Crime

Methuen Shuts Down Massage Parlor, Charges Manager with Alleged Prostitution-Related Crimes

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Methuen police said they closed a massage parlor and charged its manager with alleged human trafficking and deriving support from prostitution. Methuen Police Chief Scott J. McNamara said in a press release Sunday that after conducting surveillance and undercover operations, it obtained a search warrant last week to enter Beauty Garden Spa, 5 Wallace St., Methuen. Police said there was a lengthy investigation prompted by resident complaints. The release said 38-year-old Suping Zhu of Flushing, N.Y., was arrested Friday and charged with deriving support from prostitution, keeping of a house of ill fame and trafficking person for sexual servitude. McNamara said, “To the ‘johns’ fueling this despicable trade, know this: you are not invisible, and we are targeting you next with the full might of the law.

Crime

Grand Jury Indicts Alleged Bank Robber; Haverhill Case Moves to Superior Court

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The Methuen man charged with commandeering a car at gunpoint in Lawrence and then robbing a bank in Haverhill is scheduled for a pre-trial conference in Essex County Superior Court in Salem next month. Thirty-seven-year-old Ryan Messina was indicted by an Essex County Grand Jury Friday, Aug. 8, and arraigned before Judge Thomas Drechsler via video conference from the Essex County House of Correction Sept. 10. He is being held on $300,000 cash bail and returns to court Thursday, Oct.

Crime

Federal Grand Jury Indicts Haverhill Man, a Seabrook Police Officer, on Receipt of Child Porn

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A grand jury has weighed in with an indictment on a federal child pornography case against a Haverhill man who worked as a Seabrook, N.H., police officer. U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley’s office said in a press release Friday a federal grand jury indicted John Giarrusso III on one count of receipt of child pornography. Forty-nine-year-old Giarrusso was also arrested last month on the same federal charge. The U.S. attorney’s office said Giarrusso will be arraigned later in U.S. District Court in Boston. Giarrusso was first arrested by Haverhill Police Feb.

Crime

Lowell Police: ‘No Evidence of Shots Fired’ at UMass Lowell; Investigation Ongoing

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Lowell Police said that while they are investigating a report of an armed man on campus Wednesday at UMass Lowell, it was not an “active shooter situation and there is no evidence of shots fired.”

Lowell Police said they were dispatched Wednesday afternoon, just before 2:30, after receiving a report of a man possibly with a firearm. Patrol officers immediately responded and began a search. The department’s drone was sent into the air as well as the Massachusetts State Police Air Wing. “Numerous Police K9s, Massachusetts State Police Troopers, the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council Swat Team, UMass Lowell Police, LNHP Law Enforcement Rangers, the FBI and ATF also responded to assist,” according to a statement. UMass Lowell officials issued a campus-wide shelter in place via an emergency alert, but lifted it around 5:15 p.m.

“A large police presence remains in place on campus, and officers have been stationed at residence halls through the night.

Crime

Teen’s Arrest on Motorcycle Violations and Assault Comes During Meeting on Such Concerns

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A recent meeting over public traffic concerns coincidentally delivered a first-hand example when Methuen Police arrested an 18-year-old Lawrence man and charged him with driving violations and assault and battery on a police officer following a traffic stop. Methuen Police Chief Scott J. McNamara said in a press release Friday the incident unfolded Thursday, Aug. 14, as Officer Stephen Hatem of the department’s Traffic Enforcement Division was meeting with City Council President Ron Marsan and residents on Oak Street. The meeting was called to discuss concerns over speeding and aggressive driving involving motor vehicles, motorcycles and scooters. “Council President Marsan not only shared residents’ complaints with us but became involved in helping find a solution, leading to Officer Hatem being on Oak Street that day,” McNamara said.

Crime

Lawrence City Councilor Pleads Guilty to Voter Fraud Charges, Faces Sentencing in October

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A Lawrence city councilor faces sentencing in October after she pleaded guilty Wednesday to four counts of voting unlawfully, four counts of interfering with a voter and four counts of obstructing voting in connection with the Lawrence election two years ago. As WHAV reported last December, an Essex County grand jury handed down indictments against 41-year-old Lawrence City Councilor Fidelina Santiago and Jennifer Lopez. Santiago, who was indicted before she was sworn in as a councilor, pleaded guilty to voter fraud-related charges before Judge Kathleen McCarthy-Neyman in Essex County Superior Court in Salem. Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker’s office said Thursday the state chose not to proceed on an additional four counts of conspiracy to vote or attempt to vote illegally. She is scheduled to return to court for sentencing on Oct.

Crime

Methuen Police Arrest Three Derry Men; Report Taking Fentanyl and Gun Off the Streets

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Methuen Police Department said Tuesday three Derry, N.H., men were arrested Monday on drug charges, taking fentanyl and a pistol off the city streets. Methuen Police Street Crimes Unit reported arresting 20-year-old Jacob Barreiro, 44-year-old Joshua McKinnon and 35-year-old Thomas Winward, all of Derry, were charged with trafficking fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute amphetamine. Barreiro was additionally charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession of a firearm and ammunition without an identification card and possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number. McKinnon was also charged with motor vehicle violations. Police said in a press release they were investigating narcotics dealing in the area of Larchwood Road and the surrounding neighborhood in response to ongoing community complaints.

Crime

NH State Police Arrest Haverhill Man for Failing to Register in Hampton as Sex Offender

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A 61-year-old Haverhill man was arrested last Friday for failing to report his sexual offender status in New Hampshire. James Fuller was arrested and charged Friday in Bedford, N.H., with two felony counts of failing twice to register as a Tier III sex offender under state law. Fuller is scheduled to be arraigned in Hampton, N.H., District Court Thursday, Oct. 16. Detectives from the New Hampshire State Police Sex Offender Registry obtained an arrest warrant for Fuller last May 23 after learning Fuller had fled from New Hampshire and failed to register in South Hampton twice this year.