On Thursday, August 28, Boston-based rappers 8 Zipp and Heffna Don, along with 17 others, were arrested according to documents unsealed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.

Dominique Carpenter-Grady, known as 8 Zipp, and Trea Lankford, known as Heffna Don, are among ten individuals charged with drug conspiracy, linked to the alleged street gang H Block (Appendix A). Separately, nine members and associates of the Mission Hill Gang, including rapper Big Body Benz, born Tyrone Brimage, and (Appendix B) face charges related to financial fraud.

The arrests result from extensive, multi-year investigations into gang violence in Boston, which follow the February 2024 takedown of over 40 Heath Street Gang members and associates. That investigation led to the indictment of Boston-based rappers Trottie Y Gizzle, Trottie Moula, Ricky Mazarati, BDE Keko and others, with charges ranging from racketeering conspiracy to drug trafficking, firearms offenses, wire fraud, and various forms of financial fraud, including COVID-related schemes.

Six H Block members were arrested on Aug. 29, 2024, in connection with drug dealing in Boston and surrounding areas. During the arrests, additional drugs and four firearms were seized. Four other H Block members are already in state custody. Additionally, three H Block associates are charged with conspiring to smuggle illegal drugs into a Massachusetts prison, where there has been a significant increase in the smuggling of synthetic cannabinoids, also known as “K2,” and other dangerous substances.

Seperately, charges were filed against members and associates of the Mission Hill street gang for their roles in a mail theft and financial fraud scheme known as “card cracking.” According to court documents, this scheme involves the theft and laundering of money through bank accounts set up under various names controlled by the primary offenders. Six members and associates were arrested on Thursday, Aug. 29, and charged with financial crimes, while three others, already in custody, were also implicated.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts notes, “The charge of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance (cocaine) provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, not less than three years of supervised release, up to life, and a fine of up to $1 million. The charges of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances (cocaine, cocaine base, fentanyl, PCP, and controlled substance analogues, i.e. K2) provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, not less than three years of supervised release, up to life, and a fine of up to $1 million. The charges of theft of government property provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud provides for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. The charge of conspiracy to steal or possess stolen mail provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.”

APPENDIX A

1. Trea Lankford, a/k/a “Heff,” a/k/a “Hefna Don,” a/k/a “Montana,” a/k/a “Tre Cain,” 33, of Boston;
2. Dennis Wilson, a/k/a “Deuce,” a/k/a “Deep Jhonenson,” 36 of Boston;
3. Avery Lewis, a/k/a “Wave,” 32 of Dorchester;
4. Mark Linnehan,25, of West Roxbury;
5. Eric Celestino,30, of Boston;
6. Timothy Hearns, a/k/a “King Kill,” a/k/a “Tool Man,” a/k/a “Tooly,” 34;
7. Dominique Carpenter-Grady, a/k/a “8-Zipp” a/k/a “Eighty,” a/k/a “Cindy Surin,” 35;
8. Robert Heckstall, a/k/a “Ribbs,” a/k/a “Buck,” a/k/a “Buck Corleone,” 41, of Roxbury;
9. Jason Bly, 44, of Quincy; and
10. Jerry Gray, 28, of Dorchester.

APPENDIX B

1. Imanol Rios-Franco, 24, of Brookline;
2. Jairo Cabral-Santos, 22, of Boston;
3. Brandon Baez, 22, of Framingham;
4. Jiovanny Matos, 25, of Boston;
5. Josman Romero Delgado, 22, of Boston;
6. Jonathan Martinez, 25, of Roslindale;
7. Anthony Worthen, 28, of Roslindale;
8. Tyrone Brimage, 28, of Boston; and
9. Glenroy Miller, 28, of Boston.