Organized Criminal Gambling Operation Centered in Northern Rhode Island Dismantled During the Early Morning Hours Resulting in the Arrest of 13 Individuals

Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and Commissioner of the Department of Public and Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announces the arrest of 13 individuals as the result of an investigation conducted by the Rhode Island State Police and Rhode Island Department of Attorney General of an illegal organized criminal gambling operation. The investigation commenced in June of 2013 and culminated with the arrests early this morning, as well as the execution of 4 court-authorized search warrants. It is alleged that the operation was facilitated by David A. Ayotte, age 53, of 634 Old Smithfield Road, North Smithfield, Rhode Island in concert with 12 other individuals from Northern, Rhode Island.