Essex District Attorney, Commonwealth of Massachusetts http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=deashomepage&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Deas http://www.mass.gov/Deas/RSS/Home/PressReleases_generic1.xml © 2009 Commonwealth of Massachusetts 2009-11-09T00:00:00Z http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=deaspressrelease&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Deas&b=pressrelease&f=november_09_drug_sweep&csid=Deas 2009-11-09T00:00:00Z 2009-11-09T00:00:00Z

A month-long drug sweep in Essex County by a cadre of law enforcement agencies has resulted in the arrests of 156 defendants, and the seizure of more than 54 kilos of cocaine, 138 grams of heroin and 6 firearms. The cocaine itself has an ultimate street value of $5.4 million. Focusing primarily on the cities of Lawrence, Lynn, Methuen and Haverhill, the sweep was coordinated by Massachusetts State Police Lt. Alan Zani, commander of the Essex County Drug Task Force assigned to the Office of District Attorney Jonathan W. Blodgett. Detectives from each of those cities were joined by members of the Drug Enforcement Agency, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, ICE, the FBI Gang Unit, Massachusetts State Police Gang Unit, and the State Police Troop A Community Action Team.

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=deaspressrelease&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Deas&b=pressrelease&f=november_09_cyberbullying&csid=Deas 2009-11-06T00:00:00Z 2009-11-06T00:00:00Z

Essex District Attorney Jonathan W. Blodgett will host a cyberbullying “Train the Trainer” workshop on Tuesday, December 1, 2009, from 10 a.m. until noon at his office at 10 Federal Street in Salem. The training will be presented by Dr. Elizabeth Englander, the Director the Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center (MARC) at Bridgewater State College.

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=deaspressrelease&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Deas&b=pressrelease&f=november_09_ward_sentanced&csid=Deas 2009-11-02T00:00:00Z 2009-11-02T00:00:00Z

On Thursday, October 29, a Salem Superior Court jury found Jennifer Ward, 39, of Peabody, guilty of involuntary manslaughter for the November, 2007 death of her nine-month-old daughter.

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=deaspressrelease&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Deas&b=pressrelease&f=october_09_ward&csid=Deas 2009-10-29T00:00:00Z 2009-10-29T00:00:00Z

A Salem Superior Court jury found Jennifer Ward, 39, of Peabody, guilty of involuntary manslaughter for the November, 2007, death of her nine-month-old daughter. Judge David Lowy will sentence Ward at 9 a.m. Monday morning. Involuntary manslaughter carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in state prison.

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=deaspressrelease&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Deas&b=pressrelease&f=october_09_boxford_crash&csid=Deas 2009-10-26T00:00:00Z 2009-10-26T00:00:00Z

Michael Doherty, 18, of 41 Highland Road, Boxford, died last night at Lawrence General Hospital following a single car crash that occurred on Highland Road at 6:34 last evening. The car went off the road and hit some trees.

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=deaspressrelease&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Deas&b=pressrelease&f=october_09_vesprini&csid=Deas 2009-10-22T00:00:00Z 2009-10-22T00:00:00Z

Louis Vesprini, 93, of Brooksby Village, Peabody, pleaded not guilty today in Salem District Court to negligent operation of a motor vehicle. Judge Richard Mori allowed Vesprini to remain free on his own recognizance and continued the case until December 3 for a pre-trial hearing.

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=deaspressrelease&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Deas&b=pressrelease&f=october_09_policymakers_breakfast&csid=Deas 2009-10-19T00:00:00Z 2009-10-19T00:00:00Z

Essex District Attorney Jonathan W. Blodgett will host two nationally renowned speakers at his annual Policymaker’s Breakfast, who will focus on efforts to combat drug trafficking, and prevention and treatment initiatives for young people. In addition, District Attorney Blodgett will distribute copies of his newest prevention program, “The Truth About Drugs and Alcohol.”

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=deaspressrelease&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Deas&b=pressrelease&f=_october_09_ramos_arraigned&csid=Deas 2009-10-05T00:00:00Z 2009-10-05T00:00:00Z

Ronny Ramos, 17, of 13 East Dalton Street, Lawrence, pleaded not guilty to first degree murder and unarmed robbery this afternoon in Salem Superior Court for the July 31, 2009, death of a Chinese food deliveryman. Judge Timothy Feeley ordered Ramos held without bail, and continued his case until October 14 for a pre-trial hearing and further bail argument.

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=deaspressrelease&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Deas&b=pressrelease&f=september_09_dinunzio_sentanced&csid=Deas 2009-09-25T00:00:00Z 2009-09-25T00:00:00Z

Salem Superior Court Judge David Lowy this afternoon sentenced Carmen S. DiNunzio, 51, of Boston, an alleged underboss in the New England crime family, to six years in state prison for extortion, promoting an illegal gaming operation, and conspiring to violate state gaming laws. DiNunzio had pleaded guilty to the state charges on July 8 of this year.

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=deaspressrelease&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Deas&b=pressrelease&f=august_09_economic_crime_bill&csid=Deas 2009-08-03T00:00:00Z 2009-08-03T00:00:00Z

BOSTON – Today, Essex District Attorney Jonathan W. Blodgett joined with Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley and a coalition of legislators, District Attorneys, and law enforcement organizations, to announce the filing of An Act to Combat Economic Crime, comprehensive economic crime legislation designed to give law enforcement the necessary tools to investigate and prosecute sophisticated criminal activities and enterprises in the 21st century. The bill, which is sponsored by 12 legislators, District Attorneys, and the Attorney General, specifically updates the law in three areas, including money laundering, enterprise crime, and wire interception.

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=deaspressrelease&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Deas&b=pressrelease&f=august_09_wetteland&csid=Deas 2009-08-03T00:00:00Z 2009-08-03T00:00:00Z

Jason Wetteland, 39, of Charlton, pleaded not guilty today in Newburyport District Court to operating under the influence of liquor, fifth or subsequent offense. He has been previously convicted of drunk driving six times. Judge Allen Swan ordered Wetteland held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing, which is scheduled for August 18. He also pleaded not guilty to operating after the suspension of his license, subsequent offense, and possession of an open container of alcohol

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=deaspressrelease&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Deas&b=pressrelease&f=july_09_conviction&csid=Deas 2009-07-31T00:00:00Z 2009-07-31T00:00:00Z

Judge Timothy Feeley sentenced a North Andover man, who stabbed his victim multiple times in the chest and back, to 6-8 years in State Prison Wednesday in Salem Superior Court. Bryan Kangethe, 22, of 31 Lincoln Street, was convicted on July 20 of assault with intent to murder. The jury deliberated for two hours following the two-day trial.

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=deaspressrelease&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Deas&b=pressrelease&f=july_09_provencher&csid=Deas 2009-07-29T00:00:00Z 2009-07-29T00:00:00Z

Kevin Provencher, 50, of 153 Donald Road, Manchester, NH, pleaded not guilty today in Lawrence District Court to two counts of deriving support from a prostitute. He was arrested this morning at his home, where police also executed a search warrant.

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=deaspressrelease&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Deas&b=pressrelease&f=july_09_vokey&csid=Deas 2009-07-27T00:00:00Z 2009-07-27T00:00:00Z

Daniel Vokey, 19, of 17 Pine Street, and Christopher Baldwin, 20, of 8 Oceanview Avenue, both of Saugus, pleaded not guilty today in Lynn District Court to providing alcohol to a minor. Baldwin also pleaded not guilty to being a minor in possession of alcohol. Judge Stacey Fortes-White allowed them to remain free on personal recognizance, and continued their cases until August 18 for a pre-trial conference. She also ordered them not to consume any alcohol.

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=deaspressrelease&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Deas&b=pressrelease&f=july_09_sjc_upholds_conviction&csid=Deas 2009-07-17T00:00:00Z 2009-07-17T00:00:00Z

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court yesterday upheld the convictions of Frantz Kebreau for multiple counts of rape of a child and indecent assault and battery on persons under the age of 14. Kebreau was convicted by a Superior Court jury in October 2005 and sentenced to two concurrent life terms.

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=deaspressrelease&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Deas&b=pressrelease&f=july_09_sjc_upholds_lawrence_conv&csid=Deas 2009-07-15T00:00:00Z 2009-07-15T00:00:00Z

In separate decisions, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court upheld the first-degree murder convictions of Richard Molina and Anibal Rodriquez for the 1998 murder of Hector Hernandez of Lawrence. They were tried separately in 2001. Molina paid Rodriquez to help him murder Hernandez in Lawrence sometime between the evening of October 19 and the early morning of October 20, 1998. Rodriquez then drove the victim’s van, with the body in the back seat, to Methuen and abandoned it near a farm.

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=deaspressrelease&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Deas&b=pressrelease&f=july_09_dinunzio_pleads&csid=Deas 2009-07-08T00:00:00Z 2009-07-08T00:00:00Z

Carmen DiNunzio, 51, of Boston, an alleged underboss in the New England crime family, pleaded guilty this morning in Salem Superior Court before Judge David Lowy to extortion, promoting an illegal gaming operation, and conspiring to violate state gaming laws.

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=deaspressrelease&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Deas&b=pressrelease&f=july_09_labrie_arraigned&csid=Deas 2009-07-06T00:00:00Z 2009-07-06T00:00:00Z

Kristen LaBrie, 37, of Salem, who is alleged to have intentionally withheld cancer treatment from her young autistic son, pleaded not guilty today in Salem Superior Court to charges of attempted murder, permitting serious bodily injury to a disabled person, permitting substantial bodily injury to a child, and child endangerment.

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=deaspressrelease&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Deas&b=pressrelease&f=july_09_labrie_indicted&csid=Deas 2009-07-05T00:00:00Z 2009-07-05T00:00:00Z

Kristen LaBrie, 37, of Salem, who allegedly withheld cancer treatment from her young autistic son, was indicted by an Essex County Grand Jury Friday, July 3, on charges of attempted murder, permitting serious bodily injury to a disabled person, permitting substantial bodily injury to a child, and child endangerment.

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=deaspressrelease&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Deas&b=pressrelease&f=_july_09_lynnfield&csid=Deas 2009-07-02T00:00:00Z 2009-07-02T00:00:00Z

A former employee of the Lynnfield Treasurer’s Office pleaded guilty today in Peabody District Court to larceny over $250, for stealing approximately $11,000 from the Office of the Lynnfield Tax Collector. Ann Marie Toland-Francey, 40, of 67 Pine Street, #3, Stoneham, committed the crimes by pocketing cash payments residents and businesses made for their tax bills, and by altering duplicate office documents.

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=deaspressrelease&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Deas&b=pressrelease&f=june_09_body_discovered&csid=Deas 2009-06-17T00:00:00Z 2009-06-17T00:00:00Z

A body which police believe to be that of a 46 year-old homeless man from Lynn, was found this morning at about 11:15 in the Saugus River in Lynn, near the commuter rail bridge. His body was discovered by two people fishing in a boat on the river.

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=deaspressrelease&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Deas&b=pressrelease&f=may_09_ronchi&csid=Deas 2009-05-20T00:00:00Z 2009-05-20T00:00:00Z

Peter Ronchi, 45, of 10 Taft Street, Marblehead, pleaded not guilty to murder today in Salem District Court for the stabbing death of Yuliya Galperina, 42, of 12 Pope Street, Salem, with whom he had a romantic relationship. Judge Richard Mori ordered Ronchi held without bail and continued the case until June 5 for status.

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=deaspressrelease&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Deas&b=pressrelease&f=may_09_divers_body_recovered&csid=Deas 2009-05-20T00:00:00Z 2009-05-20T00:00:00Z

The body of diver Paul Blanchette, Jr., 49, of 35 Intervale Avenue, Dracut, was recovered at about noontime today three miles off the coast of Gloucester. The Beverly Fire Department Dive Rescue Team and the Massachusetts State Police Underwater Recovery Unit had been searching for Blanchette, who was reported missing at about 4 p.m. Monday.

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=deaspressrelease&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Deas&b=pressrelease&f=may_09_caruso&csid=Deas 2009-05-18T00:00:00Z 2009-05-18T00:00:00Z

Jonathan Caruso, 18, of 16 Indian Rock Drive, Saugus, pleaded not guilty today in Lynn District Court to charges of motor vehicle homicide by reckless operation, operating under the influence of alcohol, and being a minor unlawfully transporting alcohol.

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=deaspressrelease&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Deas&b=pressrelease&f=may_09_garciaarraigned&csid=Deas 2009-05-15T00:00:00Z 2009-05-15T00:00:00Z

Keni Garcia, 32, of 10 Westford Street, Haverhill, pleaded not guilty today in Haverhill District Court to illegal possession of ammunition, three counts of possession of a high capacity firearm, and three counts of illegal storage of a firearm

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=deaspressrelease&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Deas&b=pressrelease&f=may_09_OUI_fourth&csid=Deas 2009-05-15T00:00:00Z 2009-05-15T00:00:00Z

Lawrence Superior Court jury today found Shelly King, 49, of 41 Millard Avenue, Lynn, guilty of operating under the influence of liquor, and negligent operation of a motor vehicle. In a subsequent bench trial, Judge John Lu found her guilty of operating under the influence of alcohol, fourth offense. For that offense, he sentenced her to 4 ½ to 5 years in state prison.

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=deaspressrelease&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Deas&b=pressrelease&f=may_09_halstrom&csid=Deas 2009-05-13T00:00:00Z 2009-05-13T00:00:00Z

A Lawrence Superior Court jury found Melissa Halstrom, 34, of North Andover, guilty of three counts of inducing a minor into prostitution and three counts of deriving support from a child prostitute late yesterday afternoon, following a five day trial. The jury deliberated for two hours before returning its verdict.

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=deaspressrelease&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Deas&b=pressrelease&f=may_09_zukpromoted&csid=Deas 2009-05-12T00:00:00Z 2009-05-12T00:00:00Z

Massachusetts State Police Lt. Norman Zuk has been named to lead the Detective Division assigned to the Office of Essex District Attorney Jonathan W. Blodgett.

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=deaspressrelease&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Deas&b=pressrelease&f=may_09_babydies&csid=Deas 2009-05-01T00:00:00Z 2009-05-01T00:00:00Z

Two month-old Lizbeth Guzman of Lynn died last night at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Alonzo Guzman, 18, of Lynn, will now face a murder charge, and is expected to be arraigned sometime next week in Lynn District Court.

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=deaspressrelease&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Deas&b=pressrelease&f=april_09_almonte&csid=Deas 2009-04-24T00:00:00Z 2009-04-24T00:00:00Z

A Latin King Gang member who killed his gay lover, both out of jealousy and to cover up their relationship, was convicted of first degree murder this afternoon in Salem Superior Court.

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=deaspressrelease&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Deas&b=pressrelease&f=april_09_surette_sentenced&csid=Deas 2009-04-23T00:00:00Z 2009-04-23T00:00:00Z

Last Friday afternoon, a Lawrence Superior Court jury found Stephen Surrette, 53, of Swampscott, guilty of three counts of possession of child pornography with intent to distribute, and eight counts of possession of child pornography, following a seven-day trial.

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=deaspressrelease&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Deas&b=pressrelease&f=february_09_meangirls&csid=Deas 2009-03-09T00:00:00Z 2009-03-09T00:00:00Z

Best-selling author Rosalind Wiseman, who wrote "Queen Bees and Wannabes," the book on which the movie "Mean Girls" is based, will be the keynote speaker at Essex District Attorney Jonathan W. Blodgett's annual School Safety Conference on Tuesday, April 7, from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., in Coolidge Hall at the Topsfield Fairgrounds.

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=deaspressrelease&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Deas&b=pressrelease&f=february_09_collazo&csid=Deas 2009-02-24T00:00:00Z 2009-02-24T00:00:00Z

Haverhill and State Police are asking for the public’s help in locating Jose I. Collazo, 21, of Tampa, Florida, the suspect in this morning’s shooting death of a Haverhill man. Collazo allegedly shot Jose Fuentes, 27, in the bedroom of a basement apartment at 16 Union Street, Haverhill, shortly before 9 o’clock this morning.

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=deaspressrelease&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Deas&b=pressrelease&f=february_lynn_theft_09&csid=Deas 2009-01-26T00:00:00Z 2009-01-26T00:00:00Z

Sean Murphy, 44, of 407 Walnut Street, Lynn, pleaded not guilty today in Lynn District Court to charges of receiving stolen property over $250 and forging/misusing a Registry of Motor Vehicles document (a license). Judge Ellen Flatley ordered Murphy held on $250,000 cash bail, and continued the case until January 28 for a pre-trial hearing. She also revoked his bail on a pending case in Lynn District Court, where he faces charges of domestic assault and battery, and distribution of Class D, marijuana.

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=deaspressrelease&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Deas&b=pressrelease&f=december_08_shooting+justified&csid=Deas 2008-12-22T00:00:00Z 2008-12-22T00:00:00Z

An investigation by State Police assigned to the Office of Essex District Attorney Jonathan W. Blodgett has determined that a Peabody police officer was justified when he shot and killed Phillip Noto, 55, of Peabody, who had pointed a handgun at the officer and his partner during a domestic dispute. It was later determined that the handgun was a starter pistol.

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=deaspressrelease&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Deas&b=pressrelease&f=december_08_gonzalez&csid=Deas 2008-12-10T00:00:00Z 2008-12-10T00:00:00Z

Ernesto Gonzalez, 36, of Lynn, was indicted this afternoon by an Essex County Grand Jury on charges of willfully misleading a person in the furtherance of a continuing investigation and parental kidnapping.

http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=deaspressrelease&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Deas&b=pressrelease&f=november_08_borella&csid=Deas 2008-11-17T00:00:00Z 2008-11-17T00:00:00Z

A Salem woman who was smoking a cigarette while her oxygen tank was on, causing a rapidly moving fire that killed her housemate, pleaded guilty to manslaughter today in Salem Superior Court and was sentenced to 2½ years in the House of Correction. That sentence is stayed until Wednesday.