Cops Arrest Home Invasion Crew / Gang Members

[DMF]

http://www.atf.gov/press/fy05press/field/051105ny_homeinvasion.htm

ATF ARRESTS HOME INVASION CREW,
GANG MEMBERS NAMED IN 26-COUNT INDICTMENT

NEW YORK -- William G. McMahon, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Glenn T. Suddaby, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York, today announced the arrest of 12 defendants for violating federal firearms and narcotics laws, and the unsealing of a 26-count federal indictment. The arrests relate to a series of armed home invasions and robberies of narcotics traffickers occurring in Albany, Syracuse and central New York State.

The arrests culminates a 22-month investigation by members of the Albany and Syracuse Field Offices of ATF, in conjunction with the U.S Attorney's Office in Syracuse.

Special agents from the ATF Albany and Syracuse field offices arrested the subjects without incident at various locations within the Capital District, central New York and Buffalo. The defendants were scheduled to appear later today in Syracuse, Albany and Buffalo.

"This successful investigation emphasizes the high priority which ATF attaches to firearms-related violence in connection with narcotics trafficking," McMahon said. "I would like to thank Chief Eugene Conway and Capt. Mark Petterelli of the Town of Dewitt Police Department for their valuable assistance during the initial stages of this investigation."

Those arrested were:

Gregory J. Thomas, 25, of Norwich, N.Y. (currently in state prison) charged with firearms, narcotics, and explosives violations, extortion and murder for hire;

Gerald Thomas, aka "BJ," 24, of Endicott, N.Y., charged with firearms and narcotics violations, and extortion;

Dustin T. Rose, aka "Badger," 28, of Troy, N.Y., charged with firearms and narcotics violations;

Gerald Thomas Sr., 56, of Norwich, N.Y., charged with mail fraud and witness tampering;

Robert Bleyle, 30, of Norwich, N.Y., charged with firearms and narcotics violations;

David L. Monk, 27, of Buffalo, N.Y., charged with firearms and narcotics violations;

Michael Caruso, 26, of Syracuse, N.Y, charged with firearms and narcotics violations;

Vincenzo Fusco, 37, of Syracuse, N.Y, charged with firearms and narcotics violations;

Michael Weaver, age 22, of Moravia, N.Y., (currently in state prison) charged with narcotics violations; and

Three defendants previously arrested by ATF and charged with firearms violations. They are identified as: Nam Phoung Le, 29, of Manlius, N.Y.; Michael E. Norlund, 24, of Nanuet, N.Y.; and Salvatore Peretore, 22, of Apalachin, N.Y.


The charges are merely accusations and each defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.



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[2nd Amendment]

So...F-Troop is so bad now that it's noteworthy when they actually get something right...?

 

[DMF]

No, that's not it all, but if I posted every story about ATF "getting things right" I'd be starting hundreds of threads a day. I just felt this one was particularly interesting.

 

[2nd Amendment]

I'd be starting hundreds of threads a day.

So you're into fiction, eh? Cool.

 

[P95Carry]

Geez - why does something ''LE'' have to go straight into ''snide'' mode!

 

[centac]

I'd like to think that many non-LEOs dont really understand that the BATFE does much more than they know of. Regulation of civilian gun dealers is just a fraction of their tasks and duties, much of which is done undercover or in task forces were other agencies typically get the PR.

Sounds like a job well done to me.......but I'm certain people will find something wrong with it anyway.

 

[RocketMan]

Good job, BATFE. More bad guys off the street.

 

[WilderBill]

Oh, I see the problem.
These guys were bustin' down drug dealers doors, threatening them, and taking away their drugs and/or money.
Clearly they were on the feds turf.
That's what they do, right?
I don't really have a problem with that bust, but then I also don't think I am offended that someone other than our almightly fed.gov was in some way controlling the drug dealers.

 

[FeebMaster]

Federal firearms and narcotics violations? Thank God for the ATF and the good work they do.

 

[BlackCat]

if I posted every story about ATF "getting things right" I'd be starting hundreds of threads a day.

LOL!

I'd like to think that many non-LEOs dont really understand that the BATFE does much more than they know of.

What did they do in this case that the State Police couldn't have accomplished just as well? Maybe even the FBI?

Federal firearms and narcotics violations? Thank God for the ATF and the good work they do.

Yes! Enforcing pointless laws that do more harm to U.S. citizens than good. Waste of tax money.

 

[mete]

2nd Amendment , The NYSP is separated into troops. The one headquartered in Middletown is , formally, Troop F. Sometimes we call it "F Troop ". I hadn't heard the ATF ever called 'F Troop '. Of course the children on the forum have no idea what we're talking about !!

 

[dustind]

It's good that the ATF is going after home invaders that they have jurisdiction over, but I do not see what is special about this case, or how it reflects especially well on the ATF. They are simply doing their job.

Ok, so I guess this means someone has to post two stories of ATF abuses that are not too well known. Then DMF needs to post three good stories about the ATF, and we can then go from there.

 

[Gewehr98]

P95, I agree.

Geez - why does something ''LE'' have to go straight into ''snide'' mode!

Since one of my post-military career options is with the BATF, they offered me a position and I'm seriously considering it. I witnessed the forensic work done on the Unabomber case at one of their branch offices. I'd be doing the same kind of stuff. Would that make me a bad guy?

Did you folks ever stop to consider that perhaps many members of this forum just might be ATF employees who enjoy the website?

 

[cropcirclewalker]

I'm not trying to be critical.

Whenever I read or hear a news report about some bg getting hooked up. They seem to always say something like, "yada yada, AND WEAPONS VIOLATIONS"

Since, In my opinion, there are no "weapons violations" (2a and all) I wish they would be more specific.

You know, like, "Transferring a firearm without the proper paperwork" or "interstate transportation of firearms in an unlocked container"

Something like that......What, particularly, was the firearms violations that these bgs did?

Mr. DMF, a link?

 

[George S.]

Something tells me that the BG's that were arrested are not necessarily fine upstanding members of the community and the fact that they were arrested for "firearms violations" probably meant that they were felons in possesion of firearms or were possessing illegal (modded to fire full auto, cut down barrels etc.) firearms. Trafficking in narcotics probably means they had many pounds of drugs with them. I wouldn't be suprised to find these pieces of dog crap already had lengthly criminal records.

I agree that the ATF guys are just doing their job. They did it well and got a good number of scumbags off the street. Cooperation with local law enforcement for this kind of work is a good deal.

 

[cracked butt]

The arrests relate to a series of armed home invasions and robberies of narcotics traffickers occurring in Albany, Syracuse and central New York State.

Good job ATF

I'd swear that some posters here would cut off their own nose just to spite their face.

 

[tyme]

Wilderbill, my sentiments exactly. These are not good people, but they're no worse than the government. The suspects charged only with narcotics and weapons violations are, if they've avoided involvement with violent crime, more righteous than the BATFE agents who arrested them.

 

[Steve in PA]

"The suspects charged only with narcotics and weapons violations are, if they've avoided involvement with violent crime, more righteous than the BATFE agents who arrested them."

Talk about the south end of a north bound mule!!!!

 

[cropcirclewalker]

Mr. George S, when you post

I wouldn't be suprised to find these pieces of dog crap already had lengthly criminal records.

It is fair that your statement of not being surprised is sort of like stating an opinion, however something makes me think that you have assumed their guilt even before their due process.

Pieces of dog crap? Can you provide a link? Cite?

I still wonder what the weapons charges are. Mr. DMF, how does one find out?

 

[2nd Amendment]

Well said, Tyme.

Mete, I am often scared about what the children don't know these days.

 

[DMF]

I still wonder what the weapons charges are. Mr. DMF, how does one find out?

Call the ATF NY Field Division, or the USAO in that district.

 

[Art Eatman]

"arrest(s)(for)...violating federal firearms and narcotics laws...The arrests relate to a series of armed home invasions and robberies of narcotics traffickers occurring in Albany, Syracuse and central New York State."

Regardless of one's views about gun laws and drug laws, is it right and proper to invade homes and steal anything of whatever sort?

So you're against drugs: Is it proper to rob a "narcotics trafficker"? You'd feel free to invade his home at gunpoint?

So you don't like restrictions against gun ownership: Is it proper for you to invade a home at gunpoint and rob?

Leaving the drug issue out of it, would you think it proper were the residents some sort of perverts? Say, of the NAMBLA sort? That is, if you don't approve of the victims' behavior, they have no rights against home invasion and robbery?

I note that many who post on this board speak strongly against laws controlling possession of firearms, speak strongly for our rights of possession of firearms and speak strongly against misuse of firearms.

It seems to me that this particular set of arrests involves serious actions allegedly perpetrated by the accused--far beyond any issue of possession.

As usual, if the shoe don't fit, don't wear it...

, Art

 

[DRZinn]

Why were they all arrested on weapons and narcotics violations, and not, say, home invasion?

 

[cropcirclewalker]

Mr. Eatman, as usual, you are right, except

I don't know if I am being chastized or not. Mr. Zinn has hit upon the thrust of my question to Mr. DMF.

(as an aside.......Just because I personally feel that the WoD is a dismal failure and not even constitutional.......(How come we had to have an amendment for prohibition but they just made drugs illeagal?) I am not addressing this particular question)

The question remains...If these guys (called gang) are so bad, why just the "weapons violations" and drug charges? How come not "Home Invasion"

What is the story here? Why don't we just pass a law against being a "Bad Guy"?

Murder for Hire? sure. good arrest.
Fraud? Sure. Nail 'em.
Extortion? You got it, Brauer.

Explosive violations? What's that? Blowing up a stump with out permission?

"Weapons Violations?" Why don't we rename that crime to.."Being a Bad Guy". Wouldn't that make more sense? This is a pro gun forum.

Weapons Violations? 2nd Amendment? Please reconcile.

 

[DRZinn]

CCW D):

I knew that was the thrust of your question; that's why I said that.