Crime

Haverhill Tax Adviser to Serve 3-Year Prison Term After Plea Deal on Prostitution, Drug Charges

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John L. Caruso, the Haverhill tax adviser charged two years ago with human trafficking, drug possession and maintaining a house of prostitution, was sentenced Friday to three years in state prison. Eighty-year-old Caruso avoided trial after prosecutors offered him a plea deal. Essex County Assistant District Attorney Jessica Strasnick told Essex County Superior Court Associate Justice Elizabeth Dunigan her office agreed to drop the most serious charges of human trafficking, which carries a minimum sentence of five years in prison. The deal was in exchange for Caruso’s guilty plea on the charge of maintaining a house of prostitution and four related drug possession charges. The lifelong Haverhill resident, who told the court he taught at Northern Essex Community College for 25 years before retirement, was arrested Feb.

Crime

Local and State Police Charge Four Men Allegedly Involved in December Building Shooting

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Updated: Haverhill Police told WHAV the December shooting took place on Wilson Street. Four men were arrested Tuesday in connection with a late December shooting that saw a Haverhill building struck, but no injuries reported. The coordinated action by Haverhill Police and State Police Special Tactical Operations Team and the Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section brought the arrests of 34-year-old Edward Alvarado and 37-year-old Luis Hernandez, both of Haverhill, and 29-year-old Estuardo Pernilla of Methuen. A fourth man, 31-year-old Celestino Escalera of Peabody, was already in custody. Alvarado and Escalera were both charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, intentional or reckless discharge of a firearm striking a dwelling, carrying a firearm without a license, possession of a loaded firearm, unlicensed possession of ammunition, and two counts of malicious destruction of property valued under $1,200 in connection with the Saturday, Dec.

Crime

Joint NH State, Plaistow Police Operations Targets Commercial Driving Violations in Town

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Nearly 90 traffic stops resulted in the discovery of 106 commercial vehicle violations during a joint enforcement exercise between New Hampshire State Police and Plaistow Police Department. This past Tuesday, state troopers assigned to the Troop G barracks partnered with members of the Plaistow Police Department to address Plaistow residents’ concerns about unsafe operation of commercial vehicle there. Both agencies worked together to deter and detect excessive speed, violations of weight restrictions, driving on restricted roads and other unsafe behaviors. Police said 87 vehicles were stopped, including 44 commercial vehicles. During inspections of the commercial vehicles, 106 violations were discovered, resulting in 10 drivers and eight vehicles being taken out of service and removed from the road for critical safety violations or improper driver credentialing.

Crime

Haverhill Police and Federal ATF Agents Arrest Two on Firearm and Drug Charges

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Haverhill Police and federal agents teamed up last Thursday in a high-profile operation that brought the arrests of two on charges ranging from illegal firearms to drugs trafficking. According to a police release Tuesday, the raid on a Main Street apartment involved police and representatives of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Thirty-five-year-old Jason Ortiz was arrested on a federal warrant, charging illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. He will also face charges of trafficking cocaine, conspiracy to violate drug laws and possession of a Class C drug. The same operation brought the arrest of 43-year-old Jeremy Gagalis on charges of trafficking cocaine, conspiracy to violate drug laws and possession of a Class C drug.

Crime

Updated: State Charges Haverhill Teen with Murder Stemming From September Shooting in Lawrence

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Note: This story has been updated to include information about the roles Haverhill Police Department and other agencies played in Monday’s arrest of Hector Mota. A Haverhill teen was arrested Monday and charged with murder in connection with the shooting death of a man last September in Lawrence. Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker’s office said late Monday afternoon 18-year-old Hector Mota was charged with allegedly shooting and killing 27-year-old Hugo Delrosario. Delrosario was pronounced dead Saturday, Sept. 13, at 154 Essex St., in Lawrence.

Crime

Methuen Woman Faces Alleged Animal Cruelty Charges Following Police Referral

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Methuen Police report the department charged a 26-year-old woman with alleged animal cruelty after receiving a referral from a New Hampshire police department. Methuen Police Chief Scott J. McNamara said in a Friday statement that Maddison Eastman, of Methuen, who owns a dog training and kennel in Brentwood, N.H., was arrested on two counts of animal cruelty. The allegations stem from “a video depicting apparent animal abuse circulated online on Jan. 2,” according to a social media post by Brentwood Police, which alleged the abuse was “determined to have occurred in Methuen.”

Brentwood Police praised its Police Officer Chris Spitalere “for his persistence and dedication in investigating this case and ensuring the information was forwarded to the appropriate jurisdiction.”

Methuen Police said Eastman turned herself in Wednesday at Lawrence District Court and was arraigned Friday.

Crime

Judge Sends Man, Part of Methuen-Based Drug Dealing Group, to Prison 28 Months

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A man, said to be part of a Methuen-based drug trafficking group dealing in fentanyl and methamphetamine in New Hampshire’s Seacoast area, was sentenced Wednesday to 28 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release. Forty-four-year-old Eddy Mendez Carmona was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Court Judge Samantha Elliott. “Fentanyl and methamphetamine are a scourge on our communities,” said New Hampshire U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan. “We will continue to pursue and hold accountable those individuals participating in drug trafficking organizations that affect the Granite State.”

Mendez Carmona previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute and distributing controlled substances. A citizen of the Dominican Republic, Mendez Carmona will be deported upon the completion of his prison sentence.  Charges are still pending against two others, Jose Luis Guerrero Nunez and Juan Carlos De Los Santos Romero.

Crime

District Attorney, Lawrence Police Report Two Lawrence Deaths ‘Apparent Murder-Suicide’

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Officials are calling the deaths of a 32-year-old man and 30-year-old woman, discovered Saturday night in Lawrence, “an apparent murder-suicide.”

Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker and Lawrence Police Chief Maurice Aguiler confirmed the deaths Sunday. They said in a press release, Lawrence Police were dispatched to an Essex Street apartment building. Saturday, shortly after 9 p.m., for a well-being check. Upon arrival, officers found both individuals, who were apparently in a “long-term dating relationship,” dead from gunshot wounds. Their names were held pending next of kin notifications.