Thirteen Members and Associates of the “Wolfpack” Criminal Organization Charged in Manhattan Federal Court with Narcotics and Firearms Offenses

Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Mary Galligan, the Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”); and Raymond W. Kelly, the Police Commissioner of the City of New York (“NYPD”), announced today the unsealing of charges against 13 members and associates of a criminal organization known as the “Wolfpack” for narcotics and firearms offenses. Defendants FRANKIE FROKAJ, CORRY LOMBARDI, JOSEPH CAMAJ, DRITON HAXHIJAJ, JOSEPH MITCHELL, GEORGE CEKAJ, STEPHEN CRIVILLARO, ALBERTO SPAGNUOLO, and JASON VILLALONA were arrested earlier today and appeared in Manhattan federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge James L. Cott this afternoon. CHRISTOPHER NRECAJ and DAVID NRECAJ were already in custody from an August 10, 2012 arrest on a previous indictment in this case. MARIA MANGIARDI is in custody on state charges. The remaining defendant, DEDA FROKAJ is at large.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said: “Gangs like the Wolfpack allegedly bring drugs and violence to the communities they inhabit, and they have no place in civil society. Thanks to today’s law enforcement action, their ranks are now depleted, but we will not stop until the Wolfpack is extinct.”

FBI Acting Director in Charge Mary Galligan said: “As the indictment alleges, this organization is aptly named. The members of the Wolfpack preyed on rival drug dealers, and did it with guns and violence. This type of alleged activity posed a threat to the safety of everyone in the Bronx neighborhoods the Wolfpack prowled, not just rival criminals. The FBI is committed to preventing predatory organizations like this one from becoming entrenched.”

NYPD Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly said: “It’s hard to imagine a greater menace to neighborhood safety than the triple threat posed by alleged traffickers of oxy, coke, and guns. But the detectives, agents, and prosecutors in this case posed a triple threat of their own as the Wolfpack defendants learned the hard way. Congratulations to the great team that made it possible.”

The following allegations are based on the superseding indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:

From 2008 through August 2012, the 13 charged defendants were members and associates of the Wolfpack. During that time, the defendants conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams and more of cocaine, 100 kilograms and more of marijuana, and quantities of Oxycodone. In the course of their criminal activities, members of the Wolfpack and their associates shared weapons and used violence against their rivals. In addition, CHRISTOPHER NRECAJ, DAVID NRECAJ, and FRANKIE FROKAJ are charged with using and carrying firearms in connection with the conspiracy. CHRISTOPHER NRECAJ is also charged with two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm, in connection with his possession of a Glock handgun in March 2012, and a Smith and Wesson handgun and Mosseberg shotgun in August 2012.

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CHRISTOPHER NRECAJ, 40; DAVID NRECAJ, 27; FRANKIE FROKAJ, 28; DEDA FROKAJ, 29; LOMBARDI, 24; CAMAJ, 26; HAXHIJAJ 23; MANGIARDI, 28; MITCHELL, 24; CEKAJ, 51; CRIVILLARO, 24; SPAGNUOLO, 23; and VILLALONA, 21, are all residents of the Bronx.

CHRISTOPHER NRECAJ, DAVID NRECAJ, and FRANKIE FROKAJ all face a potential life sentence, and a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison. DEDA FROKAJ, LOMBARDI, CAMAJ, HAXHIJAJ, MANGIARDI, MITCHELL, CEKAJ, CRIVILLARO, SPAGNUOLO, and VILLALONA each face a maximum term of 40 years in prison, and a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison. Below is a chart outlining the charges against the defendants and the maximum terms of imprisonment they face for each offense.

This case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge George B. Daniels.

Mr. Bharara praised the investigative work of the FBI-NYPD Balkan Organized Crime Task force, and stated that the investigation is ongoing.

The case is being prosecuted by the Organized Crime Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Nicholas McQuaid, Peter Skinner, and Rebecca Mermelstein are in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Former NYPD Officer Sentenced in Manhattan Federal Court for Conspiring to Distribute Firearms and Stolen Goods

Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that GARY ORTIZ, a former New York City Police Department (NYPD) officer, was sentenced today to one year and one day in prison for engaging in a scheme involving the illegal interstate transport of firearms and stolen goods. ORTIZ was sentenced in Manhattan federal court by U.S. District Judge Paul G. Gardephe.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said: “Justice has been served today against Gary Ortiz, who tarnished his badge, violated the laws he swore to uphold, and betrayed his fellow officers, the NYPD, and the residents of New York City he swore to protect.”

According to the court filings and statements made in court:

From December 2010 to October 2011, ORTIZ, who joined the conspiracy in February 2011, and his co-conspirators, transported firearms and stolen goods, including cigarettes and other merchandise, across state lines. ORTIZ was an active duty NYPD officer at the time he committed the offenses.

ORTIZ helped steal hundreds of cases of cigarettes from trucks parked outside a warehouse and then transported the stolen cigarettes from Virginia to New York. He also participated in a scheme to transport 20 firearms, including three M-16 rifles, one shotgun, and 16 handguns—the majority of which had been defaced to remove or alter the serial number, and all of which had been disabled—from New Jersey to New York. The total street value of the goods ORTIZ helped transport across state lines was approximately $1 million. In total, ORTIZ was paid $18,000 for his role in the schemes.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Gardephe sentenced ORTIZ, 28, of Brooklyn, New York, to two years of supervised release and ordered him to pay a $200 special assessment fee. ORTIZ also has agreed to a money judgment of $18,000 representing his share of the crime proceeds, and has relinquished his interests in guns that were seized from him at the time of his arrest.

ORTIZ was originally charged in a four-count complaint along with 11 co-conspirators, many of whom were fellow NYPD officers. All of the defendants have now pled guilty, except Ali Oklu, an active duty NYPD officer at the time he allegedly committed the offenses. The charges and allegations against Oklu are merely accusations and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

A chart containing the status of each defendant is below.

Mr. Bharara praised the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Affairs Bureau of the NYPD.

This case is being handled by the Office’s Public Corruption and Complex Frauds Units. Assistant United States Attorney Carrie H. Cohen is in charge of the prosecution.

White Gloves Bandit Pleads Guilty in Manhattan Federal Court to Four Counts of Bank Robbery

Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; and Mary Galligan, the Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), announced that Michael McManus pled guilty today in Manhattan federal court to committing four bank robberies on the Lower East Side of Manhattan earlier this year. McManus, who was arrested in April 2012—one day after his final robbery—pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Jesse M. Furman.

According to the indictment and complaint filed in this case, statements made at court proceedings, and other court filings:

On January 26, 2012, the defendant robbed an HSBC Bank branch on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. On February 14, 2012, and again on March 12, 2012, McManus robbed a Citibank branch in the same neighborhood. On April 17, 2012, the defendant returned to the HSBC bank and committed a fourth and final robbery. During each of these robberies, McManus approached the bank teller wearing white gloves and dark sunglasses. He then produced what appeared to be a revolver and demanded money. The weapon was later determined to be a cap gun. Over the course of the four robberies, the defendant stole over $32,000.

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McManus, 43, of New York, New York, pled guilty to four counts of bank robbery and faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison on each count. He is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Furman on December 13, 2012.

Mr. Bharara praised the investigative efforts of the FBI and the New York City Police Department.

The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Martin S. Bell is in charge of the prosecution.

Four Men Charged in Manhattan Federal Court with Committing Robberies While Impersonating Law Enforcement Agents

Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Mary Galligan, the Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and Raymond W. Kelly, the Police Commissioner of the City of New York (NYPD), announced today the unsealing of charges against Marco Perez, Said Rivera, Dinos Psirros, Morelos Disla for robbery and firearms offenses that were committed while impersonating law enforcement agents. Perez, Rivera, Psirros, and Disla were arrested earlier today and will be presented and arraigned in Manhattan federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge James L. Cott this afternoon.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said, “As alleged, these defendants brought violence and fear into their victims’ homes by masquerading as armed law enforcement agents and then robbing the victims. Not only did they steal from the targets of their crimes, they also dishonored the fine men and women who risk their lives every day by enforcing the law and protecting the public.”

FBI Acting Assistant Director in Charge Mary Galligan said, “Nowhere is the right to safety and security more fundamental than in one’s own home. The defendants’ home invasions, carried out with deceit and trickery, put innocent people at risk, not just their intended victims. The FBI remains committed to protecting the public from violent crime.”

NYPD Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly said, “I want to commend investigators and prosecutors for bringing these suspects to justice, particularly the diligence of the NYPD Internal Affairs Bureau who, early on, recognized a pattern of conduct related to a series of home invasion robberies where the suspects identified themselves as NYPD detectives and federal agents. Solid investigative work led to the gathering of physical evidence and the identification of the suspects.”

The following allegations are based on the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:

From November 2011 through September 2012, Perez, Rivera, Psirros, and Disla conspired to commit robberies of suspected traffickers of narcotics and untaxed cigarettes. The defendants impersonated law enforcement agents in order to rob their victims. For example, on November 15, 2011, Perez, Rivera, and Psirros robbed a suspected untaxed cigarette trafficker of approximately $200,000 and a quantity of untaxed cigarettes while impersonating law enforcement agents. And, on June 6, 2012, Perez, Rivera, Psirros, and Disla again robbed a suspected narcotics trafficker and others of approximately $1,000 while posing as law enforcement agents.

In addition to the robbery offenses, Perez, Rivera, and Psirros are charged with possessing and using a firearm, which was brandished, in relation to the November 15, 2011 robbery. All three men and Disla are also charged with possessing and using a firearm, which was brandished, in relation to the June 6, 2012 robbery.

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Perez, 45; Rivera, 31; and Disla, 34, are all residents of the Bronx, New York; and Psirros, 39, is a resident of Queens, New York. Perez, Rivera, and Psirros face a maximum penalty of life in prison and a mandatory minimum penalty of 32 years in prison. Disla faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and a mandatory minimum penalty of seven years in prison.

The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Laura Taylor Swain, and the first pre-trial conference is scheduled for September 17, 2012 at 12:00 p.m.

Mr. Bharara praised the investigative work of the FBI and NYPD and stated that the investigation is ongoing.

The case is being prosecuted by the Violent Crimes Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Kan M. Nawaday and Hadassa Waxman are in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

NYPD Officer Sentenced in Manhattan Federal Court to 40 Months in Prison for His Role in Conspiracies to Distribute Firearms and Stolen Goods

Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that Joseph Trischitta, a former New York City Police Department (NYPD) officer, was sentenced today to 40 months in prison for engaging in a scheme involving the illegal interstate transport of firearms and stolen goods. Trischitta was sentenced in Manhattan federal court by U.S. District Judge William H. Pauley, III.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said, “Joseph Trischitta’s sentencing today is the latest reminder of the consequences of public corruption. It does a disservice to the overwhelming majority of public servants who conduct themselves so honorably and to the people they serve.”

According to the court filings and statements made in court:

From December 2010 to October 2011, Trischitta transported firearms and what he believed to be stolen goods, including slot machines, cigarettes, and other merchandise, across state lines. Trischitta, who was on payroll as a retired NYPD officer at the time he committed the offenses, was recruited to join the conspiracy in December 2010 by its leader and organizer, NYPD officer William Masso. Trischitta helped transport firearms, including three M-16 rifles, one shotgun, and 16 handguns—the majority of which had been defaced to remove or alter the serial number, and all of which had been disabled. Trischitta and his co-conspirators also transported slot machines, thousands of cartons of cigarettes, and other counterfeit merchandise. The goods carried a street value of approximately $1 million.

The trips in which Trischitta participated included a trip to transport purportedly stolen slot machines from Atlantic City to New York, multiple trips to transport hundreds of cases of purportedly stolen cigarettes from New Jersey to New York, and the trip in which the 20 firearms were transported interstate. In total, Trischitta was paid $11,500 for his role in the schemes.

Trischitta specifically discussed with his co-conspirators using their credentials and knowledge as law enforcement officers in preparing for and carrying out the schemes. For example, in a meeting in March 2011, Masso explained that the men should carry their law enforcement badges during the operation and, if stopped, say they were police officers working off-duty to deliver items that had been purchased at an auction. When the group was discussing which vehicle to rent to transport the stolen goods, Trischitta used his knowledge as a law enforcement officer to recommend against using certain types of vehicles that law enforcement often inspect.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Pauley sentenced Trischitta, 43, of Staten Island, New York, to two years of supervised release and ordered him to pay a $50,000 fine and a $200 special assessment fee. Trischitta also has agreed to a money judgment of $11,500 representing his share of the crime proceeds and has relinquished his interests in guns seized from him at the time of his arrest.

Trischitta was originally charged in a four-count complaint along with 11 co-conspirators, many of whom were fellow NYPD officers. All the defendants have now pled guilty, except Ali Oklu, an active duty NYPD officer at the time he allegedly committed the offenses. The charges and allegations against Oklu that are contained in the complaint and the information are merely accusations and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

A chart containing the status of each defendant is attached.

Mr. Bharara praised the investigative work of the FBI and the Internal Affairs Bureau of the NYPD.

This prosecution is being handled by the Office’s Public Corruption and Complex Frauds Units. Assistant United States Attorney Carrie H. Cohen is in charge of the prosecution.

Former NYPD Officer Who Led Conspiracy to Distribute Firearms and Stolen Goods Sentenced in Manhattan Federal Court to 57 Months in Prison

Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York announced that William Masso, a former New York City Police Department (NYPD) officer, was sentenced today to 57 months in prison for leading a group of active and retired NYPD officers and others in a scheme involving the illegal interstate transportation of firearms and stolen goods. Masso, who was an NYPD officer on active duty at the time he committed the offenses, pled guilty in February 2012 to one count of conspiracy to transport firearms interstate, one count of conspiracy to transport defaced firearms interstate, one count of conspiracy to sell a firearm to an out-of-state resident, and one count of conspiracy to transport and receive stolen goods interstate. He was sentenced in Manhattan federal court by U.S. District Judge John G. Koeltl.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said, “William Masso chose to abuse the power conferred on him by the badge he wore and to encourage others to do the same. His sentencing today brings this sorry tale of corruption that disserved the NYPD and the people of New York City one step closer to conclusion.”

According to the complaint, the plea agreement, the four-count information to which Masso pled guilty, sentencing submissions, and statements made in court:

In late 2009, Masso met a confidential informant (“CI”) who was working for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). During conversations over the next several months, Masso expressed an interest in obtaining and selling cigarettes and other contraband. At the direction of law enforcement, the CI began to supply Masso with cigarettes he said were stolen out of state. Masso subsequently sold the cigarettes he received from the CI.

In the spring of 2010, the CI and Masso discussed whether Masso could assist him and his boss, who was really an undercover law enforcement agent (“UC-1”), with the transportation and sale of stolen goods. Masso agreed to do so, saying that he could recruit both active and retired police officers to ensure safe transport of the goods. Thereafter, Masso recruited fellow NYPD officers and other members of law enforcement to join the conspiracy. He told the CI that he had set up “a good army” ready to help transport the stolen goods.

From September 2010 to October 2011, the FBI supplied Masso and his team of co- conspirators with goods that they were led to believe were stolen. Masso and his co- conspirators transported the goods, including three M-16 rifles, one shotgun, and 16 handguns—the majority of which had been defaced to remove or alter the serial numbers, and all of which had been rendered inoperable—12 slot machines, thousands of cartons of cigarettes, and other counterfeit merchandise across state lines into New York. In total, the goods that Masso and his team illegally transported carried a street value of approximately $1 million.

In preparing for and carrying out this scheme, the defendants specifically discussed using their credentials and knowledge as law enforcement officers. For example, in a meeting in March 2011, Masso explained that the men should carry their law enforcement badges during the operation and, if stopped, say they were police officers working off-duty to deliver items that had been purchased at an auction. Masso and his team also used their specialized knowledge as law enforcement officers in determining the ideal vehicle to rent to transport the goods; they wanted one that was least likely to get pulled over for inspection.

In addition, in July 2011, Masso conspired to sell a shotgun to UC-1 for $2,000. He was assisted by two other co-conspirators, Anthony Santiago and Michael Gee. After providing the shotgun, Masso told UC-1 that the gun was just a “sample” and that they could get anything “from A to Z.” A few months later, in September 2011, Masso, again with the assistance of some of his other co-conspirators, transported firearms—all of which had been rendered inoperable by the FBI—from New Jersey to Long Island. After inspecting the guns and viewing the defaced serial numbers, Masso drove the guns in his car with his NYPD jacket displayed in the car window during the trip.

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In addition to the prison term, Judge Koeltl sentenced Masso, 48, of Brooklyn, New York, to three years of supervised release and ordered him to pay a $400 special assessment fee. Masso has also agreed to a money judgment of $50,000, representing the amount of the crime proceeds, and has relinquished his interest in guns seized from him at the time of his arrest.

Masso was originally charged in a four-count complaint along with 11 co-conspirators: Eddie Goris and John Mahoney, who were also active-duty NYPD officers in the 68th precinct at the time they engaged in the conspiracy; Ali Oklu, who was an active-duty NYPD officer working as a member of the Brooklyn South Task Force; Gary Ortiz, who was an active-duty NYPD officer working in Brooklyn’s 71st precinct; Marco Venezia, who was a retired NYPD officer who had worked in community affairs during part of the time he engaged in the conspiracy; and Joseph Trischitta and Richard Melnik, both of whom were retired NYPD officers who had worked in Brooklyn’s 68th precinct. Also charged in the complaint were former NYC Department of Sanitation Police Officer Anthony Santiago, then active-duty New Jersey Corrections Officer David Kanwisher, and associates Michael Gee and Eric Gomer. Kanwisher pled guilty in February 2012 and was sentenced in June 2012 to 27 months in prison. All of the remaining co-conspirators, except for Oklu, have pled guilty and await sentencing. The charges against Oklu are merely accusations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Mr. Bharara praised the investigative work of the FBI and the Internal Affairs Bureau of the NYPD.

This prosecution is being handled by the Office’s Public Corruption and Complex Frauds Units. Assistant United States Attorney Carrie H. Cohen is in charge of the prosecution.