Man Who Moved Drugs For Worcester Gang Gets 4-1/2 Years: Feds

WORCESTER, MA — A man who federal prosecutors say helped a street gang move drugs and cash between Worcester and New Hampshire was sentenced to 4-1/2 years in federal prison this week, prosecutors said Monday.

Antoine Mack, 37, formerly of Pawtucket, was arrested during an investigation into the Almighty Vice Lords Gang. He pleaded guilty in January to charges of conspiring to distribute cocaine and being a felon in possession of a gun, prosecutors said.

According to federal officials, Mack delivered hundreds of grams of powder and crack cocaine to Manchester, N.H, and then brought cash back to Worcester to deliver to the Vice Lords leader, identified by federal officials as Junior Melendez. Mack was arrested last May in Worcester after he was found in possession of a gun.

Melendez was arrested last June with two other men after police discovered they were planning to rob a glass pipe dealer based in Rockland, prosecutors said. Melendez was charged last June with conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery, conspiracy to use a gun to commit violence, and conspiracy distribute cocaine.