Feds: Acting boss of Bonanno crime family among 10 arrested in mob bust
NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- Federal authorities say 10 reputed members of organized crime, including the acting boss of the Bonanno crime family, have been arrested on racketeering and other charges.
Joseph Cammarano Jr. and others were charged with conspiracy to commit murder, extortion, loansharking, wire and mail fraud, and narcotics distribution.
The 58-year-old Cammarano is the son of a reputed mob underboss who died in prison, and the Navy veteran is believed to have taken over the Bonanno family in 2015.
Other suspects were identified as:
Consigliere John Zancocchio, 60, AKA Porky (Bonanno)
Joseph Sabella, 52, AKA Joe Valet (Bonanno)
George Tropiano, 68, AKA Grumpy (Bonanno)
Albert Armetta, 48, AKA Al Muscles (Bonanno)
Domenick Miniero, 85 (Bonanno)
Joseph Santapaolo, 66, AKA Joey Blue Eyes (Bonanno)
Simon Esposito, 47 (Bonanno)
Ernest Montevecchi, 72, AKA Butch (Genovese Family)
Eugene Castelle, 57, AKA Boobsie (Luchese Family)
As alleged in the indictment:
La Cosa Nostra, also known as the "Mob" or the "Mafia," operates through entities known as "Families." In the New York City area, there are five Families, namely the Bonanno Family, the Genovese Family, the Luchese Family, the Colombo Family, and the Gambino Family. Members and associates of one La Cosa Nostra family at times work together with other La Cosa Nostra families in jointly undertaken criminal ventures.
The Bonanno Family, like other Families, operates through a group of individuals known as "crews," each of which are led by a "capo" or "captain." The crews are composed of "made" members, called "soldiers," and trusted non-members called "associates." Above the Capos are the highest-ranking members - the Boss or Acting Boss, the Underboss, and the Consigliere, or counselor - who oversee the Family.
At times relevant to the indictment, the defendants held the following positions with their respective Families: Cammarano was a captain and the Acting Boss of the Bonanno Family; Zancocchio was a captain and the Consigliere of the Bonanno Family; Sabella was a captain of the Bonanno Family; Tropiano was a soldier and an acting captain of the Bonanno Family; Esposito was the Consigliere of the Bonanno Family; Miniero, Santapaolo and Armetta were soldiers in the Bonanno Family; Montevecchi was a soldier in the Genovese Family; and Castelle was a soldier in the Luchese Family.
A former NYPD officer is also accused of smuggling guns to the Bonanno Family. In a separate indictment, Patrick Balsamo, AKA Patty the Cop, is charged with interstate transfer of firearms.
----------
