Brendon Amado, Conspiracy to Interfere with Commerce by Threats or Violence, Massachusetts 2018

BOSTON, MA – A Randolph man with ties to the notoriously violent Cameron Street gang has confessed to his role in a brutal 2018 home invasion robbery in Canton, Massachusetts. Brendon Amado, 27, pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiracy to interfere with commerce by threats or violence, a charge carrying a potential sentence of up to 20 years behind bars.

The robbery, committed alongside fellow gang members Deronde Bethea and Michael Nguyen, targeted the home of a rival drug dealer. Court documents detail a terrifying scene: Amado, Bethea, and Nguyen forced their way into the residence through the back door, masked and armed with firearms. One victim managed to escape and call 911, while the other was subjected to a violent assault, punched in the head, and threatened with a gun as the trio ransacked the home, demanding “where’s the stuff, where’s the money, where’s your boyfriend?”

The crew made off with $2,000 in cash and a safe. Investigators quickly zeroed in on the suspects, with convenience store surveillance footage placing Amado and Bethea near the scene shortly before the attack. The Cameron Street gang, primarily based in Boston’s Dorchester neighborhood, is known for its ruthless tactics, including murder and attempted murder, used to maintain and expand its criminal territory. Members openly flaunt their violence on social media, celebrating crimes and taunting rivals.

This isn’t an isolated incident. Authorities describe Cameron Street as deeply involved in a range of illicit activities, from firearms and drug distribution to armed robbery and even human trafficking – all fueled by the pursuit of profit. This guilty plea is the latest development in a larger crackdown on the gang’s operations, coordinated through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative.

Nguyen previously pleaded guilty in December 2023 and is set to be sentenced on March 20. Bethea entered a guilty plea on February 12, with sentencing scheduled for May 16. Amado’s sentencing is slated for May 29 before U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young. Beyond the potential 20-year prison term, Amado faces three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.

The investigation was a collaborative effort led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Boston Police Department, with significant support from multiple state and local agencies including the Massachusetts State Police and various district attorney’s offices. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy, ATF Special Agent in Charge James M. Ferguson, DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle, and Boston Police Commissioner Cox jointly announced the guilty plea, signaling a continued push to dismantle organized crime within the region.

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