Mailman pleads guilty in loan-sharking case

0 Comments | Philadelphia Daily News, May, 2008 | by MICHAEL HINKELMAN hinkelm@phillynews.com 215-854-2656

A longtime letter carrier for the Postal Service, who the feds say has cousins with ties to the Philadelphia mob, copped a plea in federal court yesterday to conspiracy and loan- sharking.

Thomas J. Demilio III, 48, of Greycourt Road near Kingsfield in the far Northeast, admitted that he had conspired and attempted to collect loans by extortionate means, had financed extortionate loans and had conspired to make extortionate loans.

U.S. District Judge Harvey Bartle III set sentencing for Aug. 27. Demilio, who is under house arrest, remains free on $250,000 bail.

He could face 24 months to 30 months under advisory-sentencing guidelines. He is not cooperating with the government.

When investigators searched Demilio's home, they seized what appeared to be...