BOSTON, Nov. 30, 2015—Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley has concluded his investigation into the sudden death of Dominic Graffeo after Chelsea Police officers used Tasers to subdue him in the rooming house where he had barricaded himself last year.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled the cause of Graffeo’s June 26, 2014, death to be “sudden death in a person with acute cocaine, ethanol, and oxycodone intoxication following an altercation with police involving the use of electronic control devices and physical restraints.”

Conley found that the officers attempted at length to communicate with Graffeo prior to using force, requested that medical personnel come to the scene before officers entered his room, and used department-issued Tasers during the struggle that followed. more »

BOSTON, Nov. 27, 2015—Three repeat offenders were arraigned in Suffolk County courts on Wednesday after each was separately arrested on drug and firearms charges by Boston Police, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

CHARLES MOULAISON (D.O.B. 10/7/92) of Dorchester was arraigned on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony, trafficking cocaine, possession with intent to distribute a Class B substance as a subsequent offense, and four counts of distribution of a Class B substance.  Moulaison was charged as a Level I armed career criminal in light of a prior conviction for assault and battery in 2012, for which he served six months.  more »

BOSTON, Nov. 25, 2015—Two South Boston brothers were held on high bail at their arraignment today on charges they beat and urinated on a homeless man because they believed him to be an immigrant, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

SCOTT LEADER (D.O.B. 7/20/77) and STEVE LEADER (D.O.B. 8/5/85) were arraigned in Suffolk Superior Court on charges of civil rights violation while causing bodily injury, assault and battery for purposes of intimidation causing bodily injury, two counts each of assault and battery and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.  Assistant District Attorney Nicole Rimar of the DA’s Major Felony Bureau asked that bail for Scott Leader be set at $100,000 and bail for Steven Leader be set in the amount of $75,000.  She also asked that, in the event either man is released on bail, they be ordered to wear a GPS monitor, abide by a curfew, stay away and have no contact with the victim, and remain drug and alcohol free.  Clerk Magistrate Gary Wilson set Scott Leader’s bail at $75,000 and Steven Leader’s at $50,000 and ordered both men to stay away and have no contact with the victim and remain drug and alcohol free during the pendency of the case. more »

Tens of Thousands of Dollars in Stolen Goods Recovered at Chinatown Store

BOSTON, Nov. 25, 2015—Boston Police and Suffolk prosecutors have brought what’s believed to be the first case under a new statute targeting organized retail crime, Police Commissioner William B. Evans and District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

PHUONG QUACH (D.O.B. 4/21/61) of Dorchester, FENG DENG (D.O.B. 10/25/44) of Quincy, and CINDY TRAN (D.O.B. 1/21/66) of Malden were arrested last night and arraigned today after a 10-month investigation into the purchase and sale of stolen goods at My-Tan Fashion and Super 99¢ Plus store in Chinatown. All three were charged with receiving stolen property over $250, distributing counterfeit goods, and aggravated organized retail crime under Chapter 266, Section 30D, of the Massachusetts General Laws, which was passed in April. more »

BOSTON, Nov. 24, 2015—A former Chelsea police officer today admitted to punching a person in his custody and lying about the circumstances of his arrest, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said today.

FELIX RIVERA, Jr. (D.O.B. 1/14/81) of Lynn pleaded guilty to assault and battery and filing a false report as a public employee, both misdemeanors. Conley’s office recommended three years of probation on those convictions and additionally sought a felony conviction for causing injury while violating the victim’s civil rights, but Suffolk Superior Court Judge Peter Krupp continued that charge without a finding over prosecutors’ objections. If Rivera stays away from the victim, takes part in an anger management program, and undergoes a mental health evaluation and any treatment deemed necessary, the court will dismiss that charge in two years. more »

BOSTON, Nov. 24, 2015— A Boston man was arraigned today on charges of posing as an attorney in order to defraud clients who turned to him for legal assistance, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

DAVID KORACA (D.O.B. 12/1/67) AKA DAVID CORAZZA was arraigned today in Boston Municipal Court on two dockets, each charging larceny by scheme over $250 and unauthorized practice of law.  Judge Thomas Horgan imposed $5,000 on each docket for a total of $10,000 bail, as well as orders that Koraca wear a GPS monitor and abide by a curfew in the event he is released on bail. more »

BOSTON, Nov. 23, 2015—A Dorchester man was held on high bail at his arraignment today on charges that he robbed at least five men who thought they were meeting up with a woman using a social networking site, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

RAKEEM AUSTIN (D.O.B. 9/18/85) of Dorchester is charged with five counts each of armed robbery, assault with a dangerous weapon, and threats to commit a crime for the string of incidents between Oct. 14 and Nov. 21. Assistant District Attorney Michele Granda recommended that he be held on $200,000 cash bail; Dorchester Municipal Court Judge Lisa Grant set bail at $15,000 on each of the five dockets, for a total of $75,000. more »

BOSTON, Nov. 23, 2015— The state’s highest court today affirmed the first-degree murder conviction of the man who killed 25-year-old mental health worker Stephanie Moulton in 2011, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

In an opinion authored by Justice Margot Botsford, the Supreme Judicial Court today upheld the conviction of DESHAWN JAMES CHAPPELL (D.O.B. 9/9/83), who is currently serving a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole for stabbing Moulton to death in the Revere group home where she worked and Chappell resided.  Chappell was convicted of first-degree murder under the theory of deliberate premeditation at the conclusion of a 2013 trial in which he claimed he was not guilty by reason of insanity. more »

BOSTON, Nov. 19, 2015— Two Dorchester men were arraigned this week after State Police found a firearm with a defaced serial number and a ski mask hidden in a secret compartment during a motor vehicle stop, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

ROLANDO DOMINGUEZ-VELEZ (D.O.B. 9/19/88) and ELIAS PERALTA-ALMANZAR (D.O.B. 6/11/90) were arraigned in Dorchester Muicipal Court on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, carrying a loaded firearm, and possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number.  Dominguez-Velez was additionally charged with speeding, a left lane restriction violation, and unlicensed operation. more »

BOSTON, Nov.18, 2015— A man with a 14-page record and at least three aliases was arraigned last week as a common and notorious thief, after his arrest in a string of break-ins, making him eligible for up to 20 years in state prison, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

CHRISTOPHER FISHER (D.O.B. 5/2/66) was arraigned in West Roxbury Municipal Court on Nov. 6 on charges of larceny over $250 and two counts of breaking and entering during the daytime with intent to commit a felony in connection with two separate break-ins and arraigned again on Nov. 9 on two counts each of breaking and entering in the nighttime with intent to commit a felony, larceny over $250, and being a common and notorious thief in connection with two additional break-ins.  According to prosecutors, Fisher has an open case in the same court charging breaking and entering during the nighttime with intent to commit a felony after his arrest in February near the scene of a break-in at a home on West Street in Hyde Park.

At the request of Assistant District Attorney Kyle Siconolfi, Judge Debra Shopteese imposed bail of $5,000. more »

BOSTON, Nov. 18, 2015—The chief prosecutor for Durham County, North Carolina, met today with senior prosecutors from Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley’s office during a visit to Boston.

Durham District Attorney Roger A. Echols met with Conley’s first assistant district attorney, top homicide prosecutor, chief of professional integrity, director of victim-witness assistance, and others this morning to discuss protocols for reviewing wrongful convictions, investigating police-involved shootings, and the partnership between homicide investigators from the DA’s office and Boston Police. more »

BOSTON, Nov. 17, 2015—A man with five drug prior drug convictions was arraigned on new charges after his arrest amid a Boston Police drug investigation, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

ARNOLD WOODRUM (D.O.B. 11/16/59) of Dorchester was arraigned Friday in Dorchester Municipal Court on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, possession with intent to distribute a Class B substance as a subsequent offense, and being a Level 3 armed career criminal.  According to prosecutors, Woodrum was convicted of possession with intent to distribute a Class B substance in 1990, 1998, 2007, and 2010; cocaine distribution in 2004; assault and battery with a dangerous weapon in 1981 and 2004; and rape and abuse of a child in 1998. more »

BOSTON, Nov. 16, 2015—Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley plans to host a screening of the award-winning documentary Can You Dig This to help generate interest in community-based alternatives to drugs, violence, and other crime.

The film, from executive producer John Legend, follows four urban gardeners in South Central Los Angeles and inspires people to pick up a shovel and plant something beautiful – and healthy – in public plots or their own back yards. It won the Jury Award at the Los Angeles Film Festival and is on track to win national acclaim. The trailer is online at https://vimeo.com/129924807. more »

BOSTON, Nov. 13, 2015— A Dorchester man today pleaded guilty to a Roxbury armed robbery as his trial was underway, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

LIQUARRY JEFFERSON (D.O.B. 2/8/80) today pleaded guilty to charges of armed robbery while masked and leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident causing property damage.  Judge Christopher Muse sentenced Jefferson to seven years in prison followed by five years of probation. more »

BOSTON, Nov. 13, 2015—A woman who falsely claimed to be a victim of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings pleaded guilty to all charges today, admitting that she lied to receive nearly $40,000 in cash and benefits from public agencies and private individuals – including the students of a Mattapan elementary school, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

JOANNA LEIGH (D.O.B. 2/1/74) of Jamaica Plain admitted to five counts of larceny over $250 by false pretenses and one count of making a false claim to a government agency. Assistant District Attorney Greer Spatz recommended that she serve two to three years in state prison and pay full restitution. more »

BOSTON, Nov. 10, 2015— Two Iowa men were held on high bail at their arraignment today on charges they travelled to Boston game convention armed with an assault rifle and shotgun, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

KEVIN NORTON (D.O.B. 12/30/96) of Ames, Iowa, and JAMES STUMBO (D.O.B. 4/2/88) of Boone, Iowa, were arraigned this morning in Suffolk Superior Court on indictments charging each with unlawful possession of a shotgun, unlawful possession of a rifle, unlawful possession of a large capacity weapon, unlawful possession of a large capacity feeding device, and unlawful possession of ammunition.  Clerk Magistrate Gary Wilson set bail for each defendant in the amount of $150,000. more »

BOSTON, Nov. 9, 2015—The man accused of gunning down 30-year-old Desmond Joseph on Telford Street last month was ordered held without bail at his arraignment today, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

GAMMADA MUSA (D.O.B. 1/22/90) of Brighton was arraigned in Brighton Municipal Court today on charges of murder and unlawful possession of a firearm in Joseph’s Oct. 22 shooting death. He was shot multiple times in the area of Telford Street and Soldier’s Field Road at about 11:45 pm and pronounced dead at the scene. more »

BOSTON, Nov. 6, 2015— A Lynn man who admitted to being an armed career criminal has been sentenced to prison for taking part in a gunfight that began in Lynn and ended in Revere, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

ONEIS PHILLIPS (D.O.B. 10/3/80) on Wednesday pleaded guilty to charges of armed assault with intent to murder, being a Level 1 armed career criminal, carrying a loaded firearm, and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon.  Judge Peter Krupp sentenced him to eight years in prison followed by a five-year period of probation during which time Phillips must stay away and have no contact with victims and witnesses. more »

BOSTON, Nov. 6, 2015— A South End man was ordered held without bail at his arraignment today in connection with a series of violent rapes between 2006 and 2010, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

ALEJANDRO DONE (D.O.B. 9/13/68) of the South End was arraigned in Suffolk Superior Court on two counts each of rape, aggravated rape, kidnapping, assault with intent to rape, and a single charge of armed robbery in connection with four assaults that occurred in South Boston and along the Esplanade. At the request of Assistant District Attorney David Deakin, Clerk Magistrate Anna Kaczmarek ordered Done held without bail. more »

BOSTON, Nov. 6, 2015—The Suffolk County Grand Jury has indicted two brothers on felony hate crime charges for allegedly beating and urinating on a man because they believed he was an immigrant, District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

The indictments, returned late yesterday, charge both SCOTT LEADER (D.O.B. 7/20/77) and STEVE LEADER (D.O.B. 8/5/85), both of South Boston, with civil rights violations while causing bodily injury, a charge that carries up to 10 years in state prison. The indictments also charge both men with assault and battery for purposes of intimidation causing bodily injury, two counts each of assault and battery, and two counts each of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. more »

BOSTON, Nov. 5, 2015—A former Dorchester man drove an elderly woman to a Boston homeless shelter after stealing more than $117,000 in profits from the sale of her family’s Mattapan home, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said today.

KYLE PAM (D.O.B. 6/16/88) was arraigned in Boston Municipal Court on charges of larceny over $250 from an elderly person, perjury, embezzlement by a fiduciary, and money laundering.  Assistant District Attorney Andrew Doherty requested bail of $50,000; Judge Peter Coyne set $10,000 bail and ordered Pam to stay away from the victims and take no action as the personal representative of the estates of the victims’ deceased relatives. more »

BOSTON, Nov. 5, 2015—Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley and his colleagues across Massachusetts today expressed their unanimous support for legislation proposed by Governor Charlie Baker to tackle a statewide epidemic of opioid abuse.

“As law enforcement officials, we see first-hand every day the devastating effect of heroin, fentanyl, OxyContin, and other opioids on individuals and communities,” Conley wrote on behalf of the Massachusetts District Attorneys Association to Senator Jennifer Flanagan and Representative Elizabeth Malia, chairs of the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse. “While law enforcement must and does play a vital role in response to this problem, it cannot operate alone or in isolation.” more »

BOSTON, Nov. 5, 2015—A Milton man was convicted yesterday of stabbing three people outside a Theater District nightclub, and faces an enhanced penalty for carrying a dangerous weapon as a repeat offender, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

After a week-long trial, a Suffolk Superior Court jury yesterday convicted NJISANE CHAMBERS (D.O.B. 9/29/87) of three counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon for the June 7, 2014, incident.  At a second set of proceedings yesterday afternoon, jurors convicted him of carrying a dangerous weapon – a knife – as a second or subsequent offense based on a 2006 conviction for unlawfully carrying a firearm. more »