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US Attorney's Office for Massachusetts

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
Leon Blount Admits Taking Girl From Mass To CT, NY For Sex 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…
Ex-MBTA Officer Tried To Cover Up Assault At Ashmonth Station: Feds Ex-MBTA Officer Tried To Cover Up Assault At Ashmonth Station: Feds
Ex-mbta Officer Tried To Cover Up Assault At Ashmonth Station: Feds A former MBTA transit police sergeant was arrested and charged this week with lying and falsifying documents to cover up an assault from another officer in a Boston-area train station in 2018, authorities said.  David S. Finnerty, 47, of Rutland, was indicted Thursday, Aug. 31, on two counts of filing a false report, according to the US Attorney's Office for Massachusetts. He faces up to 20 years in prison for each offense, per sentencing guidelines.  Investigators said an officer only identified as D.B. physically assaulted a man without justification at the Ashmont MBTA Station …
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…
Western Mass Man Sentenced For Having More Than 100 Images Of Child Pornography Western Mass Man Sentenced For Having More Than 100 Images Of Child Pornography
Western Mass 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…
Boston Man Who Promised Teen Girl 'Better Lifestyle' Exploited Her For Sex: Feds Boston Man Who Promised Teen Girl 'Better Lifestyle' Exploited Her For Sex: Feds
Boston 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…
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 …
CA Woman Who Drove To Boston To Deliver Fentanyl Gets Over 4 Years In Prison CA Woman Who Drove To Boston To Deliver Fentanyl Gets Over 4 Years In Prison
CA Woman Who Drove To Boston 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…
Quincy Man Made Thousands Of Fake $100 Bills Using Mr. Clean Magic Erasers: Feds Quincy Man Made Thousands Of Fake $100 Bills Using Mr. Clean Magic Erasers: Feds
Quincy Man Made Thousands Of Fake $100 Bills Using Mr. Clean Magic Erasers: Feds A man in Quincy, who federal agents said is behind thousands of fake $100 bills that were used across the country, pleaded guilty to counterfeiting currency this week.  Victor Cardona, 34, faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 after admitting to the scheme on Monday, Oct. 3, the US Attorney's Office for Massachusetts said. A judge will sentence him in January.  US Secret Service agents began investigating Cardona in 2019 after stores around Boston reported finding "bleached" $100, court documents show. Agents said they used cell phone data to map out who was p…
Quincy Realtor Who Deposited $1.8 Million In Forged Checks Gets 30 Months In Prison Quincy Realtor Who Deposited $1.8 Million In Forged Checks Gets 30 Months In Prison
Quincy Realtor Who Deposited $1.8 Million In Forged Checks Gets 30 Months In Prison A Quincy real estate broker was sentenced to 30 months in prison for stealing nearly $1.8 million in deposit checks, mostly for properties that weren't even for sale, authorities said. Michael P. Flavin, age 39, collected checks from potential buyers for numerous properties between 2017 and 2020, the US Attorney's Office for Massachusetts reports. Flavin did this without the owners agreeing to sell their properties, the office reports.  He also forged the signatures of the sellers on the agreements to complete the transactions. In all, Flavin cashed more than 60 che…
Boston Man Gets 8 Years In Prison For Brockton Armed Robbery: Feds Boston Man Gets 8 Years In Prison For Brockton Armed Robbery: Feds
Boston Man Gets 8 Years In Prison For Brockton Armed Robbery: Feds A 27-year-old Brockton man who pleaded guilty to taking part in an armed robbery that involved a high-speed police chase and shots fired at officers will serve eight years in prison, prosecutors said.  Dennis Martin is the fourth and final suspect in a 2019 robbery of a T-Mobile store in Brockton, the US Attorney's Office for Massachusetts said. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery, interference with commerce by robbery, brandishing, using, and carrying a firearm in relation to a crime of violence, and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunit…
Middleton Ex-Navy Police Officer Threatened His Ex-Wife, Her Mom: Feds Middleton Ex-Navy Police Officer Threatened His Ex-Wife, Her Mom: Feds
Middleton Ex-Navy Police Officer Threatened His Ex-Wife, Her Mom: Feds A 30-year-old former Navy police officer faces up to 15 years in prison after federal investigators said he threatened to hurt his ex-wife and her mother. His threats allegedly continued after officials put him in jail.  Luis De Leon is charged with three counts of making threatening communications while he worked as Naval police at Portsmouth (NH) Naval Shipyard, the US Attorney's Office for Massachusetts said. He served at the shipyard from June 2021 until June 2022, officials reported.  Investigators said De Leon called his ex-wife in Iowa on April 30 and threatened "war in the…
Taunton Registered Sex Offender Cops To Child Porn Charges: Feds Taunton Registered Sex Offender Cops To Child Porn Charges: Feds
Taunton Registered Sex Offender Cops To Child Porn Charges: Feds A 60-year-old Taunton registered sex offender admitted in court last week to having hundreds of images of child porn at his home, federal authorities said.  Rudy Frabizio faces 20 years in prison after pleading guilty on Friday, Sept. 23,  to having the images and videos, the US Attorney's Office for Massachusetts said. He will serve at least 10 years in prison. Frabizio is a level two sex offender after a court convicted him on child porn charges in 2009, the prosecutor said.  Officers arrested Frabizio last year after investigators found a microSD memory card at his ho…
Massachusetts Veterinarian Paying $15,000 Settlement For Mishandling Drugs Massachusetts Veterinarian Paying $15,000 Settlement For Mishandling Drugs
Massachusetts Veterinarian Paying $15,000 Settlement For Mishandling Drugs A Dedham veterinarian will pay $15,000 to resolve allegations that he improperly stored, ordered and kept records of controlled substances, the US Attorney's Office for Massachusetts reports.  An investigation revealed that Wilbur Salter, II D.V.M., who practices at Animed Pet Hospital in Dedham, violated multiple Controlled Substance Act (CSA) provisions for keeping inadequate records of several controlled substances, the office reports.  “It is essential that all prescribers—including veterinarians—keep accurate records of controlled substances so that we can identify …
Fitchburg Man Gets Nearly 2 Years In Prison After Admitting To Role In Drug Ring: DOJ Fitchburg Man Gets Nearly 2 Years In Prison After Admitting To Role In Drug Ring: DOJ
Fitchburg Man Gets Nearly 2 Years In Prison After Admitting To Role In Drug Ring: DOJ A 43-year-old Fitchburg man will spend nearly two years in jail after he pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges, a federal judge ruled.  Kevin Martinez was sentenced to 22 months behind bars followed by six years of supervised release for his role in a large fentanyl, heroin, crack, and cocaine trafficking operation, the US Attorney's Office for Massachusetts said.  Investigators began looking into Martinez along with Pedro Baez and Anthony Baez, both of Fitchburg, in 2018, the prosecutor said. Detectives learned during the investigation that the three men were part of a …
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 …
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…
Boston Area Robber Charged For Stealing Over $6,000 From 4-Bank Heist: Feds Boston Area Robber Charged For Stealing Over $6,000 From 4-Bank Heist: Feds
Boston Area Robber Charged For Stealing Over $6,000 From 4-Bank Heist: Feds A Boston man could be spending even more time behind bars after being charged with several bank robberies in the Boston area, the US Attorney's Office for Massachusetts reports. Jacob Pimentel, who was indicted on four counts of bank robbery, is already serving time for a related offense in Middlesex County, the office said on Monday, Aug. 29.  According to a new indictment, Pimentel allegedly stole more than $6,000 from four banks in Allston, Brighton, Brookline and Cambridge between April and May 2022. He was eventually apprehend in late May, according to a Facebook post from Brookline p…
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…
Peabody Man Get 21 Months In Prison For Distributing Fentanyl-Laced Drugs Peabody Man Get 21 Months In Prison For Distributing Fentanyl-Laced Drugs
Peabody 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 …
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…
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 …
Boston Man Nabbed For Conspiracy To Distribute Some 5,000 Fentanyl Pills, Feds Say Boston Man Nabbed For Conspiracy To Distribute Some 5,000 Fentanyl Pills, Feds Say
Boston Man Nabbed For Conspiracy To Distribute Some 5,000 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…
Ex-Owner Of Illicit Boston-Area Massage Parlor Sentenced For Fraud Ex-Owner Of Illicit Boston-Area Massage Parlor Sentenced For Fraud
Ex-Owner Of Illicit Boston-Area 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…
Somerville Attorney Arrested For Allegedly Bribing Local Police Chief Somerville Attorney Arrested For Allegedly Bribing Local Police Chief
Somerville Attorney Arrested For Allegedly Bribing Local Police Chief 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…
Sex Offender From Boston Area Admits To Extorting Child For Explicit Photos Sex Offender From Boston Area Admits To Extorting Child For Explicit Photos
Sex Offender From Boston Area 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 …
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…
'Operation Snowfall': Greater Boston Man Admits To Cocaine Trafficking Conspiracy 'Operation Snowfall': Greater Boston Man Admits To Cocaine Trafficking Conspiracy
'Operation Snowfall': Greater Boston 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…
Ex-Revere Resident Nabbed For $2.5M COVID Relief Fraud, Feds Say Ex-Revere Resident Nabbed For $2.5M COVID Relief Fraud, Feds Say
Ex-Revere 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…
Greater Boston Area Contractor Sentenced For $1.8M Payroll Tax Scheme Greater Boston Area Contractor Sentenced For $1.8M Payroll Tax Scheme
Greater Boston Area 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…
Ex-Boston Resident Sentenced For Accessing Child Porn While On Supervised Release Ex-Boston Resident Sentenced For Accessing Child Porn While On Supervised Release
Ex-Boston Resident 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…
Worcester Man Convicted Under Hobbs Act For Attempted Robbery Worcester Man Convicted Under Hobbs Act For Attempted Robbery
Worcester 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…