Associate of Violent Gang Pleads Guilty to Drug Conspiracy

BOSTON – An associate of the violent Boston gang Cameron Street pleaded guilty yesterday to drug trafficking charges in federal court in Boston.

Michael Lopes, a/k/a “Meech,” 35, of Pawtucket, R.I., pleaded guilty to a one-count Superseding Information charging him with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, cocaine base and methamphetamine. U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young scheduled sentencing for May 6, 2024.

During a two-year long investigation into Cameron Street, it was determined that Lopes allegedly conspired with his cousin Anthony Centeio – the alleged leader of Cameron Street – and others to distribute cocaine, cocaine base and methamphetamine. Lopes and, allegedly, Centeio made several sales of cocaine and cocaine base to a cooperating witness in Boston, Braintree and Pawtucket, R.I. A search of Lopes’ Rhode Island residence in April 2022 resulted in the recovery of approximately 174 grams of cocaine base, 215 grams of cocaine and 180 grams of methamphetamine, packaging materials and $2,342 in cash.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, cocaine base, and methamphetamine provides for up to 20 years in prison, supervised release of at least three years and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police; Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office; Suffolk, Plymouth, Norfolk and Bristol County District Attorney’s Offices; and the Canton, Quincy, Randolph, Somerville, Brockton, Malden, Stoughton, Rehoboth and Pawtucket (R.I.) Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Pohl and Charles Dell’Anno of the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.

This operation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

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