A Chilean national involved in a burglary ring was sentenced and ordered deported for his role in targeting homes of Asian families across at least eight states, including Rhode Island. Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom announced the ruling in U.S. District Court in Rhode Island.
Yoel Andres Barrera Garrido, aged 21, arrived in the United States in 2022 and overstayed a tourist visa. He confessed to being part of a coordinated effort that involved surveillance of victims of Asian descent at their residences and businesses, subsequently executing robberies in states such as Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Wisconsin, and Florida.
The group focused their operations on homes where they expected to find significant amounts of cash, jewelry, credit and debit cards, among other valuables. Barrera Garrido admitted to participating in three burglaries, two in Rhode Island, one in Gorham, New Hampshire, and one in West Allis, Wisconsin.
After his arrest on March 12, 2024, Barrera Garrido was detained in federal custody. On November 20, 2024, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property and two counts of attempt to commit interstate transportation of stolen property. U.S. District Court Judge Melissa R. DuBose sentenced him to time served, totaling 12 months, and ordered his removal from the United States.
The prosecution was led by Assistant United States Attorneys Ly T. Chin and Julianne Klein. Homeland Security Investigations spearheaded a comprehensive investigation with support from multiple local police departments and New York City Police Department, among others.