After Assault On Guard, Boston Police Arrest 16 On Methadone Mile

BOSTON, MA — Boston Police arrested 16 people near the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Southampton Street Friday, a day after a Suffolk County House of Correction guard was attacked by a group on his way to work. The crackdown in the area known as Methadone Mile came on the same day Suffolk County Sheriff Steven W. Tompkins called the situation in the area "untenable" and demanded a meeting with city officials to address problems in the area.

"The health and safety of our officers, staff and guests coming to the House of Correction is clearly in jeopardy, as is that of the other visitors to the area. In truth, it has been for some time," Tompkins said in a statement.

Friday's arrests come after 18 people were arrested Thursday and included Boston police officers assigned to various districts and units. The 16 people arrested Friday ranged in age from 25 to 60 and came from as far away as Trenton, NJ and Manchester, NH. In addition to being home to homeless shelters and several drug treatment facilities, the area is known for its open-air drug market.

The crackdown follows Friday's attack on the jail guard. The officer, who wasn't named, was still in his civilian clothes at the time of the assault. Investigators believe the attack was an attempted robbery.

According to a Boston police press release, the following people were arrested Friday:

• Robert Sullivan, 36, of Foxborough - active default warrant for Possession of Class A Drugs, Resisting Arrest, Assault and Battery on a Police Officer
• Ronald Leclair, 38, of West Roxbury – active default warrant for Distribution of Class A Drugs, active default warrant for Shoplifting, and Assault and Battery. Leclair is also charged with Possession of Class B Drugs.
• Rashad Blount, 32, of Trenton, NJ – active default warrant fir Trespassing, Disorderly Conduct, Assault and Battery on a Police Officer, Resisting Arrest, and Shoplifting, active default warrant for Possession of Class A Drugs, Assault and Battery on a Police Officer, and Resisting Arrest, and active default warrant for Breaking and Entering of a Building and Receiving Stolen Property.
• Andre Walker, 60, of Mattapan – charged with Distribution of Class A Drugs, Distribution of Class B Drugs, Distribution of Class B Drugs Subsequent Offense.
• Daniel Rossetti, 27, of Medford – active default warrant for Assault and Battery, active default warrant for Possession with Intent to Distribute Class D Drugs, Possession of Class C Drugs, Marked Lane Violation, active default warrant for Armed Assault to Murder, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Carrying a Loaded Firearm, Discharging a Firearm within 500 Feet of a Building, and Assault and Battery by means of a Dangerous Weapon.
• Jamal Smith, 31, of Roxbury – active default warrant for Possession with intent to Distribute Class D Drugs. Smith is also charged with Distribution of Class A Drugs, Distribution of Class B Drugs, and Distribution of Class B Drugs Subsequent Offense.
• Michael Clancy, 35, of Plymouth – charged with Possession of Class A Drugs and Possession of Class B Drugs.
• William Dewolfe, 44, of South Boston – charged with Possession of Class A Drugs.
• Amanda Torres, 30, of New Bedford – charged with Trafficking Class A Drugs, Possession with intent to Distribute Class B Drugs, and Possession with intent to Distribute Class B Drugs Subsequent Offense.
• Jeffrey Andrews, 34, of Norton – active default warrant for Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle, active default warrant for Assault and Battery on a Family/Household Member, and active straight warrant for Assault and Battery on a Family/Household Member Subsequent Offense.
• Sydney Currier, 31, of Manchester, NH – active straight warrant for Trespassing.
• Taff Bishop, 32, of Bronx, NY – active straight warrant for Disorderly Conduct and Trespassing, active default warrant for Assault and Battery on a Family/Household Member, active default warrant for Assault and Battery and Disorderly Conduct, and active straight warrant for Possession of Class B Drugs.
• Nicole Martin, 25, of East Boston – active default warrant for Receiving Stolen Motor Vehicle, Possession of Class A Drugs, and Receiving Stolen Property, active straight warrant for Receiving Stolen Motor Vehicle, and active default warrant for Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Possession of Class B Drugs, Possession of Class C Drugs, and Operating Under the Influence of Drugs.
• Devin Newbery, 27, of Pittsfield – active straight warrant for Receiving Stolen Credit Card, Credit Card Fraud, Conspiracy, Possession of Class B Drugs, and Uttering.
• Terry Byner, 57, of Dorchester – active straight warrant for Assault and Battery and active straight warrant for Possession of Class A Drugs. Byner is also charged with Possession with intent to Distribute Class A Drugs.
• Ronald Rodgers, 56, of Jamaica Plain – Distribution of Class B Drugs.