Member of Violent Gang Pleads Guilty to Racketeering and Drug Trafficking Offenses

BOSTON - A Boston man pleaded guilty yesterday to his role in Cameron Street, a violent Boston gang.

Charod Taylor, a/k/a "Pachino," 35, of Boston, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise (commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy) and conspiracy to distribute cocaine. U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young scheduled sentencing for Jan. 15, 2025.

Taylor was identified as a member of Cameron Street, a violent gang based largely in the Dorchester section of Boston that uses violence and threats of violence to preserve, protect and expand its territory, promote a climate of fear and enhance its reputation. Cameron Street gang ran an open-air drug market in the parking lot of a business on in Dorchester in which Taylor and several other Cameron Street members participated in controlled purchases of cocaine and cocaine base (crack cocaine) to cooperating witnesses. From February 2021 to March 2022, Taylor worked with other Cameron Street members and associates to distribute crack and powder cocaine to cooperating witnesses seven times.

According to the charging documents, Cameron Street members possess, carry and use firearms to murder and assault gang rivals as well as protect narcotics and drug proceeds. Cameron Street members post videos or use social media applications to promote Cameron Street, celebrate murders and other violent crimes committed by the gang, and denigrate rivals, in particular NOB (for Norton, Onley, and Barry Streets), known more generally as Wendover. Cameron Street members also possess, carry, and use firearms to murder and assault gang rivals as well as protect narcotics and drug proceeds. Additionally, Cameron Street members distribute controlled substances and firearms, commit armed robberies, and engage in human trafficking in part to generate income for the Cameron Street enterprise.

The charge of RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to interfere with commerce by force or violence each provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of conspiracy to distribute cocaine provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a fine of $1 million. 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.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Feld Division; Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Boston Police Commissioner Cox made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police; the United States Postal Inspection Service; 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.

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.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.