Department of Justice

BOSTON — Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy has announced the recipients of the 2023 Law Enforcement Awards. Over 100 federal, state and local law enforcement personnel and community leaders who have contributed to the success of federal cases during the 2022 calendar year are being recognized for their commitment to pursuing justice and public safety. Each year the U.S. Attorney in Massachusetts holds a formal ceremony to honor award recipients, which took place earlier today.

These awards recognize federal agents, state police, local police, investigators, analysts and community leaders for their leadership, collaboration, investigative achievement and excellence, victim assistance and distinction in community engagement. Honorees were nominated by the Assistant U.S. Attorneys who prosecuted the cases.

“Every successful investigation and prosecution in this office is a direct result of the outstanding work of these law enforcement professionals. Great police work rarely makes for flashy headlines, but my colleagues and I see the commitment and compassion of federal, state and local law enforcement officers every day. Their sole mission is to keep our communities safe, even when it means putting their own lives at risk. Today, we take this moment to thank them, and their families, for their sacrifices and commitment to public service,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Levy. “These awards reflect and honor only a small portion of the countless law enforcement professionals across the Commonwealth who serve and protect us every day.”

The category of Excellence in Community Outreach & Prevention recognizes individuals, or a team of individuals, who have shown outstanding commitment and/or innovation in the area of law enforcement and community outreach to include training, relationship building, prevention programs and other similar activities. The following programs and agencies were honored today:

Project Safe Neighborhoods “You Can Be Anything You Want to Be” Speaker Series
Agency/Organization of Recipient(s): Hampden County District Attorney’s Office; Holyoke Medical Center; Holyoke Police Department; University of Massachusetts Department of Communication Disorders

Project Safe Childhood Training: Keeping Kids Safe and Secure Online
Agency/Organization of Recipient(s): Homeland Security Investigations

The category of Investigative Achievement is reserved for those who substantially contributed to the mission of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Department of Justice. The following cases and agencies will be honored:

U.S. v. Seth Bourget
Agency/Organization of Recipient(s): Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General

U.S. v. Junior Melendez, et. al 
Agency/Organization of Recipient(s): Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Worcester Police Department

U.S. v. Dana Pullman, et. al
Agency/Organization of Recipient(s): Federal Bureau of Investigation; Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations

U.S. v. Binh Thanh Le, et. al
Agency/Organization of Recipient(s): U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Homeland Security Investigations; Massachusetts State Police

The category of Investigative Excellence recognizes an individual whose actions led directly to the arrest of a dangerous subject or to the exposure of a significant criminal conspiracy. The following case and agency will be honored:

U.S. v. Michael Cecchetelli, et. al
Agency/Organization of Recipient(s): Federal Bureau of Investigation

U.S. v. Ronald Hall
Agency/Organization of Recipient(s): Homeland Security Investigations; Massachusetts State Police; Cranston (R.I.) Police Department

The category of Outstanding Collaborative Investigation recognizes investigators from a multi-agency collaboration whose exceptional efforts to overcome significant challenges led to a successful conclusion. The following cases and agencies will be honored:

U.S. v. Jammy Alphonse
Agency/Organization of Recipient(s): Boston Police Department; Department of Labor, Office of the Inspector General; Federal Bureau of Investigation; U.S. Secret Service

U.S. v. Baystate Health
Agency/Organization of Recipient(s): U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Civil Rights

U.S. v. Louis Coleman III
Agency/Organization of Recipient(s): Boston Police Department; Delaware State Police; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Wilmington (Del.) Police Department 
                        
U.S. v. Cristina Lopez, et. al
Agency/Organization of Recipient(s): Drug Enforcement Administration; Homeland Security Investigations; Massachusetts State Police; U.S. Attorney’s Office District of Massachusetts, Financial Analyst; U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration

U.S. v. Brian Orlandella
Agency/Organization of Recipient(s): Homeland Security Investigations; Port Neches (Texas) Police Department

The category of Exceptional Contribution to a Federal Investigation/Prosecution will honor the following agencies:

Braintree Police K-9 Lucky
Agency/Organization of Recipient(s): Braintree Police Working Dog Foundation

U.S. v. Cedric Cromwell, et. al
Agency/Organization of Recipient(s): Federal Bureau of Investigation; Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations

U.S. v. John Michael Rathbun
Agency/Organization of Recipient(s): East Longmeadow Police Department; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Longmeadow Fire Department; Longmeadow Police Department; Massachusetts State Police

U.S. v. Antonio Santonastaso
Agency/Organization of Recipient(s): Department of Transportation, Office of the Inspector General

The category of Victim Service will honor the following agencies:

U.S. v. Hassan Abbas
Agency/Organization of Recipient(s): Federal Bureau of Investigation

U.S. v. Bernadito Carvajal
Agency/Organization of Recipient(s): Andover Police Department; Drug Enforcement Administration

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