Carmen Ortiz

A seated state senator or state rep are not pedestrians. They are the agents for change. But what change have they brought about for our Black community?

BOSTON - A New Bedford woman is sentenced for stashing drugs in her home for a drug trafficking ring in Bristol County and in Providence. U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz's office says 45-year-old Shirley Vargas was sentenced to 18 months in prison and one year of supervised release...

BOSTON (AP) - United States Attorney for Massachusetts Carmen Ortiz, who prosecuted the high-profile cases of Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev and Boston mobster James ``Whitey'' Bulger, is stepping down. Ortiz submitted her resignation as the state's top federal prosecutor last week and spoke with Attorney General Loretta Lynch Tuesday to confirm her departure...

BOSTON (AP) — Federal prosecutors have opened an investigation into whether civil rights laws were violated by a Massachusetts town that rejected plans for a Muslim cemetery. U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz said Thursday that the investigation will determine whether the town of Dudley violated the right to religious exercise by the Islamic Society of Greater Worcester...

A Jamaican woman living in Fall River under a false identity has been arrested. U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz's Office says 51-year-old Sandra McDonald has been charged with aggravated identity theft, theft of public money, passport fraud, and falsely representing a social security number...

A New Bedford woman pleads guilty to stealing over $60,000 in Social Security benefits. U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz's office says 49-year-old Lynn Medeiros applied for SSI disability benefits in 2005 for her son, who was living with her at the time...

(Associated Press) - Federal officials have seized thousands of cases of frozen crab products suspected to be contaminated with a harmful bacteria. U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Carmen Ortiz said the cases of food, which were in cold storage warehouses in Lakeville, Mass...

A New Bedford man is sentenced in connection to his involvement in a gun and drug running operation. U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz's office says 29-year-old Michael Knott, a member of the New Bedford-based Gangster Disciples street gang, was sentenced to six years in prison last week...

The U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts says the jury has spoken and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev "will pay with his life" for carrying out the Boston Marathon bombing. Carmen Ortiz called the verdict reached Friday, "fair and just." She noted that it came after weeks of grueling and heart wrenching testimony during the long trial...

Sixth grade students at Keith Middle School heard from several speakers Wednesday during a "Your Future, Your Decision" forum sponsored by District Attorney Sam Sutter. Speakers suggested students should think twice before texting hurtful photos or messages to others because those messages don't go away...