Asbury man at large in connection with gambling ring

Asbury Park

Asbury man at large in connection with gambling ring

Enterprise took in over $1 million a week, Prosecutor alleges

By Asbury Park Sun

An Asbury Park man is one of three suspects who remain at-large as wanted fugitives in connection with the bust of an alleged $1 million-a-week gambling operation, according to a news release issued today by acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

The suspect is Nuno C. Oliveira, 38, of Asbury Park, described as a white male, standing 5′ 08″ in height, 150 lbs. in weight, with black hair and brown eyes, the news release said.

The investigation of the alleged enterprise resulted in the arrest on Monday of 22 suspects, as well as the seizure of $500,000 in cash, financial accounts and a dozen vehicles, according to Gramiccioni.

The Asbury Park Police Department was one of 12 government agencies participating in the investigation, the release said.

Below is the Prosecutor’s news release giving details of the investigation, allegations and charges:

An extensive investigation into a $1 million-a-week organized gambling enterprise operating in the Monmouth County region culminated Monday with the arrest of 22 individuals, the seizure of a dozen vehicles, more than $500,000 in cash, and the freezing of financial accounts used to facilitate the criminal activity, announced Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

The 18-month joint investigation conducted by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office with the New Jersey Department of the Treasury, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office, and the Asbury Park, Deal, Freehold Township, Howell, Marlboro, Ocean, Red Bank and Wall Police Departments culminated Monday with the execution of search and arrest warrants with the assistance of the officers from the Long Branch, Monmouth Beach, Oceanport, Toms River, and West Long Branch Police Departments.

The investigation revealed a well organized gambling enterprise extending throughout Monmouth County and into Somerset, Essex, and Hudson Counties and the State of New York. Members of the enterprise laundered the proceeds of their criminal activity through various methods to avoid reporting requirements and to mask the true ownership and source of the ill gotten gains. Additionally, it was discovered members of the organization also engaged in the sale and distribution of marijuana and prescription drugs.

Richard Crossan, 55, of Hillsborough, and Anthony Gagliardi, 38, of Monmouth Beach, acted as co-conspirators in a racketeering enterprise focused on the promotion of gambling activity, and the financial facilitation of criminal activity commonly known as money laundering. The investigation revealed that the enterprise used sophisticated electronic resources – including websites to track illegal wagering and record profits and losses – for a gambling operation grossing in excess of $1,000,000 per week.

A total of 9 search warrants were executed from June 18-24, 2013, in Monmouth, Somerset, Essex, and Hudson Counties and Manhattan.

The members of the enterprise also engaged in the laundering of their illicit proceeds throughout Monmouth County using numerous financial institutions and other methods to conceal the source and nature of the proceeds of their criminal activity.

Some members of the enterprise also sold controlled dangerous substances, including sales to an undercover detective from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office. The investigation uncovered a conspiracy to sell prescription narcotics (oxycodone and Vicodin) and marijuana.

Three suspects remain at-large and are wanted fugitives:

— Edward Cichoski, 60, of Wall, is described as a white male, standing 6′, weighing 200 lbs., with blond hair and brown eyes.

— Pasquale Dellomo, 41, of Miami, Fla., is described as a white male, 5’07” tall and weighing 180 lbs. with brown hair and brown eyes.

— Nuno C. Oliveira, 38, of Asbury Park, is described as a white male, standing 5′ 08″ in height, 150 lbs. in weight, with black hair and brown eyes.

On June 18, 2013, officers executed a search warrant on the Long Branch home of Anthony Carlesimo, 40, where about two pounds of marijuana, approximately 50 oxycodone pills, over $23,000 in cash, digital scales and paraphernalia used to distribute controlled dangerous substances were seized.

Search warrants executed on June 24, 2013, resulted with the seizure of over $77,000 and more than 300 Vicodin pills at the Cliffside Park home of Thomas Floriani; about $152,390 in cash from Gagliardi; and a 2009 BMW 750 series and 2011 Lexus LX5 from the Toms River home of Anthony Benyola.

Bails for each defendant were set by Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Lawrence M. Lawson, A.J.S.C. in this matter.

Initial appearances in this case are scheduled for 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in the courtroom Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Francis J. Vernoia.

Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.

Anyone with information should contact the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office at 1-800-533-1443.

This case is assigned to Assistant Prosecutors Paul Alexander and Michael Costanzo of the Office’s Narcotics and Criminal Enterprise Unit.

As a result of the investigation, the following individuals were arrested and charged with the below listed crimes:

Richard Crossan, DOB July 11, 1958, of Hillsborough.

Crimes: Second Degree Racketeering Conspiracy (N.J.S.A. 2C:41-2d), Third Degree Promoting Gambling (N.J.S.A. 2C:37-2a1), Third Degree Possession of Gambling Records (N.J.S.A. 2C:37-3a1), First Degree Financial Facilitation of Criminal Activity (N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25a), and Second Degree Conspiracy to Commit the Foregoing Offenses (N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2).

Bail: $2 million cash only and a bail source hearing required.

Anthony Gagliardi, DOB August 10, 1974, Monmouth Beach.

Bail: $2 million cash only and a bail source hearing required.

Anthony Carlesimo, DOB January 2, 1973, of Long Branch:

Crimes: Second Degree Racketeering Conspiracy (N.J.S.A. 2C:41-2d). Promoting Gambling (N.J.S.A. 2C:37-2), Possession of Gambling Records (N.J.S.A. 2C:37-3), Financial Facilitation of Criminal Activity (N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25), 8 counts of Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5), 10 Counts of Third Degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10) 10 Counts of Third Degree Possession With Intent to Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance and Second Degree Conspiracy to Commit the Foregoing Offenses (N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2).

Bail: $1 million with no 10 percent option and a bail source hearing required.

Louis Carlesimo, Jr., DOB June 9, 1933, of Long Branch.

Crimes: Promoting Gambling (N.J.S.A. 2C:37-2), Possession of Gambling Records (N.J.S.A. 2C:37-3), and Financial Facilitation of Criminal Activity (N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25).

Bail: Released on his own recognizance.

Anthony Benyola, DOB February 5, 1970, of Toms River.

Bail: $200,000 with no 10 percent option and a bail source hearing required.

Jean Pierre DaSilva, DOB November 28, 1981, of Oceanport.

Crimes: Second Degree Racketeering Conspiracy (N.J.S.A. 2C:41-2d), First Degree Financial Facilitation of Criminal Activity (N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25a), and Second Degree Conspiracy to Commit the Foregoing Offenses (N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2).

Bail: $500,000 with no 10 percent option and a bail source hearing required.

Thomas Floriani, DOB June 19, 1945, of Cliffside Park.

Bail: $1 million with no 10 percent option and a bail source hearing required.

Vincent Fragale, Jr., DOB April 3, 1955, of Shrewsbury Township.

Bail: $750,000 with no 10 percent option and a bail source hearing required.

Jordan Huthwaite, DOB July 10, 1985, of Little Silver.

Bail: $200,000 with no 10 percent option and a bail source hearing required.

Richard Macciola, DOB December 10, 1974, of Manalapan.

Bail: $200,000 with no 10 percent option and a bail source hearing required.

Patrick Martin, DOB May 3, 1965, of West Long Branch.

Bail: $200,000 with no 10 percent option and a bail source hearing required.

Joseph Mazzarella, DOB May 1, 1940, of Manhattan, N.Y.

Bail: $1 million with no 10 percent option and a bail source hearing required.

Anthony Pintabona, DOB May 20, 1938, of Secaucus.

Bail: $1 million with no 10 percent option and a bail source hearing required.

Solomon Saka, DOB August 19, 1973, of Long Branch.

Bail: $200,000 with no 10 percent option and a bail source hearing required.

Christopher Thomas, DOB July 21, 1972, of the Port Monmouth section of Middletown. Crimes: Second Degree Racketeering Conspiracy (N.J.S.A. 2C:41-2d), Third Degree Promoting Gambling (N.J.S.A. 2C:37-2a1), Third Degree Possession of Gambling Records (N.J.S.A. 2C:37-3a1), First Degree Financial Facilitation of Criminal Activity (N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25a), and

Second Degree Conspiracy to Commit the Foregoing Offenses (N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2). Bail: $750,000 with no 10 percent option and a bail source hearing required.

Patrick Yerves, DOB March 16, 1981, of Sea Bright.

Bail: $200,000 with no 10 percent option and a bail source hearing required.

William D. Baroska, DOB February 6, 1959, of Ocean Township.

Crimes: Third degree Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b11), Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a3) and Conspiracy to Commit the Foregoing Offenses (N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2).

Bail: $100,000 with no 10 percent option and a bail source hearing required.

Justin Coppola, DOB January 19, 1970, of West Long Branch.

Crimes: Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b13), Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a1) and Conspiracy to Commit the Foregoing Offenses (N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2).

Bail: $100,000 with no 10 percent option and a bail source hearing required.

Anthony DeBlase, DOB April 15, 1960, of Colts Neck.

Bail: $100,000 with no 10 percent option and a bail source hearing required.

Steven Demussi, DOB February 12, 1963, of Dunellen.

Crimes: Third degree Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b11), Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a3), and Conspiracy to Commit the Foregoing Offenses (N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2).

Bail: $100,000 with no 10 percent option and a bail source hearing required.

Peggy Peduto, DOB February 15, 1974, of Long Branch.

Crimes: (N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25), Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5), Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10) and Conspiracy to Commit the Foregoing Offenses (N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2);

Bail: Released on her own recognizance.

Rosemary Sanchez, DOB May 31, 1960, of Long Branch.

Bail: $100,000 with no 10 percent option and a bail source hearing required.