Four gang leaders plead guilty on RICO charge

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE)- U.S. Attorney Zachary Chunha and R.I. Attorney General Peter Neronha have announced that four Chad Brown gang members have pleaded guilty for their participation in a racketeering enterprise.

The following individuals pleaded guilty to one count of participating in a Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organization:

• 28-year-old Delacey Andrade
• 30-year-old Kendrick Johnson
• 32-year-old Keishon Johnson
• 25-year-old Montrel Johnson

These charges stem from events officials describe as frequent acts of violence against East Side gang members.

Project Safe Neighborhoods Providence Police, Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigations surrounded four shootings between 2016 and 2017 where one or more of the aforementioned names were involved.

Delacey Andrade, Montrel Johnson, Keishon Johnson were all charged for the attempted murder of an East Side gang member from October 2016. Surveillance footage, witness testimony, and other collected evidence showed the three individuals in a vehicle that fired multiple gunshots into the victim’s car.

Later on the same day, evidence showed the game vehicle on Appian Street in Providence where multiple gunshots were fired into a vehicle driven by someone mistaken for an East Side gang member. Text messages showed Kendrick Johnson sent Andrade a text to be on the lookout for the vehicle.

DNA evidence determined that Kendrick Johnson was driving the vehicle involved in a shootout outside of Tomato City Pizza on Douglas Avenue after they crashed their vehicle and fled the scene. Andrade and Kendrick allegedly encountered a vehicle they believe to be responsible for shooting at Montrel Johnson, both sides shooting at each other outside the restaurant.

On August 2017, police arrested Keishon Johnson and two other gang members for a drive-by shooting on Hendrick Street. Evidence from that shooting showed that one of the two firearms was used in three of the other four shooting involved in the RICO count.

The investigations also showed that Kendrick Johnson and Andrade were involved in illegal drug and liquor sales. Keishon Johnson also had a role in a marijuana distribution conspiracy that encompassed other gang members.

“There is no higher priority for this Office and this Department than combatting violent crime and gun violence in our communities,” said United States Attorney Cunha. “This case demonstrates that we, working hand-in-glove with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners, will bring every resource at our disposal – including the sweep and impact of a RICO prosecution, to bring the sources of violence in our communities to justice. These convictions are a testament to that cooperation- particularly the work of the Providence Police Department, ATF, and the Rhode Island Office of Attorney General, and a victory for public safety.”

“This case is an example of how this Office, working with our partners in law enforcement over the past several years, has focused our resources to target those who are driving violent crime in our state,” said Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha. “Using NIBIN technology, which allows for the digital comparison of spent ammunition casings to link firearms to multiple crime scenes, we were able to link a firearm we recovered to six additional shootings, two of which the defendants were charged with. Thanks to this investigation and prosecution, some of the worst perpetrators of violent crime in Providence will now find themselves behind bars– and for a long time. I am particularly grateful for our partnership with the United States Attorney’s Office and the strong work by federal law enforcement and the Providence Police Department in this case.”

“I commend the entire team of patrol officers, investigators and prosecutors for their relentless work regarding this case. This incredible investigation leading to criminal charges and convictions sends a very clear message to individuals who continue to be involved in violent criminal activity within this city that they will be relentlessly pursued by the Providence Police and our law enforcement partners,” said Providence Police Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr. “Moving forward we will utilize every available resource necessary in the pursuit of justice and our officers remain involved in many cases surrounding senseless gun violence and retaliation. Investigations of the magnitude are complicated and time consuming but paramount in keeping our neighborhoods safe. We will continue to target this violent criminal activity, as evidenced by the high volume of firearms we continue to seize, with no jurisdictional boundaries.”

“This investigation is an example of ATF’s dedication to working with our state, local and federal partners in identifying, targeting, and investigating violent criminals who are involved in shootings and other violent crimes, and who prey upon innocent citizens and lessen the quality of life in our neighborhoods,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge James M. Ferguson. “Our neighborhoods deserve to exist without fear and intimidation inflicted by all violent drug gangs. We will continue to work with our partners at the Providence Police to impact violent crime that impacts the quality of life in some Providence neighborhoods.”