|
|
News
Release Twenty-Four Defendants Charged Federally and State with Crack Cocaine Distribution in Warren Gardens/Copeland Street Area April 15- Boston, MA... Mark R. Trouville, Special Agent in Charge of the U. S. Drug Enforcement Administration; United States Attorney Michael J. Sullivan; Daniel Conley, Suffolk County District Attorney; Kathleen O’Toole, Commissioner of the Boston Police Department; William J. Hoover, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in New England; and Colonel Thomas J. Foley, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, announced the unsealing today of seven federal indictments charging a total of sixteen defendants with distributing crack cocaine in the Warren Gardens housing development and on nearby Copeland Street, in the Roxbury section of Boston. Also, eight individuals have been named in state charges alleging cocaine distribution; six of whom were indicted in Superior Court; one charged by complaint in District Court and one charged by complaint in Juvenile Court. Today’s charges are the result of almost a year- long investigation conducted by DEA and ATF Special Agents and members of the Boston Police Department's Youth Violence Strike Force, in conjunction with the U. S. Attorney’s Office and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. The investigation targeted open- air drug markets operating in the Warren Gardens housing development in Roxbury and on nearby Copeland Street. As alleged in the federal indictments, many of the charged distributions of crack cocaine occurred either within 1,000 feet of the George A. Lewis School, a public middle school on Walnut Street, or within 1,000 feet of the Little Scobie Playground on Copeland Street. Additionally, in the first and second of the federal indictments mentioned below, defendants JUSTIN TEAL and KARL THOMPSON (in Count Six of the first indictment), ABLOLOM WOLDESLASSIE (in Count Seven of the first indictment) and ANTONIO CARDONA (in Count Four of the second indictment) are charged with having used a juvenile in their distribution of crack cocaine. Also, one defendant, ROLAND WORRELL is named in two separate federal indictments. 2 “This investigation reflects the commitment of the Department of Justice, including the U. S. Attorney’s Office, DEA and the ATF, to work closely together with local and state agencies to bring federal resources to bear on community problems,” stated U. S. Attorney Sullivan. “In this case each of the federal defendants is charged with dealing crack within 1,000 feet of a local playground or a middle school. This will not be tolerated, especially not near our playgrounds and schools. Children, whether they live in rural communities or in the heart of city neighborhoods, should be able to walk the streets and enjoy playgrounds in safety, without fear or exposure to drug activity.” “ This morning’s operation, the culmination of many months of diligent investigation, is the latest in a series of coordinated efforts by many agencies to make Boston’s streets safer and hold accountable drug dealers who threaten neighborhoods full of good people and vulnerable children,” stated Suffolk County District Attorney Conley. “I commend our partners at all levels of law enforcement for this latest success. Our message today is clear: If you deal drugs on the streets of Boston, be prepared, when you look over your shoulder, to see the full resources of the U. S. Attorney, the DEA, the ATF, the State Police, the Boston Police, and the Suffolk DA’s office coming for you.” “This operation should send a very clear message to those interested in peddling drugs in our neighborhoods: ‘You're not welcome, and we will put you out of business, ’” stated Commissioner O’Toole. “The fine Boston Police officers who work on our Youth Violence Strike Force, and in District 2 in Roxbury have worked countless hours with our state and federal partners in bringing these impact players to justice. These officers work in this community day in and day out, and see how those arrested and charged today have been affecting the quality of life of the good, hard working families who live in Warren Gardens and the Copeland Street area. Our officers and their partners in the Massachusetts State Police, DEA, and ATF, knew that they needed to remove these players who were negatively affecting these families, and today they have done so. But the work doesn’t stop here, and along with our community and law enforcement partners, we will move on to our next challenge. Over the past 8 weeks I have met with the community around the Dudley area and have heard the concerns of the residents. I appreciate their taking the time to communicate with us, and hope to continue working together.” “ This 11- month investigation was a cooperative effort by DEA, Boston Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives to effect significant change on a community suffering under the oppression of criminal drug trafficking activity,” stated DEA Special Agent in Charge Trouville. “ People who commit illegal acts in our neighborhoods should look closely at today's actions. ATF and our law enforcement partners are committed to using all of our resources to bring you to justice,” stated ATF Special Agent in Charge Hoover. “Today it is Warren Gardens... tomorrow it may be your neighborhood. Our cooperative efforts will continue and those who break the law will go to jail.” 3 Charged in the first federal indictment with distribution of crack cocaine and distribution of crack cocaine within 1,000 feet of a playground, were: 1. JUSTIN TEAL, age 24, of 71 Richmere Road, Mattapan, Massachusetts; 2. KARL THOMPSON, age 38, of 25 Calder Street, Mattapan, Massachusetts; 3. ABLOLOM WOLDESLASSIE, a/ k/ a “Breeze”, age 21, of 50 Clifford Street, Roxbury, Massachusetts; and 4. ROLAND WORRELL, age 28, of 25 Lisa Road, Randolph, Massachusetts. Charged in the second federal indictment with conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine and distribution of crack cocaine within 1,000 feet of a playground, were: 1. ANTONIO CARDONA, a/ k/ a “Ant”, age 20, of 218 Norwell Street, Dorchester, Massachusetts; and 2. JEROME LASSITER, a/ k/ a “Butta”, age 20, of 53 Ashton Street, Dorchester, Massachusetts. Charged in the third federal indictment with distribution of crack cocaine, distribution of crack within 1,000 feet of a school, and conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, were: 1. JERMAINE ANDERSON, a/ k/ a “Tony”, age 21, of 16 Rockland Street, Roxbury, Massachusetts; 2. ALFRED G. RYAN, age 30, of 76 Perrin Street, Roxbury, Massachusetts; and 3. COREY SMITH, a/ k/ a “Black” and “Blackie”, age 24, of 81 Moreland Street, Roxbury, Massachusetts. . Charged in the fourth federal indictment with distribution of crack cocaine and distribution of crack cocaine within 1,000 feet of a playground, were: 1. SPENCER GRAY, age 24, of 16 North Charlame Street, Roxbury, Massachusetts; 2. KARL LAWRENCE PRESCOTT, age 21, of 43 St. Richard Street, Roxbury, Massachusetts; and 3. KEVIN VICKERS, a/ k/ a “Kelvin Vickers”, age 23, of 15 Maple Street, Roxbury, Massachusetts. Charged in the fifth federal indictment with distribution of crack cocaine and distribution of crack cocaine within 1,000 feet of a school and playground, were: 1. GERALD ANDERSON, a/ k/ a “Weasle”, “Wezle” and “Weeze”, age 21, of 16 Rockland Street, Roxbury, Massachusetts; and 2. JAMES BOGARTY, a/ k/ a “Chuck”, age 33, of 5 Esmond Street, Dorchester, Massachusetts. . 4 Charged in the sixth federal indictment with distribution of crack cocaine and distribution of crack cocaine within 1,000 feet of a playground, was: 1. CARLOS BARRIENTOS, age 29, of 18 Circuit Street, Roxbury, Massachusetts. Charged in the seventh federal indictment with distribution of crack cocaine and distribution of crack cocaine within 1,000 feet of a school, were: 1. DARREN FRANKLIN, age 27, of 370 Chestnut West, Randolph, Massachusetts; and 2. ROLAND WORRELL, age 28, of 25 Lisa Road, Randolph, Massachusetts. The Suffolk County District Attorney's Office today charged the following individuals with cocaine distribution: 1. BRAUN AIKEN, age 18, of 9 Sherman Street, Roxbury, Massachusetts, charged with Distribution Class B (3 Counts), Distribution Class B in a School Zone (3 counts); 2. Individual Not Yet Arrested, charged with Distribution Class B (2 counts); 3. Individual Not Yet Arrested, charged with Distribution Class B (1 count); 4. Individual Not Yet Arrested, charged with Distribution Class B (2 counts), Distribution Class B in a School Zone (2 counts); 5. STEPHEN WALKER, age 17, of 16 Rockland Street, Roxbury, Massachusetts, charged with charged with Distribution Class B (5 counts), Distribution in a school zone (3 counts); 6. TYRUS SANDERS, age 20, of 64 Kensington Park, Roxbury, Massachusetts, charged with Distribution Class B (1 count), Distribution in a school zone (1 count); 7. EDGAR WILLIAMS, age17, of 172 West Springfield Street, Boston, Massachusetts charged with Distribution Class B (1 count), Distribution in a park zone (1 count); and 8. 17 Year Old charged as a Juvenile (age 16 at the time of the offense) from Roxbury. Twelve of the sixteen federal defendants were arrested this morning and will appear later this afternoon in federal court before a U. S. Magistrate Judge for an initial appearance. ROLAND WORRELL has been in federal custody since he was federally indicted last December in connection with a September, 2003 seizure of crack cocaine. Three other federal defendants GERALD ANDERSON, KEVIN VICKERS and ALFRED RYAN are currently in state custody, either awaiting trial or serving sentences. It is anticipated that a U. S. Magistrate Judge soon will issue a writ ordering them brought to federal court to face the charges against them. Five of the eight state defendants were also arrested this morning. There are open arrest 5 warrants for the remaining three state defendants. The investigation is continuing. The case is being investigated by members of the U. S. Drug Enforcement Administration New England Field Division Task Force which is comprised of law enforcement officers from the U. S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Massachusetts State Police, the Boston Housing Authority, and the Milton and Boston Police Departments, in concert with the Youth Violence Strike Force of the Boston Police Department, the U. S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel Conley’s Office. Assistance was also provided in today’s arrests by the Brockton and Randolph Police Departments and Metro Star. The federal community impact cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorneys Patrick Hamilton and David Tobin in Sullivan’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Unit. The state cases are being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jeffrey Clifford in Conley's Gang Unit. If convicted, the federal defendants face the following maximum penalties: Gerald Anderson * - Indictment #5 default statutory maximum of 20 years doubled to 40 years by school zone violation 1 year mandatory minimum sentence due to school zone violation max fine of $1 million doubled to $2 million by school zone violation minimum of 3 years supervised release doubled to 6 years by school zone violation, up to a max of life Jermaine Anderson- Indictment #3 default statutory maximum of 20 years doubled to 40 years by school zone violation 1 year mandatory minimum sentence due to school zone violation max fine of $1 million doubled to $2 million by school zone violation minimum of 3 years supervised release doubled to 6 years by school zone violation, up to a max of life Carlos Barrientos * †- Indictment #6 default statutory maximum of 20 years increases to 30 years due to Section 851 and then doubled to 60 years due to playground zone violation 1 year mandatory minimum due to playground zone violation max fine of $1 million increased to $2 million due to Section 851 and then doubled to $4 6 million due to playground zone violation minimum of 3 years supervised release doubled to 6 years due to Section 851 and then doubled again to 12 years due to playground zone violation, up to a max of life James Bogarty * †- Indictment #5 default statutory maximum of 20 years increases to 30 years due to Section 851 and then doubled to 60 years due to playground zone violation 1 year mandatory minimum due to playground zone violation max fine of $1 million increased to $2 million due to Section 851 and then doubled to $4 million to 30 years due to Section 851 and then doubled to 60 years due to playground zone violation minimum of 3 years supervised release doubled to 6 years due to Section 851 and then doubled again to 12 years due to playground zone violation, up to a max of life Antonio Cardona - Indictment #2 default statutory maximum of 20 years doubled to 40 years by playground zone violation or use of a juvenile violation 1 year mandatory minimum sentence due to school zone violation or use of a juvenile violation max fine of $1 million doubled to $2 million by school zone violation or use of a juvenile violation minimum of 3 years supervised release doubled to 6 years by school zone violation or use of a juvenile violation, up to a max of life Darren Franklin* †- Indictment #7 default statutory maximum of 40 years increases to life due to Section 851 5 year mandatory minimum increased to 10 years due to Section 851 max fine of $2 million increased to $4 million due to Section 851 and then doubled to $8 million due to school zone violation minimum of 4 years supervised release doubled to 8 years due to Section 851 and then doubled again to16 years due to school zone violation, up to a max of life Spencer Gray - Indictment #4 default statutory maximum of 20 years doubled to 40 years by playground zone violation 1 year mandatory minimum sentence due to playground zone violation max fine of $1 million doubled to $2 million by playground zone violation minimum of 3 years supervised release doubled to 6 years by playground zone violation, up to a max of life 7 Jerome Lassiter, a/ k/ a “Butta” †- Indictment #2 default statutory maximum of 20 years increases to 30 years due to Section 851 and then doubled to 60 years due to playground zone violation 1 year mandatory minimum due to playground zone violation max fine of $1 million increased to $2 million due to Section 851 and then doubled to $4 million due to playground zone violation minimum of 3 years supervised release doubled to 6 years due to Section 851 and then doubled again to 12 years due to playground zone violation, up to a max of life Karl Lawrence Prescott - Indictment #4 default statutory maximum of 20 years doubled to 40 years by playground zone violation 1 year mandatory minimum sentence due to playground zone violation max fine of $1 million doubled to $2 million by playground zone violation minimum of 3 years supervised release doubled to 6 years by playground zone violation, up to a max of life Alfred G. Ryan - Indictment #3 statutory maximum of 40 years 5 year mandatory minimum max fine of $2 million minimum of 4 years supervised release up to a max of life Corey Smith, a/ k/ a “Black” and “Blackie” †- Indictment #3 statutory maximum of 40 years increased to life by Section 851 5- year mandatory minimum increased to 10 years by Section 851 max fine of $2 million increased to $4 million by Section 851 minimum of 4 years supervised release increased to 8 years by Section 851, up to a max of life Justin Teal * †- Indictment #1 default statutory maximum of 20 years increases to 30 years due to Section 851 and then doubled to 60 years due to playground zone violation or use of a juvenile violation 1 year mandatory minimum due to playground zone violation or use of a juvenile violation max fine of $1 million increased to $2 million due to Section 851 and then doubled to $4 million minimum of 3 years supervised release doubled to 6 years due to Section 851 and then doubled again to 12 years due to playground zone or use of a juvenile violation, up to a max of life 8 Karl Thompson * †- Indictment #1 default statutory maximum of 20 years increases to 30 years due to Section 851 and then doubled to 60 years due to playground zone violation or use of a juvenile violation 1 year mandatory minimum due to playground zone violation or use of a juvenile violation max fine of $1 million increased to $2 million due to Section 851 and then doubled to $4 million minimum of 3 years supervised release doubled to 6 years due to Section 851 and then doubled again to 12 years due to playground zone or use of a juvenile violation, up to a max of life Kevin Vickers, a/ k/ a “Kelvin Vickers” *- Indictment #4 default statutory maximum of 20 years doubled to 40 years by playground zone violation 1 year mandatory minimum sentence due to playground zone violation max fine of $1 million doubled to $2 million by playground zone violation minimum of 3 years supervised release doubled to 6 years by playground zone violation, up to a max of life Ablolom Woldeslassie, a/ k/ a “Breeze”- Indictment #1 default statutory maximum of 20 years doubled to 40 years by playground zone violation 1 year mandatory minimum sentence due to playground zone violation max fine of $1 million doubled to $2 million by playground zone violation minimum of 3 years supervised release doubled to 6 years by playground zone violation, up to a max of life Roland Worrell* †-
Indictments #1 & #7
default statutory maximum
of 20 years increases to
30 years due to Section 851
and then doubled
to 60 years due to playground
zone violation 1 year mandatory
minimum due to playground
zone violation
max fine of $1 million increased
to $2 million due to Section
851 and then doubled to
$4 million minimum of 3 years
supervised release doubled
to 6 years due to Section
851 and
then doubled again to 12
years due to playground zone,
up to a max of life
|
