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Two arrested after baby cut from womb www.privateofficer.com
The body of the girl’s mother was found Monday in a closet at her Worcester apartment. It was not until an autopsy that authorities discovered the fetus was missing.
The girl appeared to be in “fairly good health” at a New Hampshire hospital Wednesday, Worcester Police Sgt. Kerry Hazelhurst said.
Julie Corey, 35, of Worcester, Mass., and a male companion were arrested in Plymouth, N.H., where police found them with the child. Corey was charged as a fugitive from justice and is to be arraigned in district court in Concord, N.H., on Thursday. She was in custody and could not be reached for comment late Wednesday, and Worcester police did not know whether she had a lawyer. Police in New Hampshire said the man was released.
Police said Corey had reportedly gone to New Hampshire to relocate. A newspaper report said she arrived at a Plymouth homeless shelter Tuesday night. She told workers there that the girl was 6 days old and identified herself as the mother but had no information on the child, according to the Union Leader in New Hampshire.
Corey was arrested the next afternoon as she tried to leave the shelter with the infant after workers alerted police and a nurse began photographing the baby with her cell phone, the report said.
The baby’s mother, Darlene Haynes, was eight months pregnant. Her body was found by her landlord, William Thompson, who said a “horrifying smell” led him to her apartment, where he found her body wrapped in bedding in a closet. Her death was ruled a homicide.
“It’s horrific,” Thompson said Wednesday. “There’s no words to describe what’s going on in this building today.”
The exact cause of Haynes’ death has yet to be determined pending toxicology tests, but Worcester Police Detective Capt. Edward J. McGinn Jr. said the autopsy indicated Haynes suffered head injuries.
Police said the 23-year-old had apparently been dead for several days, and that she hadn’t contacted family or friends since Thursday.
Haysha Toledo, a 17-year-old neighbor, said neighbors used to hear fighting from the apartment Haynes shared until recently with her boyfriend, Roberto Rodriguez.
“We used to hear her crying and screaming but no one ever really did anything,” Toledo said, adding that neighbors did not want to get involved.
Haynes had a restraining order against Rodriguez, who allegedly pushed her into a glass table in June and cut her arm, then grabbed her by the throat and slapped her, according to court records. Court records also showed Rodriguez was charged with hitting Haynes in 2008 in a case that was continued without a finding.
In June, Haynes described the 24-year-old Rodriguez as her boyfriend of several years. Her landlord said Rodriguez moved out of the apartment last month.
Rodriguez was interviewed by authorities. He told WCVB-TV that Haynes was “a nice girl.”
“She had her problems, you know, but nobody deserves to go (through) what she went through,” he said.
Family members said she had three other children.
Her youngest, an 18-month-old girl, is in state custody, according to Department of Children and Families spokeswoman Alison Goodwin. Family members had been looking after her.
Karl Whitney, Haynes’ uncle who is acting as a spokesman for the family, said Haynes’ grandmother, Joanne Haynes, is raising the two other children, Jasmine, 5, and Lillian, 3.
He told the Telegram & Gazette that Haynes had picked the name Sheila Marie for her fourth child.
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Mass. police officer arrested in drug sting www.privateofficer.com
telegram.com — Officer Carlos L. Burgos walked into the police station yesterday morning ready to patrol the streets. Instead, he found himself confronted by colleagues.
The 15-year veteran was handcuffed and arrested for alleged involvement in marijuana distribution.
Seventeen people, the officer among them, were indicted in federal court and charged in Central District Court in a wide-ranging drug investigation that began late last year.
Exact allegations against Officer Burgos were not contained in documents on file in U.S. District Court in Worcester.
A press release from the U.S. attorney’s office said wiretaps of one defendant — Rolando Ramos — revealed “crucial details of the cocaine and marijuana conspiracies involving the defendants.”
“Through the wiretap it was revealed he (Officer Burgos) was involved,” said Capt. Paul B. Saucier, commander of the vice squad and gang unit. He declined to discuss the officer’s alleged role in the marijuana distribution.
Multiple search warrants were used in and around Worcester. Investigators seized more than a kilogram of cocaine, several quantities of marijuana, a firearm and cash.
Twelve people were arrested yesterday and face either state or federal charges. Five others were arrested March 24 and 25, and all face federal drug charges.
Wearing his police uniform pants and boots — his uniform shirt was replaced by a plain, short-sleeved shirt — Officer Burgos sat in federal court yesterday as few details of the federal indictment were discussed in open court.
The 39-year-old officer, who lives on Whitmarsh Avenue, was indicted on a charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute marijuana. He was placed on unpaid administrative leave by the Police Department and is expected to be arraigned next week.
Chief Gary J. Gemme said the officer’s firearms license has been revoked, his police badge secured, and all other weapons at his home taken into custody. He was one of six people released after appearing in federal court yesterday.
Officer Burgos was ordered to follow conditions including that he not possess a weapon, report to probation and find employment. Chief Gemme said the longtime officer is prohibited from entering the police station.
“Officer Burgos has been a member of the Worcester Police Department for 15 years,” his lawyer, Keith T. Higgins, said. “He is extremely shocked about these charges and looks forward to clearing his name. At this time I haven’t been shown any evidence showing Officer Burgos violated any laws.”
Police officials declined to specifically discuss the allegations against Officer Burgos, citing the federal case.
Chief Gemme did state, “Anytime a police officer is involved in this type of illegal conspiracy to violate the drug laws, their knowledge of law enforcement and police officers creates a dangerous environment for officers involved in this investigation.”
Again, without discussing Officer Burgos directly, Chief Gemme said the identities of vice squad officers were revealed to alleged members of the drug distribution ring.
When asked if there was a concern that others involved in illegal activities were given that information, the chief responded, “When you have a police officer that violates their oath of office and tarnishes their badge, there is always a concern that information is going to move beyond the circle of conspirators that they are involved in.”
Once Officer Burgos was identified as allegedly being involved in marijuana distribution, investigators — who included Worcester officers — told Chief Gemme.
The allegations are that he was involved in drug distribution from January through March. Officer Burgos was out briefly with an injury during that time, but was working as the investigation continued. Chief Gemme said his movements were closely followed and at no time was the public in danger.
“We had a police officer involved in an illegal activity and his behavior does not reflect on the hardworking men and women of the Worcester Police Department,” the chief said. “In fact, it was the men and women of the Worcester Police Department who brought this to the attention of the police administration and ensured Carlos Burgos would be held accountable for his actions, which led to this indictment.”
The multi-agency investigation involved Worcester police vice squad and gang unit and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s High-Intensity Drug Task Force in Worcester, which includes state police, federal agencies and Worcester police. The Worcester district attorney’s office was also involved.
Chief Gemme said the collaborative work by law enforcement should not be overshadowed by the arrest of Officer Burgos. He noted several other people allegedly involved in dealing marijuana or cocaine were swept off the streets of Worcester during this investigation.
Arrested yesterday and charged in federal court were: Carlos Villanueva, 32, and Jesus Gomez, 28, both of Worcester, each charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine; Christian Guzman, 32, of 119 Haverhill St., Lawrence; Christopher Colon, 31, of Worcester; and Juan Luis Benito, 29, of 240 Constitution Ave., Worcester, each charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute marijuana.
Arrested yesterday and charged in Central District Court with conspiracy to violate drug laws were: Luis Rosado, 49, of 107 Beaconsfield Road, Worcester; Rufino Vega, 64, of 30 Wellington St., Worcester; Donald Foi, 18, of 92 Pleasant St., Leicester; Nancy Gonzalez, 32, of 104-1/2 Rodney St., Worcester; Joseph O’Grady, 31, of 509 Plantation St., Worcester; and Rubin Vera, 33, of 14 Oread St., Worcester.
Arrested March 24 and 25 and charged in federal court were: Rolando Ramos, 48, of 248 Auburn St., Leicester, and Giovanni Anaya, 31, of 1 Lafayette St., Worcester, each charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine and marijuana; Hiram Gonzalez, 40, of Worcester, and Keila Anaya, 29, of 132 Country Club Blvd., Apt. 801, Worcester, each charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine; and Lennin Anaya, 30, of 1 Lafayette St., Worcester, charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute marijuana.
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Teacher charged with sexual assaults on 3 students www.privateofficer.com
WORCESTER MA April 15 2009 AP— A local charter school teacher was arrested yesterday morning on charges of indecent assault and battery, allegedly involving three former students.
Kyle Soule, 32, of 76 Myrtle Ave., Webster, a fifth-grade teacher at Seven Hills Charter Public School, was arraigned in Worcester Central District Court yesterday on three charges of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14.
According to police, the charges stem from assaults of three girls, starting in 2002, when Mr. Soule was a teacher at Abby Kelley Foster Charter Public School. Police Sgt. Kerry F. Hazelhurst said that early last month, one of the girls, now 14, was talking with someone at school about getting tutoring. Mr. Soule’s name came up as a possible tutor, and the girl balked, eventually mentioning that he had inappropriately touched her in 2002.
The girl’s allegations started an investigation that led to Mr. Soule’s arrest. Sgt. Hazelhurst said police investigated Mr. Soule several years ago, when another girl accused Mr. Soule of wrongdoing. No charges came out of that investigation until now.
Timothy J. Connolly, spokesman for Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr., said that girl’s family decided not to move forward with the case at the time. Mr. Connolly said yesterday’s charges involved assaults that allegedly occurred in 2002 and 2004.
In court yesterday, there was some confusion about the number of alleged victims and Mr. Soule’s legal representation. Judge Steven A. Thomas said it looked to him as if all three charges were related to the same girl. Judge Thomas set bail at $2,000 cash, and continued the case to May 7 for further arraignment. Mr. Soule was also ordered to have no contact with the alleged victim or the victim’s family.
However, police and the district attorney’s office later said the charges involve three girls.
Robert Iacovelli, Mr. Soule’s court-appointed lawyer, said Mr. Soule requested representation by Petter L. Ettenberg.
Mr. Iacovelli said that when Mr. Soule first learned he was being investigated several years ago, Mr. Ettenberg represented him. Mr. Soule later agreed to Mr. Iacovelli’s representation for the duration of the bail hearing.
Neither Seven Hills Principal Gerald Yung nor Superintendent Krista Piazza could be reached last night for comment.
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Some cops aren’t allowed in court armed www.privateofficer.com
Some cops aren’t allowed in court armed www.privateofficer.com
Worcester MA. Nov. 13 2007
State environmental police are at odds with a courthouse policy that requires them to disarm when entering any court building. The issue came to a head Oct. 26 in the new Worcester court complex on Main Street when an environmental police officer refused to heed court officers’ request that he turn over his firearm shortly after entering the building. The environmental police officer said he was within his rights to carry the gun; court officers disagreed, according to an environmental police report on the case. State policy allows state and municipal police who are in uniform and on duty to carry their department-issued weapon into the courthouses as long as they provide a police badge and photograph identification. Non-state or non-municipal police, such deputy sheriffs, constables and campus police, must check in their weapons which are then placed in secure gun lockers, according to the courthouse policy.
Courthouse officials list environmental in the latter category, meaning they must disarm upon entering a courthouse. With the power to enforce state laws across the commonwealth, environmental police have continually shown frustration with the court policy. For years, environmental police and some lawmakers have lobbied the state Trial Court to change its policy to no avail. “There is no logic behind it. There is a real simple solution and that is to allow these officers to carry their firearms into court for the safety of everybody,” said Lisa L. Fusco, an environmental police officer and president of the Massachusetts Environmental Police Officers Association. “Anyone that has the ability to change this should be ashamed they are allowing this to continue.”
On Oct. 26, Environmental Police Officer Anthony Abdal-Khabir entered the courthouse to attend the Worcester Central District Court arraignment of two men charged with injuring a young girl in a personal watercraft accident earlier this year on Indian Lake in Worcester. In uniform, the officer was told by an associate court officer that he had to check his gun because he was a member of the environmental police. Officer Abdal-Khabir said that contradicted the posted policy and he could not hand over his weapon. The associate court officer said she was going to call her supervisor, according to an incident report written by Officer Abdal-Khabir that was obtained by the Telegram & Gazette.
At 9:05 a.m., the officer said he was late for his court proceeding, showed his credentials to another security member and proceeded to the courtroom. He reported that moments later, after walking up stairs toward the courtroom, he was stopped by three court officers and told he was not allowed in court unless he handed over his firearm to security. Officer Abdal-Khabir stated that as an environmental police officer he had statewide powers and was late for the arraignment and proceeded to the third floor of the courthouse, where he was met by four more court officers, he said in his report.
The officer was not allowed in the courtroom and had a discussion with Chief Court Officer Francis A. Cicio. Court Officer Cicio restated the policy. Another environmental police officer, who relinquished her handgun to security, was in the courtroom for the arraignment. Officer Abdal-Khabir then left the building and was told his supervisor would be called about the issue. “He didn’t violate anything. I fully support his actions and he is one of the finest officers in our division,” Officer Fusco said. She also said the Worcester courthouse does not have the correct equipment to effectively take out the ammunition clip and fully remove all the ammunition from the gun. For safety purposes a piece of equipment called a clearing barrel is used to fully empty a firearm including the round inside the chamber. The clearing barrel is used in case the round in the chamber accidentally goes off. Officer Fusco does not believe that any courthouse in the state owns this piece of equipment. She also questioned whether the courthouse personnel have a firearms identification card and the ability to take possession of a gun.
“In my opinion under no circumstance should any of our officers relinquish their loaded firearms to a person who is not qualified to take possession of them,” she said. State Sen. Stephen M. Brewer, D-Barre, is one of the local lawmakers who wrote to the state Trial Court, namely Chief Justice Robert A. Mulligan, to express opposition to the policy of not allowing environmental police to carry their firearms in courthouses. He wrote to the chief justice in 2006 and said he had to call them for a response. They told him they were concerned about setting a precedent, he said. A spokeswoman for the Trial Court would only say the policy was for environmental police to disarm. A call to Thomas J. Connolly, acting director of security, was not returned. “They don’t want to budge in this,” Mr. Brewer said in a recent interview. “I stand behind them (environmental police) on this one.” The court policy brings the environmental police to the level of second-class officers, the senator said. “This issue is with the procedures of the Trial Court,” he said. Several courthouses don’t enforce the policy and according to Officer Fusco the only courthouses that stay stringent on the policy are those under the control of Regional Assistant Director of Security Robin R. Yancey. She is responsible for Worcester County, Hampshire County and the courthouses in Marlboro, Framingham, Natick and Palmer. Court security personnel have quietly questioned the policy, but have to enforce it. Environmental police have sometimes mailed in citations to court to avoid going to the courthouses under Ms. Yancey’s control. Officer Fusco recalled an incident in Framingham in which an environmental police officer had to go to the courthouse there relating to the trial of two men. The two men were members of a loose-knit group of criminals in Greater Boston and authorities were worried about the environmental police officer’s safety. Court security did not allow the environmental police officers to carry their weapons inside. “God forbid one of our officers or another individual fall victim due to the shortsightedness of this procedure,” Officer Fusco said. In a letter to Mr. Connolly in 2005, Environmental Police Capt. George Agganis noted his officers make arrests, issue citations and are highly trained. The environmental police also undergo extensive firearms training. Repeated letters from lawmakers and environmental police to Trial Court authorities have not changed the policy. “Ninety percent of people we encounter are armed with guns, rifles, bows or filet knives,” Officer Fusco said. “The enforcement of this procedure is ludicrous. It shows an extreme lack of proper court security management.”
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