Warrant Issued for Witness in Loan-Shark Case

A federal judge issued a bench warrant Monday for the arrest of a paid informant whose testimony may affect whether or not four men convicted on loan-sharking charges are granted a new trial.

U.S. District Judge Matthew Byrne Jr. issued the warrant in Los Angeles for the arrest of Johnny Angelo, 52, of Reno. Angelo is a fugitive in violation of his parole from state prison, government prosecutors said. He was among several federal grand jury witnesses who provided information leading to the prosecution of seven men on loan-sharking charges. Three were acquitted, but four others, including Vito Dominic Spillone, 48, of Upland, were convicted in October.

Byrne, in issuing the warrant, told defense attorneys, “If you want him, you find him.” Spillone’s attorney relied on statements by Angelo recanting previous testimony to support a motion for a new trial. However, on Dec. 4, Byrne received a letter from Angelo discounting what he told Spillone and his attorney. “I told lies . . . ,” Angelo’s hand-written letter said.

Angelo, described in court records as a paid informant for the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Agency, claimed that he has been unable to appear in court because his life has been threatened.