2 Brazilian Nationals Sentenced for Racketeering & Robbery Charges

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BOSTON – Two members of Primeiro Comando da Massachusetts (PCM), a gang with Brazilian origins, were sentenced on Friday, May 21, 2021 in connection with racketeering, committing armed robberies, and gun and drug trafficking.

Joao Pedro Marques Gama, a/k/a “Bahianinho,” 23, and Vinicius De Assis Goncalves, 23, Brazilian nationals previously residing in Revere, were sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris to 54 and 87 months in prison, respectively.

Each defendant will face deportation proceedings upon completion of his sentence.

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On Dec. 10, 2020, Gama pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs by a pattern of racketeering (also known as RICO conspiracy), conspiracy to commit robbery, conspiracy to distribute cocaine and 28 grams or more of cocaine base, engaging in the business of dealing in firearms and being an alien in possession of a firearm. On Dec. 9, 2020, Goncalves pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy.

In September 2018, federal agents began investigating members and associates of PCM, which first appeared in Massachusetts in 2017.

It is alleged that members and associates of PCM were actively involved in violent crimes including the illegal sale of firearms, drug trafficking, robberies, kidnappings and armed assaults in numerous communities in Massachusetts, including Boston, Malden, Everett, Somerville, Framingham and Peabody, among others.

Gama participated in an armed robbery outside a Brazilian money transfer business in Everett and conspired to commit armed robbery of a drug courier. Gama was also responsible for distributing over 28 grams of crack cocaine and nine firearms, including a sawed-off shotgun.

Goncalves participated in the robbery of a market in Boston, an armed robbery outside a cellphone store in Framingham and the robbery of a car in Marlborough. 

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All defendants in the case pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy and other charges.

In February 2021, Judge Saris sentenced co-defendant Breno Henrique DaSilva to nine years in prison, co-defendant Matheus Marley Machado to 27 months in prison, and co-defendants Alvaro Dos Santos and Marcio Costa to four and five years in prison, respectively.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; William S. Walker, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; and Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement.

The Chelsea, Lowell, Malden, Marlborough, Somerville and Weymouth Police Departments and the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office provided assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Moran, Deputy Chief of Mendell’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Crowley prosecuted the case.

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