Boston Criminal Lawyers Blog

Two Boston Men Arrested in Boston Shooting in Dorchester

Published on: February 22, 2011 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

Michael Wiggins, 18, and Lamar Brison, 20, were both arraigned this morning on Massachusetts Gun & Crimes of Violence Charges in connection with a shooting that left two people hospitalized. Each were charges with several Gun Crimes, including Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Assault & Battery and Intimidation of a Witness.

According to the Boston Police Department and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, two men were shot in Dorchester’s Codman Square on Monday at around 9:00 p.m. Both men were taken to Boston area hospitals with gun shot injuries that were reportedly non-life-threatening.

Later that night, Boston Police Officers were called to Boston’s Carney Hospital where one of the gunshot victims was being treated to receive a report from a purported witness of the shootings. The unidentified woman told police that she had witnesses the shootings and thereafter was allegedly beat by Wiggins and Brison and threatened not to report what she had seen.

Worcester Nightclub Bounder Arrested on Assault & Kidnapping Charges

Published on: February 21, 2011 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

Easton Byfield, 35, of Oxford, was arrested this past weekend on Massachusetts Crimes of Violence Charges for allegedly assaulting a patron at the nightclub where he was a bouncer. Byfield was formally arrested for the crimes of Assault & Battery; Kidnapping; and Unarmed Robbery.

According to the Worcester Police Department, the assault, which allegedly occurred at the Platinum Premier Club in Worcester, was apparently captured on video by another bouncer. The video apparently shows Easton Byfield punching the purported victim in the face approximately four times, and then taking money out of his wallet.

The Worcester Police Department reports that the alleged incident occurred on May 25, but was not reported because the alleged victim was fearful of retribution.

Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown Sexual Molestation Revelations Are Pathetic Plea for Publicity

Published on: February 20, 2011 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

As we have all heard by now, Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown revealed earlier in the week that he was a Sex Crimes victim. According to his new book and soon to be seen 60 Minutes interview, when he was 10 years old, he was sexually abused by a counselor at a Massachusetts summer camp.

The problem that I have with this is the timing of Scott Brown revealing this and his motives for doing so…

If Senator Scott Brown was really sincere about his reasoning for revealing something so personal about his past, something not even his parents and other members of his immediate family knew about, then why does he refuse to answer reporters’ questions about it until 60 Minutes airs his interview? …if he is so sincere about it and wants to help victims and use his influential position as a state senator to do so, then why wait until you write a book to come out? The answer, of course, is because it’s all about the $$$. …why doesn’t he reveal how much 60 Minutes is paying him to keep hush until his interview airs?

Weymouth Man Arrested on Drug Charges of Selling Heroin

Published on: February 19, 2011 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

Juan Velez, 39, was recently arrested on Massachusetts Drug Crimes Charges for allegedly dealing heroin out of his Weymouth apartment. He was arraigned this past Friday in Quincy District Court on charges of Drug Trafficking in Heroin and Drug Violation in School Zone.

According to the Weymouth Police Department and the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office, police executed a search warrant at Velez’ Weymouth apartment earlier in the week. In the apartment, officers alleged seized heroin that was packaged for distribution. Weymouth police also seized several thousands of dollars, as well as two cars they allege Velez used to conduct his drug dealing activities.

At this time, it’s unclear what prompted the Weymouth Police Department to apply for a Search Warrant for Juan Velez’ home. In many cases such as these, the police use various methods in order to obtain the purported probable cause that enables them to obtain a search warrant.

Framingham Student Charged with Rape of Classmate on School Bus

Published on: February 18, 2011 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

A Framingham High School student was arrested on Massachusetts Sex Crimes Charges and arraigned in Framingham Juvenile Court today on charges including Rape of a Child and Indecent Assault & Battery on a Child Under 14.

According to the Framingham Police Department, the student (whose name was not released because he is a juvenile) was arrested yesterday at Framingham High School for allegedly raping the 14 year old classmate on a school bus Wednesday afternoon. No additional information has been released at this time, including whether there were any witnesses and/or if the bus was in operation or had other passengers.

Notwithstanding the lack of information that has been released concerning these alleged acts, by virtue of having been charged with Rape of a Child, the suggestion is that the sexual conduct allegedly committed as not consensual.

Lowell Woman Charged with Stabbing Assault on Pregnant Teen

Published on: February 17, 2011 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

Stephanie Gonzalez, 20, of Lowell, was arrested on Massachusetts Crimes of Violence Charges in connection with stabbing of a pregnant 17 year old girl this past Sunday. She was charged with Assault & Battery with a Dangerous Weapon and held on $1,000 cash bail following her arraignment in Lowell District Court.

The Lowell Police Department and the Essex County District Attorney’s Office alleges that Gonzalez stabbed the young woman at least three times, including once in the back. The alleged incident occurred this past Sunday, which resulted in the pregnant girl suffering from a punctured lung. Despite the attack and after being taken to a Boston hospital, authorities report that the baby is expected to survive.

From all reports, it appears that no witnesses were able to provide information as to what happened, other than confirming that the alleged victim was a resident of the home. Neighbors would only say that they heard women yelling and crying, but couldn’t tell police anything specific about the incident.

North Andover High School Coach Arrested on Massachusetts Pornography Charges

Published on: February 16, 2011 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

David Castricone, the North Andover High School wrestling coach, was arrested Monday at his Sutton business on Sex Crimes Charges of Possession of Child Pornography.

He was released following his arraignment in Lawrence District Court after posting $1,500 bail.

The Associated Press reported that police had received a tip that led to a Search Warrant being executed at Castricone’s home. The Search Warrant allegedly yielded images, presumably on his computer, of adult and child pornography, including 77 pictures of women that suggest they were not aware that they were being photographed.

Boston Man Charged with Motor Vehicle Homicide in Hit and Run…and Drug Crimes Too

Published on: February 15, 2011 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

Colin Ratiu, 24 of Boston, was arraigned yesterday morning in the Roxbury District Court on Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Crimes Charges, including Vehicular Homicide and Leaving the Scene of an Accident After Causing Death. He was held on $7,500 bail.

Ratiu is alleged to have struck and killed 24 year old Northeastern University graduate student Andrew Prior who was riding his scooter last November and dragged him 150 feet. According to the Boston Police Department and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, Ratiu then allegedly left the scene of the accident.

After the November 14, 2010 crash, Boston homicide detectives reported witnesses told them a silver or grey sport utility vehicle fled from the scene. This past Thursday, Boston Police received an anonymous tip that the grey SUV involved in the accident had been driven by Ratiu. Police then located the SUV in Roslindale, which allegedly still had front-end damage on the right fender and windshield, and both front air bags had been deployed.

Boston Man Charged with Committing Sex Crime on Train

Published on: February 13, 2011 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

Abdulkadir Abbas, 29, of Boston, was arrested this past Wednesday on Massachusetts Sex Crimes Charges allegedly committed on a fellow passenger on an Orange Line Train.

Abbas, charged with Indecent Assault & Battery, allegedly sat next to the woman on the train and touched her inner thigh and groin area outside her pants. The woman reported to the MBTA Police that she yelled at Abbas and tried to push his hand away, but he allegedly continued in his attempts to grope her.

The woman, however, managed to take a picture of Abbas and reported the alleged incident to the MBTA Police when she got off the train at the Jackson Square Station. Abbas was later found and arrested at the Forest Hills Train Station in Jamaica Plain.

Beverly Men Arrested on Armed Robbery Charges

Published on: February 12, 2011 | by Lefteris K. Travayiakis, Esq.

Three Beverly men, Robert C. Kenney, 56, Christopher Littlejohn, 30, and Ramone Arakelow, 34, were arrested yesterday morning on charges of Conspiracy to Commit a Home Invasion and Armed Robbery against a purported Malden drug dealer.

The Massachusetts State Police, Lynn Police Department and the FBI were all reportedly involved in the investigation, who apparently created the identity of a fictitious Malden drug dealer and would-be victim. The men were apparently under investigation for offenses including Massachusetts Gun Crimes; and notably Robert C. Kenney, was allegedly involved in the sale of several illegal guns in areas of Boston and the North Shore.

All three men were arrested in Saugus in Kenney’s truck when they pulled into a parking lot on Route 99 to allegedly plan out the Home Invasion and Armed Robbery. In the vehicle, the men allegedly had knives, a ski mask, duct tape and purported false identifications to pose as federal immigration officials.