27 Charged In South End Gang Activity
BOSTON (CBS) -- Twenty-seven alleged gang members from Boston's South End are facing federal and state drug and weapons charges following Thursday morning raids.
Multiple law enforcement agencies made the announcement in a statement released Thursday by U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz's office.
Many of those charged have suspected ties to the Lenox Street Cardinals, while others are accused of being part of other street gangs working in the Lenox Street Housing Development area.
Investigators say 17 federal indictments and one criminal complaint were unsealed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Boston, charging 19 people with distributing drugs and weapons at the housing development.
Eight people in the same area were also charged in criminal complaints with drug distribution by state authorities, according to the statement.
Officials say the investigation began in January 2015. The Lenox Street area was identified as one of the city's top 10 hot spots for violence last year, according to Boston Police's Regional Intelligence Center.
Between March 2012 and June 2015, there were 30 shootings and more than 75 reports of shots fire in the area, investigators said.
In federal indictments or criminal complaints, authorities say more than a dozen people have been charged with distributing controlled substances within 1,000 feet of a public housing project in federal indictments or criminal.
Those charged include: Byron Alexander, aka "Shizz," Dontane Bryant, aka "Tane," Tyler Deloach, aka "Tek," John Depina, aka "Dough"; Stephen Freeman, aka "Stizz," Perry Hasberry, aka "Percy," Rasean Hills, aka "Bleed," Keron-Randall Lewis, aka "Talent," Frank Melo, aka "Cuts," Pablo Moreta, aka "Migo," Anthony Nunez, aka "Dizzo," Hassan Parham, aka "Hizzy," James Richardson, aka "9-Ball," Derek Roberts, aka "Keas," Ellis Santos, aka "Slim Black," and Anthony Williams, aka "Batz."
Lawrence Bogarty, aka "LB," and Daryl Tolbert, aka "Blaze" have also been charged with distributing a controlled substance.
George Deeble, aka "Smiley," and Pablo Moresta, aka "Migo" have been charged with being felons in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Of the 19 federal defendants, 10 were arrested Thursday morning and they are expected to appear in federal court later in the day.
The Suffolk County District Attorney's Office has filed criminal complaints against several people, charging them with various offenses.
Marquetta Matthews, Monique McFarlin, Spencer Oyeyemi and Danielle Stokes are charged with distributing cocaine; Hector Delvalle for distributing heroin; and Shomari Copeland for distributing methamphetamine.
Markus Perry and Steven Allen are facing charges of possession of a firearm, and possession and illegal sale of a firearm and ammunition, respectively.
The case remains under investigation by several law enforcement agencies.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Bernice Corpuz reports
