News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 20, 2005

Twelve Members And Associates Of Diablos Motorcycle
Gang Charged In 31-Count Indictment
Defendants face federal drug and gun charges

June W. Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration in New England and Kevin J. O’Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that a federal grand jury sitting in New Haven today returned a 31-Count Indictment charging seven “full patch” members and five associates of the Diablos Motorcycle Gang with various federal narcotics and firearms charges.

On December 7, 2005, federal, state and local law enforcement authorities executed a series of search warrants at several residences and establishments in Waterbury and Meriden, including the Diablos’ clubs. Most of these defendants were arrested at that time. Some of these federal defendants, as well as several Diablos members not charged in the federal indictment, also face related State charges brought by Waterbury State’s Attorney John A. Connelly.

“These charges are the result of an 18-month DEA and Connecticut State Police investigation into alleged illegal drug and firearms trafficking by members of the Diablos,” U.S. Attorney O’Connor stated. “This indictment and the companion state prosecutions represent law enforcement’s continuing commitment to joint efforts designed to uncover and prosecute gangs, organized crime and all who are responsible for gun running and large-scale drug trafficking activities in our state.”

The following seven individuals have been charged with several counts of distribution of cocaine and for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, more than 500 grams of cocaine:

JERRY FANTAUZZI
Age 33 (DOB: 06/16/1972)
128 Hewey Street, Waterbury, Connecticut

STEVEN RICKEVICIUS, aka “Ox”
Age 31 (DOB: 07/9/1974)
31 Paxton Street, Oakville, Connecticut

STEVEN RADCLIFFE, aka “Red”
Age 48 (DOB: 02/23/1957)
75 Wyoming Avenue, Waterbury,

WAYNE FRANO
Age 37 (DOB: 07/31/1968)
156 Grove Street, 2nd floor, Meriden, Connecticut

THOMAS GIACOMI, aka “Talky Tommy”
Age 37 (DOB: 01/23/1968)
74 Meriden Road, 2nd Floor, Waterbury

CHARLES HOYT
Age 24 (DOB: 05/29/1981)
901 Bank Street, Apt. 2nd floor right, Waterbury

PAUL LECLERC, aka “Goof”
Age 35 (DOB: 08/08/1970)
25 Piedmont Street, Apt. 2, Waterbury

The conspiracy charge carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years and a five-year mandatory minimum term of imprisonment. The distribution charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years of imprisonment.

The following individuals have been charged with distributing cocaine:

BARBARA COSTANZO, aka “Barbara Huckins”
Age 38 (DOB: 07/19/1967)
395 Atwood Avenue, Waterbury

SHARLENE MARTORELLI, aka “Sharlene Sullivan”
Age 38 (DOB: 02/08/1967)
53 Morris Road, Prospect, Connecticut

In addition, several Diablos members have been indicted on firearms charges. Specifically, two have been charged with being convicted felons in possession of a firearm:

JOSEPH CURTIS
Age 42 (DOB: 10/07/1963)
9½ Summit Street, Waterbury

STEVEN NOVAK
Age 50 (DOB: 12/07/1955)
73 Prospect Street, 1st floor, Meriden, Connecticut

Finally, RICKEVICIOUS, GIACOMI and JOSEPH SPINA, JR., also known as “Lawsuit,” age 56 of 63/65 Greenleaf Avenue, 2nd floor, Waterbury, have been charged with selling firearms to a convicted felon.

Each of the federal firearms charges carries a maximum penalty of 10 years of imprisonment.

U.S. Attorney O’Connor stressed that an indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. Each of the defendants is entitled to a fair trial at which it is the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Connecticut State Police, with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the United States Marshals Service, the Waterbury, Hartford and Manchester Police Departments and the Connecticut Department of Correction