In a dramatic court hearing on Thursday, federal prosecutors unveiled new evidence suggesting that Ralph DeLeo, a former street boss of the Boston mafia, plotted to kill federal officials, including a judge and a prosecutor, as revenge for his recent criminal conviction.
DeLeo, now in his 80s, faces serious allegations that could lead to his detention on the grounds of being a danger to the community and a flight risk.
During the hearing in federal court in Boston, Judge Stacy Neumann did not reach a decision on whether there was probable cause to support the accusations against DeLeo or whether he should be detained following the claims of his dangerousness.
The hearing featured testimony from Massachusetts State Police trooper Elvis Nguyen, an officer working in concert with the FBI’s organized crime division who began his investigation into DeLeo in May.
According to Nguyen, DeLeo’s extensive criminal history includes convictions for racketeering, aggravated murder, bank robbery, and masked armed robbery.
As a street boss, DeLeo acted as a leader within the Boston mafia while the official boss was in prison, according to Nguyen.
Testifying on behalf of Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Deitch, Nguyen detailed multiple Google searches made by DeLeo that prosecutors argue indicate his intent to kill federal officials.
Notably, in November 2024, DeLeo searched for the name of a prosecutor linked to his previous drug charges in federal court in Arkansas, as well as for the name of a federal judge and related searches that sought their contact details on public records websites.
Prosecutors also highlighted DeLeo’s online searches for locksmith tools, “real hair silicone masks,” and nitric acid, which they believe further exemplify his potential planning for violent acts.
Several of these searches were deleted prior to their discovery, raising questions about DeLeo’s intentions.
The prosecution argues that DeLeo violated the terms of his supervised release in multiple ways, including allegedly possessing illegal drugs, contacting other convicted felons, and lying to federal agents.
During the search of DeLeo’s Watertown apartment, law enforcement found marijuana joints and what appeared to be steroids alongside hard copies of personal information on federal officials—including their home addresses and the names of their family members.
Testifying in court, Nguyen stated that DeLeo lied during an interview with police regarding the discovery of this information.
DeLeo claimed he was not assisted by anyone in gathering the information about federal officials, conflicting with evidence suggesting that another person helped him.
Prosecutors also indicated that DeLeo initiated communication with two convicted felons known for their organized crime connections: John Willis, head of Asian organized crime in Boston’s Chinatown, and Frank Goldman, a member of the Colombo crime family.
While incarcerated at the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility in Rhode Island, DeLeo claimed to have discovered a note with incriminating information about the individual who alerted law enforcement to his alleged murder plot.
However, prosecutors contend that DeLeo authored the note himself and had an inmate replicate it before submitting it to corrections officers.
On cross-examination, DeLeo’s lawyer, Kevin Barron, sought to undermine the credibility of the informant linked to the allegations, revealing that this individual had a criminal history that includes charges related to attempted murder with a firearm.
Barron argued that the informant was motivated to provide information to the FBI in hopes of securing an early release from prison, pointing out this individual’s inherent tendency to fabricate.
He further questioned the significance of DeLeo’s Google searches, asserting that they merely reflect research to support potential claims against misconduct from those involved in his sentencing.
Barron suggested the longstanding principle in the mafia that targeting a federal agent, judge, or prosecutor would lead to dire consequences for the perpetrator, forcing Nguyen to acknowledge that he had no knowledge of any recent attempts on agents’ lives by Italian mafia members in Boston.
During the concluding arguments, Barron reiterated the uncertainty surrounding the credibility of the informant, deeming the accusations he provided as unreliable.
Yet, he conceded that the source’s credibility bore little weight concerning whether DeLeo had indeed violated the conditions of his release.
Barron raised concerns regarding DeLeo’s hearing difficulties, which may have hindered his ability to comprehend the police questioning during his arrest.
On the other hand, Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Maynard countered that the issues raised about the informant were irrelevant, emphasizing that DeLeo bore the burden to demonstrate his non-threatening status to avoid detention.
Maynard underscored DeLeo’s historical attempts to escape from custody, including a notable attempt in 2011 when he was held for a prior conviction.
She insisted that DeLeo’s advancing age did not negate the likelihood that he might resort to escapist tactics once again, pointing out that crime had been a lifelong commitment for him.
As one of the most prominent figures in organized crime, Maynard asserted that DeLeo’s connections to the mafia are unbreakable and lifelong.
In closing, she stated that the threat posed by DeLeo is serious and that he remains a risk to federal law enforcement and the community overall.
The court has yet to schedule further hearings on the matter as the judge deliberates.
The outcome of this hearing could significantly impact DeLeo’s future, given that he has a long history of criminal activity and ties to dangerous organized crime networks.
image source from：masslive
