BOSTON, Feb. 10, 2017—A Dorchester woman was formally sentenced for her role in helping to cover up the murder of her daughter, 2-year-old Bella Bond, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

RACHELLE DEE BOND (D.O.B. 7/25/75) pleaded guilty on Feb. 10 to the indicted charges of being an accessory after the fact to murder and larceny over $250 by false pretense. She was not accused of any involvement in Bella’s death: rather, she had been charged with aiding the man who allegedly killed her in the aftermath and continuing to receive state benefits intended to support the girl’s care.

At the request of Assistant District Attorney David Deakin, chief of the DA’s Family Protection and Sexual Assault Bureau, Judge Janet Sanders sentenced her to the nearly two years she has spent behind bars following her Sept. 18, 2015, arrest. That request was made following her testimony at the murder trial of her former boyfriend, MICHAEL PATRICK McCARTHY (D.O.B. 5/29/80), who was convicted of second-degree murder last month.

Bella Bond’s body washed ashore on Deer Island in Winthrop in a trash bag on June 24, 2016. She was known only as “Baby Doe” until September, when Rachelle Bond confided in a friend that her daughter had been murdered and investigators determined her identity.

When confronted by State Police assigned to the Suffolk DA’s office, Deakin said, Bond gave a full and detailed statement to detectives that was later substantially corroborated by independent evidence. Since shortly after her arrest, Deakin told the court, she expressed her desire to cooperate with McCarthy’s prosecution, and waived her right against self-incrimination clears the way for her to testify against him.

Evidence and testimony introduced during McCarthy’s three-week trial established that he caused the child’s death inside Rachelle Bond’s home on a night in early June 2015 and later placed her body in a trash bag, which he then placed in a duffle bag he weighted down and dumped into Boston Harbor. There was no evidence introduced through any witness to indicate that Rachelle Bond had played a part in her daughter’s homicide.

Kara Hayes is the DA’s assigned victim-witness advocate. Bond is represented by attorney Janice Bassil and McCarthy by attorney Jonathan Shapiro.

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

BOSTON, July 13, 2017—The second of two men identified in the 2016 homicide of Carlos Villatoro-Nunez has been apprehended in Texas and is expected to return to Massachusetts tomorrow to face arraignment on a murder charge, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

JORGE MELGAR FUENTES (D.O.B. 2/28/98) was arrested on June 7 by Homeland Security Investigations agents in Houston and later held on a June 30 East Boston Municipal Court murder warrant. Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the Suffolk County Detective Unit and State Police Gang Unit today traveled there to take custody of Fuentes at the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.

Fuentes is the second person to be charged in Villatoro-Nunez’ stabbing death at the Belle Isle Marsh in East Boston. MORIS JAVIER LANDAVERDE (D.O.B. 11/94/95) of East Boston was indicted May 1 for first-degree murder and is currently held without bail.

The 16-year-old victim’s body was found in the area of the Bennington Street entrance on Dec. 9, 2016, almost a month after his family reported him missing. Though decomposition and other factors initially complicated the death investigation, authorities believe he sustained fatal stab wounds.

Because the area is State property maintained by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the investigation into Villatoro-Nunez’ homicide was led by State Police detectives assigned to Conley’s office with the assistance of the State Police Gang Unit.

Witness statements, cell phone records, and physical evidence from the scene suggest that Fuentes and Landaverde undertook the homicide in the course of gang-related activity and that Villatoro-Nunez’ slaying was not random.

“Police and prosecutors worked patiently, methodically, and professionally over many months to reach this point,” Conley said. “But this is not the end of the case. That day will come only when we speak for a 16-year-old murder victim in a Suffolk County courtroom.”

Fuentes is expected to return to Boston tomorrow afternoon and will be arraigned in East Boston Municipal Court on Monday.

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Gunman Also Indicted, To Be Arraigned Later
BOSTON, July 13, 2017—A year and a half after 22-year-old Marquis Waithe was shot and killed on Brookledge Street, the alleged gunman and a co-defendant accused of assisting him have been indicted for his homicide, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

The Suffolk County Grand Jury yesterday returned indictments charging JONATHAN AGUASVIVAS, 24, and CALVIN BOYKINS, 25, with first-degree murder, unlawful possession of a firearm, and three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon in Waithe’s Feb. 4, 2016, shooting death. Boston Police took Boykins into custody yesterday; Aguasvivas was already in custody, charged with a separate homicide.

At Boykins’ arraignment today in Suffolk Superior Court, Clerk Magistrate Edward Curley ordered him held without bail and set a next court date of Aug. 1. Aguasvivas, who is held without bail in the June 8, 2016, homicide of 17-year-old Raekwon Brown, will be arraigned at a later date.

Evidence developed by Boston Police homicide detectives on the street and Suffolk prosecutors behind the closed doors of the grand jury suggests that the defendants traveled together to the area of Brookledge Street, where Boykins assisted Aguasvivas in passing through a building to a parking lot. There, Aguasvivas produced a handgun and fired at a group near 55 Brookledge St., missing three men but striking Waithe and causing fatal injuries. Boykins is charged under the theory of joint venture for allegedly assisting Aguasvivas in the homicide, being present as it was committed, and sharing his intent.

Boykins was represented by attorney John Hayes.

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

BOSTON, July 13, 2017— A Watertown woman was found guilty yesterday of driving drunk when she caused the crash that left her passenger with permanent injuries, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

A Brighton Municipal Court jury yesterday found ROZA GRIGORYAN (D.O.B. 12/20/93) guilty of operating under the influence of alcohol in connection with the 2015 crash on Storrow Drive. She faces sentencing on Tuesday. Jurors acquitted Grigorian of causing serious bodily injury while operating under the influence.

During the course of the three-day trial, Assistant District Attorney Kristina Kerwin of the DA’s Major Felony Bureau presented evidence and testimony to prove that Grigoryan was behind the wheel of a 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee at approximately 2:30 a.m. on Aug. 16, 2015. Also in the vehicle was a then-23-year-old male passenger in the vehicle’s back seat.  A State Trooper stopped at a separate traffic incident observed the vehicle operating westbound on Storrow Drive at a high rate of speed and took down its license plate number.

Approximately one minute later, the Jeep struck the right guardrail and rode the guardrail for approximately 18 feet before launching into the abutment of the Weeks Footbridge. The Jeep came to a rest facing in the opposite direction of travel and burst into flames with both occupants trapped inside.  The nearby trooper arrived at scene and extinguished the flames.

The victim was transported to Brigham and Women’s Hospital in serious condition, with injuries that included a broken neck and head trauma. He awoke in the hospital three days later, unable to move.  He has since regained much but not all of his mobility.

Grigoryan was transported to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center with a broken femur.

State Police responding to the crash located several empty marijuana prescription bottles, a glass bong, and an open bottle of Jack Daniels inside the heavily damaged vehicle. Blood testing conducted at the hospital approximately one hour and 15 minutes after the crash indicated a blood alcohol level of .06, and testimony proved that Grigoryan smoked marijuana and consumed at least two to three alcoholic beverages at Cure Lounge prior to the crash.

Tamisha Civil is the DA’s assigned victim-witness advocate. Grigoryan is represented by Bill Concannon. She faces sentencing before Judge Debra Shopteese on Tuesday.

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

BOSTON, July 14, 2017—Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley today asked for the public’s help as State Police and Suffolk prosecutors investigate a fatal collision on the Massachusetts Turnpike in Brighton on Wednesday.

Police and prosecutors are seeking witnesses to the crash, which took place just after 2:00 pm near Exit 17, and in particular any dashboard camera or other video footage taken by commercial or private motorists that might have captured the incident.

The preliminary investigation by the Suffolk County State Police Detective Unit and the State Police Collision Analysis Reconstruction Section suggests that a commercially-owned Chevrolet pickup truck was traveling eastbound when it stopped in the right travel lane – an area without a breakdown lane – so the driver and a passenger could secure an attached trailer. A 2010 BMW 528I driven by a 19-year-old-man from Revere struck the rear of the trailer.

The Chevrolet’s driver, a 20-year-old man from Everett, was struck in the roadway and died at the scene. The passenger, a 25-year-old-man from Everett was also injured and was transported to Brigham and Women’s Hospital. The 19-year-old driver of the BMW was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital. No charges have been sought at this time.

Anyone with information or footage related to the collision, even if it appears only tangential, is asked to contact the Suffolk County State Police Detective Unit at 617-727-8817.

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

BOSTON, July 18, 2017—A Suffolk prosecutor praised by top jurists for his work on the Department of Public Health lab crisis led a presentation last week for prosecutors from across the country on tackling problems at forensic labs, District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

The Prosecutors’ Center for Excellence selected Assistant District Attorney Vincent DeMore to address top prosecutors from 23 states on Friday at its national best practices meeting in Minneapolis. The PCE’s mission is to help prosecutors improve the criminal justice system, to address emerging topics, and to support statewide best practices committees for prosecutors. The focus of the summit was to share successful ideas and to discuss best practices to enhance the criminal justice system.

“As prosecutors, our duty is to seek justice, not victory,” Conley said. “We best fulfill that duty by identifying best practices, adhering to them in our daily work, and moving the criminal justice system forward in fairness, accuracy, and integrity.”

Experts from around the nation gave presentations on ethics, discovery practices, forensic laboratory issues, and other discussions on prosecutors’ constitutional and legal obligations. The participants shared innovative ideas and approaches on these topics from their own states.

DeMore led a presentation on Massachusetts’ response to the crisis at the Department of Public Health’s Hinton Laboratory. DeMore has been recognized by a former justice of the Supreme Judicial Court and others for doing “a wonderful job” and providing “enormous assistance to the court” in identifying, re-litigating, and dismissing thousands of Suffolk County drug convictions affected by the actions of rogue chemist Annie Dookhan.

“The national best practices movement by prosecutors has seen remarkable progress in the span of just a few years,” said Kristine Hamann, Executive Director of PCE. “This meeting demonstrates the benefits of the best practices movement that has spurred the sharing of new ideas and innovations that are being implemented by prosecutors around the country.

Hamann is a former Visiting Fellow at the Bureau of Justice Assistance/Department of Justice and former Executive Assistant District Attorney in the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.

“Mr. DeMore helped Massachusetts chart a legal and ethical course forward through the unprecedented crisis at the Hinton Lab,” Conley said. “I can’t think of a prosecutor more qualified to identify and promote effective responses to similar cases with our counterparts from across the country.”

The Prosecutors’ Center for Excellence is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt organization committed to providing critical support for prosecutors striving to improve the criminal justice system. 

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

BOSTON, July 19, 2017—The three men who allegedly participated in the homicide of 58-year-old Andres Cruz in his Mission Hill hardware store were ordered held without bail today, with one of them still laying in a hospital bed at Boston Medical Center with injuries sustained during the fatal encounter yesterday afternoon, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

JEROME HOBSON (D.O.B. 11/20/78) of Dorchester, CHRISTIAN SOTO-OLIVERO (D.O.B. 3/12/96) of Mattapan, and SHAWN REDDEN (D.O.B. 1/14/91) of Brockton were arraigned today on one count each of murder, unlawful possession of a firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition in connection with Cruz’ shooting death inside AC Hardware, the shop he owned at 1562 Tremont St.

Hobson and Redden were both arraigned at the West Roxbury courthouse. Soto-Olivera was arraigned separately at Boston Medical Center, where he is being treated for serious laceration injuries apparently sustained during yesterday’s incident. At the request of Assistant District Attorney John Verner of the DA’s Homicide Unit, all three were ordered held without bail pending trial.

Verner told the court that a witness familiar with the neighborhood observed the front door of Cruz’ shop closed in the middle of the afternoon yesterday, which she found unusual, and then observed three men leaving the area and heading “cautiously” toward St. Alphonsus St. This witness told a family member to check on things at the store.

This second witness entered the store and found Cruz on the floor, badly injured. Running out of the store, he encountered a Boston Transportation Department worker, told her what happened, and asked if she had seen three men leaving the area. She had – and in fact had just had a brief parking-related interaction with three men, one of whom made a statement about leaving the area, Verner said. The BTD employee notified Boston Police, as did a fourth witness who observed three men fleeing the area, one of whom appeared to be bleeding badly.

“These witnesses provided Boston Police with information that proved to be critical in locating the suspects’ vehicle,” Conley said. “There’s no question that their tips helped solve a homicide and will help a grief-stricken family find justice.”

A short time later, Boston Police officers armed with descriptions of the men and their van spotted the suspect vehicle and pulled it over. Hobson and Redden jumped out and attempted to flee, with Redden allegedly discarding a pile of bills and a receipt from the hardware store; they and Soto-Olivero were all taken into custody. The injuries that Soto-Olivero and Redden sustained inside AC Hardware were consistent with a blood trail that Verner described running from the shop to the spot in which their van had been seen by the BTD employee on St. Alphonsus St.

Hobson, Soto-Olivero, and Redden were represented by attorneys Robert Griffin, John Galvin, and Michael Bourbeau, respectively. All three are expected back in court on Sept. 13.

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

BOSTON, July 20, 2017— A Dorchester man faces arraignment tomorrow on a 34-count indictment after a fraud investigation developed evidence of larceny, money laundering, and possession of child pornography, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

JOHN WILSON (D.O.B. 12/15/67) of Dorchester is expected to be arraigned tomorrow in Suffolk Superior Court on the indictments returned June 29 by a Suffolk County Grand Jury.  The indictments charge Wilson with:

• Ten counts of larceny over $250 by single scheme,
• Eight counts of receiving stolen property over $250,
• Seven counts of attempting to commit a crime (to wit: Receiving stolen property over $250),
• Three counts of money laundering,
• Three counts of conspiracy to receive stolen property over $250,
• Two counts of uttering, and
• One count of possession of child pornography.

Prosecutors say Wilson allegedly used the personal identifying information of three customers of an Ohio-based bank in order to cause the bank to issue checks to Wilson and to a shell company he operated during August of 2015.  He additionally attempted to make wire transfers from two of those accounts totaling $78,967 but was blocked from doing so. An IP address used during these transactions was linked to Wilson.

In addition, a fraudulent check of $1,000 issued on the account of an Idaho fire department was deposited into Wilson’s account that same month, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors allege that Wilson also fraudulently obtained 16 business credit cards during 2016.  He allegedly posed as the accountholders on business credit accounts and requested that new cards be issued in the name of Wilson, who was identified in the requests as a new employee.  Ten of the 16 cards were then used to make cash advances totaling $303,700.  Most of the proceeds were wired to individuals in Turkey and Ghana.

In 2015, Wilson allegedly took part in a scheme to file fraudulent tax returns in the names of taxpayers without their consent.  As a result of these fraudulent returns, the Internal Revenue Service issued a total of $72,750 in refunds, all of which were deposited into bank accounts held by Wilson.

Wilson was contacted in September 2015 by his bank regarding a fraudulently issued check that had been deposited into his account.  He allegedly claimed he had cashed the check for an overseas business associate.  A week later, Wilson contacted Suffolk prosecutors and made statements that he deposited the funds at the request of an individual with whom he had an online dating relationship.  Though he offered to send text messages and other evidence of this to prosecutors, he never did.

During the course of the investigation by Boston Police and Suffolk prosecutors, Wilson consented to a search of his cell phone on Oct. 3, 2016.  The device was found to contain a video depicting explicit sexual images of children, prosecutors said.

The grand jury proceedings resulting in indictments against Wilson were led by Assistant District Attorney George Barker of the DA’s Special Prosecutions Unit.  Arraignment is expected tomorrow in the Magistrate’s Session of Suffolk Superior Court.

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

BOSTON, July 21, 2017— A Dorchester man was ordered held on high bail at his arraignment today on charges including money laundering and possession of child pornography, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

JOHN WILSON (D.O.B. 12/15/67) of Dorchester was arraigned in Suffolk Superior Court today on a 34-count indictment charging:

• Ten counts of larceny over $250 by single scheme,
• Eight counts of receiving stolen property over $250,
• Seven counts of attempting to commit a crime (to wit: receiving stolen property over $250),
• Three counts of money laundering,
• Three counts of conspiracy to receive stolen property over $250,
• Two counts of uttering, and
• One count of possession of child pornography.

At the request of Assistant District Attorney George Barker of the DA’s Special Prosecutions Unit, Clerk Magistrate Ed Curley imposed bail of $50,000.  In the event he posts that amount, Wilson must surrender his passport and not apply for a new passport, refrain from opening any new bank accounts, wear a GPS monitoring device, have no contact with children under age 18; and not loiter within 300 feet of a school, day care facility, playground, or other location where children congregate.

Barker told the court that Wilson benefitted from a scheme in which dozens of bank accounts were compromised during August 2015.  In the course of that scheme, the bank made payments from those compromised accounts to Wilson totaling $27,960. Fraudulent wire transfers totaling $78,967 were also attempted but denied.

In a separate scheme undertaken in 2016, accounts on 16 separate business credit cards issued through a different bank were also compromised and Wilson was added as an authorized user on them.  As a result, Wilson fraudulently obtained credit cards on each of the 16 accounts and used 10 of the cards to make a series of cash advances totaling $303,700 – most of which was wired to individuals in Turkey and Ghana.

Wilson additionally received a total of $72,750 in tax refunds issued by the Internal Revenue Service in March and April of 2015 as the result of fraudulently filed returns, prosecutors said, and further received a falsified check for $1,000 check drawn on the account of a fire department in Athol, Idaho. 

During the course of the investigation into Wilson’s alleged role in the schemes, a search warrant was executed on his phone.  The device was found to contain a video depicting explicit sexual images of children, prosecutors said.

Wilson was represented by Kristen Wheeler.  He returns to court Sept. 26.

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

BOSTON, July 21, 2017—A Mattapan woman was arraigned today on charges she intentionally struck Darnella Grossett-Kellam with a minivan after an argument, causing injuries that claimed the 51-year-old victim’s life three weeks later, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

AMARA SMOTHERS (D.O.B. 10/30/76) was arraigned today in Suffolk Superior Court on charges of second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence of alcohol, motor vehicle homicide, leaving the scene of crash causing personal injury, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.  After Smothers walked into court today, Clerk Magistrate Ed Curley released her on her own recognizance with orders that she be subject to GPS monitoring, remain drug- and alcohol-free subject to random screening, and stay away and have no contact with the victim’s family.

Assistant District Attorney Lynn Feigenbaum told the court that Smothers was in the area of Julien and Gayland Streets on the afternoon of March 2 when she encountered Grossett-Kellam, whom she had known for several years.  The women became involved in a verbal argument.

After the argument ended, Grossett-Kellam began to leave the area on foot.  Prosecutors said Smothers, who had been drinking, entered a Dodge Caravan and intentionally backed the vehicle onto the sidewalk and into Grossett-Kellam, who suffered a serious leg injury. Smothers placed the vehicle in drive and left the area.

Approximately 25 minutes after the crash, Boston Police responded to a call from Smothers reporting that she had been robbed by the victim.  Officers observed that she appeared highly intoxicated, and she allegedly became belligerent and did not provide information when asked by police for additional details.

Grossett-Kellam was transported to a hospital with a crushed fibula.  After receiving care at the hospital and at a rehabilitation center, she was released from the facility but began to suffer shortness of breath on March 22.  She sought treatment at Good Samaritan Hospital in Brockton and died a day later of a pulmonary embolism that resulted from the injuries suffered when she was struck by Smothers’ vehicle, prosecutors said.

Jennifer Sears is the DA’s assigned victim-witness advocate. Smothers was represented by Michael Bourbeau.  She returns to court Sept. 12.

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

BOSTON, July 25, 2017— Two Texas men were arraigned yesterday on a variety of charges after a gun, a pair of nunchucks, a large quantity of ammunition, and a small amount of cocaine were found during a motor vehicle stop, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

RORY WELSH (D.O.B. 4/17/92) of San Antonio, Texas, was arraigned yesterday in Roxbury Municipal Court on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, possession of a large capacity firearm, improper storage of a firearm, and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.  He was also cited for failure to use headlights at night.  JONATHAN WASHINGTON (D.O.B. 6/5/84) of Corpus Christi, Texas, was arraigned on charges of carrying a dangerous weapon and possession of a Class B substance.  Prosecutors requested bail of $20,000 for Welsh and $1,000 for Washington; Judge David Weingarten imposed $7,500 bail for Welsh and $300 for Washington.

According to prosecutors, State Police in the area of Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard observed a Ford Fusion operating without headlights on at 12:02 a.m. Monday.  The trooper activated his marked cruiser’s lights and siren in an attempt to stop the vehicle, but the operator allegedly continued to drive several hundred feet before stopping on Hampden Street.

The operator, later identified as Welsh, allegedly told police he was driving on a learner’s permit and did not have a license or ID.  He instead gave the trooper a driver’s license belonging to the vehicle’s front seat passenger, Washington.  The trooper observed that Welsh, Washington, and a rear seat passenger all appeared extremely nervous.

Welsh was asked to exit the vehicle while police sought to confirm his identity.  As he stepped out of the car, police observed a 9mm Glock handgun under the driver’s seat, prosecutors said.  Welsh, who allegedly told police the gun belonged to him, was taken into custody and his passengers were removed from the car by additional State and Boston police.

During a search of the vehicle incident to Welsh’s arrest, police located two loaded high-capacity magazines; a third unloaded high-capacity magazine; 163 rounds of handgun, shotgun, and rifle ammunition; and a set of nunchucks that were located between the center console and passenger’s seat where Washington had been seated, prosecutors said. 

Washington allegedly claimed ownership of the nunchucks and was found to have a small plastic bag containing cocaine in wallet, prosecutors said.

The rear seat passenger, an adult male, was released without charges.

Both defendants return to court Aug. 9.

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

BOSTON, July 25, 2017—A Mattapan man and a co-defendant extradited from Georgia were held without bail today on murder charges stemming from the June shooting that claimed the life of 20-year-old Christopher Austin, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

SHAQUILLE BROWN (D.O.B. 12/7/94) and KEITH COUSINS (D.O.B. 7/8/87) were arraigned today in Dorchester Municipal Court following Cousins’ return from Marietta, Georgia, where he was apprehended by local, state, and federal authorities on July 14. Brown was already in custody on an unrelated assault case.

Assistant District Attorney David Bradley of the DA’s Homicide Unit told the court that both defendants had been identified in the course of an ongoing investigation by Boston Police homicide detectives and Suffolk prosecutors into Austin’s June 28 shooting on Ashmont Street. Austin died of those injuries on June 30.

The investigation was aided in part by surveillance imagery from a nearby business, prosecutors said. In that footage, a blue two-door coupe can be seen parking near the corner of Washington and Ashmont streets with Cousins behind the wheel and Brown as a passenger. The footage allegedly shows the two men exit the vehicle and walk across the street, and a parking enforcement officer tickets the car. Both men then return to the car.

Shortly before 10:00, Austin walked out of a nearby park and entered a corner store. When he walked out, prosecutors say, Brown ducked down as if he did not want Austin to see him. Austin continued toward Ashmont station, at which point the defendants followed behind him in the vehicle. A short time later, witness statements and other evidence suggests, Brown followed Austin on foot and engaged him in a brief conversation before producing a firearm and shooting him.

Brown was represented today by attorney Mark Bennett and Cousins by attorney John Hayes. Both are expected to return to court on Aug. 18.

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

BOSTON, July 27, 2017—A man who allegedly struck a rival with a skateboard before being stabbed and a second man accused of stabbing a different person in the neck were arraigned in the Boston Municipal Court today, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

GEORGE MOUSTAKIS (D.O.B. 7/31/86) of Danvers was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon for the earlier of the two incidents, in which he allegedly used a skateboard to beat a 23-year-old Roxbury man during an altercation at about 5:30 yesterday evening – shortly before he himself was apparently stabbed and transported to New England Medical Center for injuries that were not life-threatening. The investigation by Boston Police into that stabbing remains open and active.

Boston Municipal Court Judge Thomas Horgan set Moustakis’ bail at $3,500 and ordered Moutakis to stay away from the victim, witnesses, and Boston Common.

ALEXIS CONCEPCION GARCIA (D.O.B. 6/9/75) of Beacon Hill was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon for allegedly slashing a 51-year-old Theater District man during a confrontation at about 9:30 pm. The victim suffered lacerations to his forearm, his hand, and the area of his neck and jaw that were not life threatening. Garcia was arrested at the scene after witnesses provided statements and a cell phone video to responding Boston Police.

Judge Horgan set Garcia’s bail at $10,000 and ordered him to stay away from the victim and the Common.

Moutakis was represented by attorney Patrick Troy and will return to court on Sept. 27. Garcia was represented by attorney John Hayes and will return to court on Aug. 25.

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

BOSTON, July 31, 2017— A Dorchester man was held on high bail at his arraignment today in connection with a stabbing in the Boston Common, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

VICTOR CARRASQUILLO (DOB 8/30/98) was arraigned today in Boston Municipal Court on a charge armed assault with intent to murder in connection with the July 26 stabbing of another man inside the Boston Common.  Assistant District Attorney Anthony Rizzo requested that Carrasquillo’s bail be set in the amount of $75,000 and that he be ordered to be fitted with a GPS monitor and stay away from the victim, the Boston Common, and the Public Garden in the event he is released on bail.  Prosecutors also moved to revoke Carrasquillo’s bail on an open 2016 case out of Dorchester Municipal Court charging possession with intent to distribute a Class D drug and an open 2017 case out of Quincy District Court charging breaking and entering.  Judge Thomas Horgan set $50,000 bail, imposed the requested conditions of release, and revoked Carrasquillo’s open bail for a period of 90 days.

Boston Police responded to the Boston Common Wednesday evening for a report of a fight inside the park.  Once there, they located an adult male behind the Park Ranger station suffering from a stab wound to the abdomen.  The man was transported to Tufts Medical Center for treatment of serious injuries.  A witness reported seeing a group of up to 15 males chasing another man, during which one member of the group slashed the victim across the stomach. 

The witness provided a description of the suspect’s clothing.  Based on that description, Carrasquillo was stopped by police, and the witness positively identified him as the assailant.  Images captured by a public safety camera in the area of the Park Ranger’s station depict members of the group, including Carrasquillo, chasing and assaulting the victim after the stabbing, prosecutors said.

Carrasquillo, who had stains believed to be blood on his clothing, was interviewed at Boston Police headquarters and released while the investigation continued.

As the result of the ongoing investigation, Suffolk prosecutors approved a warrant for Carrasquillo’s arrest.  Members of the Boston Police Fugitive Unit took Carrasquillo in to custody at a Gibson Street address at approximately 6:15 a.m. today.

Carrasquillo is represented by Thomas Glynn.  He returns to court Aug. 23.

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

BOSTON, August 1, 2017— A Suffolk County jury today convicted a man of stabbing another man during a 2015 armed robbery, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

KAHLI CONSTANT (D.O.B. 1/26/97) was found guilty today of armed robbery and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon in connection with the attack in Roxbury.  Jurors acquitted Constant of armed assault with intent to murder.  Constant, who had remained in custody while awaiting trial, faces sentencing Sept. 5.

During the course of the two-day trial, Assistant District Attorney Caitlin Fitzgerald of the DA’s Gang Unit introduced evidence and testimony to prove that Constant and a second man, RALPH PETERSON HYACINTHE (D.O.B. 10/15/96), watched the victim withdraw money from an ATM at Roxbury Crossing MBTA station on the evening of Dec. 22, 2015, and then followed him from the station.  Once on Centre Street, Constant and Hyacinthe, each armed with a knife, approached the victim from behind.  One of the men stabbed the victim in the back of the head, and the two then demanded his money and wallet. When the victim resisted, Constant and Hyacinthe stabbed him multiple times before fleeing back to the MBTA station, the evidence proved.

The victim was able to walk to his home, leaving a blood trail from the scene, and was then transported to Boston Medical Center.  Once stabilized, the victim spoke with Boston Police detectives and provide a description of his attackers.

During the course of an investigation, MBTA Transit Police were able to retrieve security camera footage capturing Constant and Hyacinthe watching the victim as he stood at the ATM prior to the attack.  Video captured after the stabbing show the men boarding a train and then exiting the train at Forest Hills Station, where a knife was discarded.

Images of the two assailants were distributed to members of law enforcement, and Hyacinthe was positively identified in the images by a probation officer.  A search warrant executed at his home led Boston Police to discover blood-stained clothing that matched the clothing worn during the assault, prosecutors said.

Constant was identified from an ID card located at Hyacinthe’s home and by a relative who positively identified him in security camera images.

Hyacinthe pleaded guilty earlier this year in connection with the case and is currently serving a 2.5 year sentence in the Suffolk County House of Correction, after which he’ll serve an additional three years of probation.

Michael Coffey is the DA’s assigned victim-witness advocate. Constant is represented by John Osler.  Sentencing before Judge Rosalind Miller will take place Sept. 5 in courtroom 806 of Suffolk Superior Court.

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

BOSTON, Aug. 2, 2017—A Malden man was arraigned today for drunk driving and other charges in connection with the early morning Chelsea crash that left his passenger critically injured and a second motorist hospitalized, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

HECTOR JIMENEZ-VALEZ (D.O.B. 10/13/97) was arraigned today in Chelsea District Court on charges of operating under the influence of alcohol causing serious bodily injury, leaving the scene of a collision causing personal injury, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.  Assistant District Attorney Breanna Arsenault requested bail of $10,000 and orders that Jimenez-Valez refrain from drinking alcohol or driving in the event he is to be released on bail.  A judge set bail at $7,500 and imposed the requested conditions of release.

Chelsea Police responded to the area of Maple Street and Everett Avenue at approximately 2:15 a.m. today for a serious motor vehicle crash. Upon arrival, officers located a 2016 Toyota Corolla with damage to the rear end on the sidewalk and a 2012 Honda Civic with heavy front end damage in the middle of the roadway.  Witnesses informed police that the driver of the Civic had fled the scene on foot, providing a description of the driver and a statement that he had been travelling at a high rate of speed and ran a red light moments before the collision.

A front-seat passenger suffering from a severe head injury was trapped inside the heavily damaged Civic.  He was freed from the vehicle and transported to Massachusetts General Hospital with life-threatening injuries.  The driver and sole occupant of the Corolla was found trapped and unconscious inside the vehicle.  He was likewise freed and transported to Massachusetts General Hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

Jimenez-Valez, who matched the description of the driver provided by witnesses, was located by police a short distance away with blood on his shirt and cuts to his wrists, knees, and face, prosecutors said.  He was unsteady on his feet and officers detected the odor of alcohol.  He was taken to CHA Everett Hospital, where he was treated and released into police custody.

State Police detectives assigned to Conley’s office and other State Police assets responded to the scene, as did the Chelsea Fire Department.

Jimenez-Valez was represented by Steven Topazio.  He returns to court Aug. 22.

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

BOSTON, August 4, 2017— Four men were arraigned yesterday on charges of trafficking fentanyl after police seized a large quantity of the powerful narcotic at a Dorchester barber shop, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

ELVIS LEDESMA (D.O.B. 9/23/83) of Roxbury, CARLOS NIVAR (D.O.B. 8/6/95) of Dorchester, CARLOS ADEMAN-MEJIA (D.O.B. 10/16/96) of Hyde Park, and EUDOMAR AYBAR (D.O.B. 5/6/93) of East Boston were each arraigned yesterday in Dorchester Municipal Court on charges of trafficking in fentanyl and conspiracy to violate the state’s drug laws.  Prosecutors requested bail of $200,000 for each defendant, as well as conditions that each wear a GPS monitor in the event they are to be released.  Judge Jonathan Tynes imposed $75,000 bail and ordered each to be fitted with a GPS monitor and surrender his passport.

During the course of an investigation into alleged drug distribution at an Erie Street barbershop, Boston Police made several controlled purchases of drugs, including fentanyl, at the location. On Wednesday, police executed a search warrant at the barbershop and located four men inside, none of whom was giving or getting a haircut.  Instead, prosecutors allege, they were in the process of packaging fentanyl for sale.

Inside a backroom of the shop, officers located approximately 150 grams of fentanyl in 46 plastic bags of various sizes. They also recovered a scale, additional plastic baggies, cards with fentanyl residue, and other items indicative of illegal drug distribution, prosecutors said. 

The four defendants were placed under arrest.  A fifth man was seen fleeing the shop as police arrived; efforts to identify that individual are underway.

All four defendants return to court Aug. 25.

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

BOSTON, August 4, 2017— Two South Boston brothers were arraigned yesterday on gun and drug charges stemming from search warrants on their East 4^th Street home, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

JOHN GEORGE (D.O.B. 6/21/78) and KENNETH GEORGE (D.O.B. 11/12/74) were arraigned yesterday in South Boston Municipal Court on charges following the execution of a search warrant at their separate apartments inside a three-family home. 

John George was arraigned on two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm and single counts of possession with intent to distribution a Class B drug, possession with intent to distribution a Class C drug, trafficking in heroin, possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number, reckless endangerment of a child. He was additionally charged as a Level II Armed Career Criminal in light of prior convictions for manslaughter, armed assault with intent to rob, and other offenses, prosecutors said.  Judge Michael Bolden imposed $500,000 bail and ordered George to submit to GPS monitoring, remain under house arrest, and surrender his passport in the event he is to be released on bail.

Kenneth George was arraigned on charges of possession with intent to distribution a Class B drug, possession with intent to distribution a Class E drug, and operating a motor vehicle with a suspend license.  Bolden imposed $50,000 bail and the same conditions of release.

As part of a lengthy investigation into drug activity at John George’s East 4^th Street apartment and Kenneth George’s apartment in the same building, Boston Police executed search warrants on Wednesday in both units. 

Prior to making entry, police observed Kenneth George exit the building and drive away in a motor vehicle despite the fact that he does not have a valid driver’s license.  He was stopped by police and taken into custody.  At the time of his arrest, George was wanted on warrants for operating after suspension, identity fraud, and possession of a Class A drug.  John George was later seen leaving the building and approached as he entered a commercial vehicle.  He was found to have 27 Oxycodone pills in a baggie in his pocket, prosecutors said.

Inside a first floor unit occupied by Kenneth George, police found empty prescription bottles in the names of other individuals, six Suboxone pills, 37 Lidocaine patches, a police scanner, and a Smith & Wesson replica pellet gun. 

In the third floor apartment occupied by John George, police located 253 oxycodone pills in an unlocked safe inside the closet of a bedroom occupied by children who share the residence, prosecutors said.  A .22 cal revolver was found in the pocket of a sweatshirt hanging in the same closet.  An additional 51 Oxycodone pills were recovered in a second bedroom, as well as 17 Gabapentin capsules and a second firearm – a H&R .38 cal revolver located in a box wrapped in men’s underwear, prosecutors said.

Kenneth George was represented by Jane Moynihan and John George by Michael Doolin.  Both return to court Aug. 28.

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

BOSTON, Aug. 6, 2017—The man who allegedly beat 50-year-old John Duggie two years ago, causing injuries that claimed his life, has been indicted for murder, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley  said.

After almost two years of investigation by Suffolk prosecutors and Boston Police homicide detectives, the Suffolk County Grand Jury on Friday returned an indictment charging HAMEEN EDWARDS (D.O.B. 2/29/76) with second-degree murder. Boston Police later arrested Edwards on a warrant stemming from the indictment.

Evidence developed in the course of the investigation suggests that Edwards physically assaulted Duggie on the afternoon of July 2, 2015, when both men were patients at Arbour Hospital in Jamaica Plain. Staff entered their room to find Duggie on the floor, suffering from a serious head injury; Edwards was later found to have a fracture to his right hand.

Duggie survived his injury for about a month until he was taken off of life support. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner last week ruled his Aug. 2, 2015, death to be the result of complications from blunt force injuries to his head.

Edwards is expected to face arraignment Monday in Suffolk Superior Court.

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

BOSTON, Aug. 7, 2017—A former patient at Arbour Hospital in Jamaica Plain was arraigned on a murder charge today following his indictment for the physical assault that claimed the life of his roommate, 51-year-old John Duggie, two years ago, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

HAMEEN EDWARDS (D.O.B. 2/29/76) of Boston was arraigned on an indictment returned Friday charging him with second-degree murder for the July 2, 2015, assault that led to Duggie’s death a month later. Suffolk Superior Court Clerk Magistrate Edward Curley ordered Edwards held without bail; Edwards’ attorney deferred argument on bail until the next court date.

Assistant District Attorney Ursula Knight, chief of the DA’s Elders and Persons with Disabilities Unit, told the court that Duggie and Edwards were patients and roommates at Arbour on July 2, 2015, when a staff member heard a loud noise from their room at about 4:30 pm. A patient reported hearing shouting at about the same time.

A staff member entered the room and observed Edwards striking Duggie before raising his hands and saying, “I’m sorry. Kill me.” The room was in disarray and Duggie was suffering from a serious head injury. Edwards allegedly made statements at the scene indicating that he had an “altercation” with Duggie and fell on him.

Arbour Hospital staff called 911 for medical assistance and Duggie was transported to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. He remained on life support until Aug. 2, 2015, when he was taken off life support and died of his injuries. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled his death of complications from blunt force injuries a homicide.

Arbour staff did not notify Boston Police or Suffolk prosecutors of the assault. Several days after the incident, however, the DA’s Elders and Persons with Disabilities Unit received a referral from the Disabled Persons Protection Commission regarding Duggie’s injuries. Suffolk prosecutors notified Boston Police homicide detectives of the referral and launched an extensive investigation in the Suffolk County Grand Jury. Edwards was indicted and taken into custody on Friday.

Edwards is represented by attorney David Grimaldi and will return to court on Sept. 14.

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.