THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JULY 7, 2023 Page 17 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 BOSTON – The last remaining defendant in a multi-phase investigation targeting drug trafficking 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 Kleffman, 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 were responsible for traffi cking more than 10 kilograms each of fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine into Maine. Minier-Tejada and his coconspirators produced numerous videos and images in which they were depicted brandishing and holding fi rearms, including multiple machine guns. Evidence proved that, in 2019 and 2020, Minier-Tejada and co-conspirator Coleman committed six shootings in Boston and surrounding communities in furtherance of the drug conspiracy. One of the shootings, which took place in Cambridge in July 2020, was in response to a video being live-streamed from a parking lot accusing Minier-Tejada and Coleman of cooperating with law enforcement. Minier-Tejada and Coleman travelled to the streaming location with two fi rearms – including a machine gun – and together fi red at least 30 rounds into a large crowd of people who had gathered in the parking lot. Additionally, as part of the drug conspiracy, Minier-Tejada was proven to have participated in the acquisition of over 40 firearms and multiple “selector switches” for TRG members from drug users in Maine. “Selector switches,” or auto sears, are aftermarket parts that convert a semi-automatic fi rearm into a machine gun. “The highest calling for the Department of Justice is to keep our communities safe. This case should send a clear and unequivocal message to those who chose to pump fentanyl and other deadly drugs into our streets and brazenly brandish highly dangerous fi rearms to protect their trade – you will be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. We will spare no reDEFENDANT | SEE Page 22
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