DeBankah

PROVIDENCE — State and local police have broken up a mob-sanctioned gambling ring that allegedly handled more than $400,000 in bets on college and professional football in the past two months.

Teams of police officers fanned out across Providence, Cranston, North Providence and Cumberland yesterday morning to arrest 10 suspects on a variety of gambling, firearm and drug charges. One of the suspects tried to destroy gambling ledgers from Monday night’s football game between the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers by tossing them into a roaring fire in his fireplace, the police said.

The charred edges of the notebook paper were on display at a news conference at state police headquarters.

The state police identified the two ringleaders of the operation as Jason McMahon, 31, of 1771 Atwood Ave., Johnston; and Michael Sepe, 30, of 1002 Pontiac Ave., Cranston. They were both charged with racketeering, organized criminal gambling, bookmaking and conspiracy. McMahon also was charged with delivery of marijuana, conspiracy to possess marijuana with intent to distribute (four counts); possession of marijuana with intent to distribute; possession of a narcotic, Adderall; and possession of a firearm while in possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.

Adderall is a stimulant that is used to treat attention deficit order.

State police Lt. Col. Steven G. O’Donnell said the investigation was launched in October after state police detectives learned that McMahon was allegedly running a gambling operation out of his Johnston home. They quickly learned that he was allegedly dealing drugs, too.

O’Donnell said that “dozens” of gamblers regularly placed wagers on games ranging from $20 to “thousands of dollars.”

“We believe it is sanctioned by La Cosa Nostra,” O’Donnell said.

Detectives listened to hours of court-authorized wiretaps and O’Donnell said that the bookmakers switched phone numbers six times in two months. The police seized two shotguns, a 2004 Toyota pickup, more than $4,000 in cash, three laptop computers, marijuana, prescription drugs and betting ledgers.

Others arrested and charged are:

•Robert Rossi, 62, of 70 Fiat Ave., Cranston, racketeering, organized criminal gambling, bookmaking and conspiracy

•Kyle Benchsky, 25, of 185 Budlong Rd., Cranston, racketeering, organized criminal gambling, bookmaking and conspiracy

•Stephen DeBankah, 27, of 21 Woodman St., Providence, racketeering, organized criminal gambling, bookmaking and conspiracy

•Antonio Porreca, 33, of 522 Fruit Hill Rd., North Providence, conspiracy to possess marijuana with intent to deliver

•Michael Pescatore, 28, of 7 Buratti Rd., Johnston, conspiracy to possess marijuana with intent to deliver

•Nelson Salgado, 25, of 233 George Waterman Rd., Johnston, conspiracy to possess marijuana with intent to deliver

•David Guccione, 54, of 15 Barry Ct., North Providence, possession of marijuana and soliciting another to commit a crime

•James Rekrut, 30, of 47 Rosemere Rd., Cumberland, soliciting another to commit a crime

A state police van took the 10 suspects to District Court in Providence yesterday afternoon for their arraignments. Several were expected to be ordered held at the Adult Correctional Institutions.

bmalinow@projo.com