Details Emerge About RI Man Charged as Part of Lucchese Crime Family Gambling Ring

Details Emerge About RI Man Charged as Part of Lucchese Crime Family Gambling Ring

Details are emerging about the Rhode Island man charged by the New Jersey Attorney General for his alleged role in an organized crime illegal gambling ring run by the Lucchese crime family.

GoLocal reported the charges earlier on Friday. 

The Lucchese crime family is one of the Five Families, and Henry Hill, the man featured in the Hollywood movie Goodfellas, was a member of the crime group.

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The Rhode Islander is North Kingstown resident William Medeiros, age 22, and a recent graduate of Bryant University.

“Today we are alleging that a member and associates of the Lucchese crime family were running a sophisticated sports betting operation,” said NJ Division of Criminal Justice Director Theresa L. Hilton. “They are also charged with money laundering and other crimes as part of their racketeering enterprise. We are committed to rooting out these illegal operations and protecting the public from becoming their victims.”

Medeiros, who graduated from North Kingstown High School, is now one of the 14 tied to the major illegal gambling ring.

 

 

According to the New Jersey complaint against Medeiros: 

 

In January 2024, members of the Port Investigation Unit from the New Jersey State Police Port Security Section began an investigation into an illegal sports betting enterprise operating out of Essex and Bergen Counties.

 

The investigation uncovered a nationwide web of bookmakers operating under the direction of Joseph M. “Little Joe” Perna, a Soldier in the Lucchese Crime Family. 

 

Little Joe acted as the Financier, who supported the operation. Perna’s son, Joseph R. Perna, conducted the daily operations of the sportsbook, facilitating dozens of subordinate agents - including his brother, Anthony Perna, his step-brother, Frank Zito, his cousins, Dominic Perna and Michael Cetta. 

 

Co-defendants Tyler Schnorrbusch, Nichoals Raimo, Joseph Janish, William Medeiros, Spencer Speziale, and Devon Shuster are all high-level agents of the enterprise who managed their own sportsbooks within the Perna enterprise. 

 

The enterprise systematically enticed individuals to place bets and the illicit proceeds were used to operate the enterprise and enrich the enterprise members. 

 

Members of the enterprise included student athletes, who operated sportsbooks for the Perna enterprise. Between 2022 and 2024, the Enterprise transferred approximately $2,000,000 in suspected gambling transactions. 

 

Medeiros' lawyer, Craig Montecalvo, told GoLocal, “I’m eager to address these allegations at the appropriate time and am actively coordinating William’s participation in the New Jersey judicial process.”

 

This story was first published 11/14/25 5:51 PM