“In late 2023 a complaint was received form NH Fish and Game reference an unlicensed Falconry operation located in Pepperell MA.

MEP worked with MassWildlife, NH F&G, and USF&W and it was determined that a Massachusetts resident had been falsely claiming NH residency in order to circumvent the Falconry rules of the Commonwealth for the previous 4 years. Four Raptors were seized from the location (2 Harris Hawks, a Gyrfalcon, and a deceased Peregrine Falcon). The Peregrine was killed by the Gyrfalcon as a result of improper caging facilities.

Charges were filed in District Court to include Illegal Possession of Raptors (x3), Illegal Possession of Species of Special concern (to wit Peregrine Falcon), Failure to Report Death of Falconry Bird, Illegal Transportation (x4), Improper Caging Area (Mews), False Statement to Procure License.

In court the defendant agreed to:

• $500.00 donation to state Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program
• Defendant must take Hunter Education Class
• Any permit issued by MassWildlife is immediately suspended and Defendant can not procure one for three calendar years

As a result of Massachusetts entering the Wildlife Compact the Defendant can be suspended in 48 other states. The surviving birds have been rehomed with licensed Falconers. The deceased Peregrine will be utilized for educational purposes.”-Massachusetts Environmental Police.

Massachusetts Environmental Police photo.

“DARTMOUTH, MA – On Friday, February 9, 2024, at approximately 2:38 a.m., Dartmouth Police Officer Caden KEHOE attempted to stop a 2007 Toyota Corolla on Old Westport Road after learning that it had been reported stolen.

After the vehicle began to accelerate in an obvious attempt to elude police, Dartmouth Police Sergeant Paul O’DONNELL successfully deployed a tire deflation device used to release air slowly over a safe period of time.

Though the vehicle continued to attempt to elude police with the deflated tires, it eventually came to a safe stop on Hathaway Road near Tradewind Street, where the operator, identified as Janessa QUINO, 21, of Brayton Avenue, Fall River, was arrested and charged with receiving a stolen motor vehicle, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, and failure to stop for the police.”-Dartmouth Police Department.

Dartmouth Police Department photo.

On January 30, we reported that 40-year-old Kevin Adam Kinyanjui Kangethe, wanted in connection with killing 31-year-old Margaret Mbitu of Whitman, Massachusetts, was apprehended at a nightclub by Kenyan authorities.

Kangethe is suspected of stabbing Mbitu to death some time between October 30 and November 4, 2023. then dumping her body in a garage at Logan Airport.

Massachusetts District Attorney Kevin Hayden said that his office was informed by federal officials that Kangethe escaped from police custody in Kenya. “It is our hope that Kenyan law enforcement will do their utmost to recapture Kangethe so that we can continue seeking justice for Margaret Mbitu and her family.” Hayden said.

Kangethe escaped the prison prison Wednesday around 4:00 p.m. despite there being four officers on duty. The pportunity to escape was made possible when Kangethe was removed from his cell and placed in an office to meet with his attorney John Maina Ndegwa who had scheduled the meeting.

Nairobi Police Chief John Maina Ndegwa called Kengethe’s escape “embarrassing.” All four of the officers who were on duty have been arrested.

In a press conference, Mbitu’s family were livid at Kengethe’s escape. Mbitu’s cousin Joel Muhoro visibly angry with officials, said “I don’t have no words. They had him. They told us they had him and they let him walk out. So who can we trust?”

Facebook photo.

Logan Airport surveillance photo.

Facebook photo.

Facebook photo.

“A crew member on commercial fishing vessels operating out of New Bedford pleaded guilty today to evading nearly $300,000 in federal income taxes.

Rodolfo Membreno, 49, of Fall River, pleaded guilty to one count of evading and defeating taxes before U.S. District Judge Richard G. Stearns. Judge Stearns scheduled sentencing for May 15, 2024. Membreno was indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2023.

From 2013 through 2021, Membreno earned more than $1.3 million working as a commercial fisherman. During the calendar years 2013 through 2019 Membreno failed to file federal income tax returns. He then filed a false tax return for 2020, before again failing to file a return for calendar year 2021. Membreno failed to pay any income taxes on his fishing income and took other measures to prevent the IRS from tracing his income or determining his tax liabilities, including routinely cashing his paychecks and using the cash to fund his personal lifestyle. Membreno’s scheme resulted in tax losses of approximately $293,118 to the IRS, not including penalties and interest.

The charge of tax evasion carries a statutory maximum penalty of five years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater, and restitution to the IRS. 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; 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 today. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor A. Wild of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts and Trial Attorney Ezra Spiro and Acting Chief John Kane of the Justice Department’s Tax Division.”-Massachusetts Department of Justice.

“BOSTON — Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston arrested a previously removed foreign national on January 25 who had been locally convicted of child rape and prostitution charges.

ERO Boston made the apprehension as part of a recent national immigration enforcement effort where U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ERO officers apprehended 171 unlawfully present noncitizens with pending charges or convictions for murder, homicide or assault against children. The nationwide law enforcement effort ran from January 16 through January 28.

“ERO Boston remains committed to finding and removing predators such as this from our New England neighborhoods,” said ERO Boston Field Office Director Todd M. Lyons. “Our officers were able to locate and arrest this individual who has already proven to be a threat to children. Despite having been previously removed by ICE, he found his way back to the United States, falsely believing he could reside in Massachusetts without repercussions. ERO Boston will not allow that to happen.”

The 42-year-old Mexican citizen, who also holds Guatemalan citizenship, unlawfully entered the United States at an unknown location, on an unknown date prior to December 2004, without being inspected or admitted by a U.S. immigration official.

He was convicted of rape of a child and sentenced to prison by a criminal court in Kent County, Delaware, in 2004. Following his time in a Delaware state prison for that offense, he was removed by immigration authorities in December 2006.

He later unlawfully reentered the United States on an unknown date at an unknown location without being inspected or admitted by a U.S. immigration official.

On November 3, 2015, he was convicted of sexual conduct for a fee in a criminal court in Lynn.

After ERO Boston confirmed his presence in its area of responsibility, deportation officers arrested him without incident in Lynn on January 25.

He will remain in ICE custody pending his removal from the United States. ERO Boston will seek his removal through reinstatement of a prior final order of removal issued by a federal immigration judge with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Executive Office for Immigration Review.

ERO Boston did not release the man’s name.” -ERO Boston.

Patrol officers have placed a repeat offender under arrest for a car break following a shoplifting investigation.

Shortly after midnight on February 6th, south-end patrol units were assisting Dartmouth police. Dartmouth officers were investigating a shoplifting incident at the Cumberland Farms on Rockdale Ave. and seeking assistance with locating their suspect.

New Bedford officers fanned out into the adjoining neighborhood. While canvassing the area, Officers Juniel Jordan and Cameron Patota were able to locate the suspect, as well as a vehicle that had been broken into and rummaged through near Domino’s Pizza. The owner was on scene and listed the numerous items that had been stolen. These items were then determined to have been taken by the suspect who was identified as Mr. JAVIER MONTALVO, 45, of New Bedford.

MONTALVO was placed under arrest by the New Bedford officers and charged with breaking and entering into a vehicle at night for the purpose of a felony. He was also charged with possession of a knife, the length of which violated city ordinance regulations. Dartmouth police have charged MONTALVO with shoplifting at Cumberland Farms.

At the time of this arrest, MONTALVO had four open cases out of New Bedford District Court for which he was out on bail. He has a lengthy criminal history including 33 arraignments with 15 convictions for a variety of offenses. MONTALVO also has a history of failing to appear for his court dates.

If you have any information you would like to share with the police, you can do so anonymously by visiting our website, newbedfordpd.com, or by calling 508-99-CRIME.

A crew member on commercial fishing vessels operating out of New Bedford pleaded guilty today to evading nearly $300,000 in federal income taxes.

Rodolfo Membreno, 49, of Fall River, pleaded guilty to one count of evading and defeating taxes before U.S. District Judge Richard G. Stearns. Judge Stearns scheduled sentencing for May 15, 2024. Membreno was indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2023.

From 2013 through 2021, Membreno earned more than $1.3 million working as a commercial fisherman. During the calendar years 2013 through 2019 Membreno failed to file federal income tax returns. He then filed a false tax return for 2020, before again failing to file a return for calendar year 2021. Membreno failed to pay any income taxes on his fishing income and took other measures to prevent the IRS from tracing his income or determining his tax liabilities, including routinely cashing his paychecks and using the cash to fund his personal lifestyle. Membreno’s scheme resulted in tax losses of approximately $293,118 to the IRS, not including penalties and interest.

The charge of tax evasion carries a statutory maximum penalty of five years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater, and restitution to the IRS. 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; 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 today. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor A. Wild of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts and Trial Attorney Ezra Spiro and Acting Chief John Kane of the Justice Department’s Tax Division.

On Wednesday night, a SWAT team breached the Best Western Motel on Route 6 in Dartmouth to capture a dangerous fugitive wanted on 7 warrants. Dartmouth Police got their man, Royleton Haston, Jr., 22, of Plymouth, Massachusetts, thankfully without incident.

But this unfortunately is not a unique scenario, as Dartmouth Police are constantly called to this strip of motels along Route 6 which is a hub of crime in an otherwise safe town of Dartmouth. If something shady is happening in Dartmouth, the overwhelming odds are that it’s happening along this strip of Route 6. I know this because I live nearby and I see it daily.

Following the arrest of the fugitive on Wednesday, Dartmouth Chief of Police, Brian P. Levesque noted,

“Sadly, dangerous fugitives such as Haston, Jr. are frequently found while hiding in the hotels and motels in our town. Had it not been for the keen observation of a new officer, and the rapid response of the numerous assets available to us, it is more than likely that Haston, Jr. would still be putting the public in danger by once again eluding arrest.”

Clearly, the Dartmouth Police are proactively attacking this issue; just last week they arrested 7 individuals in an undercover sting operation held at these motels. The Dartmouth Police Department Investigative Services Division, in partnership with the Massachusetts State Police High-Risk Victims Unit, conducted an undercover sting operation to combat the growing threat of prostitution and commercial sexual exploitation.

Throughout the day and night, detectives working in an undercover capacity arranged to meet with suspects at a local hotel/motel through an online ad that was posted. As a result of the operation, a total of 7 men were arrested and charged with sexual conduct for a fee.

Following this operation, Dartmouth Chief of Police Brian P. Levesque noted,

“This operation was the direct result of our commitment to combating the ongoing issues that we are experiencing at our local hotels and motels. Though it is impossible to completely eradicate the inherent problems that come with the transient environment that these establishments support, I would like it to be known that we, along with our partners at the State Police, will be taking further progressive measures to suppress this activity moving forward.”

Along with daily petty crime, housing fugitives, and operating as a hub for prostitution, it is also important to mention that a man has been missing for three years after his last known whereabouts was checking into one of these motels. Henry V Fermino was 60 years old when he went missing on May 9th 2021 and was last seen at the “Capri Motel” at 741 State Rd in North Dartmouth, MA.

He checked into the Capri Motel by himself Saturday on 05/08/2021 for two nights. On Sunday 05/09/2021 the girlfriend of Henry stated she received a phone call from a stranger’s phone and had a voicemail from Henry at around 8:00 AM. Some strangers while having breakfast stated they observed Henry crossing Route 6 away from the Motel.

Later that day, the housekeeper stated that around 2:00 PM she saw Henry with an unknown male she had never seen before but no vehicle was parked out front. His cell phone last pinged in the area of the Motel up until Tuesday 05/11/2021. The housekeeper stated she found Henry’s cell phone while cleaning his room on Monday 05/10/2021. Henry has not been seen or heard from since.

“Calling all cAHs…Calling all cAHs

Apparently this guy is not part of “The Money Team,” as DPD is looking to identify him in connection with larceny from a disabled person over 60.

If anyone has information that can help us identify him, they are strongly encouraged to either send us a private message or call Detective Kyle Berube at 508-910-1760.

In addition, you can also submit an anonymous tip by clicking on the following link: https://www.dartmouthpd.org/resources/tip411-submit-a-tip/

Thank you!
PLEASE SHARE!-Dartmouth Police Department.

“DARTMOUTH, MA – On Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at approximately 8:50 p.m., Dartmouth Police Officer Alex TISDELLE observed a vehicle at the Best Western Motel matching the description of one associated with wanted fugitive, Royleton HASTON, Jr., 22, of Plymouth, Massachusetts.

HASTON, who has been the subject of several police incidents, was wanted on a total of seven (7) warrants, including assault and battery on a correctional facility employee, two (2) counts of assault and battery on a correctional facility employee with a bodily substance, malicious destruction to a motor vehicle, violation of an abuse prevention order, violation of an abuse prevention involving assault and battery, and failure to stop for police.

As HASTON, Jr. is inclined towards violence and running from the police, assets assigned to the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council SWAT team responded to the scene, while Dartmouth Police Detective Matthew CORREIA drafted a search warrant for the room where HASTON, Jr. was staying.

After the hallway was secured by SWAT team members, HASTON, Jr. was taken into custody without incident.

According to Dartmouth Chief of Police, Brian P. LEVESQUE, “Sadly, dangerous fugitives such as HASTON, Jr. are frequently being found while hiding in the hotels and motels in our town. Had it not been for the keen observation of a new officer, and the rapid response of the numerous assets available to us, it is more than likely that HASTON, Jr. would still be putting the public in danger by once again eluding arrest.”-Dartmouth Police.

Dartmouth Police photo.