Boston Gang Member Gets 20 Years for Murder-for-Hire and Racketeering

Takari Elliott, 34, a member of the violent Boston gang Cameron Street, was sentenced to 20 years for racketeering and his role in a 2020 murder-for-hire in Brockton.

Boston's Cameron Street Gang: Member Jailed 20 Years for Racketeering and Contract Killing

A Boston-area man has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for his role in the Cameron Street gang's racketeering enterprise, including participating in a paid murder in Brockton, according to justice.gov.

Takari Elliott, 34, also known as "T-Paper," was sentenced on 20 October 2026 by U.S. District Judge Julia Kobick. The sentence is to be followed by five years of supervised release. In February 2026, Elliott had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise involving murder. Judge Kobick also imposed a concurrent two-year sentence for Elliott's violation of supervised release stemming from a prior federal drug trafficking conviction.

Elliott was one of 22 defendants charged in May 2023 in connection with the Cameron Street gang, which operates largely out of the Dorchester neighbourhood of Boston. The gang uses firearms to murder and assault rivals, and to protect narcotics operations and drug proceeds. Members identify themselves through tattoos and clothing, and use social media to promote the gang and celebrate violent crimes.

The Brockton Murder

The most serious of Elliott's admitted conduct was his participation in the October 2020 murder of Manuel Duarte, known as "Brava." On the day of the killing, Elliott communicated with Duarte via Snapchat, repeatedly urging him to travel to an address in Brockton for a purported drug deal.

A fellow Cameron Street member — now deceased — rented a car in Boston and drove to Brockton, where he picked up Elliott. The two then met Duarte at a residence in the city. A third gang member emerged from the backyard and shot Duarte ten times, killing him. The shooter took the rental car and fled to Boston; Elliott was collected by others near the scene.

Subsequent evidence established that Elliott and his fellow gang member were paid $60,000 to carry out the murder, with the two splitting the payment.

A Criminal Record Stretching Back to 2011

Elliott's documented involvement with Cameron Street dates to January 2011, when he was arrested near the gang's home street in possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number and masks. He was convicted and sentenced to three years in prison for that offence. At the time he participated in the 2020 murder, Elliott was already serving supervised release from his prior federal drug trafficking conviction.

Federal Task Force and Prosecution

The case forms part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative, established under Executive Order 14159, which targets criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organisations, and human trafficking networks operating in the United States. The HSTF Boston unit comprises agents and officers from HSI, FBI, DEA, ATF, USMS, IRS-CI, USPIS, DOL-OIG and DSS, alongside multiple state and local law enforcement agencies.

The investigation and prosecution were announced by United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Thomas Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; Jared A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division; and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox.

Assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police, the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office, the Suffolk, Plymouth, Norfolk and Bristol County District Attorney's Offices, and a number of municipal police departments across Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher J. Pohl and Brian A. Fogerty of the Criminal Division.

Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)