A former Holyoke kindergarten teacher and priest was sentenced this week in federal court in Worcester for possession of child pornography. According to the Worcester Telegram, the diocese found “devastating credible evidence” that he sexually abused a teenager “after he was ordained as a priest in 2007.”

Gregory Lisby, 40, of Worcester, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman to six years in prison and five years of supervised release. In February 2020, Lisby pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography. Lisby was arrested and charged on Sept. 13, 2019, and resigned the day before from his position as a kindergarten teacher for the Holyoke Public Schools.

Law enforcement discovered an image depicting sex between two boys believed to be between ages 11 and 14 that had been uploaded to a Microsoft OneDrive account that belonged to Lisby. Approximately 180 images and 15 videos of child pornography were identified on the OneDrive to include images of toddlers and depictions of children being sexually abused, including a sex act on a male adolescent. Also found was a file depicting sex between an adult man and a boy believed to be between 8 and 12 years old. On Sept. 11, 2019, a search was executed at Lisby’s home where Lisby’s iPad and cellphone were recovered. On those devices, investigators found login credentials for the OneDrive account used to store the child pornography.

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 today. The Worcester, Holyoke, Northboro and Southboro Police Departments and the Massachusetts State Police provided assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Noto of Lelling’s Worcester Branch Office prosecuted 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/.

“On Thursday, September 17, 2020 at approximately 11:00 p.m., members of the Dartmouth Police Department were dispatched to a residence on Hixville Road, after receiving a call from the resident reporting that someone had allegedly broken into their home.

According to information provided by the homeowner, they were awoken by a loud noise. While investigating the origin of the noise, they discovered that an unidentified male had entered their home through a window. Upon confronting the male, he fled the residence on foot.

Upon their arrival, Officers Jared WHITE and Kyle BERUBE conducted a search of the area with Officer WHITE’s K-9 partner, during which time they located the male suspect hiding in the wood line abutting the property.

Subsequent to being located, the male, later identified as Roman ADNELL, 44, of Fall River, was placed under arrest and charged with unarmed burglary and vandalism.

Further investigation determined that prior to entering the residence through the window, ADNELL had attempted to gain entry by hitting the front door with a large rock.”

Dartmouth Police Department photo.

A brief pursuit on the Massachusetts Turnpike yesterday afternoon resulted in the arrest of a driver and the rescue of two kittens from her burning car by Massachushetts State Police Troopers.

At 4:07 p.m. Massachusetts State Troopers on patrol on the Turnpike eastbound in Framingham attempted to stop a gray 2004 Nissan Maxima that had no inspection sticker and whose owner had a suspended license. The driver refused to stop and a cruiser pursued; she soon pulled into the Natick service plaza, but as Troopers approached her she sped away again and the pursuit resumed.

A few moments later the driver (and sole occupant), a 26-year-old Westford woman, pulled over in the breakdown lane in Wayland. As she did so her car began smoking from the undercarriage and then caught on fire.

Troopers removed her from the car. As they did so she flailed and kicked at them. Once she was subdued she told Troopers that her kittens were still in the burning car, which by this point was fully engulfed.

Troopers were not able to access the doors to the car because of the flames; the Troopers then smashed the car’s rear window and located the two kittens inside a transport cage in the car. They pulled the cage from the car in time to prevent the kittens from being burned or injured in any way.

When the woman was put into the back of a cruiser, she kicked at the windows. She also complained of pain. A Wayland EMS ambulance responded to the scene and transported her to Framingham Union Hospital for evaluation. The Wayland Fire Department responded and knocked down the car fire.

The woman remains at the hospital at this time. She will face charges that are still being determined, but are expected to include license and inspection sticker violations, failure to stop for police, and assault and battery on a police officer. Her name is not being released at this time.

Troopers brought the kittens to an animal shelter in Natick, where arrangements were made for a member of the woman’s family to pick them up.

A brief pursuit on the Massachusetts Turnpike yesterday afternoon resulted in the arrest of a driver and the rescue of two kittens from her burning car by Massachusetts State Police Troopers.

At 4:07 p.m. Massachusetts State Troopers on patrol on the Turnpike eastbound in Framingham attempted to stop a gray 2004 Nissan Maxima that had no inspection sticker and whose owner had a suspended license. The driver refused to stop and a cruiser pursued; she soon pulled into the Natick service plaza, but as Troopers approached her she sped away again and the pursuit resumed.

A few moments later the driver (and sole occupant), a 26-year-old Westford woman, pulled over in the breakdown lane in Wayland. As she did so her car began smoking from the undercarriage and then caught on fire.

Troopers removed her from the car. As they did so she flailed and kicked at them. Once she was subdued she told Troopers that her kittens were still in the burning car, which by this point was fully engulfed.

Troopers were not able to access the doors to the car because of the flames; the Troopers then smashed the car’s rear window and located the two kittens inside a transport cage in the car. They pulled the cage from the car in time to prevent the kittens from being burned or injured in any way.

When the woman was put into the back of a cruiser, she kicked at the windows. She also complained of pain. A Wayland EMS ambulance responded to the scene and transported her to Framingham Union Hospital for evaluation. The Wayland Fire Department responded and knocked down the car fire.

The woman remains at the hospital at this time. She will face charges that are still being determined, but are expected to include license and inspection sticker violations, failure to stop for police, and assault and battery on a police officer. Her name is not being released at this time.

Troopers brought the kittens to an animal shelter in Natick, where arrangements were made for a member of the woman’s family to pick them up.

From the Dartmouth Police Department:

“Calling all cAHs…Calling all cAHs

DPD is looking for some help identifying this masked dirtbag, who decided to steal about $600 worth of merchandise from Walmart North Dartmouth earlier today.

After fleeing the store, he exited stage left in a Ford Mustang.

Though he will undoubtedly attempt to either pawn or sell most of the items that he stole, we are 100% certain that he will be keeping the following two (2) items for his own personal use:

1) A vacuum – because he sucks!
2) New underwear – because he will most certainly be ?ing in his pants when he sees that his picture went on blast ?

If you have any information that can help us identify him, you are encouraged to either send us a private message or call Detective Kyle Costa at 508-910-1755.”

Thank you!

“For Massachusetts State Police K9 teams, missions come fast and furious.

The week of Sept. 8-14, K9 teams had 70 calls for service, including 16 drug sniffs, a gun search, and a body search. K9s found two fleeing suspects and a missing person, assisted MSP’s Special Tactical Operations Team twice, and assisted local police 21 times.

A tremendously valuable asset to the MSP and the entire state, and the most loyal partners around.”

K-9 “Dozer.” Massachusetts State Police photo.

A member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm as a result of a federal investigation into a shooting on April 19, 2020, in New Bedford.

Alexander Pizarro, a/k/a “King Tego,” 28, pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock scheduled sentencing for Jan. 19, 2021. Pizarro was charged in May 2020.

On April 19, 2020, police responded to a report of seven shots fired near a residence on Clark Street in New Bedford. During the response, police located a tan and black Taurus 9mm firearm in an alleyway near the residence. Based on information received from a 911 caller, police were directed to an apartment and located Pizarro. After searching his cell phone, investigators located a photograph of Pizarro in the apartment holding what appeared to be the same firearm that was recovered from Clark Street. This photograph was taken approximately two hours before the shots-fired incident. Through ballistics comparison, the seized firearm was matched to the recovered shell casings from the shooting that evening.

Due to multiple prior convictions, Pizarro is prohibited from possessing firearms. According to court documents, Pizarro was known to investigators to be a member of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings, and had recently posted multiple pictures holding firearms to his SnapChat account. At the time of the shooting incident, Pizarro was on probation for a 2017 firearms conviction in Rhode Island.

The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New England Field Division; and New Bedford Police Chief Joseph C. Cordeiro made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of Lelling’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

“One Less Gun: At about 1:48 AM on Thursday, September 17, 2020, officers assigned to District B-2 (Roxbury) conducted a traffic stop resulting in an on-site arrest and the recovery of a loaded firearm in the area of 51 Regent Street in Roxbury.

While on patrol in the area of Moreland Street, officers’ attention was drawn to a gray Toyota Avalon with the driver’s side tail light broken. A query of the vehicle led to the discovery that the vehicle also did not possess a valid inspection sticker. Officers monitored the vehicle while at the intersection of Warren Street and Moreland Street. The officers remained behind the vehicle, activating their lights and sirens in an effort to initiate a traffic stop. The vehicle continued down Regent Street, without slowing down or pulling to the side of the road. Officers continued to follow the vehicle until the operator pulled into the driveway next to 57 Regent Street.

Officers quickly exited their cruiser and approached the operator within the vehicle. The officers explained to the male the reason why he was being stopped, which was for the broken tail light. The male responded by arguing with the officers, refusing to acknowledge the validity of the stop. At this time, officers ordered the operator out of the vehicle as he was being taken into custody for failing to stop for police. The male in turn refused to comply with the officers’ commands and reached down to the shifter in an attempt to put the vehicle into reverse.

The operator raised his left arm to deflect the officer at the door from preventing the operator from fleeing the scene. The operator was able to shift the vehicle into the neutral position, revving the engine loudly in the process. The officer attempted to reach into the vehicle to place it into park in order to affect the arrest of the operator who continued using his left arm and body to shield the shifter. The operator successfully shifted the vehicle into reverse and immediately accelerated as the officer was trapped between the car door and the frame of the vehicle with the operator continuing to deflect the officer from stopping the vehicle or escaping to a place of safety. The operator eventually crashed into the front end of the officers’ cruiser, dragging the officer who was stuck within the car door, for several feet. The operator pinned the officer between his vehicle and the parked police cruiser.

The operator continued to operate the vehicle recklessly, crashing into another parked vehicle as he attempted to evade officers. The suspect continued to reverse onto the lawn in an effort to turn back onto Regent Street from the parking lot, but he eventually crashed into a tree. The suspect exited the vehicle and attempted to flee, but both the injured officer and his partner gave chase. Officers caught up to the suspect and violent struggle ensued. The male continued to actively resist officers while continuously reaching toward his waistband.

Additional units responded to the scene and were able to place the suspect into handcuffs. Once the suspect was secured, officers approached the vehicle and, on the ground, next to the open driver’s door, they recovered a Springfield Armory Model XD-40 loaded with twelve rounds of live ammunition. Additionally, a pill bottle containing fifty-one white pills believed to be Oxycodone was recovered within the vehicle.

Officers arrested Tarique Hokett Richardson, 24-years-old, of Roxbury. Hokett Robinson is expected to be arraigned in Roxbury District Court on charges of Assault to Murder or Maim, Armed Career Criminal Level 1, Unlawful Possession of a Loaded Firearm, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, 2nd Subsequent Offense, Unlawful Possession of Ammunition, Unlawful Possession of a Large Capacity Feeding Device, Failure to Stop for Police, Failure to Identify to Police, Leaving the Scene – Personal Injury, Leaving the Scene – Property Damage, Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle, and Possession with Intent to Distribute Class B Drugs.

The officer was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

A Cambridge woman pleaded guilty yesterday to stealing over $80,000 in Social Security and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

Phaedra M. Sheets, 45, pleaded guilty to two counts of theft of public funds. In February 2020, Sheets was charged by indictment and arrested. Sentencing has been scheduled for December 17, 2020.

Sheets’ mother was receiving Social Security benefits and SNAP benefits at the time of her death in November 2009. Her death was never reported to the Social Security Administration (SSA) nor to the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance, and the agencies continued to pay monthly benefits on her behalf. When SSA attempted to contact Sheets’ mother to perform a review of her benefits claim, Sheets posed as her mother and directed SSA to deposit her mother’s benefits into various bank accounts, from which Sheets withdrew the funds. Sheets also impersonated her deceased mother in interactions with the Department of Transitional Assistance and used her mother’s SNAP card to make purchases for nearly nine years after her death.

From December 2009 to September 2018, Sheets stole approximately $71,636 in Social Security benefits and approximately $13,923 in SNAP benefits.

The charge of theft of public funds provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. 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; Tonya Perkins, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division; and Suzanne M. Bump, State Auditor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts made the announcement today. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Burzycki of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

“Boston Police are looking to identify the above-pictured individual in relation to a person shot on June 18, 2020 in the area of 1950 Washington Street in Roxbury.

Circumstances surrounding the incident: At about 3:07 PM on June 18, 2020, officers assigned to District D-4 (South End), responded to a call for a person shot in the area of 1950 Washington Street in Roxbury. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male victim suffering from a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to his neck. The suspect was described as a black male wearing a white tank top and cargo shorts.

Surveillance video recovered shows the suspect fled on foot down Thorndike Street, made his way down Reed Street and boarded an MBTA bus in the area of Boston Medical Center, Massachusetts Avenue and Harrison Avenue.

Anyone with information regarding this individual is advised to please contact District D-4 Detectives at 617-343-4683.”-Boston Police Department.

Boston Police Department photo.