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Peabody Man Sentenced to Over Four Years in Prison for Extortion
BOSTON, MA – A Gangster Disciple gang member from Peabody, Massachusetts, was sentenced in federal court in Boston for making threats of physical violence to extort money from two victims.
Damien Willette, 31, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to 51 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release.
In September 2025, Willette pleaded guilty to conspiracy to make interstate communications with the intent to extort and making interstate communications with intent to extort.
Willette was indicted in March 2025, along with co-conspirators William Walley and Michael O’Shea.
According to the indictment, Willette 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.
Willette expected Victim 2 to provide him with financial assistance during his incarceration from November 2020 to May 2024, as well as to his fellow incarcerated gang members. Gangster Disciple gang members refer to this practice as "aid and assistance."
Willette told Victim 2 that he would be "blessed out" of the gang if he continued to provide "aid and assistance." However, Victim 2 attempted to disassociate from the Gangster Disciples gang soon after his recruitment. When Victim 2 stopped providing assistance, Victim 1 continued on his behalf.
On or about March 2023, Willette and his alleged co-conspirators started threatening the victims with physical violence if they stopped providing money to them while they were incarcerated.
Michael O’Shea, another co-conspirator, was sentenced in January 2026 to 51 months in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley, Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division, and the Massachusetts Department of Correction, the Lawrence Police Department, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip C. Cheng of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit, provided valuable assistance with the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that aims to protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations, and Willette is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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