PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A pair of Providence men are headed to federal prison after admitting to a brazen scheme that bilked credit card companies and big-box home improvement stores out of over $160,000. The operation, targeting Home Depot and Lowe’s locations across Rhode Island and Massachusetts, involved the use of stolen credit card information to purchase construction tools and building materials.
Jose Brens, 40, received a fifteen-month prison sentence and was ordered to pay restitution totaling $140,578. He pleaded guilty on December 13, 2021, to conspiracy to commit access device fraud and six counts of access device fraud. His accomplice, Jose R. Delarosa, 45, will spend twelve months and one day behind bars and must pay $20,141 in restitution after pleading guilty on December 16, 2021, to the same conspiracy charge and four counts of access device fraud.
The scam first came to light in September 2018 when a Smithfield, Rhode Island resident contacted local police after discovering $2,100 worth of construction items and tools had been purchased at a nearby Home Depot using their stolen credit card information. The Smithfield Police Department quickly partnered with the U.S. Secret Service, uncovering a coordinated effort by Brens, Delarosa, and others to systematically defraud multiple stores.
Investigators determined the crew repeatedly made purchases ranging from $1,000 to $4,000 per transaction, hitting at least six Home Depot and Lowe’s stores across both states. The scope of the fraud suggests a well-organized operation designed to maximize profits while minimizing the risk of immediate detection. The stolen card data allowed them to acquire high-value items, likely resold on the black market.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys William J. Ferland and Terrence P. Donnelly prosecuted the case, presenting evidence that tied Brens and Delarosa directly to the fraudulent purchases. The Secret Service investigation meticulously tracked the transactions and ultimately identified the individuals responsible. This case highlights the agency’s ongoing commitment to combating financial crimes that impact both businesses and individuals.
The sentences handed down today send a clear message: exploiting stolen financial information will not be tolerated. While restitution orders offer some relief to the victims, the damage caused by identity theft and fraud extends far beyond the monetary loss. Brens and Delarosa will now face the consequences of their actions, while authorities continue to investigate any remaining co-conspirators involved in this scheme.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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