Twenty-seven alleged gang members in Boston's South End have been indicted on federal and state drug and firearms offenses, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Many of the individuals are affiliated with the Lenox Street Cardinals and other street gangs operating in the Lenox Street Housing Development area in the South End, prosecutors said. Lenox Street is one of the larger and more established gangs in the city, with close to 100 active members.
"These arrests send a strong message that illegal drugs and guns have no place on the streets of Boston," Police Commissioner William Evans said.
Seventeen federal indictments and one criminal complaint were unsealed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Boston, charging 19 defendants with distribution and possession of guns and drugs including crack cocaine, heroin and ecstasy in the Lenox Street Housing Development. Eight people from the area were charged in criminal complaints with drug distribution by state authorities.
Many of those arrested have prior criminal convictions or other charges pending against them.
The U.S. Attorney's Office said the investigation began in January of 2015 and was aimed at curtailing drug and gun trafficking in the Lenox Street Housing Development, which consists of more than 370 units.
The development and surrounding areas have historically suffered from the violence associated with those activities, according to court documents, with 30 shootings and more than 75 reports of shots fired from March 2012 to June 2015. Residents also reported being "harassed and annoyed" by groups of men using the hallways and courtyards in the development for smoking marijuana and other illegal purposes.
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U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz said the defendants brought "violence, fear and intimidation," to the community, making residents "feel like prisoners in their own homes." She said the indictments show that law enforcement is committed to "assisting residents in reclaiming their right to live in a peaceful environment free from drugs, guns and violence."
Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel Conley added that the children and families living in the Lenox Street Housing Development "deserve a safe, healthy environment free of the violence that goes hand in hand with the drug trade."
The following defendants were charged in federal indictments or criminal complaint with:
Distribution of controlled substances within 1,000 feet of a public housing project:
- Byron Alexander, aka “Shizz”
- Dontane Bryant, aka “Tane”
- Tyler Deloach, aka “Tek”
- John Depina, aka “Dough”
- Stephen Freeman, aka “Stizz”
- Perry Hasberry, aka “Percy”
- Rasean Hills, aka “Bleed”
- Keron-Randall Lewis, aka “Talent”
- Frank Melo, aka “Cuts”
- Pablo Moreta, aka “Migo”
- Anthony Nunez, aka “Dizzo”
- Hassan Parham, aka “Hizzy”
- James Richardson, aka “9-Ball”
- Derek Roberts, aka “Keas”
- Ellis Santos, aka “Slim Black”
- Anthony Williams aka “Batz”
Distribution of a controlled substance:
- Lawrence Bogarty, aka “LB”
- Daryl Tolbert, aka “Blaze"
Felon-in-possession of a firearm and ammunition:
- George Deeble, aka “Smiley”
- Pablo Moresta, aka “Migo"
Ten of the 19 federal defendants were arrested on Thursday morning and were scheduled to appear in federal court on Thursday.
The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office also charged the following individuals in criminal complaints for:
Distribution of cocaine:
- Spencer Oyeyemi
- Danielle Stokes
- Monique McFarlin
- Marquetta Matthews
Distribution of heroin:
- Hector Delvalle
Distribution of methamphetamine:
- Shomari Copeland
Possession of a firearm:
- Markus Perry
Possession and illegal sale of firearm and ammunition:
- Steven Allen
The investigation is ongoing, and is being led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Boston Police Department and Boston Housing Authority Police.
