Crime

Methuen Man, 26, Pleads Not Guilty to Murder of His Mother

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A 26-year-old Methuen man pleaded not guilty Tuesday during an arraignment at Lawrence District Court after being charged with the murder of his mother. Anthony Nunez-Romano was arraigned for the alleged murder of 55-year-old Dominga Romano, of Methuen. Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker’s office said, in addition to the murder charge, Nunez-Romano was charged with possessing a firearm without a firearm identification card and defacing the serial number of a firearm. He appeared before the Jusdge Stephen B. Geary, who ordered him held without bail. Methuen Police officers discovered the dead woman while conducting a wellbeing check Monday, about 5 p.m., at a Lyndale Avenue, Methuen, home.

Crime

Case Against Pelletier, Alleged to Have Defaced 36 Haverhill Signs, Back in Court in January

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Joshua Pelletier, the Atkinson, N.H. man charged with allegedly defacing 36 Stop signs in downtown Haverhill last summer, is due back in court Friday, Jan. 30. An administrator in the Haverhill District Court clerk’s office told WHAV Pelletier’s case was continued from Wednesday, Dec. 10, to give his lawyer time to file a motion. Pelletier is represented by attorney Alisa M. Rosenthal of Beverly.

Crime

Phony Telephone Bomb Threat Delays Classes at Groveland Elementary School

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A telephone threat Monday morning of a bomb at Groveland’s Dr. Elmer S. Bagnall School brought swift evacuation of staff at the elementary school, but was determined to be unfounded. Groveland and school officials said an administrator shortly after 8 a.m., at Bagnall School followed normal opening procedures and discovered “a nonspecific bomb threat” on the school’s voicemail. Following protocols, administrators notified the Groveland Police Department and the school building was evacuated as a precaution and prior to the arrival of students and school buses. Groveland Detective Adam Sanborn was credited with “his quick response and assistance in identifying the individual responsible,” but details were not immediately released. “Safety is always our top priority,” said Groveland Police Chief Jeffrey T. Gillen in a statement.

Crime

Suspect in Brown University and MIT Professor Killings Found Dead in Salem, NH, Storage Unit

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by Staff Report, InDepthNH.org
December 18, 2025
SALEM – The suspect in the Brown University mass shooting that killed two students and wounded nine Saturday and the murder of an MIT professor Monday has been found dead in a Salem, N.H. storage unit, according to law enforcement officials. Providence, R.I. police on Thursday announced the death of Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, the 48-year-old former Brown University graduate student responsible for the murders of the two Brown University students. A Rhode Island state court, based on an affidavit from a Providence Police Detective, issued a state arrest warrant for Neves Valente charging him with two counts of murder of the students and 23 felony counts of assault and felony firearms offenses. The affidavit can be read here. Law enforcement tracked Neves Valente to a Salem, New Hampshire, storage unit, where they found him dead from a self-inflicted gunshot Thursday evening, police said.

Crime

State Police Detective Unit Receives Honors Following Indictments Against Gang Members

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The State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker’s office was honored recently for work leading to the indictment of a gang leader and more than 20 other members on various charges including murder. During the Massachusetts State Police Fall Awards Ceremony Dec. 4, the detective unit in Tucker’s office received the State Police Superintendent’s Unit Citation from Col. Geoffrey D. Noble. In addition, Sgt.

Crime

Haverhill Woman, 46, Receives Prison Sentence After Pleading Guilty to MassHealth Fraud

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A 46-year-old Haverhill woman was recently sentenced to one year in prison after pleading guilty last June to submitting more than $150,000 in false claims to MassHealth for personal care attendant services. Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell’s office said Wednesday Jasmin Bryan, a MassHealth recipient, and Victor Simard, her personal care attendant, were indicted in July 2024 by an Essex County Grand Jury after submitting false claims for services Simard never provided. Besides prison, Bryan must serve 18 months of probation, pay restitution to MassHealth, refrain from any responsibility with the MassHealth PCA program and refrain from billing and bookkeeping work. Campbell’s office alleged that since Sept. 12, 2019, Bryan submitted timesheets to MassHealth, showing Simard provided services to her during times when he was in jail.

Crime

Haverhill Tax Advisor Accused of Human Trafficking, Drug Possession Considers Plea Change

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John L. Caruso, the Haverhill tax advisor charged early last year with human trafficking, drug possession and maintaining a house of prostitution, is considering a change of plea from not guilty. Caruso, 80, was arrested Feb. 16, 2024 by Haverhill Police following an investigation by local and State Police into the reported drug overdose death of an unnamed woman. She was found Jan. 8, 2024, at 173 River St., Haverhill, where the prosecutor said Caruso operated a tax preparation and financial advisory business and owns an apartment building.

Crime

DA’s Office Receives Grant to Tackle Violent Crime and Human Trafficking

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Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker’s office was recently awarded a $62,500 grant to strengthen partnerships between state and local law enforcement, enhance prosecution of violent crime and human trafficking and expand community-based prevention and intervention services. The grant comes from the Commonwealth Project Safe Neighborhood Initiative and Human Trafficking Enforcement and Training Grant Program. “During a recent series of public safety roundtables across the state, we heard firsthand that when law enforcement, prosecutors and community organizations work together, we can enhance safety in our communities,” Gov. Maura Healey said in a statement. “This initiative is proof that investing in collaboration and prevention makes our communities safer and stronger. That’s why we’re continuing to build on this success and expand programs that give people, especially young people, the opportunity to choose a better path.” A total of $1.2 million in public safety grants were distributed statewide.