District Attorney and Board of Selectmen announcement on recent arrests in hate crimes investigation

Statement from the Office of Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett

TWO ARRAIGNED ON CHARGES RELATED TO THEFT OF BLACK LIVES MATTER SIGNS

A Lynnfield man and his stepfather were arraigned today in Peabody District Court in connection with a month-long investigation of vandalism, property damage and civil rights violations, according to Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett and Lynnfield Police Chief David Breen.

Joshua Simpson, 21, pleaded not guilty to malicious destruction of property, 2 counts of larceny under $1200, vandalizing property, resisting arrest, property damage to intimidate and criminal harassment. Judge Randy Chapman set bail at $750 and ordered him to have no contact with and stay away from all victims and witnesses, stay 1000 feet away from victim’s home and remain alcohol free. A pre-trial conference is scheduled for September 30.

Stephen Smith, 55, pleaded not guilty to operating under the influence of alcohol, 3 counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, property damage to intimidate and assault to murder. Judge Randy Chapman ordered him held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing scheduled for September 21.

On August 17, Lynnfield Police responded to a report of vandalism at a home on Summer Street. Police found an obscenity directed at Black Lives Matter spray painted on the driveway. The homeowner reported that their Black Lives Matter sign had been stolen the night before but they had not reported it. Since then, police have responded to and investigated a series of acts of vandalism and property destruction at the same home including an obscenity spray painted on a tree, several stolen Black Lives Matter signs, and eggs and tomatoes thrown at the residence.

Early this morning while conducting surveillance of the residence, Lynnfield Police officers observed an individual, later identified as Mr. Simpson, approaching the residence with a carton of eggs. When officers approached the individual, a struggle ensued. A short time later, Mr. Smith drove by the scene and attempted to run the officers over with his vehicle.

“This department spent countless hours responding to these reports and working with the homeowners to identify the perpetrators,” said Lynnfield Police Chief David Breen. “I am hopeful that these arrests and eventual prosecution of these individuals will help provide some peace of mind to the victims and send a message to others that this type of conduct will not be tolerated in this community.”

The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.


STATEMENT BY LYNNFIELD BOARD OF SELECTMEN ON LAST NIGHT'S ARRESTS IN CONNECTION WITH HATE CRIMES

As members of the Board of Selectmen and citizens of our great community we are so pleased and thankful that arrests were made last night by the Lynnfield Police Department in connection with several criminal racist acts and vandalism targeting Lynnfield families and property. The charges against these suspects could not be more serious and it is our most sincere hope that justice is served and these suspects are held fully accountable. We continue to stand, hand in hand, with our neighbors that have been victims of hate and discrimination and it is our hope that these arrests bring some comfort.

We wish to publicly congratulate and thank Chief Breen and the members of the Lynnfield Police department. We have been in constant communication with our public safety leadership throughout this dark time and can personally attest to the level of professional, determined, patient and focused police work that took place over the past several months to make these arrests. The bravery of Captain Secatore and Officer Duzz in making these difficult arrests, in the middle of the night, was incredible and speaks to the steadfast dedication that every officer in Lynnfield possesses to keep our community safe. Although last week was Public Safety Appreciation week in Lynnfield we thank them every day.

We are thankful that these individuals are off our streets but this is not the end...now is a time for all to reaffirm publicly that racism and hate have no place in our community and an incident targeting one neighbor is an attack on all of us and the Lynnfield community values we hold dear.

We state that publicly, once again, here today.

Thank you.

Chris Barrett, Chair
Dick Dalton
Phil Crawford