The Kickham Comment - Boston Criminal Attorney Blog
A Massachusetts man, who allegedly hails from New York’s famous Colombo crime family, is expected to plead guilty next week, to charges of racketeering conspiracy, which are related to alleged large-scale drug trafficking in Massachusetts.
Next Thursday, Ralph DeLeo of Somerville, is expected to plead guilty in U. S. District Court in Boston to his alleged crimes. It is alleged that Mr. DeLeo sold large amounts of cocaine and marijuana in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, Florida and Arkansas.
He is said by federal investigators to be the crime “boss” of the Colombo crime family of La Cosa Nostra. Whether he is guilty of these crimes, of course, remains to be seen.
As a Boston/Dedham drug offenses attorney, I can say that Massachusetts drug offenses are among the most common criminal charges prosecuted in our state. Judges and prosecutors in Massachusetts do not take these cases lightly. In fact, Boston/Dedham drug trafficking charges are very aggressively prosecuted and the penalties are quite severe. Most people don’t realize just how serious Massachusetts drug laws are, and most people would be surprised to know how easily someone can be charged with a Boston/Dedham drug possession or Massachusetts drug possession with intent to distribute — and how serious the Massachusetts drug crime penalties are.