Fugitive Unit Tracks Sex Offenders
In November 2003, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public
Safety and Security (EOPSS) requested that the Massachusetts
State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section (VFAS) start
“Operation SOR” in an effort to locate and/or apprehend over
10,400 sex offenders unaccounted for. Det. Lt. Kevin Horton
(ret), Unit Commander of VFAS, subsequently formed a new Sex
Offender Team within the unit. Working collaboratively with
various state and local agencies, VFAS and the Sex Offender
Registry Board worked diligently to locate and arrest sex
offenders in violation throughout the state. This dedicated
effort subsequently resulted in VFAS arresting and/or locating
approximately 6,681 Sex Offenders since 2003. Currently, the Sex
Offender Team is led by Sergeant Darlene DeCaire and consists
of Troopers David Napolitano, Kevin Connolly, Carlos Rivera,
and Joseph Keefe. In addition to their daily duties of locating
violent fugitives, these officers focus on sex offenders who are in
violation throughout the state. In 2012, VFAS accounted for 300
sex offenders and, as of October 30, 2013, they have accounted
for 184 sex offenders this year.
In November 2004, VFAS created a Sex Offender Most Wanted
list. Since that time, 82 of the 89 Offenders highlighted on
this list have been apprehended by law enforcement. These
sex offenders have all been classified in the “High Risk Level
3” category by the Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry
Board. They are required to register their residence and place
of employment within their local community. If the offender
ignores this court ordered requirement, he is placed in violation
and is subject to arrest with or without a warrant.
On October 30th, Trooper Connolly and members of the VFAS
South Team traveled to Concord and initiated surveillance
with Concord PD and the US Marshal’s Service. Frostholm was
subsequently observed walking in a parking lot and arrested.
Frostholm was booked and faces similar Sex Offender charges
in New Hampshire.
Michael P. Cunningham: Cunningham was found guilty in 2004
of Indecent A&B on a Person Over 14. He was classified as a
Level 3 Sex Offender but ultimately violated these conditions.
A warrant for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender was sought
by Taunton PD and they reached out to Trooper Curtis Cinelli
for assistance. In addition, Cunningham had a warrant for
Aggravated A&B, Kidnapping, and ABDW for viciously attacking
a former girlfriend. The attack left the victim with a broken
clavicle and apparent choke marks around her neck. Trooper
Cinelli conducted a two week investigation that produced a
possible location in Plymouth. On October 21, 2013, Tprs. Cinelli
and Connolly were conducting surveillance at a residence in a
remote wooded location. Cunningham was observed exiting
the home and was quickly apprehended.
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Umar Shabazz: Shabazz was convicted in 1980 of Rape, Armed
Robbery, and Kidnapping in Suffolk Superior Court. At the time
he was known as Samuel Pleas but legally changed his name
to Shabazz while incarcerated. Upon his release from prison,
Shabazz did not properly register as a Sex Offender and a warrant
was issued for his arrest. Shabazz also did not provide his DNA
to the CODIS Unit as required and a second warrant was issued.
Shabazz also had a third Worcester PD warrant for Possession of
Class B. He further had an extensive and violent criminal history
that included convictions for Armed Robbery, ABDW - Knife,
Resisting Arrest, and narcotics charges. Further complicating
the investigation, Shabazz had a lengthy and varied list of aliases.
Trooper David Napolitano was assigned the investigation and
worked diligently on it for several months. Trooper Napolitano
subsequently determined that Shabazz was in the Boston area.
On October 29, 2013, Trooper Napolitano and members of the
VFAS Central and VFAS Metro Teams initiated surveillance in
the Tremont Street area of Boston. Shabazz was subsequently
located and placed under arrest as he dined inside the Slade Bar
and Grille on Tremont St.
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Recently, three “High Risk Level 3” Sex Offenders were added to
the Most Wanted Sex Offender list and captured by VFAS:
Stephen H. Frostholm Jr: In 1999, Frostholm was accused of
sexually assaulting a 10 year old boy on multiple occasions
in his role as a school bus driver in Barnstable. The ensuing
investigation revealed that Frostholm victimized a second
young boy. Frostholm was arrested and in 2001 convicted
in Barnstable Superior Court of multiple counts of Rape of a
Child and Indecent A&B on a Child Under 14. Frostholm has
additionally been convicted in Maine and New Hampshire
of similar sexual assaults against children. In June 2013,
Frostholm completed a New Hampshire state prison sentence
for Aggravated Felonious Sexual Assault. Upon his release, he
stated he was enroute to a shelter in Boston and was advised
by prison officials of his obligation to register as a Level 3 Sex
Offender in Massachusetts. Frostholm, with no known means
of transportation, left the prison on foot, never registered in
Massachusetts, and his whereabouts were unknown. A warrant
was subsequently issued out of Barnstable Superior Court with
Nationwide Rendition for Rape of a Child and Indecent Assault
and Battery on a Child Under 14. In mid October, Trooper Kevin
Connolly was assigned the case. Within a week, Trooper Connolly
developed a possible location for Frostholm in Concord, NH.
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On November 17, 2013, VFAS added eight “High Risk Level 3” Sex
Offenders to the VFAS Most Wanted Sex Offender list. Please see
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