The following is a statement released by United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling of the District of Massachusetts after the arrests of 31 Boston area gang members and associates:

Twenty members and associates of NOB, a Boston-based street gang, have been charged in federal court in Boston for various crimes, including racketeering (“RICO”) conspiracy, violent crimes in aid of racketeering, drug trafficking, crossing state lines for the purpose of prostitution (the Mann Act), firearms charges and bank fraud.

Two other associates were previously charged with drug trafficking and firearms related charges. In addition, nine individuals were charged with conspiring to distribute controlled substances, including fentanyl, in a drug conspiracy linked to NOB.

“Dismantling violent gangs is a top priority of the Justice Department — operations like these have a direct, beneficial effect on the neighborhoods in which these gangs sell drugs and shoot each other,” said United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling. “Today’s arrests are also a reminder that well-funded, professional police departments are not optional, but crucial, for protecting the safety of our communities.”

“Today’s arrests should serve as a warning that we will not tolerate gang related violence, and those who cause it,” said Boston Police Commissioner William Gross. “Members of this criminal enterprise wrongly believed they were above the law, but they clearly underestimated us.”

“This investigation is an example of ATF’s dedication to working with our local, state and federal partners in identifying, targeting and investigating violent criminals who are involved in selling firearms and narcotics. These are criminals who prey upon innocent citizens and lessen the quality of life in our neighborhoods,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Kelly Brady. “Our neighborhoods deserve to flourish without fear or intimidation inflicted by violent gangs. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to reduce the violent crime that has done so much damage to so many of our Boston neighborhoods.”

“Today we saw that organized crime is no match for law enforcement. As alleged, many of the individuals arrested today have engaged in a ruthless and senseless string of attacks and murders, terrorizing the communities in which they operated all across the state. Some were involved in violent crimes as far away as Maine, Connecticut, and Rhode Island,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “As a result of our combined efforts, the threat posed by this criminal organization has been neutralized, and the members and associates of this vicious gang will now have to answer for their horrible crimes.”

According to charging documents, since the summer of 2019, federal and local authorities have been investigating NOB, which is an abbreviation for Norton/Olney/Barry – streets in Dorchester. NOB is associated with the longstanding Wendover street gang. It is alleged that, through the racketeering conspiracy, members and associates of NOB were involved in a range of criminal activity including murders, attempted murders, armed robberies, drug trafficking, sex trafficking and illegal firearms crimes. While the gang is based in Boston, their criminal activity spanned across other communities, including Randolph, New Bedford, Stoughton, Brockton, East Bridgewater, Taunton, and communities on Cape Cod, as well as Rhode Island, Maine and Connecticut.

Over the last approximately four years, it is alleged that NOB members/associates have committed multiple murders and shootings – many of which targeted rival gang members, particularly members/associates of the Cameron Street gang, another Boston-based street gang. For example, it is alleged that, in February 2020, two NOB-related murders were committed in Boston and Brockton.

The twin brother of the Brockton victim had been shot and killed in July 2019 in Boston. In a recorded jail call during this period of violence, a NOB member remarked that the gang’s rivals were “droppin’ like flies.” During the same time period, gang members/associates were involved in the theft of multiple motor vehicles (some of which were used for violent crimes), and one of the thefts resulted in the kidnapping a five-year-old female victim from Boston, who was later abandoned in Randolph.

In addition to violence, NOB members/associates have allegedly trafficked drugs throughout Massachusetts, including marijuana, fentanyl, cocaine, cocaine base (crack), heroin and various types of prescription pills, including opioids. The fentanyl distributed by the gang involved not only fentanyl in powder form, but also fentanyl pills that had the appearance of oxycodone pills. On July 20, 2019, police officers conducted a vehicle stop of two of the defendants. Officers recovered a plastic bag with the fentanyl pills and a loaded 9mm pistol with an obliterated serial number from their vehicle. Ballistics analysis subsequently linked the pistol to a prior shooting in New Bedford.

NOB members/associates were also allegedly involved in sex trafficking, including transporting women across state lines for the purposes of engaging in prostitution. For example, an NOB member allegedly transported two sisters from Massachusetts – one of whom was a minor at the time – to Connecticut in April 2017 for the purpose of having them engage in prostitution.

The charges of RICO conspiracy and committing violent crimes in aid of racketeering each provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charges of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances each provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $1 million.

The charge of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime provides a mandatory consecutive sentence of five years in prison, up to life of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of crossing state lines for the purposes of prostitution provides a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Boston Police Commissioner William G. Gross; Kelley D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; John Gibbons, U.S. Marshal for the District of Massachusetts; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; New Bedford Police Chief Joseph C. Cordeiro; Quincy Police Chief Paul Keenan; Randolph Police Chief William Pace; Brockton Police Chief Emanuel C. Gomes; Stoughton Police Chief Donna M. McNamara; Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins; Suffolk County Sheriff Steven W. Tompkins; Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz; Plymouth County Sheriff Joseph D. McDonald Jr.; Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III; and Norfolk County Sheriff Jerome P. McDermott and made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Crowley and Corey Steinberg of Lelling’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit are prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

1. Michael Brandao, a/k/a “G Fredo,” and “Frizzblock Fredo,” 19, is charged with RICO conspiracy; conspiracy to distribute controlled substances; and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.

2. Kelvin Barros, a/k/a “Kal” or “7981 Kal,” 24, is charged with RICO conspiracy; conspiracy to distribute controlled substances; and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.

3. Ricky Pina, a/k/a “Blake,” 23, is charged with RICO conspiracy; conspiracy to distribute controlled substances; and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.

4. David Rodriguez, a/k/a “D,” 34, is charged with RICO conspiracy.

5. Wilson Goncalves-Mendes, a/k/a “Dub,” 24, is charged with RICO conspiracy.

6. Joshua Teixeira, a/k/a “Trouble,” 25, is charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.

7. Joseph Gomes, a/k/a “Joey” or “J-Money,” 24, is charged with RICO conspiracy.

8. Alidio Barbosa, a/k/a “Ace Boogie” or “Ace,” 23, is charged with possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.

9. Samael Mathieu, a/k/a “Hamma” or “Hamma Thang,” 23, is charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.

10. Moses Cabral, a/k/a “Moe Money,” 26, is charged with RICO conspiracy; conspiracy to distribute controlled substances; possession with intent to distribute controlled substances; and crossing state lines for the purposes of prostitution.

11. Delven Carvalho-Centeio, a/k/a “Delly,” 22, is charged with RICO conspiracy; conspiracy to distribute controlled substances; possession with intent to distribute controlled substances; and crossing state lines for the purposes of prostitution.

12. Darius Bass, a/k/a “Tre” or “Trigga Tre,” 26, is charged with violent crimes in aid of racketeering.

13. Damian Cortez, 31, is charged with crossing state lines for the purposes of prostitution and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.

14. Anton Lopes, a/k/a “Ton Ton,” 25, is charged with possession with intent to distribute controlled substances; possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

15. Brian Cardoso, 27, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

16. Theresa Alves, 26, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

17. Hailey Stringfield, 19, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

18. Jawwad Freeman, 22, is charged with possession with intent to distribute controlled substances; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.

19. Gullit Gomes, 28, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

20. Devon Hamilton, 20, is charged with bank fraud.

21. Adriano Cortez, a/k/a “A,” 26, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

22. Fabrice Teixeira, 32, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

23. Armando Gomes, a/k/a “G,” 31, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

24. Patrick Dunn, 28, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

25. Daniel Barbosa, a/k/a “D,” 25, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

26. Carlos Monteiro, 43, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

27. Tre Fernandes, a/k/a “OZ” or “OC,” 25, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

28. Sandro Pereira Cabral, 23, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

29. John Rodrigues, a/k/a “Joao Fernandes Rodrigues,” 26, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

30. Sean Brown, 25, is charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance; being a felon in possession of a firearm; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

31. Eric Rodriguez, 32, is charged with possession with intent to distribute controlled substances; conspiracy to distribute controlled substances; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

New Bedford police detectives seized large quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, marijuana, more than $18,000 in cash, and ammunition during three separate incidents in recent days.

On June 15, an investigation led to a traffic stop where Detectives seized 24 grams of cocaine. A subsequent search of 1276 Pleasant St. #1, led to 269 grams of cocaine with a street value of $26,900 and $6,504 in cash.

As a result, Jonathan Garcia, 30, 1276 Pleasant St. Apt. 1, was charged with trafficking, conspiracy, and a suspended license (subsequent). Jose Rivera De Leon, 25, 1276 Pleasant St., Apt. 1 was charged with trafficking, possession, conspiracy, a suspended license, and traffic violations. Detective Lavar Gilbert investigated the case. 

During a search of 52 Willard St., Apt. 2 on June 12, police discovered 528 grams of fentanyl with a street value of $52,000, 21 rounds of 9mm ammunition, and $350 in cash. As a result, Lino R. Simoes, 46, 52 Willard St., Apt. 2, was charged with trafficking, possession to distribute, and ammunition without an FID card. Simoes does not possess a license to carry a firearm and was previously convicted of trafficking. Detective Timothy Soares led the investigation.

Also on June 12, searches at Rosalinda’s Fashion, 104 Allen St. and 98 Allen St., Apt. 2 resulted in the seizure of 512 grams with a street value of $51,200 of cocaine, 3.5lbs of marijuana, paraphernalia and $12,194 in cash. Jose E. Nieves, 45, 98 Allen St. Apt. #2M, was charged with trafficking and possession to distribute. Detective Timothy Soares Detective and Detective Kevin Barbosa led the investigation.

If you have any information on criminal activity in your community, the New Bedford Police Dept. wants to hear from you. You can leave an anonymous tip on our voicemail at (508) 991-6300 Ext. 1.

On Sunday, June 14, 2020, Massachusetts Environmental Police Officers responded to the Stop and Shop plaza in Wareham in response to a report of a small boat trailered and several individuals loading coolers into nearby vehicles.

A subsequent fisheries inspection of the vessel and vehicles showed the individuals to be in possession of 84 black sea bass over the legal limit, 17 of which were undersized.

Several citations with monetary fines were issued, the catch was seized and donated to the Wampanoag Tribal Food Pantry in Mashpee.

Cape & Islands District Attorney Michael O’Keefe announced today that on June 12, 2020 at approximately 11:09 p.m., Wareham Police responded to a report of a motor vehicle crash on Cranberry Highway in Wareham.

A vehicle had collided with a motorcycle and fled the scene. The operator of the motorcycle, Kenneth J. Baptiste (1-24-55) of Wareham was transported to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

The operator of the motor vehicle was later identified as Cameron Silva (10-2-01) of Onset. The matter remains under investigation by Wareham Police and the Massachusetts State Police. The case has been transferred to the Cape & Islands District Attorney’s Office due to a conflict with the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office.

Two Nigerian nationals were arrested on Friday, June 12, 2020 and charged in connection with defrauding victims using various online scams during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nosayamen Iyalekhue, 33, and Esogie Osawaru, 27, were charged by criminal complaint with one count of wire fraud. The defendants were detained following an initial appearance.

According to the criminal complaint, Iyalekhue and Osawaru participated in a series of romance, pandemic unemployment insurance, and other online scams designed to defraud victims by convincing them to send money to accounts controlled by the defendants. To carry out the scams, the defendants allegedly used false foreign passports in the names of others, but with their photos, to open numerous bank accounts, and in turn directed the victims to send money to these accounts. Iyalekhue and Osawaru then rapidly withdrew the victims’ money from various bank branches and ATMs, often multiple times during a single day. It is alleged that the schemes included collecting unemployment insurance in the name of others during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The charging statute provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater, and forfeiture. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Miron Bloom of Lelling’s Securities, Financial and Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the criminal complaint are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

At about 10:26 PM on Saturday, June 13, 2020, officers made an onsite arrest in the area of 861 Washington Street in Dorchester. While guarding a crime scene in the area of the aforementioned location from a prior incident in which an adult male was transported to the hospital as a result of suffering an apparent non-life-threatening gunshot wound, officers observed a male driving a moped scooter at an accelerated rate of speed.

The male continued toward the active crime scene which extended from Ogden Street to Fuller Street. Marked by multiple rows of neon yellow crime scene tape as well as several police cruisers with their blue lights activated, the scene was completely illuminated to onlookers and passersby. Officers observed the male on the moped, traveling at a high rate of speed, driving directly past a police car with its lights on, and straight through the crime scene tape towards the scene which was being processed by detectives.

Multiple officers within and surrounding the scene, protecting the integrity of the evidence, shouted for the male to stop, but he refused and continued directly into the crime scene. The male continued on through additional layers of crime scene tape before he crashed into an officer, lifting him off of the ground causing injury.

The suspect fell off of the moped and fled the scene on foot. Officers gave chase and caught up to the suspect in the area of 19 Mora Street where a brief, but violent struggle ensued before officers placed him in custody. The officer who was struck by the suspect was transported to a local hospital where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and later released.

Officers arrested Giraldy Guerrero, 19-years-old, of Braintree. Guerrero is expected to be arraigned in Dorchester District Court on charges of Assault and Battery by means of a Dangerous Weapon, Assault and Battery on a Police Officer, Leaving the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Personal Injury, Resisting Arrest, Trespassing, Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Interfering with a Police Officer, and Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle.

Massachusetts State Troopers on Friday evening seized an unlawfully-carried firearm and arrested a suspected member of the motorcycle club known as the Outlaws.

At about 6:15 p.m., troopers assigned to the Massachusetts State Police Troop D Community Action Team observed two motorcycles traveling much faster than the posted speed limit of 40 miles per hour on West Chestnut Street in the city of Brockton. Their estimated speed was near 70 miles per hour.

As troopers activated their emergency lights in an attempt to stop the motorcycles one of them fled at a high rate of speed toward West Bridgewater. A short time later, troopers located the motorcycle and its operator, identified as KENNETH MCDONALD, 58 of Whitman on Manley Street in West Bridgewater.

As a result of an investigation, a BERSA SA .45 firearm fully loaded with 7 rounds, including one in the chamber was located on MCDONALD’s person. MCDONALD does not legally possess a license to carry a firearm in Massachusetts.

MCDONALD was placed under arrest and transported to the State Police Middleboro Barracks and charged with the following offenses:

1. Carrying/possessing of a Firearm without a license;
2. Carrying a loaded firearm and firearm violation with 2nd Offense; and issued a citation warning for speeding.

MCDONALD was bailed on $500.00 and will be arraigned Monday in Brockton District Court.

On Friday, June 12, 2020 at approximately 6:45 p.m., Dartmouth Police were dispatched to the area of Walgreens on State Road to check on the welfare of a man lying in the grass.

Upon arrival, officers identified the man as Denis Alekseyevich SHELAGIN, 36, homeless.

After SHELAGIN was advised that he was going to be placed in protective custody based on his level of intoxication, he spit on officers and began to fight with them. During the altercation, SHELIGAN also threatened to murder the officers.

SHELIGAN was eventually placed under arrest, and transported to St. Luke’s Hospital to be evaluated.

As a result of the incident, SHELIGAN was charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, assault and battery on a police officer, and four (4) counts of threats to commit a crime (to wit assault and battery and murder).

No officers were seriously injured during the altercation.

At 9:08 a.m. today Troop A dispatch received information from Haverhill Police Department that they were looking for a black Mercedes that was stolen from a dealership in Haverhill. Haverhill Police had the vehicle stopped when the operator fled at a high rate of speed onto Route 495.

At 9:20 a.m. Sergeant Sweeney of the State Police observed the black Mercedes reported stolen out of Haverhill on Route 93 southbound south of Exit 42 in Andover. Sergeant Sweeney activated his cruiser’s emergency lights and attempted to stop the Mercedes, but the driver refused to stop. A pursuit was authorized with Troop A Headquarters assuming command and control. The pursuit was terminated at Commerce Way.

At 9:30 a.m. on Route 93 Southbound south of Route 95/128 in Woburn the Mercedes is again located and a pursuit was authorized to stop the vehicle with Troop A Headquarters assuming command and control. The vehicle flees again and a tire deflation device is attempted without success. The operator of the Mercedes takes the Exit 32 off ramp to Route 60 and the pursuit is once again terminated.

At 9:34 a.m. a Trooper working a paid detail was turning around on Auburn Street in Medford when he observed the operator of the Mercedes come to a stop. The Trooper exited his cruiser and ordered the operator to stop. The operator of the Mercedes drove away striking the Trooper, his cruiser and another vehicle in the process. The Trooper drove himself to a local hospital for evaluation.

At 1:00 p.m. the Mercedes is located in Lynn on Pond Street by the Massachusetts State Police Air Wing. Utilizing marked and unmarked cruisers the vehicle was followed and four individuals were taken into custody without incident.

The driver, JONATHAN CESAR, 18, of Malden, and three passengers YOSVANI HERNANDEZ, 18, of Somerville and Two Juveniles were charged with:

Receiving stolen motor vehicle.

The incident is under investigation and more charges may follow.

A New Bedford man who admitted to participating in the delivery of more than an ounce of crack cocaine in Rhode Island in February 2018 was sentenced on Thursday to 42 months in federal prison.

Chanel Williams, 41, previously admitted to the court that, following Facebook communications with an individual in Pawtucket seeking crack cocaine, he and another New Bedford man traveled to Pawtucket on February 13, 2018, to deliver the drugs. Williams admitted to the court that he remained inside the vehicle he drove to Pawtucket while Jordan Fernandes, 30, went inside a residence to deliver the drugs.

The delivery was electronically monitored by members of the FBI’s Safe Streets Violent Gang Task Force and Providence Police.

Williams pleaded guilty on December 4, 2019, to possession with intent to distribute and distribute cocaine base. At sentencing on Thursday, U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith sentenced Williams to 42 months in federal prison to be followed by five years supervised release.

Williams’ sentence is announced by United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division Joseph R. Bonavolonta, and Providence Police Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr.

Jordan Fernandes, who pleaded guilty on February 3, 2020, to two counts of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base, three counts of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of 28 grams or more of cocaine base, and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, is awaiting sentencing.

The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Helen H. Lee and Terrence P. Donnelly.