On November 21, 2012, the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts announced that Ralph F Deleo of Somerville was sentenced to 199 months in prison.  U.S. District Judge Douglas P. Woodlock also sentenced Deleo to three years of supervised release and a $50,000 fine.  

Deleo was the Colombo Family street boss for the La Cosa Nostra.  The criminal organization engaged in the distribution of narcotics, extortion, loan sharking, racketeering, and more.  

The government was able to prove that Deleo engaged in the following criminal activity:

•    paid and arranged for a cocaine deal of two kilograms
•    traveled to Florida, New York, and Connecticut for criminal organization business
•    attempted to collect payments by extortion on March 11, 2009 in Canton, MA
•    arranged for the beating of a financial advisor for a businessman’s brother
•    imported large amounts of marijuana from Canada
•    hid at least 11 firearms, a silencer, ammunition, police uniforms, patches from police departments, wig, zip ties, and more

The mafia organization operates in different areas of the United States and Canada in groups known as “families.”  The most powerful families are located in New York City, and the Colombo family is one of the most powerful and dangerous families.  

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz stated, “Our office continues to investigate and prosecute organized crime wherever it attempts to establish a foothold in the Commonwealth.  We are prepared to prevent it from victimizing and corrupting any of its victims, including legitimate businesses.”  

Richard DesLauriers, Special Agent in Charge for Boston’s FBI, stated: “For the second time in one week, investigations by the FBI and our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners have led to the conviction and sentencing of high ranking LCN members.  Last week, New England LCN’s leader was sentenced, and today, the acting street boss of the Colombo crime family faced justice.”  

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation