Feds say ‘Cameron Street’ gang in Mass. posted videos celebrating killings; 19 members indicted (2024)

Posting videos and using social media to celebrate killings and other crimes the “Cameron Street” gang is accused of committing are among the activities federal law enforcement say the organization engaged in, according to a sweeping indictment of more than a dozen of its members.

Nineteen members and associates of the Boston-based Cameron Street gang were charged in a 39-count indictment with various crimes, including racketeering conspiracy, gun and drug trafficking and illegal possession of firearms, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a statement Friday.

Twenty-one guns and hundreds of rounds of ammunition were allegedly seized from 11 of the defendants. Prosecutors say more than a kilogram of cocaine was also seized from gang members during the investigation.

According to the indictment, the Cameron Street gang is accused of being involved in a variety of criminal activities, including murder, assault with intent to murder, armed robbery, carjacking, home invasion, drug and gun trafficking and more. Authorities say the gang operated in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston and surrounding areas, selling cocaine, crack cocaine, oxycodone and marijuana throughout Massachusetts.

“The members of this criminal organization are accused of terrorizing the neighborhoods of Boston by committing violent crime including conspiracy to commit murder, robbery, firearm and drug trafficking,” said Gregory Long, acting commissioner of the Boston Police Department. “These arrests send a clear message that these criminal enterprises will not be tolerated in Boston.”

While the Cameron Street gang is primarily based in Boston, prosecutors say its alleged criminal activities spanned other communities, including Cambridge, Everett, Quincy, Randolph, Somerville, Taunton and elsewhere in Massachusetts.

“Members and associates of the Cameron Street gang have, for years, allegedly plagued Boston, Brockton and the neighboring communities with serious, violent crimes through the confluence of guns, drugs and harm. Law-abiding residents of Dorchester, Brockton and other impacted communities deserve to live, work and thrive free of fear and trauma,” said U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins. “With these charges, and today’s arrests, our aim is to bring peace and safety back to these neighborhoods.”

Prosecutors claim Cameron Street gang members used violence against rival gangs and witnesses, typically with guns, to maintain and improve their own status and the overall reputation of the gang as well as to protect the gang’s power and territory. Members of the gang, authorities say, are responsible for helping one another get guns, form drug trafficking connections, resolve territorial disputes with rival gangs and provide safe havens for fellow members wanted by law enforcement.

Members are also accused of regularly posting videos or using social media to promote the Cameron Street gang, belittle gang rivals and celebrate murders and other violent crimes the gang is accused of committing. To identify themselves as being in the gang, the U.S. Attorney’s Office says, members would obtain tattoos, use hand signs and wear jewelry and clothing involving the letters “C,” “A” and “M” or numbers corresponding with the letters’ places in the alphabet, “3-1-1-3.”

The following 19 individuals were named by the U.S. Attorney’s Office as defendants in the case:

• Kenny Romero, also known as “KG,” 28, was charged with RICO conspiracy, being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, possession with intent to distribute cocaine and distribution of cocaine base and cocaine.
• Anthony Centeio, also known as “Wheezy” and “Taliban Wheeze,” 33, was charged with RICO conspiracy, being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and conspiracy to distribute cocaine base and cocaine.
• Felisberto Lopes, also known as “Phil” and “CheeB,” 36, was charged with RICO conspiracy, being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and possession of 500 grams or more of cocaine with intent to distribute.
• Keiarri Dyette, also known as “Kemo,” 24, was charged with RICO conspiracy and dealing in firearms without a license.
• Eric Correia, also known as “Bubba,” 24, was charged with RICO conspiracy and distribution of marijuana.
• Paulo Santos, also known as “Bucky,” 33, was charged with RICO conspiracy, possession of 500 grams or more of cocaine with intent to distribute, being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking offense.
• Devante Lopes, also known as “D-Lopes,” 27, was charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute marijuana.
• Charod Taylor, also known as “Pachino,” 33, was charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute cocaine base and cocaine.
• Jose Afonseca, also known as “Zay,” 30, was charged with RICO conspiracy, dealing in firearms without a license and conspiracy to distribute cocaine base.
• James Rodrigues, also known as “Bummy,” 32, was charged with RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute cocaine base.
• Jonathan Darosa, also known as “Jeezy,” 29, was charged with RICO conspiracy, being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and distribution of cocaine and oxycodone.
• Clayton Rodrigues, also known as “Loo” and “C-Loo,” 26, was charged with RICO conspiracy and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
• Wilter Rodrigues, also known as “Walt” and “Wo-Wo,” 35, was charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine base.
• Michael Lopes, also known as “Meech,” 34, was charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine base and cocaine.
• Victor Nunez, also known as “Tito,” 41, was charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine base and cocaine.
• Fnu Lnu, also known as “Smoke,” was charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine base and cocaine.
• Jamaal Davis, also known as “Marley,” 29, was charged with distribution of cocaine and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking offense.
• Michael Nguyen, also known as “Asian,” 22, was charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking offense.
• Steve Depina, also known as “Stizz,” 35, was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and distribution of cocaine base and cocaine.