19-02-2025
‘Years of bloodshed': Feds say they've dismantled violent transnational gang terrorizing North Shore
Federal authorities on Wednesday announced the dismantling of a violent transnational gang that has terrorized Massachusetts' North Shore and other New England states for years.
About two dozen leaders and gang members of the Trinitarios, a Dominican American criminal organization, are facing federal charges, including racketeering conspiracy in connection with six murders and 11 attempted murders, U.S. Attorney Leah Foley said during a press conference late Wednesday morning.
Two people, who were juveniles at the time of the alleged criminal offenses, have been charged by the Essex County District Attorney's Office with murder.
'For all well over a decade, Trinitarios gang members have engaged in brazen acts of murder, assault, and narcotics distribution, instilling fear in the communities across this Commonwealth, particularly in Lynn and in Lawrence,' Foley said.
'Today's law enforcement operation has struck a significant blow against the Trinitarios in Massachusetts, virtually dismantling an organization responsible for years of bloodshed, drug trafficking, and lawlessness,' Foley said.
'This enforcement action ends the Trinitarios reign of terror in Massachusetts,' Foley said.
One of the gang's alleged murder victims was a 16-year-old boy, Foley said.
The violent gang typically recruited its young members from local high schools in Lynn and Lawrence, prosecutors said.
The charges announced Wednesday stem from a multijurisdictional investigation that began after four murders and a series of attempted murders and shootings that took place in Lynn in 2023. Prosecutors eyed the Trinitarios as the perpetrators.
According to court documents, chapters of the Trinitarios were identified in in Lawrence, Lynn, Boston and Haverhill.
'Trinitarios members in these cities allegedly undertake efforts to dominate their communities by intimidating rival gangs and establishing control over certain neighborhoods,' prosecutors said.
The Trinitarios used violence and murder to further 'the organization's goals and purposes,' prosecutors allege. Gang rivalries developed over time, for reasons including competition over drug territory.
Investigators identified that the Massachusetts Trinitarios have allegedly committed at least 10 homicides in Essex County over the past decade. Prosecutors also believe the gang to be responsible 'for numerous attempted murders, shootings, kidnappings and robberies.'
Sixteen members of the Trinitarios criminal enterprise in Massachusetts have been charged with six of these murders – two of which took place in Lawrence in 2017 and two double murders in Lynn in 2023. The remaining four homicides are being prosecuted by the Essex District Attorney's Office.
According to the charging documents, the Trinitarios are a hierarchical criminal organization, with positions that are known to exist at the state and local chapter level, whose members adhere to a code of conduct.
Enmanuel Paula-Cabral, a/k/a, 'Nelfew,' a/k/a 'Gordo,' 'Manny,' allegedly serves as the State Supreme of the Trinitarios for Massachusetts, responsible for all of the gang's criminal activities, coordination with other state leaders and communication with leadership of the Trinitarios in the Dominican Republic.
Paula-Cabral is also allegedly responsible for the Trinitarios chapter operating in Manchester, New Hampshire, as well as the Trinitarios located in Maine, where the gang operates a lucrative drug-trade.
Ery Jordani Rosario, a/k/a 'Racacha' allegedly held the secondary leadership role, referred to as the 'Flag' or 'Segundo,' in the Bay State, prosecutors said.
Each chapter allegedly has a 'cabinet' of leaders who are responsible for recruiting new members, disciplining members who violate Trinitarios' directives and collecting money into a communal account used to support illegal acts as well as incarcerated Trinitarios members and their families, prosecutors said.
It is alleged that the Trinitarios use a written 'Magna Carta' that defines the structure and rules of the organization, as well as slogans, symbols, colors and practices, Foley said.
This includes a green logo that consists of two crossed machetes and embellishments of 'The Green Nation' and 'Trinitarios Hasta La Muerte,' which translated from Spanish means, 'Trinitarios Until Death.'
It is alleged that the Massachusetts Trinitarios have particularly embraced this logo and have created custom T-shirts bearing this logo and each member's gang name printed in green.
Prosecutors said the Massachusetts Trinitarios allegedly recruit new members among communities of legal immigrants and illegal aliens from the Dominican Republic, specifically juveniles in local high schools in Lawrence and Lynn.
To get favor with these new recruits, the Trinitarios allegedly appeal to their shared Spanish language and culture, Dominican patriotism and use the appearance of prosperity and brotherhood.
Members are allegedly initiated into the gang after observation or probation and are often inducted after completing a 'mission' – which is generally a substantial act of violence such as shootings, beatings, or fist fights with rival gang members that were the same age or stature.
According to the court documents, upon induction, new members are formally 'blessed' into the organization during a formal ceremony, are administered oaths by the State Supreme and are awarded with ceremonial beaded necklaces.
Younger members are allegedly tasked with lesser roles during many violent 'missions,' including standing lookout during a shooting, holding or concealing weapons on behalf of full members and transporting weapons after their use in shootings.
According to the charging documents, the Trinitarios 'endeavor to project power over the internet and social media' by producing music and music videos featuring members in Trinitarios colors and clothing holding weapons, cash and other items.
Their lyrics 'boast about violence, drugs and other criminal endeavors as warnings and threats to other rival gangs,' investigators said.
Michael Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England, said that Wednesday's announcement comes with a stern warning for violent criminals in the Bay State.
'Today the message should be loud and clear: transnational criminal organizations and their associates who commit violent acts and who peddle in poison in our communities will never have refuge in the United States,' Krol told reporters.
'Today's operation sends a message that deadly gang violence, as well as illegal gun and drug trafficking, have no place in the Commonwealth,' Massachusetts State Police Colonel Geoff Noble said during the press conference.
'Operations like this one are dangerous that require focus, coordination and precision,' Noble said. 'I commend the efforts of our brave troopers and law enforcement partners who have worked tirelessly for months to bring these criminals to justice today.'
'We cannot forget the victims in these cases and families who no longer have loved ones because of these crimes that these men are accused of,' Noble said. 'We hope these arrests give some small form of comfort to those families who have lost so much in the face of senseless violence.'
The charge of conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity (also known as 'racketeering conspiracy' or 'RICO conspiracy') provides for a sentence of up to life in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.
The charge of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act conspiracy) provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.
'Such shameless and senseless acts of violence have no place anywhere; especially not in any city in Massachusetts,' Foley said. 'If you threaten the safety of our residents, we will find you, we will hold you accountable, and we will ensure that justice is served.'
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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