NEWARK, N.J. – A member of the notorious Decavalcante Crime Family, part of the La Cosa Nostra, has been handed a 120-month prison sentence for orchestrating a murder plot against a rival. Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick announced the sentencing, which marks another chapter in the ongoing battle against organized crime in New Jersey.
Charles Stango, 73, of Henderson, Nevada, was sentenced in Newark federal court by U.S. District Judge William H. Walls. Stango had previously admitted guilt to using a telephone to plan the interstate murder, a charge that underscores the reach and methods of modern organized crime. He also pleaded guilty to violating his supervised release terms from a prior racketeering conviction in New York, compounding his legal woes.
The arrest of Stango on April 14, 2015, was part of a larger operation targeting the DeCavalcante crime family, a group with a long and infamous history in New Jersey and beyond. This crime family, deeply embedded within the nationwide criminal network known as “Mafia” or “La Cosa Nostra,” has been involved in a wide array of illegal activities. These range from the serious, such as conspiracy to commit murder and drug trafficking, to crimes like prostitution, extortion, and various acts of violence, painting a picture of a deeply entrenched criminal enterprise.
In court, Stango confessed to using telecommunications to plot the assassination of a rival within the crime family, identified as “Victim 1” in court documents. Evidence gathered during the investigation, including tape recordings, revealed Stango’s motive: he believed Victim 1 had falsely claimed to be a “made man” within the Mafia hierarchy, a status Stango refused to acknowledge. Further fueling his rage, Stango believed Victim 1 had disrespected a high-ranking member of the DeCavalcante crime family, an insult that, in Stango’s eyes, demanded the ultimate retribution. He offered up to $50,000 to two hitmen to carry out the deadly deed. Unbeknownst to Stango, these assassins were actually undercover FBI agents. Law enforcement intervened to ensure Victim 1’s safety, preventing any harm from coming to him.
The case against Stango is part of a broader crackdown on the DeCavalcante crime family, resulting in guilty pleas from six of his co-defendants, including his own son, Anthony Stango. These individuals admitted to various offenses, including distributing substantial quantities of cocaine and attempting to establish a prostitution ring, all aimed at enriching both themselves and the DeCavalcante crime family.
In addition to the decade-long prison sentence, Judge Walls also mandated three years of supervised release for Stango, further extending the legal oversight of his activities upon his release.
Acting U.S. Attorney Fitzpatrick acknowledged the collaborative efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies in bringing Stango to justice. He specifically credited the FBI, the Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor, the Bayonne Police Department, and the N.J. State Commission of Investigation for their crucial roles in the investigation. Thanks were also extended to the FBI’s Las Vegas office and the Union County Prosecutor’s Office for their assistance. The prosecution was led by Senior Litigation Counsel V. Grady O’Malley of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Organized Crime/Gangs Unit. Chester Keller Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Newark, represented the defense.
