Leah B. Foley United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts | Department of Justice
A Boston man has pleaded guilty to racketeering charges related to his involvement with the Cameron Street gang, a group known for violent crimes and drug trafficking in the Dorchester area. Takari Elliott, also known as “T-Paper,” admitted to participating in a criminal enterprise that included murder. U.S. District Court Judge Julia E. Kobick set sentencing for May 27, 2026.
Elliott was one of 22 people charged in May 2023 as part of an investigation into Cameron Street’s activities. According to prosecutors, members of the gang used firearms against rivals and protected their drug operations through violence. The group identified themselves through tattoos, clothing, and social media posts that promoted their crimes.
Prosecutors said Elliott played a significant role in the October 2020 killing of Manuel Duarte in Brockton. On the day of the murder, Elliott communicated with Duarte via Snapchat and arranged a meeting under the pretense of a drug deal. Another gang member drove from Boston to Brockton, picked up Elliott, and together they met Duarte at a home where he was shot ten times by Elliott’s associate before fleeing.
Investigators found that Elliott and his accomplice were paid $60,000 for carrying out Duarte’s murder.
Elliott’s criminal history with Cameron Street dates back to January 2011 when he was arrested near Cameron Street with a firearm that had its serial number removed. He was sentenced to three years in prison for that offense. In 2017, he was convicted again on federal cocaine distribution charges and received another prison sentence. After his release and while still under supervision, Elliott was arrested during a traffic stop with cocaine and later connected to Duarte’s murder.
Of those charged in connection with this case, Elliott is now the 21st person convicted; one defendant remains at large.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley commented: “This defendant and his fellow Carmeron Street gang members terrorized communities for years. Despite previous arrests, and while on federal supervised release, Elliott continued to sell drugs, carry guns and commit a murder for hire. He has no regard for the law and it appears that he is incapable of learning a lesson. Enough is enough. He is facing a harsh sentence which is more than warranted.”
Thomas Greco from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives stated: “Cameron Street waged a gang war among the residents of Dorchester, terrorizing their community and causing untold grief to countless families and loved ones of their victims. Takari Elliott was a willing participant in the Cameron Street racketeering enterprise, celebrating these killings and dealing drugs across Massachusetts. Elliott then accepted his cut of $60,000 to commit a murder-for-hire. ATF’s primary mission is to target and disrupt violent entities like Cameron Street. Takari Elliott’s plea places an exclamation point on ATF’s long-running investigation into the retaliatory violence.”
Jared A. Forget from the Drug Enforcement Administration added: “Violent gang members who flood our communities with deadly drugs and commit acts of brutal violence will be held accountable... This defendant was not only responsible for trafficking dangerous narcotics but also for participating in racketeering activity that included murder... With two prior convictions, he had multiple opportunities to change course and instead chose to escalate his criminal conduct... DEA and our law enforcement partners remain steadfast in our commitment to dismantling violent criminal enterprises and protecting the public from those who threaten the safety of our neighborhoods.”
The RICO conspiracy charge involving murder carries up to life imprisonment as well as fines up to $250,000.
Officials acknowledged assistance from multiple law enforcement agencies including local police departments across Massachusetts as well as county district attorney offices involved in supporting this case.
The remaining defendant has not been apprehended or tried yet; all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
