District of Rhode Island
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Former Navy Engineer Pleads Guilty to Organizing and Managing Multi-Million Dollar Fraud Scheme; Associate Admits to Stealing Government FundsRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Ralph M. Mariano, of Warwick, R.I., a former senior systems engineer with the United States Navy’s Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) in Newport, R.I., and Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Providence, R.I., today to conspiracy and to defrauding the U.S. Government of between $7 million and $20 million by directing co-conspirators to bill the Navy for work that was never performed, announced Peter F. Neronha, United States Attorney for the District of Rhode Island.
Mariano admitted to the court that from 1999 to 2011, he used his position at NAVSEA to direct Russell Spencer, of Portsmouth, R.I., a computer software specialist, to submit millions of dollars in fraudulent invoices to Navy contractor Advanced Solutions for Tomorrow (ASFT), a Georgia and Middletown, R.I. company. Mariano admitted to the court that he directed ASFT to pay Spencer the full amount of the false invoices with money ASFT received from the Navy. Mariano admitted that the total amount of government money falsely obtained and paid to Spencer was approximately $17,957,000. The invoices were processed by Patrick Nagle, Chief Financial Officer of ASFT.
At the time of his guilty plea, Mariano admitted to the court that he used a system of codes to direct Spencer to distribute the government funds to Mariano and individuals close to Mariano. Mariano admitted that he himself received $3,081,671 of Navy funds by checks from Spencer. In addition, Mariano admitted to receiving bi-weekly $3,500 cash payments of Navy funds from Spencer from 2004–January 2011.
Mariano admitted to the court that little or no work was ever performed by Spencer in exchange for the government funds Spencer received and distributed at his direction. According to information provided to the court, Spencer provided ASFT and its subcontractors with numerous documents that purported to be work product over the years. Spencer typically provided ASFT with documents that he had taken from his employer, Electric Boat, without its consent. Spencer made cosmetic changes to the documents before submitting them to ASFT. Despite the fact that Spencer spent very little time making cosmetic changes to these documents, he billed ASFT upwards of $200,000 per month.
Mariano admitted to the court that at his direction, $2,567,028 was paid to his father, Ralph Mariano, Jr., of North Providence, R.I.; $1,692,650 was paid to his brother, Joseph Mariano, and to his companies; $207,900 was paid to a veterinary laboratory company controlled by his sister, Michelle Mariano; $2,446,445 was paid to private entities controlled by Anjan Dutta-Gupta, of Roswell, GA, Chief Executive Officer of now defunct ASFT.
In addition, Mariano admitted to the court that $478,880 in government funds fraudulently obtained was paid to a company owned by Attorney Mary O’Rourke, of Warwick, R.I. O’Rourke pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to one count of theft of government property. O’Rourke admitted to the court that she submitted false invoices to Spencer from 2005–2011, and that she was paid with government funds for work that was never performed.
In addition to pleading guilty to conspiracy and theft of government funds, Ralph Mariano pleaded guilty today to one count of tax evasion. Mariano admitted to the court that from 2006-2009 he failed to report $1,864,910 in income he received from Russell Spencer. Mariano admitted that he owes the IRS $726,650.
Ralph Mariano and Mary O’Rourke are scheduled to be sentenced on September 5, 2013, by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Mary M. Lisi, who presided over today’s change-of-plea hearings.
Anjan Dutta-Gupta, who pleaded guilty on April 28, 2011, to one count of bribery, is scheduled to be sentenced on July 25, 2013, by U.S District Court Chief Judge Mary M. Lisi.
Russell Spencer, who pleaded guilty on July 25, 2012, to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery and on April 19, 2012, to one count of lying to the FBI, is scheduled to be sentenced on July 25, 2013, by U.S District Court Chief Judge Mary M. Lisi.
Patrick Nagle, who pleaded guilty on September 13, 2011, to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, is scheduled to be sentenced on July 26, 2013, by U.S District Court Chief Judge Mary M. Lisi.
Ralph Mariano, Jr., who pleaded guilty on May 15, 2013 to four counts of tax evasion, is scheduled to be sentenced on August 16, 2013, by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Mary M. Lisi.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Lee H. Vilker, Terrence P. Donnelly and Dulce Donovan.
This matter was investigated by agents from the Defense Criminal Services, Naval Criminal Investigative Service; Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations.
This law enforcement action is part of President Barack Obama’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force. The President established the interagency Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force to wage an aggressive, coordinated and proactive effort to investigate and prosecute financial crimes. The task force includes representatives from a broad range of federal agencies, regulatory authorities, inspectors general, and state and local law enforcement who, working together, bring to bear a powerful array of criminal and civil enforcement resources.
The task force is working to improve efforts across the federal executive branch, and with state and local partners, to investigate and prosecute significant financial crimes, ensure just and effective punishment for those who perpetrate financial crimes, combat discrimination in the lending and financial markets, and recover proceeds for victims of financial crimes.
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To assist the media and the public, a glossary of federal judicial terms and procedures is available at http://www.justice.gov/usao/justice101/Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]Providence Man Detained for Allegedly Trafficking Thousands of Ecstasy PillsRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Christian M. Araujo, a/k/a Christian Sanchez, 46, of Providence, has been ordered detained in federal custody on a charge of possession with the intent to distribute Ecstasy. Araujo was arrested by DEA agents on May 17, 2013, after he allegedly delivered between 2,400 and 3,000 Ecstasy pills with an estimated street value of approximately $30,000 to a person posing as a drug dealer.
Araujo’s arrest was announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and John J. Arvanitis, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England Field Division.
According to an affidavit in support of a criminal complaint filed with the court, it is alleged that beginning in early April 2013, a person assisting DEA agents assigned to the DEA Worcester Tactical Division began discussions with Araujo for the delivery of significant quantities of Oxycodone and Ecstasy tablets. After at least one meeting and several telephone conversations, it is alleged that Sanchez agreed to sell a significant quantity of the pills.
According to the affidavit, on May 16, 2013, DEA agents watched as Sanchez allegedly delivered between 2,400 and 3,000 Ecstasy pills. The alleged transaction occurred in pharmacy parking lot in Pawtucket. Immediately after the alleged transaction was completed, DEA agents detained Sanchez and seized the pills.
Araujo was ordered detained in federal custody following an initial appearance on Friday before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul F. Daly, Jr.
The DEA Worcester Tactical Division was assisted in the investigation by the R.I. DEA Drug Task Force.
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To assist the media and the public, a glossary of federal judicial terms and procedures is available at http://www.justice.gov/usao/justice101/
Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]Two Sentenced to Federal Prison in Record Seizure of HeroinRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Jorge Daniel Estrada of Providence, R.I., and Angel Feliz of Dorchester, Mass., have been sentenced to lengthy federal prison sentences in connection with the seizure in October 2012 of 19 kilos of heroin, the largest single seizure in Rhode Island, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; Providence Public Safety Commissioner Steven M. Paré; Providence Police Chief Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr.; John J. Arvanitis, Special Agent in Charge of DEA’s New England Field Division; and Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin.
The seizure of the heroin, valued at approximately $4.5 million, and the arrest of Estrada and Feliz, was prompted by information developed by Providence Police detectives during an on-going investigation into street-level drug dealing. A joint investigation by Providence Police and the DEA Drug Task Force resulted in the seizure of the heroin and the arrest of Estrada and Feliz.
Estrada, who pleaded guilty on January 29, 2013, to one count of possession with the intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, was sentenced on Monday by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Mary M. Lisi to 180 months in federal prison, to be followed by lifetime supervised release.
Feliz, who pleaded guilty on January 29, 2013, to one count of attempting to possess with the intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, was sentenced on May 10, 2013, by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Mary M. Lisi to 70 months in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release.
According to information presented to the court, an individual previously arrested by Providence Police for the alleged possession of narcotics agreed to cooperate with law enforcement to arrange controlled deliveries of heroin. Two deliveries of a kilo of heroin took place on the evening of October 23, 2012, and on the following afternoon, witnessed by a team of law enforcement agents and officers from the DEA Drug Task Force and Providence Police. The drugs were quickly seized by law enforcement.
Later in the day on October 24, 2012, the informant received a call and was provided with a location to meet with a person who would be traveling from Massachusetts to Rhode Island to pick-up the two kilos of heroin. Law enforcement provided the informant with two fake kilos of heroin and watched as the delivery was made.
A search of Estrada’s Providence residence resulted in the seizure of an additional 17 kilos of heroin, a drug ledger, approximately $4,000 in cash, a money counter, various items used in the packaging of heroin, ammunition, and a sophisticated surveillance system. In addition, Estrada possessed a loaded handgun, ski mask and gloves, which were located in a sophisticated hidden compartment in the first vehicle used by Estrada to deliver a kilogram of heroin.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sandra R. Hebert.
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To assist the media and the public, a glossary of federal judicial terms and procedures is available at http://www.justice.gov/usao/justice101/Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]Rhode Island Tax Preparer Sentenced to Federal Prison for Violating Court Order Barring Him from Preparing Tax Returns and Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Michael Brier, 50, owner of Refunds Now Inc., a tax preparation firm based in Providence, R.I., was sentenced on Friday to 27 months in federal prison for violating a federal judge’s order permanently barring him from preparing tax returns for others, and for underreporting more than $1.1 million dollars in income between 2004 and 2009, and failing to pay nearly $400,000 in federal taxes, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and William P. Offord, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston office of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Criminal Investigation.
At sentencing, U.S. District Court Chief Judge Mary M. Lisi also ordered Brier to serve 3 years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term and to pay back taxes to the IRS in the amount of $399, 424. Brier pleaded guilty on February 11, 2013, to one count of criminal contempt and one count of tax evasion.
In November 2010, the court entered a preliminary injunction against Brier and his employees after finding that at least 300 tax returns prepared by Brier and Refunds Now understated customers’ tax liabilities, and that Brier and his employees fabricated tax deductions and credits on the returns. Brier and his employees prepared approximately 24,000 federal income tax returns between 2003 and 2007. An IRS examination 350 of those returns determined that 92 percent of them required adjustments, resulting in a government-estimated loss of more than $1.1 million dollars in tax revenue.
On March 7, 2011, U.S. District Court Judge Mary M. Lisi permanently barred Michael Brier and his employees from preparing federal income tax returns for others.
On April 26, 2011, IRS Criminal Investigation agents executed a court-authorized search at Refunds Now and seized copies of tax returns prepared by Brier and several of his employees that were filed after the date of the permanent injunction.
At the time of his guilty plea, Brier admitted to the court that he underreported his taxable income to the IRS between 2004 and 2009 totaling $1,152,679, and that he underpaid $399,424 in taxes to the IRS.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard B. Myrus.Brier has been ordered to self-surrender by June 4, 2013, to begin serving his prison sentence.
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To assist the media and the public, a glossary of federal judicial terms and procedures is available at http://www.justice.gov/usao/justice101/Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]Cocaine Trafficker Sentenced to 8 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Charlie Rosario, 29, formerly of North Providence, R.I., was sentenced on Wednesday to 96 months in federal prison for conspiracy and trafficking more than 500 grams of cocaine in November 2010, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; John J. Arvanitis, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s New England Field Division; and United States Marshal Jamie A. Hainsworth.
U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. also ordered Rosario to serve five years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. Rosario pleaded guilty on September 7, 2012, to a two-count indictment charging him with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine and possession with the intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine.
According to information presented to the court at the time of Rosario’s guilty plea, on November 3 and 4, 2011, a person cooperating with law enforcement during an investigation into Rosario’s drug trafficking activities arranged by telephone for the delivery of all of the cocaine Rosario had in his possession in exchange for $24,500. Rosario estimated that he had approximately 850 grams of cocaine in his possession. Rosario arranged for another person to make the delivery to a Cranston residence.
According to information presented to the court, on November 4, 2010, DEA Drug Task Force agents, with the assistance of Cranston Police, arrested Julio Ernesto Soto, 31, of Salem, Mass., as he delivered the cocaine to the Cranston residence. At the time of Soto’s arrest, law enforcement agents seized 832.6 grams of cocaine.
Soto pleaded guilty on February 3, 2011, to a one-count federal indictment charging him with possession with the intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine. He was sentenced on May 27, 2011, by U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith to 60 months in federal prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release.
Rosario, who moved from the area at the time of Soto’s arrest, was located in Taunton, Mass., and arrested by the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force in June 2011. Rosario has been detained in federal custody since his arrest.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Milind M. Shah
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To assist the media and the public, a glossary of federal judicial terms and procedures is available at http://www.justice.gov/usao/justice101/Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]Federal Indictment Unsealed as R.I. State Police, Federal Agents Arrest Seven; Search Ten Businesses and Residences; Seize Cash, Vehicles and Business Records in Alleged Cigarette Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A federal grand jury indictment which names seven individuals and alleges a complex interstate contraband cigarette trafficking conspiracy responsible for the sale of more than $1.2 million dollars of contraband cigarettes in Rhode Island and the loss of more than one million dollars in tax revenue to the state was unsealed today in U.S. District Court in Providence. It is alleged that the cigarettes were bought in Virginia and sold in Rhode Island in convenience stores and other locations allegedly owned or operated by members of the conspiracy and others. The indictment also alleges that defendants engaged in other types of program fraud, including Social Security and food stamp fraud.
More than a dozen teams of federal and state law enforcement agents and officers early this morning executed federal arrest and search warrants, arresting seven individuals and searching ten locations where a significant quantity of contraband cigarettes, approximately $100,000 in cash, business records and four vehicles, all allegedly connected to the trafficking operation, were seized. The majority of cash and cigarettes seized were discovered stashed in sophisticated hides in several of the locations.
The indictment was announced by Peter F. Neronha, United States Attorney for the District of Rhode Island; Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police; Richard DesLauriers, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in New England; William P. Offord, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston office of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation; Bruce M. Foucart, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; Scott E. Antolik, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Office of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General/Office of Investigations; and William G. Squires, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General.
“United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha noted, “As alleged, today’s indictment has taken down a wide-ranging, complex interstate criminal enterprise. Members of this enterprise, often under the cloak of purportedly legitimate businesses, used any means possible to steal more than a million dollars from Rhode Island taxpayers. The means varied - cigarette smuggling and corresponding evasion of Rhode Island cigarette taxes, social security fraud, and food stamp fraud – but the result was the same.”
United States Attorney Neronha added,” I want to thank the many outstanding Rhode Island State Police Detectives and the federal agents who tirelessly investigated this matter for many, many months. Our work to defeat this type of fraud continues on many fronts. There is certainly more to come.”
Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police added, “The coordinated effort between State, Federal and local law enforcement resulted in today's arrests. The Rhode Island State Police will continue to target any organized criminal group that profits by taking advantage of a system set up to help those who truly need it. I commend all law enforcement officers, prosecutors and linguists who participated in this long-term investigation.”
The indictment charges Wissam Khalil, 40, of Central Falls, a Providence convenience store owner; his brothers Bassam Khalil, 48, and Najd Khalil, 25, of Pawtucket; Abdullah Alnahas, 36, of Cranston, a Providence convenience store owner; Bassam Kiriaki, 45, a Pawtucket accountant; and Richard Larrain, 23, of Providence, an enlisted soldier in the U.S. Army Reserves, with allegedly participating in a conspiracy to possess, transport and distribute contraband cigarettes in Rhode Island.
A seventh defendant, Valeria Mendez (Khalil), 30, of Central Falls, wife of Wissam Khalil, is charged with conspiring to make and making false statements to a government official.
According to the indictment and/or information presented to the court, it is alleged that the conspiracy, which allegedly began as early as July 2011, included the creation of several “shell” corporations in Virginia and the rental of vacant retail storefronts in Virginia for the stated purpose of purchasing and reselling cigarettes in Virginia. The cigarette packages purchased included Virginia tax stamps, reflecting a Virginia tax of thirty-five cents per package.
According to information presented to the court, between July 2011 and continuing until this week, more than 30-thousand cartons (6 million) of cigarettes valued at more than $1.2 million dollars were purchased in Virginia and shipped to Rhode Island in a truck bearing Rhode Island War Veteran Plates. It is alleged that on numerous occasions the truck was driven by Richard Larrain, while wearing his United States Army uniform. It is alleged that he wore his Army uniform in an effort to gain favor and avoid law enforcement detection.
It is alleged that the cigarettes were distributed and sold in Rhode Island at or near full-retail price, including a tax payment of $3.50 per package. It is alleged that the lack of payment of the cigarette tax to the state of Rhode Island resulted in a loss of approximately $1.05 million dollars of tax revenue.
The indictment alleges that as part of the investigation, on March 30, 2013, Najd Khalil was stopped by Virginia State Police as he allegedly drove from Rhode Island to Virginia in a rental vehicle in which he allegedly concealed $30,000 in cash. It is alleged that the cash, seized by Virginia State Police, was to have been used to purchase cigarettes in Virginia for resale in Rhode Island. The indictment alleges that Bassam Kiriaki, Wissam Khalil and Richard Larrain conspired to create a false IRS Form 8300, “Report of Cash Payment over $10,000 Received in Trade of Business,” which they allegedly backdated to March 25, 2013, and provided to Virginia State Police in an effort to persuade Virginia State Police to return the $30,000.The indictment also alleges that between February 7 and February 26, 2013, Bassam and Wissam Khalil allegedly conspired to make false statements to a customer service representative of the U.S. Social Security Administration about the travel of their father. It is alleged that they conspired to make false statements that their father had not traveled outside the United States for a calendar month or thirty consecutive days since February 1, 2011. Information presented to the court alleges that the father, who collects Social Security disability benefits, had actually resided outside the United States.
It is also alleged in the indictment that Wissam Khalil and Valeria Mendez (Khalil), 31, of Central Falls, wife of Wissam Khalil, conspired to make false statements to a program specialist of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service, stating that Valeria Mendez was not related to Wissam Khalil. On March 7, 2012, Valeria Mendez allegedly completed a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Application for a Providence convenience store identifying herself as the owner. She left blank questions about her relationship, if any, to the previous two owners, Wissam Khalil and his father. When questioned by a USDA program specialist, Valeria Mendez allegedly denied knowing Wissam Khalil and allegedly stated that she resided with her parents in Providence.
An indictmentis 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 William J. Ferland
The matters charged in the indictment were investigated by the Rhode Island State Police, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations, United States Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General – Office of Investigations, Homeland Security Investigations, and the U. S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General.
United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha also acknowledged and thanked the Virginia State Police, the Virginia Department of Attorney General, the Virginia Division of Taxation, the Rhode Island Department of Attorney General, the Rhode Island Division of Taxation – Excise Tax Compliance Unit, and the Cranston and Providence Police Departments for their assistance in this investigation.
To assist the media and the public, a glossary of federal judicial terms and procedures is available at http://www.justice.gov/usao/justice101/Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]Alleged Marijuana Trafficker Detained on Federal Firearms and Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Casey J. Dunphy, 38, of Providence, was ordered detained in federal custody on April 11, 2013, following an initial appearance in federal court on firearms and drug charges, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, Providence Police Chief Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr., and Eugenio A. Marquez, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Boston Field Office.
Dunphy was arrested on March 22, 2013, by detectives with the Providence Police Department’s Narcotics and Organized Crime Bureau after a court authorized search of his residence resulted in the seizure of 34 marijuana plants; containers and bags containing approximately 750 grams of marijuana; a semiautomatic assault rifle and ammunition, including two fully loaded and four unloaded magazines; a .44 caliber revolver loaded with hollow point ammunition; a shotgun; additional ammunition for each weapon, including a speed loader for the .44 caliber revolver; and $15,500 dollars in cash.
Dunphy is charged with one count each of manufacture of marijuana, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possession of a semiautomatic assault weapon in furtherance of drug trafficking.
According to information provided to the court, Dunphy, a licensed medical marijuana caregiver, was serving a 5-year probationary term on a previous drug trafficking conviction in state court at the time of his arrest. Dunphy has been detained since his arrest.
According to an affidavit in support of a criminal complaint filed with the court, on March 22, 2013, detectives with the Providence Police Department’s Narcotics and Organized Crime Bureau observed an alleged drug transaction between Dunphy and another person while the two were inside a vehicle parked in front of Dunphy’s residence. According to the affidavit, after Dunphy returned to his residence, detectives followed the vehicle and stopped it a short distance away. The driver allegedly admitted to detectives that he had just bought marijuana from Dunphy, and that he had done so previously on multiple occasions. The individual allegedly told detectives that he is not enrolled as a medical marijuana patient.
A criminal complaintis 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.
Manufacture of fewer than 50 marijuana plants is punishable by a maximum sentence of 5 years in federal prison and 3 years supervised release; possession with intent to distribute less than 50 kilograms of marijuana is punishable by a maximum sentence of 5 years in federal prison and 3 years supervised release; being a felon in possession of a firearm is punishable by a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and 3 years supervised release; possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking is punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years in federal prison, to be served consecutive to all other sentences imposed, and 3 years of supervised release; and possession of a semiautomatic assault weapon in furtherance of drug trafficking is punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence of 7 years in federal prison, to be served consecutive to all other sentences imposed, and 3 years of supervised release.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Milind M. Shah.The matter was investigated by the Providence Police Department’s Narcotics and Organized Crime Bureau and ATF.
Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]Coventry Man Sentenced to Federal Prison in International Conspiracy to Import and Distribute Anabolic Steroids and Prescription DrugsRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Edmond Paolucci, 54, of Coventry, RI, was sentenced today to 33 months in federal prison for his participation in an international conspiracy to import and distribute prescription drugs and anabolic steroids, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Mark Dragonetti, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Office of Criminal Investigation.
U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., also ordered Paolucci to serve three years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. Paolucci pleaded guilty on November 28, 2012, to one count each of conspiracy to distribute steroids, possession with the intent to distribute steroids, distribution of a misbranded drug, and two counts of money laundering.
Patrick Cunningham, 44, of Cranston, a co-defendant in this matter, pleaded guilty on March 12, 2013, to one count each of conspiracy to distribute steroids and distribution of a misbranded drug. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 28, 2013.
At the time of his guilty plea, Paolucci admitted to the court that he participated in a conspiracy to repackage the illegal drugs and sell them under various names and labels to consumers who placed orders via the Internet. A significant portion of the proceeds realized from the sale of the illegal drugs was laundered back to individuals in Israel.
According to information presented to the court, an investigation by the Rhode Island FDA Task Force revealed that from at least November 2009 until November 2011, Mr. Paolucci served as a U.S. confederate of an Israeli-based, international drug distribution ring that was also responsible for the manufacture and sale of prescription drugs, including drugs bearing the underground brand names Sciroxx and Xsorox in the United States and elsewhere.
According to information presented to the court, various misbranded prescription drugs as well as bulk quantities of pills and injectable oil-based drugs were shipped from Israel, Turkey and Bulgaria to postal boxes in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut. Through his co-conspirators in Rhode Island, including Patrick Cunningham, Mr. Paolucci used an underground laboratory to repackage the drugs into retail-size pill packets and 10 ml vials, bearing Sciroxx and Xsorox labels that he then shipped to customers in the United States who had made purchases on websites operated by Mr. Paolucci and his Israeli co-conspirators. A significant portion of the proceeds from the sale of the misbranded drugs was sent back to co-conspirators in Israel.
According to information presented to the court, records obtained from money transfer service companies showed that from February 2009 to September 2011 Mr. Paolucci transferred in excess of $76,000 in proceeds from steroid and prescription drug sales to individuals in Israel.The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard B. Myrus.
A task force led by the Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations, conducted the investigation. The task force partnerships include the Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Rhode Island State Police, North Providence Police, East Providence Police, and the Rhode Island National Guard.
United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Mark Dragonetti, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigation, acknowledged the assistance of international counterparts at the Israel Ministry of Health, Division of Enforcement and Inspection, and Jerusalem Customs and VAT who provided significant assistance in the investigation of this matter.
Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]Pawtucket Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking Heroin from VenezuelaRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Carlos Gonzalez, 42, of Pawtucket, R.I., was sentenced today to 168 months in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute one kilo or more of heroin, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha. Gonzalez was arrested by federal agents in January 2012, shortly after he accepted delivery of a parcel which had contained a large quantity of heroin stashed inside a pair of flat screened monitors shipped from Venezuela to his Pawtucket residence.At sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith also ordered Gonzalez to serve five years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. Gonzalez pleaded guilty on August 30, 2012, to possession with the intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin.
According to information presented to the court, on January 20, 2012, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents in Miami selected the parcel for intensive exam based on anomalies observed when x-rayed. A certified drug dog also alerted to the package. Agents opened the package and discovered two flat screen monitors which emitted a strong chemical odor. One of the monitors was opened to reveal a light brown substance which field tested positive for heroin.
The parcel was re-packaged to its original state for a possible controlled delivery to Gonzalez at his Pawtucket residence. CBP agents forwarded the parcel to Homeland Security Investigations agents in Rhode Island who removed the heroin from the package and replaced it with a representative sample of heroin.
According to information presented to the court, on January 26, 2012, an undercover U.S. Postal Inspection Service agent delivered the parcel to Gonzalez at his residence. Gonzalez acknowledged to the agent that he was expecting the package, then signed for it and accepted delivery. A short time later, as he attempted to drive away from the area, Gonzalez was detained in a traffic stop and was returned to the apartment by uniformed Rhode Island State Troopers. He was not in possession of the subject parcel when he was stopped. After Gonzalez was returned to his residence, agents searched the apartment and recovered the package containing the flat screen monitors.
The suspect heroin was tested at the DEA Regional Laboratory in New York. It tested positive for 1.322 kilograms of heroin.The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gerard B. Sullivan.
Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]Convicted Sex Offender Sentenced to Federal Prison for Failure to RegisterRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Denny Mendoza, 38, formerly of Providence, was sentenced today to 18 months in federal prison for failing to register as a sex offender, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and United States Marshal Jamie A. Hainsworth.At sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. also ordered Mendoza to serve 10 years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. Mendoza pleaded guilty in October 2012 with violating the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).
SORNA provides a comprehensive set of federal standards for sex offender registration and notification in the United States through a nationwide network of sex offender registration and notification programs. Additionally, SORNA requires registered sex offenders to register and keep their registration current in each jurisdiction in which they reside, work, or go to school, and to make periodic in-person appearances to verify and update their registration information.
According to information presented to the court, Mendoza, who had registered as a sex offender in September 2010 while living in Providence, failed to notify authorities when he moved to locations in Fall River and Chelsea, Mass., beginning in May 2011.
Mendoza was arrested on November 8, 2011, in Chelsea, Mass., by members of the U.S. Marshals led Sex Offender Task Force (SOLEMN) and Chelsea detectives.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard W. Rose.
Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]Rhode Island Businessman Pleads Guilty to Attempted Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Richard Scialo, 58, owner and operator of Personal Touch, a Providence based home and business cleaning service, pleaded guilty in federal court in Providence today to attempting to evade the payment of more than $180,000 in federal taxes by underreporting taxable income he claimed was cash “gifts” from some of his clients for whom he provided cleaning services.
According to information presented to the court, despite being warned during a routine IRS audit in 2008 that all income generated by his business was taxable, including cash “gifts” provided by clients for services rendered by his company, Scialo failed to accurately report income generated by his business through tax year 2009. A further investigation by IRS agents revealed that Scialo failed to accurately report his business’ taxable income for tax years 2004 – 2009, and that he failed to pay $181,417 in federal taxes.
Scialo’s guilty plea to one count of attempted tax evasion was announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and William P. Offord, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston office of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation.
Scialo is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Mary M. Lisi on July 19, 2013. Attempted tax evasion is punishable by up to five years in federal prison; 3 years supervised release; and, a fine of $250,000. According to a plea agreement filed in this matter, Scialo has agreed to pay restitution to the IRS in the amount of $181,417.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. McAdams.
The matter was investigated by Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation
Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]Johnston Man Sentenced to Four Years in Federal Prison on Firearms and Drug Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Anthony Cucinotta, 28, of Johnston, R.I., was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Providence today to 48 months in federal prison and fined $5,000 for growing marijuana in his home with the intent to sell it, and being a felon in possession of a semi-automatic pistol and an assault rifle, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Eugenio A. Marquez, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Boston Field Office.
U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith also ordered Cucinotta to serve 3 years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. Cucinotta pleaded guilty on October 23, 2012, to one count of possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute and two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Cucinotta had previously been convicted in Rhode Island state court of a felony offense punishable by a term of imprisonment of greater than one year.
At the time of his guilty plea, Cucinotta admitted to the court that on November 25, 2011, he accompanied his girlfriend to a gun shop in Rhode Island where they selected two firearms for purchase, a Glock 9mm semi-automatic pistol and a Bushmaster .223 caliber military assault style rifle, and a 100 round ammunition drum magazine for the assault rifle. Cucinotta failed to disclose his previous felony conviction and told the dealer that there was no legal reason why he could not possess firearms. Cucinotta, nonetheless, had his girlfriend act as a straw-purchaser for him and complete the paperwork for the transaction. On later dates, Cucinotta admitted to an employee of the gun shop and to an ATF agent that the firearms were his.
According to information presented to the court, on February 14, 2012, ATF agents conducted a court authorized search of Cucinotta’s home and seized the Glock 9mm semi-automatic pistol, twenty-one marijuana plants, and items used in the packaging and sale of marijuana. Cucinotta had previously turned the assault rifle over to an employee of the gun store, who, at the request of ATF, led Cucinotta to believe that the weapon may be defective. The assault rifle was never returned to Cucinotta.
Cucinotta made an initial appearance in U.S. District Court on February 17, 2012, and was freed on $10,000 unsecured bond. At today’s sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge William E. Smith ordered Cucinotta to self-surrender by May 15, 2013, to begin serving his prison term.
The firearms and ammunition seized in this matter have been forfeited to the U.S. Government and will be destroyed.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Milind M. Shah, Stephen G. Dambruch and Paul F. Daly, Jr.
The matter was investigated by agents from ATF, with the assistance of the Johnston Police Department.
Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]Providence Felon Detained on Federal Drug Trafficking and Firearm Charges in ATF Undercover Heroin Trafficking InvestigationRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Moises Tronilo, 27, of Providence, was ordered detained today on federal heroin trafficking and firearm charges, announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Eugenio A. Marquez, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Boston Field Office. Tronilo was arrested on Tuesday by ATF agents following an undercover investigation into Tronilo’s alleged drug trafficking activities.
According to an affidavit in support of an arrest warrant and criminal complaint filed with the court, it is alleged that on four occasions between March 11 and March 22, 2013, Tronilo sold packets containing approximately 5 grams of cocaine in exchange for $300 in cash. Each of the alleged transactions allegedly took place in vehicles in Providence.
According to the affidavit, a fifth transaction occurred on March 27, 2013, and allegedly involved the exchange of a Glock 9mm handgun and $300 in cash for two packets of heroin. ATF agents who monitored the alleged transaction immediately detained Tronilo upon completion of the alleged transaction.
According to the affidavit, ATF agents also executed a court authorized search of Tronilo’s Providence residence on Wednesday and seized a loaded Browning 9mm pistol, approximately 35 grams of heroin, and various items used in the packaging and distribution of heroin.
A criminal complaint filed with the U.S. District Court charges Tronilo with one count each of distribution of heroin; possession with intent to distribute heroin; possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense; and, being a felon in possession of a firearm. Tronilo was ordered detained following an appearance today before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond.
A criminal complaintis 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 information presented to the court, Tronilo was previously convicted in Rhode Island State Court of a felony drug charge punishable by more than one year in prison.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Milind M. Shah.
Providence Police assisted ATF in the investigation of this matter.
Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]Career Offender Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Conspiracy and Possession with the Intent to Distribute OxycodoneRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Audi Pineda, 39, of Pawtucket, a career offender, was sentenced on Wednesday in U.S. District Court to 120 months in federal prison, having been convicted by federal court jury on October 18, 2012, of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute oxycodone, and possession with the intent to distribute oxycodone.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; John J. Arvanitis, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) New England Field Division; and, Pawtucket Police Chief Paul King.
During a two-day trial, the government presented evidence to a jury that on August 11, 2011, Pawtucket Police detectives and agents from the DEA Drug Task Force conducted court authorized searches in Pawtucket of a barber shop where Pineda was employed and of his residence.
At the barber shop, a total of 33 oxycodone pills and three cell phones were seized from Pineda and from his work station. A search of Pineda’s residence resulted in the discovery of a hidden compartment built into a basement wall which contained more than twelve grams of cocaine. In a separate location in a wall near a basement bathroom agents discovered a plastic bag containing $36,000 in U.S. currency.
The government also presented evidence to the jury of several cell phone text message conversations between Pineda and others on the cell phones seized which detailed drug dealing activities by Pineda.
The jury acquitted Pineda of one count of possession with the intent to distribute cocaine.
At sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell ordered Pineda to serve three years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Milind M. Shah.
Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]Providence Felon Pleads Guilty to Drug, Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A Providence man who pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Providence today to drug and firearm charges could face up to life in federal prison when he is sentenced on June 18, 2013. Henry Lee, 30, was arrested by Providence Police on November 3, 2011, after they discovered crack cocaine and a loaded firearm stashed among children’s toys in Lee’s Providence apartment. A bullet proof vest was also seized from a kitchen closet.
Appearing before U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr, Lee pleaded guilty to one count each of possession with the intent to distribute cocaine base, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and being a felon in possession of body armor.
Lee’s guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Providence Police Chief Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr.
According to information presented to the court, investigators assigned to the Providence Police Department’s Narcotics and Organized Crime Bureau culminated an investigation into Lee’s drug dealing activities with the execution of a court authorized search of Lee’s residence on November 3, 2011. During the search, investigators discovered several plastic bags containing various amounts and weights of crack cocaine and marijuana stashed in a nightstand drawer in a room with children’s toys. The officers also discovered a loaded .380 caliber handgun and a bag of ammunition stashed inside a “Girl Gourmet” toy cupcake mixer box. Investigators also seized a bullet proof vest from a kitchen closet.
According to information presented to the court, Lee is an armed career criminal who has two prior convictions for serious drug offenses and a conviction for a crime of violence. As an armed career criminal having been charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, Lee faces up to the maximum statutory penalties of life imprisonment, with a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years, a $250,000 fine and a term of 5 years of supervised release. Possession with the intent to distribute cocaine base is punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine and 3 years to life supervised release. Maximum statutory penalties for being a felon in possession of body armor are 3 years imprisonment, $250,000 fine, and 1 year supervised release.
If imposed consecutively, the maximum penalties for all offenses to which Lee pleaded guilty are life imprisonment, with a mandatory minimum term of 15 years imprisonment, a fine of $1,500,000, and supervised release for life.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ly T. Chin.
The matter was investigated by the Providence Police Department with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]Convicted Sex Offender Sentenced to Federal Prison for Violating the Sex Offender Registration and Notification AcRead the Press Release
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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Corey Kidd, 31, formerly of Warwick, was sentenced today to 30 months in federal prison for failure to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA), announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; United States Marshal Jamie A. Hainsworth; and, Warwick Police Chief Colonel Stephen M. McCartney.
At sentencing, Kidd was also ordered by U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. to serve five years of supervised release following his prison term. Kidd pleaded guilty in federal court on September 19. 2012.
According to information presented to the court, Kidd, a level II sex offender, failed to notify police of a change of address when he moved from a Warwick residence sometime prior to March 1, 2012. Kidd was arrested in Florida on May 31, 2012, on a federal arrest warrant issued by the U.S. District Court in Providence.
Kidd was convicted in Rhode Island state court in November 2000 on a charge of 3rd degree sexual assault. He was sentenced to five years imprisonment, suspended, and five years of probation; and, ordered to register as a sex offender.
SORNA provides a comprehensive set of federal standards for sex offender registration and notification in the United States through the nationwide network of sex offender registration and notification programs. Additionally, SORNA requires registered sex offenders to register and keep their registration current in each jurisdiction in which they reside, work, or go to school, and to make periodic in-person appearances to verify and update their registration information.
The matter was investigated by the United States Marshals and the Warwick Police Department.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard W. Rose.Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]Cranston Felon Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal Prison on Heroin Trafficking, Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Abel Perez, 31, of Cranston, was sentenced on Friday to 12 years in federal prison for trafficking heroin, being a felon in possession of a firearm and for use of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and John J. Arvanitis, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) New England Field Division.
Perez was arrested in September 2011 by agents and officers assigned to the DEA Drug Task Force following a five-month undercover investigation into Perez’s drug trafficking activities.
At sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith also ordered Perez to serve four years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. Perez pleaded guilty on February 3, 2012, to one count each of possession with the intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to information presented to the court, beginning in April 2011, DEA Drugs Task Force agents made several controlled purchases of varying amounts of heroin from Perez. On September 7, 2011, agents detained Perez as he exited his Cranston residence carrying a paper bag which he placed on the front seat of his vehicle. Perez consented to a search of the vehicle and of his two residences in Cranston and Johnston.
From the vehicle, agents seized more than 500 grams of heroin and a loaded .22 caliber semi-automatic handgun from a secret compartment behind the vehicle’s radio. A search of Perez’s residences and a garage turned up additional quantities of heroin, approximately $7,000 in cash, a .357 revolver and an assortment of ammunition.
U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith sentenced Perez to 84 months in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and being a felon in possession of a firearm; and, a consecutive sentence of 60 months in federal prison for possession of firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Adi Goldstein.
The DEA Drug Task Force is comprised of agents and law enforcement officers from the DEA, ATF, IRS, Homeland Security Investigations, Rhode Island State Police and Cranston, East Providence, Pawtucket, Providence, Newport, Warwick and Woonsocket Police Departments.
Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]Foster Man Sentenced to 13 Years in Federal Prison for Bank Robbery, Violation of Supervised ReleaseRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – James W. Snoke, 49, of Foster, was sentenced today to 151 months in federal prison for robbing a Cranston bank while claiming to be armed with an explosive device in November 2011, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; Cranston Police Chief Colonel Marco Palombo, Jr.; Foster Police Chief Robert E. Coyne, Jr.; Colonel Steven G. O’DonnellSuperintendent of the Rhode Island State Police; and Richard Deslauriers, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Field Office.
At sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith also ordered Snoke to serve a consecutive sentence of six months in federal prison for violating the terms of his supervised release after he completed serving a 70 month federal prison sentence imposed in November 2004 for his role as getaway driver during a bank robbery in Providence in February 2004. Snoke was also ordered to serve one year of supervised release upon completion of his most recent prison sentence.
At the time of his guilty plea on May 30, 2012, Snoke admitted to the court that on November 18, 2011, he approached a teller in a Cranston branch office of BankRI demanding that he be given fifties and one hundred dollar bills and no dye packs, while threatening the teller by displaying a device he claimed was a bomb. A second teller was summonsed who placed a quantity of cash inside a black bag provided by Snoke. Snoke fled the bank with the bag which contained $2,365 in cash and the device he claimed was a bomb.
According to information presented to the court, Cranston Police provided a still photograph of the robber obtained from the bank’s surveillance system as part of their investigation to the Rhode Island Department of Corrections. A correctional officer identified the person in the photograph as James Snoke, a former inmate at the state prison.
On November 21, 2011, members of the Cranston Police Department, Foster Police Department and Rhode Island State Police executed a court authorized search of Snoke’s Foster residence. Several pieces of evidence were seized during the search. The next day, Rhode Island State Police located Snoke in East Providence and arrested him. He has been detained since his arrest.
United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha commended the collaboration between law enforcement from the Cranston and Foster Police Departments, Rhode Island State Police and the FBI which led to the arrest and successful prosecution of this defendant.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch.
Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]Two Plead Guilty to Participation in International Conspiracy to Import and Distribute Prescription Drugs and Anabolic SteroidsRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Two Rhode Island men have pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Providence, R.I., to participating in an international conspiracy to illegally import and distribute prescription drugs and anabolic steroids.
Edmond Paolucci, 54, of Coventry, and Patrick Cunningham, 44, of Cranston, admitted to the court that they participated in a conspiracy to repackage the illegal drugs and sell them under various names and labels to consumers who placed orders via the Internet. A significant portion of the proceeds realized from the sale of the illegal drugs was laundered back to individuals in Israel.
Paolucci and Cunningham’s guilty pleas were announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; Mark Dragonetti, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Office of Criminal Investigation.
According to information presented to the court, an investigation by the Rhode Island FDA Task Force revealed that from at least November 2009 until November 2011, Mr. Paolucci served as a U.S. confederate of an Israelis-based, international drug distribution ring that was also responsible for the manufacture and sale of prescription drugs, including drugs bearing the underground brand names Sciroxx and Xsorox in the United States and elsewhere.
According to information presented to the court, various misbranded prescription drugs as well as bulk quantities of pills and injectable oil-based drugs in 650 ml. jugs were shipped from Israel, Turkey and Bulgaria to postal boxes in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut. Through his co-conspirators in Rhode Island, including Patrick Cunningham, Mr. Paolucci used an underground laboratory to repackage the drugs into retail-size pill packets and 10 ml vials, bearing Sciroxx and Xsorox labels that he then shipped to customers in the United States who had made purchases on websites operated by Mr. Paolucci and his Israeli co-conspirators. A significant portion of the proceeds from the sale of the misbranded and mislabeled drugs was sent back to co-conspirators in Israel.
Court authorized searches of Paolucci and Cunningham’s residences resulted in the seizure of a large amount of paraphernalia related to the manufacture and distribution of steroids. Agents also found various non-controlled and controlled drugs including 10 ml vials labeled as containing the anabolic steroids Testosterone, Enanthate, Boldenone, and Trenbolone.
According to information presented to the court, records obtained from money transfer service companies showed that from February 2009 to September 2011 Mr. Paolucci transferred in excess of $76,000 in proceeds from steroid and prescription drug sales to individuals in Israel.
Patrick Cunningham pleaded guilty on Tuesday to one count each conspiracy to distribute steroids and distribution of a misbranded drug. The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. on May 28, 2013.
Edmond Paolucci pleaded guilty on November 28, 2012, to one count each of conspiracy to distribute steroids, possession with the intent to distribute steroids, distribution of a misbranded drug, and money laundering. The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. on April 9, 2013.
Conspiracy to distribute steroids and possession with the intent to distribute steroids is punishable by a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison; a fine up to $500,000; and a term of supervised release of 2 years to life. Distribution of a misbranded drug and money laundering is punishable by a maximum sentence of up to 3 years in federal prison; a fine of up to $10,000; and a term of supervised release of 2 years.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard B. Myrus.
A task force led by the Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations, conducted the investigation. The task force partnerships include the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, the Rhode Island State Police, the North Providence Police, the East Providence Police, and the Rhode Island National Guard.
United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Mark Dragonetti, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigation, acknowledged the assistance of international counterparts at the Israel Ministry of Health, Division of Enforcement and Inspection, and Jerusalem Customs and VAT who provided significant assistance in the investigation of this matter.
Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]East Providence Man Pleads Guilty to Manufacturing, Possessing and Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – David Crisostomi, 37, of East Providence, R.I., pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Providence on Tuesday to three counts of using a minor to manufacture child pornography, and one count each of possessing and distributing child pornography, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; Richard Deslauriers, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Field Office; and Colonel Steven G. O’DonnellSuperintendent of the Rhode Island State Police.
Appearing before U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., Crisostomi admitted to the court that on at least three occasions he participated in the recording of child pornography with a prepubescent minor. He also admitted to the court that he downloaded and shared child pornography with others.
According to information presented to the court, on January 6, 2012, an undercover agent from the FBI’s Innocent Images Operations Unit observed that a user later identified as David Crisostomi was online and was sharing two folders containing child pornography. Three days later, an undercover agent observed that Crisostomi was online and was now sharing four folders containing child pornography.
On February 16, 2012, agents from the FBI and the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force executed a federal search warrant at Crisostomi’s residence and seized numerous images and videos depicting child pornography, computers and other electronic devices.
Crisostomi has been detained in federal custody since his arrest on February 16, 2012. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 29, 2013.
At sentencing, Crisostomi faces a minimum statutory sentence of 15 years imprisonment and up to 30 years imprisonment for using a minor to produce child pornography; a minimum statutory sentence of 5 years imprisonment and up to 20 years imprisonment for distribution of child pornography; and up to 10 years imprisonment for possessing child pornography.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. McAdams.This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]Career Criminal Sentenced to 14 ½ Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking Crack CocaineRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. –Rolando A. Rojas, 34, of Providence, was sentenced today to 175 months in federal prison for trafficking crack cocaine. Rojas, a career criminal who was previously convicted on drug trafficking, firearms, felony assault and robbery charges, was convicted by a federal court jury on July 18, 2012, with selling crack cocaine on three occasions to an undercover federal agent.
At sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell also ordered Rojas to serve eight years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. Rojas’ sentenced was announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Eugenio A. Marquez, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Boston Field Office.
At trial, the government presented evidence that Rojas sold an undercover ATF agent nearly 28 grams of crack cocaine on January 10, 2011; two ounces of crack cocaine on February 17, 2011; and approximately four ounces of crack cocaine on March 1, 2011. All of the transactions were electronically recorded. The jury convicted Rojas on one count of distribution of cocaine base and two counts of distribution of 28 grams or more of cocaine base.
Rojas is awaiting trial in state court on a charge of murder in connection with the October 2010 alleged murder of Alfredo Barros, 20, of Pawtucket. Barros was allegedly shot and killed while he sat in a vehicle stopped at a red light.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard W. Rose.
Providence, Central Falls and Pawtucket Police assisted ATF in the investigation of this matter.
Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]Providence Man Sentenced to 8 Years in Federal Prison on Firearm and Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Harold Moody, 47, of Providence, was sentenced today to 96 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, Guy N. Thomas, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Boston Field Office, and Providence Police Chief Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr.
At sentencing, U.S. District Court Chief Judge Mary M. Lisi also sentenced Moody to serve three years of supervised release following his prison term. Moody pleaded guilty to the charges on December 19, 2012.
According to information presented to the court, Moody failed to disclose numerous felony convictions, including convictions for armed robbery, assault and drug charges, on ATF forms he signed and submitted in April 2012 to a licensed firearms dealer in an attempt to transfer ownership of a Glock .45 caliber pistol to him from an acquaintance. The firearms dealer refused to transfer ownership of the firearm to Moody after determining that Moody was a convicted felon. Moody admitted to the court that he offered a clerk at the firearms dealership $900 in cash in attempt to persuade him to transfer ownership of the firearm. In June 2010, Moody proceeded to have his wife purchase two firearms for him.According to information presented to the court, an investigation by ATF agents beginning in May 2012 into suspected drug dealing activity by Moody resulted in multiple undercover purchases of marijuana from the defendant. A court authorized search of Moody’s residence on July 31, 2012, by ATF agents and Providence Police, resulted in the seizure of two Glock .45 caliber pistols, more than 58 grams of marijuana and various items used in the distribution of marijuana.
At the time of his guilty plea, Moody admitted to the court that he requested that his wife purchase the firearms from a licensed firearms dealer in June 2012 for protection. Moody also admitted to assisting his wife in making the purchases, and that the firearms belonged to him. In addition, Moody admitted to his drug dealing activities.
Moody has been detained in federal custody since his arrest on July 31, 2012.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Milind M. Shah.
Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]Justin Worley Pleads Guilty to Nine Counts of Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Justin L. Worley, 34, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Providence today to nine counts of bank robbery, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha.
Appearing before U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith, Worley admitted to the court that he robbed eight financial institutions in Rhode Island between April 16, 2012, and September 18, 2012, and that he robbed one financial institution in Seekonk, Mass., on February 23, 2012. Worley admitted that he robbed the banks of a total of $32,633.
Worley was arrested at a motel in Seekonk on September 19, 2012, by East Providence, R.I., and Seekonk police.
The robberies were investigated by the Barrington, Cranston, East Providence, North Providence, Pawtucket, Seekonk and Warwick Police Departments and the FBI.
Worley is scheduled to be sentenced on May 24, 2013. The maximum statutory penalty for bank robbery is 20 years in federal prison; a fine of up to $250,000; and a term of supervised release of 3 years.
Worley has been detained in federal custody since November 15, 2012.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys William J. Ferland and Paul F. Daly, Jr.
Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]U.S. Supreme Court Denies Petition for Writ of Certiorari of Former North Providence Solicitor Robert CiresiRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The United States Supreme Court on Monday denied a petition for writ of certiorari filed by former North Providence solicitor Robert S. Ciresi, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha.
The former town official was seeking a U.S. Supreme Court review of his April 2011 conviction by a federal court jury in Providence on charges of conspiracy, bribery and Hobbs Act Extortion. Ciresi also sought a review of the 63 month federal prison sentence and $10,000 fine imposed on August 3, 2011, by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Mary M. Lisi.
In October 2012, the First Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Ciresi’s conviction for his role as a middle-man in a corruption and kickback scheme run by three North Providence town councilmen.
Former North Providence councilmen Joseph S. Burchfield; Raymond L. Douglas III; and John A. Zambarano pled guilty for their roles in the kickback scheme and are currently serving sentences ranging from 64 to 78 months in federal prison. North Providence businessman Edward Imondi pled guilty to acting as a middle-man in the scheme and was sentenced to serve a 12 month and 1 day federal prison sentence.
The matter was prosecuted in the U.S. District Court in Providence by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John P. McAdams and Terrence P. Donnelly. The case was argued before the First Circuit Court of Appeals by Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald C. Lockhart.
Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]Dominican National Sentenced to Federal Prison in Identity Theft SchemeRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Rafael Lara-Mejia, a/k/a Gabriel Arenas, Martin Muniz Rosado, and Jeffrey Montanez Rivera, a Dominican national living in Providence, was sentenced today to 24 months in federal prison for his role in a scheme to steal and sell the identities and corresponding identity documents of Puerto Rican U.S. citizens, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha.
In December 2012, Lara-Mejia pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Providence to one count each of conspiracy to commit identification fraud and conspiracy to encourage an alien to reside in the United States for financial gain. Lara-Mejia was among fifty individuals named in a federal indictment returned on December 29, 2011, in Puerto Rico.
The indictment alleges that conspirators located in the Savarona area of Caguas, Puerto Rico, illegally obtained Puerto Rican identities and corresponding identity documents. Conspirators in various locations throughout the United States (identity brokers) solicited customers, while identity brokers, like Lara-Mejia, sold Social Security cards and corresponding Puerto Rico birth certificates for prices ranging from $700 to $2,500 per set.
The indictment alleges that the customers generally obtained the documents to assume the identity of Puerto Rican U.S. citizens in order to, among other things, obtain additional identification documents, such as legitimate state driver’s licenses. Some customers obtained the documents to commit financial fraud and attempted to obtain a U.S. passport.
Appearing before Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. on December 10, 2012, Lara-Mejia admitted to the court that beginning in at least April 2009 and continuing through January 2012, he and his co-conspirators sold personal identifying information, including names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers of Puerto Rican U.S. citizens to between 25 and 99 undocumented aliens and others residing within the United States, including in Rhode Island. Lara-Mejia also admitted that he and his co-conspirators sold Puerto Rico government-issued issued birth certificates, Social Security cards, driver's licenses and voter registration cards belonging to Puerto Rican U.S. citizens.
Lara-Mejia has been detained since his arrest in Rhode Island on March 27, 2012. He faces deportation proceedings upon completion of his prison term.
The case was prosecuted by District of Rhode Island Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard B. Myrus, and Senior Trial Attorney James Yoon and Trial Attorney Sarah Chang of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.
The matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; U.S. State Department, Diplomatic Security Service; and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation.
Anyone who believes that they have been a victim of identity theft, or wants information about preventing identity theft, may obtain helpful information and complaint forms on various government websites including the Federal Trade Commission ID Theft Website, www.ftc.gov/idtheft. Additional resources regarding identity theft can be found at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/pubs/ID_theft/idtheft.html; http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10064.html ; http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/investigate/cyber/identity_theft; and http://www.irs.gov/privacy/article/0,,id=186436,00.html.
Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]Top Department of Justice Award Recognizes Federal, State and Local Law Enforcement Efforts Along the "Heroin Highway"Read the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Sixteen federal, state and local Rhode Island law enforcement agents and officers, and a federal prosecutor from the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island, were recognized today with a top Department of Justice award for their achievements significantly impacting the trafficking of heroin along the “Heroin Highway.” This notorious stretch of highway, running from I-195 East from Providence, R.I., to Cape Cod, Mass., has been used for many years to transport heroin to street level drug dealers and drug users.
Over the past two years, law enforcement agents and officers from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the R.I. DEA Drug Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, Rhode Island State Police, and the Providence, Warwick, East Providence, Newport, Pawtucket and Cranston Police Departments coordinated efforts and employed a variety of techniques to gather intelligence and information to identify heroin drug traffickers operating along the “Heroin Highway.” To date, “Operation Heroin Highway” has resulted in the arrest of 32 individuals, ranging from street level drug dealers to high level Mexican, Dominican and Guatemalan heroin traffickers. Law enforcement has seized more than 5 kilos of heroin, more than 6 kilos of cocaine and assets totaling at least $609,000.
It is believed that the individuals arrested during “Operation Heroin Highway” were supplying as much as 60% of the heroin being distributed along I-195 East from Providence to Cape Cod.
Today, in a ceremony at the United States Attorney’s Office in Providence, United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; Associate Deputy Attorney General James H. Dinan, Director of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF); John J. Arvanitis, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England Field Division; and J. Michael Netherland, Deputy Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), recognized sixteen law enforcement officers and agents and a federal prosecutor by presenting each with the top 2012 New England Regional OCDETF award for outstanding contributions to cooperative law enforcement and to the OCDETF Program.
United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha commented, “People ask, why do we continue this war on drugs? Because illegal drugs, and especially heroin, ruin people’s lives, and not only the lives of the people using them. They lay waste to human potential, and cause violent and other crime. As a result of the outstanding work of the agents, officers, and attorneys being honored today, the major source for heroin distribution in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts has been significantly reduced. Law enforcement at its very best.”
“Heroin destroys individuals, families and communities. DEA and our partners are committed to dismantling criminal organizations that attempt to flood our neighborhoods with heroin”, said DEA Special Agent in Charge John J. Arvanitis.” We congratulate these agents and officers and prosecutors recognized today for their hard work, dedication and selflessness. These enforcement successes are a direct result of the combined efforts of DEA, along with our state and local partners.”
"I commend all the federal, state and local law enforcement agents and officers for their tireless efforts to combat drug trafficking in our communities and for receiving this prestigious award," said J. Michael Netherland, Deputy Special Agent in Charge of HSI Boston. "These drug traffickers commit violent crimes and terrorize our neighborhoods. Disrupting and dismantling their activities is a top priority for HSI. As “Operation Heroin Highway” clearly demonstrates, we are committed to working with our law enforcement partners on this important task.”
The OCDETF Program was established in 1982 as a multi-agency, nationwide effort to pursue intelligence-driven, coordinated multi-jurisdictional investigations of criminal organizations trafficking drugs and laundering the illicit proceeds of crime. The OCDETF Program forms the centerpiece of the DOJ counter-narcotics strategy and is also the platform through which the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of the Treasury pursue complex drug and drug-related money laundering investigations. Through the OCDETF Program, these three Executive Departments use prosecutor-led, multi-agency task forces to combat high-priority national and international organized criminal organizations.
Recognized for their outstanding achievements during “Operation Heroin Highway” and to the OCDETF Program were:
DEA Special Agent Kevin Eaton
DEA Special Agent Dave Carnevale
DEA Special Agent Alex Koumanelis
DEA Special Agent James McCormack
DEA Special Agent Robyn Meletis
DEA Analyst Andrea Metz
DEA Drug Task Force Officer Dennis Smith, Pawtucket Police Department
DEA Drug Task Force Officer Mike Naylor, Newport Police Department
DEA Drug Task Force Officer Robert Page, Warwick Police Department
DEA Drug Task Force Officer Mike Masaitis, East Providence Police Department
DEA Drug Task Force Officer Juan Robles, Providence Police Department
Sgt. Dennis Fleming, Rhode Island State Police
Special Agent Michael Carvalho, Homeland Security Investigations
Det. Darren Ellinwood, East Providence Police Department
Sgt. Diogo Mello, East Providence Police Department
Lt. Russ Henry, Cranston Police Department
Assistant U.S. Attorney Adi Goldstein, Deputy Criminal ChiefContact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]Woonsocket Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 60 Months in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Felix Reyes, 20, of Woonsocket, was sentenced today to 60 months in federal prison for possession of crack cocaine with the intent to distribute, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Woonsocket Police Chief Thomas S. Carey.
At sentencing, U.S. District Court Chief Judge Mary M. Lisi also ordered Reyes to serve 5 years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. Reyes pleaded guilty on December 4, 2012, to one count of possession with the intent to distribute cocaine base.
According to information presented to the court, Reyes was arrested by Woonsocket Police in March 2012 following a brief foot chase, after an officer on routine patrol noticed Reyes acting in a suspicious manner. As the officer approached Reyes he fled, discarding a small package which police quickly retrieved. The package contained nearly 39 grams of crack cocaine. Reyes was arrested following a brief struggle.
According to information presented to the court, Reyes was previously convicted in state court on a drug charge, and is currently awaiting trial in state court on drug, assault and weapons charges.
Reyes has been detained since his arrest in March 2012.
The federal drug case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gerard B. Sullivan.
Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]Pawtucket Felon Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Possession of A Machine Gun, AmmunitionRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Isaiah Gasperini, 30, of Pawtucket, was sentenced today in federal court in Providence to 132 months and one day in federal prison for being in possession of an unregistered machine gun and ammunition, and for violating the terms of supervised release following a lengthy federal prison sentence on a previous federal firearm conviction, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Providence Police Chief Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr.
Gasperini was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Mary M. Lisi to serve 120 months in federal prison on his most recent conviction for possession of a machine gun and being a felon in possession of ammunition, to be followed by a consecutive sentence of 12 months and one day in federal prison for violating the terms of supervised release for a 2003 conviction on a firearm charge.
In 2003, Gasperini was sentenced to 110 months in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Gasperini was on supervised release at the time of his most recent in June 2012.
He pleaded guilty to the most recent charges on November 29, 2012.
According to information presented to the court, at approximately 3 A.M., on June 12, 2012, Providence Police received calls from a residential neighborhood of repeated gun fire. As an unmarked police vehicle approached the area, an officer witnessed a vehicle leaving the area and failing to stop at a stop sign. When the officer attempted to stop the vehicle, it sped up and traveled onto Rte. 95. The vehicle came to a stop several minutes later when it attempted to exit Rte. 95 in Pawtucket and crashed into a truck.
As the officer approached the vehicle, Gasperini fled on foot, but was quickly apprehended and arrested following a brief struggle. Additional officers responded to the area and recovered a loaded 9mm machine gun a short distance from the vehicle, and more than 120 rounds of ammunition, duct tape, gloves and a ski mask from inside the vehicle.
The matter was investigated by Providence Police with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Milind M. Shah.
Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]Justin Worley to Plead Guilty in Federal Court to Nine Counts of Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – According to documents filed in U.S. District Court in Providence today, Justin L. Worley, 34, has agreed to plead guilty in federal court to robbing eight banks in Rhode Island and one in Massachusetts, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha.
According to court documents, Worley will plead guilty to nine counts of bank robbery. Worley will admit to the court that on nine separate occasions he entered financial institutions, and using implied or explicit threats, including the threat of death in at least four of the robberies, he robbed the banks of a total of $32,633.
According to the documents, Worley will admit to robbing eight financial institutions in Rhode Island between April 16, 2012, and September 18, 2012, and to robbing one in Seekonk, Mass., on February 23, 2012.
Worley was arrested at a motel in Seekonk on September 19, 2012, by East Providence, R.I., and Seekonk, Mass., police.
The bank robberies were investigated by the Barrington, Cranston, East Providence, North Providence, Pawtucket, Seekonk and Warwick Police Departments and the FBI.
The maximum statutory penalty for bank robbery is 20 years in federal prison; a fine of up to $250,000; and a term of supervised release of 3 years.
Worley has been detained in federal custody since November 15, 2012.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys William J. Ferland and Paul F. Daly, Jr.
Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]Former Chariho High School Coach Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison on Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Glen Matteson, 52, of Richmond, R.I., a former Chariho High School assistant soccer coach, was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Providence today to 60 months in federal prison on child pornography charges, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; Richmond Police Chief Elwood M. Johnson, Jr.; Colonel Steven G. O’DonnellSuperintendent of the Rhode Island State Police; and Bruce M. Foucart, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., also ordered Matteson to serve 10 years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term and to register as a sex offender. Matteson pleaded guilty on November 20, 2012, to one count each of receipt, possession and distribution of child pornography.
According to information presented to the court, on February 19, 2012, Richmond Police received a complaint from a local resident that he had found sexually graphic text messages from Matteson on the cell phone of his 15-year-old son, a soccer player on Matteson’s soccer team. With the father’s consent, Richmond Police engaged in a series of text message exchanges with Matteson over four days, assuming the identity of the boy. In the context of the sexually explicit texts, Matteson invited the boy to accompany him to a soccer event and offered to transport him. On February 22, 2012, the morning of the planned meeting, Matteson was arrested by Richmond Police.
According to information presented to the court, after Matteson made certain admissions to Richmond Police to viewing, storing and distributing child pornography images and videos, Richmond Police and law enforcement officers and agents from the Rhode Island Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force executed a court authorized search of Matteson’s cell phone, two home computers, a digital storage device, and his work computer at the ACI. In addition to discovering numerous text messages and emails containing sexually explicit messages, a forensic examination of the equipment by the ICAC Task Force resulted in the discovery of 898 images and 73 videos depicting child pornography.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. McAdams.
Matteson was ordered by the court to self-surrender to begin serving his prison sentence on March 12, 2013.
Matteson is awaiting trial in state court on a charge of indecent solicitation of a child.
The ICAC Task Force is a Department of Justice grant-funded program administered by the Rhode Island State Police Computer Crimes Unit. It is comprised of detectives from the Rhode Island State Police and Providence, West Warwick, and Coventry, R.I., Police Departments, and an agent from Homeland Security Investigations. The objective of the RI ICAC is to form strong working relationships between local, state and federal law enforcement to effectively and efficiently prevent, detect, investigate, and prosecute online child exploitation and child pornography crimes.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]Stephen Hickey of Warwick, R.I., Ordered Not to Have Contact with Minors, Including Students at Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School in Franklin, Mass.Read the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Stephen Hickey, 60, of Warwick, R.I., was released to home confinement with electronic monitoring on unsecured bond following an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Providence today on a federal charge of possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; Kevin M. Niland, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division; and Colonel Steven G. O’DonnellSuperintendent of the Rhode Island State Police.
Hickey was arrested today by agents from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Rhode Island Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force after, according to an affidavit in support of a criminal complaint filed with the court, a court authorized search of Hickey’s home resulted in the seizure of a computer which allegedly contains images of child pornography.
In addition, according to the affidavit, Hickey allegedly told investigators that he previously ordered and received DVDs containing child pornography, but destroyed them upon learning that another individual had been arrested for allegedly receiving similar products from the same company.
As a condition of his release , Hickey was ordered by U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond to have no contact with minors, including students at Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School in Franklin, Mass., where he is employed as a teacher.
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.
Possession of child pornography is punishable by a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison followed by up to 3 years supervised release.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Terrence P. Donnelly, with the assistance of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adi Goldstein and Lee H. Vilker.
The ICAC Task Force is a Department of Justice grant-funded program administered by the state police, and is comprised of detectives from the Rhode Island State Police, Providence, West Warwick, Coventry, Warwick, Johnston, and Pawtucket Police Departments, and federal agents from ICE-HSI, United States Postal Inspectors’ Office, and United States Naval Criminal Investigative Service. The objective of the ICAC Task Force is to form strong working relationships among federal, state and local law enforcement in order to effectively and efficiently prevent, detect, investigate, and prosecute online child exploitation and child pornography crimes.
This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]Convicted Sex Offender Sentenced to Nearly Four Years in Federal Prison for Failing to RegisteRead the Press Release
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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Gilberto Morales, 30, of Pawtucket, a convicted sex offender in Wisconsin, was sentenced Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Providence to 46 months in federal prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, for failing to register as a sex offender, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, United States Marshal Jamie A. Hainsworth and Pawtucket Police Chief Paul King.
On June 12, 2012, Morales pleaded guilty in federal court to failing to register as a sex offender, admitting to the court that he failed to register in Rhode Island as required by law, after he moved from Wisconsin to Pawtucket in June or July of 2011. Morales has a 25-year duty to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA), and also under Wisconsin and Rhode Island state law. Morales was convicted in Wisconsin in February 2003 of second degree sexual assault of a child. He was also convicted in Wisconsin in September 2006 with failing to register as a sex offender.
SORNA provides a comprehensive set of federal standards for sex offender registration and notification in the United States through the nationwide network of sex offender registration and notification programs. Additionally, SORNA requires registered sex offenders to register and keep their registration current in each jurisdiction in which they reside, work, or go to school, and to make periodic in-person appearances to verify and update their registration information.
Shortly after Morales’ arrest in Rhode Island in July 2011 for failing to register as a sex offender, an investigation by Pawtucket Police resulted in charges being brought against Morales for the alleged sexual assault of a 14-year-old Pawtucket girl. It is alleged that the assault took place shortly after Morales moved to Rhode Island. He is currently awaiting trial in state court on two counts of first degree child molestation, two counts of second degree child molestation and one count of failure to register as a sex offender.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Rogers. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr.
Rhode Island State Police assisted in the investigation of this matter.
Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]Rhode Island Tax Preparer Pleads Guilty to Violating Federal Court Order Barring Him from Preparing Tax Returns; Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Michael Brier, owner of the tax preparation firm Refunds Now Inc., based in Providence, R.I., pleaded guilty Monday in U.S. District Court in Providence to violating a federal court order permanently barring him from preparing tax returns for others. He also pleaded guilty to underreporting more than $1.1 million dollars in income between 2004 and 2009, and failing to pay nearly $400,000 in federal taxes.
Brier pleaded guilty to one count of criminal contempt and one count of tax evasion, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and William P. Offord, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston office of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Criminal Investigation.
In November 2010, the court entered a preliminary injunction against Brier and his employees, after finding that at least 300 tax returns prepared by Brier and Refunds Now understated customers’ tax liabilities, and that Brier and his employees fabricated tax deductions and credits on the returns. Brier and his employees prepared approximately 24,000 federal income tax returns between 2003 and 2007. An IRS examination 350 of those returns determined that 92 percent of them required adjustments, resulting in a government-estimated loss of more than $1.1 million in tax revenue.
On March 7, 2011, the federal court ordered that Michael Brier and his employees be permanently barred from preparing federal income tax returns for others.
According to information presented to the court on Monday, on April 26, 2011, IRS Criminal Investigation agents executed a court-authorized search warrant at Brier’s tax preparation business, Refunds Now. During the execution of the search warrant, agents seized copies of tax returns prepared by Brier and several of his employees that were filed after the date of the permanent injunction. Agents also seized payment records and client communications establishing that Brier had continued to provide tax preparation services after March 7, 2011. IRS agents also interviewed numerous taxpayers who confirmed that Brier personally prepared and filed their federal tax returns after March 7, 2011.
At the time of his guilty plea on Monday, Brier admitted to the court that he underreported taxable income to the IRS between 2004 and 2009 totaling $1,152,679, and that he underpaid $399, 424 in taxes to the IRS.
Brier is scheduled to be sentenced on May 10, 2013.
There is no maximum penalty set forth for criminal contempt. At sentencing, the court has the power to punish by fine or imprisonment. The maximum fine allowed is $250,000, or twice the gross gain or gross loss, whichever is greater. The maximum term of supervised release is 5 years.
Tax evasion is punishable by a maximum sentence of up to 5 years in federal prison; a fine of $10,000, or twice the gross gain or gross loss, whichever is greater; and up to a maximum term of supervised release of 3 years.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard B. Myrus.
Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]Former Central Falls Mayor, Business Associate Sentenced on Federal Corruption ChargesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Former Central Falls, R.I., Mayor Charles D. Moreau, 49, of Lincoln, R.I, and longtime friend, business associate and political supporter Michael G. Bouthillette, 49, of Lincoln, R.I., were sentenced in U.S. District Court in Providence today for participating in a corruption scheme in which the former mayor accepted goods and services from Mr. Bouthillette as a reward for having directed and provided board-up work on more than 160 properties in Central Falls between 2007 and 2009, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin and Colonel Steven G. O’DonnellSuperintendent of the Rhode Island State Police.U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell sentenced Moreau to 24 months in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, 300 hours of community service, and a fine of $25,000.
Bouthillette was sentenced to 3 years of probation, including 2,000 hours of community service to the residents of Central Falls – the equivalent of one year of fulltime employment without pay - and a fine of $5,000. The court also ordered Bouthillette to provide the Rhode Island Foundation with a payment of $160,000 to establish an endowment of charitable funds for the residents of Central Falls for public safety, housing and education programs. In addition, Bouthillette is prohibited from collecting more than $275,000 in liens placed on properties for board-up work he performed for which he yet to be paid. The court ordered that any remaining funds to be collected by Bouthillette are to be provided to the City of Central Falls.
On November 19, 2012, Moreau admitted to the court that beginning in September 2007, he ordered that all vacated homes in Central Falls be boarded up by his longtime friend and political supporter, Michael Bouthillette. Bouthillette admitted to the court that as a reward, on three occasions, he corruptly provided Moreau with things of value. Moreau and Bouthillette each pled guilty to one count of Federal Program Fraud.
An investigation conducted by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Rhode Island Department of the Attorney General and the Rhode Island State Police revealed that beginning in September 2007, Moreau circumvented the State requirement that such work go out for competitive bidding by declaring that each vacant home presented as an “emergency” necessitating an immediate board-up. From approximately September 2007 to July 2009, Bouthillette boarded up at least 167 homes.
The investigation revealed that Bouthillette submitted an invoice to the City of Central Falls for a board-up, at which time a lien was placed on the subject property for the amount of the invoice. As foreclosed properties were sold and the liens discharged, Central Falls would pay Bouthillette. The scheme allowed Bouthillette to make unreasonable profits amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Bouthillette admitted to the court that as reward to the former mayor for providing him with the board-up work, on three occasions he gave Moreau things of value. Bouthillette admitted that in March 2009, he assisted Moreau in obtaining a furnace for Moreau’s Central Falls residence for which Bouthillette admitted that he contributed at least a portion of the purchase price; Bouthillette admitted that, from March to November of 2009, he provided numerous renovations and repairs to a Lincoln residence owned by Moreau which Moreau never paid for; and Bouthillette admitted to the court that in April 2010, he provided flood remediation work at Moreau’s Lincoln home which Moreau never paid for. Moreau admitted to the court that he accepted each of these gratuities from Bouthillette.
The cases were prosecuted in federal court by Assistant U.S. Attorney Terrence P. Donnelly and Rhode Island Assistant Attorney General J. Patrick Youngs.
Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]Providence Man Pleads Guilty to Producing Child Pornography Outside the U.S.Read the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Juan Carlos Santiago, 35, of Providence, R.I., pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Providence today to production of child pornography outside the United States and transporting it into the United States. Santiago faces between 15-30 years in federal prison, followed by 5 years to lifetime supervised release, when he is sentenced on June 6, 2013.
Appearing before U.S. District Court Chief Judge Mary M. Lisi, Santiago admitted to the court that he travelled to the Dominican Republic in January 2011, and recorded himself engaged in sexually explicit conduct with a prepubescent male child. Santiago admitted that he transported the images and videos back to the United States. He also admitted to recording video chat sessions, including sexually explicit conduct, with minors he engaged using social media.
Santiago also admitted to the court that he possessed at least 50 such videos on his home computer, and that he received and distributed at least 150 images of child pornography.
Santiago’s guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; Colonel Steven G. O’DonnellSuperintendent of the Rhode Island State Police; and Bruce M. Foucart, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations.
On October 26, 2012, members of the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force conducted a court authorized search of Santiago’s residence and seized two computers, digital storage devices, a digital camera and assorted CDs and DVDs. A forensic examination of the equipment by a Rhode Island State Police Computer Crimes Digital Forensic Analyst revealed numerous images of Santiago engaged in sexual activity with a prepubescent male. Based on GPS coordinates embedded inside the photographs discovered by the analyst, agents determined that the images were taken in the Dominican Republic.
Santiago was arrested on December 20, 2012, by agents from Homeland Security Investigations and members of the ICAC Task Force. He has been detained in federal custody since his arrest.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Adi Goldstein.The ICAC Task Force is a Department of Justice grant-funded program administered by the Rhode Island State Police, and is comprised of detectives from the Rhode Island State Police; Providence, West Warwick, Coventry, Warwick, Johnston, and Pawtucket Police Departments; and federal agents from ICE-HSI, United States Postal Inspectors’ Office and United States Naval Criminal Investigative Service. The objective of the ICAC Task Force is to form strong working relationships among federal, state and local law enforcement in order to effectively and efficiently prevent, detect, investigate, and prosecute online child exploitation and child pornography crimes.
This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]Chinese National Pleads Guilty to Smuggling Counterfeit Tobacco Products to U.S.Read the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Lin Xiao Wei, 32, a Chinese national, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Providence today to importing counterfeit tobacco products into the United States from China, earmarked for Rhode Island. Wei admitted to the court that beginning in February 2012, he arranged for the shipment of a 22-foot cargo container containing counterfeit cigarettes.
Wei, who has been detained since his arrest in Miami on June 4, 2012, by the Rhode Island Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations (FDA-OCI) Task Force, pleaded guilty in federal court in Providence today to one count of causing the sale of counterfeit tobacco products.
Wei’s guilty plea was announced by Peter F. Neronha, United States Attorney for the District of Rhode Island, and Mark Dragonetti, Special Agent in Charge, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations (FDA-OCI).
Appearing before U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., Wei admitted that he arranged for the purchase and shipment from China to the United States of a 20-foot cargo container of counterfeit Marlboro cigarettes. The cargo container, which shipping documentation claimed contained 696 cartons of leather products, was shipped from a port in China on March 27, 2012.
Between the time Wei allegedly agreed to ship the fraudulent tobacco products to the U.S., and the arrival of the cargo container through a port in Miami on April 27, 2012, several wire transactions were sent to Wei for the cost of the product and associated shipping fees. Upon arrival in Miami, FDA-OCI and Homeland Security Investigations agents seized the container.
According to information presented to the court, on June 3, 2012, Wei met at a Miami hotel with a confidential informant who was working with investigators, and an undercover FDA-OCI Task Force agent from Rhode Island. Wei discussed the shipment of the fraudulent tobacco products, as well as previous shipments of counterfeit pharmaceutical products and the availability of other fraudulent products.
Wei is scheduled to be sentenced on April 10, 2013. Causing the sale of counterfeit tobacco products carries a maximum sentence of 3 years in federal prison; a fine of $10,000; and 3 years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Peter Neronha thanked Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the District of Southern Florida, and his staff, for their assistance in this matter.
U.S. Attorney Neronha also commended FDA-OCI Rhode Island Task Force members, Rhode Island State Police, East Providence Police and North Providence Police for their efforts in this multi-jurisdictional investigation.
U.S. Attorney Peter Neronha also thanked Homeland Security Investigations and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for their assistance in this investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Richard B. Myrus and Adi Goldstein.
Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]3rd Defendant in Rhode Island's Largest Cocaine Bust Sentenced to 15 1/2 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Andrew Rios, 41, of California, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Providence to 188 months in federal prison on drug trafficking charges, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin. Rios was arrested in January 2011 in connection with the seizure of 65 kilos of cocaine and more than $1.2 million in cash, the single largest seizure of cocaine in Rhode Island.
U.S District Court Judge William E. Smith also ordered Rios to serve 5 years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. Rios pleaded guilty on October 1, 2012, to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and one count of possessing with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.
Two other defendants who were arrested with Rios previously pleaded guilty to trafficking charges and have been sentenced to lengthy federal prison sentences. Armando Saucedo, 33, of California, was sentenced on November 1, 2012, to 156 months in prison; Adilson A. Reyes, 31, of Utah, was sentenced November 5, 2012, to 135 months in prison.
Beginning in September 2010, federal, state and local law enforcement agents, working in conjunction with the Rhode Island Attorney General’s office, developed information about the trafficking of cocaine from outside of Rhode Island into the state. As a result, law enforcement monitored activity at hotels in West Greenwich and Pawtucket, at a storage facility in North Kingstown, and several vehicles. In January 2011, law enforcement agents executed court authorized searches of the storage facility in North Kingstown and of two vehicles. 65 kilos of cocaine, $1.2 million in cash and a firearm were seized.
The cases were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sandra R. Hebert and Paul F. Daly, Jr.
Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]Two Charged in Federal Indictments for Alleged Embezzlement of Federal Tax ChecksRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – An investigation by Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) has resulted in the federal indictment of two individuals from Providence, R.I., on charges of allegedly embezzling federal tax checks in excess of $1,000, and allegedly converting the funds for personal use, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and William P. Offord, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Office of IRS-CI.
Elvy Gomez, 39, is charged with one count each of theft of government property, aggravated identity theft, fraudulent endorsement of United States Treasury checks, and money laundering. The indictment alleges that Gomez embezzled government tax checks totaling in excess of $1,000, and, without permission, used the identity of another person and that person’s bank account to deposit and withdraw funds that were fraudulently obtained. It is also alleged that Gomez used the bank account to wire $17,000 to the Dominican Republic, which had been derived from unlawful activity.
In an unrelated matter, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Leticia Gonzalez, 39, with one count of theft of government property. It is alleged that Gonzalez embezzled government tax checks totaling in excess of $1,000.
In addition, both defendants face forfeiture allegations of all properties which constitute, or are derived from, proceeds traceable to the embezzlement allegations.
“IRS Criminal Investigation has made investigating refund fraud, identity theft and related crimes a top priority," stated William P. Offord, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Office of IRS-CI. “Law enforcement is serious about investigating these crimes and holding to account those who would defraud the government.”
An indictmentis 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 defendants will appear in federal court on dates yet to be determined for arraignment. If convicted as charged, theft of government property, fraudulent endorsement of U.S. Treasury checks and money laundering are each punishable by up to 10 years in federal prison, followed by up to 3 years supervised release; and a fine of up to $250,000. Aggravated identity theft is punishable by a mandatory sentence of two years in federal prison, followed by up to 3 years supervised release; and a fine of up to $250,000.
Agents from the U.S. Secret Service assisted in the investigation of these matters.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. McAdams.
Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]Businessman Sentenced to Federal Prison on Tax ChargesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – William L’Europa, 47, of Scituate, co-operator of McCauley and L’Europa Public Adjusters, LLC and PIA Restoration, LLC, was sentenced today to 27 months in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiring to defraud the United States government and filing false tax returns.
L’Europa’s business partner, former state legislator John J. McCauley, Jr., 54, of Cranston, was sentenced on December 21, 2012, to 27 months in federal prison, to be followed by three years supervised release.
At the time of their guilty pleas before U.S. District Court Chief Judge Mary M. Lisi, who imposed the sentences, L’Europa and McCauley admitted to the court that they underreported business receipts for tax years 2007 – 2010 by nearly $1.8 million dollars, resulting in the underpayment of federal taxes to the Internal Revenue Service of more than $500,000.
According to signed plea agreements filed with the court, McCauley and L’Europa must file accurate, amended federal tax returns for tax years 2007 – 2011.
L’Europa’s sentence was announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; William P. Offord, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston office of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Criminal Investigation; Richard Deslauriers, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Field Office; Guy N. Thomas, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Office of ATF; and Colonel Steven G. O’DonnellSuperintendent of the Rhode Island State Police.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys William J. Ferland and Sandra R. Hebert.
The matter was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation, FBI, ATF, Rhode Island State Police, and the Providence Fire Department Fire Prevention Division.
Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]Armed Drug Dealer Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – James P. Perry, 35, of Pawtucket, was sentenced today to 10 years in federal prison on drug and firearm charges, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Pawtucket Police Chief Paul King. Perry was arrested by Pawtucket Police on March 15, 2012, during an undercover investigation into the trafficking of crack cocaine.
U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., also ordered Perry to serve three years supervised release upon completion of his prison term. Perry pleaded guilty on August 1, 2012, to possession with the intent to distribute cocaine base and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to information presented to the court, Pawtucket Police executed a court authorized search of Perry’s Pawtucket residence on March 15, 2012, and seized approximately 4.5 grams of crack cocaine; a .357 revolver, a speed loader and 50 rounds of ammunition; and various items used in the preparation, packaging and sale of crack cocaine.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Milind M. Shah.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives assisted Pawtucket Police in the investigation of the firearm seized in this is matter.
Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]Two Plead Guilty, Face up to Life in Federal Prison in Record Seizure of 19 Kilos of HeroinRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Jorge Daniel Estrada of Providence, R.I., and Angel Feliz of Dorchester, Mass., face up to life in federal prison, after pleading guilty in U.S. District Court in Providence today to drug trafficking charges in connection with the single largest seizure of pure heroin from the streets of Rhode Island.
The seizure of 19 kilos of pure heroin valued at approximately $4.5 million, and the arrest of Estrada and Feliz in October 2012, was prompted by information developed by Providence Police detectives during an on-going investigation into street-level drug dealing. A joint investigation by Providence Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Drug Task Force resulted in the seizure of the heroin and the arrest of Estrada and Feliz.
Estrada pleaded guilty to one count of possessing with the intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, punishable by a maximum sentence of up to life imprisonment, with a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison; up to a term of supervise release for life, with a minimum mandatory term of 5 years; and a fine of up to $10,000,000.
Feliz pleaded guilty to one count of attempting to possess with the intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, punishable by a maximum sentence of up to life imprisonment, with a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison; up to a term of supervise release for life, with a minimum mandatory term of 5 years; and a fine of up to $10,000,000.
The guilty pleas were announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; Providence Public Safety Commissioner Steven M. Paré; Providence Police Chief Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr.; John J. Arvanitis, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s New England Field Division; and Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin
According to information provided to the court, an individual previously arrested by Providence Police for the alleged possession of narcotics agreed to cooperate with law enforcement to arrange controlled deliveries of heroin. Two deliveries of a kilo of heroin took place on the evening of October 23, 2012, and on the following afternoon, witnessed by a team of law enforcement agents and officers from the DEA Drug Task Force and Providence Police. The drugs were quickly seized by law enforcement.
Later in the day on October 24, 2012, the informant working with law enforcement received a call and was provided with a location to meet with a person who would be traveling from Massachusetts to Rhode Island to pick-up the two kilos of heroin. Law enforcement provided the informant with two fake kilos of heroin and watched as the delivery was made.
A search of Estrada’s Providence residence resulted in the seizure of an additional 17 kilos of heroin.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sandra R. Hebert.
Estrada is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Mary M. Lisi on April 18, 2013. Feliz is scheduled to be sentenced on May 9, 2013.
Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]Woonsocket Drug Dealer Sentenced to 24 Months in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Dwayne O’Hagan, 30, of Woonsocket, arrested by members of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Drug Task Force in April 2012 for dealing cocaine on the streets of Woonsocket, was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Providence today to 24 months in federal prison, the high end of advisory federal sentencing guidelines, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; John J. Arvanitis, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s New England Field Division; and Woonsocket Police Chief Thomas S. Carey.
U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith also ordered O’Hagan to serve 3 years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. O’Hagan pleaded guilty on August 27, 2012, to three counts of distribution of cocaine, as charged in a three-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury on May 9, 2012.
According to information presented to the court, an undercover DEA Drug Task Force investigation into O’Hagan’s drug trafficking activities, which included the use of electronic surveillance, revealed that on three occasions between March 21, 2012, and April 9, 2012, he sold various amounts of cocaine. O’Hagan admitted to the court that during that time he sold approximately 65 grams of cocaine.
O’Hagan was arrested and detained on April 24, 2012.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin S. Towbin.
Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]Dominican National Sentenced to Nearly Six Years in Federal Prison on Drug and Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Richard Paulino, a/k/a Jose Nieves and Jose Ayala, 30, a Dominican national living in Providence, was sentenced today to 57 months in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute crack cocaine and being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Providence Police Chief Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr.
U. S District Court Judge William E. Smith also ordered Paulino to serve three years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. Paulino pleaded guilty on July 18, 2012, to one count each of possession with the intent to distribute cocaine base and felon in possession of a firearm. Upon completion of his federal prison sentence, Paulino will be referred to Homeland Security Investigations immigration officials for deportation proceedings.
According to information presented to the court, on April 18, 2012, detectives from the Providence Police Narcotics and Organized Crime Unit executed a court authorized search warrant at a Providence residence used by Paulino as a stash house. During the search, detectives seized a total of 107 grams of cocaine and 15 grams of crack cocaine; a .22 caliber handgun and a .45 caliber handgun; ammunition; $1,460 in cash; and a variety of items used in the preparation and street sale of crack cocaine. Paulino admitted to the court that all of the items seized belonged to him.
Paulino, who was previously convicted in Rhode Island state court on felony drug charges, has been detained since his arrest on April 18, 2012.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Milind M. Shah.
United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha acknowledged the efforts of the Providence Police Narcotics and Organized Crime Unit for their investigation of Paulino’s illegal drug activities and for their arrest of the defendant.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives assisted Providence Police in the investigation of the firearms seized from Paulino.
Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]Four Defendants Sentenced to Federal Prison, One Awaiting Trial for Allegedly Shipping Cocaine Through the U.S. MailRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Four defendants have been sentenced to federal prison and a fifth is awaiting trial in federal court on drug trafficking charges, for allegedly shipping packages containing substantial quantities of cocaine through the U.S. Postal Service, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Kevin M. Niland, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division.
Numerous packages which allegedly contained a total of nearly 14 kilos of cocaine and were addressed to Rhode Island residences were identified and tracked by U.S. Postal Inspectors. The majority of packages were allegedly shipped to Rhode Island from Puerto Rico. Some of the packages were allegedly shipped from California.
Controlled deliveries by U.S. Postal Inspectors, with the assistance of the Rhode Island State Police High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, resulted in the arrest of five individuals, four of whom have pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking charges and have been sentenced to federal prison. A fifth defendant is awaiting trial. All of the defendants allegedly operated independent of one another. Several other shipments of illegal narcotics through the U.S. Mail remain under investigation by U.S. Postal Inspectors.
United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha commented, “The distribution of illegal narcotics through the mail is an ongoing and dangerous problem. This Office is committed to working with the Postal Service and other law enforcement partners to deal aggressively with this threat to the health and safety of all Rhode Island residents.
Kevin M. Niland, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division said, “The Postal Service is in the business of moving the mail and has no interest in being the unwitting accomplice to anyone using the U.S. Mail to distribute illegal drugs. Postal Inspectors work diligently to rid the mail of illicit drugs by maintaining an aggressive drug parcel detection program and seeking prosecution of mailers and recipients of illegal drugs to the fullest extent of the law.”
On March 16, 2012, U.S. Postal Inspectors, assisted by members of the HIDTA Task Force, arrested Alexi Ruiz, 44, of Providence, shortly after he accepted a controlled delivery of a package containing approximately two kilos of cocaine. The package had been shipped through the U.S. Postal Service from Puerto Rico to a Providence residence. Ruiz pled guilty in federal court on July 25, 2012, to a two-count indictment charging him with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. Ruiz was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Mary M. Lisi on November 1, 2012, to 84 months in federal prison to be followed by 5 years of supervised release.
On March 30, 2012, U.S. Postal Inspectors, assisted by members of the HIDTA Task Force, arrested Luis M. Camilo, 39, of Providence, shortly after he accepted a controlled delivery of a package containing approximately one kilo of cocaine. The package had been shipped from Puerto Rico through the U.S. Postal Service. Camilo pled guilty in federal court on May 23, 2012, to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. Camilo was sentenced on September 6, 2012, by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Mary M. Lisi to 60 months in federal prison to be followed by 5 years of supervised release.
On April 26, 2012, Jorge Antonio Falcon-Ortiz, 40, of Providence, was arrested by U.S. Postal Inspectors, with the assistance of the HIDTA Task Force, after they intercepted the second of three packages containing substantial quantities of cocaine shipped between February 2012 and April 2012 from Puerto Rico. On August 10, 2012, Falcon-Ortiz pled guilty to a two-count indictment charging him with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and attempt to possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. Falcon-Ortiz was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Mary M. Lisi on November 1, 2012, to 78 months in federal prison to be followed by 4 years of supervised release.
Jamal L. Boleman, 33, of Providence, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Mary M. Lisi to 84 months in federal prison to be followed by 3 years of supervised release. He was arrested on June 25, 2012, on a federal warrant on drug trafficking charges contained in a sealed federal indictment returned by a grand jury in May 2011. The charges stem from an investigation by U.S. Postal Inspectors into the delivery of at least two packages containing cocaine shipped in April 2011 from California to Pawtucket.
On August 30, 2012, Michael C. Capurso, 34, of Newport, R.I., and Worcester, Mass., was arrested by U.S. Postal Inspectors, with the assistance of the HIDTA Task Force, shortly after the controlled delivery of a package which allegedly contained approximately 2.5 kilos of cocaine to Capurso’s Newport residence. The package was allegedly shipped through the U.S. Postal Service from Puerto Rico.
Capurso is awaiting trial on a federal indictment which charges him with one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Capurso has pled not guilty to the charges.
An indictmentis 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.
Alexi Ruiz, Luis M. Camilo, Jorge Antonio Falcon-Ortiz and Jamal L. Boleman were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sandra R. Hebert and William J. Ferland. Michael C. Capurso is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gerard B. Sullivan.
Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]Lengthy Federal Prison Sentences for Two Providence Felons for Crimes Involving FirearmsRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – For the second time this week, a federal court judge has sentenced a previously convicted felon to a lengthy federal prison sentence for crimes involving the use or possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; Providence Police Chief Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr; and Guy N. Thomas, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ Boston Field Office.
U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith on Wednesday sentenced Juan Colon, 22, of Providence, to 96 months in federal prison. Colon was convicted by a federal court jury in September 2012 on drug trafficking and firearm charges, brought as a result of a Providence Police investigation into Colon’s drug trafficking activities. At the time of Colon’s arrest in December 2011, Providence Police seized three loaded firearms and more than 100 rounds of ammunition associated with the defendant.
On Monday, Alphonso D. Johnson, 38, of Providence, a career offender, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. to 312 months in federal prison for robbing a Providence convenience store clerk at gunpoint in April 2011, and for robbing and assaulting a Providence restaurant owner with a pistol two days later. Johnson pleaded guilty on October 10, 2012, to two counts of Hobbs Act robbery, two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm, and use and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.
United States Attorney Peter Neronha commented, “As I stated earlier this week, I am pleased that, working with the Providence Police Department and with Attorney General Peter Kilmartin, we continue to bring gun-wielding criminals to justice, whether in federal or state court. These cooperative efforts are essential to removing illegal guns from the streets to ensure that our neighborhoods are safe for all Rhode Islanders.”
Providence Police Chief Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr. said, "Thanks to the continued hard work and collaboration between the Providence Police Department and our federal partners in law enforcement, two dangerous criminals no longer threaten our community. I commend the U.S. Attorney’s Office for its successful prosecution of these men, and look forward to future cooperation between our agencies."
“The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives will continue to work with our law enforcement partners, in these cases the Providence Police Department, to investigate career criminals who commit firearms related crime,” stated ATF Special Agent in Charge Guy N. Thomas, Boston Columbus Field Division. “The lengthy sentences both individuals received should send a clear message to others who commit firearm related violent crime.”
According to evidence presented to a federal jury, a court authorized search of Juan Colon’s residence on December 5, 2011, resulted in the seizure of a loaded firearm which Colon attempted to hide as officers entered the residence, a significant quantity of ammunition, and various quantities of cocaine and marijuana. A search of two vehicles parked outside of Colon’s residence resulted in the seizure of two loaded firearms and $10,000 in cash, all associated with the defendant. On September 13, 2012, a federal jury convicted Colon of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
At the time of his guilty plea in U.S. District Court on October 10, 2012, Alphonso Johnson admitted to the court that on April 18, 2011, he robbed a Providence convenience store clerk at gunpoint of several hundred dollars in cash, cigarettes and a box of cigars. He also admitted to the court that two days later he robbed a West End restaurant owner at gunpoint of more than $4,300 cash in restaurant proceeds, struck her in the face twice with a .25 caliber pistol and kicked her before fleeing on foot.
Juan Colon was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul F. Daly and Milind M. Shah. Alphonso Johnson was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard W. Rose.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives assisted Providence Police in the investigation of both of these matters.
Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]U.S.Supreme Court Denies Writ in Matter of Jason PleauRead the Press Release
Today, the United States Supreme Court denied petitions for writs of certiorari filed by Governor Lincoln D. Chafee and defendant Jason Wayne Pleau. This means that the Supreme Court has refused to consider the Governor’s and Pleau’s challenge to the earlier en banc decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, requiring that the state surrender custody of Pleau for trial on pending federal charges.
United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha commented, “I am obviously pleased with the decision of the United States Supreme Court not to review the First Circuit’s entirely correct ruling requiring the State of Rhode Island to surrender custody of Mr. Pleau to the United States for trial in federal court. As we have been since September of 2010, we are prepared to move ahead with this case immediately and without delay.”
Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]Armed Career Offender Sentenced to 26 Years in Federal Prison for Hobbs Act Robbery, Federal Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Alphonso D. Johnson, 38, of Providence, a career offender, was sentenced today to 312 months in federal prison for robbing a Providence convenience store clerk at gunpoint in April 2011, and for robbing and assaulting a Providence restaurant owner with a pistol two days later, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Providence Police Chief Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr.
U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. also ordered Johnson to serve five years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term, Johnson pleaded guilty on October 10, 2012, to two counts of Hobbs Act robbery, two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm, and use and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.
United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha commented, “We have today another example of a hardened criminal using an illegal gun to victimize others. We also have another example of such a criminal going to federal prison for a very, very long time. I want to thank the Providence Police for their continuing partnership with this Office, and specifically, for the terrific work of the Providence Police Officers involved in this case.”
Providence Police Chief Colonel Hugh T. Clements added, “Through the tireless efforts of the Providence Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives another career criminal is off the street and was prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. We thank our partners in the U.S. Attorney's office for assisting us in keeping criminals like Johnson off the streets of our city.”
At the time of his guilty plea, Johnson admitted to the court that on April 18, 2011, he robbed a Providence convenience store clerk at gunpoint of several hundred dollars in cash, cigarettes and a box of cigars, and that two days later he robbed a West End restaurant owner at gunpoint of more than $4,300 cash in restaurant proceeds, struck her in the face twice with a .25 caliber pistol and kicked her before fleeing on foot. Providence Police officers quickly canvassed the neighborhood and located Johnson hiding between two parked cars a few blocks away. After a brief foot chase and struggle, Johnson was apprehended.
According to information presented to the court, Johnson, whose criminal record includes multiple convictions as a juvenile, includes felony convictions as an adult for felonious assault, possession of narcotics, simple assaults, domestic assault, and threats to a public official.
Johnson has been detained since his arrest by Providence Police
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard W. Rose.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives assisted Providence Police in the investigation of this matter.
Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]New Jersey Sex Offender Sentenced to Life Plus 10 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Donald J. Jones, III, 48, of Pemberton, N.J., was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith to life plus 10 years in federal prison, having been convicted at trial by a federal court jury in Providence, R.I., in May 2012, on charges of interstate travel to engage in illicit sexual acts with a minor, aggravated sexual assault, enticement of a minor, and distribution of child pornography. Jones was previously convicted on three occasions in the state of New Jersey for crimes against children, including child pornography and aggravated sexual assault of a child under the age of thirteen.
Jones was arrested by federal agents and the Rhode Island State Police on April 8, 2011, after he traveled by bus from Philadelphia to Providence, expecting to meet with an eight-year-old girl and her father. Jones communicated for nearly three weeks via the Internet and by phone with a person he believed was the girl’s father, when in fact he was communicating with federal agents assigned to the Rhode Island State Police Computer Crimes Unit/Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.Jones’ sentence was announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; Colonel Steven G. O’DonnellSuperintendent of the Rhode Island State Police; Kevin M. Niland, U.S. Postal Inspector in Charge; and Bruce M. Foucart, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
U.S. Attorney Peter F. Neronha commented, “As prosecutors, we have no higher calling than to aid parents in protecting their children. Accordingly, I am very pleased with the life sentenced handed down today, which ensures that a remorseless, recidivist pedophile has been brought to justice. Spending the rest of his life in prison ensures that he will never, ever harm another child.”
Colonel Steven G. O’DonnellSuperintendent of the Rhode Island State Police said, "In addition to preventing this particular pedophile from further targeting any more children, a life sentence sends a clear message to others that may choose to follow in the same path he did.” Colonel O’Donnell added, “I commend the prosecutors, troopers, local police and federal agents for their continued vigilance in tracking, arresting and prosecuting those who prey on our children.”
Kevin M. Niland, U.S. Postal Service Inspector in Charge added, "A life sentence demonstrates the serious consequence that awaits those who sexually exploit innocent children. The Postal Inspection Service will continue to aggressively identify, target, and arrest those who dare prey on our children.""Today's life sentence demonstrates the serious consequences that await those who would sexually prey upon and exploit children," said Bruce Foucart, special agent in charge of HSI Boston. "Criminals with this kind of depravity in mind should know that we are ever vigilant. For every tactic taken to evade law enforcement, we will adapt our strategies to find them and prosecute them. Through our partnerships with state, local and other federal law enforcement agencies in Rhode Island, HSI will continue to police cyber space to investigate child predators and ensure that they feel the full weight of the law."
According to the government’s evidence presented at trial, on March 21, 2011, Jones posted a message on an adult Internet forum seeking a parent willing to allow him to have sex with their pre-pubescent child. The message was discovered by a postal inspector assigned to the RI ICAC who responded, posing as the father of an eight-year-old Rhode Island girl.
Jones and the agent exchanged numerous emails which evolved from the parent purporting to have an interest in allowing Jones to have sex with his daughter, to Jones at first describing and then emailing videos of child pornography in an effort to depict his intentions. They also had numerous telephone conversations, including conversations during which a female Providence Police officer posed as the young girl.
The government presented evidence to the jury that Jones purchased clothing for the young girl and mailed them to the person he believed to be her father. Jones also purchased and brought with him a nightgown and underwear for the young girl to wear.
On April 8, 2011, federal agents watched as Jones boarded a bus in Philadelphia and traveled to New York and then on to Rhode Island. Jones was arrested by federal and state law enforcement agents as he stepped off the bus in downtown Providence.
According to the State of New Jersey sex offender registry, Donald J. Jones, III is a level two child sex offender, convicted in 1993 on charges of aggravated sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child. Both offenses were against a female under the age of 13. Jones was sentenced today to a consecutive 10 year federal prison sentence for committing a new sex offender crime while being required to register as a sex offender.The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen G. Dambruch and Leslie J. Kane.
Providence Police, agents from ICE-Homeland Security Investigations in New Jersey and the U.S. Marshals Service assisted in the investigation.The Rhode Island State Police ICAC Task Force is a Department of Justice grant-funded program administered by the state police, and is comprised of six State Police detectives, detectives from the Providence, West Warwick, Coventry, Warwick, Johnston, and Pawtucket Police Departments, and federal agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the United States Postal Inspectors’ Office. The objective of the ICAC is to form strong working relationships among federal, state and local law enforcement in order to effectively and efficiently prevent, detect, investigate, and prosecute online child exploitation and child pornography crimes.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges in Straw-Buying Scheme to Purchase and Stockpile FirearmsRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Peter A. Laporte, 47, of Warwick, a four-time convicted felon who helped orchestrate the straw-purchase of 10 firearms and a significant quantity of ammunition from a federally licensed firearms dealer in Wyoming, R.I., pleaded guilty today in federal court to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Laporte admitted to the court that he orchestrated the purchases during the summer of 2012, because he wanted to stockpile firearms, ammunition and other supplies in preparation for “doomsday.” Laporte was arrested in August 2012, as he exited the firearms dealer’s business.
Laporte’s guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; Guy N. Thomas, Special Agent in Charge ATF’s Boston Field Office; Richmond Police Chief Elwood M. Johnson, Jr.; and Warwick Police Chief Colonel Stephen M. McCartney.
At today’s change of plea hearing, Laporte admitted to the court that on July 30, 2012, he accompanied his wife to the firearms dealer and advised her on several purchases of firearms which she made, including four 9mm pistols, a .357 revolver, two semi-automatic assault rifles, a Remington 30-6 rifle, two shotguns and more than 750 rounds of ammunition.
According to information presented to the court, two weeks after ordering the firearms and ammunition, Laporte and his wife returned to the gun shop to pick-up the firearms. Laporte provided a cash payment totaling $6,878.63. He returned to the dealer again on August 22, 2012, to pick-up ammunition that was previously ordered. He was arrested as he exited the business.
Nine of the firearms, 1,000 rounds of assault rifle ammunition and other items were seized by federal agents on August 22, 2012, during an authorized search of a garage and trailer in Warwick rented by Laporte. Court records indicate that a search of Laporte and his wife’s Warwick residence resulted in the seizure of the 10th firearm purchased on July 30 and another rifle.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Milind M. Shah.
The matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. United States Attorney Peter Neronha acknowledged the assistance of the Richmond and Warwick Police Departments in the investigation of this matter and the arrest of the Laporte.
Contact: 401-709-5357
[email protected]Irish National Sentenced, Faces Deportation Proceedings for Falsely Representing U.S. CitizenshipRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Denis Quirke, 37, an Irish national, will be turned over to immigration officials for deportation proceedings after being sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith to time served in federal prison for falsely representing to the government that he was a U.S. citizen when he applied for a Rhode Island identification card from the Rhode Island Department of Motor Vehicles in December 2011. Quirke has been detained in federal custody since his arrest on August 31, 2012.
Quirke’s sentence was announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; Todd Ziccarelli, Special Agent in Charge of the New England Field Office of the U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service; and Scott E. Antolik, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Office of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General/Office of Investigations.
On October 19, 2102, Quirke pleaded guilty to an information charging him with one count each of false claim to United States citizenship and fraudulent use of a Social Security number. He admitted to the court that he misrepresented U.S. citizenship to the Rhode Island Department of Motor Vehicles when he presented the Social Security number of another person as proof of U.S. citizenship in an effort to gain a Rhode Island identification card.The matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service; and Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General/Office of Investigations.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Richard W. Rose and ZechariahContact: 401-709-5357
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