More than two dozen members of a violent gang operating in Lawrence, Lynn, Boston and Haverhill face criminal charges in connection with murder, attempted murder and shootings.
Federal and state officials said Wednesday, two members—ages 15 and 25—were charged with murder by Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker’s office. The rest will be charged in federal court. Acting U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley said the federal and county prosecutions “ends the Trinitarios reign of terror in Massachusetts.” While WHAV has refrained from naming gangs so as to not afford them additional notoriety and also does not typically name minors, state and federal officials openly identified both.
“This investigation and the results represent the best of law enforcement partnerships. The residents of Essex County are safer today with the dismantling of this violent criminal enterprise,” said Tucker in a release. Foley was also quoted as saying, “Today, our communities are safer with the removal of these alleged violent offenders from our streets, and where appropriate, from our country. This operation is a testament to the tireless collaboration among the dedicated members of our federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Such shameless and senseless acts of violence have no place anywhere; especially not in any city in Massachusetts.”
Officials said the unsealed charges follow an investigation after four murders and a series of attempted murders and shootings took place in Lynn in 2023. They said gang members, including those in Haverhill and Lawrence, “allegedly undertake efforts to dominate their communities by intimidating rival gangs and establishing control over certain neighborhoods.”
According to court documents, rival gangs compete over drug territory and customers. Massachusetts Trinitarios, which coordinate with leadership in the Dominican Republic, are alleged to have committed at least 10 murders in Essex County over the past decade and believed to be responsible for numerous attempted murders, shootings, kidnappings and robberies. Sixteen Trinitarios members were charged with six of these murders—two of which took place in Lawrence in 2017 and two double murders in Lynn in 2023. The other four are being prosecuted by the Tucker’s office.
A list of all alleged gang members facing charges appears below.
| First Name | Last Name | Street Name(s) | Age | Role | Charge | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essex County | ||||||
| Leonardo | Espinoza | Pinina | 15 | Menore (juvenile) | Murder | |
| Robert | Severino | Petete | 25 | Member - Lawrence Chapter | Murder | |
| Federal Charges | ||||||
| Justin | Alba | Tuto; Mimi | 25 | Discipline (“Disciplina”) - Lynn Chapter | RICO Conspiracy with Murder | |
| Darwin | Batista | El Py | 21 | Member - Lynn Chapter | RICO Conspiracy with Murder | |
| Janoy | Batista | El Viejo | 34 | Member - Lynn Chapter | RICO Conspiracy | |
| Aaron | Diaz Liranzo | Sosa | 26 | Leader #1 - Lynn Chapter | RICO Conspiracy | |
| Luis | Enrique Santana | Chiquito; Young LS | 30 | Member - Lynn Chapter | RICO Conspiracy | |
| David | Garcia | Bambino | 23 | Member - Lynn Chapter | RICO Conspiracy with Murder | |
| Israel | Garcia Vasquez | Menol; Menor | 23 | Member - Lynn Chapter | RICO Conspiracy | |
| Luis | Jeffrey Santana | Sopita | 27 | Primera Number One - Manchester Chapter | RICO Conspiracy | |
| James | Jimenez | 25 | Member - Lynn Chapter | RICO Conspiracy with Murder | ||
| Ery | Jordani Rosario | Jordani; Racacha | 32 | Second-in-Command (“Flag;” “Seundo”) | RICO Conspiracy | |
| Westyn | Lantigua | Wes; Muddy; Wes Trippy | 24 | Member - Lynn Chapter | RICO Conspiracy | |
| Michael | Miliano | Trucho | 22 | Member - Lynn Chapter | RICO Conspiracy with Murder | |
| Enmanuel | Paula-Cabral | Nelfew; Gordo; Manny; Few | 33 | State Supreme Leader | RICO Conspiracy with Murder | |
| Carlos Javier | Ramirez Cornielle | Kreepy | 16 | Menore (juvenile) | RICO with Murder | |
| Kelvin Liranzo | Roman | Woopty | 25 | Member - Lynn Chapter | RICO Conspiracy with Murder | |
| Warly | Ruiz | 30 | Member - Lynn Chapter | RICO Conspiracy with Murder | ||
| Tomy | Sanchez Tejeda | Manito Bello | 35 | Leader #3 - Lynn Chapter | RICO Conspiracy with Murder | |
| Angel | Santos | Biggie; Big Boy | 25 | Security Officer (“Securidad”) | RICO Conspiracy with Murder | |
| Abel | Severino Reyes | Riko; Indio | 21 | Member - Lynn Chapter | RICO Conspiracy with Murder | |
| Elvis | Trujillo | Honduras | 27 | Member - Lawrence Chapter | RICO Conspiracy with Murder | |
| Yeferson | Vallecillo Cambar | Illuminati | 23 | Member - Lynn Chapter | RICO Conspiracy with Murder | |
| Wilving | Lopez | Bolu | 24 | Member - Lynn Chapter | RICO Conspiracy | |
| Federal Charges (Previously Unsealed) | ||||||
| Eric | Rosario | Maniactico; MT | 26 | Member - Lawrence Chapter | Hobbs Act Robbery | |
| Robert | Santana | Piccarine | 29 | Member - Lawrence Chapter | Hobbs Act Robbery | |
| Rosnel | Polanco | Jai | 26 | Member - Lawrence Chapter | Hobbs Act Robbery | |
| Ricardo | Bratini-Perez | Rico from the Sin | 26 | Member - Lynn Chapter | Drug Offenses |