Massive Police Operation Dismantles Violent 'Hot Boys Mafia' Street Gang in Perth Amboy

Joint investigation leads to 19 arrests, suspects implicated in widespread drug and weapons trafficking, including vicious machete attack on rival gang member.

PERTH AMBOY, NJ — Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin declared the successful takedown of a suspected violent street gang in Perth Amboy, resulting in the arrest of 19 individuals believed to be involved in drug and weapons trafficking.

The 10-month operation was a collaborative effort between the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice and the Perth Amboy Police Department’s Special Investigation Unit. Support was also provided by the Somerset and Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Offices.

The 'Hot Boys Mafia,' purported to be a local faction of the 'Dominicans Don't Play' gang, is suspected of distributing narcotics through smartphone apps and committing numerous violent crimes against rival gangs in the Perth Amboy vicinity.

Three locations in Perth Amboy were targeted on June 20, 2023, leading to the arrest of 18 of the 19 suspects, along with the seizure of an arsenal of drugs and weapons, and cash valued at approximately $9,000.

Alleged gang leader Domingo Paulino, 29, and his second-in-command, Adonis “Pantera” Estevez, 21, both from Perth Amboy, face charges of racketeering and various drug offenses. Estevez remains at large and is currently being pursued by the authorities.

Investigation documents reveal the 'Hot Boys Mafia' allegedly carried out a series of violent crimes, including a carjacking and machete attack that left a reputed member of the rival 'Trinitarios' street gang with severe head wounds.

According to the investigation, the 'Hot Boys Mafia' used Instagram and the Telegram messenger app to orchestrate online drug sales, simultaneously running a physical operation selling cocaine out of a residence on Steadman Place in Perth Amboy.

“The takedown of the Hot Boys Mafia sends a clear message to all who engage in criminal activities and threaten the safety and well-being of our residents: law enforcement agencies in New Jersey stand united and will not rest until justice is served,” said Chief Lawrence Cattano of the Perth Amboy Police Department.

The investigation was led by Detective Matthew Lyons of the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) Violence Suppression and Organized Crime Unit. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Attorneys General Mohammad Mahmood and Amie Hyde.

“The successful investigation of this dangerous organization, which was allegedly aggressively and violently working to establish a narcotics-distribution monopoly, will improve public safety in the city of Perth Amboy,” said Derek Nececkas, Interim Director of the Division of Criminal Justice.

All adult defendants face a series of charges, including racketeering, promoting organized street crime, and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. 

The adult defendants are charged as follows:

Domingo Paulino, 29, of Perth Amboy
Racketeering — 1st Degree
Leader of Organized Crime — 2nd Degree
Promoting Organized Street Crime — 1st Degree
Conspiracy to Distribute CDS (cocaine) — 2nd Degree
Conspiracy to Distribute CDS (marijuana) — 2nd Degree
Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Assault — 2nd Degree
Aggravated Assault (two counts)

Henderson Gomez, 29, of Perth Amboy
Promoting Organized Street Crime — 1st Degree
Conspiracy to Distribute CDS (cocaine) — 2nd Degree
Conspiracy to Distribute CDS (marijuana) — 2nd Degree
Distribution of CDS (cocaine) — 2nd Degree
Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a CDS Offense — 2nd Degree
Money Laundering — 3rd Degree
Possession with Intent to Distribute Imitation CDS — 3rd Degree

Imanol Rodriguez, 19, of Perth Amboy
Racketeering — 1st Degree
Conspiracy to Distribute CDS (marijuana) — 2nd Degree
Conspiracy to Commit Robbery — 2nd Degree
Carjacking — 1st Degree
Robbery — 1st Degree
Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose
Unlawful Possession of a Weapon — 2nd Degree
Aggravated Assault — 4th Degree
Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Assault — 2nd Degree
Aggravated Assault — 2nd Degree
Possession of a Weapons for an Unlawful Purpose — 3rd Degree (machete)

Kerlin Adino-Rodriguez, 21, of Perth Amboy
Racketeering — 1st Degree
Conspiracy to Distribute CDS (cocaine) — 2nd Degree
Possession of CDS (cocaine) — 3rd Degree
Distribution of CDS (cocaine) — 2nd Degree
Possession of CDS (fentanyl) — 3rd Degree
Distribution of CDS (fentanyl pills) — 3rd Degree

Adonis Estevez, 21, of Perth Amboy
Racketeering — 1st Degree
Conspiracy to Distribute CDS (marijuana) — 2nd Degree

Angel Santiago, 19, of Perth Amboy
Racketeering — 1st Degree
Conspiracy to Distribute CDS (marijuana) — 2nd Degree
Conspiracy to Traffic Weapons from Out-of-State for Sale — 2nd Degree
Conspiracy to Transfer or Dispose of Weapons — 4th Degree
Conspiracy to Possess a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose — 2nd Degree
Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a CDS Offense — 2nd Degree

Elias Fuentes, 19, of Perth Amboy
Racketeering — 1st Degree
Conspiracy to Distribute CDS (marijuana) — 2nd Degree
Conspiracy to Traffic Weapons from Out-of-State for Sale — 2nd Degree
Conspiracy to Transfer or Dispose of Weapons – 4th Degree
Conspiracy to Possession a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose — 2nd Degree
Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a CDS Offense — 2nd Degree

Henry Basora, 31, of Perth Amboy
Aggravated Assault — 2nd Degree

Nazir Clark, 20, of Perth Amboy
Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Assault — 2nd Degree
Conspiracy to Possess a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose — 2nd Degree

Jean Carlos Mercado Rodriguez, 22, of Perth Amboy
Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Assault — 2nd Degree
Conspiracy to Possess a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose — 2nd Degree

Miguel Baez-Ruiz, 20, of Perth Amboy
Racketeering — 1st Degree
Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Assault — 2nd Degree
Conspiracy to Possess a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose — 2nd Degree

Juelz Vaughn, 18, of Perth Amboy
Conspiracy to Distribute CDS (marijuana) — 2nd Degree
Conspiracy to Possess a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose — 2nd Degree
Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a CDS Offense — 2nd Degree

Rosselyn Rosario, 32, of Perth Amboy
Possession with Intent to Distribute Imitation CDS — 3rd Degree
Unlawful Possession of a Handgun — 2nd Degree
Possession of a Firearm During the Course of Committing a CDS offense — 2nd Degree

Argenis Gomez-Olivares, 31, of Perth Amboy
Possession with Intent to Distribute Imitation CDS — 3rd Degree

Dersi Olivares, 57, of Perth Amboy
Possession with Intent to Distribute Imitation CDS — 3rd Degree

Maureen Shenouda, 42, of Perth Amboy
Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana — 2nd Degree
Possession of Five Pounds or More of Marijuana — 4th Degree

The charges are accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.