milind M. Shah.
The FBI investigation is continuing.
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Newport Navy Base Civilian Employee Pleads Guilty to Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Naval Station Newport employee found to have stored hundreds of images of child pornography on a United States Navy owned computer drive has pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Providence to a charge of possession of child pornography, in a Project Safe Childhood case brought by the United States Attorney's Office.
According to information, Donald E. Sly, Jr., 58, of Portsmouth, a civilian public works employee at Naval Station Newport, stored a total of 487 images of child pornography in his directory on a computer drive used by United States Navy personnel at naval bases throughout the East coast.
According to information presented to the court, upon discovery of the images of child pornography on the computer drive, Sly’s access to the drive was suspended. He later admitted to Naval Criminal Investigative Service agents that he knowingly possessed the images of child pornography discovered on the computer drive.
Appearing before U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., Sly pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman and Michael Wiest, Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Field Office of Naval Criminal Investigative Service.
The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on November 13, 2020.
Possession of child pornography is punishable by statutory penalties of up to 20 years in federal prison, five years to lifetime supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
This Project Safe Childhood case is being by prosecuted Assistant U.S. Attorney Terrence P. Donnelly.
The Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative was launched to combat the proliferation of technology-facilitated crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children. Through a network of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and advocacy organizations, Project Safe Childhood attempts to protect children by investigating and prosecuting offenders involved in child sexual exploitation.
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Second Person Charged with Arson of Providence Police Cruiser During June RiotRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A second Rhode Island man has been charged and arrested for his alleged involvement in the burning and destruction of a Providence Police cruiser during a riot in downtown Providence in the early morning hours of June 2, 2020.
Nicholas L. Scaglione, 30, of Cranston, was arrested on Tuesday, charged by way of a federal criminal complaint with attempted malicious destruction of a vehicle by fire, and released by the court on unsecured bond, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division Joseph R. Bonavolonta, and Providence Police Chief Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr.
On Friday, Luis Joel Sierra, 34, of Providence, was arrested on a federal criminal complaint charging him with attempted malicious destruction of a vehicle by fire. He was ordered detained in federal custody.
According to court documents, an FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, Providence Police, and United States Attorney’s Office investigation determined that Sierra allegedly set a Providence Police car on fire by leaning inside the cruiser and igniting a fire with lighter fluid.
According to information presented to the court, it is alleged that Scaglione squirted a flammable liquid into the vehicle, causing the fire to intensify. The cruiser became fully engulfed and was destroyed.
According to court documents, both Sierra and Scaglione allegedly shared information with others about their alleged individual roles in the burning of the cruiser. According to court documents, among text messages allegedly written by Scaglione is a text message where he wrote, “But that police cruiser that went up in flames last night can be replaced... I was pissed. I've been pissed. That was pent up years of rage and frustration with the way I've seen and been treated by police. That cop car can be replaced. People’s lives cannot... Then I go out fighting and standing up for s**t I believe in. Cuz I know for a fact if it was you or anyone else I was close to I'd burn the whole police force down and not even blink."
As alleged in court documents, Sierra told another individual that he was one of the individuals responsible for the arson of the Providence Police Department vehicle by applying a flammable liquid to the interior of the vehicle and then using a lighter to ignite the fire. Law enforcement was also provided with several videos allegedly taken on Snapchat off Sierra’s phone and a recorded conversation with Sierra during which Sierra allegedly detailed his actions igniting the fire.
A significant amount of information into each man’s alleged role into the burning of Providence Police cruiser in the form of emails, telephone calls, text messages and video clips was brought to the attention of law enforcement following the publication of an FBI poster seeking information of two persons of interest in the June 2, 2020 arson of the Providence Police Department vehicle.
The two men depicted in the poster have been identified as Luis Joel Sierra (#1) and Nicholas L. Scaglione (#2).
Attempted malicious destruction of a vehicle by fire is punishable by statutory penalties of 5-20 years imprisonment, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
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 Paul F. Daly, Jr.
United States Attorney Aaron Weisman thanks the Rhode Island Fusion Center for their assistance in this investigation.
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Two Indicted on Child Sex Exploitation ChargesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A federal grand jury in Providence today returned indictments charging two Rhode Island men in separate Project Safe Childhood child sex exploitation investigations, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman and Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division Joseph R. Bonavolonta.
The grand jury returned an indictment charging James Diggins, 47, of Warwick, with one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. According to court documents, it is alleged that an undercover FBI Task Force Officer entered multiple online public groups which appeared to have been created for individuals interested in child sexual abuse material. It is alleged that Diggins was a member of one of those groups when multiple videos and images containing child sexual exploitation materials were shared, at one point commenting on the recycling of videos he shared with the group.
It is alleged that during a private online chat with the undercover law enforcement officer, Diggins sent the officer videos depicting child exploitation and a live photo of himself.
Diggins was arrested on May 30, 2020, by members of FBI Boston Division’s Human Trafficking Child Exploitation Task Force and released on unsecured bond to home incarceration and electronic monitoring following his initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Providence.
The grand jury also returned an indictment charging Neil Streich, 57, of North Kingstown with transferring obscene material to a minor. It is alleged in court documents that for approximately three months Streich communicated online with an individual he believed to be a 10-year-old girl. During those communications he requested that the girl provide him with images to show that she was, in fact, a 10-year-old girl as she described to him. Three days after receiving a non-sexually explicit image from the purported 10-year-old, it is alleged that Streich began transmitting obscene images of himself to the girl. The person Streich allegedly communicated with was, in fact, an undercover FBI Special Agent.
Streich was arrested on June 17, 2020, by members of the Providence FBI Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force. He was released the following day on unsecured bond following an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Providence.
Arraignment dates on the indictments have not yet been scheduled by the court. A federal indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Theses Project Safe Childhood cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. McAdams.
Project Safe Childhood was launched to combat the proliferation of technology-facilitated crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children. Through a network of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and advocacy organizations, Project Safe Childhood attempts to protect children by investigating and prosecuting offenders involved in child sexual exploitation.
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Providence Man Charged with Arson of Providence Police CruiserRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Providence, RI, man was arrested and arraigned in U.S. District Court in Providence today on a charge of arson for allegedly setting fire to a Providence Police Department cruiser in the early morning hours of June 2, 2020, during a riot in downtown Providence.
An investigation by FBI agents in Providence, the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force in Boston, Providence Police, and the United States Attorney’s Office determined that Luis Joel Sierra, 34, allegedly set a police cruiser on fire by leaning inside the cruiser and igniting a fire with fluid and a lighter. The cruiser was quickly engulfed in flames and destroyed.
“Senseless violence and vandalism are no way to effect change. The alleged actions of this defendant are indicative of his intent to inflict damage and promote chaos – not to address issues. Not only did the alleged actions of this defendant destroy a Providence Police cruiser, he also endangered the safety of dozens of nearby protesters, as the cruiser burst into flames,” said United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman.
“As alleged, this man engaged in a deliberate effort to destroy a police cruiser—setting it on fire to send a message—adding to the chaos that put the lives of innocent bystanders in danger,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “We will not stand for this type of destruction and violence in our community. Rest assured, the FBI will continue to work with the Providence Police Department and our law enforcement partners to apprehend and charge those who engaged in violent crime under the cover of peaceful protests. After all, violent acts like this one steal focus away from the messages that peaceful protesters were striving to deliver.”
Providence Police Chief Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr., added, “We will always support peaceful demonstrations but simply will not tolerate criminal behavior and including individuals’ intent on committing assaults and causing willful destruction of physical structures and property. Those who believe they can come into the city and cause destruction must know that we will continue to take this very seriously and through investigation hold you accountable.”
According to court documents, the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the torching of the police vehicle was bolstered by video from surveillance cameras, cell phones, and social media, and from information provided via email to law enforcement tip lines, including the Boston FBI tip line.
Additionally, as alleged in court documents, Sierra told another individual that he was one of the individuals responsible for the arson of the Providence Police Department vehicle by applying a flammable liquid to the interior of the vehicle and then using a lighter to ignite the fire. Law enforcement was also provided with several videos allegedly taken on Snapchat off Sierra’s phone and a recorded conversation with Sierra during which Sierra allegedly detailed his actions igniting the fire.
Earlier today, members of the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force executed a court-authorized search of Sierra’s residence and seized the matching clothing allegedly worn by Sierra on the evening of June 1, 2020 and early morning of June 2, 2020, including a black Caterpillar jacket; white Adidas sweatpants; a camouflage mask; two black gloves, one with a logo on the back of the hand; and two one-handed windshield-style lighters.
The investigation into this matter and other related matters continues.
Sierra appeared today before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond on a federal criminal complaint charging him with arson and was ordered detained in federal custody.
Arson is punishable by statutory penalties of 5-20 years imprisonment, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
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 Paul F. Daly, Jr.
United States Attorney Aaron Weisman thanks the Rhode Island Fusion Center for their assistance in this investigation.
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Warwick Man Charged with Being Armed Drug TraffickerRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Warwick man who allegedly took on several identities has been arrested by members of the Rhode Island DEA Drug Task Force and ordered detained in federal custody on charges of being an armed drug trafficker, after law enforcement executed court-authorized searches of his residence and two vehicles he regularly used and seized a kilogram of heroin, a loaded firearm, ammunition, and more than $200,000 in cash.
Luis Cortes, 48, a/k/a Danny Vasquez, a/k/a Alberto Diaz, a/k/a John Doe, was stopped and arrested by DEA Drug Task Force agents on Wednesday as he drove away from his residence. Prior to executing a court-authorized search of the vehicle Cortes was driving, a Warwick Police Department certified narcotics detection canine alerted to the presence of narcotics odors at the vehicle. The vehicle was allegedly found to contain after-market hides commonly used to conceal contraband behind the front passenger seat and in a child safety seat. No drugs were located inside the vehicle.
Simultaneous to the traffic stop and the search of Cortes’s vehicle, a court-authorized search of Cortes’s residence was undertaken by members of the Rhode Island DEA Drug Task Force, where they allegedly discovered and seized a kilogram of heroin from a first floor closet; a loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol with two magazines and between $200,000 and $250,000 in cash from a concealed compartment in the master bathroom which connected to the bedroom; and three kilo presses and various items used in the packaging and distribution of narcotics located in various locations in the residence.
Cortes’s girlfriend and two young children who live with Cortes were present in the residence when law enforcement arrived at the home.
During the traffic stop, the defendant maintained to law enforcement that his true identity is Luis Cortes. The FBI confirmed that the person arrested and fingerprinted was known as both Danny Vasquez and Alberto Diaz. Further review of records by members of the DEA Drug Task Force determined that Danny Vasquez was born in the Dominican Republic.
Luis Cortes, a/k/a Danny Vasquez, a/k/a Alberto Diaz, a/k/a John Doe appeared today before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond and was ordered detained on a federal criminal complaint charging him with possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Cortes’s arrest and initial appearance are announced by United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman and Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England Field Division Brian D. Boyle.
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 Paul F. Daly, Jr.
The Rhode Island DEA Drug Task Force is comprised of personnel from the DEA and Providence, East Providence, Central Falls, Coventry, North Kingstown, Woonsocket, Cranston, Pawtucket, Newport, South Kingstown, Warwick, and West Warwick Police Departments, Rhode Island State Police, and Amtrak Police Department.
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Dominican National Admits to Leading Heroin and Cocaine Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Dominican national living in Providence admitted to a federal court judge today that he led a conspiracy in Rhode Island in 2014 to import multiple kilograms of heroin and cocaine from California, and that he conspired with individuals working at his direction to store, process, and package the drugs at an apartment in West Warwick he rented and used as a stash house.
On at least three occasions, Rhode Island DEA agents intercepted packages containing one or more kilograms of heroin or cocaine shipped from California, earmarked for delivery to addresses in Warwick, Pawtucket and Providence. Rafael Lara Sanquintin, 37, of Providence, admitted that he directed others to retrieve the packages, and that members of the conspiracy he recruited worked at his direction at the stash house to prepare, package, and deliver the drugs to others.
On at least two occasions DEA agents stopped vehicles after leaving the stash house containing individuals working at the direction of Sanquintin. On those occasions, DEA agents seized 653 grams and 1,114 grams of heroin.
Sanquintin was indicted in this matter on November 22, 2016. He was arrested by Customs and Border Patrol agents on December 12, 2016, as he attempted to disembark from a cruise ship in West Palm Beach, FL, and illegally reenter the United States from his native Dominican Republic. He was convicted in the United States District Court in the Southern District of Florida on a charge of attempted illegal reentry after deportation by an aggravated felon and sentenced in March 2017 to 14 months of incarceration.
Appearing today before U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith, Sanquintin admitted that he conspired with others to possess and distribute at least 10 kilograms of heroin and 5 kilograms of cocaine, pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman and Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England Field Division Brian D. Boyle.
Sanquintin, detained in federal custody since completing his term of incarceration for illegally reentering the United States, is scheduled to be sentenced on November 12, 2020.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul F. Daly, Jr.
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Gang Member Sentenced to Five Years in Prison on Drug and Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, RI – A Central Falls man investigated in a Project Safe Neighborhoods investigation by the Central Falls Police Department and the Rhode Island FBI Safe Streets Gang Task Force for his connection to a neighborhood-based street gang involved in drug trafficking, firearm violations, assaults, and shootings, was sentenced today to five years in federal prison on drug and firearm charges.
Elton Andrade, aka “MT Flex,” 21, an admitted member of the “Money Team” street-gang, and who repeatedly appeared on social media accounts related to his gang activity, was arrested one day after Central Falls Police Detectives and members of the Safe Streets Gang Task Force executed a court-authorized search of a Central Falls residence where they seized from Andrade’s bedroom two bags containing a total of 28.53 grams of crack cocaine, two loaded stolen firearms, and $1,503 in cash.
Andrade was arrested on February 27, 2018, after being surveilled by law enforcement leaving a Seekonk, Mass., motel and taking a taxi to Central Falls. He was arrested by Central Falls Police during a traffic stop of the taxi.
According to information presented to the court, many members of “Money Team,” a.k.a. “Mile Boyz” a.k.a. “Square Mile Boyz,” are aspiring rap artists and associate themselves with a record label managed by a Money Team member called Cash on Demand Records. On numerous social media sites related to “Money Team,” members repeatedly displayed firearms, illegal narcotics, and gang signs. Andrade repeatedly appeared throughout the social media accounts and in Cash on Demand music videos.
Andrade, who has been detained since his arrest, pled guilty on February 18, 2020, to possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base and two counts of possession of a stolen firearm. He was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. to 60 months in federal prison to be followed by 4 years’ supervised release.
Andrade’s sentence is announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Central Falls Police Chief Colonel Daniel J. Barzykowski, and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald R. Gendron.
The Rhode Island FBI Safe Streets Gang Task Force consists of agents and law enforcement officers from the FBI, Central Falls Police Department, Cranston Police Department, Pawtucket Police Department, Providence Police Department, Woonsocket Police Department, Rhode Island State Police, and the Rhode Island National Guard.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is 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.
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Fentanyl and Cocaine Dealer Sentenced to 10 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – An admitted fentanyl and cocaine trafficker arrested one day after he fled members of the FBI Safe Streets Task Force during an April 2019 investigation into his drug trafficking activities was sentenced today to 10 years in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division.
In early April 2019, members of the FBI Safe Streets Task Force developed information that Luis Leon, 25, of Pawtucket, was expecting a large shipment of fentanyl. On April 9, task force members established surveillance of Leon’s residence and watched as an individual entered Leon’s residence carrying a large duffel bag. A short time later, Leon left the residence carrying the duffel bag that he placed in the back of a dark colored pickup truck and drove off.
As members of the task force moved into position to follow Leon he repeatedly looked in his rear view mirrors at their vehicle. As agents attempted to stop Leon by illuminating their flashing lights and engaging their siren he drove off at a high rate of speed. Because of the reckless manner in which Leon was operating the truck investigators did not pursue the vehicle, but did continue to drive the route Leon’s truck appeared to take. A short distance away agents came upon an accident. Witnesses told police that a pickup truck struck a vehicle causing the vehicle to careen into a building. The truck fled without stopping.
Several minutes later, law enforcement learned that a pickup truck with heavy front end damage pulled into a nearby parking lot and was abandoned. A witness advised law enforcement he saw the driver get out of the vehicle, toss a duffel bag into bushes nearby, and run off. The description of the driver fit the description of Leon. Agents retrieved the bag. It was found to contain approximately 634.4 grams of fentanyl and approximately 429.5 grams of cocaine.
Later that night task force agents developed information that Leon was likely staying at a residence in Fall River. They established surveillance and arrested Leon the following afternoon as he exited the building.
On May 14, 2019, Leon pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to possession with the intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. He was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Mary S. McElroy to 120 months in federal prison to be followed by five years supervised release.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gerard B. Sullivan.
The Rhode Island FBI Safe Streets Gang Task Force consists of agents and law enforcement officers from the FBI, Central Falls Police Department, Cranston Police Department, Pawtucket Police Department, Providence Police Department, West Warwick Police Department, Woonsocket Police Department, Rhode Island State Police, and the Rhode Island National Guard.
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Registered Sex Offender Held on Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – Vincent J. Siravo, 40, of Westerly, a registered sex offender convicted in Rhode Island state court in 2008 for possessing child pornography, has been ordered detained in federal custody following his arrest on Tuesday while he allegedly exchanged child pornography online by accessing a South Kingstown restaurant’s customer Internet account.
According to court documents, between January 2017 and October 2017, members of the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force identified a device using an IP address assigned to a South Kingstown restaurant that accessed a file sharing network and that possessed files of child pornography. On October 18, 2017, a court-authorized search of the business was conducted by members of the ICAC. A search of the business’s electronic devices was conducted, and no contraband was located.
On October 16, 2019, a member of the ICAC Task Force received notification that a device on a peer-to-peer file sharing network was accessing the Internet connection assigned to the South Kinsgstown restaurant. A State Police Detective responded to the restaurant and allegedly discovered Siravo sitting in his car, parked in a handicap parking spot, with a laptop on his lap. Siravo was allegedly uncooperative and provided a false name to law enforcement. His true identity was confirmed through his vehicle registration, and law enforcement also determined that he was a Level 1 sex offender.
A court-authorized search of Siravo’s computer revealed a large quantity of child pornography. A full forensic review of the computer revealed approximately 2,200 video files and approximately 1,600 images depicting child pornography. Among the child pornography files allegedly discovered on Siravo’s computer were files identified as having been downloaded by someone using the restaurant IP address on March 21 through March 22, 2017.
Siravo appeared Tuesday before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond, charged by way of a federal criminal complaint with possession of child pornography and distribution of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police Colonel James M. Manni, and Homeland Security Investigations Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael S. Shea.
A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Possession of child pornography is punishable by 10-20 years in federal prison, lifetime supervise release, and a fine of $250,000. Distribution of child pornography is punishable by 15-40 years imprisonment, lifetime supervised release, and a fine of $250,000.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee. H. Vilker.
The Rhode Island ICAC Task Force is comprised of members of the Rhode Island State Police Computer Crimes Unit along with detectives from the Warwick Police Department, Cranston Police Department, Newport Police Department, East Providence Police Department, Pawtucket Police Department, Bristol Police Department, North Kingstown Police Department, Woonsocket Police Department, and agents from Homeland Security Investigations.
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Half-Million Dollar Grant to Provide Housing for Victims of Human TraffickingRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE –U.S. Attorney Aaron L. Weisman today announced that the state of Rhode Island received $499,998 from the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs and its component, the Office for Victims of Crime, to provide safe, stable housing and appropriate services to victims of human trafficking.
“Human trafficking is a barbaric criminal enterprise that subjects its victims to unspeakable cruelty and deprives them of the most basic of human needs, none more essential than a safe place to live,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “Throughout this Administration, the Department of Justice has fought aggressively to bring human traffickers to justice and to deliver critical aid to trafficking survivors. These new resources, announced today, expand on our efforts to offer those who have suffered the shelter and support they need to begin a new and better life.”
United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman added, “Protecting and empowering human trafficking victims is among the most important societal responsibilities. With this substantial award-grant to Sojourner House, a true leader in the fight to end domestic and sexual violence, Rhode Island’s battle to end the scourge of human trafficking will be aided immeasurably.”
The grant, awarded to the Sojourner House, will provide six to 24 months of transitional or short-term housing assistance for trafficking victims, including rental, utilities or related expenses, such as security deposits and relocation costs. The grant will also provide funding for support needed to help victims locate permanent housing, secure employment, as well as occupational training and counseling. The Sojourner House is among 73 organizations receiving more than $35 million in OVC grants to support housing services for human trafficking survivors.
“Human traffickers dangle the threat of homelessness over those they have entrapped, playing a ruthless game of psychological manipulation that victims are never in a position to win,” said OJP Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Kathrine T. Sullivan. “These grants will empower survivors on their path to independence and a life of self-sufficiency and hope.”
Human trafficking offenses are among the most difficult crimes to identify, and the scope of human trafficking victimization may be much greater than the limited data reflect. A new report issued by the National Institute of Justice, another component of the Office of Justice Programs, found that the number of human trafficking cases captured in police reports may represent only a fraction of all such cases. Expanding housing and other services to trafficking victims remains a top Justice Department priority.
The Office for Victims of Crime, for example, hosted listening sessions and roundtable discussions with stakeholders in the field in 2018 and launched the Human Trafficking Capacity Building Center. From July 2018 through June 2019, 118 OVC human trafficking grantees reported serving 8,375 total clients including confirmed trafficking victims and individuals showing strong indicators of trafficking victimization.
For a complete list of individual award amounts and jurisdictions that will receive funding, visit: https://www.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh241/files/media/document/htvictimsfactheet.pdf
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The Office of Justice Programs, directed by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine T. Sullivan, provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, assist victims and enhance the rule of law by strengthening the criminal and juvenile justice systems. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
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U.S. Attorney’s Office Notes 30th Anniversary of Americans with Disabilities ActRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law on July 26, 1990, and is the nation’s preeminent civil rights law for providing access and equal opportunity for people with disabilities. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island is proud to play a critical role in enforcing the ADA to help eliminate discrimination against people with disabilities. U.S. Attorney Aaron Weisman today reinforces the Office’s commitment to vigorously enforce the ADA in the years to come.
U.S. Attorney Weisman said, “Despite the tremendous progress that has been made in the 30 years since this landmark civil rights law was signed, we still see unlawful barriers that prevent individuals with disabilities from fully participating in many aspects of society. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work to remove obstacles to equality and dismantle the systems that have historically excluded people with disabilities.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office has prioritized enforcing the ADA to vindicate the rights of people with disabilities in Rhode Island. Some recent efforts include:
- Ensuring Physical Access to Health Care Facilities: The U.S. Attorney’s Office has successfully resolved multiple matters to ensure physical access to health care facilities to those with mobility disabilities, including Brown Medicine, Coastal Medicine, University Medicine, Landmark, RI Skin Doc, and Ocean State Primary Care.
- Providing Equal Access for Children with Disabilities in Summer Camp Settings: On March 19, 2020, the U.S. Attorney’s Office reached an agreement with Save The Bay to ensure equal access for children with disabilities, as well as damages to the child.
- Ensuring Equal Access to Local Government Services: The U.S. Attorney’s Office has resolved complaints with the Town of Richmond, City of Newport, Town of North Smithfield, and Town of West Warwick to ensure that people with disabilities can access local governmental services and facilities.
- Ensuring Physical Access to Places of Public Accommodation: The U.S. Attorney’s Office has successfully resolved multiple matters to ensure physical access to public places to accommodate those with mobility disabilities. Recently, the Office has entered into agreements with Stop & Shop and Family Dollar to ensure physical access for customers with mobility disabilities.
For more information about the 30th Anniversary of the ADA, please visit https://www.ada.gov/. Individuals who believe they may have been victims of discrimination may file a complaint with the U.S. Attorney’s Office at https://www.justice.gov/usao-ri/civil-rights-enforcement or 401-709-5000.
Nine Indicted in Wide-Ranging Bank Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Massachusetts used car dealer and eight others have been named in a federal superseding indictment brought in U.S. District Court in Providence, RI, charging them with allegedly participating in a wide-reaching conspiracy to defraud financial institutions in several states by obtaining fraudulent car loans secured with stolen personal identifying information and fraudulent documents created by members of the conspiracy.
It is alleged that Rolando E. Estrella, 32, of Dracut, Mass., a former owner of a used car dealership in Lawrence, MA, and at least eight others conspired to defraud financial institutions in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and several other states. As part of the scheme, the conspirators falsely identified complicit bank account holders as “sellers” and shell used car businesses created by members of the conspiracy to induce lenders to extend loans purportedly to purchase used cars. As part of the scheme false bills of sale, automobile titles, pay stubs, and proof of employment were created identifying both members of the conspiracy and the shell companies as the sellers of the vehicles.
It is alleged that members of the conspiracy used stolen personal identification and the actual identities of conspirators to apply for loans and to open bank accounts in which the proceeds of fraudulent loans were deposited, after which the proceeds were quickly withdrawn.
Estrella, first charged in an indictment returned in December 2019 as part of this on-going investigation by the United States Secret Service and the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General/Office of Investigations, is scheduled to be arraigned in U.S. District Court in Providence on Thursday.
Also named in the indictment are Emilio J. Frias-Reyes, 29, Erickson M. Ventura-Martinez, 25, Hiancarlos Mosquea-Ramos, 27, Bryant Polanco, 27, and Jonathan A. Pimental, 28, of Lawrence, MA, Fernando Diaz, 32, of Haverhill, MA, and Juan E. Felix-Fernandez, 51, of Hartford, CT.
Frias-Reyes and Ventura-Martinez were arraigned in U.S. District Court in Providence on July 17, 2020, and released on unsecured bond. Polanco and Mosquea-Ramos were arraigned on July 20, 2020, and released on unsecured bond.
Arrest warrants have been issued for Diaz, Pimental and Felix-Fernandez.
The superseding indictment, unsealed in U.S. District Court in Providence on July 17, 2020, charges conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and fraudulent use of a Social Security number. An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The investigation and indictment are announced by United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service Thomas P. Baker, and Scott E. Antolik, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Office of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General/Office of Investigations.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William J. Ferland.
This indictment marks the latest in a series of charges brought in this matter and arrests made by the Social Security Office of Inspector General and the United States Secret Service involving members of a fraud ring operating throughout the northeast United States.
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