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.

Former Northbridge School Committee Member, Part-Time Teacher, and Boy Scout Leader Charged with Possessing Child Pornography and Enticing Children

BOSTON—A Whitinsville lawyer, who is also a Boy Scout leader and part-time middle school teacher, was arrested at his home this morning, charged with possessing child pornography and enticing children.

Andrew J. Myers, 34, has been charged by complaint with possession of child pornography and use of the Internet to entice minors to engage in unlawful sexual activity. He will appear in U.S. District Court in Boston today for an initial appearance, at 3:00 p.m., before Magistrate Judge Jennifer C. Boal.

According to the affidavit, the investigation was initiated when law enforcement officials from the Larimer County (Colorado) Sheriff’s Office contacted the Northbridge, Massachusetts Police Department regarding an ongoing child exploitation investigation. The Colorado authorities were investigating a complaint from a Colorado mother who reported that her 12-year-old son had been communicating via e-mail and Skype with a male who identified himself as 33-years-old. In those communications, the 33-year-old male attempted to entice the boy to engage in sexual acts over Skype (a web streaming video service). The Larimer County Sheriff’s Office later identified the 33-year-old male as Myers and solicited the assistance of the Northbridge Police Department.

It is alleged that Myers has communicated via e-mail with at least three individuals suspected to be minor males. In these e-mails Myers offers to perform sexual acts on the boys. The investigation also revealed that Myers has received e-mails containing images depicting prepubescent boys exposing their genitals.

According to the affidavit, Myers has worked as a substitute teacher and is presently the Scout Master of a local Boy Scout Troop. Myers is also a former member of the Northbridge School Committee.

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

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; and Chief Walter J. Warchol of the Northbridge Police Department made the announcement today. This was a joint investigation that was initiated by the Larimer County Sheriff’s Department who discovered Myer’s alleged conduct and provided the information that directly led to his identification and the subsequent federal charges. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Grady and David Hennessy of Ortiz’s Worcester Office.

Catherine Greig Sentenced to Eight Years in Federal Prison for Harboring “Whitey” Bulger

BOSTON—Catherine E. Greig was sentenced today in U.S. District Court for her role in harboring and concealing one of the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted fugitives, James J. “Whitey” Bulger.

In March 2012, Greig, 61, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to harbor a fugitive, conspiracy to commit identity fraud, and identity fraud. Today, U.S. District Judge Douglas P. Woodlock sentenced Greig in the District of Massachusetts to eight years in prison, fined her $150,000, and ordered her to serve three years of supervised release.

“We are pleased with today’s sentence, one of the longest sentences ever imposed for a harboring charge,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts Carmen M. Ortiz. “While Ms. Greig may claim that she harbored Mr. Bulger for 16 years out of love, love is no excuse for committing crimes. The felonies that she now stands convicted of impacted the lives of many, and she is now paying the price for her actions.”

“Today, and previously throughout these proceedings, we saw the palpable hurt and pain caused to the families of those harmed by Ms. Greig’s crimes as they waited patiently for justice to be served,“ said Richard Deslauriers, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Division of the FBI. “Though the Bulger Task Force’s search for Ms. Greig was long and arduous, it was persistent and uncompromising. We did not deviate from our course because we knew from experience that for each and every fugitive, there is a victim of a crime. Each day a fugitive eludes justice is a long day for the victims of their crimes who agonize that while the fugitive enjoys freedom, they remain locked in a state of fear and anguish.”

“As I have said before, although there are those who doubted the FBI’s resolve, it never wavered. We followed every lead, we explored every possibility and when those ran out we did not sit back and wait for the phone to ring. As a result of that unyielding tenacity, I am proud to say the FBI and its Bulger Task Force partners fulfilled their promise to the families victimized by Ms. Greig’s crimes. Today’s sentence demonstrates that justice for Ms. Greig has been served.”

U.S. Marshal John Gibbons said, “The United States Marshals Service was happy to take part in the apprehension of Ms. Greig and James “Whitey” Bulger. We hope that today’s verdict sends a strong message to anyone considering harboring fugitives that this sort of crime will not be tolerated.”

“Catherine Greig aided a violent criminal in delaying justice, causing the families of his victims continued pain and suffering. As the judicial process goes forward, hopefully those families will find some small solace,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Kevin Lane of the Drug Enforcement Administration.

William P. Offord, Special Agent in Charge, IRS-Criminal Investigation said, “The sentencing of Catherine Greig brings to a close a chapter of one of the most notorious criminal cases in Boston’s recent history. IRS Criminal Investigation is proud to have provided its investigative skills to the law enforcement partnership that has brought this case to a successful conclusion.”

From January 1995 through June 22, 2011, Greig conspired with Bulger to take steps to prevent his discovery and arrest, this after learning that a warrant had been issued for his apprehension. Greig and Bulger posed as a married couple under different false identities. They obtained multiple means of identification to conceal their true identities, purchased necessary goods and services such as prescription medication, paid bills under an assumed name, and shopped for groceries and other necessities while living together.

Furthermore, Greig illegally obtained and used multiple identification documents, including Social Security numbers, drivers’ licenses, and birth certificates of other real persons with intent to create false identities. Additionally, authorities seized more than $820,000 cash and 30 firearms hidden inside the apartment shared by Greig and Bulger.

U.S. Attorney Ortiz; Special Agent in Charge DesLauriers; U.S. Marshal Gibbons; Special Agent in Charge Offord; Acting Special Agent in Charge Lane; Commissioner Luis S. Spencer of the Massachusetts Department of Correction; and Colonel Marian McGovern, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, made the announcement today. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts would also like to acknowledge and thank the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General and the Los Angeles offices of the U.S. Attorney and FBI.

The case was prosecuted by First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack W. Pirozzolo; Assistant U.S. Attorney James D. Herbert, Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary B. Murrane, Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts’s Asset Forfeiture Unit.

Massachusetts Law Enforcement Agencies Announce the Arrest of Serial Bank Robber

BOSTON,—The FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force and the Massachusetts State Police announce the arrest of a bank robber. Johanna P. Quish, born May 19, 1966, of Dorchester, Massachusetts, was arrested without incident by members of the FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force and the Massachusetts State Police at approximately 2:00 p.m. in Danvers, Massachusetts. She is charged with a single count of unarmed bank robbery relating to the April 13, 2012 robbery of the Sovereign Bank branch located at 575 Boylston Street in Boston, Massachusetts. The arrest was based on a Massachusetts state warrant obtained by detectives from the Malden and Boston Police Departments, who are part of the task force.

The arrest was a direct result of information obtained from an appeal to the public by the FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force seeking information about a series of bank robberies, including the one Quish is charged with. After the FBI received a tip from the public, further investigation was conducted. Quish was then located, placed under surveillance by the task force, and was arrested following a car stop by the Massachusetts State Police.

This investigation and many others demonstrate the public is always law enforcement’s best ally to prevent, detect, and deter crime.

The FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force is composed of personnel from the Somerville Police, Malden Police, Saugus Police, Massachusetts State Police, Boston Police, and FBI.

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

Wanted Brazilian national deported from the US

BOSTON — A Brazilian national illegally residing in both Somerville and Medford, Mass., who was wanted in his home country for his involvement in a murder, was turned over to Brazilian law enforcement authorities this morning in São Paulo. He was removed from the United States by officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). This individual was originally identified after ICE's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Massachusetts State Police obtained a law enforcement tip that he was residing in the Boston-area.

Jose Rogerio Ferreira de Souza, 20, was arrested by HSI special agents and Massachusetts State Police troopers officers Feb. 22, 2011, in Danvers, Mass. He had remained in ERO custody until his removal today. The delay in his deportation was due to the numerous appeals that Ferreira de Souza had made before the Executive Office for Immigration Review and the Board of Immigration Appeals. His final appeal was dismissed Feb. 17, 2012. He was wanted by the State Civil Police of Minas Gerais for, "armed robbery resulting in death." While residing in Massachusetts, he used the name, "Mauro Jorge" to disguise his true identity.

According to public records, Ferreira de Souza allegedly participated in the September 2008 robbing and killing of a taxi driver in the city of Téofilo Otoni. Ferreira de Souza and his two accomplices, Valdiney Oesdres Leal de Souza and Pereira da Silva, robbed Heraldo de Souza, 68, and stole his watch and $40. They then tied Heraldo de Souza with barbed wire and beat him with a stick until his death. Heraldo de Souza was discovered three days later.

Leal de Souza was sentenced to 23 years in jail and Pereira da Silva was sentenced to 25 years in jail. Both are serving their prisons sentences in Brazil, and have stated publically that Ferreira de Souza participated with them in the murder.

"Thanks to our excellent partnership with the Massachusetts State Police, we have ensured that this individual will be prosecuted for his alleged crimes in Brazil," said Bruce M. Foucart, special agent in charge for HSI Boston. "HSI special agents, ERO officers and our law enforcement partners in Massachusetts will continue to aggressively pursue individuals who pose a threat to public safety, especially criminal aliens who try to blend into our communities to elude justice in their home countries."

Homeland Security Investigations' (HSI) attaché in Brasilia, Brazil, confirmed the biographical details and photographic facial identifiers with Brazilian authorities, which confirmed that Ferreira de Souza was indeed wanted by their government. HSI's attaché coordinated this removal directly with São Paulo's Civil Police Fugitive Capture Unit.

Since Oct. 1, 2009, ERO has removed more than 335 foreign fugitives from the United States who were being sought in their native countries for serious crimes, including kidnapping, rape and murder. ERO works with HSI's Office of International Affairs, foreign consular offices in the United States, and Interpol to identify foreign fugitives illegally present in the country.