crime

Special Report: Murder, Shootings Tie Back 2 Years; Suspects Free Despite Gun Arrests

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The arrest of a 27-year-old man for the murder of Nike Colon ties together a series of events and retaliations seemingly kicked off by the May 2016 shooting at Haverhill’s Swasey Field. Eddy Manuel Almonte was arrested late Tuesday night for Colon’s murder during an unrelated motor vehicle stop in Winchester, Va. As WHAV first reported Wednesday, Almonte was among three arrested and charged during June 2016 with what was suspected to be “gang-related retaliation” for the earlier Swasey shooting. WHAV’s investigation into gun-related arrests paints a picture of two rival gangs bearing responsibility for all or most of the shootings over the past two years. Two people survived gunshot wounds at Swasey two years ago, while no injuries were reported after shots were fired by rival gang members on Temple Street.

Exclusive

Tainted Pot Money Goes to Local Elected Officials

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Healthy Pharms Pays Jajuga $66,500; Jajuga Makes Donations to Local Political Campaigns During Same Period

Former state Senator and Methuen City Councilor James P. Jajuga was paid $66,500 to lobby in support of Healthy Pharms’ application to locate medical marijuana facility in Haverhill, a WHAV News investigation reveals. Between Oct. 20 and Nov. 21, 2013, Jajuga now says he “was retained to garner local municipal support in the City of Haverhill for Healthy Pharms, Inc. to operate a Registered Marijuana Dispensary in that city.”

During the reporting period, Jajuga made a number of campaign contributions locally, including $100 each to Mayor James J. Fiorentini, Haverhill City Councilor Thomas Sullivan and state Rep. Diana DiZoglio. Jajuga lists his check to Sullivan as occurring Oct.