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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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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