Crime

Methuen Police Seize Loaded Gun, Drugs and Arrest Two Including School Bus Driver

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Methuen police arrested two, including a school bus driver, on drug-related charges this week and seized a loaded 9mm handgun, drugs and $1,700 in cash. Police Chief Scott J. McNamara said in a statement Thursday that his Police Street Narcotics Unit were watching a vehicle was believed to be involved in drug transactions when they saw an alleged drug deal take place between a Honda Fit and Ford Escape in the parking lot of a Broadway business. Thirty-eight-year-old Luis Borrero Rosario of Lawrence was arrested and charged with being an armed career criminal, trafficking a class B substance, carrying a loaded firearm, illegal possession of a firearm, possession of a class a substance with intent to distribute, distribution of a class A substance, possession of ammunition without a firearms identification card, driving with a suspended license, possession of a dangerous weapon and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Similarly, 42-year-old Sandra Baldwin of Methuen was arrested and charged with possession of a class A substance and possession of a class B substance. Police say they later learned she worked as a bus driver for a company providing transportation for Methuen Public Schools.

Crime

Federal Grand Jury Indicts Haverhill Man for Illegally Having Pistol, Ammunition

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A 37-year-old Haverhill man, previously convicted of a felony, was arrested Thursday for illegally having a semiautomatic pistol and ammunition. Rashad Diggs, also known as “Summers,” was indicted by a federal grand jury for being a felon in possession of firearm and ammunition. He made an initial appearance in federal court in Boston and is being held pending a hearing scheduled for today. According to the indictment, in December 2022 in Revere, Diggs possessed a semiautomatic pistol with an obliterated serial number loaded with over 40 rounds of ammunition. Due to a prior felony conviction, Diggs is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

Crime

Methuen Police No Ongoing Danger After Early Morning Undefined ‘Disturbance’

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Methuen Police said Saturday there is no ongoing danger to the community after officers were sent earlier in morning to a report of a “disturbance” that resulted in a large police presence. Police Chief Scott J. McNamara said police were sent around 4 a.m. to a Brown Street home for a report of a disturbance, but did not detail the nature of the incident. Mutual aid was requested from the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council SWAT team. “One individual fled on foot when police arrived and was captured following a brief pursuit. That individual is currently in police custody at an area hospital,” a statement read, while a second person was also taken to an area hospital for treatment of injuries.

Crime

eBay Agrees to Pay $3 Million Criminal Penalty for Harassing Journalists

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eBay has agreed to pay a $3 million criminal penalty for an August 2019 harassment and intimidation campaign targeting a Massachusetts couple in retaliation for their online coverage of eBay, and for its obstruction of the investigation that followed. Federal prosecutors say eBay was charged criminally with two counts of stalking through interstate travel, two counts of stalking through electronic communications services, witness tampering and obstruction of justice and entered into a deferred prosecution agreement. Under the agreement, eBay admitted to the relevant facts about and agreed to pay a criminal penalty of $3 million, which is the statutory maximum fine for these six felonies. eBay will also be required to retain an independent corporate compliance monitor for a period of three years and to make extensive enhancements to its compliance program. “eBay engaged in absolutely horrific, criminal conduct.

Crime

Lawrence Police Arrest 47-Year-Old for Alleged Stabbing Murder Tuesday

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Lawrence Police have charged a 47-year-old man with murder in connection with the fatal stabbing Tuesday of a 32-year-old in the city. Marcos A. Muniz is expected to be arraigned today in Lawrence District Court, according to a statement this morning from Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker and Acting Lawrence Police Chief William Castro. Lawrence Police were dispatched yesterday around 5 p.m., to the scene of an altercation at McDonald’s, 50 Broadway. Police said they found 32-year-old Kendrick Marcus Brown suffering from an apparent stab wound. He was treated on scene by members of the Lawrence Police Department and taken by ambulance to Lawrence General Hospital where he died from his injuries.

Crime

Man Dies After Apparent Lawrence Stabbing Tuesday

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Police are investigating a fatal stabbing in Lawrence that took place Tuesday night. Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker and Acting Lawrence Police Chief William Castro said Lawrence Police were dispatched around 5 p.m., to the scene of an altercation at McDonald’s, 50 Broadway. Police said they found an adult man suffering from an apparent stab wound. He was treated on scene by members of the Lawrence Police Department and taken by ambulance to Lawrence General Hospital where he died from his injuries. Tucker’s office said the man’s name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Crime

Former School Computer Manager Pleads Guilty to Cyberattack Last Summer

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An Ayer man pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court in Boston to committing a cyberattack against Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School’s computer network. Thirty-year-old Conor LaHiff, who worked at the school before being terminated last June, pleaded guilty to unauthorized damage to protected computers. U.S. Chief District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV scheduled sentencing for March 20. Among other conditions of release, Saylor required that LaHiff notify prospective employers of his guilty plea, after learning that LaHiff had obtained a similar position at another public high school. As WHAV previously reported, LaHiff was charged on Nov.

Crime

Methuen Woman Pleads Guilty to Taking Social Security Benefits Intended for Her Child

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A 57-year-old Methuen woman pleaded guilty Monday in federal court in Boston to stealing Social Security benefits intended for her child. Karen Silva-Brown, pleaded guilty to theft of public funds before U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs, who scheduled sentencing for March 7. She was arrested and charged in November 2022 for continuing to take benefit payments after her child was no longer in her custody. According to court documents, Silva-Brown took approximately $60,810 in Social Security benefits that were intended for her minor child between November 2014 and October 2018. Prosecutors said Silva-Brown applied for and began receiving benefits in March 2012 on behalf of her child, but was told to tell the Social Security Administration if her child left her custody.