BOSTON, MA – Federal authorities have charged over 40 individuals, identified as members and associates of the Heath Street Gang, with crimes ranging from drug trafficking to organized retail theft. The gang, primarily based in a public housing development in Boston, has also been implicated in shootings and the recruitment of minors, according to a statement made on Wednesday by Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy.
In addition to the aforementioned charges, the group is also accused of committing fraud related to unemployment and COVID-19 relief funds, with the total amount exceeding $900,000. The organized retail theft involved stealing thousands of dollars worth of merchandise from stores in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, including high-end retailers such as Nordstrom and Victoria’s Secret.
Levy emphasized the importance of community safety, stating that the case directly addresses this fundamental priority. The two-year investigation led to the arrest of nearly two dozen gang members on Wednesday morning and the seizure of over 60 firearms.
The individuals charged in the racketeering conspiracy are implicated in three separate murders and multiple shootings, some of which resulted in innocent bystanders being caught in the crossfire. One such incident severely injured a 9-year-old girl attending a family gathering.
Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox expressed hope that the arrests would foster trust with residents in and around the Mildred C. Hailey Apartments in Jamaica Plain, where the gang primarily operates. He condemned the gang members for exploiting young people and leading them into a life of crime.
The charges against the gang members also include attempted murder of rival gang members, drug dealing, and the recruitment of minors to serve as lookouts, hold weapons and drugs, and participate in shootings. Levy highlighted this as a widespread issue, not only in Massachusetts, but across the country.
The gang is also accused of committing pandemic-aid fraud on a large scale, with one member allegedly applying for unemployment assistance in 10 states and Guam. They are also accused of submitting fraudulent employment letters for a company called Married 2 The Mop, and using the pandemic funds to purchase over 100 guns.