District of Rhode Island

PROVIDENCE – A Providence man has been sentenced in federal court for trafficking thousands of fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills and more than 400 grams of fentanyl, announced United States Attorney Charles C. Calenda.

Carlos Molina, 35, was sentenced on January 15, 2026, by Chief U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., to 15 years in federal prison. Molina pleaded guilty in August 2025 to possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.

“Trafficking counterfeit pills containing fentanyl puts lives at risk and fuels a public health crisis affecting communities across the country,” said United States Attorney Charles C. Calenda. “The 15-year sentence imposed in this case holds the defendant accountable for conduct that endangered others and underscores the serious consequences of distributing drugs that pose a lethal threat to our communities.”

According to court documents, law enforcement executed a court-authorized search of Molina’s residence in November 2022, where investigators seized 1,503 fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills weighing a total of 170.6 grams, and a mixture of powder containing fentanyl weighing 411.75 grams.

The investigation further revealed that, while under surveillance by DEA agents and members of the DEA Drug Task Force, Molina made multiple sales of fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills to another individual. A total of 2,416 pills were seized immediately following the transactions.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stacey A. Erickson.

The matter was investigated by the Rhode Island DEA Drug Task Force.

PROVIDENCE – A Taunton, MA, man has been sentenced in U.S. District Court in Providence for traveling to Rhode Island to engage in illicit sexual contact with a minor and receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), announced United States Attorney Charles C. Calenda.

Paul Fredericks, 38, was sentenced on January 13, 2026, by U.S. District Court Judge Melissa R. DuBose to 15 years imprisonment and 15 years of supervised release.

Fredericks pleaded guilty in August 2024, to attempted enticement of a minor, interstate travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, receipt of child pornography, and possession of child pornography.

“One of the most important responsibilities of the United States Attorney’s Office is to protect the most vulnerable members of our society. In this case, our message is clear. If you intend to exploit or harm children in the District of Rhode Island, there is no safe haven for you here, and you will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” said United States Attorney Charles C. Calenda.

According to court documents, Fredericks engaged in online communications with an individual he believed to be the father of nearly 10-year-old girl and arranged to meet with him and his prepubescent daughter, with the intent to engage in illicit sexual activity. The person Fredericks was communicating with was, in fact, a Rhode Island State Police Detective assigned to the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.

On October 5, 2022, Fredericks traveled to Providence and met with the purported father in a parking lot, where he discussed preparing the child for sexual activity. Fredericks was arrested at the conclusion of that meeting by members of the ICAC Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).  A forensic examination of his cell phone revealed that he had received and possessed CSAM.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John P. McAdams.

The matter was investigated by the Rhode Island State Police ICAC Task Force and Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.

PROVIDENCE – A citizen of Jamaica and resident of Georgia has pleaded guilty in federal court in Rhode Island to charges related to his role in a nationwide sweepstakes fraud scheme that targeted elderly victims, announced United States Attorney Charles C. Calenda.

Owen Demoy Byfield, age 33, pleaded guilty on January 13, 2026, to mail fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy, and will be sentenced on April 16, 2026. The sentences imposed will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Byfield will be subject to immigration removal proceedings following any sentence imposed.

According to court documents, from approximately March 2022 through October 2024, Byfield and his co-conspirators operated a “sweepstakes scam” that falsely informed victims that they had randomly been entered into a raffle and subsequently won millions of dollars. Victims throughout the United States, including Rhode Island, were contacted through the mail, carriers such as UPS and FedEx, phone calls, text messages, and other wire communications and directed to call a purported “prize representative.” The scammers then used fictitious names to induce victims to send money, valuable property or provide access to their financial accounts. The alleged purpose of these payments was for various fraudulent reasons, including to pay taxes on their winnings, shipping costs, or even to refuse the winnings and be removed from the so-called list of winners of the sweepstakes scam. In one instance, Byfield used approximately $171,635.00 of the fraudulent proceeds to make a down payment on a residence in Georgia.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John P. McAdams.

The matter was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations and the United States Postal Inspection Service, with assistance from the Warwick Police Department.

More information about the department’s efforts to help American seniors is available at its Elder Justice Initiative webpage. For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts, visit its website at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. Elder fraud complaints may be filed with the FTC at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/  or at 877-FTC-HELP. The Department of Justice provides a variety of resources relating to elder fraud victimization through its Office for Victims of Crime, which can be reached at www.ovc.gov .

PROVIDENCE – A Cranston man, previously twice convicted for federal tax charges, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court for tax evasion, announced United States Attorney Charles Calenda.

William N. L’Europa, 60, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. to two years’ probation and ordered to pay $1,367,336.08 in restitution to the IRS for unpaid taxes, penalties, fees, and interest owed for the years 2007 through 2013.

L’Europa pleaded guilty on August 14, 2025, to tax evasion, admitting that he failed to pay more than $1.3 million owed to the IRS.

According to court documents, L’Europa was previously convicted in 2012 of conspiracy to defraud the United States and filing a false tax return after he and his business partner underreported business receipts for tax years 2007 through 2010, resulting in the underpayment of more than   $500,000 in federal taxes.  In January 2013, he was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison and ordered to file accurate, amended federal tax returns and pay all taxes due to the IRS.

After release from federal prison, the IRS issued deficiency notices to L’Europa for payment of the over $500,000 he owed.  Court records reflect that in March 2019, L’Europa submitted documentation to the IRS falsely indicating that he had little or no income, causing the IRS to suspend collection efforts.  In 2022, L’Europa signed an Offer in Compromise to reduce his tax liability while knowingly understating his personal income. Investigators determined that he manipulated business finances and records to conceal income and personal expenditures, including the purchase of a new motorcycle, the payment of a debt owed to the State of Rhode Island, and the down payment on a new truck for his wife. His evasion of payment resulted in growth of his tax debt to $1,367,336.08.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Milind M. Shah.

The matter was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

PROVIDENCE – A Michigan man has been sentenced in U.S. District Court in Rhode Island for his role in a multi-state wire fraud conspiracy that defrauded a Rhode Island-based retailer of approximately $140,000, announced Interim United States Attorney Charles Calenda.

Mattek Scott, 27, of Flint, MI, was sentenced on January 7, 2026, by U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy to time served and three years of supervised release. 

From at least June 2022 through April 3, 2024, Scott and co-conspirators used fraudulent debit and credit cards at retail outlets in at least 11 states, including Rhode Island, to obtain merchandise and pre-paid gift cards. When fraudulent cards were declined, they directed the cashier to complete the transaction by pushing the “cash tendered” button; however, no cash was tendered. As a result of this scheme, the gift cards were loaded with U.S. Currency, ranging from $199 to $500.

The fraudulently obtained gift cards were used to purchase additional gift cards and to pay for goods and services, including lodging, meals, groceries, car repairs, utilities, gas, and convenience store items.

The Rhode Island-based retailer suffered losses totaling approximately $140,000.

Arianna Asberry, of Flint, MI, one of Scott’s co-conspirators, pleaded guilty on November 20, 2024, to a charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. She was sentenced to time served, three years federal supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $138,633.01.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Christine D. Lowell and Julianne Klein.

The matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.

PROVIDENCE – United States Attorney General Pamela Bondi has appointed Charles “Chas” Calenda as Interim United States Attorney for the District of Rhode Island.

As Interim United States Attorney, Mr. Calenda will serve as the chief federal law enforcement officer for the District of Rhode Island, overseeing the prosecution of federal criminal cases and the representation of the United States in civil matters.

“It is an honor and privilege to be appointed Interim United States Attorney for the District of Rhode Island.  I thank Attorney General Bondi and the Department of Justice for placing their trust in me to oversee this very important office,” said Interim United States Attorney Charles Calenda.

Mr. Calenda has nearly two decades of experience as a trial attorney and former prosecutor.  He previously served as a Special Assistant Attorney General at the Rhode Island Department of the Attorney General, where he prosecuted criminal cases at all levels of the court system.  During his tenure, he was assigned to the Narcotics and Organized Crime Unit and tried more than 60 cases to conclusion between the district, family, and superior courts in Rhode Island.

Mr. Calenda was cross designated as a Special Assistant United States Attorney in the District of Rhode Island, assisting with federal criminal investigations and litigation. He has extensive knowledge in strategic-litigation planning, case analysis and trial preparation, and both jury and non-jury trials.

“I would like to offer a special thank you to the First Assistant United States Attorney for doing a remarkable job keeping this office stable and running for the last ten plus months. I am grateful to the dedicated attorneys and staff of the District of Rhode Island, and our district is fortunate to have exceptionally well-seasoned leadership and staff who selflessly serve the people of Rhode Island day in and day out. I am proud to be part of this team so we can keep Rhode Islanders safe from those seeking to do us harm.  I am confident that the attorneys and staff will continue their hard work during my tenure in this office.  I am committed to working collaboratively with all federal, state, and local law enforcement to ensure the betterment of all Rhode Islanders. I look forward to the important work ahead and will always remember that I served the people of Rhode Island above all else.”

In addition to his public service, Mr. Calenda has practiced as a litigation attorney focusing on criminal defense and civil litigation. He has also served as a Justice of the Peace and Bail Commissioner for District Court, as well as a Town Councilor for the Town of West Greenwich.

Mr. Calenda earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law and a Bachelor of Science in Communication from the University of Miami.

Mr. Calenda was sworn in today, December 30, 2025, before United States District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr.

PROVIDENCE – A Warwick man has pleaded guilty in federal court in Rhode Island for production and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

Jeremy Giguere, 38, pleaded guilty on December 11, 2025, to four counts of production of child pornography and one count of possession of prepubescent child pornography. Giguere will be sentenced on February 26, 2026. The sentences imposed will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

According to court documents, in September 2024, the Rhode Island Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force received a report regarding disturbing CSAM videos uploaded to Giguere’s online photo storage account, linked to devices belonging to the defendant. A state search warrant was executed at his residence on October 16, 2024. As a result of the search and through their investigation, almost five hundred CSAM videos and images were found on the defendant’s personal devices.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Julie M. White.

The matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Rhode Island State Police, and the Rhode Island Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc

To report suspected online child sexual exploitation and/or abuse, call the Know2Project Tipline at 1-833-591-KNOW (5669) or visit the NCMEC CyberTipline® at https://report.cybertip.org/.

PROVIDENCE – An Irish National who was living unlawfully in the United States has pleaded guilty in federal court in Rhode Island on charges related to his role in a scheme to defraud homeowners in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, said Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

John O’Brien, 28, pleaded guilty on December 10,2025, to wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. O’Brien will be sentenced on March 11, 2026. The sentence imposed will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

According to court documents, O’Brien and his co-conspirators induced homeowners to pay for home repairs that were unnecessary and often not completed. O’Brien falsely claimed structural problems, overstated repair needs, and misrepresented the need for the repairs and services, as well as the qualifications of his purported construction companies, including Traditional Masonry & Construction.  Investigators estimate that the scheme defrauded homeowners of more than $1.5 million.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Taylor A. Dean and Sandra R. Hebert.

The matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Warwick and East Providence Police Departments.

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Rhode Island comprises agents and officers from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Marshals Service, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, U.S. Department of Labor-Office of Inspector General, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Intelligence & Analysis, and Rhode Island Police Departments in Warwick, Newport, Providence, East Providence, and Lincoln, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island.

PROVIDENCE – A California man has pleaded guilty in federal court in Rhode Island for his role in a wide-ranging business email compromise and money laundering scheme that defrauded companies, individuals, and the Town of Bristol out of nearly $9 million dollars, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

Alec Tahir Baker, 61, of Corona, CA, pleaded guilty on December 9, 2025, to conspiracy to commit money laundering.  Baker will be sentenced on February 24, 2026. The sentences imposed will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

According to court documents, Baker participated in a conspiracy that used phishing and spoofed vendor emails to gain access to victim computer networks and redirect legitimate wire transfers into bank accounts that he controlled. Baker opened dozens of bank accounts in his name and in the names of fraudulent companies.  He received more than $7.6 million of the fraudulent funds and rapidly withdrew, transferred, or layered the funds (including through cryptocurrency accounts) to disguise their origin.

Baker and his co-conspirators also gained access to the Town of Bristol’s computer network in January 2023, causing $310,500 in municipal funds to be wired into an account in Baker’s name, who then withdrew the funds or transferred them into other accounts.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Lee H. Vilker and Denise M. Barton.

The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Bristol Police Department; Genesee County, New York Sheriff’s Office; Baltimore County, MD Police Department; Hartland, Wisconsin Police Department; and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas.

PROVIDENCE – A Dominican national, who resides in Providence, was indicted by a federal grand jury on December 3, 2025, for allegedly downloading child sexual abuse material (CSAM), announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

Juan E. Acosta Gomez, 21, is charged by way of indictment for receipt and possession of child pornography. Acosta Gomez is currently detained and will appear in federal court on the indictment at a future date to be determined by the court.

According to charging documents, in October 2025, the Rhode Island Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force received a report regarding disturbing CSAM images being uploaded to devices belonging to the defendant. A federal search warrant was executed at his residence on November 4, 2025. As a result of the search and through their investigation, numerous CSAM images and videos were found on Acosta Gomez’s personal devices.

A federal criminal indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John P. McAdams.

The matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Rhode Island Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc

To report suspected online child sexual exploitation and/or abuse, call the Know2Project Tipline at 1-833-591-KNOW (5669) or visit the NCMEC CyberTipline® at https://report.cybertip.org/

PROVIDENCE – On December 1, 2025, a Pawtucket man pleaded guilty in federal court in Rhode Island for knowingly accessing, possessing, and distributing child pornography, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

Gary Ethier, 60, pleaded guilty to charges of distribution and possession of child pornography.  He will be sentenced on March 5, 2026. The sentences imposed will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

According to court documents, in November 2024, members of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Cyber Crimes Center received information that Ethier was discussing the sexual exploitation of minor children with another individual online and sent the individual multiple images of child pornography. On December 2, 2024, the defendant’s home was searched by members of HSI and the Rhode Island Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. As a result of the search, law enforcement located over 600 images depicting child pornography on Ethier’s electronic devices.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Peter Roklan.

The matter was investigated by HSI and the ICAC Task Force.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc

To report suspected online child sexual exploitation and/or abuse, call the Know2Project Tipline at 1-833-591-KNOW (5669) or visit the NCMEC CyberTipline® at https://report.cybertip.org/

PROVIDENCE – A Guatemalan national living in Rhode Island was sentenced today in federal court in Rhode Island for resisting federal law enforcement officers as they attempted to execute an immigration arrest warrant, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

Cristian Aroldo Pineda Diaz, 31, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Melissa R. DuBose to time served. Pineda Diaz pleaded guilty on November 10, 2025, to resisting a lawful arrest by federal officers.

According to court documents, on July 15, 2025, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers and other supporting federal agents observed Pineda Diaz in the vicinity of College Street and Benefit Street in downtown Providence and attempted to execute the arrest warrant. Pineda Diaz refused verbal commands, attempted to flee, collided with a federal agent, and resisted efforts to gain control of his limbs, stiffening his body and concealing his arms under his body.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys G. Michael Seaman and Julie M. White.

The matter was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.

PROVIDENCE – A Battle Ground, Washington woman has pleaded guilty in federal court in Rhode Island to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, and one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

Megan Farra, 39, pleaded guilty on December 2, 2025, to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute various schedule IV-controlled substances, and possession with intent to distribute various schedule IV-controlled substances. She is scheduled to be sentenced on March 3, 2026. The sentences imposed will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

According to court documents, Farra was part of a drug-distribution network that included several co-conspirators working for a drug organization based overseas. Members of the group in the United States received bulk shipments of pills from their international source, repacked the drugs into smaller quantities, and mailed them to buyers throughout the U.S.  In return, they were paid for their role in facilitating the distribution scheme. The conspiracy was responsible for the importation and distribution of tens of thousands of pills containing schedule IV-controlled substances as well as non-controlled prescription drugs.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ronald R. Gendron.

The matter was investigated by the Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

PROVIDENCE – Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom announces the appointment and swearing-in of Andrea Hyatt as an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Rhode Island.

Hyatt will serve in the Office’s Civil Division, where she will handle a broad range of matters essential to protecting the interests of the United States, including Federal Tort Claims Act litigation, employment discrimination, immigration cases, and matters arising under the Administrative Procedure Act and False Claims Act.

Hyatt joins the U.S. Attorney’s Office after more than 23 years of experience as a litigator in both the private and public sectors.  Most recently, she served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Northern District of Texas, where she represented the United States in civil actions in federal and state courts, securing early dismissals or summary judgements in fourteen defensive cases and recovering more than $1.5 million in a False Claims Act matter.  During her tenure, she earned an “Outstanding” performance rating for 2024.

Prior to her work as a federal prosecutor, Hyatt held senior litigation roles at BNSF Railway Co. in Fort Worth, TX where she served in labor and employment law, corporate compliance, and internal investigations, leading teams and managing high-volume, nationwide dockets.  She also practiced at Thomson & Knight LLP in Dallas and served as an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Dallas.

A graduate of the University of Texas School of Law, she was elected to the prestigious Order of the Coif and served as an Articles Editor of the Texas Law Review.

“I am thrilled to welcome Andrea to the United States Attorneys Office,” stated Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.  “A seasoned and exceptionally skilled litigator, she brings with her decades of experience across federal practice, corporate compliance, and complex civil litigation.  Her depth of knowledge, dedication to public service, and proven commitment to excellence will serve the people of Rhode Island extraordinarily well.”

PROVIDENCE – An Austin, Texas woman, who currently resides in Massachusetts, was sentenced on November 25, 2025 in federal court in Rhode Island for her role in distributing and conspiring to distribute more than 310 grams of fentanyl, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

Patrica Parker, 74, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Melissa R. DuBose to two years’ probation with a special condition of nine months home confinement. Parker pleaded guilty on May 15, 2025 to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and distribution of over 310 grams of fentanyl, equivalent to 150,000 lethal doses of the drug.

According to information presented to the court, Parker engaged in drug trafficking for an extended timeframe. Her drug trafficking activity was discovered during an investigation in May of 2022, during which she distributed counterfeit amphetamine pills containing fentanyl to an undercover Food and Drug Administration Special Agent.

Approximately ten months after the undercover operation, agents executed a search warrant at her residence where they learned that the defendant was in possession of over 18,000 pills, including Schedule II and IV controlled substances, all unapproved for use by the United States Food and Drug Administration, and counterfeit amphetamine pills containing fentanyl.  Records obtained by investigators reflect that Parker had distributed in excess of one thousand parcels suspected to be illegal drugs.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Paul F. Daly, Jr.

The matter was investigated by Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations and US Postal Inspection Service.

PROVIDENCE – A citizen of India currently residing in Dorchester, MA on a student visa has been ordered detained on a federal criminal complaint for his alleged role in a conspiracy targeting Rhode Island seniors, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

Samyag Uday Doshi, 25, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Amy E. Moses on November 17, 2025 for his initial appearance following his arrest.  He has been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud. It is alleged that he participated in a scheme that caused a Rhode Island resident to turn over $54,000 in cash, with an attempted loss amount totaling more than $385,000.

According to allegations in the criminal complaint, law enforcement received a call for service regarding a Newport resident who was suspected to be the victim of an elder abuse financial fraud scam.  The individual received a voicemail on his cellular phone regarding a phony purchase and was instructed to call a telephone number provided to him to address the issue.  When he called the number, scammers falsely told him that he was speaking with a federal official and was under investigation for a myriad of charges, including money laundering.  The scammers represented that they could assist the individual through the investigation.

Over the course of approximately three weeks, scammers directed the individual to make multiple cash withdrawals of tens of thousands of dollars and to then mail the funds out of state or provide the funds to “couriers,” whom he met in person in Rhode Island.  The individual also made multiple inquiries about purchasing hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of gold bars.  These inquiries are believed to have been directed by members of the conspiracy.

           On November 17, 2025, the scammers attempted to arrange for the victim to deliver an additional $45,000 in cash.  The victim contacted law enforcement, who surveilled the delivery as it was made, as is alleged, to Doshi, who was arrested at the meet spot.

A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S Attorney Taylor A. Dean.

The matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)-Providence and the Newport Police Department, with assistance from HSI-Chicago.

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Rhode Island comprises agents and officers from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Marshals Service, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, U.S. Department of Labor-Office of Inspector General, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Intelligence & Analysis, and Rhode Island Police Departments in Warwick, Newport, Providence, East Providence, and Lincoln, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island.

PROVIDENCE – A Maine man who allegedly supplied multiple kilos of cocaine that were trafficked into Rhode Island appeared in federal court in Rhode Island on November 18, 2025, and was arraigned on an indictment issued by the Grand Jury.  He was ordered detained, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

Evert Delgado-Menjivar, 31, arrested at his Westbrook, ME, home on September 9, 2025, was indicted on charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine and distribution of cocaine, and two counts of distribution of cocaine 500 grams or more.

Court documents reflect that in July 2025, members of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) learned of a person looking to sell multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine.  In August of 2025, a co-defendant is alleged to have distributed kilogram quantities of cocaine on Delgado-Menjivar’s behalf.

A federal criminal indictment is merely an accusation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The sentence imposed in this matter will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stacey A. Erickson.

The matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.

PROVIDENCE – An inmate housed at the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility in Central Falls, Rhode Island was indicted by a federal grand jury on November 19, 2025, on charges alleging that, while incarcerated, he possessed contraband and multiple controlled substances with the intent to distribute, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

Brian Slutzkin “aka” Lello Brian Bongiorno, age 41, is charged with possessing contraband in prison (controlled substances) and with possession of those controlled substances with the intent to distribute them to others.

According to charging documents, a search of Slutzkin allegedly revealed that he had a sock hidden on his person that contained seven balloons crafted out of latex gloves. Examination of the contents of the balloons showed that they contained distributable quantities of a powder containing fentanyl, pills containing oxycodone hydrochloride and acetaminophen, strips containing buprenorphine and naloxone, and marijuana.

A federal criminal indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ronald R. Gendron.

The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and investigators at the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility.

PROVIDENCE – A British national from Northern Ireland illegally in the United States who admitted in one case to participating in a multi-state construction and money laundering fraud scheme that netted more than a million dollars, and in a separate case to using false information to enter the United States, has been sentenced to federal prison, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

Elijah Gavin, 29, was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy to 48 months imprisonment, forfeiture of $4885.57, a forfeiture money judgment of $1,000,000, a restitution order of $1,109,500, and $300 in special assessments in one case, and one day imprisonment and a $100 special assessment in the other case, to run concurrently.  Gavin pleaded guilty on June 12, 2025, to charges of wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering, and false statement in a document used to gain entry into the United States.

In pleading guilty to wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering, Elijah Gavin admitted to the following:

• Gavin used various names when he approached and defrauded property owners in Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York by, among other things, misrepresenting to property owners’ construction needs or repairs required on their properties.
• Gavin and his co-conspirators formed multiple construction businesses and falsely represented the business’ status, experience, and quality of work; falsely represented their identities and skills to homeowners; and made false representations to property owners regarding the condition of their properties, work they would perform, and the machinery, materials, and equipment needed to perform work.
• Between October 2022 and January 2025, Gavin and his co-conspirators defrauded property owners of over one million dollars, including a Rhode Island widow who was defrauded of $850,000, as well as other elderly victims in Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, and a church in New York.
• Gavin sent checks to money launderers in New York and California representing funds that were fraudulently obtained from his victims.
• Gavin is a fugitive from justice in the United Kingdom who entered the United States illegally. Gavin used a false Electronic System for Travel Authorization application to gain entry into the United States without a visa.  Gavin’s ESTA application contained materially false information with respect to Gavin’s criminal history in the United Kingdom.

According to the FBI’s Terrorist Screening Center, Conmen Travelers are groups of Irish or U.K. nationals who entered the United States on pleasure or tourist visas and overstayed their visits or, more commonly, entered the United States illegally. Once in the United States, they go to different cities and states, soliciting construction work. The members often quote a low price, and then, after further inspection, demand much more money and/or convince the homeowner that their homes or business need major repairs. Conmen Travelers often hire day laborers; do not have work authorization documents or pull permits; and do low quality, unnecessary, or incomplete work, sometimes damaging homeowners’ residences.

Gavin has been detained in federal custody since his arrest in New Jersey on January 29, 2025.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Sandra R. Hebert and Taylor A. Dean.

The matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Rhode Island State Police, and U.S Diplomatic Security Service.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

PROVIDENCE – A Florida man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Rhode Island for allegedly trafficking 37 kilograms of cocaine, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

Rafael Rivera, 33, of Miami, Florida has been charged with one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine. Rivera was arraigned in federal court today, November 17, 2025.

According to charging documents, in June 2025 Rivera used a rental vehicle to transport thirty-seven kilograms of cocaine from Miami, Florida to Smithfield, Rhode Island.  When stopped by Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents, he admitted to possessing the narcotics, which were seized.  Rivera was arrested on the scene.   

A federal criminal indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney G. Michael Seaman.

The matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.

PROVIDENCE – A Cranston man described in court documents as the overseer of a “serious, voluminous production operation” that produced “astronomical” quantities of pills containing methamphetamine, caffeine, and other mixtures disguised and marketed as Adderall was sentenced to federal prison on November 13, 2025, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

Sambo Sok, 41, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy to 120 months of incarceration and four years of supervised release. Sok pleaded guilty on June 17, 2025, to charges of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

In August 2022, an investigation into Sok’s drug trafficking activities led to the execution of a court-authorized search of Sok’s residence, vehicle, and an outbuilding on his property. The search resulted in the DEA seizing multiple kilograms of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, including approximately 25,000 pills.  Sok also possessed a mixture and substance containing fentanyl.  Additionally, federal law enforcement agents seized five pill presses and various items used in the production of drug-laced pills.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stacey A. Erickson.

The matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Providence District Office.

PROVIDENCE – A Rhode Island man who previously admitted to possessing, sponsoring and exhibiting birds in an animal fighting venture was sentenced today in federal court for violating the Animal Welfare Act, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) and Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

Onill Vazquez Lozada, 41, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Melissa R. DuBose to two years’ probation, a $200.00 fine and $200.00 special assessment. Vazquez Lozada pleaded guilty on April 29, 2025 to two counts of possessing, sponsoring, and exhibiting birds in an animal fighting venture in violation of the Animal Welfare Act.

Lozada admitted that on April 27, 2021, he possessed roosters for the purpose of having them fight. Lozada also admitted that on March 6, 2022, he sponsored and exhibited, and aided and abetted sponsoring and exhibiting, at least one rooster in a fight against another rooster.

Cockfighting is a contest in which a person attaches a knife, gaff or other sharp instrument to the leg of a “gamecock” or rooster and then places the bird a few inches away from a similarly armed rooster. This results in a fight during which the roosters flap their wings and jump while stabbing each other with the weapons that are fastened to their legs. A cockfight ends when one rooster is dead or refuses to continue to fight. Commonly, one or both roosters die after a fight.

This case was investigated by the Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General, the Postal Inspection Service, and the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Office of Law Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Rhode Island State Police, Massachusetts State Police, Animal Rescue League of Boston’s Law Enforcement Division, Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Providence, Woonsocket, and Attleboro Police Departments.

Senior Trial Attorney Gary Donner and Assistant Chief Stephen Da Ponte of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney John McAdams for the District of Rhode Island prosecuted the case.

A Warwick man who used multiple online accounts to communicate with underage girls, including an 11-year-old in New Jersey, was sentenced today in federal court in Rhode Island for attempting to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity and for transmitting obscene material to a minor, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

Jeffrey Locke Slinn, 43, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Melissa R. DuBose to 15 years’ imprisonment, to be followed by 15 years of supervised release. Slinn pleaded guilty on October 30, 2023, to attempted enticement of a minor and transfer of obscene material to a minor.

According to court documents, in July 2023, Slinn engaged in a series of sexually explicit online communications with an 11-year-old girl in New Jersey, attempting to entice her to engage in sexual conduct and exchanged sexually explicit images and videos with her.

Slinn was arrested on October 26, 2023, charged by way of a federal criminal complaint with attempted enticement of a minor and transfer of obscene material to a minor.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Julie M. White.

The matter was investigated by the FBI, the Ocean Township, New Jersey, Police Department, and the Warwick, Rhode Island, Police Department.   

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PROVIDENCE – A Tiverton man was sentenced in federal court in Rhode Island for enticing a 13-year-old girl to travel with him from her home in Pennsylvania to his family’s residence in Rhode Island, to engage in criminal sexual activity with her, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

William C. Stewart, 22, was sentenced on November 13, 2025 by U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. to 15 years’ imprisonment to be followed by 5 years of supervised release.  The court also ordered the defendant to pay $5,000 in restitution to his victim and her family.  Stewart pleaded guilty on April 1, 2024 to enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity, transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, and interstate travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.

According to court documents, on June 17, 2021, Stewart began communicating with a minor victim via Snapchat, quickly learning that she was 13 years old. During his ongoing communications, he persuaded the young girl to engage in unlawful sexual activity.

Stewart admitted that in the middle of the night on June 30, 2021, he picked the girl up from outside her home and began to drive with her to his home in Tiverton, Rhode Island for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity with her. Stewart drove with the girl through Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. While enroute to Rhode Island, Stewart stayed at a hotel in New London, Connecticut, where he engaged in sexual activity with the minor victim and provided her drugs. After arriving in Rhode Island, Stewart continued to engage in sexual activity with the victim.

According to information presented to the court, upon arrival at his family’s Tiverton residence on July 4, 2021, Stewart introduced the minor victim to his family members, using a false name for her and falsely stating that she was 19 years old. On July 7, the young girl contacted a friend via Snapchat and asked for help, after which the Tiverton Police identified the minor victim’s location and responded to Stewart’s home.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys G. Michael Seaman and Denise M. Barton.

The matter was investigated by the FBI, Tiverton Police Department, and Pennsylvania State Police. 

PROVIDENCE – A Coventry man was sentenced today in federal court in Rhode Island for exploitation of a minor while producing and distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

Scott P. Hickey, 46, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. to 30 years imprisonment. Hickey pleaded guilty in July 2025 to charges of possession and access with intent to view child pornography, exploitation of a minor, distribution of child pornography, and possession of child pornography.   

According to information presented to the court, in June 2019, Hickey was charged by way of indictment with possession and access with intent to view child pornography after law enforcement discovered 164 images of CSAM on his cellphone.

Documents filed in court also alleged that in 2023, while awaiting trial in that matter, Hickey exploited a minor female multiple times while live streaming and/or recording sexually explicit activity. Hickey was arrested on July 27, 2023. A forensic audit of his cellphone revealed at least 572 images of CSAM.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Paul F. Daly, Jr.

The matters were investigated by FBI agents assigned to field offices in Providence, RI, and Washington, DC.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit https://www.justice.gov/psc

To report suspected online child sexual exploitation and/or abuse, call the Know2Protect Tipline at 1-833-591-KNOW (5669) or visit the NCMEC CyberTipline® at https://report.cybertip.org/

PROVIDENCE – A North Providence man has pleaded guilty in federal court in Rhode Island for production of child pornography, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

Larry W. Albino, 52, pleaded guilty today to production of child pornography. He will be sentenced on February 3, 2026. The sentences imposed will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

According to charging documents, on September 16, 2024, a Rhode Island State Police Detective assigned to the ICAC Task Force received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that an IP address, later determined by the Detective to belong to Albino’s residence, was used to upload ten files depicting the abuse of a pre-pubescent child. Further investigation revealed that that the location where the videos were recorded matched images of rooms recently displayed in an online property rental listing where Albino resides.

As related in court documents and information presented to the court, on September 17, 2024, members of the ICAC Task Force executed a court-authorized search of Albino’s residence and immediately recognized that some of the furnishings of rooms inside Albino’s residence matched those depicted in the videos of child sexual abuse, and that sandals worn by the defendant at the time officers arrived matched those worn by the abuser in some of the videos.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John P. McAdams.

The matter was investigated by the Rhode Island State Police ICAC Task Force, with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc

PROVIDENCE – A Providence man who admitted to participating in a conspiracy to defraud banks by creating and depositing tens-of-thousands of dollars’ worth of fraudulent checks has been sentenced to federal prison, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

Jarrod Smith, 44, was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Melissa R. DuBose to 24 months of incarceration to be followed by three years of supervised release. Smith pleaded guilty on February 18, 2025, to a charge of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. In addition, Smith admitted to violations of his current term of supervised released, and was sentenced to serve 12 months of incarceration, to run concurrently. 

Smith engaged in a fraud scheme that used information from stolen checks, primarily business checks, to create counterfeit checks that were then deposited into bank accounts of individuals that he or other members of the conspiracy recruited and enticed, often via social media. Shortly after the checks were deposited, Smith or another member of the conspiracy withdrew the proceeds from the bank accounts. As part of the conspiracy, the person’s whose bank account was used was also paid for the use of their bank account.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Christine Lowell, Taylor Dean, and Denise Barton.

The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

PROVIDENCE – A former employee of Santander Bank has been charged in federal court for allegedly stealing more than $125,000 from the bank account of a 78-year-old customer with dementia, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

Carlos Bras, 41 of East Providence, appeared in federal court on October 23, 2025 and charged by way of criminal complaint with wire fraud, bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft.

Bras was employed by Santander Bank at the time of the offense and had access to customer financial accounts.  In May 2023, Bras allegedly accessed the account of the 78-year-old victim, who resided in an assisted living facility and had a court-appointed conservator in Massachusetts.

According to charging documents, Bras is alleged to have enabled online banking access to the victim’s account, ordered checks sent to an address in Fall River and his own residence, and ordered a debit card for his personal use. It is also alleged that he conducted numerous unauthorized transactions to his wife’s account, and several large wire transfers to a Portuguese bank account in her name.

The charging documents also allege the following:  Santander Bank investigators confronted Bras, who initially denied knowing the victim but later claimed he had assisted him with in-branch transactions.  Bank security footage showed that the individuals in Bras’ office at the time of the transfers were not the victim. Bras also did not disclose that his wife was the recipient of the wire transfers until confronted.

The case was referred to Seekonk Police Department and subsequently picked up by the United States Secret Service. Through the federal investigation, a contract purporting for the sale of a property in Portugal was discovered, allegedly signed by Bras and the victim.  The victim’s conservator stated he was unaware of any such real estate contract, that the signature on the document did not match the victims, and that the address listed for the victim was incorrect. 

A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney G. Michael Seaman.

The matter was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Seekonk Police Department. 

PROVIDENCE – A Providence man has pleaded guilty in federal court in Rhode Island for participating in a conspiracy to steal and sell hundreds of dollars’ worth of stolen catalytic converters, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

Luis Aceituno, 27, pleaded guilty today to charges of interstate transportation of stolen property and filing false tax returns.  He will be sentenced on January 22, 2026. The sentences imposed will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

According to charging documents, in January 2022, the Cranston Police Department began tracking patterns surrounding the thefts of catalytic converters. A criminal group was later identified as allegedly being responsible for more than 7,000 stolen catalytic converters in Southern New England and in the greater Boston area, valued at more than $2.4 million.

Charging documents reflect that from at least January 2021 until November 2022, Aceituno and other defendants, Kuron Mitchell, 25, and Alberto Rivera, 25, canvassed neighborhoods and parking lots in Rhode Island and Massachusetts in search of unoccupied vehicles from which they could steal catalytic converters. It is alleged that many of the stolen catalytic converters were sold to a Providence company (identified in court documents as Company 1) that recycles catalytic converters. Depending on the model and type of precious metal component, the average scrap price for catalytic converters ranged from $300 to $1,500.

An FBI analysis of Company 1’s databases seized during a court-authorized search of the business in February 2023, and a review of a database maintained by Rhode Island Attorney General Bureau of Criminal Identification, revealed that from 2021 to 2022, Aceituno allegedly sold 2128 catalytic converters to Company 1 and received $699,735.

In addition to his participation in the conspiracy to steal and sell catalytic converters, it is further alleged that Luis Aceituno failed to disclose to the IRS income derived from the sale of catalytic converters in tax years 2021 and 2022. It is alleged that for tax years 2021 and 2022, Aceituno failed to report a total of $699,735 in income and failed to pay a total of $199,908 due to the IRS.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Paul F. Daly, Jr., and Julie M. White.

The matter was investigated by the FBI, Cranston Police Department, Providence Police Department, IRS-Criminal Investigations, United States Marshal Service, National Insurance Crime Bureau, Newport Police Department, Fitchburg State University Police, Watertown Police Department, Canton Police Department, Attleboro Police Department, Fall River Police Department, and Department of Veterans Affairs- Office of Inspector General-Criminal Investigations Division.

PROVIDENCE – Four foreign nationals, illegally present in the United States, who admitted to participating in a multi-state scheme that compromised more than 15,000 credit, debit, and Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards were sentenced in federal court for their roles in the conspiracy, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

An investigation revealed that from May 2023 through February 2024, the co-conspirators placed card skimming devices on point-of-sale terminals at various locations of major retailers and on ATMs of various financial institutions in Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. The devices captured customers’ personal financial account information, which the defendants then used to create counterfeit cards and withdraw cash.

In Rhode Island, more than 200 debit cards were compromised at two Rhode Island financial institutions, resulting in over $300,000 of unauthorized ATM withdrawals from 67 customer accounts.

U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. sentenced the defendants as follows:

• Nicolas Longin Codreanu, 23, a citizen of Ireland and Romania, was sentenced to 60 months imprisonment and ordered to pay approximately $306,000 in restitution.
• Armando Ion Codreanu, 24, a citizen of Romania, was sentenced to 36 months imprisonment and ordered to pay approximately $306,000 in restitution.
• Isabella Ignat Codreanu, 24, a citizen of the United Kingdom, was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment and ordered to pay approximately $306,000 in restitution.
• Robby Vicson Codreanu, 21, a citizen of the United Kingdom, was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment and ordered to pay approximately $306,000 in restitution.

Each defendant previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit access device fraud; producing and using counterfeit access devices; possession of fifteen or more counterfeit access devices; possession of device making equipment; and use of fraudulent access device to receive payment.

Two additional defendants, Codreanu’s wife, Mila Ciuciu, 21, and Ionut Zamfir, 38, both citizens of Romania, are awaiting trial.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ronald R. Gendron

The matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Bristol Police Department, with the assistance of the Warwick Police Department, Coventry Police Department, Westerly Police Department, Johnston Police Department, Seekonk Police Department, United States Secret Service, and Homeland Security Investigations agents in Lafayette, LA, New York, NY, and Los Angeles, CA. 

PROVIDENCE – A Foster man who previously pleaded guilty to receipt of child sexual abuse material was sentenced today in federal court, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

John Q. Adams, 36, was sentenced by U.S District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy to 15 years in federal prison to be followed by 10 years of supervised release. Adams will also be required to register as a sex offender in accordance with the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

According to information presented to the court, on January 13, 2021, Adams downloaded and stored an explicit video file depicting child sexual abuse material involving two adult males and a prepubescent female. Further investigation determined that Adams had downloaded and stored approximately 112 images and 49 videos of child sexual abuse material.

At the time of the offense, Adams had previously been convicted and incarcerated for sharing sexually explicit photographs online with a person he believed to be a 13-year-old girl whom he also attempted to meet near her middle school to engage in sex.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Denise M. Barton.

The matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc

To report suspected online child sexual exploitation and/or abuse, call the Know2Protect Tipline at 1-833-591-KNOW (5669) or visit the NCMEC CyberTipline® at https://report.cybertip.org/

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PROVIDENCE – A Donald W. Wyatt Detention Center detainee who admitted to participating in a conspiracy with several other individuals, including a now former correctional officer, to possess and distribute contraband inside the facility was sentenced today to federal prison, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

Matthew Pizarro, 36, previously admitted to a federal judge that he conspired with another detainee and others outside the facility to arrange for the delivery and distribution of contraband that was delivered by now former Correctional Officer Kaii Almeida-Falcones of Smithfield.

Wyatt Detention Center video surveillance records show that on February 14, 2021, Correctional Officer Almeida-Falcone visited Pizarro’s cell for less than a minute after which Pizzaro then visited the cell of another detainee, Emmanuel Nolasco, 38, where he remained for less than a minute.

A strip search of Nolasco revealed a package containing suboxone strips while a search of Pizarro’s cell revealed a plastic bottle containing 4.5 grams of marijuana that was located inside Pizarro’s pillowcase.

The suboxone strips were sent to a lab and confirmed to be 201 strips, 5 of which were partial strips, containing buprenorphine, which is an ingredient in Suboxone, a Schedule III controlled substance.

Pizarro pleaded guilty on March 12, 2025, to one count each of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, distribution of Suboxone, and possession of contraband by an inmate. He was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Melissa R. DuBose to 60 months in federal prison to be followed by three years of supervised release.

Kaii Almeida-Falcones was sentenced on November 14, 2024, to six months in federal prison to be followed by twenty-four months of supervised release - the first six months to be served on home confinement. He pleaded guilty on June 10, 2024, to the charge of providing contraband to an inmate.

Emmanuel Nolasco was sentenced on November 3, 2024, to forty-eight months of incarceration to be followed by three years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty on June 20, 2023, to charges of possession with intent to distribute Suboxone, possession of contraband by an inmate, and possession with intent to distribute Suboxone.

The cases were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Paul F. Daly, Jr. and Ly T. Chin.

The matter was investigated by the FBI, the United States Marshals Service, the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Inspector General, and the Professional Standards Unit at the Wyatt Detention Center.

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PROVIDENCE – A Providence man pleaded guilty today in federal court to trafficking in kilos of cocaine, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

Eluid Rosa-Escudero, 35, pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. He is scheduled to be sentenced on December 10, 2025. The sentence imposed in this matter will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Court documents reflect that a three-month, multi-agency investigation into Rosa-Escudero’s drug trafficking activities culminated on April 10, 2025, with the execution of a court-authorized search of his Providence residence and the seizure of two kilograms of cocaine, $10,000 in cash, and other items associated with the trafficking of narcotics.

Leading up to the execution of the search warrant, law enforcement surveilled the retrieval of a package suspected of containing cocaine delivered by the U.S. Postal Service to the front porch of a Providence residence. The package was retrieved by a person who arrived by car and then drove to a nearby gas station where the driver met with Rosa-Escudero, who was in a separate vehicle. As the two vehicles pulled away, Rosa-Escudero was followed by a law enforcement surveillance team to his residence. East Providence Police effected an investigative stop of the car driven by the person who retrieved the package from the porch of the residence, who they then identified as being 15 years old.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine D. Lowell and G. Michael Seaman.

The matter is being investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service Contraband Interdiction and Investigations Task Force, with the assistance of the Providence Police Department, the Pawtucket Police Department, and the Rhode Island State Police.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

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PROVIDENCE – A Guatemalan national deported from the United States in November 2024 who illegally reentered the United States shortly thereafter was sentenced today in federal court, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

Rigoberto Cano Perez, 28, was removed from the United States by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on November 20, 2024, having been convicted in Rhode Island state court in December 2023 on charges of simple assault and/or battery and disorderly conduct.

On May 12, 2025, Immigration Officers learned through an automated biometric fingerprint match of fingerprints entered into the National Crime Information Center that Perez was arrested in Rhode Island the day before for violating a domestic no contact order and on a domestic disorderly conduct charge.

Perez was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Melissa R. DuBose to time served. An immigration detainer has been lodged by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Taylor A. Dean and Peter I. Roklan.

The matter was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

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PROVIDENCE, RI –  A Guatemalan national convicted and sentenced in Rhode Island state court in 2014 for second degree sexual assault and subsequently deported, was sentenced today in federal court for reentering the United States illegally and for failing to register as a sex offender, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

Court records reflect that after being deported in May 2014, Nelson Leonel Yocute Samayoa, 34, a/k/a Marvin Gomez, reentered the United States illegally, and lived and worked in Newport for approximately nine years. He failed to comply with the obligation that he register as a sex offender, as mandated by his 2014 sentence.

Yocute, detained in federal custody since June 23, 2025, was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy to time served and five years of supervised release. He continues to be held in federal custody while awaiting deportation proceedings.

The case was prosecuted in U.S. District Court by Assistant United States Attorney Denise M. Barton.

The matter was investigated by the Newport Police Department, with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations and the United States Marshals Service.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

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PROVIDENCE – A Cumberland man who “marginalized and controlled” a young woman whom he befriended online when she was a minor, and then harassed and threatened when she attempted to end their friendship when she was nineteen, was sentenced today to more than six years in federal prison, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

Melvin Vidal Herrera Perez, 21, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy to 78 months of incarceration; 10 years of supervised release; ordered to register as a sex offender; and to pay a total of $38,000, pursuant to the Justice for Victims Act of 2015 and provisions of the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act of 2018.

Perez pleaded guilty in May 2025 to one count of cyberstalking and four counts of distribution of child pornography.

According to information presented to the court, Perez befriended the victim online when she was fourteen and engaged in a friendship that lasted for about four years. During that time, he encouraged her to provide him with sexually explicit images of herself. In the fall of 2024, Perez used a variety of tactics to intentionally cause serious emotional distress to the woman by creating a Google Drive link containing images of child pornography produced at Perez’s request years’ prior; setting up social media accounts to display sexually explicit images of the victim; providing those links to others,  linking to them to a social media platform;  texting and emailing explicit images of the victim and providing the website links to a wide number of individuals in her personal and social circles.

As reflected in information presented to the court, Perez claimed that he was “doing God’s work,” when he harassed the victim and disseminated the child pornography and other personal information about her.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Julie M. White.

The matter was investigated by the FBI, with valuable assistance provided by the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office and other Philadelphia area law enforcement agencies.    

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

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PROVIDENCE –  A Virginia truck driver admitted to a federal judge today that he had sexual contact in multiple states with a minor female who traveled with him in his tractor-trailer truck, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

David Romero Reyes, 55, of Stafford, Virginia, pleaded guilty as charged by way of indictment with transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. No plea agreement was filed in this matter. He is scheduled to be sentenced on December 2, 2025. The sentence imposed will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

In April 2021, Romero Reyes was detained by Naval Station Newport Police when a routine background check conducted prior to his being allowed to enter the Navy base to make a delivery determined that he was wanted in Texas on a charge of felony assault of a child. The young girl was located inside the sleeping compartment of the truck during a routine inspection. The girl, determined through a medical examination at Hasbro Children’s Hospital to be approximately five months pregnant, was reported missing from her Virginia home in July 2020, when she was 14 years old. An investigation determined that Romero Reyes was known to the girl and to her family prior to her disappearance.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Ronald R. Gendron and John P. McAdams.

The matter was investigated by the Naval Station Newport Police, FBI, and Rhode Island State Police.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc

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PROVIDENCE – Two foreign nationals who participated in a sweeping, multi-state burglary ring that targeted individuals of Asian descent, including in Rhode Island, were sentenced Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Providence, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

Jorge Andres Cardenas Murillo, 32, a Columbian national, identified in court documents as a central figure of the conspiracy, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Melissa R. DuBose to 48 months of incarceration to be followed by three years of supervised release. He previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property and two counts of attempt to commit interstate transportation of stolen property. An immigration detainer has been issued against Cardenas Murillo.

Mohammed Islam, 30, a Bangladesh national, was sentenced by District Court Judge DuBose to 33 months of incarceration to be followed by three years of supervised release. Islam previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property, interstate transportation of property taken by fraud, and two counts of attempt to commit interstate transportation of stolen property.

From July 2022 to December 2022, members of the conspiracy targeted residences in various states to burglarize, including at least two properties in Rhode Island, with the intent to steal large sums of money, valuable jewelry, and other items, and then transport the stolen goods in interstate for the financial benefit of members of the conspiracy.

Court documents reflect that members of the conspiracy targeted and surveilled individuals, businesses, and residences and then burglarized or attempted to burglarize homes in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Wisconsin, and Florida.

Members of the conspiracy used sophisticated means to carry out their scheme.  In addition to surveilling individuals, the conspirators used drones and GPS trackers placed on vehicles to monitor potential victims’ movement and identify times when they were away from their residences. They also used drones and lookouts to monitor law enforcement activity, and had getaway cars and drivers at the ready while other conspirators broke into and burglarized residences.

According to court documents, members of the conspiracy are known to have stolen at least $717,735 worth of property and cash.

The cases were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Julianne Klein and Ly T. Chin.

The matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, with the assistance of the Warwick and Smithfield, RI Police Departments; Shrewsbury and Framingham, MA Police Departments; Gorham, NH Police Department; Stamford, Wallingford, and Westport, CT Police Departments; West Allis, WI Police Department; New Castle County, DE Police Department; Manalapan, NJ Police Department; New York City Police Department; Jacksonville and Flagler County Police Departments; Massachusetts State Police; Pennsylvania State Police; and the United States Postal Inspection Service.

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PROVIDENCE – A twice-deported Dominican national faces deportation for a third time, having been sentenced today in federal court on a charge of illegal reentry, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

Celso Herrera-De Los Santos, 49, ordered deported from the United States in 2011 and in 2017, came to the attention of Immigration and Customs Enforcement in May during a routine screening at the ACI where he was being held on Rhode Island state charges of possession with intent to deliver cocaine and possession with intent to deliver 1 oz to 1 kilo of cocaine.

Herrera-De Los Santos, detained in federal custody since his arraignment on June 23, 2025, was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Melissa R. DuBose to time served. An immigration detainer has been lodged by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Peter I. Roklan, with the assistance of Assistant United States Attorney Dulce Donovan.

The matter was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

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PROVIDENCE – An Ecuadorian national deported from the United States in 2008 has pleaded guilty in federal court in Rhode Island to a charge of illegal re-entry, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

Manuel Yochuzga-Yopangue, a/k/a Manuel Yupangui, 34, most recently came to the attention of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) through an automated biometric fingerprint match of fingerprints entered into the National Crime Information Center following his arrest in Rhode Island in May 2025 on state child molestation charges.

Immigration files reflect that Yochuzga-Yopangue was removed from the United States in August 2008. He is scheduled to be sentenced on October 28, 2025. The sentence imposed in this matter will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Paul F. Daly, Jr.

The matter was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

A federal indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty

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PROVIDENCE – A Providence man found to be in possession of more than 1,500 fentanyl-laced pills and more than 400 grams of fentanyl powder today pleaded guilty to a charge of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

Court records reflect that during a court-authorized search of his residence in November 2022, Carols Molina, 35, was found to be in possession of 1,503 fentanyl-laced pills designed to look like prescription drugs (weighing a total of 170.6 grams) and a mixture of powder containing fentanyl weighing 411.75 grams.

Leading up to the search of his residence, while under surveillance by DEA agents and DEA Drug Task Force officers, Molina made multiple sales of fentanyl-laced counterfeit prescription pills to another induvial. A total of 2,416 pills were seized immediately following the transactions.

Molina is scheduled to be sentenced on December 2, 2025. The sentence imposed in this matter will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stacey A. Erickson.

The matter was investigated by the Rhode Island DEA Drug Task Force.

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PROVIDENCE – A Michigan man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Rhode Island today to a charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud for his role in a scheme that defrauded a Rhode Island-based retail outlet of approximately $140,000, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

From at least June 2022, and continuing to April 3, 2024, Mattek Scott, 27, of Flint, MI, and co-conspirators, to include Ariana Asberry, 26, of Flint, MI, fraudulently obtained money, pre-paid gift cards, and merchandise from at least 35 of the retailer’s outlets in at least 11 states, including in Rhode Island.

As part of the scheme, Scott, Arianna, and others would use fraudulent debit or credit cards to purchase merchandise and pre-paid gift cards. When the fraudulent payment cards were declined, they directed the cashier to complete the transaction by pushing the “Cash tendered” button; however, no cash was tendered. As a result of this scheme, the gift cards were loaded with U.S. Currency, ranging from $199 to $500.

Scott, Arianna, and others traveled to various retail outlets to purchase new pre-paid gift cards using the fraudulently obtained pre-paid cards. The proceeds were then used on various goods and services, including hotel stays, restaurant meals, groceries, car repairs, utilities, gas, and convenience store items.

The Rhode Island- based retailer suffered losses totaling approximately $140,000.

Scott is scheduled to be sentenced on November 20, 2025. The sentence imposed will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Arianna Asberry pleaded guilty on November 20, 2024, to a charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. She was sentenced to time served, three years federal supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $138,633.01.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Christine D. Lowell and Julianne Klein.

The matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations

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PROVIDENCE – A Providence man previously convicted and sentenced on state firearm, robbery, and drug trafficking charges, and a 2013 federal firearm charge, pleaded guilty today to a federal charge of felon in possession of a firearm, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

According to information presented to the court, on March 30, 2024, a Providence Police patrol officer effected a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by Troy L. Antley, 56, for turning at an intersection without signaling. During the subsequent stop, the officer noticed a knife in plain view on the driver’s seat.

As the officer went to seize the knife, he noticed a round of ammunition in the driver’s side cupholder in the center console and a gun handle protruding from the space between the driver’s seat and center console. It was later determined that the firearm, a loaded 9mm Smith and Wesson semi-automatic pistol, was previously reported stolen out of Alabama.  The magazine in the firearm had a 16 round capacity and 14 rounds in it.  One round was chambered in the pistol.

Antley is scheduled to be sentenced on November 20, 2025. The sentence imposed in this matter will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stacey A. Erickson and Milind M. Shah.

The matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearm, and Explosives and the Providence Police Department

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PROVIDENCE – A Rhode Island businessman was convicted on tax charges today for a second time, admitting that in this most recent matter he failed to pay more than $1.3 million in taxes, penalties, fees, and interest owed to the IRS dating back to tax years 2007 – 2013, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

Under the terms of a plea agreement filed with the court, William N. L’Europa, 60, of Cranston, entered a guilty plea today to a charge of tax evasion and he is required to pay restitution to the IRS totaling $1,367,336.08 no later than the date of sentencing in this matter. L’Europa is scheduled to be sentenced on November 12, 2025.

In 2012, L’Europa and a business partner were convicted on charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States and filing a false tax return. They admitted to the court that they underreported business receipts for tax years 2007-2010, resulting in the underpayment of federal taxes to the Internal Revenue Service of more than $500,000. In January 2013, L’Europa was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison and ordered to file accurate, amended federal tax returns for tax years 2007 – 2011, and to pay all taxes due the IRS.

Court documents reflect that in March 2019, L’Europa submitted documentation to the IRS falsely indicating that he had little or no income. As a result, the IRS did not pursue collections of taxes due at that time.  Further, in 2022 L’Europa signed an Offer in Compromise to lower his liability for taxes owed for calendar years 2007-2013, knowing that he was understating his actual personal income. The IRS determined that, in fact, L’Europa manipulated the finances and business records for a business for which he worked to have it under report his income and conceal his personal expenditures, including over $10,000 on a motorcycle, $100,000 to discharge a debt owed the State of Rhode Island, $12,000 downpayment on a new truck for his wife, and other personal expenditures paid for through the use of a business credit card paid off with funds from business accounts.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Milind M. Shah.

The matter was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation and the FBI.

The sentences imposed in this matter will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

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PROVIDENCE – A Rhode Island man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Rhode Island for allegedly threatening to take the life of President Trump and to kill or injure Attorney General Pamela Bondi and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, announced Acting Rhode Island United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

The indictment returned today charges Carl D. Montague, 37, with threats against the President and interstate communications of threats.

Court documents filed previously allege that on June 27, 2025, Montague issued a profanity-laced posting on Truth Social threatening to shoot and kill President Trump, Attorney General Bondi, and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Miller.

A federal criminal indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Montague, released with GPS monitoring following his initial appearance on a criminal complaint filed previously in this matter, will be arraigned on a later date.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dulce Donovan.

The matter was investigated by the FBI, United States Secret Service, and the Providence Police Department.

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PROVIDENCE – A Dominican national deported in 2015 after being convicted for trafficking heroin pleaded guilty today to illegally reentering the United States, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

Kelvin Roberto Feliz, 54, who has been detained at the Adult Correctional Institution in an unrelated matter since June 2024, today admitted in federal court that he illegally reentered the United States after he was convicted in September 2014 and deported in July 2015.

Feliz is scheduled to be sentenced on October 9, 2025. The sentence imposed will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Paul F. Daly, Jr. The matter was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

PROVIDENCE – A North Providence man convicted and sentenced multiple times on economic-based and firearms charges was sentenced today to federal prison for leading a well-organized conspiracy to defraud banks, steal individuals’ personal information, and for illegally possessing a firearm, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

Jamal Mansaray, 35, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., to 110 months of incarceration, three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay restitution to various financial institutions totaling more than $70,000. Mansaray pleaded guilty on April 29, 2025, to charges of bank fraud conspiracy, bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and prohibited person in possession of a firearm.

As detailed in court documents, Mansaray led a well-organized conspiracy from his dining room table to steal checks from the U.S. Mail, and to obtain and use business and personal identifying information of third parties. The stolen identifying information was used to alter stolen checks, create fraudulent checks, and to fraudulently access bank accounts.

A court-authorized search of Mansaray’s residence in May 2023 resulted in the seizure of hundreds of personal and business checks, blank “washed” checks, more than 1,000 blank check stock used to create and print counterfeit checks, multiple laptops and printers, checks in various stages of alteration, Social Security cards, debit cards, and a temporary driver’s license in the name of others.

Additionally, law enforcement also located a loaded firearm and ammunition inside a backpack belonging to the defendant. Mansaray is prohibited from possessing a firearm because he has been convicted previously on felony charges, including firearms and financial crimes. 

In 2018, Mansaray was convicted on federal charges of  bank fraud conspiracy and aggravated ID theft. He was sentenced in October 2018 to 60 months of incarceration and three years’ supervised release.

This most current case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Christine D. Lowell and John P. McAdams.

The matter was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and Rhode Island State Police.

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PROVIDENCE –  A Venezuelan national unlawfully residing in the United States has been sentenced to time served (five months), having pleaded guilty to a charge resisting arrest of a federal officer, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

On February 13, 2025, Edward Antonio Reyes Calderon, 23, struggled with Immigration and Customs Enforcement Deportation Officers for several minutes while they tried handcuffing him. An officer deployed pepper spray to gain control of him. Two of the officers suffered minor injuries.

Reyes Calderon remains in custody awaiting deportation proceedings.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Peter I. Roklan and Taylor A. Dean.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

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PROVIDENCE – Two individuals have been charged in U.S. District Court in Providence in an ongoing investigation into the introduction of a misbranded drug imported from India and distributed in Rhode Island and elsewhere in the Northeast without FDA approval, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

Court documents reflect that Jitender Behl, 74, of East Greenwich, RI, imported hundreds of thousands of pills from India that contained the pharmaceutical ingredient sildenafil citrate (sildenafil). Sildenafil is an active ingredient in FDA-approved prescription drugs prescribed for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

Behl allegedly repackaged the pills, marketed them as being an all-natural dietary supplement for erectile dysfunction under the brand names of “JMY” which stands for  “Just Me & You,” and distributed them to a wholesale distributor, Noor Inc., in Providence. To date, law enforcement has seized more than 130,000 imported sildenafil pills and tablets, more than 650 grams of imported sildenafil soft gel capsules, and approximately 21,700 empty Mylar bags allegedly used for packaging the illicit product.

Court records detail that JMY’s website indicated that Noor Inc. was the sole U.S. wholesale distributor of “JMY.” Noor sold JMY to retail outlets in the Northeast, including Rhode Island and Massachusetts. FDA undercover agents allegedly purchased packages of “JMY” from retail outlets.  JMY’s list of ingredients did not include the active pharmaceutical ingredient sildenafil and instead listed purported ingredients such as “White Willow Bark” and “Korean Ginseng,” among others.

The FDA notes that sildenafil can be particularly harmful to persons taking heart medications containing nitrates because the active ingredients can interact with the nitrates and lower blood pressure to dangerous levels.

Behl, arrested today on charges of, among others, receipt in interstate commerce of misbranded drugs and introducing misbranded drugs, made an initial appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge and was released on unsecured bond.

Mahr Ahmed, 58, of Attleboro, MA, owner of Noor Inc., has been charged by way of an information filed on July 23, 2025, with introduction of misbranded drugs, to which court documents reflect Ahmed has agreed to plead guilty.

A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dulce Donovan.

The matter was investigated by the United States Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations Rhode Island Task Force, Warwick Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, United States Postal Inspection Service, and United States Customs and Border Protection.

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PROVIDENCE – A U.S. Postal Service employee pleaded guilty today to participating in a mail theft ring at the U.S. Mail Processing and Distribution Center in Providence, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

Darren Camacho, 33, of Providence, pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to steal mail and theft of U.S. Mail by a postal employee. Camacho is scheduled to be sentenced on November 13, 2025. The sentences imposed will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Camacho admitted that multiple times a week between March 1, 2023, and June 26, 2023, he and his co-conspirators sorted through the mail and pulled out brightly colored envelopes, concealed them in backpacks, and snuck them out of the facility. Meeting at a designated location after work, Camacho and his co-conspirators opened the stolen mail and pulled out cash, gift cards, and checks.

According to information presented to the court, Camacho gave some of the stolen gift cards to another person and he used others to make purchases in retail stores at various locations in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

On June 28, 2023, law enforcement recovered 55 stolen gift cards from the residence of a relative of Camacho.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie M. White.

The matter was investigated by the US Postal Service Office of Inspector General, with the assistance of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Providence Police Department, and Smithfield Police Department.

The public can report mail theft by contacting the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General hotline at 1-888-USPS-OIG (1-888-877-7644; online at www.uspsoig.gov/hotline; via email at Hotline@uspsoig.gov; or by mail at USPS OIG, Attn: OIG Hotline, 1735 North Lynn Street, Arlington, VA 22209-2020.

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