Members and associates of Primeiro Comando da Massachusetts (PCM) were charged Thursday, April 25 in federal court in Boston in connection with perpetrating violent crimes in Massachusetts, including drug and firearms trafficking, robberies and kidnappings.

“Violent gangs that proliferate violence are a scourge on our communities,” said United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling. “Over recent months, members and associates of Primeiro Comando da Massachusetts have been committing serious, violent crimes: brazenly robbing community businesses, dealing drugs, trafficking illegal firearms, and even kidnapping a young woman. We will not standby and allow these criminals to disrupt the safety and peace of our communities. Let today’s arrests and charges be a message to gang members and their associates: if you threaten the safety and well-being of Massachusetts residents, we will arrest and prosecute you using all of the federal resources at our disposal.”

“ATF will continue to partner with our federal, state and local law enforcement counterparts to dismantle criminal street gangs to reduce violence committed through their use of firearms,” said Kelly D. Brady, ATF Special Agent in Charge Field of the Boston Field Division. “Furthermore, it demonstrates that law enforcement will not standby and allow these criminal street gangs to get away with such acts, which creates fear for the residents within the community”

“Today’s enforcement action represents the culmination of a long term, multi-agency investigative effort to disrupt and dismantle a violent transnational criminal organization which represents a significant threat to our public safety. Many of the defendants in this case are illegally present in the United States, and violated the rule of law with reckless abandon, conducting acts of violence, while profiting from the sale of narcotics and weapons,” said Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Boston. “Together with our state, local and federal partners, the special agents of Homeland Security Investigations remain committed to using every tool available to ensure that our communities are safe and that justice is served. The fact of the matter is, the Commonwealth is a safer place with the arrests that were conducted today. We are committed to seeing this investigation through to a successful criminal prosecution.”

The following defendants were charged today.

– Marcio Costa, a/k/a “Marcino” and “Marcinn,” 28, of Malden, is the alleged leader of PCM and was arrested and charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to commit robbery, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license;
– Joao Pedro Marques Guimares Gama, a/k/a “Bahianinho,” 21, a Brazilian national illegally residing in Malden, was arrested and charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to commit robbery, engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license, and being an alien in possession of a firearm;
– Breno Henrique DaSilva, 20, a Brazilian national illegally residing in Somerville, was arrested and charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to commit robbery, and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances;
– Alvaro Dos Santos Melo, 22, a Brazilian national illegally residing in Everett, was arrested and charged with RICO conspiracy, conspiracy to commit robbery, and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances;
– Edson DaSilva, 19, previously resided in Whitman and is currently in state custody on kidnapping and firearms charges, and was federally charged with RICO conspiracy and robbery;
– Igor Costa, 20, previously resided in Framingham and is currently in state custody, and was federally charged with RICO conspiracy and robbery;
– Vinicius Goncalves de Assis, previously resided in Revere and is currently in state custody, and was federally charged with RICO conspiracy;
– Rodrigo Tevares, 19, a Brazilian nation illegally residing in Stoughton, was arrested and charged with being an alien in possession of a firearm and engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license;
– Rony DaFreitas, 21, of Lowell, was arrested and charged with engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license;
– Elwood Cortes-Navedo, 23, of Lowell, was arrested and charged with engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license;
– Fernando DeOliveira, 24, a Brazilian nation illegally residing in Brighton, was arrested and charged with being an alien in possession of a firearm and engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license;
– Mouad Nessassi, 21, of Boston, was arrested and charged with engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license, distribution of 28 grams or more of cocaine base, and possession of an unregistered firearm;
– Fadwa Chimal, 19, was arrested and charged with engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license; and
– Jennifer Romero, 26, of Chelsea, was charged with engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license and distribution of 28 grams or more of cocaine base.

According to court documents, in September 2018, federal, state and local law enforcement began investigating members and associates of PCM, a gang with Brazilian origins, which first appeared in Massachusetts approximately two years ago. It is alleged that members and associates of PCM are actively involved in violent crimes including the illegal sale of firearms, drug trafficking, robberies, kidnappings and armed assaults in numerous communities in Massachusetts, including Boston, Malden, Everett, Somerville, Framingham, and Peabody, among others. During the investigation, law enforcement seized 31 firearms, including 27 handguns, two sawed-off shotguns, one shotgun, one rifle and several hundred rounds of ammunition.

The defendants allegedly committed various criminal offenses, some of which they admitted to cooperating witnesses. For example, Gama told cooperating witnesses that PCM not only committed robberies in Massachusetts, but also had targeted and robbed a drug dealer and his family in Connecticut. Gama stated that during the robbery, he held a gun to the head of the dealer’s daughter. In addition, during the investigation, Costa allegedly discussed a planned armed robbery with an undercover federal agent and repeatedly stated that it was likely that the gang members/associates would commit murder as part of the robbery.

Additional robberies alleged by the court documents include: an Oct. 18, 2018, armed robbery of a market in Boston committed by Goncalves; a Dec. 9, 2018, armed robbery of a pizza delivery person in Everett committed by DaSilva; and a Jan. 17, 2019, armed robbery of a gas station in Weymouth committed by Igor Costa. In addition, on Feb. 7, 2019, DaSilva and Henrique were involved in the kidnapping of a young woman who they believed could help them target a rival gang member. DaSilva and Henrique lured the young woman out of a residence in Peabody and eventually took her to a residence in Maynard where she was held at gunpoint and threatened. A cooperating witness alerted law enforcement, who responded to the scene and eventually arrested DaSilva.

On numerous occasions in 2018 and 2019, it is alleged that the defendants illegally sold firearms and drugs to cooperating witnesses.

In addition to the 14 charged criminally, four individuals were arrested administratively by ICE today.

The charge of racketeering conspiracy provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater, and restitution. The charge of conspiracy to commit robbery and robbery provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000 and restitution. The charge of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, at least three years up to life supervised release, and a fine of $1 million. The charge of engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license provides for a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. The charge of being an alien in possession of a firearm provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. The charge of distribution of 28 grams or more of cocaine base provides for a sentence of at least five and up to 40 years in prison, at least four up to life supervised release, and a fine of $2,000,000. The charge of possession of an unregistered firearm provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $10,000. Defendants illegally present in the U.S. will be subject to deportation proceedings. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

U.S. Attorney Lelling, ATF SAC Brady; HSI SAC Fitzhugh; and Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, made the announcement today. The Chelsea, Lowell, Malden, Marlborough, Somerville, and Weymouth Police Departments and the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office provided assistance with the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys in Lelling’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Yesterday shortly after 3 p.m. Trooper Stephen Hazelton was patrolling Route 93 northbound in the Town of Randolph. While approaching Exit 5A he observed a 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander operating erratically then cut over several lanes to exit the highway at the last second. Trooper Hazelton followed the vehicle and stopped it as it entered Route 28.

Upon stopping the vehicle Trooper Hazelton walked up to the passenger side to speak with the operator, eventually identified as MANUEL MORALES, 24, of Lawrence. While questioning MORALES, Trooper Hazelton noticed severe inconsistencies as well as signs inside of the vehicle indicating it may have been used in the commission of trafficking narcotics. Trooper Hazelton has attended numerous training seminars in relation to detecting methods of concealing large amounts of narcotics, weapons, and currency specific to motor vehicles.

Subsequent investigation on the scene led to a search of the vehicle yielding an aftermarket hidden compartment. Inside of this compartment Trooper Hazelton located plastic cylinder with 18 grams of heroin packed in 11 separate baggies, and 38 grams of crack cocaine packed in 54 separate baggies.

MORALES was transported to State Police-Milton where he was booked. He was arraigned in Quincy District Court today on the following charges:

1. Trafficking in Cocaine;
2. Trafficking in Heroin;
3. False Application for Driver’s License;
4. Misuse of an RMV Document;
5. Possess Stolen RMV Document;
6. Operator of a Motor Vehicle Failing to Identify Self;
7. Arrestee Furnishing False Name;
8. Conspiracy to Violate Drug Laws;
9. Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle;
10. Marked Lanes Violation; and
11. Equipment Violation.

Yesterday shortly after 3 p.m. Trooper Stephen Hazelton was patrolling Route 93 northbound in the Town of Randolph. While approaching Exit 5A he observed a 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander operating erratically then cut over several lanes to exit the highway at the last second. Trooper Hazelton followed the vehicle and stopped it as it entered Route 28.

Upon stopping the vehicle Trooper Hazelton walked up to the passenger side to speak with the operator, eventually identified as MANUEL MORALES, 24, of Lawrence. While questioning MORALES, Trooper Hazelton noticed severe inconsistencies as well as signs inside of the vehicle indicating it may have been used in the commission of trafficking narcotics. Trooper Hazelton has attended numerous training seminars in relation to detecting methods of concealing large amounts of narcotics, weapons, and currency specific to motor vehicles.

Subsequent investigation on scene led to a search of the vehicle yielding an aftermarket hidden compartment. Inside of this compartment Trooper Hazelton located plastic cylinder with 18 grams of heroin packed in 11 separate baggies, and 38 grams of crack cocaine packed in 54 separate baggies.

MORALES was transported to State Police-Milton where he was booked. He was arraigned in Quincy District Court today on the following charges:

1. Trafficking in Cocaine;
2. Trafficking in Heroin;
3. False Application for Driver’s License;
4. Misuse of an RMV Document;
5. Possess Stolen RMV Document;
6. Operator of a Motor Vehicle Failing to Identify Self;
7. Arrestee Furnishing False Name;
8. Conspiracy to Violate Drug Laws;
9. Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle;
10. Marked Lanes Violation; and
11. Equipment Violation.

The Massachusetts State Police recently acquired an English Black Labrador as our first-ever comfort dog. Luna, who is four-months old and was bred for comfort dog work and donated to the Department, is assigned to our Employee Assistance Unit (EAU).

Trooper Chad Tata of the EAU is Luna’s handler. Luna lives with Trooper Tata and his family and goes to work with him every day. She will be used to reduce stress and promote wellness and healing for first responders and their families after a traumatic incident, and eventually Luna will also be working with civilian victims and survivors. A gentle, docile and playful dog, she brings a comforting presence and commands smiles in any room she enters.

“Luna is going to be a great asset to our unit and to the Department,” Trooper Tata said.

Trooper Tata is training with Luna one-on-one every day; she will eventually receive certification as a therapy dog through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs.

“She is part of my day-to-day routine, as well as responding to all my call outs,” Trooper Tata said. “She will attend all debriefings that I am invited to, as well as coming with me to the office. It is important to get Luna around as many people on our job as possible.”

Eventually, Luna will be able to travel to incidents with Trooper Tata not only throughout Massachusetts, but also out-of-state to assist at mass casualty incidents as needed.

Luna responded to her first call-out last week with Trooper Tata, assisting Springfield Police Officers who were involved in responding to an altercation outside a nightclub on April 14. One of the officers was shot twice and survived. Luna’s calming presence was a great benefit to the officers involved in the incident.

“Luna is the first ever comfort dog to serve with the Massachusetts State Police and she is a welcome addition to our fundamental mission — to help people in need,” said Colonel Kerry Gilpin. “We know all too well the devastating effects of traumatic stress, and we are fortunate to have Luna available to first responders, their family members, and other victims in need of support.”

Lt. James Massari, commander of the EAU, noted that high stress causes the body to increase production of cortisol, a hormone. Increased cortisol can cause a host of serious health problems. Comfort dogs have been show to lower cortisol levels.

Luna was generously donated to the State Police by Peggi and David Brogan of Boonefield Labradors in Rindge, NH. Boonefield Labradors are known for their calm temperaments and sweet personalities.

“I applaud United States Attorney Andrew Lelling for taking action by bringing an indictment against Judge Shelley M. Richmond Joseph, who is alleged to have assisted a criminal illegal alien to evade our federal law enforcement officers.

The alleged conduct of this judge is a direct violation of her oath to uphold the law and protect the citizens of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

No judge, mayor or other official has the right to violate our laws by attempting to harbor or conceal someone from the enforcement efforts of our local, state and federal law enforcement partners.

Blatant attempts to provide sanctuary to lawbreakers not only erodes our expectation of equal protection under the law but also exposes the law-abiding citizens and legal immigrants who we are sworn to protect to greater threats of danger.

Upholding and enforcing our nation’s laws is essential to preserving a safe and secure America.” Sherriff Hodgson

____________________________________________________________

Judge Shelley M. Richmond Joseph, 51, of Natick, court officer, Wesley MacGregor, 56, of Watertown were both charged with obstruction of justice Thursday. They refused to allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials to take custody of an undocumented immigrant who was a fugitive wanted on narcotics charges and had already been deported twice.

On April 2, 2018 an ICE officer came to Newton district court to take custody of the suspect. Judge Joseph asked the ICE officer to wait outside the courtroom, had the court clerk shut off the court recording – a violation of Massachusetts court rules – and then made arrangements for the suspect and his lawyer to leave through a back door.

The court officer then escorted the suspect through the lockup area, used his security access card to open the rear sally-port exit and released the suspect into the public.

A New Bedford man was indicted today in federal court in Boston on a federal drug charge.

Davaun Oswald, 22, was indicted on one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and marijuana. Oswald has been in state custody since his arrest on Jan. 31, 2019.

According to the charging document, on Jan. 31, 2019, after an investigation into drug distribution in and around New Bedford, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Oswald’s apartment, where Oswald was found in possession of approximately 15 grams of a mixture of heroin and fentanyl, as well as over 450 grams of marijuana. Oswald has prior felony convictions for criminal possession of a firearm, and possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance.

The charge of distribution of a controlled substance provides for a sentence of no greater than 30 years in prison, up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $2 million. 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; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn; and New Bedford Police Chief Joseph C. Cordeiro made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Soivilien of Lelling’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.

This prosecution 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.

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

This guy was breaking into cars on Ash Street in New Bedford around 12:51am this morning. The video shows him checking doors – he got into the unlocked car and moved on past the locked ones.

It appears the same man was also breaking into cars in other parts of the city:

New Bedford police responded to a shot spotter activation for shots fired on Route 18. The shots were detected at 03:26 am on Tuesday. There were no injuries and no arrests were made.

Police are currently investigating.

Just after 10 p.m. on April 16th, Trooper Joseph Diliegro was on patrol traveling on Lowell Street in Andover when his attention was drawn to a Volvo station wagon with a defective exhaust system. He followed the vehicle for a short time and observed it cross the lane markings causing him to activate his blue lights and stop the Volvo.

After stopping the vehicle, Trooper Diliegro walked up to the driver’s side window noticing the two occupants frantically attempting to hide something. He asked the driver, identified as CAMERON GEESLIN, 22, of South Berwick, Maine, to roll the window down so he could speak with them. Trooper Diliegro asked if there were any weapons in the vehicle, to which GEESLIN admitted he was carrying a knife. For his safety, Trooper Diliegro had GEESLIN exit the vehicle and while doing so noticed a pistol in his waistband. It was determined GEESLIN did not possess a valid license to carry firearms and was immediately handcuffed then placed in the rear of Trooper Diliegro’s cruiser. The pistol was a 9mm Mauser loaded with a total of 14 rounds of ammunition.

It was also discovered GEESLIN had approximately 3 grams of a powdery substance believed to be Fentanyl.

Trooper Matthew McDermott and officers from Andover Police Department then arrived on scene to assist Trooper Diliegro. They approached the vehicle again to speak with the passenger, who initially provided a false name, but was eventually identified as EDWIN HUNT, 29, of Somersworth, New Hampshire.

It was discovered on scene that HUNT had an active warrant issued by Lowell District Court for criminal charges and he was taken into custody as well. HUNT was issued a citation for Failing to Wear a Seatbelt, he was not charged with any new criminal offenses.

Both men were transported to the Andover Barracks for booking where bail was set at $20,000 for GEESLIN and denied for HUNT. They were transported to Lawrence District Court the following morning.

GEESLIN was charged with the following:

1. Motor Vehicle Equipment Violation;
2. Marked Lanes Violation;
3. Possession of a Class A Drug;
4. Possession of Ammunition Without FID Card;
5. Carrying a Loaded Firearm; and
6. Possession of a Large Capacity Feeding Device.

New Bedford police arrested two people for OUI on Easter Sunday.

At 03:28 am, New Bedford police officers responded to a disturbance/argument on Purchase Street. Officers observed one of the individuals driving away in a vehicle and quickly stopped it. Officers determined the operator, 29-year old Malta Huertas of New Bedford, was driving under the influence of alcohol and placed under arrest. The driver is also being charged with possession of an open container in a motor vehicle.

At 10:55 pm, New Bedford police officers responded to a motor vehicle accident at 357 Nash Road. Officers determined that one of the operators, 25-year old Cade Maciel of New Bedford, was driving under the influence of alcohol and placed under arrest. The driver is also being charged with negligent operation of a motor vehicle. No injuries were reported by police.