Trinitarios Member Pleaded Guilty to Racketeering Charges
Janoy Batista admitted to facilitating drug trafficking and a murder attempt in Massachusetts.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Drug Crime
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Janoy Batista, a member of the Trinitarios gang, has pleaded guilty to racketeering and drug conspiracy charges. He admitted to trafficking cocaine and fentanyl supplied by the Cartel Jalisco Nuevo Generacion and coordinating a 2023 attempted murder in Salem.
Why it matters
The plea marks a significant development in a sprawling federal investigation targeting the violent expansion of the Trinitarios gang in Massachusetts. Federal prosecutors have now charged 56 individuals linked to the group in connection with drug distribution and 11 murders reported since 2017.
Janoy Batista pleaded guilty to RICO and drug conspiracy charges that carry a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine. His formal sentencing is currently scheduled for January 7, 2027, in U.S. District Court.
The players
Janoy Batista
He is a 47-year-old member of the Trinitarios gang who coordinated drug shipments and violence for the organization.
Cartel Jalisco Nuevo Generacion
This is a prominent transnational criminal organization based in Mexico that distributes large quantities of narcotics globally.
Trinitarios
This is a violent street gang with chapters throughout Massachusetts that is currently the subject of a massive federal racketeering investigation.
Nathaniel M. Gorton
He is a U.S. District Court judge who is presiding over the racketeering case and scheduled the sentencing of the defendant.
The details
Batista admitted that the Cartel Jalisco Nuevo Generacion sent drugs to him in Lynn via car transport trucks for distribution by Trinitarios members. He also organized a November 2023 hit against a drug contact in Salem, transporting the shooters from the scene after the victim was wounded.
Timeline
Alleged murders by the Trinitarios in Essex County began in 2017.
Batista organized a failed murder attempt in Salem in November 2023.
Federal racketeering charges were unsealed against gang members in February 2025.
Additional federal charges were unsealed against 26 defendants on June 9, 2026.
Janoy Batista pleaded guilty to racketeering and drug charges on October 7, 2026.
Legal Context
The prosecution of the Trinitarios under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act follows a pattern set by previous federal crackdowns on hierarchical criminal enterprises. Such investigations in Massachusetts often result in long-term imprisonment for gang leadership following multi-year undercover operations.
The federal prosecution of 56 gang members aims to dismantle large-scale drug distribution networks operating within Massachusetts communities. Residents in areas like Lynn, Salem, and Lawrence may see continued law enforcement presence as the broader investigation into gang-related violence progresses.
The takeaway
This case highlights the reach of international cartels into local neighborhoods through established gang conduits. Residents are reminded that local law enforcement agencies coordinate closely with federal partners to address high-level criminal threats in their communities.
What happens next
Janoy Batista is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton on January 7, 2027.
Further reading
For more on ongoing investigations in the region, read the latest updates on Massachusetts Drug Crime.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The United States Department of Justice.
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