Media Contact: Lieutenant John D. Lemont, Assistant Detective Commander
On September 28, 2011, eight (8) teams totaling more than 70 state, federal and local law enforcement agents fanned out across Rhode Island armed with Search Warrants targeting individuals identified in a lengthy multi-agency investigation into online child pornography and child exploitation. Over a period of several months, members of the Rhode Island State Police Computer Crimes Unit/Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (RI ICAC), in conjunction with the United States Attorney’s Office and the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office, initiated an undercover online investigation dubbed "Operation Safe Child Rhode Island," which identified 17 Rhode Island residences which were involved in obtaining and sharing images of child pornography on the Internet. As a result of the operation, the fourteen (14) individuals listed below were arrested and charged with Possession of Child Pornography. Two (2) of the individuals were arraigned in Federal court, while five (5) of the individuals were arraigned in Providence County and two (2) were arraigned in Kent County. There were four (4) 17-year old juveniles petitioned before the Family Court.
1) Daniel R. Racine, age 25, of 67 Exchange Road, West Warwick, RI; 2) Brendan R. Marsello, age 31, of 29 Loveday Street, Providence, RI; 3) Martin A. Scannell, age 39, 26 Rowe Avenue, Pawtucket, RI; 4) John F. Varga, age 56, of 40 Crothers Avenue, Cranston, RI; 5) Derrick Cordiero, age 38, 21 Mauran Avenue, East Providence, RI; 6) Ethan Robinson, age 29, of 81 Erie Avenue, Providence, RI; 7) Michael Iarocci, age 21, of 93 Pinehurst Avenue, Providence, RI; 8) Thomas Wells, age 30, of 582 Main Street, Warren, RI; 9) Gennie Lyles, age 66, of 70 Warwick Avenue, Warwick, RI; 10) John Gomes, age 42, of 60 Abbott Street, Pawtucket, RI. (Video Voyeurism) 11) 17-year old juvenile from Cranston, RI; 12) 17-year old juvenile from Pawtucket, RI; 13) 17-year old juvenile from Providence, RI; 14) 17-year old juvenile from South Kingstown, RI.
On September 29, 2011, members of the Violent Fugitive Task Force, along with members of the United States Marshals Service, arrested Rafelina Gabriel, age 28, of 560 Prospect Street, Unit 326, Pawtucket, Rhode Island, on a Federal Arrest Warrant for Dangerous Drugs. Gabriel was transported to the Marshals Office, processed and arraigned in Federal Court.
On September 29, 2011, Detectives assigned to the ACI charged inmate Steven Corcoran, Age 51, with a last known address of 234 Mineral Spring Avenue, North Providence, Rhode Island, as a Fugitive from Justice. The State of Connecticut Office of Adult Probation had filed a detainor for inmate Corcoran for violation of probation on an original charge of Driving While Intoxicated. Corcoran was presented before the Honorable Judge Woodcock-Pfeiffer in Third Division District Court, where he waived extradition proceedings. Judge Woodcock-Pfeiffer remanded Corcoran to the custody of the ACI Intake Service Center to await Connecticut authorities.
On September 29, 2011, members of the Auto Theft & Insurance Fraud Unit arrested Marianne Monahan, age 53, of 21 Grosvenor Avenue, Pawtucket, RI, on one (1) Felony Count of Obtaining Money by False Pretenses/Over $500.00. The arrest was the result of a complaint filed by the Department of Labor and Training and subsequent investigation by members of the Auto Theft & Insurance Fraud Unit. Ms. Monahan was arraigned at State Police Headquarters before a Justice of the Peace and released on $5,000.00 personal recognizance.
On September 29, 2011, at 5:00 PM, members of the Intelligence Unit arrested Joann Benedetti, age 56, of 33 Vermont Avenue, Apartment 1, Cranston, Rhode Island for the following: 1) Fugitive from Justice from the State of Florida for the charge of Grand Theft Larceny. Ms.Benedetti was arraigned before a Justice of the Peace and held at the Adult Correctional Women's Facility pending a formal AM arraignment in Sixth District Court.