Elon Musk recently brought the “migrant housing” issue in Massachusetts to the attention of 38 million people on ‘X,’ formerly known as ‘Twitter.’ Musk shared a video of Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll asking Massachusetts residents to host undocumented migrants in their homes and properties.

New York City just forced kids out of their school to house illegals https://t.co/RlXHNfAvKC

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 11, 2024

They’ve run out of hotel rooms, are kicking kids out of school for illegal housing and now they want your homes too https://t.co/Cro82sGjq9

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 10, 2024

Musk captioned the video stating, “New York City just forced kids out of their school to house illegals”. He is referring to the situation at James Maddison High School where students are now learning at home via zoom while the school is being used as shelter for migrants.

First group of migrants from Floyd Bennett field arrive at James Madison High School. Madison is a scan school where students get scanned upon entrance, but the migrants got to bypass that as per the NYPD. A lot of law enforcement and other agency resources have been poured into… pic.twitter.com/52kWetWRxA

— Councilwoman Inna Vernikov (@InnaVernikov) January 9, 2024

Elon Musk is not shy when it comes to voicing his opinion on controversial topics online. This one most definitely had ‘X’ buzzing with debate, although the idea that Massachusetts and New York are mishandling this entire situation seems to be more bipartisan than other controversial issues.

“BOSTON – A Salem, Mass. man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for distributing and possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

Andrew R. Sorrento, 35, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani to six years in prison and five years of supervised release. In October 2023, Sorrento pleaded guilty to possession and distribution of child pornography.

In July 2022, Sorrento was identified as an individual distributing CSAM via social media and text messages. During a search of Sorrento’s Salem residence on Dec. 9, 2022, his cell phone was seized and found to contain 23 images and seven videos depicting CSAM – including images of a child under 12-years-old.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by Homeland Security Investigations in Calgary (Canada). Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Tobin of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. 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 https://www.justice.gov/psc.”-Massachusetts Department of Justice.

A Randolph man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for sex trafficking a 15-year-old minor.

Admilson Gomes Pires, 26, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin to 11 years in prison and five years of supervised release. Pires was also ordered to pay $5,500 in restitution to the victim. In September 2023, Pires was convicted by a federal jury of one count of sex trafficking of a child and one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a child.

“Mr. Pires not only preyed upon a minor runaway, but he cruelly subjected her to sexual abuse and trafficking. His calculated manipulation, from grooming this vulnerable young girl to orchestrating commercial sex transactions, demonstrate a reprehensible lack of humanity,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “This case underscores why combatting human trafficking, which often hides in plain sight, is such a high priority for this office. January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month and our office remains steadfast in our commitment to combatting this heinous conduct, seeking justice for survivors and holding perpetrators accountable. The exploitation of vulnerable individuals, especially minors, will never be tolerated.”

“Admilson Pires is a predator who groomed a 15-year-old child who ran away from home for his own gratification and profit, and today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of his crimes,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “Sex trafficking is among the most depraved crimes on the books, and using a victim-centered approach, FBI Boston’s Child Exploitation – Human Trafficking Task Force will continue to do everything it can to protect our most vulnerable from those who seek to manipulate and harm them.”

In February 2019, Pires met the minor victim who had run from her home in Western Massachusetts and began a sexual relationship with her. Pires groomed the minor victim and, in July 2019, began trafficking her in Boston and Norwood. He first sold the minor victim for sex to his adult uncle in Dorchester and then created and posted a commercial sex advertisement online that contained explicit photographs and a video of the minor victim. Pires told the minor victim that she would have to engage in prostitution with strangers if she wanted to stay in a relationship with him.

Pires used drugs to manipulate an adult female into agreeing to harbor the minor victim at her apartment in Norwood for sex trafficking. Over the course of 11 days, Pires had the minor victim engage in commercial sex for him out of the Norwood apartment – arranging four to five “dates” per day in exchange for money he kept himself. On at least one occasion, a sex buyer that Pires had arranged for the minor victim to have sex with was extremely violent toward her.

On Aug. 1, 2019, local law enforcement located the minor victim in Norwood and returned her home.

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

Acting U.S. Attorney Levy and FBI SAC Cohen made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Suffolk and Norfolk County District Attorney’s Offices; the Massachusetts State Police; and the Arlington, Boston, Fall River, Norwood, Randolph and Springfield Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Moran, Chief of the Organized Crime and Gang Unit and Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Riley, Chief of the Civil Rights & Human Trafficking Unit prosecuted the case.

“BOSTON – A Chicago-area rap artist was sentenced today in federal court in Springfield, Mass. for participating in a nationwide wire fraud conspiracy that victimized businesses across the United States and for making a false statement to a federal agent to conceal his involvement.

Herbert Wright, 25, a/k/a “G Herbo,” was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to three years’ probation. Wright was also ordered to pay restitution and forfeiture of $139,968 each, as well as a $5,500 fine.

In July 2023, Wright pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of making a false statement to a federal official.

Wright was initially indicted by a federal grand jury in December 2020 along with five co-defendants, including rap promoter Antonio Strong, in connection with the alleged fraud conspiracy. Wright was subsequently charged with making false statements in May 2021.

“On social media, Mr. Wright boasted an extravagant lifestyle. He gave the impression that his use of private jets, luxury cars and tropical villas were the legitimate fruits of his booming rap career as “G Herbo.” However, his lavish lifestyle was shamelessly built on deceit and fraud using stolen account information that inflicted substantial harm on numerous businesses, leaving a wake of victims burdened with financial losses.” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy.

“This case should serve as a stark reminder that breaking the law leads to prosecution and accountability, regardless of who you are, how many likes you rack up or how many followers you have.”

Beginning in at least March 2017 through November 2018, Wright and, allegedly, his co-defendants, conspired to defraud numerous businesses and individuals throughout the United States by using unauthorized and stolen payment card account information of real individuals – including the actual cardholders’ names, addresses, security codes and account expiration dates. Generally, because the payment card information was authentic, the defrauded businesses and individuals successfully processed the fraudulent transactions and provided the goods and services to Wright and his alleged co-conspirators. The actual cardholders discovered these transactions on their accounts and disputed the charges with their card companies, who then charged back the transactions to the businesses and individuals, which consequently suffered losses in the amounts of the unauthorized transactions.

According to court documents, Wright frequently asked Strong for a number of luxury goods or services, such as flights, vehicles (“whips”), or accommodation (“cribs”), which Strong allegedly often procured by fraud using the stolen payment card account information. This included: four private jet charters for a total cost of over $80,000; over $34,000 in exotic car rentals including a Mercedes Benz 5560 and a Cadillac Escalade; and over $14,500 for a villa rental in Jamaica for which Wright also requested that Strong provide vehicles and an additional credit card account for his incidentals.

Wright also used fraud proceeds to travel to various concert venues and to advance his career by posting photographs and/or videos of himself on the private jets, in exotic cars and at the Jamaican villa on social media and in music videos.

Additionally, according to court documents in November 2018, Wright falsely told a federal agent that he never worked with or was assisted by Strong; he never provided Strong any money; he never received anything of value from Strong; and he had no direct relationship with Strong. In fact, since at least 2016 it is alleged that Strong worked with and assisted Wright; Wright allegedly provided Strong money; Wright allegedly received valuable goods from Strong, including private jet charters, luxury accommodations and exotic car rentals; and Wright allegedly had frequent direct contact with Strong, including phone conversations, text messages and Instagram messages.

Wright admitted, as part his guilty plea, that he was responsible for $139,878 in victim losses. Strong has pleaded not guilty.

Acting U.S. Attorney Levy and Andrew Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service, Boston Field Office made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven H. Breslow of the Springfield Branch Office and Trial Attorneys Andrew Tyler and Kyle Crawford of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case.

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

An anonymous source recently sent us a video capturing a man punching and knocking out another man in the parking lot of “The Last Round” in New Bedford. This individual told us, “I want to be anonymous but this is Servulo Pires, assaulting a man who he didn’t know in the parking lot of Last Round. He hit him without expecting it breaking multiple teeth and breaking his eye socket.”

The New Bedford Police Department was notified and released this statement regarding the video: “We have determined that this video captures an incident that took place on September 3rd of last year. Mr. SERVULO PIRES, 30, of New Bedford has been charged with Assault and Battery causing serious injury. The case remains open in New Bedford district court.”

The video of the incident is captured below:

“Threats caused evacuation at Harvard and the controlled detonation of a hoax device.

BOSTON – A Manchester, N.H., man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston for a series of extortionate bomb threats against Harvard University. The extortionate threats caused the evacuation of Harvard’s Science Center Plaza and surrounding academic buildings, and the controlled detonation of what was later determined to be a hoax device on April 13, 2023.

William A. Giordani, 55, pleaded guilty to one count of concealing a federal felony. U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley scheduled sentencing for April 25, 2024. Giordani was initially arrested and charged by criminal complaint in May 2023 and subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in June 2023.

F.B.I. photo.

In the early afternoon of April 13, 2023, Giordani placed a large tool bag, which concealed a locked safe containing fireworks and electrical wires, in the center of Harvard’s Science Center Plaza, where students and others had gathered. Shortly thereafter, a caller, using a voice changing app to conceal his identity, called the Harvard University Police Department (HUPD) and said that he had placed three bombs on the Harvard campus. The caller demanded an unspecified amount in Bitcoin to prevent the remote detonation of the bombs. In several ensuing calls, the caller told HUPD that he was serious about his demands and that they could find the first bomb in the Science Center Plaza.

HUPD discovered the device planted by Giordani, next to a bench in the center of Science Center Plaza and issued an emergency evacuation order of the area and nearby buildings. A responding bomb squad from the Cambridge Police Department assessed and disabled the device. No additional devices were found on campus that day.

F.B.I. photo.

A subsequent investigation revealed that Giordani had been recruited to join the extortion scheme via a craigslist.org advertisement. Once Giordani knew he had been recruited to assist in an extortionate bomb scheme, he had an obligation under federal law to report that scheme to law enforcement authorities. Instead, he deleted incriminating text messages, told his girlfriend not to speak to anyone about it and went on the run from police.

The charge of concealing a felony provides for a sentence of up to three years in prison and one year of supervised release. 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 United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Boston Division; Harvard University Police Chief Victor Clay; and Cambridge Police Commissioner Christine Elow made the announcement. Assistance was provided by the Nashua (N.H.) Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. McNeil of the National Security Unit is prosecuting the case.”-Massachusetts Department of Justice.

F.B.I. photo.

“AUDIENCE:

• Restaurants and food retailers in Illinois (IL), Massachusetts (MA), New Jersey (NJ), New York (NY), and Pennsylvania (PA) that have recently purchased certain Intershell International Corp (MA 7802 SP) whole, live scallops that were received from an unlicensed harvester, believed to be harvested from prohibited waters in MA and incorrectly labeled as harvest location FED 514, with harvest dates 12/26/23, 12/27/23 and 01/01/24.

• Consumers in IL, MA, NJ, NY, and PA who have recently purchased or consumed certain Intershell International Corp (MA 7802 SP) whole, live scallops, that were received from an unlicensed harvester, believed to be harvested from prohibited waters in MA and incorrectly labeled as harvest location FED 514, with harvest dates 12/26/23, 12/27/23 and 01/01/24.

PRODUCT:

Certain whole, live scallops that were received from an unlicensed harvester, believed to be harvested from prohibited waters in MA and incorrectly labeled as harvest location FED 514, with harvest dates 12/26/23, 12/27/23 and 01/01/24 that were distributed to IL, MA, NJ, NY, and PA. It is possible that these scallops may have been distributed to other states as well.

PURPOSE:
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising consumers not to eat, and restaurants and food retailers not to sell, and to dispose of certain Intershell International Corp (MA 7802 SP) whole, live scallops that were received from an unlicensed harvester, believed to be harvested from prohibited waters in MA and incorrectly labeled as harvest location FED 514, with harvest dates 12/26/23, 12/27/23 and 01/01/24 because they may be contaminated. The scallops were directly distributed to distributors and retailers in IL, MA, NJ, NY, and PA and may have been distributed further from these states.

Scallops harvested from prohibited waters may be contaminated with human pathogens, toxic elements or poisonous or deleterious substances and can cause illness if consumed. Scallops are filter feeders that remove and bioaccumulate bacteria and other pathogens from the water. It is not uncommon for shellfish to be consumed raw and whole. Contaminated scallops can cause illness if eaten raw and whole, or with viscera or roe attached, particularly in people with compromised immune systems. Scallops contaminated with pathogens may look, smell, and taste normal.

SYMPTOMS OF FOOD POISONING:

People can get sick with food poisoning after ingesting pathogens, toxic elements, or poisonous or deleterious substances. Symptoms may vary, depending on the pathogen or contaminant and can range from mild to serious. The most common symptoms of food poisoning are diarrhea, stomach pain or cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fever. Symptoms may start within a few hours or may take a few days and can last for a few hours or several days. Consumers of these products who are experiencing food poisoning symptoms such as diarrhea, stomach pain or cramps, nausea, vomiting, or fever should contact their healthcare provider, who should report their symptoms to their local Health Department.

SUMMARY OF PROBLEM AND SCOPE:
On 01/05/2024, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health informed the FDA that certain whole, live scallops from Intershell International Corp (certified dealer number, MA 7802 SP) were allegedly harvested from a prohibited area and potentially contaminated. The scallops were received from an unlicensed harvester, believed to be harvested from prohibited waters in MA, and incorrectly labeled as harvest location: FED 514, with harvest dates 12/26/23, 12/27/23 and 01/01/24. These whole, live scallops were directly distributed to distributors and retailers in IL, MA, NJ, NY, and PA and may have been distributed further from these states.

On 01/09/2024, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health provided to the FDA notice of recallExternal Link Disclaimer initiated by Intershell International Corp for certain whole, live scallops that were “received from an unlicensed harvester, allegedly harvested from a prohibited area in MA” and incorrectly labeled as harvest location: FED 514, with harvest dates 12/26/23, 12/27/23 and 01/01/24, and informed the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation ConferenceExternal Link Disclaimer who subsequently notified the other member states. The states are continuing to conduct trace forward investigations. The FDA is assisting with and coordinating interstate notification efforts as a result of the states’ investigations.

FDA ACTIONS:

The FDA is issuing this alert advising consumers not to eat, and restaurants and food retailers not to sell, certain Intershell International Corp (MA 7802 SP) whole, live scallops received from an unlicensed harvester, believed to be harvested from prohibited waters in MA and incorrectly labeled as harvest location FED 514, with harvest dates 12/26/23, 12/27/23 and 01/01/24. The FDA is awaiting further information on distribution of the scallops and will continue to monitor the investigation and provide assistance to state authorities as needed.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR RESTAURANTS AND RETAILERS:

Restaurants and retailers should not serve or sell the potentially contaminated whole, live scallops. Restaurants and retailers should dispose of any products by throwing them in the garbage or returning them to their distributor for destruction.

Restaurants and retailers should also be aware that shellfish may be a source of pathogens and should control the potential for cross-contamination of food processing equipment and the food processing environment. They should follow the steps below:

• Wash hands with warm water and soap following the cleaning and sanitation process.
• Retailers, restaurants, and other food service operators who have processed and packaged any potentially contaminated products need to be concerned about cross-contamination of cutting surfaces and utensils through contact with the potentially contaminated products.
• Retailers that have sold bulk product should clean and sanitize the containers used to hold the product.
Regular frequent cleaning and sanitizing of food contact surfaces and utensils used in food preparation may help to minimize the likelihood of cross-contamination.

RECOMMENDATIONS FO CONSUMERS:

Consumers should not eat the potentially contaminated whole, live scallops. Consumers who have symptoms should contact their health care provider to report their symptoms and receive care.”-F.D.A.

“Detectives have placed a north-end man under arrest following a significant seizure.

On Monday, January 8th, New Bedford police investigators executed a search warrant at 818 Tarkiln Hill Rd. The target of the investigation at this north-end address was EARL GARNER, 32. As the result of a search of the residence, GARNER was found to be in possession of 396 grams of cocaine, 142 grams of Fentanyl, 4.6 grams of “crack” cocaine, and Suboxone strips. Accompanying these dangerous substances were cutting agents, packaging materials, digital scales, and items associated with the preparation of narcotics for illicit sales.

Also discovered in the home were four firearms: an AK pistol with a 30-round magazine, a .380 Smith & Wesson handgun, and two 9mm pistols along with magazines and over 400 rounds of various calibers of ammunition. The .380 handgun was later found to have been stolen out of Georgia.

<
City of New Bedford Police Department photo.

In addition to the narcotics and firearms, $79,932 in cash was located and seized as proceeds from illicit sales.

GARNER has previous convictions for firearms-related charges out of Brockton District Court and Bristol Superior. At the time of this arrest, GARNER had an open case in Malden District Court for carrying a firearm without a license and was on an electronic monitoring bracelet.

GARNER is now charged with a variety of serious offenses including trafficking in excess of 200 grams of cocaine, trafficking in excess of 100 grams of fentanyl, 4 counts of firearm possession.

“I’m very pleased to see that such a sizeable amount of harmful narcotics and illegal firearms were taken off of our streets with this arrest. Mr. GARNER’s prior convictions and ongoing case leave me with little doubt that incarceration is necessary to halt his criminal activities. Now that these officers have done their job, we look toward our partner organizations within the criminal justice system to fulfill their roles.”

-Chief Paul Oliveira

The arresting officer was Detective Lorenzo Gonzalez.

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.

For the first time ever, “undocumented students” will be able to apply for state need-based financial aid in the state of Massachusetts. According to a press release put out by Governor Healey,

“The MASFA is an alternative form that provides students who cannot complete the Free Application for State Financial Aid (FAFSA) due to their immigration status a way to apply for state need-based financial aid.

The application launch follows the August 2023 passage of Massachusetts’ Tuition Equity Law, which allows students who have completed at least three years of high school in Massachusetts and received a high school diploma or its equivalent in the Commonwealth to access in-state tuition and be eligible for financial aid, regardless of immigration status.”

To be eligible, Massachusetts residents must meet the following criteria:

• Was admitted to a public or private institution of higher education within the Massachusetts system of public higher education.

• Have attended at least three academic years at a high school in Massachusetts.

• Have graduated from high school in Massachusetts or have received the equivalent of a high school diploma (for example, a GED) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

• Have applied for military selective service, if eligible.

• If the individual is not a citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States, that person must provide a completed the DHE Affidavit stating that the individual will file an application to become a citizen or legal permanent resident within 120 days after the individual becomes eligible to do so.

“The City’s annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Community Program will be held on Sunday, Jan. 14 from 2-3:30 p.m. at the International Church of the Nazarene located at 278 Pleasant St.

Sponsored by the City of New Bedford’s Department of Community Services and its Human Rights Commission, and the Office of the Mayor, the program will feature musical performances, remarks from Mayor Jon Mitchell, and keynote speaker Rev. Dr. Sandra Gatlin Whitley.

Rev. Dr. Whitley is the senior pastor at Bethel A.M.E. Church in New Bedford. She served 22 years as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Air Force before pursuing ministry. Rev. Dr. Whitley attended Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary and earned a Master of Divinity and a Master of Arts in 2004. She was ordained Itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 2007 and served as pastor for 14 years at People’s A.M.E. Church in Chelsea. She currently serves on the Governor’s Advisory Committee on Women Veterans.

“New Bedford is committed to Dr. King’s timeless values of peace, justice, and service,” Mayor Jon Mitchell said. “Our City will come together at this annual remembrance ceremony to celebrate Dr. King and his message.”

Sunday’s program features musical performances from New Bedford native Candida Rose Baptista, Councilor at-Large Shane Burgo, Elliot Talley, Vanessa Marques, the International Church of Nazarene Youth Choir, and more.

All are encouraged to attend. For more information, contact the MLK Planning Committee at MLK@newbedford-ma.gov or at 508-979-1692.”-City of New Bedford.

City of New Bedford photo.