WPRO Newsroom
The husband of State Rep. Deborah Fellela, Henry Fellela, was arrested Thursday for stealing a Shell gas credit card from a mailbox according to the Rhode Island State Police. He was charged with Theft-Obtaining Credit Card Through Fraudulent Means, Fraudulent Use of Credit Cards, Receipt of Money, Goods and Services Obtained by Fraudulent Use of Credit Cards and Identity Fraud.
Police tell WPRO that Fellela has a criminal history that includes federal charges for credit-card related crimes; Fellela has served time in federal prison for those charges.
"This is by no means his first offense," said Mjr. Michael Winquist, Rhode Island State Police Detective Commander. "That will all be factored in as the case moves forward."
Winquist said each count could carry more than one year in prison and more than $1,000 in fines.
Fellela's arrest was the result of a complaint filed by an individual who reported the credit card stolen and noted that it had been used at various Shell gas stations throughout the States of Rhode Island, Connecticut and New Jersey.
Fellela, 55, of Johnston, was identified with the assistance of surveillance video that captured him during the commission of these crimes using a vehicle with expired registration plates, that had been issued to his wife. Winquest tells WPRO that Fellela's plates have been expired since 2008, but because Deborah was not seen operating the vehicle, she has not been charged. Winquist also said the plates were initially registered to a different vehicle than the one they were on at the time.
The investigation was conducted by Troopers from the Scituate Barracks in conjunction with Detectives assigned to the Financial Crimes Unit
In total, the credit card was used seventeen times at locations in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Jersey totaling $720.87 in fraudulent purchases. Of that amount, nine purchases totaling $369.56 were conducted in Rhode Island.
Fellela was arrested Thursday evening at his residence in Johnston. He was arraigned by a Justice of the Peace Friday morning and released on $25,000 personal recognizance. A formal arraignment and bail review is scheduled for March 14, 2013 in the Sixth Division District Court in Providence.
Rep. Deb Felella is a Democrat that represents Johnston.
A message was left at the Fellela home.
