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US Attorney for Massachusetts

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…
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…
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, …
Man Who Threatened To Harm Mass Doctor Over Her Work With Trans Kids Gets 3 Months: Feds Man Who Threatened To Harm Mass Doctor Over Her Work With Trans Kids Gets 3 Months: Feds
Man Who Threatened To Harm Mass Doctor Over Her Work With Trans Kids Gets 3 Months: Feds A Texas man who threatened a Boston doctor for her work with transgender children will spend three months behind bars.  Matthew Jordan Lindner, 39, of Comfort, Texas, pleaded guilty to one count of interstate transmission of threatening communication, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. Along with his prison sentence, he must pay nearly $3,000 in restitution and spend three years on probation.  Investigators said Lindner called the Boston-based National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center on Aug. 31, 2022, and left a hate-filled voicemail.  “You sick motherf*****s, you’re a…
Mass Ex-FedEx Driver Who Sold Guns He Stole From Truck Gets 6 Days In Prison: Feds Mass Ex-FedEx Driver Who Sold Guns He Stole From Truck Gets 6 Days In Prison: Feds
Mass Ex-FedEx Driver Who Sold Guns He Stole From Truck Gets 6 Days In Prison: Feds A former FedEx driver who sold guns he stole from his truck will not return to prison despite his guilty plea, authorities announced.  Frank P. O’Toole, 40, of Middleborough, was sentenced to time served on Friday, Feb. 2, after he admitted to two counts of possession or sale of a stolen firearm, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. The government had requested the judge impose a 10-month sentence.  O'Toole took three packages during his time as a Fed-Ex driver from Oct. 2021 until June 2022 that contained two rifles and a shotgun, the prosecutor said. He sold those g…
Martha's Vineyard Man Who Wore Wig, Used Fake Bomb In Bank Robbery Gets 8 Years: Feds Martha's Vineyard Man Who Wore Wig, Used Fake Bomb In Bank Robbery Gets 8 Years: Feds
Martha's Vineyard Man Who Wore Wig, Used Fake Bomb In Bank Robbery Gets 8 Years: Feds A 40-year-old Martha's Vineyard former clothing store owner who admitted to robbing a bank on Cape Cod last year will spend more than eight years behind bars, authorities announced.  Petar Petyoshin, of Edgartown, pleaded guilty to one count of armed robbery in October and was sentenced to 100 months in prison on Monday, Feb. 5, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. He faced a potential 25-year prison sentence.  Investigators said Petyoshin robbed the Rockland Trust Bank branch in the Cape Cod town of Falmouth on April 8, wearing a blonde wig and face mask and pointing a pi…
Mass Sex Offender Admits To Having 5,000 Child Porn Files, Mutilated Dolls: Feds Mass Sex Offender Admits To Having 5,000 Child Porn Files, Mutilated Dolls: Feds
Mass Sex Offender Admits To Having 5,000 Child Porn Files, Mutilated Dolls: Feds A Billerica registered sex offender has pleaded guilty to possessing more than 5,000 of child sexual abuse material that featured children as young as infants being abused, federal authorities said.  Eric Robert Johnson, 50, a lifetime Level 2 sex offender, admitted to one count of child porn possession Monday, Jan. 29, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. He faces a minimum of 10 years in prison when he's sentenced in May.  Johnson was arrested in February 2022 after police searched his home and found 25 electronic devices, including laptops, hard drives, and other electronic …
'We Should Kill You All': Mass Man Threatened To Kill Jews, Bomb Synagogues, Feds Say 'We Should Kill You All': Mass Man Threatened To Kill Jews, Bomb Synagogues, Feds Say
'We Should Kill You All': Mass Man Threatened To Kill Jews, Bomb Synagogues, Feds Say Police arrested a 59-year-old Norfolk County man after investigators say he left voicemails threatening to kill Jewish people and blow up their places of worship.  John Reardon, of Millis, is charged with one count of using a facility of interstate commerce to threaten a person or place with harm via an explosive, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said on Monday. Reardon was arrested last week.  Investigators say Reardon called Congregation Agudas Achim, a synagogue in Attleboro, Thursday morning, Jan. 25, and left a voicemail threatening horrific violence over the …
Sex Offender Admits To Child Porn Charges In Western Mass: Feds Sex Offender Admits To Child Porn Charges In Western Mass: Feds
Sex Offender Admits To Child Porn Charges In Western Mass: Feds A Berkshire County registered sex offender has pleaded guilty to child porn and weapons charges, federal authorities said.  Brian Hohman, 60, of Sandisfield, admitted to one charge of possession of child pornography and one charge of receipt and possession of an unregistered firearm on Wednesday, Jan. 24, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. He remains in federal custody.  Police arrested Hohman in September after they found a sawed-off shotgun not registered to him at his home and a laptop, two phones, and a sim card containing child sexual abuse material, the prosecutor said.…
Ex-Flight Attendant On Boston-Bound Plane Filmed Children As They Used Bathroom: Feds Ex-Flight Attendant On Boston-Bound Plane Filmed Children As They Used Bathroom: Feds
Ex-Flight Attendant On Boston-Bound Plane Filmed Children As They Used Bathroom: Feds A former American Airlines flight attendant attempted to film a child as she used the bathroom and had videos of several other children using the plane's lavatory on his phone, authorities said.  Estes Carter Thompson III, 36, of Charlotte, North Carolina, was charged with one count of attempted sexual exploitation of children and one count of possession of child pornography depicting a prepubescent minor, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  A 14-year-old aboard a Charlotte to Boston flight in September 2023 told her parents that Thompson had escorted her to the first-cl…
eBay To Pay $3M After Ex-Employees Put Mass Couple Through 'Pure Hell': Feds eBay To Pay $3M After Ex-Employees Put Mass Couple Through 'Pure Hell': Feds
eBay To Pay $3M After Ex-Employees Put Mass Couple Through 'Pure Hell': Feds eBay has agreed to pay $3 million in criminal penalties after several former employees targeted a Middlesex County couple in a campaign of harassment that included sending live cockroaches and funeral wreaths to their home in Natick, federal authorities said.  Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy said the employee's actions put the couple through "pure hell" and said eBay's conduct was "absolutely horrific." eBay engaged in absolutely horrific, criminal conduct. The company’s employees and contractors involved in this campaign put the victims through pure hell, in a petrifying …
Springfield Man Talked Foster Child Into Sex Trafficking Gets 18 Years: Feds Springfield Man Talked Foster Child Into Sex Trafficking Gets 18 Years: Feds
Carlos Casillas Gets 18 Years For Sex Trafficking Teen Girl A Springfield man who talked a child into performing sex acts for money will spend the next 18 years in a federal prison, authorities announced Friday, Jan. 12.  Carlos Casillas, 51, was convicted of sex trafficking a 13-year-old girl in July, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. He will serve five years of probation after he is released from prison.  Investigators said Casillas met the 13-year-old girl, who was living in a foster home, on Facebook and communicated through Facebook Messenger. He talked about her leaving the group home and "exchanging money for services," the pr…
MA Child Sex Trafficker Sentenced For Trying To Deport Woman He Exposed Himself To: Feds MA Child Sex Trafficker Sentenced For Trying To Deport Woman He Exposed Himself To: Feds
MA Child Sex Trafficker Sentenced For Trying To Deport Woman He Exposed Himself To: Feds A Boston man on federal supervised release for sex trafficking has been sentenced in a different case for exposing himself to a woman and then trying to stop her from testifying. Mark Pinnock, 32, was sentenced to 33 months followed by three years supervised release on Friday, Jan. 5, after pleading guilty to one county of witness intimidation in October 2023, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  Pinnock served eight years in prison for sex trafficking in 2014. After his release in July 2022, the man worked as an Amazon delivery driver while under federal supervision, officials sa…
Ex-Mass Detective Who Scammed Multiple Landlords For Years Avoids Jailtime: Feds Ex-Mass Detective Who Scammed Multiple Landlords For Years Avoids Jailtime: Feds
Ex-Mass Detective Who Scammed Multiple Landlords For Years Avoids Jailtime: Feds A former Stoneham police officer who admitted to scamming his former landlords for more than a decade will not go to prison for his crimes, federal authorities announced on Thursday, Jan. 4.  Robert Kennedy, 54, of Stoneham, was sentenced to two years of probation and 90 days of home confinement after he pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud in September, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. He must also repay $14,275 to his victims.  Investigators said Kennedy defrauded three landlords from February 2020 through June 2023. The scheme played out similarly each time. H…
Men Faked Mass Armed Robberies So 'Victims' Could Get Immigration Protection: FBI Men Faked Mass Armed Robberies So 'Victims' Could Get Immigration Protection: FBI
Men Faked Mass Armed Robberies So 'Victims' Could Get Immigration Protection: FBI Two New York men are accused of staging at least eight fake robberies so the store owners could receive immigration benefits, authorities said.  Long Island resident Rambhai Patel, age 36, of Farmingdale, and New York City Balwinder Singh, age 39, of Queens, are charged with conspiracy to commit visa fraud, the U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts said. FBI agents said they linked the men to four robberies in Massachusetts, two in Pennsylvania, and one in Kentucky and Tennessee.  The dates and locations of the alleged fake robberies are:  March 22: Richdale Food Shops, Hing…
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…
Child Porn: Ex-Milford Teacher Admits To Have Thousands Of Images, Videos, Feds Say Child Porn: Ex-Milford Teacher Admits To Have Thousands Of Images, Videos, Feds Say
Child Porn: Ex-Milford Teacher Admits To Have Thousands Of Images, Videos, Feds Say A former Worcester County second-grade teacher pleaded guilty on Monday, Dec. 4, to possession of child pornography, authorities said.  Vincent Kiejzo, 36, faces up to two decades in prison when he is sentenced in April, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  Police raided Kiejzo's home in September 2020, where they found a USB drive plugged into a television in his bedroom that contained websites dedicated to child sexual exploitation material as well as more than 6,000 images of the material, the prosecutor said.  Related: Second-Grade Teacher Busted On Child Porn Char…
Longtime Central Mass Magician Admits To Smuggling Child Porn Into US: Feds Longtime Central Mass Magician Admits To Smuggling Child Porn Into US: Feds
Longtime Central Mass Magician Admits To Smuggling Child Porn Into US: Feds A Massachusetts man who performed as a children's magician for two decades across New England admitted to having child sexual abuse material and traveling to another country to rape a child, federal authorities said.  Worcester County resident Scott Jameson, age 46, of Sutton, faces decades in prison after he pleaded guilty in federal court to illicit sexual conduct in a foreign place and one count of transportation of child pornography, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  Action Pour Les Enfants, a Cambodian child-protection group, contacted US federal investigators in Febr…
Ex-State Senator Charged With 28 Counts Of Fraud: Feds Ex-State Senator Charged With 28 Counts Of Fraud: Feds
Ex-State Senator Charged With 28 Counts Of Fraud: Feds A former Republican state senator who represented Worcester and Middlesex counties was charged with illegally taking thousands in COVID relief money and concealing cash from the IRS, federal authorities said.  Dean Tran, 48, of Fitchburg, was indicted on 25 counts of wire fraud and three charges of filing false tax reports on Friday, Nov. 17, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. He pleaded not guilty to all of the charges.  Tran served in the Massachusetts Senate from 2017-2021.  Investigators said Tran collected $30,120 in unemployment benefits after being voted out of o…
High-End Prostitution Network Serviced Mass's Elite, Elected Officials: Feds High-End Prostitution Network Serviced Mass's Elite, Elected Officials: Feds
High-End Prostitution Network Serviced Mass's Elite, Elected Officials: Feds Three people were arrested and charged with running a high-end prostitution network in Massachusetts and Virginia that catered to VIP customers and elected officials. It was so exclusive that potential "Johns" had to provide references to book appointments, federal authorities said.  Han Lee, age 41, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, James Lee, age 68, of Torrance, California, and Junmyung Lee, age 30, of Dedham, Massachusetts, were all charged with running the operation that serviced elected officials, high-tech and pharmaceutical executives, doctors, military officers, government…
220 Pounds Of Drugs, Worth $8M, Seized In Mass; 'Largest Seizure' In State History: Feds 220 Pounds Of Drugs, Worth $8M, Seized In Mass; 'Largest Seizure' In State History: Feds
220 Pounds Of Drugs, Worth $8M, Seized In Mass; 'Largest Seizure' In State History: Feds Thousands of fentanyl pills made to look like candy, 20 pounds of cocaine, and more drugs than there are people in Massachusetts. That's what federal investigators laid out on a table Monday, Nov. 6, when they announced what is likely the biggest drug bust in history.  Emilio Garcia, 25, Sebastien Bejin, 33, and Deiby Felix, 40, all of Lynn, were charged with a litany of felonies following their arrests, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  US Attorney's Office Police began investigating the crew following an overdose death in Salem over the summer, investigators said. Officers surve…
Shrewsbury High Robotics Mentor Busted With Child Porn; Took Secret Pics Of Students: Feds Shrewsbury High Robotics Mentor Busted With Child Porn; Took Secret Pics Of Students: Feds
Shrewsbury High Robotics Mentor Busted With Child Porn; Took Secret Pics Of Students: Feds A 60-year-old Shrewsbury man who mentors teens with the Shrewsbury High School Robotics Team was caught with images and video of child sexual abuse material, authorities said. He also took clothed photos of underage girls while working at the school, officials said.  Brian Lingard is now facing a charge of transportation and possession of child pornography, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. Police arrested him on Monday, Oct. 30. Investigators said Lingard was returning from Paris on Oct. 19 when customs agents at Boston Logan International Airport found an SD car…
Man Conned 300 Mass Families To Pay For His Plastic Surgery, Vacations, Gambling: Feds Man Conned 300 Mass Families To Pay For His Plastic Surgery, Vacations, Gambling: Feds
Man Conned 300 Mass Families To Pay For His Plastic Surgery, Vacations, Gambling: Feds The only thing the kids who signed up for MB Sports Camps learned about baseball was how to steal — but not bases.  Mehdi Belhassan, 53, of Tampa, Fla., was convicted last week after a six-day trial of two counts of wire fraud, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. He was accused of stealing $380,000 from 303 families across the state and country and a $191,000 advance from an online payment company.  Belhassan ran the annual MB Sports Camps. In 2019, however, he collected parents' money like usual, but this time, ran away with it to pay for plastic surgery and "extravagant…
Western Mass Man Shared Child Porn Of Kid Under 12-Years-Old: Feds Western Mass Man Shared Child Porn Of Kid Under 12-Years-Old: Feds
Western Mass Man Shared Child Porn Of Kid Under 12-Years-Old: Feds A 25-year-old Amherst man was arrested Wednesday morning, Oct. 18, and charged with having and sharing child sexual abuse material last year, authorities said.  Bradley Driscoll faces one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  A federal indictment said that in August 2022, Driscoll had child sexual abuse videos that featured a kid under 12 years old.  Driscoll faces at least five years in prison and up to 40 years in prison if he is convicted, per federal sentencing guidelines…
Mass Teen Tried To Help ISIS In Terrorist Group's War Against 'Disbelievers': Feds Mass Teen Tried To Help ISIS In Terrorist Group's War Against 'Disbelievers': Feds
Mass Teen Tried To Help ISIS In Terrorist Group's War Against 'Disbelievers': Feds An 18-year-old Middlesex County man has been charged with helping raise money for the terrorist group ISIS, federal authorities announced.  Mateo Ventura, 18, of Wakefield, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston this week on the charge of knowingly concealing the source of material support or resources to a foreign terrorist organization, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  Investigators said Ventura provided multiple gift cards worth $700 to someone he believed was an ISIS supporter. The gift cards would be sold on the dark web for less than their face value, wi…
Bomb Threat: Westfield Woman Admits To Making Call To Boston Children's Hospital Bomb Threat: Westfield Woman Admits To Making Call To Boston Children's Hospital
Bomb Threat: Westfield Woman Admits To Making Call To Boston Children's Hospital Days after posts from a controversial Twitter account last year called out Boston Children's Hospital's work with transgender teenagers, the renowned institution was bombarded with hate from those opposing gender-reaffirming care. One of those people was a Westfield woman who has now admitted to calling in a bomb threat, authorities said.  Catherine Leavy, 37, pleaded guilty this week to one count of making a false bomb threat and one count of intentionally conveying false or misleading information that a bomb was on the way to Boston Children’s Hospital, the US Attorney for Massachuset…
Man Used Kids Toys, Disney Items, Halloween Decorations To Smuggle Drugs Into Mass: Feds Man Used Kids Toys, Disney Items, Halloween Decorations To Smuggle Drugs Into Mass: Feds
Man Used Kids Toys, Disney Items, Halloween Decorations To Smuggle Drugs Into Mass: Feds A Rhode Island man who pleaded guilty to his role in a conspiracy to move methamphetamines throughout the United States using children's toys and other seemingly mundane items was sentenced to seven years in prison on Tuesday, Sept. 19, authorities said.  Nathan Boddie, 38, of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, admitted that he and two others began smuggling methamphetamines, fentanyl, and cocaine from Arizona into Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and elsewhere in April 2022, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  They accomplished this by hiding the drugs inside children's toys, Halloween de…
Ludlow Man Who Shared Nude Images Of Kids As Young As 3 Gets 7 Years In Prison: Feds Ludlow Man Who Shared Nude Images Of Kids As Young As 3 Gets 7 Years In Prison: Feds
Ludlow Man Who Shared Nude Images Of Kids As Young As 3 Gets 7 Years In Prison: Feds A 42-year-old Hampden County man who admitted to sharing child sexual abuse material with an undercover officer was sentenced on Thursday, Sept. 14, to seven years in federal prison, authorities said.  Robert Avrett, of Ludlow, was charged with distribution and possession of child pornography, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. He'll serve five years of probation after he's released.  Investigators said Avrett shared photos and videos of child sexual abuse material over the social messaging app Kik, featuring children as young as 3 years old. He sent several videos to an…
Boston Doctor Accused Of Masturbating Next To Child On Plane Indicted: Feds Boston Doctor Accused Of Masturbating Next To Child On Plane Indicted: Feds
Boston Doctor Accused Of Masturbating Next To Child On Plane Indicted: Feds Dr. Sudipta Mohanty, a former doctor at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, who was arrested last month after a teenage girl said he masturbated next to her on a flight, has been indicted, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  Mohanty, age 33, of Cambridge, was indicted on a charge of lewd, indecent, and obscene acts while in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States, the prosecutor announced Wednesday, Sept. 13.  Mohanty, who graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in 2014, was flying from Honolulu to Boston on May 27, 2022.  A 14-…
Western Mass Ex-Marine Stole $344K in Benefits, Lied To Get Purple Heart: Feds Western Mass Ex-Marine Stole $344K in Benefits, Lied To Get Purple Heart: Feds
Western Mass Ex-Marine Stole $344K in Benefits, Lied To Get Purple Heart: Feds Federal authorities have accused a former US Marine from Franklin County of stolen valor after they say he illegally accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in veteran benefits and lied about suffering a traumatic brain injury in a roadside bomb to earn a Purple Heart.  Paul John "PJ" Herbert, 52, of Shelburne Falls, is charged with one count of theft of government money and one count of making false statements, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. He faces potentially decades in prison if convicted on all charges.  Herbert is accused of stealing more than $344,000 …