Gordon O'Brien (mobster)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For the classical guitarist, see Gordon O'Brien.

Gordon O'Brien (c. 1947) is a Taunton mobster and associate for the Patriarca crime family. Long a presence in southern New England's underworld, O'Brien had extensive contacts with the Patriacra's in Federal Hill and, with Kevin Hanrahan, helped Fall River mobster Timothy J. Mello make connections with the Patriarca's. As early as 1990, O'Brien was under surveillance by federal agents where he was observed with Mello at a 1990 meeting with "Cadillac" Frank Salemme regarding illegal gambing. [1]

In August 1990, O'Brien was arrested with Salemme, Mello and freelance contract killer William Anthony in a plot to kidnap Patriarca bookmaker Blaise Marfeo outside his restaurant, Adesso, on the East Side of Providence, Rhode Island. [2]

In April 1991, a swat team raided the apartment of professional gambler Howard J. Ferrini whom Bristol County authorities believed he had been hiding O'Brien. However, while Ferrini was taken into custody, police failed to find evidence O'Brien had been living there. [3]

O'Brien is currently serving a state prison sentence for smuggling heroin to Martha's Vineyard. [4]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Doherty, John (2002-12-22). Mello's friends, accusers paint different pictures. SouthCoastToday.com. Retrieved on 2006-11-20.
  2. ^ Doherty, John (2002-09-19). Timothy Mello: from Fall River to Federal Hill. SouthCoastToday.com. Retrieved on 2006-11-20.
  3. ^ Doherty, John (2002-11-10). In racketeering case, dead men tell no tales. SouthCoastToday.com. Retrieved on 2006-11-20.
  4. ^ Doherty, John (2002-12-13). FBI out to prove Mello ties to Mafia. SouthCoastToday.com. Retrieved on 2006-11-20.