Alleged Mafia Soldier Charged With Attempting To Escape From Federal Pretrial Detention Facility
Christopher Londonio, an alleged Luchese crime family soldier, was charged with attempting to escape from federal detention using dental floss and bedsheets after plotting to smuggle a hacksaw blade via a priest, adding a five-year maximum sentence to his existing racketeering and murder charges.
Christopher Londonio, a 43-year-old alleged member of the Luchese crime family, was charged in a superseding indictment with attempting to escape from the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn in June 2017 by using dental floss to cut a window and planning to fashion a rope from bedsheets, while also trying to have a priest smuggle in a hacksaw blade. He was already detained on federal charges including racketeering, murder, narcotics trafficking, and firearms offenses as part of a broader indictment against 19 members and associates of La Cosa Nostra. The escape attempt was foiled when another inmate reported the plan, and Londonio now faces a maximum of five years for the escape attempt under 18 U.S.C. § 751(a), in addition to potential life sentences or the death penalty on the underlying charges.
Christopher Londonio, a 43-year-old alleged soldier of the Luchese crime family, was charged in a superseding indictment on September 13, 2017, with attempting to escape from the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where he had been held since February 2017 on racketeering and murder charges. According to the indictment, in June 2017, Londonio conspired with another detainee to use dental floss as a cutting tool to tamper with a window and planned to construct a rope from tied-together bedsheets and blankets for his escape, while also attempting to have a priest smuggle in a hacksaw blade. The plot was uncovered after a fellow inmate reported the scheme to authorities, leading to the new charge under 18 U.S.C. § 751(a), which carries a maximum penalty of five years. Londonio was already facing serious federal charges as part of a broader indictment against 19 members and associates of La Cosa Nostra, including murder, extortion, narcotics trafficking, and firearms offenses dating back to at least 2000. The case, prosecuted by the Southern District of New York’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit, remains ongoing, with all defendants presumed innocent until proven guilty. The investigation involved the FBI, NYPD, Bureau of Prisons, and other federal agencies, highlighting the severity of the organized crime network under scrutiny. Londonio’s attempted escape, described by officials as outlandish and desperate, added another layer of criminal conduct to his long history of alleged mob-related violence and racketeering.
Extracted insights
- person christoph londonio
- agency fbi assistant director william f. sweeney jr.
- person Joon H. Kim
- person la cosa nostra
- person superseding indictment
- agency U.S. Attorney's Office For The Southern District Of New York
- U.S. Attorney's Office Announce the filing of a Superseding Indictment
- Christoph Londonio Charge attempting to escape from the Metropolitan Detention Center
- Christoph Londonio Detain at the MDC since February 2017
- Superseding Indictment Re-allege previously filed charges against Londonio and 18 other members and associates of the Luchese Family of La Cosa Nostra
- Londonio Arraign on the new charge at the next pretrial conference
- Case Assign to United States District Judge Cathy Seibel
- Joon H. Kim Say Luchese soldier Christopher Londonio, allegedly hatched a scheme to break out of federal prison with a hacksaw blade and a rope made from tied-up bedsheets
- FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. Say Someone facing federal charges of murder, extortion, racketeering, and a litany of other crimes may feel a certain desperation to attempt breaking out of jail to avoid justice
- LONDONIO Concoct a plan to escape from the MDC
- LONDONIO Use dental floss as a cutting tool to tamper with a window in the facility
- LONDONIO Plan to solicit a priest to smuggle a saw blade into the facility
- LONDONIO Stockpile a large number of sheets and blankets, intending to use them as a rope to aid in his escape
- A fellow detainee Report the escape plan to the authorities
- La Cosa Nostra Be a criminal organization composed of leaders, members, and associates who work together and coordinate to engage in a multitude of criminal activities
- Superseding Indictment Allege that from at least in or about 2000 up to and including in or about 2017, MATTHEW MADONNA, STEVEN CREA, Sr., a/k/a “Wonder Boy,” JOSEPH DINAPOLI, STEVEN CREA, Jr., DOMINIC TRUSCELLO, JOHN CASTELUCCI
Press Release Alleged Mafia Soldier Charged With Attempting To Escape From Federal Pretrial Detention Facility Wednesday, September 13, 2017 Share FacebookLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. XLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. LinkedInLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. Email For Immediate Release U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William F. Sweeney Jr., Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and James P. O’Neill, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”) announced today the filing of a Superseding Indictment charging CHRISTOPHER LONDONIO with attempting to escape from the Metropolitan Detention Center (“MDC”), in Brooklyn. LONDONIO has been detained at the MDC since February 2017 in connection with murder and racketeering charges pending in White Plains federal court. The Superseding Indictment re-alleges previously filed charges against LONDONIO and 18 other members and associates of the Luchese Family of La Cosa Nostra, who are charged with racketeering, murder, narcotics offenses, and firearms offenses. LONDONIO will be arraigned on the new charge at the next pretrial conference, which is currently scheduled for September 20, 2017. The case is assigned to United States District Judge Cathy Seibel. Acting U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said: “Already detained on racketeering and murder charges, Luchese soldier Christopher Londonio, allegedly hatched a scheme to break out of federal prison with a hacksaw blade and a rope made from tied-up bedsheets. Although sounding like a script for a made-for-tv movie, the charges allege yet another serious federal crime against Londonio. As alleged, with this latest chapter in his years-long life in the mob, Londonio adds to the string of crimes he must now face, in a criminal justice system he was desperately seeking to escape.” FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. said: “Someone facing federal charges of murder, extortion, racketeering, and a litany of other crimes may feel a certain desperation to attempt breaking out of jail to avoid justice. However, the outlandish choice of dental floss, and even allegedly asking a priest to assist in the escape defies comprehension. The attempts didn't work, and now the subject in this case faces even more charges for his alleged criminal behavior.” According to the allegations in the Superseding Indictment[1] and other documents in the public record: In or about June 2017, LONDONIO and another detainee concocted a plan to escape from the MDC. In furtherance of the plan, LONDONIO used dental floss as a cutting tool to tamper with a window in the facility. He also planned to solicit a priest to smuggle a saw blade into the facility, and secretly stockpiled a large number of sheets and blankets, intending to use them as a rope to aid in his escape. The plan was foiled after a fellow detainee reported the escape plan to the authorities. La Cosa Nostra or “the Mafia” is a criminal organization composed of leaders, members, and associates who work together and coordinate to engage in a multitude of criminal activities. In addition to the attempted escape charge, the Superseding Indictment alleges that from at least in or about 2000 up to and including in or about 2017, MATTHEW MADONNA, STEVEN CREA, Sr., a/k/a “Wonder Boy,” JOSEPH DINAPOLI, STEVEN CREA, Jr., DOMINIC TRUSCELLO, JOHN CASTELUCCI, a/k/a “Big John,” TINDARO CORSO, a/k/a “Tino,” JOSEPH VENICE, JAMES MAFFUCCI, a/k/a “Jimmy the Jew,” JOSEPH DATELLO, a/k/a “Big Joe,” a/k/a “Joey Glasses,” PAUL CASSANO, a/k/a “Paulie Roast Beef,” CHRISTOPHER LONDONIO, TERRENCE CALDWELL, a/k/a “T,” VINCENT BRUNO, BRIAN VAUGHAN, CARMINE GARCIA, a/k/a “Spanish Carmine,” RICHARD O’CONNOR, ROBERT CAMILLI, and JOHN INCATASCIATO, along with other members and associates of La Cosa Nostra, committed a wide array of crimes in connection with their association with the mafia, including murder, attempted murder, assault, robbery, extortion, gambling, narcotics trafficking, witness tampering, fraud, money laundering, and trafficking in contraband cigarettes. * * * LONDONIO, 43, is a resident of Hartsdale, New York. The attempted escape charge, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 751(a), carries a maximum prison term of five years. A chart containing the ages, residency information, and charges against all of the defendants named in the Superseding Indictment, as well as the maximum penalties they face, is attached. The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencings of the defendants will be determined by the judge. Mr. Kim praised the outstanding investigative work of the Special Investigative Services of the Bureau of Prisons and the FBI’s Joint Organized Crime Task Force, which is composed of agents and detectives of the FBI, NYPD, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor. He added that the investigation is continuing. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott Hartman, Hagan Scotten, and Jacqueline Kelly are in charge of the prosecution. The case is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit and White Plains Division. The charges contained in the Superseding Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. United States v. Mathew Madonna, et al., S3 17 Cr. 89 (CS) DEFENDANT AGE CITY OF RESIDENCE CHARGES MAX SENT. Madonna, Matthew 81 Incarcerated 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) 18 U.S.C. § 924(j) 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(1) 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(5) 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) Life or the death penalty Crea, Sr., Steven 69 Crestwood, NY 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) 18 U.S.C. § 924(j) 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(1) 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(3) 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(5) 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) Life or the death penalty DiNapoli, Joseph 81 Bronx, NY 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) Life Crea, Jr., Steven 45 New Rochelle, NY 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) 18 U.S.C. § 924(j) 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(1) 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(3) 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(5) 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) Life or the death penalty Truscello, Dominic 83 Staten Island, NY 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) Life Castelucci, John 57 Staten Island, NY 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) Life Corso, Tindaro 56 Staten Island, NY 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) Life Venice, Joseph 56 Yonkers, NY 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) Life Maffucci, James 69 Manhattan, NY 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) 21 U.S.C. § 846 Life Datello, Joseph 66 Staten Island, NY 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(3) 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) 21 U.S.C. § 846 Life Londonio, Christopher 43 Incarcerated 18 U.S.C. § 751(a) 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) 18 U.S.C. § 924(j) 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(1) 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(5) 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) 21 U.S.C. § 846 Life or the death penalty Cassano, Paul 38 Yonkers, NY 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(3) 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) Life Caldwell, Terrence 59 Incarcerated 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) 18 U.S.C. § 924(j) 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(1) 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(3) 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(5) 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) Life or the death penalty Bruno, Vincent 33 Incarcerated 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(3) 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) Life Vaughan, Brian 51 Matawan, NJ 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) 21 U.S.C. § 846 Life Garcia, Carmine 65 Hawthorne, NJ 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) 21 U.S.C. § 846 Life O’Connor, Richard 63 Staten Island, NY 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) 21 U.S.C. § 846 Life Camilli, Robert 60 Briarcliff Manor, NY 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) 20 Years Incatasciato, John 42 Elmsford, NY 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) 20 Years [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Superseding Indictment, and the descriptions of the Superseding Indictment set forth below, are only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation. Updated September 13, 2017 Component USAO - New York, Southern Press Release Number: 17-294
Press Release Alleged Mafia Soldier Charged With Attempting To Escape From Federal Pretrial Detention Facility Wednesday, September 13, 2017 Share FacebookLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. XLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. LinkedInLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. Email For Immediate Release U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William F. Sweeney Jr., Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and James P. O’Neill, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”) announced today the filing of a Superseding Indictment charging CHRISTOPHER LONDONIO with attempting to escape from the Metropolitan Detention Center (“MDC”), in Brooklyn. LONDONIO has been detained at the MDC since February 2017 in connection with murder and racketeering charges pending in White Plains federal court. The Superseding Indictment re-alleges previously filed charges against LONDONIO and 18 other members and associates of the Luchese Family of La Cosa Nostra, who are charged with racketeering, murder, narcotics offenses, and firearms offenses. LONDONIO will be arraigned on the new charge at the next pretrial conference, which is currently scheduled for September 20, 2017. The case is assigned to United States District Judge Cathy Seibel. Acting U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said: “Already detained on racketeering and murder charges, Luchese soldier Christopher Londonio, allegedly hatched a scheme to break out of federal prison with a hacksaw blade and a rope made from tied-up bedsheets. Although sounding like a script for a made-for-tv movie, the charges allege yet another serious federal crime against Londonio. As alleged, with this latest chapter in his years-long life in the mob, Londonio adds to the string of crimes he must now face, in a criminal justice system he was desperately seeking to escape.” FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. said: “Someone facing federal charges of murder, extortion, racketeering, and a litany of other crimes may feel a certain desperation to attempt breaking out of jail to avoid justice. However, the outlandish choice of dental floss, and even allegedly asking a priest to assist in the escape defies comprehension. The attempts didn't work, and now the subject in this case faces even more charges for his alleged criminal behavior.” According to the allegations in the Superseding Indictment[1] and other documents in the public record: In or about June 2017, LONDONIO and another detainee concocted a plan to escape from the MDC. In furtherance of the plan, LONDONIO used dental floss as a cutting tool to tamper with a window in the facility. He also planned to solicit a priest to smuggle a saw blade into the facility, and secretly stockpiled a large number of sheets and blankets, intending to use them as a rope to aid in his escape. The plan was foiled after a fellow detainee reported the escape plan to the authorities. La Cosa Nostra or “the Mafia” is a criminal organization composed of leaders, members, and associates who work together and coordinate to engage in a multitude of criminal activities. In addition to the attempted escape charge, the Superseding Indictment alleges that from at least in or about 2000 up to and including in or about 2017, MATTHEW MADONNA, STEVEN CREA, Sr., a/k/a “Wonder Boy,” JOSEPH DINAPOLI, STEVEN CREA, Jr., DOMINIC TRUSCELLO, JOHN CASTELUCCI, a/k/a “Big John,” TINDARO CORSO, a/k/a “Tino,” JOSEPH VENICE, JAMES MAFFUCCI, a/k/a “Jimmy the Jew,” JOSEPH DATELLO, a/k/a “Big Joe,” a/k/a “Joey Glasses,” PAUL CASSANO, a/k/a “Paulie Roast Beef,” CHRISTOPHER LONDONIO, TERRENCE CALDWELL, a/k/a “T,” VINCENT BRUNO, BRIAN VAUGHAN, CARMINE GARCIA, a/k/a “Spanish Carmine,” RICHARD O’CONNOR, ROBERT CAMILLI, and JOHN INCATASCIATO, along with other members and associates of La Cosa Nostra, committed a wide array of crimes in connection with their association with the mafia, including murder, attempted murder, assault, robbery, extortion, gambling, narcotics trafficking, witness tampering, fraud, money laundering, and trafficking in contraband cigarettes. * * * LONDONIO, 43, is a resident of Hartsdale, New York. The attempted escape charge, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 751(a), carries a maximum prison term of five years. A chart containing the ages, residency information, and charges against all of the defendants named in the Superseding Indictment, as well as the maximum penalties they face, is attached. The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencings of the defendants will be determined by the judge. Mr. Kim praised the outstanding investigative work of the Special Investigative Services of the Bureau of Prisons and the FBI’s Joint Organized Crime Task Force, which is composed of agents and detectives of the FBI, NYPD, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor. He added that the investigation is continuing. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott Hartman, Hagan Scotten, and Jacqueline Kelly are in charge of the prosecution. The case is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit and White Plains Division. The charges contained in the Superseding Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. United States v. Mathew Madonna, et al., S3 17 Cr. 89 (CS) DEFENDANT AGE CITY OF RESIDENCE CHARGES MAX SENT. Madonna, Matthew 81 Incarcerated 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) 18 U.S.C. § 924(j) 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(1) 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(5) 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) Life or the death penalty Crea, Sr., Steven 69 Crestwood, NY 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) 18 U.S.C. § 924(j) 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(1) 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(3) 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(5) 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) Life or the death penalty DiNapoli, Joseph 81 Bronx, NY 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) Life Crea, Jr., Steven 45 New Rochelle, NY 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) 18 U.S.C. § 924(j) 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(1) 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(3) 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(5) 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) Life or the death penalty Truscello, Dominic 83 Staten Island, NY 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) Life Castelucci, John 57 Staten Island, NY 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) Life Corso, Tindaro 56 Staten Island, NY 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) Life Venice, Joseph 56 Yonkers, NY 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) Life Maffucci, James 69 Manhattan, NY 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) 21 U.S.C. § 846 Life Datello, Joseph 66 Staten Island, NY 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(3) 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) 21 U.S.C. § 846 Life Londonio, Christopher 43 Incarcerated 18 U.S.C. § 751(a) 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) 18 U.S.C. § 924(j) 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(1) 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(5) 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) 21 U.S.C. § 846 Life or the death penalty Cassano, Paul 38 Yonkers, NY 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(3) 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) Life Caldwell, Terrence 59 Incarcerated 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) 18 U.S.C. § 924(j) 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(1) 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(3) 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(5) 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) Life or the death penalty Bruno, Vincent 33 Incarcerated 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(3) 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) Life Vaughan, Brian 51 Matawan, NJ 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) 21 U.S.C. § 846 Life Garcia, Carmine 65 Hawthorne, NJ 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) 21 U.S.C. § 846 Life O’Connor, Richard 63 Staten Island, NY 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) 21 U.S.C. § 846 Life Camilli, Robert 60 Briarcliff Manor, NY 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) 20 Years Incatasciato, John 42 Elmsford, NY 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d) 20 Years [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Superseding Indictment, and the descriptions of the Superseding Indictment set forth below, are only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation. Updated September 13, 2017 Component USAO - New York, Southern Press Release Number: 17-294