PROVIDENCE, RI – Six men alleged to be associated with a criminal enterprise generally known as “the Chad Brown Gang,” including one from Warwick, have been charged by federal indictment with violating the Racketeer Influenced Criminal Organization Act (RICO) by engaging in attempted murders, felony assaults, federal firearms offenses, drug trafficking and obstruction of justice.
The gang is also known by various other names, including Chad, Chad Brown, Chad Brown Posse, Chad Brown Cut Throats, Cut Throat Committee, Chad Brown Killers, CBK, The Bricks, and Hova Gang, among others (collectively, “the Chad Brown Gang”), according to a release from the office of United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch.
It is alleged in the indictment that the six men are members of a criminal enterprise that engaged in violent crimes in aid of racketeering. Among the alleged crimes detailed in the indictment are four drive-by shootings in Providence. The violent criminal acts were allegedly carried out by members of the criminal enterprise with the use of firearms, in violation of federal law.
Four of the individuals named in the indictment are alleged to have participated in drive-by shootings that, according to the indictment and information presented to the Court, were in retaliation for felony assaults, shootings, and murders of Chad Brown gang members or associates, or members of other street gangs allied with the Chad Brown street gang. In at least one instance, in an apparent case of mistaken identity, multiple shots were fired into a car driven by a person who was not the intended target, according to Dambruch’s office.
Utilizing technology provided by the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives linked six shootings in Providence to the same firearm, allegedly owned by one of the defendants, and shared among gang members. Three of the shootings charged in the indictment involved that handgun, according to the release.
The indictment, the result of a two-year Project Safe Neighborhoods Investigation by the Providence Police Department; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); ATF Task Force; United States Attorney’s Office; and the Rhode Island Department of Attorney General is announced by United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch, Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin, ATF Acting Special Agent in Charge Lawrence J. Panetta, and Providence Public Safety Commissioner Steven M. Paré.
“The gun and gang violence perpetrated by this criminal enterprise is fueled by long-simmering feuds that has wreaked chaos and fear throughout every corner of our capital city. The actions of these defendants individually and collectively are extremely violent, show an utter disregard for human life, and cannot be allowed to flourish or further infect this community,” said Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin in a statement. “Addressing these criminal enterprises requires great cooperation between law enforcement agencies at every level. Working hand in glove with Providence Police and our state and federal partners, we have identified those responsible for the criminal enterprise, and we will use every available legal avenue to shut down and put an end to the organized and senseless violence being wreaked by these gangs.”
The 29-count indictment unsealed by U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond charges:
- Delacey Andrade. 24, of North Providence, with Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization; four counts of Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering; two counts of Felon in Possession of a Firearm; three counts of Use of a Firearm in a Federal Crime of Violence; and Distribution of Cocaine;
- Keishon Johnson, 28, of Providence, with Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization; three counts of Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering; three counts of Felon in Possession of a Firearm; three counts of Use of a Firearm in a Federal Crime of Violence; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime; Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana; and Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana;
- Montrel Johnson, 22, of Providence, with Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization; two counts of Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering; Use of a Firearm in a Federal Crime of Violence; four counts of Obstruction of Justice; and Criminal Contempt of Court;
- Marcel Jones, 30, of West Warwick, with Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering; Felon in Possession of a Firearm; and Use of a Firearm in a Federal Crime of Violence;
- Kendrick Johnson, 27, of North Providence, with Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization; Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering; Felon in Possession of a Firearm; Use of a Firearm in a Federal Crime of Violence; and six counts of Distribution of Cocaine; and
- Christopher Britto, 25, of Warwick, with Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering and Use of a Firearm in a Federal Crime of Violence
Author: Rob Borkowski
Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at [email protected] with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.
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