A Guatemalan national, who had been deported twice before, has been sentenced to 30 months in federal prison. The individual was identified as a key member of a group involved in stealing high-end construction equipment, building supplies, and clothing from national retailers. Following his sentence, he will be deported again after being convicted on charges of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property and illegal re-entry into the United States. This was announced by United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.
Court documents revealed that Marvin Estuardo Morales De Paz, 30, residing in Cranston, was part of a Rhode Island-based conspiracy involving up to a dozen members. The group targeted home improvement and clothing stores across at least five states for thefts and transported the stolen goods back to Rhode Island for sale. Morales played a significant role by attending nearly every theft and managing the pricing and sales of the stolen items.
The court was informed that the criminal ring executed at least 35 documented thefts across Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. The estimated value of the stolen merchandise exceeded $280,000. When Morales was arrested on April 11, 2024, authorities recovered tens of thousands of dollars' worth of stolen goods from his residence.
U.S. District Court Senior Judge William E. Smith sentenced Morales to 30 months in prison followed by one year of supervised release. Upon completing his incarceration term, Morales will be handed over to ICE for deportation proceedings.
Assistant United States Attorney John P. McAdams prosecuted the case.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations agents based in Providence with support from HSI agents in Boston and Allentown, Pennsylvania. Various police departments also assisted in the investigation including those from Providence, Coventry, Warwick, Smithfield, Johnston (RI), Boston (MA), Norwood (MA), Bellingham (MA), Marlboro (MA), Seekonk (MA), Avon (MA), Auburn (MA), Montville (CT), Fairfield (CT), Parkesburg (PA), Downingtown (PA), Lebanon (PA), Wyomissing (PA), Reading (PA), Nashua (NH) and Marlboro (NJ).