Lawrence - Shore News Network

Lawrence Man Sentenced for Identity Theft and Fraud Scheme

Breaking Local News ReportJanuary 14, 20240

BOSTON – Joshua Cruz, 35, of Lawrence, was sentenced today for his involvement in an identity theft scheme using stolen identities of U.S. citizens from Puerto Rico to fraudulently acquire vehicles and other goods, and to misuse bank accounts and credit cards. U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris handed down a sentence of two years in prison and three years of supervised release. Additionally, Cruz is ordered to pay $75,346 in restitution to the victims. In September 2023, he pleaded guilty to charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and false representation of a Social Security number.

Lawrence County Woman Charged in Fatal Poisoning of One-Year-Old

Breaking Local News ReportJanuary 11, 20240

HARRISBURG, PA – Attorney General Michelle Henry announced the arrest of Aleisia Owens, a 20-year-old Lawrence County woman, for the abuse and death of her boyfriend’s one-year-old daughter. Owens faces charges of criminal homicide for the baby’s death in June 2023, along with attempted homicide, aggravated assault of a child, endangering the welfare of a child, and other offenses related to prior abuse. The case, investigated by the Office of Attorney General and New Castle Police Department, led to charges filed on Thursday. Owens has been denied bail due to the severity of the charges. The Medical Examiner concluded that

Suspect in Lawrence Homicide Arrested in Texas

Indira PatelDecember 30, 20230

LAWRENCE, MA — A 53-year-old man, Santana Guerrero Temporo, sought in connection with the murder of 21-year-old Diosmary Mejia, was arrested in Texas, as per the announcement made by authorities on Friday, Dec. 29. Temporo, implicated in Mejia’s death, is currently detained in Texas on a fugitive from justice charge and will face charges upon his return to Massachusetts, said the Essex County District Attorney. Mejia’s body was discovered in her apartment at 243 Salem St. in Lawrence after her family requested a welfare check around 7:45 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 26. Police described the scene as an “apparent homicide.”

CBP Arrests Subject Wanted by St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s on Felony Narcotics Charges

US Border PatrolOctober 24, 20230

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Port of Buffalo, Rainbow Bridge border crossing, arrested a United States citizen who had an active bench warrant from St. Lawrence County, New York. Rainbow Bridge border crossing between Niagara Falls, N.Y. and Niagara Falls, Canada. Yesterday, CBP officers encountered a 44-year-old United States citizen traveling back to his residence in Pennsylvania. Upon arriving at the primary inspection area, the driver presented his identification, and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) indicated that he had an active warrant for his arrest. The vehicle and driver were subsequently

Lawrence Man Sentenced for Disaster Fund Fraud Scheme

Indira PatelOctober 19, 20230

BOSTON – A Lawrence man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for using stolen identities to fraudulently obtain over $450,000 in Economic Injury Disaster Loan funds from the Small Business Administration (SBA) and to launder the funds. Darwyn Joseph, 26, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to two years and one day in prison and three years of supervised release. On July 12, 2023, Joseph pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and four counts of wire fraud and aiding and abetting. Joseph was arrested and charged by criminal complaint in

Lawrence Man Pleads Guilty in Identity Theft Scheme Involving Stolen Puerto Rican Identities

Breaking Local News ReportSeptember 22, 20230

BOSTON, MA – Joshua Cruz, 35, pleaded guilty today to his role in a complex identity theft scheme, using stolen identities from Puerto Rican U.S. citizens to fraudulently purchase vehicles, apply for bank accounts, and utilize credit cards. The sentencing is set for January 12, 2024, by U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris. Between December 2018 and January 2019, Cruz visited Massachusetts car dealerships and applied for 100% financing to purchase late-model vehicles. He used stolen personal information, counterfeit Puerto Rico driver’s licenses, and fraudulent Social Security cards for identification. Cruz was implicated in the fraudulent purchase of three

Man Shot in Back, Killed in Lawrence Township; Shooter On the Loose

Charlie DwyerAugust 11, 20230

LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP, NJ – Police are investigating after a man was shot in the back and killed early this morning in Lawrence Township. His killer remains at large. Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri and Lawrence Township Police Chief Christopher Longo have reported a tragic incident that occurred early on Friday morning, resulting in the fatality of a 36-year-old resident from Lawrence. At approximately 12:30 a.m., officers from the Lawrence Police Department responded to a residence on Mendrey Court following a 911 call reporting a shooting. Upon arrival, officers discovered a male victim in the living room with a gunshot

Man Arrested for Attempted Murder and Hit-and-Run in Lawrence Township

Charlie DwyerJuly 11, 20230

Lawrence Township, NJ – Petar Armbruster III, a 54-year-old resident from Burlington, was apprehended on July 11, 2023, on multiple charges including attempted murder, aggravated assault, leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash with serious injuries, and assault by auto. The arrest followed an incident that occurred on July 8, 2023, at approximately 5:08 pm in the parking lot of Halo Farm located at 970 Spruce St, Lawrenceville, NJ. Law enforcement officers from the Lawrence Township Police responded to a report of a hit-and-run motor vehicle crash involving a pedestrian. Upon arriving at the scene, officers discovered the victim,

Shots fired in Lawrence, one person injured

Leo CanegaApril 23, 20230

LAWRENCE, MA – Gunshots rang out in Lawrence Thursday night, leaving one person with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. Police reported a man was shot in the Market Street area of Lawrence on Thursday at around 7:30 pm between South Union and Foster Streets. Upon arrival, officers found the victim suffering from non-life-threatening injuries. The unidentified man was treated at the scene and taken to Lawrence General Hospital. His condition is not known at this time. Police believe the shooting may have been a targeted incident and that there is no further risk to the public. No suspects have been identified.

Police searching for man who held gun to juvenile’s head in Lawrence Township

Charlie DwyerFebruary 14, 20230

LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP, NJ – The New Jersey State Police have released a sketch of a man alleged to have put a gun to the head of a juvenile in Lawrence Township. According to police, on February 11th, a juvenile victim encountered the male suspect, described as a short, white male believed to be in his 30s, with a red-colored beard and wearing a dark hooded jacket. “During the brief interaction, the suspect pulled out a black semi-automatic handgun with a dark brown grip and pressed it on the juvenile’s head. An approaching vehicle interrupted the suspect who then fled on

Lawrence Ray Sentenced For Years-Long Predatory Crimes Against Students At Sarah Lawrence College And Others

DOJ PressJanuary 20, 20230

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that LAWRENCE RAY, a/k/a “Lawrence Grecco,” received a sentence of 60 years in prison for racketeering conspiracy, violent crime in aid of racketeering, extortion, sex trafficking, forced labor, tax evasion, and money laundering offenses. RAY was sentenced today by United States District Judge Lewis J. Liman after being convicted at trial in April 2022. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Larry Ray is a monster. For years, he inflicted brutal and lifelong harm on innocent victims. Students who had their lives ahead of them. He groomed

Jennifer Lawrence under fire for false claim about women’s roles in action movies

Jessica WoodsDecember 8, 20220

In a recent interview with Variety, actress Jennifer Lawrence made a claim that is being met with backlash from the public. She stated that she was the first woman to ever be in the lead of an action movie. This, however, is not accurate. While Lawrence is a successful actress and has starred in many popular films, she is not the first woman to lead an action movie. In fact, there are many women who have come before her in this regard. In this article, I will explore some of these women and their contributions to the action genre. I

Lawrence Man Sentenced in Fentanyl Trafficking Conspiracy

DOJ PressNovember 7, 20220

BOSTON – A Lawrence man was sentenced on Nov. 4, 2022 in federal court in Boston for his role in a Lawrence-based fentanyl trafficking conspiracy. Elvin Mendoza, 25, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris to 37 months in prison and three years of supervised release. On June 2, 2022, Mendoza pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. In June 2021, Mendoza was indicted along with 13 others following an over two-year investigation into a drug trafficking organization (DTO) operating out of

Two Lawrence Men Arrested for Conspiring to Distribute Fentanyl at Veterans Affairs Medical Center

DOJ PressNovember 3, 20220

BOSTON – Two Lawrence men have been arrested for allegedly distributing fentanyl and targeting veterans at the Bedford Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Deiby Bladimil Casado Ruiz and Pedro Antonio Sanchez Bernabel, both of Lawrence, were indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and one count of distribution of fentanyl. Casado Ruiz was charged with an additional count of distribution of fentanyl. The defendants were arrested on Nov. 2, 2022 and, following an initial appearance yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith G. Dein, were detained pending detention hearings scheduled for Nov. 9, 2022. According

Lawrence Man Sentenced to Nearly Six Years in Prison for Firearms Offenses

DOJ PressOctober 26, 20220

BOSTON – A Lawrence man was sentenced yesterday for the unlawful possession of firearms stemming from his illegal dealing of rifles and handguns. John H. Morales, 36, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark L. Wolf, to 70 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. On April 7, 2021, Morales pleaded guilty to two counts of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. “Our Commonwealth has strict requirements and thorough vetting processes to legally purchase, sell and carry firearms for a reason – they are dangerous and deadly weapons. Keeping illegal firearms

Lawrence Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing Fentanyl Pills Produced Using Multiple Pill Press Machines

DOJ PressOctober 12, 20220

BOSTON – A Lawrence man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to distributing counterfeit prescription pills containing fentanyl, made using multiple pill press machines. Miguel Angel Fajardo, 32, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for Feb. 14, 2023. Fajardo was arrested and charged by criminal complaint on March 25, 2022 and subsequently charged by an Information on July 1, 2022. During a search of Fajardo’s apartment on March 25, 2022, approximately 7.3 kilograms worth of fentanyl pills, an

Lawrence Man Sentenced for Identity Theft and Social Security Offense

DOJ PressSeptember 28, 20220

BOSTON – A Lawrence man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for misusing a Social Security number to fraudulently obtain a Massachusetts ID and driver’s license as well as MassHealth benefits. Manuel Alejandro Pujols Diaz, 37, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to 25 months in prison. On May 16, 2022, Pujols pleaded guilty to one count of false representation of a Social Security number and one count of aggravated identity theft. Pujols used the name and Social Security number of another individual to submit fraudulent applications to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles

Former Lawrence County Attorney Sentenced to 42 Months for Wire Fraud and Federal Program Theft

DOJ PressSeptember 27, 20220

FRANKFORT, Ky. – The former County Attorney for Lawrence County, Michael T. Hogan, and his wife and legal secretary, Joy M. Hogan, 41, were sentenced to 42 months and 12 months and one day, respectively, on Tuesday, by U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove, for wire fraud. Michael Hogan was also sentenced for federal program theft. According to the Hogans’ plea agreements, the Hogans conspired with each other to commit wire fraud by issuing checks from a second delinquent tax account for the Lawrence County Attorney’s Office, the statements for which went to their personal residence. Michael Hogan and Joy

LAWRENCE: Amy Klobuchar And The Left’s Misleading Anti-Big Tech Backlash

The Daily CallerSeptember 20, 20220

LAWRENCE: Amy Klobuchar And The Left’s Misleading Anti-Big Tech Backlash James Lawrence on September 19, 2022 At the center of all these bills and the Left’s tech-lash is the chair of the Antitrust Subcommittee, Sen. Amy Klobuchar. And what’s her biggest gripe against Big Tech? That Silicon Valley doesn’t censor enough. Don’t take my word for it. Klobuchar detailed the motivations for her campaign against Big Tech in her book “Antitrust: Taking on Monopoly Power from the Gilded Age to the Digital Age.” In the book, she cites “election disinformation leading to the insurrection at the capitol, and former president

Lawrence Man Sentenced for Fentanyl Trafficking and Possession of Firearms in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking

DOJ PressSeptember 19, 20220

BOSTON – A Lawrence man has been sentenced in federal court in Boston for charges related to fentanyl trafficking and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Luis Berroa, 33, was sentenced on Sept. 15, 2022 by U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs to seven years in prison followed by four years of supervised release. On May 18, 2022, Berroa pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Berroa has remained in

Leader of Lawrence Area Drug Trafficking Organization Pleads Guilty to Drug Conspiracy and Firearm Charges

DOJ PressSeptember 14, 20220

BOSTON – The leader of a drug trafficking organization (DTO) has pleaded guilty to his involvement in a drug trafficking conspiracy that distributed fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, carfentanil and fentanyl analogue in and around the Lawrence area, as well as to possessing a loaded firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking offense. Luis Manuel Rodriguez Then, 31, formerly of Lawrence, pleaded guilty on Sept. 8, 2022 to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, heroin, 500 grams or more of cocaine, 10 grams or more of carfentanil and 10 grams or more of 4-fluoroisobutyryl

Lawrence Man Pleads Guilty to Firearms and Narcotics Charges

DOJ PressSeptember 14, 20220

BOSTON – A Lawrence man pleaded guilty on Sept. 6, 2022 in federal court in Boston in connection with firearms and narcotics charges. Miguel Mejia, 35, pleaded guilty to one count of dealing in firearms without a license and one count of possession with intent to distribute distribution of 40 grams of more fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young scheduled sentencing for Jan. 10, 2023. Mejia was arrested and charged in November 2021. “The illegal trafficking of firearms and, moreover, ghost guns, directly contributes to the gun violence and violent criminal activity we see escalating across our county.

Lawrence Woman Pleads Guilty to Social Security Misuse

DOJ PressSeptember 8, 20220

BOSTON – A Lawrence woman pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston in connection with fraudulently using someone else’s Social Security number. Mariana Rosmely Aguasviva, 39, pleaded guilty to one count of false representation of a Social Security number. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock scheduled sentencing for Jan. 9, 2023. Aguasviva was arrested and charged in February 2021. Aguasviva fraudulently used a Social Security number that was assigned to someone else in an application at the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles in Boston in 2016. The application was to change information on Aguasviva’s driver’s license, which

Lawrence Woman Convicted in Fentanyl Trafficking Conspiracy

DOJ PressSeptember 7, 20220

BOSTON – A Lawrence woman has been convicted by a federal jury in Boston of drug trafficking offenses in connection with her role in a fentanyl trafficking conspiracy. Danybelkis Vasquez-Rodrigue, 28, was convicted on Aug. 30, 2022 following a five-day trial of one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV scheduled sentencing for Dec. 13, 2022. Vasquez-Rodrigue was indicted in January 2021 along with co-conspirator Saury Rodriguez-Ruiz. “Ms. Vasquez-Rodrigue was involved in a conspiracy that pumped fentanyl into our communities and profited

Lawrence Man Sentenced for Fentanyl Trafficking and Illegal Reentry into the United States

DOJ PressSeptember 6, 20220

BOSTON – A Dominican man residing in Lawrence has been sentenced for fentanyl trafficking and illegal reentry into the United States after being deported. Jefri Paulino, 26, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV on Aug. 31, 2022 to 10 years in prison and five years of supervised release. On Oct. 22, 2021, Paulino pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and cocaine and one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. Paulino has been in federal custody since his arrest in September 2020.