Crime

Feds Arrest Haverhill, Methuen, North Andover and Lawrence Gang Members for Drug Trafficking

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Men from Haverhill, Methuen, North Andover and Lawrence are among 13 gang members charged Wednesday for roles in Lawrence-based drug trafficking of fentanyl, cocaine, suboxone and counterfeit prescription pills containing methamphetamine. Those indicted on conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and 500 grams or more of cocaine and suboxone include 23-year-old Anthony Martinez and 24-year-old Elijah Declet, known as “Evil,” both of Haverhill; 25-year-old Justin Suriel, known as “Chachi,” 27-year-old Nathaniel Infante, known as “Natti,” and 24-year-old Felix Rodriguez, 24, all of Methuen; 24-year-old Steven Rios, known as “Doofy” of North Andover;  35-year-old Jonathan Cruz, known as “Trippy,” and 31-year-old Celino Guzman Cabreja, both of Lawrence; and three others from Brockton and Watertown and Miami, Fla. Suriel and Rios are also charged with conspiring to kidnap, hold captive and traumatize a victim in retaliation for the suspected theft of Rios’ dog. Haverhill Police Chief Robert P. Pistone praised the cooperation between agencies. “The Haverhill Police Department is committed to keeping our citizens safe and disrupting violent organized gangs in our community through our valued law enforcement partnerships at the local, state and federal levels, especially the FBI Gang Task Force in this case.

Crime

Haverhill Police Arrest Two Teens for Role in Oct. 14 Lafayette Square Shooting

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Haverhill Police have charged two teenagers with assault with intent to murder and firearms-related charges after investigating an Oct. 14 incident of shots fired in the area of Lafayette Square. Police said the early evening shootings resulted in no injuries or property damage. The Haverhill males, ages 15 and 16, were also charged with possession of a firearm without an identification card and discharging a firearm within 500 feet of homes. The investigation is continuing.

Crime

Updated: Extra Police, Counselors at Haverhill High Monday After Halloween Party Shooting

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Haverhill’s school administration plans to have “additional police presence” and counselors present at Haverhill High School tomorrow. The precautions follow Saturday night’s shooting at a Haverhill Halloween party that left a teenager with “non-life-threatening” injuries. “We at Haverhill Public Schools are aware of a shooting incident last (night) at a Halloween party involving an HHS student,” said school Superintendent Margaret Marotta in an email to the School Committee Sunday. “We are in continuous contact with police who are investigating the incident,” she said. Haverhill Police said a 16-year-old was taken to a local hospital following the incident around 11:45 p.m., at 82 Rosemont St.

Crime

Judge Sentences North Andover Woman to Two Years in Prison for Giving Illegal Silicone Shots

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A North Andover woman was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for performing illegal silicone injections. Seventy-three-year-old Gladys Araceli Ceron was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to two years in prison and two years of supervised release. The judge withheld judgment on restitution for a later date. This past April, Ceron pleaded guilty to five counts of delivery for pay of an adulterated or misbranded medical device received in interstate commerce with the intent to defraud or mislead. “For 15 years, Ms. Ceron chose to make money by injecting her cosmetics customers with toxic silicone—all the while knowing that by doing so she was exposing them to serious harm, disfiguration and potentially death,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell.

Crime

Haverhill Man, 31, Faces Gun and Drug Charges After State Police Traffic Stop

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A 31-year-old Haverhill man faces firearm, drug, alcohol and automobile-related charges after being pulled over early Monday morning near Brockton. Ramon Silvelo-Miles was arrested after State Police said they observed his Toyota Camry sedan nearly strike a construction detail setup on Route 24 southbound. Trooper Tyler Hopkins reported the scent of an alcoholic beverage when he approached the man, who also exhibited what was described as slurred speech. Police discovered 356 grams of crack cocaine, 15 grams of heroin, cash and a small 25 caliber pistol loaded with a round in the chamber and five rounds in the magazine. Police said Silvelo-Miles is a convicted felon and cannot possess a firearm or ammunition.

Crime

Federal Judge Sentences Former Methuen Man to 15 Years in Prison for Fentanyl Dealing

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A former Methuen man was sentenced Tuesday to more than 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to fentanyl trafficking. Thirty-three-year-old Joel Cortorreal, also known as Angel Javier Morell-Oneill, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin to 15.5 years in prison and five years of supervised release for fentanyl trafficking. Back in April, Cortorreal pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, unlawful reentry of a deported alien and one count of being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm and ammunition. During a traffic stop in October 2018 in Methuen, police seized two kilograms of fentanyl from the front passenger seat of the Cortorreal’s vehicle. A later search of his residence resulted in the seizure of approximately 20 kilos of heroin, more than eight kilos of fentanyl, drug distribution paraphernalia, $20,000 and a loaded firearm.

Crime

Lowell Police Arrest Methuen Man, 35, on Gun-Related Charges for Alleged Sunday Shooting

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A 35-year-old Methuen man was arrested on gun-related charges after allegedly shooting at someone Sunday in Lowell. Lowell Police reported Tuesday the arrest of Jaime Rodriguez of Methuen. He was charged with charged with assault with a dangerous weapon—a firearm, carrying a loaded firearm without a license and other firearms charges. Lowell Deputy Superintendent Mark LeBlanc said police said were dispatched to the area of Fulton Street and Devlins Avenue for an individual reporting he had been shot at, but not struck by gunfire or injured. Officers spoke with the person as well as several witnesses and also reported evidence of gunfire at the scene.

Crime

Essex County Sheriff Switches to Digital Mail to End Drugs Coming Via Postal Service

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The Essex County Sheriff’s Department is no longer be accepting personal mail for prisoners. Tomorrow’s switch to an alternative digital delivery is an attempt to eliminate contraband and improve the safety of those inspecting and sorting mail. The change applies only to personal and nonprivileged mail. Privileged and legal correspondence, as well as some specific items such as money orders and publications sent directly from a publisher or authorized retailer, will still be accepted through the postal service. “Prisons and jails across the country are all dealing with the dangers of drugs making their way to their secure facilities through the mail.