Providence Reporter

A Central Falls man has admitted to a federal judge that he deposited stolen and fraudulent checks into multiple bank accounts under his control. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.

Ryan DaCruz, 28, confessed that between February 2022 and May 2023, he opened accounts at four banks in Rhode Island where he deposited checks totaling tens of thousands of dollars. These checks were reportedly stolen from the U.S. Mail stream by accomplices.

Court information revealed that most of the stolen checks were third-party business checks that had been altered so the payee names could be changed to Ryan DaCruz. The funds from these deposits were quickly withdrawn or transferred.

When banks identified the deposits as fraudulent, they closed the accounts, prompting DaCruz to open new ones at different banks. In some cases, banks managed to stop payment on the checks before all funds were withdrawn; in others, they did not. The total intended loss amounted to approximately $46,000.

DaCruz pleaded guilty to a charge of bank fraud conspiracy and is set for sentencing on March 11, 2025. His sentence will be determined by a federal district judge considering U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

In August 2024, DaCruz was sentenced to 24 months in prison after being convicted earlier that year for being a felon in possession of ammunition.

The current case is prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys John P. McAdams and Paul F. Daly Jr., following an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Providence Police Department.