“A Berklee College of Music student, who is a citizen of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), was convicted by a federal jury in Boston today of stalking and threatening an individual who posted fliers in support of democracy in China around the Berklee campus area.

Xiaolei Wu, 26, was convicted following a four-day jury trial of one count of cyberstalking and one count of interstate transmissions of threatening communication. U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for April 24, 2024. Wu was arrested and charged by criminal complaint in December 2022 and subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2023.

“No one in this country should ever be subjected to threats of violence or a cyberstalking harassment campaign for expressing their political views. Mr. Wu now stands as a convicted felon for his illegal efforts to suppress speech by a fellow Berklee School of Music student who was critical of the government of China.

This type of conduct will never be tolerated,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “The Department of Justice is committed to safeguarding the fundamental right to free speech for all. Our office will hold accountable individuals whose actions threaten or violate this fundamental tenet of our democratic society.”

“Today’s verdict by a jury in the District of Massachusetts underscores the Department’s commitment to ensuring all U.S. residents are able to freely exercise their fundamental rights,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division.

“What Xiaolei Wu did in attempting to silence and intimidate an activist who expressed dissension with the ruling Communist Party of China is not only criminal, but completely against our country’s democratic values,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “Today’s conviction upholds one of our most fundamental rights –freedom of speech –and the FBI will ensure that anyone who tries to infringe on this right using threats or harassment will face the same fate as Mr. Wu.”

On Oct. 22, 2022, while Wu was attending the Berklee College of Music, an individual posted a flier on or near the Berklee College of Music campus which said, “Stand with Chinese People,” as well as, “We Want Freedom,” and “We Want Democracy.” Beginning on or about Oct. 22, 2022, and continuing until Oct. 24, 2022, Wu made a series of communications via WeChat, email and Instagram directed towards the victim who posted the flier. Among other things, Wu said, “Post more, I will chop your bastard hands off.” He also told the victim that he had informed the public security agency in China about the victim’s actions and that the public security agency in China would “greet” the victim’s family. Additionally, Wu solicited others to find out where the victim was living, publicly posted the victim’s email address in the hopes that others would abuse the victim online, and he reported the victim’s information back to a member of the Chinese government.

The charge of cyberstalking provides for a sentence up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of interstate transmissions of threatening communication provides for a sentence up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Acting U.S. Attorney Levy, AAG Olsen and FBI SAC Cohen made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy H. Kistner and Alathea E. Porter of the National Security Unit are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Counterintelligence and Export Control Section Trial Attorney Menno Goedman.”-Massachusetts Department of Justice.

A Boston man pleaded guilty today to trying to hire a contract killer to murder his wife and the wife’s boyfriend.

“Mohammed Chowdhury, 47, pleaded guilty to two counts of use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire. U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin scheduled sentencing for April 23, 2024. Chowdhury was arrested and charged in January 2023 and subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in February 2023. He has remained in federal custody since his arrest.

“Mr. Chowdhury’s callousness and disregard for human life is shocking. Not only did he ignore the restraining order filed against him by his wife, he sought to have her and her boyfriend killed,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “This case is a stark reminder of the heinous nature of domestic violence and its potential to escalate into unthinkable acts. Violence, especially within the confines of domestic relationships, has no place here in Massachusetts, and we will use every available resource to ensure the safety of those at risk.”

Massachusetts Department of Justice photo.

“Mohammed Chowdhury not only wanted to kill his wife; he was willing to kill her new boyfriend too. Given his complete lack of respect for human life, there’s no question he belongs behind bars, and today’s conviction ensures that will happen,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “FBI Boston’s Violent Crimes Task Force worked quickly to disrupt this deadly plot and is committed to doing everything it can to take violent criminals like Chowdhury off the street for the safety of all Bostonians.”

In November 2022, an individual notified law enforcement that Chowdhury was soliciting assistance in having his wife murdered. The individual said that Chowdhury had paid someone to conduct the murder for hire, but that they took the money and did not follow through with Chowdhury’s request. Chowdhury subsequently told the individual that he needed the murder done as soon as possible and that he would get the money to do so, even robbing a store if necessary to obtain the funds. The individual provided Chowdhury’s phone number to law enforcement, who thereafter used an undercover agent posing as a contract killer to communicate with Chowdhury about his murder for hire plot.

On numerous occasions in December 2022 and January 2023, Chowdhury met with undercover agents posing as the contract killer and their associates, to seek help with killing his wife and her new boyfriend, whom she left him for. During these meetings and communications, Chowdhury explained that his wife wouldn’t let him see his children and that he wanted the undercover agents to rob and beat his wife and her boyfriend so that he would not be a suspect. Chowdhury asked, “So how we gonna disappear his, uh, body?” and stated, “No evidence. No evidence. No evidence from like, you know, that, uh, I did something, you know?” Chowdhury provided the undercover agents with photographs of his wife and her new boyfriend, where they lived, where they worked and their work schedules. Chowdhury ultimately agreed to pay $4,000 per murder, with a deposit of $500.

Massachusetts Department of Justice photo.

Chowdhury met with the undercover agents on Jan. 17, 2023, provided the $500 deposit and confirmed that he wanted the murders committed. Chowdhury was then immediately taken into federal custody.

In October 2019, Chowdhury was charged in Boston Municipal Court – Roxbury Division with violating an Abuse Prevention Order prohibiting him from abusing, contacting, or coming within a certain distance of his wife. Chowdhury pleaded to sufficient facts and received a continuance without a finding.

The charging statute provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Acting U.S. Attorney Levy and FBI SAC Cohen made the announcement today. The Boston Police Department provided valuable assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Luke A. Goldworm and John T. Dawley of the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.”-Massachusetts Department of Justice.

“A Lawrence man was sentenced in federal court in Boston to illegally reentering the United States after been deported.

Francisco Araujo Lara, 33, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to 51 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In October 2023, Araujo Lara pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien.

Araujo Lara, a citizen on the Dominican Republic, was deported from the United States in September 2019, after serving an 18-to-30-month state sentence for a fentanyl distribution. Sometime thereafter, Araujo Lara unlawfully reentered the United States. In 2021, he was arrested in Lawrence for distributing fentanyl and possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute it. Araujo Lara pleaded guilty to the state charges and was sentenced to 30 months in state prison.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Todd M. Lyons, Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Tobin of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.”-Massachusetts Department of Justice.

“The City of New Bedford has roadwork sites for the upcoming week of January 29, 2024 – February 2, 2024, and they are as follows:

Eversource will be working on gas main relays and services on:

• Main relay on Barkers Ln including intersection of Acushnet Ave
• Main relay on Central Ave from Church St to Brook St
• Main relay on County St from Cove St to Mosher St
• Main relay on Mosher St from County St to Crapo St
• Main relay on W Rodney French Blvd from Calumet St to Bayview StProject: Phase 4 Transmission Main Reinforcement Project   Contractor: C. Naughton Corp. (Monday-Friday 7:00 am to 4:00pm)

Other:

• MassDOT will be staging installation and beam end cleaning and concrete encasements at I-195 East and West bound lanes over Purchase St, County St and State St will is scheduled during the overnight hours starting November 12th and will continue until May 31st of 2024. Work will take place Sundays to Thursdays. Police will be on site for detour and safety setups.
• Contractor (SCR Constructors) will continue site work at the future South Coast Rail station platform locations in the city. (Church St at Carlisle St and Wamsutta St at Acushnet Ave.) If you have questions, please email the project team at SouthCoastRail@dot.state.ma.us
• Contractor (SCR Constructors) will continue site work at the future pedestrian bridge across Route 18 impacting parking along Purchase Street between Willis Street and Pearl Street and at the Division of Career Services on Acushnet Avenue. Temporary detours may be in place pending construction activities occurring.  If you have questions, please email the project team at SouthCoastRail@dot.state.ma.us
 
Project: Lead Service Line Replacement Program Phase II   General Contractor: C. Naughton Corp. (Monday-Friday 7:00am -5:00pm)
• The contractor will be working Lead Service Line Replacements.  On Monday, the contractor will be on Plymouth Street, between Palmer Street and Reed Street.  From Tuesday through Friday, the contractor will be on Ryan Street, between Brigham Street and Brownell Street.  The contractor is scheduled to work Monday to Friday from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm. During working hours, sections of Plymouth Street then Ryan Street may be closed, and signs posted to detour traffic around work areas.  Police details will be on-site allowing access to residents only and assist with traffic management.

Project: Phase 4 Transmission Main Reinforcement Project   Contractor: C. Naughton Corp. (Monday-Friday 7:00 am to 4:00pm)
• The Contractor will continue replacing of the existing 48-in water transmission main at the railroad crossing north of Chipaway Road in East Freetown.

Project: Shawmut Avenue and Howland Street Pumping Station Improvements Project General Contractor: WES Construction Corp. (Monday-Friday 7:00am to 4:00pm)
• The Contractor will be excavating test pits and installing fencing at the Howland St site. They may also begin staging pipe, completing layout work and clearing brush behind the sidewalk area to prepare for the proposed replacement of the sewer force main along Nash Rd between Shawmut Ave and Mt. Pleasant St. Lane restrictions may be in-place during working hours.”

A Guatemalan man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for illegally reentering the United States after deportation.

Marcelino De Leon Yoc, a/k/a “Eric Pineda Hernandez,” 32, was sentenced by U. S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to time served (approximately five months) and one year of supervised release. In October 2023, Yoc pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien.

According to the charging documents, De Leon Yoc was removed from the United States on May 12, 2018. De Leon Yoc unlawfully reentered the United States sometime after his May 2018 removal. On Aug. 24, 2023, De Leon Yoc was arrested by immigration authorities in Lynn, Mass.

According to court filings, De Leon Yoc is also facing charges in Suffolk County Superior Court for aggravated rape of a child, indecent assault and battery on a person over 14 and trafficking of a person for sexual servitude.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Todd M. Lyons, Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Reynolds III of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.

Tuesday night, Beverly Fire Department and EMS received a 911 call from a person saying that they were trapped under a gravestone.

First responders arrived on scene to find an injured 17-year-old girl trapped under a gravestone. She reported that she was playing in the cemetery and accidentally pulled the stone onto herself.

The teen sustained a leg injury serious enough for paramedics to rush her to a local hospital.

“CONGRATULATIONS CHIEF KRUGER!!!

STOW – Nearly three dozen fire service leaders from across Massachusetts graduated today from the 29th class of the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy’s Chief Fire Officer Management Training Program.

The four-month program for new chief officers and chief officer candidates is delivered jointly by the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy and the University of Massachusetts Edward J. Collins Jr. Center for Public Management. Through classroom instruction and out-of-class assignments, the course delivers intensive training in the non-fire suppression aspects of managing a municipal fire department.

New Bedford Fire Department photo.

“The Chief Fire Officer program is a tremendous opportunity for new chiefs and rising officers,” said State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine, who graduated from the program in 2016. “The rigorous instruction in such a wide variety of topics will help these graduates provide the leadership that their departments and communities deserve. Completing the program is a major accomplishment and I want to congratulate all of them on their initiative and dedication to professional development.”

The Chief Fire Officer Management Training Program covers a spectrum of topics considered essential for effective public sector management. It includes human resource management, ethics, executive leadership, governmental and organization structures, information management, customer-focused strategic planning, legal issues, budgets and public finance, community awareness, and labor relations. The curriculum helps fire officers improve their ability to lead and manage personnel, understand employees’ needs and problems, communicate effectively to a variety of audiences, and leverage inter-agency cooperation. The Massachusetts Firefighting Academy, a division of the Department of Fire Services, offers this program tuition-free.

The 2023-2024 graduating class was drawn the fire departments of Amesbury, Ayer, Barnstable, Bedford, Bolton, Canton, Cotuit, Dennis, East Longmeadow, Erving, Everett, Framingham, Freetown, Hopkinton, Lawrence, Lowell, Ludlow, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Medway, Natick, New Bedford, Northampton, Northbridge, Onset, Royalston, Sharon, Ware, Wellfleet, West Springfield, Westfield, and Winchester, where its members serve as chiefs, deputy chiefs, and captains.”-New Bedford Fire Department.

New Bedford Fire Department photo.

New Bedford Fire Department photo.

“We are proud to announce that we are part of the new Suffolk County Animal Cruelty Task Force, the county’s first multi-agency effort aimed at reducing abuse of animals and coordinating law enforcement efforts to help bring animal abusers to justice.

The task force was created by Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden with assistance from the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL-Boston), the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA), and law enforcement agencies throughout the county. Two Massachusetts State Police members, Trooper Carlo Mastromattei of the Troop A Community Action Team and Trooper Christopher Kane of the State Police-Revere Barracks, serve on the task force (seen in photo with Winter, a 14-week-old puppy under ARL-Boston’s care).

Hayden, a dog owner, said the task force will improve the quality of information and methods used among the participating agencies in investigations of crimes against animals.

“Anyone who has ever loved or owned a pet knows the joy and happiness they bring to our lives,” Hayden said. “All these pets ask in return is to be sheltered, fed and cared for when they’re sick or hurt. Sadly, too many animals and pets end up getting hurt through malicious intent or conscious neglect. This task force will improve our ability to investigate, charge and prosecute these cases and, hopefully, reduce them.”

The MSPCA and ARL-Boston conducted hundreds of investigations of animal abuse in 2023. Last year, 17 individuals were charged in Suffolk County with at least one animal cruelty related offense. Sixteen of the defendants were adults and one was a juvenile.

The owner of a dog training and boarding facility in South Boston was charged last May following an investigation by the Animal Rescue League after three dogs lost significant amounts of weight or were injured during their stay at the facility.

A Revere man was charged with assaulting his roommate and killing his dog in August. First responders entering the man’s apartment found a dog covered in blood, suffering from at least five stab wounds.

A Boston man was charged after a neighbor noticed a strong odor emanating from his Chelsea apartment. A well-being check led to the discovery of a feces-covered apartment and a decomposing dog.

In November, a Boston woman was charged after multiple witnesses reported seeing her punch, kick, and strike her dog with a glass bottle in the Boston Common area.

Animal cruelty cases are increasing in Suffolk County and statewide. According to the Massachusetts Trial Court, animal cruelty cases have increased more than 70 percent from 2019-2022. According to the Domestic Violence Awareness Project, up to 70 percent of domestic violence victims have pets and of those, up to nearly three-fourths of them report their animals are hurt or killed by their abuser.

The Suffolk County Animal Cruelty Task Force will centralize the various agencies involved in animal abuse cases into a group of designated individuals with knowledge of animal cruelty law and enforcement tactics. This streamlined approach will improve information flow, create a more proficient understanding of animal cruelty investigations and prosecutions, and identify necessary legislative improvements to the state’s animal protection laws.

The task force will be chaired by Assistant District Attorney Amelia Singh, chief of the DA’s office in Chelsea District Court, and will include members of the Boston, Chelsea, Winthrop and Revere police departments, the Massachusetts State Police, the Massachusetts Environmental Police, the Animal Rescue League of Boston, the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture and the animal control departments in Boston, Chelsea, Winthrop and Revere.”-Massachusetts State Police.

A Boston man pleaded guilty today to transporting a minor to New York and Connecticut to engage in commercial sex.

“Leon Blount III, 31, pleaded guilty to three counts of transportation of minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs scheduled sentencing for April 24, 2024. Blount was indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2023. He has been in custody since September 2022.

“Human trafficking is not just a crime; it is a profound violation of human dignity. The unimaginable harm inflicted upon victims is happening too frequently in our communities,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “Our dedicated Human Trafficking & Civil Rights Unit remains committed to bringing traffickers to justice, providing unwavering support to survivors, and relentlessly pursuing those who exploit the most vulnerable.”

“Blount admitted today that he sought out and took advantage of a vulnerable young woman and limited her freedom. This is a pattern we see again and again with human traffickers. Today’s plea brings us another step closer to justice for those he victimized,” said Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations in New England.”

Between July and August 2022, Blount transported a 17-year-old victim, Jane Doe 2, from Massachusetts to New York and Connecticut to engage in commercial sex for his financial benefit. Blount met Jane Doe 2 while she was living at a Massachusetts group home for transitional age adolescents. He gave her alcohol and marijuana and recruited Jane Doe 2 to travel out-of-state to engage in commercial sex. While in New York, Blount directed Jane Doe 2 to solicit sex buyers in an area of Brooklyn that is known for commercial sex. Throughout this period, Blount stayed in close contact with Jane Doe 2, using text messages to ensure that she continued to perform sex acts when he was not physically present. To attract more sex buyers, Blount caused Jane Doe 2’s photo to be posted on websites that advertises commercial sex. He then put Jane Doe 2 in hotel rooms in Woburn, Mass. and Hartford, Conn. where he directed her to perform sex acts with buyers to earn more money.

The charge of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

If you or someone you know may be impacted or experiencing commercial sex trafficking, please contact USAMA.VictimAssistance@usdoj.gov.

Acting U.S. Attorney Levy and HSI SAC Krol made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian A. Fogerty of the Civil Rights & Human Trafficking Unit is prosecuting the case.”-Massachusetts Department of Justice.

Application deadline March 1st – Online info sessions January 31st and February 13th.

“NEW BEDFORD, MA – The SouthCoast Community Foundation, the largest provider of scholarships in southeastern Massachusetts, has opened its 2024 online application, with a March 1st deadline. Students complete just one application — no FAFSA (Free Application for Student Aid) is required this year — and applicants are automatically matched with all eligible scholarship opportunities. More than 100 scholarships totaling over $700,000 will be awarded to high school seniors and college students in 2024.

“Supporting students in their pursuit and completion of postsecondary education and training as a path to increased economic mobility is a priority of the Community Foundation,” said Melanie Edwards-Tavares, President and CEO of the SouthCoast Community Foundation. “A recent study by the Washington Student Achievement Council concluded there is ‘strong evidence that a postsecondary education is a great intergenerational economic equalizer.’ We know that our cities lag in comparison to the rest of the state regarding postsecondary attendance, and we aim to change that by supporting students who may not otherwise be able to afford college or trade schools.”

SouthCoast Community Foundation photo.

Scholarships include: the Manuel S. Pina Scholarship (up to $10,000), offered to area students of Cape Verdean descent; the BankFive scholarship (up to $40,000), open to any college-bound senior in Bristol County, MA and Bristol and Newport Counties, RI; the Lipsky-Whittaker LGBTQ Scholarship (up to $5,000) for students who identify as LGBTQ+ or have been raised in an LGBTQ+ household; and the Jacobs Family Scholarship (up to $35,000) for New Bedford students going into science, math or engineering fields.

“My wife, Joan, and I have been delighted to be able to give back to my hometown of New Bedford over the years. Each year, we enjoy meeting the five students who are receiving the Jacobs Family Scholarship, and to connect with past scholars and hear about the great work they are now doing after college,” said Irwin Jacobs, a 1950 New Bedford High School graduate who went on to found Qualcomm, a multinational corporation in the semiconductor, software and wireless technology industries. The Jacobs Family Scholarship Fund was established with the Community Foundation in 2000 and since then has provided over $2 million in scholarships for New Bedford students.

This year, the Community Foundation will offer two virtual information sessions, on January 31st at 6:30 pm and February 13th at 5:30 pm. In the sessions, students will learn about the application process, what scholarships are available, and how applications are evaluated. Registration is available at southcoastcf.org/scholarships

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About the SouthCoast Community Foundation
The SouthCoast Community Foundation is a nonprofit serving the communities of southeastern Massachusetts through philanthropy. The Community Foundation’s mission is to mobilize philanthropy by matching donors and resources with community needs for the benefit of our region. Since 1995, the organization has distributed over $50 million from nearly 200 funds to humanitarian, educational, and cultural organizations in the region. For more information, visit southcoastcf.org.“-SouthCoast Community Foundation.