Crime

Haverhill Man, 54, Pleads Guilty to Raping Disabled Woman, Sentenced to Prison Up to 2.5 Years

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A 54-year-old Haverhill man admitted Monday he raped an intellectually disabled woman who had been placed in his home by an adult foster care agency. Joseph Gagnon pleaded guilty to rape, two counts of indecent assault and battery on a person over 14 and permitting abuse on a disabled person at a change of plea hearing in Lawrence Superior Court. Judge C. William Barrett sentenced him from two to two and one-half years in state prison, followed by two years of probation. While on probation, Barrett ordered the defendant to stay away from and have no contact with the victim, comply with the restraining order, stay away from the Target store in Haverhill, undergo a sex offender evaluation and seek treatment deemed necessary, comply with the Sex Offender Registry Board, and remain drug free with random screens. Essex Assistant District Attorney Jessica Strasnick represented the Commonwealth.

Crime

What Really Happened: Bradford Stabbing Wednesday was a Drug Deal Gone Bad

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Yesterday morning’s stabbing in Central Square now appears to be a drug deal gone bad. Twenty-three-year-old Carson S. Hamilton, 30 Clydedale Ave., Haverhill, and 22-year-old Haley S. Thomas, of North Andover, were held without bail at their arraignment today before Haverhill District Court First Justice Cesar A. Archilla. They were charged after first responders found a 24-year-old homeless man “naked and bleeding in the street.” Police said the man was robbed of his wallet and punched, kicked and stabbed two or three times—in the left buttock and left leg after he tried to buy drugs in Central Square Bradford. According to several different police reports and interviews, the man who was stabbed said during a hospital interview that he and his fiancée were walking toward McDonalds in Bradford. Hamilton called out from a parked car, demanded money and then reportedly “began to tackle” the man and a fight began around 11:15 a.m. Hamilton escaped with the wallet to the back seat of the car and shouted to driver Haley Thomas to drive off.

Crime

Two Face Assault, Robbery Charges After Bradford ‘Stabbing Incident’ Wednesday

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Two people have been charged in connection with, what Haverhill Police call, a “stabbing incident” near Central Square, Bradford, late yesterday morning. Twenty-three-year-old Carson Hamilton, of Haverhill, and 22-year-old Haley Thomas, of North Andover, were charged with armed robbery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon—a knife—and assault battery with a dangerous weapon—a shod foot. Police were dispatched to the intersection of South Main and Pleasant Streets to find an unnamed 24-year-old man bleeding from, what was described as a non-life-threatening wound. Initial radio traffic from emergency medical services suggested the incident stemmed from a domestic situation. Hamilton and Thomas are expected to be arraigned in Haverhill District Court today.

Crime

Police Report No Injuries in Sunday Night Shooting Near All Saints Parish, Haverhill

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Haverhill Police say no injuries were reported after a traveling vehicle was struck by gunfire Sunday night off Broadway. The shooting took place Sunday, May 16, just before 9:30 p.m., on Blaisdell Avenue near All Saints Parish, according to a statement released by police Monday afternoon. “Incident does not appear random,” police said. An investigation is underway and anyone who may have information is asked to call Detective Sean Scharneck at 978-722-1551.

Crime

Judge Orders Alleged Hit and Run Driver to Stay Away From the Wheel; Man Thought Ice or Light Hit Car

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A plea of not guilty was entered Thursday on behalf of a 76-year-old Haverhill man charged in connection with the hit and run death more than two years of a man walking across a downtown crosswalk. During a short arraignment in Haverhill District Court, First Justice Cesar A. Archilla ordered Dimitrios Zaralidis, 46 Pinedale Ave., Haverhill, not to drive any vehicles and to return to court June 28. Zaralidis is charged with motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation, leaving the scene of an accident and a crosswalk violation. The accident resulted in the death of 59-year-old Charles O. “Chucky” Burrill Jr. around 5 a.m., Jan. 25, 2019 when he was struck while on a Main Street crosswalk near White’s Corner.

Crime

Federal Judge Sentences Former Methuen Man to Nearly Two Years’ Time Served for Fentanyl Dealing

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A 42-year-old former Methuen was sentenced this week to nearly two years of time served in jail for fentanyl drug dealing. Milton Elias Lara was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Mark L. Wolf to 22 months’ time served in prison and three years of supervised release. The U.S. Attorney’s office said Lara will be deported to the Dominican Republic. Lara pleaded guilty last June to distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. During the course of a police investigation, Lara was found to be dealing in fentanyl in the Merrimack Valley.

Crime

Former Methuen Resident Faces 15 Years in Prison for Fentanyl Dealing and Gun Charges

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A former Methuen resident pleaded guilty late last week in federal court in Boston to fentanyl trafficking, gun and ammunition charges and related crimes. Thirty-three-year-old Joel Cortorreal, who also goes by the name Angel Javier Morell-Oneill, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin to one count of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien and one count of being an alien in possession of a firearm and ammunition. According to court records, an investigation into Cortorreal began in June 2018 and resulted in a traffic stop on Pleasant Valley Street in Methuen Oct. 22 of that year. During the stop, officers seized two kilos of fentanyl from the front passenger seat of the vehicle Cortorreal was driving.

Crime

Methuen Man Pleads Guilty to Selling Fentanyl From Methuen Public Housing Complex

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A Methuen man pleaded guilty last week in federal court in Boston to selling fentanyl from a public housing project. Thirty-nine-year-old Anthony Holloway pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young scheduled sentencing in one year when Holloway is set to complete the court-run Repair, Invest, Succeed and Emerge program. Known as RISE for short, it is designed to aid in the rehabilitation of certain people who have pleaded guilty and are under supervision prior to sentencing. In December 2019, Holloway was arrested and charged with Steven Perez, who was sentenced in February 2021 to about six years in prison.