10/23/26 – Attorney General Peter F. Neronha today announced that a Burrillville man has been charged in Sixth Division District Court with gun and drug-related offenses following a joint investigation by the Providence Police Department, the United States Postal Service Office of the Inspector General, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Attorney General’s Urban Violent Crime Task Force.
On October 22, 2026, Aubrey Dante (age 54) was charged with six counts of larceny of a firearm, four counts of possession of a stolen firearm, five counts of carrying a dangerous weapon while committing a crime of violence, three counts of larceny of over $1,500, five counts of possession with intent to deliver over one kilogram of cocaine, one count of possession with intent to deliver over five kilograms of marijuana, one count of possession with intent to deliver over one kilogram of heroin, and one count of maintaining controlled substances.
Judge Stephen M. Isherwood ordered the defendant be held without bail and scheduled a status conference for October 29, 2026.
“Our Urban Violent Crime Task Force continues to deliver real results and keeps Rhode Islanders safe from those who wish to obtain firearms illegally,” said Attorney General Neronha. “As alleged, this defendant used his position within the USPS to intercept packages containing weapons and created a stockpile of guns and drugs in his home. And because of our team’s quick action, that’s as far as he got. I want to thank our partners at the Providence Police Department, the USPS Office of the Inspector General, ATF, and members of the Urban Violence Crime Task Force for their partnership.”
As alleged in the criminal information, between April and September 2026, the Providence Police Department, the United State Postal Service Office of the Inspector General, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Attorney General’s Urban Violent Crime Task Force launched an investigation after multiple USPS parcels were reported stolen, with contents that included firearms, coins, trading cards, and assorted jewelry. As alleged, investigators used surveillance, parcel scans, and various other investigative methods to identify the defendant as a suspect. As further alleged, investigators observed the defendant on several occasions opening USPS packages and removing their contents while acting in his official capacity as a postal employee at the Providence Processing and Distribution Center on Corliss Street.
As alleged, on October 21, 2026, officers executed search warrants and apprehended the defendant outside his Snake Hill Road residence. Investigators seized several stolen firearms, approximately 35.9 kg of marijuana, in addition to other firearms, drugs, and drug paraphernalia.
As further alleged, investigators seized eight firearms including three stolen Sig Sauer P226 9mm pistols, one CZ 75 compact 9mm pistol, one North American Firearms .22 magnum revolver, one Smith & Wesson, CTG, .22 caliber revolver, one Smith & Wesson, 38 special, .38 caliber revolver, and one Browning, Invector BPS Special Steel, 12-gauge shotgun. Additionally, investigators seized large quantities of various narcotics including a brick of cocaine (1115.8g), a plastic bag of cocaine (40.63g), a plastic bag of methamphetamine pills (1509.49g), another bag of methamphetamine pills (16.49g), three bags of crystal methamphetamine (119.67g), large bins containing multiple packages of bulk marijuana (79.2 lbs), Psilocybin mushrooms (2.6 lbs.), a bag of Xanax pills (22.28g), and another bag of Xanax pills (35.86g).
“The men and women of the Providence Police Department remain committed in their continued efforts to prevent violent crime, particularly those involving a firearm, within our community,” said Providence Police Colonel Oscar Perez. “Through the partnership between the Providence Police Department and the Office of the Attorney General’s Urban Violent Crime Task Force, police were able to swiftly execute this complex investigation, and I praise the efforts of all those involved.”
“The alleged theft of firearms from the mail by a Postal Service employee represents a serious breach of public trust and raises significant public safety concerns,” said Matthew M. Modafferi, Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Area Field Office of the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General. “We remain committed to investigating this type of misconduct and appreciate the strong partnership with the Providence Police Department, Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office, and ATF throughout this investigation.”
“The theft of firearms while in transit through the mail will not go unnoticed or unanswered,” said Thomas A. Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Boston Field Division. “ATF is committed to working with our federal, state, and local partners to prevent any attempt to divert the authorized shipment of firearms from lawful commerce into the wrong hands.”
Urban Violent Crime Initiative
The case was investigated under the Urban Violent Crime Task Force, an initiative that began in 2021, by the Office of the Attorney General; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Providence, Pawtucket, and Central Falls Police Departments; and the Department of Corrections to proactively target violent crime and firearms trafficking in the greater Providence Area.
The Attorney General has deputized officers from law enforcement agencies in Providence, Pawtucket, and Central Falls to provide greater ability to investigate suspects across municipal jurisdictions. As part of this initiative, prosecutors, investigators, and analysts work together to gather data and intelligence, analyze the information to support investigations and prosecutions, and guide violent crime enforcement priorities. The partner agencies have prioritized information sharing and analysis across agencies through the use of a data analyst and platform – funded through a Department of Justice grant awarded to the Office of the Attorney General in 2020.
In 2023, the Office of the Attorney General purchased a National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) machine, using asset forfeiture funds, that allows for the capture and comparison of ballistic evidence to aid in solving and preventing violent crimes involving firearms.
Using these tools, the team can quickly draw connections between different crime scenes and weave together police reports and other records to help identify suspects and witnesses.