Providence Man Sentenced for Scamming More Than a Dozen Seniors
GoLocalProv News Team
Providence Man Sentenced for Scamming More Than a Dozen Seniors
In addition, he was ordered to pay restitution to his victims; and ordered by the court to perform community after serving his term of incarceration by speaking to senior citizen groups and organizations about his criminal conduct and ways they can avoid being victimized, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST
According to the U.S. Attorney, Vidal Roquez, 39, previously admitted to the court that he personally visited the homes of grandparent scam victims in Rhode Island and Massachusetts to collect cash from them after they had been convinced by other members of the conspiracy that a relative, usually a grandchild or child, had been arrested and that the money was urgently needed for bail. Some of the victims were told that a “gag order” was in place on their relative’s legal matter and that they were prohibited from sharing information with anyone else.
The investigation identified thirteen seniors who were victimized by Roquez. He was arrested after a failed attempt to defraud a senior in Little Compton, RI.
Roquez pleaded on December 14, 2023, to a charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He was sentenced on Thursday by U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy to one year and one day of incarceration; three years of supervised release; and sixty hours of community service by meeting with senior citizen organizations and groups, during which he is to describe his and his co-conspirators criminal conduct and to discuss ways seniors can protect themselves from being victimized; and to pay a total of $130,300 in restitution to his victims.