Providence Reporter

An Exeter man, Edmilson Rodrigues, 26, currently on federal supervised release for previous convictions related to possession of stolen mail and bank fraud, has been detained on new federal charges. United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha announced the charges this week after Rodrigues was allegedly found with stolen checks and items used for altering checks and fishing mail from receptacles.

Rodrigues faces a federal criminal complaint that includes conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, possession of stolen mail, and being a felon in possession of ammunition. According to charging documents, a court-authorized search of his home on December 17, 2024, led law enforcement to seize approximately fifty stolen business and personal checks valued at about $36,000. Additionally, they found hundreds of sheets of blank check paper; materials used for check washing; a laptop and printer; items like mousetraps and glue used for fishing mail from U.S. Postal Service receptacles; and ammunition.

Court records reveal that Rodrigues was previously convicted in U.S. District Court in 2019 for conspiracy to commit bank fraud involving counterfeit checks and again in 2023 for possessing nearly 100 stolen checks worth close to $100,000.

The current charges against Rodrigues are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S Attorney Ly T. Chin. It is important to note that a federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The investigation into this matter was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the Newport Police Department, Providence Police Department, and Pawtucket Police Department.