Crime

Messina Pleads Guilty to Bank Robbery, To Serve Prison Time

By |

Ryan M. Messina, the Methuen man alleged to have commandeered a car at gunpoint and robbed a bank in Haverhill last June, was sentenced Tuesday in Essex County Superior Court to not less than five and years and six months in state prison. Messina, 37, voluntarily changed his plea to guilty on four counts—intimidate to steal from a depository, larceny over $1,200, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and receiving a stolen vehicle. He was sentenced by Judge Kathleen McCarthy-Neyman and was given credit for 324 days already served in the Essex County House of Correction in Middleton. Upon release, the judge ordered, he faces three years’ probation, ordered to submit to mental health evaluations and treatment as directed by his probation officer, ordered not to consume alcohol or illegal drugs and to submit to random drug testing. He will also have to wear at GPS monitoring device.

Crime

Two Suffer Stab Wounds After ‘Disturbance’ at Haverhill Business

By |

Two adults were taken to local hospitals this morning with stab wounds after an incident at a Ward Hill business. Acting Deputy Police Chief Meaghan Paré said in a statement that officers were dispatched to a reported “disturbance involving a weapon” around 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, to Cedar’s Mediterranean Foods on Foundation Avenue. They found two adults, apparently known to one another, with serious injuries. Both were treated on scene and then taken to area hospitals. The statement added there is no ongoing threat to the public, but an investigation is underway.

Crime

Federal Grand Jury Indicts Area Men on Large Quantity Drug Charges

By |

Men from Haverhill, Methuen and Lawrence are among four recently indicted by a federal grand jury in connection an alleged conspiracy to distribute multiple kilograms of fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine. Appearing in court earlier this month to face the charges Adrian Pena Rodriguez, 23, of Haverhill; Alexander Pineda Nunez, 32, of Methuen, Mass.; Luis Cedeno Moni, 31, of Lawrence; and Raymond Cedeno Calderon, 33, of Clifton, N.J. Prosecutors added Pena Rodriguez is also charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine. According to court documents, Pena Rodriguez, Pineda Nunez and Moni remain in custody pending detention hearings. Calderon is in custody in Tennessee and will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date. Prosecutors allege Pineda Nunez and Moni led a group importing kilogram quantities of drugs to Massachusetts through the U.S. mail and other carriers.

Crime

Prosecutor Says Gang Payback Behind Haverhill Shooting Involving 5 Men

By |

(Additional photograph below.)

Five Haverhill men, whom police allege were involved in a gang-related, daytime shootout Thursday in downtown Haverhill, were held without bail at the Essex County House of Correction following their arraignments before Judge Cesar A. Archilla in Haverhill District Court. Evan Carlisle, 24, Juan Figueroa, 23, Timothy S. Mossey, 18, Richard I. Santana, 25, and Riley A. Quinn 18, were all charged with armed assault with intent to murder as well as numerous other related charges including possession of a large capacity firearm, carrying a loaded firearm without a license, malicious damage to a car and disorderly conduct. Carlisle was arraigned separately as he was not arrested until after the first four were arraigned. Essex County Assistant District Attorney Brittany Fraine told the court prosecutors believe Figueroa, Santana and Carlisle were upset because Mossey and Quinn had disrespected the late Carlos Rivera of the Gangster Disciples gang. Figueroa is known by the police to be a member of that gang.

Crime

Updated: Police Charge Fourth Man in Shooting Incident in Downtown Haverhill

By |

Haverhill Police report a fourth man was charged in connection in connection to what appears to have been a near-miss gunshot assault on a 71-year-old man Thursday morning in downtown Haverhill. Police report 23-year-old Juan Figuerao, of Washington St., Haverhill, was charged with three counts of assault to murder, armed; three counts of malicious damage to a motor vehicle; possessing a firearm without license, carrying a firearm without license; intentional and reckless discharge of a gun; and disorderly conduct. The case earlier brought the arrests of three Haverhill men—two 18-year-olds and a 25-year-old—following the shooting incident that began Thursday, around 11:30 a.m., in the area of Emerson and Welcome Streets. In an initial statement, as WHAV previously reported, acting Haverhill Deputy Police Chief Meaghan Paré said officers arrested Riley Quinn and Timothy Mossey, both 18 and of the same address on Orchard Street, and Richard Santana, 25, of Arlington St. An arrest log shows they face similar charges as Figuerao plus multiple counts of possession of a large capacity firearm, conspiracy and other charges.

Crime

North Andover Man Among Six Indicted on Federal Drug Charges

By |

A 33-year-old North Andover man was among six people indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston for their alleged roles in a drug trafficking conspiracy that involved shipments of packages containing kilograms of cocaine and fentanyl from California for distribution in Massachusetts. George Salvatore Landingham was indicted on conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine. According to court documents, it is alleged that more than 260 packages were shipped by UPS from California to various addresses in Massachusetts by members of the group. It is also alleged several packages seized during the investigation contained approximately 12 kilograms of cocaine and a kilogram of fentanyl. Others charged were Edwal Vargas, known as “Max,” 34, Swampscott; Yanivel Gomez, known as “Ashley,” 31, Peabody; Stephanie Tejeda, 33, Hudson, N.H.; Tyrone Shepherd, 41, Chestnut Hill; and Gustavo Tavares, 44, of Studio City, Calif.

Crime

Year-Old Haverhill Gambling Investigation Nets Indictments on Felony Charges

By |

Two men with Haverhill ties face felony and other charges allegedly related to illegal gambling after a state grand jury handed down indictments March 26. Brian D. Cormier was indicted on a dozen charges, including such felonies as conspiracy, operating an enterprise crime, involved in a place for registering bets, managing a gaming enterprise and six counts of money laundering. Christopher P. Zielinski was indicted on two felony charges—conspiracy and money laundering. The charges stem from an investigation a year ago which saw police interviewing a number of residents and business owners and asking gambling-related questions. Court records show the indictments began in Suffolk County and were transferred to Essex County Superior Court.

Crime

As Expected, Haverhill Man, 28, Pleads Guilty in $350K Cryptocurrency Investment Scheme

By |

As expected, a 28-year-old Haverhill man pleaded guilty this week in federal court in Boston to fraudulently obtaining $350,000 from investors in two cryptocurrency funds. As reported earlier, Luciano Schipelliti had been expected to plead guilty to wire fraud. U.S. Senior District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV scheduled sentencing for June 24. Schipelliti was charged last month. According to U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley’s office, Schipelliti established the Superstars Fund during the fall of 2018 and raised roughly $275,000 to invest in cryptocurrency.