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HomeCRIME & PUNISHMENTCONVICTIONSeven Hartford Gang Members Angel Rivera, Raquan Knight, Angel Rivera, Paul Downer,...

Seven Hartford Gang Members Angel Rivera, Raquan Knight, Angel Rivera, Paul Downer, Mekhi Thompson, Tyshon Walker, Joshua Cruz Charged With Murder, Racketeering

A grand jury in Hartford, Connecticut, returned a 15-count indictment on January 8 charging seven alleged members of a violent Hartford gang with participating in a years-long interstate Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organisations Act conspiracy involving multiple murders, attempted murder, gun trafficking, extortion, arson, drug trafficking, and other crimes.

“This indictment — which is the first RICO indictment since the launch of the Violent Crime Initiative in Hartford in April 2024 — alleges that the defendants engaged in numerous violent acts, including shooting at suspected rival gang members and shooting and killing a motorist with whom two of the defendants got into a car accident,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brent S. Wible, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.

The indictment alleges that the Hoodstar Gzz gang, which since its forming in 2010 has referred to itself by a variety of names, including “Hoodstars,” “Hoodstarz,” and “Gz,” generally operates between Capen, Westland, Enfield, and Main Streets in Hartford.

The gang has allegedly distributed narcotics; engaged in multiple violent acts against rival gang members and others, including multiple shootings and murders; trafficked narcotics in Vermont; moved firearms from Vermont to Connecticut; utilised stolen vehicles in furtherance of the gang’s affairs and burned vehicles that were used in the commission of crimes; and recorded and distributed rap music to promote the gang’s criminal activity.

Angel Rivera, also known as Rico and Slatt, 24, is charged with RICO conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, use of a firearm to cause death, use of a firearm during the murder, and drug trafficking conspiracy.

Raquan Knight, also known as RQ, 21, is charged with RICO conspiracy and drug trafficking conspiracy.

Paul Downer, also known as Luap Benji, 28, is charged with RICO conspiracy and drug trafficking conspiracy.

Mekhi Thompson, also known as Midnight, 24, is charged with RICO conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, use of a firearm to cause death, use of a firearm during a murder, and drug trafficking conspiracy.

Paul Clarke, also known as Tommy Bunz, 30, is charged with RICO conspiracy and drug trafficking conspiracy.

Tyshon Walker, also known as Pone Gwapoo, 26, is charged with RICO conspiracy, drug trafficking conspiracy, and possessing a machinegun during a drug trafficking offence.

Joshua Cruz, also known as Hop-out Curly, 24, is charged with RICO conspiracy, drug trafficking conspiracy, and possessing a machinegun during a drug trafficking offence.

Among the violent acts committed by the defendants, the indictment alleges that on April 16, 2019, Thompson allegedly attempted to murder members of a rival gang, which resulted in gunshot wounds to three individuals. On January 22, 2021, Downer allegedly shot a victim in the femoral artery for failure to pay a drug debt. On April 10, 2021, Rivera, Knight, Cruz, and other Hoodstar Gzz members and associates allegedly shot and killed a member of the rival Ave gang and wounded another individual.

On January 18, 2022, Rivera, Walker, Cruz, and other Hoodstar Gzz members and associates allegedly shot at one victim and shot and injured another. On January 18, 2022, Rivera, Walker, Cruz, and other Hoodstar Gzz members and associates allegedly shot and killed one victim and shot and injured another.

On June 19, 2022, Knight allegedly shot one victim. On August 1, 2022, Rivera and other members and associates of the Hoodstar Gzz gang allegedly shot and killed one victim and shot and injured two additional individuals.

On September 14, 2022, Thompson and Rivera allegedly got into a confrontation with a victim over a rental car that Thompson failed to return. Thompson then shot and killed the victim. On October 27, 2022, Thompson and Rivera were allegedly involved in a car accident with a black Nissan sedan and fled the scene. The Nissan followed them for approximately 1.6 miles. Thompson then allegedly exited the vehicle and shot and killed the driver of the Nissan.

If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. All defendants are currently detained pending trial. 

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