Central Falls Residents Indicted in Alleged Fraud, Stolen ID Scheme

PROVIDENCE – A federal grand jury in Providence on Tuesday returned a 10-count superseding indictment charging Reynaldo Martinez, 25, of Central Falls, with participating in a conspiracy to use stolen personal identifying information to open or attempt to open retail store credit cards and lines of credits used to purchase tens of thousands of dollars worth of goods and services in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.  

Acting United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch and Brian Deck, Resident Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service, announced the indictment, which charges Martinez with four counts of aggravated identity theft, two counts of access fraud, and one count each of bank fraud, conspiracy to commit fraud, attempted access fraud and interstate transportation of stolen goods.

According to court documents, it is alleged that for nearly one year beginning in June 2016, Martinez used stolen identities, fraudulent driver’s licenses and fraudulent ID cards to open or attempt to open retail store credit cards and lines of credit in stores in Rhode Island and Massachusetts to purchase or attempt to purchase among other items electronic goods, iPhones, clothing and furniture, and to pay for approximately $14,000 in auto repairs. According to court documents, it is alleged that the stolen identities and personal information belonged to individuals from at least nine states.

The investigation into this alleged conspiracy is continuing.

Reynaldo Martinez was first charged in this matter by way of a criminal complaint on May 17, 2017. He was arrested on May 24 and ordered detained in federal custody. A federal grand jury returned an indictment in this matter on June 20. The grand jury returned a superseding indictment on Tuesday. Martinez remains detained in federal custody.

An indictment is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William J. Ferland.

Acting United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch acknowledges and thanks the Middletown, Warwick, Richmond and Central Falls, R.I., Police Departments; Rhode Island State Police; Mansfield and Seekonk, Mass, Police Departments; West Hartford and Hamden, Conn., Police Departments; and the Richardson, Texas, Police Department for their assistance in gathering and providing information to the United States Attorney’s Office in Rhode Island and the United States Secret Service New England Electronic Crimes Task Force.

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