District of Rhode Island

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A West Warwick resident, currently on parole after having been convicted and sentenced in Rhode Island state court in October 2008 on felony assault, robbery and firearm charges, was ordered detained in federal custody today for allegedly possessing and trafficking the synthetic drug MDMA, and for being a felon in possession of firearms.

Devon Mello, 26, of West Warwick, arrested earlier today by members of the ATF Task Force, with the assistance of the West Warwick Police Department and the DEA, was ordered detained in federal custody following his initial appearance before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond on a criminal complaint charging him with three counts of distribution of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), one count of possession with the intent to distribute MDMA, and two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Mello’s arrest and criminal complaint are announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, Daniel J. Kumor, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division of ATF, and West Warwick Police Chief Colonel Richard G. Silva.

According to court documents, on February 26, 2016, an ATF special agent acting in an undercover capacity, allegedly met with Mello in a parking lot near his residence to discuss interest in committing armed robberies. Mello allegedly informed the agent that he not only was in possession of a firearm on his person, but that he had access to other firearms, including an AR-15 assault rifle and a shotgun. Prior to leaving Mello’s company, the agent allegedly purchased from Mello 2.7 grams of MDMA in exchange for $80.

On March 1, 2016, after having exchange numerous text messages with Mello during the two previous days, the undercover agent allegedly met with Mello in a parking lot near Mello’s residence to discuss the purchase of firearms. Prior to the end of the meeting, the undercover agent allegedly purchased 9.8 grams of MDMA from Mello for $270. Mello allegedly instructed the agent to stay in touch with him to learn about the status of obtaining firearms.

On March 4, 2016, as allegedly instructed by Mello in a text message the day before, the agent met with Mello in a parking lot near Mello’s residence during which time Mello allegedly provided the agent with a shotgun and ammunition in exchange for $400. They allegedly met again on March 10, 2016, in a parking lot near Mello’s home, to allegedly discuss the purchase of additional firearms. Prior to the end of that meeting, the agent allegedly purchased from Mello 8.35 grams of MDMA in exchange for $225.

Earlier today, Mello was detained by ATF agents as ATF agents, members of the ATF Task Force, and West Warwick Police conducted a federal court authorized search of Mello’s residence. The search resulted in the seizure of approximately 28 grams of MDMA, a 9mm firearm, $270 in cash and various items used in the packaging and distribution of MDMA and other drugs.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

According to court documents, on October 16, 2008, Mello was convicted in Rhode Island state court on first degree robbery and conspiracy charges, and was sentenced to 15 years - 10 years to serve and the remainder suspended - and 5 years of probation. On the same date, Mello was convicted on two counts of felony assault and two counts of discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence, and was sentenced to a concurrent sentence of 20 years of incarceration - 15 years to serve and 5 years suspended - and 5 years of probation. Mello has been on parole since the fall of 2015.  

At the time of his arrest, Mello, who was subject to home confinement, was wearing a GPS electronic monitoring ankle bracelet.

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

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The ATF Task Force consists of agents and officers from Providence, Cranston and Central Falls Police Departments, Providence Fire Department Arson Squad, and the Rhode Island Department of Correction's Special Investigations Unit.

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on Twitter @USAO_RI Devon Mello Complaint & Affidavit

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Miguel Colon, 55, of Woonsocket, was sentenced today to 15 years in federal prison for trafficking heroin and cocaine, and for carrying a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking activities. At the time of his arrest in April 2015, law enforcement seized three kilograms of cocaine and a loaded firearm found stashed inside a hidden compartment inside Colon’s vehicle and nearly 900 grams of heroin hidden inside a self-storage unit rented by Colon.

At sentencing, U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith also ordered Colon to serve 5 years supervised release upon completion of his prison term. Colon pleaded guilty on October 28, 2015, to possession with the intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, being a felon in possession of a firearm and carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.

Colon’s sentence is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; Woonsocket Acting Police Chief Captain Michael R. Lemoine; Providence Police Chief Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr.; Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police; and Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s New England Field Division.

According to court documents and information presented to the court, Woonsocket and Providence Police Detectives, independent of one another, developed information that approximately once a month Miguel Colon traveled by vehicle to Texas and/or Florida to obtain large quantities of cocaine and/or heroin which he transported back to Rhode Island. In late April 2015, law enforcement developed information that Colon was on a drug run to Texas and Florida, and that he was scheduled to arrive in Rhode Island with the drugs on April 27.

In the early morning hours of April 27, local, state and federal law enforcement, posted along Route 95 in unmarked vehicles, spotted Colon’s vehicle and followed it until it came to a stop in the parking lot of a motel in North Attleboro, Mass. Law enforcement quickly surrounded the vehicle and removed Colon. A Rhode Island State Police K-9 indicated the presence of narcotics inside the vehicle. With the assistance of North Attleboro and Massachusetts State Police, a court authorized search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of three kilos of cocaine, approximately one pound of marijuana and a loaded semi-automatic firearm stashed inside a sophisticated hydraulically-controlled hidden compartment. Also located in the vehicle were keys to self-storage units at a Woonsocket storage facility.

A Rhode Island court authorized search of two storage units rented by Colon at the Woonsocket storage facility resulted in the seizure of approximately 900 grams of heroin, and various items used in the packaging and distribution of drugs.

A court authorized search of Colon’s residence resulted in the seizure of drug ledgers which contained entries of amounts of money listed next to names, some of which were the names of individuals known to Woonsocket Police as drug dealers in the City of Woonsocket. Law enforcement also seized live ammunition, several small seedling sized marijuana plants and a State of Rhode Island marijuana caregiver card issued to Colon.

Colon has been detained in federal custody since his arrest.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gerard B. Sullivan.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Randy A. Collins, 44, of Scituate, RI, pleaded guilty in federal court in Providence to interstate travel for illicit sexual conduct, admitting to the court that on September 2, 2015, he left his place of employment in Franklin, Mass., during his workday, to meet with and have sexual contact with a person he believed to be a 14-year-old female. The person he had been communicating with online was actually a law enforcement officer assigned to the Rhode Island Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force. Collins was arrested by Rhode Island State Police and Homeland Security Investigations when he arrived at a designated location in Cranston, RI, where he thought he was going to meet with the 14-year-old girl.

Collins’ guilty plea is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police, and Matthew J. Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for New England.

Appearing before U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith on Thursday, Collins admitted to the court that he answered an advertisement posted on Craigslist which he believed had been posted by a 14-year old female seeking to obtain an iPhone6. According to information presented to the court, during the exchange of emails, a Rhode Island State Police Detective posing as the young teenager repeatedly informed Collins that he was communicating with a 14-year-old. Collins acknowledged the information and responded that he was still interested in meeting with her. Collins turned the exchange to a sexual nature and proposed obtaining the iPhone in exchange for sex.

Collins was initially charged on September 4, 2015, by way of a federal criminal complaint and made an initial appearance before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan. Collins was indicted by a federal grand jury on September 30, 2015.

Randy Collins is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith on May 26, 2016.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. McAdams.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Allen Prout, 44, of Providence, was sentenced on Friday to 13 years in federal prison on firearms and robbery conspiracy charges relating to his June 2014 plan to rob a drug dealer and a robbery conspiracy charge relating to his involvement in an armed robbery in September 2012.

On October 29, 2015, Prout pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and being a felon in possession of a firearm in connection with the June 2014 robbery conspiracy. On that same date, Prout pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery in connection with the armed robbery in September 2012. At sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., also ordered Prout to serve 3 years supervised release upon completion of his prison term.

Prout’s sentence is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, West Warwick Police Chief Colonel Richard G. Silva and Daniel J. Kumor, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston field division of ATF.

At the time of his guilty plea, Prout admitted to the court that on June 6, 2014, he and a co-conspirator, Emmett Blyden, 45, of Providence, took possession of firearms they intended to use to rob a drug stash house in Providence. The defendants believed that two kilos of heroin and a substantial amount of cash were being stored at the house. The two men were arrested moments after taking possession of the firearms.

Blyden pleaded guilty on September 22, 2015, to conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery and being a felon in possession of a firearm. He was sentenced on January 5, 2016, to 96 months in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years supervised release.

At the time of his guilty plea, Prout also admitted to the court that he participated in a conspiracy in September 2012 to rob an individual at gun point of money the victim intended to use to purchase a significant quantity of oxycodone pills. According to court records, Prout and a co-defendant, Kiplagatt Stewart, 41, of Providence, posed as drug dealers in order to gain access to the home of the victim. Instead of selling the victim oxycodone pills, Prout and Stewart robbed the victim at gunpoint of approximately $14,000 in cash.

Stewart was sentenced on October 22, 2015, to 84 months in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years supervised release. Stewart pleaded guilty on June 17, 2015, to conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery.

The cases were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Milind M. Shah, with the assistance of First Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch and Assistant U.S. Attorney Adi Goldstein.

Providence Police and Rhode Island State Police assisted West Warwick Police and ATF in the investigation of these matters.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Adam C. Cobb, 47, of Portsmouth, RI, pleaded guilty in federal court in Providence on February 24, 2015, to one count of child pornography. Cobb was arrested in April 2015, following an investigation by agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and members of the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (RI ICAC).

Cobb’s guilty plea is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; Matthew J. Etre, Special Agent in Charge of HSI for New England; and Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police.

According to court documents and information presented to the court, in January 2015, The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reported to the RI ICAC that an individual in Rhode Island uploaded images of child pornography to Tumblr.com. The investigation determined that an Internet address at Adam Cobb’s Portsmouth residence was the address used to upload the images.

On March 5, 2015, ICAC Task Force members and HSI agents, supported by Naval Criminal Investigative Service agents, executed a court-authorized search warrant at Cobb’s Portsmouth residence and seized various digital media, computers and cellular phones. Additionally, the next day, a cell phone was seized from Mr. Cobb by Customs and Border Patrol agents at the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport as Mr. Cobb entered the United States, having traveled from Tokyo, Japan.  

A forensic examination of the digital media seized resulted in the discovery of photos and videos of child pornography depicting two juvenile females. With the assistance of the Baltimore, Maryland Police Department and HSI offices in Baltimore and in London, England, the RI ICAC determined the identity of both females. Investigators determined that both juvenile females were known to Mr. Cobb.

Adam Cobb, who was arrested on April 3, 2015, charged by way of a federal criminal complaint, is detained in federal custody. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 19, 2016, by U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Terrence P. Donnelly.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Samin Chang, 38, of New York, NY, was arraigned in U.S. District Court in Providence, RI, today on charges that he allegedly participated in a conspiracy to house numerous sophisticated indoor marijuana grow operations inside a converted Providence mill building and a Providence residence. In August 2015, federal, state and local law enforcement discovered at least 1,400 marijuana plants in various stages of growth located inside the former mill building and the residence.

Named with seven others in a four-count superseding indictment returned on February 16, 2016, Samin Chang is charged with conspiracy, using and maintaining a drug involved premises, and manufacturing more than 100 marijuana plants. A not guilty plea was entered at Chang’s arraignment before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan, at which time the government alleged that Chang was the leader of the conspiracy.

Chang was arrested in New York City on February 16, 2016, on a federal arrest warrant issued by the U.S. District Court in Rhode Island. He has been detained in federal custody since his arrest.

The superseding indictment and Chang’s arraignment are announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Office of the FBI; Michael Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s New England Field Division; Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police; and Providence Police Chief Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr.

On August 12, 2015, FBI agents, assisted by the DEA, Rhode Island State Police and the Providence Police Department, executed nine court authorized search warrants in and around a former mill building at 725 Branch Avenue in Providence, where it is alleged that law enforcement discovered at least 1,400 marijuana plants in various stages of growth. The grows were located inside numerous, otherwise vacant, apartments and offices inside the converted mill building. A tenth search warrant was executed at a residence at 60 Valley Street in Providence, where law enforcement discovered approximately 100 marijuana plants in various stages of growth. Law enforcement also seized a significant quantity of equipment and supplies allegedly used in the cultivation of marijuana plants.

Also named in the superseding indictment are Richard A. Yang, 36, Ilhwan Cha, 33, Ki T. Kwon, 32, Brian Lee, 28, Zipora Sardjuli, 55, Doddy Sambuaga, 45, and Irwan Anwar, 53, all of New York, NY.

While executing the court authorized search warrants inside the converted mill building, law enforcement seized a .22 caliber firearm and ammunition. The owner of the building, William L. Ricci, 69, of Providence, was charged by way of a criminal complaint with being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to a plea agreement filed with the court, Ricci has agreed to plead guilty to a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. A change-of-plea hearing has been scheduled for March 11, 2016.

The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William J. Ferland.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Jason D. Boudreau, 41, of Woonsocket, was arraigned on Monday in U.S. District Court in Providence on a 33-count federal indictment charging him with 33 counts of allegedly accessing with intent to view child pornography. A federal grand jury returned the indictment on February 16, 2016.

Boudreau has been detained in federal custody since his arrest and initial appearance before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond on December 29, 2015, on a federal criminal complaint issued in this matter.

Boudreau’s indictment and arraignment is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police; Matthew J. Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for New England; and Woonsocket Acting Police Chief Captain Michael R. Lemoine.

According to court documents, it is alleged that between August 16 and October 9, 2015, Boudreau digitally accessed more than 750 images of alleged child pornography with the intent to view.

An indictment is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

According to court documents and information presented to the court, Boudreau was convicted in Rhode Island state court in March 2012 for 2nd degree child molestation and in January 2014 for possession of child pornography. At the time of sentencing for possession of child pornography, Boudreau was ordered to register as a sex offender.

Accessing child pornography is punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison, with a maximum of 20 years imprisonment.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard W. Rose.

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

Homeland Security Investigations agents were assisted by members of the Branford, Conn., police department at the time the defendant was located and arrested in Connecticut on December 29, 2015.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Joshua T. Robinson, 36, of Colchester, Conn., pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Providence, RI, to interstate travel to engage in illicit sexual conduct, admitting to the court that he traveled from his home to Cranston, RI, expecting to meet with and engage in sexual relations with a 14-year old girl.

Robinson’s guilty plea on February 18, 2016, is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police.

According to court documents and information presented to the court, beginning in late August 2015, Robinson engaged in a series of emails with a person he believed to be a 14-year old girl in Rhode Island. Over the next several days, with each additional email, Robinson’s comments to the teenager became increasingly sexually explicit. He requested and arranged to meet with the teenager to engage in sexual activity.

However, the person purporting in the emails to be the 14-year old girl was, in fact, members of the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. On September 4, 2015, Robinson was arrested in Cranston, RI, by members of the ICAC Task Force when he arrived at a location where he believed he was going to meet with the teenager.

Robinson is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., on May 12, 2016. Travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct is punishable by statutory penalties of up to 30 years in federal prison and lifetime supervised release.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. McAdams.

The matter was investigated by federal, state and local law enforcement agents and officers assigned to the Rhode Island State Police ICAC Task Force.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Lisa M. McManaman, 47, of Providence, a former registered nurse in the intensive care unit of the Providence VA Medical Center, pleaded guilty on Friday to stealing prescription drugs from the VA Medical Center and to failing to disclose on her employment application with the VA that she was previously terminated from a similar position at another hospital in Rhode Island.

Appearing Friday before U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith, McManaman pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government property and one count of false statements. McManaman’s guilty plea is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; Jeffrey Hughes, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Field Office‎; and Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England Field Division.

At the time of her guilty plea, McManaman admitted to the court that on dozens of occasions between May 2015 and October 2015, she used an override feature of an automated medication dispensing system (AMDS) to obtain controlled substance pills, including but not limited to oxycodone and morphine, that were not prescribed for nor provided to patients. According to court records, in the month of September 2015 alone, McManaman used the override feature of the AMDS 19 times and removed approximately 240 controlled substance pills that were not prescribed by a physician and that were not administered to patients.

Additionally, McManaman admitted to the court that in March 2014, she provided false information on her job application for employment at the Providence VA Medical Center when she stated that she had not been terminated from any employment within the previous 5 years. An investigation revealed that in November 2013, McManaman had been fired from her previous job as a nurse in the intensive care unit of a hospital in Rhode Island.

McManaman is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith on May 13, 2016.

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

The matter was investigated by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, and the DEA.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Vaughn Watrous, 39, of Providence, was sentenced on Thursday to 92 months in federal prison for robbing four banks in four days in February 2013.

At sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., also ordered Watrous to serve one year of supervised release upon completion of his prison term and to pay restitution totaling $4,850 dollars to the banks he admitted to robbing. Watrous pleaded guilty on October 16, 2015 to four counts of bank robbery.

Watrous’ sentence is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, Cranston Police Chief Colonel Michael J. Winquist, Providence Police Chief Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr., and Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Office of the FBI.

At the time of his guilty plea, Watrous admitted to the court that on consecutive dates beginning on February 11, 2013, he robbed Sovereign Bank branch offices on North Main Street in Providence, Atwells Avenue in Providence, and on Reservoir Avenue in Cranston. He also admitted that on February 14, 2013, he robbed a Citizens Bank branch office located inside a supermarket on Garfield Avenue in Cranston.

In each instance, Watrous passed a note to a bank teller announcing the robbery, demanding large bills and instructing tellers not to trigger the bank alarm. Cranston police officers responding to the robbery of the Citizens Bank branch office observed the defendant in the vicinity of the bank and detained him. As they did, a large pile of cash fell to the ground. Additionally, officers recovered $690 hidden inside Watrous’ left shoe and $320 from his pockets.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. McAdams, with the assistance of Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee H. Vilker.

The robberies were investigated by officers and detectives from the Cranston and Providence Police Departments, with the assistance of agents from the FBI.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Keith Sampson, 37, of South Easton, Mass., a former dance instructor in Rhode Island, was sentenced today to 60 months in federal prison for traveling interstate to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a 15-year-old female he instructed at a Rhode Island dance studio. Sampson recently completed a seven-and-one-half year state prison term in Massachusetts in this and other criminal matters.

At sentencing, U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith also ordered Sampson to serve 10 years supervised release upon completion of his federal prison term, during which time he will be prohibited from being in the company without supervision of anyone under the age of 18. Additionally, Sampson must register as a sex offender.

Sampson pleaded guilty on November 10, 2015, to traveling interstate to engage in illicit sexual conduct.

Sampson’s federal sentence is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Office of the FBI.

At the time of his guilty plea in federal court, Sampson admitted to the court that on December 29, 2007, the 15-year-old victim had been left in his care by her mother, on the pretense that the teenager would be spending the night at Sampson's Providence residence in the company of his wife and child. Instead, Sampson admitted that he drove the victim to the home of a relative in Easton, Mass., where he provided the victim with alcohol and then sexually assaulted her.

According to court documents and information presented to the court, the assault occurred while Sampson was awaiting trial in Massachusetts state court in an unrelated matter on two counts of statutory rape of a child. In that case, on January 10, 2008, a jury convicted Sampson of one count of statutory rape. He was sentenced to serve not less than four and not more than seven years imprisonment in Massachusetts state prison.

Additionally, based on the December 29, 2007, assault of his dance studio student, Sampson was indicted and charged in Massachusetts state court with rape of a child with force and providing liquor to a person under 21. He pleaded guilty on November 14, 2011, and was sentenced to not less than two-and-a-half and not more than three years imprisonment, to be served consecutive to the sentence he received as a result of his January 2008 conviction.

This case was prosecuted in federal court by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary A. Cunha and Richard W. Rose.

The matter was investigated by the FBI, with the assistance of the Warwick, Rhode Island, and Easton, Massachusetts, Police Departments.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Two individuals are scheduled to be sentenced in U.S. District Court in Providence on May 3, 2016, having pleaded guilty this week to bank robbery charges, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha.

On Tuesday, Trevor Krous Gaskell, 35, of Warren, appeared before U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., and pleaded guilty to two counts of bank robbery. Gaskell admitted to the court that on January 17, 2013, he robbed a branch office of Washington Trust Bank in Cranston of $4,995, and that on April 29, 2013, he robbed a branch office of Bank of Newport in Warren of between $2,000 and $3,000. In both instances, Gaskell admitted to the court that he handed bank tellers notes demanding cash, instructing them not to include dye packs or GPS trackers with the cash. No weapon was shown.

According to information presented to the court, Gaskell was previously convicted in Massachusetts state court of robbing a bank in Swansea on January 11, 2013.

In a separate matter, appearing today before U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., Dennis Wilson, 44, of Waterbury, CT., pleaded guilty to one count of armed bank robbery. Wilson admitted to the court that on January 25, 2010, he robbed the Wave Federal Credit Union in Warwick of $16,126.50, while brandishing a firearm. According to information presented to the court, Wilson later admitted to FBI agents that he brandished a BB gun during the robbery.

According to information presented to the court, Wilson was previously convicted of robbing banks in New York and Connecticut.

Both men are detained in federal custody. 

The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gerard B. Sullivan.

The bank robberies committed by Trevor Krous Gaskell were investigated by the FBI, and the Cranston and Warren Police Departments. The bank robbery committed by Dennis Wilson was investigated by the FBI and the Warwick Police Department.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Steven F. Pagliarini, 57, Executive Vice-President and Treasurer of Central Landscaping Construction Company, located in Johnston, R.I., and Executive Vice-President of Central Nurseries, Inc., located in Chepachet and Johnston, R.I., pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Providence today to charges that he orchestrated a scheme in which Central Landscaping avoided paying contractually obligated union benefits for employees of two unions who worked on federally-funded projects.

In addition, Pagliarini pleaded guilty to charges that he provided false information to the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training (RIDLT) regarding the employment status of some of his Central Nursery employees. Based on the information provided to RIDLT, the employees were paid unemployment compensation they were not entitled to receive.

Pagliarini pleaded guilty to three counts of falsification of documents and one count of wire fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced on April 15, 2016.

Pagliarini’s guilty plea is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; Cheryl Garcia, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Office of Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigation, New York Region; Susan A. Hensley, Regional Director, U.S. Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration; Todd Damiani, Special Agent in Charge of Region One U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General; Christina D. Scaringi, Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Region of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General; and Scott Jensen, Director of RIDLT.

Appearing before U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith, Pagliarini admitted to the court that at various times, between January 2007 and December 2010, he submitted false documents to union welfare and pension plan administrators of two unions that represent construction equipment operators and other employees of Central Landscaping. The documents did not accurately reflect the actual number of hours worked by some employees and the actual amount of wages paid to those employees.

The employees worked on federally-funded projects at the Hartford Park Project in Providence and the I-195 Relocation Project.

Pagliarini also admitted to the court that in a separate scheme, in order to avoid paying wages to some employees between November 2009 through April 2010, he falsely reported to the RIDLT that the employees of Central Nurseries had been laid-off because of a lack of work. Pagliarini admitted to the court that he required the employees to work part-time and he did not pay them. Based on documents filed with RIDLT, employees were paid a total of $68,487 in unemployment compensation.

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

The matter was investigated by the United States Attorney’s Office; U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Office of Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigation; U.S. Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration; U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General; U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General; and the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A federal grand jury in Providence, R.I., returned a 26-count indictment on Tuesday charging Nimon Naphaeng, 34, a native and citizen of Thailand, who currently resides in Wakefield, R.I., with allegedly running an immigration fraud scheme which allegedly included the filing of false asylum applications on behalf of individuals who did not request nor authorize the applications.

The indictment is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Matthew J. Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations for New England.

According to the indictment and information presented to the court, it is alleged that between January 2014 and December 2015, Naphaeng advertised on the Internet and in flyers posted at various businesses that he could assist Thai nationals with obtaining an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card, and, as a result, further government benefits such as a social security number, a driver’s license and, if they qualify, other financial benefits. It is alleged that Naphaeng, without the consent of the applicants, used personal information they provided to him to secure an EAD card to instead file asylum applications in their names. It is alleged that the applicants did not know that Naphaeng was filing asylum claims in order to secure EAD cards.

In order to qualify for asylum, an applicant must establish that they cannot return to their native country based upon persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. The applicant must personally sign the application and swear under penalty of perjury that the information is true and correct. An initial asylum application grants the applicant certain benefits while their application is pending, including the issuance of an EAD card. 

Nationwide, Thai nationals historically file less than 20 asylum applications each year. According to information presented to the court, this investigation began in January 2015, when immigration officials observed a surge of citizens from Thailand submitting asylum applications. A significant number of the applications allegedly shared the defendant’s home or work address. It is alleged that a review of more than 260 of these asylum applications contained virtually identical asylum claims, factual scenarios and supporting documents.

The indictment returned on Tuesday charges Nimon Naphaeng with seven counts of mail fraud, eight counts of visa fraud, ten counts of aggravated identity theft and one count of international money laundering. The government is also seeking the forfeiture of $279,550 seized from Naphaeng, monies allegedly realized by Naphaeng in the execution of the scheme.

An indictment is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Naphaeng, who was arrested on a criminal complaint on December 22, 2105, is detained in federal custody. A federal arrest warrant was obtained based on information developed by agents investigating this matter that Naphaeng was allegedly planning to leave the United States.

The matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, with substantial assistance from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services - Fraud Detection National Security Asylum Office, Newark, N.J., and the Warwick, R.I., Police Department.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Richard W. Rose and Mary E. Rogers.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – James Feijo, 68, owner and operator of Daniel Chapter One, a Portsmouth, R.I., based company, was sentenced yesterday to 6 months in federal prison to be followed by 6 months home confinement for marketing and selling products not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and failing to pay more than $218,000 in employment taxes due the IRS, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, George M. Karavetsos, Director, FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations, and Kristina O’Connell, Acting Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation.

At sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., also ordered Feijo to serve 3 years supervised release and to pay restitution in the amount of $218,408.04 owed to the IRS. Feijo pleaded guilty on September 11, 2015, to introduction of a new unapproved drug and tax evasion.

“People facing difficult, even life-threatening, health challenges are often susceptible to the kinds of deceptive schemes cooked up by the defendant here,” said United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha. “Whether in this context or in others, those who prey on the hopes and fears of the most vulnerable deserve the full attention of law enforcement.  A stretch in federal prison is more than appropriate for this defendant. The people who relied on his greed-motivated, baseless claims of ‘cure’ deserved much better.”

“The FDA’s drug approval process ensures that patients receive safe and effective medications,” said George M. Karavetsos, Director, FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations. “When criminals evade the FDA process and sell their non-FDA approved products to our most vulnerable consumers, we will take action to protect the public’s health.”

At the time of his guilty plea, Feijo admitted to the court that he engaged in the marketing, sale and distribution of unapproved cancer treatment health products and supplements which were not generally recognized as safe and effective for use by the FDA. Additionally, the products, as marketed, were not generally recognized as safe and effective by qualified experts for the cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of cancer. The products were marketed and sold through various websites, in-store advertisements, a call center, on Feijos’ daily radio program, and through the use of promotional materials and publications.

In addition, at the time of his guilty plea, Feijo admitted to the court that from 2006 through 2011, he falsely represented to Daniel Chapter One employees that they were independent contractors, when in truth they were employees of Daniel Chapter One. During that time, Feijo failed to issue IRS Wage and Tax Statements accounting for employees’ wages and taxes withheld. Feijo admitted that Daniel Chapter One employees were paid by checks written out to cash, and that for at least sixteen quarters he failed to collect, account for and pay over employment taxes due the IRS totaling $218,408.04.

“Business owners like Mr. Feijo have an important responsibility to collect and turn over all withholding taxes,” said Kristina O’Connell, IRS Criminal Investigation Acting Special Agent in Charge. “Those who fail to do so gain a competitive advantage which will not be tolerated.  Employment tax fraud also impacts employees, who may see future benefits such as Social Security reduced because their employer did not comply with the law."

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Terrence P. Donnelly.

The matter was investigated by the Rhode Island FDA Task Force and IRS Criminal Investigation. 

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Ronald R. Gendron, an Assistant Attorney General with the Rhode Island Department of the Attorney General since 1991, has been appointed by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha to the position of Assistant United States Attorney.

During his twenty-five year career as a state prosecutor, Mr. Gendron served in numerous capacities, including Chief of the White Collar and Public Corruption Unit and Chief of the Firearms Unit. He prosecuted a wide variety of criminal cases, including firearms, narcotics, organized crime, gang-related, financial, public corruption and computer/Internet crimes.

Additionally, while serving as a state prosecutor, Mr. Gendron was cross-designated a Special Assistant United States Attorney, and prosecuted federal technology–facilitated crimes against children under Project Safe Childhood. Mr. Gendron was also a liaison between the Attorney General’s Office and the United States Attorney’s Office for the implementation of Project Safe Neighborhoods.

United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha commented, “I am immensely pleased to welcome Ron Gendron to the United States Attorney’s Office.  He has dedicated his life to public service, performing superbly and honorably during his many years as a state prosecutor.  His experience and talent, and unquestioned integrity, will continue to serve the people of Rhode Island exceptionally well as a member of this office.”

Mr. Gendron graduated magna cum laude from Boston College. He earned his Juris Doctor at Villanova University School of Law. He served as a Judicial Law Clerk at the Rhode Island Supreme Court for the Honorable Thomas F. Kelleher, Senior Associate Justice.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A federal court jury in Providence today convicted Jose Ignacio Goris, 41, of Providence, of attempting to possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. Goris was arrested on August 14, 2014, moments after he took custody of what he believed to be a kilogram of cocaine supplied to him at his request by a person he believed to be a drug trafficker. The purported drug trafficker was a DEA Task Force agent. The package was made to appear as if it contained a kilo of cocaine.

Goris’ conviction is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England Field Division.

According to the government’s evidence presented at trial, beginning in early May 2014, Goris and two undercover agents who were posing as large-scale cocaine suppliers engaged in a series of electronically recorded telephone conversations and meetings. Goris repeatedly represented to the agents that he had previously engaged in distributing large quantities of cocaine and that he was anxious to return to “work” trafficking cocaine.

On the afternoon of August 14, 2014, Goris and one of the agents met in a mall parking lot in Warwick, at which time Goris was shown what he believed to be two kilos of cocaine. The look-alike cocaine packages were hidden inside a secret compartment of the undercover agent’s vehicle. After examining the packages, Goris told the agent that he was leaving to get funds to purchase a kilo of the cocaine.

Later that day, Goris and the agent met inside a Cranston retail store and negotiated terms for the sale of the kilo of cocaine. After they reached agreement, the agent directed Goris to a vehicle in the store parking lot which he told Goris contained a bag with a kilo of cocaine. Goris was arrested by members of the Drug Task Force moments after he retrieved and took possession of the bag from the vehicle. Inside the bag was a package made to appear as if it was a kilo of cocaine.

Goris, who has been held in federal custody since his arrest, will be sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., on a date to be scheduled by the court.

According to court records, Goris was previously convicted in federal court on drug trafficking charges.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul F. Daly, Jr.

The Rhode Island DEA Drug Task Force is comprised of agents and law enforcement officers from the DEA, ATF, IRS, Homeland Security Investigations, Rhode Island State Police, and Cranston, East Providence, Pawtucket, Providence, Newport, South Kingstown, Warwick, West Warwick and Woonsocket Police Departments.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Luz Ramirez, 28, and Ralph Quinones, 38, of Central Falls, were sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 60 months in federal prison for conspiring to traffic crack cocaine, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Office of the FBI.

At sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., also ordered Ramirez and Quinones to serve 4 years supervised release upon completion of their prison terms. Ramirez pleaded guilty on August 12, 2015, and Quinones pleaded guilty on September 3, 2015, to conspiracy to distribute 28 grams or more of crack cocaine.

According to court documents and information presented to the court, in August 2014, as part of an ongoing investigation by the FBI into the trafficking of crack cocaine in Rhode Island, an individual assisting FBI agents arranged for the purchase of crack cocaine from Ralph Quinones. On August 15, 2014, the individual purchased 10.17 grams of crack cocaine from Quinones. On August 21, 2014, the individual purchased 11.67 grams of crack cocaine from Quinones.

According to information presented to the court, Quinones was arrested and detained on September 8, 2015, on an unrelated disorderly conduct charge. Later that same day, after speaking with Quinones by telephone from the ACI, Luz Ramirez contacted the individual who Quinones had sold crack cocaine to on August 15 and August 21, and told the individual that she would be taking care of Quinones’ customers. On September 9 Ramirez sold the individual 25.2 grams of crack cocaine. On October 8 Ramirez sold the individual 8.31 grams of crack cocaine.

Luz Ramirez and Ralph Quinones were arrested on March 6, 2015, and detained in federal custody.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ly T. Chin.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. In Rhode Island, the Sex Trafficking Law Enforcement Task Force, comprised of local and state law enforcement, agents from Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI, and prosecutors from the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office and the United States Attorney’s Office, continue to be laser-focused working together as “one voice” on “one mission” to investigate, arrest and prosecute sex traffickers and sex buyers, and to rescue as many victims as possible who have become ensnarled in webs weaved by sex traffickers.

Human trafficking is the world's fastest growing criminal enterprise, valued to be an estimated $32 billion-a-year global industry. After drug trafficking, human trafficking is the world's second most profitable criminal enterprise, a status it shares with illegal arms trafficking. Sex trafficking can and does take place in every community, no matter the cultural make up, the affluence, or the location of a community.  No community is immune from being affected by the exploitation of human beings for commercial sexual activity.

Nationally, for the 5th year, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Blue Campaign is raising public awareness about human trafficking, and, among other things, the commitment of law enforcement on every level to, as the campaign stresses, to work as “One Voice. One Mission. End Human Trafficking.”

The Blue Campaign also offers training to law enforcement and others to increase detection and investigation of human trafficking, and to protect victims and bring suspected traffickers to justice.

Over the past two years in Rhode Island, at least 30 individuals have been charged with sex trafficking crimes by prosecutors from the United States Attorney’s Office and the Attorney General’s Office. Most sex trafficking cases are jointly reviewed by prosecutors from both offices to determine appropriate charges, appropriate jurisdiction and in which court appropriate penalties are likely to be realized. Several prosecutors from each office have been cross-designated, allowing them to work side-by-side to prosecute sex trafficking cases either in state or federal court.

For example, in 2014, local, state and federal law enforcement from two states worked collaboratively to successfully locate and rescue a 17-year-old Boston area woman who was enticed to leave her residence and who was brought to a Rhode Island motel by a Missouri man, for the purposes of being offered for commercial sexual activity. The Missouri man is now serving a 14-year sentence in federal prison.

In June 2015, a Superior Court jury found a Boston man guilty of two counts of sex trafficking a minor for forcing a 14-year-girl to dance and solicit men for sex at a Providence strip club, as well as posting an ad for her as an escort on adult websites. Working in concert with one another, law enforcement from Rhode Island and Massachusetts found a second girl in a motel in Seekonk.  Law enforcement was able to successfully rescue both teenagers and arrest the defendant, who had been previously been convicted of sexual assault and interstate transportation of a minor for prostitution. The defendant, who is awaiting sentencing, is facing a maximum of 91 years in state prison.

In addition, members of the Sex Trafficking Law Enforcement Task Force have worked closely with Day One in Providence, the Aubin Center at Hasbro Children’s Hospital, DCYF, the Rhode Island Public Defender’s Office and the Rhode Island Police Chiefs’ Association to develop a uniform response protocol intended to serve as a guide and resource to assist in detecting and investigating the commercial sexual exploitation of children, successfully prosecuting those who engage in this conduct, and addressing the recovery needs of the victims of this crime.

“Make no mistake about it:  the depraved individuals who enslave others for the commercial sex industry are more than mere criminals.  They are kidnappers, torturers and rapists.  To effectively end sex trafficking, it requires cooperation among local, state, national law enforcement agencies,” said Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin.  “The partnership by law enforcement through the Rhode Island Sex Trafficking Task Force has shown that by working together, we can successfully combat this new form of slavery and put the traffickers out of business.”

United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha commented, “Commercial sex traffickers trade in, and make money on, the vulnerability of their teenage and young adult victims.  Few, if any, crimes are more outrageous or harmful to their victims, and those who engage in this conduct deserve the full attention of our joint law enforcement efforts.  Those on the other side of these criminal transactions – the sex buyers – should also take notice, for they are an equal part of the problem, and they too will have a price to pay as we move forward with these cases.”

“U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is committed to combating human trafficking in Rhode Island and beyond through close coordination with our federal, state and local partners,” said Special Agent in Charge Matthew Etre, of HSI Boston. “It is through information sharing mechanisms, such as the RI Sex Trafficking Law Enforcement Task Force, that we are able to combine our strengths, exchange best practices and provide a whole of government response to fighting these heinous crimes and getting the victims the support and resources that they need to recover.”

Commenting on behalf of local and state law enforcement across the state, Lincoln Police Chief Brian W. Sullivan, President of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs’ Association said, “In Rhode Island, when investigating Human Trafficking crimes, the emphasis that has been placed on creating a multi-agency, collaborative investigation has been critical in the removal of barriers. This partnership demonstrates the commitment of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to combating this crime.”

“Human trafficking has become a profitable business for criminals of all kinds to fund and advance their enterprises. Equally disturbing, victims of this trafficking are often beaten, starved, and forced to work in the sex industry or as domestic servants with little to no pay.  People believe this could never happen here in Rhode Island—but it does,” said Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Division.  “As part of this task force, the FBI will continue to dedicate resources to disrupt these trafficking networks, all in an effort to help victims of these heinous crimes, and stem this egregious criminal activity.”

Click here to view the “Out of the Shadows” public service announcement designed to enhance awareness of human trafficking and encourage the public to educate themselves about how to recognize and report human trafficking.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Joan Manuel Mustafa, 28, of Providence, was sentenced today to 24 months in federal prison for his role in a conspiracy to steal U.S. Treasury checks from the U.S. mail, and either sell them on the street or deposit them in bank accounts opened with stolen or fraudulent personal information. The bank funds were then withdrawn or used to make retail purchases with the use of debit cards.

At sentencing, Mustafa was also ordered to serve 2 years supervised release upon completion of his prison term, and to perform 100 hours of community service. Mustafa pleaded guilty on October 21, 2015, to one count each of conspiracy, theft of mail and theft of public money or property.

Mustafa’s sentence, imposed by U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith, is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, Providence Police Chief Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr. and Eileen Neff, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, Northeast Area Field Office.

A co-defendant in this matter, Erick Vera-Garzon, 36, of Providence, was sentenced last month to 36 months in federal prison. Vera-Garzon pleaded guilty on September 23, 2015, to conspiracy, theft of mail and theft of public money or property.

An investigation by the Providence Police Department Intelligence and Organized Crime Unit and the United States Postal Service (USPS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) resulted in the seizure of approximately $1.6 million dollars worth of stolen U.S. Treasury checks, several dozen stolen gift cards, and more than $165,000 in cash gained as a result of the sale of stolen checks and gift cards.

According to court documents and information presented to the court, in September 2014, USPS-OIG agents began investigating the disappearance of U.S. Treasury checks addressed to individuals in Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts. The missing checks were handled by employees at the U.S. Mail Providence Processing and Distribution Center.  At the same time, independent of the USPS-OIG investigation, a Providence Police Department detective developed information that Vera-Garzon was selling stolen U.S. Treasury checks at 20% of face value to buyers on the streets of Rhode Island and New York. The investigation determined that many of the stolen checks were deposited in bank accounts that had been opened in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New York in the names of some of the individuals whose checks had gone missing. The funds were then drawn down by cash withdrawals from ATMs, the purchase of goods and services, and the purchase of money orders.

Based on the information developed by the Providence Police Department Intelligence and Organized Crime Unit, court authorized search warrants were obtained and executed at Mustafa and Vera-Garzon’s residences on April 16, 2015. Law enforcement seized more than 900 stolen U.S. Treasury checks valued at approximately $1.6 million dollars, several dozen gift cards and more than $53,000 in cash. Vera-Garzon and Mustafa were arrested on April 16, 2015.

The cases were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gerard B. Sullivan and Richard W. Rose.

Agents from the Veterans Administration Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Treasury Office of Inspector General assisted agents from the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General and detectives from the Providence Police Intelligence and Organized Crime Unit in the investigation of this matter.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. –  Rony Metellus, 52, of Providence, was sentenced on Wednesday to 42 months in federal prison for setting fire to an occupied three family tenement building he owned, in an arson-for profit scheme and insurance fraud scheme, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin, Providence Public Safety Commissioner Steven M. Paré and Daniel J. Kumor, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division of ATF. 

At sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., also ordered Metellus to serve 3 years supervised release upon completion of his prison term. Metellus pleaded guilty on August 3, 2015, to one count of defrauding an insurance company – wire fraud.

According to court records and information presented to the court, an investigation by the Providence Fire Department Arson Squad, the Providence Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with the assistance of the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office, determined that an early morning fire on July 23, 2014, to an occupied three family tenement at 346 Admiral Street in Providence was intentionally set. The investigation determined that the building’s owner, Rony Metellus, intentionally set fire to the building in a scheme to collect insurance payments.

At the time of the fire, three adults and three children were living in a first floor apartment. The second and third floors, including the apartment where the fire was intentionally set, were vacant. The building sustained significant damage.

At the time of his guilty plea, Metellus admitted to the court that he drove from his Providence home at approximately 3:30 a.m. on the morning on July 23, 2014, set fire to the Admiral Street building, and quickly returned home as Providence fire apparatus were responding to the fire. Metellus admitted that he hired a public adjuster to represent him in filing an insurance claim for damages to the burned building. Records indicate a claim was filed with the insurer, Lloyd’s of London.

Metellus has been detained in federal custody since his arrest on August 8, 2014.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William J. Ferland, with the assistance of Assistant U.S. Attorney Milind M. Shah.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Christopher Jeffrey Monroe, 29, of no permanent address, was sentenced on Wednesday to 24 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Newport Police Chief Gary T. Silva.

At sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., also ordered Monroe to serve 3 years supervised release upon completion of his prison term. Monroe pleaded guilty on September 25, 2015, to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents and information presented to the court, on April 27, 2015, Newport Police Department officers developed information that Monroe, who was wanted on an active state arrest warrant, was staying in a room at a Newport motel. While officers were knocking on the door of the room they believed Monroe was occupying, they heard a window being opened. Officers observed Monroe leap from the window. Monroe was detained following a brief foot chase. The officers discovered a loaded semi-automatic handgun in Monroe’s pocket.

According to court records and information presented to the court, Monroe had previously been convicted of felony crimes, including assault.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sandra R. Hebert.

ATF assisted Newport Police in the investigation of this matter.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Emmett Blyden, 45, was sentenced on Tuesday to 96 months in federal prison for his role in a conspiracy to commit an armed home invasion and drug-rip at a Providence residence in June 2014, where he, and a co-defendant, Allen Prout, 44, of Providence, were expecting to find and steal two kilos of heroin and a substantial amount of cash. Blyden and Prout were arrested on June 6, 2014, moments after each took possession of firearms they intended to use to commit the armed home invasion and robbery.

At sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., also ordered Blyden to serve 3 years supervised release upon completion of his prison term. Blyden pleaded guilty on September 22, 2015, to robbery conspiracy and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Blyden’s sentence is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Daniel J. Kumor, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Allen Prout, who pleaded guilty on October 29, 2015, to robbery conspiracy, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and being a felon in possession of a firearm, is scheduled to be sentenced on February 2, 2016.

According to court documents and information presented to the court, in June 2014, Prout contacted an individual known to ATF agents, seeking assistance in setting up a robbery and inquiring as to the availability of firearms to be used during the robbery. Working at the direction of ATF, the individual met with Prout on June 2, 2014, to discuss robbing a fictitious stash house in Providence. Prout was told that two kilos of heroin and a large amount of cash were being stored at the residence. After having additional conversations via telephone and text messages over the next few days, Prout arranged to meet with the individual on June 6, 2014, to finalize plans for the home invasion and robbery, and to obtain firearms to be used during the crime. Blyden accompanied Prout to the meeting.

According to information presented to the court, Blyden attended the meeting knowing that it was to plan an armed home invasion and robbery. During the meeting, Blyden and Prout were told that up to five individuals would be inside the residence and that some or all may be armed.  Prior to taking possession of a firearm, Blyden insisted on putting on a pair of gloves.

Shortly after Blyden and Prout each took possession of a firearm, ATF agents entered the residence and arrested the two men. The firearms had been rendered inoperable by ATF agents prior to being delivered to Blyden and Prout.

According to court records, Emmett Blyden’s prior felony record includes at least three drug trafficking convictions. Allen Prout was previously convicted on felony assault and larceny charges.

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

The Providence Police Department SWAT Team assisted ATF agents in the arrest of the defendants.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Steven F. Pagliarini, 57, Executive Vice-President and Treasurer of Central Landscaping Construction Company, located in Johnston, R.I., and Executive Vice-President of Central Nurseries, Inc., located in Chepachet and Johnston, R.I., has agreed to plead guilty in federal court to charges that he allegedly orchestrated a scheme in which Central Landscaping avoided paying contractually obligated union benefits for employees of two unions who worked on federally-funded projects, by paying a portion of the employees’ wages through Central Nursery, a non-union company.

In addition, Pagliarini has agreed to plead guilty to allegedly providing false information to the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training (RIDLT) regarding the employment status of some of his Central Nursery employees. Based on the information allegedly provided to RIDLT, the employees were paid unemployment compensation they would not have been paid had accurate information regarding the employees’ employment status been provided.

According to an information and plea agreement filed in U.S. District Court in Providence, Pagliarini will plead guilty to three counts of falsification of documents and one count of wire fraud. Pagliarini is scheduled to be arraigned on Thursday.

The filing of the information and plea agreement is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; Cheryl Garcia, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Region of the U.S. Department of Labor - Office of Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigations; Susan A. Hensley, Regional Director, U.S. Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration; Todd Damiani, Special Agent in Charge of Region One U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General; Christina D. Scaringi, Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Region of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General; and Scott Jensen, Director of RIDLT.

According to court documents, it is alleged that at various times, between January 2007 and December 2010, Pagliarini submitted false documents to union welfare and pension plan administrators of two unions that represent construction equipment operators and other employees of Central Landscaping. It is alleged that the documents did not accurately reflect the actual number of hours worked by some employees and the actual amount of wages paid to those employees.

The employees worked on federally-funded projects at the Hartford Park Project in Providence and the I-195 Relocation Project.

It is also alleged in court documents that in order to avoid paying wages to some employees between November 2009 through April 2010, Pagliarini devised a scheme in which he reported to the RIDLT that the employees of Central Nurseries had been laid-off because of a lack of work. It is alleged that, in fact, Pagliarini required the employees to work part-time. Pagliarini did not pay the employees. Instead, RIDLT paid the employees a total of $68,487 in unemployment compensation.

An information is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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

The matter was investigated by the United States Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Department of Labor - Office of Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigations, U.S. Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General, and the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Leon F. Tejada, 50, of Providence, operator of El Centro Multiservicios, LLC, a tax preparation service in Providence, pleaded guilty today to federal tax fraud and wire fraud charges, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and William P. Offord, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation.

Appearing before U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith, Tejada admitted to the court that during tax years 2009 through 2012, without the knowledge of his clients, he created and falsified clients’ dependents, exemptions, tax credits, deductions and expenses in order to increase the amount of tax refund due to some of his clients. An investigation by agents from IRS Criminal Investigation and by the United States Attorney’s Office determined that the tax fraud scheme resulted in a loss to the United States of $54,440.

Tejada admitted to the court that he also devised a scheme to divert some of his clients’ tax refunds through a bank clearing house, at which time, without the knowledge of his clients, a portion of the funds were diverted into his own bank account for his own personal use. The investigation determined that Tejada diverted $24,987 into his own bank account.

Tejada, who is released on unsecured bond, is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith on March 10, 2016.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard W. Rose.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Kinmonte Markell Brown, 28, and Dennis Wells, 24, of Greenville, North Carolina, were sentenced in U.S. District Court in Providence today for trafficking more than a dozen firearms from North Carolina into Providence between November 2014 and January 2015.

Kinmonte Brown was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison, and Dennis Wells was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison. Both defendants have also been ordered to serve 3 years supervised release upon completion of their prison terms. Brown and Wells pleaded guilty on September 18, 2015, to conspiracy to deal firearms without a license, dealing firearms without a license, being felons in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.

The sentences, imposed by U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith, are announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin, Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s New England Field Division, Daniel J. Kumor, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division of ATF, and Providence Police Chief Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr.

Information that led to the arrest of Brown and Wells in February 2015, and the interruption of the flow of  firearms from North Carolina to an apartment in the Hartford Park neighborhood was developed as a result of the Rhode Island Urban Violent Crime Initiative - a wide-ranging collaboration of local, state and federal law enforcement, and federal and state prosecutors who are targeting violent crime and violent criminals in urban neighborhoods of Rhode Island.

In late 2013, the Initiative began targeting the distribution of heroin and crack cocaine in Providence, and the importation of firearms onto the streets of Providence. Simultaneously, and in close coordination, the FBI’s Safe Street Task Force and Providence Police began targeting gang members and associates engaged in violent crime, including gun crimes, in Providence.

Information gathered during these investigations led to a separate investigation by DEA, ATF, Providence Police, and state and federal prosecutors, which resulted in the interruption of the flow of illegal firearms into Providence from Greenville, North Carolina, and the arrest of Kinmonte Brown and Dennis Wells.

According to information presented to the court, beginning in late November 2014, and continuing through January 2015, a person working at the direction of DEA began a series of negotiations with Brown and Wells for a shipment and purchase of illegal firearms. The ongoing negotiations led to a series of sales and the delivery of a total of 15 illegal firearms and ammunition shipped from North Carolina to Providence by Brown and Wells. Each time firearms were delivered they were quickly secured by law enforcement.

On January 31, 2015, as previously arranged by a person working at the direction of DEA, Brown and Wells drove to Rhode Island from North Carolina to sell and deliver seven firearms, including a .357 magnum revolver with an obliterated serial number, a .38 caliber handgun and several shotguns and rifles. Browns and Wells were detained moments after they delivered the firearms.

The case was prosecuted in federal court by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul F. Daly, Jr. and Joseph J. McBurney, Special Assistant R.I. Attorney General.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Jessica Garrett, 32, and John Baker, 39, of Wiggins, Colo., have been sentenced to federal prison for being felons in possession of a firearm. The couple, previously convicted of felony crimes, was arrested by Central Falls, R.I., police in May 2015, after an investigation resulted in the seizure of a loaded semi-automatic assault rifle from a truck the couple was traveling in.

Jessica Garrett was sentenced yesterday to 36 months in federal prison. Baker was sentenced today to 46 months in federal prison. Garrett and Baker were also ordered to serve 3 years supervised release upon completion of their prison terms. Garrett and Baker pleaded guilty in September to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

The sentences, imposed by U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith, are announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Central Falls Police Chief Colonel James J. Mendonca.

According to court records and information presented to the court, on May 13, 2015, Central Falls Police detectives developed information that a couple that recently arrived in Central Falls from Colorado was attempting to sell a firearm. The investigation determined that the firearm, a semi-automatic assault rifle, was being stored inside a pick-up truck in which the couple was traveling.

Later that evening, detectives approached the couple as they were attempting to enter the pick-up truck. John Baker was immediately detained. Jessica Garrett was apprehended as she attempted to flee. Inside Garrett’s handbag detectives found a magazine containing 12 rounds of rifle ammunition. During a court authorized search of the truck, which had Iowa license plates and that had recently been reported stolen in Colorado, detectives seized a loaded semi-automatic assault rifle with 28 rounds of ammunition. Baker and Garrett have been detained since their arrest.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee H. Vilker.

ATF assisted Central Falls Police Department detectives in the investigation of this matter.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Erick Vera-Garzon, 36, of Providence, was sentenced today to 36 months in federal prison for his role in a conspiracy to steal U.S. Treasury checks from the mail and either sell them on the street or deposit them in bank accounts opened with stolen or fraudulent personal information. The bank funds were then withdrawn or used to make retail purchases with the use of debit cards.

An investigation by the Providence Police Department Intelligence and Organized Crime Unit and the United States Postal Service (USPS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) resulted in the seizure of approximately $1.6 million dollars worth of stolen U.S. Treasury checks, dozens of stolen gift cards, and more than $165,000 in proceeds gained as a result of the sale of stolen checks and gift cards.

At sentencing, U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith also ordered Vera-Garzon to serve two years supervised release upon completion of his prison term. Vera-Garzon pleaded guilty on September 23, 2015, to conspiracy, theft of mail and theft of public money or property.

Vera-Garzon’s sentence is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, Providence Police Chief Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr. and Eileen Neff, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, Northeast Area Field Office.

Joan Manuel Mustafa, 28, of Providence, a former co-worker of Vera-Garzon, pleaded guilty on October 21, 2015, to conspiracy, theft of mail and theft of public money or property. He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith on January 8, 2016.

According to court documents and information presented to the court, in September 2014, USPS-OIG agents began investigating the disappearance of U.S. Treasury checks addressed to individuals in Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts. The missing checks were handled by employees at the U.S. Mail Providence Processing and Distribution Center.  At the same time, independent of the USPS-OIG investigation, a Providence Police Department detective developed information that Vera-Garzon was selling stolen U.S. Treasury checks at 20% of face value to buyers on the streets of Rhode Island and New York. The investigation determined that many of the stolen checks were deposited in bank accounts that had been opened in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New York in the names of some of the individuals whose checks had gone missing. The funds were then drawn down by cash withdrawals from ATMs, the purchase of goods and services, and the purchase of money orders.

Based on the information developed by the Providence Police Department Intelligence and Organized Crime Unit, court authorized search warrants were obtained and executed at Mustafa and Vera-Garzon’s residences on April 16, 2015. Law enforcement seized more than 900 stolen U.S. Treasury checks valued at approximately $1.6 million dollars, several dozen gift cards and more than $53,000 in cash. Vera-Garzon and Mustafa were arrested on April 16, 2015.

The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gerard B. Sullivan and Richard W. Rose.

Agents from the Veterans Administration Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Treasury Office of Inspector General assisted agents from the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General and detectives from the Providence Police Intelligence and Organized Crime Unit in the investigation of this matter.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Dujuan Harris, 35, of Providence, R.I., pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Providence on Tuesday to trafficking a 17-year-old girl from Texas to Rhode Island for the purpose of offering her for commercial sexual activity, and to being in possession of photographs of the minor victim in various stages of undress.

Appearing before U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith, Harris admitted to the court that after he befriended the victim on the Internet, he communicated with her via cell phone, text messages and Skype. Harris admitted to the court that in June 2015, he facilitated the victim’s travel to Rhode Island. Harris paid for the victim to travel to Boston where he met her and then brought her to Providence. Once in Providence, he repeatedly offered the victim for commercial sexual activity.

Harris pleaded guilty to one count each of sex trafficking of a child and possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, Providence Police Chief Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr., and Matthew J. Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations for New England.

According to information presented to the court, after befriending the victim on the Internet, Harris convinced the teenager to provide photographs to him in various stages of undress. Within a few days of her arrival in Providence, Harris took additional photographs of the victim in various stages of undress and posted some of the photographs of her in an ad on Backpage.com.

According to an investigation by the Providence Police Department and agents from Homeland Security Investigations, the response to the ad was immediate and numerous sexual encounters for a fee with the 17-year-old were arranged. All of the payments were turned over to Harris. When Harris told the young woman that he wanted to increase the number of sexual encounters as a way to increase the amount of money she was earning, the young woman told Harris she no longer wanted to participate. After discovering that the young woman had attempted to communicate with her family in Texas, Harris removed the battery from the victim’s cell phone and on several occasions refused to allow her to leave his Providence apartment.

On June 30, 2015, HSI agents, Providence Police detectives and members of the Human Trafficking Task Force located the victim in an apartment in Providence.  Following the rescue of the victim, law enforcement discovered numerous nude photographs of the 17-year-old victim on Harris’ cell phone. Harris was arrested.

According to information presented to the court, since his arrest and detention at the Adult Correctional Institute, despite a no-contact order, Harris has contacted the victim more than 100 times.

Harris is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith on March 4, 2016.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ly T. Chin.

Prosecutors from the Rhode Island Department of the Attorney General are assisting the United States Attorney’s Office in the prosecution of this matter.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A 22-count federal grand jury indictment unsealed in U.S. District Court in Providence on Thursday charges six individuals, including a Rhode Island real estate attorney, a real estate agent, a licensed loan originator, a former loan officer, a loan processor and a real estate investor, with allegedly participating in a conspiracy to obtain money they were not entitled to from financial institutions and individuals through mortgage loans, residential property sales and fees.

The indictment represents the latest federal charges to be filed in a wide-ranging series of ongoing investigations by the United States Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Secret Service and the Rhode Island State Police Financial Crimes Unit into alleged mortgage fraud in Rhode Island.

According to the indictment returned on Wednesday, it is alleged that between 2007 and 2014, the defendants conspired to execute a scheme which caused prospective homebuyers to obtain mortgages from financial institutions based upon materially false loan applications and fraudulent supporting documentation. It is also alleged that as part of the conspiracy, false representations were made in order to obtain fees to which the defendants were not entitled or to make a profit selling property in which they had an ownership interest. It is further alleged that in some instances, thousands of dollars were fraudulently obtained by misrepresenting on a Housing and Urban Development form the amount of funds due or to be paid to one of the parties involved in a transaction.

It is alleged that in numerous instances, the defendants concealed their involvement in the scheme by conducting business under the names of several different entities and individuals.  It is alleged that at times, the defendants used stolen identities to further the fraud and to conceal their connection to the real estate transactions.

The indictment is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; Christina D. Scaringi, Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Region of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General; Ted A. Arruda, Resident Agent in Charge of the Providence Office of the U.S. Secret Service; and Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police.

The indictment charges:

• Attorney Louis Marandola, 41, of Providence, R.I., with one count of conspiracy, five counts of bank fraud, three counts of wire fraud and six counts of aggravated identity theft.

• Brian R. McCaffrey, 38, of East Greenwich, R.I., a licensed loan originator, with one count of conspiracy, two counts of bank fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft.

• Raffaele M. Marziale, 41, of Bristol, R.I., a former loan officer, with one count of conspiracy, two counts of bank fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft.

• Lauren Sienko, 33, of Rehoboth, Mass., a loan processor, with one count of conspiracy, two counts of bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.

• Gina M. Ronci Mohamed, 45, of Lincoln, R.I., a licensed real estate agent, with one count of conspiracy, two counts of bank fraud, two counts of aggravated identity theft, and one count of false statement.

• Edwin Rodriguez, 35, of Pawtucket, R.I., a real estate investor, with one count of conspiracy, once count of bank fraud, two counts of aggravated identity theft and two counts of witness tampering.

Attorney Louis Marandola, Edwin Rodriquez and Lauren Sienko were released on unsecured bond following their arraignment on Thursday before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan. Brian McCaffrey, Raffaele Marziale and Gina Ronci Mohamed were released on unsecured bond following their arraignment today before Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan. Not guilty pleas were entered on behalf of all of the defendants.

An indictment is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This indictment reflects the most recent charges filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in a wide-ranging series of ongoing investigations into alleged mortgage fraud in Rhode Island.

In September, Franchesco Franco, 34, of Providence, a former mortgage loan originator, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Franco admitted to participating in a scheme to defraud Flagstar Bank, by filing a fraudulent mortgage loan application and supporting documentation in the name of a person known to him who is deceased.

In a separate matter, it is alleged that Dylan T. Kelly, 40, of Providence, whose real estate appraiser’s license expired in September 2008, continued to conduct and issue real estate appraisals using the identity, license and insurance certificate of a licensed appraiser without his permission or knowledge. Kelley is charged by way of an information with false statements on a loan application.

The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sandra R. Hebert and William J. Ferland.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The First Circuit Court of Appeals today let stand a District Court ruling denying motions by Joseph A. Caramadre to withdraw his guilty plea to conspiring to steal and use the identities of terminally-ill patients to obtain millions of dollars in illicit profits from insurance companies and bond issuers, and left intact a sentence of 6-years in federal prison imposed by U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith.

Joseph A. Caramadre, president, CEO and majority owner of Estate Planning Resources in Cranston, R.I., was sentenced  on December 16, 2013, to 72 months in federal prison to be followed by 3 years supervised release, during which time he is required to perform 3,000 hours of community service to the elderly and terminally-ill individuals. Caramadre was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $46 million dollars.

Caramadre pleaded guilty on November 19, 2012, to conspiracy to commit identity theft and wire fraud, as the second week of testimony in his federal court jury trial was scheduled to begin. Prior to sentencing, Caramadre attempted to withdraw his guilty plea, however his motion to withdraw the guilty plea was denied by Chief Judge William E. Smith.

At the time of his guilty plea, Caramadre admitted to the court that he, and a co-defendant, Raymour Radhakrishnan, an employee of Caramadre, made misrepresentations to terminally-ill and elderly patients and their family members in order to obtain their personal identity information. They used the information, including names; dates of birth; and social security numbers, to obtain more than 200 variable annuities and to open more than 75 brokerage accounts in order to purchase “death-put" bonds in the victims’ names without their knowledge and consent. Caramadre and Radhakrishnan either forged the signatures of terminally-ill people on account documents, or obtained by means of misrepresentations. When the terminally- ill person died, Caramadre and others reaped substantial profits by exercising death benefits associated with the investments.

“The road has been a long one, but the defendant’s quixotic and seemingly inexhaustible attempts to escape the consequences of his reprehensible criminal conduct are finally at an end,” commented United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha. “Perhaps he can spend the remainder of his six year prison sentence reflecting on his greed and his victimization of the most vulnerable, instead of dreaming up Hail Mary legal arguments.”

The matter was argued before the First Circuit Court of Appeals by Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald C. Lockhart. The criminal case was prosecuted in U.S. District Court by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lee H. Vilker and John P. McAdams.

The matter was investigated by the United States Attorney’s Office and the FBI, with the assistance of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and IRS Criminal Investigation.

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PROVIDENCE - U.S. Attorney Peter F. Neronha announced today that the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island collected $6,130,353.07 in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2015.  Of this amount, $2,626,122.75 was collected in criminal actions and $3,504,230.32 was collected in civil actions. 

Additionally, Rhode Island worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $16,878,661.95 in cases pursued jointly with these offices. Of this amount $16,878,401.95 was collected in civil actions.    

Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch announced today that the Justice Department collected $23.1 billion in civil and criminal actions in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2015.  The more than $23.1 billion in collections in FY 2015 represents more than seven and a half times the approximately $2.93 billion of the Justice Department’s combined appropriations for the 93 U.S. Attorneys’ offices and the main litigating divisions in that same period.  

“The Department of Justice is committed to upholding the rule of law, safeguarding taxpayer resources, and protecting the American people from exploitation and abuse,” said Attorney General Loretta Lynch. “The collections we are announcing today demonstrate not only the strength of that commitment, but also the significant return on public investment that our actions deliver. I want to thank the prosecutors and trial attorneys who made this achievement possible, and to reiterate our dedication to this ongoing work.”

United States Attorney Peter Neronha commented, “The mission of this Office is broad in scope, and includes a commitment to protect the public’s financial and other resources.  Public or private, those who harm the environment, engage in financial fraud, or take financial advantage of victims or the public generally, will continue to receive the full attention of both this Office’s Civil and Criminal Divisions, as will those who pose a threat to national security, who violate the public trust, who commit crimes of violence, or who engage in sex trafficking, particularly of minors.”

In 2015, collections included $2,605,661 from American Access Care in settlement to resolve allegations of violations of the False Claims Act; $8,000,000 collected in cooperation with the Eastern District of Wisconsin from PharMerica Corporation in settlement of allegations of violations on the Controlled Substances Act; collection of $450,000 from CVS Health in settlement for allegations of violations of the Controlled Substances Act;  and, $127,500 from Wal-Mart, Inc. in settlement of False Claims Act violations for claims submitted to Medicaid.

The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims.  The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss.  While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims’ Fund, which distributes the funds to state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.

The largest civil collections were from affirmative civil enforcement cases, in which the United States recovered government money lost to fraud or other misconduct or collected fines imposed on individuals and/or corporations for violations of federal health, safety or environmental laws. In addition, civil debts were collected on behalf of several federal agencies such as the Internal Revenue Service and Health and Human Services.

Additionally, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Rhode Island, working with partner agencies and divisions, collected $8,261,533 in asset forfeiture actions in FY 2015.  Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.

In the District of Rhode Island, the Financial Litigation Unit, working closely with the Asset Forfeiture Unit, collected a total of $2,389,896.28 through its Asset Forfeiture Restoration Program.  Included in the above amount is $2,339,210.22 that the District collected from Rocco DeSimone, a former Rhode Island art dealer convicted of defrauding investors.  DeSimone was sentenced to 16 years in prison in July 2011, on eight counts of money laundering and mail fraud.  The assets that were either sold or returned directly to victims include a 2006 Ford GT sports car which sold at auction for $189,000, a painting by French impressionist Pierre-Auguste Renoir known as "Paysage a Cagnes," which sold at auction for $551,500, and an assortment of Japanese swords.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Antonio Fortes, 25, of Cranston, an associate of the YNIC street gang, was sentenced today to 48 months in federal prison on drug trafficking and firearm charges, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Daniel J. Kumor, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division of ATF.

At sentencing, U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith also ordered Fortes to serve 3 years supervised release upon completion of his prison term, the first six months to be served in home confinement. Fortes pleaded guilty on September 15, 2015, to one count each of possession with the intent to distribute heroin, possession with the intent to distribute crack cocaine and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Fortes is also facing murder, assault and weapons charges in Rhode Island state court for his alleged role in the October 22, 2014, shooting in Providence that resulted in the death of Terry Robinson. Fortes is charged with one count of murder, three counts of discharge of a firearm while in the commission of a crime of violence, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, two counts of carrying a firearm without a license, and one count of conspiracy.

According to federal court documents and information presented to the court, an investigation by ATF agents into Fortes drug trafficking activities included controlled purchases of crack cocaine and repeated surveillance by law enforcement. The investigation culminated with the execution of a court authorized search of Fortes’ residence on March 24, 2015, which resulted in the seizure of numerous packets of heroin, crack cocaine and a loaded .45 caliber handgun.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Milind M. Shah, with the assistance of Assistant U.S. Attorney William J. Ferland.

Law enforcement officers from the Cranston, Pawtucket and Providence Police Departments assisted agents from ATF in the investigation of this matter.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Momoh Fahnbulleh, 38, of Providence, was sentenced today to 84 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Providence Police Chief Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr.

At sentencing, U. S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith also ordered Fahnbulleh to serve three years supervised release upon completion of his prison term. Fahnbulleh pleaded guilty on March 2, 2015, to a single-count indictment charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court records and information presented to the court, in October 2013, as a result of information developed during an investigation into Fahnbulleh’s alleged drug trafficking activities, Providence Police sought and executed a court authorized search warrant at Fahnbulleh’s residence. During the search, detectives and officers seized a loaded 9mm semi-automatic handgun. There were 15 rounds of ammunition in the magazine and one in the pistol’s firing chamber.

Additionally, law enforcement seized numerous items used in the packaging and distribution of cocaine.

Fahnbulleh has been detained since his arrest on October 3, 2013.

According to court records, Fahnbulleh was previously convicted in Rhode Island state court on multiple felony charges, including drug trafficking and firearm charges.

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

Agents from ATF assisted Providence Police in the investigation of this matter.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Edwin William Rosa, 45, of Peabody, Mass., was ordered detained in federal custody today by U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond following an initial appearance in federal court in Providence on charges that he allegedly purchased eight guns from firearms dealers in Massachusetts using bogus bank checks, and that he allegedly sold the stolen guns to firearms dealers in Rhode Island.

Rosa is charged by way of a federal criminal complaint with possession of stolen firearms and bank fraud. The charges are announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Daniel J. Kumor, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

It is alleged in court documents that between September 8 and September 30, 2015, Rosa used personal checks from closed bank accounts to purchase eight firearms from registered firearms dealers in Massachusetts, and that he then sold the firearms to registered firearms dealers in Rhode Island for immediate payment in cash or by check.

According to an affidavit in support of an arrest warrant and criminal complaint in this matter, Rosa’s alleged possession of stolen firearms arises from his theft of the firearms as well as his possession of those stolen firearms up to the point of sale to other firearms dealers. Rosa’s alleged bank fraud arises from his alleged scheme to defraud banks through the issuance of “bad” checks designed to draw funds from financial institutions.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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

The matter was investigated by ATF, with the assistance of the Smithfield, R.I., and Seekonk, Fall River and Somerset, Mass., Police Departments.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Damien Beverly, 29, of Providence, has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges that he trafficked two women from Boston to Rhode Island for the purposes of offering them for commercial sexual activity and that he conspired to traffic heroin, which he provided to the women as payment, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, Matthew J. Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for New England, and Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police.

Appearing before U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith on Thursday, Beverly pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy, two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution and one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin.

A second individual charged in this matter, Tariq Rosario, 28, of Boston, Mass., pleaded guilty on Thursday to one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin.

According to court records and information presented to the court, an investigation by agents from Homeland Security Investigations and members of the Rhode Island State Police, law enforcement members of the Rhode Island Human Trafficking Task Force, in June or July 2014, Damien Beverly encountered one of the victims in downtown Boston. The woman was brought to a hotel room in Warwick rented by Beverly, where he photographed her and persuaded her to post an advertisement on Backpage.com, with the intent that she engage in commercial sexual activity. Over the next several days, several individuals responded to the advertisement. All of the money collected by the victim was turned over to Beverly, who in exchange provided the woman with heroin that he obtained from Tariq Rosario.

In September 2014, Beverly met a second woman on the streets of Boston where she was homeless and addicted to heroin and cocaine. He persuaded her to travel to Rhode Island, promising her that he would provide her with housing and drugs in exchange for working as a prostitute. The woman resided with Beverly in Providence, during which time they posted numerous advertisements on Backpage.com offering the woman for commercial sexual activity. All of the money earned by the victim was turned over to Beverly in exchange for housing, food and a daily supply of heroin.

In late September or early October 2014, the first victim, who had since returned to Boston, was persuaded to return to Rhode Island, and to live and work with Beverly and the second victim. All of the money earned by both women was turned over to Beverly. In exchange for working as prostitutes, Beverly provided the victims with between 3-5 grams of heroin daily, which he obtained from Tariq Rosario.

Based on information developed by the Rhode Island Human Trafficking Task Force, in January 2015, members of the Rhode Island State Police, and HSI and FBI agents executed a court authorized search warrant at the Providence residence where the victims were staying with Beverly. Beverly was detained and the victims were rescued by law enforcement and provided support services.

Damien Beverly, who has been detained since his arrest on January 13, 2015, and Tariq Rosario, who has been detained since his arrest on September 18, 2015, are scheduled to be sentenced on February 5, 2016.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Adi Goldstein.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A federal grand jury in Providence returned a two-count indictment on Thursday charging Christopher Carroll, 47, formerly of Jamestown, R.I., with allegedly travelling in interstate and outside the country to evade paying more than $250,000 in child support payments for his three minor children, age 9, 11 and 14, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Phillip Coyne, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General.

According to court documents, it is alleged that Carroll, a former senior marketing executive with an international energy management company based in Paris, France, and which operates a facility in West Kingston, R.I., ceased paying Rhode Island Family Court ordered child support payments of $6,000 per month in January 2013, two years after the court ordered the payments to begin. On June 17, 2013, a Rhode Island Family Court judge ruled that Carroll was in contempt of court for failing to meet his child support obligations, which to date totals more than $250,000.

According to court documents, during the pendency of his child support obligations, Carroll, who has had numerous investment accounts, withdrew at least $369,329.31 from those accounts.

The indictment charges Christopher Carroll with interstate travel to avoid child support obligation and failure to pay child support. An arrest warrant has been issued for Carroll, who is believed to be traveling abroad.

According to court documents, in May 2012, Carroll relocated to his employer’s Paris headquarters where he was employed until October 2012. Since that time, according to court documents, Carroll remarried, renounced his U.S. Citizenship and has been traveling abroad utilizing a Republic of Ireland passport. According to court documents, Carroll and his current wife identify themselves as being semi-retired, and have stated that they have spent the past year traveling in Europe, Central and South America, Canada and the United States.

An indictment is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard W. Rose. The matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, with the assistance of the Rhode Island Child Support Enforcement Office.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Kevin Maynard, 59, of Charlestown, R.I., a former employee at the Rhode Island Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Exeter, was ordered today to perform 200 hours of community service in the service of veterans as part of his sentence of 12 months’ probation for stealing granite gravestones and other items from the Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; Jeffrey Hughes, Special Agent in Charge, Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General (VA OIG), Northeast Field Office; and Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police.

The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith. Maynard pleaded guilty on July 28, 2015, to theft of government property.

According to court documents, over a lengthy period of time, Maynard removed worn or broken grave markers from the cemetery and brought them to his Charlestown residence. On April 23, 2015, a VA-OIG agent and a Rhode Island State Police detective accompanied Maynard to his home where investigators discovered at least 150 veterans’ grave markers being used as flooring for a shed and two make-shift garages. Investigators also located additional markers on the property and a box of American flags belonging to the Veterans’ Cemetery.

According to Government regulations, all Government-furnished headstones/markers/ medallions remain the property of the United States Government in perpetuity and that the “destruction, mutilation, defacement, injury, or removal of any monument, gravestone, or other structure within the limits of any national cemetery is prohibited.”

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. McAdams.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Thealeah Duopu, 39, of Providence, was ordered detained in federal custody today following an initial appearance in federal court in Providence on charges of trafficking crack cocaine, and for being a felon in possession of a firearm and for using the firearm in furtherance of his alleged drug trafficking activities.

United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Daniel J. Kumor, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division of ATF, announced the arrest and detention of Duopu, which comes following a nearly month-long investigation of Duopu’s alleged drug trafficking and gun crime related activities. The investigation allegedly included several purchases of crack cocaine by an undercover ATF agent from Duopu and a court authorized search of Duopu’s residence.

Duopu was ordered detained by U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan following an initial appearance on a criminal complaint charging Duopu with possession of 28 grams or more of cocaine base with intent to distribute, distribution of 28 grams or more of cocaine base, distribution of cocaine base, possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and being a felon in possession of firearms.

A complaint is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

According to court documents, beginning on October 19, 2015, and continuing until yesterday, an ATF undercover agent allegedly arranged on at least four occasions for the purchase of varying amounts of crack cocaine from Duopu. In each alleged instance, the amount of crack cocaine allegedly ordered from Duopu and delivered to the agent by Duopu increased substantially from the previous transaction. The alleged purchases and deliveries ranged from approximately 8 grams on October 20, 2015, to approximately 52 grams on November 3, 2015. Each alleged transaction occurred at an agreed upon location in a parking lot in Pawtucket.

According to court documents, on Tuesday of this week, an ATF undercover agent allegedly arranged with Duopu to again purchase crack cocaine. They allegedly agreed to meet in Pawtucket on Thursday to complete the transaction. On Thursday, as Duopu left his residence allegedly to meet with the agent, he was detained by members of the ATF Task Force. A court authorized search of Duopu’s alleged stash house and of his person resulted in the seizure of crack cocaine, a loaded firearm, cash, and items used in the packaging and distribution of crack cocaine.

As a result of the alleged undercover purchases of crack cocaine from Duopu, the court authorized search of his alleged stash house and of his person, law enforcement seized 233.3 grams of crack cocaine, a loaded semi-automatic handgun and $20,538 in cash.

According to court records, Duopu was previously convicted in Rhode Island state court on firearm and drug charges.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Milind M. Shah and Paul F. Daly, Jr.

Pawtucket Police and the Providence Arson Squad assisted the ATF Task Force in the investigation of this matter. The ATF Task Force consists of agents and officers from ATF; Providence, Cranston and Central Falls Police Departments; and the Special Investigations Unit at the Rhode Island Department of Corrections.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Ronald Hunt, 45, of Collinsville, Ill., a former financial customer service specialist for Columbia Management Investment Services (CMIS), a subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, was sentenced today to 18 months in federal prison for defrauding the estate of two deceased sisters from Galway, Ireland, of more than $1.2 million dollars, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Ted A. Arruda, Resident Agent in Charge of the Providence Office of the United States Secret Service.

At sentencing, U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith also ordered Hunt, formerly of Bristol, R.I., to serve two years supervised release and 100 hours of community service upon completion of his prison sentence. Hunt pleaded guilty on July 16, 2015, to wire fraud.

According to court documents, in March 2013, while working at a CMIS call center in Providence, Hunt used his position to research deceased clients who had unredeemed Ameriprise Financial accounts and no listed beneficiaries. Hunt identified two such accounts belonging to deceased sisters in Galway, Ireland.

According to court documents, in May 2013, Hunt submitted redemption paperwork for the two sisters’ accounts, using the alias “Sean Kane,” as the executor for the accounts.  On May 20, 2013, using the alias, Hunt transferred $769,242.24 from one sister’s account and $459,531.91 from the second sister’s account into a CMIS account he created.  Two days later he transferred the entire amount, $1,228,774.15, to a fictitious business bank account he created. On May 23, 2013, and again on August 29, 2013, Hunt withdrew funds totaling $750,000 from the business account.

Amerprise Financial recovered nearly all of the stolen funds. At sentencing, U.S. District Court Chief Judge Smith ordered Hunt to pay restitution in the amount of nearly $21,000, which represents the balance of the amount of money stolen from the sisters’ estates which was not previously recovered.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Terrence P. Donnelly, with the assistance of Assistant U.S Attorney John P. McAdams.

The matter was investigated by the United States Secret Service, with the assistance of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Division of Enforcement.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Keith Sampson, 37, formerly of Providence, RI, pleaded guilty in federal court in Providence today to interstate travel to engage in illicit sexual conduct, admitting to the court that in December 2007 he transported one of his dance studio students, a fifteen-year-old girl, from Rhode Island to Easton, Mass., for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Office of the FBI.

According to court documents and information presented to the court, on December 29, 2007, the girl had been left in Sampson's care by her mother on the pretense that she would be spending the night at Sampson's Providence residence in the company of his wife and child. Instead, Sampson admitted to the court that he drove the victim to the home of a relative in Easton, Mass., where he provided the victim with alcohol and then sexually assaulted her.

According to court documents, the assault of the fifteen-year-old victim occurred while Sampson was awaiting trial in Massachusetts state court on two counts of statutory rape of a child in an unrelated matter. In that case, on January 10, 2008, a jury found Sampson guilty of one count of statutory rape. He was sentenced in February 2008 to serve not less than four and not more than seven years' imprisonment in Massachusetts state prison as a result of this conviction.

Additionally, based on the December 29, 2007, assault of his dance studio student, Sampson was indicted and charged in Massachusetts state court with rape of a child with force and providing liquor to a person under 21. He pleaded guilty to the charges on November 14, 2011, and was sentenced to not less than two-and-a-half and not more than three years' imprisonment, to be served consecutively to the sentence he received as a result of his January 2008 conviction.

In total, Sampson served approximately seven years in prison in Massachusetts. Upon his release from Massachusetts state prison, Sampson was placed in federal custody and brought to Rhode Island to face charges in U.S. District Court in Providence brought as a result of the December 2007 assault.

Sampson is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith on January 29, 2016.

The case is being prosecuted in federal court in Providence by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Richard W. Rose and Zachary A. Cunha.

The matter was investigated by the FBI, with the assistance of the Warwick, Rhode Island, and Easton, Massachusetts, Police Departments.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – According to an information and plea agreement filed today in U.S. District Court in Providence, Leon F. Tejada, 50, of Providence, operator of El Centro Multiservicios, LLC, a tax preparation service in Providence, has agreed to plead guilty to federal tax and wire fraud charges, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and William P. Offord, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation.

According to the court documents, it is alleged that during tax years 2009 through 2012, Tejada, without the knowledge of his clients, created and falsified clients’ dependents, exemptions, tax credits, deductions and expenses in order to increase the amount of tax refund due to the clients. It is alleged that the scheme resulted in a loss to the United States of $54,440.

It is also alleged that Tejada devised a scheme to divert his clients’ tax refunds through a bank clearing house, at which time, without the knowledge of his clients, a portion of the funds were diverted into his own bank account for his own personal use. It is alleged that Tejada diverted $24,987 into his own bank account.

An information is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The matter was investigated by Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard W. Rose.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Anthony Jenkins, 51, of Providence, has been ordered detained in federal custody following his initial appearance in federal court in Providence on Thursday on a criminal complaint charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of stolen firearms. Jenkins was arrested by members of an ATF task force moments after he allegedly stole six firearms from a garage in Cranston.

Jenkins’ arrest is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Daniel J. Kumor, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division of ATF.

According to court documents and information presented to the court, members of the ATF task force became aware of Jenkins alleged plans to steal the firearms and to sell some of them. Jenkins was apprehended by members of the task force immediately after he allegedly stole the guns. When apprehended, Jenkins allegedly had six firearms and ammunition in his possession.

According to court records and information presented to the court, Jenkins’ criminal history includes at least 13 felony convictions, including drug trafficking, robbery and assault.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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

The ATF Task Force consists of agents and officers from ATF; Providence, Cranston and Central Falls Police Departments; and the Special Investigations Unit at the Rhode Island Department of Corrections.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Jaheem Benton, 26, of Pawtucket, an alleged member of the YNIC street gang, has been ordered detained in federal custody for allegedly trafficking crack cocaine, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Daniel J. Kumor, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Benton was arrested on Wednesday by members of an ATF Task Force consisting of federal and local law enforcement agents and officers who have been investigating for the past several months Benton’s alleged gang and drug trafficking activities. Benton was ordered detained on Thursday during his initial appearance in U.S. District Court before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond on a criminal complaint charging him with possession of crack cocaine with the intent to distribute.

According to court documents and information presented to the court, it is alleged that on at least six occasions since January, Benton allegedly sold a person who was assisting law enforcement in their investigation of Benton plastic baggies containing crack cocaine. Each of the alleged transactions was monitored by law enforcement.

A court authorized search of Benton’s residence on Wednesday resulted in the seizure of approximately 1.2 grams of crack cocaine and numerous items used in the packaging and distribution of crack cocaine.

According to court records and information presented to the court, Benton was previously convicted in Rhode Island state court on multiple counts of assault and multiple firearms charges.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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

The ATF Task Force consists of agents and officers from ATF; Providence, Cranston and Central Falls Police Departments; and the Special Investigations Unit at the Rhode Island Department of Corrections. Pawtucket Police assisted the ATF Task Force in the investigation of this matter.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Phillip Coyne, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), New England Region, announced today that Rhode Island Dermatology and Cosmetic Center, LLC, and Rhode Island Dermatology OBS, LLC, of Lincoln, have paid $152,043.25 to resolve civil allegations that they violated the federal False Claims Act by billing Medicare for some patient services and procedures performed at rates higher than were warranted.

Based on an investigation conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and the United States Attorney’s Office, the United States alleged that, between 2009 and 2014, Rhode Island Dermatology, which provides dermatology, plastic surgery, and cosmetic surgery services, billed Medicare for surgical closure procedures at a higher rate of complexity than was supported by certain patients’ condition or the circumstances of the closure, and which should properly have been classified at a lower billing rate for less complex procedures.  The amount that Medicare pays for a given medical or surgical procedure is frequently dependent on the complexity of that procedure.  Upcoding, or billing for a level of complexity that is not warranted by a patient’s actual condition and treatment, results in improperly higher payments for care that should have actually been reimbursed by Medicare at a lower rate.

The matter was settled prior to litigation, without an admission of liability or wrongdoing on the part of the practice.

The case was litigated by Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Allen Prout, 43, of Providence, pleaded guilty in federal court in Providence to two counts of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, and one count each of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and being a felon in possession of a firearm, admitting to the court that he participated in two separate Hobbs Act robbery conspiracies.

Appearing before U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., on Thursday, Prout admitted to the court that on June 2, 2014, he and his co-conspirator took possession of firearms they intended to use to commit a home invasion at a drug stash house in Providence, where they believed two kilos of heroin and a substantial amount of cash were being stored. Prout and his co-defendant, Emmett Blyden, 45, of Providence, were arrested after taking possession of the firearms delivered by an individual who was assisting ATF agents. Blyden pleaded guilty on September 22, 2015, to conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Prout also admitted to the court that he participated in a conspiracy in September 2012 to rob an individual at gun point of money the victim intended to use to purchase a significant quantity of oxycodone pills. According to court records, Prout and his co-defendant, Kiplagatt Stewart, 41, of Providence, posed as drug dealers in order to gain access to the home of the victim. Instead of selling the victim oxycodone pills, Prout and Stewart robbed the victim at gunpoint of approximately $14,000 in cash.

Kiplagatt Stewart, 41, of Providence, was sentenced on October 22, 2015, to 84 months in federal prison. At sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., also ordered Stewart to serve 3 years supervised release upon completion of his prison term. Stewart pleaded guilty on June 17, 2015, to conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery.

Prout’s guilty pleas and Stewart’s sentence are announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, West Warwick Police Chief Colonel Richard G. Silva and Daniel J. Kumor, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston field division of ATF.

Allen Prout is scheduled to be sentenced on February 2, 2016. Emmett Blyden is scheduled to be sentenced on January 5, 2016.

The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Milind M. Shah, with the assistance of First Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch and Assistant U.S. Attorney Adi Goldstein.

Providence Police and Rhode Island State Police assisted West Warwick Police and ATF in the investigation of these matters.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Miguel Colon, 55, of Woonsocket, pleaded guilty in federal court in Providence today to charges of trafficking heroin and cocaine, and to carrying a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking activities. Colon was arrested in April 2015 by federal, state and local law enforcement upon his return to New England from Texas and Florida with three kilos of cocaine and a loaded firearm found stashed inside a sophisticated hydraulically-controlled hidden compartment inside his vehicle. A subsequent court authorized search of self-storage units rented by Colon resulted in the seizure of nearly 900 grams of heroin.

Appearing before U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith, Colon pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to distribute 100 grams of more of heroin, possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, being a felon in possession of a firearm and carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.

Colon’s guilty plea is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; Woonsocket Police Chief Thomas S. Carey; Providence Police Chief Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr.; Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police; and Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s New England Field Division.

According to court documents and information presented to the court, Woonsocket and Providence Police detectives, independent of one another, developed information this past winter that approximately once a month Miguel Colon traveled by vehicle to Texas and/or Florida to obtain large amounts of cocaine and/or heroin, which he then transported back to Rhode Island to distribute. In late April, detectives and officers from the Providence and Woonsocket Police Departments developed information that Colon was on a drug run to Texas and Florida. The investigation determined that Colon and a female companion would be arriving back into Rhode Island in the early morning hours of April 27, 2015.

According to court documents and information presented to the court, in the early morning hours of April 27, numerous local, state and federal unmarked law enforcement vehicles were posted along Route 95 N from the Connecticut border and northward. Law enforcement spotted Colon’s vehicle at about 4:00AM, and followed the vehicle until it came to a stop in a parking lot of a motel in North Attleboro, Mass. Law enforcement quickly surrounded the vehicle and removed Colon. A Rhode Island State Police K-9 indicated the presence of narcotics inside the vehicle.

With the assistance of North Attleboro and Massachusetts State Police, the vehicle was removed to the North Attleboro Police Department where a Massachusetts court authorized search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of three kilos of cocaine, approximately one pound of marijuana and a loaded semi-automatic firearm inside a sophisticated hydraulically-controlled hidden compartment.

Also located in the vehicle were keys to self-storage units at a Woonsocket storage facility. A Rhode Island court authorized search of two storage units rented by Colon at the Woonsocket storage facility resulted in the seizure of approximately 895 grams of heroin, and various items used in the packaging and distribution of drugs.

A court authorized search of Colon’s residence resulted in the seizure of .380 caliber live ammunition, drug ledgers with amounts of money listed next to names - some of the names on the ledgers were known to Woonsocket Police narcotics detectives as drug dealers in the City of Woonsocket, several small seedling sized marijuana plants and a State of Rhode Island marijuana caregiver card issued to Colon.

Colon, who has been detained in federal custody since his arrest, is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith on January 14, 2016.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gerard B. Sullivan.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Anthony DelFarno, 53, of East Greenwich, R.I., was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Providence today to 65 months in federal prison for filing fifty-eight fraudulent personal and corporate tax returns between 2008 and 2011, some containing stolen personal identifying information of family members and others, seeking approximately $3.5 million dollars in tax refunds.

At sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., also ordered DelFarno to serve 3 years of supervised release upon completion of his prison sentence and to pay restitution to the government in the amount of $1.4 million.  DelFarno pleaded guilty on June 16, 2015, to eleven counts of mail fraud, twenty-eight counts of theft of government funds and three counts of aggravated identity theft.

Delfarno’s sentence is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; William P. Offord, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation; and Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police.

At the time of his guilty plea, DelFarno admitted to the court that he filed twenty-eight false individual income tax returns in his own name, and in the names of several family members, including five of his children, and a girlfriend, without their knowledge, seeking refunds totaling $1.1 million dollars. Approximately $400,000 was paid to the defendant.

Additionally, DelFarno admitted to the court that he filed thirty fraudulent corporate income tax returns, for which he claimed refunds of $2.4 million dollars and was paid approximately $1 million dollars. DelFarno admitted to the court that many of the corporations he formed were formed in order to execute the tax fraud scheme.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard W. Rose.

The matter was investigated by the United States Attorney’s Office, IRS Criminal Investigation and Rhode Island State Police.

This law enforcement action is part of President Barack Obama’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force. The President established the interagency Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force to wage an aggressive, coordinated and proactive effort to investigate and prosecute financial crimes.  The task force includes representatives from a broad range of federal agencies, regulatory authorities, inspectors general, and state and local law enforcement who, working together, bring to bear a powerful array of criminal and civil enforcement resources. 

The task force is working to improve efforts across the federal executive branch, and with state and local partners, to investigate and prosecute significant financial crimes, ensure just and effective punishment for those who perpetrate financial crimes, combat discrimination in the lending and financial markets, and recover proceeds for victims of financial crimes.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Dennis Bernard, 29, of Cranston, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Providence today to trafficking heroin and crack cocaine, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, Cranston Police Chief Colonel Michael J. Winquist and Warwick Police Chief Colonel Stephen M. McCartney.

Bernard was arrested by detectives and officers from the Cranston and Warwick Police Departments on June 26, 2015, following a joint investigation by members of the Cranston Police Special Investigations Unit and the Warwick Police Special Operations Group into Bernard’s drug trafficking activities.

Appearing today before U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith, Bernard pleaded guilty to possession of heroin with the intent to distribute and possession of crack cocaine with the intent to distribute.

According to court documents, during the late spring and early summer of 2015, members of the Cranston Police Special Investigations Unit and the Warwick Police Special Operations Group worked collaboratively to investigate Bernard’s drug trafficking activities in Cranston and in Warwick. During the investigation, a Warwick undercover detective made several purchases of crack cocaine from Bernard.

On June 24, 2015, law enforcement executed a court authorized search warrant at Bernard’s Cranston residence where they seized approximately 44 grams of crack cocaine and approximately 25 grams of heroin, and $6,251 in cash. Various items used in the packaging and distribution of drugs were also seized.

At the time of Bernard’s arrest, law enforcement seized a BMW automobile, a Rolex watch and other assorted jewelry which the investigation determined was purchased by Bernard with proceeds derived from his drug trafficking activities. The items and cash seized have been forfeited to the government.

Bernard is scheduled to be sentenced on January 8, 2016.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ly T. Chin.

The Rhode Island DEA Drug Task Force assisted the Cranston and Warwick Police Departments in the investigation of this matter.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Three individuals who participated in a conspiracy in August 2014 to trafficking two Boston area females, one of them a minor, into Rhode Island for the purpose of offering them for commercial sexual activity have been sentenced in federal court in Providence.

Kemont Bowie, a/k/a Daddy, 35, of Central Falls, was sentenced today to 13 years in federal prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release. Bowie pleaded guilty on June 11, 2015, to conspiracy, sex trafficking of a child and transportation of a minor for sexual activity.

Ricky Wallace, a/k/a Justice, 34, of Pawtucket was sentenced on August 14, 2015, to 12 years in federal prison, to be followed by 5 years supervised release, for his participation in the conspiracy. He pleaded guilty on March 23, 2015, to one count each of conspiracy, sex trafficking of a child and transportation of a minor for sexual activity, and two counts of transportation of an individual for sexual activity.

Raechyl Spooner, 21, of Pawtucket was sentenced on October 8, 2015, to 3 years probation. She pleaded guilty on June 12, 2015, to one count of conspiracy.

The sentences, announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston field office of the FBI; Pawtucket Police Chief Paul King; Central Falls Police Chief Colonel James J. Mendonca; Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police; United States Marshal Jamie A. Hainsworth; and Arlington, Mass., Police Chief Frederick Ryan, were imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Mary M. Lisi.

According to court documents and information presented to the court, a 17-year-old female was taken from South Station in Boston in the early morning hours of August 19, 2014, and driven by the defendants to Rhode Island for the purposes of being trafficked for commercial sexual activity. According to the victim, she was driven to the same Pawtucket residence where she was located by law enforcement six days later and rescued by FBI agents, Pawtucket Police and Central Falls Police. She was located after she contacted a group home in the Boston area in which she resided, who in turn contacted the FBI. Provocative photographs taken of the victim were posted in advertisements placed on Backpage.com.

Additionally, on August 22, 2014, Wallace offered a 20-year-old Boston area woman a ride from South Station in Boston to nearby Cambridge, Mass. Instead of driving her to Cambridge, she was driven to Pawtucket and then to a motel in Seekonk, Mass., where she was photographed and offered on Backpage.com for commercial sexual activity. The woman repeatedly asked that she be driven back to the Boston area. The next day the woman was able to get away from Wallace and had contact with Seekonk Police, who was assisted by Rhode Island State Police in their investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S Attorney Adi Goldstein.

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