Crime

Federal Grand Jury Indicts Haverhill Man of Alleged Fentanyl Sale That Led to Overdose Death

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A 27-year-old Haverhill man was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury in Boston with distributing fentanyl resulting in a death. Bernardito Carvajal, 27, a Dominican national, was indicted on one count of distribution of fentanyl and cocaine resulting in death and one count of distribution of fentanyl. Last July 31, Carvajal was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. He has been in custody since. The U.S. Attorney’s office says around June 12, 2018, Carvajal sold fentanyl and cocaine in Lawrence to a 26-year-old victim, who died of an overdose after using the drugs.

Crime

Haverhill Police Seek Public’s Help in Identifying Armed Robbery Suspects

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Haverhill Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying two men who robbed a man at gunpoint last month. Police provided a photograph of each of the two men wanted. Officials said the men approached a man who was sitting in his car Sunday, Dec. 22, on the corner of North Street and Fourth Avenue. They said, “a Spanish male opened the driver’s side door and pointed a gun at the victim and stole his wallet along with $550 in cash.”

Anyone who can identify the men are asked to call Detective Joseph Benedetti at 978-373-1212, extension 1563.

Crime

Three Haverhill Residents Receive Prison Terms Related to Fentanyl Drug Trafficking

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Three Haverhill residents, arrested for fentanyl-related drug trafficking charges in 2018, pleaded guilty this week in Essex County Superior Court and were sentenced to prison terms ranging from two to five years. They were among four residents arrested nearly two years ago after police seized 3.7 kilograms of the drug from their Winter Street home. Arismendy J. Santana, 29, and Wilman Diaz, 27, each received a prison term of four to five years, with two years’ probation. Milagro Santana, 28, was sentenced to state prison for two to three years, with two years’ probation. All had been charged with trafficking fentanyl, 10 grams or more; conspiracy to violate drug laws; and unlawful possession of ammunition.

Haverhill

Police Conclude One Fatal Pedestrian Accident Investigation; Continue Another From 1 Year Ago

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Even as residents still await information on the hit and run death of Charles O. “Chucky” Burrill Jr. nearly a year ago downtown, police have completed its separate investigation of last May’s death of 72-year-old pedestrian Robert N. Bergeron on Kenoza Avenue. Officials say the nature of such extensive investigations takes time. Thirty-five-year-old Brandon Isenberg, 3 Maple Ave., No. 9, Haverhill, is to appear in Haverhill District Court Feb. 3 for a pretrial hearing.

Crime

Haverhill Office Furnishings Company Accused of Fraudulently Diverting Work Away from Disabled Veterans

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Three men, including a Groveland man involved in a Haverhill office furnishings company, were charged last week in federal court in Boston with conspiracy to defraud the United States and mail fraud in connection with a scheme to obtain government contracts. Frank Apicella, 63, of Groveland; Michael Sforza, 59, of Alpharetta, Ga.; and James Apicella, 37, of Kingston, N.H., were charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and one count of mail fraud. James Apicella lists Tactical Office Solutions on his website as operating from 150 Summer St., and 80 Wingate St., Haverhill. According to U.S. Attorney Andrew E. Lelling’s office, James Apicella operated the office furnishings outlet to bid for and obtain government contract work that was set aside for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses and Historically Underutilized Business Zone companies. Although the work was bid by and awarded to Tactical Office Solutions, jobs were actually mostly performed by FENS, a company owned and operated by Frank Apicella and Sforza that was not eligible for these contracts.

Crime

Haverhill Police Charge 23-Year-Old Lawrence Man with Cocaine Trafficking

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A 23-year-old Lawrence man was taken into custody in Haverhill last night, charged with cocaine trafficking. Ivan Garcia was arrested near 80 8th Ave., shortly before 8 p.m. He was also charged with drug possession upon his arrest by Patrolman Matthew Woodman. Garcia is expected to be arraigned in Haverhill District Court today.

Crime

Court Orders Haverhill Man Held Without Bail After Alleged Gun Threat Against N.H. Woman

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A 29-year-old Haverhill man is being held without bail after allegedly pointing a gun at a Manchester, N.H., woman and attracting a SWAT team response New Year’s Eve day. Fernando Landor, 251 Washington St., #1, Haverhill, was arrested by Derry, N.H., police after the incident in Manchester, N.H. He was charged with criminal threatening with deadly weapon, reckless conduct with a deadly weapon, and violation of a protective order. At his arraignment in Thursday afternoon in Hillsborough County Superior Court, Assistant County Attorney Amy Manchester requested Landor be held without bail and the judge agreed. The incident began Tuesday morning when a woman who has a protective order against Landor told Manchester Police the Haverhill man parked his car near hers. After she confronted him, he allegedly left his car, reached into his pocket as she walked away from him.

Crime

Year-in-Review: 2019 Began and Ended with Fears Over Gang Gun Violence in Haverhill

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When it comes to gangs, Haverhill’s year ended as it began with fear over gun violence from two rival gangs. At the end of 2018, Mayor James J. Fiorentini acknowledged the city’s gang problem—which turned into a gun war two years earlier after a Swasey Field shooting—by saying he was “hopeful” the crime rate can improve. In February, Haverhill Police Chief Alan R. DeNaro told city councilors of his department’s plan to combat gang-related violence. He said, however, one of the challenges is when shooting victims—most of whom belong to a gang—refuse to come forward to police. “When they’re shot, they don’t cooperate with us.