7 'Violent' Gang Members From Hartford Indicted: Authorities

HARTFORD, CT — State and Federal authorities Wednesday announced that seven Hartford men believed to be part of a violent street gang, were indicted under Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) charges.

The seven were charged in a federal indictment accusing them of a years-long interstate RICO conspiracy involving multiple murders, attempted murder, gun trafficking, extortion, arson, drug trafficking, and other crimes, authorities said.

According to a release from the U.S. Department of Justice, the following men were indicted: Angel Rivera, 24, aka "Rico" or "Slatt"; Raquan Knight, 21, aka "RQ"; Paul Downer, 28, aka "Luap Benji"'; Mekhi Thompson, 24, aka "Midnight"; Paul Clarke, 30, aka "Tommy Bunz"; Tyshon Walker, 26, aka "Pone Gwapoo"; and Joshua Cruz, 24, aka "Hop-Out Curly."

Officials said the 15-count indictment was returned by a grand jury in Hartford on Jan. 8.

Wednesday's announcement was made by Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brent S. Wible, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Sharmese L. Walcott, State’s Attorney for the Hartford Judicial District; Hartford Police Chief Kenny A. Howell; Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Officials said Clarke and Walker were arrested Jan. 9 and were ordered detained.

Rivera, Knight, Thompson, and Cruz were previously detained in state custody on related charges, and Downer was previously detained in state custody for unrelated offenses, authorities said.

The indictment alleges the Hoodstar Gzz gang — which since it was formed in 2010 has referred to itself by a variety of names, including “Hoodstars,” “Hoodstarz,” “Hoodstar Gzz,” and “Gz” — generally operates between Capen, Westland, Enfield, and Main streets in Hartford.

According to law enforcers, the gang has:

• Distributed narcotics and engaged in multiple violent acts against rival gang members and innocent citizens.

• Trafficked narcotics in Vermont and moved firearms from Vermont to Connecticut.

• Utilized stolen vehicles in furtherance of the gang’s affairs and burned vehicles that were used in the commission of crimes.

• recorded and distributed rap music to promote the gang’s criminal activity.

“We allege that members of the Hoodstar Gzz have engaged in murder and numerous other violent acts against both rival gang members and innocent civilians, and their criminal activity extended to northern Vermont, where they trafficked drugs and acquired firearms, some of which they transported back to Connecticut,” said Avery.

“This case is a clear demonstration of our commitment to relentlessly pursue and dismantle organizations that threaten the peace and security of our communities. The effort to connect these violent acts and bring these individuals to justice has been a collaborative one, and I want to thank the federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies involved for their dedication to make our communities, both here in Connecticut and in Vermont, safer.”

For more information on the indictments and the full announcement, click on this link.