BOSTON, MA – Michael Van Rader, 26, admitted in federal court today to peddling cocaine within spitting distance of the Mildred C. Hailey Apartments in Jamaica Plain. The guilty plea marks a significant, if slow-moving, development in a case that has tied Van Rader to the notorious Heath Street Gang.
Van Rader pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine within 1,000 feet of a public housing facility. The bust went down September 3, 2023, when authorities caught him red-handed on the grounds of the Mildred C. Hailey Apartments, allegedly with a quantity of the drug intended for street-level distribution. The timing is crucial: Van Rader was already banned from the complex by the Boston Housing Authority, a fact that appears to have done little to deter his illicit activities.
Federal prosecutors say the evidence paints a clear picture of Van Rader’s involvement in the drug trade. The Heath Street Gang connection adds another layer of concern, suggesting a wider network of criminal activity preying on vulnerable communities. The Mildred C. Hailey Apartments, like many public housing developments, have long been targeted by gangs looking to establish drug markets and exploit residents.
U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper has set sentencing for June 27, 2024. Van Rader now faces a grim outlook. The charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of one year, but could land him behind bars for up to 40 years. He’s also looking at a minimum of six years, and potentially life, of supervised release, plus a hefty fine of up to $2 million. Sentencing will be determined by Judge Casper, taking into account U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other legal factors.
The investigation, a component of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation, involved a multi-agency effort. Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy, ATF Special Agent in Charge James M. Ferguson, and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox jointly announced the guilty plea. Support also came from the Boston Housing Authority Police Department and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Hoefle of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is leading the prosecution. The OCDETF, a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven initiative, aims to dismantle the most dangerous criminal organizations operating in the United States. This case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle against drug trafficking and gang violence in Boston, and the tireless work of law enforcement to bring perpetrators to justice. More information about the OCDETF program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
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Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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