Raymond Gaines, Drug Trafficking, Massachusetts 2022

BOSTON, Massachusetts – In a significant blow to the Orchard Park gang, an associate was sentenced to a lengthy prison term for his involvement in a Boston-area drug trafficking organization.

Raymond Gaines, 42, of Bridgewater, Massachusetts, was sentenced to 90 months in prison and three years of supervised release by U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV. The harsh sentence comes after Gaines pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

The investigation, which began in April 2021, revealed that Gaines was actively selling cocaine in and around the Boston area. On June 1, 2021, Gaines was found in possession of cocaine intended for sale, as well as multiple firearms and ammunition.

Gaines was on federal supervised release at the time of the offense, which further exacerbated the severity of his crimes. The investigation was a collaborative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Police Department, and Bridgewater Police Department.

First Assistant United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Boston Police Acting Commissioner Gregory Long, and Bridgewater Police Chief Christopher D. Delmonte made the announcement, while Assistant U.S. Attorney John Dawley of the Organized Crime and Gang Unit prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an evidence-based program aimed at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.

The defendant’s crimes have a significant impact on the community, and this sentence sends a strong message that such behavior will not be tolerated. Raymond Gaines, being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, is a clear example of the devastating effects of drug trafficking and gang activity.

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