Crime

Federal Grand Jury Indicts Haverhill, Methuen and Lawrence Men for Drug Dealing, Partly in Haverhill

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Men from Haverhill, Methuen and Lawrence face fentanyl- and cocaine-related drug charges in federal court after being indicted by a grand jury in Boston. Twenty-year-old Gustavo Adolfo Reyes Gonzalez of Haverhill, 27-year-old Daniel Lopez-Gonzalez of Methuen and 30-year-old Erickson Castro Perez of Lawrence were each indicted on conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute drugs. Castro Perez was also indicted on distribution of and possession with intent to distribute para-fluorofentanyl, distribution of and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine and distribution of and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl last summer in Haverhill. Reyes Gonzalez was arrested last Thursday and released on conditions following an initial appearance in federal court in Worcester that day. Lopez-Gonzalez was arrested on state charges Jan.

Crime

New Hampshire State Police Say Methuen Man Allegedly Tried to Falsely Obtain Vehicle Title

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A 35-year-old Methuen man was taken into custody Wednesday after New Hampshire State Police said he was allegedly attempting to submit fraudulent documents to obtain a New Hampshire motor vehicle title. Joel Panigua was charged with two counts of tampering with public records and unsworn falsification. He will be arraigned in the Ninth Circuit Court – District Division – Manchester on June 12, according to a press release. Members of New Hampshire State Police Troop G were reportedly conducting salvage inspections at the Division of Motor Vehicles in Manchester when troopers were made aware of the alleged fraud. A salvage inspection is conducted on vehicles that have been classified as a total loss by an insurance company and have subsequently been repaired.

Crime

Federal Judge Sends 37-Year-Old Haverhill Man to Prison for Fentanyl Drug Dealing

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A 37-year-old Haverhill man was sentenced Wednesday in federal court in Boston on fentanyl conspiracy charges dating back three years. Sergio Garcia was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs to almost four years in prison and two years of supervised release. In March of 2022, Garcia pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. In April 2020, Garcia received a kilogram of fentanyl through the U.S. Postal Service and directed his brother-in-law to get the package and deliver it to his home in Haverhill. During a search of Garcia’s home, the fentanyl was found in Garcia’s basement.

Crime

Haverhill Man, 19, Pleads Guilty in Connection with Theft of a Dozen Firearms from Derry, N.H., Shop

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A 19-year-old Haverhill man pleaded guilty Monday in federal court to conspiring to steal a dozen firearms from a Derry, N.H., store. New Hampshire U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young said Gary Ortiz Jr. broke into Second Amendment Outdoors in Derry, stealing 11 pistols and one rifle. Ortiz and an accomplice, Jaythean Diaz, were indicted last July. Diaz, of Lawrence, also pleaded guilty about two weeks ago to conspiracy to steal firearms from a federal firearms licensee. The U.S. Attorney’s office said in a press release that recovered telephone videos “show Ortiz holding the stolen firearms, and messages recovered from Ortiz’s phone show searches for Second Amendment Outdoors before the burglary, as well as, searches for news about the burglary afterward.

Crime

Police Hold Young Men, Both with Gunshot Wounds, in Connection With Lawrence Deadly Shooting

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Two men—both with gunshot wounds—were arrested Monday in connection with the Sunday shooting death of an 18-year-old and the wounding of five others at a Lawrence house party over the weekend. Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker said 22-year-old Saul Enrique Morales Espinosa, and 20-year-old Joshual Ramirez, both of Lawrence, were each charged with two felony counts: carrying a firearm without a license and carrying a loaded firearm. They both pleaded not guilty during remote arraignments Monday before Lawrence District Court Judge Stephen Geary. Espinosa is hospitalized in Boston while Ramirez is hospitalized locally. Each was held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing on May 9.

Crime

Updated: DA Says 18-Year-Old Died in Lawrence Shooting of Six at House Party

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Updated

An 18-year-old Lawrence man, one of six shot early Sunday morning at a house party, died from his wounds, while two others were flown to Boston hospitals for treatment of their wounds. Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker reported Desiderio Arias of 128 Boxford St., Lawrence, was pronounced dead at Lawrence General Hospital. Two others were taken by medical helicopter to Boston for additional treatment. Conditions of the survivors was not immediately available. Tucker said Lawrence Police were dispatched to a disturbance call at about 3 a.m., at 5 Royal St., Apt.

Crime

Federal Grand Jury Indicts Former Lawrence Mayoral Chief of Staff on Having Child Sexual Abuse Material

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The former chief of staff to the mayor of Lawrence was indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston for transporting and possessing child sexual abuse material. Forty-eight-year-old Jhovanny Martes-Rosario was indicted on one count of possession of child pornography and one count of transportation of child pornography. Martes-Rosario was released on conditions following an initial appearance Friday in federal court in Boston before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge M. Page Kelley. As WHAV reported in February, Martes-Rosario pleaded not guilty after his initial arrest on charges of two counts of possession of child pornography. He worked as chief of staff to Lawrence Mayor Brian A. DePeña until just before his arrest.

Crime

Methuen Officials Join In Call For Federal and State Expansion of Past Police Dept. Corruption

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Methuen officials came together Wednesday with a no holds barred request for “immediate, cooperative and comprehensive” federal and state expansion of the investigation into alleged Methuen Police Department corruption. Mayor Neil Perry, City Council Chair Eunice D. Zeigler, Vice Chair Joel P. Faretra and the rest of the Council asked from help from U.S. Attorney Rachel S. Rollins, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, state Auditor Diana DiZoglio, Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker and the heads of the inspector general’s office, Ethics Commission and Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission. “We are unapologetically blunt and united in our call for review and action by your respective offices. For years, Methuen has regrettably suffered from conscience-shocking behavior by selected persons previously entrusted with the public fisc and public safety in our city,” the leaders wrote. They added a report by Inspector General Glenn A. Cunha released in December 2020 and state Civil Service Commission review released this past January “collectively detail clear wrongdoing that (i) imperiled city finances through unsustainable compensation increases resulting from subterfuge, and (ii) harmed public safety through threatened police layoffs and the violation of merit principles and credentialing laws pertaining to police hiring.”

As WHAV reported, Cunha’s conclusion of “failure of leadership at all levels” led to Perry placing former Chief Joseph E. Solomon and Capt. Gregory Gallant on paid administrative leave.