RI State Police Arrest RIDOT Employee for 4 Felony Charges Tied to Purchase of Mercedes

RI State Police Arrest RIDOT Employee for 4 Felony Charges Tied to Purchase of Mercedes

The Rhode Island State Police announced on Friday that members of the State Police Financial Crimes Unit arrested Ryan P. Garnetto, age 45 of Johnston, for Identity Fraud, False Statement to Obtain a Loan, Fraudulent Checks over $1,500, and Obtaining Money Under False Pretenses. Mr. Garnetto is employed by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) as an Engineer Tech II.

 

All four charges are felonies. According to RI Court records, Garnetto is now represented by attorney Patrick Dowling. Garnetto was arrested on June 3, 2025, arraigned at Third Division District Court, and released on $25,000.00 personal recognizance.

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According to the State Police, in February 2025, the State Police Financial Crimes Unit received a complaint from Westerly Community Credit Union regarding a fraudulent account/vehicle loan that the Credit Union had issued. On December 4, 2024, an online application was filed with Westerly Community Credit Union to open a savings account, checking account, Visa credit card and an automobile loan in the amount of $51,000.00. The account was opened by providing a RI operator’s license, pay stub, vehicle bill of sale, vehicle title, insurance documents and additional information. The $51,000.00 check was made payable to a car dealer in Georgia to purchase a 2019 Mercedes-Benz.

 

On January 9, 2025, a male subject entered the Coventry branch of Westerly Community Credit Union and deposited a check in the amount of $5,265.00 into the account, which was later determined to be fraudulent. Video surveillance showed the male subject was operating a RIDOT-marked vehicle. It was also discovered that, except for the vehicle bill of sale, all the documents provided to Westerly Community Credit Union to open the accounts/loans were fraudulent.

 

Westerly Community Credit Union discovered that no payments were being made on the Visa card or the vehicle loan and reported to the discovery to the Financial Crimes Unit. The investigation revealed that the individual whose name was used to open the accounts/loan has been incarcerated at the Rhode Island Adult Correctional Institution since 2019 and had no access to open the accounts. The investigation also revealed that the individual pictured in the video surveillance was identified as Ryan P. Garnetto and evidence showed that Garnetto had opened the Westerly Community Credit Union accounts/loan online.