More than 40 members and associates of a violent Boston gang allegedly involved in multiple murders, extortion, coronavirus loan fraud and other crimes were arrested Wednesday during an investigation involving federal and local agencies.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, led by Chief Justice Joshua S. Levy, announced the crackdown Wednesday after a two-year investigation into gang violence in Boston.
Levy’s office said in a press release that the Heath Street Gang operates out of the Mildred C. Haley Apartments, a public housing development in Jamaica Plain.
The gang, which was formed in the 1980s and has more than 150 members, is said to have engaged in acts of violence to protect and maintain the gang’s power, territory and reputation, according to the statement.
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Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy speaks. Authorities announced the arrest of three people suspected of operating a network of brothels in Greater Boston and Eastern Virginia. (Pat Greenhouse/Boston Globe via Getty Images)
In addition to RICO conspiracy charges, the indictment documents allege that the members and their associates have been involved in numerous murders, attempted murders, and shootings, primarily targeting rivals. The group is targeting members of the Boston-based gang as well as associates of other Boston-based gangs. Bullock and the Mission Hill Gang.
Officials say the shooting, which officials say involved Heath Street gang members, targeted rivals within the Mission Hill gang’s turf in October 2016, leaving a 9-year-old girl shot and critically injured. It is said that he suffered a loss.
In the 2021 case, a Heath Street juvenile member or his associates allegedly committed a murder within Mission Hill Gang territory, but the Heath Street Gang also recruits juveniles into the gang at apartment developments. Levy’s office said this is common, as he is accused of recruiting people to join gangs. With a crime.
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The U.S. Attorney’s Office for Massachusetts alleges the Heath Street Gang operates out of the Mildred C. Haley Apartments in Jamaica Plain, formerly known as the Bromley Heath housing development. (Google Maps)
Levy’s office also said the Heath Street Gang required young prospects to perform acts as part of their initiation, claiming or affirming gang membership, bragging about violent acts, and They claim they are paid to appear in songs and videos created by gangs to intimidate rival gangs. .
Gang members also allegedly assaulted numerous law enforcement officers.
Levy’s office said the gang’s apartment developments have been used for years for drug trafficking, and its members have established drug distribution networks throughout Massachusetts, Maine and California.
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Some of the drug activity and transactions are facilitated through social media platforms and include the distribution of fentanyl, fentanyl pills, cocaine, cocaine base, and marijuana, the attorney’s office alleges.
Starting in about 2019, the group openly stole merchandise from stores in Massachusetts and New Hampshire and engaged in unemployment fraud using CARES Act loans, according to the indictment.
If convicted, the suspects charged with racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, conspiracy to commit obstruction of commerce by robbery, and robbery may face up to 20 charges of: He could be sentenced to a year in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. count of each.
Suspects convicted of being felons in possession of firearms and ammunition may be sentenced to up to 10 or 15 years in prison for offenses committed after June 25, 2022, and are subject to criminal charges for supporting purposes. If you are found in possession of a firearm, you could be sentenced to a minimum of five years and a maximum of life in prison. In the case of violent crimes or drug trafficking crimes.
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Joining Levy during the presentation was Boston Police Chief Michael Cox. James M. Ferguson of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Michael J. Kroll of Homeland Security Investigations.
