Former high school dean, Shaun Harrison, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for his involvement in a racketeering conspiracy. Harrison, also known as “Rev,” was convicted of shooting a student he had recruited to deal drugs. The sentence was handed down in 2022 after Harrison pleaded guilty to the charges.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins called Harrison the “architect of ruin for an entire generation of promising young lives.” Harrison’s actions were described as a level of betrayal and dishonesty that was astonishing.
'Architect of ruin': High school dean who shot student he recruited to deal drugs sentenced to over 18 years for racketeering https://t.co/juy79dzlBn
— TheBlaze (@theblaze) May 7, 2023
He was in a position of trust as the academic dean at a Boston Public high school, but he used his position to lure and manipulate vulnerable youth into a criminal enterprise that specialized in street terrorism. Officials say he recruited at-risk students into the Latin Kings, a violent criminal enterprise with thousands of members.
Harrison had students distribute drugs he provided, with Harrison collecting the proceeds.
When Harrison thought one of the students dealing drugs for him had stolen money from him and might inform the police, Harrison shot him in the back of the head. The shooting was caught on camera.
The student survived but still suffers from partial face paralysis, neuropathy in his neck and face, permanent hearing loss, and other significant injuries. Boston Public Schools hired Harrison in 2015 as an academic dean at English High School, where he was supposed to help at-risk students.
However, he used his position to prey on those same students and lure them into criminal activity. While in prison for his attempted murder of the student he had enlisted, Harrison continued to associate with the Latin Kings, who supported him while he was incarcerated.
Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division, Joseph R. Bonavolonta, stated “the convergence of gangs, guns, and drugs are a serious threat to our communities which the FBI and our law enforcement partners are working hard every day to address.”
The sentencing ensures Harrison will remain in prison and off the streets for a significant period of time.
