Joshua S. Levy, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts
A Lowell man has admitted to his involvement in a drug trafficking conspiracy linked to the Asian Boyz street gang. Erickson Dao, also known as "Silent," aged 32, pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton has set the sentencing for May 13, 2025.
Dao served as a drug supplier within a trafficking network that included Asian Boyz gang member Bill Phim. Between February and April 2022, Dao provided counterfeit pills resembling Adderall to Phim on multiple occasions. These pills were sold by Phim to an undercover federal agent for over $11,000. Chemical analysis revealed that the pills contained methamphetamine and caffeine instead of Adderall. During a search of Dao's residence, authorities found more counterfeit pills and significant amounts of cocaine.
The charges against Dao could result in a sentence ranging from five years to 40 years in prison, along with supervised release from four years up to life, and fines up to $5 million. Sentences are determined by a federal district court judge according to U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes.
Phim has entered a not guilty plea and is awaiting trial.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley, Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division, and Superintendent Greg Hudon of the Lowell Police Department. The Massachusetts State Police and several local police departments contributed valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred M. Wyshak III is handling the prosecution.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. It also falls under an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation aimed at dismantling major criminal organizations threatening the United States.
It is important to note that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
