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Massachusetts Crime and Justice Update

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A series of significant events in Massachusetts' justice system have come to light in recent weeks, highlighting issues with theft, obstruction of justice, and sentencing. A defendant has pleaded guilty in a massive theft of computer software, while another faces sentencing for the suffocation of an infant. Meanwhile, a 40-year-old man is on trial for ordering a near-fatal machete attack, and two women have admitted lying to a federal grand jury investigating a notorious crime leader.

Key Takeaways:

  • Marc Rosengard, 44, of Salem, N.H., pleaded guilty to helping transport nearly $20 million worth of stolen Microsoft discs and related products from KAO Information Systems to Crazy Bob's, a discount computer store in Wakefield.
  • Rosengard is expected to be sentenced along with two former employees of KOA, David LaPointe and John Costello, and Crazy Bob's owner, Robert Simons, who all pleaded guilty to their parts in the scheme.
  • Charges are still pending against four other defendants in the alleged scheme, which prosecutors say lasted from 1993 to '97.
  • The software was resold by Crazy Bob's CD-ROM outlets in California and Great Britain.
  • Luis Restrepo, 40, of Lowell, is due to be sentenced for the suffocation of 9-month-old Tiffany Delgado, and faces up to 20 years in prison.
  • Restrepo's girlfriend, Linda Rosario, is charged with being an accessory to the crime and will face a separate trial.
  • Anibal Mejia is on trial in Boston for ordering a near-fatal machete attack on Christino Canales in August 1997.
  • Margaret McCusker and Kathleen McDonough, two women who lied to a federal grand jury investigating James "Whitey" Bulger, are set to be sentenced in May and face up to 10 years in prison.

Statistics:

  • The value of stolen software: Nearly $20 million worth of Microsoft discs and related products.
  • Number of defendants charged: Six defendants, including Rosengard, LaPointe, Costello, Simons, and four others still pending trial.
  • Period of alleged scheme: 1993 to 1997.
  • Sentence for Restrepo: Up to 20 years in prison.
  • Charges against Rosario: Accessory to the crime.
  • Total value of stolen software resold: Not explicitly stated.
  • Number of people involved: Involvement of multiple individuals, including businessmen, employees, and others.

Sources:

  • UPI (Boston)
  • UPI (Feb. 23, 1999)

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