Home Boston Press Releases 2010 Forty-Eight Alleged Lynn Gang Members and Associates Charged in Sweeping Federal and State Firearm and Drug Trafficking...
Info
This is archived material from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) website. It may contain outdated information and links may no longer function.

Forty-Eight Alleged Lynn Gang Members and Associates Charged in Sweeping Federal and State Firearm and Drug Trafficking Investigation

U.S. Attorney’s Office November 05, 2010
  • District of Massachusetts (617) 748-3100

BOSTON—Forty-eight alleged members and affiliates of Lynn-based street gangs were charged with gun and drug trafficking offenses today. These charges in federal and state court bring to 61 the total number of individuals charged to date in the multi-phase investigation dubbed “Operation Melting Pot.”

Early this morning, local, state, and federal law enforcement arrested 37 individuals on state and federal drug and gun charges and executed four search warrants. Three state and federal defendants are fugitives. The remaining 21 defendants were already in state and federal custody.

According to the detention affidavit filed, Operation Melting Pot is a wide-ranging investigation of leaders, members and associates of the Avenue King Crips, the Bloods, the Gangsta Disciples, the Deuce Boyz, and the Latin Kings primarily in Lynn and also Lowell.

According to the affidavit, the Bloods and Avenue King Crips, have been involved in a violent war for a 10-year period, emerging as the two most powerful street gangs in Lynn. Over the last several years, there have been a number of murders, armed assaults, and other violence in Lynn, which investigators believe are gang-related.

Prior to these indictments, 13 other alleged Lynn gang members were charged with federal and state firearm and drug trafficking offenses during earlier phases of Operation Melting Pot.

During the course of investigation, authorities seized 34 guns, including two SKS rifles, two Tech-9 semi automatic machine guns, a Mac 11 semi-automatic machine gun, two sawed off shotguns, a .40 caliber submachine gun, an AR-15 assault rifle, and a 50 caliber handgun. Over a kilogram of crack, two kilograms of cocaine, a half kilogram of heroin, approximately seven pounds of marijuana, and approximately $40,000 in cash were also purchased or seized. During today’s operation, authorities seized an additional seven guns, drugs including cocaine base and marijuana, and an indeterminate amount of cash.

“The people of Lynn deserve a safe community in which to live and raise their children. Unfortunately, there are a few individuals, often belonging to violent street gangs, whose illegal activities diminish the quality of life for all. We hope that this well-coordinated effort will bring peace to the streets of Lynn,” said U.S. Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz. “We also want to assure all the citizens of Massachusetts that we will continue to work closely with our federal, state and local partners to disrupt and dismantle violent street gangs in Lynn or anywhere in Massachusetts.”

Richard DesLauriers, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI said, “Since the inception of the FBI led North Shore Gang Task Force, it has generated remarkable results. Today is clear evidence of that success. Neighborhoods in Lynn and Lowell are much safer today than they were yesterday. No longer will senseless violence from a decade-long feud keep the community hostage. This investigation, previous ones, and those ongoing, reflect our collective dedication to deterring gang activity. Though our resolve is apparent in the number of arrests made by the task force over the last 12 years—in Operation Melting Pot alone the task force made nearly 60 arrests—we will continue to actively identify individuals throughout the Commonwealth involved in unlawful gang activity.”

Chief Kevin F. Coppinger of the Lynn Police Department said, “The suspects that were arrested had been identified as “impact players” that had negatively affected public safety in Lynn. It is anticipated that the level of violence in our city and the number of violent offenses that had been committed by these individuals will drop significantly. The message being sent today is that gang related activities will not be tolerated and will be actively pursued by our department. We are very thankful for the support of our federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and hope to continue our cooperative efforts to ensure the safety of our citizens.”

“It’s important to remember that there are a wide range of dangerous drugs available on our streets, including meth and GHB,” said Colonel Marian J. McGovern, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police. “Law enforcement fights the distribution of these drugs with the same commitment that we bring to our war on cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and other widely known narcotics. Today’s operation is testimony to that commitment.”

Superintendent Kenneth Lavallee of the Lowell Police Department said, “The gun and drug nexus fuels substantial violence throughout the Commonwealth which creates quality of life issues for the residents of Lowell. Anything that can be done to mitigate the effects of gun and drug trafficking is worthwhile, and will hopefully stem the tide of violence in our community.”

“This has been an extensive investigation, and these arrests are the result of an outstanding collaborative effort between several law enforcement agencies,” said Essex District Attorney Jonathan W. Blodgett. “Some serious impact players have been swept off the streets of Lynn, and residents of that city may be assured that the efforts of law enforcement to arrest violent gang members and make our communities safer will be unceasing.”

“Today’s arrest sweep of known violent gang members is the culmination of a significant community impact operation. We know that the best way to curtail gang violence is to target major players and remove them from our towns and cities. I am pleased to be part of this collaborative effort, and commend the effective cooperative work of all the state and federal agencies involved in this operation,” Middlesex County District Attorney Gerry Leone said.

U.S. Attorney Ortiz; SAC DeLauriers; Guy N. Thomas, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Boston Field Office; Colonel McGovern; Essex County District Attorney Jonathan W. Blodgett; Chief Coppinger; Superintendent Lavallee; and Essex County Sheriff Frank G. Cousins, Jr., made the announcement today.

Operation Melting Pot was investigated by members of the FBI’s North Shore Gang Task Force inclusive of members of the Massachusetts State Police, Essex County Sheriff’s Office, Lynn Police Department and Chelsea Police Department. The Task Force also received assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Massachusetts Department of Corrections and the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office. The federal cases are being prosecuted by members of Ortiz’s Organized Crime Strike Force Unit. The state cases are being prosecuted by the Essex County District Attorney’s Office and Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office.

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

DEFENDANTS

The following defendants were named in federal indictments unsealed today:

Indictment #1: Conspiracy to distribute at least 280 grams of cocaine base; distribution of at least 28 grams of cocaine base; and distribution of at least five grams of cocaine base

1) MICHAEL SMITH, a/k/a “BLACK,” age 21, Lynn
2) KOREY DORSEY, a/k/a “K,” age 21, Lynn

Indictment #2: Distribution of at least 50 grams of cocaine base

3) KEON DOW, age 20, Lynn

Indictment #3: Conspiracy to distribute at least 50 grams of cocaine base; distribution of at least five grams of cocaine base; felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition

4) VICTOR SANCHEZ, a/k/a “KING BEBO,” age 24, Lynn

Indictment #4: Distribution of at least five grams of cocaine base

5) JONATHAN DUNCAN, age 23, Lynn

Indictment #5: Felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition

6) KEVIN TERRERO, age 20, Lynn

Indictment #6: Engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license; possession of an unregistered firearm

7) JIMMY KIM, age 25, Lynn

Indictment #7: Conspiracy to distribute at least 50 grams of cocaine base; distribution of at least five grams of cocaine base

8) JEFFREY EUGENE, age 32, Lynn
9) STEPHANIE RIVERA, age 28, Lynn

Indictment #8: Felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition

10) SOURISACK PHACHANSIRI, a/k/a “JIMMY BLOOD,” age 29, Lowell

Indictment #9: Felons in possession of firearms and ammunition

11) JIMMY CHHOY, age 24, Lowell

Indictment #10: Conspiracy to distribute at least 50 grams of cocaine base; distribution of at least five grams of cocaine base; and felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition

12) ELIUD VEGA, a/k/a “KING PITO,” age 29, Lynn
13) RUTH TORRES, age 26, Lynn

Indictment #11: Felon in possession of ammunition

14) SOPHAN KAN, a/k/a “HAN,” age 27, Lynn

Indictment #12: Distribution of cocaine base

15) KERLIN AUBOURG, a/k/a “EARL,” age 22, Lynn (previously in custody)

Indictment #13: Conspiracy to distribute of at least 100 grams of heroin; distribution of heroin

16) YEUDY VIZCAINO, age 33, Lynn

Indictment #14: Felons in possession of firearms and ammunition

17) VANNARA NHAR, a/k/a “THRA,” age 21, Lowell
18) SOPHON KAN, a/k/a “BEAN,” age 26, Lynn

Indictment #15: Conspiracy to distribute of at least 100 grams of heroin; distribution of heroin

19) JERMAINE CAMPOS, a/k/a “J-ROCK,” age 32, Lynn
20) ALEXANDER CUEVAS, age 25, Lynn

Indictment #16: Conspiracy to distribute at least 100 grams of heroin; distribution of heroin

21) PETER CHEAR, a/k/a “LQ,” a/k/a “Q,” age 23, Lynn
22) JUAN MORA, a/k/a “WILLIE,” a/k/a “PIFF-MAN,” age 22, Marblehead
23) SOPHAL MAN, a/k/a “KIRBY,” age 23, Lynn
24) DANIEL EK, a/k/a “DE,” a/k/a “CLUE,” age 24, Lynn
25) JERON REDDICK, a/k/a “J-ROC,” age 20, Lynn

Indictment #17: Distribution of marijuana; engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license

26) FRANK SANCHEZ, a/k/a “SCARFACE,” age 30, Lynn

The following defendants were charged in federal complaints today:

Complaint #1: Conspiracy to distribute at least 50 grams of cocaine base

27) ERIC OVANDO, age 22, Lynn

Complaint #2: Possession of heroin with intent to distribute

28) GABRIEL MORA, age 20, Lynn

If convicted, the maximum penalty for distribution of cocaine base (i.e., crack cocaine) is 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.

For offenses committed prior to August 3, 2010, the maximum sentence for distribution of at least five grams of crack cocaine is a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years up to 40 years in prison and a $2 million fine; the maximum sentence for distribution of at least 50 grams of crack cocaine is a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years up to life in prison and a $4 million fine.

For offenses committed on or after August 3, 2010, the maximum sentence for distribution of at least 28 grams of crack cocaine is a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years up to 40 years in prison and a $2 million fine; the maximum sentence for distribution of at least 280 grams of crack cocaine is a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years up to life in prison and a $4 million fine.

The maximum sentence for distribution of heroin is 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.

The maximum sentence for distribution of at least 100 grams of heroin is a mandatory minimum of five years up to 40 years in prison and a $2 million fine.

The maximum sentence for being a felon in possession of a firearm or ammunition is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The maximum sentence for engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license is five years in prison. The maximum sentence for possession of an unregistered firearm is 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

The following defendants were charged in federal court with gun and/or drug charges as part of earlier phases of Operation Melting Pot:

JAMES BLOOD, a/k/a “JJ,”
JOHN CLOSE,
ANTHONY COLEMAN,
NICHOLAS OCCHIUTO, a/k/a “DICE,”
KAREEN EARL RICKER,
TARLEE TEAH,
VINCENT VALENTI, a/k/a “V,”

The following defendants were charged in state court with gun and/or drug charges by the Essex County District Attorney’s Office or Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office, as part today’s and earlier phases of Operation Melting Pot:

MIGUEL CABRERA, a/k/a “MIGS,”
PEDRO CARILLA, a/k/a “PRETTY P,”
RAVEN COLEMAN,
JOSHUA DEMOS, a/k/a “KNOCCA,”
EURISTENE FERRARAS,
CARL GRAHAM,
JENNIFER HERNANDEZ-VALENTI,
RATHUEASNA HEING,
EDWIN RAMOS-LABOY, a/k/a “GAVO,”
ROBIN LOUIS, a/k/a “FRESH,”
SEAN MACDONALD, a/k/a “STOMPA,”
ANTHONY MERRILL, a/k/a “SHEET LOC,”
MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ, a/k/a “COCO,”
WELLINGTON RODRIGUEZ, a/k/a “KIKO,”
NARAN SAMBAT, a/k/a DICER,”
PHUCKDAY SAMBAT,
TYRATH SEANG,
AMAURY SEVERINO, a/k/a “T-NICE,”
DEVIN SHEEHAN POWERS, a/k/a “GHOST,”
RASHAD SHEPHERD,
SOCHEAT SOK,
SOPHAT SOM, a/k/a “CHINKY,”
SAMOEURN SOUEY, a/k/a “MINI ME,”
BORAMY THOEUN, a/k/a “BO,”
JABRIEL TORRES, a/k/a “SLIM,”
HECTOR VELASQUEZ, a/k/a “2-TIMES.”

This content has been reproduced from its original source.