Wednesday May 31, 2017, a new federal indictment was issued against 19 members of the Lucchese Crime Family that operates mainly in the New York, New Jersey area. The Lucchese family is one of the six operating mob families under “La Cosa Nostra” enterprise. The men charged go all the way from the top rank to associate members.
Rank or Level Names
The “Enterprise” “La Cosa Nostra”
The “Families” Genovese, Gambino, Luchese, Colombo, Bonanna, Decavalcante
The Head of the “Family” or “Administration” “Boss”
Assistant to the “Boss” “Underboss” or “Consigliere”
Leaders of the “Crew” or “Regime” “Caporegime”, “Capo”, “Captain”, or “Skipper”
Members of the “Crew” “soldiers”, “wiseguys”, “friends of ours” or “good fellows”
The first count is Racketeering Conspiracy. This includes charges of the following:
● Murder
● Assault
● Distribution of controlled substances
● Robbery
● Money Laundering
● Extortion
● Wire fraud
● Mail fraud
● Operating illegal gambling businesses
● Selling untaxed cigarettes
● Committing and threatening to commit physical violence
● Witness intimidation and retaliation
The second count is the Conspiracy to Commit Murder in Aid of Racketeering Activity.
The third count is Murder in Aid of Racketeering Activity.
The fourth count is Assault and Attempted Murder in Aid of Racketeering Activity.
The fifth and sixth counts are Attempted Assault and Murder in Aid of Racketeering Activity.
The seventh count is Conspiracy to Distribute Narcotics.
The eighth count is Use of Firearms Resulting in Death.
The full list of those indicted is as follows:
Matthew Madonna, 81, boss,
Steven Crea, aka “Wonder Boy”, 69, underboss
Joseph DiNapoli, 81, consigliere
Steven Crea Jr., 45, captain
Dominic Truscello, 83, captain
John Castelucci, aka “Big John”, 57, captain
Tindaro Corso, aka “Tino”, 56, captain
Joseph Venice, 56, soldier
James Maffucci, “Jimmy the Jew”, 69, soldier
Joseph Datello, aka “Big Joe” or “Joey Glasses”, 66, soldier
Paul Cassano, aka “Paulie Roast Beef”, 38, soldier
Christopher Londonio, 43, soldier
Terrence Caldwell, aka “T”, 59
Vincent Bruno, 33
Brian Vaughan, 51
Carmine Garcia, aka “Spanish Carmine”, 65
Richard O’Connor, 63
Robert Camilli, 60
John Incatasciato, 42
The top men, Matthew Madonna and Joseph DiNapoli were brought down and have been serving prison sentences since 2010 as part of “Operation Heat”. Madonna will be transferred from the New Jersey State Prison in Trenton to Federal Prison following this indictment.
Of the rest, fifteen of them were taken into custody May 31. The murder charges are mainly in associating with the Bronx murder of Michael Meldish in 2013, and the 2012, 2013 murders of two members of the Bonanno crime family. Meldish was a hitman for the mob and was found shot dead in his car.
Seventeen of the nineteen defendants could face sentences of life in prison if convicted. They await court in White Plains.
U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim put out the strong message, “As today’s charges demonstrate, La Cosa Nostra remains alive and active in New York city, but so does our commitment to eradicate the mob’s parasitic presence… The mob members and associates charged today will answer for their alleged misdeeds in a court of law.”
The indictment charges the defendants as follows:
Count 1 – Racketeering – First Degree
All Defendants
Count 2 – Leader of Organized Crime – Second Degree
Joseph DiNapoli and Matthew Madonna
Count 3 – Leader of Organized Crime – Second Degree
Ralph V. Perna
Count 4 – Conspiracy – Second Degree
Joseph DiNapoli, Matthew Madonna, Ralph V. Perna, Nicodemo Scarfo Jr., Joseph M. Perna, Michael Cetta, Frank Cetta, John G. Perna, Ralph M. Perna, John Mangrella, Gary Medure, Elliot Porco, Martin Taccetta, Antonio Russo, Alfonso Cataldo, Michael Ramuno III, Ronald Scripps, Gianni Iacovo, Robert Decrescenzo, Charles Bologna, James Furfaro, Robert Romano, John Turi, Michael Maffucci, George Maiorano, Blerim Ibriami, Shpetim Hani, Vita Cetta and Rosanna Perna
Count 5 – Promoting Gambling – Third Degree
Joseph DiNapoli, Matthew Madonna, Ralph V. Perna, Nicodemo Scarfo, Jr., Joseph M. Perna, Michael Cetta, Frank Cetta, John G. Perna, Ralph M. Perna, John Mangrella, Gary Medure, Elliot Porco, Martin Taccetta, Antonio Russo, Alfonso Cataldo, Michael Ramuno III, Ronald Scripps, Gianni Iacovo, Robert Decrescenzo, Charles Bologna, James Furfaro, Robert Romano, John Turi, Michael Maffucci, George Maiorano, Blerim Ibriami, Shpetim Hani, Vita Cetta and Rosanna Perna
Count 6 – Possession of Gambling Records – Third Degree
Joseph DiNapoli, Matthew Madonna, Ralph V. Perna, Nicodemo Scarfo Jr., Joseph M. Perna, Michael Cetta, Frank Cetta, John G. Perna, Ralph M. Perna, John Mangrella, Gary Medure, Elliot Porco, Martin Taccetta, Antonio Russo, Alfonso Cataldo, Michael Ramuno III, Ronald Scripps, Gianni Iacovo, Robert Decrescenzo, Charles Bologna, James Furfaro, Robert Romano, John Turi, Michael Maffucci, George Maiorano, Blerim Ibriami, Shpetim Hani, Vita Cetta and Rosanna Perna
Count 7 – Attempted Theft by Extortion – Second Degree
Joseph M. Perna, John G. Perna, Michael Cetta, Gianni Iacovo, James Furfaro and Robert Romano
Count 8 – Aggravated Assault – Second Degree
Joseph M. Perna, John G. Perna, Michael Cetta, Gianni Iacovo, James Furfaro and Robert Romano
Count 9 – Possession of a Weapon for Unlawful Purpose – Third Degree
John G. Perna and Robert Romano
Count 10 – Theft by Deception – Second Degree
Joseph M. Perna
Count 11 – Falsifying Records – Fourth Degree
Joseph M. Perna
Count 12 – Theft by Deception – Second Degree
Joseph M. Perna and Rosanna Perna
Count 13 – Falsifying Records – Fourth Degree
18 months / $ 10,000
Joseph M. Perna and Rosanna Perna
Count 14 – Failure to File Tax Return – Third Degree
Joseph M. Perna and Rosanna Perna
Count 15 – Failure to Pay Gross Income Tax – Third Degree
Joseph M. Perna and Rosanna Perna
Count 16 – Failure to Pay Gross Income Tax – Third Degree
Ralph M. Perna
Count 17 – Failure to File Tax Return – Third Degree
Michael Cetta and Vita Cetta
Count 18 – Failure to Pay Gross Income Tax – Third Degree
Michael Cetta and Vita Cetta
Count 19 – Conspiracy – Second Degree
Joseph M. Perna, Michael Cetta, Edwin Spears, Samuel A. Juliano, Michael Bruinton, Dwayne Spears and Kristen Gilliam
Count 20 – Official Misconduct – Second Degree
Joseph M. Perna, Michael Cetta, Edwin Spears, Samuel A. Juliano, Michael Bruinton, Dwayne Spears and Kristen Gilliam
Count 21 – Bribery – Second Degree
Joseph M. Perna, Michael Cetta, Edwin Spears, Samuel A. Juliano, Michael Bruinton, Dwayne Spears and Kristen Gilliam
Count 22 – Unlawful Possession of Certain Electronic Devices in Prisons – Third Degree
Joseph M. Perna, Michael Cetta, Edwin Spears, Samuel A. Juliano, Michael Bruinton, Dwayne Spears and Kristen Gilliam
Count 23 – Possession of Oxycodone with Intent to Distribute – Second Degree
Samuel A. Juliano
Count 24 – Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute – Second Degree
Samuel A. Juliano
Count 25 – Possession of Cocaine and Oxycodone – Third Degree
Samuel A. Juliano
Count 26 – Certain Persons Not To Have Weapons – Second Degree
Samuel A. Juliano
Count 27 – Unlawful Possession of a Weapon – Third Degree
Samuel A. Juliano
Count 28 – Unlawful Possession of a Weapon – Third Degree
Samuel A. Juliano
Count 29 – Prohibited Weapon – Third Degree
Samuel A. Juliano
Count 30 – Possession of Weapons During Commission of Certain Crimes – Second Degree
Samuel A. Juliano
Count 31 – Prohibited Weapon – Fourth Degree
Samuel A. Juliano
Count 32 – Prohibited Weapon – Fourth Degree
Samuel A. Juliano
Count 33 – Conspiracy – First Degree
All Defendants
Count 34 – Money Laundering – First Degree
All Defendants
All persons are assumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
