Massachusetts

ICE arrests alleged gun-running, fentanyl trafficking, indecent assault suspects across Massachusetts

Published

12 months ago

May 20, 2025

ICE arrests alleged gun-running, fentanyl trafficking, indecent assault suspects across Massachusetts

An illegal immigrant arrested in Boston for allegedly peddling “poison” fentanyl while armed is also wanted in his home country for gun running, and appears to be part of the “second surge” of ICE arrests the agency vowed to roll out in the city.

Julio Soto-Heredia, 44, of the Dominican Republic, was arrested Sunday by ICE agents, the agency announced Tuesday. He’s also wanted in his home country for alleged firearms trafficking.

“After Dominican authorities charged Julio Soto-Heredia with firearms trafficking, he later illegally entered the United States and attempted to hide out in Boston,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde.

“If that weren’t bad enough, Soto-Heredia apparently illegally armed himself and attempted to peddle poison in our Massachusetts neighborhoods,” Hyde added. “ICE Boston will not stand idly by while illegal alien offenders victimize the residents of our New England communities. We will continue to prioritize public safety by arresting and removing criminal alien offenders.”

Soto-Heredia remains in ICE custody.

The bust hits as Immigration and Customs Enforcement leadership has committed to a second “surge” of arrests in Greater Boston.

The agency also announced the arrest of Kleber Lasso, an “illegal alien from Ecuador convicted for soliciting to commit murder and sentenced to only 1 year in jail. Brockton District Court failed to honor ICE’s detainer and released this criminal back onto Massachusetts’ streets.” He was arrested May 5.

On May 7, Senat Dufren, here illegally from Haiti, was arrested in Waltham and was charged with assault and battery and malicious destruction of property in Roxbury.

“Local authorities did not honor the detainer and released Dufren. He then went on to victimize more innocent Americans — including a pregnant woman. He was then arrested again on February 19, 2025, for assault and battery on a pregnant victim, assault and battery family/household, and assault and battery,” ICE added.

On May 12, Elismar Alves Ferreira, here illegally from Brazil, was charged with assault and battery on a police officer, resisting arrest, operating negligently, and disorderly conduct. ICE did not state the Massachusetts city or town where he was arrested.

Also on May 12, ICE arrested Carlos Araujo, an illegal alien from Uruguay. He was convicted of indecent assault and battery of a 7-year-old female.

On May 11, 2025, ICE arrested Fernando Pereira De Oliveria, here illegally from Brazil. He is charged with indecent assault and battery on a person 14 or over. ICE did not state the Massachusetts city or town where he was arrested.

On May 7, ICE Boston arrested Irwin Alexander Martinez, an illegal immigrant from El Salvador, “near Chelsea.” He is an MS-13 gang member, ICE added. On the same day, ICE stated the agency caught up to Noe Pena Garcia, a 24-year-old illegal from El Salvador and suspected MS-13 gang member.

Also on May 7, ICE Boston grabbed Sergey Ivashkevich, who had an active Interpol Red Notice out of Kazakhstan for extortion with threat of violence.

Other arrests included suspected 18th Street gang members and cocaine dealers. The 18th Street clique, also known as Barrio 18, is a multi-ethnic street gang that started in Los Angeles and has become one of the nation’s largest gangs.

ICE and other federal agencies also arrested 11 roofers in Lowell on May 16. They were all Ecuadorian citizens. The feds targeted “a business with alleged unauthorized hiring practices” at a worksite in Lowell.

The Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) coalition could not be immediately reached for comment.

ICE officers arrest 11 roofers in Lowell suspected of being in the country illegally. (ICE.gov photo)

Originally Published: May 20, 2025 at 2:23 PM EDT

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Massachusetts

The Massachusetts beach towns better than Cape Cod, per Condé Nast

Published

10 hours ago

May 10, 2026

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The Massachusetts beach towns better than Cape Cod, per Condé Nast

Massachusetts residents love their beach towns.

And Condé Nast Magazine loves two particular beach towns in the Bay State, but surprisingly didn’t pick a beach on Cape Cod.

That’s why the towns were included on the magazine’s 2025 list of the 17 best beach towns on the East Coast.

“Whether you’re looking to lay out on the sand in summer or prefer walking along the water spotting wildlife and collecting rocks, the shores of the East Coast have a little something for everyone,” Condé Nast stated on its website.

Here’s more about the magazine’s favorite beach towns in Massachusetts.

Oak Bluffs ranked No. 5 on the list

Coming in at number 5 is one of the most popular spots on Martha’s Vineyard – Oak Bluffs.

What they said: “The colorful gingerbread houses for which Oak Bluffs is known are straight out of a storybook. Visitors walk straight off their boats into Ocean Park, a circular green overlooking the sea, encircled by said houses, with a frothy, delicate gazebo sitting in the center. Oak Bluffs has a long history of welcoming Black visitors, and today it is home to the annual African-American Film Festival.”

Rockport ranked No. 4 on the list

Rockport is a town on the North Shore of the Bay State.

What they said: “The coastal region is known for its excellent seafood, beautiful beaches, and historic landmarks. Many a good film has been filmed here as well, such as Martin Scorsese’s ‘Shutter Island’ and Kenneth Lonergan’s ‘Manchester-by-the-Sea.’

“Forty miles north of Boston, (Rockport) has a can’t-miss natural gem in Halibut Point State Park, from which visitors can spot Maine in the distance 80 miles away. Rockport is also beloved by art history buffs: it is home to Motif Number 1, a fishing shack with the superlative ‘the most-often painted building in America.’ It was built in 1840, and was a popular subject because it represented New England’s nautical character.”

What other regions of New England are on the list?

According to Condé Nast, they include:

Bar Harbor, Maine
Kennebunkport, Maine
Newport, Rhode Island
Hampton Beach, New Hampshire
Madison, Connecticut

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Massachusetts

Massachusetts town near Gillette Stadium presses for World Cup security funding

Published

22 hours ago

May 9, 2026

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Massachusetts town near Gillette Stadium presses for World Cup security funding

Up the road from Gillette Stadium, a town neighboring Foxboro is pressing for funding to meet public safety demands arising from the World Cup, with the first match just over a month away.

Walpole’s state delegation has written a letter to the state Office of Travel and Tourism requesting approval of the town’s request for nearly $200,000 to support “essential public safety personnel,” as officials expect “significant spillover impacts” from the premier soccer tournament.

As the Walpole/Foxboro town line on Route 1 is a handful of miles north of Gillette Stadium, officials are expecting increased traffic congestion and pedestrian activity to amount to “heightened public safety demands.”

“As outlined in the Town’s proposal,” the state delegation wrote in the letter it sent to the state last week, “Walpole will play a critical role in ensuring safe and efficient operations for both residents and visitors.”

“This funding will help close a critical gap and ensure that Walpole can safely support this internationally significant event,” the delegation added.

The state Office of Travel and Tourism confirmed to the Herald that it received the letter from state Reps. John H. Rogers, Paul McMurtry, Ted Philips and Marcus Vaughn and Sen. Mike Rush. The office said it will announce decisions in the coming weeks about round two of the $2 million grant program that supports municipal public safety needs tied to the World Cup.

The first round of the program, a $10 million competitive initiative, awarded funding earlier this year to 17 communities to support tournament-related events, including fan festivals, watch parties and regional activations.

This comes after the Foxboro Select Board battled the Boston Soccer 2026 nonprofit host committee and Kraft Sports & Entertainment, which operates Gillette Stadium, for months to ensure it received full funding to cover all security personnel and equipment.

In mid-March, the David vs. Goliath fight concluded, with Boston Soccer 2026 and the Krafts agreeing to cover Foxboro’s $7.8 million request.

Gillette, which will be rebranded as “Boston Stadium,” is set to host seven matches – five in the group stage and two knockout games – between June 13 and July 9. The World Cup is considered a SEAR 1 event, the highest risk level for public gatherings in the country.

“These matches will bring an excitement that this town has never seen,” Foxboro Police Chief Michael Grace said before the Select Board voted to grant an entertainment license for the matches to go on.

Gillette Stadium. (Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)

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The best Massachusetts high schools for athletes? According to one study, here are top 25

Published

1 day ago

May 9, 2026

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The best Massachusetts high schools for athletes? According to one study, here are top 25

No other city in the country boasts more championships than Boston, giving Massachusetts a sporting pedigree unlike any other.

What’s unique about many of the state is that several of the stars from those championship-winning teams were Massachusetts natives.

Before they were winning the Stanley Cup, the Super Bowl, the NBA Finals, World Series or a gold medal, those athletes were high school standouts.

Which high schools in Massachusetts are considered the best for athletes today?

According to a study conducted by Niche, which accounts for survey feedback from students and parents—accounting for “reviews of athletics, number of state championships, student participation in athletics, and the number of sports offered at the school”—and data from the U.S. Department of Education, these are the top 25.