A member of the Vice Lord gang from Athol, Massachusetts, was arrested in Smyrna, Georgia, after being sought for two months as a fugitive. Keith Harlow, also known as “Lord Savage,” 39, faces federal charges including conspiracy to distribute controlled substances; being a felon in possession of firearm and ammunition; conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery; and engaging in the business of manufacturing and dealing in firearms without a license.
Authorities said Harlow was on parole at the time of the alleged offenses, following multiple six to ten-year concurrent state prison sentences for prior armed robberies. He will first appear in Georgia State Court on fugitive charges related to a pending Parole Warrant before facing extradition proceedings to Massachusetts federal court.
Three co-defendants—Jonathan Perry (“Peazy”), 25, Andrew Poor, 29, and Dante Machuca, 25—were previously arrested on related state charges in May 2025 and charged federally in June. Perry is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances; Poor and Machuca are each charged with conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery. Harlow had fled Massachusetts since May.
Charging documents allege that Harlow is affiliated with the Four Corner Hustlers chapter of the Vice Lords. While on parole during 2025, he allegedly sent text messages and appeared in photos and videos possessing firearms, a suppressor, and a machinegun conversion device called a selector “switch.” The documents further allege that Harlow discussed manufacturing firearms and selector switches as well as selling firearms through text messages.
Investigators claim one firearm seized during the investigation was purchased by Poor and given to Harlow. Poor’s involvement allegedly extended to a January 2025 home invasion in Athol alongside Machuca and Harlow. During this incident, authorities say they entered the residence of an alleged drug dealer armed with firearms intending to rob drugs and proceeds. According to charging documents, Harlow fired his weapon during a struggle with the dealer before pressing its hot barrel against the victim’s abdomen.
A search of Harlow’s residence on May 29 reportedly uncovered multiple firearm receivers, suspected suppressors, machinegun conversion devices, 3D printers used for gun manufacturing supplies, and about 100 grams of suspected cocaine.
A review of Perry’s cellphone revealed alleged communications between him and Harlow about distributing drugs and selling firearms across Massachusetts. They also allegedly discussed committing robberies using firearms. Both were prohibited from possessing guns due to prior felony convictions; Perry has a youthful offender conviction for manslaughter while he was on probation for domestic violence at the time.
If convicted on all counts—including being a felon in possession of a firearm (up to 15 years), conspiring to distribute controlled substances (up to 20 years), unlicensed gun manufacturing (up to five years), or conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery (up to 20 years)—Harlow could face significant prison time along with supervised release periods and fines up to $1 million depending on specific charges. Sentencing would be determined by federal guidelines.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley stated: “United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Kevin Neal, Acting U.S. Marshal for the District of Massachusetts; David E. Sullivan, Northwestern District Attorney; and Athol Police Chief Craig Lundgren made the announcement today.”
She added: “Valuable assistance was provided by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia; the Massachusetts State Police; the Franklin County House of Correction; and the Massachusetts Department of Correction.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard is prosecuting this case.
“The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.”
