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US Attorney for Massachusetts

Longmeadow Middle School Librarian Shared Child Porn; Had Box Of Kids’ Items, Costumes: DOJ Longmeadow Middle School Librarian Shared Child Porn; Had Box Of Kids’ Items, Costumes: DOJ
Longmeadow Middle School Librarian Shared Child Porn; Had Box Of Kids’ Items, Costumes: DOJ Federal prosecutors say a Longmeadow Public Schools middle school librarian is facing child pornography charges after a months-long undercover investigation. Scott McGinley, 55, of Holyoke, Massachusetts, is accused of distributing child sexual abuse material in an online group called “Little boyz only.” Authorities say that during conversations with undercover officers posing as fellow users, McGinley allegedly disclosed his sexual preference for “boys age 2-12” and “especially 4-7.' The US Attorney for Massachusetts prosecutors say McGinley told the undercover officer he had “students” wh…
$5M Grandparent Scam Targeted Hundreds; FBI Charges 13 In Scheme That Swindled Mass Residents $5M Grandparent Scam Targeted Hundreds; FBI Charges 13 In Scheme That Swindled Mass Residents
$5M Grandparent Scam Targeted Hundreds; FBI Charges 13 In Scheme That Swindled Mass Residents The phone rings in the middle of the night. It’s a family member, and they’re in trouble. A misunderstanding or mistake has put them in a serious bind, and they need thousands of dollars — immediately — or they're in big trouble.  Hundreds of people have received calls like that, but they were fake. Federal investigators call it the “grandparent scam.” The scheme allegedly targeted hundreds of older Americans — including at least 50 in Massachusetts — and stole more than $5 million, according to the US Attorney for Massachusetts. Federal prosecutors say they’ve charged 13 people who “r…
9 People Caught In North Korean Spy Plot That Conned US Companies To Fund Weapons Program: DOJ 9 People Caught In North Korean Spy Plot That Conned US Companies To Fund Weapons Program: DOJ
9 People Caught In North Korean Spy Plot That Conned US Companies To Fund Weapons Program: DOJ A New Jersey man and eight foreign nationals from China and Taiwan have been charged in Boston in what federal officials call a major scheme to secretly funnel money to North Korea’s weapons of mass destruction program. Zhenxing “Danny” Wang of New Jersey was arrested and accused of helping North Korean IT workers pose as Americans to get remote jobs with American companies, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  The workers allegedly used stolen identities to land jobs at major businesses, including a defense contractor. Authorities say this scam helped generate at least $5 million …
Repeat Ledyard Sex Offender Caught With 18,000+ Files Of Child Porn While On Parole: DOJ Repeat Ledyard Sex Offender Caught With 18,000+ Files Of Child Porn While On Parole: DOJ
Repeat Ledyard Sex Offender Caught With 18,000+ Files Of Child Porn While On Parole: DOJ A Connecticut man is facing serious federal charges after probation officers say they found thousands of child pornography files during home visits earlier this year.  Jason Gibson, 45, of Ledyard, was charged with possession of child pornography, a federal offense carrying a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to 20 years in prison. The charge comes after multiple prior convictions and probation violations, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  In 2020, Gibson was convicted in state court of possessing child pornography and sentenced to 10 years, suspended after 30 months, fo…
VA Doctor At Bedford Medical Center Indicted for Child Porn Charges: DOJ VA Doctor At Bedford Medical Center Indicted for Child Porn Charges: DOJ
VA Doctor At Bedford Medical Center Indicted for Child Porn Charges: DOJ A doctor at the Bedford Veterans Affairs Medical Center is facing federal charges after investigators say they found child sexual abuse material on his personal devices, including a phone inside his VA office, authorities said.  Dr. Sven Knudsen Ljaamo, 70, has been indicted on two federal charges: one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  Authorities say they were tipped off when over 100 files of suspected child sexual abuse material were uploaded to Ljaamo’s Google account. During questio…
Randolph Duo Admits To $3.2M Ponzi Scheme That Took Locals' Life Savings: Feds Randolph Duo Admits To $3.2M Ponzi Scheme That Took Locals' Life Savings: Feds
Randolph Duo Admits To $3.2M Ponzi Scheme That Took Locals' Life Savings: Feds Dozens of people — including some who handed over their life savings — were defrauded out of more than $3 million by a Randolph couple who now admit to running a Ponzi scheme, according to federal officials. Milendophe Duperier, 33, and Vanessa Joseph, 26, have agreed to plead guilty to one count each of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  Court dates for their plea hearings have not yet been set. According to prosecutors, Duperier posed as an investment advisor, convincing locals to hand over money with the promise it would be used to buy securiti…
CDL Bribery Scam: Ex-Mass Trooper Let Unfit Truckers Drive For Candy, Cash, And Favors CDL Bribery Scam: Ex-Mass Trooper Let Unfit Truckers Drive For Candy, Cash, And Favors
CDL Bribery Scam: Ex-Mass Trooper Let Unfit Truckers Drive For Candy, Cash, And Favors A former Massachusetts State Police sergeant was found guilty of running a years-long bribery and extortion scheme that let unqualified drivers skip commercial license tests and hit the road, putting everyone at risk, federal authorities announced.  Gary Cederquist, 59, of Stoughton, was convicted in federal court of nearly 50 charges, including conspiracy, mail fraud, falsifying records, and taking bribes, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. He gave passing scores to applicants who failed — or never even took — the Commercial Driver’s License test, required for tractor-trailer truc…
Child Porn Bust: Marlborough Man Admits To Sharing Images Of Kids On Social Media, Feds Say Child Porn Bust: Marlborough Man Admits To Sharing Images Of Kids On Social Media, Feds Say
Child Porn Bust: Marlborough Man Admits To Sharing Images Of Kids On Social Media, Feds Say A 46-year-old Marlborough man faces potentially decades in prison after he admitted to sharing child sexual abuse material online, authorities said.  Larry Stephen pleaded guilty to distributing child pornography and possession of child pornography, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. He was charged in July 2023.  Police raided Stephen's home in June 2023, where they found a cell phone with the offending images, the prosecutor said. He used the phone to share those pictures on social media repeatedly.  Stephen faces a minimum of five years in prison and up to 40 years, a…
Woman Who Ran Mass Prostitution Ring Serving 'Politicians, Doctors, Execs' Gets 4 Years: DOJ Woman Who Ran Mass Prostitution Ring Serving 'Politicians, Doctors, Execs' Gets 4 Years: DOJ
Woman Who Ran Mass Prostitution Ring Serving 'Politicians, Doctors, Execs' Gets 4 Years: DOJ A Massachusetts woman who ran a high-end brothel network stretching from Greater Boston to eastern Virginia was sentenced in federal court for her role in the elaborate sex trafficking operation that netted millions in illicit profits servicing VIP clients, authorities said. Han Lee, 42, of Cambridge, was sentenced to four years in prison followed by one year of supervised release on Wednesday, March 20, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  U.S. District Court Judge Julia E. Kobick also ordered Lee to forfeit more than $5.4 million in illegal earnings, with additional restitution to…
New Haven Robber Gets 4 Years In 'Coordinated, Brazen,' Violent Bank Heist: Feds New Haven Robber Gets 4 Years In 'Coordinated, Brazen,' Violent Bank Heist: Feds
New Haven Robber Gets 4 Years In 'Coordinated, Brazen,' Violent Bank Heist: Feds A Connecticut man has been sentenced to four years in federal prison for his role in a meticulously planned and violent bank robbery that shocked Martha’s Vineyard. Romane Andre Clayton, 22, of New Haven, was sentenced in a Boston federal court after pleading guilty to aiding and abetting the November 2022 heist at Rockland Trust Bank in Tisbury, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. Clayton was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release following his prison term. Federal prosecutors described a chilling robbery where bank employees were ambushed as they opened the building. …
Lanesborough Man Who Admitted To Child Porn Videos Gets 5 Years In Prison Lanesborough Man Who Admitted To Child Porn Videos Gets 5 Years In Prison
Lanesborough Man Who Admitted To Child Porn Videos Gets 5 Years In Prison A 63-year-old Berkshire County man who admitted to watching child sexual abuse material will spend more than five years in prison, authorities said.  Robert Kend, of Lanesborough, pleaded guilty to receipt of child sexual abuse material in May, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. A judge sentenced him last week to 68 months in prison.  Police searched Kend's home on Sept. 12, 2023, and found an iPhone and Macbook computer that had videos of children between the ages of 8 and 15, authorities said. In some of the videos, Kend can be seen in a picture-in-picture box also performi…
Boston Officer Guilty Of Overtime Fraud Scheme Avoids Jail But Must Pay Back Thousands Boston Officer Guilty Of Overtime Fraud Scheme Avoids Jail But Must Pay Back Thousands
Boston Officer Guilty Of Overtime Fraud Scheme Avoids Jail But Must Pay Back Thousands The sixth Boston police officer convicted in a long-running overtime fraud scheme that swindled thousands of dollars from taxpayers must repay more than $16,000 but won't serve jail time, authorities announced.  Michael Murphy, 64, of Hyde Park, was sentenced to two years of probation and must pay a $5,000 fine and $16,014 in restitution after he pleaded guilty last month to one count of conspiracy to commit fraud, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  Murphy and dozens of other officers were accused of filing false overtime slips from September 2016 until February 2019 for wor…
Western Mass Man Admits To Sending Nudes To Agent Posing As 14-Year-Old Online: Feds Western Mass Man Admits To Sending Nudes To Agent Posing As 14-Year-Old Online: Feds
Western Mass Man Admits To Sending Nudes To Agent Posing As 14-Year-Old Online: Feds A 37-year-old Berkshire County didn't realize the 14-year-old girl he was sending nude photos to and begging her to reciprocate was a federal agent until he was arrested, authorities said.  Paul J. Bruzzi, of Lenox, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, July 16, to one count of attempt to transfer obscene material to a minor, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  Bruzzi began a conversation online with someone he believed to be a 14-year-old girl in September 2022. During their talks, he sent nine photos and videos of his genitals to the girl in an attempt to have her send him simila…
'Depraved' Lynn Man Who Admitting To Sexually Exploiting Kids He Taught Gets Prison: Feds 'Depraved' Lynn Man Who Admitting To Sexually Exploiting Kids He Taught Gets Prison: Feds
'Depraved' Lynn Man Who Admitting To Sexually Exploiting Kids He Taught Gets Prison: Feds A 56-year-old Lynn man who admitted to sexually exploiting minors in Laos, where he worked as an English teacher and ran a help organization, will spend more than a decade in federal prison, authorities said.  Michael Sebastian was sentenced on Wednesday, July 10,  to 12 years in prison and five years of supervised release after that, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. He pleaded guilty to three counts of engaging in illicit sexual conduct in foreign places in December.  He was arrested in July 2020.  “Mr. Sebastian took advantage of young, vulnerable children in h…
3 Charged In Movie Style Heist Of Mass. Cannabis Cash Courier: Feds 3 Charged In Movie Style Heist Of Mass. Cannabis Cash Courier: Feds
3 Charged In Movie Style Heist Of Mass. Cannabis Cash Courier: Feds It played out like a scene from the film "The Town." Three masked men pull up to a cash courier, zip-tie him at gunpoint, pepper spray him, steal more than $430,000, and then burn the getaway vehicle.  That's what federal authorities said three men did during a February 2024 heist in Swansea.  Steven Madison, 38, of Bridgewater, Christopher White, 37, of Raynham, and Quentin McDonald, 25, of Brockton, were indicted on one count of robbery interfering with interstate commerce, one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, one count of arson of property used in or affecting i…
Mass. Sex Offender Guilty Of Indecent Assault On Child Last Year Charged Again With Child Porn Mass. Sex Offender Guilty Of Indecent Assault On Child Last Year Charged Again With Child Porn
Mass. Sex Offender Guilty Of Indecent Assault On Child Last Year Charged Again With Child Porn A 33-year-old Cape Cod level-three sex offender who was convicted last year on multiple charges including indecent assault on a minor and child porn now faces more charges, authorities said.  Anthony Argo, 33, of Orleans, is charged with possession of child sexual abuse material, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  Police identified Argo on a chat application expressing sexual interest in minors and sharing child sexual abuse material, the prosecutor said. When officers searched his home, they found an SD card containing more than 100 videos of child pornography.  …
Parts Of Endangered Species Smuggled Into US By Mass. Man: Feds Parts Of Endangered Species Smuggled Into US By Mass. Man: Feds
Parts Of Endangered Species Smuggled Into US By Mass. Man: Feds A 39-year-old Reading man is accused of helping smuggle the skulls, skins, and other parts of animals — many of them endangered — into the United States to sell on the black market, federal authorities said.  Adam Bied is charged with two counts of conspiracy to smuggle goods into the United States, specifically, illegally imported wildlife parts, and three counts of violating the Lacey Act which prohibits trafficking in wildlife, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  The indictment said Bied brought in more than 100 animal parts from January 2018 through June 2021, knowin…
Ex-Mass State Senator Accused Of Fraud Now Charged With Lying About 'Sham Job Offer': Feds Ex-Mass State Senator Accused Of Fraud Now Charged With Lying About 'Sham Job Offer': Feds
Ex-Mass State Senator Accused Of Fraud Now Charged With Lying About 'Sham Job Offer': Feds A former state senator already facing 28 counts of fraud and tax evasion is now accused of lying about a fake job offer at his sister's company, federal authorities said.  Dean Tran, 48, of Fitchburg, was indicted on one count of obstruction of justice and one count of making a false statement. Tran's sister, Tuyet T. Martin, 54, of Pelham, New Hampshire, was indicted on two counts of obstruction of justice and one count of perjury, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  Related: Ex-State Senator Charged With Illegally Collecting $30K In Unemployment Benefits “The charges …
Waltham Man Who Offered $200 For Sex With 12-Year-Old Gets 15 Years In Prison: Feds Waltham Man Who Offered $200 For Sex With 12-Year-Old Gets 15 Years In Prison: Feds
Waltham Man Who Offered $200 For Sex With 12-Year-Old Gets 15 Years In Prison: Feds A 38-year-old Waltham man who reached out to an online ad for sex with a child in an undercover sting will spend the next 15 years behind bars, authorities announced on Thursday, June 20.  Misael Fabian Medina was convicted of one count of attempted sex trafficking of a child and one count of attempted coercion and enticement, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  Investigators said Medina responded to an online ad offering sex with two young girls in November 2022. In a text exchange with the people he believed were selling the children, Medina offered $200 to have sex wi…
Mass Man Guilty Of Trying To Pay 14-Year-Old Girl For Sex: Feds Mass Man Guilty Of Trying To Pay 14-Year-Old Girl For Sex: Feds
Mass Man Guilty Of Trying To Pay 14-Year-Old Girl For Sex: Feds A 29-year-old man was found guilty on Monday, June 10, of soliciting sex from a 14-year-old in a sting operation, authorities said.  Dimitri Shawn McKenzie, of Boston, was found guilty of attempted sex trafficking of a child following a three-day trial, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and up to life behind bars.  McKenzie responded to an online ad that advertised that two girls — ages 12 and 14 — would perform sex acts for cash in the Boston area, the prosecutor said. The post was made by law enforcement.&nbs…
'Incredibly Dangerous' Registered Chelsea Sex Offender Gets 10 Years For Child Porn 'Incredibly Dangerous' Registered Chelsea Sex Offender Gets 10 Years For Child Porn
'Incredibly Dangerous' Registered Chelsea Sex Offender Gets 10 Years For Child Porn A registered sex offender with a history of sexual abuse will spend a decade in prison after he admitted to having hundreds of images and videos of child sexual abuse material, federal authorities said. Lasall Johnson, 55, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography in March and was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison on Thursday, June 6, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. He will serve five years of probation after he is released.  Investigators arrested Johnson after agents traced his IP address from a peer-to-peer file-sharing site where large amounts of …
More Charges For Western Mass Man Accused Of 'One Of The Worst Cases' Of Child Sexual Abuse More Charges For Western Mass Man Accused Of 'One Of The Worst Cases' Of Child Sexual Abuse
More Charges For Western Mass Man Accused Of 'One Of The Worst Cases' Of Child Sexual Abuse Federal authorities charged a 38-year-old Berkshire County man already facing more than four dozen charges of child sexual abuse with two more on Wednesday, May 29.  Brain Warner, of Cheshire, was arrested and charged with sexual exploitation of a child and attempted sexual exploitation of a child on Wednesday, May 29, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. He previously lived in Adams.  Warner was arrested in April and charged with 51 counts of sexually abusing a minor, including multiple accusations of raping a child, indecent assault and battery, and 26 counts of child pornogr…
Ex-Quincy Teacher Facing Child Porn Charges; Chat Logs Show Online Relationship With Teen: Feds Ex-Quincy Teacher Facing Child Porn Charges; Chat Logs Show Online Relationship With Teen: Feds
Ex-Quincy Teacher Facing Child Porn Charges; Chat Logs Show Online Relationship With Teen: Feds A 40-year-old Quincy man who was a teacher at multiple Boston schools is accused of maintaining an online relationship with a teenager with whom he shared explicit photos, federal authorities said.  Carter Peaseley is charged with possessing and receiving child sexual abuse material, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. He faces up to 20 years in prison if found guilty.  Peaseley was arrested on Thursday, May 23, after investigators said he had kept the relationship going with the 15-year-old for a year. He groomed the child, saying he wanted to teach them how to kiss — am…
Brookline Woman Admits To $650K Embezzlement Scheme From Medical Practice: Feds Brookline Woman Admits To $650K Embezzlement Scheme From Medical Practice: Feds
Brookline Woman Admits To $650K Embezzlement Scheme From Medical Practice: Feds An ex-office manager from a Brookline medical practice admitted to stealing more than $650,000 from her former employer, authorities said Friday, May 24.  Kathleen Libby, 40, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and will be sentenced on Sept. 4, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. She faces up to 20 years in federal prison.  Libby was accused of stealing from her former employer in multiple ways, including creating a fake vendor named "Medline Surgical Supplies" to which she would send PayPal payments, the prosecutor said.  She used the money to buy items from …
Lynn Sober Living Home Owner Ordered To Pay $3.8M In Sexual Harassment Suit Lynn Sober Living Home Owner Ordered To Pay $3.8M In Sexual Harassment Suit
Lynn Sober Living Home Owner Ordered To Pay $3.8M In Sexual Harassment Suit The owner of a sober living facility in Lynn sexually harassed women in recovery from drugs and alcohol and offered to trade free or reduced housing expenses in exchange for sexual favors, a jury found. He was ordered to pay seven women $3.8 million in damages.  Peter McCarthy, 51, of Lynn, was found liable for sexual harassment and retaliation in violation of the Fair Housing Act following a five-day trial that ended on Friday, May 17, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said on Monday.  McCarthy owned and operated Steps to Solutions, Inc., which was advertised as a place…
East Boston Man Admits To Child Porn Charges East Boston Man Admits To Child Porn Charges
East Boston Man Admits To Child Porn Charges A 25-year-old East Boston man has admitted to storing and sharing child pornography with a large-scale chat group online, authorities said.  Cristopher Vladimir Pineda Martinez pleaded guilty on Wednesday, May 15, to one count of possession of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  Police began investigating Martinez in December 2022 after they identified him as a member of a private large-scale group chat involving child sexual abuse material, the prosecutor said. When officers searched his home, they fo…
Ex-Central Mass 2nd Grade Teacher Gets 3.5 Years After Admitting To Child Porn Charge: Feds Ex-Central Mass 2nd Grade Teacher Gets 3.5 Years After Admitting To Child Porn Charge: Feds
Ex-Central Mass 2nd Grade Teacher Gets 3.5 Years After Admitting To Child Porn Charge: Feds A 36-year-old former Milford second-grade teacher will spend more than three years behind bars after he admitted to having thousands of images of child sexual abuse material, federal authorities said.  Vincent Kiejzo pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography in December and was sentenced to 42 months in prison on Wednesday, May 15, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  The former Memorial Elementary School teacher must also pay $43,500 in restitution to the victims.  Police began investigating Kiejzo in 2019 after his IP address was linked t…
Mass Man Aimed High-Powered Laser At Coast Guard Helicopter Forcing Them To Abort Landing: Feds Mass Man Aimed High-Powered Laser At Coast Guard Helicopter Forcing Them To Abort Landing: Feds
Mass Man Aimed High-Powered Laser At Coast Guard Helicopter Forcing Them To Abort Landing: Feds A 59-year-old Massachusetts man was arrested after federal investigators said he shined a high-powered laser into the windshield of a US Coast Guard helicopter, forcing the pilot to change their landing location, authorities said.  Philip Gagnon, of Boston, was charged on Monday, May 13, with one count of aiming a laser pointer at a Coast Guard helicopter and was released with conditions, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  The incident happened on Sept. 21, when a US Coast Guard helicopter was taking part in a training exercise and attempting to land at Massachuset…
Western Mass Sex Offender Gets 10 Years For Child Porn Western Mass Sex Offender Gets 10 Years For Child Porn
Western Mass Sex Offender Gets 10 Years For Child Porn A Berkshire County registered sex offender will return to prison after admitting to having child sexual abuse material and an illegal shotgun, federal authorities said.  Brian Hohman, 60, of Sandisfield, pleaded guilty in January to one charge of possession of child pornography and one charge of receipt and possession of an unregistered firearm, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Thursday, May 2.  Hohman was arrested in September 2023 after police found a laptop at his home with more than 300 images and two videos featuring children b…
Ex-Western Mass Schools Superintendent Who Sent Threats To Police Chief Candidate Sentenced Ex-Western Mass Schools Superintendent Who Sent Threats To Police Chief Candidate Sentenced
Ex-Western Mass Schools Superintendent Who Sent Threats To Police Chief Candidate Sentenced The former superindentent of a Hampden County school district will avoid jail time for lying to FBI agents about sending nearly 100 threatening messages to a candidate for Chicopee police chief, authorities said.  Lynn Clark, 53, of Belchertown, was sentenced to a year of probation and a $1,000 fine on Tuesday, April 30, after pleading guilty to two counts of making false statements in January, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  Clark had been head of the Chicopee School District when she made the threatening texts, authorities said.  Acting US Attorney for Massachuset…
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…