Member of Violent Gang Pleads Guilty to Racketeering, Drug and Firearm Offenses

BOSTON – A Boston-area man pleaded guilty yesterday to his role in a violent Boston street gang as well as gun and drug trafficking charges.

Kenny Romero, a/k/a “KG,” 29, of Boston, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise (more commonly referred to as RICO or racketeering conspiracy), three counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine and three counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young scheduled sentencing for Feb. 29, 2024.

According to court documents, Cameron Street is a violent gang based largely in Dorchester whose members use violence and threats of violence to preserve, protect and expand its territory, promote a climate of fear and enhance its reputation. Members allegedly post videos or use social media applications to promote Cameron Street, celebrate murders and other violent crimes committed by the gang and denigrate rivals – in particular the NOB gang – an abbreviation for the Norton/Olney/Barry Streets in Dorchester. Cameron Street members allegedly possess, carry and use firearms to murder and assault gang rivals as well as protect narcotics and drug proceeds. Cameron Street members also allegedly distribute controlled substances and firearms, commit armed robberies and engage in human trafficking in part to generate income for the Cameron Street enterprise.
    
During a two-year investigation, Romero was recorded selling eight firearms, as well as ammunition, cocaine base and cocaine to a cooperating witness, who Romero believed was a member of Cameron Street. The drug and gun sales Romero made were discussed and negotiated over cell phones and Snapchat. Additionally, Romero’s phone was found to contain messages showing he had received funds from human trafficking activities.

The charge of RICO conspiracy provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine provides for up to 20 years in prison, supervised release of at least three years and a fine of up to $1 million. The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm and/or ammunition provides for 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 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. Attorney Christopher Pohl of the Criminal Division is 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 remaining defendants named in the indictment are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.