Stoughton Gang Member Among 14 Facing Federal Charges: USAO

STOUGHTON, MA — A suspected gang member living in Stoughton is among 14 suspected people charged in federal court in connection with drug and firearms trafficking, robberies and kidnappings, according to the U.S. Attorney's office. Rodrigo Tevares, 19, an undocumented Brazilian national residing in Stoughton, was charged Thursday with being an alien in possession of a firearm and engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license.

Federal, state and local law enforcement began investigating Primeiro Comando da Massachusetts, known as PCM, in September 2018. The gang traces its origins to Brazil and first appeared in Massachusetts about two years ago, the USAO said.

Members and associates of PCM are involved in the illegal sale of firearms, drug trafficking, robberies, kidnappings and armed assaults in numerous communities in Massachusetts, including Boston, Malden, Everett, Somerville, Framingham, and Peabody, according to the USAO.

During the investigation, law enforcement seized 31 firearms, including 27 handguns, two sawed-off shotguns, one shotgun, one rifle and several hundred rounds of ammunition. The following suspected members and associates of PCM were charged Thursday:

1. Marcio Costa, a/k/a “Marcino” and “Marcinn,” 28, of Malden, is the alleged leader of PCM and was arrested and charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to commit robbery, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license;
2. Joao Pedro Marques Guimares Gama, a/k/a “Bahianinho,” 21, a Brazilian national illegally residing in Malden, was arrested and charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to commit robbery, engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license, and being an alien in possession of a firearm;
3. Breno Henrique DaSilva, 20, a Brazilian national illegally residing in Somerville, was arrested and charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to commit robbery, and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances;
4. Alvaro Dos Santos Melo, 22, a Brazilian national illegally residing in Everett, was arrested and charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to commit robbery, and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances;
5. Edson DaSilva, 19, previously resided in Whitman and is currently in state custody on kidnapping and firearms charges, and was federally charged with RICO conspiracy and robbery;
6. Igor Costa, 20, previously resided in Framingham and is currently in state custody, and was federally charged with RICO conspiracy and robbery;
7. Vinicius Goncalves de Assis, previously resided in Revere and is currently in state custody, and was federally charged with RICO conspiracy;
8. Rodrigo Tevares, 19, a Brazilian nation illegally residing in Stoughton, was arrested and charged with being an alien in possession of a firearm and engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license;
9. Rony DaFreitas, 21, of Lowell, was arrested and charged with engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license;
10. Elwood Cortes-Navedo, 23, of Lowell, was arrested and charged with engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license;
11. Fernando DeOliveira, 24, a Brazilian nation illegally residing in Brighton, was arrested and charged with being an alien in possession of a firearm and engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license;
12. Mouad Nessassi, 21, of Boston, was arrested and charged with engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license, distribution of 28 grams or more of cocaine base, and possession of an unregistered firearm;
13. Fadwa Chimal, 19, was arrested and charged with engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license; and
14. Jennifer Romero, 26, of Chelsea, was charged with engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license and distribution of 28 grams or more of cocaine base.

The defendants are suspected in a number of violent crimes, the USAO said. According to federal authorities, Gama told cooperating witnesses that PCM not only committed robberies in Massachusetts, but also had targeted and robbed a drug dealer and his family in Connecticut. Gama stated that during the robbery, he held a gun to the head of the dealer’s daughter, the USAO said.

In addition, Costa discussed a planned armed robbery with an undercover federal agent and repeatedly stated that it was likely that the gang members and associates would commit murder as part of the robbery, according to the USAO.

Federal authorities said gang members were tied to the following robberies: an Oct. 18, 2018, armed robbery of a market in Boston committed by Goncalves; a Dec. 9, 2018, armed robbery of a pizza delivery person in Everett committed by DaSilva; and a Jan. 17, 2019, armed robbery of a gas station in Weymouth committed by Igor Costa.

On Feb. 7, 2019, DaSilva and Henrique were involved in the kidnapping of a young woman who they believed could help them target a rival gang member, according to the USAO. DaSilva and Henrique lured the young woman out of a residence in Peabody and eventually took her to a residence in Maynard where she was held at gunpoint and threatened, the USAO said. A cooperating witness alerted law enforcement, who arrested DaSilva.

The defendants also sold firearms and drugs to cooperating witnesses multiple times in 2018 and 2019, the USAO said. In addition to the 14 charged criminally, four people were arrested administratively by ICE.

"Violent gangs that proliferate violence are a scourge on our communities," U.S. Attorney Andrew E. Lelling said in a statement. "Over recent months, members and associates of Primeiro Comando da Massachusetts have been committing serious, violent crimes: brazenly robbing community businesses, dealing drugs, trafficking illegal firearms, and even kidnapping a young woman. We will not standby and allow these criminals to disrupt the safety and peace of our communities. Let today’s arrests and charges be a message to gang members and their associates: if you threaten the safety and well-being of Massachusetts residents, we will arrest and prosecute you using all of the federal resources at our disposal."