FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, May 7, 2009
WWW.USDOJ.GOV/USAO/MA
CONTACT: CHRISTINA DiIORIO-STERLING
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E-MAIL: USAMA.MEDIA@USDOJ.GOV
THIRTEEN MEMBERS OF THE UNITED FRONT STREET GANG IN NEW BEDFORD NAMED IN FEDERAL AND STATE CHARGES
BOSTON, MA - Arrests were sought of thirteen members and associates of the United Front street gang in New Bedford in connection with federal and state drug charges.
Acting United States Attorney Michael K. Loucks; Warren T. Bamford, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation - Boston Field Division; Steven W. Derr, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England; Glenn N. Anderson, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Bristol County District Attorney C. Samuel Sutter; Thomas M. Hodgson, Bristol County Sheriff; Ronald Teachman, Chief of the New Bedford Police Department; Chairman Mark A. Conrad of the Massachusetts Parole Board; and Colonel Mark F. Delaney, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; announced today that a two-year investigation has resulted in charges against thirteen members and associates of the United Front street gang. Six indictments and two complaints have been returned or issued in U.S. District Court charging a total of eight members of the United Front street gang with federal drug offenses. In addition, five defendants were charged by the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office with state drug crimes.
The Government alleges that the defendants are members or associates of the United Front street gang, in New Bedford, MA, who have a long history of involvement in various illegal activities, including violence against rival gang members, and drug trafficking. It is alleged that the United Front street gang has been involved in a gang war in New Bedford with a rival area gang over a period of time resulting in numerous shootings, murders, and other acts of violence. The Government further alleges that law enforcement made purchases of powder cocaine and crack cocaine from the defendants over the course of a two-year investigation.
The following defendants were charged in federal court:
1) TYSON BRITTO, age 24, of New Bedford
Distribution of Cocaine, Distribution of At Least 5 Grams of Cocaine Base
2) JOHN BURGOS, a/k/a “Boogs,” age 30, of New Bedford
Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine Base, Distribution of At Least 5 Grams of Cocaine Base, Distribution of Cocaine Base Within 1000 Feet of School
3) JOHN C. BURGO, age 22, of New Bedford
Distribution of Cocaine Base, Distribution of Cocaine Base Within 1000 Feet of School, Distribution of Cocaine, Distribution of Cocaine Within 1000 Feet of School
4) AARON LIVRAMENTO, age 24, of New Bedford
Distribution of At Least 5 Grams of Cocaine Base, Distribution of Cocaine Base Within 1000 Feet of School, Distribution of Cocaine, Distribution of Cocaine Within 1000 Feet of School
5) DIONE NEVES, age 23, of New Bedford
Possession of At Least 5 Grams of Cocaine Base
6) MICHAEL VEGA-CRUZ, age 21, of New Bedford
Distribution of At Least 5 Grams of Cocaine Base, Possession of Cocaine Base With Intent to Distribute/Distribution of Cocaine Base Within 1000 Feet of School
7) SHAMEKA CLEMENT, age 25, of New Bedford
Distribution of At Least 5 Grams of Cocaine Base
8) JAMES MIRANDA, age 42, of New Bedford
Conspiracy to Distribute More Than Five Grams of Cocaine Base
Two juveniles of New Bedford were named in state complaints with Distribution of Class B Substance (Cocaine). The following adults were also charged:
1) FELICIA ALMEIDA, age 35, of New Bedford
Distribution of Class B Substance
2) MANUEL REBEIRO, age 19, of New Bedford
Distribution of Counterfeit Drug
3) DWIGHT MAJETTE, age 31, of New Bedford
Distribution of Class B Substance.
TERRELL BAPTISTE, one of the leaders of United Front Street Gang, was arrested and federally charged earlier in the investigation in a stash house for the gang located on Jean Street in New Bedford. Federal and local law enforcement seized nearly one-half of a kilogram of crack cocaine from the apartment and a safe found inside. Officers also seized a .40 caliber handgun, 511 rounds of .22 caliber ammunition in a drawer, one round of 7.62 ammunition, $5,655 in cash and drug distribution materials including a police scanner.
The case was investigated by the Southeastern Massachusetts Gang Task Force, which consists of the FBI, the Massachusetts State Police Gang Unit, New Bedford Police Gang Unit and Massachusetts State Parole. The Task Force also received assistance in the investigation from the DEA, ATF and Bristol County Sheriff’s Office. The federal cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys assigned to Loucks' Organized Crime Strike Force Unit. The state cases are being prosecuted by the Bristol County Assistant District Attorney's Office.
The details contained in the Indictments and Complaints are allegations. The defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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