A Guatemalan national who was involved in a criminal plot to steal high-end construction equipment, building supplies, and clothing has been sentenced to federal prison, as announced by the United States Attorney District of Rhode Island’s office.
Marvin Estuardo Morales De Paz, a 30-year-old resident of Cranston, was part of a group of twelve individuals involved in a conspiracy in Rhode Island. This criminal organization specialized in stealing merchandise from various home improvement and clothing stores, operating across multiple states.
Morales’ ring played a significant role in at least 35 documented thefts across Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. The stolen items were then transported to Rhode Island for sale.
He was found guilty of conspiring to transport stolen property across state lines and illegally re-entering the United States.
After completing his sentence, he will be turned over to ICE for deportation and will serve 30 months in federal prison.
According to the US Attorney’s office, Morales has been deported twice.
The group managed to steal merchandise worth $280,000, but law enforcement was able to recover tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of stolen items from Morales’ residence during his arrest on April 11, 2024.