Crime

Grand Jury Indicts Former Methuen Doctor for Illegally Prescribing Drugs, Billing Medicare

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A former Methuen physician, practicing in Lawrence, was indicted Wednesday by an Essex County Grand Jury for illegally prescribing controlled substances and defrauding the state’s Medicaid program, MassHealth. Dr. Ramon Suarez-Martinez, 69, former medical director at Lawrence Medical Center, was charged with prescribing amphetamines, benzodiazepines and morphine sulfate, Attorney General Maura Healey said Friday morning. In all, Healey’s office said, six patients received drugs along with six counts of Medicaid false claims.

Suarez-Martinez is scheduled to be arraigned in Essex Superior Court Thursday, May 19. An investigation revealed that in many instances, Suarez-Martinez prescribed drugs even when he allegedly knew from repeated urine drug screens patients were not taking the drugs. Healey’s office alleges that Suarez-Martinez knowingly prescribed drugs such as clonazepam, a benzodiazepine; amphetamines; and morphine sulfate, an opiate; “for no legitimate medical purpose and not in the usual course of professional practice, and that these illegal prescriptions resulted in false claims billed to and paid for by MassHealth.”

In several instances, she said, urine drug screens indicated that patients were negative for the prescribed medications but positive for illicit substances such as cocaine or fentanyl.

Crime

Report Blames Many for Decisions, Beginning in Haverhill, Before 7-Year-Old Girl Went Missing

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The state Department of Children and Families, a Massachusetts court and several lawyers are being blamed for failing seven-year-old Harmony Montgomery before her disappearance. The little girl was first placed in foster care during August 2014 after the Haverhill office of the Department of Children and Families investigated three separate reports alleging “neglect.” She was born two months earlier to Crystal Sorey and Adam Montgomery, but was in Sorey’s care since Montgomery was in prison, charged in connection with shooting a man in the face Jan. 24, 2014 during a drug deal turned robbery in Haverhill. State investigators said Soreys “parental substance use” led to her placement in foster care. The report said state officials undervalued Harmony’s needs during custody discussions and insufficiently examined whether her father was prepared for caretaking.

Crime

Convicted Child Rapist Found Hiding with Loaded Gun in Maine; Middlesex DA Seeks Rendition

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A Methuen man, convicted of child rape, but who fled from his trial on April 14, was arrested today in Farmingdale, Maine. Thirty-eight-year-old Stephen Corbin Jr., who was found with a loaded gun, was taken into custody by members of the U.S. Marshals Maine Violent Offender Task Force. Massachusetts State Police Violent Apprehension Section received information that Corbin may be at a residence in Farmingdale. Task force members went to the house this morning and observed a car pull up with Corbin in it as a passenger, according to the Middlesex District Attorney’s office and Massachusetts State Police. Corbin is charged as a fugitive from justice and felon in possession of a firearm by Maine authorities.

Crime

Methuen High Student, 16, in Court Today to Face Charges of Stabbing 15-Year-Old

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A 16-year-old Methuen High School student is charged with armed assault to murder and related charges after a stabbing Monday morning at the school. The male student, unnamed because of his age, allegedly stabbed a 15-year-old male former student twice in the torso before 11:40 a.m., according to Methuen Police Chief Scott J. McNamara. The student was also charged with carrying a dangerous weapon on school grounds, two counts assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and assault with a dangerous weapon. McNamara said detectives are working with the School Department and others to find out how the student obtained the knife. Police said it appears he was let into the building by two other students who opened a locked side door.

Crime

Police Arrest Former Chelmsford Man in Cold Case Lawrence Murder of 11-Year-Old in 1988

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A former Chelmsford man was arrested last night in connection with the murder of an 11-year-old girl nearly 34 years ago in Lawrence after investigators said they solved the cold case. Essex District Attorney Jonathan W. Blodgett said today 74-year-old Marvin C. McClendon Jr., now of Breman, Ala. was arrested and charged as a fugitive from justice following the issuance of an arrest warrant yesterday for the murder of Melissa Ann Tremblay, of Salem, N.H., on Sept. 12, 1988.  McClendon is being held at the Cullman County Sheriff’s office and will be arraigned in an Alabama court tomorrow. The timing of his return depends on his decision to waive rendition.

Crime

Man Recovering from Gunshot Wound, Another Arrested After Haverhill Shooting Saturday

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Updated: Haverhill Police have corrected the age of the shooting victim, now reporting he is 38. 

A 37-year-old Brockton man is expected to be arraigned today in Haverhill District Court for allegedly shooting a 38-year-old man early Saturday night in the Lower Acre neighborhood. As WHAV reported first, Haverhill Deputy Police Chief Stephen Doherty said police were dispatched after receiving a report of “shots fired” around 7 p.m. at 25 Dover St., near Cedar Street. The unidentified man was taken to Holy Family Hospital Haverhill for what was described as a non-life-threatening wound. He was later released. Jake Houston of Brockton was arrested by Haverhill Police and charged with armed assault to murder and related firearm and assault charges, Doherty said.

Crime

Haverhill Patrolman On Leave Following Accident and Arrest on Drunk Driving Charge

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A veteran Haverhill police officer was charged with drunk driving following a collision with a parked car last night in downtown Haverhill. Police said in a statement Patrolman Carlos Arriaga, who was off-duty, was involved in the accident just before 8 p.m., Sunday, near 216 Essex St. He was driving a 2017 Mercedes GLE 350 when his SUV struck a parked, but occupied, 2022 Honda CRV, resulting in, what were deemed, “minor injuries” to both drivers and damage to both vehicles. Police said Arriaga was placed on administrative leave, a common practice pending court action and internal disciplinary review. Arriaga was arrested in August 2019 on domestic violence charges of assault and battery on a family/household member and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

Crime

Grand Jury Indicts 18-Year-Old in Connection with February Shooting Death of Methuen Man

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An 18-year-old Lawrence man has been charged with murder and gun crimes in connection with the February shooting of a Methuen man. Yanuel Mejia was indicted by an Essex County grand jury yesterday for murder; carrying a firearm, subsequent offense; and possession of a loaded firearm. He was arrested last night in Lawrence through a cooperative effort by the Essex State Police Detective Unit, Methuen and Lawrence Police detectives. Mejia is expected to be arraigned in Salem Superior Court today. Essex County District Attorney Jonathan W. Blodgett and Methuen Police Chief Scott McNamara recounted 22-year-old Ewdy Lopez, of Kimball Road, was shot to death Feb.