Tag:

Conspiracy

Frosty With A Side Of Felonies: Duo Busted In Mass Drive-Thru After T.J. Maxx Shoplifting Spree Frosty With A Side Of Felonies: Duo Busted In Mass Drive-Thru After T.J. Maxx Shoplifting Spree
Frosty With A Side Of Felonies: Duo Busted In Mass Drive-Thru After T.J. Maxx Shoplifting Spree Two women accused of stealing more than $2,000 worth of merchandise from T.J. Maxx didn’t get far. Police caught up with them at a Wendy’s drive-thru across the street. According to Auburn Police, an alert employee called in the theft after watching the suspects speed away from the store in a black Ford Edge with Connecticut plates. Officers didn’t have to search far. Sgt. Wildman quickly spotted the SUV waiting in line for food. “If Wendy’s had a frequent flyer program, (Wildman would) already have a lifetime platinum status,” Auburn Police said in a cheeky Facebook post.  That local…
Ex-Mass State Trooper Guilty In CDL Bribery Scandal Gets Month In Prison: Feds Ex-Mass State Trooper Guilty In CDL Bribery Scandal Gets Month In Prison: Feds
Ex-Mass State Trooper Guilty In CDL Bribery Scandal Gets Month In Prison: Feds A former Massachusetts State Police trooper has been sentenced for his involvement in a scheme to falsify records related to Commercial Driver’s License applicants, impacting public safety in the process. Perry Mendes, 64, of Wareham, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to one month in prison, followed by one year of supervised release, with the first two months on home confinement. The government had recommended a year behind bars.  In July 2025, Mendes pleaded guilty to several charges, including conspiracy to falsify records, falsifying records, and making fals…
Ex-Washington Wizards Star Gilbert Arenas Threw High-Stakes Poker Parties At CA Mansion: DOJ Ex-Washington Wizards Star Gilbert Arenas Threw High-Stakes Poker Parties At CA Mansion: DOJ
Ex-Washington Wizards Star Gilbert Arenas Threw High-Stakes Poker Parties At CA Mansion: DOJ Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas has been arrested and charged in a sprawling federal case accusing him and others of running high-stakes illegal poker games out of his mansion in California. Arenas, 43, who the centerpiece for the Washington Wizards for years, was taken into custody Wednesday, July 30, along with five others, including a suspected high-ranking member of an Israeli transnational organized crime group, federal prosecutors said. According to the US Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, the Woodland Hills resident, also known as “Agent Zero,” is charged with:…
Fourth Detainee Who Escaped New Jersey ICE Facility Captured 2,700 Miles Away Fourth Detainee Who Escaped New Jersey ICE Facility Captured 2,700 Miles Away
Fourth Detainee Who Escaped New Jersey ICE Facility Captured 2,700 Miles Away The fourth and final detainee who escaped from an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in New Jersey last month was captured Thursday, July 17, in Los Angeles, more than 2,700 miles away, the FBI said. Andres Felipe Pineda-Mogollon, 25, a Colombian national, escaped from Delaney Hall in Newark following a riot on June 12, as previously reported by Daily Voice. The FBI did not release further details about Pineda-Mogollon's escape. The three other detainees were identified as: Franklin Norberto Bautista-Reyes, a Honduran national who entered the U.S. illegally in 2021, was arreste…
IRS Scam Busted: $93M COVID Fraud Tied To Attempted Hit On Alleged Mastermind IRS Scam Busted: $93M COVID Fraud Tied To Attempted Hit On Alleged Mastermind
IRS Scam Busted: $93M COVID Fraud Tied To Attempted Hit On Alleged Mastermind It started with a fake business. It ended with a shootout in broad daylight. Four people are facing federal charges in what prosecutors call the largest COVID-19 tax credit fraud scheme ever identified.  This $93 million operation allegedly involved fake companies, kickbacks, and a botched attempt to silence the ringleader. The sprawling indictment, unsealed in Los Angeles, details an alleged conspiracy to defraud the IRS by submitting false claims for Coronavirus Response Credits.  These federal tax refunds were designed to help small businesses cover sick and family leave wage…
Feds ID Four Migrants Who Escaped NJ ICE Facility, $10K Reward Offered Feds ID Four Migrants Who Escaped NJ ICE Facility, $10K Reward Offered
Feds ID Four Migrants Who Escaped NJ ICE Facility, $10K Reward Offered Federal officials are offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of four criminal illegal aliens who escaped from Delaney Hall Detention Facility in Newark on Thursday, June 12, the Department of Homeland Security said. The agency maintained that no widespread unrest occurred at the facility, contradicting various media reports including some saying 50 inmates pushed down a wall after meals were served late.  Officials said Delaney Hall remains “dedicated to providing high-quality services” and maintains 24/7 medical care, visitation, legal access, meals, reli…
Teen Admits To Making Bomb, Shooting Hoax Calls Across US: DOJ Teen Admits To Making Bomb, Shooting Hoax Calls Across US: DOJ
Teen Admits To Making Bomb, Shooting Hoax Calls Across US: DOJ A 19-year-old from Maryland who helped run an online “Purgatory” group behind a wave of terrifying swatting calls—targeting schools, airports, casinos, and homes—has pleaded guilty in federal court, authorities announced. Owen Jarboe, of Hagerstown, admitted to conspiracy, cyberstalking, and making interstate threats involving fire and explosives between December 2023 and Jan. 18, 2024, according to the US Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors said that Jarboe and his co-conspirators used Telegram, Instagram, and shared spoofing scripts to mask their identities while triggering police responses to…
M&M Factory Fight: Coworker Beaten Outside By 2 Employees, Police Say M&M Factory Fight: Coworker Beaten Outside By 2 Employees, Police Say
M&M Factory Fight: Coworker Beaten Outside By 2 Employees, Police Say A brutal attack outside the M&M Mars factory in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, left one employee with serious injuries, borough police announced in a release on Thursday, April 17. Angel L. Sanchez-Abreu and Wilbert A. Sanchez allegedly beat a fellow coworker at the sweet plant just after noon outside the candy plant on South Brown Street on Thursday, April 3, investigators said. The victim suffered a broken nose and a hairline skull fracture in the assault, which unfolded around 1:31 p.m., police said. Angel L. Sanchez-Abreu has since turned himself in and is cooperating with authoritie…
2 Caught After Taking Car From Mass Hotel Hours After Release For Stolen Plates: Cops 2 Caught After Taking Car From Mass Hotel Hours After Release For Stolen Plates: Cops
2 Caught After Taking Car From Mass Hotel Hours After Release For Stolen Plates: Cops Two men with an apparent knack for poor decision-making were arrested in New York after police said they stole a vehicle from a Massachusetts hotel — just hours after being released in connection with a different stolen-vehicle incident.  The suspects, Anthony Carter, 46, of Wichita, Kansas, and Christopher Carter, 40, of Cleveland, North Carolina, were taken into custody at a Westchester County gas station in Yonkers on Wednesday, April 9, by Westchester County Police officers who had been alerted to a stolen Honda Accord possibly traveling through the area, the department announced on…
Sean Kingston, Mom Federally Convicted In $1M Wire Fraud Scheme, Report Says Sean Kingston, Mom Federally Convicted In $1M Wire Fraud Scheme, Report Says
Sean Kingston, Mom Federally Convicted In $1M Wire Fraud Scheme, Report Says Rapper Sean Kingston and his mom Janice Turner have been convicted in a million-dollar luxury goods fraud scheme that prosecutors say involved bogus wire transfers, fake bank documents, and a whole lot of bling they never paid for, officials announced. After more than 3½ hours of deliberation, a Florida jury on Friday, March 28, found Kingston, 34, and Turner, 61, guilty of federal wire fraud, NBC News reports. Kingston was ordered to house arrest with electronic monitoring and must post a surety bond including a home worth $500,000 and $200,000 in cash, NBC said. Turner will remain in fede…
New England Museum Heist Crew Sentenced In Decades-Long Crime: Feds New England Museum Heist Crew Sentenced In Decades-Long Crime: Feds
New England Museum Heist Crew Sentenced In Decades-Long Crime: Feds It took them 20 years to steal it all—but just four weeks for a jury to take it back. Now, multiple members of the Pennsylvania-based museum heist crew are heading to prison. Thomas Trotta, 49, of Dunmore, was sentenced on Friday, March 14 to serve 96 months in prison, followed by supervised release, and ordered to pay $2,759,073 in restitution for his role in the massive multi-state theft operation targeting fine art, sports memorabilia, and historic artifacts worth over $4 million the FBI announced on Tuesday, March 18. Trotta and his co-conspirators carried out a string of museum heists …
Scammers Stole Taylor Swift Eras Tour Tickets In $600K+ Scheme, Prosecutors Say Scammers Stole Taylor Swift Eras Tour Tickets In $600K+ Scheme, Prosecutors Say
Scammers Stole Taylor Swift Eras Tour Tickets In $600K+ Scheme, Prosecutors Say Taylor Swift fans are hoping "Karma" comes to whoever scammed them out of expensive tickets to The Eras Tour. Two people were accused of stealing nearly 1,000 tickets to high-demand events, including the popstar's record-breaking concert tour. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced arrests in the case in a news release on Monday, Mar. 3. Tyrone Rose, 20, of Kingston, Jamaica, and Shamara Simmons, 31, of Queens, NY, were facing charges including grand larceny, conspiracy, and computer tampering.  "These defendants tried to use the popularity of Taylor Swift…
Suspended Driver Kills MA Woman, 20, In Thanksgiving Crash In NY: Police Suspended Driver Kills MA Woman, 20, In Thanksgiving Crash In NY: Police
Suspended Driver Kills MA Woman, 20, In Thanksgiving Crash In NY: Police A Massachusetts woman was killed in a crash in a vehicle operated by a man with a suspended license on Route 295 in the Capital Region on Thanksgiving, authorities said. Shawn A. Barnwell, 25, of the Bronx, NY, lost control of the vehicle in slippery conditions, causing the vehicle to overturn and leave the roadway in Columbia County in Canaan, on Thursday evening, Nov. 28, Trooper AJ Hicks of the New York State Police. The vehicle then left the roadway before striking a utility pole, killing the backseat passenger, Sierra Tassone, 20, of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, who was ejecte…
Central Mass Elderly Woman Nearly Loses More Than $20K In Scam; Police Issue Warning Central Mass Elderly Woman Nearly Loses More Than $20K In Scam; Police Issue Warning
Central Mass Elderly Woman Nearly Loses More Than $20K In Scam; Police Issue Warning An elderly woman in Worcester County was nearly out more than $20,000 after a scam artist tried to prey on her vulnerabilities.  The woman called Blackstone police on Friday, June 28, after she became suspicious that the man was trying to steal from her.  She told investigators that she received a message that she believed was from her bank that said her account was compromised. She called the number on the message, and the person who answered said she needed to remove as much money as possible to "reclaim" her account, Blackstone police said.  He told her to meet with a "sp…
Victims Scammed Out Of $2.2M By NJ Couple In 'Publishers Clearing House Lottery' Scheme: Cops Victims Scammed Out Of $2.2M By NJ Couple In 'Publishers Clearing House Lottery' Scheme: Cops
Victims Scammed Out Of $2.2M By NJ Couple In 'Publishers Clearing House Lottery' Scheme: Cops A couple from Secaucus is facing a litany of charges after scamming residents in multiple states out of more nearly $2.2 million, police said. Akeem Lee and Majda Hodzic-Lee called victims in Florida, Minnesota, Arizona, Kansas, Massachusetts, Kentucky, Colorado, Pennsylvania and Nebraska, saying they'd won the "Publishers Clearing House Lottery," Secaucus Police Chief Dennis Miller said. In exchange for the vehicles and large sums of money the victims were told they won, they were required by Lee and Hodzic-Lee to send cash, money orders and/or gift cards for taxes, fees and IRS …
Man Turned Massachusetts College Jobs Into An Illegal Fortune, Now He's Going To Prison: Feds Man Turned Massachusetts College Jobs Into An Illegal Fortune, Now He's Going To Prison: Feds
Man Turned Massachusetts College Jobs Into An Illegal Fortune, Now He's Going To Prison: Feds A 53-year-old Connecticut man will spend the next eight months in prison after he admitted to taking bribes to sell contracts to build, maintain, and repair three colleges in Massachusetts, federal authorities said.  Floyd Young, of the city of Shelton in Fairfield County, pleaded guilty in August 2020 to one count of conspiracy and three counts of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. He was sentenced on Wednesday, Dec. 20.  Along with his prison term, Young must also forfeit $919,066, the amount of bribes he receiv…
Man Ran Illegal Dentist Office In Central Mass Convenience Store Near Police Station: Cops Man Ran Illegal Dentist Office In Central Mass Convenience Store Near Police Station: Cops
Man Ran Illegal Dentist Office In Central Mass Convenience Store Near Police Station: Cops Police in Worcester County said a 64-year-old man ran an illegal dentistry office in the back room of a convenience.  Juan Hermida Munoz, of Milford, was arrested and charged last week with practicing unauthorized dentistry and practicing unauthorized medicine, Milford police said.  Investigators said Munoz rented a room in the rear of the Alternativa Convenience Store at 140 Main St., Suite 7, in Milford, where he performed examinations, tooth extractions, anesthetics, and cleanings. The store is three blocks away from the Milford Police Department.  It's unc…
CT Man Returned $300K Of Items To Home Depots That He Never Paid For: Feds CT Man Returned $300K Of Items To Home Depots That He Never Paid For: Feds
CT Man Returned $300K Of Items To Home Depots That He Never Paid For: Feds A Connecticut man is accused of ripping off nearly $300,000 from more than two dozen Home Depot stores across eight states, including Massachusetts and Connecticut, authorities said.  Henrique Costa-Mota, age 26, of West Hartford, is charged with conspiracy and wire fraud in the scheme that he allegedly ran from June 2021 until February 202, the US Attorney for Rhode Island said.  Costa-Mota is accused of going to Home Depot locations across the Northeast dressed as a contractor. He would walk in empty-handed, take several doors from the back of the store, and then "return" them t…
Drug Ring Bust Leads To 20 Convictions In Western Mass Drug Ring Bust Leads To 20 Convictions In Western Mass
Drug Ring Bust Leads To 20 Convictions In Western Mass Authorities in Western Massachusetts are celebrating as two men, busted as part of a drug ring in 2021, pled guilty on Thursday, June 8. That makes 20 felony convictions since investigators began dismantling the operation in 2021, officials said.  Jason Nadeau, 42, of Ludlow, pleaded guilty to two felony charges of trafficking cocaine and one of conspiracy, the Northwestern District Attorney's Office said.  David Gallegos, 30, of Deerfield, will serve a year of probation after a judge continued without a finding a charge of conspiracy, the prosecutor said. …
Violent Kidnapping: 5 Busted In Central Mass Held Victims For Hours, Beat Them, DA Says Violent Kidnapping: 5 Busted In Central Mass Held Victims For Hours, Beat Them, DA Says
Violent Kidnapping: 5 Busted In Central Mass Held Victims For Hours, Beat Them, DA Says Five people are expected to be arraigned Friday, Feb. 17, that they took part in a violent assault and kidnapping at an Athol home earlier this month, authorities said.  The five were arrested in connection with a Feb. 1 kidnapping where two victims were held at a house for four hours against their will, robbed, and assaulted, the Northwestern District Attorney's Office said. One victim reported the incident to Athol police the following day.  This week, investigators arrested multiple people in the case. They are:  Franklin Payne, age 46, of Athol. He is charged with armed…
3 Men Facing Charges In Connection With Whitey Bulger's Beating Death 3 Men Facing Charges In Connection With Whitey Bulger's Beating Death
3 Men Facing Charges In Connection With Whitey Bulger's Beating Death Three men have been indicted in connection with the beating death of notorious Boston crime boss James "White" Bulger, the US Attorney’s Office of the Northern District of West Virginia reports. Fotios "Freddy" Geas, Paul "Pauly" DeCologero and Sean McKinnon were charged with conspiracy to commit first degree murder Wednesday, Aug. 17,  the office reports.  Geas and DeCologero are accused of beating in the head Bulger while they were imprisoned in West Virginia in October 2018, the office reports. This resulted in Bulger's death at 89 years old.  Geas and…
CT Store Owner, Worker Admit Defrauding Federal Program CT Store Owner, Worker Admit Defrauding Federal Program
CT Store Owner, Worker Admit Defrauding Federal Program The owner of a Connecticut convenience store and his father, who helped him operate the business, have admitted to a food stamps fraud offense.  Hartford County residents Javed Saeed, age 52, and 68-year-old Dastgir Saeed, both of South Windsor, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, May 10, to conspiracy to commit food stamp fraud, according to Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States attorney for the District of Connecticut. Javed is the owner of the Manchester Quick Mart and Mobil gas station, which is located at 262 Oakland St. in Manchester, the US Attorney's Office reported. His fathe…
Former Official In Massachusetts Sentenced For $2.3 Million Fraud Scheme Former Official In Massachusetts Sentenced For $2.3 Million Fraud Scheme
Former Official In Massachusetts Sentenced For $2.3 Million Fraud Scheme A former employee of a Massachusetts city's housing development office was sentenced for her role in a $2.3 million property development fraud scheme. Jacklyn Sutcivni, age 48, of the Middlesex County town of Dracut, was sentenced to 40 months in prison and three years of supervised release for wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States, and false claims, the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts announced on Monday, March 28. She was convicted of the charges on Aug. 4. Sutcivni was an employee of the City of Worcester’s Housi…
Pittsfield Man Sentenced For Multi-Drug Trafficking Conspiracy Pittsfield Man Sentenced For Multi-Drug Trafficking Conspiracy
Pittsfield Man Sentenced For Multi-Drug Trafficking Conspiracy A 54-year-old man from Western Massachusetts was sentenced for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy. Berkshire County resident Edward Chapman, of Pittsfield, was sentenced on Thursday, March 10, to 11 years in prison and eight years of supervised release, according to an announcement from the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts. In March of 2020, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, cocaine, cocaine base, oxycodone, and …
Woman Nabbed For ID Theft Scheme In Fairfield County, Police Say Woman Nabbed For ID Theft Scheme In Fairfield County, Police Say
Woman Nabbed For ID Theft Scheme In Fairfield County, Police Say A woman is facing charges after police in Fairfield County said she opened cellular accounts using a victim's identity.  Annedlasia Porter, of Hartford, was arrested by New Canaan Police on Tuesday, Dec. 7, for two counts of conspiracy and four counts of third-degree identity theft, according to the New Canaan Police Department.  Police said Porter also uses the alias Jennifer Johnson, and on separate occasions told police that she is 28 years old and 21 years old. Police said investigators found that Porter had opened multiple cellular accounts at T-Mobile and Verizon wireless u…
Woman From Region Admits To Role In Fentanyl, Heroin, Cocaine Conspiracy Woman From Region Admits To Role In Fentanyl, Heroin, Cocaine Conspiracy
Woman From Region Admits To Role In Fentanyl, Heroin, Cocaine Conspiracy A Massachusetts woman has admitted to her role in a fentanyl, heroin and cocaine trafficking conspiracy.  Worcester County resident Amanda Ford, age 35, of Fitchburg, pleaded guilty on Friday, Dec. 3, to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, heroin, cocaine and cocaine base, according to the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts. She is scheduled to be sentenced on March 22, the Attorney's Office said.  Ford was charged with 17 other defendants in July of 2020, and she is the 10th defendant to plead …
Former Resident In Region Sentenced For Charges Related To Sham Marriage Former Resident In Region Sentenced For Charges Related To Sham Marriage
Former Resident In Region Sentenced For Charges Related To Sham Marriage A former Western Massachusetts resident has been sentenced for entering into a sham marriage to obtain immigration benefits for another person. Phu Thanh Huynh, age 33, formerly of Springfield, has been sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to pay a $20,000 forfeiture after admitting to marrying a Vietnamese national in 2013. In September 2013, federal prosecutors said that Huynh married a Vietnamese national, referred to as Jane Doe, solely for the purpose of obtaining immigration benefits for Doe, never living together after the sham marriage. In late 2013 or early 2014, Huynh w…
Dental Office Manager In Region Admits To Role In Medicare Fraud Scheme Dental Office Manager In Region Admits To Role In Medicare Fraud Scheme
Dental Office Manager In Region Admits To Role In Medicare Fraud Scheme A Massachusetts woman has pleaded guilty to her participation in a scheme to defraud the Massachusetts Medicaid program commonly known as MassHealth. Robin Cronin, age 58, of Worcester, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and one count of health care fraud, according to the US Attorney's Office. In January 2020, Cronin was indicted along with Dr. Anthony DiStefano and Dr. Scott Cale, dentists practicing in Worcester, for their roles in the Medicare fraud scheme. According to the indictment, from 2014 to 2018, the dental services that DiStefano personally d…
Former Western Mass Resident Admits To Sham Marriage Former Western Mass Resident Admits To Sham Marriage
Former Western Mass Resident Admits To Sham Marriage A former area resident man has pleaded guilty in connection with entering into a sham marriage in order to obtain immigration benefits for another person. Phu Thanh Huynh, age 33, formerly of Springfield, who pleaded guilty on Wednesday, Aug. 4, married a Vietnamese national, referred to as Jane Doe in September 2018, solely for the purpose of obtaining immigration benefits for Doe, said the US Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts. According to the US Attorney, Huynh and Doe never lived together after getting married, and that a co-conspirator paid Huynh $20,000 in cash …
Members Of Well-Known Seafood Company Arraigned On Conspiracy, Fraud, Obstruction Charges Members Of Well-Known Seafood Company Arraigned On Conspiracy, Fraud, Obstruction Charges
Members Of Well-Known Seafood Company Arraigned On Conspiracy, Fraud, Obstruction Charges Two members of a prominent Long Island seafood company have pleaded not guilty to conspiracy and obstruction charges in federal court for allegedly conspiring to illegally harvest and sell fish caught above legal limits. Bryan Gosman, age 48, Asa Gosman, age 45, of Montauk, members of the management team of Bob Gosman Co. Inc., pleaded not guilty this week after being charged by a federal grand jury for conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and obstruction in connection with a scheme to illegally over-harvest fluke and black sea bass. Both men were released on $100,000 signature bonds a…
Western Mass Man Out On Bail Busted For Second Time For Heroin Trafficking, Police Say Western Mass Man Out On Bail Busted For Second Time For Heroin Trafficking, Police Say
Western Mass Man Out On Bail Busted For Second Time For Heroin Trafficking, Police Say A Western Mass man who has been out on bail for trafficking in heroin has been busted again, police said. Jorge Diaz, age 64, of Springfield, was arrested on Tuesday, May 11, by Springfield Police after he was nabbed with 2,8000 bags of heroin, cocaine, and more than $8,000 in cash, said the Springfield Police. On Wednesday, May 12, police seized an additional $40,6000 from Diaz's safety deposit box with a warrant, police said. Diaz was out on bail from an October arrest where Springfield Police Narcotics detectives seized nearly 30,000 bags of heroin. Arrested along with Diaz was Margari…