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Grandson of 'Teflon Don' Gotti Busted for Selling Pills in Queens, DA Says

By Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska | August 4, 2016 1:33pm
 John Gotti's alleged crew.
John Gotti's alleged crew.
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NYPD

QUEENS — The 22-year-old grandson of a late Gambino mob boss was arrested early Thursday and charged with running a prescription pill ring in Queens, Queens District Attorney said.

John Gotti, who was arrested with six others, is the grandson of late mob boss John Gotti — who earned the nickname "The Teflon Don" for dodging repeated brushes with prosecutors before being convicted in 1992 on federal racketeering and murder charges. He died in federal prison in 2002.

The younger Gotti was accused of selling oxycodone and other prescription drugs in and around Howard Beach and Ozone Park during the past 12 months, the Queens DA's office said.

On Thursday morning, police executed search warrants on Rebel Ink Tattoo Parlor on Crossbay Boulevard, allegedly co-owned by Gotti, three homes including Gotti’s, and two vehicles he used, according to the Queens DA's office.

Investigators recovered approximately $240,000 in cash, more than 850 oxycodone and Xanax pills as well as drug ledgers, the Queens DA's office said.

The seven suspects have been charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance, conspiracy and money laundering. Gotti and two others have additionally been charged with operating as major traffickers, according to Queens DA.

During the execution of the search warrants, police have also arrested Eleonor Gabrielle, believed to be Gotti's girlfriend, on drug possession charges, according to the Queens DA's office.

The suspects were expected to be arraigned in Queens Criminal Court on Thursday afternoon. 

If convicted, Gotti faces up to 25 years to life in prison, according to the Queens DA's office.

“The drug in which the defendants are alleged to have primarily trafficked — Oxycodone — is especially popular with club patrons despite the fact that it poses serious health risks," Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said in a statement, adding that oxycodone is "extremely potent and have a high potential for abuse and death."

"Today’s arrests not only cut off the suppliers of these drugs, but the distributors as well,” Brown also noted.

The arrest comes on the heels of another incident on June 30, when Gotti was pulled over on Cross Bay Boulevard and 162nd Avenue in Howard Beach because of his 2009 Jeep's tinted windows, according to the criminal complaint.

During that stop, police officers discovered that his drivers license was suspended. They then searched his car and found 205 oxycodone pills, 18 methadone pills, Xanax, marijuana and a bottle of testosterone stashed in a Gucci bag, the criminal complaint read.

Gotti also had $5,600 in the center console of his car and $2,271 in his pocket, according to court documents.

He was released after posting $25,000 bond and is due back in court on Sept. 28, according to court records. 

According to published reports, the Thursday incident is not connected to another case in which the FBI arrested more than 40 suspected members of New York City mobs, also on Thursday morning.