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US Attorney for Massachusetts

Lanesborough Man Who Admitted To Child Porn Videos Gets 5 Years In Prison Lanesborough Man Who Admitted To Child Porn Videos Gets 5 Years In Prison
Lanesborough Man Who Admitted To Child Porn Videos Gets 5 Years In Prison A 63-year-old Berkshire County man who admitted to watching child sexual abuse material will spend more than five years in prison, authorities said.  Robert Kend, of Lanesborough, pleaded guilty to receipt of child sexual abuse material in May, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. A judge sentenced him last week to 68 months in prison.  Police searched Kend's home on Sept. 12, 2023, and found an iPhone and Macbook computer that had videos of children between the ages of 8 and 15, authorities said. In some of the videos, Kend can be seen in a picture-in-picture box also performi…
Boston Officer Guilty Of Overtime Fraud Scheme Avoids Jail But Must Pay Back Thousands Boston Officer Guilty Of Overtime Fraud Scheme Avoids Jail But Must Pay Back Thousands
Boston Officer Guilty Of Overtime Fraud Scheme Avoids Jail But Must Pay Back Thousands The sixth Boston police officer convicted in a long-running overtime fraud scheme that swindled thousands of dollars from taxpayers must repay more than $16,000 but won't serve jail time, authorities announced.  Michael Murphy, 64, of Hyde Park, was sentenced to two years of probation and must pay a $5,000 fine and $16,014 in restitution after he pleaded guilty last month to one count of conspiracy to commit fraud, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  Murphy and dozens of other officers were accused of filing false overtime slips from September 2016 until February 2019 for wor…
Western Mass Man Admits To Sending Nudes To Agent Posing As 14-Year-Old Online: Feds Western Mass Man Admits To Sending Nudes To Agent Posing As 14-Year-Old Online: Feds
Western Mass Man Admits To Sending Nudes To Agent Posing As 14-Year-Old Online: Feds A 37-year-old Berkshire County didn't realize the 14-year-old girl he was sending nude photos to and begging her to reciprocate was a federal agent until he was arrested, authorities said.  Paul J. Bruzzi, of Lenox, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, July 16, to one count of attempt to transfer obscene material to a minor, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  Bruzzi began a conversation online with someone he believed to be a 14-year-old girl in September 2022. During their talks, he sent nine photos and videos of his genitals to the girl in an attempt to have her send him simila…
'Depraved' Lynn Man Who Admitting To Sexually Exploiting Kids He Taught Gets Prison: Feds 'Depraved' Lynn Man Who Admitting To Sexually Exploiting Kids He Taught Gets Prison: Feds
'Depraved' Lynn Man Who Admitting To Sexually Exploiting Kids He Taught Gets Prison: Feds A 56-year-old Lynn man who admitted to sexually exploiting minors in Laos, where he worked as an English teacher and ran a help organization, will spend more than a decade in federal prison, authorities said.  Michael Sebastian was sentenced on Wednesday, July 10,  to 12 years in prison and five years of supervised release after that, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. He pleaded guilty to three counts of engaging in illicit sexual conduct in foreign places in December.  He was arrested in July 2020.  “Mr. Sebastian took advantage of young, vulnerable children in h…
3 Charged In Movie Style Heist Of Mass. Cannabis Cash Courier: Feds 3 Charged In Movie Style Heist Of Mass. Cannabis Cash Courier: Feds
3 Charged In Movie Style Heist Of Mass. Cannabis Cash Courier: Feds It played out like a scene from the film "The Town." Three masked men pull up to a cash courier, zip-tie him at gunpoint, pepper spray him, steal more than $430,000, and then burn the getaway vehicle.  That's what federal authorities said three men did during a February 2024 heist in Swansea.  Steven Madison, 38, of Bridgewater, Christopher White, 37, of Raynham, and Quentin McDonald, 25, of Brockton, were indicted on one count of robbery interfering with interstate commerce, one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, one count of arson of property used in or affecting i…
Mass. Sex Offender Guilty Of Indecent Assault On Child Last Year Charged Again With Child Porn Mass. Sex Offender Guilty Of Indecent Assault On Child Last Year Charged Again With Child Porn
Mass. Sex Offender Guilty Of Indecent Assault On Child Last Year Charged Again With Child Porn A 33-year-old Cape Cod level-three sex offender who was convicted last year on multiple charges including indecent assault on a minor and child porn now faces more charges, authorities said.  Anthony Argo, 33, of Orleans, is charged with possession of child sexual abuse material, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  Police identified Argo on a chat application expressing sexual interest in minors and sharing child sexual abuse material, the prosecutor said. When officers searched his home, they found an SD card containing more than 100 videos of child pornography.  …
Parts Of Endangered Species Smuggled Into US By Mass. Man: Feds Parts Of Endangered Species Smuggled Into US By Mass. Man: Feds
Parts Of Endangered Species Smuggled Into US By Mass. Man: Feds A 39-year-old Reading man is accused of helping smuggle the skulls, skins, and other parts of animals — many of them endangered — into the United States to sell on the black market, federal authorities said.  Adam Bied is charged with two counts of conspiracy to smuggle goods into the United States, specifically, illegally imported wildlife parts, and three counts of violating the Lacey Act which prohibits trafficking in wildlife, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  The indictment said Bied brought in more than 100 animal parts from January 2018 through June 2021, knowin…
Ex-Mass State Senator Accused Of Fraud Now Charged With Lying About 'Sham Job Offer': Feds Ex-Mass State Senator Accused Of Fraud Now Charged With Lying About 'Sham Job Offer': Feds
Ex-Mass State Senator Accused Of Fraud Now Charged With Lying About 'Sham Job Offer': Feds A former state senator already facing 28 counts of fraud and tax evasion is now accused of lying about a fake job offer at his sister's company, federal authorities said.  Dean Tran, 48, of Fitchburg, was indicted on one count of obstruction of justice and one count of making a false statement. Tran's sister, Tuyet T. Martin, 54, of Pelham, New Hampshire, was indicted on two counts of obstruction of justice and one count of perjury, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  Related: Ex-State Senator Charged With Illegally Collecting $30K In Unemployment Benefits “The charges …
Waltham Man Who Offered $200 For Sex With 12-Year-Old Gets 15 Years In Prison: Feds Waltham Man Who Offered $200 For Sex With 12-Year-Old Gets 15 Years In Prison: Feds
Waltham Man Who Offered $200 For Sex With 12-Year-Old Gets 15 Years In Prison: Feds A 38-year-old Waltham man who reached out to an online ad for sex with a child in an undercover sting will spend the next 15 years behind bars, authorities announced on Thursday, June 20.  Misael Fabian Medina was convicted of one count of attempted sex trafficking of a child and one count of attempted coercion and enticement, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  Investigators said Medina responded to an online ad offering sex with two young girls in November 2022. In a text exchange with the people he believed were selling the children, Medina offered $200 to have sex wi…
Mass Man Guilty Of Trying To Pay 14-Year-Old Girl For Sex: Feds Mass Man Guilty Of Trying To Pay 14-Year-Old Girl For Sex: Feds
Mass Man Guilty Of Trying To Pay 14-Year-Old Girl For Sex: Feds A 29-year-old man was found guilty on Monday, June 10, of soliciting sex from a 14-year-old in a sting operation, authorities said.  Dimitri Shawn McKenzie, of Boston, was found guilty of attempted sex trafficking of a child following a three-day trial, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and up to life behind bars.  McKenzie responded to an online ad that advertised that two girls — ages 12 and 14 — would perform sex acts for cash in the Boston area, the prosecutor said. The post was made by law enforcement.&nbs…
'Incredibly Dangerous' Registered Chelsea Sex Offender Gets 10 Years For Child Porn 'Incredibly Dangerous' Registered Chelsea Sex Offender Gets 10 Years For Child Porn
'Incredibly Dangerous' Registered Chelsea Sex Offender Gets 10 Years For Child Porn A registered sex offender with a history of sexual abuse will spend a decade in prison after he admitted to having hundreds of images and videos of child sexual abuse material, federal authorities said. Lasall Johnson, 55, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography in March and was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison on Thursday, June 6, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. He will serve five years of probation after he is released.  Investigators arrested Johnson after agents traced his IP address from a peer-to-peer file-sharing site where large amounts of …
More Charges For Western Mass Man Accused Of 'One Of The Worst Cases' Of Child Sexual Abuse More Charges For Western Mass Man Accused Of 'One Of The Worst Cases' Of Child Sexual Abuse
More Charges For Western Mass Man Accused Of 'One Of The Worst Cases' Of Child Sexual Abuse Federal authorities charged a 38-year-old Berkshire County man already facing more than four dozen charges of child sexual abuse with two more on Wednesday, May 29.  Brain Warner, of Cheshire, was arrested and charged with sexual exploitation of a child and attempted sexual exploitation of a child on Wednesday, May 29, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. He previously lived in Adams.  Warner was arrested in April and charged with 51 counts of sexually abusing a minor, including multiple accusations of raping a child, indecent assault and battery, and 26 counts of child pornogr…
Ex-Quincy Teacher Facing Child Porn Charges; Chat Logs Show Online Relationship With Teen: Feds Ex-Quincy Teacher Facing Child Porn Charges; Chat Logs Show Online Relationship With Teen: Feds
Ex-Quincy Teacher Facing Child Porn Charges; Chat Logs Show Online Relationship With Teen: Feds A 40-year-old Quincy man who was a teacher at multiple Boston schools is accused of maintaining an online relationship with a teenager with whom he shared explicit photos, federal authorities said.  Carter Peaseley is charged with possessing and receiving child sexual abuse material, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. He faces up to 20 years in prison if found guilty.  Peaseley was arrested on Thursday, May 23, after investigators said he had kept the relationship going with the 15-year-old for a year. He groomed the child, saying he wanted to teach them how to kiss — am…
Brookline Woman Admits To $650K Embezzlement Scheme From Medical Practice: Feds Brookline Woman Admits To $650K Embezzlement Scheme From Medical Practice: Feds
Brookline Woman Admits To $650K Embezzlement Scheme From Medical Practice: Feds An ex-office manager from a Brookline medical practice admitted to stealing more than $650,000 from her former employer, authorities said Friday, May 24.  Kathleen Libby, 40, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and will be sentenced on Sept. 4, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. She faces up to 20 years in federal prison.  Libby was accused of stealing from her former employer in multiple ways, including creating a fake vendor named "Medline Surgical Supplies" to which she would send PayPal payments, the prosecutor said.  She used the money to buy items from …
Lynn Sober Living Home Owner Ordered To Pay $3.8M In Sexual Harassment Suit Lynn Sober Living Home Owner Ordered To Pay $3.8M In Sexual Harassment Suit
Lynn Sober Living Home Owner Ordered To Pay $3.8M In Sexual Harassment Suit The owner of a sober living facility in Lynn sexually harassed women in recovery from drugs and alcohol and offered to trade free or reduced housing expenses in exchange for sexual favors, a jury found. He was ordered to pay seven women $3.8 million in damages.  Peter McCarthy, 51, of Lynn, was found liable for sexual harassment and retaliation in violation of the Fair Housing Act following a five-day trial that ended on Friday, May 17, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said on Monday.  McCarthy owned and operated Steps to Solutions, Inc., which was advertised as a place…
East Boston Man Admits To Child Porn Charges East Boston Man Admits To Child Porn Charges
East Boston Man Admits To Child Porn Charges A 25-year-old East Boston man has admitted to storing and sharing child pornography with a large-scale chat group online, authorities said.  Cristopher Vladimir Pineda Martinez pleaded guilty on Wednesday, May 15, to one count of possession of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  Police began investigating Martinez in December 2022 after they identified him as a member of a private large-scale group chat involving child sexual abuse material, the prosecutor said. When officers searched his home, they fo…
Ex-Central Mass 2nd Grade Teacher Gets 3.5 Years After Admitting To Child Porn Charge: Feds Ex-Central Mass 2nd Grade Teacher Gets 3.5 Years After Admitting To Child Porn Charge: Feds
Ex-Central Mass 2nd Grade Teacher Gets 3.5 Years After Admitting To Child Porn Charge: Feds A 36-year-old former Milford second-grade teacher will spend more than three years behind bars after he admitted to having thousands of images of child sexual abuse material, federal authorities said.  Vincent Kiejzo pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography in December and was sentenced to 42 months in prison on Wednesday, May 15, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  The former Memorial Elementary School teacher must also pay $43,500 in restitution to the victims.  Police began investigating Kiejzo in 2019 after his IP address was linked t…
Mass Man Aimed High-Powered Laser At Coast Guard Helicopter Forcing Them To Abort Landing: Feds Mass Man Aimed High-Powered Laser At Coast Guard Helicopter Forcing Them To Abort Landing: Feds
Mass Man Aimed High-Powered Laser At Coast Guard Helicopter Forcing Them To Abort Landing: Feds A 59-year-old Massachusetts man was arrested after federal investigators said he shined a high-powered laser into the windshield of a US Coast Guard helicopter, forcing the pilot to change their landing location, authorities said.  Philip Gagnon, of Boston, was charged on Monday, May 13, with one count of aiming a laser pointer at a Coast Guard helicopter and was released with conditions, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  The incident happened on Sept. 21, when a US Coast Guard helicopter was taking part in a training exercise and attempting to land at Massachuset…
Western Mass Sex Offender Gets 10 Years For Child Porn Western Mass Sex Offender Gets 10 Years For Child Porn
Western Mass Sex Offender Gets 10 Years For Child Porn A Berkshire County registered sex offender will return to prison after admitting to having child sexual abuse material and an illegal shotgun, federal authorities said.  Brian Hohman, 60, of Sandisfield, pleaded guilty in January to one charge of possession of child pornography and one charge of receipt and possession of an unregistered firearm, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Thursday, May 2.  Hohman was arrested in September 2023 after police found a laptop at his home with more than 300 images and two videos featuring children b…
Ex-Western Mass Schools Superintendent Who Sent Threats To Police Chief Candidate Sentenced Ex-Western Mass Schools Superintendent Who Sent Threats To Police Chief Candidate Sentenced
Ex-Western Mass Schools Superintendent Who Sent Threats To Police Chief Candidate Sentenced The former superindentent of a Hampden County school district will avoid jail time for lying to FBI agents about sending nearly 100 threatening messages to a candidate for Chicopee police chief, authorities said.  Lynn Clark, 53, of Belchertown, was sentenced to a year of probation and a $1,000 fine on Tuesday, April 30, after pleading guilty to two counts of making false statements in January, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  Clark had been head of the Chicopee School District when she made the threatening texts, authorities said.  Acting US Attorney for Massachuset…
Mass Man Who Hired Hitman To Kill Ex-Wife For Her 'Independent Thinking' Gets 8 Years: Feds Mass Man Who Hired Hitman To Kill Ex-Wife For Her 'Independent Thinking' Gets 8 Years: Feds
Mass Man Who Hired Hitman To Kill Ex-Wife For Her 'Independent Thinking' Gets 8 Years: Feds A 47-year-old Boston man who attempted multiple times to hire a hitman to kill his ex-wife and her new boyfriend will spend nearly eight years behind bars, federal authorities announced.  Mohammed Chowdhury, who pleaded guilty in January to two counts of use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire, was sentenced last week to 92 months in federal prison, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  “Mr. Chowdhury literally thought he could get away with murder,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “Mr. Chowdhury’s disturbing conduct – in co…
Oxford Man Coerced Multiple Children Into Making Child Porn: Feds Oxford Man Coerced Multiple Children Into Making Child Porn: Feds
Oxford Man Coerced Multiple Children Into Making Child Porn: Feds A 41-year-old Worcester County man is accused of multiple sex crimes against children, including coercing several into producing child sexual assault material, authorities announced on Friday, April 26.  Michael Lamountain, of Oxford, was indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, one count of sex trafficking of a minor, and four counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  He was previously arrested and charged in February with a Rhode Island man for filming their assault of an underage girl. He has remained in custod…
Ex-Postal Employee In Revere, Melrose Stole Cash From Mail, Created Fake Money Orders: Feds Ex-Postal Employee In Revere, Melrose Stole Cash From Mail, Created Fake Money Orders: Feds
Ex-Postal Employee In Revere, Melrose Stole Cash From Mail, Created Fake Money Orders: Feds A 36-year-old former postal clerk has been arrested and charged with stealing hundreds of pieces of mail containing cash, checks, and gift cards and generating fake money orders worth more than $8,000 in total, authorities said.  Michael Murray, of Lynn, was arrested Friday morning, April 26, and charged with one count of theft of mail matter by an employee and one count of theft of government money, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  Murray worked at the Beach Street Post Office in Revere and the Melrose Post Office from September 2022 until July 2023. During that…
Western Mass Man Drove Child Across State Lines For Sex: Feds Western Mass Man Drove Child Across State Lines For Sex: Feds
Western Mass Man Drove Child Across State Lines For Sex: Feds A 50-year-old Berkshire County man is accused of driving a minor to have sex, authorities said.  Paul Newton-Irelan is charged with transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  Newton-Irelan allegedly drove the minor to New York and Massachusetts on Nov. 26, 2023, as part of a scheme for sex, authorities said. He told police he thought the girl was 18, but she was 11 years old, reports said.  According to federal sentencing guidelines, he faces a minimum of 10 years in prison if convicted followed …
'I Obey': Man Threw Bomb At Satanic Temple In Mass Because God Told Him To, Feds Say 'I Obey': Man Threw Bomb At Satanic Temple In Mass Because God Told Him To, Feds Say
'I Obey': Man Threw Bomb At Satanic Temple In Mass Because God Told Him To, Feds Say An Oklahoma man has been arrested and charged with throwing a pipe bomb at the Satanic Temple in Salem after the group did not heed his God's warnings to repent, federal authorities said.  Sean Patrick Palmer, 49, of Perkins, Okla., is charged with using an explosive to cause damage to a building used in interstate or foreign commerce, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  Surveillance video taken just before 4:15 a.m. shows a person in all-black clothing, a black face mask, a tactical vest, and gloves approach and throw something at the "temple." Moments later, the prosec…
Lynn Sex Trafficker Used Pandemic To Force Women Into Prostitution: Feds Lynn Sex Trafficker Used Pandemic To Force Women Into Prostitution: Feds
Lynn Sex Trafficker Used Pandemic To Force Women Into Prostitution: Feds A 34-year-old Lynn man is accused of exploiting vulnerable women who were newly unemployed, homeless, or unable to find work during the Covid-19 pandemic and forcing them into a life of prostitution and sexual servitude under unmitigated violence, authorities said.  Anthony Coleman faces three counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion and one count of transporting a person for purposes of prostitution, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. He was arrested on Friday, March 29.  Investigators said Coleman used the chaos that followed the Covid-19 lockdowns to coerce t…
Central Mass Kid's Magician Gets 6 Years For Smuggling Child Porn Into US: Feds Central Mass Kid's Magician Gets 6 Years For Smuggling Child Porn Into US: Feds
Central Mass Kid's Magician Gets 6 Years For Smuggling Child Porn Into US: Feds A Worcester County, Massachusetts, magician who has performed in the area for 20 years was sentenced Thursday, March 28, to six years behind bars for having child sexual abuse material in his luggage after returning from an overseas flight, authorities said.  Scott Jameson, age 47, of Sutton, pleaded guilty in November 2023 to illicit sexual conduct in a foreign place and one count of transportation of child pornography, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. He had faced potentially decades in prison for the charges.  Action Pour Les Enfants, a Cambodian child-protection group, …
Lynn Man Who Shared Child Porn Of Kids Younger Than 12 Sentenced To Prison: Feds Lynn Man Who Shared Child Porn Of Kids Younger Than 12 Sentenced To Prison: Feds
Lynn Man Who Shared Child Porn Of Kids Younger Than 12 Sentenced To Prison: Feds A Lynn man who admitted to having and sharing child sexual abuse material online was sentenced to five years behind bars this week, federal authorities said.   Ever Edilberto Zuniga Ramirez, 35, who pleaded guilty to distribution, receipt, and possession of child pornography in October 2023, was sentenced to 62 months in prison on Monday, March 18, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  Investigators said Ramirez shared the child sexual abuse material online beginning in July 2020 and through March 2022 when he was arrested. Some of the images and videos featured children …
Waltham Man Guilty Of Trying To Pay To Rape 12-Year-Old Girl: Feds Waltham Man Guilty Of Trying To Pay To Rape 12-Year-Old Girl: Feds
Waltham Man Guilty Of Trying To Pay To Rape 12-Year-Old Girl: Feds A Waltham man was found guilty of negotiating with what he believed to be a human trafficker to have sex with a child, authorities said.  Misael Fabian Medina, 38, was convicted of one count of attempted sex trafficking of a child; and one count of attempted coercion and enticement, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  Medina responded to an online advertisement offering sex with two young girls for cash in November 2022, federal authorities said. What he didn't know was it was a sting, and he was speaking with a police officer.  He agreed to pay $200 to have sex with a …
Ex-Stoughton Water Dept. Employee Tampered With Water Supply: Feds Ex-Stoughton Water Dept. Employee Tampered With Water Supply: Feds
Ex-Stoughton Water Dept. Employee Tampered With Water Supply: Feds A former Stoughton Water Department employee was arrested on Thursday, March 7, and charged with tampering with the city's water supply, authorities announced.  Robert J. Bullock, 58, of Brockton, was indicted on two counts of making false statements and one count of tampering with a water system, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. He potentially faces decades in prison if convicted.  Investigators said Bullock went into one of the Water Department's pumping stations on Nov. 29, 2022, and turned off the pump that introduces chlorine to the water supply. Chlorine helps disinfe…
Quincy Man Admits To Writing 100 Bad Checks Worth Over $1M: Feds Quincy Man Admits To Writing 100 Bad Checks Worth Over $1M: Feds
Quincy Man Admits To Writing 100 Bad Checks Worth Over $1M: Feds A Quincy man faces up to 30 years behind bars after he admitted to writing more than 100 bad checks worth more than $1 million, authorities said.  Hui Zhang, 41, pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud on Friday, March 1, and will be sentenced on May 28, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  Prosecutors said Zhang opened multiple bank accounts under fake names from June 2020 through at least May 2022 and deposited 114 counterfeit checks worth more than $1 million into them. The checks were drawn on the account of a Boston-based retailer. Zhang withdrew hundreds of thousands …