Foxborough Fire Chief Michael Kelleher, Foxborough Police Chief Michael A. Grace, and State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey said today that this week’s fire on Central Street was caused by an unspecified electrical event in the building’s basement, where firefighters discovered lighting, a dehumidifier, and other appliances utilized in connection with a large marijuana growing operation.

“We’re extremely fortunate that this building had working smoke alarms,” said Chief Kelleher. “Electrical fires were the second-leading cause of fire deaths in Massachusetts last year. Overloading an electrical system with multiple appliances, regardless of their purpose, presents a hazard. Powerful lights are heat sources, and combustible items should be kept away from them to avoid a fire.”

Foxborough Fire Department photo.

Because some cannabis processing methods utilize toxic, flammable, and explosive materials, a state Hazmat team was called to the scene along with Bomb Squad personnel, additional Hazmat technicians, and others who are cross-trained to assess and mitigate these hazards.

“Cannabis extraction methods that use propane, butane, and similar substances are illegal in residential settings because they’re extremely dangerous,” said State Fire Marshal Ostroskey. “The vapors are highly flammable. If they accumulate in a basement or any enclosed area, they can be ignited by a furnace pilot light or spark, causing a devastating explosion.”

The Dec. 15 fire on Central Street was jointly investigated by the Foxborough Fire and Police departments and the State Police Fire & Explosion Investigation Unit assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office. The investigation determined that it began in a room within the basement located near the front of the building. It grew and spread to the building’s attic before being fully extinguished by Foxborough firefighters.

Defendant stole approximately $1.8 million in deposit checks including for properties not for sale.

A Quincy real estate broker pleaded guilty today to operating a scheme in which he falsely marketed properties that were not for sale, or had already been sold, and then stole the buyers’ real estate deposits.

Michael P. Flavin, 38, pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft. U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs scheduled sentencing for April 12, 2022.

Between 2017 and April 2020, Flavin solicited deposits on real estate transactions by marketing numerous real estate properties that were not actually for sale. In each case, Flavin executed purchase and sale agreements and received deposit checks from or on behalf of the potential buyers, even though the actual owners of the properties had not agreed to sell their properties or to sell them to those buyers. Flavin forged the signatures of the sellers on the purported purchase and sale agreements. Over this period of approximately three years, Flavin cashed more than 60 deposit checks totaling approximately $1.8 million.

The charges of wire fraud each provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charges of aggravated identity theft each provide for a mandatory sentence of two years in prison to be served consecutive to any other sentence imposed, up to one year 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.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel Mendell and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Victor A. Wild and Sara Miron Bloom of Mendell’s Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit are prosecuting the case.

This is an update of a previous article.

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The Fall River Superior Court Clerk’s Office has just informed prosecutors from our office that David Reed has been exposed to Covid-19 and due to “close contact” protocols, tomorrow’s scheduled arraignment has been postponed. A new date for the defendant’s arraignment has yet to be scheduled by the court. Once a new date is set, our office will send out a media advisory.

The defendant will be arraigned on an indictment charging him with Murder and Armed Robbery in connection to the previously unsolved March 2001 killing of Rose Marie Moniz in New Bedford.

The defendant, who is in custody, has already been arraigned in connection to the 2003 assault and robbery of Maribel Martinez-Alegria in New Bedford. He was arraigned in October on indictments charging him with Armed Assault with Intent to Murder and Armed Robbery. Judge Gregg Pasquale found him dangerous after a Superior Court Dangerousness Hearing was held in early November, meaning the defendant is held without bail.

The Murder arraignment will be handled by Deputy District Attorney William McCauley and Assistant District Attorney Caleb Weiner.

“On behalf of the men and women of the Mattapoisett Police Department we would like to congratulate Chief Jason A. King on his promotion.

Chief King began his career with the Mattapoisett Police Department as a Patrol Officer in 1994 before being promoted to the rank of sergeant in 2003. Over the years Chief King took on many roles such as Detective Sergeant, Unit Commander of SEMLEC Detectives, grant writer, marine patrol officer, and patrol supervisor, to name a few.

In 2018 Chief King was promoted to the rank of Captain where he not only managed the everyday operations of the police department but remained active and involved with criminal investigations.

Throughout his career, he has attended a great deal of training in all areas of law enforcement. Chief King received a Bachelor of Science and Administration of Justice from Roger Williams University. In 2012 Chief King received a Masters Degree of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. He also possesses his certification as an Emergency Medical Technician and holds a license as a Maritime Captain.

Chief King’s training and experience in all areas of law enforcement will be beneficial to the Mattapoisett Police Department and the community.

The men and women of the Mattapoisett Police Department are looking forward to a great future with Chief Jason A. King as our new leader.

Congratulations Chief Jason A. King!!”

“At around 2 a.m. on Sunday Trooper Scott Boutell, assigned to State Police-Shelburne Falls, along with Trooper Daniel Carmody, a recent graduate of the 86th Recruit Training Troop, were patrolling Route 91 in Greenfield.

While passing the 40-mile marker they observed a blue Toyota sedan entering a construction zone while traveling approximately 70 miles per hour. The speed limit in the construction zone is 55 miles per hour. After exiting the construction zone the Troopers activated the cruiser’s blue lights and stopped the vehicle in the area of Exit 50.

After stopping the Toyota both Troopers approached it and identified the operator as VICTORIA THOMPSON, 28, of Cavendish, Vt., and a 31-year-old male passenger. While speaking to them Trooper Boutell observed a large illegally possessed firework in the rear seat area. Trooper Carmody returned to the cruiser to conduct an electronic inquiry of the passengers in the vehicle. He discovered that THOMPSON’s driver’s license was not valid. THOMSPON was removed from the vehicle and placed under arrest, then seated in the rear of the cruiser. The passenger was removed from the vehicle in order for it to be towed from the scene.

While conducting a required inventory of the vehicle’s contents prior to it being towed, Troopers discovered a large amount of narcotic paraphernalia along with a small amount of a substance suspected to be Crystal Methamphetamine.

A follow up search of the trunk yielded a large amount of individually packaged baggies of a substance suspected to be Heroin. The seized narcotics were later weighed totaling approximately 80 grams. At this point the passenger was also placed under arrest. He initially provided a false name and date of birth to the Troopers, but was eventually identified as MARSHALL GAGNE, 31, of Springfield, Vt. It was discovered GANGE had an extraditable warrant for his arrest out of Vermont.

THOMPSON and GANGE were both transported to the Shelburne Falls Barracks for booking. A bail commissioner was contacted and set bail at $75,000 for each. They were scheduled for arraignment at Greenfield District Court for the following offenses.

VICTORIA THOMPSON:
1. Possession of a Class B Drug;
2. Trafficking in Heroin;
3. Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law;
4. Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle;
5. Illegal Possession of Fireworks;
6. Possession of Open Container of Alcohol in Vehicle; and
7. Speeding.

MARSHALL GAGNE:
8. Possession of a Class A Drug;
9. Trafficking in Heroin;
10. Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law; and
11. Providing False Name to Police.”

“At about 1:13 PM on Thursday, December 16, 2021, officers assigned to the Boston Police Drug Control Unit arrested Robert Morrison, 56, of Hyde Park in the area of 15 Hamilton Street in Hyde Park and Greg Bogarty, 58, of Dorchester in the area of 13 Laurel Street in Roxbury. Both arrests come after a month long investigation into Drug Trafficking in the area of The Dudley Triangle, Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard.

Officers executed a search warrant at 204 Neponset Valley Parkway and as a result of the search warrant, officers recovered a loaded Smith & Wesson firearm, 254 Grams of Crack Cocaine, various packages of Fentanyl and Suboxone. Also recovered was approximately $230,000.00 in USC. An additional search warrant was executed at 27c Dimock Street in Roxbury where Crack Cocaine was seized.

Robert Morrison was arrested and charged with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Unlawful Possession of Ammunition, Trafficking Class B, Drugs and Possession of Class B, Drugs. He is expected to be arraigned in West Roxbury District Court.

Greg Bogarty was arrested and charged with Distribution of Class B, Drugs. He is expected to arraigned in Roxbury District Court.”

“The New Bedford Police Department was given the opportunity to hold a press conference at Gillette Stadium with Patriots owner Robert Kraft to announce a new initiative coming to our city, Lights On!

Under the Lights On! program, New Bedford officers on traffic stops will be providing a voucher for a free repair on mechanical problems with the vehicle rather than citing the driver. Some common mechanical violations include burned-out light bulbs, broken turn signals, etc.

New Bedford Police Department photo.

The partnership is in conjunction with the following auto centers:

• Joe and Perky’s Service Station – 2907 Acushnet Avenue
• Cottage Street Motors Inc. – 589 Cottage Street
• Luzo Auto Center – 19 County Street

New Bedford Police Chief Paul Oliveira said he is excited to bring this program to the City of New Bedford. “This program will be able to afford our officers the ability to transform typically negative interactions into positive ones,” said Oliveira. “This is a great way for our officers to build trust with the community and engage them in positive interaction.

New Bedford Police Department photo.

At times, routine traffic stops have the potential to become adversarial, and we’d like to lessen the possibility of that. On behalf of the department and the New Bedford community, we are very appreciative of the Kraft Family, the New England Patriots organization, and the Lights On foundation for agreeing to partner with us on this worthwhile opportunity.”

“This program will complement our community policing philosophy that has built trust in our neighborhoods and has dramatically lowered crime across the City,” said New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell. “I am grateful to the NFL, the Patriots, and the Kraft family for their thoughtful support.”

The Lights On! initiative will launch in New Bedford, Massachusetts. The Lights On! program is supported by community in-kind and financial donations. To learn more or donate, visit LightsOnUS.Org.'”

New Bedford Police Department photo.

New Bedford Police Department photo.

“Merry Christmas! I’m honored to be a member of Clube Madeirense S.S. Sacramento, proud sponsors of the largest Portuguese feast in the world, the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament!

Today we made our annual trip to the Salvation Army, as we team with them each year to feed 400 people at Christmas.

A shout out to Shaw’s Supermarkets for all their help, this is where we began our day!” -Steve Duarte.

Steve Duarte photo.

Steve Duarte photo.

New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell released the following statement today, on the Commonwealth’s announcement about the third wave of offshore wind power.

“The Massachusetts offshore wind contracts awarded today will help solidify New Bedford’s status as the center of an offshore wind industry cluster. I congratulate Vineyard Wind and Mayflower Wind, and thank the Baker-Polito Administration for its support.

Today is also an occasion to assess the broader offshore wind landscape, and in particular, to acknowledge what has become a fierce competition among Massachusetts and nearby states. Each state is racing to establish itself as a leader in the wind industry. In this competition, New Bedford offers a critical edge for Massachusetts, as the closest industrial port to the wind project sites, and the home of one of America’s largest maritime workforces.

That’s why it is imperative for Massachusetts, now that we have a solid foundation of awarded projects, to build with all deliberate speed the port infrastructure necessary for wind developers to fulfill the terms of their awards. In doing so, we will ensure not only their success, but also will make the most of a generational opportunity to root an entirely new industry here.”

–New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell

The City of New Bedford has roadwork sites for the upcoming week of December 20, 2021 – December 24, 2021 and they are as follows:

City Offices will be closed half day on Thursday, December 23rd and full day Friday, December 24th.

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

• Tie in gas main on Phillips Rd at Regulator Station
• Relaying gas main on Church St at Tarkiln Hill Rd

Other:

• Contractor (PA Landers) will be working on sewer installations on Cedar St (Maxfield St to Hillman St)
• Contractor (JH Lynch) to continue work at MassDOT Project #608536, intersection improvements at Rockdale Ave X Allen St.
• Contractor (K.R. Rezendes, Inc.) to continue work at MassDOT Project #606718, roadway reconstruction and related work (including traffic signal installation) along a section of Hathaway Rd, Nauset St and Mt Pleasant St.
• Contractor (PA Landers) to continue work at MassDOT Project #606709 with roadway and sidewalk reconstruction related work along a section of Kings Highway and Tarkiln Hill Rd.
• 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.) Contractor will be performing test pits in Wamsutta St. Street closure from Acushnet Ave to N Front St. Detour signage and police details will be in place. If you have questions, please email the project team at SouthCoastRail@dot.state.ma.us
• Due to ongoing construction at the High Hill Reservoir residents may experience discolored water. The water is safe, and the discoloration will be temporary. We recommend allowing the water to settle for a few hours and then flushing your service line by letting the bathtub run for a few minutes until the water runs clear.

** Please note: Contractors will continue to follow guidelines and protocol regarding COVID-19 social distancing while conducting work in construction zone.