“Yesterday, we had the honor of picking up a very brave 12-year-old Hingham boy for his own cruiser convoy ride through Hingham to our police station. Jeremy Lavoie, a 6th grader at Hingham Middle School, continues his battle against cancer.

On Monday, he led a cruiser and motorcycle convoy to our station where a local charity called “Cops For Kids With Cancer” presented his family with a check to help show their support. The organization was represented by Boston Police Captain Paul Ivens (Ret.) who is the Vice President (it was started over 20 years ago by several members of the Boston Police). Huge thank you to Cohasset Police, Hanover Police, Norwell Police & Randolph Police who came to join the convoy and meet Jeremy.

Jeremy rode with DARE Officer Robert Ramsey who is the School Resource Officer at his school.

Jeremy is now part of our extended police family and we know he’ll continue to get better.” -Hingham Police Department.

Hingham Police Department photos:

On Monday evening, at approximately 11:32 p.m., Trooper John Mindek who is assigned to the State Police – Charlton Barracks, was traveling on Interstate 90 in the town of Charlton, when he stopped a 2009 Subaru Forester after a registration query revealed the registration to be revoked for insurance cancellation.

After a brief investigation, a passenger, ISRAEL JIMENEZ, 46, of Lawrence was found to be in possession of approximately 31 grams of cocaine, 10 grams of heroin, and 1 gram of suspected fentanyl.

JIMENEZ was placed under arrest and transported to the State Police – Charlton Barracks for booking.

JIMENEZ is charged with trafficking cocaine and possession of a class A drug. JIMENEZ was held on $10,040 bail, pending his arraignment in Dudley District Court.

The driver was issued a criminal summons for motor vehicle violations.

As a result of a nearly-two year human trafficking investigation led by the Massachusetts State Police High Risk Victims Unit, and assisted by Northborough and Worcester Police, the target of the investigation turned himself in to State Police this morning and will be arraigned today in Worcester Superior Court.

State Police are charging JOHN B. CLAYTON 4th, 63, of Northborough with seven counts of trafficking a person for sexual servitude, two counts of rape, and two counts of intimidation of a witness.

Investigators identified multiple women whom, as alleged by the evidence, were targeted, manipulated, and exploited by CLAYTON. Generally, the victims allegedly preyed upon by the defendant were drug-addicted, engaged in prostitution, isolated from support, and having very little financial means.

The investigation began in May 2018. CLAYTON surrendered at State Police-Milbury, was booked, and has been transported to court. More information will be released following CLAYTON’s arraignment. The case is being prosecuted by the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office.

On Saturday, January 18th, at 5:03 p.m., Wareham Police responded to Cape Cod Gas, on Cranberry Highway for a report of an armed robbery that had just occurred. The report was a male suspect with a bandana covering his face, armed with a knife, demanded cash and cigarettes. The attendant scuffled with the suspect, and the knife fell on the ground, as well as packs of cigarettes. The suspect then fled the area on foot.

Officers under the command of Sergeant Herbert Noble responded, set up a perimeter, and requested a K-9 from the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department. Officer Charles Pillsbury assisted Deputy Sheriff Alex Thomas and K-9 “Lambert” as they tracked to a nearby location. In addition to the K-9 search, Officer Christopher Corner developed information on who the suspect was, and where he could be located. Detective Bryan Whalen, Sergeant Noble, and Officers James White and Blaise Lalli quickly responded to the area and soon had a male juvenile under arrest.

The juvenile is charged with armed robbery while masked and assault with a dangerous weapon. He is being held until an appearance at court on Tuesday.

During the robbery call, Wareham Police received a call about a suicidal male possibly armed with a gun in the area of Cranberry Highway and Tihonet Road. Marion Officers Edward Johnson and Kris Smith responded on mutual aid and checked the area. That call was later determined to be unfounded.

At about 6:58 AM, on Monday, January 20, 2020, officers assigned to District E-13 (Jamaica Plain) arrested four individuals after responding to a call for a larceny in progress in the area of 141 Green Street in Jamaica Plain. While en route to the call, officers were advised and apprised that one of the suspects was observed attempting to steal mail out of a United States Postal Service Mailbox near the above location. Officers also learned and were provided a description of a motor vehicle possibly belonging to one of the suspects which was observed idling nearby.

Responding officers were able to locate and stop the suspect’s motor vehicle as it was attempting to leave the scene. With the vehicle stopped, officers approached and made contact with the operator of the vehicle, later identified as a 17-year-old male from Dorchester, and three male passengers later identified as Carlos Delossantos, 18, of Roslindale, a 17-year-old male from Roxbury and a 17-year-old male from Roslindale.

Upon discovering that the operator of the vehicle was unlicensed and did not possess a valid driver’s license, officers instructed all occupants of the car to vacate the vehicle. While the occupants were exiting the vehicle, officers observed several pieces of torn-open mail, numerous credit cards, checks and other evidence on the rear passenger floor of the car (see photo). In light of the above, all suspects were placed under arrest and charged with Larceny Over $250. They are all expected to be arraigned in West Roxbury District Court on Tuesday, January 21, 2020.

Local residents are invited to participate in the 5th annual Love Your Heart Day, happening on Sunday February 9th from 9:00am to 1:00pm. Communities and neighborhoods throughout the City of New Bedford will once again join a growing, national movement to “Love Your Heart”.

More than a dozen locations citywide will offer free blood pressure screenings. Individuals will have a chance to “know their numbers,” learn of any potential risks for harm, and receive educational materials and guidance on what to do to both improve and/or maintain optimal heart health. Each site will be staffed with trained volunteers to administer the screenings.

Lead organizer Dr. Michael Rocha, cardiologist at Hawthorn Medical Associates and Director of the New Bedford Wellness Initiative says that 4 out of 5 heart attacks can be prevented through regular exercise, smoking cessation, stress reduction, and a healthy diet – all of which help to control blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol. Further, he adds that roughly 30% of adults have high blood pressure yet only about 50% have it under control. This can lead to heart attacks, strokes, heart failure and kidney disease. Love Your Heart Day aims to reduce and prevent these issues.

Love Your Heart NB engages various community partners in healthcare, the fire and police community, universities, city government, nonprofits, and the business community. For a list of participating sites and locations, visit www.nbewell.com.

Love Your Heart is an initiative that was originally started by the County of San Diego in California. The event has expanded into communities across the West Coast and South into Mexico. New Bedford remains the first and only location in the East Coast to fully implement the initiative.

The Massachusetts State Police last week, upon executing a search warrant at a North Attleboro residence, located a clandestine methamphetamine lab and arrested two suspects who were producing the drug.

The search warrant Jan. 15 at 35 Heather St. was the result of a several-month investigation led by Trooper Cory Medeiros and the State Police Clandestine Lab Enforcement Team. The warrant was executed with assistance from other MSP units, the state Department of Fire Services, the North Attleboro Police and Fire Departments, and other law enforcement agencies.

The Massachusetts State Police Special Tactical Operations Team made entry into the home and located four individuals, including two in the basement. Given the highly toxic nature of methamphetamine, the residence was evacuated.

Once the scene was secured, the Clandestine Lab Enforcement Team located one-pot set-up where methamphetamine was actively being cooked. Troopers and Officers also located completed methamphetamine product and needles used to inject the drugs.

The two suspects located in the basement – JAIME B. NICKERSON, 39 (a male), and SHANNON E. DALEY, 38 (a female), both of that address – were provided their Miranda rights and then interviewed by MSP Troopers inside a mobile command post.

Following subsequent investigation NICKERSON and DALEY were placed under arrest and transported to police facilities for booking. Each was charged with:

• Manufacturing Methamphetamine;
• Possession of a Class B Narcotic; and
• Conspiracy to Violate Drug Laws.

During their search of the residence, Troopers and Officers located and seized the following items:

• A plastic container with a clear liquid of suspected methamphetamine;
• A coffee filter containing a white powder that field tested positive for methamphetamine;
• A liquid sample from a one-pot methamphetamine lab;
• A plastic cup containing a white residue; and
• Items and materials consistent with those used in the production of methamphetamine, including lithium batteries, mineral salts, two packages of Sudafed brand pseudoephedrine, three Instant Cold Pack medication packages, a piece of cut hose, and a package of coffee filters.

The defendants were arraigned in Attleborough District Court; the criminal case is pending.

Other State Police units assisting in the search warrant execution were Troopers from the Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit attached to the office of the State Fire Marshal, Commonwealth Interstate Narcotics Reduction and Enforcement Team-South Unit, State Police Detective Unit for Bristol County, Troop H Community Action Team, Crime Scene Services Section, and Forensic Services Group.

The photos show the pot where meth was allegedly being cooked.

Part of living in a city is the close proximity of neighbors whether above or below you in a tenement or “next door.” In either case, you have likely encountered a nightmare neighbor or ten. The range of nightmare neighbors can be anything from being noisy in the wee hours, competing for parking spots, or even dealing drugs.

What is the worst one you’ve ever had to deal with? One resident is disgusted by her trashy neighbor who apparently thinks the yard is the city dump.

_________________________________________________________________________

“This landlord threw the trash left by a tenant out the window of the 2nd-floor apartment.

When I asked “Why?” he said he couldn’t afford a dumpster. So you throw it out a window in the yard for your neighbors to look at? Not to mention the broken glass and trash is going to draw rodents.

I called the City and they cited him and also are trying to help him find someone to clean it up. They helped him clean up a good portion of this, but now there is garbage all over his yard which keeps blowing around to my yard.

The City was very proactive in getting this cleaned up: I called Thursday morning and they came by the house in a 1/2 hour and called me back stating they were going to take action. The city really stepped up to get this mess cleaned up. But what was the mindset of this individual?! Meanwhile, this is my view from my kitchen every day!

These are the “people in my neighborhood”! I wonder how long before it is cleaned up? This is a health hazard to our community and the landlord should be made to pay a fine!” -Debra.

UPDATE: “This is how it looks today! Not sure what is going to be done with the broken glass and trash. Such a mess!”

Did you know that lottery winners only have ONE year to claim their prize? There are several $100,000 Mass Cash lottery tickets that remain unclaimed in Massachusetts and are about to expire. All the tickets were bought in February of last year.

One of those tickets was sold right here in New Beford at Costa Sunoco Mini-Mart. Check your tickets, especially if you regularly visit this location. Two of the missing tickets are from the same drawing.

Here are all three of the unclaimed tickets:

09-22-23-26-30. Sold at AM-PM Convenience, 489 Bearses Way, Hyannis on Feb. 3
10-14-16-26-29. Sold at Costa Sunoco Mini Mart, 397 Sawyer St., New Bedford on Feb. 26
10-14-16-26-29. Sold at Dracut Town Variety, 1734 Lakeview Ave., Dracut on Feb. 26

Prizes can be claimed in Braintree, Dorchester, New Bedford, Springfield, Woburn, and Worcester during normal business hours.
If no one claims the prizes the money goes back in the lottery for general distribution.

Posted on the Mass Lottery Website:

This week, Attorney General Maura Healey hosted the office’s first Human Trafficking Summit, a two-day conference to provide attendees with tools and information to help address human trafficking in Massachusetts.

The summit, held during Human Trafficking Prevention Month, brought together more than 200 law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and victim advocates who investigate and prosecute human trafficking cases, along with direct service providers from organizations across Massachusetts.

During her opening remarks to kick off the event on Thursday, AG Healey highlighted how the summit provides an opportunity for attendees to build strong connections across jurisdictions and disciplines, develop new skills, share best practices, and meet partners across the state all dedicated to the same goal of combatting human trafficking in Massachusetts.

“Human trafficking knows no barriers,” said Healey. “It’s in suburban, rural, and urban communities, and affects people of all walks of life. This summit brings together hundreds of professionals across our state who are working to combat this crime, build strong connections and discuss new approaches to this important work.”

After AG Healey’s remarks, Audrey Morrissey, Associate Director and National Survivor Leadership Director of My Life My Choice, delivered remarks. My Life My Choice is a survivor-led program fighting to end the commercial sexual exploitation of children. Audrey Morrissey has helped develop survivor-led programs to protect vulnerable girls and co-authored an exploitation prevention curriculum that is used in 27 states.

“It is unprecedented in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to bring together so many law enforcement, district attorneys and service providers,” said Audrey Morrissey, My Life My Choice Associate Director and National Survivor Leadership Director. “At My Life My Choice, we are so grateful for the Attorney General’s leadership. And as a survivor, I am so moved that folks are coming together to better serve victims of the commercial sex industry who still don’t know there is a way out.”

On Thursday morning, the summit opened with a panel on “Perspectives on Connecting with Survivors,” moderated by Lisa Goldblatt Grace, Co-founder and Director of My Life My Choice, and will close on Friday afternoon with a panel on “Moving Forward Together – Innovations that Advance our Practice,” moderated by Amy Farrell, Associate Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Northeastern University.

On Friday morning, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito opened the second and last day of the summit with welcoming remarks. Lt. Governor Polito serves as the Chair of the Governor’s Council to Address Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence and has successfully worked to support effective implementation of key provisions of Chapter 260: An Act Relative to Domestic Violence, including the expansion of protections for victims of human trafficking.

“I am proud of the work that the Governor’s Council to Address Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence has undertaken in its goals to combat human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation throughout the Commonwealth,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “The Council’s efforts, including recently securing $1.5 million in federal grant funding to strengthen support for individuals and families, in tandem with today’s summit and our ongoing collaboration with the Attorney General’s Office, advocates and stakeholders, is critical to the enhanced protections and continued resources for survivors.”

Through the Council, in April 2016, Lt. Governor Polito announced new policies to target human trafficking, which included the formation of a High-Risk Victims Unit within the Massachusetts State Police (MSP), and improved interagency coordination and communication between MSP and the Department of Children and Families (DCF).

Additionally, as a part of the Baker-Polito Administration’s reforms at DCF, sexual exploitation and trafficking are now reportable conditions regardless of whether the perpetrator is a caregiver.

The administration also secured $1.5 million in federal grant funding focused on strengthening supports for survivors of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation, which will help build upon the foundation established by the five-year Massachusetts Child Welfare Trafficking Grant secured by the Justice Resource Institute in 2014. Governor Baker also signed Executive Order 568 “Establishing Zero Tolerance Policy for Human Trafficking and Related Activities.”

Throughout the Attorney General’s summit, various District Attorney’s Offices, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and the AG’s Office presented several human trafficking case studies, including cases involving minors, illegal massage businesses, and sex buyer stings. Special sessions covered issues including promoting men’s accountability to end commercial sexual exploitation, labor trafficking, search warrants and digital analysis in human trafficking cases, and the intersection of addiction and sexual exploitation.

AG Healey’s Human Trafficking Division focuses on policy, prevention and prosecution and includes a team of specialized prosecutors, victim advocates and MSP troopers who handle high impact, multi-jurisdictional human trafficking investigations and prosecutions across the state.

Through the Human Trafficking Division, the AG’s Office has charged more than 60 individuals in connection with human trafficking since the anti-trafficking law was passed.

The AG’s Office has also filed legislation to close a loophole that has exempted businesses that act as fronts for human trafficking from state oversight by adding bodyworkers, bodywork therapy and bodywork facilities and schools to the current state licensing structure.

In October 2019, the AG’s Office secured a $1.7 million in federal grants to build on the AG’s work to investigate and prosecute human trafficking and provide comprehensive, trauma-informed services to victims.

A list of participating agencies and organizations in this summit include:

• Amirah Inc.
• Anchor Ministries
• Athol Police Department
• Bags of Hope Ministries
• Barnstable Police Department
• Berkshire District Attorney’s Office
• Boston Police Department
• Boston University Law School
• Braintree Police Department
• Bristol District Attorney’s Office
• Brookline Police Department
• Burlington Police Department
• Cape and Islands District Attorney’s Office
• Center for Health Impact
• Children’s Advocacy Center of Bristol County
• Children’s Advocacy Center of Suffolk County
• Massachusetts Department of Children and Families
• Easton Police Department
• Essex District Attorney’s Office
• Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security
• Fall River Police Department
• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Franklin County Sheriff’s Office
• Garden of Hope
• Governor’s Council on Sexual and Domestic Violence
• Hampden District Attorney’s Office
• Hampden County Sheriff’s Department
• Harvard Medical School
• Homeland Security
• Justice Resource Institute
• Lakeville Police Department
• Living in Freedom Together (LIFT)
• Lowell Police Department
• Malden Police Department
• Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office
• Massachusetts State Police
• MGH Substance Use Disorder Bridge Clinic
• Middlesex District Attorney’s Office
• MOVA
• New Bedford Police Department
• Norfolk District Attorney’s Office
• Northeastern University
• Northwestern District Attorney’s Office
• Norwood Police Department
• Pittsfield Police Department
• Plymouth District Attorney’s Office
• Procopio Consultants
• Revere Police Department
• RIA House
• Roxbury Youthworks Inc.
• Sojourner House
• Suffolk District Attorney’s Office
• Suffolk County House of Corrections
• Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department
• Swansea Police Department
• Taunton Police Department
• The COVE
• The EVA Center
• U.S. Attorney’s Office
• Wilmington Police Department
• Woburn Police Department
• Worcester District Attorney’s Office
• Worcester Police Department
• Yarmouth Police Department
• YWCA of Western Massachusetts