Page 10 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, July 7, 2023 Violent Gang Member Convicted of Drug and Firearms Conspiracy Involving Six Shootings Defendant faces mandatory minimum sentence of at least 40 years in prison for supplying large-scale drug dealers in Maine and possessing a machine gun Advocate Staff Reports B OSTON – The last remaining defendant in a multi-phase investigation targeting drug traffi cking and gang violence in communities north of Boston has been found guilty of operating a large-scale drug traffi cking conspiracy that manufactured and distributed over 10 kilograms each of fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine in Boston, the North Shore and Maine. The trial evidence also proved his participation in six shootings. The defendant served as a supplier for multiple large-scale drug dealers in Maine and participated in the acquisition of over 40 fi rearms for gang members. Armani Minier-Tejada, a/k/a “Shotz,” a/k/a “Gustavo,” 23, was convicted by a federal jury of one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, cocaine, and other controlled substances; one count of conspiring to possess, use and carry fi rearms in furtherance of a drug traffi cking conspiracy; and one count of possessing a machine gun in furtherance of a drug traffi cking conspiracy. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for Oct. 5, 2023. Based upon the charges for which he was convicted, Minier-Tejada faces a sentence of at least 40 years in prison. The investigation began in 2020 in direct response to an increasing number of shootings in communities north of Boston committed by street gangs whose violence is fueled by drug distribution. The investigation resulted in the arrest and charging of Minier-Tejada and his co-conspirators Shelby Kleff man, Jaiir Coleman and Christina Bernbaum in early 2021. All three of Minier-Tejada’s co-conspirators pleaded guilty to their roles in the conspiracy and are awaiting sentencing. Minier-Tejada was a member of a street gang known as the Tiny Rascal Gangsters (TRG), one of the largest and most violent criminal street gangs in the country that operates on a decentralized structure via local groups or “sets.” TRG is involved in street-level distribution of powdered cocaine, marijuana, ecstasy and methamphetamine and members are known for their involvement in gun violence, including drive-by shootings of residences of rival gang members. Evidence presented at trial established that Minier-Tejada and his co-conspirators participated in a long-running conspiracy to manufacture, distribute and possess large quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine in Boston, the North Shore and Bangor, Maine. Minier-Tejada served as the supplier for multiple large-scale drug dealers in Maine and, in total, he and his co-conspirators SHOOTINGS | SEE PAGE 16
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