CHARGED WITH FEDERAL AND STATE DRUG AND FIREARM OFFENSESBoston, MA…Twenty-five gang members were charged in federal and state court today on drug and firearm offenses.
United States Attorney Michael J. Sullivan; Glenn N. Anderson, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Boston Field Division; June W. Stansbury, Special Agent-in-Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration New England Field Division; Daniel Conley, Suffolk County District Attorney; dward Davis, Commissioner of the Boston Police Department and Chief Robert F. Crowley of the Quincy Police Department, today announced the unsealing of seven federal Indictments and three Complaints, charging three defendants with being felons in possession of a firearm and ammunition, five defendants with possession of cocaine base (“crack cocaine”) with intent to distribute within 1000 feet of a playground, one defendant with conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, and one defendant with use of a communication facility to facilitate drug trafficking. One defendant was previously charged in federal court with possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute.
Eight defendants were charged by the state with drug violations. One defendant was charged by the state with attempted intimidation of a witness. Three defendants were previously charged by the state with firearms violations. One juvenile defendant was previously charged by the state with firearms violations and one juvenile defendant was previously charged with possession of a Class B substance in a school zone.
U.S. Attorney Michael J. Sullivan said, “This investigation, coupled with today’s indictments and arrests, resulted in the removal of 25 members one of the most violent street gangs in the City of Boston. These defendants were given an opportunity to turn their lives around. They chose instead, to continue to terrorize the neighborhoods of Dorchester and Mattapan, and this violent behavior will not be tolerated. I want to recognize the cooperation and commitment of all of the law enforcement agencies who worked tirelessly during the course of this nvestigation, as well as the support of the community.”
Today’s charges are the result of an eleven-month investigation conducted by members of the Boston Police department; Quincy Police Department; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the Drug Enforcement Administration, in conjunction with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. The investigations targeted gang violence and drug distribution in Boston and Quincy.
Charged by federal Indictments with Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition
are:
1. JERMAINE TAYLOR (a/k/a “J Burna”), age 21, of 5 Perth Street, #11, Dorchester, MA;
2. RASHAAD MASON (a/k/a “Rizz”), age 20, of 1058 Washington Street, #2, Dorchester, MA; and
3. ERIC DAVIS (a/k/a “E Rock”), age 23, of 40 Ballou Street, #2, Dorchester, MA
The above three defendants are charged as the result of an eleven-month investigation in the Lucerne Street area in Boston, in which each defendant was arrested for a separate offense.
Defendant TAYLOR is charged with being in possession of a Colt, Combat Commander .45 caliber, Series 80 semi-automatic pistol loaded with eight rounds of ammunition in Boston, after having been convicted of a felony.
Defendant MASON is charged with being in possession of a Jennings, model Bryco .25 caliber pistol loaded with six rounds of ammunition in Boston, after having been convicted of a felony.
Defendant DAVIS is charged with being in possession of a HiPoint .40 caliber pistol loaded with eight rounds of ammunition in Boston, after having been convicted of a felony.
Charged by federal Indictment with Possession of Cocaine Base (“crack cocaine”) With Intent to Distribute Within 1000 Feet of a Playground are:
1. JAMES WALKER (a/k/a “Gunna”), age 20, of 231 Talbot Avenue, Dorchester, MA;
2. DONNIE RENRICK (a/k/a “Stunna”), age 20, of 3 King Street, Boston, MA;
and
3. CHARLES DEAS, age 28, of 15 Willowwood Street #3, Hyde Park, MA.
The above three defendants are charged for offenses which took place in Boston.
Charged by federal Complaint with Possession of Cocaine Base (“crack cocaine”) With
Intent to Distribute Within 1000 Feet of a Playground are:
1. GERARD SMITH, age 29, 234 Callender Street #2, Dorchester, MA; and
2. WILLIE SIMS (a/k/a “Money”), age 39, 33 Harvard Street #14, Brockton, MA.
The above two defendants are charged for offenses which took place in Boston.
Charged by federal Indictment with Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine Base is:
1. LYRIC GREAVES, age 19, of 92 Presidential Drive, #4, Quincy, MA
Charged by federal Complaint with Use of a Communication Facility to Facilitate Drug
Trafficking is:
1. TARA STARRING, age 19, of 7 Roundhill Street, Jamaica Plain, MA
The above two defendants are charged as the result of a six-month investigation in
Quincy and Boston, MA.
Defendant GREAVES is charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine base (“crack”) on
several occasions between July and October, 2006, in multiple locations in Quincy and Boston, MA.
The charges against defendant STARRING involve the use of a telephone to facilitate the trafficking of drugs.
Previously charged in the investigation was JOSHUA HIGHTOWER, age 20. Hightower is charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine base. Defendants DAVIS, MASON, TAYLOR, and GREAVES are already in state custody.
Charged with Distribution of Class B Substance in School Zone in state complaints are:
KENNETH LESLIE, age 17, of 56 Ormond Street, #2, Dorchester, MA.
MICHAEL WELLS, age 18, of 156 Ballou Avenue, #3, Dorchester, MA.
JAMAL EDEGU, age 17, of 10 Wood Avenue, Mattapan, MA.
DAVID PETERS, age 19, of 20 Westmoor Road #2, Mattapan, MA.
RONDY RAYMOND, age 17, of 36 Norwell Street #2, Dorchester, MA.
DAIQUAN LAWRENCE, age 18, of 32 Hansborough Street #2, Dorchester, MA.
CHADLEE MOORE, age 37, of 43 Neponset Avenue, #A-3, Dorchester, MA.
ANDRE MALABRE, age 18, of 7 Becket Street, Dorchester, MA.
Charged with attempted intimidation of a witness (D Felony) in a state indictment is:
DAVID COLEMAN, age 20, currently incarcerated.
Previously indicted in state court are DEAN TUBBERVILLE, FERNDY ELLYSEE, and RICHARD DAVIS. They were indicted on state firearm charges. Additionally, one juvenile was charged in juvenile court with firearms violations, and one juvenile was charged in juvenle court with distribution of Class B substance in a school zone.
Commissioner Edward Davis said, “The suspects involved in this operation were given an opportunity to change their behavior. They chose not to, which resulted in today\’s measured response. This collaborative effort was conceived as a means of extracting those individuals from the community, who are known to be participating in shooting and drug-related activities. Putting an end to violence on city streets is my number one priority and we will continue to pull every lever available to us to put violent criminals out of business and protect quality of life for
all Boston residents.”
\”The interagency collaboration on these arrests has been extraordinary,\” Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said. \”The prosecutions to follow will reflect that seamless cooperation. Local, state, and federal authorities are working hand in hand to make Boston –and the Commonwealth — safer for everyone who live, work, and raise families here.\”
“An area plagued by shootings, robberies and drug dealing is a much safer place today” stated Glenn N. Anderson, Special Agent In Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF). “Together with our state and local partners we will continue to target those who bring violence to our neighborhoods”
Upon conviction, the federal defendants each face a maximum term of imprisonment of ten years in relation to the firearms charges; the defendants in the drug cases face a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.
The details contained in the Indictments and Complaint are allegations. The defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Press Contact: Christina DiIorio -Sterling, U.S. Attorney’s Office (617) 748-3356
Jake Wark, Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office (617) 619-4206
