Boston Police Blotter: H-Block gang cocaine distributor pleads guilty

A distributor of cocaine to a Boston gang pleaded guilty in federal court to his role in the sale of cocaine, crack and fentanyl throughout the region.

Eric Celestino, 31, of Boston, pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. The charge carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin scheduled sentencing for March 18.

Celestino is the eighth defendant to plead guilty in the federal case announced in August 2024 that charged 10 alleged members or affiliates of the H-Block gang — like Celestino — and nine members or affiliates of the Mission Hill Gang.

The investigation into the H-Block Gang was spearheaded in 2021 by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Boston Police Department and assisted by other federal agencies as well as state and local police departments from Greater Boston, according to court documents. The investigation came after authorities attributed 12 incidents of gunfire to tensions within the H-Block gang.

Investigators say they bought cocaine, crack and fentanyl from targets more than 30 times and even uncovered “an elaborate and extensive jail-based drug operation” in a state prison over the course of the years-long detail. Four additional H-Block members or associates were in state custody at the time of the federal arrests, prosecutors said.

In all, authorities say they seized more than 500 grams of cocaine, crack and fentanyl and more than 20,000 doses of drug-laced paper through the course of the investigation.

Carjacking case uncovers guns ready for automatic fire

The Boston Police Department’s investigation into an armed carjacking uncovered four guns as well as equipment used to make guns fire in fully automatic mode.

Police say they also seized drugs they suspect of being cocaine, crack, fentanyl, and crystal meth in the case that led to the arrests of three Boston men.

Leireker Deleon, 18, of Roxbury; Aamir Sylvia, 19, of Dorchester; and Atiana Suazo, 20, of Dorchester, face charges related to joint-venture armed carjacking and are expected to be arraigned in municipal court in Roxbury.

It all started with an alleged armed carjacking the evening of Nov. 29 in the area of Columbia Road and Quincy Street in Dorchester, where police say the victim “was directed to stop at a location” and then confronted by multiple carjackers, at least one armed with a gun.

The investigation, which tracked the vehicle through municipal and private surveillance camera video, led to the Indigo Block Apartments on East Cottage Street. The suspects then left that location and went to a residence on Abbotsford Street. Police towed the stolen vehicle to headquarters for processing.

Police say they seized the following weapons: Canik 9mm semi-automatic pistol, a Glock 21 Gen 4 .45 caliber pistol equipped with an automatic conversion device, an FN 10mm pistol, and a Bushmaster XM-15 .223/556 AR 15 Rifle Pistol. They say they also seized a firearm conversion device, a firearm-mounted flashlight, multiple high-capacity rifle magazines, multiple handgun magazines, and ammunition including 5.56mm, .45 caliber, 10mm, .40 caliber, and .38 caliber cartridges.

Police ask that anyone with any information on this crew or these crimes contact detectives at 617-343-4275. People can provide anonymous information through the CrimeStoppers tip line by calling 1-800-494-TIPS (8477), by texting the word “TIP” to CRIME (27463), or online at Police.Boston.gov/CrimeStoppers/.

Incident Summary

Boston Police Department responded to 239 incidents in the 24-hour period ending at 10 a.m. Thursday, according to the department’s incident log. Those included arrests for one robbery, seven aggravated assaults, three commercial burglaries, three thefts from a vehicle, one auto theft, and 21 instances of miscellaneous larceny.

Arrests

All of the below-named defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

— Ilianeliz Sosa, 20 Loring St., Hyde Park. Operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

— Justlin Gonzales, 89 Millet St., Dorchester. Shoplifting by concealing.

— Thomas Morse, no address provided. Shoplifting by asportation.

— Myrka Severe, 3304 Village Road West, Norwood. Leasing a motor vehicle without seeing driver’s license.

— Francois Suker, 18 Livingstone, Dorchester. Motor vehicle operator refuses to identify self.

— Nicole Brun, 17 Franklin St., Lynn. Larceny more than $1,200.

— Kevin Whyte, 299 Whittenton St., Taunton. Larceny less than $250.

— Brian Lewis, 107 Park St., Boston. Shoplifting by asportation, third offense.

— Thomas Kiley, 9 Weitz St., Boston. Larceny less than $250.

— Miguel Cruz, 49 Hornan Way, Jamaica Plain. Shoplifting more than $100 by asportation.

— Hyvince Massillon, 25 Favre St., Mattapan. Criminal operation of a motor vehicle with a suspended license.

— Miguel Batista, 34 Short St., Marlboro. Larceny less than $1,200.

— Kamel Williams, 427 Dekalf Ave., New York, New York. Larceny less than $1,200.

— Brianna Hall, 171 Glenway St., Dorchester. Assault and battery.

— James Johnson, 37 Cobden St., Roxbury. Trespassing.