Brothers Sentenced to Long Prison Terms for Conspiracy to Distribute Oxycontin

NEWARK – Two brothers arrested last summer were sentenced today to long federal prison terms for conspiring to distribute the drug oxycontin between Newark and drug dealers in Connecticut and Boston, U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie announced.

U.S. District Judge Joel A. Pisano sentenced Michael Gallicchio, 37, of North Arlington, to 108 months in prison and Nicholas Gallicchio, 39, of Newark, to 87 months in prison. Judge Pisano ordered both men to surrender to the federal Bureau of Prisons by June 1.

The Gallicchio brothers pleaded guilty on Nov. 2, 2005, as did their father, Louis Gallicchio, Sr., 64, and Nicholas Gallicchio’s girlfriend, Gabriella Amarilla, 28, and Eric Love, 26, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald D. Wigler. All of the defendants, but for Michael Gallicchio, were of Newark.

All of the defendants pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute oxycodone, a controlled pharmaceutical narcotic, between about April 2002 to November 2004. Each of the defendants specifically admitted that the group purchased the pills in the Newark area and that Love and Amarilla transported them to Connecticut and Massachusetts to be sold to other drug dealers.

All of the above-named defendants were arrested on federal drug charges on June 6, 2005. Louis Gallicchio and Love have been held without bail since the arrests, while the others were free pending sentencing.

Amarilla is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Pisano on May 2 at 10 a.m.; Louis Gallicchio is scheduled to be sentenced on May 3 at 11 a.m., and Love is scheduled to be sentenced on May 18 at 11 a.m.

As part of the plea agreements, Louis Gallicchio agreed to forfeit his home at 190-192 Smith Street in Newark. Michael Gallicchio forfeited $75,000 in lieu the government’s original intention to seize his business, Gold Buyers at 500 Clinton Avenue in Newark. Each of the five defendants, as well as other individuals involved, had various sums of money seized during their arrests, totaling approximately $86,000, which also was forfeited.

Christie credited Special Agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Leslie Wiser, Jr., for the investigation. Christie also credited the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Theodore Romankow, for its role in the investigation.

The Government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ronald Wigler and Andrew Kogan of the Strike Force Unit in Newark. This Unit is charged with investigating organized crime.

Defense Counsel:

Louis Gallicchio, Sr. – Thomas R. Ashley

Michael Gallicchio – Thomas Ambrosio

Nicholas Gallicchio – Darren J. Del Sardo