‘The buck stops here’: Feds announce charges against members of ruthless Boston gang

BOSTON (WHDH) - More than 30 members of a ruthless Boston-based gang linked to deadly street violence in Roxbury and Dorchester have been arrested on federal charges in connection with a multi-agency investigation into violent crimes in the area, officials announced Tuesday.

Thirty-one people who are a part of or associated with the “Norton Olney Barry” gang were recently charged with various violent crimes including RICO, racketeering, murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, illegal firearm use, sex trafficking, and drug trafficking, United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling said during a news conference.

“Dismantling violent gangs is a top priority of the Justice Department and operations like these have a direct, beneficial effect on the neighborhoods in which these gangs sell drugs and shoot each other,” Lelling said. “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.”

Lelling said arrests were made in Boston, Lynn, Everett, Fall River, and a number of other towns across the Greater Boston area. Eleven search warrants were executed on the North Shore, South Shore, South Coast, and Rhode Island.

The charges were filed following a joint investigation that involved the Boston Police Department, the Massachusetts State Police, FBI Boston, ATF Boston, and the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, among many other local agencies.

As a result of the investigation, Lelling said authorities seized more than 25 firearms, including an AK-47, a weapon that was used in a shooting on the campus of UMass Dartmouth, and a handgun that ballistic evidence linked to eight separate shootings.

“This operation was intended to dismantle the NOB and take violent members of that gang off the street,” Lelling said. “Charging documents unsealed this morning summarize a litany of violence from shooting and beatings to robberies, drug dealing and prostitution.”

Investigators allege that the gang committed multiple murders and shootings in recent years, many of which targeted the rival Cameron Street gang.

In a recorded jail call during the period of violence, a NOB member remarked that the gang’s rivals were “droppin’ like flies,” according to a list of alleged criminal acts outlined in charging documents. The documents also detailed an incident involving a 5-year-old girl who was kidnapped in Boston and abandoned in Randolph.

The gang is also accused of trafficking marijuana, fentanyl, cocaine, crack, heroin, and various types of prescription pills, including opioids, across Massachusetts. Another member is said to have transported two sisters from Massachusetts, one of whom was a minor, to Connecticut for the purpose of having them engage in prostitution.

Lelling noted that the monthslong closure of local courts due to the coronavirus pandemic has “emboldened” the NOB gang, leading its members to “explicitly threaten rival gangs and actively plan retaliatory violence, including murder.”

One suspected gang member, who Lelling identified as Michael Brandao, allegedly produced rap videos in which he “openly discussed” shootings and murders committed by NOB.

Boston Police Commissioner William G. Gross said some of the suspects who were arrested had committed crimes while wearing GPS bracelets after being released on bail for prior violations.

“I’m glad this is going federal. I don’t expect to see these individuals out on the street the next day wearing a bracelet,” Gross said. “These individuals who were arrested could not have been rehabilitated…The buck stops here.”

Gross vowed that his department “has the back” of Boston residents, saying they “deserve better” and have grown “tired” of suffering through violence on the streets.

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

Joseph Bonavolonta, a special agent in charge at FBI Boston, said the arrests will undoubtedly serve as a “crippling” blow to what has been one of the city’s most violent and brazen gangs.

“Many of the individuals arrested today engaged in a ruthless and senseless string of murders, terrorizing the communities in which they operate,” Bonavolonta said.

Bonavolonta added that the NOB gang has also committed crimes in Maine, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, saying that they “made a living committing armed robberies and dealing drugs” and that they will “now have to answer for their horrible crimes.”

Below is a list of suspects who were arrested and the charges they are facing:

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.
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.
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.
David Rodriguez, a/k/a “D,” 34, is charged with RICO conspiracy.
Wilson Goncalves-Mendes, a/k/a “Dub,” 24, is charged with RICO conspiracy.
Joshua Teixeira, a/k/a “Trouble,” 25, is charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
Joseph Gomes, a/k/a “Joey” or “J-Money,” 24, is charged with RICO conspiracy.
Alidio Barbosa, a/k/a “Ace Boogie” or “Ace,” 23, is charged with possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
Samael Mathieu, a/k/a “Hamma” or “Hamma Thang,” 23, is charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
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.
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.
Darius Bass, a/k/a “Tre” or “Trigga Tre,” 26, is charged with violent crimes in aid of racketeering.
Damian Cortez, 31, is charged with crossing state lines for the purposes of prostitution and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
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.
Brian Cardoso, 27, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Theresa Alves, 26, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.
Hailey Stringfield, 19, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.
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.
Gullit Gomes, 28, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Devon Hamilton, 20, is charged with bank fraud.
Adriano Cortez, a/k/a “A,” 26, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.
Fabrice Teixeira, 32, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.
Armando Gomes, a/k/a “G,” 31, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.
Patrick Dunn, 28, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.
Daniel Barbosa, a/k/a “D,” 25, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.
Carlos Monteiro, 43, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.
Tre Fernandes, a/k/a “OZ” or “OC,” 25, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.
Sandro Pereira Cabral, 23, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.
John Rodrigues, a/k/a “Joao Fernandes Rodrigues,” 26, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.
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. (Previously charged on 3/5/2020)

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.

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