The reputed head of a violent Albanian crime ring based in Westchester is now facing up to life in prison.

Prosecutors say 38-year-old Alex Rudaj, of Yorktown, ran a crime syndicate with dozens of members and associates running a network of illegal gambling parlors and bookmaking operations in the Bronx, Queens and Westchester County. Nikola Dedaj, of Yonkers, considered the group?s enforcer and Angelo DiPietro, the former owner of a Mount Vernon strip club were convicted along with Rudaj and three others Wednesday.

Rudaj and the five other men were convicted of racketeering charges involving extortion, firearms offenses, loan-sharking, extortionate debt collection and operation of large-scale illegal gambling businesses. They face maximum sentences of life in prison.Related story Apparent Albanian mob in Westchester busted by feds