Federal, state, and Boston law enforcement officials announced last night the arrests of 10 individuals on crack cocaine distribution charges, as part of an ongoing effort to temper street violence.Many of those arrested are involved in one of the city's most persistent and violent gangs, the Franklin Field Boyz, officials said. The gang's drug dealing and gun activity at the Franklin Field Housing Development in Mattapan have caused many of the 1,000 residents there to live in a state of fear, officials said."These are good, decent people who live in this neighborhood, and they should feel safe whenever they walk out their door," US Attorney Michael J. Sullivan said during a press conference at the development's community center.Nearly all of those arrested were charged with distributing cocaine within 1,000 feet of a public housing development, a charge that carries a 40-year maximum sentence in federal prison. The families of some of the individuals, who reside at the Franklin Field development, could also face eviction.
Three other individuals tied to the activity remain at large.Boston Police Commissioner Edward F. Davis said he hoped the arrests would put a dent in the gang's operation. "The message we are sending is, if you pick up a gun, we will get you," Davis said.The arrests top off an eight-month investigation. Drug dealing has been so rampant at the development that undercover agents could obtain a bag of cocaine on nearly any night, according to a federal court affidavit.
Charged in federal indictments with distributing crack cocaine within 1,000 feet of a public housing project were Kenyon Farnum Cohen, 18, of Dorchester; Antwaun Mair, 19, of Boston; Charles McGhee, 45, of Manchester, N.H.; Antowin Fields, 28, of Dorchester; Eric Stoner, 19, of Boston; Devin Mair, 21, of Boston; Hassan Goodman, 19, of Mattapan; Kewon Alexander, 26, of Dorchester; and Kion Johnson of Dorchester.
Mark Shawn Johnson, 34, of Dorchester faces a federal charge of distributing more than 5 grams of crack cocaine.
In addition, the Suffolk district attorney's office announced indictments on charges of distributing drugs in a school zone for Dennis Jones, 21, of Dorchester and Dedrick Cole, 30, of Roxbury. The district attorney also charged Arkie Swinson, 28, of Dorchester with trafficking cocaine and trafficking cocaine in a school zone.
McGhee, Fields, and Kion Johnson remained fugitives last night