“NEW BEDFORD – New Bedford narcotics detectives have made an arrest following a significant seizure of fentanyl and cash.

On April 4th, Detective Jonathan Miranda concluded his investigation into a fentanyl distribution operation, which culminated in a search warrant execution at 164 Richmond St. The targets of the investigation were 40-year-old ANTONIO CONCEPCION-DIAZ and 39-year-old YARISBETH ROJAS-LOPEZ, both of that address. In addition to the residence, search warrants were secured for two vehicles connected to the suspects.

As a result of the search that followed, detectives located approximately 365 grams of fentanyl and 16 grams of cocaine, along with scales and packaging materials used in the preparation of narcotics for illicit sale. Additionally, $4,287 in cash was located and seized due to the nature of the defendants’ charges.

City of New Bedford Police Department

Both parties were placed under arrest and charged with trafficking fentanyl in excess of 200 grams, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, and conspiracy to violate the controlled substance laws.

“As the opiate crisis continues to take lives at an alarming rate all across the country, our officers continue to target the biggest offenders who are perpetuating the problem. We continue to fight this epidemic on multiple fronts, and I’m proud of all the efforts aimed at saving lives.”-Chief Paul Oliveira

It bears mentioning that this investigation began with an anonymous complaint from a concerned citizen. If you have any information you would like to share with the police, you can do so anonymously by visiting our website, newbedfordpd.com, or by calling 508-99-CRIME.”-City of New Bedford Police Department.

“In the early morning hours of April 10, 2024, Trooper Nehme Rizk, a member of the State Police-Millbury Barracks, was conducting patrol on Harding Street in Worcester. It was then, that Trooper Rizk observed a White Ford Escape in front of him fail to stop for a stop sign.

Trooper Rizk conducted a traffic stop of the Ford and approached the operator, who provided a Massachusetts driver’s license. Trooper Rizk engaged the passenger in conversation and saw the grip of a pistol with an inserted magazine, protruding from a pocket of a bag on the passenger’s lap. Trooper Rizk returned to his cruiser and radioed for backup. Trooper Rizk was quickly joined on scene by Troopers Taylor Powers, Brady Grunewald, and Erick Zelayandia. Troopers Rizk and Powers then returned to the passenger side of the vehicle.

Trooper Rizk again located the bag, previously on the passenger’s lap, and saw it had been placed between the operator and passenger. With a suspected firearm improperly stored and unsecured inside the bag, Trooper Rizk was able to remove the bag from the vehicle for the safety of those on scene. The two men were removed from the vehicle, handcuffed, and seated in the rear of separate cruisers.

The passenger, later identified as LUIS ORTIZ, 31, of Worcester, repeatedly offered different identities and dates of birth when asked to identity by Troopers. When Troopers demanded ORTIZ’s license to carry a firearm, he refused to do so as he did not have one. Troopers removed the object from the bag and determined it to be a fully loaded Glock 23 Gen5 pistol holding 11 rounds of ammunition. With the discovery of the Glock, Trooper Rizk placed ORTIZ under arrest. The driver of the vehicle was issued a citation for failing to stop for the stop sign and was released with the Ford from the scene.

Trooper Rizk transported ORTIZ in the rear of his cruiser to the Millbury Barracks. Several times during the ride, ORTIZ kicked and punched the cruiser’s rear window. ORTIZ then threatened to kill Trooper Rizk multiple times. Upon arrival to the Millbury barracks, ORTIZ refused to allow Troopers to remove him from the cruiser and threatened to fight and kill the Troopers.

During the booking process, ORTIZ was positively identified. ORTIZ continued to threaten to kill the Troopers during the booking process. ORTIZ’s true identity was confirmed through the fingerprinting process.

LUIS ORTIZ was arraigned in Worcester District Court on charges of:

01. Possession Of A Firearm;
02. Possession Of Ammunition Without FID;
03. Possession Of A Large Capacity Weapon Or Feeding Device;
04. Carrying A Loaded Firearm;
05. Improper Storage Of A Firearm;
06. Furnishing False Name;
07. Threat To Commit A Crime; and
08. Failure To Wear A Seatbelt.”-Massachusetts State Police.

“City of New Bedford Police Department Officers Edgardo Llanos, Carlos Fernandes, and Assistant Deputy Chief Scott Carola were excited to make new friends at this past Sunday’s Special Olympics event at Babson College.

They were honored to be invited to hand out medals to the great champion athletes!!

Thank you for having us.”-City of New Bedford Police Department.

City of New Bedford Police Department photo.

City of New Bedford Police Department photo.

City of New Bedford Police Department photo.

Defendant also transported multiple women across state lines to engage in prostitution.

“BOSTON – A Boston man pleaded guilty yesterday to trafficking a minor for sex and persuading and coercing multiple women to travel across state lines to engage in prostitution.

Jimall “Progress Lu” Dawn Brown, 35, pleaded guilty to one count of sex trafficking of a minor; one count of transporting an individual in interstate commerce with the intent that they engage in prostitution; and two counts of persuading and coercing an individual to travel in interstate commerce to engage in prostitution. U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin scheduled sentencing for July 9, 2024. Brown was indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2022.

“Jimall Brown is one of far too many people this office has prosecuted for human trafficking. The pattern is remarkably predictable and it is happening far too often right here in our backyard. Brown promised his victims a better life, but in reality, he exploited them for his financial gain, selling them for sex repeatedly,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “No child or person must ever be treated this in this dehumanizing manner. This Office will not cease in our efforts to prosecute individuals who engage in human trafficking.”

“Jimall Dawn Brown lured this child into his clutches, with the promise of a better life, specifically to abuse and exploit her,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “It will be a gratifying day when his sentence is handed down and the cell door shuts behind him so he can’t victimize anyone else. FBI Boston’s Child Exploitation – Human Trafficking Task Force will never stop working to find and help trafficked victims, to prevent them from further abuse, and keep their traffickers from hurting anyone else.”

“The scars borne by sex trafficking victims are certainly emotional, often physical, and always long-lasting. Targeting traffickers and bringing them to justice is a vitally important mission for law enforcement and a major benefit to society itself,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden.

In 2022, Brown trafficked a 17-year-old, identified as Victim 1, to engage in commercial sex acts. He first met the victim, who was living outside Massachusetts, on social media and convinced her to fly to Boston, with promises of a “better lifestyle.” Brown posted advertisements of Victim 1 online and arranged “dates” for Victim 1 to have sex in exchange for money. Brown set the pricing for the commercial sex acts she engaged in, for which he collected all of the money. In April 2022, Brown transported Victim 1 to Nevada, again arranging for her to engage in commercial sex and keeping all the money.

In March 2019, Brown persuaded and coerced a another woman, identified as Victim 2, to travel from Connecticut to Massachusetts to engage in prostitution. He met her in Connecticut and told her that she had potential and that he could provide a better, luxurious life for her if she would come to Boston, where he lived. Victim 2 came to Massachusetts and Brown posted online advertisements containing photos of Victim 2 on commercial sex websites. Victim 2 engaged in commercial sex and was required to give all of the money she made to Brown.

In May 2016, Brown persuaded and coerced a different woman, identified as Victim 3, to travel from Pennsylvania to Massachusetts to engage in prostitution. He contacted Victim 3 on social media, told her that she was beautiful, that he had a modeling agency, and that he wanted to work with her. Brown said he would pay for her plane ticket to fly to Boston and provide everything for her once she arrived. Victim 3 traveled by plane from Pennsylvania to Massachusetts. After she arrived, Brown took photos of her, purportedly for modeling, but instead he posted them on websites advertising commercial sex. Brown then coerced and forced Victim 3 to engage in commercial sex in Massachusetts and required her to give him all the money.

If you or someone you know may be impacted or experiencing commercial sex trafficking, please contact USAMA.VictimAssistance@usdoj.gov.

The charge of sex trafficking of a minor provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of transporting a person for purposes of prostitution provides for a maximum of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of persuading and coercing a person to travel across state lines to engage in prostitution provides for a maximum of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Each count also provides for mandatory restitution and forfeiture. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Acting U.S. Attorney Levy; FBI SAC Cohen; DA Hayden; and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Arlington and Randolph Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Torey B. Cummings of the Civil Rights & Human Trafficking Unit is prosecuting the case.”-Massachusetts Department of Justice.

On April 10 at 12:15AM, A Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority commuter rail train struck a boat.

The incident took place on the Fitchburg Line between Cambridge and Belmont after an unknown person/s left a boat on the right of way.

No injuries were reported and there was no damage to the train.

The Transit Police Detectives are currently investigating how the boat got on the rails.

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Transit Police photo.

“On Tuesday afternoon at 1:20pm, the New Bedford Fire Department responded to 100 Duchaine Boulevard for a fire involving a large free-standing solar array with nearby exposures.

First arriving crews reported a fire burning underneath several solar panels and activated available service disconnect and power shutoff devices. Fire crews operated two hose lines to cool down the steel supporting structure and extinguished the fire below the solar panels.

An NBFD drone equipped with thermal imaging was used above and flown below the solar panels to observe any further fire extension. The drone operation was essential for firefighter safety as they did not have to operate in close proximity to the involved solar panels until representatives from the solar company arrived to provide technical assistance.

There were no civilian or firefighter injuries. The fire was investigated by the NBFD Fire Investigation Unit with assistance from a City Wire/Electrical Inspector and determine to be accidental. NBPD and NBEMS also assisted on scene.”-New Bedford Fire Department.

New Bedford Fire Department photo.

New Bedford Fire Department photo.

New Bedford Fire Department photo.

“At 3:13 pm on Tuesday there was a motorcycle accident on Howland Road.

Initial reports stated that the rider was down in the road. Arriving responders found the person up and about.Injuries were not serious.

The Town of Lakeville has experienced multiple fatal motorcycle accidents in recent years. As riding season opens, we are asking (begging) riders and the operators around them to exercise caution.”-Lakeville, MA Fire Department.

“A 29-year-old Taunton man will be arraigned this morning in Taunton District Court in relation to a fatal crash, which occurred on March 10 on Route 44 in Taunton, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III.

Ricky Jorge Ponte is being charged with Negligent Motor Vehicle Homicide while Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol, Leaving the Scene of a Crash-Death Resulting, Operating Under the Influence-Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury and Leaving the Scene of a Crash with Personal Injury.

Facebook photo.

The charges stem from a March 10 crash in the area of 380 Winthrop Street (Route 44). On that date, at approximately 9:15 pm, Taunton Police were called to the scene of a two car crash. Vehicle one was identified as a black Mercedes and vehicle two was identified as a Honda CRV. The Mercedes was found to be unoccupied, but a 46-year-old passenger in the Mercedes was located nearby. The passenger advised officers that the defendant had been driving the Mercedes, but he had left the area after the crash.

A short time later, Taunton Police received a call from an employee at the Irving Gas Station on Route 44 in Taunton. The employee told police that a man has just entered the gas station bleeding. The man was later identified as the defendant.

When first responders approached the Honda CRV, they found the driver, Margaret McGowan, 67, of Fall River, trapped inside the car. Her passenger, a 16-year-old female relative, was sitting outside the car in a state of shock. McGowan was eventually extricated from the vehicle, at which time she and the 16-year-old were transported to area hospitals. On March 28, McGowan succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash and died at the hospital. The 16-year-old was seriously injured, but her injuries were not life-threatening.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Charlie Schofield.”-Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III.

Facebook photo.

“Lieutenant Ray Reimold deployed to Hawaii!

April 8, 2024: Hawaii Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) – Maui Hawaii Wildfires Deployment. In response to a State of Hawaii Emergency Mutual Aid Compact (EMAC) request for assistance, and in coordination with Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Emergency Responder Staff and Marion Fire Lieutenant Ray Reimold was deployed to the Maui Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to assist the Maui Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) as an Operations Section Chief, to oversee and assist with coordination of Federal, State, and County resources to impacted communities as a result of the 2023 Wildfires in Lahaina.

Ray previously deployed in 2017 as a Critical Infrastructure Branch Director in Florida during the immediate response to Hurricane Irma, and deployed in 2018 as an Incident Safety Officer to Puna Hawaii after an eruption of the Kilauea volcano.”-Marion Fire / EMS.

“A 58-year-old former Freetown substitute teacher and Sunday school teacher convicted Monday after a four-day trial of numerous indictments related to the rape and molestation of a 14 year old girl in 2018 will be sentenced in Fall River Superior Court tomorrow morning, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

A jury of his peers on Monday convicted Gilbert Hernandez of five counts of rape of a child-aggravated by more than a 10 year age difference, two counts of rape of a child by force, four counts of indecent assault and battery, and two counts of dissemination of obscene matter to a child.

The defendant will be sentenced by Judge Raffi Yessayan in Courtroom 7 of the Fall River Superior Court tomorrow morning at 9 a.m.

The defendant knew the victim through a close friendship she had with his son, along with his role as a substitute teacher in the Freetown-Lakeville schools and as a Sunday school teacher at a church in Freetown.

The rapes and molestations all occurred between February and July of 2018 in the towns of Freetown, Raynham, Taunton and Lakeville.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Silvia Rudman and Danielle Pixley.

It is expected that the victim and another individual will give impact statements to the judge during tomorrow’s sentencing hearing. We ask any media that does attend the hearing to not identify or photograph the victim in any way.”