Three Charged With Murder, 13 Arrested In Cape Drug Gang Sting

[Not a valid template]HYANNIS – Three people are facing murder charges in connection with the death of a Cape Cod woman at a Route 6 rest area last September, and prosecutors say one of those accused is the leader of a large-scale drug and crime ring on Cape Cod.

Denzel Chisholm, 25, of Yarmouth, Shannelle Chisholm, 26, of Mashpee, and 30-year-old Hyannis resident Tyrone Gomes are facing first degree murder charges after Christine Ferreira was found shot and stabbed to death at the eastbound rest area between Exits 6 and 7 on September 19, 2015.

District Attorney Michael O’Keefe’s office describes the murder as a planned attack, saying the evidence points to Ferreira knowing her killers. Prosecutors say the 28 year old Hyannis resident was lured to her death.

Investigators believe Ferreira’s death was orchestrated by Denzel Chisholm in retaliation for her testimony against Browning Meija, an alleged member of the Nauti-Block street gang. Meija was found guilty in a 2009 shooting on Pontiac Street in Hyannis, and his conviction was upheld a few weeks before Ferreira was found dead.

Denzel and Shannelle were arraigned late Tuesday afternoon in Barnstable District Court and pleaded not guilty to first degree murder charges. The two will be held without bail and return to court on April 27.

Gomes, who is already in jail, will be arraigned at a later date on his first degree murder charge.

In total, thirteen people have been charged in their involvement with the Nauti-Block gang, which prosecutors described as one of the largest and most violent drug trafficking organizations on Cape Cod.

U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz said the gang was responsible for a “significant amount” of drug trafficking on Cape Cod.

Christine Ferreira, 28, of Hyannis was killed at the Route 6 eastbound rest stop between Exits 6 and 7 in September of 2015.

Christine Ferreira, 28, of Hyannis was killed at the Route 6 eastbound rest stop between Exits 6 and 7 in September of 2015.

Federal officials say Chisholm and Christopher Wilkins, 29, of Hyannis led the group, pooling their money to purchase heroin and other drugs from the New Bedford area and then selling the drugs to dealers and distributors on Cape Cod.

Eight defendants in total are facing heroin conspiracy charges: Chisholm, Wilkins, Gomes, Eelyese Mateo, 20, of Hyannis; Bethanne Hutchings, 50, of Hyannis; Oliver Hamilton, 26, of Hyannis; Stephanie Davis, 21, of Harwich; and Anthony Hall, 31, of Sandwich.

Three other defendants are facing heroin distribution charges: Brooke Cotell, 22, of Hyannis; Shaun Miller, 31 of Hyannis; and Jason Mello, 27, of Barnstable.

Investigators say the defendants were customers of Chisholm and Wilkins and further distributed drugs across Cape Cod.

Wilkins and 26-year-old Benjamin Roderick of Hyannis are facing firearms conspiracy charges after police intercepted a telephone call between the two in which they allegedly agreed to trade a gun for 10 grams of heroin. Officers arrested Roderick shortly before the transaction was supposed to take place.

Matthew Monroe, 25, of Barnstable, is also facing a firearms related charge after investigators say he sold an Uzi semi-automatic rifle to a cooperating witness.

Barnstable police, state, and federal officers conducted raids around 6 am Tuesday, leading to the arrests of the accused.

All of the defendants will appear in U.S. District Court in Boston. Gomes and Denzel Chisholm will appear after their arraignment in state court.

Denzel Chisholm, Shannelle Chisholm, and Gomes will be arraigned on murder charges Tuesday afternoon at Barnstable Superior Court.

The arrests and investigation were announced at a morning press conference at the Barnstable Police Headquarters. O’Keefe and Ortiz were joined by officials from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, the U.S. Marshals Service, and local law enforcement.

By MATT PITTA, MATT McCARTHY & BRIAN MERCHANT CapeCod.com NewsCenter

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