The FBI and other law enforcement are searching and digging for bodies in Orange County, New York in connection with an ongoing investigation into the Gambino crime family, sources familiar with the investigation tell NBC New York.
The search is taking place at two locations -- one on Hampton Road in Goshen and one on Hamptonburgh Road in Campbell Hall.
Heavy equipment, including a backhoe, could be seen from Chopper 4 at the location in Goshen on Wednesday afternoon. Sources tell NBC New York no remains were found on Wednesday but the search in Goshen will continue Thursday morning.
The FBI would not confirm who they believe might be buried there or what led agents to the sites and would only tell NBC New York that agents have been on scene all day in connection with the organized crime investigation.
The search appears to be connected to law enforcement action just last week when ten men linked to the Gambino crime family were arrested, sources said. The men were arrested for allegedly using baseball bats and other intimidation tactics to muscle into New York City garbage hauling and demolition businesses, authorities said.
The men associated with the infamous Brooklyn crime syndicate were arrested and charged on a 16-count indictment unsealed in federal court, which includes allegations of racketeering conspiracy, extortion, witness retaliation, and union-related crimes "committed in an attempt to dominate the New York carting and demolition industries," according to a statement by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
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In addition, federal prosecutors said Nov. 8 that Italian law enforcement arrested six members of the mob there in coordination with the actions of the FBI and federal prosecutors in Brooklyn.
According to prosecutors, the 10 arrested are:
- Joseph Lanni, also known as "Joe Brooklyn" and "Mommino," an alleged captain in the Gambino organized crime family
- Diego "Danny" Tantillo
- Angelo Gradilone, also known as "Fifi," an alleged Gambino soldier
- James LaForte, an alleged Gambino soldier
- Vito Rappa, an alleged U.S.-based Sicilian Mafia member and Gambino associate
- Francesco Vicari, also known as “Uncle Ciccio,” an alleged U.S.-based Sicilian Mafia associate and Gambino associate
- Salvatore DiLorenzo, an alleged Gambino associate
- Robert Brooke, an alleged Gambino associate
- Kyle Johnson, also known as “Twin"
- Vincent Minsquero, also known as “Vinny Slick”
Tantillo, Rappa, Vicari, and Johnson are alleged to have demanded money from an unnamed person who ran a carting business by threatening him with a bat, setting fire to the steps of his house, damaging one of his trucks, and assaulting an associate.
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“As alleged, for years, the defendants committed violent extortions, assaults, arson, witness retaliation and other crimes in an attempt to dominate the New York carting and demolition industries,” U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said in a statement. "Today’s arrests reflect the commitment of this Office and our law enforcement partners, both here and abroad, to keep our communities safe by the complete dismantling of organized crime.”
Rappa is alleged to have said that Vicari “acted like the Last of the Samurai” in threatening to cut the unnamed carting business owner in half if he didn’t make extortionate payments commonly referred to as "tribute" on a FBI recorded call.
Prosecutors also allege “Tantillo arranged for Gradilone to receive a 'no-show' job at a construction company with which Tantillo was associated, which enabled Gradilone to receive paychecks and union health benefits to which he was not entitled."
They say, “DiLorenzo provided Rappa with a “no-show” job at DiLorenzo’s demolition company so that Rappa could receive paychecks and union health benefits, among other benefits.”
In a detention memo prosecutors say that Tantillo received $50,000 in direct payment from owners of a demolition company in 2019. And in 2020, they say Tantillo’s demands became more contentions with prosecutors alleging he attacked an employee with a hammer who was taken to the hospital.
After the assault occurred, another mob associate, Johnson, texted Tantillo the following:
Prosecutors say they were able to capture text messages and photos from October 17, 2019, when Tantillo and LaForte were “made” or inducted into the Gambino crime family.
Rappa allegedly texted Tantillo saying: “Good morning Dani have a great day so happy for your new job and when you sign the contract even if I’m not there is like I am very proud good luck !!”
Tantillio then responded: “Ty Vito I really wish you were there since you were one of the people help me get this contract. I hope we continue getting more work and everything gets even better than before. Ty as always.”
It wasn't immediately clear if the men had hired or been assigned attorneys by early Wednesday afternoon.
Nine of the defendants appeared in court on Wednesday and pleaded not guilty. The tenth, Laforte, was not arraigned because he is jail in Pennsylvania and will arraigned at a later day.
"These defendants learned the hard way that the FBI is united with our law enforcement locally and internationally in our efforts to eradicate the insidious organized crime threat," said FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge James Smith. "The FBI will continue to lead the fight against organized crime and ensure that individuals will to cross the line face punishment."
NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban said in a statement, “today’s arrests should serve as a warning to others who believe they can operate in plain sight with apparent impunity – the NYPD and our law enforcement partners exist to shatter that notion.”
