The State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker’s office was honored recently for work leading to the indictment of a gang leader and more than 20 other members on various charges including murder.
During the Massachusetts State Police Fall Awards Ceremony Dec. 4, the detective unit in Tucker’s office received the State Police Superintendent’s Unit Citation from Col. Geoffrey D. Noble. In addition, Sgt. David Strong and Trooper Matthew Murphy received the Superintendent’s Commendation.
“These well-earned awards recognize the exceptional work and countless hours that our Essex County Detective Unit put in to enable charges against the individuals we allege were threatening public safety in these communities,” Tucker said. “We appreciate their dedication and collaboration with all agencies that made these prosecutions possible.”
The alleged Trinitarios gang’s “Supreme Leader” and others were indicted by a grand jury on Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act conspiracy and murder charges.
Strong and Murphy were specifically cited for leading the multi-agency investigation in response to a fatal stabbing in Lynn in August of 2023 which allegedly triggered a campaign of violent retaliation. Following multiple homicides, shootings and burglaries across Massachusetts and New Hampshire, the Essex Detective Unit developed a RICO case against the Trinitarios in Lynn.
The investigation, which yielded 121 indictments, involved coordination between the Essex County State Police Detective Unit, local police departments, U.S. Attorney’s Office for Massachusetts, U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Essex County District Attorney’s office.