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Wednesday, jun 4

Josh Lanier

Assistant Managing Editor

jlanier@dailyvoice.com

Josh Lanier started his reporting career in high school for his local newspaper. Many — many — years later, he’s still chasing leads for compelling stories. During his time writing for newspapers, magazines, and online publications, he’s covered everything from murderers to mommy bloggers, but his most interesting story is always the next one.

Josh Lanier's Contributions

Police & Fire

Human Smuggling Ring: Mexican Nationals Extorted Workers They Smuggled Into CT, Feds Say Two Mexican citizens smuggled several people to Connecticut for tens of thousands of dollars, and once they reached the state, the victims were extorted and forced to work off an impossible debt, federal authorities said. Maria Del Carmen Sanchez, age 69, and Apolinar Francisco Paredes Espinoza (aka "Pancho"), age 56, helped illegally bring 10 people from Mexico to Hartford beginning in September, the US Attorney for Connecticut said. Federal investigators arrested them on Wednesday, March 1. Sanchez and Paredes charged each person between $15,000 and $20,000, a debt they would …

by Josh Lanier

03/05/2023

Police & Fire

One Person Injured In Western Mass Car Crash: Firefighters One person was sent to the hospital following a car crash in Hampden County earlier this week, authorities said. The wreck was reported around 8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 2, near the intersection of Hampshire and Maple streets in Holyoke, firefighters said. The vehicle rolled onto its roof and needed to be stabilized before crews could remove the injured to get them help. One person was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. It's unclear if anyone else was inside the car when it crashed. The Holyoke Police Department is investigating the cause of the crash.

by Josh Lanier

03/04/2023

Police & Fire

Drug Trafficking Ring: Man Admits To Bringing Cocaine Into Central Mass; 15th Person Convicted A 31-year-old Worcester County man admitted this week in a federal court to being part of a large-scale drug trafficking network, authorities said. Jonathan Villot, of Fitchburg, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base (commonly known as crack cocaine), and 500 grams or more of cocaine, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. Police began investigating a potential drug trafficking ring in central Massachusetts in September 2018 following a fentanyl overdose death in Fitchburg, officials said. …

by Josh Lanier

03/04/2023

Police & Fire

Stray Bullet Hits Western Mass Home: Crime-Fighting Tech Tool Led To Bust, Police Say A Hampden County woman called police earlier this week after she said someone fired a bullet through her bedroom window in the middle of the night, authorities said. Dereck Carattini, 20, was arrested and charged following the Friday, March 3, shooting, Holyoke officials said. But investigators said the bust was thanks to a piece of technology that's becoming a valuable tool for police departments. ShotSpotter, a gunshot detection network that uses sound-surveillance devices to pinpoint the area where a gun was fired, alerted Holyoke police officers to two potential shots a…

by Josh Lanier

03/04/2023

Police & Fire

One Person Critical, Another Hurt In Western Mass Fire: Fire Department An early morning fire in Hampden County sent two people to the hospital — one with critical injuries, authorities said. The fire was reported just after 6 a.m. on Saturday, March 4, in a shed at 901 Main Street in Agawam, the Agawam Fire Department said. The building was completely engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived. Crews quickly put it out, but two civilians were hurt in the blaze. Paramedics rushed them both to Baystate Medical Center. One was in critical condition, and the other suffered minor injuries and was listed in stable condition. Massachusetts State …

by Josh Lanier

03/04/2023

Weather

Parking Bans In Effect For These Western Mass Towns Ahead Of Winter Weather As heavy snows bear down on most of the Northeast Friday, March 3, several towns in western Massachusetts have implemented parking bans. Related: Updated Snow Fall Predictions For The Northeast Here is a collection of some of those bans. Violators may have their vehicles towed and ticketed. AGAWAM No parking is allowed from 12 a.m. Saturday, March 4 until 12 p.m. Saturday, March 4. AMHERST A parking ban on all town streets and lots begins at 12 a.m. Saturday and remains in effect until 7 a.m. However, parking is allowed in three areas. The lower level of the parking …

by Josh Lanier

03/03/2023

Police & Fire

Sutton Man Admits To Child Porn Charge, Faces Decades In Prison A 47-year-old Worcester County man admitted this week to having child pornography that investigators found in his home in 2020, authorities said. Oliver Smith, of Sutton, faces up to 20 years in prison following his Wednesday, March 1, plea and a potential lifetime of supervised release, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. He may also be ordered to pay as much as $250,000 in fines. Investigators raided Smith's home in November 2020 after receiving information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. A forensic examination of several of his devices an…

by Josh Lanier

03/03/2023

Police & Fire

West Springfield High Off Lockdown After Hoax Threat Made Against School: Police West Springfield High was momentarily put on lockdown Friday, March 3, after someone called in a fake threat about the Hampden County school, officials said. The hoax is the last in a worrying and growing trend called "swatting." West Springfield police said someone called the department's non-emergency line just after 8:20 a.m. to make the threat. Officers responded to the high school within a minute and worked with administrators to begin safety protocols, which included a lockdown. Police swept the school for threats but found nothing, and they determined the call was fake. School …

by Josh Lanier

03/03/2023

Police & Fire

Violent Robberies: 20-Year-Old CT Man Admits To Role In String Of AT&T Store Heists A 20-year-old Connecticut man who pleaded guilty to several robberies of AT&T stores in the region where he and three others sometimes beat and pistol-whipped employees was the first of the crew to be sentenced this week. Hartford County resident Deshawn Baugh of Hartford was sentenced to nine years in federal prison after pleading guilty to Hobbs Act robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm during a violent crime, the US Attorney for Connecticut said. He must pay $124,842.45 in restitution, the prosecutor said. Baugh, along with three others, went on a robbery spr…

by Josh Lanier

03/02/2023

Police & Fire

Burglar Picks Poor Hiding Spot, Quickly Arrested Inside Worcester Business: Police Talk about a flimsy hiding place. A 39-year-old man who police say was caught breaking into a business in Worcester County Thursday, March 2, tried to vanish behind a sheet of plywood but ended up in handcuffs anyway. Jorge Figueroa, 39, of Worcester, is the wannabe Houdini who Worcester police said they caught inside a store at 927 Main Street just before 7 a.m. Police were called to the business about a possible break-in and found a window smashed and the front door unlocked when they arrived. Officers searched the building a found Figueroa inside right away, authorities said.&…

by Josh Lanier

03/02/2023

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