Three Men Sentenced For Warwick Murder And Dismemberment

WARWICK, RI — Three men Jamie Barriera, 37 of Warwick, Albert Barriera, 63 of Warwick and Louis Geremia of Warwick were sentenced for their roles in the August 10, 2015 murder and dismemberment of Kerry Mello, 36.

Jamie Barriera pleaded nolo contendere to second degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and mutilation of a dead body. "Nolo contendere" means the defendant accepted the conviction without actually admitting guilt. Barriera was sentenced to 70 years in prison. Thirty-five years will be served with the last half of the sentence suspended with probation.

Albert Barriera also pleaded nolo contendere. He was convicted for conspiracy to commit felony assault, and mutilation of a dead body. Albert Barriera was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Geremia pleaded nolo contendere and was convicted for the conspiracy to committ felony assault charge. He got a 10-year sentence with four years to serve and the remainder suspended with probation

Two other defendants Francisco Concepcion, 38 of Warwick and Graig Bustillo, 41, of Providence pleaded guilty earlier for their roles in Mello's 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.

If this case went to trial, the state was prepared to prove that on August 10, 2015, Kerry Mello went to meet Jamie Barriera, Albert Barriera, Geremia, and Concepcion at Albert Barriera's home on in Warwick, the attorney general's office said in a press release. The group were meeting to discuss a medical marijuana growing 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 attorney general's office said in a press release." The co-defendants wrapped the body parts in a tarp and drove to a marina in Warwick where Jamie Barriera kept his power boat."

The attorney general's office said Bustillo drove Mello's car to Boston to try covering up the murder. Jamie Barriera, Albert Barriera, and Concepcion put the body on the boat, drove out to sea, and dumped Mello's body.

A fishermen located Mello's torso off the coast of Westport, MA on August 19, 2015. His legs and feet washed up on Goosewing Beach in Little Compton two days later.

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