Member of Violent Gang Pleads Guilty to Racketeering and Robbery Offenses
BOSTON — A Quincy man pleaded guilty yesterday in connection with his role in Cameron Street, a violent Boston gang.
Michael Nguyen, aka “Asian,” 23, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by threats or violence and one count of conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise, more commonly referred to as RICO or racketeering conspiracy. U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young scheduled sentencing for March 20, 2024.
According to court documents, Cameron Street is a violent gang based largely in the Dorchester section of Boston that used violence and threats of violence to preserve, protect and expand its territory; promote a climate of fear; and enhance its reputation. Cameron Street members possess, carry and use firearms to murder and assault gang rivals as well as protect narcotics and drug proceeds.
Cooperating witnesses identified Nguyen as a valued a member of Cameron Street who, among other duties, often infiltrated rival gang territory to conduct surveillance for other members. In July 2018, Nguyen and two alleged co-defendants broke into the home of two victims – entering through the back door while wearing masks and dark hoodies and carrying firearms. One victim ran out of the front door of the house and called 911. A second victim was brought into the living room, punched in the head, had a gun put to their head and a pillow put in front of their face as Nguyen and others ransacked the house, demanding, “where’s the stuff, where’s the money, where’s your boyfriend?” Nguyen and his two alleged co-conspirators later fled the house in a silver pickup trick after stealing $2,000 in cash and a safe.
Nguyen and others were later observed driving away from the house. Officers pursued the truck until it abruptly stopped in Stoughton – colliding with the police cruiser. Nguyen and an alleged co-conspirator then exited the truck and fled the area. The alleged co-conspirator was quickly apprehended, and a firearm was recovered from the scene.
The charges of RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to interference with commerce by threats or violence each provide for sentences of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
This operation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police; Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office; Suffolk, Plymouth, Norfolk and Bristol County District Attorney’s Offices; and the Canton, Quincy, Randolph, Somerville, Brockton, Malden, Stoughton, Rehoboth and Pawtucket (R.I.) Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher J. Pohl and Charles Dell’Anno of the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.
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