Department of Justice

Plymouth County Outreach to Receive $500,000 Federal Grant

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Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018

Media Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-742-3922
Email: [email protected]

Plymouth County Outreach to Receive $500,000 Federal Grant

The Police Chiefs of Plymouth County are pleased to announce that Plymouth County Outreach (PCO) has been awarded a federal grant that will significantly improve the services provided by the group in the coming years.

PCO will receive the $496,650 grant as part of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) Program through the U.S. Department of Justice.

The award is among the first major federal funding grants to go toward substance use disorder treatment and recovery legislation, with the aim of addressing the ongoing opioid epidemic.

“We are incredibly fortunate to have been selected by the DOJ for the CARA grant and these funds will hopefully go a long way toward helping our Plymouth County residents who have been impacted by the opioid crisis and their families,” East Bridgewater Police Chief Scott Allen said.

The funds, which will be dispersed over the next two years, will allow PCO to hire two full-time staff members – a Project Coordinator and an Operations Supervisor. Those positions will allow PCO to offer better resources to individuals who are in need of treatment in a more streamlined and effective fashion.

“We will be looking to hire two full-time staff members who are dedicated to working with Plymouth County residents each and every day and can represent Plymouth County Outreach in all of our communities,” Middleborough Police Chief Joseph Perkins said.

In addition, the money will allow PCO to improve their Critical Incident Management System database, which tracks the number of overdoses in the region and allows for research and detailed analysis of the data collected to be studied by PCO’s treatment and healthcare partners.

“In receiving this grant from the federal government this shows, I believe, that our program and approach is on the forefront of combining the efforts of law enforcement, healthcare providers and treatment professionals in providing care to those opioid users in our communities who are in need,” Plymouth Police Chief Michael Botieri said.

In addition to Plymouth County Outreach, 11 other Massachusetts programs will receive a total of $8.4 million in grant funding:

  • Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office awarded $541,300
  • Middlesex District Attorney’s Office awarded one grant of $360,000 and one of $500,000
  • Boston Police Department awarded $305,362
  • City of Holyoke Police Department awarded $448,025
  • Massachusetts Administrative Office of the Trial Court awarded $1.5 million
  • Advocates for Human Potential awarded $1.55 million
  • City of Worcester awarded $744,668
  • Franklin County Sheriff’s Office awarded $1 million
  • LUK Crisis Center awarded $500,000

“In 2017, over 2,000 Massachusetts residents died from drug overdoses,” said United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling. “The opioid crisis is an unprecedented public health crisis in the United States, but we are committed to the President’s plan to end the epidemic through prevention, treatment and enforcement. With over $8 million in federal grant funding, programs in Massachusetts can expand to serve larger populations, increase services, and support those who are most impacted by this deadly epidemic. I applaud the grant recipients for their commitment to serve their communities in this way.”

Plymouth County Outreach is an opioid prevention and recovery coalition made up of 27 municipal police departments in Plymouth County, along with the Bridgewater State University Police. The chiefs have partnered with the offices of District Attorney Timothy Cruz and Sheriff Joseph McDonald to take a multi-jurisdictional approach to dealing with the opioid epidemic.

Today, several member chiefs met to discuss the announcement of the grant.

“The work being done by our partners in law enforcement and the treatment and healthcare industries is vital to combating this deadly epidemic. In Plymouth County and everywhere else, one overdose death is one too many,” Hanover Police Chief Walter Sweeney said.

Next week, PCO will be honored by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and will be receiving the Leadership in Community Policing Award on Oct. 9 in Orlando, Florida.

About Plymouth County Outreach: Plymouth County Outreach is a collaborative of police departments throughout Plymouth County led by the following chiefs: Abington Chief David Majenski, Bridgewater Chief Christopher Delmonte, Bridgewater State University Chief David Tillinghast, Brockton Chief John Crowley, Brockton Police Lt. Richard Linehan, Carver Chief Marc Duphily, Duxbury Chief Matthew Clancy, East Bridgewater Chief Scott Allen, Halifax Chief Ted Broderick, Hanover Chief Walter Sweeney, Hanson Chief Michael Miksch, Hingham Chief Glenn Olsson, Hull Chief John Dunn, Kingston Chief Maurice Splaine, Lakeville Chief Frank Alvihiera, Marion Chief John Garcia, Marshfield Chief Phillip Tavares, Mattapoisett Chief Mary Lyons, Middleboro Chief Joseph Perkins, Norwell Chief Ted Ross, Pembroke Chief Richard Wall, Plymouth Chief Michael Botieri, Plympton Chief Patrick Dillon, Rochester Chief Robert Small, Rockland Chief John Llewellyn, Scituate Chief Michael Stewart, Wareham Chief John Walcek, West Bridgewater Chief Victor Flaherty and Whitman Chief Scott D. Benton.

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Statement of Arlington Police Chief Frederick Ryan Regarding Arrest of Spelling Bee Bandit

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Arlington Police Department
Frederick Ryan, Chief of Police
112 Mystic St.
Arlington, MA 02474

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2016

Contact: Captain Richard Flynn, PIO
Office: 781-316-3907
Cell: 781-844-1224
Email: [email protected]

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Statement of Arlington Police Chief Frederick Ryan Regarding Arrest of Spelling Bee Bandit

ARLINGTON — Chief Frederick Ryan reports that the Arlington Police Department assisted the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force in an investigation that resulted in the arrest of a Chelsea man who allegedly robbed four banks in the Greater Boston area over the last several months.

JASON S. ENGLEN, AGE 34, OF CHELSEA, is charged with the robberies of:

  • TD Bank in Arlington on Oct. 31
  • TD Bank in Reading on Nov. 5
  • Salem Five in Burlington on Nov. 7
  • TD Bank in Peabody on Nov. 13

ENGLEN was arrested on Monday, Dec. 12 by the FBI.

On Monday, Oct. 31, Arlington Police were dispatched to TD Bank, 880 Massachusetts Ave. for a report of a robbery. When police arrived, the suspect had robbed and fled the bank with an undisclosed amount of cash. A search of the area was conducted, but officers were unable to locate the suspect.

After working on the investigation with members of the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force, Arlington Police Inspector James Smith applied for a search warrant out of Cambridge District Court for a Chelsea residence. Arlington Police Detective Sgt. Bryan Gallagher and Inspector Smith assisted the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force with the execution of the search warrant, which later led to the arrest of ENGLEN.

“Investigating this case took time, patience and commitment from all agencies involved,” Chief Ryan said. “I commend Arlington Police for their diligent work and collaboration with the FBI. Together we were able to bring this man to justice for his crimes.”

Below is the original press release from the Department of Justice on Monday, Dec.12:

BOSTON – A Chelsea man, dubbed the “Spelling Bee Bandit,” was arrested and charged today in connection with four bank robberies in the Greater Boston area.

Jason S. Englen, 34, was charged with the robberies of: TD Bank in Arlington on Oct. 31, 2016; TD Bank in Reading on Nov. 5, 2016; Salem Five in Burlington on Nov. 7, 2016; and TD Bank in Peabody on Nov. 13, 2016. A probable cause and detention before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Marianne B. Bowler will continue tomorrow.

According to court documents, on Oct. 31, 2016, a man entered a branch of TD Bank in Arlington, approached a teller and presented a note written on a deposit slip with the word “ROBERY” written on it. The teller handed the man money from the drawer and he fled the bank. Following the robbery, the man’s image was circulated on public websites seeking information about his identity. Nearly identical incidents occurred on Nov. 5th at a branch of TD Bank in Reading, on Nov. 7th at a branch of Salem Five in Burlington, and on Nov. 13th at a branch of TD Bank in Peabody. During each robbery, the man handed the teller a note with the word “ROBERY” or “ROBERT” demanding cash. During the last robbery, the man told the teller he wanted $20 and $50 dollar bills. Following each robbery, the man’s image was circulated on public websites seeking information about his identity. 

Based on the similarity of the robberies and the physical description of the robber provided by the bank tellers, a bulletin was circulated seeking the public’s help in identifying the perpetrator. As a result, law enforcement received information that the individual involved in the robberies was Englen. Englen, who was already in state custody on unrelated charges, was arrested by federal authorities today. 

The charging statute provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000 and restitution. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins; Arlington Police Chief Frederick Ryan; Reading Police Chief Mark D. Segalla; Burlington Police Chief Michael Kent; and Peabody Police Chief Thomas Griffin, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Ortiz’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

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Essex County Sheriff’s Department Receives $750,000 Grant for Implementation of Second Chance Act Program

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Essex County Sheriff’s Department
Frank G. Cousins Jr., Sheriff
20 Manning Avenue
Middleton, MA 01949

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 978-971-8101
Email: [email protected]

Essex County Sheriff’s Department Receives $750,000 Grant for Implementation of Second Chance Act Program

MIDDLETON — Essex County Sheriff Frank G. Cousins Jr. is pleased to announce that the Essex County Sheriff’s Department has received a three-year, $750,000 grant from the Department of Justice to lower criminal recidivism by providing work-based training and employment to incarcerated adults after their release.

The grant is authorized through the Second Chance Act of 2007, which provides a comprehensive response to the increasing number of people who are released from prison and jail and are returning to their communities by addressing the steps needed to be taken for offenders to achieve a successful reintegration.

Each year, for three years, the Essex County Sheriff’s Department will use its $250,000 allocation to provide technology-based career training to 220 inmates in their facilities during the six to 36 month period before release. Additionally, the department will work with local employers to secure placement for program participants following their release.

“We are very pleased to receive this grant award. Our goal is to ensure that the people who come through our facilities receive the training they need to earn good, technology-based jobs once they reenter the community,” Sheriff Cousins said. “Reducing recidivism has always been a priority for me as Essex County Sheriff, and I believe that this grant will help us achieve this and vastly improve outlooks for people who enter the criminal justice system.”

Other services that will be provided to support inmate employment success include: basic adult education, work readiness training, reentry planning, rehabilitation (domestic violence, sex offender, substance abuse, cognitive behavioral therapy, HIV/AIDS support), case management, peer mentoring, employment support (workplace learning and job placement/retention), and supportive services (behavioral health, medical, basic needs, housing, family reunification, transportation, childcare, financial benefits, insurance, medication assistance and legal services).

ABOUT THE SECOND CHANCE ACT
The Second Chance Act of 2007 (SCA) was enacted to break the cycle of criminal recidivism, improve public safety and help state, local, and tribal government agencies and community organizations respond to the rising populations of formerly incarcerated people who return to their communities. Since the first SCA appropriation in fiscal 2009, more than $475 million has been authorized for grants, training and technical assistance to state, local, and tribal government agencies, along with community organizations to provide services that help people returning from prison and jail to safely and successfully reintegrate into the community. SCA programming provides support to eligible applicants for the development and implementation of comprehensive and collaborative reentry strategies specifically designed to increase public safety by reducing recidivism.

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Statement of Chelmsford Police Chief James Spinney

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Chelmsford Police Department Patch

Chelmsford Police Department
James M. Spinney, Chief of Police
2 Olde North Road
Chelmsford, MA 01824

For Immediate Release

Thursday, April 16, 2015

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Statement of Chelmsford Police Chief James M. Spinney Regarding Federal Charges Levied Against Man in Murder-for-Hire Plot

CHELMSFORD — Police Chief James M. Spinney issues the following statement in regards to federal charges being brought against ANDREW S. GORDON, AGE 52, OF CHELMSFORD, in an alleged murder-for-hire plot.

“The allegations against this individual are extremely serious, and these latest developments further demonstrate how dangerous this subject is. I applaud our partner agencies for their efforts in bringing this investigation forward, culminating today in federal charges.”

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U.S. Attorney’s Original Press Release:

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz
District of Massachusetts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: CHRISTINA DiIORIO-STERLING
April 16, 2015 Phone (617) 748-3356
www.justice.gov/usao/ma/news.html [email protected]
twitter.com/dmanews1

CHELMSFORD MAN CHARGED IN PLOT TO MURDER STATE TROOPER

BOSTON – A Chelmsford man was charged yesterday in U.S. District Court in Boston for initiating a murder-for-hire plot.

Andrew S. Gordon, 52, was charged in a criminal complaint with use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire. He is scheduled to have an initial appearance before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Judith G. Dein on Friday, April 17, 2015.

According to the complaint, in October 2014, Gordon was charged by the Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office with plotting to have his estranged wife murdered. In that case, Gordon attempted to hire a “hit man” to kill his wife; however, the “hit man” was actually an undercover Massachusetts State Trooper. Since his arrest, Gordon has been held on state charges at the Middlesex House of Correction and Jail.

According to the federal complaint, while Gordon was incarcerated on the state charge, he attempted to hire a gang member living in New Hampshire to kill a Massachusetts State Trooper and another individual who were both witnesses against him in the pending case. For the commission of the murders, Gordon offered $15,000 and instructed that the murders were to appear accidental. Gordon, who believed that murdering the witnesses would effectively end the state’s ability to prosecute him, was actually communicating with an undercover officer.

The federal statute provides for a sentence of no greater than ten years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Gordon will be prosecuted and sentenced separately by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the crimes charged by the state.

U.S. Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan; Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian; Daniel J. Kumor, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Colonel Timothy P. Alben, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, made the announcement today. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Tobin of Ortiz’s Major Crimes Unit.

The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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