North Providence Man Admits Role in Bank Fraud Conspiracy, ID Theft, and Firearm Offense

PROVIDENCE – Jamal Mansaray, 35, of North Providence, today pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to bank fraud conspiracy, bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and prohibited person in possession of a firearm, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

Mansaray admitted to a federal judge that he and others fraudulently obtained checks issued and mailed by individuals and businesses, including checks that were stolen from the U.S. Mail. Mansaray admitted also that he and others obtained identity information of third parties that was used to alter stolen checks, create checks, and to access bank accounts.

Among the checks stolen and altered were checks issued by four towns in Massachusetts and mailed to a special education contractor. The checks were stolen from a curbside commercial mailbox used by the contractor and were altered to include the personal identification of others. Bank surveillance video recorded in December 2022 shows Mansaray being present at banks in Rhode Island when fraudulent checks were deposited and the subsequent withdrawal of the funds.

A court-authorized search of Mansaray’s residence in May 2023 resulted in the seizure of hundreds of personal and business checks, blank “washed” checks, more than 1,000 blank check stock used to create and print counterfeit checks, multiple laptops and printers, checks in various stages of alteration, Social Security cards, debit cards, and a temporary driver’s license in the name of others.

U.S. Postal Inspection Service Inspectors also located a loaded firearm and ammunition inside a backpack belonging to the defendant. Mr. Mansaray was convicted of a felony offense (bank fraud conspiracy and aggravated ID theft) and sentenced to 60 months’ incarceration in October 2018, thus he was prohibited from being in possession of a firearm.

Mansaray is scheduled to be sentenced on July 16, 2025. The sentence imposed will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.         

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Christine D. Lowell and John P. McAdams.

The matter was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Rhode Island State Police.

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