A federal indictment was unsealed in Boston, charging three individuals alleged to be members of the Gangster Disciple gang with extortion-related offenses. Damien Willette, 30, from Peabody; William Walley, 30, from Worcester; and Michael O’Shea, 36, from Fall River face charges of conspiracy to make interstate communications with intent to extort. Additionally, Willette and Walley are charged with making interstate communications with intent to extort.
Willette has been arrested and is being detained pending a hearing scheduled for March 10, 2025. O’Shea and Walley are currently serving state prison sentences and will appear in federal court in Boston shortly.
Court documents reveal that Willette shared a cell with Walley in March 2023 and later with O’Shea between May and June 2023. During their incarceration, they allegedly threatened two victims—a former Gangster Disciple member recruited by Willette (Victim 2) and their romantic partner (Victim 1)—to extort money through threats of physical violence.
Willette reportedly expected financial support from Victim 2 during his imprisonment from November 2020 to May 2024. This expectation extended to other incarcerated gang members as well. The practice is known among Gangster Disciples as "aid and assistance." However, Victim 2 attempted to sever ties with the gang after recruitment. Despite this, Victim 1 continued providing support on behalf of Victim 2.
Allegations suggest that by March 2023, the defendants began threatening the victims if they ceased financial contributions while the defendants were imprisoned. Willette purportedly warned that failing to provide "aid and assistance" would prevent Victim 2 from being "blessed out" upon his release. He allegedly threatened severe repercussions if they failed to comply. Additionally, O’Shea is accused of instructing an associate outside prison to warn Victim 1 about potential harm from a Gangster Disciple.
The charge of conspiracy carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, while making interstate communications with intent to extort can lead up to a twenty-year sentence. Both charges include potential fines up to $250,000 along with supervised release periods.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Leah B. Foley alongside Jodi Cohen from the FBI's Boston Division. Support came from the Massachusetts Department of Correction and Lawrence Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip C. Cheng is handling prosecution efforts.
This case forms part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aiming at reducing gun violence and violent crime through collaborative law enforcement efforts alongside community engagement strategies launched by the Department on May 26, 2021.
The allegations outlined remain unproven until confirmed beyond reasonable doubt within legal proceedings.