A corrections officer at the Massachusetts Correctional Institute facility in Norfolk (MCI-Norfolk) was arrested on Monday, November 19 and charged in connection with conspiracy to smuggle Suboxone strips into the facility for an inmate.

Steven J. Frazer, 29, of Cumberland, R.I., was arrested today and charged in a criminal complaint with one count of conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute. Frazer, an employee of the Massachusetts Department of Correction, will appear this afternoon before Magistrate Judge Donald L. Cabell.

Beginning around Nov. 14, 2018, it is alleged that Frazer began arranging with a cooperating witness to smuggle Suboxone strips into MCI-Norfolk to sell to inmates. Suboxone is a Class III controlled substance used to treat heroin addiction, but some addicts abuse it to get high. It is coveted as contraband in prisons across the nation and particularly in New England.

According to court documents, around midnight on Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, the cooperating witness met Frazer in a South Attleboro parking lot and provided him with 40 Suboxone strips, 24 pages of K2 (a synthetic cannabinoid, which is more powerful and more dangerous than marijuana), and $2,500 in cash. After the meeting – which was audio and video recorded by law enforcement – federal agents arrested Frazer.

The charge of conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $500,000. 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; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Commissioner Thomas A. Turco III of the Massachusetts Department of Correction made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugenia M. Carris of Lelling’s Public Corruption and Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting the case.

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

A Plymouth man was sentenced on Monday, November 19, in federal court in Boston for anonymously stalking three women by text message and social media, including one woman he stalked throughout the 14-months they dated.

Joseph Kukstis, 29, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to 41 months in prison and three years of supervised release, during which his computer and internet use will be subject to permission and monitoring. The Court deferred the issue of restitution until a hearing scheduled for Dec. 6, 2018. In August 2018, Kukstis pleaded guilty to three counts of stalking by electronic means. He was arrested and charged in April 2018 and has been in federal custody since.

From August 2015 until February 2018, Kukstis targeted a woman he was dating through an anonymous harassment campaign, whereby he sent the victim hundreds of degrading text messages, many of which urged her to kill herself, and threatened that her harasser would come to her home. Kukstis also sent private, intimate pictures of the victim to her friends and acquaintances through a “spoofed” Instagram account he created in her name. In addition, Kukstis harassed men who he believed were romantically involved with the woman. Kukstis also attempted to obtain unauthorized access to the victim’s social media accounts. In addition, Kukstis sent himself harassing messages that he then shared with the victim, purportedly as proof to her that he, too, was a victim of the stalking. In January 2018, Kukstis sent an e-mail from an account in his own name to the victim, saying: “it was me the entire time, I hate myself for it.”

In connection with his plea, Kukstis admitted to cyberstalking four other girlfriends and acquaintances. These included a friend from elementary school who he attempted to drive apart from her then boyfriend. Kukstis sent the victim anonymous text messages stating that she was fat, worthless, and that she should kill herself.

Kukstis also cyberstalked another woman with whom he was in a romantic relationship. In early 2013, Kukstis texted the victim and her friends from anonymous phone numbers, calling her names and harassing her. He also attempted to access the victim’s email and social media accounts. The victim obtained a civil restraining order against Kukstis in February 2013.

In 2014, Kukstis was in a romantic relationship with another woman who he texted posing as her childhood crush and solicited intimate pictures of her. When she complied, Kukstis (posing as the childhood crush) threatened to tell Kukstis about this “betrayal” if she didn’t confess herself. In November 2014, as a result of these and similar encounters, the victim ended her relationship with Kukstis and obtained a civil restraining order against him. Kukstis repeatedly violated the restraining order by contacting and anonymously harassing the victim.

In November 2017, Kukstis began messaging with another woman via Instagram, Snapchat, and text message. He sent the victim anonymous text messages through Pinger, including messages in which he posed as the victim’s ex-boyfriend, against whom she had a civil restraining order. When the victim confronted Kukstis for impersonating her ex-boyfriend, Kukstis responded in a text messages stating: “You’re fat this was funny you suck;” “Glad your day is ruined;” and “Kill yourself [Jane Doe C].”

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth B. Kosto of Lelling’s Cybercrime Unit prosecuted the case.

A 46-year-old New Bedford man arrested late last year for dealing heroin out of his Coffin Avenue apartment was sentenced to serve up to four-and-a-half years in state prison recently, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

Edwin Cabezudo pleaded guilty in Fall River Superior Court to an indictment charging him with possession with intent to distribute a Class A Drug (heroin). The defendant has been previously convicted of three other drug offenses in 2000, 2003 and 2010.

After an extensive investigation by New Bedford Police, detectives applied for and were granted a search warrant for the defendant’s residence last December. On December 13, 2017, detectives executed the search warrant at the defendant’s address and seized 23 grams of heroin, more than $12,000 in cash from a drug distribution enterprise. The defendant, who was home at the time of the execution of the search warrant was arrested without incident.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney William Flynn, and the three-and-a-half to four-and-a-half year state prison sentence was imposed by Judge Mark Hallal.

“This defendant, who has a prior history of drug dealing, continues to profit off the opioid crisis,” District Attorney Quinn said. “There must be accountability for those individuals who are making money off of others misery.”

MATTHEW VINCENT JULIAN is wanted on several outstanding warrants for violent crimes by the Yarmouth Police Department.

JULIAN is a convicted violent Felon and has a wide ranging criminal record with 41 prior criminal charges on his adult record in Massachusetts.

On Friday, November 2, 2018 at 10:30PM, JULIAN allegedly attacked a pregnant woman known to him at a home on Long Pond Drive in South Yarmouth. Yarmouth Police Officers responded and assisted the victim. The suspect had fled and could not be located. The Yarmouth Police Department obtained an Arrest Warrant and a Protective Order, contacted the Middleboro Police Department where Julian is well known, and continued to search for the suspect.

On Saturday, November 3, 2018 at 9PM, the Yarmouth Police Department tracked down and located the suspect hiding in a basement at a home on Webbers Path in West Yarmouth. The suspect was taken in to custody and held at Yarmouth Police Department Headquarters.

With his long and violent record and the new charge of attacking a pregnant woman, the Civilian Bail Commissioner set the bail at $540. The suspect paid the bail and was released promising to be in the Barnstable District Court for his arraignment on Monday morning.

The suspect did not show up for court and has since contacted the victim and violated the Protective Order.

MATTHEW VINCENT JULIAN
21 Spruce Street Middleboro
White Male Age 30
5’11 200 Pounds Hazel Eyes Brown Hair
Tattoo on left hip “JULIAN”
Tattoo on left shoulder “ONLY GOD CAN JUDGE ME”
Tattoo on back 2 HEARTS

May be driving a green 2003 GMC Sierra pick up truck with Massachusetts Commercial Registration S21150

WARRANTS
Assault and Battery on a Pregnant Woman
Violation of a Protection Order
Citizens with information are urged to use caution and immediately contact the Yarmouth Police Department at 508.775.0445 extension 0 or Yarmouth Police Detective Division Commander Lieutenant Michael Bryant at 508.775.0445 extension 2122 or email us at info@yarmouthpolice.com

A federal grand jury has indicted a Mexican national in connection with a murder aboard a fishing vessel off the coast of Massachusetts.

Franklin Freddy Meave Vazquez, 27, was indicted today on one count of murder in the second degree, one count of attempted murder, and one count of assault with a dangerous weapon. Meave Vazquez was arrested and charged by complaint on Sept. 24, 2018, and has been detained since.

On Sept. 23, 2018, the fishing vessel, Captain Billy Haver, was sailing approximately 55 miles off the coast of Massachusetts with seven crew members aboard, including Meave Vazquez. It is alleged that at some point in the afternoon, Meave Vazquez assaulted a crew member on board with a hammer in one hand and a knife in the other. The victim then saw that another crew member was lying on the deck bleeding. Meave Vazquez then struck a third crew member with the hammer. It is further alleged that Meave Vazquez then climbed up the mast of the ship as the others onboard tried to capture him.

The captain of the ship placed a call on the distress channel, to which a German cruise ship, the Mein Schiff 6, responded. Two of the wounded were taken aboard the cruise ship, where one victim was pronounced dead by the ship’s doctor.

According to court documents, Meave Vazquez is illegally present in the United States. On March 9, 2018, he was arrested in Newport News, Va., for abduction by force, intimidation, or deception, and released on bond.

The charge of second-degree murder provides for a sentence of up to life in prison, five years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. The charge of attempted murder provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. The charge of assault with a dangerous weapon provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Vazquez will be subject to deportation proceedings upon completion of any sentence imposed. 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; Richard D. Cox, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S Coast Guard Investigative Services Northeast Region; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christine Wichers and Laura J. Kaplan of Lelling’s Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.

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

A Salvadoran national was charged in federal court in Boston in connection with a law enforcement seizure of 15 kilos of fentanyl discarded on the side of a road in Sturbridge.

Nelson Garcia Martinez, 37, a Salvadoran national residing in Stockton, Calif., was charged with one count of distribution of 400 grams or more of fentanyl. Garcia Martinez is in custody pending a detention and probable cause hearing.

According to the charging document, Garcia Martinez was arrested on Nov. 13, 2018, after federal agents conducting surveillance at a rest stop in Sturbridge allegedly observed Garcia Martinez meet with two unidentified individuals outside of Garcia Martinez’s tractor trailer. When the two unidentified individuals left the area, law enforcement attempted to stop their vehicle, but they fled. When they did finally pull to the side of the road, the passenger exited the car and discarded a vacuum sealed garment bag and then fled into the surrounding woods, while the driver of the car left the scene at high speed. The garment bag burst open on the ground, and agents recovered 15 kilograms of a substance that tested positive for fentanyl. Garcia Martinez consented to a search of his tractor trailer, where vacuum sealed bags matching the one discarded on the side of the road were recovered.

Law enforcement were led to Garcia Martinez after discovering a phone number, allegedly later determined to be associated with Garcia Martinez, that was believed to be used by a drug transporter related to an October 2018 seizure of 32 kilos of fentanyl in Methuen.

Garcia Martinez faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $10 million. He will also be subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed. 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 Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division, made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Somerville, Medford, Boston, Ipswich, and Arlington Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Ferguson of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.

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

On Sunday at about 8:15 p.m. a male juvenile stole a car in the parking lot of Cumberland Farms on Main Street in Wareham. When the owner who was in the store, approached the suspect he started to drive away dragging the owner several feet.

The stolen vehicle then fled down Main Street and Wareham police officers followed the car attempting to stop it. The suspect jumped from the car after finally stopping in the area of Hathaway Street near the train tracks. After a brief foot chase he was apprehended by Officers James White and Michael Phinney.

The juvenile is being charged with, larceny of a motor vehicle, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and receiving a stolen motor vehicle. The owner of the car was treated and released from Tobey Hospital.

A West Springfield man is under arrest for drunk driving and other offenses after traveling the wrong way on Route 91 and striking an MSP cruiser and two other vehicles before rolling over.

The suspect, driving a pickup truck, entered Longmeadow, Mass., from Connecticut on Route 91, going north on the southbound side of the highway, at around 10 p.m. Massachusetts State Police began receiving calls from motorists reporting the wrong way operation.

An MSP Trooper who was on patrol around Mile Marker 3 quickly located the wrong way driver coming toward him. The suspect was in the breakdown lane. The Trooper positioned his cruiser in front of the wrong-way operator in an attempt to stop him and prevent injury to other motorists.

The suspect vehicle did not stop, hit the cruiser, and continued to go north in the southbound side. It struck two other vehicles before flipping over in Springfield.

The suspect was not injured when he crashed. He was taken out of his vehicle and Troopers observed obvious signs of impairment. The man was transported to State Police-Springfield, where he is currently being booked.

The Trooper was taken to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield for evaluation of injuries believed to be minor. He remains at the hospital undergoing tests at this time. His cruiser sustained significant damage.

According to preliminary information from the scene, at least one other motor vehicle operator struck by the wrong-way suspect suffered injuries, also believed to be minor.

State Police shut down all southbound lanes to facilitate the emergency response and crash investigation. All lanes were reopened at 12:01 a.m. today.

MSP Troopers were assisted at the scene by Longmeadow Firefighters and Massachusetts Department of Transportation workers.

A Natick man was arrested on Friday, November 9, and charged in federal court in Boston in connection with possessing child pornography.

Joshua Bemis, 28, was charged with one count of possession of child pornography. He appeared in federal court in Boston today and was ordered detained pending a detention hearing.

According to court documents, federal authorities received information from law enforcement in the United Kingdom about an individual whose IP address was traced to Bemis’ Natick residence, who had posted child pornography on a photo sharing website. Law enforcement subsequently executed a search warrant where they seized a laptop computer and separate hard drive, both of which contained hundreds of videos of children, including some that depict the rape of children as young as seven-years-old.

Bemis faces a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, a minimum of five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. 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; Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; and Natick Police Chief James G. Hicks made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Tobin is prosecuting the case.

The case was 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/.

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

On Saturday, November 10, at approximately 5:24 p.m., Dartmouth Police, and other emergency personnel, responded to the area of #104 Chase Road for a motor vehicle vs. utility pole crash.

Upon arrival officers had to immediately shut traffic down, as the utility pole was severed as a result of the impact. Also at this time, officers identified the operator of the involved 2006 Subaru Impreza as Keith AVILA, 34, of New Bedford, Massachusetts.

From the onset of making contact with police, AVILA was described as being “belligerent.”

As a result of the corresponding investigation that took place, AVILA was placed under arrest.

Upon arrival at Dartmouth Police Headquarters, AVILA allegedly threatened officer/s, vandalized town property, struck his own head against a bathroom wall, and urinated in a trash can while handcuffed to the booking room wall.

AVILA was subsequently charged with operating under the influence of liquor, a marked lanes violation, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, having an open container of liquor in a motor vehicle, intimidation of a witness and vandalism. In addition, AVILA also received a town by-law violation for having an open container of marijuana in a motor vehicle.

Though AVILA stated that he was not injured as a result of the crash (or striking his own head against the wall), he was evaluated by EMS personnel and refused further medical treatment.