Member of Violent Gang Sentenced to More Than Seven Years in Prison for Racketeering, Drug and Firearm Offenses

BOSTON – A Boston-area man was sentenced yesterday for his role in a violent Boston street gang as well as gun and drug trafficking charges.

Kenny Romero, a/k/a “KG,” 29, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young to 63 months in prison and three years of supervised release after pleading guilty in November 2023 to one count of conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise (more commonly referred to as RICO or racketeering conspiracy); three counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine; and three counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Romero was also sentenced to 24 months in prison, to be served consecutively, for committing the offenses while on federal supervised release. 

According to court documents, Cameron Street is a violent gang based largely in Dorchester that uses violence and threats of violence to preserve, protect and expand its territory, promote a climate of fear and enhance its reputation. Cameron Street members also allegedly distribute narcotics and firearms, commit armed robberies and engage in human trafficking. Additionally, members allegedly post videos or use social media applications to promote Cameron Street, celebrate murders and other violent crimes committed by the gang and denigrate rivals – in particular the NOB gang – an abbreviation for the Norton/Olney/Barry Streets in Dorchester. 

Romero had a “3113” tattoo, which referred to the third, first and 13th letters of the alphabet (“C,” “A,” “M”):

During a two-year investigation, Romero was recorded selling eight firearms, as well as ammunition, cocaine base and cocaine to a cooperating witness who Romero believed was a member of Cameron Street:

Data from Romero’s cell phone and Snapchat accounts determined that Romero generated income for Cameron Street through gun and drug sales as well as human trafficking.

At the time of Romero’s conduct, he was on supervised release for a 2019 federal conviction for interstate transportation of a firearm, for which he was sentenced to 21 months in prison. 

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Boston Police Commissioner Michael 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 prosecuted 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.

The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.