LPD WebNews

Boston, MA…Charges were filed against eleven members or close associates of two Lowell-area gangs on federal and state firearm and drug charges. Ten were arrested early this morning, and one was previously in state custody. Charged are eight men and one woman who are members or close associates of the Tiny Rascals Gang-Grey (TRG), a violent Lowell area street gang. Two are Lowell-area associates of the Latin Kings.

United States Attorney Michael J. Sullivan; Warren T. Bamford, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation - Boston Field Division; Glenn N. Anderson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive - Boston Field Office, Gerard T. Leone, Jr., Middlesex County District Attorney; Colonel Mark F. Delaney, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Chief Kenneth Lavallee, of the Lowell Police Department, announced federal and state charges against nine members or close associates of TRG. The arrests follow a ten-month investigation by federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, and resulted in federal charges of four members of TRG with federal firearm offenses. Five other TRG associates were indicted and charged by the Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office with firearm or drug distribution offenses.

The indictments, as well as a detention affidavit filed in U.S. District Court in Boston today, allege that these nine defendants are members or close associates of TRG-Grey.
According to the detention affidavit, TRG is a national street gang with roots in Long Beach and Fresno, California. The Boston Division of the FBI has designated TRG as one of the most significant national gangs operating in the area. It is alleged that the gang established a presence in Lowell in the late 1980s when TRG members from California moved to the Lowell area. At that time, a local Lowell area gang calling themselves the Cambodian Bad Boys (“CBB”) expressed interest in becoming affiliated with TRG. Ultimately, CBB became TRG.

According to intelligence from the Lowell Police Department, there are approximately 80 active members of TRG - Grey in Lowell. Over the past decade, TRG-Grey members have been involved in a series of violent crimes, including murder, attempted murder, drug distribution, assault and battery, home invasion, illegal possession of firearms, shootings, and stabbings. TRG has been involved in five homicides. TRG members also have been involved, either as victims or perpetrators, in eight shooting incidents and eight stabbing incidents as well as in drug distribution and trafficking throughout the city. Throughout the ten-month long investigation, it is alleged that law enforcement agents made purchases of handguns, rifles, ammunition, a sawed-off shotgun, cocaine base and ecstasy from the defendants.

The following defendants were named in four federal indictments:

(1) SHANE CARNEY, age 32, of Lowell, MA
Felon in Possession of Ammunition

(2) VILA MALAKHAM, a/k/a “Devil,” age 24, of Lowell, MA
Felon in Possession of a Firearm

(3) SARAVY SOK, a/k/a “G-Walk,” age 19, of Lowell, MA
Possession of an Unregistered Firearm

(4) EDEN HOK, age 22, of Dracut, MA
Dealing in Firearms Without a License
If convicted, the maximum sentence for felon in possession of a firearm or ammunition is life in prison with a mandatory minimum sentence of fifteen years and a fine of up to $250,000.

The maximum sentence for possession of an unregistered firearm is 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, while the maximum sentence for dealing in firearms without a license is 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

Five other members or close associates of TRG were indicted and charged by the Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office as follows:

(1) JONATHAN SHEEHAN, a/k/a “Frost,” age 27, Lowell, MA
Carrying a Firearm without a License;
Possession of a Firearm (Ammunition) without an FID Card;
Unlicensed Sale of a Firearm; and,
Unlicensed Sale of Ammunition

(2) SOPHANDARA SOK, a/k/a “Lil G-Walk” & “A-Yo,” age 18, Lowell, MA
Possession of a Firearm without FID Card;
Possession of a Firearm (Ammunition) without an FID Card;
Unlicensed Sale of a Firearm; and,
Unlicensed Sale of Ammunition

(3) ERIC O’BRIEN, a/k/a “Easy,” age 23, Lowell, MA
Distribution of a Class E Substance (Benzylpiperazine) (3 counts); and,
Distribution of a Counterfeit Drug (3 counts)

(4) SOTHEA VANN, age 37, Lowell, MA
Distribution of Cocaine

(5) SAVONG MOUN, a/k/a “Black,” age 22, Lowell, MA
Distribution of a Class B Substance (Ecstasy) (3 counts)

In addition to the nine members or close associates of TRG, two other men were sought as a result of an earlier investigation into heroin trafficking by Lowell-area members or associates of the Latin Kings. Two indictments and the detention affidavit filed today allege that two men, RICARDO PLAZA, a/k/a “Papo,” and FRANCISCO MEJIAS, a/k/a “King Playero,” each distributed more than 100 grams of heroin in Lowell. If convicted, both men face a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine.

“I would like to assure the hard-working and law abiding citizens of Lowell that we will continue to investigate and prosecute the criminal activities of violent street gangs so that they, and their children, can feel safe in their community. To the gang members, we have a similar message - Be forewarned that, whether you are in a violent street gang, or are a close associate of a violent street gang, we will continue to target you for prosecution and seek to remove you from the community,” stated U.S. Attorney Sullivan.
“These are significant, targeted arrests against impact players who were compromising the quality of life in Lowell through their gun and gang activity,” Middlesex District Attorney Leone said. “The best way to curtail gang violence is to target the major players and remove them from our communities – that is what we have done here and it is what we will continue to do. These arrests are the result of an extensive, coordinated investigation and I want to thank our partners from the Lowell Police Department, FBI, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts State Police, and ATF.”

“The FBI continues to work with our law enforcement partners to reduce gang violence that plaques our communities. We strive to work in joint partnerships to increase the quality of life in communities such as Lowell. We will continue our excellent relationship with the city of Lowell to investigate the criminal activities of violent street gang,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Bamford.

“This is an excellent example of how effective the collaborations fostered by Project Safe Neighborhoods can be. Today’s arrests will go a long way in our efforts to dismantle area gangs, and in keeping this community safe,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Anderson. “Having worked many years on the streets of Lowell during my career, I know it is a great city filled mainly by good and honest people who seek only a safe community to live, work and raise their families. The Massachusetts State Police are proud to join with Chief Lavallee and our other partners in law enforcement to strike a blow for those good people – and against gang members who threaten them and their proud city with violence and drugs,” Colonel Mark F. Delaney, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police said. Lowell Police Chief Lavallee said, “For far too long gang violence has negatively impacted this city. Our collaboration with federal, state, and county law enforcement has resulted in the arrest and detention of alleged gang members who pose a serious threat to our community. The Lowell Police Department is fully committed to utilizing every resource available to continue to arrest and prosecute members of violent street gangs and eliminate illegal guns from the streets of Lowell. The number one priority of this police department is to maintain a safe and violence free city. We assure the public, that we will swiftly respond to any gang violence that occurs within our city and we will continue to work with the Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office and United States Attorney’s Office to prosecute this type of criminal activity to the fullest extent possible.”

These cases were investigated by the North Shore HIDTA Gang Task Force, a New England HIDTA and FBI Safe Streets Initiative, which consists of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Massachusetts State Police, Essex County Sheriff’s Department, Middlesex County Sheriff’s Department, Haverhill Police Department, Lawrence Police Department, Lynn Police Department, Chelsea Police Department, and the Everett Police Department. In addition, the Task Force worked in close collaboration with the Lowell Police Department.
The federal cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Pohl, of Sullivan’s Organized Crime Strike Force, and Cara L. Krysil, a Middlesex County Assistant District Attorney assigned as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney.
The details contained in the indictments are allegations. The defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Press contacts:

Christina DiIorio-Sterling, U.S. Attorney’s Office 617-748-3356
Corey Welford, Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office 781-897-8300

Ms. Sharon Flaherty
The Lowell Sun
491 Dutton St.
Lowell, MA 01854

Dear Ms. Flaherty:

On Friday, June 13, 2008, the Lowell Sun published a page one article entitled “Lowell man’s rush to hospital ended with speeding ticket”. The premise of the article was that while driving his son to Lowell General Hospital for a possible heart attack, Mr. Neil Miller was stopped by Lowell Police and detained while a speeding citation was issued. I am compelled, on behalf of the Lowell Police Department, to rectify numerous inaccuracies in the article and set the record straight. This article has created an uproar in the city as evidenced by the 155 related comments on the Lowell Sun web site.

First let me address the errors in the article. The recipient of the speeding citation, Mr. Miller, lives in Hudson, NH, not Lowell. Mr. Miller’s son is 22 years of age, not 20. The citation fine was $180.00, not $250.00. Officer Michael Farnum, who wrote the ticket, never stood in front of Mr. Miller’s car to prevent him from driving away. Mr. Miller was never pulled over by a cruiser behind him, rather the officer was in a stationary position on the side of the road when he stopped Mr. Miller’s automobile. Officer Farnum utilized a lidar unit to determine the speed of Mr. Miller’s vehicle. Mr. Miller’s car was not “clocked”. When Officer Farnum approached Mr. Miller’s vehicle Miller told him he was in a rush to get to Lowell General Hospital because his son was scheduled for an EKG. He then showed Officer Farnum some paperwork to verify the story. Officer Farnum then asked if they needed an ambulance. Both Mr. Miller and his son said no. Mr. Miller’s son did not appear to be in distress or pain. They said nothing about a heart attack. After Mr. Miller received his citation he stayed and argued with the officer with no apparent urgency to get to Lowell General. When leaving, Mr. Miller addressed Officer Farnum with an obscenity. Also present at the scene of the traffic stop was Sgt. Douglas Boyle, whose written version of the events, also contradict Mr. Miller’s .
It should be noted that Officer Michael Farnum is a 21-year veteran of the Lowell Police Department with an outstanding record. He is the recipient of a commendation and three citations for meritorious service. He has received numerous letters from other law enforcement agencies and the general public praising his diligence and work ethic.

It is also important to note that Mr. Miller has an extensive history of motor vehicle violations in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. In Massachusetts, Mr. Miller has been held responsible for seven speeding infractions, a stop sign/red light violation, a surchargable accident, a lane violation and an open container. His driver’s license has been suspended twelve times and revoked twice. The violations have occurred in Bedford, Chelmsford, Duxbury, Medford, Stoughton, Tewksbury, Tyngsboro and Woburn. In New Hampshire, Mr. Miller has been found guilty of speeding three times (twice for 25 miles an hour over the posted speed limit) and he has an inspection sticker violation. In a telephone conversation on Friday, June 13, I asked Mr. Miller about his extensive driving history. He told me that it was irrelevant to the matter at hand and it shouldn’t be made public. He went on to say that he was employed as a medical courier and his occupation required that he drive quickly to hospitals to deliver life saving materials. Sound familiar? Mr. Miller has a huge stake in the outcome of the appeal of his Lowell speeding citation. As a chronic traffic offender, Mr. Miller knows his right to operate a motor vehicle in Massachusetts is in severe jeopardy. His driver’s license was revoked on December 19, 2007 for three speeding citations in a year. It was reinstated on December 26, 2007. He received his speeding citation from Officer Farnum on February 12, 2008. I believe Mr. Miller’s credibility is in serious doubt.

This is a great opportunity for me to address the citizens of Lowell regarding the issue of traffic enforcement. In an address to the Lowell City Council’s Public Safety Sub-Committee I listed the following as the Lowell Police Department’s top five priorities:

Gang Violence
Drug Distribution
Domestic Violence
Downtown Disorder
Traffic Enforcement

These priorities are based on crime analysis and public concern. We have worked very hard to deal with these issues. They are subject to change. Numerous complaints about speeding have been fielded by the police department. More importantly, speeding cars and other traffic violations cause serious crashes and risk the lives of the citizens of this fine city. I have never forgotten the tragic circumstances surrounding the 2005 car crash on the Lowell Connector that took the life of Deborah Hornberger and her unborn child. I vowed that night that I would never witness such carnage on the streets of Lowell again. As a result, our traffic enforcement efforts, in conjunction with the Mass State Police, have increased enormously. Just this past weekend Lowell and State Police officers arrested thirteen alleged drunk drivers at a roadblock in Lowell. The traffic enforcement efforts of the Lowell Police Department have one goal and one goal only, to save lives! The officers have embraced this mission. I am proud of their work. Our traffic enforcement efforts have resulted in a decrease in crashes citywide (see accompanying graphic). And we always insist that our officers use common sense, decency and discretion when dealing with the public.

Sincerely,

Kenneth Lavallee
Superintendent of Police

Traffic Accidents 2005 ~ 2008

Crime Stoppers of Lowell will pay up to $5,000 for information that leads to the arrest of the suspect(s) responsible for the unsolved homicide of Hermes Pena and Augusto Degree, Lowell Police Superintendent Kenneth Lavallee and Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone announced today.

Speaking at a joint press conference at the Lowell Police Department, the District Attorney and Superintendent Lavallee announced the reward offerings in connection with two homicides:

· Hermes Pena, age 60, found on Appleton Street in Lowell on February 28, 2006

· Augusto Degree, age 19, found in a second floor apartment of 251 Central Street in Lowell on December 15, 2006.

“These continue to be active homicide investigations and we are asking the public for their help in attempting to solve these two murders, District Attorney Leone said. I know our office and the Lowell Police will not give up until we have arrested the people responsible for these crimes, and we hope that these rewards will help lead to someone coming forward to assist us in our investigation.

The Lowell Police Department and the District Attorney Office continues to actively investigate both homicides. We understand the pain and anguish both families have endured. We will not rest until the perpetrators of both homicides are brought to justice, Superintendent Kenneth Lavallee stated.

Below are details on each case:

Hermes Pena

At approximately 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 28, 2006, Lowell Police responded to a parking lot on Appleton Street for a report of an unconscious man.  Upon arrival at the scene, they found Pena, evidencing multiple physical injuries.  He was transported to Saints Memorial Hospital in Lowell, and later to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.  On Wednesday, March 8, 2006, Peña was pronounced dead at Massachusetts General Hospital.  On March 9, 2006, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (ME) completed its autopsy of Pena and ruled the death a homicide caused by head trauma. At this time, Police believe that Pena was severely beaten.

Augusto Degree

At approximately 1:00 p.m. on Friday, December 15, 2006, Lowell Police responded to the second floor apartment of 251 Central Street in Lowell for a report of an unresponsive male.  Upon arrival at the scene, police found the victim unconscious.  He was immediately transported to Lowell General Hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. On December 16, the ME completed its autopsy of Degree and ruled the death to be a homicide by gunshot wound to the chest.

Crime Stoppers of Lowell, Inc. will pay up to $5,000 for information that leads to the arrest of the suspect(s) responsible for the unsolved homicide of Hermes Pena and Augusto Degree. If you have any information on this or any other crime, please call: 978-459-TIPS (8477).

All callers remain anonymous. You will be assigned a code number. If the tip results in an arrest, the tipster can present the code number to a designated bank and then, if confirmed, is paid a cash reward.

Members of the public with information can also call the Lowell Police Department at 978-937-3242 or State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorneys Office at (617) 679-6600.

In September, the City Council approved a $2.2 million bond, which will allow the LPD to begin construction on a new, state-of-art E-911 and Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Since the original construction in 1996, there have been numerous state and federal mandates that have required major upgrades in these areas. In 2006 alone, there were 83,663 police and fire calls for service. In addition to handling all these calls, the E-911 Communications Center also processes officer requests for tows, warrant checks and RMV inquiries. The bond, along with a $200,000 grant awarded to the LPD from the Executive Office of Public Safety will allow the LPD to renovate the current garage and move both the E-911 and EOC there.

According to Officer Mark Trudel, “The new E-911 Communications Center and the EOC building will facilitate radio interoperability between local and regional radio networks, improve system performance and provide secure audio encryption designed to enhance officer safety.”

During the construction, the front desk area will also undergo some major changes. A security partition that will separate the front desk staff from civilians will be built to increase safety in that area. Additionally, an interview room will be added for those residents who need to speak confidentially to an officer. Presently, the LPD hopes to break ground in January. The renovations will take approximately 8-10 months.

Due to a state-wide mandate, on December 4, 2007, all 911 calls made in the City of Lowell by a cell phone began to come in directly to the LPD’s Communication Center. These calls will no longer go through the State Police Dispatch center and then back to the LPD’s Communications Center. During the month of November technicians from Verizon have worked with Officer Mark Trudel to update the current phone system.

TCI Inc. is conducting a fundraiser and will be contacting local businesses and residents to solicit money for a Program Book for a Comedy Show to be held in January. They will begin on 11/12/07 and end on 12/14/07.The calling hours will be from 9AM-8PM. Thank You. 

Last evening @approx. 6:21pm., Officers responded to Merrimack Liquors in Dracut to meet w/the victim of an armed robbery that took place in Lowell. Around 5pm, the victim was going to Jay’s Food Store on Gorham St. When he parked his vehicle on Charles St. and was about to get out,  a white female, approx. 35-40 yoa w/long black hair, wearing a blue shirt & blue pants approached the passenger side door, opened it and told him to get back in.  At this time, the suspect had a knife approx. 8″ long pointed at the victim. The suspect had the victim empty his wallet and then drive her to Dracut and drop her off around the Merrimack Liquors area, which he did.  At this point, she got out of the vehicle and ran, heading out Rt. 110. Both Dracut & Methuen Police were notified.

Please be advised that LHS has scheduled an evacuation drill for Monday (11/5/07) at 8:30AM. Students are to evacuate to Tsongas Arena. Expect additional congestion in the area around City Hall/JFK Plaza. Thanks.

Trick-or-Treating in Lowell this year will be on Wednesday, October 31st. from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.  Everyone is asked to please be careful on the streets! The following link is available for safety tips! Happy Halloween!

http://www.allhallowseve.com/safety/index.html

Last night @approx. 21:50hrs., Officers were dispatched to Domino’s Pizza (682 Bridge St.) for an armed robbery. Suspect’s described as being 2 teenage males, both believed to be Asian, wearing black clothes, blue bandana’s covering their faces, gloves and baseball cap’s. Suspects were armed with both a knife as well as a handgun. Suspects fled the scene. One of the victims followed the m/v until they began shooting at him.  Two 45 caliber shell casings were recovered in front of 32 Hampshire St.   [Note: A CAD Call came in for GUNSHOTS stating 2 S/M’s were involved.]