THE BREAKDOWN: Federal prosecutors have charged 26 individuals tied to Rhode Island street gangs, alleging they ran a decade-long criminal enterprise responsible for murder, drug trafficking, and widespread financial fraud.
Federal authorities in Rhode Island have charged nearly three dozen people in a major crackdown on local street gangs. First Assistant United States Attorney Charles C. Calenda, alongside local and federal law enforcement leaders, announced a federal indictment against 26 individuals. The charges target a sprawling criminal enterprise allegedly made up of the East Side gang, the Congress gang, and several of their subsets and associates. Three additional defendants face related charges.
According to court documents, this group operated across Providence, Pawtucket, and Central Falls for more than ten years, dating back to at least 2013. Prosecutors state that the members worked together to advance the organization’s interests through a mix of street violence, drug dealing, and financial fraud.
The indictment details a long list of violent acts, including murder, conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, assault, and armed robbery. To fund these activities, the group allegedly relied heavily on drug trafficking. Law enforcement officials state that enterprise members distributed large quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, marijuana, and Percocet throughout the region, using the drug market as a primary income stream.
Beyond violent crime and drug sales, the enterprise allegedly ran sophisticated financial scams. The indictment claims members stole money from public assistance programs, including unemployment insurance, COVID-19 relief funds, and fraudulent tax filings.
This aspect of the prosecution aligns with a broader federal push. On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. This division supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance aimed at clearing out fraud, waste, and abuse within federal benefit programs.
The multi-year investigation was a joint effort involving the ATF, the Providence Police Department, the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, IRS Criminal Investigation, and Homeland Security Investigations, along with several local law enforcement units.
Out of the total number of people swept up in the investigation, 23 defendants are charged with participation in a racketeering conspiracy. Officials noted that additional details will be released as the court process moves forward. The charges contained in the indictment remain allegations at this stage, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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