On October 3, 26-year old Joshua Travassos of New Bedford was charged with robbery and assault and battery.

Police received a call around 9:46 p.m. that a female victim reported being robbed and assaulted in the area of Franklin and Pleasant Street. She identified Travassos and he was located and arrested.

New Bedford police report that Travassos has a lengthy record and was recently released from prison due to a drug conviction and is currently on probation.

If you have any information on criminal activity in your community, the New Bedford Police Dept. wants to hear from you. You can leave an anonymous tip on our voicemail at (508) 991-6300 Ext. 1.

In the last three FBI reports, New Bedford has moved from the 5th most dangerous city in Massachusetts in 2017 to the 11th spot in 2019. Springfield took over the #1 spot as Fall River dropped to #2.

Last month, the FBI released its 2019 edition of Crime in the United States, which showed that violent crime decreased nationwide for the third consecutive year. After decreases in both 2017 and 2018, the violent crime rate dropped an additional one percent this past year and the property crime rate decreased 4.5 percent.

The 2019 statistics show the estimated rate of violent crime was 366.7 offenses per 100,000 inhabitants, and the estimated rate of property crime was 2,109.9 offenses per 100,000 inhabitants. The violent crime rate fell 1.0% when compared with the 2018 rate; the property crime rate declined 4.5%.

Within Massachusetts, 22,578 violent crimes-crimes that fall into the categories of aggravated assault, rape, robbery, and murder and non-negligent manslaughter-were reported. A drop of 3.6%. Last year the state saw 23,424. The biggest drop was in robberies where there were over 400 fewer than 2018.

Fall River had 908 violent crimes in 2018, according to the report. In 2019, the statistic dropped to 773. 5 murders and nonnegligent manslaughters, 51 rapes, 113 robberies, 601 aggravated assaults, 1,074 property crimes, 412 burglaries, 499 larceny thefts, 163 motor vehicle thefts, and 21 arsons were reported.

Last year Fall River was determined the most dangerous city in Massachusetts. This year Fall River came in at #2.

Here is the list of the 11 most dangerous cities in Massachusetts per capita:

#11 – New Bedford
Population: 94,613
Violent Crimes: 628
Violent Crimes Per Capita: 6.63
Murder: 3

#10 – Chelsea
Population: 40,496
Violent Crimes: 270
Violent Crimes Per Capita: 6.66
Murder: 0

#9 – Lawrence
Population: 80,243
Violent Crimes: 541
Violent Crimes Per Capita: 6.74
Murder: 3

#8 – Pittsfield
Population: 42,268
Violent Crimes: 300
Violent Crimes Per Capita: 7.09
Murder: 2

#7 – Wareham
Population: 22,592
Violent Crimes: 161
Violent Crimes Per Capita: 7.12
Murder: 1

#6 – Webster
Population: 16,295
Violent Crimes: 122
Violent Crimes Per Capita: 7.20
Murder: 0

#5 – Tisbury
Population: 4,116
Violent Crimes: 30
Violent Crimes Per Capita: 7.28
Murder: 3

#4 – Brockton
Population: 95,287
Violent Crimes: 782
Violent Crimes Per Capita: 8.20
Murder: 5

#3 – Holyoke
Population: 40,178
Violent Crimes: 345
Violent Crimes Per Capita: 8.58
Murder: 4

#2 – Fall River
Population: 89,066
Violent Crimes: 773
Violent Crimes Per Capita: 8.67
Murder: 5

#1 – Springfield
Population: 154,306
Violent Crimes: 1,397
Violent Crimes Per Capita: 9.05
Murder: 20

A 40-year-old Taunton man who violently assaulted his wife while she was driving a vehicle with their infant child in the back seat last April, was sentenced to serve three years in state prison last Wednesday in Fall River Superior Court, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

Michael Cubero pleaded guilty to indictments charging him with aggravated assault and battery, and assault and battery on a family or household member.

On April 4, 2019, at around 3 pm, Taunton Police were dispatched to Harrison Street for a report of a female bleeding from the mouth, screaming that her husband just hit her.

Police located the victim, who was bleeding profusely from the mouth and was very upset. She told the responding officers that she was driving to a gas station with her husband in the passenger seat and the infant in the back when the defendant began arguing with her about which gas station to drive to.

She told police the defendant grabbed the wheel to steer into Grampy’s gas station, and she pushed his hand away. He then backhanded her in the mouth, which broke her front tooth. The defendant then fled the car with her cell phone. The victim got out and started to yell for someone to call police. An ambulance arrived shortly thereafter and transported her to the hospital. Her parents met her at hospital. While at the hospital, the defendant was texting her through her fathers’ phone, telling her that she needed to drop the charges, that he would not go back to jail. He told her not to allow anyone to take photos of her injuries and that he would kill himself if she didn’t drop the charges.

Police used the victim’s Find My Iphone application to locate the defendant and he was arrested at a bar in Taunton. When arrested, the defendant told police that she knocked her own tooth out and that they were wasting their time because she would come bail him out.

After initially being on board with the prosecution, the victim soon became hostile against it and attempted to undermine the case.

At the time of the incident, the defendant was on probation for a 2015 stabbing in New Bedford.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Courtney Cahill and the prison sentence was imposed by Judge Thomas Perrino.

“While out on probation for another violent offense, the defendant committed a serious act of violence against the victim. Despite the victim trying to undermine the case, we were able to secure a conviction that will keep him off the street for up to four years. The defendant has a violent history and clearly is a danger to the community,” District Attorney Quinn said.

A 23-year-old man pleaded guilty last Thursday in Fall River Superior Court to multiple charges connected to the November 2015 killing of Vietnam veteran Donald DePina in New Bedford, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

Alexander Mills, of New Bedford, pleaded guilty to charges of second degree murder and two counts of armed robbery. He was sentenced by Judge Renee Dupuis to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 32 and-a-half years.

On Saturday night, November 28, 2015 the defendant and his co-defendant, Cameron McCarthy, requested that Mr. Depina, drive them to Brooklawn Park. Upon arrival in the park, the defendant who was carrying a small, concealable pistol shot Mr. Depina in the right of the head. The defendant then exited the taxi and shot Mr. Depina again from the outside of the vehicle. The defendant also robbed Mr. Depina of his money.

The defendant was apprehended on November 30, 2015, and has been held in custody since that time. He also pleaded guilty to committing an armed robbery of Perry’s Variety on November 27, 2015 and to the pistol whipping and armed robbery of another taxi driver earlier in the day on November 28, 2015. Detective Michael Carrier of the New Bedford Police Department and Trooper Bachir Kouta of the State Police Detective Unit assigned to the District Attorney’s office led the investigation into these crimes.

Mr. McCarthy was sentenced in March 2018 to serve 10 to 15 years in state prison after pleading guilty manslaughter.

The case was prosecuted by First Assistant District Attorney Patrick O. Bomberg.

Donald DePina, who was 66, drove a Bluebird taxi in New Bedford. He was a Vietnam veteran and for many years he was the Veterans’ Agent for the City of New Bedford. Over his life Mr. DePina was also involved in the statewide leadership on veterans’ affairs.

“These were senseless acts of violence, sadly committed by someone who was only 18 at the time. The defendant took the life of a man who was a Vietnam veteran, a father, a person who was very involved in his community, and someone who was loved by all of his family and friends. Members of the victim’s family gave powerful statements to the court that included forgiving—but not forgetting—how the defendant’s actions have affected them. I commend them for their humanity, patience and attitude during these most difficult circumstances. Mr DePina’s death will impact them forever,” District Attorney Quinn said.

A Marlborough man was arrested on charges of child exploitation.

Philip Raymond, 63, was indicted on 13 counts of sexual exploitation of minors, and attempt. Raymond was arrested last night and will make an initial appearance in federal court in Boston today.

The indictment alleges that between 2004 and 2012, Raymond produced or attempted to produce child pornography involving 13 different minors.

According to MassLive in February, Raymond was accused of raping, photographing, and videotaping 11 minor girls known to him, who ranged in age from 4 to 12 years old, following an indictment last year on similar charges, authorities said.

The charging statute provides for a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years and up to 30 years in prison per count, at least five years and up to life of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigation, Boston Field Office; Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Marlborough Police Chief Joseph Perkins made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne Paruti, Lelling’s Project Safe Childhood Coordinator and a member of the Major Crimes Unit, 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 www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.

“Earlier today Boston Police broadcast a description of a stolen water tank truck owned by the Boston Water and Sewer Commission, and at approximately 12:20 p.m. BPD advised that onboard GPS indicated that the stolen truck was traveling on Route 495 southbound in Wrentham.

Massachusetts State Police Troop H Communications then determined that the truck was on 495 in Franklin. Moments later, MSP Troopers located the truck, a 2008 International 400SER, and attempted to conduct a motor vehicle stop. The suspect operating the truck refused to stop, and Troop H Headquarters authorized a pursuit and assumed command and control.

The stolen truck exited 495 onto Route 95 southbound. MSP notified Rhode Island State Police of the possibility of the pursuit entering their state, and RISP positioned a cruiser on the state line. The stolen truck crossed into Rhode Island and was pursued by two RISP cruisers. Moments later RISP advised MSP that the stolen truck was now on Route 195 heading toward Massachusetts.

A short time later, the stolen truck entered Massachusetts on Route 195 eastbound in Seekonk and Troopers from MSP Troop D picked up the pursuit under command and control of Troop D Headquarters. The pursuit continued eastbound into Fall River.

Shortly after 1 p.m. the stolen truck struck a tire deflation device put down by an MSP Trooper, sustaining a flat right front tire. The stolen truck continued to travel eastbound on the flat tire, and exited 195 onto Route 88 southbound in Westport. Several minutes later the suspect voluntarily pulled to a stop on 88, and the operator was taken into custody.

The suspect, a 48-year-old male, was transported to Charlton Memorial Hospital for evaluation. He will be summonsed to court to face criminal charges at later date.

The Massachusetts State Police Air Wing assisted in providing overflight support of the pursuit. MSP Media Relations will be releasing video from this incident later this afternoon.”

On September 29, New Bedford police detectives seized approximately 47 grams of fentanyl and $375 during an investigation into drug activity in the area of 205 County Street. 

As a result, 34-year old Estarlin Ortiz-Alcantara and 26-year old Karla Rodriguez, both from Providence, were stopped in their vehicle. Ortiz-Alcantara was charged with trafficking and conspiracy. Rodriguez was charged with possession and conspiracy.

Also arrested was Louis Ortega, 49, no fixed address, who was charged with possession and conspiracy. This was a subsequent offense. Detective Jean Lopez investigated the case. 

If you have any information on criminal activity in your community, the New Bedford Police Dept. wants to hear from you. You can leave an anonymous tip on our voicemail at (508) 991-6300 Ext. 1.

A Wareham man was arrested and charged yesterday with possession of child pornography.

David St. Jacques, 56, was charged by criminal complaint with one count of possession of child pornography. Following an initial appearance yesterday, St. Jacques was detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for Oct. 5, 2020.

As alleged in the charging document, federal agents executed a search of St. Jacques’s residence yesterday morning and seized a computer, three phones, and one thumb drive. Agents discovered that St Jacques had allegedly destroyed at least two other drives and attempted to destroy one of his phones when agents arrived to execute the warrant. St. Jacques admitted to exchanging child pornography with other individuals on various chatting applications, and agents located child pornography during the on scene review of the devices that were still intact.

In March 2009, St. Jacques was convicted in Plymouth County Superior Court of several counts of dissemination and possession of child pornography.

Due to the prior felony conviction, St. Jacques faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to 20 years in prison, five years and up to life 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 other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne Paruti, Lelling’s Project Safe Childhood Coordinator and a member of the Major Crimes Unit, is prosecuting the case.

The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. 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 www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.

The details contained in the criminal complaint are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

On Tuesday, September 29, at about 2:40 p.m., two Wareham Police Detectives were conducting surveillance in the area of the Cranberry Plaza. The detectives approached a car near Planet Fitness, however the male occupant grabbed a bag and fled on foot.

The detectives pursued him and brought him to the ground, with the suspect actively resisting the officers. After a brief scuffle the detectives secured him into handcuffs.

Over 30 grams of suspected fentanyl, tablets of Adderall, a digital scale, and rubber gloves were located in the bag. In addition, two cell phones and a knife were also seized.

Marcus D. Agee (26), of West Wareham, was arrested and charged with trafficking in more than 10 grams of fentanyl, possession of a Class “B” drug (subsequent offense), and resisting arrest.

One of the detectives received minor injuries as a result of the scuffle, however did not seek hospital treatment.

Agee is expected to appear in Wareham District Court on Wednesday morning.

“MSP CINRET Unit and Partner Agencies Seize 94,000 Bags of Heroin, Make Five Arrests, in Trafficking Investigation

On Monday, September 28, 2020, after a months-long investigation that involved Massachusetts State Police, federal Homeland Security Investigations, Springfield, Holyoke, and Westfield Police Departments and the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department police, along with thehe Hampden District Attorney’s Office, smashed a large-scale heroin trafficking organization.

Troopers with the Massachusetts State Police’s Commonwealth Interstate Narcotics Reduction Enforcement Team (CINRET), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI-Springfield), detectives from the Springfield, Holyoke, and Westfield Police Departments, and Hampden County Sheriff’s Department officers, were granted warrants resulting in several arrests and the seizure of some 94,000 bags of heroin totaling nearly two kilograms.

Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni stated, “Despite challenging circumstances, we continue to focus our resources on the most harmful offenders in order to keep drugs off our communities’ streets. I thank all the investigators involved in this investigation, including those from my office. This is a very significant heroin seizure and dismantling this trafficking organization is a positive development for public safety in the greater Springfield area. My office will now focus on a swift and effective prosecution of these offenders who sought to profit from the pain and devastation of addiction.”

Arrested late Monday night in connection with this investigation were: Miguel Martinez Pinto, 40, of Springfield, charged with Trafficking in Heroin, David Vazquez-Roman, 34, of Springfield, charged with Trafficking in Heroin Natividad Pagan, 58, of Chicopee, charged with Trafficking in Heroin, Carlos Leon, 52, of Springfield charged with Trafficking in Heroin , and Santiago Ruiz, 41, of Springfield, charged with Possession of Heroin.

The arrests were a culmination of a significant and lengthy investigation into heroin trafficking in and around Springfield. Intelligence was developed by CINRET West Unit Troopers and partner agencies, establishing cause for search warrants for several locations in Springfield and Holyoke. Locations included in the search warrants were: 1978 Page Boulevard, 140 Michon Street, 61 Acushnet Avenue, 23 Ashley Street, 79 Central Street, all in Springfield, 249 Oak Street in Holyoke and a 2000 Ford Ranger.

Seized during the execution of these warrants at various addresses was: 94,274 bags of heroin, $120,000 of US currency, and three firearms. The estimated amount of heroin in the seized bags of heroin is 1.885 kilograms of heroin.

All defendants were expected to be arraigned today in Springfield and Holyoke District Court.

Massachusetts State Police photo.