District of Rhode Island
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
R.I. Businessman Pleads Guilty to Running International Scheme to Label and Sell Misbranded DrugsRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Arif Diwan, 60, owner of Lifescreen LLC, a Cranston, R.I., based company that labeled, advertised, and sold drugs and pharmaceutical products under the brand name “LifeLogic,” pleaded guilty in federal court in Providence today to conspiring with others to purchase drugs manufactured in India and other countries, repackaging and relabeling them making it appear that they were manufactured in the United States and Europe, and had been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and then reselling them.
According to court documents, between 2012 and 2015, Diwan received and filled numerous orders for high-cost pharmaceutical products, including a number of products used in the treatment of cancer. Diwan admitted that he rebranded and relabeled drugs manufactured in India, including adding bogus FDA codes and markings to make it appear that the drugs had been manufactured in the United States or Europe and were approved for sale by the FDA. The drugs were shipped by Diwan to customers in numerous countries. Diwan did not sell misbranded and mislabeled drugs in the United States.
Diwan’s guilty plea before U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith to conspiracy to engage in false labeling of pre-retail medical products, money laundering and immigration fraud is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and George M. Karavetsos, Director of FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations (FDA OCI).
“FDA is recognized around the globe for ensuring that drugs are safe and effective. Criminal rings that falsify drugs’ origins to give the appearance of FDA approval put the public’s health at risk,” said George M. Karavetsos, Director of FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations. “We will investigate and bring to justice those who compromise the security of the pharmaceutical supply chain wherever they may be.”
According to court records, an investigation by FDA OCI and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island determined that Diwan ordered large quantities of drugs manufactured by Sara International, a drug manufacturing company located in India, and had the drugs transported to the home of a co-conspirator in Belgium. Once in Belgium, the co-conspirator, Bart DeRidder, affixed fraudulent labels designed by and manufactured at the direction of Arif Diwan onto the products. The labels indicated that the drugs were manufactured by LifeLogic at a facility in Puerto Rico. The packaging also contained bogus FDA codes and markings to make it appear as if the drugs had received FDA approval. No such facility exists in Puerto Rico. Bart DeRidder has been charged by Belgian authorities in connection with this matter and is facing criminal prosecution in Belgium.
Additionally, the investigation revealed that Arif Diwan created and provided fraudulent Certificates of Origin, attesting to the country of origin of the drugs, and fraudulent Certificates of Analysis, falsely attesting to the purity, strength, manufacture dates and expiration dates of the drugs. The certificates are heavily relied upon in the pharmaceutical industry and by Government entities to ensure the safety and efficacy of the products.
In addition, the investigation revealed that Diwan illegally transferred funds out of the United States to promote his illegal activity, including a January 2014 sale of the drug Caelyx to a purchaser in the United Arab Emirates.
In a related matter, in May 2012, Diwan filed a petition with the United States Citizen and Immigrations Services seeking permission for an Egyptian national to obtain a work visa, to allow the individual to enter the United States for the purpose of employment with Lifescreen. Diwan claimed that the person would be employed as a manager at a Lifescreen biopharmaceutical plant in Puerto Rico. The petition was approved and the person entered the United States in November 2012. Lifescreen did not, at any time, have or operate a biopharmaceutical plant in Puerto Rico. The investigation determined that Arif Diwan fraudulently submitted the immigration petition in exchange for payments made to him by the Egyptian national’s brother, a business associate of Diwan.
Arif Diwan is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith on September 16, 2016.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lee H. Vilker and Zachary A. Cunha.
United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and George M. Karavetsos, Director of FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations, thank the United States Department of State, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Interpol, Europol and the Belgian Federal Judicial Police for their cooperation and efforts during this investigation.
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Contact:
Jim Martin (401) 709-5357
email: [email protected]
on Twitter @USAO_RI
Dominican National Sentenced to 51 Months in Prison for Illegal Reentry to the U.S.Read the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Manuel Soto-Pena, 31, a Dominican national who formerly resided in Woonsocket, was sentenced today to 51 months in federal prison, having admitted to the court that he entered the United States illegally on three occasions, twice after having been deported.
Soto-Pena, indicted by a federal grand jury on October 7, 2015, on one count of illegal reentry, pleaded guilty on March 25, 2016, as charged in the indictment.
Manuel Soto-Pena’s sentence, imposed by United States District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith, is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Russell Hott, Acting Field Office Director for ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations.
According to court records and information presented to the court, Mr. Soto-Pena was first removed from the United States in February 2011, after it was learned that he had entered the country illegally and was using the identity of a U.S. Citizen. He was removed from the country a second time in June 2012, after having reentered the country illegally and subsequently was convicted in Rhode Island state court on a drug trafficking charge.
According to court records and information presented to the court, sometime after being deported in June 2012, Mr. Soto-Pena entered the United States illegally for a third time. He was arrested in Rhode Island in January 2014 and subsequently convicted in state court on a charge of felony domestic assault. On September 23, 2015, after having completed serving a state prison sentence, Mr. Soto-Pena was turned over to the custody of ICE.
The case in U.S. District Court was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Zechariah Chafee.
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Contact:
Jim Martin (401) 709-5357
email: [email protected]
on Twitter @USAO_RI
West Warwick Resident Indicted in Coventry Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A federal grand jury in Providence today returned an indictment charging John Ryder, 28, of West Warwick, with bank robbery. It is alleged in the indictment that on May 2, 2016, Ryder robbed a BankRI branch office in Coventry by force, violence and intimidation. It is alleged that Ryder, while wielding a machete, threatened bank tellers and robbed the bank of nearly $6,000 in cash.
Ryder’s indictment is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, Coventry Police Chief John S. MacDonald, and Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Office of the FBI.
According to information presented to the court at the time of Ryder’s initial appearance in federal court on May 13, 2016, an investigation by Coventry Police and the FBI determined that beginning on April 29, 2016, and on the days leading up to the robbery, Ryder allegedly spent a considerable amount of time in and around a shopping plaza where the bank is located and in a wooded area directly behind the plaza.
It is alleged that on May 2, Ryder entered the bank carrying a machete and wearing a mask, dark blue pants, hooded sweatshirt and red jacket. It is alleged that he threatened bank tellers with the machete while demanding cash. It is alleged that after robbing the bank of $5,937, he fled into a wooded area behind the shopping plaza. Later that evening, it is alleged, Ryder is seen on video surveillance running from the area and getting into a vehicle.
On May 6, 2016, law enforcement interviewed Ryder. Four days later law enforcement obtained a court authorized search warrant to search Ryder’s cell phone, on which they discovered pictures of an individual wearing the same clothing and mask as the alleged bank robber. The photograph was taken in a wooded area behind the shopping plaza where the bank is located.
Ryder was arrested by Coventry Police and FBI agents on May 13, 2016.
An indictment is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Ryder, who is detained in federal custody, will be arraigned in U.S. District Court at a later date.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Milind M. Shah.
Coventry Police and the FBI were assisted in their investigation by the West Warwick, Warwick, West Greenwich and Cranston Police Departments and the Rhode Island State Police.
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Contact:
Jim Martin (401) 709-5357
email: [email protected]
on Twitter @USAO_RI
Warwick Man Indicted for Allegedly Producing, Receiving Child PornographyRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A federal grand jury in Providence today returned a four-count indictment charging Jordan Monroe, 50, of Warwick, R.I., with producing, receiving and possessing child pornography. Monroe was arrested on May 13, 2016, after Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents allegedly discovered tens of thousands of file folders containing images and videos of child pornography on computers seized from Monroe’s residence.
The indictment, announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, Matthew J. Etre, Special Agent in Charge of HSI for New England, and Colonel Steven G. O'Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police, charges Monroe with one count of coercing and using a minor to produce child pornography, two counts of receiving child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography.
As part of an ongoing investigation, HSI’s Cyber Crimes Center Child Exploitations Unit and the Department of Justice, Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, High Technology Investigative Unit has identified numerous IP addresses that are allegedly sharing and viewing child pornography on message boards. It is alleged that one such IP address was identified as belonging to a person who resides at Monroe’s residence.
According to court records, during the execution of a court authorized search warrant at Monroe’s residence on May 13, 2016, HSI agents, assisted by members of the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and the Warwick Police Department, seized six computers, three which acted as servers. A forensic review of the contents of the computers has, to date, revealed tens of thousands of files which allegedly contain images and videos of child pornography. It is alleged that some of the images and videos were produced by Monroe.
An indictment is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Monroe has been detained in federal custody since his arrest on May 13, 2016.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. McAdams.
The FBI is assisting HSI in the investigation of this matter.
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Contact:
Jim Martin (401) 709-5357
email: [email protected]
on Twitter @USAO_RI
Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty to Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Brandon D. Hayes, 31, of Central Falls, pleaded guilty today in federal court in Providence to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Hayes was arrested in July 2015 by a Rhode Island State Police trooper during a routine traffic stop after the trooper discovered and seized from the vehicle a loaded firearm belonging to Hayes.
Hayes’ guilty plea is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police.
According to information presented to the court, on July 12, 2015, a State Police trooper signaled for a vehicle traveling northbound on Route 95 in Warwick to stop for motor vehicle violations. The trooper learned that as the vehicle was pulling over, Hayes, who was a passenger in the vehicle, removed a loaded handgun from his waistband and put it under the front passenger seat. The trooper seized a loaded Baikal Makarov IJ-70 9 mm pistol from under that seat. Hayes admitted to the trooper that the firearm belonged to him.
Hayes, who has been detained since his arrest, is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., on September 6, 2016. According to court records, Hayes was previously convicted in state court on felony assault and drug trafficking charges.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Milind M. Shah.
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Contact:
Jim Martin (401) 709-5357
email: [email protected]
on Twitter @USAO_RI
Heroin Trafficker Sentenced to 5 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Wilkins Robles-Tejada, 29, of Providence, was sentenced today to 60 months in federal prison for trafficking heroin. Tejada was arrested by Providence and Cranston Police in February 2015.
At sentencing, U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith also ordered Tejada to serve 5 years supervised release upon completion of his prison term. Tejada pleaded guilty on February 8, 2016, to one count of possession with the intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.
Tejada’s sentence is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, Providence Police Chief Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr., and Cranston Police Chief Colonel Michael J. Winquist.
According to court documents, in February 2015, Providence Police detectives initiated an investigation into Tejada’s drug dealing activities in and around the City of Providence. On at least two occasions, an individual assisting Providence Police made purchases of heroin from Tejada while subject to police surveillance. During the course of the investigation, Tejada was seen by law enforcement visiting a Cranston residence on numerous occasions.
On February 20, 2015, members of the Providence Police Narcotics Unit and Cranston Police Special Investigations Unit executed a court authorized search warrant at the Cranston residence Tejada repeatedly visited. From inside a locked basement room law enforcement determined Tejada was using for his drug trafficking activities, law enforcement seized approximately 981 grams of heroin, 95 grams of cocaine, 19 grams of fentanyl, and a firearm.
Tejada has been detained since his arrest on February 20, 2015.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gerard B. Sullivan.
Members of the Rhode Island DEA Drug Task Force assisted Providence Police and Cranston Police in the investigation of this matter.
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Contact:
Jim Martin (401) 709-5357
email: [email protected]
on Twitter @USAO_RI
Woonsocket Resident Pleads Guilty to Trafficking OxycodoneRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Jeffrey Pare, 29, of Woonsocket, pleaded guilty in federal court in Providence on Tuesday to trafficking Oxycodone. Pare pleaded guilty as charged in a federal indictment returned on August 19, 2015, to three counts of distribution of Oxycodone.
Appearing before U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., Pare admitted to the court that on three occasions, between July 17 and August 14, 2014, he sold Oxycodone tablets to an undercover Providence Police Department detective assigned to the Rhode Island DEA Drug Task Force. According to information presented to the court, on July 17, 2014, Pare sold the undercover law enforcement officer 69 Oxycodone tablets in exchange for $2,100 in cash; on July 25, 2014, Pare sold 200 tablets to the undercover officer for $5,800 in cash; and on August 14, 2014, Pare sold the undercover officer 491 Oxycodone tablets in exchange for $22,400 in cash. All of the transactions occurred in Woonsocket.
Pare’s guilty plea is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA in New England, Woonsocket Acting Police Chief Captain Michael R. Lemoine, and Providence Police Chief Hugh T. Clements, Jr.
Pare was charged by way of a federal criminal complaint and arrested by DEA Drug Task Force agents and Woonsocket Police on July 15, 2015. At his initial appearance in U.S. District Court on July 22, 2015, Pare was ordered released on $50,000 unsecured bond to home confinement with electronic monitoring.
Pare, who remains on home confinement, is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., on August 18, 2016.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gerard B. Sullivan.
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Contact:
Jim Martin (401) 709-5357
email: [email protected]
on Twitter @USAO_RI
R.I. Resident Admits to Manufacture, Detonation of a Pipe BombRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Vincent A. Fasano, 26, of Cranston, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Providence today to manufacturing an explosive device, admitting to the court that in October 2015, he manufactured and detonated a pipe bomb which he had placed inside a refrigerator and left in a gravel pit in West Greenwich. The explosion destroyed the appliance.
Appearing before U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., Fasano admitted to the court that on October 18, 2015, using items he purchased at a home improvement store in Warwick, including a steel pipe, end caps for the pipe, gun powder, and a cannon fuse, he assembled an explosive device with the intent to detonate it and cause damage.
Fasano’s guilty plea is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police, West Greenwich Police Chief Richard Ramsay, and Daniel J. Kumor, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division of ATF.
According to court records, an investigation by West Greenwich Police, the State Fire Marhsal’s Office and agents from ATF led investigators to a home improvement store in Warwick. A check for purchases of items used to build a pipe bomb, as well as scrutiny of store video surveillance, led investigators, with the assistance of the retailer, to determine that Fasano purchased some of those items at the Warwick store. Fasano is seen on story security video making the purchase.
According to court records, during an interview with investigators on November 10, 2015, Fasano admitted that on October 18, 2015, he manufactured and transported an explosive device, along with a refrigerator, to a remote area of West Greenwich. He admitted that he ignited the explosive device inside the refrigerator and drove away. Fasano told investigators that as he drove away he heard, but did not see the explosion.
According to court records, Fasano also admitted to investigators that he previously built and detonated pipe bombs, causing significant damage to mailboxes, a portable latrine outside a pizza shop, and to a toilet.
Fasano, who has been free on unsecured bond since his arrest on November 17, 2015, is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., on August 23, 2016.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William J. Ferland.
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Providence Man Pleads Guilty to Trafficking Heroin and FentanylRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Wilson Garcia, 33, of, Providence, pleaded guilty in federal court in Providence today to trafficking heroin and fentanyl. Garcia admitted to the court that on multiple occasions he sold heroin and fentanyl in Rhode Island while on bail and awaiting trial in Massachusetts for allegedly trafficking heroin.
Wilson, appearing before U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., pleaded guilty as charged in a federal indictment returned on February 16, 2016, to five counts of distribution heroin, one count of distribution of fentanyl, and one count of distribution of heroin aiding and abetting.
Garcia’s guilty plea is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of DEA in New England.
According to information presented to the court, on April 9, 2014, Wilson Garcia was arrested on a heroin trafficking charge brought in Wrentham District Court for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a result of an investigation conducted by the Norfolk County Police Anti-Crime Task Force. When it was determined that Garcia was continuing to sell heroin while on bail and awaiting trial in Massachusetts, a subsequent investigation was launched by the DEA Task Force 1 in Boston.
During the course of the subsequent investigation, between December 2014 and September 2015, an undercover DEA Task Force agent arranged for the purchase of heroin from Garcia on at least six occasions and the purchase of fentanyl on at least one occasion. Six of the deliveries were made to the agent by Garcia at Twin River Casino in Lincoln. One delivery was made to the agent at Garcia’s Providence residence. The transactions resulted in the purchase from Garcia of a total of 20.7 grams of heroin for $2,200 in cash and 2.1 grams of fentanyl for $280 in cash.
Garcia, who was detained in federal custody at the time of his arrest on September 23, 2015, and subsequently released on $5,000 bond with surety, remains free on $5,000 bond pending sentencing by U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., on August 23, 2016.
The case in U.S. District Court in Providence is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gerard B. Sullivan.
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Jim Martin (401) 709-5357
email: [email protected]
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Businessman Charged with Sex Trafficking a MinorRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Lewis Valenti, 41, a West Kingston, R.I., businessman with residences in Reading, Mass., and East Greenwich, R.I., made an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Providence today on a criminal complaint charging him with conspiracy to transport a minor interstate for prostitution and transporting a minor interstate for prostitution.
U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond ordered Valenti released on $50,000 unsecured bond to home confinement at his Massachusetts residence, with electronic monitoring.
Earlier this month, Kedwin Vargas, 25, and Rene A. Laureano, 30, of Roxbury, Mass., were arrested and ordered detained in this matter. Vargas and Laureano are charged by way of federal criminal complaints with conspiracy to transport a minor interstate for prostitution and transporting a minor interstate for prostitution.
The charges against Valenti, Vargas and Laureano are announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Office of the FBI, and Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police.
According to court documents, it is alleged that in March 2016, Lewis Valenti contacted Rhode Island State Police and alleged that Kedwin Vargas was attempting to extort him by threatening to provide a video and audio recording to his family which contained information regarding sexual encounters he allegedly had with a minor female in exchange for payment. An investigation by Rhode Island State Police and the FBI revealed numerous text messages and cell phone conversations between Vargas and others with Lewis, in which it is alleged that Vargas is identified as the person allegedly attempting to extort $10,000 in cash from Valenti.
According to court documents, the investigation revealed that more than a year ago, Vargas allegedly began posting ads on backpage.com offering a minor female for prostitution. It is alleged that on numerous occasions, Laureano, who was previously employed at Valenti’s agriculture business in West Kingston, R.I., would drive the female to meet with customers, including Valenti. It is alleged in court documents that Valenti admitted to investigators that he had sexual contact with the female on numerous occasions over the past two years at his East Greenwich apartment and at several local hotels.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William J. Ferland.
The Warwick, R.I., and Boston Police Departments assisted the FBI and Rhode Island State Police in the investigation of this matter.
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Contact:
Jim Martin (401) 709-5357
email: [email protected]
on Twitter @USAO_RI
Scituate Resident Sentenced for Interstate Travel to Engage in Illicit Sexual ContactRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Randy A. Collins, 44, of Scituate, R.I., was sentenced Thursday to 24 months in federal prison for traveling interstate with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. Collins previously admitted to the court that on September 2, 2015, he left his place of employment in Franklin, Mass., during his workday, to meet in Rhode Island and have sex with a person he believed to be a 14-year-old female. The person he had been communicating with online was actually a Rhode Island State Police Detective assigned to the Rhode Island Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force.
At sentencing, U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith also ordered Collins to serve 10 years supervised release upon completion of his prison term. Collins pleaded guilty on March 10, 2015, to interstate travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.
Collins’ sentence is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police, and Matthew J. Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for New England.
At the time of his guilty plea, Collins admitted to the court that he answered an advertisement posted on Craigslist which he believed was posted by a 14-year old female seeking to obtain an iPhone6. According to information presented to the court, during an exchange of emails the State Police Detective posing as the young teenager repeatedly informed Collins that he was communicating with a 14-year-old. Collins acknowledged the information and responded that he was still interested in meeting with her. Collins turned the exchange to a sexual nature and proposed providing the iPhone in exchange for sex.
Collins was arrested by Rhode Island State Police and agents from Homeland Security Investigations when he arrived at a location in Cranston, R.I., where he believed he was going to meet with a young teenage girl.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. McAdams.
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Contact:
Jim Martin (401) 709-5357
email: [email protected]
on Twitter @USAO_RI
Armed Crack Cocaine Trafficker SentencedRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Marcus E. Johnson, 44, of Fall River, Mass., was sentenced on Wednesday to 92 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and trafficking crack cocaine, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Office of the FBI.
At sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., also ordered Johnson to serve 4 years supervised release upon completion of his prison term. Johnson, arrested by members of the R.I. FBI Safe Streets Task Force on March 26, 2014, pleaded guilty on February 1, 2016, to one count each of being a felon in possession of a firearm and distribution of 28 grams or more of crack cocaine.
At the time of his guilty plea, Johnson admitted to the court that on October 25, 2013, he sold a .22 caliber handgun to an individual working on behalf of the FBI Safe Street Task Force for $600. Additionally, Johnson admitted to the court that between August 30, 2013, and March 3, 2014, he sold at total of 150.89 grams of crack cocaine to an individual working on behalf of the FBI Safe Street Task Force in exchange for $7,300.
Johnson has been detained in federal custody since his arrest on March 26, 2014.
Providence Police assisted the R.I. FBI Safe Streets Task Force in the investigation of this matter.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul F. Daly, Jr.
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Contact:
Jim Martin (401) 709-5357
email: [email protected]
on Twitter @USAO_RI
Pawtucket Man Detained on Federal Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Justice Reyes, 19, of Pawtucket, was ordered detained in federal custody on Wednesday, having been indicted by a federal grand jury on Tuesday on a charge of possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
According to information presented to the court at the time of Reyes’ arraignment before U.S. District Court Magistrate Lincoln D. Almond, it is alleged that on April 1, 2016, an undercover ATF agent bought a .22 caliber semi-automatic rifle from Reyes for $350. Reyes allegedly specified that the serial number had been obliterated, and that he could get the undercover and the undercover’s associates additional guns with obliterated serial numbers. The transaction allegedly occurred outside Reyes’s residence, the place where he was to be serving home confinement.
According to Rhode Island state court records, Reyes was sentenced on March 17, 2016, to one year home confinement for violating a suspended sentence imposed on January 29, 2016, having pleaded nolo contendre to a charge of simple assault domestic. Reyes began serving his home confinement sentence two weeks prior to allegedly selling the firearm to an ATF agent.
An indictment is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Milind M. Shah.
The matter was investigated by ATF and the Rhode Island AFT Task Force, with the assistance of the Pawtucket Police Department. The Rhode Island ATF Task Force is comprised of law enforcement agents and officers from the Central Falls, Providence and Cranston Police Departments, the Department of Corrections, and the Providence Fire Department.
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Contact:
Jim Martin (401) 709-5357
email: [email protected]
on Twitter @USAO_RI
Two Mass. Men Detained in R.I. on Sex Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Kedwin Vargas, 25, and Rene A. Laureano, 30, of Roxbury, Mass., have been ordered detained in federal custody on federal criminal complaints charging them with conspiracy to transport a minor interstate for prostitution and transporting a minor interstate for prostitution.
According to court documents, it is alleged that information about the trafficking of a minor female from Boston to Rhode Island for the purpose of prostitution by Vargas and Laureano came to the attention of law enforcement after an East Greenwich resident contacted Rhode Island State Police alleging that he was being extorted by a Massachusetts resident in exchange for not providing information to his wife about sexual encounters with the minor female in exchange for payment.
Vargas was arrested on May 19, 2016, and ordered detained by Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond. Laureano was arrested on Monday and was ordered detained by Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond.
The arrest and detention of Vargas and Laureano is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police, and Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Office of the FBI.
According to court documents and information presented to the court, in March 2016, an East Greenwich resident contacted Rhode Island State Police and alleged that Vargas was attempting to extort him by threatening to provide a video and audio recording to his family which contained information regarding sexual encounters he had with a minor female in exchange for payment. An investigation by Rhode Island State Police and the FBI revealed numerous text messages and cell phone conversations between Vargas and others with the East Greenwich resident, in which it is alleged that Vargas is identified as the person allegedly attempting to extort cash from the East Greenwich resident.
According to court documents, it is alleged that the investigation revealed that more than a year ago, Vargas began posting ads on backpage.com offering the minor female for prostitution. It is alleged that in many instances, Laureano would drive the female to meet with customers, including the East Greenwich resident. It is alleged in court documents that the East Greenwich resident admitted to investigators that he had met with and had sexual contact with the female on numerous occasions in several different locations in Rhode Island in exchange for cash.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William J. Ferland.
The Warwick, R.I., and Boston Police Departments assisted in the investigation of this matter.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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Contact:
Jim Martin (401) 709-5357
email: [email protected]
on Twitter @USAO_RI
Storage Facility Manager Sentenced for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Kwame Davis, 42, of Pawtucket, a former manager of a storage facility business located in Pawtucket, was sentenced today to 77 months in federal prison for trafficking cocaine and heroin from his office at the storage facility.
At sentencing, U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith also ordered Davis to serve 4 years supervised release upon completion of his prison term. Davis pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Providence on February 10, 2016, to one count each of possession with the intent to distribute cocaine and possession with the intent to distribute heroin.
Davis’ sentence is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, Pawtucket Police Chief Paul King, East Providence Police Chief Christopher J. Parella, and Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of DEA in New England.
According to court records and information presented to the court, in June 2015, Pawtucket and East Providence Police detectives, and members of the Rhode Island DEA Drug Task Force, conducted an investigation into Kwame Davis’ drug trafficking activities. On multiple occasions, undercover purchases of drugs were made from Davis while he was in his office at his place of employment.
On June 24, 2015, law enforcement executed a court authorized search of Davis’ office and seized 540 grams of cocaine, 19 grams of heroin, and various items used in the packaging and distribution of drugs.
Davis has been detained since his arrest on June 24, 2015.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gerard B. Sullivan.
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Contact:
Jim Martin (401) 709-5357
email: [email protected]
on Twitter @USAO_RI
U.S. Attorney Neronha Appointed to Attorney General's Advisory CommitteeRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch announced today the appointments of Peter F. Neronha, U.S. Attorney for the District of Rhode Island, and John Huber, U.S. Attorney for the District of Utah, to the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee (AGAC), effective immediately.
“The Attorney General’s Advisory Committee plays a crucial role in shaping the Justice Department’s approach to fighting crime, countering national security threats and securing equal justice under the law and I am pleased to welcome two new members to its ranks,” said Attorney General Lynch. “U.S. Attorneys John Huber and Peter Neronha have spent their careers tackling some of the most high-profile and difficult challenges we face, from political corruption and terrorism to gun violence and organized crime. I have come to know them both as outstanding law enforcement officers and devoted public servants and I look forward to drawing upon their insight and expertise in the months to come as we continue our work to create a stronger, safer, and more equal nation for all Americans.”
U.S. Attorney Neronha will fill the seat vacated by former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, Steven Dettelbach, who resigned on Feb. 5.
U.S. Attorney Huber will fill the seat vacated by former U.S. Attorney for the District of Kansas, Barry Grissom, who resigned on April 15.
U.S. Attorney Neronha was nominated by President Barack Obama on July 31, 2009, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Sept. 15, 2009, as the U.S. Attorney for the District of Rhode Island. In 2002, U.S. Attorney Neronha joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island. As an Assistant U.S. Attorney, he prosecuted criminal cases involving political corruption, white collar crime, drug and firearm offenses. When he joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office, he was named coordinator of the District’s Project Safe Neighborhoods, a Department of Justice initiative against gun crimes. Prior to being named U.S. Attorney, he was Chief of the District’s Organized Crime Strike Force. U.S. Attorney Neronha previously served on the AGAC during 2009-2011.
U.S. Attorney Huber was nominated by President Barack Obama on Feb. 4, 2015, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on June 10, 2015, as U.S. Attorney for Utah. Prior to confirmation as the U.S. Attorney, U.S. Attorney Huber prosecuted a number of high profile federal cases and coordinated task forces that focused on violent crime and counter-terrorism. He also served as chief of the National Security Section in the U.S. Attorney’s Office before being asked to serve as the Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney, a member of the office’s executive management team.
The AGAC was created in 1973 to serve as the voice of the U.S. Attorneys and to advise the attorney general on policy, management and operational issues impacting the offices of the U.S. Attorneys.
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Warwick Man Detained in National Child Pornography InvestigationRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Jordan Monroe, 50, of Warwick, R.I., was ordered detained in federal custody on Friday following an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Providence on child pornography charges.
Monroe was charged by way of a federal criminal complaint with receiving and distributing child pornography, and possessing and accessing with intent to view child pornography after Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents allegedly discovered tens of thousands of computer file folders containing images and videos of alleged child pornography on numerous computers seized from Monroe’s Rhode Island residence.
Monroe’s arrest and detention is announced by United States Attorney Peter F, Neronha and Matthew J. Etre, Special Agent in Charge of HSI for New England.
During the execution of a court authorized search warrant at Monroe’s residence on Friday, HSI agents, assisted by members of the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and the Warwick Police Department, seized six computers, three which act as servers. A brief forensic review of the contents of four of the computers by HSI and ICAC agents with expertise in forensic computer examinations revealed a massive collection of computer files which allegedly contain images and videos of child pornography. A forensically trained HSI agent advised investigators that he saw tens of thousands of files with names consistent with child pornography that he has seen in other investigations in his experience.
According to court documents and information presented to the court, a nationwide investigation launched in September 2015 by HSI’s Cyber Crimes Center Child Exploitations Unit and the Department of Justice, Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, High Technology Investigative Unit has identified Internet billboards allegedly used for posting, sharing and viewing child pornography. It is alleged that numerous IP addresses in the United States and outside the country have been identified as allegedly viewing and sharing child pornography on the billboards. It is alleged that one such IP address was identified as belonging to a person at Monroe’s residence.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. McAdams.
The FBI is assisting HSI in the investigation of Jordan Monroe.
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Contact:
Jim Martin (401) 709-5357
email: [email protected]
on Twitter @USAO_RI
Westerly Resident Admits to Operating Butane Hash Oil LabRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Scott Slagel, 41, of Westerly, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Providence on Friday to endangering human life while illegally manufacturing a controlled substance, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s New England Field Division, Westerly Police Chief Edward W. St. Clair, and Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police.
According to information presented to the court, in the early morning hours of November 27, 2015, in the wake of a fire in a multi-unit apartment building on Apache Drive in Westerly, investigators discovered an active butane hash oil lab in the unit where the fire originated. After extinguishing the fire and securing the scene, investigators located a number of items related to a butane hash oil manufacturing laboratory, including marijuana plants, multiple cans of butane, glass tubes and a vacuum oven containing butane hash oil, commonly referred to as “shatter.”
Appearing before U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., Slagel admitted to the court that he used the above-described items to manufacture butane has oil in what is known as the open-blast method.
Slagel, who has been free on unsecured bond since his arraignment on April 5, 2016, is scheduled to be sentenced on August 16, 2016.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sandra R. Hebert.
The matter was investigated by the Westerly Police Department, DEA and the Rhode Island State Fire Marshal’s Office.
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Contact:
Jim Martin (401) 709-5357
email: [email protected]
on Twitter @USAO_RI
W. Warwick Man Charged with Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – John Ryder, 28, of West Warwick, was ordered detained in federal custody today following an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Providence on a charge of bank robbery. It is alleged that on May 2, 2016, Ryder, while wielding a machete, threatened bank tellers employed at a BankRI branch in Coventry while robbing the bank of nearly $6,000 in cash.
Ryder was arrested earlier today at his home by FBI agents and Coventry Police Department detectives.
Ryder’s arrest and detention are announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, Coventry Police Chief John S. MacDonald, and Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Office of the FBI.
According to court documents, an investigation by the FBI and Coventry Police determined that beginning on April 29, 2016, and on the days leading up to the robbery, Ryder allegedly spent a considerable amount of time in and around a shopping plaza where the bank is located and in a wooded area directly behind the plaza. It is alleged that Ryder can be seen on video surveillance footage on numerous occasions in and around the plaza, at times with a backpack and camouflaged-patterned hat. It is also alleged that Ryder can be seen spending a considerable amount of time looking in and around the bank.
According to court documents, it is alleged that on May 2, Ryder entered the bank while wearing a mask, dark blue pants, hooded sweatshirt and red jacket, and carrying a machete. It is alleged that he threatened bank tellers with the machete while demanding cash. It is alleged that after robbing the bank of $5,937, he fled from the bank into the wooded area behind the shopping plaza. A short time later, police discovered a backpack and camouflaged-patterned hat in the wooded area behind the plaza. Later that evening, it is alleged that Ryder is seen on video surveillance footage running from the area and getting into a vehicle. The owner of the vehicle allegedly confirmed that he drove Ryder from the area.
On May 6, 2016, law enforcement interviewed Ryder. On May 10, 2016, police obtained a federal search warrant to search Ryder’s cell phone. It is alleged that on the phone they discovered pictures of an individual wearing the same clothing and mask as the alleged bank robber. The photographs were taken in the same area where the backpack and camouflaged-patterned hat were located the day of the robbery.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Milind M. Shah.
Coventry Police and the FBI were assisted by the West Warwick, Warwick, West Greenwich and Cranston Police Departments and the Rhode Island State Police in the investigation of this matter.
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Contact:
Jim Martin (401) 709-5357
email: [email protected]
on Twitter @USAO_RI
Conn. Resident Sentenced for Traveling to R.I. to Engage in Sexual Activity with a MinorRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Joshua T. Robinson, 36, of Colchester, Conn., was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Providence, R.I., on Thursday to 46 months in federal prison, followed by 10 years supervised release, for traveling interstate to engage in illicit sexual activity with a girl he believed to be 14 years-old.
Robinson’s sentence, imposed by U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police.
Robinson, arrested on September 4, 2015, by members of the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, pleaded guilty on February 18, 2016, to travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.
At the time of his guilty plea, Robinson admitted to the court that beginning in late August 2015, he engaged in a series of increasingly sexually explicit emails with a person he believed to be a 14 year- old girl living in Rhode Island. Robinson admitted to the court that he arranged with the young teenager to meet her in Rhode Island where he would engage in sexual activity with her in exchange for a new iPhone. However, the person purporting in the emails to be the 14 year-old girl was, in fact, members of the Rhode Island State Police ICAC Task Force.
According to court documents, on September 4, 2015, Robinson’s first attempt to travel to Rhode Island to meet with the teenager was interrupted when a tire on his vehicle went flat. After having the tire repaired, he set out a second time to meet the young teenager. Robinson was arrested inside a retail store in Cranston, R.I., where he was to have met with the girl, purchase an iPhone for her and then travel to another location to engage in sexual activity.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. McAdams.
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Contact:
Jim Martin (401) 709-5357
email: [email protected]
on Twitter @USAO_RI
Charlestown Man Sentenced on Drug Trafficking, Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Jason D. Smith, 32, of Charlestown, R.I., was sentenced today to 72 months in federal prison on drug and firearms charges. Smith was arrested in September 2015 by members of the Rhode Island State Police High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force after court authorized searches of Smith’s residence and a storage unit rented by Smith resulted in the seizure of five loaded handguns, a shotgun, and significant quantities of heroin, cocaine, ketamine, loose marijuana, mature marijuana plants, and oxycodone and Adderall pills. Law enforcement also discovered two fully functioning marijuana grows.
At sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., also ordered Jason Smith to serve three years supervised release upon completion of his prison term. Smith pleaded guilty on December 4, 2015, to possession with intent to distribute heroin, and possession of firearms and ammunition in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Smith’s sentence is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, Rhode Island State Police Superintendent Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell, Daniel J. Kumor, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division of ATF, and Charlestown Police Chief Jeffrey S. Allen.
According to information presented to the court, as a result of information developed by the HIDTA Task Force during an investigation into Smith’s drug trafficking activities, law enforcement obtained and executed court authorized search warrants at Smith’s residence and a storage unit rented by Smith.
From Smith’s residence, which he shared with his girlfriend and a young child, and which was equipped with several exterior surveillance cameras, law enforcement seized five loaded handguns, a shotgun, several extended capacity magazines of ammunition, 383 grams of heroin – some mixed with fentanyl and ketamine, 101 grams of ketamine, 52 grams of cocaine, 227 oxycodone pills, 27 Adderall pills, more than 10 kilograms of loose marijuana, and a fully functioning marijuana grow which contained 63 mature marijuana plants. Law enforcement also seized numerous items used in the packaging and distribution of drugs.
Inside a storage unit rented by Smith, law enforcement discovered a fully functioning marijuana grow with 29 mature marijuana plants. Law enforcement also seized an expired Rhode Island Medical Marijuana Caregiver Card with Smith’s picture and a valid Rhode Island Medical Marijuana Patient Card with Smith’s picture.
Smith has been detained since his arrest.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Adi Goldstein.
Agents from ATF assisted the HIDTA Task Force in the investigation of this matter. The HIDTA Task Force is managed by the Rhode Island State Police and comprised of members from Providence Police, Pawtucket Police, Johnston Police, Central Falls Police, North Providence Police, West Warwick Police, United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the United States Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
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Contact:
Jim Martin (401) 709-5357
email: [email protected]
on Twitter @USAO_RI
Guilty Plea in Sex Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Reginald Chaney, a/k/a “Reggie,” 20, of East Providence, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Providence today to conspiring to transport minors for the purpose of sex trafficking.
Appearing before U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., Chaney admitted to the court that in January 2015, he conspired with two juveniles to transport two young females, ages 15 and 16, to motels in Seekonk, Mass., and to locations in Providence, Warwick, Charlestown and Narragansett for the purpose of sex trafficking. He is scheduled to be sentenced on August 10, 2016.
Chaney’s guilty plea is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin; Matthew J. Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for New England; Providence Police Chief Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr.; East Providence Police Chief Christopher J. Parella; and Seekonk, Mass., Police Chief Craig A. Mace.
According to information presented to the court, on January 28, 2015, Providence Police responded to Hasbro Childrens’ Hospital for a report of sexual exploitation offenses involving a 16 year-old female. As a result of information provided to the officers, and a subsequent investigation by Providence Police and Homeland Security Investigations, law enforcement learned that on January 16, 2015, Chaney and two juvenile males conspired to take photographs of the 16 year-old female and a 15 year-old female in various stages of undress, and to post the photographs in advertisements on Backpage.com.
According to information presented to the court, between January 16 and January 28, 2015, Chaney and the two juvenile males conspired to transport the teenage girls from Chaney’s East Providence residence to locations in Massachusetts and Rhode Island for the purpose of offering the girls for prostitution. Based on the information developed by Providence Police and Homeland Security Investigations, Chaney was arrested by East Providence Police on January 29, 2015. He was ordered detained in state custody as a Superior Court probation violator on a 5-year suspended sentence imposed on January 14, 2015, on a weapons charge.
Two juvenile males from East Providence identified as co-conspirators in this matter were arrested on January 29, 2015, and prosecuted in Family Court by the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office. Brian Desmarais, who was 17 at the time of his arrest, pleaded nolo contendere on November 2, 2015, to two counts of sex trafficking of a minor and one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a minor. Under the terms of the plea agreement, Desmarais received a certified sentence of 10 years with 19 months plus two days to serve, the remainder suspended with probation. He has begun serving his sentence at the Rhode Island Training School until a “modification hearing” takes place at which time a Family Court judge will determine if the sentence should be modified or continued to be served at the Adult Correctional Institution.
The second juvenile offender, J'Maire Wray, who was 15 at the time of his arrest, pleaded nolo contendere before Family Court Judge Kathleen A. Voccola to two counts of sex trafficking of a minor, one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a minor, and one count of felony assault. Under the terms of the plea agreement, Wray received a certified sentence of 15 years with six years to serve.
Under certification, both Desmarais and Wray are convicted and their sentences will extend into adulthood.
The cases are being jointly prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Terrence P. Donnelly and Rhode Island Attorney General Daniel Carr Guglielmo.
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Contact:
Jim Martin (401) 709-5357
email: [email protected]
on Twitter @USAO_RI
Connecticut Man Pleads Guilty to Bank Robberies in Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and ConnecticutRead the Press Release
SCRANTON, PA - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on May 5, 2015, David Sandy Lee Parks, age 60, of New Haven, Connecticut, pleaded guilty to six bank robberies, including two bank robberies in Rhode Island.
According to United States Attorney Peter Smith of the Middle District of Pennsylvania, in July 2015, a grand jury in Scranton returned a two-count Indictment alleging that Parks committed the armed robbery of the Peoples Security Bank, Duryea, Pa., on July 3, 2015, and the armed robbery of the Wells Fargo Bank, Plymouth, Pa., on July 10, 2015.
A subsequent Criminal Information charged Parks with four additional bank robberies:
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the Savings Institute Bank & Trust, Westerly, Rhode Island, on February 20, 2015;
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the Coastway Community Bank, Warwick, Rhode Island, on June 16, 2015;
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the Citizen’s Bank, Stonington, Connecticut, on June 24, 2015; and
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the First Niagara, Upper Macungie Township, PA, on July 17, 2015.
On May 5, 2016, Parks appeared before Senior United States District Court Judge Edwin M. Kosik in Federal Court in Scranton, Pa., and pleaded guilty to all six robberies.
Parks has been in custody since July 17, 2015, the day officers from the Upper Macungie Police Department arrested and charged him with the robbery of the First Niagara Bank which occurred earlier that day.
The case was jointly investigated by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies: the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Pennsylvania State Police, the Duryea, Plymouth Township, Upper Macungie, Pittston, Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes-Barre Township, Plains Township, Jenkins Township, West Pittston, Edwardsville, Warwick and Westerly, Rhode Island, Hanover, Kingston Police Departments, and the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office. The prosecution was conducted and coordinated by Assistant United States Attorney John Gurganus.
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California Man Pleads Guilty to Selling Unapproved Drug in Rhode IslandRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Adam Alden, 29, of Bakersfield, CA, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Fresno, CA, to distributing 2,4-Dinitrophenol (DNP), a chemical used as a dye, wood preserver and herbicide, among other things, which he marketed as an extreme weight loss drug. Alden pleaded guilty to one count of introducing an unapproved drug into interstate commerce.
According to court documents and information presented to the court, a Rhode Island customer who purchased DNP from Alden, among other sources, died in October 2013 as a result of DNP ingestion. It cannot be established beyond a reasonable doubt whether or not the DNP sold by Alden caused the customer’s death.
Alden’s guilty plea before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Stanley A. Boone is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha of the District of Rhode Island, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner of the District of Eastern California, and Russell Herman, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations.
According to court documents and information presented to the court, an investigation by a U.S. Food and Drug Administration task force in Rhode Island determined that between August 2013 and January 2014, the defendant sold DNP on eBay to customers throughout the United States including Rhode Island, advertising that the product was intended for human consumption as a weight loss product. DNP is a chemical used as a dye, wood preserver and herbicide among other things. Nevertheless, it has been marketed over the years as “extremely dangerous and not fit for human consumption” under the Food and Drug Cosmetic Act of 1938.
According to court documents and information presented to the court, Alden made approximately $500 in profits from his DNP sales on eBay.
Alden is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Stanley A. Boone on July 19, 2016. Introducing an unapproved drug into interstate commerce is punishable by up to one year in federal prison or 5 years probation; and a $100,000 fine or twice the gain/loss from the offense.
The case is being prosecuted in the District of Rhode Island by Assistant U.S. Attorney Adi Goldstein and in the Eastern District of California by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine A. Plante.
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Contact:
Jim Martin (401) 709-5357
email: [email protected]
on Twitter @USAO_RI
Coventry Man Charged with Providing False Information on Federal Firearms FormRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Bradley Allen, 25, of Coventry, was arrested on Wednesday and ordered to home confinement with GPS monitoring following his initial appearance in U.S. District Court on a federal criminal complaint charging him with making false statements on a federal firearms form and to a federally registered firearms dealer. It is alleged that, while attempting to purchase a firearm, Allen denied that he was the subject of a domestic violence restraining order issued by the Family Court, when in fact he is.
Allen’s arrest and initial appearance are announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Daniel J. Kumor, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division of ATF.
According to court documents and information presented to the court, it is alleged that on February 13, 2016, Allen expressed an interest in purchasing a firearm from a licensed firearms dealer in West Warwick. Allen claimed on an ATF form, required to be completed by the purchaser of a firearm from a federally licensed firearms dealer, that he was not the subject of a protective order. A background investigation by law enforcement revealed that, according to court records, Allen is the subject of a domestic violence restraining order issued by the Rhode Island Family Court on December 1, 2014. The restraining order remains in effect for three years.
According to court records, on March 28, 2016, an ATF agent spoke by telephone with Allen regarding the information he allegedly provided on the ATF form. As a follow-up to that conversation, Allen was scheduled to appear in person at a local ATF office within the next two days to further discuss his alleged claim that he was not subject to a protective order. Allen failed to respond to the ATF office or contact the agent.
A federal criminal complaint charging Allen with one count of providing false statements to a firearms dealer and one count of making false statements on a federal firearms form was filed with the U.S. District Court on Monday. Allen was arrested on Wednesday by ATF agents, with the assistance of Coventry Police, and made an initial appearance before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Milind M. Shah. The matter was investigated by ATF.
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Contact:
Jim Martin (401) 709-5357
email: [email protected]
on Twitter @USAO_RI
Guilty Plea in Scheme to Steal & Use Personal Identifying Information from ATMsRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Moises Morales Cano, 31, of Astoria, N.Y., pleaded guilty in federal court in Providence, R.I., today to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft, admitting to his role in a scheme to manipulate bank ATM machines. The scheme resulted in the theft of personal information skimmed from debit cards belonging to more than 1,300 individuals and the loss of more than $709,000.
Appearing before U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., Moises Morales Cano admitted to the court that between January 1 and April 4, 2015, he conspired with another individual to attach skimming devices on ATMs at banks in several communities in Rhode Island and Connecticut. According to information presented to the court, approximately 1,329 individuals had their debit cards compromised resulting in a total loss of approximately $709,597.50.
An ATM skimming device is a technology that directly attaches to an ATM in order to intercept unknowing customers’ debit card information from the magnetic strip on ATM cards. The stolen information and PINs are downloaded and re-encoded onto counterfeit debit cards. The counterfeit debit cards are used to make fraudulent transactions from the accounts of unknowing victims.
Cano’s guilty plea is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, Ted A. Arruda, Resident Agent in Charge of the Providence office of the U.S. Secret Service, and Warwick Police Chief Colonel Stephen M. McCartney.
Cano has been detained in federal custody since his arrest in Queens, N.Y., on September 9, 2015. He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 20, 2016.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee H. Vilker.
The matter was investigated by the United States Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Warwick Police Department, with the assistance of the Smithfield, East Providence, Cranston, and Johnston Police Departments.
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Contact:
Jim Martin (401) 709-5357
email: [email protected]
on Twitter @USAO_RI
National, Local Employment Programs in Rhode Island to Highlight Road Way to Employment for Ex-Offenders Reentering the CommunityRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Each year, an average of 600,000 individuals across the country, approximately 3,000 in Rhode Island, reenter the community from prison, many of them committed to supporting themselves and their families, to become productive citizens, and to not re-offend and return to prison. Literature suggests employment is a predictor of post-release recidivism.
United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, working closely with Rhode Island Department of Corrections Director A.T. Wall, and in partnership with the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Probation, the Governor’s Office, the Department of Labor and Training, the Attorney General’s Office, the law firm of Partridge Snow & Hahn, Open Doors and Amos House, and employers whose workforce development strategy includes hiring ex-offenders, have been leading outreach efforts to connect employers with the information and support they need to make informed decisions to develop workforce strategies which include ex-offenders.
On May 25, 2016, businesses owners, employers and hiring managers from across Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts will gather for Road Map to Reentry: Community Workforce Development, a summit to share workforce development strategies to integrate formerly incarcerated individuals into the workforce.
Johns Hopkins Health Systems, a nationally recognized leader in creating employment opportunities for ex-offenders, and Pet Food Experts located in Cumberland, Rhode Island, a long-time supporter of providing employment opportunities to ex-offenders, will lead a discussion of hiring practices, successes and challenges associated with employing formerly incarcerated individuals. Ex-offenders will speak to the personal challenges they confronted and rewards they now realize by having been given the opportunity to work.
Additionally, the Department of Labor and Training, and state and federal probation supervisors, will detail the many support systems and resources available to employers and employees, including financial incentives employers may qualify for when they hire ex-offenders. Agencies such as Open Doors and Amos House will detail pre and post-release assistance for ex-offenders readying them to rejoin the workforce. In addition, an employment and labor attorney, a partner at Partridge Snow & Hahn, will address the employment law implications of the program.
In announcing the Summit, United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha commented, “No matter how long the sentence, the fact is that the vast majority of those we arrest, prosecute and incarcerate don’t stay locked up forever. These released inmates are coming home to cities and towns throughout Rhode Island. If these individuals return to a future that is no future at all, they are very likely to commit another crime. New crimes result in new victims, which alone is bad enough. Moreover, a return to prison results in enormous cost to the Rhode Island taxpayers. This kind of financial burden, hardly unique to Rhode Island, is simply not sustainable. Once former inmates are out, we have to do everything we can to make sure that they stay out. Most want to work, and want to work hard. What they need is a chance; a chance that will help them, help their prospective employers, and ultimately help all Rhode Islanders. In a country where nearly one in three Americans of working age has some kind of criminal record, we simply cannot ignore or permanently sideline this part of our workforce.”
Roadmap to Reentry: Community Workforce Development is a free summit. Business owners, employers and hiring managers wishing to attend the summit on May 25, 2016, at the Radisson Hotel in Warwick, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., are encouraged to register at www.usaoritraining.org/CWD
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Contact:
Jim Martin (401) 709-5357
email: [email protected]
on Twitter @USAO_RI
RI Law Enforcement to Participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back ProgramRead the Press Release
On Saturday, April 30, 2016, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Rhode Islanders are encouraged to drop off their unused and expired prescription drugs at one of more than 25 locations across the state as part of the national Prescription Drug Take Back Program. The program was created in 2010 by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to prevent pill abuse and theft by allowing residents to rid their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.
A list of locations and participating police departments is attached and can be found at www.dea.gov. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. In addition, many police departments provide free drop-off boxes year-round. Contact your local police department to see if they offer the service. ((Note: The DEA cannot accept liquids or needles or sharps, only pills or patches.))
“Rhode Island continues to lead the nation in illicit drug use, and we have been in the eye of the storm of heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opiate overdoses. While State leaders recognize that we need a comprehensive approach to addressing the problem, which includes access to naloxone, increasing support for recovery programs, and prosecuting drug traffickers, much of this crisis has been borne out of the diversion of prescription drugs for illicit purposes,” said Attorney General Kilmartin. “Ridding our homes of expired and unused prescription medications is both easy and effective manner to ensure they don’t end up in the hands of someone with an addiction.”
Last September, Americans turned in 350 tons (over 702,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at more than 5,000 sites operated by the DEA and more than 3,800 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 10 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 5.5 million pounds—more than 2,750 tons—of pills.
United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha added, "For too many years, Americans have received far too many prescription pills, including opioids such as OxyContin, Vicodin and Percocet. We now know that the results have been disastrous. The overprescribing of opioids has led to addiction and death from both these prescription pills and from heroin, to which those who abuse prescription opioids often turn. Far too often, prescription opioids, no longer needed, remain in our medicine cabinets at home, all too available to those who might abuse them. These overfilled medicine cabinets are literally killing our friends, relatives, and in some instances our children. It is beyond time to empty them, and take-back day is a great opportunity to do so."
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. 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. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.
For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the April 30th Take Back Day event, visit www.dea.gov.
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Alleged Armed Heroin, Cocaine Trafficker Ordered DetainedRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Aaron Philbert, 29, of Pawtucket, was ordered detained in federal custody after appearing in U.S. District Court in Providence today on heroin and cocaine trafficking charges, and for allegedly being a felon in possession of two loaded firearms which he allegedly used in furtherance of his alleged drug trafficking crimes.
A federal grand jury on Thursday returned a four-count indictment charging Philbert with possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, possession of heroin with the intent to distribute, being a felon in possession of firearms, and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes. A not guilty plea was entered during his arraignment before U.S. District Court Judge Patricia A. Sullivan.
Philbert’s indictment and arraignment are announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, DEA Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Ferguson, Pawtucket Police Chief Paul King, and Newport Police Chief Gary T. Silva.
According to information presented to the court, on February 8, 2016, during an investigation into Philbert’s alleged drug trafficking activities, law enforcement executed a court authorized search warrant inside Philbert’s residence and allegedly seized a loaded Glock 21, .45 caliber pistol that had been reported stolen, a loaded .357 magnum revolver, 13.8 grams of heroin, more than an ounce of cocaine, more than $11,000 in cash, and numerous items used in the packaging and distribution of drugs.
According to court records and information presented to the court, Philbert, who was on federal supervised release at the time of his arrest in February, pleaded guilty in May 2010, to one count of possession with the intent to distribute 5 grams or more of cocaine base. He was sentenced in June 2011, to 63 months incarceration to be followed by 5 years supervised release.
An indictment is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard W. Rose. The matter was investigated by the DEA Drug Task Force, with the assistance of the Pawtucket and Newport Police Departments.
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Contact:
Jim Martin
Public Information Officer
United States Attorney’s Office
(401) 709-5357
U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI Prepared to Respond to Complaints of Election Fraud & Voting Rights AbuseRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE - United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Terrence P. Donnelly will lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming April 26, 2016, Presidential primary elections. AUSA Donnelly has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer 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.
To report suspected election fraud or voting rights abuses at the polls in Rhode Island, the United States Attorney’s Office can be reached by the public at (401) 709-5068. In addition, the FBI field office in Rhode Island will be prepared to receive allegations of voting fraud and other election abuses at (401) 272-8310.
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Justice Department Closes Case After RI Judiciary Reforms Provide Equal Access for Individuals with Limited English ProficiencyRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – The Justice Department today announced the closure of its case concerning the provision of language assistance to individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP) in the state court system following the successful implementation of reforms by the Rhode Island Judiciary.
The Rhode Island Judiciary and the Justice Department successfully resolved an investigation of an administrative complaint filed under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin in federally funded programs or activities. The complaint alleged that the Rhode Island Judiciary failed to provide interpreters and other language assistance services to LEP court users. In 2012, following extensive negotiations between the Rhode Island Judiciary and the department, Chief Justice Paul A. Suttell of the Rhode Island Supreme Court issued Executive Order No. 2012-05 on language services in the courts to mandate that qualified interpreters and other approved language assistance be provided at no charge for individuals with LEP in all court proceedings, services and programs.
In 2014, the department approved the Rhode Island Judiciary’s language access plan and the parties signed a voluntary resolution agreement that required the successful implementation of the executive order and plan, continued input from a stakeholder committee, compliance with Title VI and two years of monitoring and technical assistance. Today, after the Rhode Island Judiciary completed the conditions for termination of the agreement, the department officially closed the case.
The department and the Rhode Island Judiciary have worked cooperatively to improve how the courts communicate with LEP court users. In addition to adopting the comprehensive language access policy contained in the executive order, the judiciary’s accomplishments include:
• Designating staff qualified to provide services to court customers in languages other
than English;
• Posting signage in six languages throughout each court house advising the public of the
right to an interpreter at no cost;
• Requiring both parties to state court actions to report interpreter needs data to the court
through new e-filing requirements;
• Translating forms and website content into commonly spoken languages in Rhode
Island, such as Spanish, Portuguese, Khmer and Cape Verdean;
• Creating a multilingual notice of right to language assistance and adopting a court
rule requiring service of the notice upon each defendant in a proceeding;
• And, creating a language services complaint policy and posting a complaint form in multiple languages on the court’s website, in court clerk’s offices and in the Office of Court Interpreters.
“Access to justice requires that all people, including those with limited English proficiency, can fully access and fairly participate in our courts,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “We commend Chief Justice Suttell and staff in the Administrative Office of State Courts for their efforts to make the promise of equal access to justice a reality for all Rhode Island residents.”
The Rhode Island matter was handled by Attorney Paul M. Uyehara of the Civil Rights Division’s Federal Coordination and Compliance (FCS) Section.
The complaint was resolved as part of the initiative by FCS to ensure that state courts comply with the language access requirements of Title VI. To ensure that no LEP individual is denied justice due to a court’s failure to provide language services, the FCS courts team provides policy guidance and technical assistance to state court systems and undertakes enforcement actions across the country.
For further information about FCS and Title VI, please visit https://www.justice.gov/crt/fcs. For additional LEP-related resources, please visit http://www.lep.gov/index.htm.
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Rhode Island courts LEP Closing Letter.pdf
Convicted Felon Indicted on Firearm and Drug Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A federal grand jury in Providence today returned a two-count indictment charging Christopher Rene, 25, of Providence, with being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession with the intent to distribute crack cocaine. Rene was arrested by Providence Police on February 4, 2016. It is the third time Rene has been arrested on a firearm charge.
Rene’s indictment is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, Providence Police Chief Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr., and Harold B. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in New England.
According to court records, at the time of his most recent arrest, Rene was on federal supervised release and state probation. In August 2009, Rene was convicted in state court on drug trafficking and firearm charges. He was sentenced to 7 years in prison, 6 months to serve and 78 months of probation. In a separate matter, in March 2011, Rene was convicted in federal court of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He was sentenced to 46 months in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release.
On February 10, 2015, while on federal supervised release and state probation, Rene was among 35 individuals arrested during a series of investigations into violent crime in Providence as part of the Rhode Island Urban Violent Crime Initiative. Based on information gathered by law enforcement, Rene was arrested for violating the terms of his federal supervised release. He was sentenced to six months in federal prison and an additional 30 months of federal supervised release.
According to state court documents, in February 2016, during an investigation into Rene’s alleged drug trafficking activities, Providence Police seized 41 bags of crack cocaine and .40 caliber handgun from vehicles allegedly accessed by Rene while he was under police surveillance. It is alleged that Rene was detained shortly after he exited one vehicle and allegedly placed the handgun in the second vehicle. The crack cocaine was discovered in the first vehicle allegedly accessed by Rene.
Rene has been held in state custody since his arrest.
An indictment is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case is being prosecuted in federal court by Assistant U.S. Attorney Milind M. Shah.
The matter was investigated by the Providence Police Department with the assistance of the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force.
United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha acknowledges and thanks the Rhode Island Department of Attorney General for their assistance in this matter.
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Convenience Store Owner Admits to Million Dollar Food Stamp Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Sami Almuhtaseb, 45, of Smithfield, R.I., owner of Oasis Market, a convenience store located in Providence, pleaded guilty in federal court on Friday to defrauding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) of more than $1.1 million dollars. Almuhtaseb admitted to the court that he allowed SNAP recipients to exchange food stamp benefits for cash, in return charging them a surcharge of 100% which he pocketed.
Sami Almuhtaseb’s guilty plea is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, William G. Squires, Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Region of the United States Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General, and Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Office of the FBI.
According to information presented to the court, between November 2009 and December 2015, the defendant’s store redeemed $2,755,125 in SNAP benefits. Over $1,259,320.99 or 45% of the food stamp transactions were for transactions of $100 or more. Over 72% of the SNAP transactions at the store were from transactions in excess of $50. Legitimate SNAP transactions at a convenience store rarely involve a transaction of $50 or more.
According to court documents, at least $1.1 million dollars worth of the SNAP funds received by Almuhtaseb were the result of fraudulent transactions. These fraudulently obtained funds were deposited into two bank accounts controlled by Almuhtaseb. The defendant withdrew over $770,000 in cash or checks payable to himself from these two accounts. An analysis of bank records revealed that the Almuhtaseb also withdrew over $40,000 of cash from one of the accounts at ATMs located at casinos.
Appearing before U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith, Sami Almuhtaseb pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program fraud and to money laundering.
He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 22, 2016.
The matter was investigated by the United States Attorney’s Office, the United States Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General, and the FBI.
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Contact:
Jim Martin (401) 709-5357
email: [email protected]
on Twitter @USAO_RI
Landscaper Sentenced in Union, Unemployment Fraud CaseRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Steven F. Pagliarini, 57, Executive Vice-President and Treasurer of Central Landscaping Construction Company, located in Johnston, R.I., and Executive Vice-President of Central Nurseries, Inc., located in Chepachet and Johnston, R.I., was sentenced today to 3 years probation for orchestrating a scheme to avoid paying union benefits, and for providing false information to the State of Rhode Island to ensure some of his employees were paid unemployment compensation to which they were not entitled.
At sentencing, U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith also ordered Pagliarini to pay restitution totaling $171,695.22. Pagliarini pleaded guilty on January 28, 2016, to three counts of falsification of documents and one count of wire fraud.
Pagliarini’s sentence is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; Cheryl Garcia, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Office of Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigation, New York Region; Susan A. Hensley, Regional Director, U.S. Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration; Todd Damiani, Special Agent in Charge of Region One U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General; 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; and Scott Jensen, Director of Rhode Department of Labor and Training (RIDLT).
According to information presented to the court, at various times between January 2007 and December 2010, Pagliarini submitted false documents to union welfare and pension plan administrators of two unions that represent construction equipment operators and other employees of Central Landscaping. The documents did not accurately reflect the actual number of hours worked by some employees and the actual amount of wages paid to those employees. The employees worked on federally-funded projects at the Hartford Park Project in Providence and the I-195 Relocation Project.
Additionally, according to information presented to the court, in order to avoid paying wages to some employees between November 2009 through April 2010, Pagliarini falsely reported to the RIDLT that the employees of Central Nurseries had been laid-off because of a lack of work. Pagliarini required the employees to work part-time but did not pay them. Based on documents filed with RIDLT, employees were paid a total of $68,487 in unemployment compensation.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dulce Donovan.
The matter was investigated by the United States Attorney’s Office; U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Office of Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigation; U.S. Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration; U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General; U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General; and the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training.
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Contact:
Jim Martin (401) 709-5357
email: [email protected]
on Twitter @USAO_RI
Realty and Property Ownership and Management Company Owner Pleads Guilty to Bankruptcy FraudRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Linda Davis Griffin, 48, of Warwick, owner of Vision Adventures, LLC, a Providence based property ownership and management company, pleaded guilty in federal court in Providence today to one count of alteration of bankruptcy records, admitting to the court that she falsified bank documents in order to conceal the conversion of bankruptcy estate funds to her own use.
Ms. Griffin Davis’ guilty plea is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Office of the FBI.
According to information presented to the court, in March 2013, Vision Adventures filed a voluntary bankruptcy petition with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Providence. The U.S. Bankruptcy Code requires that an authorized person file monthly operating reports with both the U.S. Trustee and the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. The monthly operating reports provide information regarding the income and expenses of the debtor and copies of related bank statements to substantiate the activity. Linda Davis Griffin is the sole member of Vision Adventures and was the authorized person to file monthly operating reports.
Appearing before U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith, Ms. Davis Griffin admitted to the court that several of the monthly operating reports she provided to the U.S. Trustee and the U.S. Bankruptcy Court contained altered bank records, making it appear that there was less money in Vision Adventure bank accounts than actually existed. According to information presented to the court, Ms. Davis Griffin provided the altered bank documents in order to conceal the fact that she converted a total of $25,480 of debtor funds for her own use.
Ms. Davis Griffin is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith on July 15, 2016.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Terrence P. Donnelly, with the assistance of Assistant U.S. Attorney Gerard B. Sullivan.
The matter, investigated by the FBI, was referred to the United States Attorney’s Office by the U.S. Department of Justice Office of the United States Trustee for the Districts of Maine, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
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Contact:
Jim Martin (401) 709-5357
email: [email protected]
on Twitter @USAO_RI
Mass. Resident Admits to Reselling Stolen Firearms Purchased with Fraudulent ChecksRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Edwin William Rosa, 45, of Peabody, Mass., pleaded guilty in federal court in Providence, R.I., today to possession of stolen firearms. Rosa admitted to the court that on several occasions he purchased firearms from registered dealers in Massachusetts using bogus bank checks and then sold the stolen guns to firearms dealers in Rhode Island.
Appearing before U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith, Rosa admitted to the court that between September 8 and September 30, 2015, he used personal checks from closed bank accounts to purchase eight firearms from registered firearms dealers in Massachusetts. Rosa then sold the firearms to registered firearms dealers in Rhode Island for immediate payment in cash or by check.
Rosa’s guilty plea is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Daniel J. Kumor, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Rosa is scheduled to be sentenced on July 15, 2016.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Milind M. Shah.
The matter was investigated by ATF, with the assistance of the Smithfield, R.I., and Seekonk, Fall River and Somerset, Mass., Police Departments.
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Contact:
Jim Martin (401) 709-5357
email: [email protected]
on Twitter @USAO_RI
Gang Member Pleads Guilty to Trafficking Crack CocaineRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Jaheeim Benton, 26, of Pawtucket, a member of the YNIC street gang, pleaded guilty in federal court in Providence today to trafficking crack cocaine, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Daniel J. Kumor, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
According to court documents, on at least six occasions between January and November 2015, Benton sold a person, who was assisting an ATF law enforcement task force in their investigation of Benton’s gang and drug trafficking activities, several plastic baggies containing crack cocaine. Each of the transactions was monitored by law enforcement.
In addition, according to a plea agreement filed in this matter, a court authorized search of Benton’s residence on November 4, 2015, resulted in the seizure of approximately 1.2 grams of crack cocaine and numerous items used in the packaging and distribution of crack cocaine.
Appearing before U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith, Benton pleaded guilty possession with the intent to distribute crack cocaine.
Benton, who has been detained in federal custody since his arrest on November 4, 2015, is scheduled to be sentenced on July 15, 2016. According to court records and information presented to the court, Benton was previously convicted in Rhode Island state court on multiple assault and firearms charges.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Milind M. Shah.
This matter was investigated by an ATF Task Force consisting of agents and officers from ATF; Providence, Cranston, Central Falls and Pawtucket Police Departments; and the Special Investigations Unit at the Rhode Island Department of Corrections.
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Contact:
Jim Martin (401) 709-5357
email: [email protected]
on Twitter @USAO_RI
Temp Agency Owner Pleads Guilty to Personal & Corporate Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Rossy Noriega, 50, of Providence, R.I., owner of New Diamond Work, Inc., a temporary employment agency based in Fall River, Mass., pleaded guilty in federal court in Providence today to charges that she failed to pay $720,923 in employment and personal income taxes due the IRS. Noriega admitted that she failed to pay employment taxes for those employees who she paid in cash, and that she failed to pay personal taxes on unreported cash from her business that she pocketed.
Noriega admitted to the court that during tax years 2009-2013, she made over $2.5 million dollars in cash withdrawals from her company bank accounts. Some of the proceeds of these withdrawals were used to pay employees in cash; while some of the proceeds were used for her own personal benefit.
Noriega’s guilty plea to charges of income tax evasion and failure to withhold and pay over employment taxes is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Joel P. Garland, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation.
Appearing before U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., Noriega admitted to the court that during tax years 2009-2013, as she made over $2.5 million dollars in cash withdrawals from company accounts, she paid some of her New Diamond Work employees via payroll check while many more were paid in cash, and that she used a significant amount of the cash withdrawn for her own personal use.
Noriega admitted that she failed to accurately report to the IRS the number of employees, total payments to the employees, and the employees’ and the employers’ share of federal employment taxes due the IRS. She also admitted that she failed to accurately report her own personal income, thus she failed to pay the appropriate amount of taxes due the IRS. An investigation by IRS Criminal Investigation revealed that the defendant failed to pay to the IRS $580,066 in payroll taxes on behalf of New Diamond Work, Inc., for the quarters ending March 31, 2009 through and December 31, 2013; and that during tax years 2009-2013, she failed to pay personal income taxes totaling $140,857.
Noriega is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., on June 24, 2016.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. McAdams.
The matter was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation, with the assistance of the U.S. State Department Office of Inspector General.
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Contact:
Jim Martin (401) 709-5357
email: [email protected]
on Twitter @USAO_RI
Former Tax Preparer, Elected Public Official Sentenced for Tax FraudRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Leon F. Tejada, 51, of Providence, former owner of El Centro Multiservices, a tax preparation service in Providence, and a former member of the Providence City Council and Rhode Island General Assembly, was sentenced today to 12 months and one day in federal prison for devising and executing two tax fraud schemes to steal tax refunds monies from 76 taxpayers whose tax returns he prepared and filed, and from the IRS.
At sentencing, U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith also ordered Tejada to serve three years supervised release upon completion of his prison term, during which time he is ordered to perform 1,000 hours of community service. Tejada pleaded guilty on December 18, 2015, to one count of tax fraud and four counts of wire fraud.
Tejada’s sentence is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Joel P. Garland, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation.
At the time of his guilty plea, Tejada admitted to the court that during tax years 2009 through 2012, without the knowledge of his clients, he devised a scheme to create and falsify clients’ dependents, exemptions, tax credits, deductions, and expenses in order to increase the amount of tax refund due to some of the clients. An investigation by IRS Criminal Investigation and the United States Attorney’s Office determined that this scheme resulted in a loss to the United States of $54,440.
Additionally, Tejada admitted to the court that he devised a scheme to divert a portion of tax refunds some of his clients’ received into his own bank account for his own personal use. An investigation by IRS Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Attorney’s Office determined that Tejada diverted $24,987 in tax refund monies skimmed from the tax refunds of at least 76 individuals.
At sentencing, U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith ordered Tejada to pay full restitution to the 76 individuals whose tax refund monies he stole and to the IRS, totaling $78,548.
Tejada has been ordered to self-surrender to begin serving his prison sentence by May 2, 2016.
In a separate matter, a federal grand jury last week returned a 70-count indictment alleging that Belkis M. Guzman, 47, of Cranston, a former tax preparer employed at El Centro Multiservices, participated in schemes to prepare false tax returns claiming deductions taxpayers were not entitled to and to filing fraudulent tax returns using personal identifying information of others without authorization. It is alleged that the latter scheme resulted in tax refunds totaling more than $686,000, which were deposited into Guzman’s personal bank account.
The indictment, which charges Guzman with thirty-three counts of preparing false income tax returns, eight counts of wire fraud, four counts of aggravated identity theft, twenty-three counts of forgery, and one count of theft of government funds. Guzman pleaded not guilty at her arraignment on April 4, 2016.
An indictment is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard W. Rose.
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Contact:
Jim Martin (401) 709-5357
email: [email protected]
on Twitter @USAO_RI
R.I. Businessman Indicted for Arson, Wire FraudRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Daniel E. Saad, 50, of Spencer, Mass., pleaded not guilty in U.S. District Court in Providence, R.I., on Thursday to arson and wire fraud charges, for allegedly devising a executing a scheme to set fire to his business in Glocester, R.I., in an effort to collect insurance.
Appearing before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan, Saad pleaded not guilty to a federal indictment charging him with one count of arson, one count of use of fire to commit wire fraud, and two counts of wire fraud. Saad was released on unsecured bond following his arraignment.
The indictment, returned on Tuesday and unsealed on Thursday following Saad’s arrest and arraignment, is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, Glocester Police Chief Joseph S. DelPrete, Daniel J. Kumor, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division of ATF, and Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police.
According to the indictment and information presented to the court, it is alleged that in late November 2014, Saad, who was encountering significant debt, devised a scheme to collect insurance payments by setting fire to his business, Snow’s Clam Box Restaurant and Pub, and then filing a claim with his insurance company for any damages caused by the fire.
It is alleged in the indictment that on November 30, 2014, Saad intentionally set fire to his business, causing significant damage, and that later the same day he filed an insurance claim with his insurance carrier.
An indictment is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The matter was investigated by the Glocester Police Department, the Rhode Island State Fire Marshal’s Office, and ATF, with the assistance of the Rhode Island Department of the Attorney General.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William J. Ferland.
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Contact:
Jim Martin (401) 709-5357
email: [email protected]
on Twitter @USAO_RI
Tax Preparer Indicted in Alleged Tax Fraud SchemesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A federal grand jury in Providence on Wednesday returned a 70-count indictment alleging that Belkis M. Guzman, 47, of Cranston, a former tax preparer employed at El Centro Multiservices in Providence, participated in schemes to prepare false tax returns claiming deductions taxpayers were not entitled to and to file fraudulent tax returns using personal identifying information of others without authorization. It is alleged that the fraudulent tax returns resulted in tax refunds totaling more than $685,000, which were deposited into a bank account controlled by Guzman.
The indictment, which charges Guzman with thirty-three counts of preparing false income tax returns, eight counts of wire fraud, four counts of aggravated identity theft, twenty-three counts of forgery, and one count of theft of government funds, is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Manny J. Muriel, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation.
It is alleged in the indictment that in one scheme, for tax years 2009, 2010, and 2011, Guzman filed at least thirty-three fraudulent tax returns by creating, inflating or falsifying her clients’ dependents, exemptions, tax credits, deductions and expenses, with and without her client’s knowledge.
In a separate scheme, the indictment alleges that Guzman participated in a scheme to use personal identifying information of others without their authorization to file fraudulent tax returns during tax years 2009, 2010, and 2011. It is alleged that tax refunds totaling $686,823.65, obtained through the filing of fraudulent tax returns were deposited into a personal checking account belonging to Guzman.
Belkis Guzman is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Providence for arraignment on April 4, 2016. An indictment is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Prior to the return of an indictment against Belkis Guzman, an investigation by IRS Criminal Investigation and the United States Attorney’s Office resulted in federal tax fraud charges to be brought against Leon F. Tejada, 51, of Providence, the operator of El Centro Multiservices. Tejada pleaded guilty on December 18, 2015, to charges of tax fraud and wire fraud.
At the time of his guilty plea, Tejada admitted to the court that during tax years 2009 through 2012, without the knowledge of his clients, he created and falsified clients’ dependents, exemptions, tax credits, deductions, and expenses in order to increase the amount of tax refund due to some of his clients. An investigation by agents from IRS Criminal Investigation and by the United States Attorney’s Office determined that the tax fraud scheme resulted in a loss to the United States of $54,440.
Tejada also admitted to the court that he also devised a scheme to divert some of his clients’ tax refunds through a bank clearing house, at which time, without the knowledge of his clients, a portion of the funds were diverted into his own bank account for his own personal use.
Tejada is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith on April 5, 2016.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard W. Rose.
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belkis_guzman_indictment.pdf
Contact:
Jim Martin (401) 709-5357
email: [email protected]
on Twitter @USAO_RI
Dangers of Butane Hash Oil Labs Cited as Five are ChargedRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha today announced the filing of federal criminal charges against five individuals for their alleged roles in the operation of butane hash oil (BHO) labs in Rhode Island. At a news conference to announce results of several joint federal, state and local law enforcement investigations into the operation of four BHO labs, United States Attorney Peter Neronha led a host of federal, state and local law enforcement leaders to emphasize the public safety threat and potential for catastrophic results due to the emerging presence of illicit BHO labs.
BHO labs are highly dangerous facilities used to extract tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a Schedule I controlled substance found in marijuana plants, through the use of butane. In the past year, illicit BHO labs were discovered by law enforcement in South Kingstown, Westerly, Providence, and West Warwick.
United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha today announced federal criminal charges in four cases against five individuals all of whom, it is alleged, were involved in the operation of BHO labs. There is no relation between the defendants or the cases, other than allegations that the four labs were involved in the manufacture of hash oil from marijuana using butane.
United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha commented, “This activity poses an enormous threat to human life. Where BHO manufacturing is going on, no one is safe: not those involved in the illegal operation themselves; not those who happen to be living or visiting nearby; not first responders. The demand for BHO, whether for purported medical purposes or otherwise, cannot justify its production, given the magnitude of risk. Second, those who continue to engage in the production of BHO, notwithstanding what ought to be abundantly clear by now, will be the strong focus of our collective law enforcement efforts.”
“DEA is committed to locating, investigating and dismantling butane honey oil labs, which create a real potential for fires, explosions, injuries and deaths, and to investigate those traffickers who manufacture and distribute BHO,” said Special Agent in Charge of DEA in New England Michael J. Ferguson. “The federal charges announced today represent law enforcement’s efforts to combat this emerging deadly threat, and fulfill our obligation to improve public safety and health. These investigations demonstrate the strength of collaborative law enforcement efforts in Rhode Island to aggressively pursue anyone who manufactures and dispenses these dangerous drugs.”
“BHO operations pose a very serious threat to public safety. ATF is committed to assisting our law enforcement and public safety partners in identifying and arresting those responsible for such egregious acts” - Daniel J. Kumor, ATF Special Agent in Charge / Boston Field Division.
“Unregulated production of BHO in our communities is a significant public safety problem, putting families, neighbors, and the general public at risk. It is dangerous and can be deadly, as it was with the BHO lab explosion last year in South Kingstown. The increased production and use of BHO is yet another example of how our existing marijuana laws and regulatory structure has led to dangerous unintended consequences. We need to get a handle on this problem now, before more lives are lost, by giving law enforcement the tools they need to investigate and shut down these death labs,” said Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin who has filed legislation that would prohibit medical marijuana patients and caregivers from extracting THC from marijuana using a flammable liquid, the method used in making BHO. The legislation would allow compassion centers to extract THC using a flammable liquid only within rules and regulations to be promulgated by the Rhode Island Department of Health.
Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety said, “Butane hash oil labs pose a significant threat not only to the public but to every first responder called upon to respond to any emergency where these BHO labs are being operated. The Rhode Island State Police and the Rhode Island Fire Marshal’s Office will continue to work closely with federal and local law enforcement agencies, and federal and state prosecutors, to identify these labs and to hold those who run these labs and endanger our neighborhoods accountable.”
“The Providence Fire Department faced a totally engulfed building fire on Kinsley Avenue, which put the lives of numerous firefighters in danger when they fought this fire. At one point while on the scene of the fire, the exterior wall collapsed and a roof beam catapulted through the wall nearly striking apparatus and firefighters. These defendants caused our firefighters great danger and put the public at risk for which we are grateful no one was injured. This is an example of what the Providence firefighters face when answering a fire alarm. It could have turned tragic for so many,” said Providence Public Safety Commissioner Steven M. Paré. “Our firefighters, ATF, and the arson investigators did an outstanding job investigating this fire. I hope this will deter others from similar behavior that is so dangerous and risky for our public safety officers.”
Investigations and Federal Criminal Charges
214 Hemlock Road
South Kingstown
According to a federal indictment returned on Tuesday, it is alleged that on July 31, 2015, explosions and fire in and around a BHO lab caused significant property damage to a single family residence in South Kingstown, and seriously injured two individuals. The injuries suffered by one of the individuals contributed to his death three months later.
It is alleged in the indictment that Dillon Kantlehner, 26, of Providence, and a second person who later died from injuries sustained as a result of the explosions and fire, used the kitchen area to operate a BHO lab. Investigators seized more than 500 grams of BHO and over 9,000 grams of marijuana from the home, as well as 72 butane canisters, some empty and some full.
The indictment charges Kantlehner with endangering human life while illegally manufacturing a controlled substance. A federal warrant has been issued for the arrest of Dillon Kantlehner.
498 Kinsley Avenue
Providence
On March 9, 2015, a massive fire destroyed an 85,900 square foot warehouse on Kinsley Avenue in Providence. As alleged in a federal indictment returned on Tuesday, Christopher White, 50, of Warwick, and Graeme Marshall, 50, of Cranston, leased the warehouse from which they operated a business that sold equipment and supplies for marijuana cultivation. It is alleged in the indictment that White and Marshall used a portion of the warehouse to operate a butane hash oil manufacturing laboratory. It is alleged in the indictment that over a period of approximately two years, White and Marshall manufactured over 1,000 grams of BHO at the Kinsley Avenue warehouse, which they sold for between $15 and $30 per gram.
It is alleged in the indictment that the fire began in the room where the BHO laboratory was located.
A 22-count federal indictment charges Christopher White and Graeme Marshall with nine counts of endangering human life while illegally manufacturing a controlled substance, one count of conspiracy, seven counts of distribution of a controlled substance and five counts of money laundering. White and Marshall appeared today for arraignment before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan. A not guilty plea was entered. The defendants were released on unsecured bond.
15 Apache Drive, Apt. B
Westerly
In the early morning hours of November 27, 2015, in the wake of a fire in a multi-unit apartment building on Apache Drive in Westerly, investigators discovered a BHO lab. It is alleged that one of the residents of the apartment had been conducting a butane hash oil manufacturing operation.
A criminal information filed in this matter charges Scott Slagel, 41, with endangering human life while illegally manufacturing a controlled substance. Slagel is scheduled to be arraigned in U.S. District Court on April 5, 2016.
656 Providence Street, Apt. 301
West Warwick
On July 16, 2015, West Warwick Police and federal law enforcement agents executed a Rhode Island state court authorized search warrant inside a building on Providence Street, which houses residential and commercial units. In an apartment leased by Tyler Crespo, 21, law enforcement allegedly discovered a full-scale butane hash oil manufacturing laboratory. Investigators also seized over 6,000 grams of butane hash oil and nearly $14,000 in cash.
A federal indictment returned on Tuesday charges Tyler Crespo with one count of endangering human life while illegally manufacturing a controlled substance and one count of manufacture of a controlled substance. A federal warrant has been issued for the arrest of Tyler Crespo.
An indictment and criminal information are merely allegations and are not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Sandra R. Hebert, Paul F. Daly, Jr., and Richard B. Myrus.
The various matters were investigated by a combination of law enforcement agents and officers from the DEA, ATF, Rhode Island State Police and Rhode Island State Fire Marshal’s Office, The Providence Police Department and the Providence Fire Marshal’s Office, the Westerly, South Kingstown and West Warwick Police Departments, and by prosecutors from the United States Attorney’s Office with the assistance of prosecutors from the Rhode Island Department of the Attorney General.
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Contact:
Jim Martin (401) 709-5357
email: [email protected]
on Twitter @USAO_RI
Parolee Detained on Firearm, MDMA Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A West Warwick resident, currently on parole after having been convicted and sentenced in Rhode Island state court in October 2008 on felony assault, robbery and firearm charges, was ordered detained in federal custody today for allegedly possessing and trafficking the synthetic drug MDMA, and for being a felon in possession of firearms.
Devon Mello, 26, of West Warwick, arrested earlier today by members of the ATF Task Force, with the assistance of the West Warwick Police Department and the DEA, was ordered detained in federal custody following his initial appearance before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond on a criminal complaint charging him with three counts of distribution of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), one count of possession with the intent to distribute MDMA, and two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Mello’s arrest and criminal complaint are announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, Daniel J. Kumor, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division of ATF, and West Warwick Police Chief Colonel Richard G. Silva.
According to court documents, on February 26, 2016, an ATF special agent acting in an undercover capacity, allegedly met with Mello in a parking lot near his residence to discuss interest in committing armed robberies. Mello allegedly informed the agent that he not only was in possession of a firearm on his person, but that he had access to other firearms, including an AR-15 assault rifle and a shotgun. Prior to leaving Mello’s company, the agent allegedly purchased from Mello 2.7 grams of MDMA in exchange for $80.
On March 1, 2016, after having exchange numerous text messages with Mello during the two previous days, the undercover agent allegedly met with Mello in a parking lot near Mello’s residence to discuss the purchase of firearms. Prior to the end of the meeting, the undercover agent allegedly purchased 9.8 grams of MDMA from Mello for $270. Mello allegedly instructed the agent to stay in touch with him to learn about the status of obtaining firearms.
On March 4, 2016, as allegedly instructed by Mello in a text message the day before, the agent met with Mello in a parking lot near Mello’s residence during which time Mello allegedly provided the agent with a shotgun and ammunition in exchange for $400. They allegedly met again on March 10, 2016, in a parking lot near Mello’s home, to allegedly discuss the purchase of additional firearms. Prior to the end of that meeting, the agent allegedly purchased from Mello 8.35 grams of MDMA in exchange for $225.
Earlier today, Mello was detained by ATF agents as ATF agents, members of the ATF Task Force, and West Warwick Police conducted a federal court authorized search of Mello’s residence. The search resulted in the seizure of approximately 28 grams of MDMA, a 9mm firearm, $270 in cash and various items used in the packaging and distribution of MDMA and other drugs.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
According to court documents, on October 16, 2008, Mello was convicted in Rhode Island state court on first degree robbery and conspiracy charges, and was sentenced to 15 years - 10 years to serve and the remainder suspended - and 5 years of probation. On the same date, Mello was convicted on two counts of felony assault and two counts of discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence, and was sentenced to a concurrent sentence of 20 years of incarceration - 15 years to serve and 5 years suspended - and 5 years of probation. Mello has been on parole since the fall of 2015.
At the time of his arrest, Mello, who was subject to home confinement, was wearing a GPS electronic monitoring ankle bracelet.
The case in federal court is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Milind M. Shah.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The ATF Task Force consists of agents and officers from Providence, Cranston and Central Falls Police Departments, Providence Fire Department Arson Squad, and the Rhode Island Department of Correction's Special Investigations Unit.
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Contact:
Jim Martin (401) 709-5357
email: [email protected]
on Twitter @USAO_RI Devon Mello Complaint & Affidavit
Woonsocket Resident Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison on Drug & Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Miguel Colon, 55, of Woonsocket, was sentenced today to 15 years in federal prison for trafficking heroin and cocaine, and for carrying a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking activities. At the time of his arrest in April 2015, law enforcement seized three kilograms of cocaine and a loaded firearm found stashed inside a hidden compartment inside Colon’s vehicle and nearly 900 grams of heroin hidden inside a self-storage unit rented by Colon.
At sentencing, U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith also ordered Colon to serve 5 years supervised release upon completion of his prison term. Colon pleaded guilty on October 28, 2015, to possession with the intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, being a felon in possession of a firearm and carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.
Colon’s sentence is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; Woonsocket Acting Police Chief Captain Michael R. Lemoine; Providence Police Chief Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr.; Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police; and Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s New England Field Division.
According to court documents and information presented to the court, Woonsocket and Providence Police Detectives, independent of one another, developed information that approximately once a month Miguel Colon traveled by vehicle to Texas and/or Florida to obtain large quantities of cocaine and/or heroin which he transported back to Rhode Island. In late April 2015, law enforcement developed information that Colon was on a drug run to Texas and Florida, and that he was scheduled to arrive in Rhode Island with the drugs on April 27.
In the early morning hours of April 27, local, state and federal law enforcement, posted along Route 95 in unmarked vehicles, spotted Colon’s vehicle and followed it until it came to a stop in the parking lot of a motel in North Attleboro, Mass. Law enforcement quickly surrounded the vehicle and removed Colon. A Rhode Island State Police K-9 indicated the presence of narcotics inside the vehicle. With the assistance of North Attleboro and Massachusetts State Police, a court authorized search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of three kilos of cocaine, approximately one pound of marijuana and a loaded semi-automatic firearm stashed inside a sophisticated hydraulically-controlled hidden compartment. Also located in the vehicle were keys to self-storage units at a Woonsocket storage facility.
A Rhode Island court authorized search of two storage units rented by Colon at the Woonsocket storage facility resulted in the seizure of approximately 900 grams of heroin, and various items used in the packaging and distribution of drugs.
A court authorized search of Colon’s residence resulted in the seizure of drug ledgers which contained entries of amounts of money listed next to names, some of which were the names of individuals known to Woonsocket Police as drug dealers in the City of Woonsocket. Law enforcement also seized live ammunition, several small seedling sized marijuana plants and a State of Rhode Island marijuana caregiver card issued to Colon.
Colon has been detained in federal custody since his arrest.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gerard B. Sullivan.
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Contact:
Jim Martin (401) 709-5357
email: [email protected]
on Twitter @USAO_RI
Scituate Man Admits to Interstate Travel for Illicit Sexual ContactRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Randy A. Collins, 44, of Scituate, RI, pleaded guilty in federal court in Providence to interstate travel for illicit sexual conduct, admitting to the court that on September 2, 2015, he left his place of employment in Franklin, Mass., during his workday, to meet with and have sexual contact with a person he believed to be a 14-year-old female. The person he had been communicating with online was actually a law enforcement officer assigned to the Rhode Island Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force. Collins was arrested by Rhode Island State Police and Homeland Security Investigations when he arrived at a designated location in Cranston, RI, where he thought he was going to meet with the 14-year-old girl.
Collins’ guilty plea is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police, and Matthew J. Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for New England.
Appearing before U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith on Thursday, Collins admitted to the court that he answered an advertisement posted on Craigslist which he believed had been posted by a 14-year old female seeking to obtain an iPhone6. According to information presented to the court, during the exchange of emails, a Rhode Island State Police Detective posing as the young teenager repeatedly informed Collins that he was communicating with a 14-year-old. Collins acknowledged the information and responded that he was still interested in meeting with her. Collins turned the exchange to a sexual nature and proposed obtaining the iPhone in exchange for sex.
Collins was initially charged on September 4, 2015, by way of a federal criminal complaint and made an initial appearance before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan. Collins was indicted by a federal grand jury on September 30, 2015.
Randy Collins is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith on May 26, 2016.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. McAdams.
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Contact:
Jim Martin (401) 709-5357
email: [email protected]
on Twitter @USAO_RI
Providence Resident Sentenced to 13 Years in Prison on Firearms, Hobbs Act Conspiracy ChargesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Allen Prout, 44, of Providence, was sentenced on Friday to 13 years in federal prison on firearms and robbery conspiracy charges relating to his June 2014 plan to rob a drug dealer and a robbery conspiracy charge relating to his involvement in an armed robbery in September 2012.
On October 29, 2015, Prout pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and being a felon in possession of a firearm in connection with the June 2014 robbery conspiracy. On that same date, Prout pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery in connection with the armed robbery in September 2012. At sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., also ordered Prout to serve 3 years supervised release upon completion of his prison term.
Prout’s sentence is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, West Warwick Police Chief Colonel Richard G. Silva and Daniel J. Kumor, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston field division of ATF.
At the time of his guilty plea, Prout admitted to the court that on June 6, 2014, he and a co-conspirator, Emmett Blyden, 45, of Providence, took possession of firearms they intended to use to rob a drug stash house in Providence. The defendants believed that two kilos of heroin and a substantial amount of cash were being stored at the house. The two men were arrested moments after taking possession of the firearms.
Blyden pleaded guilty on September 22, 2015, to conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery and being a felon in possession of a firearm. He was sentenced on January 5, 2016, to 96 months in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years supervised release.
At the time of his guilty plea, Prout also admitted to the court that he participated in a conspiracy in September 2012 to rob an individual at gun point of money the victim intended to use to purchase a significant quantity of oxycodone pills. According to court records, Prout and a co-defendant, Kiplagatt Stewart, 41, of Providence, posed as drug dealers in order to gain access to the home of the victim. Instead of selling the victim oxycodone pills, Prout and Stewart robbed the victim at gunpoint of approximately $14,000 in cash.
Stewart was sentenced on October 22, 2015, to 84 months in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years supervised release. Stewart pleaded guilty on June 17, 2015, to conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery.
The cases were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Milind M. Shah, with the assistance of First Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch and Assistant U.S. Attorney Adi Goldstein.
Providence Police and Rhode Island State Police assisted West Warwick Police and ATF in the investigation of these matters.
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Contact:
Jim Martin (401) 709-5357
email: [email protected]
on Twitter @USAO_RI
Rhode Island Resident Admits Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Adam C. Cobb, 47, of Portsmouth, RI, pleaded guilty in federal court in Providence on February 24, 2015, to one count of child pornography. Cobb was arrested in April 2015, following an investigation by agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and members of the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (RI ICAC).
Cobb’s guilty plea is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; Matthew J. Etre, Special Agent in Charge of HSI for New England; and Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police.
According to court documents and information presented to the court, in January 2015, The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reported to the RI ICAC that an individual in Rhode Island uploaded images of child pornography to Tumblr.com. The investigation determined that an Internet address at Adam Cobb’s Portsmouth residence was the address used to upload the images.
On March 5, 2015, ICAC Task Force members and HSI agents, supported by Naval Criminal Investigative Service agents, executed a court-authorized search warrant at Cobb’s Portsmouth residence and seized various digital media, computers and cellular phones. Additionally, the next day, a cell phone was seized from Mr. Cobb by Customs and Border Patrol agents at the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport as Mr. Cobb entered the United States, having traveled from Tokyo, Japan.
A forensic examination of the digital media seized resulted in the discovery of photos and videos of child pornography depicting two juvenile females. With the assistance of the Baltimore, Maryland Police Department and HSI offices in Baltimore and in London, England, the RI ICAC determined the identity of both females. Investigators determined that both juvenile females were known to Mr. Cobb.
Adam Cobb, who was arrested on April 3, 2015, charged by way of a federal criminal complaint, is detained in federal custody. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 19, 2016, by U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Terrence P. Donnelly.
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Contact:
Jim Martin (401) 709-5357
email: [email protected]
NY Man Arraigned in RI in Alleged Conspiracy to House Sophisticated Marijuana GrowsRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Samin Chang, 38, of New York, NY, was arraigned in U.S. District Court in Providence, RI, today on charges that he allegedly participated in a conspiracy to house numerous sophisticated indoor marijuana grow operations inside a converted Providence mill building and a Providence residence. In August 2015, federal, state and local law enforcement discovered at least 1,400 marijuana plants in various stages of growth located inside the former mill building and the residence.
Named with seven others in a four-count superseding indictment returned on February 16, 2016, Samin Chang is charged with conspiracy, using and maintaining a drug involved premises, and manufacturing more than 100 marijuana plants. A not guilty plea was entered at Chang’s arraignment before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan, at which time the government alleged that Chang was the leader of the conspiracy.
Chang was arrested in New York City on February 16, 2016, on a federal arrest warrant issued by the U.S. District Court in Rhode Island. He has been detained in federal custody since his arrest.
The superseding indictment and Chang’s arraignment are announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Office of the FBI; Michael Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s New England Field Division; Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police; and Providence Police Chief Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr.
On August 12, 2015, FBI agents, assisted by the DEA, Rhode Island State Police and the Providence Police Department, executed nine court authorized search warrants in and around a former mill building at 725 Branch Avenue in Providence, where it is alleged that law enforcement discovered at least 1,400 marijuana plants in various stages of growth. The grows were located inside numerous, otherwise vacant, apartments and offices inside the converted mill building. A tenth search warrant was executed at a residence at 60 Valley Street in Providence, where law enforcement discovered approximately 100 marijuana plants in various stages of growth. Law enforcement also seized a significant quantity of equipment and supplies allegedly used in the cultivation of marijuana plants.
Also named in the superseding indictment are Richard A. Yang, 36, Ilhwan Cha, 33, Ki T. Kwon, 32, Brian Lee, 28, Zipora Sardjuli, 55, Doddy Sambuaga, 45, and Irwan Anwar, 53, all of New York, NY.
While executing the court authorized search warrants inside the converted mill building, law enforcement seized a .22 caliber firearm and ammunition. The owner of the building, William L. Ricci, 69, of Providence, was charged by way of a criminal complaint with being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to a plea agreement filed with the court, Ricci has agreed to plead guilty to a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. A change-of-plea hearing has been scheduled for March 11, 2016.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William J. Ferland.
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Contact:
Jim Martin (401) 709-5357
email: [email protected]
on Twitter @USAO_RI
Registered Sex Offender Indicted on Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Jason D. Boudreau, 41, of Woonsocket, was arraigned on Monday in U.S. District Court in Providence on a 33-count federal indictment charging him with 33 counts of allegedly accessing with intent to view child pornography. A federal grand jury returned the indictment on February 16, 2016.
Boudreau has been detained in federal custody since his arrest and initial appearance before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond on December 29, 2015, on a federal criminal complaint issued in this matter.
Boudreau’s indictment and arraignment is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police; Matthew J. Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for New England; and Woonsocket Acting Police Chief Captain Michael R. Lemoine.
According to court documents, it is alleged that between August 16 and October 9, 2015, Boudreau digitally accessed more than 750 images of alleged child pornography with the intent to view.
An indictment is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
According to court documents and information presented to the court, Boudreau was convicted in Rhode Island state court in March 2012 for 2nd degree child molestation and in January 2014 for possession of child pornography. At the time of sentencing for possession of child pornography, Boudreau was ordered to register as a sex offender.
Accessing child pornography is punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison, with a maximum of 20 years imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard W. Rose.
The matter was investigated by the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations and the Woonsocket Police Department.
Homeland Security Investigations agents were assisted by members of the Branford, Conn., police department at the time the defendant was located and arrested in Connecticut on December 29, 2015.
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Contact:
Jim Martin (401) 709-5357
email: [email protected]
on Twitter @USAO_RI
Conn. Resident Admits to Travelling to RI to Engage in Illicit Sexual ConductRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Joshua T. Robinson, 36, of Colchester, Conn., pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Providence, RI, to interstate travel to engage in illicit sexual conduct, admitting to the court that he traveled from his home to Cranston, RI, expecting to meet with and engage in sexual relations with a 14-year old girl.
Robinson’s guilty plea on February 18, 2016, is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police.
According to court documents and information presented to the court, beginning in late August 2015, Robinson engaged in a series of emails with a person he believed to be a 14-year old girl in Rhode Island. Over the next several days, with each additional email, Robinson’s comments to the teenager became increasingly sexually explicit. He requested and arranged to meet with the teenager to engage in sexual activity.
However, the person purporting in the emails to be the 14-year old girl was, in fact, members of the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. On September 4, 2015, Robinson was arrested in Cranston, RI, by members of the ICAC Task Force when he arrived at a location where he believed he was going to meet with the teenager.
Robinson is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., on May 12, 2016. Travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct is punishable by statutory penalties of up to 30 years in federal prison and lifetime supervised release.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. McAdams.
The matter was investigated by federal, state and local law enforcement agents and officers assigned to the Rhode Island State Police ICAC Task Force.
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Contact:
Jim Martin (401) 709-5357
email: [email protected]
on Twitter @USAO_RI