Alleged Organized Crime Associates Among 20 Charged with Operating Illegal Gambling Businesses in Connecticut

Twenty individuals, including alleged associates of the Gambino crime family of La Cosa Nostra, have been charged with various federal offenses related to their alleged involvement in a large-scale illegal Internet sports bookmaking operation and illegal card gambling clubs in Stamford and Hamden, Connecticut, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced.

On May 8, 2012, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned a 10-count indictment charging the following individuals:

■Dean Depreta, a.k.a. “The Kid,” “The Guy,” and “Little Baldy,” 44, of Stamford

■Richard Uva, a.k.a. “Big Baldy,” 43, of Trumbull

■Thonas Uva, IV, a.k.a. “Little T,” 30, of Stamford

■Douglas Corbin, a.k.a. “Chubby,” and “Fat Doug,” 51, of Stamford

■Joseph Borea, a.k.a. “Pizza Joe,” 55, of New Canaan

■Michael Vitti, a.k.a. “Peewee,” 32, of Stamford

■Silverio Califano, a.k.a. “Sil,” 51, of Stamford

■John Liquori, 42, of North Haven

■Michael Pepe, 32, of North Haven

■Domenico Manchisi, a.k.a. “Dom,” 64, of Shelton

■George Norboe, a.k.a. “Biker George,” 40, of Wallingford

■Craig Caffro, a.k.a. “Spanky,” 47, of Pompano Beach, Florida

■Daniel DeGruttola, a.k.a. “Dannyboy,” 32, of Stamford

■Frank Potolicchio, Jr., 33, of Norwalk

■Victor Amereno, 41 of Stamford

■John Colello, 53, of Stamford

■Mitchell Engelson, 62, of New York, New York

■Anthony Santoro, a.k.a. “Skinny,” 48, of Williamsburg, New York

■Salvatore Ferraioli, 31 of Staten Island, New York

■Angelo Antonlino, 32, of Port Chester, New York

This matter stems from a long-term investigation led by the FBI Fairfield County Organized Crime Task Force, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, and the Stamford Police Department. The investigation has included more than seven months of court-authorized wiretaps and the execution of search warrants in three different states. The indictment was unsealed today following the arrests of a majority of the defendants.

“The Fairfield County Organized Crime Task Force, comprised of the FBI, IRS-Criminal Investigation, the Stamford and Bridgeport Police Departments, and the Connecticut State Police, has worked diligently to expose the alleged illegal acts of crime families and their associates and to bring them to justice,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Kimberly K. Mertz. “Today’s arrests are a reminder that the FBI and its law enforcement partners are out in the streets investigating organized crime 24/7 and working to eliminate its regional impact.”

“With these indictments, the Organized Crime Task Force has disrupted an alleged criminal organization that commits crimes against our society,” said William P. Offord, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation. “Taking assets away from illegal organizations is one of the government’s most effective tools against money laundering and organized crime.”

“This is another example of a long-term, collaborative effort that led to many arrests of suspects involved in ongoing criminal activities,” said Captain Richard Conklin of the Stamford Police Department. “These investigations with federal authorities have proven very successful and are unhindered by state or city borders.”

The indictment alleges that the Gambino crime family of La Cosa Nostra is headquartered in New York City and has operated in Fairfield County, Connecticut since at least the early 1980s under the direction of different members or associates who reported to members of the crime family in New York. Dean Depreta, Richard Uva, Thomas Uva, IV, Douglas Corbin, and Joseph Borea were Stamford-based associates of the Gambino crime family. Depreta reported to a Gambino “Solider,” a made member of the crime family who oversaw activities in Connecticut.

The indictment alleges that all of the defendants, with the exception of Norboe, were involved in a large-scale sports bookmaking operation in which gamblers placed bets with offshore Internet sports-gambling websites, particularly www.44wager.com based in Costa Rica. The defendants collected and disbursed funds to and from bettors locally, and transferred a portion of the proceeds to Depreta and Richard Uva. Depreta, Richard Uva, and others then sent payments in the form of Western Union money orders to Caffro in Florida for using www.44wager.com.

The indictment further alleges that Depreta, Richard Uva and others operated three illegal card gambling clubs in Connecticut. Depreta, Richard Uva, Thomas Uva IV, and Corbin conducted card games at 514 Glenbrook Road in Stamford; Depreta, Richard Uva, and Califano conducted card games at 859 East Main Street in Stamford, and Depreta, Richard Uva, Liquori, Pepe, and Norboe conducted card games at 2965 State Street in Hamden. A portion of the profits from these clubs was transferred to Depreta and Richard Uva.

The indictment alleges that, in violation of Connecticut state extortion law, “tribute” payments were collected from individuals who ran their own independent sports-gambling operations in Fairfield County, which permitted these individuals to operate their operations in territory controlled by the Gambino crime family.

The indictment charges Depreta, Richard Uva, Thomas Uva IV, Corbin, and Borea with conspiring to violate the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, a charge that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

The indictment also charges all 20 defendants with at least one count of operation of an illegal gambling business, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years and a fine of up to $250,000, on each count. Depreta, Richard Uva, and Thomas Uva, IV are charged with interstate travel in aid of racketeering, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years and a fine of up to $250,000, on each count; and Richard Uva, Thomas Uva, IV, and Caffro are charged with money laundering, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of up to $500,000.

As to Depreta, Richard Uva, Thomas Uva, IV, Corbin, and Borea, the indictment seeks the forfeiture of approximately $1.69 million derived from their alleged racketeering activity, including $174,537 in cash that was seized on April 28, 2011 during a court-authorized search of Richard Uva’s former residence in Stamford.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The matter is being investigated by the FBI Fairfield County Organized Crime Task Force, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, the Stamford Police Department, the Bridgeport Police Department, and the Connecticut State Police. The Monroe, New Canaan, Shelton, and Trumbull Police Departments assisted with the arrests of the defendants.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Hal Chen and Peter Jongbloed.

Five Charged with Federal Cocaine Distribution Offenses

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Kimberly K. Mertz, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in New Haven, today announced that a federal grand jury sitting in New Haven has returned a 15-count indictment charging Frank N. Potolicchio, 62, of Stamford; Elliot Chiapetta, 60, of Stamford, Robert Atkinson, a.k.a. “Bucket,” 30, of Stamford; and Scott Veltri, 32, of New York City, with various federal narcotics distribution and firearms offenses stemming from their alleged involvement in a drug trafficking ring that was responsible for the distribution of cocaine in and around Stamford. In a related indictment, Thomas Uva, III, 56, of Stamford, is charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Both indictments were returned on June 7, and all five defendants were arrested today.

The indictment and today’s arrests are the culmination of a joint investigation conducted by the FBI Fairfield County Organized Crime Task Force and the Stamford Police Department. The investigation included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases, and physical surveillance. Prior to today’s arrests, law enforcement officers executed multiple search warrants, and seized cocaine and one firearm from the defendants.

Potolicchio, Chiapetta, Atkinson, and Veltri are each charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. If convicted of this charge, each defendant faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years. Potolicchio, Chiapetta, and Atkinson are also charged with distribution and/or possession with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. In addition, Potolicchio is charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years, to be served consecutively. UVA is charged with possession with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

U.S. Attorney Fein stressed that the charges are not evidence of guilt. The charges are only allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by the FBI Fairfield County Organized Crime Task Force and the Stamford Police Department. The task force is composed of members of the FBI, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, the Stamford Police Department, the Bridgeport Police Department, and the Connecticut State Police.

This matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hal Chen.

Bridgeport Man Sentenced to More Than Eight Years in Federal Prison for Role in Narcotics Trafficking Ring

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JONATHAN WILLIAMSON, also known as “Rue,” 33, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Mark R. Kravitz in New Haven to 100 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for his role in a narcotics trafficking operation.

This matter stems from “Operation Slim Fast,” a joint law enforcement investigation that focused on two drug trafficking organizations, one that operated out of Bridgeport and one that operated out of Bridgeport, Puerto Rico, and Springfield, Massachusetts. As a result of the investigation, 19 individuals have been charged in federal court with various narcotics and firearms related offenses, and law enforcement officers seized approximately four kilograms of cocaine, one kilogram of crack cocaine, a quantity of heroin, an SKS assault rifle, five handguns and more than $150,000 in cash.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2010, members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force Task Force conducted an investigation of narcotics trafficking activity in and around the Marina Village Housing Complex in Bridgeport that focused primarily on the Marina Village Bloods, a violent narcotics trafficking organization. WILLIAMSON was affiliated with the Marina Village Bloods, and he sold between 196 and 280 grams of crack cocaine during the course of the investigation.

On September 1, 2011, WILLIAMSON pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram of more of heroin and 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack cocaine”).

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force – which is composed of personnel from the FBI, the Bridgeport, Norwalk and Trumbull Police Departments – with assistance from the United States Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Connecticut State Police, and Hartford, Stratford and Stamford Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Tracy Dayton, Jonathan Freimann and Doug Morabito.

Norwalk Man Admits Making and Selling Machine Guns

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that GEORGE UZAR, SR., 48, of Granite Drive, Norwalk, pleaded guilty today before United States Magistrate Judge Joan G. Margolis in New Haven to one count of possession and transfer of a machine gun.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from a joint law enforcement investigation into the trafficking of firearms and narcotics in southwestern Connecticut. The investigation revealed that UZAR was manufacturing automatic firearms, a number of which he then sold to another individual.

More than 100 firearms, including machine guns, were purchased or seized during the investigation, and a total of 17 individuals, including UZAR, have been charged with various federal offenses.

UZAR is scheduled to be sentenced by Senior United States District Judge Ellen Bree Burns on February 8, 2012, at which time UZAR faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

UZAR has been detained since his arrest on May 12, 2011.

This matter is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Marshals Service, the Stamford Police Department, the Bridgeport Police Department, the Norwalk Police Department and the Connecticut Department of Correction. The investigation was funded in significant part by the United States Attorney’s Office Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) and supported by the Office’s Project Safe Neighborhoods and Anti–Gang programs.

This matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Anthony E. Kaplan and Marc H. Silverman.

Stamford Man Indicted for Extortion and Illegal Possession of Ammunition

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced today that a federal grand jury sitting in New Haven has returned a superseding indictment charging NICOLA MELIA, also known as “Nick,” 78, of Brushwood Road, Stamford, with five counts of collecting extensions of credit by extortionate means and one count of possession of ammunition by a previously convicted felon. The superseding indictment was returned yesterday, June 20.

According to the allegations set forth in the superseding indictment and statements previously made in court, MELIA made “street loans” to an individual in Fairfield County at high interest rates. On five separate occasions between November 14, 2010, and January 30, 2011, MELIA threatened the individual that he or she would be subject to violence if the debts were not paid.

The superseding indictment further alleges that, on March 23, 2011, MELIA illegally possessed approximately 40 bullets. Prior to that date, MELIA had been convicted of multiple federal felony offenses. It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

MELIA has been detained since his arrest on March 23, 2011.

If convicted of the extortion charges, MELIA faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine up to $250,000, on each count. If convicted of the ammunition charge, MELIA faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000.

U.S. Attorney Fein stressed that an indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Fairfield County Organized Crime Task Force, which includes members of the Stamford Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Hal Chen, Peter Jongbloed and Ray Miller.

Stamford Man Charged with Extortion

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; Kimberly K. Mertz, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Robert Nivakoff, Chief of the Stamford Police Department, announced that NICOLA MELIA, also known as "Nick," 78, of Brushwood Road, Stamford, was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint charging him with collection of an extension of credit by extortionate means.

According to the allegations set forth in the criminal complaint and statements made in court, MELIA made "street loans" to an individual in Fairfield County at high interest rates. MELIA also threatened this individual that he/she would be subject to violence if these debts were not paid.

Following his arrest, MELIA appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Holly B. Fitzsimmons in Bridgeport and was detained pending a detention hearing that is scheduled for Monday, March 28.

If convicted of the charge, MELIA faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine up to $250,000.

U.S. Attorney Fein stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Fairfield County Organized Crime Task Force, which includes the Stamford Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Hal Chen, Peter Jongbloed, and Ray Miller.