Boxborough Kidnapping Suspect Pleads Guilty
WOBURN – Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan and Boxborough Chief of Police Warren B. Ryder have announced that Keven Blakemore, 21, of Boxborough pled guilty today in Lowell Superior Court to charges of armed assault with intent to commit murder, two counts of kidnapping, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, two counts of witness intimidation, assault and battery, and mayhem.
Judge Heidi Brieger sentenced the defendant to 10-12 years in State Prison followed by 10 years probation. The defendant was also ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation, to consume no drugs or alcohol, and be subject to random screens, and to stay away from, and have no contact with, the victims.
“The defendant in this case committed a vicious attack on two individuals before fleeing to Ohio to avoid prosecution,” said District Attorney Ryan. “This case highlights the importance of cooperation between law enforcement agencies which led to the defendant’s successful return to Middlesex County and today’s guilty plea.”
“This was a particularly violent incident that shook our community and reached nearly halfway across the country before the suspect was apprehended. I am very proud of the job done by all of the law enforcement officials involved as well as the work of the Middlesex District Attorney's Office for ensuring that this individual will spend a considerable amount of time in prison,” Chief Ryder said.
On August 22, 2015 the Boxborough Police Department was notified by the Pike County Sheriff’s Office in Ohio that there was an individual in their jurisdiction who had reported that he and his girlfriend had been assaulted in their apartment in Boxborough. Prior to the assault, the victims had gone to the Boxborough Police Department to request a trespass order for the victim’s roommate, Blakemore, in order to evict the defendant. Later that night, the defendant assaulted and kidnapped the victims. In response to the information provided by Pike County law enforcement officials, Boxborough Police entered the apartment on Swanson Road in Boxborough and found physical evidence of a violent crime having taken place at the scene.
The defendant took both victims in his car and fled to Ohio. Once in Ohio, the male victim was able to get medical treatment only after agreeing to say that he had sustained his injuries due to an ATV accident. Upon further examination, medical personnel discovered that the victim was in fact suffering from serious and possibly life-threatening stab wounds. Hospital staff then contacted law enforcement officials. After undergoing emergency surgery, the male victim survived his injuries.
During the ensuing investigation it was determined that Blakemore had assaulted both his brother and a female inside the Boxborough apartment, including duct taping them to a chair for a period of time, before he forced them into a vehicle and drove them to Ohio.
Blakemore waived extradition on August 31, 2015 and returned to Massachusetts on September 2, 2015.
The Boxborough Police Department and the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office investigated this incident.
The prosecutor assigned to this case was Assistant District Attorney Suzanne Kontz. The Victim Witness Advocate was Kathleen Keefe.