Joshua S. Levy, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts
A federal indictment was unsealed in Boston, charging three alleged members of the Gangster Disciple gang with extortion-related offenses. Damien Willette, 30, from Peabody; William Walley, 30, from Worcester; and Michael O’Shea, 36, from Fall River are accused of threatening physical violence to extort money from two victims.
The indictment includes charges of conspiracy to make interstate communications with intent to extort against all three individuals. Additionally, Willette and Walley face charges for making such communications. Willette has been arrested and is detained pending a hearing on March 10, 2025. O’Shea and Walley are currently serving state prison sentences and will appear in federal court in Boston shortly.
Court documents reveal that Willette shared a cell with Walley in March 2023 and later with O’Shea between May and June 2023. The defendants allegedly threatened two people—a former Gangster Disciple member recruited by Willette (Victim 2) and their romantic partner (Victim 1)—while incarcerated. They purportedly conspired to issue threats of violence to extort money from these individuals.
Willette reportedly expected Victim 2 to provide financial support during his incarceration from November 2020 until May 2024 for himself and other gang members. This practice is known within the gang as “aid and assistance.” He allegedly warned Victim 2 about being "blessed out" if they continued providing support but attempted disassociation soon after recruitment. When Victim 2 ceased assistance, Victim 1 took over this responsibility.
In March 2023, the defendants allegedly began threatening the victims with physical harm if financial aid stopped while they were imprisoned. For instance, Willette reportedly told them that failure to provide support would result in not being "blessed out" upon his release. He allegedly threatened that gang members would inflict harm on them if they did not comply. Furthermore, O’Shea supposedly instructed an associate outside prison to warn Victim 1 about potential danger from a Gangster Disciple member.
The charge of conspiracy carries a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment along with supervised release and fines up to $250,000. Making interstate communications intending extortion could lead up to twenty years imprisonment under similar conditions regarding supervised release or fines—sentences determined by federal district judges following U.S Sentencing Guidelines.
United States Attorney Leah B Foley alongside Jodi Cohen—the FBI's Special Agent leading Boston Division—announced these developments today; receiving crucial input from Massachusetts Department Correction officers plus Lawrence Police personnel involved throughout proceedings thus far.. Assistant US attorney Philip C Cheng prosecutes under Organized Crime & Gang Unit auspices..
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aiming at reducing gun violence through collaborative law enforcement efforts across community lines since its launch back May '21 when strategic crime reduction initiatives bolstered PSN operations nationwide focusing trust-building measures amongst communities targeted preventive interventions prioritizing enforcement actions while evaluating outcomes achieved thereby ensuring safer neighborhoods overall.. More information available via https://www.justice.gov/PSN
It should be noted that details contained within aforementioned documentation remain allegations pending proof beyond reasonable doubt during forthcoming legal proceedings wherein accused parties retain presumption innocence unless otherwise established conclusively therein...
