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Tuesday, may 13

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

Ex-Youth Pastor Admits To Raping Boys In Newbury, Gets 4 Years: DA A former youth pastor from New Hampshire who admitted to raping two boys and a young man was sentenced to four years behind bars, authorities said. Russell Davis, 70, formerly of Newbury, pleaded guilty to rape of a child under 16 — among other felonies on Thursday, Feb. 23, the Essex County District Attorney's Office said. As part of his plea, Davis will serve four years in prison, three years on probation, and must register as a sex offender, authorities said. In all cases, Davis befriended his victims through his position at the United Methodist Church and offered them m…

02/23/2023

Police & Fire

Traffic Stop Helps Troopers Solve Central Mass Armed Robbery: Police An accused armed robber made things very easy for Massachusetts state troopers this week when he left enough evidence to link him to the crime in his illegal vehicle, authorities said. Eddie Colon, 18, of Fitchburg, is accused of robbing a Cumberland Farms store in Fitchburg Tuesday night, Feb. 21, state troopers said. Troopers pulled over Colon's Nissan Altima in a Sears parking lot in Leominster on Wednesday morning because he didn't have a tag on the front of the car, authorities said. When police pulled over the sedan, they noticed the driver frantically reaching around in t…

02/23/2023

Police & Fire

Child Rape: Ex-Chelsea School Board Member Admits To Assaulting 12-Year-Old, DA Says A former Chelsea School Board member will spend five years in prison after he admitted to raping a 12-year-old boy in 2021 after offering him a ride in his car, authorities said. Henry David Wilson, 57, pleaded guilty to rape and abuse of a child, enticement, and posing a child in sexual conduct, the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office said on Thursday, Feb. 23. A judge sentenced him to five years in prison on the rape charge and five more years of probation on the other charges, the prosecutor added. Wilson must also stay away from the boy's school, avoid contact with anyone und…

02/23/2023

Police & Fire

Suspected Drug Dealer Hides In Neighbor's Closet To Escape Cops, Fails: Worcester Police A suspected Worcester drug dealer tried to escape police by hiding in his neighbor's closet, but things didn't turn out well for him, authorities said. Noel Gonzalez faces several charges following his arrest on Wednesday night, Feb. 22, Worcester police said. Neighborhood Respond Team officers said they spotted Gonzalez making what appeared to be a drug deal in the 800 block of Main Street around 10 p.m. They stopped the suspected buyer, who had fentanyl and crack in his pockets, officials said. They did not release the man's name. Officers tried to stop Gonzalez, but he…

02/23/2023

Police & Fire

Tanker Truck Crash Spills Hazardous Materials In Westborough A tanker truck rolled over Thursday morning, Feb. 23, in Westborough, trapping the driver inside and spilling hazardous materials on the road. The crash happened at 50 Eli Whitney Street just after 11 a.m. Paramedics evaluated the driver, who declined to go to the hospital for minor injuries, Westborough firefighters said. Officials didn't say what spilled from the trucks — only classifying it as hazardous — but firefighters said drivers should avoid the area as they have closed the road while it is cleaned up.

02/23/2023

Police & Fire

Car Vs. Motorcycle Death: Police Charge Western Mass Man In Fatal Crash Officers arrested a 44-year-old Springfield man and charged him with causing the death of a motorcyclist last year, authorities said. Alex Rankins Jr. was arrested outside of his Kenyon Street home on Wednesday, Feb. 22, on the charge of motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation, Springfield police said. Investigators said Rankins was behind the wheel of a car that crashed into a motorcycle at the intersection of Boston Road and Barber Street around 3:30 p.m. on May 20, 2022. Paramedics rushed the rider to Baystate Medical Center, but doctors couldn't save his life. P…

02/23/2023

Police & Fire

30 Stab Wounds: Man Indicted With Killing Stoughton Woman Last Year: DA A grand jury in Norfolk County indicted a man on Wednesday, Feb. 22, accused of stabbing a Stoughton mom to death in December. Victor Carter, 40, has been held without bail since his arrest in January, the Norfolk County District Attorney's Office said. He is accused of killing 40-year-old Amber Buckner. He pleaded not guilty to the charges, the prosecutor said. Related: Family, Friends Mourn Death Of Slain Stoughton Woman Police found her body in the yard of a home at 743 Park Street on Dec. 13. The Boston Globe reported she had been stabbed more than two dozen times…

02/22/2023

Police & Fire

Worcester County Firefighter Dies Preparing To Answer Service Call: Fire Department Fire officials announced on Wednesday, Feb. 22, that one of their own had died while preparing to respond to a service call the day before. In Worcester County, Paul Cloutier, age 52, joined the Webster Fire Department in March 2021. He also served as a volunteer firefighter at the Muddy Brook Fire Department and as lieutenant and president of the Woodstock volunteer station in Windham County. The Muddy Brook Fire Department regrets to announce the unexpected passing of Firefighter Paul Cloutier. Paul has served... Posted by Muddy Brook Fire Department on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 …

02/22/2023

Police & Fire

Suspected Drug Trafficker, Felon Modified Pistol To Make It Machine Gun: Springfield Police Two men busted in Springfield on gun and drug charges allegedly altered a pistol to make it fire like a fully-automatic weapon, authorities said. Carlos Dejesus, 31, of Holyoke, and Jamian Velez-Berrios, 19, of Chicopee, face several charges after they were arrested in a traffic stop last week, Springfield police said. Firearms detectives had monitored Velez-Berrios for months on an alleged gun change and were tipped off that he would be armed at a house on Andrew Street Saturday, Feb. 18, authorities said. Police got a warrant and were prepared to raid the home, but…

02/22/2023

Police & Fire

Murder Conviction: Man Gets Life For 2018 Fatal Central Mass Shooting: DA A man found guilty of killing a 42-year-old in Worcester will spend the next 25 years behind bars before he can apply for parole, authorities said. Kennie Mota-Cruz, 29, of Worcester, was sentenced to life in prison for the killing of Jose Ortiz in 2018 after a jury found him guilty of second-degree murder last week after a four-day trial, the Worcester County District Attorney's Office said. Mota-Cruz was accused of shooting Ortiz in the head in the Bell Hill neighborhood on Aug. 24, 2018. Police arrived at 15 Everard St. home just before 7:45 p.m. and found Ortiz in a third-story apart…

02/22/2023

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