Notorious Calgary gangster Michael Roberto back in custody, accused of domestic violence - Calgary

A Calgary gangster who admitted involvement in multiple murders of rival gang members is back in custody.

Michael Roberto, 39, was released from prison in April 2021 after serving his entire sentence.

Global News has confirmed he is now facing a string of new charges over alleged domestic violence in Ontario.

These charges include making threats to physically harm a woman and making threats to kill a second woman, as well as committing the same woman by choking, suffocating, or strangling.

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Roberto was originally convicted of three counts of first-degree murder in the high-profile Bolsa restaurant shooting on January 1, 2009.

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Innocent bystander Keni Su’a was killed in the crossfire – as gangster Sanjeev Mann was targeted and killed along with his associate Aaron Bendle.

A new trial has been ordered after new evidence emerged about the credibility of the crown witness after he confessed to an RCMP officer that he had committed the killings.

Meanwhile, police were working behind the scenes on “Operation Desino,” in which a high-ranking gang member turned on his friends and agreed to testify against them in exchange for full immunity.

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A publication ban protects the identity of the gang member and ultimately led to Roberto also agreeing to cooperate with the police.

Roberto became a prosecution witness in exchange for partial immunity – and a greatly reduced sentence.

He pleaded guilty to lesser charges, including three counts of conspiracy to commit murder, supplying a restricted firearm with intent and committing a felony for a criminal organization.

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In a videotaped interview with the Calgary Police Department released to the media in 2013, Roberto admitted to committing a handful of murders.

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“Five and four of those were because of the war I was involved in because I lost friends,” he said. “You had to do business. Towards the end I didn’t even really care about business or making money. It was always getting revenge because I lost people, I lost friends, and I knew they were after me, so I wanted to get them first.

According to court documents, Roberto is scheduled to be released on bail in February on the new charges.