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Man From Region Sentenced For Multi-Drug Trafficking Conspiracy
A Massachusetts man was sentenced to five years in prison in connection with fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine trafficking conspiracy.
Robert Young, 50, of Worcester, was sentenced on Thursday, Nov. 18, by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman.
According to court documents, in October 2018, Young pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin, cocaine, cocaine base, and fentanyl.
In April 2017, law enforcement began investigating drug sales made by Young and co-conspirator Daniel Donald on Groton Street in Worcester, the US Attorney's Office said.
On Nov.…
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 …
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…
Drug Dealer With An AR-15 Faces Possible Lifetime Jail Sentence
A drug dealer who carried an AR-15 rifle pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court Monday, Oct. 19.
Ariel Pagan-Romero, 31, of Lawrence, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl; and being a felon in possession of firearms, the U.S. District Attorney’s Office, Connecticut said.
Pagan-Romero’s drug dealing came to light following several months of investigation using an undercover officer, the Attorney's Office said.
During a search of Pagan-Romero’s residence, agents found pistols, an AR-15 rifle, ammunition, fentanyl, an…
Man Pleads Guilty To 7-Stop Crime Spree, Carjacking
The man who stuck a gun into a woman’s neck carjacked her vehicle and went on a crime spree has pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court on Tuesday, Oct. 6.
Arno Smith, 57, of Hartford, pleaded guilty to one charge of a Hobbs Act robbery, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Connecticut, said. Hobbs applies in instances of interstate or foreign attempted or real robbery.
Between the time of the carjacking and his arrest, Smith robbed 7 places including grocery stores, rental facilities, retailers, and an inn, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
The carjacking took place on July 26 around 11 p.m. in a Har…
Lawyer Swindles Clients Out Of Millions; Forges Mom, Ex-Wife's Info To Further Scheme
A local attorney - who threw his own mother under the bus - brazenly stole, lied, and manipulated his clients out of millions of dollars has been sentenced to 66 months in prison.
Phillip R. Williams, of Easthampton, pleaded guilty in December, to wire fraud, engaging in financial transactions greater than $10,000 of proceeds derived from criminal activity, money laundering, and tax fraud, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts, said.
On Friday, Sept. 25, U.S. District Court Judge Mark Mastroianni sentenced Williams to over 5 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release…
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…
Latin Kings 'Judge' Pleads Guilty To Racketeering
A “judge” within the Latin Kings' Crown Council pleaded guilty to racketeering, Tuesday, Sept. 15, in U.S. District Court.
Hector “King Demon” Vega, 34, was arrested in 2019 along with 61 other gang leaders in a major sweep of the region. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly known as RICO conspiracy, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Connecticut, said.
The Latin Kings is a national, well-organized street gang with its own laws, government, justice system, and treasury.
While investigating the gang, law enfor…
Black Hartford Police Lieutenant Accuses Department Of Racism; Sues City, Chief, Others
A black Hartford Police lieutenant is suing the City of Hartford, Chief of Police, and other city law enforcement officials accusing them of racism and bigotry.
On Aug. 19, Hartford Police Lieutenant Paul West, an 18-year police veteran, filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court against the city, Police Chief Jason Thody, Assistant Chief Rafael Medina, Deputy Chief Sonia Watson, Deputy Chief Dustin Rendock, Captain Ian Powell, and Lieutenant Kevin O’Brien.
The lawsuit claims that starting in 2018, West’s grievances about the harassment he and other officers had faced within the department were…
Springfield Police Officer Sentenced To Anger Management Classes Following Clash in Lobby
Springfield Police Officer Jefferson Petrie has pleaded guilty to assaulting a civilian back in 2017.
Petrie pleaded guilty in March, court records show, when he agreed to take anger management classes and stay 100 yards from the victim, Jerry Bellamy. In exchange for complying with the sentence, Petrie’s charges will be dismissed after one year, MassLive reported.
Bellamy, however, is not done with the courts. He is suing Petrie and three other officers in U.S. District Court that alleges assault and batter, false arrest, malicious prosecution, and civil rights violation, according to cour…
