BOSTON, Oct. 30, 2016–Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said today that his office would conduct a “thorough, impartial, independent investigation” into the police-involved shooting death of a man during an early-morning confrontation with emergency medical personnel and police officers.

“Senior Suffolk prosecutors were at the scene through the early morning hours and will lead a thorough, impartial, independent investigation into the events that transpired on Shawmut Avenue,” Conley said. “As we have in every such case for more than a decade, we will release our entire investigative file to the family of the deceased and the media upon its conclusion. To my knowledge, this level of transparency in fatal police shootings is unparalleled, and no other district attorney’s office in the country affirmatively releases every report, every interview, every dispatch transmission, and every map and diagram in every case as we do.”

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BOSTON, Oct. 28, 2016—Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley today invited non-profit organizations serving youth across Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop to apply for grants to support programs that keep kids away from drugs, gangs, and dangerous behavior.

The grants will be dispersed through Conley’s Asset Forfeiture Community Reinvestment Grant program, which uses funds and assets seized from drug traffickers to provide cash awards to non-profits serving Suffolk County youth.  Grant amounts range from $2,500 to $7,500. more »

BOSTON, Oct. 28, 2016—A Malden man has been indicted for manslaughter in connection with the June drowning death of 26-year-old Mitchell Harrison, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

A Suffolk County grand jury today returned the indictment charging LENNY QUINTERO-FLORES (D.O.B. 2/17/89) with manslaughter.  He is expected to face arraignment in Suffolk Superior Court on Nov. 9. more »

BOSTON, Oct. 28, 2016—The Massachusetts Appeals Court yesterday reversed a lower court’s order allowing a man to withdraw his guilty plea for stashing more than a dozen bags of crack cocaine in the shoes of a child who then wore them to school, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

DEMARE GARY (D.O.B. 12/10/90) pleaded guilty in December 2010 to possession of a Class B substance with intent to distribute, possession of a Class B substance with intent to distribute in a school zone, and reckless endangerment of a child for the incident, admitting that he placed 17 individually-packaged rocks of what he knew to be crack cocaine in the 3-year-old girl’s shoes. When the girl complained at her early education program that her foot hurt, a teacher checked her shoes and found the drugs. A supervisor notified the Department of Children and Families, which in turn notified police. more »

BOSTON, Oct. 27, 2016—The South Boston man convicted today in the murder of 29-year-old Edwin Santos faces life in prison during his sentencing tomorrow morning, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

A Suffolk Superior Court jury today found ELIAS SANCHEZ (D.O.B. 1/12/70) guilty of second-degree murder in Santos’ 2013 stabbing and beating death.  At his sentencing tomorrow, Judge Jeffrey Locke is expected to impose the mandatory term for second-degree murder of life in prison with the possibility of parole.

Jurors acquitted Sanchez’ son, ANGEL SANCHEZ (D.O.B. 5/15/97), and brother, GABRIEL SANCHEZ (DOB 1/31/81), of murder charges for what prosecutors had sought to prove was their role as fellow attackers in the group attack that caused Santos’ death.  All three men had been indicted for first-degree murder. more »

BOSTON, Oct. 26, 2016— The second of two men convicted in the drive-by shooting that killed 21-year-old Fausto Sanchez almost a decade ago will remain in prison after the state’s highest court today denied his appeal, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court today affirmed the conviction of JOSEPH GOMES (D.O.B. 4/20/67) in the 2007 Roslindale shooting that killed Sanchez.  A jury in 2010 convicted Gomes of first-degree murder, four counts of armed assault with intent to murder, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, and single counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and aggravated assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.  He was sentenced to life in prison followed by an additional term of 17 to 18 years. more »

BOSTON, Oct. 24, 2016—A South End man was ordered held without bail following his arrest and arraignment for allegedly beating 50-year-old Stephen Cherup so badly during a street fight that the victim later died, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

PETER McGOWAN, 53, was arraigned in Roxbury Municipal Court on a murder charge stemming from injuries he allegedly inflicted on Cherup Saturday evening. Cherup died the next day.

Assistant District Attorney David Bradley told the court that the two men became involved in a physical confrontation on Massachusetts Avenue at about 5:00 pm on Oct. 22. A witness separated them, but McGowan allegedly re-engaged Cherup and beat him badly. Responding Boston EMS personnel spotted McGowan leaving the scene and, after they rushed Cherup to the Boston Medical Center, recognized him as he sought treatment there and pointed him out to Boston Police. Based on their statements, the statements of other witnesses, and additional physical evidence, Boston Police homicide detectives placed him under arrest. more »

BOSTON, Oct. 24, 2016— Three people charged in connection with the shootout that killed 28-year-old Allex Bryant faced arraignment today, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

NICCOKAWON PLEDGER (D.O.B. 12/20/89) of Quincy was arraigned today in Suffolk Superior Court on charges of first-degree murder, assault with intent to murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and firearms offenses.  His girlfriend, LISA LEWIS (D.O.B. 10/22/91) of Quincy, was arraigned as an accessory after the fact to the shooting that killed Bryant.  Also arraigned was DAQUON BROWN (D.O.B. 8/29/93), charged with assault with intent to murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and firearms offenses.

At the request of Assistant District Attorney Craig Iannini of the DA’s Homicide Unit, Clerk Magistrate Lisa Medeiros ordered Pledger held without bail.  Bail for Lewis was set in the amount of $25,000 and $3,000 for Brown – the same amounts that were imposed at their September arraignments in Roxbury Municipal Court. more »

BOSTON, Oct. 21, 2016—The man who allegedly fired a shot that travelled through the wall of a Chelsea home and struck a youngster inside had his open bail revoked at his arraignment today, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

CHRISTIAN “PUMBA” GARCIA (D.O.B. 11/8/96) of Everett was arraigned in Chelsea District Court on charges of assault and battery with a firearm, assault with a dangerous weapon, and unlawfully discharging a firearm within 500’ of a dwelling for the Oct. 19 incident. more »

BOSTON, Oct. 21, 2016—The Dorchester man who intentionally drove his car into and killed 20-year-old James A. Taylor will not receive a new trial, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

In an unpublished decision released today, a Massachusetts Appeals Court panel rejected each argument made in an appeal by ANTWAN WATHEY (D.O.B. 9/24/87).  Wathey was convicted of second-degree murder for the Dorchester crash that claimed Taylor’s life; prosecutors had sought a first-degree conviction but the trial judge declined to instruct jurors that they could infer malice – a key element of murder one – from the use of the car as a weapon. more »

BOSTON, October 21, 2016— An East Boston man was sentenced to a lengthy prison term this week after a jury convicted him last month of sexually assaulting children, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

A Suffolk Superior Court jury on Sept. 21 convicted OSCAR FLORES (D.O.B. 1/21/59) of three counts of rape of a child and six counts of indecent assault and battery of a child under 14 for assaults against two victims who are now adults; jurors acquitted him of an additional count of indecent assault and battery of a child under 14 and attempt to commit a crime against a third child.  At his sentencing yesterday, Assistant District Attorney Sarah McEvoy of the DA’s Child Protection Unit had recommended a sentence of 20 to 30 years in state prison. Judge Robert Gordon imposed a term of 12 to 16 years in state prison to be followed by five years of probation.  more »

BOSTON, Oct. 20, 2016— A Quincy man has been sentenced to prison after he admitted to fatally stabbing 31-year-old Gerald Williamson during a fight outside a Dorchester restaurant two years ago, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

EDGARDO CLARK (D.O.B. 5/25/85) pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter during his appearance today in Suffolk Superior Court.  Judge Christine Roach sentenced Clark to 16 to 18 years in state prison. more »

BOSTON, October 19, 2016— A New Hampshire man was arraigned today on charges he endeared himself to women he met online and went on to charge more than $350,000 under their names, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

MICHAEL J. SHIELDS Jr. (D.O.B. 4/20/91) was arraigned today in Suffolk Superior Court on a 45-count indictment charging him with:

• 21 counts of credit card fraud;
• 17 counts of use of a stolen or fraudulently obtained credit card;
• Two counts of larceny over $250 by single scheme;
• Two counts of attempted larceny over $250;
• One count of larceny over $250;
• And two counts of intimidation of a witness.

Assistant District Attorney George Barker of the DA’s Special Prosecutions Unit requested bail of $20,000.  Clerk Magistrate Lisa Medeiros imposed $7,500 bail and ordered Shields to remain within Massachusetts unless he provides proof of his New Hampshire residency. more »

BOSTON, Oct. 18, 2016—A New Hampshire man faces arraignment tomorrow on charges he stole more than $350,000 from a series of romantic partners and others, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley and Boston Police Commissioner William B. Evans said.

A Suffolk County grand jury on Sept. 28 returned a 45-count indictment charging MICHAEL J. SHIELDS Jr. (D.O.B. 4/20/91), formerly of the Seaport and Theater District, with:

• 21 counts of credit card fraud,
• 17 counts of use of a stolen or fraudulently obtained credit card,
• Two counts of larceny over $250 by single scheme,
• Two counts of attempting to commit larceny over $250,
• One count of larceny over $250, and
• Two counts of intimidation of a witness.

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BOSTON, Oct. 14, 2016—A Salem man accused of sexually assaulting a woman in a Mission Hill park was held without bail for allegedly violating the conditions of his release on an earlier, unrelated case, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

JOSE CEPEDA-IRIZARRY (D.O.B. 11/13/83) was arraigned yesterday in Roxbury Municipal Court on charges of assault with intent to rape and indecent assault and battery. Assistant District Attorney Anna Lusardi recommended that he be held on $50,000 cash bail and that his bail on an open Lynn case charging receiving a stolen motor vehicle be revoked. Judge Pamela Dasheill set bail at $20,000 and revoked his open bail, meaning that he will be held for 60 days. more »

BOSTON, Oct. 13, 2016—The East Boston man who shot 29-year-old Luis Paul Rodriguez to death in Chelsea will not receive a new trial, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said today.

In an unpublished decision released today, the Massachusetts Appeals Court affirmed the murder conviction of JONATHAN CARVALHO (D.O.B. 10/29/89).  A Suffolk Superior Court jury in 2011 found Carvalho guilty of second-degree murder for gunning Rodriguez down during what the victim believed would be a fistfight. more »

BOSTON, Oct. 13, 2016— The man accused of stabbing 23-year-old Rafael Guzman to death during a fight at a party two years ago will serve almost 20 years in state prison after pleading guilty today, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

AQUILES PEREZ (D.O.B. 9/7/81) of Hyde Park pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter, armed assault with intent to murder, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon for the Dec. 21, 2014, incident that claimed the Guzman’s life and injured two others. At prosecutors’ request, Suffolk Superior Court Judge Christine Roach sentenced him to a term of 14 to 19 years in state prison for Guzman’s homicide and concurrent terms of eight to 12 years and three to five years for less serious injuries to another combatant and a minor injury to a woman who attempted to break up the fight. more »

BOSTON, Oct. 13, 2016—Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley today delivered the following statement on the death of KIRK FIGUEROA during a gunfight with Boston Police responding to a domestic disturbance at his Gladstone Street residence last night:

“I’m deeply relieved that Officer Cintolo and Officer Morris are out of immediate danger and that no other bystanders or nearby residents were hurt.  I was in East Boston last night, and I know from the evidence at the scene that we’re extremely fortunate that there weren’t more casualties.

“As District Attorney, I have a special duty in cases like this that goes beyond what most DAs have nationwide.  Massachusetts law places the authority for all death investigations in Boston with my office, including those that arise from the use of force by police. more »

BOSTON, Oct. 12, 2016— A homeless man has been held pending a dangerousness hearing on charges he sexually assaulted two women in their South End home early yesterday morning, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

RONALD BROWN (D.O.B. 3/20/64), who lists the Pine Street Inn as he primary residence, was arraigned today in Boston Municipal Court on one count each of aggravated rape as a subsequent offender, kidnapping, and burglary. Additional charges are possible as the investigation continues, Conley said.

At the request of Ian Polumbaum, chief of the DA’s Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Unit, Judge Thomas Horgan ordered Brown held without bail pending the outcome of a dangerousness hearing under Chapter 276, Section 58A, of the Massachusetts General Laws. The statute allows a judge to hold a defendant accused of certain offenses without bail for up to 120 days pending trial upon “clear and convincing evidence that no conditions of release will reasonably assure the safety of any other person or the community.”   That hearing is scheduled to take place Friday. more »

BOSTON, Oct. 11, 2016— A jury this morning convicted a Chelsea man of the 2013 murder of 88-year-old Hilda Devincenzo, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley announced.

A Suffolk Superior Court jury found FELIX MELENDEZ (D.O.B. 2/10/78) guilty of first-degree murder in the killing of his landlady, Devincenzo.  During his sentencing Friday morning, Suffolk Superior Court Judge Kenneth Salinger is expected to impose the mandatory term for first-degree murder of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

A jury at Melendez’s first trial last year convicted him of receiving stolen property over $250 for possessing Devincenzo’s stolen belongings but deadlocked on the charge of murder; a second trial also ended in a mistrial earlier this year after jurors were likewise unable to reach a unanimous verdict. more »

BOSTON, Oct. 7, 2016—A New York woman was sent for a competency evaluation following her arraignment today for the fatal stabbing of her husband, 37-year-old Collis Edwards, in a Mission Hill residence, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

KAREN EDWARDS (D.O.B. 2/23/80) of Brooklyn was charged with murder today for the incident just after midnight inside the Wensley Street home where the victim was living with a family member. West Roxbury Municipal Court Judge Kathleen Coffey granted prosecutors’ request that she be held without bail and sent Edwards for a 20-day evaluation at the Solomon Carter Fuller Center. more »

BOSTON, Oct. 7, 2016— A Dorchester man was sentenced to prison today after admitting guilt in the 2015 hit-and-run crash that killed 8-year-old Yadielys DeLeon Camacho and injured a second child, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

JAMES J. HORTON (D.O.B. 4/10/70) today pleaded guilty to charges of manslaughter, leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident causing death, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, and operating with a suspended license.  Judge Robert Gordon sentenced Horton to seven to eight years in state prison followed by four years of probation, during which time Horton may not operate a motor vehicle and must pay $10,000 restitution to the victim’s family.  Assistant District Attorney Judith M. Lyons, chief of the DA’s Major Felony Bureau, had recommended that Horton serve a term of eight to 10 years in state prison followed by four years of probation. more »

BOSTON, Oct. 7, 2016—Members of Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley’s top legal, advocacy, and organizational staff yesterday led prosecutors on a training in use of the state’s Witness Protection Fund to ensure that they have the tools necessary to keep victims, witnesses, and their loved ones safe.

Deputy Chief of Staff Catherine Rodriguez, Chief Trial Counsel John Pappas, and Katherine Moran, Director of the DA’s Victim-Witness Assistance Program, hosted about half of Conley’s Superior Court trial lawyers for Witness Protection Program Nuts & Bolts and will host the second half later this month. District and municipal court prosecutors will receive it next month.
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BOSTON, Oct. 5, 2016—A Dorchester man was held without bail today following his indictment in the shooting death of 19-year-old Joshua Morales in Mattapan last year, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

KHARI WILCOX (D.O.B. 2/9/97) was arraigned in Suffolk Superior Court on charges of second-degree murder, unlawful possession of a firearm, and unlawfully carrying a loaded firearm in connection with the Dec. 29, 2015, incident that claimed Morales’ life. more »

BOSTON, Oct. 5, 2016—Two men were held on high bail today at their arraignments on a raft of charges stemming from the attempted robbery and attempted murder of undercover State troopers investigating the sale of drugs and guns in Roslindale, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

LUIS COLON (D.O.B. 7/30/91) of Lawrence and ERIC ROSADO-GONZALEZ (D.O.B. 12/26/90) of Dorchester were both held on $500,000 cash bail at their arraignments in West Roxbury. Colon was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, unlawfully carrying a loaded firearm, discharging a firearm within 500’ of a residence, and armed assault with intent to murder. Rosado-Gonzalez was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, armed assault with intent to rob, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. more »

BOSTON, Oct. 5, 2016—The former bookkeeper at a Dorchester-based labor union has been ordered to pay more than $150,000 in restitution for thefts she undertook by exploiting access to their checkbook, accounting software, and credit card, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

MARIE ESTHER LAFONTANT (D.O.B. 8/6/76) of Winchester pleaded guilty on Sept. 26 to three counts of larceny over $250 and one count of making false entry on corporate books for the theft of $154,847 from her employer, the United Association of Journeyman Plumbers and Gasfitters Local 12, between 2011 and 2013.

Yesterday, Suffolk Superior Court Judge Robert Gordon imposed a sentence of one year in the Suffolk County House of Correction followed by 10 years of probation and entered an order that she make full restitution. Lafontant is currently facing similar charges out of Middlesex County for additional thefts. more »