Crime

Judge Sentences Former Whittier Tech Network Manager for 2023 Cyberattack Against School

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A former desktop and network manager at Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School’s computer network was sentenced Tuesday to one month in prison and three years’ supervised release for committing a cyberattack last year against the school’s computer network. Thirty-year-old Conor LaHiff of Ayer man was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV and will serve the first 12 months of his supervised release in home confinement. He was also ordered to pay $34,110 in restitution. As WHAV reported previously, LaHiff pleaded guilty last December to unauthorized damage to protected computers. “Individuals who exploit their specialized knowledge to retaliate against a former employer through costly and dangerous cyberattacks will be held accountable,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy.

Crime

Haverhill Man, 41, Faces Charges Related to Pandemic Unemployment Claim for Non-Resident

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A 41-year-old Haverhill man was arrested and charged Thursday in connection with a Massachusetts Pandemic Unemployment Assistance claim he filed in 2020 for a man who was living in Brazil and who has since been charged with migrant smuggling, among other offenses. Julio Roncaly Morais was charged by complaint with mail fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. He was arrested Thursday morning and was scheduled to appear in U.S, District Court in the afternoon. According to court documents, Morais filed a Massachusetts pandemic unemployment claim on June 3, 2020, on behalf of Chelbe Willams Moraes, who was living in Brazil when the claim was filed. In the application, Julio Morais allegedly certified under penalty of perjury that Chelbe Moraes was a current resident of Massachusetts and was able and available to work in Massachusetts, but was unable to due to the pandemic.

Crime

Reports Say Two Gunmen Set Target on 20-Year-Old at Haverhill Hotel; Victim May Have Returned Fire

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Gunfire outside a Haverhill hotel seriously injured a 20-year-old man and sent others, including at least two guests, scrambling, while the main gunman appears to remain at large and possibly wounded. Police reports on file at Haverhill District Court detailed the chaotic situation that unfolded Wednesday afternoon and led to the arrest of 24-year-old Dexon Justabe of Methuen. Justabe is now believed to have pointed a gun at a hotel guest and participated in a robbery, but was not identified as the principal shooter. Instead, a man—who drove Justabe to the hotel in a Kia Sorento registered to a Revere man—is believed to have fired the life-threatening shots at the 20-year-old from Lawrence. He then drove off in the victim’s 2019 Honda CRV and, according to residents’ home security videos, ditched it on New Hampshire Avenue and walked toward South Elm Street while appearing to “check his lower torso area for a wound.”

As WHAV reported earlier, Justabe was arrested and charged with armed carjacking, assault with intent to murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, carrying loaded firearm without a license, possession of a large capacity feeding device, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building and improper storge of a firearm.

Crime

Possible Haverhill Carjacking Victim, 20, in Critical Condition with Gunshot Wounds

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A 20-year-old Lawrence man is reported in critical condition after, Haverhill police say, he was shot multiple times yesterday afternoon during a “possible carjacking” in Haverhill. Haverhill police arrested 24-year-old Dexon Justabe of Methuen in connection with the incident, charging him with armed carjacking, assault with intent to murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, carrying loaded firearm without a license, possession of a large capacity feeding device, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building and improper storge of a firearm. According to a press release from Deputy Police Chief Stephen J. Doherty Jr., police said the shooting took place at Hampton Inn, 106 Bank Road, parallel to River Street, in Haverhill. Police said it received an initial report just after 4 p.m. of a possible carjacking where a man suffered a “gunshot wound to his stomach.” On arrival, officers found the Lawrence man suffering from “multiple apparent gunshot wounds” and he was taken to an area hospital

Haverhill and State Police are investigating. They ask that anyone who may have any information to call Detective Matthew Marshall at 978-373-1212, ext.

Crime

Family of Slain 21-Year-Old From Haverhill Seeks Online Donations to Help Pay for Funeral

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Donations are being accepted on behalf of the family of the 21-year-old Haverhill man who was shot and killed early Sunday morning in North Andover. Jaeby Ortiz Ruiz was allegedly shot and killed by 22-year-old Derick Moncion, also of Haverhill, according to Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker and North Andover Police Chief Charles Gray. Moncion, listed on a Haverhill police arrest log as a resident of Hilldale Avenue, was arrested on a warrant Monday night, around 8:30. “This has all came too soon and too fast. On (Sunday) we lost a real ghetto angel and one of the realest persons in our lives with his departure he left us all in a deep grieve and with an emptiness in our hearts,” wrote Ninoshka Ruiz on GoFundMe.

Crime

Groveland Police Investigating Report of Armed Man on Foot Approaching Driver

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Groveland police are investigating a driver’s report of being approached by an armed man early Monday morning. Police Chief Jeffrey T. Gillen said the unnamed motorist told police he was driving around 5:30 a.m., along Salem Street near Route 97, when a man on foot “approached him, carrying a firearm, ordering the motorist to stop and turn his car around.” The driver said he drove away and was unharmed. Gillen added, “Groveland Police Department has not been able to substantiate the report, however the department continues to investigate.” Police said available surveillance video footage from the area neither show the driver nor an armed individual anytime Monday morning. The incident remains under investigation.

Crime

Police Arrest Haverhill Man, 22, for Alleged Murder of 21-Year-Old in North Andover

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A 22-year-old Haverhill man was arrested Monday night for the alleged murder of another Haverhill man, age 21, who was found dead in North Andover. Derick Moncion was charged with shooting and killing Jaeby Ortiz Ruiz early Sunday morning, according to Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker and North Andover Police Chief Charles Gray Monday night. Ortiz Ruiz’ body was discovered by police in the area of Riverview Street in North Andover. A warrant charging Moncion with murder was applied for, and granted, Monday afternoon and he was arrested Monday night. Moncion is expected to be arraigned Tuesday morning in Lawrence District Court.

Crime

Police Charge School Bus Driver with Drunken Driving in Haverhill Crash with Student Passenger

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A school bus driver, arrested on charges of drunken driving with a student on board after a crash Thursday afternoon in Haverhill, did not appear for his arraignment in Haverhill District Court. Court officials say 45-year-old Anzian Arnaud Kamelan of Lowell did not appear on charges of driving while under the influence of alcohol, having an open container of alcohol and child endangerment while under the influence. He was arrested Thursday, around 3 p.m., on Maxwell Street at River Street. Police quoted the child’s parent as saying Kamelan was driving for Lynn-based Alain Transportation and the firm is registered to a Haverhill man. A police report on file with the court says a driver of a passenger car told officers he was driving on River Street and “sideswiped by a school van” as he was turning onto James Street.