Feds target Boston gangs for fraud, firearms, drug trafficking

BOSTON, Mass. (WWLP)– Members of two Boston gangs face multiple charges after multi-year investigations by local, state and federal law enforcement.

According the U.S. Department of Justice, 10 members and associates of the H Block Gang have been charged with drug conspiracy and nine members and associates of the Mission Hill Gang were charged with engaging in financial fraud.

Court documents allege that an investigation into H Block began due to an increase in gang-related drug trafficking, shootings and violence. Investigators say since the start of the investigation in 2021, law enforcement attributed at least a dozen incidents involving firearms and gunfire to the tensions involving H Block gang associates. Six H Block members and associates were arrested Thursday and charged with drug dealing in the Boston area. Drugs and four firearms were seized during the arrests. Four additional H Block members and associates are already in state custody.

Charges have been filed against Mission Hill street gang members and associates for their involvement in a mail theft and financial fraud scheme known as “card cracking.” According to court documents, card cracking involves the theft and laundering of money through bank accounts in various names that are controlled by the primary offenders. Checks are stolen from postal collection boxes, then chemically washed and rewritten to various recruited bank account holders. These washed checks are then deposited into checking accounts for cash withdrawal or laundering through money transfers and other means, such as the purchase of postal money orders. Six Mission Hill members and associates were arrested Thursday and charged with financial crimes, along with three additional Mission Hill members and associates who are currently in custody.

“Keeping communities safe involves combatting a number of different types of threats. The fight to keep our streets safe from dangerous gangs and drugs is an ever-constant struggle and, as this case shows, extends to our state’s prison facilities. Today’s arrest are an important step forward in making our streets and prisons safer,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “These arrests send a message that the federal government is actively engaged with our state and local partners and stands ready to hold accountable those who violate federal laws.”

“I am proud of our Boston Police officers and all of our law enforcement partners for this great work. These are individuals who do not value life, they have terrorized and wreaked havoc in our City. These investigations were intricately designed and carried out and there is no doubt that all of those in law enforcement who were involved, have put themselves in danger to get to this point, Partnering and pulling together our resources is powerful, it makes our residents safer, and we are seeing the result of that collaboration today,” said Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox.

“Dismantling violent gangs is a top priority of the DEA. Operations like these have a direct, positive effect on the neighborhoods in which these gangs sell drugs and cause violence,” said Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division. “Today’s arrests should serve as a warning that we will not tolerate drug trafficking, gang related violence, and those who cause it. This investigation demonstrates the strength of collaborative local, state and federal law enforcement efforts and our strong partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”

“ATF remains resolute in our mission to apprehend trigger pullers and firearms traffickers,” said James M. Ferguson Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division “By leveraging crime gun intelligence, we empower law enforcement to break the cycle of violence by concentrating on the individuals and criminal organizations fueling gun-related crime in our communities. Today’s arrests exemplify ATF’s unwavering commitment to collaborating with our local, state, and federal partners to combat the violent gang and drug activities that jeopardize public safety. Our collective efforts are crucial in holding violent offenders accountable, mitigating threats to the public, and driving down violent crime.”

H Block gang members arrested and charged:

• Trea Lankford, a/k/a “Heff,” a/k/a “Hefna Don,” a/k/a “Montana,” a/k/a “Tre Cain,” 33, of Boston;
• Dennis Wilson, a/k/a “Deuce,” a/k/a “Deep Jhonenson,” 36 of Boston;
• Avery Lewis, a/k/a “Wave,” 32 of Dorchester;
• Mark Linnehan,25, of West Roxbury;
• Eric Celestino,30, of Boston;
• Timothy Hearns, a/k/a “King Kill,” a/k/a “Tool Man,” a/k/a “Tooly,” 34;
• Dominique Carpenter-Grady, a/k/a “8-Zipp” a/k/a “Eighty,” a/k/a “Cindy Surin,” 35;
• Robert Heckstall, a/k/a “Ribbs,” a/k/a “Buck,” a/k/a “Buck Corleone,” 41, of Roxbury;
• Jason Bly, 44, of Quincy; and
• Jerry Gray, 28, of Dorchester

Mission Hill gang members arrested and charged:

• Imanol Rios-Franco, 24, of Brookline;
• Jairo Cabral-Santos, 22, of Boston;
• Brandon Baez, 22, of Framingham;
• Jiovanny Matos, 25, of Boston;
• Josman Romero Delgado, 22, of Boston;
• Jonathan Martinez, 25, of Roslindale;
• Anthony Worthen, 28, of Roslindale;
• Tyrone Brimage, 28, of Boston; and
• Glenroy Miller, 28, of Boston

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