News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 21, 2007

Twenty Gang Members Named in Federal and State Charges

JUN 21 -- Boston, MA - Twenty members of a Framingham gang known as the Kendall Street Team were arrested today on federal and state drug charges.

June W. Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration New England Field Division, United States Attorney Michael J. Sullivan, Gerard T. Leone, Jr. Middlesex District Attorney, Steven B. Carl, Chief of the Framingham Police Department and Colonel Mark Delaney, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, announced today the conclusion of “Operation Thunderdome,” a three-year long investigation resulting in federal and state charges against twenty members and associates of the Kendall Street Team (“KST”) a Framingham-based street gang. Eight federal indictments were unsealed charging fifteen members of “KST” and their affiliates with various federal drug offenses. Five additional individuals will face various state charges.

The indictments allege that the defendants conspired to distribute varying amounts of crack cocaine throughout the Framingham community. During the three -year investigation, it is alleged that law enforcement agents and cooperating witnesses made numerous purchases and seizures of crack cocaine from the defendants. According to the detention affidavit, agents and officers made more than 35 controlled purchases of cocaine base from members and associates of KST in the City of Framingham during the investigation, and intercepted conversations in which gang members discussed the procurement of guns.

“Federal, state and local law enforcement have maintained a persistent focus on the illegal activities of street gangs operating in Massachusetts and will continue to do so as long as gangs attempt to establish themselves and conduct illegal activities involving drugs, guns and violence,” stated U.S. Attorney Sullivan.

“Crack cocaine and the gangs that traffic in crack have historically destroyed urban areas. Crack robs areas of their safety and character; it steals the youth from the young and hastens the aging of the old. It can terrorize communities turning them into drug fueled war zones,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge June Stansbury. “We are committed to not letting this happen in Framingham. Taking the Kendall Street Team off the street is a good start.  All citizens deserve safe neighborhoods where our children can walk safely without worrying about drug dealing gangs and the crack-induced violent users that they generate.”

“The KST gang has employed intimidation and violence, the use of weapons, and the sale of drugs in an attempt to establish a criminal foothold in Framingham,” Middlesex District Attorney Gerard Leone said. “Serving and protecting our communities happens one neighborhood at a time, and these arrests are a significant step in our efforts to dismantle KST’s presence in the Framingham area.”

“We are grateful for the commitment and efforts of the U.S. Attorney, District Attorney and DEA in addressing gang activity in the Town of Framingham,” said Chief Steven Carl. “KST members did not appear to be deterred by the court system and showed a complete disrespect for the Framingham community by using violence, fear and intimidation as their operational strategy.”

Colonel Mark F. Delaney said, “As the head of this agency, one of mine and the Department's priorities is combatting gang violence. This investigation is a perfect example of how the State Police, in collaboration with our Federal partners, the Drug Enforcement Administration and our local partners, the Framingham Police Department, work together to insure safer streets and improve the quality of life in the cities and towns of the Commonwealth.”

DEFENDANTS

The following defendants were named in federal indictments:

Indictment #1: Distribution of Cocaine Base.

1) LAJASHID SANTIAGO, a/k/a “G,” “Haji,” age 20, of 31 Harvard Street, Natick, MA,

2) REDACTED

3) REDACTED

4) REDACTED

5) TIMOTHY FOSS, a/k/a “TJ,” age 20, of 105 Irving Street, Framingham, MA.

Indictment 2: Distribution of Cocaine Base;

6) EMMANUEL OSAMWONYI, a/k/a “Johnny,” “E-Man,” “E-Money,” age 20, of 25D Interfaith Terrace, Framingham, MA,

7) SHAMERE TEJADA, a/k/a “Shimmy,” age 19, of 3 Eames Street, Framingham, MA.

Indictment #3: Distribution of Cocaine Base.

8) REDACTED

9) RONALD TAYLOR, age 26, of 155 Second Street, Framingham, MA.

Indictment #4: Distribution of Cocaine Base.

10) DION CLINE, a/k/a “Black Dion,” age 23, of 20 Centennial Place, Framingham, MA,

11) REDACTED

Indictment #5: Distribution of Cocaine Base.

12) JAMES SALVI, a/k/a “Post,” “Rico,” age 22, of ^ Universal Street, Framingham, MA.

Indictment #6: Distribution of Cocaine Base.

13) LUIS DELEON, age 24, of 15 Charles Street, Framingham, MA.

Indictment #7: Distribution of Cocaine Base.

14) TYRELL TAYLOR, age 25, of 24 Paris Street, Marlborough, MA.

Indictment #8: Distribution of Cocaine Base.

15) JASON MILES, age 28, of 13 King Street, Wayland, MA.

Several of the defendants have very serious prior criminal records and are charged with selling over 50 grams of crack cocaine. This offense carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison. Defendants arrested in this case with two or more prior drug trafficking convictions will be facing a mandatory minimum life sentence.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s South Eastern Massachusetts Gang Task Force, which includes the Massachusetts State Police Gang Unit, Framingham Police Department, Natick Police Department, Marlbrough Police Department, Sherborn Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sharron Kearney assigned to Sullivan's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Unit.