Two Toms River men who are associate members of the Decavalcante crime family, based in Elizabeth, have been charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, announced U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito.

One of the men was also charged for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Mario Galli III, 27, and Jason Vella, 37, are each charged by complaint with one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

Galli is also charged with one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

On September 19, 2019, investigators from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office executed search warrants on each of the defendants’ residences and recovered in excess of 150 grams of cocaine and drug paraphernalia, including digital scales, glassine envelopes, a money counter, baking soda, grinders, and $2,295 in cash, according to documents filed in this case and statements made in court.

Detectives also recovered a FEG 9mm Model PGK-9HP gun loaded with 12 rounds of ammunition from Galli’s residence.

At the time, Galli was on supervised release from a 2016 federal conviction for conspiracy to distribute in excess of 500 grams of cocaine.

The charge of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The count of being a felon in possession of a firearm carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, which must be served consecutively to any sentence on the drug count and a $250,000 fine.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited the members of the FBI’s Organized Crime Task Force under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark; and investigators from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer, with the investigation leading to the charges.

The government is represented by Senior Litigation Counsel V. Grady O’Malley of the U.S. Attorney's Office’s Organized Crime/Gangs Unit in Newark.

Defense counsel:
Galli: James Butler Esq.
Vella: NA

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