By: State Rep. Francisco Paulino Dear Residents of Methuen and Lawrence, It is with a heart full of pride that I recount a recent moment of honor and duty. Standing shoulder to shoulder with Methuen’s finest—Ryan Campbell, Adam Marino, Kyle Sheehy, and Liam Sheehy—at their graduation in Stow, Massachusetts, I witnessed the embodiment of courage […]
By: Massachusetts State Auditor Diana DiZoglio – Nov. 2023 Hello Valley Patriot readers, Serving as Massachusetts State Auditor doesn’t just mean reviewing finances. A big part of my role, as I often speak about with folks across the state, is reviewing the performance and efficacy of the Commonwealth’s agencies and entities. A great example of […]
BOSTON – A Lawrence man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to his role in a fentanyl trafficking conspiracy. Melvin Antonio Perez Medina, 33, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 100 grams or more of a […]
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 […]
10/20/23 Lawrence Mayor Brian DePeña has appointed his Chief of Staff William Castro be to be the acting Police Chief in the wake of the retirement of Chief Roy Vasque. The mayor sent the following press release late Friday. Effective immediately, the Chief of Staff, William Castro, will be assigned as Acting Chief of Police […]
Shawn Hart is also Previously Convicted Felon BOSTON – A Methuen man was indicted today by a federal grand jury in Boston for allegedly trafficking counterfeit prescription pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine, unlawfully possessing firearms and ammunition and using a firearm in relation of a drug trafficking offense. Shawn Hart, 45, was charged with one […]
08/23 Just minutes after posting the story on-line about Methuen Police Captain Greg Gallant (story here) winning his Civil Service case against the City of Methuen for wrongful termination, the hate mail started pouring in. People were outraged, they were confused, and they were hostile. How could this be, many asked. How did Gallant get […]
8/10/23 BOSTON – A Lawrence man was sentenced on Friday, Aug. 4, 2023, in federal court in Worcester for conspiring to traffic fentanyl and cocaine in central and eastern Massachusetts. Hector Torres Rosario, 41, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman to 78 months in prison and three years of supervised release. […]
8/10 BOSTON – Two Lawrence Men and a man from Lunenberg have been charged for their alleged roles in a cocaine distribution conspiracy. Leonardo Lara, 43, and Leandro Martinez, 41, both of Lawrence; and Merced Navarro-Morfin, 42, of Lunenberg, were indicted on one count each of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to […]
8/4/23 Boston, MA – Seven members of the State Police Association of Massachusetts who were previously suspended and an additional Trooper who had returned to duty after seeking a religious exemption to the Commonwealth’s vaccine mandate have prevailed in an extended legal battle with the Commonwealth and Department of the State Police. An independent arbitrator has found […]
Aug. 4, 2023 [updated] The Massachusetts Civil Service Commission has ruled that fired Methuen police Captain Greg Gallant must be returned to duty and given three years back pay after being illegally fired by Methuen Mayor Neil Perry. FULL RULING HERE Gallant v. Methuen, CS-22-388 Gallant was officially fired on June 9, 2022 after being put […]
July 24, 2023 BOSTON – A Lawrence man has pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to his role in a fentanyl trafficking conspiracy. Eddy Reyes Tejada, 51 pleaded guilty on July 20, 2023 to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl; one […]
7/24/23 The Domestic Violence coordinator for The City of Lawrence Police Department is under investigation by the city for filing an application for a $50,000 federal grant (through the city) for a non-profit she created, called “My Lifeline, Inc.”. Belgica (Lynette) Perez represented false information on her application to the state, city, and federal government […]
Multiple law enforcement agencies were involved in a raid in Lawrence that resulted in the arrest of two people in early Wednesday. Law enforcement recovered over 16 pounds of suspected fentanyl and methamphetamine pills, plus two guns, Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker and Lawrence Police Capt. Michael McCarthy announced today. Vincent Cahalane, 36, […]
By: State Rep. Francisco Paulino – 7/23 As your State Representative, my primary aim is to enhance the lives of Massachusetts residents. To that end, our legislative team has been focusing on three key areas: public safety, equity, and the significant issue of student loan debt. Starting with public safety, we’ve made strides to enhance […]