Dartmouth frat, sorority suspended

HANOVER (AP) — A fraternity and sorority at Dartmouth College are facing sanctions for alcohol policy violations.

The Zeta Psi fraternity admitted to possessing and serving hard alcohol last summer and was suspended for the summer and fall terms, college spokeswoman Diana Lawrence said Wednesday. The fraternity also will be on probation status for the upcoming winter and spring terms, and members will be required to participate in various intervention and educational programs.

The Alpha Phi sorority, meanwhile, was suspended for the fall term after violating hazing and alcohol policies in the fall terms of 2016, 2017 and 2018. The sorority also is required to participate in alcohol screening and intervention programs, Lawrence said.

Dartmouth is nearly five years into an ambitious plan to overhaul its campus culture to address three problems: high-risk drinking, sexual assault and a lack of inclusion. “Moving Dartmouth Forward” included a ban on hard liquor, the development of a mandatory four-year sexual violence prevention curriculum and the creation of new residential communities.

In 2015, the college revoked the student organization status of the Alpha Delta fraternity after a string of disciplinary violations involving alcohol, hazing and burning brands into the skin of new members. It also de-recognized the Sigma Alpha Epsilon due to hazing allegations, and more recently, the national board of directors of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity pulled the charter of its Dartmouth chapter and closed the fraternity last year due to alcohol.

Mass. woman pleads to drugs, weapons charges

CONCORD – Mallory Nooks, 31, of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession and distribution of cocaine, U.S. Attorney Scott Murray said.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 14, 2018, Nooks possessed 14 baggies of crack cocaine that she intended to distribute, after she had already distributed crack cocaine to another individual. She also possessed a Ruger LCR 38 Special, .38 caliber pistol, loaded with five rounds of ammunition in her purse.

Nooks is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 25.

“Drug traffickers endanger the lives and safety of their customers as well as the general public,” Murray said. “The threat is compounded when the drug dealer is armed with a firearm. In order to maintain the safety of our citizens, we will not hesitate to pursue federal charges against drug dealers who possess or use firearms.”

Mass. man pleads guilty to sex charges

CONCORD – Dagoberto Duarte, 22, of Dorchester, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty in federal court on Tuesday to transportation of a minor for the purpose of sexual activity, U.S. Attorney Scott Murray said.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 10, 2018, the Londonderry Police Department was informed that a 13-year-old female was missing. Officers responded to her residence to investigate. During the investigation, the Londonderry officers were told the minor female had been communicating with a man online and that they had made plans to meet.

The mother of the minor female received a call from Duarte telling her that he had taken her daughter to Boston. A law enforcement officer spoke with Duarte who said the minor female had been dropped off at a bus station. Boston police officers were notified and officers were able to locate the minor female.

On July 3, 2018, Duarte was arrested by police officers in Boston. Duarte later admitted that he had picked up the minor female in New Hampshire and driven her to Massachusetts, where they engaged in sexual activity.

Duarte is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 26. A native of Honduras, Duarte faces likely removal from the U.S. as a result of this conviction.

“The internet has made it possible for predators to target children in their own homes,” Murray said. “Protecting young people against this type of victimization is a top priority for law enforcement. When predators seek to take advantage of innocent children, we will not hesitate to bring federal charges against them.”

Manchester man pleads guilty to armed robbery

CONCORD – Guillermo Garcia Esquivel, 36, of Manchester, pleaded guilty in federal court on Tuesday to armed robbery, U.S. Attorney Scott Murray said.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Esquivel committed six armed robberies of convenience stores in Manchester from Jan. 5 to Feb. 24. During each of the robberies, Esquivel pointed what appeared to be a black handgun at the victim cashier and demanded money. Esquivel stole in excess of $5,000.

“Violent crimes jeopardize the safety of victims, the public, and the entire community,” Murray said. “This defendant’s crime spree involved pointing a weapon at cashiers at several different convenience stores in Manchester. This type of conduct cannot be tolerated. We will work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute those who use or threaten to use a gun to commit a violent crime.”

This matter was investigated by the Manchester Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Krasinski.

Autopsy: Man killed self, baby’s death under investigation

HILLSBOROUGH (AP) — New Hampshire law enforcement officials investigating the deaths of a man and his 4-month-old daughter say an autopsy shows he killed himself.

Police said the bodies of 39-year-old Miles Deuse and his daughter, Makenzie Deuse, were found in their home in Hillsborough on Sunday. Police called the deaths suspicious.

Autopsies were done Monday. Authorities said Miles Deuse died of a gunshot wound. The case and manner of his daughter’s death are pending further study and investigation.

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