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Coventry Bank Identity Fraud: RISP Arrest Johnston Man

[CREDIT: RISP] A Johnston man and RIDOT employee was arraigned on identity fraud charges as well as for making a false statement to get a loan and for fraudulent checks at a Coventry bank in January.

kent-county-courthouse-ri
[CREDIT: Rob Borkowski] Kent County Courthouse, Third District Court, in Warwick, where a Johnston man and RIDOT employee was arraigned on identity fraud charges as well as for making a false statement to get a loan and for fraudulent checks.
WARWICK, RI — The Rhode Island State Police Financial Crimes Unit arrested Ryan P. Garnetto,  45 of 23 Starr Street, Apt E, Johnston, a RIDOT employee, for Identity Fraud, False Statement to Obtain a Loan, Fraudulent Checks over $1,500, and Obtaining Money Under False Pretenses at a Coventry bank in January.

Garnetto is employed by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) as an Engineer Tech II.

Identity Fraud Discovered Using Coventry Branch Account

In February 2025, the State Police Financial Crimes Unit received a complaint from Westerly Community Credit Union regarding a fraudulent account/vehicle loan that the Credit Union had issued. On December 4, 2024, an online application was filed with Westerly Community Credit Union to open a savings account, checking account, Visa credit card and an automobile loan in the amount of $51,000.00.

The account was opened by providing a RI operator’s license, pay stub, vehicle bill of sale, vehicle title, insurance documents and additional information. The $51,000.00 check was made payable to a car dealer in Georgia to purchase a 2019 Mercedes Benz.

On January 9, 2025, a male subject entered the Coventry branch of Westerly Community Credit Union and deposited a check in the amount of $5,265.00 into the account, which was later determined to be fraudulent. Video surveillance showed the male subject was operating a RIDOT marked vehicle. It was also discovered that except for the vehicle bill of sale, all the documents provided to Westerly Community Credit Union to open the accounts/loan were fraudulent.

[CREDIT: RISP] A Johnston man and RIDOT employee was arraigned on identity fraud charges as well as for making a false statement to get a loan and for fraudulent checks at a Coventry bank in January.
[CREDIT: RISP] A Johnston man and RIDOT employee was arraigned on identity fraud charges as well as for making a false statement to get a loan and for fraudulent checks at a Coventry bank in January.
Westerly Community Credit Union discovered that no payments were being made on the Visa card or the vehicle loan and reported to the discovery to the Financial Crimes Unit. The investigation revealed that the individual whose name was used to open the accounts/loan has been incarcerated at the Rhode Island Adult Correctional Institution since 2019 and had no access to open the accounts. The investigation also revealed that the individual pictured in the video surveillance was identified as Ryan P. Garnetto and evidence showed that Mr. Garnetto had opened the Westerly Community Credit Union accounts/loan online.

Ryan P. Garnetto was arrested on June 3, 2025, arraigned at Third Division District Court and released on $25,000.00 personal recognizance.

Rob Borkowski
Author: Rob Borkowski

Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at editor@warwickpost.com with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.

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