A Message from the Winchester Police Department Distributed by:

John Guilfoil Public Relations
JGPR.net | 617-993-0003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, Jan. 23, 2017

*Joint Press Release* Winchester Police Arrest Massage Therapist on Multiple Counts of Indecent Assault and Battery

Police Asking Any Other Potential Victims to Come Forward

Alexander Osher

WINCHESTER – Winchester Chief of Police Peter MacDonnell and Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan have announced that ALEXANDER OSHER, AGE 48, OF LYNN was arraigned on Thursday, Jan. 19 in Woburn District Court.

OSHER was charged with three counts of indecent assault and battery on a person over the age of 14 in connection with three alleged incidents of sexual assaults of the defendant’s massage clients.

Authorities believe that there may be additional victims in this case, and they are asking anyone who may be a victim to contact the Winchester Police Department.

Judge Dennis Curran set bail at $1,000 cash and ordered the defendant to surrender his passport, to wear a GPS monitoring bracelet, to not leave the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, to observe a curfew from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., to not work as a licensed massage therapist, to not seek or maintain employment in any establishment offering massage therapy, to stay away from, and have no contact with, the victims, to stay away from the Winchester Wellness Center and to not commit any new crimes. The next scheduled hearing in this case is Monday, Feb. 13.

“We are extremely grateful to the victims who have come forward to assist the Winchester Police Department and Middlesex District Attorney’s Office in charging this suspect,” Chief MacDonnell said. “We believe that there are more victims out there, and it is our hope that the bravery of the three victims who came to the police will empower others to do the same.”

“Three women have come forward with allegations of sexual assault perpetrated by the defendant,” said District Attorney Ryan. “Based on the similar statements given by the women who reported the defendant’s alleged actions, we have cause to be concerned that there may be additional victims out there. We encourage anyone who feels they may have also been a victim of an indecent sexual assault to not hesitate to contact the Winchester Police Department.”

Anyone with information or who may wish to come forward can come to the Winchester Police Department or call Winchester Police Detectives at 781-729-0238.

From Dec. 15, 2016 to Jan. 16, 2017, the Winchester Police Department received three separate complaints from women stating that during their visit to the Winchester Wellness Center, where the defendant worked as a licensed masseuse, they had been inappropriately touched during their massages. Following the investigation, Winchester Police arrested the defendant on Jan. 18.

This is an open and ongoing investigation. These charges are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The prosecutor assigned to this case is Assistant District Attorney Jason Chandler.

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A Message from the Winchester Police Department Distributed by:

John Guilfoil Public Relations
JGPR.net | 617-993-0003

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Investigation into Assault, Attempted Abduction of 10-Year-Old Girl Leads Police to Suspect

Winchester – Chief Kenneth C. Albertelli reports that the Winchester Police Department, investigating an attack on a 10-year-old girl, will seek charges against the same sexual assault suspect arrested last week by the Boston Police Department.

The Department is expected to shortly announce charges against a 36-year-old Westwood man who was arrested in Boston on Sunday for an attack in the Fenway neighborhood. Police allege that the suspect attacked and tried to abduct a 10-year-old girl on Saturday, one day before he was taken into custody.

On Saturday, Sept.19, 2015 at approximately 4:20 p.m., Winchester Police responded to Skillings Field by the walk through tunnel for a report of an assault on a child. Upon arrival, the child reported that she was approached by a white male with scruffy facial hair.

The suspect allegedly asked the girl if she knew what time it was and she said she did not know. The suspect then walked away through the tunnel toward Spruce Street, but reappeared a short time later while the girl was walking through the tunnel and placed his hand over her mouth and picked her up off of the ground. The girl kicked and tried to yell and she was eventually able to get away from the man. She ran out onto the field and approached a group of adults and told them about the incident, who then called police and the girl’s parents.

Police conducted a thorough search of the area, but were unable to locate the suspect.

An investigation was launched, and footage was taken from multiple surveillance cameras. The investigation quickly pointed to the suspect.

This appears to be an isolated incident, and no other types of incidents like have been reported in the region.

“This is a very disturbing case in which a man allegedly attacked a young girl,” Chief Albertelli said. “Our detectives worked aggressively and diligently to put together a case, and I am grateful that this appears to be an isolated incident. I also want to recognize the victim in this case. Despite a terrible trauma and attempted abduction, this young girl had the presence of mind to fight off her attacker and immediately report what had happened to a group of adults. She is very brave.”

More information will be released when it becomes available. Anyone with additional information on this case is urged to contact the Winchester Police Department at 781-729-1212.

These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.

October 3, 2013 –  Wally Jacques Simon, 36, of Medford was found guilty of first degree murder and other charges in connection with the 2007 murder of Christopher Barbaro, 50, of Winchester, and the shooting of his brother, Bryan Barbaro, 48, of Winchester, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan announced today.
Following an eight day jury trial in Middlesex Superior Court, Wally Jacques Simon, was found guilty of murder, home invasion, armed robbery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, and carrying a firearm without a license.  He will be sentenced on October 18 by Middlesex Superior Court Judge Maynard Kirpalani.

“This is a just resolution to a long, difficult legal process seeking to hold the defendant responsible for the murder of Christopher Barbaro,” said District Attorney Ryan.  “The defendant broke into the victim’s home to commit a senseless robbery.”

According to authorities, at approximately 12:30 a.m. on October 24, 2007, Winchester Police responded to a 911 call of a reported shooting at 70 Irving Street in Winchester. When police arrived, they found Christopher Barbaro in his apartment unresponsive and lying on the floor, suffering gun shot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Bryan Barbaro, Christopher’s brother, was also shot during the robbery. Bryan was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and treated for his injuries.  Bryan Barbaro died in 2008 of a massive heart attack, unrelated to the injuries suffered during the shooting

A joint investigation was launched by Winchester Police and Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office.  The investigation revealed that Simon was known to both victims.  On the day of the murder, Simon broke into Christopher’s second floor apartment with the intent to steal from him.  The defendant stole money from the victim and then shot the victim.

The victim’s brother Bryan, who lived upstairs, heard loud noises and came down into his brother’s apartment.  He saw his brother lying on the ground, having been shot, and noticed the defendant trying to flee.  He approached the defendant, whom he recognized.  Simon shot Bryan and the two men fought as the defendant tried to leave.  This struggle led to the main doorway of the home, with money falling out of Simon’s bag along the way.  Eventually, the defendant left the home, got to his car and fled.  Bryan went back into his apartment and called 911.

Simon was arrested on October 24, 2007 on charges of armed assault with intent to murder and home invasion.  On December 14, 2007 he was indicted by a Middlesex Grand Jury on charges of first degree murder, home invasion, armed robbery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, and carrying a firearm without a license.  He was held without bail.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Chris Tarrant, Jessica Noble and Gwendolyn Russell.  The Victim Witness Advocate was Danielle DeMeo.  The paralegals were Erika-Lee Willey and Ashley Cunningham.

An investigation by Winchester, Arlington and Lexington Police Departments as well as the Suburban Middlesex County Drug Task Force resulted in the arrest of two individuals for the sale of MDMA, also known as “Molly”.   Both individuals are Winchester residents.  Brandon Holladay, 23 and Nico Marrocco, 19 were subsequently arrested after selling the drug to an undercover police officer.  Holladay and Marrocco were charged with Distribution of a Class B substance.  Arlington Police charged the two with similar offenses as a result of the investigation.

Brandon Holladay

Nico Marrracco

September 9, 2013 – Winchester

The Winchester Police Department and Winchester Coalition for a Safer Community feels it necessary to make residents aware of the dangerousness of the drug “Molly”.  Several recent incidents of “Molly” usage have been reported in surrounding cities and towns.  Winchester is not immune to similar problems but through communication and education we can hopefully reduce the risk of “Molly” usage in the community.  It is important for parents to understand how dangerous this drug is and to be vigilant in discussing these issues with their children.  Molly is not a new drug but as recent news stories have reported, is becoming more popular.

The following information has been excerpted from a September 4, 2013 press release from the Reading Coalition Against Substance Abuse.

The term “molly”, which is short for molecule, refers to the more potent form of MDMA or Ecstasy. According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, “Ecstasy” and “Molly” are slang terms for MDMA, short for 3, 4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine. Other slang terms that are used include “E,” “XTC,” “X,” “Adam,” “hug,” “beans,” “clarity,” “lover’s speed,” and “love drug.”

The National Institute of Drug Abuse describes how MDMA impacts the body below:
–  For most people, a “hit” of MDMA lasts for 3 to 6 hours. Once the pill is swallowed, it takes only about 15 minutes for MDMA to enter the bloodstream and reach the brain. About 45 minutes later, the person experiences MDMA’s “high.” That’s when the drug is at its peak.
–  People who use MDMA might feel very alert, or “hyper,” at first. Some lose a sense of time and experience other changes in perception, such as an enhanced sense of touch. Others experience negative effects right away. They may become anxious and agitated. Sweating or chills may occur, and people may feel faint or dizzy.
– MDMA can also cause muscle tension, nausea, blurred vision, and increased heart rate and blood pressure. Forceful clenching of the teeth can occur, and individuals at clubs have been known to chew on pacifiers to relieve some of the tension.
– Even if a person takes only one pill, the side effects of MDMA—including feelings of sadness, anxiety, depression, and memory difficulties—can last for several days to a week (or longer in people who use MDMA regularly).
– MDMA was involved in 10,176 emergency department visits in the U.S. in 2011.

National Estimates of Drug-related ER Visits Illicit Drugs Visits – Under 21 Years
Source: http://www.samhsa.gov/data/DAWN.aspx

 

If you have questions or information about “Molly”,  please contact School Resource Officer Phil Coss at 781-721-0775 or the Winchester Police Department at 781-729-1214.  The Winchester Police Department can also be reached by email at police@winchesterpd.org

Special Thanks to Reading Coalition Against Substance Abuse

Resource: National Institute on Drug Abuse http://teens.drugabuse.gov/

Click on the post title A Look Back, above to see three photographs of Winchester Police from the last century.  The first is a photo of the department from 1930.  The second and third photos are of the police ambulance in 1940 and 1949.  There was a time when the police department ran the ambulance prior to the fire department taking over that responsibility.

Winchester Police 1930

Police ambulance 1940

Police ambulance 1949