A 21-year old Lowell man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for trafficking more than a kilo of heroin and fentanyl. Fentanyl is responsible for 93% of all overdose deaths in Massachusetts.

Anderson Daniel Jorge Cruz, 21, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young to 70 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In October 2019, Cruz pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin and fentanyl and other drug trafficking offenses. Cruz has been in custody since his arrest on Jan. 23, 2019, along with co-defendant Joshua Ramos-Rios.

On Jan. 23, 2019, federal, state, and local law enforcement officers seized over one kilogram of heroin mixed with fentanyl hidden inside Cruz’s bedroom ceiling. The seizure was the result of an undercover operation into Cruz and Ramos-Rios. At the time of his arrest, Cruz had an outstanding warrant for homicide in Allentown, Penn., which remains pending. Cruz is also currently charged with murder in Essex County Superior Court.

United States Attorney Andrew Lelling; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England Division; Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Lowell Police Superintendent Raymond Kelly Richardson made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip C. Cheng of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit prosecuted 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. The Department of Justice 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.

On November 24th, the 56-foot F/V “Leonardo” capsized and sunk off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard. Only one person in the four-man crew, Ernesto Santos, was rescued by the Coast Guard and lost at sea were Mark Cormier Jr., Xavier Vega and boat Captian Gerald Bretal.

On December 29th, 2019 a celebration of life service was help for 35-year old Mark Cormier Jr. at the Seamen’s Bethel in New Bedford.

On Sunday, March 1 from 2:00pn-4:00pm a memorial service being held for the remaining two fisherman, Xavier “Saby” Vega and Gerald Bretal at the Seamen’s Bethel, 15 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, MA 02740 A celebration of Life will continue after the service at the Loyal Order Of Moose Lodge, 119 Rockdale Ave., New Bedford.

A family member who wished to remain anonymous wanted to share the information with the public. “If you could please share this to get the message out to the people that may have known them and for who we do not have contact info. That way they may see the public post. I’d greatly appreciate it.”

Do you balk at how the idea of coming up with first, last and security – many thousands of dollars – to move into a new apartment? Many area residents complain about how difficult it is to find a good landlord and question the high amount of money they ask to move in. One landlord wanted to show why. The following opinion was shared by a landlord in one of our groups:

“People wonder why rents and security deposits are high, or why property managers and landlords require such detailed background and reference checks, well folks this is a prime example of those reasons.

I rented this apartment to a family for a short term 6-month lease, they passed the job and reference checks, I got the initial month’s rent and security deposit and then the nightmare began.

By the time I got them out they had caused upwards of 10k in damages, between that and the back rent owed we’re out 15k in 6-month’s time.

They left animals locked in bedrooms urinating for days on end to the point where urine was leaking through the ceiling of the business below them.

Every room has either animal or human poop smeared on floors shelf’s inside cupboards and walls!

Every single wall has been colored on from children running rampant, the amount of flies/fruit flies in this apartment would rival any transfer station, and the smell is so bad I don’t know if we will ever be able to get rid of it!

I would normally never post something like this, but I just want to make people aware of what landlords go through when they try and provide a nice home for people to live in. Most of the time our tenants are great! But it’s these few disgusting people who ruin it for everyone else!” -Jerry Ciro Ucci.

On Saturday at 2:40 pm, New Bedford police narcotics officers attempted to stop a vehicle, but the driver allegedly failed to stop and stuck a New Bedford Police Department police vehicle. After a brief chase, officers arrested the driver and discovered a child in the vehicle with the driver. No injuries were reported.

29-year old Jeremiah Cowart of New Bedford is being charged with operating a motor vehicle with a suspended/revoked license, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, three counts of failure to stop, leaving the scene of property damage, reckless endangerment to a child under 18 and failure to stop for police.

New Bedford Police Department narcotics detectives made two arrests in separate incidents during the weekend that resulted in the seizure of cocaine and fentanyl.

Detectives were investigating a fentanyl distribution service on February 21 and as a result, a search warrant was executed at 8 Spooner St. Apt. 1. The search produced approximately 23 grams of fentanyl, a digital scale and packaging material along with more than $1700. As a result, Raynaldo O. Melendez, 27, was charged with trafficking fentanyl. He currently has an open case for trafficking fentanyl and a firearms charge. Fentanyl is responsible for 93% of all overdose deaths in Massachusetts.

A search warrant was also executed at 689 Summer St. Apt. 3 on Feb. 22 where approximately 30 grams of cocaine and almost $1,000 were seized. As a result, Daniel Rivera, 37, was arrested and charged with trafficking. Detective Kevin Barbosa investigated both cases.

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.

The New Bedford Police Department reports two separate gunfire incidents 12 minutes apart coming from the Westlawn public housing complex early Saturday morning.

Saturday at 1:20 am, the New Bedford Police Department’s shot spotter system detected gunfire at the Westlawn New Bedford Housing Authority at 340 Smith Street.

Saturday at 1:32 am, the New Bedford Police Department’s shot spotter system detected gunfire at the Westlawn New Bedford Housing Authority at 183 Liberty Street.

Police did not report injuries or property damage.

A former Holyoke kindergarten teacher pleaded guilty on Friday, February 21st in federal court in Worcester to possession of child pornography.

Gregory Lisby, 40, of Worcester, 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 child pornography that had been uploaded to a Microsoft OneDrive account that was determined to belong to Lisby. Approximately 180 images and 15 videos of child pornography were identified on the OneDrive. 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.

The charging statute provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years 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 and Joseph 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, along with the Massachusetts State Police provided assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Noto of Lelling’s Worcester Branch Office 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/.

A Cambridge woman was arrested on Friday, February 21st for allegedly stealing more than $85,000 Social Security and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.

Phaedra M. Sheets, 45, was charged in an indictment with two counts of theft of public funds. Sheets pleaded not guilty before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge M. Page Kelley.

According to the indictment, Sheets stole approximately $71,636 in Social Security benefits from December 2009 through September 2018. Sheets also stole approximately $13,923 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, formerly known as food stamps.

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; Scott Antolik, 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.

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

Due to Explosive Growth we are looking for another full-time Automotive Service Advisor/Writer with a minimum of 2 years experience.

Job Description:
Will be responsible for setting and preparing for appointments to expedite customer’s service experience; greet customers in a friendly and timely manner; determine the vehicle needs based on customer information, vehicle walk-around and technician’s multi-point inspection.

Requirements:
• Must produce repair orders for customers with transparency including the time and cost of the repair. Communicate with the technicians and parts department to ensure timely completion of work and follow up with customers on the status of the vehicle. Will be required to have Ford product knowledge to effectively assist customers with service maintenance and warranty information.
• Must have a valid driver’s license, safe driving record, and a high school diploma or equivalent. Applicant must thrive in a fast-paced work environment with demonstrated communication and excellent people skills. Must be alert to sales opportunities by taking the time to ask customers questions and provide information about their vehicle. The ideal candidate is dedicated to provide exceptional customer service and display a positive attitude when interacting with customers and employees.
• Must be able to perform basic computer skills and will be trained on how to use our internal system.
Will be responsible for setting and preparing for appointments to expedite customer’s service experience; greet customers in a friendly and timely manner; determine the vehicle needs based on customer information, vehicle walk-around and technician’s multi-point inspection.

Preferred Experience:
• Ford experience a plus. Portuguese and Spanish speaking a plus.

Great benefits package available!

Send resume to Kevin Lighty, Service Manager at klighty@buyempireautogroup.com.

There was a serious rollover car accident on 195 westbound in Westport around 7:30am this morning. An ambulance was seen leaving the scene but no word on the extent of injuries of the driver or passenger(s).