Damien Willette, Extortion, Massachusetts 2025

BOSTON — Three alleged Gangster Disciple gang members have been charged with making threats of physical violence to extort money from two victims in Massachusetts, according to federal authorities.

Damien Willette, 30, of Peabody; William Walley, 30, of Worcester; and Michael O'Shea, 36, of Fall River were indicted with conspiracy to make interstate communications with the intent to extort. Willette and Walley were also charged with making interstate communications with intent to extort.

According to court documents, Willette was the cellmate of Walley in March 2023 and, later, the cellmate of O'Shea from May 2023 through June 2023. The defendants allegedly threatened two individuals — a former Gangster Disciple who was recruited into the gang by Willette (Victim 2) and their romantic partner (Victim 1) — while serving state prison sentences.

Specifically, the defendants allegedly conspired to make threatening communications, including threats of physical violence and to extort money from the victims. It is alleged that, on or about March 2023, the defendants started threatening the victims with physical violence if they stopped providing money to them while they were incarcerated.

The charge of conspiracy to make interstate communications with the intent to extort provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of making interstate communications with intent to extort provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.

Damien Willette was arrested yesterday and detained pending a hearing on March 10, 2025. O'Shea and Walley, who are serving state prison sentences, will appear in federal court in Boston tomorrow. United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/three-alleged-gang-members-indicted-extortion