Convicted Child Sex Abuser Richard Gardner Arrested at Bally's on Multiple Fraud Charges

Convicted Child Sex Abuser Richard Gardner Arrested at Bally's on Multiple Fraud Charges

The Rhode Island State Police on Thursday announced that members of the Gaming Enforcement Unit (GEU) and the Computer Crimes Unit (CCU) arrested Richard Gardner, age 56, of 14 Knowles Street, Lincoln, Rhode Island on an arrest warrant for fraudulent activities.

In 1988, Gardner kidnapped a boy in Warwick and sexually assaulted him on a ball field. That same day, he abducted a boy from a Warwick library and sexually assaulted him. Gardner, at the time of the two assaults, was on bail awaiting sentencing in Massachusetts for kidnapping and raping another child in the woods.

Gardner was released from the Massachusetts prison system in October 2018 after serving nearly 30 years.

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After his release, he has lived in at least three locations in Rhode Island — first South Providence, then in Cranston, and in Lincoln.

In February 2023, the Rhode Island State Police Gaming Enforcement Unit initiated an investigation regarding fraudulent access of a Bally’s Casino Rewards account. Bally’s Rewards is a promotional reward card system that provides casino patrons with rewards at the casino based on gambling frequency and other play-based factors. 

After an extensive investigation, Gardner was arrested and arraigned on the following charges:

1.    Five (5) counts of Access to Computer for Fraudulent Purposes. (Felony) 

2.    One (1) count of Obtaining Money Under False Pretentions Over $1500. (Felony)

3.    One (1) count of Receiving Stolen Goods. (Misdemeanor)

At the time of his arrest, Gardner was on probation for a previous conviction in 1988 for numerous charges including Kidnapping and Child Molestation.

He had been sentenced to 50 years with 30 years to serve and the remaining 20 years suspended / probation. 

On Thursday, members of the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office arraigned Gardner at Third Division District Court on the charges where he was issued $30,000 surety bail, and held as a Superior Court probation violator.