3 of 4 men convicted in large-scale store theft scheme in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, sentenced to time served

PROVIDENCE – Sentencing hearings for all four individuals convicted for their roles in a large-scale scheme to steal and re-sell high-value products from home improvement stores and other retailers in multiple states were completed today in U.S. District Court in Providence, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

The defendants, all Guatemalan nationals present in the United States illegally, detained in federal custody since their arrest in April 2024, have been convicted and sentenced for their roles in the conspiracy that targeted the theft of building supplies, tools, and clothing.

According to charging documents and information presented to the court, the four men were part of an organized group of as many as fifteen Guatemalan nationals who participated in 35 documented incidents of thefts at national home improvement and clothing retail outlets in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania. Members of the conspiracy stole, and at times re-sold, goods such as electrical wire, flooring, power tools, and other items of high value. However, it is believed that not all members of the group regularly participated in each of the theft operations.

The intended loss of the conspiracy is at least $280,000. Court-authorized search warrants were executed on April 12, 2024, at residences in Cranston and Providence, resulting in the seizure of $11,000 worth of stolen goods and $83,000 in cash.

Abraham Dayger-Enrique, 25, and Jonathan Jose Amperez-Perez, 32, of Providence, were sentenced today by U.S. District Court Senior Judge William E. Smith to time served (eleven months). Judge Smith also entered judicial orders of removal for both defendants, ordering them promptly removed from the United States to Guatemala.

Marvin Estuardo Morales De Paz, 30, of Cranston, a twice-deported Guatemalan national described in court documents as being “the most consistent member” of the conspiracy was sentenced in January to 30 months in federal prison. An immigration detainer has been lodged against Morales- de Paz by ICE.

Sebastian Lajuj-Solomon, 31, of Providence, was sentenced in January to time served (nine months). Judge Smith also ordered Lajuj-Soloman removed from the United States, and he was deported to Guatemala in January 2025.

The cases were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John P. McAdams.

The matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations agents in Providence, with the assistance of HSI agents in Boston, and Allentown, Pennsylvania, and the Providence, Coventry, Warwick, Smithfield, and Johnston, RI Police Departments; Boston, Norwood, Bellingham, Marlboro, Seekonk, Avon, Auburn, MA Police Departments; Montville and Fairfield, CT Police Departments; and the Parkesburg, Downingtown, Lebanon, Wyomissing, and Reading, PA, Police Departments; Nashua, NH Police Department; and Marlboro, NJ Police Department.