Massachusetts man convicted for attempting to kill federal witness

BOSTON — A Boston man was convicted in federal court Thursday for his role in an attempt to kill a federal witness and in a multi-state prostitution ring.

This conviction resulted from an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the FBI and the Boston Police Department.

Jaquan Casanova aka “Cass, Joffe, Joffy and/or Joffy Joe,” 24, of Boston, was convicted following a seven-day trial on charges of tampering with a witness and lying to a federal agent about his involvement in the sex trafficking ring. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for Sept.14, 2016.

On April 30, 2013, Casanova shot Darian Thomson in the head to prevent him from communicating with federal law enforcement. Casanova was a member of a multi-state criminal organization involved in sex and drug trafficking, and in a fraudulent check cashing scheme headed by Raymond Jeffreys. 

In March 2013, Thomson was indicted on federal sex trafficking charges while in custody in New Jersey on unrelated charges. A month later, Thomson was released and returned to Boston, where Casanova attempted to kill him. Jeffreys and other members of the criminal organization erroneously believed that Thomson had been released as a result of his cooperation with federal law enforcement, and that he would continue to provide information about their criminal activities. 

Jeffreys was sentenced to 30 years in prison on May 19, 2016, after pleading guilty to sex trafficking, tampering with a witness by attempting to kill him, and making a false statement to a federal agent. 

Casanova faces up to 30 years in prison on the charge of tampering with a witness. He also faces up to five years of supervised release, paying a fine of $250,000, and restitution.  Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.  Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.