Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced that Jamie Barriera (age 37), of Warwick, Albert Barriera (age 63), of Warwick, and Louis Geremia (age 63), of Warwick, appeared today 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 36-year old Kerry 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 (age 38) of Warwick, and Graig Bustillo (age 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.
Mello's torso was located by a fishing boat off Westport, MA on August 19th, and his legs and feet washed up on Goosewing Beach in Little Compton on August 21st.
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.