PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – The former head of the Providence chapter of the Hells Angels motorcycle club is back behind bars after attending the wake of a top New England crime family figure.

Joseph Lancia, 33, of Smithfield, was taken into custody Friday by the R.I. State Police Violent Fugitive Task Force. An administrator for the state parole board confirmed Lancia is back at the Adult Correctional Institution, accused of violating the conditions of his early release.

Lancia was sentenced to five years behind bars in 2022 for shooting at a rival outside the biker gang’s Providence headquarters, and for a separate case where he was charged for knocking out a bouncer at the Cadillac Lounge strip club.

Last year, the parole board agreed to let Lancia out of prison early under certain conditions, including having no contact with Hells Angels members, or being an officer of the club, as well as not having contact with convicted felons. He was released from the ACI in June.

Lancia was spotted at the wake of the late Edward “Eddie” Lato, the reputed underboss of the Patriarca crime family. Among the other attendees were several people with criminal records, as well as fellow Hells Angels members, and at least two members of the Red Devil’s Motorcycle Club, a support group of the Hells Angels.

An associate of attorney Joseph Voccola – who has represented the former biker gang president in previous criminal cases – provided Target 12 with an email where Lancia asked permission of his parole officer to attend the wake.

“The wake Tuesday is for Eddie [L]ato, I am going alone with no club members,” Lancia wrote. “Eddy was a family friend.”

The following day, the parole officer responded, “approved!”

It will be up to the parole board to determine if any contact Lancia had at the wake or elsewhere violated the conditions of his early release.

Matt Degnan, the administrator for the R.I. Parole Board, said a violation hearing is scheduled for October. Meanwhile Lancia will remain in state custody at the ACI.

Lato, a longtime member of the New England crime family who eventually rose to the second in command, died late last month after battling cancer. He was 77.

Former R.I. State Police Col. Steven O’Donnell, a law enforcement analyst for 12 News, said it’s not surprising Lancia was at the wake despite the legal jeopardy it may have placed him in.

“Eddie Lato was always really the major conduit with all the Hells Angels for years,” O’Donnell said. “Joe Lancia and any other Hells Angels are just showing deference and respect to the passing of Eddie Lato.”

For decades the Hells Angels and the Patriarca crime family have forged an alliance, O’Donnell said, partnering on underworld activities like shaking down strip clubs for protection money.

“It’s a huge connection,” he said. “Sometimes you think outlaw bikers and La Cosa Nostra operate differently. They don’t. It’s in their interest to cooperate and collaborate.”

Historically biker gang members have also provided protection for Mafia figures and acted as muscle in collecting outstanding debts.

O’Donnell said it’s common law enforcement practice for investigators to conduct surveillance at high-profile services, like Lato’s wake.

“Every person involved in organized crime activity knows the state police monitor multiple different public events,” he said.

Lisa Holley, Lancia’s attorney handling the parole violation, declined to comment when reached via email.

Lancia had just over a year left on his sentence when he was released, meaning he could be ordered to remain behind bars through next fall if the board finds he is a violator.

The main case against Lancia stems from a June 2019 incident when police said he fired a gun at a truck driven by Richard Starnino – once a prospect to join the biker club – who was involved in an ongoing dispute with Lancia. 

Investigators said video surveillance shows Lancia shooting at the truck as Starnino was driving by the Hells Angels Providence headquarters on Messer Street. The video – which was the main evidence against Lancia – was from the clubhouse’s own security system.

The investigation into the shooting led to a dramatic daytime raid by the R.I. State Police.

According to police, while out on bail in that case, Lancia punched a security member of the Cadillac Lounge strip club, who struck his head on the ground and was knocked unconscious.

Lancia eventually pleaded no contest to the gun and assault charges.