Six indicted in mob-related plot

Wednesday, Oct. 14, 1998 | 11:19 a.m.

Six men were indicted Tuesday in federal court in connection with an alleged New York mob-related plot to take over the Las Vegas outcall service business that may have included paying off local law enforcement.

FBI agents on Friday arrested on federal conspiracy charges Christiano DeCarlo, 27, the owner of the Las Vegas-based DeCarlo Group; Joshua Snellings, 20, of Las Vegas; Kenneth Byrnes, 38, of New Jersey; and Floridians Vincent Congiusti, 48, and Anton Nelsen, whose age was not available,

Upon hearing the evidence, U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert Johnston mandated that the men be kept in custody until their Oct. 23 arraignment because they pose a danger to the community, authorities said.

Mario Stefano, the sixth suspect named in the case who is also known as Mario Pugliese, was expected to appear in a New York courtroom today for a detention hearing following his arrest Monday. Stefano is expected to be brought to Las Vegas in connection with the alleged outcall crimes.

The six men are believed to have have been conspiring since June to take over the outcall operations owned and operated by Frank Bartello, Richard Soranno and Harry Jacobs, according to the criminal complaint. An outcall service provides male or female dancers for customers who wish them to perform in their hotel room or private residence. Customers typically pay up to $200.

The FBI's sources claimed that the mob was involved, specifically New York's Gambino crime family to which authorities claim Stefano has ties.

Local law enforcement is believed to have been given cash and favors in exchange for protection from arrest, according to the complaint.