Over 40 members and associates of a violent Boston gang allegedly responsible for multiple murders, racketeering, COVID loan fraud and other crimes were arrested on Wednesday during an operation involving federal and local agencies.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, led by Joshua S. Levy, announced the crack-down on Wednesday, following a two-year investigation into gang violence in Boston.
In a press release, Levy’s office said the Heath Street Gang operates out of the Mildred C. Hailey Apartments, which is a public housing development in Jamaica Plain.
The gang was formed in the 1980s, the release read, and is alleged to have over 150 members and to have been involved in violent acts to protect and preserve the gang’s power, territory and reputation.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy speaks. Authorities announce the arrest of three people for operating a brothel network in Greater Boston and eastern Virginia. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
Charging documents claim that in addition to Racketeer Influence and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) conspiracy crimes, members and associates are implicated in numerous murders, attempted murders and shootings largely targeting rival gang members and associates of other Boston-based gangs, including the H-Block and Mission Hill gangs.
One shooting Heath Street gang members allegedly took part in, officials said, targeted rivals in the Mission Hill Gang’s territory in October 2016, and resulted in the shooting of a 9-year-old girl who was severely injured.
In an in…