“The Wareham Police family sadly announce the passing of retired Sergeant Christopher Park.
Sergeant Park served the Wareham community for over twenty-eight (28) years, before retiring in 2018. Throughout Sergeant Park’s career at the Wareham Police Department he served as, patrol officer, detective, and patrol supervisor.
Sergeant Park will be greatly missed.”-Wareham Police Department.
Wareham Police Department photo.
“A New Bedford man was sentenced on Dec. 1, 2023 for evading taxes on income he earned as a commercial fisherman.
Joaquin Sosa was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to 18 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Sosa was also ordered to pay restitution of $520,415.
Sosa worked as a commercial fisherman and deckhand operating primarily out of the Port of New Bedford. Despite receiving approximately $1.9 million in income between 2012 and 2021, Sosa did not file tax returns reporting the income and did not pay the substantial income taxes owed on the income he earned. Sosa also worked under false identities over the years. To further conceal the source and disposition of his income, Sosa cashed his paychecks from fishing companies at check-cashing businesses, at times using false identities and used the cash to fund his personal lifestyle. In total, Sosa caused a tax loss to the IRS of $520,415.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division; and Harry Chavis Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor Wild of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit as well as Trial Attorney Ezra Spiro and Acting Chief John Kane of the Tax Division prosecuted the case.”-Massachusetts Department of Justice.
“A former Milford second grade teacher pleaded guilty today in federal court in Worcester to possessing child pornography.
Vincent Kiejzo, 36, pleaded guilty today to one count of possession of child pornography. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman scheduled sentencing for April 4, 2024. Kiejzo was arrested and charged by criminal complaint in September 2020 and subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in October 2020. He remains in custody.
During a search of Kiejzo’s Milford home in September 2020, a USB drive plugged into a television in Kiejzo’s bedroom was located and found to contain links to websites dedicated to the sexual exploitation of minors. The USB drive also contained well as over 6,000 images of child pornography including images that involved infants.
The charging statute provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, five years and up to lifetime 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 United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of the Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement. The Milford Police Department assisted with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Noto of the Worcester Office is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.” -Massachusetts Department of Justice.
“The City has been recognized by the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) as one of the 119 cities across the globe that is taking bold leadership on environmental action and transparency by receiving an “A” score on the 2023 CDP Cities A-List.
Founded in 2000, CDP is a non-profit organization that runs the global disclosure system for investors, companies, cities, states, and regions to manage their environmental impacts and drive urgent action needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, safeguard water resources, and protect forests. CDP’s Cities A-List is based on environmental data and is designed to support and encourage cities to ramp up climate action and ambition. More than 900 cities received a rating for their climate action from CDP in 2023, and slightly more than one in 10 received an A.
According to the CDP, to score an A, a city must disclose publicly through CDP, have a city-wide emissions inventory, and have published a climate action plan, among other categories. It must also complete a risk-and-vulnerability assessment and have a climate adaptation goal to demonstrate how it will tackle climate hazards. By reporting climate data through CDP each year, New Bedford is transparent about its climate action, tracking progress, monitoring risks, and benchmarking against other cities facing similar challenges.
“New Bedford is committed to addressing proactively the risks posed by climate change,” Mayor Jon Mitchell said. “Our climate action plan continues to guide our work on renewable energy, energy conservation, and coastal resilience.”
“I am thrilled and gratified that New Bedford’s cutting-edge work and leadership in this emerging area has been recognized on a global level by the CDP,” said Michele Paul, director of the City’s Department of Resilience and Environmental Stewardship. “Our office continues to pursue state and federal funding resources to implement climate mitigation and carbon reduction strategies to capitalize on opportunities to benefit all of the City’s residents.”-City of New Bedford.
“Yesterday morning at 8:53am, the New Bedford Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 303 Coggeshall Street that was reported by a passerby calling 911. This building is a three-story wood frame building containing several apartments and business use on the first floor. The building is peotected by a working fire alarm system.
First arriving crews located a fire on the first floor, forced entry, and extinguished a room and contents fire with one hose line. There was no fire extension to the second floor and no tenants were injured or displaced.
The cause of the fire was investigated by the New Bedford Fire Department Fire Investigation Unit and determined to be unintentional.”-New Bedford Fire Department.
New Bedford Fire Department photo.
New Bedford Fire Department photo.
New Bedford Fire Department photo.
“Just a reminder to everyone that the Polar Express Train will be operating during this holiday season. Please be aware that there will be heavier train traffic through town.
Nice to see that this locomotive is still out and running. It was built in 1957 and 1 of 60 that were built.
We are lucky to have such a big piece of railroad history operating in our town.”-Wareham Police Department.
From the Polar Express Train’s website:
“Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, passengers will relive the magic of the classic story as they are whisked away on THE POLAR EXPRESS™ for a 1 to 1 ½ hour trip to meet Santa.
Santa and his elves board the train at the North Pole to greet passengers and each guest is given the first gift of Christmas. Please be sure to have your camera ready to capture this moment! During the trip, characters on each car lead fantastic onboard entertainment – just like in the film! Each child will take home a keepsake sleigh bell and souvenir golden ticket in addition to the wonderful memories made on this magical trip. Delicious hot chocolate and Walker’s Shortbread cookies – the “Official Onboard Treat” of THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride, which are individually wrapped in sealed packages, will be served to each passenger during the run.
We recommend wearing your Christmas jammies for even more fun!”
See more photos here.
“MassDOT is holding a virtual information session next Wednesday, December 6 from 10am-11am to discuss how businesses could be impacted by upcoming work on the Route 18/I-195 Interchange project in New Bedford.
The impacted areas and schedule will be discussed during the session. You can register at this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAocOqqrjwoEtMZ2cjR-Ihid4UAafFyijKO?fbclid=IwAR123FKuJgnIjXPE5IINSJrZpA_u7ohpjWwC7lxXHG9WRDG-3ti8-h5_hbk#/registration “-New Bedford Economic Development Council.
New Bedford Economic Development Council
“Massachusetts State Police fugitive unit Troopers and an MSP K9 Unit team and partner officers, after a nightlong search for an accused child rapist, ultimately captured him before dawn today in Stoneham woodland.
Members of the MSP Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section (MSP VFAS) and US Marshals Service Task Force Officers (USMS TFOs) developed information that suspect RICKLAND POWELL, 59, of Belmont, might be in a wooded area in that town.
MSP K9 Unit Trooper Christina Cavagnaro and her partner Thor assisted in the search, tracking into the woods. At about 3 AM the K9 team, along with MSP VFAS Troopers and USMS TFOs, located POWELL, who had hung himself from a tree.
Troopers and Officers cut the suspect down. The suspect was still alive and was transported to an area hospital. The Belmont Police Department, which conducted the investigation that led to the child rape warrants against POWELL, assumed custody of him.
Belmont Police recently requested assistance from MSP VFAS in searching for POWELL, for whom Belmont detectives had obtained a warrant for the following offenses: Rape of a Child with Force (four counts); Aggravated Statutory Rape (four counts); Indecent Assault and Battery on a Child Under 14 (two counts); Posing a Child in a Sex Act; and Distributing Obscene Material.
The charges stem from evidence indicating that POWELL raped a female child multiple times.
Cambridge Police and the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department assisted in the search for POWELL.”-Massachusetts State Police.
The following is an opinion sent to New Bedford Guide. It does not reflect the opinion of New Bedford Guide, nor is it an OP-ED. In fairness and objectivity, we share opinions from our readers whether we agree or disagree with their opinion.
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“I am calling for the Resignation of City Council President Linda Morad. The reason I am calling for her resignation is her actions as of late are unhinged, unprofessional, threatening and she is a threat to the city’s democracy.
As a councilor her job is to work for the people. Last night at the Special Tax Meeting Linda Morad ordered Dennis Farias to close and lock the council doors while more than 6 councilors were in the chambers, possibly breaking laws for which I am seeking all avenues and advice on. She then came out and mocked us in the hallway, which I have on video.
Outside of the building she stuck her toungue out at us like a 2-year old toddler, which I also have on video.
Also captured on video is her calling constituents ‘assholes.’ Also allegedly she in possession of a video where she lost control of the chambers during the 11/14 appointments and briefings meeting (FOIA Pending).At this same meeting she reportedly called a colleague of her’s an asshole.
In my opinion Linda has become unhinged, unprofessional, is an immediate threat to our city”s democracy and she needs to be removed from the chambers immediately.
At any professional job, you would be fired for your actions, as not only are they childish, they are unprofessional, threatening and don’t represent this beautiful city I call home. As a citizens of New Bedford I call for your resignation. Feel free to reach me with any questions at 508-250-2614. Thank you.”-Craig Ptaszenski.
“A 26-year-old New Bedford gang member convicted by a jury of his peers last month of the second degree murder of Brad Lourenco was sentenced this week in Fall River Superior Court to life in prison, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.
Superior Court Judge Renee Dupuis sentenced Ivan Fontanez to life in prison, with the possibility of parole after 20 years, on Monday.
The two week long trial before Judge Renee Dupuis was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Shawn Guilderson and Matthew Sylvia.
The jury also convicted Fontanez of carrying an illegal firearm and carrying a loaded illegal firearm.
On June 5, 2017, Fontanez and Keeland Rose got a ride from Temple Landing in the West End of New Bedford to Rivet Street in the South End of New Bedford. Fontanez and Rose then walked to Roberto Clement Park where Fontanez pointed the firearm into a group of individuals at the park, fired the gun 9 times, and one shot struck Brad Lourenco in the back of the head causing his death. They both then ran from the area while being chased by south End gang members, including Bruno Lopes. Fontanez and Rose both crossed over Route 18 by way of a pedestrian foot bridge. The murder weapon was later located hidden on this bridge.
As they continued their flight, they discarded their sweatshirts and Fontanez discarded his sweatpants in a dumpster. That clothing was located, and DNA of Rose was found on one of the sweatshirts while DNA of Fontanez was found on the sweatpants. The chase continued back over Route 18 when Fontanez and Rose jump into the back of a pickup truck that was in the area hoping to flee the scene. After the driver of the truck stopped his car and ordered them out, Rose and Fontanez grabbed hand tools from the pickup truck in an attempt to defend themselves from the gang chasing them. They were apprehended by police within seconds of this occurring.
The shooting was likely the results of an ongoing feud between rival gangs in New Bedford and was in retaliation to an incident that occurred about a week before the homicide involving the non-fatal shooting of Fontanez’s half-brother.
“This was a gang related killing committed by the defendant in broad daylight to avenge the recent shooting of his half-brother. The murder was committed at a park with complete disregard for the safety of others who were in the vicinity of the shooting. It was particularly disturbing that associates of the defendant came to the trial during the testimony of several civilian witnesses with clear intent to influence their testimony.
While they have a right to watch the trial, any attempt to influence or intimidate a witnesses testimony undermines our system of justice,” District Attorney Quinn said. “I commend the jury for focusing on the evidence and convicting the defendant of murder. The defendant was on probation at the time he committed the murder and received a five year sentence for committing a violent crime. He clearly is a danger to the community. I would like to thank the prosecution team for their efforts at trial, which led to the murder conviction.”
Keeland Rose pled guilty to a charge of Accessory to Murder in 2019 and was sentenced to serve three to six years in state prison.”