In a decisive strike against gang violence and drug trafficking, Eric Correia, known on the streets as "Bubba," copped to a slew of serious charges, including racketeering and drug distribution. The 26-year-old member of the notorious Cameron Street gang entered his guilty plea in a Boston federal court, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
This local thug, caught in the law's grip, now faces the possibility of spending up to 20 years behind bars for each racketeering charge. His sentencing is etched on the docket for September 11th of this year. During the robbery of a drug customer that Correia also pleaded guilty to, he was identified despite wearing a mask – thanks to a "C" tattoo on his hand, which prosecutors said is a hallmark of Cameron Street gang affiliation.
Cameron Street gang, largely based in Dorchester, Boston, has become synonymous with urban terror, using brute force and bullets to maintain their illicit empire and command fear among rivals. Correia's rap sheet includes a March 2019 incident where he tried to murder a member of the rival NOB/Wendover gang with a firearm on Clayborne Street. The guilty plea also covered his complicity in trafficking marijuana to an informant for $1,400.
U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young, who presided over the case and is expected to sentence Correia later this year, will weigh in on the sentencing guided by complex legal frameworks and recommendations. Caught boasting on social media about their violent escapades, Cameron Street and their adversaries often turn to these platforms, fanning the flames of gang rivalry.
The RICO case against Correia and the wider Cameron Street gang stems from the concerted effort of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative. This effort has marshaled a collaborative front, pooling resources and expertise from various law enforcement agencies including ATF, DEA, and local police departments – a strategy designed to dismantle the most insidious of criminal networks.
Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy, along with top officials from ATF, DEA, and the Boston Police Commissioner, Michael Cox, spotlighted the investigatory and collaborative milestones leading up to the takedown of Correia. Their comments, reflecting a declaration of ongoing commitment, underscore the intensified crackdown on gangs like Cameron Street who have turned neighborhoods into battlegrounds.
While the charges against Correia have resulted in a guilty plea, it is important to note that other alleged members of the Cameron Street gang are still entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. The intense scrutiny of these street-level warriors continues as law enforcement aims to restore peace to the streets they once ruled with iron fists and smoking guns.
