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Police & Fire
Mass Man Who Hired Hitman To Kill Ex-Wife For Her 'Independent Thinking' Gets 8 Years: Feds Mass Man Who Hired Hitman To Kill Ex-Wife For Her 'Independent Thinking' Gets 8 Years: Feds
Mass Man Who Hired Hitman To Kill Ex-Wife For Her 'Independent Thinking' Gets 8 Years: Feds A 47-year-old Boston man who attempted multiple times to hire a hitman to kill his ex-wife and her new boyfriend will spend nearly eight years behind bars, federal authorities announced.  Mohammed Chowdhury, who pleaded guilty in January to two counts of use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire, was sentenced last week to 92 months in federal prison, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  “Mr. Chowdhury literally thought he could get away with murder,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “Mr. Chowdhury’s disturbing conduct – in co…

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
20-Year-Old Killed After Car Crashes Into Tree In Region 20-Year-Old Killed After Car Crashes Into Tree In Region
20-Year-Old Killed After Car Crashes Into Tree In Region A 20-year-old was killed after a car crashed into a tree in Connecticut. It happened around 9:50 a.m. Sunday, April 28 in Tolland County. A 2019 Ford Mustang was traveling in a southerly direction on West Street in the town of Hebron at a high rate of speed, Connecticut State Police say. For an unknown reason, it went off the right shoulder of the roadway and struck a large tree.  After the collision the car caught on fire and the sole occupant was pronounced dead at the scene. He's been identified as Anthony Michael Cardello of West Hartford, police announced. Next-…

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by Joe Lombardi
Police & Fire
19-Year-Old Woman Killed, 4 Hospitalized In Overnight Crash In Region 19-Year-Old Woman Killed, 4 Hospitalized In Overnight Crash In Region
19-Year-Old Woman Killed, 4 Hospitalized In Overnight Crash In Region A teenager was killed and four others hospitalized in an overnight single-vehicle crash in Connecticut. It happened around 10:15 p.m. Saturday, April 27, in Tolland County in the town of Willington. A 2007 Subaru Legacy with five occupants, all from the town of Bethel in Fairfield County, was traveling southbound on River Road when the driver lost control, causing the vehicle to overturn, according to Connecticut State Police. One of the passengers, 19-year-old Maria Damata sustained life-threatening injuries and was pronounced dead, said police. The driver, a 21-year-old man,…

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by Joe Lombardi
Police & Fire
'True Monsters Exist': Philip Chism Admits To Vicious Attack On Social Worker 'True Monsters Exist': Philip Chism Admits To Vicious Attack On Social Worker
'True Monsters Exist': Philip Chism Admits To Vicious Attack On Social Worker A social worker who was attacked by a convicted rapist and murderer said she has lived in fear for nearly a decade since that beating. However, she refuses to let it define her life.  Philip Chism, 25, of Danvers, admitted on Friday, April 26, to attempted murder, assault with intent to murder, assault with a dangerous weapon (cinder block), and kidnapping, the Suffolk County District Attorney announced.  The attack happened in 2015 when Chism was on trial for the rape and murder of this Danvers High School algebra teacher Colleen Ritzer a year earlier, the prosecutor said. C…

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
Oxford Man Coerced Multiple Children Into Making Child Porn: Feds Oxford Man Coerced Multiple Children Into Making Child Porn: Feds
Oxford Man Coerced Multiple Children Into Making Child Porn: Feds A 41-year-old Worcester County man is accused of multiple sex crimes against children, including coercing several into producing child sexual assault material, authorities announced on Friday, April 26.  Michael Lamountain, of Oxford, was indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, one count of sex trafficking of a minor, and four counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  He was previously arrested and charged in February with a Rhode Island man for filming their assault of an underage girl. He has remained in custod…

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
Western Mass Man Drove Child Across State Lines For Sex: Feds Western Mass Man Drove Child Across State Lines For Sex: Feds
Western Mass Man Drove Child Across State Lines For Sex: Feds A 50-year-old Berkshire County man is accused of driving a minor to have sex, authorities said.  Paul Newton-Irelan is charged with transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  Newton-Irelan allegedly drove the minor to New York and Massachusetts on Nov. 26, 2023, as part of a scheme for sex, authorities said. He told police he thought the girl was 18, but she was 11 years old, reports said.  According to federal sentencing guidelines, he faces a minimum of 10 years in prison if convicted followed …

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
Chicopee Man Gets Up To 13 Years In Prison For Raping Multiple Children: DA Chicopee Man Gets Up To 13 Years In Prison For Raping Multiple Children: DA
Chicopee Man Gets Up To 13 Years In Prison For Raping Multiple Children: DA A Hampden County man found guilty of multiple heinous crimes against two children will spend more than a decade behind bars, a judge ruled this week.  Kenneth Arroyo, 41, of Chicopee, was sentenced to 12 to 13 years in prison after being convicted of two counts each of aggravated rape of a child, indecent assault and battery over 14, and indecent assault and battery under 14, the Hampden District Attorney said.  A jury convicted Arroyo on April 9, and he was sentenced on Tuesday, April 23.  Arroyo was accused of sexually abusing two children he knew who were between the ages…

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
6 Accused Of Multiple Smash, Grab Break-Ins To Steal Lottery Tickets: Essex DA 6 Accused Of Multiple Smash, Grab Break-Ins To Steal Lottery Tickets: Essex DA
6 Accused Of Multiple Smash, Grab Break-Ins To Steal Lottery Tickets: Essex DA A three-month investigation concluded this week with six arrests and more than 120 criminal charges tied to multiple store break-ins in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, authorities announced.  The Essex County District Attorney's Office announced the charges in what investigators dubbed “Operation Smash & Cash.” The sextet is accused of breaking into at least 12 convenience stores and stealing $50,000 worth of lottery tickets from February through April 2024 and causing thousands of dollars in damages.  The break-ins were reported at convenience stores in Swampscott, Saug…

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
Mass Passenger Among 3 Hurt —Including Trooper — In Pennsylvania Crash Mass Passenger Among 3 Hurt —Including Trooper — In Pennsylvania Crash
Mass Passenger Among 3 Hurt —Including Trooper — In Pennsylvania Crash A two-vehicle crash sent three people — including a trooper — to the hospital, Pennsylvania State Police on Wednesday, April 24.  The crash involved a marked PSP patrol SUV with lights and sirens on and a Ford Transit van with two 57-year-old men, a California driver with a Massachusetts passenger on Saturday, April 20 at 1:38 p.m., as detailed in the release.  The van was heading south of Millerstown Road in Cumberland Township when it approached a stop sign at the intersection with Emmitsburg Road but advanced "without clearance" — striking the patrol SUV, PSP det…

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by Jillian Pikora
Police & Fire
Prostitution Sting: 7 Busted Trying To Pay Holyoke Cops For Sex Prostitution Sting: 7 Busted Trying To Pay Holyoke Cops For Sex
Prostitution Sting: 7 Busted Trying To Pay Holyoke Cops For Sex Seven men were arrested in Hampden County earlier this week for trying to pay an undercover officer for sex in a sting.  Hokyoke police conducted the operation to target human trafficking in the city, authorities said.  Related: 5 Charged In Springfield Undercover Prostitution Sting Each of the men was charged with soliciting sex for a fee, officials said.  Those arrested are: Jorge Lopez — 49 years old Jose Santiago — 68 years old Christopher Laines — 34 years old Josue Ortiz — 29 years old Sarom Soeng — 47 years old Guy Flathers — 72 years old Joseph Fournier — 61 years…

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
Man Wanted In Greenfield Killing Arrested At Albany Airport Man Wanted In Greenfield Killing Arrested At Albany Airport
Taaniel Herberger-Brown Charged With Murder In Mass Slaying A 42-year-old man who is accused murdering someone and leaving their body inside a Western Massachusetts apartment was arrested in New York at Albany International Airport on Tuesday, April 23, authorities said.  Taaniel Herberger-Brown is being held on a fugitive from justice warrant in Albany County, following his arrest, the Northwestern District Attorney's Office said.  Greenfield police were called to a Chapman Street apartment on Monday after neighbors called to complain about a horrific smell coming from the home. Officers found the body lying in one of the r…

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
South Hadley Man Says He Didn't Steal $100K In Jewelry, Valuables; DA Doesn't Buy It South Hadley Man Says He Didn't Steal $100K In Jewelry, Valuables; DA Doesn't Buy It
Steven Skea Charged With Stealing Items Worth $100K A 64-year-old South Hadley man accused of stealing more than $100,000 worth of jewelry, coins, and other valuables has pleaded not guilty to the charges, authorities said.  Steven Skea is charged with two counts of breaking and entering in the nighttime, two counts of larceny in a building, and unlawful possession of a firearm without a permit, the Northwestern District Attorney said. The alleged burglaries happened last year.  He is being held without bail.  Skea is accused of breaking into two businesses in the dark of night and escaping with six figures worth of…

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by Josh Lanier