My name is Richie Aprile, born on September 7, 1945, in Newark, New Jersey. I grew up in an Italian-American family, with my younger brother Jackie Aprile Sr. and my sister Liz La Cerva. From a young age, I was drawn to the life of the streets, getting involved in mob activities around the age of 15. The boss, Ercole DiMeo, took me under his wing, and I quickly made a name for myself.

In the early 1970s, I became a soldier in the DiMeo crime family, eventually rising to the rank of capo. I led the Aprile crew with an iron fist, known for my impulsive violence and ruthless nature. One of my most infamous acts was paralyzing Peter “Beansie” Gaeta, a DiMeo/Soprano associate, which showcased my sadistic tendencies.