New Federal Charges Filed Against Two Defendants in Providence-Area Gang Racketeering Case; Arraignments Completed for All Arrested Defendants

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - First Assistant United States Attorney Charles C. Calenda and Thomas A. Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Boston Field Division, in partnership with Providence Police Chief Colonel Oscar L. Perez, announce additional federal charges against two defendants related to the ongoing investigation into alleged criminal activities committed by members and associates of East Side/Congress gang and affiliated Providence-area street gangs.

Arraignments have now been completed for all defendants arrested in connection with the racketeering indictment. Nineteen defendants were ordered detained pending trial, two were released on bond, and four defendants remain at large, Jose Bautista, Marcus McClain, Marlon McClain, and Randy Winfield. Federal, state, and local law enforcement partners continue efforts to locate and apprehend the remaining defendants.

On July 22, 2026, additional charges were filed against defendants Dele Souza and Keshawn Jones for narcotics and firearms offenses. Both Souza and Jones were previously named in the June 17, 2026 racketeering indictment charging twenty-three associates and members of The Enterprise. Three additional individuals were charged with related offenses.

According to court documents, the Enterprise operated in Providence, Pawtucket, Central Falls, and elsewhere since at least 2013. Prosecutors allege that members and associates advanced the Enterprise's interests through acts of violence, narcotics trafficking, firearms offenses, fraud schemes, and other criminal conduct. The indictment further alleges that the distribution of controlled substances, including fentanyl, cocaine, cocaine base, and Percocet, served as a significant source of income for the Enterprise.

Court documents also describe alleged violent crimes committed by members and associates, including murder, conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, assault with intent to commit murder, robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, firearms offenses, narcotics trafficking, wire fraud, and other financial crimes involving fraud against unemployment insurance programs, COVID 19 relief programs, tax filings, and other federal benefit programs.

"For more than a decade, members and associates of this enterprise used violence, firearms, narcotics trafficking, and fraud to strengthen their influence, enrich themselves, and retaliate against rivals," said First Assistant United States Attorney Charles C. Calenda. "The charges in this case allege a pattern of criminal conduct that reached into neighborhoods, businesses, government programs, and communities throughout Rhode Island. This indictment reflects years of work conducted by the ATF, the Providence Police Department, and our law enforcement partners to dismantle an organization that prosecutors allege relied on fear, intimidation, and criminal activity to maintain its power."

"These arrests represent a significant victory for the City of Providence in the culmination of a long-term effort to identify, investigate, and dismantle the network of violent criminal activity perpetrated by the East Side gang and its affiliates," said ATF Special Agent in Charge Thomas A. Greco. "This case highlights the experience and expertise of ATF agents in investigating complex and violent criminal organizations. Working with the Providence Police Department and other law enforcement partners, agents identified incidents of violence, conducted witness interviews, and used crime gun intelligence tools such as the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN) to analyze evidence and hold violent criminals accountable. ATF remains firmly committed to working with our law enforcement partners to build safer, stronger communities."

"This indictment is the result of years of dedicated work by the Providence Police Department and our law enforcement partners to address violence, drug trafficking, and organized criminal activity that has impacted our neighborhoods," said Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez. "This case demonstrates our shared commitment to holding offenders accountable and protecting the safety of our residents. We remain committed to working with our community and our partners to reduce violence and strengthen public safety throughout Providence."

"These arrests have made the cities and streets of Rhode Island a safer place," said Thomas Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office. "Organized street gangs have preyed on the Providence area for far too long. From drug trafficking, to robberies, extortion, and various frauds, these groups have been a stain on society and only act to further their own self-interests at enormous costs to their own communities. Their violent acts of retaliation and retribution have shattered lives and broken families across the region. IRS-CI is proud to, and will continue to work closely with our Federal, State, and Local law enforcement partners to ensure that those who seek to do harm to communities across New England see their day in court."

New Charges Against Dele Souza

Federal agents executed an arrest warrant for Dele Souza on June 17, 2026. During the arrest and subsequent consent search of Souza's residence, investigators recovered a loaded Glock .40 caliber pistol and quantities of fentanyl and cocaine. Souza was charged with additional offenses including:

• Felon in possession of a firearm
• Possession with intent to distribute fentanyl/cocaine

New Charges Against Keshawn Jones

On the same day, investigators executed arrest and search warrants for Keshawn Jones. Agents recovered approximately 65.59 grams of cocaine from the residence. Jones was charged with additional federal narcotics offenses.

The defendants charged in the indictment are as follows:

*Not yet in custody

(1) JAMES ADAMS a/k/a "Money Man," a/k/a "DopieDeniro," a/k/a "Man"

*(2) JOSE BAUTISTA a/k/a "JJ"

(3) JEMEL BLYDEN a/k/a "Mel," a/k/a "Jemel Waite"

(4) JAMON BROWN a/k/a/ "Sheek"

(5) KEVEND CASTILLO a/k/a "Kev"

(6) RYAN DACRUZ a/k/a "Lil Ry," a/k/a "Cryan"

(7) LATRELLE FISHER a/k/a "Trelle"

(8) TERRANCE FISHER a/k/a "Baby Moondo," a/k/a "Doodoo"

(9) NELSON GOMES GONCALVES a/k/a "Nelly"

(10) AYSHA GONZALEZ a/k/a "Easha," a/k/a "Veronica" a/k/a "GetThatMoney"

(11) KESHAWN JONES a/k/a "Kemoney"

(12) JORDAN KOMHLAN a/k/a "Drowze"

(13) TYREESE McCANTS a/k/a "Reese"

*(14) MARCUS McCLAIN a/k/a "Petey," a/k/a "Pistol Pete"

*(15) MARLON McCLAIN a/k/a "Marl," a/k/a "Cuzzy"

(16) DARIO MERCADO a/k/a "Jose"

(17) ROMEO MERCADO a/k/a "Romey"

(18) SCOTT MONROE a/k/a "Skizz," a/k/a "Sleezy"

(19) ISAIAH ORTIZ a/k/a "Loso"

(20) DENZEL RICHARDSON a/k/a "Deezy," a/k/a "Richie Rebel"

(21) GARY RUSPUS a/k/a "Lil G"

(22) JEFFREY SIMS a/k/a "Jeffery Sims" a/k/a "Smoove," a/k/a "Smooth"

(23) DELE SOUZA a/k/a "Deydey"

(24) MARK VARELA

(25) KELVIN VILORIO

*(26) RANDY WINFIELD, a/k/a "Hardbody"

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys John P. McAdams, Paul F. Daly, Jr., and Special Assistant United States Attorney John M. Moreira.

The matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Providence Police Department, the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, IRS Criminal Investigation, HSTF, and numerous additional federal, state, and local law enforcement partners including the U.S. Marshal's Service, Rhode Island Department of Corrections, Rhode Island State Police, Central Falls Police Department, Cranston Police Department, East Providence Police Department, Pawtucket Police Department, Warwick Police Department, West Warwick Police Department, Woonsocket Police Department, Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit - Plymouth County, Shrewsbury (MA) Police Department, Worcester County (MA) District Attorney's Office

Rhode Island Attorney General's Office, U.S. Attorney's Office Eastern District of Virginia.

The charges contained in the indictments and complaints are allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Additional information will be provided at the appropriate time.

The investigation into this case is ongoing