20 Arrested Across Rhode Island in Organized Criminal Gambling Sweep
Saturday, April 16, 2016
GoLocalProv News Team
A Statewide Organized Criminal Gambling sweep resulted in 20 arrests and the seizure of 330 pounds of Marijuana and $311,596 in United States currency, announced Colonel Steven O'Donnell, Peter Kilmartin. Those arrested consisted of 19 men and 1 woman, all on charges relating to the management of a statewide criminal gambling organization and a marijuana distribution operation.
The arrests were a result of an 8 month investigation that was led by members of the State Police Intelligence Unit and the Office of the Rhode Island Attorney General that resulted in the execution of arrest warrants and search warrants on Tuesday, April 12.
The Arrests are as follows:
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1. Thomas J. Pilderian, age 45, of 55 Pine Ridge Road, Cranston 1) Bookmaking, 2.) Organized Criminal Gambling, 3.) Conspiracy
2. Mark B. Battista, age 39, of 400 Narragansett Parkway, Warwick 1) Bookmaking 2) Organized Criminal Gambling 3) Conspiracy 4) Possession of Controlled Substance – 3 counts
3. Mark V. Marinaro, age 43, of 11 Winward Circle, Warwick 1.) Organized Criminal Gambling, 2.) Conspiracy
4. Jason M. Pilderian, age 39, of 25 Talbut Road, Scituate 1.) Organized Criminal Gambling, 2.) Conspiracy
5. Joseph R. Brunelle, age 38, of 12 Palm Street, North Providence 1.) Organized Criminal Gambling, 2.) Conspiracy
6. Eric D. Glaude, age 40, of 35 Marigold Circle, North Providence 1.) Organized Criminal Gambling, 2.) Conspiracy
7. Dustin R. Sears, age 40, of 40 Braeburn Circle, Cranston 1.) Organized Criminal Gambling, 2.) Conspiracy
8. David J. Disano, age 42 of 83 West Hill Drive, Cranston 1.) Organized Criminal Gambling, 2.) Conspiracy
9. Jonny E. Lubo, age 44, of 111 Wunnegin Circle, Warwick 1.) Organized Criminal Gambling, 2.) Conspiracy
10. James J. Petrella, age 31, of 26 Beach Row, Narragansett 1) Bookmaking, 2.) Organized Criminal Gambling, 3.) Conspiracy
11. Timothy J. Moretti, age 46, of 1710 Phenix Avenue, Cranston 1) Bookmaking 2.) Organized Criminal Gambling 3.) Conspiracy 4.) Violation of Probation for prior convictions of Possession with Intent to Deliver Cocaine and Possession of 1 ounce to 1 kilogram of Cocaine.
12. Sean W. Furney, age 24, of 48 Roosevelt Street, Warwick 1.) Organized Criminal Gambling, 2.) Conspiracy
13. Brian K. Cipolla, age 48, of 178 Council Rock Road, Cranston 1.) Organized Criminal Gambling, 2.) Conspiracy
14. Lewis Silveira, age 50, of 154 North Street, Warwick 1.) Organized Criminal Gambling, 2.) Conspiracy
15. John Depietro, age 41, 39 Prospect Avenue, South Kingstown 1.) Possession with intent to deliver 1 to 5 kilos of marijuana 2.) Possession of 1 to 5 kilos of marijuana 3.) Possession of Adderall with intent to deliver
16. Christopher R. Costantino, age 24, of 10 Cedar Pond Drive, Warwick 1.) Organized Criminal Gambling, 2.) Conspiracy
17. Joseph A. Capelli, age 38, of 58 Firglade Drive, Cranston 1.) Organized Criminal Gambling, 2.) Conspiracy
18. Louis Scaglione Jr., age 24, of 34 Bridgham Farm, Road, East Providence 1.) Organized Criminal Gambling, 2.) Conspiracy
19. Zhen L. Wu, DOB: 12/11/83, of 125 Pleasant St. Cranston 1.) Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana 2.) Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana – 1 to 5 KG 3.) Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana 4.) Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana – Over 5 KG 5.) Controlled Substance
20. Shu Y. Ruan, DOB: 6/30/75, of 125 Pleasant St. Cranston 1.) Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana 2.) Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana – 1 to 5 KG 3.) Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana 4.) Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana – Over 5 KG 5.) Controlled Substance
The arrests and search warrants resulted in the seizure of gambling ledgers, $311,596 in United States currency, 330 pounds of marijuana, 2015 Ford F-150 pickup, 2015 Toyota Sienna Minivan, 2010 Chevrolet Silverado pickup, 10 Computers, 11 Cellular Phones, 6 Digital Storage Devices, 2 scales and 2 Money Counting Machines.
The Investigation
The investigation started after receiving information that alleged that Thomas Pilderian was operating an illegal bookmaking operation from his business, The Cozy Grill Restaurant located at 440 Warwick Avenue in Warwick. The investigation confirmed the information provided and identified Mark Battista, Mark Marinaro, Jason Pilderian, Joseph Brunelle, Eric Glaude, David Disanao and Jonny Lubo as alleged co-conspirators in the operation.
The investigation led to the identification of a second alleged illegal bookmaking operation run by James Petrella and Timothy Moretti. Sean Furney, Brian Cipolla, Lewis Silveira, Lois Scaglione Jr., Christopher Costantino and Joseph Capelli were identified as alleged co-conspirators with Petrella and Moretti.
Both alleged illegal gambling operations used the internet to perform most of the betting and record keeping functions. Pilderian used the betcapri.com webiste while Petrella and Moretti used the VIPbettors.com website.
Both websites appear to be based in Costa Rica.
During the investigation, members of the Intelligence Unit received information that Zhen Wu was trafficking large quantities of marijuana. Surveillance over the past few weeks then confirmed this information and identified a storage locker Wu visited frequently at 604 Park Avenue in Cranston.
Punishments
A person convicted of Organized Criminal Gambling may be imprisoned for not more than 5 years and fined not more than $10,000.
A person convicted of Bookmaking may be punished by a fine not exceeding $500 or imprisonment not exceeding one year, and upon a second conviction of a violation of this section shall be imprisoned for a period not less than one nor more than 5 years.
A person convicted of possession with intent to deliver one 1 kilogram to 5 kilograms of marijuana may be imprisoned for a term up to 50 years and fined not more than $500,000.
A person convicted of possession with intent to deliver over five 5 kilograms of marijuana may be imprisoned for a term up to life and fined not more than $1,000,000.
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#38 Little Compton
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 0
2013 Violent Crimes: 0
2013 Population: 3,474
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Forcible Rape: 0
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Aggravated Assaults: 0
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2013 Population: 5,442
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Forcible Rape: 1
Robbery: 0
Aggravated Assaults: 0
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#36 Barrington
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 0.184
2013 Violent Crimes: 3
2013 Population: 16,286
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Forcible Rape: 1
Robbery: 1
Aggravated Assaults: 1
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#35 Scituate
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 0.287
2013 Violent Crimes: 3
2013 Population: 10,443
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Forcible Rape: 1
Robbery: 0
Aggravated Assaults: 2
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Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 0.304
2013 Violent Crimes: 3
2013 Population: 9,858
Murder: 0
Forcible Rape: 1
Robbery: 0
Aggravated Assaults: 2
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#33 East Greenwich
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 0.458
2013 Violent Crimes: 6
2013 Population: 13,104
Murder: 0
Forcible Rape: 1
Robbery: 3
Aggravated Assaults: 2
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Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 0.496
2013 Violent Crimes: 11
2013 Population: 22,160
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Forcible Rape: 6
Robbery: 2
Aggravated Assaults: 3
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Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 0.520
2013 Violent Crimes: 9
2013 Population: 17,300
Murder: 1
Forcible Rape: 1
Robbery: 0
Aggravated Assaults: 7
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Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 0.616
2013 Violent Crimes: 5
2013 Population: 8,112
Murder: 0
Forcible Rape: 2
Robbery: 0
Aggravated Assaults: 3
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#29 Foster
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 0.644
2013 Violent Crimes: 3
2013 Population: 4,660
Murder: 0
Forcible Rape: 0
Robbery: 0
Aggravated Assaults: 3
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#28 Richmond
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 0.658
2013 Violent Crimes: 5
2013 Population: 7,598
Murder: 0
Forcible Rape: 1
Robbery: 1
Aggravated Assaults: 3
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Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 0.693
2013 Violent Crimes: 21
2013 Population: 30,309
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Forcible Rape: 7
Robbery: 2
Aggravated Assaults: 12
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Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 0.702
2013 Violent Crimes: 11
2013 Population: 15,668
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Forcible Rape: 3
Robbery: 1
Aggravated Assaults: 6
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Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 0.745
2013 Violent Crimes: 16
2013 Population: 21,490
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Robbery: 2
Aggravated Assaults: 14
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2013 Violent Crimes: 14
2013 Population: 16,037
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Forcible Rape: 8
Robbery: 0
Aggravated Assaults: 6
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Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 0.886
2013 Violent Crimes: 31
2013 Population: 34,971
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Forcible Rape: 8
Robbery: 2
Aggravated Assaults: 21
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Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 0.894
2013 Violent Crimes: 26
2013 Population: 29,068
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Forcible Rape: 8
Robbery: 4
Aggravated Assaults: 12
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#21 North Kingstown
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 0.956
2013 Violent Crimes: 25
2013 Population: 26,156
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Forcible Rape: 3
Robbery: 4
Aggravated Assaults: 18
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Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 1.03
2013 Violent Crimes: 8
2013 Population: 7,770
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Forcible Rape: 2
Robbery: 2
Aggravated Assaults: 4
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2013 Violent Crimes: 22
2013 Population: 21,334
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Forcible Rape: 2
Robbery: 7
Aggravated Assaults: 13
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Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 1.058
2013 Violent Crimes: 36
2013 Population: 34,028
Murder: 1
Forcible Rape: 3
Robbery: 10
Aggravated Assaults: 22
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#17 Westerly
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 1.061
2013 Violent Crimes: 24
2013 Population: 22,629
Murder: 0
Forcible Rape: 9
Robbery: 2
Aggravated Assaults: 13
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#16 Warren
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 1.137
2013 Violent Crimes: 12
2013 Population: 10,557
Murder: 0
Forcible Rape: 3
Robbery: 4
Aggravated Assaults: 5
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#15 Warwick
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 1.137
2013 Violent Crimes: 93
2013 Population: 81,789
Murder: 4
Forcible Rape: 35
Robbery: 15
Aggravated Assaults: 39
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#14 West Greenwich
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 1.150
2013 Violent Crimes: 7
2013 Population: 6,085
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Forcible Rape: 3
Robbery: 1
Aggravated Assaults: 3
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#13 North Smithfield
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 1.153
2013 Violent Crimes: 14
2013 Population: 12,138
Murder: 0
Forcible Rape: 3
Robbery: 3
Aggravated Assaults: 8
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Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 1.239
2013 Violent Crimes: 20
2013 Population: 16,141
Murder: 0
Forcible Rape: 7
Robbery: 0
Aggravated Assaults: 13
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Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 1.271
2013 Violent Crimes: 60
2013 Population: 47,200
Murder: 0
Forcible Rape: 12
Robbery: 16
Aggravated Assaults: 32
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Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 1.330
2013 Violent Crimes: 21
2013 Population: 15,792
Murder: 0
Forcible Rape: 5
Robbery: 5
Aggravated Assaults: 11
Interesting fact from the data: Tiverton had 0 arsons recorded.
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#9 North Providence
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 1.458
2013 Violent Crimes: 47
2013 Population: 32,234
Murder: 2
Forcible Rape: 10
Robbery: 7
Aggravated Assaults: 28
Interesting fact from the data: 338 larceny-thefts were recorded in North Providence in 2013.
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Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 1.871
2013 Violent Crimes: 151
2013 Population: 80,718
Murder: 0
Forcible Rape: 29
Robbery: 42
Aggravated Assaultss: 80
Interesting fact from the data: In 2013, 1,755 property crimes were recorded in Cranston.
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#7 West Warwick
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 1.874
2013 Violent Crimes: 54
2013 Population: 28,817
Murder: 0
Forcible Rape: 23
Robbery: 12
Aggravated Assaults: 19
Interesting fact from the data: In West Warwick, 24 motor vehicle thefts were recorded.
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#6 New Shoreham
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 2.885
2013 Violent Crimes: 3
2013 Population: 1,040
Murder: 0
Forcible Rape: 0
Robbery: 0
Aggravated Assaults: 3
Interesting fact from the data: Only 14 larceny-thefts were recorded in New Shoreham in 2013.
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#5 Pawtucket
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 3.913
2013 Violent Crimes: 279
2013 Population: 71,305
Murder: 5
Forcible Rape: 44
Robbery: 71
Aggravated Assaults: 159
Interesting fact from the data: 2,322 property crimes were recorded in Pawtucket.
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#4 Newport
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 4.649
2013 Violent Crimes: 111
2013 Population: 23,874
Murder: 0
Forcible Rape: 19
Robbery: 12
Aggravated Assaults: 80
Interesting fact from the data: Newport had 17 arsons in 2013 recorded.
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#3 Woonsocket
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 5.870
2013 Violent Crimes: 241
2013 Population: 41,057
Murder: 1
Forcible Rape: 41
Robbery: 48
Aggravated Assaults: 151
Interesting fact from the data: 87 motor vehicle thefts were recorded in Woonsocket in 2013.
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#2 Providence
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 6.233
2013 Violent Crimes: 1,115
2013 Population: 178,887
Murder: 12
Forcible Rape: 97
Robbery: 365
Aggravated Assaults: 641
Interesting fact from the data: Providence had more property crimes than any other city and town in RI in 2013.
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#1 Central Falls
Violent Crime Per 1000 residents: 6.751
2013 Violent Crimes: 131
2013 Population: 19,404
Murder: 2
Forcible Rape: 9
Robbery: 34
Aggravated Assaults: 86
Interesting fact from the data: 12 arsons were recorded in Central Falls in 2013.
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