Sports Betting Ring Taken Down in Rhode Island: 13 Arrested

Thirteen individuals were arrested as part of a crackdown on illegal sports betting in Northern Rhode Island Tuesday.  All were arraigned in District Court Providence during the afternoon.

Among those arrested were David P. Ayotte, 53, who has worked with the Woonsocket Parks and Recreation Department for 20 years and is the alleged leader of the gambling ring according, according to state police Lt. Col Michael J. Winquist.

Police allege that Ayotte’s sports betting ring took in $130,000 of illegal sports wagers during a court authorized wiretap investigation.

Police seized $100,000 from the Golden Advanced pawn shop, which they said acted as a front for the operation.

The following people were arrested and arraigned in District Court Providence:

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Ayotte was charged with organized criminal gambling, bookmaking and conspiracy

Cheryl Ayotte (David's wife), organized criminal gambling bookmaking, conspiracy

Jason Faford, 39, of 80 Capwell Ave., Woonsocket, organized criminal gambling, bookmaking, conspiracy

Gregory Vartanian, 57 of 3935 Diamond Hill Rd., Cumberland, organized criminal gambling, bookmaking, conspiracy.

Michael Massa, 59, of 220 Crossing Dr., Apt. #301, Cumberland, organized criminal gambling, bookmaking, conspiracy

Wade Briggs, 29 of 39 Monica Dr., Cumberland, organized criminal gambling, bookmaking, conspiracy

Dennis Gentile, 65 of 23 Hemlock Dr., Glocester harges: 1)  organized criminal gambling, bookmaking, conspiracy

Roger Berube, age 60 of 75 Arnold Street, Woonsocket, organized criminal gambling, bookmaking, conspiracy

Karl Allaire, 50, of 11 Old Pound Hill Rd., North Smithfield, organized criminal gambling, bookmaking, conspiracy

Robert Ledoux, 51, of 4 Colerick St., North Smithfield, organized criminal gambling, bookmaking, conspiracy

Douglas Plante, 45, of 130 Summer St., Woonsocket, bookmaking

Roger Roy, 68, of 291 Bailey St., Woonsocket, bookmaking

Thomas Ruo, 58, of 191 Carnation St., Woonsocket, bookmaking.

- Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com