Crime

Haverhill Teen Given Probation After THC Arrest at School

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Carlos Martinez, an 18-year-old student, has been put on probation and ordered to stay drug- and alcohol-free one month after being arrested in possession of a THC cartridge last month. On Feb. 12, Martinez—a student at Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School—was arrested by Haverhill Police school resource officer Jamie Landry. According to a police report, Landry was alerted to the drug offense by Assistant Principal Adam Gagne, who found another student in possession of a vape pen and THC cartridge allegedly purchased from Martinez for $35. A subsequent search of Martinez did not yield any THC cartridges, but school officials did find him in possession of $440, money the teen said was revenue from his job at McDonald’s.

Crime

Judge Sets Bail at $200K for Man Arrested With Fentanyl, Cocaine at Westgate Plaza

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A Haverhill District Court judge imposed a $200,000 cash bail for the Lawrence man arrested in possession of $16,000 worth of fentanyl, cocaine and cash near Westgate Plaza this week. Ruben Lara-Ramirez spoke to Judge Stephen Abany Thursday through a Spanish-speaking interpreter to answer to charges he trafficked the drugs and conspired to violate drug laws at the time of his arrest March 13. Assistant District Attorney Thomas Sholds initially argued for $500,000 cash bail given the seriousness of the charges and subsequent penalties. Lara-Ramirez, a native of the Dominican Republic, told Abany his family could likely raise $10,000 in bail money and only agreed to pay $300 to hire court-appointed attorney Timothy Connors after Abany impressed the seriousness of the charges he faces. Lara-Ramirez faces a minimum mandatory sentence of eight years for the cocaine charge and at least three years for the fentanyl charge, ADA Sholds said.

Crime

Haverhill Police Seize Drugs Worth Thousands, Arrest Lawrence Man for Dealing

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A Lawrence man is facing drug trafficking charges after Haverhill Police’s gang and narcotics units seized fentanyl, cocaine and cash during a suspected drug deal early Wednesday afternoon. The two police units were watching Westgate Shopping Plaza around 12;30 p.m. when a suspected drug transaction took place. According to a statement, police seized 178 grams of fentanyl, worth more than $7,000; 168 grams of cocaine with a street value of $6,750; and $2,658 in cash. Ruben Lara-Ramirez, 36, was charged with conspiracy to violate drug laws, fentanyl trafficking and cocaine trafficking. He was driving a Dodge Caravan with Massachusetts livery plates.

Crime

N.H. Woman Who Allegedly Tried to Run Down Haverhill Police Officer Held Without Bail Following Weekend Pursuit

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The Chester, N.H. woman who took police on a multi-city pursuit after allegedly trying to run down a Haverhill officer remains behind bars following the weekend incident, WHAV confirms.

Arrested in Westford, 53-year-old Cindy Case was arraigned in a Middlesex County court Monday on charges of failure to stop, assault with a dangerous weapon (her car), and possession of a class B drug (believed to be crack cocaine). Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan’s office tells WHAV Case is being held without bail until a hearing later this week that determines if she is a danger to herself or the community. As WHAV exclusively reported Saturday, Haverhill Police Officer James Keenan went to Evergreen Drive in the city’s Bradford section for a report of a person possibly smoking crack. When he approached the car, a woman later identified as Case, drove toward him, “almost striking him,” Haverhill Police Capt. Robert P. Pistone told WHAV News. Keenan followed Case down Willow Avenue to Kingsbury Avenue before ending his pursuit near the Boxford town line.

Crime

After Chase, Police Arrest Woman Who Allegedly Tried to Run Down Haverhill Officer

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A 53-year-old Chester, N.H., woman who allegedly tried to run down a Haverhill Police officer with her car yesterday afternoon, was ultimately arrested in Westford after a lengthy police pursuit. Shortly after 4 p.m., Haverhill Police Officer James Keenan went to Evergreen Drive for a report of a person possibly smoking crack. When he approached the car, a woman later identified as Cindy Case, drove toward him, “almost striking him,” Haverhill Police Capt. Robert P. Pistone told WHAV News. Evergreen Drive is in the Bradford section of the city. Case fled at above posted, but not high, speeds in her car, followed by Keenan, police said.

Crime

Major Haverhill Drug Bust Nets Fentanyl, Pistol; Two Residents Face Charges

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A major Haverhill Police drug raid Friday afternoon netted nearly 700 grams of the deadly drug fentanyl and a pistol, and culminated in the arrest of a man and woman, both in their 20s. Haverhill Police’s Narcotics Unit, working with the federal Drug Enforcement Agency, raided a home at 116 Franklin St. around 1 p.m. Using a search warrant to gain entrance to the residence, they recovered 663.97 grams of fentanyl and a Ruger revolver (pictured). Twenty-three-year-old Tatyana Contreras-Lara and 26-year-old Ricardo Serrano, both listed as residents of the home, were each charged with possessing a firearm without an FID card, improper storage of a weapon, having unlicensed ammunition, fentanyl trafficking and conspiracy to violate drug laws. They were placed into custody by Haverhill Police Detective Tiffany Maldonado.

Crime

Haverhill Police Arrest 35-Year-Old Man for Alleged Drug Dealing

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A 35-year-old Howard Street man is facing drug-dealing charges following his arrest Wednesday morning. Ramon Martinez, of 19 Howard St., Haverhill, was arrested at his home around 11 a.m. He was charged with distribution of a class B drug, possession of drugs with intent to distribute and conspiracy to violate drug laws. Class B drugs include cocaine, LSD and others. The arrest was made by Patrolman Matthew Woodman.

Crime

Wallaces’ Brother Recounts Night She Fell Ill, Says Uncle Gave ‘Little Red Pill’ to ‘Help Them Sleep’

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As Miguel Rivera, the uncle and babysitter of Haverhill sixth grader Precious Wallaces, sits in jail on several charges relating to her death—including alleged rape of a child—new details have surfaced about the night she fell ill. Just-released court documents confirm Precious’ younger brother underwent a forensic interview during which he described how 58-year-old Rivera would give him and his sister a “little red pill” before bedtime each time they stayed at his Lawrence apartment to “help them sleep.” It is reported he paid the children to ingest the pill, believed to be amitriptyline, a medication used to treat nerve pain and depression. A common side effect of the drug is drowsiness. “(The boy) stated his uncle had given (him and Precious) a small red pill to swallow at bedtime and described the pills as coming from a prescription-type bottle,” State Police Trooper Matthew Wilson said in the police report filed Jan. 29, the day Rivera was formally charged with rape of a child by force.