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Tag: U.S. Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts
Local Pimp's Accomplice Faces Life In Prison For Recruiting, Exploiting Prostitutes
A Springfield woman has pleaded guilty to charges stemming from her work recruiting vulnerable females into a life of forced sex work, violence, and drug addiction.
On Tuesday, March 9, Shannon Yelinek, 36, of Springfield, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts, said.
Yelinek was accused of working with co-conspirator/pimp William Coleman who pleaded guilty to sex trafficking crimes in September 2020 and received a sentence of 186 months in prison. Coleman operated a prostitution business that used violence and drug addiction as mea…
Owners Of Big Rig That Hit And Killed 7 Motorcyclists Accused Of Cover-Up Effort
The owners of the Westfield trucking company involved in a horrific big rig crash that killed seven people have been indicted on charges related to the 2019 accident.
The U.S. Attorney's office said that Dartanayan Gasanov, 36, is charged with one count of falsification of records, while Dunyadar Gasanov, 35, is charged with one count of falsification of records, one count of conspiracy to falsify records, and one count of making a false statement to a federal investigator following a federal grand jury indictment, the U.S. Attorney's Office, Massachusetts, said.
According to court document…
Ex-House Ethics Committee Chairman Admits To Spending Campaign Money On Lavish Lifestyle
A heavily in-debt ex-Massachusetts state representative, who once served as chairman of the House Ethics Committee, has admitted to funding his lavish lifestyle with public money and fraudulent bank loans.
On Wednesday, Feb. 24, former state representative David M. Nangle, 60, pleaded guilty in U.S. Senior District Court to 10 counts of wire fraud, 4 counts of bank fraud, 4 counts of making false statements to a bank, and 5 counts of filing false tax returns, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts said.
Nangle, a Democrat, represented Massachusetts’ 17th Middlesex District, which include…
Latin Kings 'Snitch Detective,' Second-In-Command Pleads Guilty To Gang-Related Charge
The Second-in-Command of the Massachusetts Latin Kings has pleaded guilty to charges stemming from his lead role in finding and punishing gang members who spoke to the police.
On Tuesday, Feb. 23, Angel “King Big A” Roldan, 35, pleaded guilty in U.S. Senior Court to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, said the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts.
From at least 2018 to 2019, Roldan served as the “Cacique,” aka second-in-command, of the Massachusetts chapter. As part of his leadership role, Roldan was responsible for investigating "snitches,"…
Gun Shop Owner Gets 18 Months In Prison On Machinegun, Other Charges
A local firearms dealer has been sentenced to 18 months in prison on a variety of charges relating to the illegal sale, possession, and manufacturing of weapons.
On Friday, Feb. 5, U.S. District Court Judge Mark D. Mastroianni sentenced Max T. Gaj, 30, of Belchertown, to one-and-a-half years in prison and three years of supervised release.
In September 2020, Gaj, the co-owner of Dark Horse Gunsmithing in South Hadley, pled guilty to:
receipt and possession of unregistered firearms,
receipt and possession of National Firearm Act (NFA) firearms not identified by serial number,
making a …
Women Accused Of Running $100 Million Health Care Scam Using Poor, Disabled People
Two Massachusetts women were arrested on Sunday, Jan. 31, in connection to a $100 million home health care fraud.
The government is seeking to recoup funds as well as five properties allegedly bought with stolen funds.
On Monday, Feb. 1, Faith Newton, 52, of Westford, and Winnie Waruru, 41, of Lowell, were each indicted on counts of conspiracy to commit health care fraud; health care fraud - aiding and abetting; and conspiracy to pay and receive kickbacks, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts.
Newton was also charged with money laundering conspiracy and seven counts of mo…
Undercover Cop Nabs Man, Who Was 'Talking' With 10 Girls, On Child Porn, Intent Charges
An undercover police officer posing online as a teenager nabbed a man who appears to have been grooming at least 10 girls to be sexually assaulted.
On Wednesday, Jan. 20, Patrick Plummer, 29, of Parsonsfield, Maine, was charged in federal court in Boston for traveling with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a person under 18 years of age and transportation of child pornography, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts said.
According to court documents, Plummer is accused of using various messaging apps to communicate with an undercover officer posing online as a 13-year-…
Ex-State Troopers Arrested For Embezzlement In Alleged Overtime Scheme
A former Central Massachusetts State Police Trooper was among the men arrested Friday and charged with embezzlement from the department.
On Friday, Dec. 11, former State Police Sergeant William W. Robertson of Westborough, and former MSP Lieutenant Daniel J. Griffin of Belmont were arrested and charged in federal court in Boston, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Massachusets, said.
Robertson, 58, was indicted on one count of conspiracy, one count of theft concerning a federal program, and four counts of wire fraud, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Griffin, 57, was indicted on one count of consp…
Accused Of Buying Vacations, Puppies With Stolen Cards, 6 Rappers Indicted In Springfield
Six rappers accused of using stolen payment cards to buy private jets, designer puppies, and charter yachts have been indicted on fraud charges by a federal grand jury in Springfield.
The rappers - a group that includes G Herbo and Rockstar Rodie - are from the Chicago area and were indicted for participating in an alleged nationwide wire fraud and identity theft scheme.
The indicted men are Antonio Strong, 28; Herbert “G Herbo” Wright, 25; Demario Sorrells, 34; Steven Hayes, 28; Joseph “Rockstar Rodie” Williams, 28; and Terrance Bender, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Massac…
8-Time Sex Offender Pleads Guilty To Child Pornography Charges
A registered level 3 sex offender - who has been convicted on sexual assault charges 8 times - is facing 15 to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to child pornography charges.
On Tuesday, Nov. 24, Nicholas Robillard, 39, of North Attleboro, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to the charges of distribution and possession of child pornography, according to the U.S. ATtorney’s Office, Massachusetts.
Robillard, 42, admitted to distributing and possessing child porn between October 2018 and February 2019. Due to a prior record, Robillard faces the possibility of a longer prison sentenc…
Suspected Pimp Faces Life Sentence; Allegedly Forced 5 Victims Into Prostitution
A man who allegedly prostituted five victims in Connecticut and Massachusetts, as well as other states, is facing at least 10 years and up to a lifetime in prison if convicted.
On Wednesday, Oct. 28, Ronald Hall, 48, of Woonsocket, Rhode Island, and formerly of Connecticut, was indicted on five charges of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and one count of transportation of an individual with the intent to engage in prostitution, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts.
Hall is accused of pimping in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and …
Nurse Accused Of Stealing Morphine From Nursing Home Patient
A nurse is facing up to 10 years in jail for stealing morphine from a nursing home patient.
On Tuesday, Oct. 27, Danielle Works, 42, of Stafford Springs, Connecticut, was charged with tampering with a consumer product, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts.
In January of 2018, Works is alleged to have taken morphine prescribed to a patient at Governor’s Center nursing facility in Westfield. She is accused of removing the morphine from the bottle and diluting the remaining morphine with another substance, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Works is facing up to 10 years in pr…
Gun Shop Owner Admits To Selling/Owning Illegal Firearms - Including Homemade Machinegun
The co-owner of a local gun shop has admitted to owning and/or selling illegal machineguns and other banned firearms.
Max T. Gaj, 29, of Belchertown and co-owner of Dark Horse Gunsmithing in South Hadley, pleaded guilty on Friday, Sept. 25, to receipt and possession of unregistered firearms, receipt, and possession of National Firearm Act (NFA) firearms not identified by serial number, making a firearm in violation of the NFA, selling firearms in violation of state and local laws, as well as making false entries and properly maintaining records, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office Massac…
Undercover Officer Busted Child Pornographer; Many Victims Under 12
A Fitchburg man has admitted to making and distributing child pornography with numerous victims younger than 12 years old.
He was caught due to an undercover officer.
Ryan Decarolis, 27, of Fitchburg, pleaded guilty on Monday, Sept. 21, in U.S. District Court, to five counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, two counts of distribution of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts.
Decarolis was busted by an undercover officer, according to court documents. In 2019, law enforcement agents had taken over the s…
Stealing 17 Firearms Capped Off Crime Spree, US Attorney Says
Two men went on an alleged crime spree before stealing 17 firearms from a local store. The men have been arrested and charged with theft.
Fernando Rivera, 24, and Christian Castro, 29, both of Connecticut, were each charged with one count of stealing firearms from a federal firearms licensee, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts.
On Aug. 29, according to court documents, Rivera and Castro, as well as others, allegedly drove in two cars - one of which was stolen - and proceeded to drive around Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire stealing, or at least atte…
Worcester Priest/Holyoke Teacher Gets Prison For Child Pornography Charge
A former Holyoke kindergarten teacher and Worcester priest has been sentenced to six years in prison for possession of child pornography.
Gregory Lisby, 40, of Worcester, was sentenced on Friday, Sept. 18, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts, said. In February, Lisby pled guilty to a charge of possession of child pornography.
Lisby was the rector of All Saints Episcopal Church in Worcester, 2015 to 2018. In addition to Holyoke, Lisby claimed to have been an aid or substitute teacher in the Shrewsbury and Worcester public schools, according to MassLive.
Lisby was arrested and resigned…
Springfield Pimp Gets 15 Years In Jail For Sex Trafficking In CT, MA
A pimp who ran a sex trafficking ring in Springfield and Hartford has been sentenced to 15 years in prison.
William Coleman, 49, of Springfield, has been sentenced to 186 months in prison and five years of supervised police, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts, said. In February, Coleman pleaded guilty to sex trafficking charges.
From 2016-2018, Coleman ran a prostitution ring in the Springfield and Hartford areas as well as other parts of Connecticut, the Attorney’s Office said.
Coleman used violence and drug addictions - typically heroin - to coerce 8 female victims into enga…
Ex-Con With Machine Gun Gets Multi-Year Jail Sentence
A Western Mass ex-convict with a machine gun was sentenced to 5 years in prison on Tuesday, Sept. 8.
Hector Gomez, 33, of Chicopee, was sentenced by U.S. District Court, Springfield, Judge Mark Mastroianni to 5 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts.
In May Gomez was found in Chicopee to be in possession of a Bushmaster 0.223 caliber rifle, an Arsenal 7.62 mm rifle, 14 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 28 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, and 60 rounds of 7.62 ammunition, according to court documents. It is unclear from the i…
Police Arrested For Embezzling Taxpayer Funds In Overtime Scheme
Nine Massachusetts Police Officers have been arrested in connection with an overtime fraud scheme that allegedly bilked taxpayers out of $200,000.
The police were arrested on Wednesday, Sept. 2, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Massachusetts.
The officers arrested are retired and still on the force. They are:
Lt. Timothy Torigian, 54, Walpole;
Sgt. Gerard O’Brien, 62, Braintree (retired);
Sgt. Robert Twitchell, 58, Norton (retired);
Off. Henry Doherty, 61, Dorchester (retired);
Off. Diana Lopez, 58, Milton (retired);
Off. James Carnes, 57, Canton (retired);
Off. Michael Murph…
