20 Arrested Across Rhode Island in Organized Criminal Gambling Sweep

20 Arrested Across Rhode Island in Organized Criminal Gambling Sweep

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.