"Operation Free Roll" Cashiers Twenty Suspects

PROVIDENCE, RI — Atty. Gen. Peter Kilmartin has released Statewide Grand Jury's interim report. The Grand Jury "reported out an indictment charging 20 individuals" with various gambling, conspiracy and drug charges, his office said.

Specifically, they were charged with various counts of conspiracy to commit organized criminal gambling,
organized criminal gambling, conspiracy to violate the Rhode Island Uniform Controlled Substances Act, possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, possession of marijuana over five kilos, and possession of a
controlled substance.

The defendants were arrested in April in "Operation Free Roll," an eight-month long investigation by the Rhode Island State Police, local police departments, and the Office of Attorney General, Kilmartin said,

"It is alleged that the defendants were engaged in a multi-million dollar organized criminal gambling conspiracy, which involved the taking of wagers, setting betting lines, and collecting illegal gambling proceeds," he said. Also, "it is alleged the conspirators received a percentage of the gambling debts as payment, in furtherance of the conspiracy."

The arraignment is set for Dec. 9 in Kent County Superior Court.

The following defendants -- Thomas Pilderian, 45, Timothy Moretti, 47, Joseph Cappelli, 39, Brian Cipolla, 48, David Disano, 43, Dustin Sears, 41, all of Cranston; Mark Battista, 39, Christopher Costantino, 25, Sean Furney, 25, Jonny Lubo, 45, Lewis Silveira, 51, all of Warwick; Mark Marinaro, 44, of Smithfield; Joseph Brunelle, 38, and Eric Glaude, 41, both of North Providence; Louis Scaglione, 25, of West Warwick; and Jason Pilderian, 39, of Hope, face two counts:

• Conspiracy to commit organized criminal gambling
• Organized criminal gambling

James Petrella, 31, of Narragansett, is charged with six offenses:

• Conspiracy to commit organized criminal gambling
• Organized criminal gambling
• Conspiracy to violate the Rhode Island Uniform Controlled Substances Act
• Possession of marijuana with intent to deliver
• Possession of marijuana over five kilos
• Possession of a controlled substance (hydrocodone)

John Depietro, 42, of South Kingstown, is charged with three offenses:

• Conspiracy to violate the Rhode Island Uniform Controlled Substances Act
• Possession of a controlled substance (marijuana) with intent to deliver
• Possession of a controlled substance (amphetamine)

Zhen Wu, 32, and Shu Ruan, 41, both of Cranston are charged with three counts:

• Conspiracy to violate the Rhode Island Uniform Controlled Substances Act
• Possession of a controlled substance (marijuana) with intent to deliver
• Possession of marijuana over five kilos