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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 alleged sub-agents of the ring allegedly run 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. He never competed as a Scarlet Knight, but missed the 2021–22 season due to injury. He went 132-5 in his high school career, according to Arizona State’s 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 as high as 26th in the nation in the 149-pound class. He was an NCAA qualifier his junior year when he had nine wins. In his college career, he went 40-27.
Both former wrestlers were charged with extortion in the first degree, money laundering by promoting in the first degree, conspiracy in the second degree, promoting gambling by bookmaking in the third degree and possession of gambling records in the third degree.
Rutgers University did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Perna, together with his sons, stepson, nephews and others, are accused of vandalism, conspiracy, money laundering and gambling. Perna’s wife and ex-wife are also charged independently of the scheme.
Documents filed in the case allege that in January 2024, members of the Port Investigations 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 at Hanover Park High School. (Derik Hamilton/Imagn Images)
The scheme allegedly enticed individuals to place bets and the proceeds were used to run the business and enrich its members.
Between 2022 and 2024, the gambling ring reportedly transferred about $2 million in suspicious gambling transactions.
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The company had “a nationwide network of bookmakers” who worked under Perna, a soldier in the Lucchese crime family.
“Perna served as the ‘financier’ supporting the operation,” the attorney general’s office said. “Perna’s son, Joseph R. Perna, 25, of Oakland, NJ, managed the day-to-day operations of the sportsbook and facilitated dozens of subordinate agents, including his brother, Anthony Perna, 23, of Oakland; his stepbrother, Frank Zito, 23, of Fairfield; and his cousins, Dominic Perna, Newark, NJ, 23; and his cousins, Dominic Perna, Cetta, NJ, 23; 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)
First-degree felonies in the case carry a prison sentence of 10 to 20 years and a fine of up to $200,000. Money laundering in the first degree carries a fine of $500,000. Second- through fourth-degree charges also carry prison sentences.
