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Warwick Minor League Baseball Players, Cozy Grill Owner Among 20 Indicted on Gambling Ring Charges

Pictured above in images posted to their Facebook accounts, Christopher Costantino from 2015 and a recent photo of Sean Furney in a Diamondbacks uniform.
Pictured above in images posted to their Facebook accounts, Christopher Costantino from 2015 and a recent photo of Sean Furney in a Diamondbacks uniform.

 

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WARWICK, R.I. — Six Warwick men were among 20 indicted Monday on various counts of conspiracy to commit organized criminal gambling and marijuana possession following their arrests in April after an investigation RI Attorney General Peter Kilmartin’s office dubbed “Operation Free Roll.”

Rhode Island State Police, local police departments, and Kilmartin’s office cooperated in the investigation. During the operation, police allege the men were engaged in a multi-million dollar organized criminal gambling conspiracy, which involved taking wagers, setting betting lines, and collecting illegal gambling proceeds. It is alleged the conspirators received a percentage of the gambling debts as payment, in furtherance of the conspiracy.

Among those arrested were two minor league baseball players from Warwick, both coaches for the Extra Innings baseball training facility in the city, and the owner of the Cozy Grill on Warwick Avenue.

The defendants, listed below, are scheduled to be arraigned in Kent County Superior Court on Dec. 9: 

Mark Battista, 39, 400 Narragansett Boulevard, Apt WSTB3, Warwick, RI (K1-2016-0634C)

  • Conspiracy to commit organized criminal gambling
  • Organized criminal gambling

Sean Furney, 25, 48 Roosevelt St., Warwick, RI (K1-2016-0634H)

  • Conspiracy to commit organized criminal gambling
  • Organized criminal gambling

Lewis Silveira, 51, 154 North St., Warwick, RI (K1-2016-0634I)

  • Conspiracy to commit organized criminal gambling
  • Organized criminal gambling

Christopher Costantino, 10 Cedar Pond Drive, Apt 12, Warwick, RI (K1-2016-0634M)

  • Conspiracy to commit organized criminal gambling
  • Organized criminal gambling

Jonny Lubo, 45, 111 Wunnegin Circle, Warwick, RI (K1-2016-0634O)

  • Conspiracy to commit organized criminal gambling
  • Organized criminal gambling

Louis Scaglione, 25, 12 Epworth Road, Unit 5,  West Warwick, RI (K1-2016-0634J)

  • Conspiracy to commit organized criminal gambling
  • Organized criminal gambling

David Disano, 43, 83 West Hill Drive,  Cranston, RI (K1-2016-0634P)

  • Conspiracy to commit organized criminal gambling
  • Organized criminal gambling

 Dustin Sears, 41, 40 Braeburn Circle, Cranston, RI (K1-2016-0634Q)

  • Conspiracy to commit organized criminal gambling
  • Organized criminal gambling

John Depietro, 42,  39 Prospect Ave.,  South Kingstown, RI (K1-2016-0634R)

  • 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,  125 Pleasant St., Cranston, RI (K1-2016-0634S)

  • 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

Shu Ruan 41, 125 Pleasant St., Cranston, RI (K1-2016-0634T)

  • 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

Jason Pilderian, 39, 25 Talbot Road, Hope, RI (K1-2016-0634N)

  • Conspiracy to commit organized criminal gambling
  • Organized criminal gambling

Joseph Cappelli, 39, 58 Firglade Drive, Cranston, RI (K1-2016-0634K)

  • Conspiracy to commit organized criminal gambling
  • Organized criminal gambling

Brian Cipolla, 48, 178 Council Rock Road, Cranston, RI (K1-2016-0634L)

  • Conspiracy to commit organized criminal gambling
  • Organized criminal gambling

Timothy Moretti, 47, 1710 Phoenix Ave., Cranston, RI (K1-2016-0634D)

  • Conspiracy to commit organized criminal gambling
  • Organized criminal gambling

Mark Marinaro, 44,  266 Old County Road,  Smithfield, RI (K1-2016-0634E)

  • Conspiracy to commit organized criminal gambling
  • Organized criminal gambling

Joseph Brunelle, 38, 12 Palm St. North Providence, RI (K1-2016-0634F)

  • Conspiracy to commit organized criminal gambling
  • Organized criminal gambling

Eric Glaude, 41, 35 Marigold Circle, North Providence, RI (K1-2016-0634G)

  • Conspiracy to commit organized criminal gambling
  • Organized criminal gambling

Thomas Pilderian, 45, 55 Pine Ridge Drive, Cranston, RI (K1-2016-0634A)

  • Conspiracy to commit organized criminal gambling
  • Organized criminal gambling

James Petrella, 31,  26 Beach Row, Narragansett, RI (K1-2016-0634B)

  • 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)
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 [email protected] with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.

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