Matthew “Matty” Guglielmetti a reputed capo in the New England Mafia has been released from prison after completing a ten year sentence for drug trafficking and is currently on home confinement. The now 65 year old wiseguy pleaded guilty to agreeing to protect a shipment of cocaine that was being moved through his Rhode Island turf. Authorities claim that Guglielmetti was a close associate of former New England mob boss Raymond “Junior” Patriarca and held the ranks of capo regime in the crime family before going away. His name was even part of the informant files of both James “Whitey” Bulger and Stephen “The Rifleman” Flemmi former leaders of the Irish Mafia in Boston. He was considered a very high ranking member of the Mafia in New England and held a significant power with in the family according to law enforcement.

“Matthew Guglielmetti”

Guglielmetti is coming home to a much different New England crime family then the one he knew when he went into prison ten years ago. The 2011 busts and convictions along with other arrests of many high ranking mobsters has really limited the strength and effectiveness of the Patriarca crime family. Assistant Special Agent in charge of Boston office Jeffrey Sallet even went as far as calling New England organized crime “decimated” after the recent round of convictions.

The power base of the New England family or what is left of it is believed to have shifted from Rhode Island to Boston after the latest busts. According to law enforcement and many mob insiders there is not much left of the Rhode Island faction of La Cosa Nostra and its strength had dwindled considerably. As Sallet also was quoted as saying it is not a very friendly atmosphere for the mob to do business anymore in Rhode Island and they have continue to keep the pressure on.

Only time will tell if Guglielmetti has plans to rejoin the mafia in New England but many believe if he should choose to he could be a key player in any chance the crime family has of rebuilding its ranks.