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Among the 14 people arrested Thursday for their alleged involvement in an illegal sports gambling ring were two former Rutgers University wrestlers.
Nicholas Raimo, 25, and Michael Cetta, 23, were identified as suspected sub-agents in the network allegedly operated by Joseph M. “Little Joe” Perna, identified as a member of the Lucchese crime family.
Raimo was a two-time state champion at Hanover Park High School and previously wrestled at Arizona State before moving closer to home. However, he never competed as a Scarlet Knight, missing the 2021-22 season due to injury. He went 132-5 during his high school career, according to the Arizona State website.
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Michael Cetta is one of two former Rutgers wrestlers arrested Thursday. (Peter Ackerman/USA Today Network)
As for Cetta, he was ranked 26th in the country in the 149-pound weight class. He was an NCAA qualifier his junior year, when he had nine victories. During his college career, he went 40-27.
The two former wrestlers were charged with first-degree racketeering, first-degree money laundering by promotion, second-degree conspiracy, third-degree promoting gambling by making bets, and third-degree possession of gambling records.
Rutgers University did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Perna is charged along with his sons, stepson, nephews and others with racketeering, conspiracy, money laundering and gambling crimes. Perna’s wife and ex-wife are also charged separately from the scheme.
Documents filed in the case allege that in January 2024, members of the Port Investigation Unit of the State Police Port Security Section began investigating an illegal sports betting ring operating in Essex and Bergen counties.
Nicholas Raimo won two state titles while attending Hanover Park High School. (Derik Hamilton/Imagn Images)
This scheme allegedly encouraged individuals to place bets, and the profits were used to operate the company and enrich its members.
Between 2022 and 2024, the gaming network reportedly transferred approximately $2 million in suspected gaming transactions.
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The company had a “national network of bookmakers” who worked under the direction of Perna, a soldier in the Lucchese crime family.
“Perna acted as a ‘financier,’ who supported the operation,” the attorney general’s office said. “Perna’s son, Joseph R. Perna, 25, of Oakland, NJ, ran the day-to-day operations of the sportsbook, facilitating dozens of subordinate agents, including his brother, Anthony Perna, 23, of Oakland; his half-brother, Frank Zito, 23, of Fairfield; and his cousins, Dominic Perna, 23, of Newark, NJ; and Michael Cetta, 23, of North Haledon, NJ”
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights logo is displayed on concrete before the game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Oregon Ducks at SHI Stadium on October 18, 2025, in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Getty Images)
The first-degree crimes in this case carry a prison sentence of 10 to 20 years and a fine of up to $200,000. First-degree money laundering is punishable by a fine of $500,000. Second through fourth degree charges also carry prison time.
