R.I. Resident Admits to Manufacture, Detonation of a Pipe Bomb

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Vincent A. Fasano, 26, of Cranston, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Providence today to manufacturing an explosive device, admitting to the court that in October 2015, he manufactured and detonated a pipe bomb which he had placed inside a refrigerator and left in a gravel pit in West Greenwich. The explosion destroyed the appliance.

Appearing before U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., Fasano admitted to the court that on October 18, 2015, using items he purchased at a home improvement store in Warwick, including a steel pipe, end caps for the pipe, gun powder, and a cannon fuse, he assembled an explosive device with the intent to detonate it and cause damage.

Fasano’s guilty plea is announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police, West Greenwich Police Chief Richard Ramsay, and Daniel J. Kumor, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division of ATF. 

According to court records, an investigation by West Greenwich Police, the State Fire Marhsal’s Office and agents from ATF led investigators to a home improvement store in Warwick. A check for purchases of items used to build a pipe bomb, as well as scrutiny of store video surveillance, led investigators, with the assistance of the retailer, to determine that Fasano purchased some of those items at the Warwick store. Fasano is seen on story security video making the purchase.

According to court records, during an interview with investigators on November 10, 2015, Fasano admitted that on October 18, 2015, he manufactured and transported an explosive device, along with a refrigerator, to a remote area of West Greenwich. He admitted that he ignited the explosive device inside the refrigerator and drove away. Fasano told investigators that as he drove away he heard, but did not see the explosion.

According to court records, Fasano also admitted to investigators that he  previously built and detonated pipe bombs, causing significant damage to mailboxes, a portable latrine outside a pizza shop, and to a toilet.

Fasano, who has been free on unsecured bond since his arrest on November 17, 2015, is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., on August 23, 2016.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William J. Ferland.

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