Jamie Barriera, 37, of Warwick, Albert Barriera, 53, of Warwick, and Louis Geremi, 63, of Warwick, appeared before Superior Court Justice Daniel A. Procaccini.
Jamie Barriera pleaded no contest to second degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and mutilation of a body. He was sentenced to a total of 70 years with 35 years to serve and the remainder suspended with probation. Albert Barriera pleaded no contest to conspiracy to commit felony assault and mutilation of a body and was sentenced 10 years to serve. Louis Geremia pleaded no contest to conspiracy to commit felony assault and was sentenced to a total of 10 years with four years to serve and the remainder suspended with probation.
Two other co-defendants – Francisco Concepcion, 38, of Warwick, and Graig Bustillo, 41, of Providence – pleaded guilty earlier to their roles in the murder. Concepcion pleaded guilty on July 20, 2016 to second degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and mutilation of a dead body. Bustillo pleaded guilty on May 20, 2016 to conspiracy to commit murder. Both are awaiting sentencing.
Had the case proceeded to trial, the State was prepared to prove that on Aug. 10, 2015, Mello went to met Jamie Barriera, Albert Barriera, Louis Geremia, and Francisco Concepcion at the residence of Albert Barriera on Shannon Drive in Warwick to discuss the group’s medical marijuana grow operation.
A RI State Police investigation revealed that Jamie Barreira was involved in growing marijuana. At some point in the summer of 2015, marijuana and currency were stolen from him, and he suspected Mello was the culprit.
Jamie Barriera assaulted and killed Mello, then his Body was cut to pieces with a hand saw. The co-defendants wrapped the body parts in a tarp and drove to a marina in Warwick where Jamie Barriera kept his power boat. Bustillo drove Mello’s car to Boston in an attempt to cover up the murder.
Jamie Barriera, Albert Barriera, and Francisco Concepcion then put the body on the boat, drove out to sea, and dumped the body.
Mello’s torso was located by a fishing boat off Westport, MA on Aug. 19, and his legs and feet washed up on Goosewing Beach in Little Compton on Aug. 21.
Rhode Island State Police Adam Kennett led the investigation and Assistant Attorney General James Baum and Special Assistant Attorney General Timothy Healy prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of the Attorney General.
Author: Rob Borkowski
Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at [email protected] with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.
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