SMITHFIELD, RI – A brazen scheme to fleece home improvement stores out of thousands of dollars using stolen identities and credit card information has landed four men in federal trouble. The operation, spanning at least six stores across Rhode Island and Massachusetts, involved the purchase of construction supplies and tools with illegally obtained payment details.
The investigation kicked off in September 2018, when a Smithfield resident reported over $2,100 in fraudulent charges on their credit card – all for construction materials bought at a local home improvement store. Smithfield Police quickly looped in the U.S. Secret Service, uncovering a far-reaching conspiracy that stretched from at least September 2018 through January 2019. Each purchase involved a member of the group providing stolen personal and credit card information over the phone to unsuspecting store cashiers.
According to court documents, the crew wasn’t shy about their spending. Individual purchases ranged from approximately $1,000 to a hefty $4,000 or more. They repeatedly hit the same stores, brazenly returning to maximize their haul. The operation wasn’t a one-off; it was a sustained effort to convert stolen data into tangible goods.
Facing charges of conspiracy to commit access fraud, access device fraud, and aggravated identity theft are Jose R. Delarosa, 42, of Cranston; Jose G. Rivera, 42, address unknown; and Miguel Rodrigues, 48, of Providence. Jose Brens, 38, of Providence, is charged with conspiracy to commit access fraud. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, led by Aaron L. Weisman, is prosecuting the case, with assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorneys Terrence P. Donnelly and William J. Ferland.
Smithfield Police Chief Richard P. St.Sauveur, Jr., and U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Stephen Marks announced the charges. The Secret Service, while often associated with protecting dignitaries, has a significant mandate in combating financial crimes like this. The investigation is ongoing, raising the possibility of further arrests and a deeper unraveling of the operation.
It’s crucial to remember that a criminal complaint is merely an accusation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. But the evidence, as presented, paints a clear picture of a calculated scheme designed to exploit vulnerable systems and victimize individuals through identity theft. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it develops.
Related Federal Cases
- George L. Wilson, Passport Fraud, Rhode Island 2024 · U.S. Virgin Islands
- Daniel E. Saad, Arson and Wire Fraud, Rhode Island 2014 · New Hampshire
- Nimon Naphaeng, Mail and Visa Fraud, Rhode Island 2024 · Puerto Rico
- Christopher Hayes, Wire Fraud, Rhode Island 2024 · Massachusetts
- Card Cracking Scheme, Rhode Island 2024 · New Hampshire
Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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