SEVENTEEN MEMBERS OF THE DEUCE BOYZ AND SOLDIERS STREET GANGS IN LYNN
NAMED IN FEDERAL AND STATE CHARGES

Boston, MA... Arrests today were sought for seventeen members and associates of the Deuce Boyz and Soldiers street gangs, including many in leadership positions, on drug and firearm charges.

United States Attorney Michael J. Sullivan; Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett; Warren T. Bamford, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Boston Field Division; Colonel Mark F. Delaney, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; John W. Suslak, Chief of the Lynn Police Department, Frank G. Cousins, Jr., Essex County Sheriff, Frank J. Garvin, Chief of the Chelsea Police Department, and Steven A. Mazzie, Chief of the Everett Police Department announced today “Operation Deuces Wild,” a six-month investigation resulting in charges against seventeen members and associates of the Deuce Boyz and Soldiers street gangs.

Nine indictments were unsealed charging a total of twelve members of the Deuce Boyz and Soldiers street gangs with various federal drug and firearm offenses. In addition, five defendants were charged by the Essex County District Attorney’s Office with state drug and firearm crimes.

The indictments, and a detention affidavit filed with the Court, allege that the defendants are members or associates of the Deuce Boyz and Soldiers street gangs, closely affiliated violent street gangs operating in Lynn, MA. Throughout the six-month investigation, it is alleged that law enforcement made purchases of crack cocaine, heroin, and five firearms from the defendants, and seized an additional two firearms. It is alleged that the Deuce Boyz/Soldiers street gangs have a long history of involvement in a variety of illegal activities, including violence against rival gang members, and drug and firearm trafficking. It is further alleged that the Deuce Boyz/Soldiers street gangs have been involved in a gang war in Lynn with other street gangs over the past few years resulting in numerous shootings, stabbings, and other acts of violence.

“As a result of this investigation, we hope to make the streets of Lynn safer for the many law-abiding citizens who have been victimized by the criminal activities of street gangs. To the gang members and others in the community, the message should be clear -- if you join a violent gang, we will bring the full weight of federal, state, and local law enforcement to your door,” stated United States Attorney Michael J. Sullivan.
“Gang members who commit acts of violence will face severe consequences,” said District Attorney Jonathan W. Blodgett, who applauded the cooperative efforts of law enforcement in this operation. “I have said from day one that gang life leads to one of two places - death or jail. If they are convicted, these defendants will serve significant prison sentences,” stated Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett.

"This investigation represents a continuing series of covert initiatives conducted by the North Shore Gang Task Force, targeting the most violent gangs in the region. The combined efforts of the Task Force over the last five years have resulted in over 200 federal prosecutions of the leadership of these gangs," stated Warren Bamford, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

"This joint operation demonstrates the significant impact that law enforcement can make when working collaboratively to confront the recent epidemic of crime and violent street gangs," stated Colonel Mark Delaney of the Massachusetts State Police.

The case was investigated by the North Shore HIDTA Gang Task Force, a New England HIDTA and FBI Safe Streets initiative, which consists of the FBI, the Massachusetts State Police Gang Unit, the Lynn Police Department, the Chelsea Police Department, the Everett Police Department, the Lawrence Police Department, the Haverhill Police Department, the Essex County Sheriff’s Department, and the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Department. In addition, the Task Force received assistance in this investigation from the Revere Police Department, the Beverly Police Department, the Salem Police Department and the Peabody Police Department. The federal cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys assigned to Sullivan's Organized Crime Strike Force Unit. The state cases are being prosecuted by the Essex County District Attorney's Office.

Press Contacts: Christina DiIorio-Sterling, U.S. Attorney's Office, (617) 748-3356
Steve O'Connell, Essex County District Attorney's Office, (978) 745-6610 x 5077

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