RI Man On Federal Probation Caught With $36K Worth Of Stolen Checks: Feds

EXETER, RI — An Exeter man, who is on federal probation for bank fraud and stealing people's mail, is facing new charges, U.S. Attorney Zachary Cunha said Friday.

Prosecutors said Edmilson Rodrigues, 26, was caught with stolen checks, various items used for fishing mail out of mail boxes, supplies to alter or deface checks, and ammunition. He was ordered detained Tuesday and was charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, possession of stolen mail, and being a felon in possession of ammunition.

On Tuesday, police searched Rodrigues' home and seized 50 stolen business and personal checks valued around $36,000, hundreds of sheets of blank check paper; a check washing basin and cleaning materials used to deface and alter checks; a laptop and printer; and various items used to fish mail from U.S. Postal Service receptacles, such as mousetraps, glue, and string; and ammunition, prosecutors said.

Rodrigues was previously convicted in U.S. District Court in 2019 for conspiracy to commit bank fraud and bank fraud involving a counterfeit check scheme; and in 2023 for possession of stolen mail that involved possession of about 100 stolen and fraudulent checks worth nearly $100,000.

The matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, with the assistance of the Newport Police Department, Providence Police Department, and Pawtucket Police Department.

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