Three sentenced in murder of man whose body was found floating off Westport

Posted 9/11/18

CUT

Kerry Mello

Just over three years after the crew of a Westport fishing boat made the gruesome discovery of a human torso floating just outside the entrance to Westport Harbor, three more …

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Three sentenced in murder of man whose body was found floating off Westport

Posted

Just over three years after the crew of a Westport fishing boat made the gruesome discovery of a human torso floating just outside the entrance to Westport Harbor, three more men have been sentenced to prison for the victim’s murder.

That victim was later identified as 36-year old Kerry Mello of Warwick. Other parts of his body were later found washed up on Goosewing Beach in Little Compton.

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced Monday that Jamie Barriera, 37, Albert Barriera, 53, and Louis Geremia, 63, all of Warwick, appeared that day in Kent County Superior Court before Superior Court Justice Daniel A. Procaccini to plead to their roles in the August 10, 2015 murder and dismemberment of Mr. Mello. 

Jamie Barriera pleaded nolo contendere to second degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and mutilation of a dead body.  He was sentenced to a total of 70 years with 35 years to serve and the remainder suspended with probation.  Albert Barriera pleaded nolo contendere to conspiracy to commit felony assault and mutilation of a dead body and was sentenced 10 years to serve. Louis Geremia pleaded nolo contendere 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 August 10, 2015, Kerry Mello went to meet 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.

Upon arrival, Mello was physically assaulted by Jamie Barriera causing his death, after which Mello’s 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.

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.

 

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