Massachusetts Organized Crime Boss Gets 12 Years

The ringleader of an organized crime ring in southeastern Massachusetts was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison Monday despite a plea for leniency by prosecutors.

Timothy Mello, 47, had faced up to 20 years in prison. As part of a plea bargain, prosecutors agreed to a 10-year prison term in exchange for Mello’s cooperation in the case.

Prosecutors considered Mello the main prize in an investigation where five other members of his crime syndicate pleaded guilty to shaking down drug dealers and running illegal gambling and drug operations out of a New Bedford fish plant in the 1990s.

Mello pleaded guilty in November to racketeering -- a charge that included accusations of extortion, money laundering, witness tampering, obstruction of justice and mail fraud.

Authorities alleged Mello’s organization also fostered and maintained relationships with active and former law enforcement officers.

“Your honor ... I’m a different person as I stand here before you today,” Mello said Monday. “I just want to go back home and be a good husband and father to my family.”

But U.S. District Judge Patti B. Saris increased the sentence, noting that Mello had been sentenced to 10 years in state prison for armed robbery -- in 1979 and 1989 -- and had failed to reform.

Assistant U.S. Atty. Brian Kelly said information provided by Mello led to recent indictments, and could lead to new cases.

Mello’s lawyer, Anthony Cardinale, did not plan to appeal the sentencing.