Boston Gang Member Sentenced for Distributing Drugs in and Around Public Housing Development

BOSTON – A Boston gang member was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for distributing crack cocaine in a Jamaica Plain housing development.

Cerone Davis, a/k/a “Jp,” 25, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs to one year and one day in prison and six years of supervised release. Davis previously pleaded guilty to distribution of controlled substances within 1,000 feet of a public housing facility.

Following a two-year investigation, Davis and eight co-defendants were charged in January 2018 in connection with illegal drug distribution and firearm possession within and near the Mildred C. Hailey Apartments in Jamaica Plain, formerly known as the Bromley Heath Housing Development. Davis, a member of the Heath Street Gang, sold cocaine base, also known as crack cocaine, in April 2017. According to court documents, Davis was most recently arrested in Westbook, Maine, and charged with sex trafficking after police responded to an advertisement on Backpage.com soliciting sex with a prostitute for $300. The contact information associated with the online advertisement was traced back to Davis.

The investigation and arrests sought to reduce violence and improve the quality of life in and around the Mildred C. Hailey Apartments for residents by removing individuals who trafficked drugs and/or were actively involved in violence and gang disputes.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Mickey D. Leadingham, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Boston Police Commissioner William Gross made the announcement. Assistance was also provided by the Boston Housing Authority’s Department of Police and Public Safety.

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