Seven alleged members of a violent street gang that operates in Hartford have been arrested in connection with a RICO indictment accusing them of murdering multiple people and engaging in narcotics and firearm trafficking.
The 15-count indictment was returned by a federal grand jury in Hartford last Wednesday and charges alleged members of the “Hoodstar Gzz gang” in a number of shootings as well as a years-long pattern of extortion, arson and other crimes, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut.
“For more than two years, the FBI and its law enforcement partners have worked tirelessly to disrupt and dismantle the Hoodstarz organization,” FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Fuller said in a statement announcing the indictment. “This violent criminal organization has been responsible for wreaking havoc in the Hartford area and its takedown is a positive step forward in the never-ending quest to keep our community safe. Let this be a firm message that the FBI and its local, state, and federal partners will remain relentless in the fight to identify, disrupt, and dismantle violent criminal organizations.”
Those charged in the indictment, which was announced by federal officials on Wednesday, include:
- Angel Rivera, also known as “Rico,” or “Slatt,” 24
- Raquan Knight, who also goes by “RQ,” 21
- Paul Downer, also known as “Luap Benji,” 28
- Mekhi Thompson, also known as “Midnight,” 24
- Paul Clarke, who goes by the street name “Tommy Bunz,” 30
- Tyshon Walker, who also goes by “Pone Gwapoo,” 26
- Joshua Cruz, also known as “Hop-out Curly,” 24
Federal authorities said Clarke and Walker were arrested last Thursday and were ordered detained. Rivera, Knight, Thompson and Cruz were already being held in custody in connection with state charges. Downer was previously detained in state custody for unrelated offenses.
According to federal officials, the Hoodstar Gzz gang was formed in 2010, with its members also referring to themselves as the “Hoodstars,” “Hoodstarz,” “Hoodstar Gzz,” and “Gz.”
The indictment alleges that the gang generally operates between Capen, Westland, Enfield, and Main Streets in Hartford, and that members have distributed narcotics and engaged in multiple violent acts against rival gang members and civilians.
Authorities also believe Hoodstar Gzz members trafficked narcotics into Connecticut from Vermont and moved firearms from Vermont into the state. Officials alleged that members would often use stolen vehicles during their criminal activity and would later burn the vehicles.
The group also allegedly recorded and distributed rap music that promoted the gang’s activities. Federal authorities laid out many of the allegations against those who were charged.
Officials said in April 2019, Thompson allegedly attempted to murder a rival gang member in Hartford, which led to three people being shot.
In January 2021, authorities allege Downer shot someone in the femoral artery over a drug debt in St. Johnsbury, Vermont.
According to authorities, Rivera, Knight, Cruz and other alleged gang members and associates shot and killed Jamari Preston, a member of the rival gang, in Hartford in April 2021. A second individual was injured during the shooting.
In January 2022, Rivera, Walker, Cruz and others with the group allegedly shot at an individual who went by the street name “Watts” and shot and injured a second person, officials said. That same month, authorities allege Rivera, Walker, Cruz and others shot and killed Kendall Fair, who also goes by “Swerve,” and shot and injured a second individual.
Federal officials also allege that Knight shot someone in June 2022.
According to the indictment, Rivera and others involved with the gang allegedly shot and killed Brian Evans during an incident in Hartford in August 2022 that injured two other people.
In September 2022, Thompson and Rivera allegedly got into a confrontation with Devante Gardner over a rental car Thompson failed to return, which allegedly led to Thompson then shooting and killing Gardner, according to the indictment.
Federal officials also allege that Thompson and Rivera were involved in a car crash with a black Nissan sedan in October 2022, after which the pair reportedly fled the scene. The driver of the Nissan followed them for about 1.6 miles before Thompson allegedly got out of the vehicle and shot and killed the driver, who was identified as Manuel Rodriguez, officials said.
“We allege that members of the Hoodstar Gzz have engaged in murder and numerous other violent acts against both rival gang members and innocent civilians, and their criminal activity extended to northern Vermont, where they trafficked drugs and acquired firearms, some of which they transported back to Connecticut,” U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery said in a statement. “This case is a clear demonstration of our commitment to relentlessly pursue and dismantle organizations that threaten the peace and security of our communities. The effort to connect these violent acts and bring these individuals to justice has been a collaborative one, and I want to thank the federal, state and local law enforcement agencies involved for their dedication to make our communities, both here in Connecticut and in Vermont, safer.”
Principal Dep. Assistant Attorney General Brent S. Wible, who serves as the head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, noted that this marked the first RICO indictment since the Violent Crime Initiative was launched in Hartford last April
“Violent gangs like the Hoodstars terrorize local communities and threaten safety across Hartford,” Wible said in a statement. “Today’s announcement demonstrates that the VCI is already making an impact in Hartford, through the deployment of Criminal Division resources, in close coordination with our partners, to target the specific drivers of violent crime and hold gang members accountable for their crimes.”
“The Hartford State’s Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office have endeavored to partner on crime reduction strategies to benefit the community, law enforcement, and improve case outcomes,” said Hartford State’s Attorney Sharmese Walcott said in a statement. “There is a tremendous amount of work that goes into building these cases and it takes a team of people all rowing the same direction. These arrests are a clear sign of our commitment to making a significant impact on gun violence in and around the Hartford community, and we will continue to work, tirelessly, to bring to justice those responsible.”
The indictment charges Rivera, Knight, Downer, Thompson, Clarke, Walker and Cruz with one count of conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity, an offense that generally carries a maximum of 20 years in prison. Officials noted the charge could carry life in prison if any of the individuals were to be convicted of a special sentencing factor.
Rivera, Knight, Downer, Thompson, Clarke, Walker and Cruz have also been charged with conspiring to distribute and possessing with intent to distribute controlled substances, which carries a mandatory sentence of at least 10 years in prison.
The indictment also charges Rivera and Thompson with murder in violation of the Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering statute, which carries a mandatory term of life in prison or potentially the death penalty.
Rivera and Thompson have also been charged with using and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence — which carries a mandatory consecutive sentence of at least 10 years in prison — and using a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence causing death — which carries a maximum of life imprisonment or potentially the death penalty.
The indictment also charges Cruz and Walker with possessing a machine gun during and in relation to a drug trafficking offense — which carries a mandatory consecutive sentence of at least 30 years in prison — and illegal possession of a machine gun — which carries a maximum of 10 years in prison.
“Criminal gangs terrorize communities, leaving violence and destruction in their wake,” Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol said in a statement. “These individuals have been charged with crimes ranging from firearms possession to murder and, if convicted, will face serious federal prison time. HSI works with our state, local and federal partners to dismantle criminal gangs like the Hoodstar Gzzs and help communities reclaim their safety and their streets.”
