State, local and federal law enforcement charged three members of the Latin Gangsta (sic) Disciples with illegal gun running Friday.
26 year old Jose Ilarraza of Newburyport (AKA “Kae-Kae”), Bryan Torres-Almanzar, (AKA FLEX) 19, of Lawrence, and 22 year old Eric Valentin (AKA Jefe)also of Lawrence were charged with illegally dealing firearms without a license, and conspiracy to deal firearms without a licence.
The three mena were arrested Friday in Nashua, NH and detained following an appearance in federal court in Boston.
Ilarraza is in state custody for an unrelated offense.
“I am grateful for the hard work and resources the United States Attorney Andrew Lelling’s office,” said Lawrence Police Cheifg Roy Vasque, “and Mickey Leadingham, Special Agent in charge of the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) Boston Field Division. and his agent brought to this case. Federal and state partnerships, as in this case, with the ATF will continue to be part of the LAwrence Police Department’s strategic plan going forward to combat gun and gang violence.”
Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera said that today’s development was a “huge step forward in combating gun violence”. Rivera called Illarraza, Torres, and Valentin “dangerous individuals”and stated he was glad they were in custody.