Malden Wiretap Investigation Uncovers Robbery
WOBURN – While investigating the movement of illegal drugs and guns in Malden allegedly by a group known as the Maplewood Organization, officials uncovered a brazen robbery of a 14-year-old that had never been reported to police and have now charged four people in connection with that crime, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan informed the public today.
Having obtained search warrants as part of the investigation that lead to 11 men being charged with a variety of drug and gun crimes, officials discovered evidence that one of the men also allegedly orchestrated a robbery of a 14-year-old boy and solicited three other people to commit the crime.
“These are the types of crimes that so often go unreported, yet happen so frequently as part of the dangerous nature of selling of illegal drugs,” District Attorney Ryan said. “This is a stark example of the potential for violence associated with the movement of illegal drugs and drug proceeds. Thanks to the thorough investigative work by the Massachusetts State Police, and the help of the Malden and Everett Police Departments, this crime was uncovered and we obtained evidence needed to hold four individuals accountable for this robbery.”
As the investigation into the Maplewood Organization unfolded through record analysis and search warrants, State Police investigators assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office uncovered evidence of a March 23, 2013 armed robbery that had never been reported to police.
Based on that subsequent investigation, officials now allege that James Randall, 23, of Malden – who was previously charged with drug and weapons offenses related to the Maplewood Organization – planned and organized the robbery of the 14-year-old by three other defendants.
On March 23, 2013, Randall contacted the victim and asked the victim to procure two ounces of marijuana. Randall further told the victim that his friend, later identified as Cecilia Dotten, 19, would meet him to make the exchange and pay for the drugs.
The victim then met the three co-defendants and got into their vehicle driven by Kevin Pierre, intending to consummate the drug sale. After the juvenile handed Dotten one ounce of marijuana, it is alleged that Bakari Betts-Clarke, 22, brandished a knife and ordered the victim to give them his backpack. The victim was able to convince the defendants to let him out of the car, unharmed and he fled. He did not report the incident to police.
Authorities allege that Randall targeted the victim because he had a relationship with the victim, selling him marijuana and methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA), known at “Molly,” on multiple occasions beginning in 2012.
The following defendants have been charged in this case:
James Randall, 23, of Malden, was charged with armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, armed assault to rob, distribution of Class B drug to a minor, distribution of a Class D drug, and inducing a minor to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute.
Bakari Betts-Clarke, 22, of Malden, was charged with armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, armed assault to rob, and inducing a minor to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute.
Kevin Pierre, 19, of Malden, was charged with armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, armed assault to rob, and inducing a minor to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute.
Cecilia Dotten, 19, of Malden, was charged with armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, armed assault to rob, and inducing a minor to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute.
Randall, who is currently in custody pending a trial on drug conspiracy charges, was arraigned December 9 in Middlesex Superior Court in Woburn. Middlesex Superior Court Judge Heidi Breiger ordered Randall held on $25,000 cash bail on the new charges with the following conditions of release if he posts bail: must be on a GPS monitor, house arrest and stay away and have no contact with the victim.
Betts-Clarke was arrested December 10 and arraigned December 11. Middlesex Superior Court Assistant Clerk Magistrate Matthew Day ordered him held on $10,000 cash bail with the following conditions of release if he posts bail: must be on a GPS monitor, house arrest, and stay away and have no contact with the victim.
Pierre and Dotten were arraigned December 5 in Middlesex Superior Court in Woburn. Clerk Magistrate Michael Sullivan ordered Pierre held on $1,000 cash bail and Dotten on $2,500 cash bail. As conditions of release, if they post bail, both defendants will be on house arrest with a GPS monitors and have to stay away and have no contact with the victim.
The next court date is January 15 for a pretrial hearing for all four defendants.
The case is being investigated by Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office. The prosecutors assigned to the case are Assistant District Attorneys David Solet and Stephen Gilpatric.