New Bedford Child Rapist Sentenced to Prison
FALL RIVER A 62-year-old New Bedford man was sentenced to serve up to 15 years in state prison last week after pleading guilty to raping his former girlfriend s young daughter, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.
Michael Avellar pleaded guilty in Fall River Superior Court last Friday to indictments charging him with aggravated rape of a child under the age of 12, aggravated rape of a child over the age of 12, assault with intent to rape a child, indecent assault and battery on a person under 14 years of age, possession of child pornography, assault and battery, assault with a dangerous weapon, violation of a restraining order, and assault and battery on a family or household member.
NEW BEDFORD A New Bedford priest accused of sexually abusing a minor has filed a defamation suit against the Bishop of the Diocese of Fall River.
Daniel Lacroix, 61, was placed on administrative leave for alleged misconduct in November 2019. At the time, he was serving as co-pastor at three North End churches St. Joseph-St. Therese, St. Mary, and Our Lady of Fatima Parishes.
A Ministerial Review Board in November 2020 determined the allegations of sexual abuse of a minor were credible and subsequently removed Lacroix permanently from ministry.
On Feb. 29, Lacroix filed the lawsuit seeking relief from the Fall River Diocese Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, who he says substantially and irreparably harmed his reputation.
Fall River police officer under investigation for excessive force heraldnews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from heraldnews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
WESTPORT Meatworks on State Road was issued a suspension notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for how it recently handled euthanizing a cow.
Andy Burnes, president of the Livestock Institute of Southern New England, said Meatworks took the issue seriously, took corrective measures, and the suspension only lasted for one day earlier this month. Meatworks, the State Road meat processing plant and store is owned by the non-profit LISNE.
The plant is back in operation. It received its letter a few weeks ago on a Friday and shut down on a Saturday, according to Burnes. On a Sunday night, the USDA office in Philadelphia approved plans and allowed it to reopen the following Monday, according to Burnes.
Serial Rapist From Southeastern Mass Sentenced to Prison
A 63-year-old former Bridgewater man who fled the state 18 years ago to avoid investigation and prosecution for at least four brutal rapes dating back to the 1990s will spend the next 44 to 50 years in prison, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced today.
Ivan Keith pleaded guilty in Fall River Superior Court Tuesday to five counts of aggravated rape, two counts of kidnapping, three counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, two counts of threats, and one count each of breaking and entering, failure to register as a sex offender, failure to provide DNA, and perjury.