17 Arrested, 20+ Guns Seized In Boston Gang Sweep

BOSTON, MA – A year-long investigation into members of two feuding Boston street gangs resulted in 17 arrests and the seizure of 22 guns this week, the Suffolk County District Attorney's office announced Wednesday. "Operation Hanover" handed down 98 indictments to alleged members of the rival Wendover and Cameron Street gangs in a joint effort between the Boston Police Department and the ATF.

The indictments include nine for firearms trafficking, 12 for high-capacity or assault weapon violations and 19 for the distribution of fentanyl, cocaine, and marijuana. Six of the defendants face enhanced sentences as second or subsequent offenders, and two have been charged as habitual offenders or armed career criminals for prior violent and drug offenses, the DA's office said.

The defendants were arrested yesterday and this morning.

“Every one of those guns represents a shooting or a homicide prevented. Boston will be a safer place this summer because they’re off the street," Suffolk District Attorney Daniel Conley said.

The following suspects have been arraigned. They are ordered to return to court on July 27:

ROHAN ANDERSON, 26, indicted for trafficking in one to two firearms, unlawful sale of an assault weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, unlawful sale of ammunition, and unlawful possession of a large-capacity feeding device, held on $15,000 cash bail.

KEIMODY CROCKETT, 22, indicted for trafficking in one to two firearms, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, unlawful sale of ammunition, unlawfully carrying a loaded firearm, unlawful sale of a large-capacity feeding device, and unlawful possession of a large-capacity feeding device, held on $50,000 cash bail.

JERAMIE CROFT, 33, indicted on five counts of distributing cocaine as a second offense, one count of trafficking in one to two firearms, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm with four prior convictions for violent crimes.

HECTOR GONZALEZ, 22, indicted on one count of trafficking in one to two firearms, one count of unlawfully selling an assault weapon, two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, one count of unlawfully selling a large-capacity feeding device, one count of unlawful sale of ammunition, two counts of unlawful possession of a large-capacity feeding device, and one count of unlawful possession of ammunition, held on $50,000 cash bail.

MERVYN INNIS, 33, indicted on one count of trafficking in one to two firearms, one count of unlawful sale of an assault weapon, and one count of unlawful sale of ammunition, held on $15,000 cash bail.

A 16-year-old was indicted as a youthful offender on one count of trafficking in one to two firearms and two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, held on $250,000 bail.

ALFREDO VELASQUEZ, 22, indicted on one count of trafficking in three to 10 firearms, one count of unlawful sale of an assault weapon, three counts of unlawful sale of ammunition, six counts of unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for carrying a dangerous weapon, four counts of unlawful possession of ammunition, two counts of unlawfully carrying a loaded firearm, and one count of unlawful possession of a large-capacity feeding device held on $150,000 cash bail.

EDWARD VELASQUEZ, 25, indicted for one count of trafficking in three to 10 firearms, five counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, four counts of unlawful possession of ammunition, four counts of unlawful sale of ammunition, three counts of carrying a loaded firearm, one count of unlawful possession of a large-capacity feeding device, and one count of unlawful sale of a large-capacity feeding device, held on $50,000 cash bail.

The following suspects were arrested Wednesday morning and are still being arraigned as of Wednesday afternoon:

LAWRENCE ANDRADE, 26, indicted for distributing marijuana.

MARIA BARBOSA, 28, indicted on two counts of distributing cocaine and one count of distributing fentanyl.

TONY BURT, 50, indicted for distributing cocaine with four prior convictions for distribution or possession with intent to distribute.

CHRISTOPHER JONES, 39, indicted on three counts of distributing cocaine with a prior conviction for possession with intent to distribute.

WAYNE ROGERS, 52, indicted on two counts of distributing marijuana and one count of distributing cocaine with two prior convictions for possession with intent to distribute.

JOE ROSA, 35, indicted for distributing cocaine and distributing heroin.

CHAROD TAYLOR, 28, indicted on three counts each of distributing cocaine and distributing marijuana.

SERGIO FIGUEROA-COLLAZO, 21, was already in custody and has been indicted for trafficking in one to two firearms, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, and unlawful sale of ammunition.

TAKARI ELLIOTT, 25, was arrested on federal drug trafficking charges and will be prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts.

Image via Suffolk DA's office