Twenty-six alleged leaders, members and associates of the Trinitarios, a violent transnational criminal organization, have been indicted on federal racketeering (RICO) conspiracy charges in connection with five murders and 19 attempted murders, as well as drug trafficking and firearm charges. Over the past two years, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has been relentless in its efforts to dismantle and decimate the Trinitarios in Massachusetts, charging a total of 56 members who are alleged to have committed or participated in 11 murders and 30 attempted murders since 2017.
Key details of the case
The investigation also resulted in the apprehension of seven illegal aliens from the United States who have either been deported or are currently in deportation proceedings. “It is safe to say that for far too long the Trinitarios have wreaked havoc and instilled fear in our communities. Murders, attempted murders, kidnapping, witness tampering and extortion.
Moreover, the list goes on and on, but that ends today. Their boldness and hubris are quite frankly astounding. It appears the defendants believed they were immune from prosecution.
They were wrong,” said U.S. “Thanks to the tireless efforts of law enforcement agencies and prosecutors in my office 56 Trinitarios have been taken off the streets and their entire leadership has been decimated.”. “Massachusetts communities are safer today after the arrests of 24 alleged members of the Trinitarios.
Enforcement actions and official statements
In addition, this deadly transnational street gang has inflicted senseless violence and terror upon our communities – from drug trafficking and gun violence to kidnapping and murder. We are working tirelessly to hold them to account,” said HSI New England Acting Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Grimming. “We’re facing more dangerous, more violent.
As a result, more complex crime than ever before, but HSI and the Homeland Security Task Force are ready to meet the challenge.” . The charges unsealed today are part of a multijurisdictional, multiphase investigation that began in 2024 and, in February 2025, led to federal RICO conspiracy charges against 22 leaders, members and associates of the Lynn Chapter of the Trinitarios and its state leadership. Court documents in that case described the Trinitarios alleged participation in six murders and 11 attempted murders. For complete details, refer to the official DOJ press release.
Consequently, the investigation began in the aftermath of four murders and a series ofattempted murders and shootings in Lynn, Mass.,, allegedly committed by the Trinitarios. The individuals charged today are alleged leaders, members and associates of theLawrence, Haverhill and Boston Chapters of the Trinitarios. Court documents filed today describe the gang’s alleged participation in five murders, 19 attempted murders, efforts to kill witnesses, the trafficking of dozens of kilograms of drugs, extortion of legitimate businesses with the threat of violence, kidnappings and robberies.
Notably, according to court documents, the Lawrence, Lynn, Boston and Haverhill Chapters of the Trinitarios allegedly dominated their communities by intimidating rival gangs and establishing control over certain neighborhoods. Each individual Chapter allegedly had a “Cabinet” of leaders who were responsible for recruiting new members, providing discipline to members in violation of Trinitarios directives and collecting money for a communal account used to support illegal operations and incarcerated Trinitarios members and their families. It is further alleged that the Trinitarios employed a written “Magna Carta” that defines the structure and rules of the organization, as well as slogans, symbols, colors and practices. For related coverage, see Christopher Gerstel indicted on fraud and tax charges linked to alleged $200,000 theft from youth sports organization.
The Massachusetts Trinitarios allegedly undertook extensive efforts to recruit new members among communities of legal immigrants and illegal aliens from the Dominican Republic – particularly juveniles in local high schools in Lawrence and Lynn. The gang allegedly appealed to the recruits shared Spanish language and culture, Dominican patriotism and used the appearance of prosperity and brotherhood. It is further alleged that members were generally initiated into the gang after a period of observation or probation and were often inducted following the completion of a “mission” – which were generally significant acts of violence such as shootings, beatings.
Fist fights with rival gang members that were the same age or stature. Upon induction, new members were “blessed” into the organization during a formal ceremony, administered oaths by the State Supreme and awarded ceremonial beaded necklaces. Younger members were allegedly tasked with lesser roles during many violent “missions,” including standing lookout during shootings, holding or concealing weapons on behalf of full members and transporting weapons after a shooting. For related coverage, see Government contractor and executives to pay $21.3m to resolve fraud scheme involving service-disabled veteran-owned small business contracts — DOJ.
At the same time, the gang allegedly produced music and music videos featuring Trinitarios pageantry and symbolism. Gang members in Trinitarios colors and clothing holding weapons, cash and other items; and lyrics that boasted about the Trinitarios proclivity for violence and the scope of their successful drug distribution operations and other money-making criminal endeavors as warnings and threats to other rival gangs. In February 2025, federal racketeering charges were unsealed against 22 leaders and members of the Trinitarios.
In particular, in March 2025, a Lynn member of the The court sentenced Trinitarios to 10 years in prison. In June 2025, two members of the Trinitarios were charged with kidnapping a drug supplier. In July 2025, the leader of the Lynn The court sentenced Chapter to 14 years in prison.
In December 2025, two members of the Lynn Chapter, Michael Miliano and James Jimenez pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy. In April 2026, Luis Enrique Santana pleaded guilty. In May 2026, Westyn Lantigua pleaded guilty.
Investigation and prosecution details
In June 2026, Luis Jeffrey Santana pleaded guilty. The charge of conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity (also known as “racketeering conspiracy” or “RICO conspiracy”) provides for a sentence of up to life in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, supervised release for up to life and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S.