Lawrence Man Sentenced to 23 Years in Prison for 2012 Kidnapping
BOSTON – A member of a Lawrence-based kidnapping crew was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for his role in a 2012 kidnapping.
Gadiel Romero, a/k/a “TC,” 33, was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to 23 years in prison and three years of supervised release. Romero previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit kidnapping.
Romero was identified as part of a violent, sophisticated kidnapping crew that included Danny Veloz, a/k/a “Maestro,” Jose Guzman, a/k/a “Cano,” Jose Matos, a/k/a “Boyca,” and Luis Reynoso, a/k/a “Prieto,” all of Lawrence; Henry Maldonado, of Manchester, N.H., and Thomas Wallace of Raynham, N.H.
On July 23, 2012, armed with firearms and wearing t-shirts with the word “police” on them, the crew kidnapped two men at gunpoint on Allston Street in Lawrence. The victims were transported to Manchester, N.H. and held overnight – during which time one was burned with a hot iron – before being rescued by law enforcement.
This crew was one of several kidnapping and home invasion crews identified during the federal investigation. The crews typically kidnapped drug dealers for large ransoms that were paid in cash or drugs; used safe houses to stash their victims; and used sophisticated tracking techniques, such as GPS devices, to follow their victims.
Since the investigation began in 2012, more than 20 people have been convicted of either kidnapping-related offenses or being associated with members of Lawrence-based kidnapping or home invasion crews.
Gadiel Romero, exact criminal charges: Conspiracy to commit kidnapping, City and state: Lawrence, Massachusetts, Exact date: March 16, 2023, Sentence or outcome: 23 years in prison and three years of supervised release.
The details contained in the charging document are allegations and the remaining defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.
Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Category: Organized Crime,Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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