Massachusetts Man Sentenced for Bomb Threat to Arizona Election Official

In a recent development, a Massachusetts man, James W. Clark, 40, of Falmouth, has been sentenced to three years and six months in federal prison for sending a bomb threat to an election official in the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office. The sentencing, announced on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, marks a significant step in holding individuals accountable for unlawful threats against election workers.

Clark's threatening communication, sent via the Arizona Secretary of State’s website, demanded the resignation of the election official by a specified deadline, accompanied by a menacing warning of an explosive device. Following the transmission of the threat, law enforcement initiated thorough investigations, including partial evacuations and bomb sweeps of the office building and the election official's personal residence and vehicle.

"Those resorting to illegal threats of violence to intimidate election workers should understand that the Justice Department will pursue them and ensure accountability under the law," emphasized Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. The swift response and investigative efforts undertaken highlight the commitment to safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process and protecting election officials from acts of intimidation or violence.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri emphasized, "Public servants entrusted with upholding free and fair elections must be able to carry out their duties without fear of violence." The sentencing of Clark underscores the Justice Department's unwavering dedication to addressing threats against election officials and maintaining the sanctity of the democratic process.

Clark's guilty plea to making a threatening interstate communication in August 2023 culminated in the sentencing, reflecting the gravity of his actions and the imperative of upholding the rule of law. The FBI Phoenix Field Office led the investigation, with assistance from the FBI Boston Field Office.

This case forms part of the Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force, established to combat threats of violence against election workers and ensure their ability to perform their duties without interference. Under the leadership of Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco, the task force continues to collaborate with law enforcement agencies and election communities nationwide to address threats and uphold democratic principles.

Individuals with information on suspected threats or violent acts are urged to contact their local FBI office or submit complaints online. Immediate assistance may be sought by contacting 911 or local law enforcement in cases of imminent danger or risk of harm.

Safeguarding Art Treasures: The Role of Art Databases in Combatting Art Theft in Boston, Massachusetts

Boston, Massachusetts, a city renowned for its rich cultural heritage, has sadly not been immune to the world of art theft. Over the years, the city's esteemed art galleries, museums, and cultural institutions have fallen prey to audacious criminals, leading to the disappearance of priceless masterpieces. This article delves into the history of art theft in Boston, with a particular focus on the pivotal role that art databases play in efforts to combat this illicit activity.

A Historical Overview of Art Theft in Boston: 

Art theft is an issue that Boston has grappled with for decades. In the early 20th century, the city experienced a notorious art heist when two Vermeer paintings were stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in 1990. Regarded as one of the largest art thefts in history, this audacious robbery involved thieves disguised as police officers who made off with invaluable artworks, including pieces by Rembrandt and Degas. Despite ongoing investigations, the stolen works, estimated to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars, remain missing.

Highlighted Cases of Art Theft: 

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum theft is just one of the many art heists that have plagued Boston. In 2010, a stolen painting by Winslow Homer was discovered in a subway station restroom, underscoring the surprising places where stolen art can end up and the lengths to which criminals will go to conceal their loot.

In 2017, a collection of rare maps and prints were pilfered from the Boston Public Library. This incident emphasized the vulnerability of even public institutions to art criminals who exploit weaknesses in security systems.

The Crucial Role of Art Databases:

Amid the challenges posed by art theft, art databases have emerged as invaluable tools in the fight against this illicit trade. These databases serve as centralized repositories of information about stolen art, enabling institutions, collectors, and law enforcement agencies to track and identify artworks that have been reported missing.

One such prominent database is the Art Loss Register, a comprehensive international database that plays a pivotal role in combating art theft. This database contains information about stolen art, enabling art dealers, auction houses, and law enforcement to verify the authenticity of artworks before transactions occur. By providing a platform for individuals and institutions to report stolen art, the Art Loss Register acts as a powerful deterrent to potential buyers of stolen goods.

In addition to the Art Loss Register, other databases like the National Stolen Art File (NSAF) maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and INTERPOL's Works of Art database facilitate international cooperation in recovering stolen art. These databases assist law enforcement agencies in identifying and recovering stolen art across borders, leading to the successful return of numerous stolen works.

The Impact on the Art World: 

The ramifications of art theft are extensive. Beyond the financial implications for collectors and institutions, the loss of cultural heritage is deeply felt. Stolen artwork is often withdrawn from public view, depriving communities of the opportunity to engage with and appreciate their artistic legacy.

While Boston continues to shine as a hub of artistic brilliance, its history of art theft serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing challenges that threaten its cultural heritage. The rise of art databases, such as the Art Loss Register, the NSAF, and INTERPOL's Works of Art database, offers a glimmer of hope in the battle against art theft. These databases unite collectors, institutions, and law enforcement agencies in the common goal of preserving art treasures and ensuring they remain accessible for generations to come.

Whitinsville Man Indicted for Enticing Minors to Engage in Unlawful Sexual Conduct and Possessing Child Pornography

Andrew Myers is a Former Northbridge School Committee Member, Part-Time Teacher, and Boy Scout Leader

BOSTON—A Whitinsville lawyer, who is also a Boy Scout leader and part-time middle school teacher, was indicted today in federal court and charged with using the Internet to entice minors to engage in unlawful sexual conduct and possessing child pornography.

Andrew Jonathan Myers, 34, originally charged via complaint last month, was indicted today with four counts of using the Internet to entice, persuade, or induce a minor to engage in unlawful sexual conduct and one count of possessing child pornography.

The indictment alleges that between May 7 and 9, 2012, and on June 28, 2012, Myers sent graphic e-mails to three minors upon whom Myers proposed to perform sexual acts. The minors were known to Myers through his work as a teacher or Boy Scout leader.

Myers’ actions were discovered when the mother of a 12-year-old boy in Colorado presented the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office with copies of e-mails and chats between an unknown 33-year-old man and her 12-year-old son. Through investigation, the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office traced the origin of the e-mails and chats to Myers. Myers also is charged in the indictment with enticing the 12-year-old Colorado boy.

Myers is further charged with possessing child pornography on a laptop computer which was seized from his home on August 21, 2012, pursuant to a federal search warrant.

If convicted, Myers faces not less than 10 years and up to life in prison on the enticement charges and up to 10 years in prison on the possession of child pornography charges. Both charges carry a supervised release term of five years to life.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Richard DesLauriers, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation-Boston Field Office; District Attorney Joseph Early of Worcester County; Colonel Timothy Alben, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Northbridge Police Chief Walter J. Worhol; and Millbury Police Chief Mark S. Moore made the announcement today. This was a joint investigation that was initiated by the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office, which discovered Myers’ alleged conduct and provided the information that led to both his identification and these federal charges. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark J. Grady and David Hennessy of Ortiz’s Worcester Office.

The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Operation Devil’s Handshake Yields Charges Against 15 for Drug Trafficking and Firearms

BOSTON—Federal complaints were unsealed yesterday against seven individuals charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and cocaine base following a two-year investigation dubbed Operation Devil’s Handshake. Additionally, state authorities arrested eight individuals for related drug trafficking offenses.

A total of 15 individuals were arrested early yesterday morning. The charges are the product of a coordinated joint federal and state investigation into illegal drug trafficking activities in Worcester. Of those arrested, seven have been charged in federal complaints, and eight have been charged by the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office.

The following were arrested on federal complaints:

■Sergio Hernandez, 29, charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and cocaine base. He faces up to life in prison to be followed by 10 years of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million;

■James Dunston, a/k/a “Speedro,” 29, charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and cocaine base. He faces up to life in prison to be followed by 10 years of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million;

■Richard Cruz, a/k/a “Compi,” 38, charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and cocaine base. He faces up to life in prison to be followed by 10 years of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. (arrested in Puerto Rico);

■Shawna Gotsis, 26, charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and cocaine base. She faces up to life in prison to be followed by 10 years of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million;

■Janette Hernandez, 53, charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and cocaine base. She faces up to life in prison to be followed by 10 years of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million;

■Jeneva Hernandez, 25, charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and cocaine base. She faces up to life in prison to be followed by 10 years of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million;

■Anthony Wooldridge, 27, charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and cocaine base. He faces up to life in prison to be followed by 10 years of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million;

According to the redacted federal affidavit filed yesterday, the defendants distributed and supplied cocaine and crack cocaine in the Worcester area. Cruz is alleged to have shipped cocaine from Puerto Rico to Sergio Hernandez via the U.S. Mail. The cocaine was disguised in a resealed can of beans. A U.S. Postal inspector, working with DEA agents, intercepted the parcel before it was delivered in Worcester. A canning machine was recovered from Cruz’s home in Puerto Rico. It is further alleged that a number of these defendants have been convicted of crimes of violence and narcotics felonies and therefore face enhanced sentences.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early, Jr.; Acting Special Agent in Charge Kevin L. Lane of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England Field Division; Robert Bethel, Postal Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division; and Worcester Police Chief Gary J. Gemme made the announcement today. The following agencies provided assistance in the investigation or arrests of the defendants: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Massachusetts State Police; Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office.

The federal cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cory S. Flashner, David Hennessy, and Mark Grady of Ortiz’s Worcester Branch Office. The state cases are being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Sarah Richardson and Terrence Reidy of Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early, Jr.’s Office.

The details contained in the complaint and affidavit are allegations. The defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Acting New England Crime Boss Pleads Guilty in Racketeering and Extortion Conspiracy

Anthony Dinunzio is One of Nine Alleged Leaders, Underbosses, Members, or Associates of the New England Crime Family Indicted by a Federal Grand Jury in Rhode Island and Arrested Since January 2011

WASHINGTON—Anthony L. Dinunzio, 53, of East Boston, Massachusetts, the acting leader of the New England La Cosa Nostra (NELCN) crime family, pleaded guilty today for his role in a conspiracy to extort protection payments from adult entertainment businesses in Rhode Island, according to a signed plea agreement filed today in U.S. District Court in Providence, Rhode Island.

The plea agreement was announced by Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Peter F. Neronha, U.S. Attorney for the District of Rhode Island; Richard Deslauriers, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Field Office; Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police; and Providence Public Safety Commissioner Steven M. Pare.

“Today, Anthony Dinunzio admitted to serving as a leader of the New England La Cosa Nostra, a criminal organization that, while under his control, extorted business owners throughout Rhode Island,” said Assistant Attorney General Breuer. “Dinunzio is the eighth member of the NELCN to plead guilty for his role in the alleged mafia conspiracy that harmed its community for two decades, and this plea is a crucial step in the Justice Department’s fight to dismantle the NELCN.”

“Prosecutorial offices, when they are at their best, build cases. And not just any cases, but impactful cases. This case is one of those cases,” said U.S. Attorney Neronha. “Through their painstaking hard work, the prosecutors, agents, and detectives have decimated organized crime in Rhode Island and, with this plea today, have removed its leader in Boston.”

“Mr. Dinunzio’s guilty plea based on the evidence gathered by the FBI and our law enforcement partners shows undeniably we have shattered Omerta, the New England LCN’s code of silence,” said Special Agent in Charge DesLauriers. “Our persistent, methodical, and unyielding investigation of those who are part of the LCN and other new national and transnational organized crime groups emerging from every corner of the globe will not stop.”

Dinunzio pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge William E. Smith in the District of Rhode Island to one count of conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise (RICO). At sentencing, scheduled for Nov. 14, 2012, Dinunzio faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

According to the signed plea agreement, Dinunzio was a member and leader of the NELCN from at least 2002, as charged in a superseding indictment returned on April 24, 2012. Dinunzio admitted committing multiple acts of extortion and knowingly assisted in the charged criminal racketeering conspiracy through the oversight and receipt of monthly protection payments, paid in cash by the owners and operators of certain adult entertainment businesses in Rhode Island. Dinunzio also admitted to obstructing or impeding the administration of justice by, among other methods, attempting to influence, delay or prevent witness testimony related to the investigation and prosecution of NELCN members.

The superseding indictment alleges that Dinunzio participated with other alleged members and associates of NELCN in a racketeering conspiracy in which monthly cash payments for protection of $2,000 to $6,000 were demanded of the owners and operators of several adult entertainment businesses in Rhode Island.

To date, seven leaders, underbosses, members, or associates of the NELCN have pleaded guilty and been sentenced to federal prison for their involvement in the alleged racketeering and extortion conspiracy to extort protection payments from adult entertainment businesses and individuals in Rhode Island during the past two decades. Admitted NELCN crime boss Luigi “Louie” Manocchio is serving a sentence of 66 months in prison. Edward “Eddy” Lato, an admitted capo, is serving a sentence of 108 months in prison. Alfred “Chippy” Scivola, an admitted NELCN member, is serving a sentence of 46 months in prison. Admitted NELCN associates Richard Bonifiglia, 58, and Albino “Albie” Folcarelli, 54, are both serving sentences of 84 months in prison. Raymond “Scarface” Jenkins is serving a sentence of 37 months in prison. And Thomas Iafrate is serving a sentence of 30 months in prison.

A ninth defendant, Theodore Cardillo, 69, has entered a plea of not guilty to three counts each of RICO conspiracy and extortion conspiracy and is awaiting trial.

An indictment is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William J. Ferland of the District of Rhode Island and Trial Attorney Sam Nazzaro of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section. The matter was investigated by the FBI, the Rhode Island State Police and the Providence Police Department.

Sinola Cartel Members Arrested in Drug Conspiracy

CONCORD—Three members of the Sinaloa Cartel were arrested on drug conspiracy charges after a three-year long investigation, announced United States Attorney John P. Kacavas.

Manuel Jesus Guttierez Guzman, Rafael Humberto Celaya Valenzuela, and Samuel Zazueta Valenzuela were arrested in the port city of Algeciras, Spain, on August 7, 2012, by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Spanish National Police. The arrests resulted from a three-year long investigation into the drug smuggling activities of the Sinaloa Cartel as it attempted to establish a market for cocaine in Europe and in the United States. Law enforcement authorities also seized 346 kilograms of cocaine that were shipped by the cartel as part of the undercover operation. Authorities seized a quantity of heroin and methamphetamine in May 2012 in Detroit, Michigan, that was tendered by the cartel as partial payment for costs incurred in previously scheduled by aborted shipments of cocaine.

Also arrested in Spain was Jesus Soto, an individual who was sent to Spain by the cartel to monitor the safety of the shipment of cocaine.

Manuel Guzman is the first cousin of Joaquin Guzman-Loera, also known as “Chapo,” the reputed leader of the Sinaloa Cartel.

A New Hampshire grand jury returned an indictment charging Guttierez Guzman and the Valenzuelas and others with conspiracy to distribute 1000 or more kilograms of cocaine. The investigation involved meetings with members of the conspiracy in New Hampshire, Florida ,and the Virgin Islands at which the details of the drug distribution scheme were discussed.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire is working with the Office of International Affairs and the kingdom of Spain to obtain the extradition of those arrested. Each of the arrested individuals is a citizen of Mexico.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Boston Police Department with the assistance of the Spanish National Police.

The public is reminded that an indictment is a charge brought by the grand jury, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.