School counselor who shot student pleads guilty to federal indictment

BOSTON — A former Boston high school dean already in prison for shooting a student he recruited to deal drugs has pleaded guilty to a federal gang-related charge.

Shaun Harrison, 63, who was known as “Rev” by students at The English High School, pleaded guilty Tuesday in Boston federal court to one count of conspiracy to include racketeering more than two years after he and dozens of other Latin Kings members had been charged. leaders and employees.

Harrison was convicted in 2018 by state court of assault and other charges, and sentenced to 26 years in prison for shooting a 17-year-old student in the back of the head after a dispute over declining drug sales. The bullet broke the teen’s jawbone and just missed his carotid artery, and he survived.

Harrison lived a double life, painting himself as an anti-violence activist and mentor to troubled youth, hiding his own gang ties and tricking students into drugs and violence, authorities said. Harrison denied the allegations.

While he was incarcerated in the state prison, federal prosecutors accused him of working from behind bars with other gang members to try to identify a police informant in his case. Harrison’s plea deal in the federal case calls for a prison sentence of approximately 18 years.

Massachusetts attorney Rachael Rollins said Harrison “abused his position of trust to corrupt vulnerable and at-risk children and force them into a world of criminal activity.”

“He used his position of trust to find and care for his victims. It’s really disgusting,” she said in an emailed statement.

An attorney representing Harrison in the federal case declined to comment Wednesday.

Federal prosecutors say Harrison is the 60th defendant to plead guilty in the massive Latin Kings case stemming from an investigation dubbed “Operation Throne Down.” Two suspects are still wanted on federal arrest warrants, authorities say.

A federal judge recently ordered Harrison to pay more than $10 million in damages to the former student he had intended to kill, but it’s unclear if the victim will ever get any money from Harrison.

The default judgment includes $7.5 million in damages for pain, suffering and emotional distress; $2.5 million in punitive damages; and more than $80,000 for the victim’s medical bills.