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US Attorney's Office for Massachusetts

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Boston Man Recruited Teen Foster Child For Sex Work In Mass, NY, CT: Feds Boston Man Recruited Teen Foster Child For Sex Work In Mass, NY, CT: Feds
Boston Man Recruited Teen Foster Child For Sex Work In Mass, NY, CT: Feds A 31-year-old man from Boston admitted to trafficking a 17-year-old girl for sex at hotels in Hartford, Connecticut, and New York City, officials said. Leon Blount III met the girl, identified as Jane Doe 2, while she was living at a Massachusetts group home for adolescents, according to the US Attorney's Office for Massachusetts.  He pleaded guilty to three counts of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity and is set for sentencing on April 24. Related: Carlos Casillas Gets 18 Years For Sex Trafficking Teen Girl Blount has been in custody sin…

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by Khier Casino
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Toys Served As Cover For Trio Accused Of Smuggling Drugs Into Massachusetts Toys Served As Cover For Trio Accused Of Smuggling Drugs Into Massachusetts
Toys Served As Cover For Trio Accused Of Smuggling Drugs Into Massachusetts Three individuals appeared in federal court in Boston for their roles in a conspiracy that allegedly moved numerous controlled substances across the county in boxes of children's items, federal officials said.  Denise Guyette, 29, of Woonsocket, RI, Gerardo Garza, 47, of Yuma, AZ, and Nathan Boddie, 38, of Pawtucket, RI, were each indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances on Friday, Feb. 17, the US Attorney's Office for Massachusetts reports.  The trio was allegedly involved in a nationwide conspiracy…

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by David Cifarelli
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Chicopee Man Sentenced For Having More Than 100 Images Of Child Pornography Chicopee Man Sentenced For Having More Than 100 Images Of Child Pornography
Chicopee Man Sentenced For Having More Than 100 Images Of Child Pornography A man from Western Massachusetts was sentenced to three years in prison and five years of supervised release for possessing over 100 images of child pornography, federal officials report. Herve Plasse, 67, of Chicopee, was sentenced on one count of possession of child pornography on Friday, Oct. 28, the US Attorney's Office for Massachusetts reports.  Investigators found more than 100 images of child pornography on his computer, including images of prepubescent girls engaged in sexual activity, in July 2015, the office reports.  Plasse said he obtained the images by accessin…

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by David Cifarelli
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MA Man Who Promised Teen Girl 'Better Lifestyle' Exploited Her For Sex: Feds MA Man Who Promised Teen Girl 'Better Lifestyle' Exploited Her For Sex: Feds
MA Man Who Promised Teen Girl 'Better Lifestyle' Exploited Her For Sex: Feds A Massachusetts man could spend the rest of his life in prison for allegedly sex trafficking a minor he met on social media, federal officials report.  Jimall Brown, age 33, of Boston, met a 17-year-old girl living outside Massachusetts on social media earlier this year, the US Attorney's Office for Massachusetts reports.  Brown allegedly tried convincing the girl to come to Boston by promising her a "better lifestyle," the office said. He also posted online advertisements arranging for the girl to have sex in exchange for money, which Brown later pocketed.&nbs…

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by David Cifarelli
Police & Fire
Massachusetts Children's Magician Busted On Child Porn Charge: Feds Massachusetts Children's Magician Busted On Child Porn Charge: Feds
Massachusetts Children's Magician Busted On Child Porn Charge: Feds A Massachusetts magician with 20 years of experience performing for children could face up to 20 years in prison after being arrested on a possession of child porn charge, federal authorities said.  Scott Jameson, 45, of Sutton, was set to make his first appearance in a Boston courtroom on Friday afternoon, Oct. 21, the US Attorney's Office for Massachusetts reports.  While Jameson made a name for himself performing at area schools, libraries, parks, and events, he also spent a great deal of time in other countries.  A Cambodian child-protection group contacted US federal investigators in …

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by Josh Lanier
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CA Woman Who Drove To MA To Deliver Fentanyl Gets Over 4 Years In Prison CA Woman Who Drove To MA To Deliver Fentanyl Gets Over 4 Years In Prison
CA Woman Who Drove To MA To Deliver Fentanyl Gets Over 4 Years In Prison A California woman was sentenced to more than five years in prison for traveling across the country to deliver fentanyl right into the hands of an undercover DEA agent, authorities said. Adelaida Yudit Garibay, age 46, of Burbank, drove from California to Boston to deliver two kilograms of fentanyl in September 2021, the US Attorney's Office for Massachusetts reports.  Garibay was seen picking up the fentanyl in Jamaica Plain before Ubering to the South Bay Mall in Dorchester to complete the transaction, Universal Hub reports. During a subsequent traffic stop, authorities fou…

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by David Cifarelli
Police & Fire
Brockton Woman Who Helped Run Violent Prostitution Ring Gets Probation: DOJ Brockton Woman Who Helped Run Violent Prostitution Ring Gets Probation: DOJ
Brockton Woman Who Helped Run Violent Prostitution Ring Gets Probation: DOJ A 35-year-old Brockton woman who was second in command at a Massachusetts-based prostitution ring that trafficked women along the East Coast for sex work will not serve any jail time, a federal judge ruled earlier this month.  Natashia Bowman was sentenced to three years probation and must pay restitution to the victims in the case, the US Attorney's Office for Massachusetts said on Monday, Sept. 19. The former Dorchester woman pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit interstate travel in aid of a racketeering enterprise related to a prostitution business, prosecutors said.  Police …

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by Josh Lanier
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Former Massachusetts EMT Pleads Guilty To Messing With Fentanyl Vials: DOJ Former Massachusetts EMT Pleads Guilty To Messing With Fentanyl Vials: DOJ
Former Massachusetts EMT Pleads Guilty To Messing With Fentanyl Vials: DOJ A former Massachusetts EMT is facing up to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to tampering with liquid fentanyl vials at her ambulance company, the US Attorney's Office for Massachusetts reports.  Candice Mangan, of Medford, was a part-time EMT who tampered with three fentanyl citrate vials by replacing the fentanyl citrate with saline, the office reports. This happened while Mangan was working in Needham on or about September 20, 2020.  Tampering with such vials could jeopardize patents' health, according to Fernando P. McMillan, special agent in charge of the U.S…

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by David Cifarelli
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PA Dad Prosecuted In MA Gets Probation In College Admissions Scandal PA Dad Prosecuted In MA Gets Probation In College Admissions Scandal
PA Dad Prosecuted In MA Gets Probation In College Admissions Scandal A Pennsylvania man was sentenced in Boston on Thursday, Aug. 11 to one year of probation for bribing a Georgetown University coach into recruiting his daughter, according to the US Attorney's Office for Massachusetts. Robert Repella, 63, of Ambler, will serve the first 25 days of his sentence in home detention, as well as complete 220 hours of community service and pay a $220,000 fine, the office said. The former CEO of Harmony Biosciences pleaded guilty in May 2020 to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud. Repella agreed to pay Gordon E…

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by Nicole Acosta
Police & Fire
Massachusetts Man Get 21 Months In Prison For Distributing Fentanyl-Laced Drugs Massachusetts Man Get 21 Months In Prison For Distributing Fentanyl-Laced Drugs
Massachusetts Man Get 21 Months In Prison For Distributing Fentanyl-Laced Drugs A man from Peabody was sentenced to 21 months in prison for distributing fentanyl and drugs laced with fentanyl, the US Attorney's Office for Massachusetts reports. Francisco Tavarez, or “Jose,” was identified as a runner for a heroin and fentanyl supplier through an investigation launched after a fatal overdose in January 2017, the office reports.  The supplier, known as Yeffry Reynoso, provided opioids that led to the overdose, the office said. Reynoso was also giving the victim heroin and a heroin/fentanyl mixture on a regular basis in 2016, the office reports.  An undercover …

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by David Cifarelli
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10 Nabbed In Massachusetts Fentanyl Trafficking Bust, Feds Say 10 Nabbed In Massachusetts Fentanyl Trafficking Bust, Feds Say
10 Nabbed In Massachusetts Fentanyl Trafficking Bust, Feds Say Ten individuals are each facing up to 20 years in prison for allegedly distributing drugs throughout Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island, the US Attorney's Office for Massachusetts said.  Authorities learned the group was regularly distributing multi-kilograms of fentanyl out of a stash house in Fall River after launching an investigation in March 2021, the office reports.  During the investigation, over 500 grams of suspected fentanyl was seized through controlled purchases and drug seizures.  An additional 14.9 kilograms of suspected fentanyl and substant…

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by David Cifarelli
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Man Admits To Cyberstalking, Threatening Massachusetts Woman Man Admits To Cyberstalking, Threatening Massachusetts Woman
Man Admits To Cyberstalking, Threatening Massachusetts Woman A Connecticut man has admitted to cyberstalking and threatening his ex-girlfriend from Massachusetts after their relationship ended last year, the US Attorney's Office for Massachusetts reports.  According to court documents, Marshall Fain, age 31, of New Haven, dated his ex-girlfriend for two years up until their breakup in August 2021.  A month later in September, Fain started sending death threats to his ex-girlfriend and members of her family via email and social media, the office reports. This continued through December.  Some of the messages included phrases like …

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by David Cifarelli
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Massachusetts Man Nabbed For Conspiracy To Distribute Thousands Of Fentanyl Pills, Feds Say Massachusetts Man Nabbed For Conspiracy To Distribute Thousands Of Fentanyl Pills, Feds Say
Massachusetts Man Nabbed For Conspiracy To Distribute Thousands Of Fentanyl Pills, Feds Say A Boston man is facing at least 10 years in prison after he was arrested for allegedly helping to distribute about 5,000 counterfeit fentanyl pills, the US Attorney's Office for Massachusetts reports.   Alexis Radhames Diaz Tejeda, age 44, was first caught on video allegedly giving 30 counterfeit pills to a "confidential source" in Dorchester on March 7, the office reports. Diaz Tejeda then allegedly gave more than 1,000 pills, to the same source on June 1.  Diaz Tejeda then allegedly agreed to sell another 4,000 fentanyl pills to the source again and arranged the e…

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by David Cifarelli
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Ex-Owner Of Illicit Massachusetts Massage Parlor Sentenced For Fraud Ex-Owner Of Illicit Massachusetts Massage Parlor Sentenced For Fraud
Ex-Owner Of Illicit Massachusetts Massage Parlor Sentenced For Fraud A woman was sentenced to three years of probation for fraudulently obtaining tens of thousands of dollars in COVID-19 relief funds, the US Attorney's Office for Massachusetts reports.  Chynna Savath, age 57, of Woonsocket, Rhode Island, is the former owner of a massage parlor located in Franklin called Thai Body Work.  Savath apparently obtained $34,391 in fraudulent payments from filing fake applications under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act in June 2020, the office reports.  The applications also did not mention that Savath…

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by David Cifarelli
Police & Fire
Greater Boston Attorney Arrested For Allegedly Bribing Local Police Chief (UPDATE) Greater Boston Attorney Arrested For Allegedly Bribing Local Police Chief (UPDATE)
Greater Boston Attorney Arrested For Allegedly Bribing Local Police Chief (Update) An attorney from Somerville has been arrested for allegedly bribing a local police chief to get approval for a marijuana dispensary, the US Attorney's Office for Massachusetts said.  Sean O'Donovan, age 54, allegedly tried bribing Medford's police chief with $25,000 to secure the approval of a recreational marijuana dispensary for one of his clients, the office reports. The client apparently enlisted O'Donovan to help them obtain a Host Community Agreement (HCA), as required under Massachusetts law, with the City of Medford in 2018. In addition, the City of Medford…

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by David Cifarelli
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Level 3 Massachusetts Sex Offender Admits To Extorting Child For Explicit Photos Level 3 Massachusetts Sex Offender Admits To Extorting Child For Explicit Photos
Level 3 Massachusetts Sex Offender Admits To Extorting Child For Explicit Photos A Level 3 Registered Sex Offender from Lowell pleaded guilty to receiving child pornography from a minor over Snapchat, the US Attorney's Office for Massachusetts reports.  Chayanne Nieves, age 24, forced an 11-year-old from Vermont to send him naked pictures of himself from around November 30, 2020 to December 3, 2020, the office reports.  Nieves has been in custody since he was arrested and charged with receiving child pornography in August 2021, the office reports. Based on his criminal history,  Nieves could face up to 40 years in prison and a lifetime of …

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by David Cifarelli
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Massachusetts Man Admits To Embezzling Over $360K From Non-Profit Massachusetts Man Admits To Embezzling Over $360K From Non-Profit
Massachusetts Man Admits To Embezzling Over $360K From Non-Profit A Northborough man is facing up to 50 years in prison after pleading guilty to embezzling over $360,000 from a non-profit organization in Sturbridge, the US Attorney's Office for Massachusetts reports.  Kyriakos "Rick" Kapiris, age 36, worked at the non-profit as an IT manager from April 2015 to May 2020. During his time there, Kapiris had access to two of the company's credit cards to pay for equipment and certain services, the office reports. However, Kapiris created three vendor accounts to embezzle funds and fabricate sales invoices starting in 2016, the office reports. Kapiris the…

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by David Cifarelli
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'Operation Snowfall': MA Man Admits To Cocaine Trafficking Conspiracy 'Operation Snowfall': MA Man Admits To Cocaine Trafficking Conspiracy
'Operation Snowfall': MA Man Admits To Cocaine Trafficking Conspiracy A Braintree man is facing up to 30 years in prison for his role in a multi-year drug trafficking investigation, the US Attorney's Office for Massachusetts reports.  Martin Angomas, age 32, pleaded guilty to trafficking cocaine and illegally possessing ammunition as part of a Boston-based gang that was the focus of "Operation Snowfall," the office reports.  Starting in November 2018, the gang allegedly took control of several apartment units in the Commonwealth Development in Brighton in Brighton to store, cook, package and sell drugs.  The investigation l…

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by David Cifarelli
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Ex-Massachusetts Resident Nabbed For $2.5M COVID Relief Fraud, Feds Say Ex-Massachusetts Resident Nabbed For $2.5M COVID Relief Fraud, Feds Say
Ex-Massachusetts Resident Nabbed For $2.5M COVID Relief Fraud, Feds Say A former resident  from the Greater Boston area and owner of a local painting company is facing 20 years in prison for using a fake loan application to snag $2.5 million in COVID relief funds, the US Attorney's Office for Massachusetts said.  Vinicius Santana, age 34, formerly of Revere, who now lives in Boca Raton, Florida, allegedly submitted four Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) applications for his company, Complete Home Care (CHC), in April 2020, the office reports.  PPP funds were established under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Safety (CARES) Act in Ma…

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by David Cifarelli
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Massachusetts Contractor Sentenced For $1.8M Payroll Tax Scheme Massachusetts Contractor Sentenced For $1.8M Payroll Tax Scheme
Massachusetts Contractor Sentenced For $1.8M Payroll Tax Scheme An Ipswich man who ran several Massachusetts businesses was sentenced to a one-year house arrest for manipulating his payroll to avoid paying over $1.8 million in taxes, the US Attorney's Office for Massachusetts reports.  George Vasiliades, age 58, increased his business profits by lying about the size of his companies to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from 2008 to 2013, the office reports.  Some of his businesses included Alpine Property Services, Boston Central Management, Delta Labor Company, Olympic Painting & Roofing and Turnpike General Contracting, the office repor…

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by David Cifarelli
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MA Man Sentenced For Accessing Child Porn While On Supervised Release MA Man Sentenced For Accessing Child Porn While On Supervised Release
MA Man Sentenced For Accessing Child Porn While On Supervised Release A former Hyde Park man was sentenced to 10 years in prison for accessing child pornography while on supervised release for a similar offense, the US Attorney's Office for Massachusetts reports.  David Ladeau, age 66, was convicted for possessing child pornography in Massachusetts in 2010 and convicted a second time in  the office reports in Tennessee in 2015, the office reports. Authorities later discovered pornographic images of minors on Ladeau's court-monitored computer while he was on supervised release for both convictions.  A subsequent investigation revealed Lade…

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by David Cifarelli
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Massachusetts Man Convicted Under Hobbs Act For Attempted Robbery Massachusetts Man Convicted Under Hobbs Act For Attempted Robbery
Massachusetts Man Convicted Under Hobbs Act For Attempted Robbery A Worcester man is facing up to 20 years in prison for his involvement in an attempted robbery at a South Shore business three years ago, the US Attorney's Office for Massachusetts said.  Grace Katana, aka "King Grace," along with three others allegedly conspired to rob a glassware dealer in Rockland in March 2019, the office reports.  The group allegedly traveled from Worcester to Rockland to scope out the location before buying tools so they could break into the building, the office said.  However, their efforts were thwarted by agents actively monitoring the situation. Ka…

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by David Cifarelli
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Massachusetts Man Indicted For Child Porn Offense Massachusetts Man Indicted For Child Porn Offense
Massachusetts Man Indicted For Child Porn Offense A Greater Boston-area man will be in federal court in Boston after he was charged with receiving child pornography, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Massachusetts said.  Matthew Ormon, age 50, of Quincy, is facing a minimum sentence of five years and a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for one count of receiving child pornography, the office reports.  Investigators scoped multiple devices in Ormon's home and found at least one with a folder containing numerous videos depicting child pornography in April, the office reports. Forensic review of the device…

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by David Cifarelli
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Man From Massachusetts Admits To Possessing Child Porn Man From Massachusetts Admits To Possessing Child Porn
Man From Massachusetts Admits To Possessing Child Porn A Massachusetts man has pleaded guilty in federal court to possessing child pornography. Worcester County resident Matthew Stefanelli, age 32, of Upton, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography on Thursday, Dec. 2, according to the US Attorney's Office for Massachusetts.  According to officials, in December 2020, a CyberTip report identified Stefanelli as the owner of an account used to store child pornography.  In January, a search of Stefanelli’s residence resulted in the seizure of several electronic devices including his cell phone.  A forensic rev…

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by Kathy Reakes