Tag:

Racketeering

NY Man Known As 'Sal The Shoemaker' Admits Running Illegal Gambling Operation For Mafia NY Man Known As 'Sal The Shoemaker' Admits Running Illegal Gambling Operation For Mafia
NY Man Known As 'Sal The Shoemaker' Admits Running Illegal Gambling Operation For Mafia An associate of the Genovese organized crime family known as “Sal the Shoemaker” admitted to operating an illegal gambling business associated with La Cosa Nostra. Long Island resident Salvatore Rubino, age 60, of Bethpage, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, April 16, at federal court in Brooklyn to operating the business. Earlier this month, four co-defendant members and associates of the Genovese crime family admitted to various felony charges stemming from their long-running operation of several lucrative gambling operations in New York City. Of the five charged, four are from Long Isl…
Former NYPD Officer From Northern Westchester Gets Prison Time For Helping Gang Leader Former NYPD Officer From Northern Westchester Gets Prison Time For Helping Gang Leader
Former Nypd Officer From Northern Westchester Gets Prison Time For Helping Gang Leader A former New York City Police officer from Northern Westchester will spend years in prison for warning gang members about a federal investigation into their activity as well as helping the group's leader escape arrest for murder, officials said.  Mohegan Lake resident Gina Mestre, age 33, was sentenced to 70 months in prison for obstructing a federal investigation into the Shooting Boys gang and helping the group's leader evade justice for murder, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Friday, March 29. Earlier Report - Former N…
Former NYPD Officer From Northern Westchester Admits Helping Gang Leader Escape Justice: Feds Former NYPD Officer From Northern Westchester Admits Helping Gang Leader Escape Justice: Feds
Former Nypd Officer From Northern Westchester Admits Helping Gang Leader Escape Justice: Feds A former New York City Police officer from Northern Westchester has admitted to warning gang members about a federal investigation into their activity as well as helping the group's leader escape arrest for murder, federal officials said. Mohegan Lake resident Gina Mestre, a 33-year-old former NYPD officer, has pleaded guilty to charges relating to her obstructing a federal investigation into the Shooting Boys gang and helping the group's leader evade justice for murder, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Thursday, Dec. 7. Earlier Report -…
8 NYers Among 16 Gambino Crime Family Members Nabbed In Coordinated US-Italian Takedown: Feds 8 NYers Among 16 Gambino Crime Family Members Nabbed In Coordinated US-Italian Takedown: Feds
8 NYers Among 16 Gambino Crime Family Members Nabbed In Coordinated Us-italian Takedown: Feds A total of 16 people in the United States and Italy have been charged after a two-year investigation that targeted members of New York's notorious Gambino crime family and some of its Sicilian associates. A 16-count indictment was unsealed on Wednesday, Nov. 8 in federal court in Brooklyn detailing the alleged involvement of the 10 Americans -- eight New Yorkers and two New Jersey residents -- in an attempt to dominate the New York carting and demolition industries. The 10 Americans have been charged with racketeering conspiracy, extortion, witness retaliation, and union-related crimes comm…
Former NYPD Officer From Northern Westchester Helped Gang Leader Escape Justice: Feds Former NYPD Officer From Northern Westchester Helped Gang Leader Escape Justice: Feds
Former Nypd Officer From Northern Westchester Helped Gang Leader Escape Justice: Feds A former New York City Police officer from Northern Westchester has been charged with warning gang members about details of a federal investigation into them, as well as helping the group's leader to escape capture for a murder he committed, officials said. Former NYPD officer Gina Mestre, a 33-year-old Mohegan Lake resident, was arrested on Tuesday, Aug. 15 for her role in obstructing a federal investigation into the Shooting Boys gang as well as serving as an accessory after the fact to a murder committed by the group, the US Attorney's Office for Southern District of New York announced o…
Hawthorne Man Among 6 Genovese Crime Family Suspects Sentenced For Racketeering Hawthorne Man Among 6 Genovese Crime Family Suspects Sentenced For Racketeering
Hawthorne Man Among 6 Genovese Crime Family Suspects Sentenced For Racketeering Six members and associates of the Genovese organized crime family, including a Westchester man and a Fairfield County resident, have been sentenced on racketeering charges, federal officials said.  The sentencings were announced on Friday, Aug. 4 by US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams.  According to Williams, the six men were associated with the Genovese Organized Crime Family, part of a nationwide criminal organization known by various names such as "La Cosa Nostra" and the “Mafia."  Those sentenced included two "captains," who were r…
Former Detective, 4 Other Men Nabbed For Robbing Homes In Westchester, Rest Of Country Former Detective, 4 Other Men Nabbed For Robbing Homes In Westchester, Rest Of Country
Former Detective, 4 Other Men Nabbed For Robbing Homes In Westchester, Rest Of Country A former New York City Police Department detective and four other men have been charged as members of an organized crew that conducted residential robberies across the country, including Westchester.  The unsealing of the five suspects' indictments was announced on Thursday, June 8 by the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York.  The five men charged with participating in the string of violent armed robberies are:  Bronx resident Dagoberto Soto-Ramirez, age 41, also known as "Pito"; Queens resident Saul Arismendy De La Cruz, age 31, also known as "Nene" a…
14 Hudson Valley Gang Members, Associates Charged With Racketeering, Narcotics, Other Offenses 14 Hudson Valley Gang Members, Associates Charged With Racketeering, Narcotics, Other Offenses
14 Hudson Valley Gang Members, Associates Charged With Racketeering, Narcotics, Other Offenses The FBI and other law enforcement officials in the Hudson Valley raided numerous homes in a warrant sweep charging 14 members of a street gang for committing various racketeering, narcotics, and firearms offenses.  The "takedown," took place in Orange and Dutchess counties on Thursday, Dec. 1, focusing on Poughkeepsie and the city of Newburgh, said Damian Williams, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York. An indictment charges several members of the Young Gunnaz Gang, aka “YG," with acts of violence. This includes Kashad Sampson, aka “Shoca,” a YG leader who is charged w…
3 From Westchester Charged In illegal Gambling Operation Allegedly Run By Lucchese Crime Family 3 From Westchester Charged In illegal Gambling Operation Allegedly Run By Lucchese Crime Family
3 From Westchester Charged In illegal Gambling Operation Allegedly Run By Lucchese Crime Family Five New York men, including three from Westchester County, have been accused of overseeing and operating a 15-year long, large-scale illegal, online gambling business with suspected ties to the Lucchese crime family, federal authorities announced. An indictment was unsealed in Brooklyn Federal Court on Wednesday, Sept. 14 charging them for their roles overseeing and operating a large-scale illegal, online gambling business under the protection of the Lucchese organized crime family. The gambling business known as “Rhino Sports” utilized an offshore website and dozens of bookmakers in …
Fugitive MS-13 Member Extradited From El Salvador To Face Murder, Other Charges In NY Fugitive MS-13 Member Extradited From El Salvador To Face Murder, Other Charges In NY
Fugitive MS-13 Member Extradited From El Salvador To Face Murder, Other Charges In NY An MS-13 gang member accused of taking part in the brutal killing of a 20-year-old man on Long Island has been extradited to the United States. Jose Jonathan Guevara-Castro was extradited from El Salvador on Tuesday, Aug. 9, nearly a month after the country’s top court gave the green light, the US Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District announced. Guevara-Castro, also known as “Suspechoso,” had been detained in El Salvador since August 2020, weeks after he was indicted by a federal grand jury in Central Islip for the murder of Kerin Pineda. The former Freeport High School student’s body …
Men Charged With Murder For Roles In Broad Daylight Shooting Near Westchester School Men Charged With Murder For Roles In Broad Daylight Shooting Near Westchester School
Men Charged With Murder For Roles In Broad Daylight Shooting Near Westchester School Two members of a racketeering enterprise are facing charges - including murder - for their roles in a brazen fatal daytime shooting in Westchester, federal officials announced. James Bazemore - also known as “TJ” - has been charged with murder for the April 2018 murder of Tasheen Williams in Mount Vernon, while his co-conspirator, Jared “Jay” Mujaahid is facing charges for providing him with the deadly weapon used in the act. According to the indictment, Bazemore and Mujaahid were members or associates of a racketeering enterprise known as Big Paper. “In order to fund the enterprise, prot…
Alleged Crime Family Member From Hawthorne Charged With Racketeering Alleged Crime Family Member From Hawthorne Charged With Racketeering
Alleged Crime Family Member From Hawthorne Charged With Racketeering Alleged members of the Genovese Organized Crime Family from Westchester and Fairfield counties are facing racketeering charges for their roles within the organization. Federal prosecutors announced that four members and two associates of the family have been charged with racketeering conspiracy involving illegal gambling and extortion. Those charged in Manhattan federal court: Michael Messina, age 69, of New Fairfield, Connecticut; Ralph Balsamo, age 51, of Tuckahoe, NY; Michael Poli, age 37, of Hawthorne, NY; Nicholas Calisi, age 63, of Boca Raton, Florida; John Campanella, age 47, of t…
Sarah Lawrence Sex Cult Leader In Westchester Found Guilty On All Charges Sarah Lawrence Sex Cult Leader In Westchester Found Guilty On All Charges
Sarah Lawrence Sex Cult Leader In Westchester Found Guilty On All Charges Larry Ray, the leader of a sex cult run out of his daughter's dorm room at Sarah Lawrence College in Westchester, will face life in prison after being found guilty by a jury of sexually exploiting and trafficking girls. Ray, now 62 years old following multiple delays in his trial and prosecution, was found guilty of 15 counts that include racketeering, sex trafficking, conspiracy, forced labor, extortion, tax evasion, and other crimes in relation to his scheme. Related story - DOJ Accidentally Publishes List Of Alleged Clients In Sarah Lawrence Case It reportedly took the jury le…
Leader Of Hudson Valley "Southside" Street Gang Charged With Murder, Firearms Offenses Leader Of Hudson Valley "Southside" Street Gang Charged With Murder, Firearms Offenses
Leader Of Hudson Valley "Southside" Street Gang Charged With Murder, Firearms Offenses An alleged street gang leader in the Hudson Valley is facing life in prison after being charged with murder and firearms offenses, federal prosecutors announced. Ardae Hines - also known as “Young Money,” and “YM” - a leader of the Orange County “Southside” street gang in the city of Newburgh, is facing multiple charges for his role in the 2016 murder of Deandric Little. Prosecutors said between 2014 and June 2017, the “Southside Gang” operated around the intersection of South Street and Chambers Street in Newburgh. According to the indictment, to gain funds for the gang, protect the gang’…
Gambino Family Captain From Westchester Sentenced For Racketeering, Ordered To Pay $1M Gambino Family Captain From Westchester Sentenced For Racketeering, Ordered To Pay $1M
Gambino Family Captain From Westchester Sentenced For Racketeering, Ordered To Pay $1M A high-ranking member of the Gambino organized crime family of La Cosa Nostra living lavishly in Westchester will spend time behind bars and pay a million dollars for his role in a racketeering conspiracy. Scarsdale resident Andrew Campos, age 51, was sentenced in federal court to 37 months in prison for the conspiracy. The court also ordered him to pay $1 million in restitution and a $15,000 fine. In January 2021, Campos pleaded guilty and admitted to participating in various acts of wire fraud and money laundering. US Attorney Breon Peace said that Campos and his co-conspirators carried …
Westchester 'Goonies' Street Gang Members Sentenced For 2014 Murder Westchester 'Goonies' Street Gang Members Sentenced For 2014 Murder
Westchester 'Goonies' Street Gang Members Sentenced For 2014 Murder Two alleged members of the Westchester “Goonies” street gang will spend decades in prison for their roles in a 2014 revenge murder over a stolen vehicle, federal officials announced. Raheem “Trigga” Jones was sentenced to 25 years, and Markel “Kellz” Overton was sentenced to 20 years in prison for participating in the 2014 murder of Dean Daniels in Mount Vernon and their participation in other violent incidents in furtherance of their gang. Specifically, Jones, age 33, pleaded guilty to one count each of racketeering conspiracy and using a firearm in connection with an assault with a danger…
Westchester Man Sentenced For Fatal Shooting Of Teenage Basketball Star Westchester Man Sentenced For Fatal Shooting Of Teenage Basketball Star
Westchester Man Sentenced For Fatal Shooting Of Teenage Basketball Star A purported street gang member in Westchester will spend decades behind bars for his role in the fatal shooting of a promising teen basketball player who was struck by an errant bullet meant for a rival. David Hardy, age 26, of Mount Vernon, was sentenced to 31 years in prison on Tuesday, Sept. 21 for the shooting death of 13-year-old Shamoya McKenize on New Year’s Even in 2016 in Westchester. On Dec. 31, 2016, Hardy and three other suspects who are alleged members of the Goonies gang attempted to murder a rival gang member in broad daylight by firing multiple bullets at him near the inters…
Treasure Believed To Be Buried By NY Mobster Could Be Worth $100 Million, Report Says Treasure Believed To Be Buried By NY Mobster Could Be Worth $100 Million, Report Says
Treasure Believed To Be Buried By NY Mobster Could Be Worth $100 Million, Report Says A legendary treasure that was believed to be buried by a mobster in the 1930s in upstate New York could be worth tens of millions of dollars. The Albany Times Union reported that Dutch Schultz, whose real name was Arthur Flegenheimer, was a well-known bootlegger and racketeer in the Hudson Valley and Catskills area. After Schultz was shot in Newark, New Jersey in 1935, he said odd phrases on his deathbed that many believed were coded references to the town of Phoenicia in the Catskills, the Times Union said. Schultz is believed to have hidden a combination of paper money, gold co…
Mob Boss Whitey Bulger's FBI Agent, John Connolly, Is Being Released Early From Prison Mob Boss Whitey Bulger's FBI Agent, John Connolly, Is Being Released Early From Prison
Mob Boss Whitey Bulger's FBI Agent, John Connolly, Is Being Released Early From Prison A former FBI agent, who was found guilty of leaking information to notorious Boston gangster James "Whitey" Bulger that led to the killing of a major sports figure, is being released from prison early on medical grounds. On Wednesday, Feb. 17, the Florida Commission on Offender Review voted to release John Connolly, who has cancer, so that he may die at home. Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Andrew E. Lelling said that while Connolly is being shown compassion that was not afforded to his victims, he agrees with the decision to release Connolly. “It is not unusual for an inmate who is terminall…
Woman Accused Of Conspiring With Father In So-Called Westchester College Sex Cult Case Woman Accused Of Conspiring With Father In So-Called Westchester College Sex Cult Case
Woman Accused Of Conspiring With Father In So-Called Westchester College Sex Cult Case A female cohort of the man accused of running a sex cult out of his daughter’s dorm at Sarah Lawrence College in Westchester Countyis facing charges for her role in helping him run the scheme. Staten Island resident Isabella Pollok, age 29, has been charged with racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, and extortion conspiracy for helping Lawrence Ray manipulate and groom the college students, who the convicted felon met after moving into his daughter’s on-campus room in 2010. Original story - Father Of College Student In Westchester Charged With Sex Trafficking Her F…
Seven From Westchester Among 12 Gambino Crime Family Members Admitting To Multiple Crimes Seven From Westchester Among 12 Gambino Crime Family Members Admitting To Multiple Crimes
Seven From Westchester Among 12 Gambino Crime Family Members Admitting To Multiple Crimes A dozen members and associates of the Gambino organized crime family of La Cosa Nostra admitted to multiple crimes, including racketeering conspiracy, fraud, obstruction of justice and related offenses for criminal activities throughout the New York metropolitan area committed as part of the illicit activities of the Gambino family. One additional defendant pleaded guilty to filing a false tax return.  The defendants also agreed to pay $1.6 million in penalties. The pleas were entered throughout the past week at federal court in Brooklyn. According to court filings and facts presente…
Four Admit To New Year's Eve Murder Of 13-Year-Old Innocent Bystander In Westchester Four Admit To New Year's Eve Murder Of 13-Year-Old Innocent Bystander In Westchester
Four Admit To New Year's Eve Murder Of 13-Year-Old Innocent Bystander In Westchester Four members of a street gang pleaded guilty to the murder of 13-year-old Shamoya McKenzie on New Year’s Eve in 2016 in Westchester. David Hardy, Marquis Collier, Jermaine hugely, and Sincere Savoy, members of the “Goonies” street gang pleaded guilty on Thursday, Oct. 1 for their roles in the death of McKenzie in Mount Vernon, who was struck by a stray bullet intended for a purported rival gang member. Earlier story - Gang Members Charged In Mount Vernon Teen Basketball Star's Fatal Shooting Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said that to fund their gang and maintain a stranglehold i…
Westchester Man Among Lucchese Family Members Sentenced For Murder, Racketeering Westchester Man Among Lucchese Family Members Sentenced For Murder, Racketeering
Westchester Man Among Lucchese Family Members Sentenced For Murder, Racketeering A soldier in the Lucchese crime family from the Hudson Valley will spend the rest of his life in prison after being convicted for his role in a 2013 murder. Christopher Londonio, of Hartsdale, and New York City residents Matthew Madonna and Terrence Caldwell, were sentenced this week to life in prison following their conviction for the 2013 murder of Michael Meldish, conspiracy to commit racketeering, and other felonies. Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said that Madonna was the acting boss of the Lucchese Family of La Cosa Nostra, one of the “Five Families” that constitute the Mafia in…
Genovese Crime Family Member Sentenced For Racketeering Offenses Genovese Crime Family Member Sentenced For Racketeering Offenses
Genovese Crime Family Member Sentenced For Racketeering Offenses A longtime member of the Genovese Crime Family from Long Island has been sentenced for conspiring to commit extortion and racketeering offenses. Frank Giovinco, 52, of Syosset, was sentenced to 48 months in prison after being convicted last December after being found responsible for acts involving extortion, honest services fraud, and unlawful kickback payments related to the Genovese Crime Family’s control of two local chapters of a labor union. In addition to his prison term, Giovinco was also sentenced to three years of supervised release. Giovinco was first inserted into the Genovese C…
Colombo Family Captain's GPS Device Used To Track Girlfriend Leads To Arrests Of 11 Mobsters Colombo Family Captain's GPS Device Used To Track Girlfriend Leads To Arrests Of 11 Mobsters
Colombo Family Captain's GPS Device Used To Track Girlfriend Leads To Arrests Of 11 Mobsters Twenty people, including 11 members of the Colombo crime family, are facing a host of charges that include racketeering, extortion, sports bribery, and loansharking. Federal officials announced that three indictments were unsealed that charged Joseph Amato, an alleged captain in the Colombo organized crime family of La Cosa Nostra, as well as Daniel Capaldo and Thomas Scorcia, alleged Colombo family members; and Joseph Amato, Jr. and Anthony Silvestro, alleged Colombo family associates.  For a rundown of all 20 facing charges, click here. The alleged criminal activities detailed in the…
Lucchese Crime Family Captain From Westchester Admits To Murder Conspiracy Lucchese Crime Family Captain From Westchester Admits To Murder Conspiracy
Lucchese Crime Family Captain From Westchester Admits To Murder Conspiracy A captain in the Lucchese crime family who calls Westchester home has pleaded guilty to murder conspiracy, other charges and will spend time behind bars. Steven Crea Jr., 46, who lives in New Rochelle, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, Aug. 20 to racketeering, conspiracy, and assault. In exchange for the plea, Crea - who faced a maximum of life in prison - is expected to be sentenced to 13 years imprisonment. Other crimes Crea admitted to included aiding and abetting, assault with a deadly weapon, ordering lower-ranking family members to murder associates and illegal gambling. He is among 19 other…
Genovese Crime Family Member From Westchester Destroys Evidence, Obstructs Justice, Feds Say Genovese Crime Family Member From Westchester Destroys Evidence, Obstructs Justice, Feds Say
Genovese Crime Family Member From Westchester Destroys Evidence, Obstructs Justice, Feds Say A member of the Genevose Crime Family of La Cosa Nostra already charged with the stabbing death of a Westchester man is now facing new charges for destroying evidence and obstructing justice, prosecutors announced. John Tortora Jr., known as "Johnny T," was arrested in August by FBI agents and Yonkers Police in connection with the 1997 death of 29-year-old Richard Ortiz in Yonkers. Tortora, 61, of Yonkers, had previously been indicted on charges of racketeering conspiracy, murder in the aid of racketeering and murder for hire. He was arrested on Aug. 3 and has been remanded in cus…
Westchester Man Nabbed In Cold-Case La Cosa Nostra Mob Hit Westchester Man Nabbed In Cold-Case La Cosa Nostra Mob Hit
Westchester Man Nabbed In Cold-Case La Cosa Nostra Mob Hit A member of the La Cosa Nostra organized crime family is facing murder charges in the cold-case fatal stabbing of a Westchester man, prosecutors announced. John Tortora Jr., known as "Johnny T," a member of the Genovese Crime Family, was arrested by FBI agents and Yonkers Police in connection with the 1997 death of 29-year-old Richard Ortiz in Yonkers. “The arrest of John Tortora should remind everyone that justice delayed is not justice denied," FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. said. "Whether a crime was allegedly committed decades ago or just days ago, the…
Third Person Arrested In Connection With 'Uptown' Street Gang Murder Third Person Arrested In Connection With 'Uptown' Street Gang Murder
Third Person Arrested In Connection With 'Uptown' Street Gang Murder Another Dutchess County gang member is facing life in prison for the 2012 murder of Daquelle LeBlanc in Poughkeepsie. Davonte “Vont” Hamilton, an alleged member of the “Uptown” street gang, was arrested and is facing various charges, including murder. Hamilton is the 32nd member of the “Uptown” and “Downtown” street gangs in Poughkeepsie to be charged with various offenses for their activities in the area. Hamilton is the third person charged with murder in aid of racketeering activity and weapons charges in relation to the 2012 murder. He was arraigned in White Plains federal court on Mond…
New TV Crime Show 'Deadly Rich' Spotlights Westchester Murder Case New TV Crime Show 'Deadly Rich' Spotlights Westchester Murder Case
New TV Crime Show 'Deadly Rich' Spotlights Westchester Murder Case One of the most infamous murder cases in area history will be back in the spotlight as CNBC debuts its newest original series, “Deadly Rich,” which will delve into the notorious murders of Ben Novack, Jr. and his mother Bernice Novack nine years ago. Ben Novack Jr., 52, a convention business owner and heir to the famous Fontainebleau hotel in Miami Beach, was found beaten to death in his hotel suite at the Rye Town Hilton on July 12, 2009. Earlier that year, his 86-year-old mother was attacked and killed at her home in Fort Lauderdale. A year after Novack Jr.'s death, police charged his wif…
Leader Of Westchester Street Gang Gets 40-Year Sentence Leader Of Westchester Street Gang Gets 40-Year Sentence
Leader Of Westchester Street Gang Gets 40-Year Sentence The 33-year-old leader of a Mount Vernon street gang known as "Boss Playa Family," was sentenced on Thursday, March 15, In White Plains Federal Court to 40 Years In prison for racketeering offenses Including two murders of rival gang members in 2008. Jamel Upson, also known as Flynt, was the leader of the “Boss Playa Family” or “BPF” street gang and committed several shootings, including two murders, in furtherance of the gang, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that Upson was sen…