Date: 06-20-2024

Case Style:

United States of America v. Daronde Bethea, a/k/a “Freeze,”

Case Number: 1:21-cr-10354

Judge: William G. Young

Court: The United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts (Suffolk County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: The United States Attorney’s Office in Boston

Defendant's Attorney:

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Description:

Boston, Massachusetts criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with Racketeering Involving Attempted Murder
Member of Violent Gang Sentenced to Nearly 21 Years in Prison for Racketeering Involving Attempted Murder

A Boston-area man was sentenced yesterday for his role in Cameron Street, a violent Boston gang.

Daronde Bethea, a/k/a “Freeze,” 32, of Boston and Brockton, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young to 250 months in prison, and three years of supervised release. In February 2024, Bethea pleaded guilty to conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise, more commonly known as RICO conspiracy; conspiracy to interfere with commerce by force or violence; and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

“This defendant will now pay a very heavy price for all the violence inflicted on our communities,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “The number of law-enforcement agencies that work together to secure this conviction and lengthy sentence is a testament to the federal state and local collaboration to combat violent crime and keep the law, abiding men and women who live in these communities safe.”

“This is another example of our commitment to work tirelessly to protect our communities and hold accountable those who threaten our safety," said James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division. "Sending a career criminal like Daronde Bethea to prison sends a message to the community that violent gang members will be held accountable as we work to keep our neighborhoods safe, which is a top priority for ATF.”

“As we all know, drug trafficking in our communities, along with the gun and physical violence that often accompanies it, is a serious threat to our families and communities,” said Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division. “These crimes rob the neighborhoods of safety and hold law abiding citizens of Massachusetts hostage to drug fueled lawlessness. This is unacceptable and will not be allowed to happen. DEA and its local, state and federal partners are dedicated to bringing to justice those that commit these crimes.”

"The Boston Police Department is proud to work with our federal and state partners to bring violent criminals to justice. Criminals create gangs and other organized structures to disrupt the lives of residents using violence and intimidation, often targeting the vulnerable. This sentencing is an example of how we in law enforcement can bring our resources together to target those bad actors," said Commissioner Michael Cox, Boston Police Department. "We will continue to work with our partners to do all we can to protect the families and individuals we serve here in Boston."

Bethea was identified as a member of Cameron Street, a violent gang based largely in the Dorchester section of Boston. According to court documents, Cameron Street members use violence, including murder and attempted murder, to preserve, protect and expand its territory. They allegedly use social media to promote Cameron Street, celebrate murders and other violent crimes, and denigrate rival gangs. They allegedly possess, carry and use firearms; distribute controlled substances; commit armed robberies; and engage in human trafficking in part to generate income for the gang.

As part of his role in the Cameron Street enterprise, Bethea committed an attempted murder with a firearm of a rival gang member in Dorchester in June 2018. As the victim got into his car, Bethea shot the victim multiple times causing the victim to have a collapsed lung.

In addition to the attempted murder, Bethea was involved in two violent home invasion robberies – in November 2017 in Dorchester and July 2018 in Canton. During a chase from the Canton home, Bethea was captured on a police cruiser camera possessing a loaded handgun that was later recovered.

Acting U.S. Attorney Levy; ATF SAC Ferguson; DEA Acting SAC Belleau; and BPD Commissioner Cox made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police; 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 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.

Outcome:

Defendant was found guilty and sentenced to 250 months in prison, and three years of supervised release

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Defendant's Experts:

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