New Haven, CT – A sprawling racketeering and environmental crime case stemming from the operation of five junkyards and four scrap dealer businesses in Connecticut reached a partial conclusion in 1989 with guilty pleas and sentencing for multiple individuals, including brothers Charles and James Arcangelo. The case, unsealed with a 15-count RICO indictment in June 1988, exposed a web of illegal activities ranging from the disposal of hazardous waste to the trafficking of stolen vehicles and harboring illegal aliens.
The Arcangelo brothers, who also formerly operated Arcangelos Restaurant – destroyed by arson in 1981 – were at the center of the scheme. Investigators discovered the junkyards weren’t just collecting scrap metal; they were also serving as a hub for criminal activity. The EPA’s involvement focused on the blatant disregard for environmental regulations, specifically the illegal disposal of hazardous waste. Evidence presented showed the Arcangelos knowingly dumped toxic materials without permits, posing a significant threat to public health and the environment. Mercury, a particularly dangerous substance, was among the improperly discarded materials.
While the Arcangelos were the only defendants directly charged with environmental crimes, the indictment painted a picture of a criminal enterprise involving multiple co-conspirators. The investigation revealed a network dedicated to receiving and transporting stolen vehicles across state lines, falsifying Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs), and engaging in mail fraud. Federal prosecutors successfully linked these activities under the RICO statute, allowing for broader charges and harsher penalties. Several individuals, including Roger Boisonneault, Antonio DeLucia, and Frank DeFelice, entered guilty pleas to charges related to stolen vehicles, mail fraud, or racketeering in the early months of 1989.
Sentencing & Penalties
Sentencing varied widely among the defendants. Robert Veltre received a 60-month sentence, with most suspended, and a $10,000 fine. Marco DeLucia faced 48 months suspended incarceration and a $2,000 fine. However, the Arcangelo brothers bore the brunt of the legal repercussions. Charles Arcangelo received a 144-month suspended sentence, 60 months probation, a staggering $200,000 fine – portions allocated to victims, the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, and an insurance company – and was forced to forfeit $300,000 worth of computer equipment. James Arcangelo received 84 months suspended, 60 months probation, and shared responsibility for his brother’s restitution and forfeiture. The penalties reflect the severity of the crimes and the scale of the operation.
Environmental Impact & Legal Ramifications
The case highlights the intersection of organized crime and environmental violations. The Arcangelos’ operation demonstrates how criminal enterprises can exploit loopholes in environmental regulations for financial gain, disregarding the potential harm to communities and ecosystems. The successful prosecution under both RICO and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) sent a strong message that environmental crimes will not be tolerated, particularly when linked to broader criminal activity.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Charles Arcangelo and James Arcangelo, along with multiple co-defendants
- Location: Connecticut
- Year: 1989
- Statutes Violated: 18 U.S.C. 511(a) (Tampering with VINs), 18 U.S.C. 1341 (Mail Fraud), 18 U.S.C. 2313 (Sale of Stolen Vehicles), 18 U.S.C. 2314 (Interstate Transportation of Stolen Property), 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A) (RCRA – Illegal Hazardous Waste Disposal), 42 U.S.C. 9603(b)(3) (CERCLA – Failure to Report Hazardous Substance Release), 18 U.S.C. 1962(c & d) (RICO), 18 U.S.C. 1324(a)(1)(B) (Harboring Illegal Aliens)
- Penalties: Sentences ranged from probation and fines to suspended prison terms and substantial financial penalties, including $200,000 in fines and $300,000 in forfeited assets for Charles Arcangelo.
- Operation: Involved five junkyards, four scrap dealer businesses, and a prior restaurant operation.
GrimyTimes will continue to follow any related developments in this case and report on further environmental crime investigations.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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