RI State Police arrest two for illegally accessing law enforcement database

NORTH SCITUATE, R.I (WLNE) – The Rhode Island State Police Major Crimes Unit arrested two men on Thursday for illegally using a law enforcement database for non-law enforcement purposes.

James A. Miller, 61, and Louis Gelfuso, 51, both of East Providence, were arrested and charged with the following:

• Access to a computer with fraudulent purpose
• Soliciting another to commit a crime
• Conspiracy

An investigation found two invalid inquiries on a State Police unmarked vehicle’s license plate made for registration data through a dispatch console within the East Providence Police Department.

Miller, who previously worked as an East Providence Police Dispatcher, allegedly solicited Gelfuso, a current East Providence Police Dispatcher, to check the license plate to obtain the registered owner’s information.

This act was in direct violation of the Rhode Island Law Enforcement Telecommunications Systems (RILETS) User Rules of Behavior Acknowledgement Form both men agreed to when they were hired as dispatchers.

Miller was arraigned at Sixth District Court and released on $10,000 personal recognizance.

Gelfuso was arraigned at State Police Headquarters by a Justice of the Peace and released on $10,000 personal recognizance.

©WLNE-TV/ABC6 2020