Seven alleged members of a Hartford gang face federal charges in a case accusing them of participating in a RICO conspiracy involving multiple crimes. The indictment, announced by U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery and other officials, includes accusations of murder, attempted murder, gun trafficking, extortion, arson, drug trafficking, and more.
The 15-count indictment was returned by a grand jury on January 8, 2025. It names Angel Rivera (also known as "Rico" or "Slatt"), Raquan Knight ("RQ"), Paul Downer ("Luap Benji"), Mekhi Thompson ("Midnight"), Paul Clarke ("Tommy Bunz"), Tyshon Walker ("Pone Gwapoo"), and Joshua Cruz ("Hop-out Curly"). Clarke and Walker were arrested on January 9 and detained. Rivera, Knight, Thompson, and Cruz were already in state custody on related charges; Downer was held for unrelated offenses.
The Hoodstar Gzz gang is accused of distributing narcotics and engaging in violent acts against rival gangs and civilians. Their activities allegedly extended to Vermont where they trafficked drugs and firearms. The indictment details several violent incidents attributed to the defendants between April 2019 and October 2022.
U.S. Attorney Avery stated that the case demonstrates their commitment to dismantling organizations threatening community safety. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brent S. Wible noted that this is the first RICO indictment since Hartford's Violent Crime Initiative (VCI) began in April 2024.
Hartford State’s Attorney Sharmese L. Walcott emphasized the collaborative efforts behind these arrests as part of crime reduction strategies. FBI Special Agent Robert Fuller highlighted the agency's ongoing efforts to dismantle the Hoodstarz organization. HSI Special Agent Michael J. Krol remarked on the serious federal penalties faced by those convicted.
Charges against the defendants include racketeering conspiracy with potential life sentences if special factors are proven, along with drug distribution conspiracies carrying mandatory sentences of at least ten years' imprisonment. Additional charges involve firearm-related offenses during violent crimes.
This prosecution is part of initiatives like VCI and Project Safe Neighborhoods aimed at reducing violent crime through coordinated law enforcement efforts across various agencies.
The investigation involves multiple law enforcement bodies including FBI's Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force, HSI, ATF, local police departments from Connecticut and Vermont among others.
Prosecutors involved are Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert S. Dearington, John T. Pierpont Jr., Shan Patel from Connecticut's District alongside Trial Attorneys Jeremy Franker and Christopher Usher from the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime Section with support from Vermont's U.S Attorney’s Office.