Essex County Detectives Honored at State Police Awards Ceremony

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SALEM, Mass. – December 9, 2025 – The State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Office of Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker was recently honored for its work that led to the 2025 indictment of the Massachusetts Trinitarios gang alleged “Supreme Leader” and more than 20 other alleged Trinitarios members and associates on RICO conspiracy and murder charges. At last week’s Massachusetts State Police (MSP) Fall Awards Ceremony, the MSP Detective Unit in Tucker’s office received the MSP Superintendent’s Unit Citation from Massachusetts State Police Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble. In addition, Sergeant David Strong and Trooper Matthew Murphy received the MSP Superintendent’s Commendation.

The ceremony was held on Thursday, December 4 at Massachusetts State Police General Headquarters. In Massachusetts, State Police Detective Units are assigned to local district attorney offices to investigate all unattended deaths and other complex investigations related to major felonies.

“These well-earned awards recognize the exceptional work and countless hours that our Essex County Detective Unit put in to enable charges against the individuals we allege were threatening public safety in these communities,” Tucker said. “We appreciate their dedication and collaboration with all agencies that made these prosecutions possible.”

The investigation, which yielded 121 indictments and the arrest of more than 20 alleged Trinitarios members, involved coordination between the Essex County State Police Detective Unit, local police departments, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Massachusetts, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the Essex County District Attorney’s Office. Strong and Murphy were specifically cited for leading the multi-agency investigation in response to a fatal stabbing in Lynn in August of 2023 which allegedly triggered a campaign of violent retaliation. Following multiple homicides, shootings, and burglaries across Massachusetts and New Hampshire, the Essex Detective Unit developed a RICO case against the Trinitarios in Lynn.

All suspects and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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Michael Keefe-Feldman

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