U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger | U.S. Department of Justice
Two Essex County men have admitted their involvement in a drug trafficking organization that imported and distributed fentanyl analogues, according to U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger. Thomas Padovano, 50, and Bartholomew Padovano, 72, both from Newark, New Jersey, pleaded guilty to charges of drug trafficking conspiracy and international promotional money laundering conspiracy before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton.
Court documents reveal that from January 2014 through September 2020, the Padovanos and other members of the organization conspired to import and distribute controlled substances such as fentanyl analogues, methylone, and ketamine. The drugs were ordered from a source in China and distributed in New Jersey in bulk or as counterfeit pills containing fentanyl analogues. Additionally, the defendants engaged in financial transactions to conceal over $500,000 in drug proceeds.
Thomas Padovano faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison with a maximum potential life sentence and up to $10 million in fines for drug trafficking conspiracy. Bartholomew Padovano faces a mandatory minimum of 5 years with a maximum of 40 years in prison and up to $5 million in fines for the same charge. Both defendants also face up to 20 years in prison and fines up to $500,000 for domestic concealment money laundering conspiracy. Sentencing is set for May 6, 2025.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) – Newark under Special Agent Spiros Karabinas for leading the investigation resulting in the guilty pleas. Additional assistance came from HSI Philadelphia, FBI Newark Division, U.S. Postal Inspection Service Newark, IRS-Criminal Investigation, Newark Police Department, and Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.
The prosecution team includes Assistant U.S. Attorney Sammi Malek and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Hasapidis-Sferra from the Criminal Division in Newark along with Trial Attorney Stephen Sola from the Justice Department’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation aimed at dismantling high-level criminal organizations threatening the United States using a multi-agency approach.
