6 Alleged RI Gang Members & Associates Indicted for Violating RICO Act

6 Alleged RI Gang Members & Associates Indicted for Violating RICO Act

Six alleged street gang members and associates have been indicted for allegedly violating the Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization (RICO) act, according to the U.S. Attorney for Rhode Island.

The men who are alleged to be associated with a criminal enterprise generally known as Chad, Chad Brown, Chad Brown Posse, Chad Brown Cut Throats, Cut Throat Committee, Chad Brown Killers, CBK, The Bricks, and Hova Gang, among others (collectively, “the Chad Brown Gang”) were charged by way of a federal indictment with violating the Racketeer Influenced Criminal Organization Act (RICO) by allegedly engaging in attempted murders, felony assaults, federal firearms offenses, drug trafficking and obstruction of justice. 

“Reducing violent crime has been and remains a top priority for the Department of Justice.  Project Safe Neighborhoods allows federal, state and local law enforcement to collaboratively focus their resources to combat this problem.  Together, we have used and will continue to use all of the investigative and legal tools available to us to target and hold responsible individuals responsible for driving and committing violent crime within our local communities,” said United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch.

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“Investigating, arresting, and incarcerating criminals who use guns and violence to intimidate communities and commit violent crime is ATF’s number one priority in Rhode Island.  ATF is proud to collaborate with our law enforcement partners and bring the most advanced forensic science to the fight against gun crime,” said Lawrence Panetta, Acting Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston.  “The National Integrated Ballistic Information Network is the only national network that allows for the capture and comparison of ballistic evidence to aid in solving and preventing violent crimes involving firearms.  ATF works to reduce violent crime by targeting and dismantling these types of criminal organizations who pose the greatest threat to public safety.” 

The case is being prosecuted in U.S. District Court by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gerard B. Sullivan and Sandra R. Hebert, and Assistant Attorney General James Baum of the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office.

The Indictment

It is alleged in the indictment that the six individuals are members of a criminal enterprise that engaged in violent crimes in aid of racketeering. Among the alleged crimes detailed in the indictment are four drive-by shootings in Providence. The violent criminal acts were allegedly carried out by members of the criminal enterprise with the use of firearms, in violation of federal law. 

Four of the individuals named in the indictment are alleged to have participated in drive-by shootings that, according to the indictment and information presented to the Court, were in retaliation for felony assaults, shootings, and murders of Chad Brown gang members or associates, or members of other street gangs allied with the Chad Brown street gang. In at least one instance, in an apparent case of mistaken identity, multiple shots were fired into a car driven by a person who was not the intended target.

The indictment is the result of a two-year Project Safe Neighborhoods Investigation by the Providence Police Department; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); ATF Task Force; United States Attorney’s Office; and the Rhode Island Department of Attorney General is announced by United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch, Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin, ATF Acting Special Agent in Charge Lawrence J. Panetta, and Providence Public Safety Commissioner Steven M. Paré.

The 29-count indictment unsealed by U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond charges:

• Delacey Andrade. 24, of North Providence, with racketeering influenced corrupt organization; four counts of violent crimes in aid of racketeering; two counts of felon in possession of a firearm; three counts of use of a firearm in a federal crime of violence; and distribution of cocaine.
• Keishon Johnson, 28, of Providence, with racketeering influenced corrupt organization;  three counts of violent crimes in aid of racketeering; three counts of felon in possession of a firearm; three counts of use of a firearm in a federal crime of violence; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug rrafficking crime; possession with intent to distribute marijuana; and conspiracy to distribute marijuana.
• Montrel Johnson, 22, of Providence, with racketeering influenced corrupt organization; two counts of violent crimes in aid of racketeering; use of a firearm in a federal crime of violence; four counts of obstruction of justice; and criminal contempt of court.
• Marcel Jones, 30, of West Warwick, with violent crimes inaAid of racketeering; felon in Possession of a firearm; and use of a firearm in a federal crime of violence.
• Kendrick Johnson, 27, of North Providence, with racketeering influenced corrupt organization; violent crimes in aid of racketeering; felon in possession of a firearm; use of a firearm in a federal crime of violence; and six counts of distribution of cocaine; and
• Christopher Britto, 25, of Warwick, with violent crimes in aid of racketeering and use of a firearm in a federal crime of violence         

The story was first published 10/29/18 1:57 PM