Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni

Last week, members of our Youth Advisory Board took time out of their summer break to come together, reflect on an incredible year of leadership and service, and begin planning for the upcoming school year.

We’re grateful for their continued dedication to making a difference in their schools and communities, and we’re excited to see what this next year brings!

DA’s Office Shares ‘Just Once’ Presentation at Westover Job Corps

July 8, 2026 – Chicopee, Massachusetts – Three hundred students at Westover Job Corps, ages 16 to 25, recently sat in on the Hampden District Attorney’s Office “Just Once” presentation, led by the Community Safety & Outreach Unit.

The “Just Once” presentation highlights the dangers of experimenting with drugs and the risk of taking prescription medication.

The session began with students watching a documentary that features real people and real stories of drug addiction and recovery. This includes former students that attended local high schools, their parents, and other experts in the field.

Following the documentary, students heard from guest speaker Adam Bartlett who shared his personal story of addiction, loss, and recovery, reinforcing the real-life consequences of substance use. Bartlett now works as a community engagement & admissions specialist at Northstar Recovery Center.

“Too often, tragedies begin with what seemed like ‘just once.’ One decision to try a drug can change the course of a young person’s life forever,” said Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni. “Through our ‘Just Once’ presentation, we hope to give students the knowledge and confidence to make safe choices and understand that every decision matters.”

The “Just Once” presentation is part of the Hampden District Attorney’s ongoing efforts to combat substance abuse and the opioid crisis through education, prevention, and community engagement. Schools, parent organizations and community groups interested in hosting a presentation can contact Deputy Director of Community Safety & Outreach Gina Anselmo at [email protected].

‼️UPDATE, July 1, 12:43 p.m.:The juvenile has been located and is being transported to the hospital as a precautionary measure. He was found with his dogs.

Search Continues for Missing Monson Teen; Public Asked to Check Security Cameras and Outbuildings, Avoid Active Search Area

July 1, 2026 – Monson, Massachusetts – An extensive, multi-agency search for a missing 16-year-old Monson resident resumed Wednesday morning as law enforcement and public safety partners from across Massachusetts and Connecticut continue coordinated search efforts.

The juvenile was reported missing at approximately 8:13 a.m. on Tuesday, June 30, after leaving his residence in the Moulton Hill Road and Childs Road area with his two family dogs. Officers from the Monson Police Department responded within minutes and quickly began an extensive search of the area.

Investigators located security camera footage showing the juvenile traveling south toward the Connecticut state line with the two dogs. Later, a resident reported seeing the juvenile in the front yard of a home approximately 75 yards from the Connecticut border. Despite an extensive search throughout the day and into the evening Tuesday, no reliable sightings have been reported, and the juvenile has not been located.

Tuesday’s search effort included more than 140 personnel and resources from numerous local, state, and regional agencies. Assets deployed include members of the Monson Police and Fire Departments, the Massachusetts State Police, including the Special Emergency Response Team (SERT), Air Wing, K9 Unit, and the Hampden State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Hampden District Attorney's Office; the Massachusetts Environmental Police; the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services; the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA); Palmer Fire Department; Longmeadow Fire Department; Springfield Fire Department; the Hampden County Sheriff's Office; the Massachusetts Air National Guard; Sturbridge Police Department; Longmeadow Police Department; the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR); Central Massachusetts Search and Rescue; Western Massachusetts Technical Rescue; Connecticut State Police; Stafford Fire Department; Tolland County Search and Rescue; and additional local, state, and regional public safety partners.

Search operations resumed Wednesday morning following a coordinated operational briefing. While trained search personnel continue to systematically search the area, officials are asking residents in the area of Moulton Hill Road and Childs Road, the surrounding streets and neighborhoods in Monson, and nearby communities in northern Connecticut to assist in the following ways:

Residents in the surrounding area are asked to:

•Check sheds, garages, barns, outbuildings, campers, and other structures on their property where the juvenile and his dogs may have sought shelter.
•Review home security camera footage for any images of the juvenile or his dogs since Tuesday morning.
•Immediately report any sightings or information that may assist investigators.

Anyone with information is asked to contact WestComm Regional Dispatch at (413) 594-1639.

Officials also ask that members of the public do not travel to the active search area to conduct independent searches. While the community's concern and willingness to help are greatly appreciated, trained search personnel are already conducting coordinated operations, and additional foot traffic in the search area can hinder those efforts.

Law enforcement officials continue to actively pursue all available leads and ask the public to remain vigilant and report any information that may assist in locating the juvenile.

Coordinated Enforcement Initiative Yields 51 Arrests, Fi****ms Seizures and Hundreds of Citations in Springfield

June 29, 2026 – Springfield, Massachusetts – The Hampden District Attorney's Office has announced the results of a coordinated 24-hour enforcement initiative that resulted in 51 arrests, 274 motor vehicle citations, six fi****ms seized, four illegal dirt bikes removed from city streets, and the recovery of a stolen motor vehicle through a collaborative effort involving the Springfield Police Department, Massachusetts State Police and the City of Springfield.

The operation, conducted June 24-25, brought together prosecutors, local and state law enforcement officers, investigators, code enforcement personnel and other public safety partners to address criminal activity and quality-of-life concerns identified by Springfield residents. More than 80 Massachusetts State Troopers supplemented Springfield Police Department patrols and enforcement efforts throughout the initiative.

The operation focused on a range of issues affecting neighborhoods across the city, including violent crime, drug activity, reckless driving, illegal off-road vehicles, gang activity, nuisance properties, and code violations. Throughout the operation, participating agencies conducted targeted investigations, traffic enforcement, code enforcement, and other coordinated efforts aimed at improving neighborhood safety and addressing concerns raised by residents.

Results of the operation include:
1. 51 arrests;
2. 274 motor vehicle citations issued;
3. 23 criminal summonses;
4. 198 city ordinance violations addressed;
5. 120 code enforcement violations;
6. 10 s*x offender registry compliance checks conducted;
7. 12 Amtrak Railway trespass notices issued;
8. One stolen motor vehicle recovered;
9. Six fi****ms seized, including two AR-15 rifles and four handguns;
10. Four illegal dirt bikes seized; and
11. Six motor vehicle failure-to-stop incidents.

"The success of this operation reflects the strength of the partnerships we have built with our local and state law enforcement agencies," said Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni. "Working together allows us to more effectively address the concerns residents share with us every day, whether that's violent crime, illegal fi****ms, reckless driving or other quality-of-life issues. These coordinated efforts help make our neighborhoods safer, and we look forward to continuing this collaborative work throughout the summer."

The June operation marks the first of several coordinated enforcement initiatives planned for Springfield this summer. Participating agencies will continue working together to address public safety and quality-of-life concerns while maintaining a visible presence in neighborhoods across the city.

Multi-Agency Enforcement Initiative Targets Public Safety and Quality-of-Life Concerns in Springfield

June 25, 2026 – Springfield, Massachusetts – The Hampden District Attorney’s Office, Springfield Police Department, Massachusetts State Police, and the City of Springfield today announced a coordinated community enforcement initiative focused on addressing public safety and quality-of-life concerns in neighborhoods throughout Springfield.

The operation, which began Wednesday, June 24 in the evening and continued throughout Thursday, June 25, brought together law enforcement officers, investigators, prosecutors, city personnel, and public safety partners in a unified effort to address concerns frequently raised by residents.

The initiative also deployed more than 80 Massachusetts State Troopers to Springfield to supplement existing Springfield Police Department patrols and enforcement efforts, significantly increasing the public safety presence throughout the city.

As part of the initiative, personnel conducted a variety of enforcement and community-focused activities, including traffic enforcement, targeted investigations, quality-of-life enforcement, code enforcement efforts, and other operations designed to address issues identified by residents and public safety officials.

Residents throughout Springfield likely noticed an increased public safety presence during the operation. Officials said that visibility was intentional and reflected the commitment of participating agencies to address community concerns and improve neighborhood safety.

Public safety officials noted that quality-of-life issues — including drug activity, reckless driving, illegal dirt bikes and motorcycles, gang activity, nuisance properties, code violations, prostitution, and other neighborhood concerns — have a direct impact on residents’ sense of safety and well-being.

Preliminary results from the operation, as of 2:30 p.m. Thursday, include:

27 arrests, including five related to organized crime;
Six criminal summonses issued;
Two AR-15 rifles and two handguns seized;
One stolen motor vehicle recovered;
186 ordinance violations addressed;
120 code enforcement actions; and
122 motor vehicle stops.

These figures are preliminary and reflect activity through 2:30 p.m. Thursday. The operation remains ongoing, and additional enforcement activity is expected through its conclusion.

“People deserve to feel safe where they live, work, and raise their families. This initiative reflects our commitment to addressing the concerns residents bring to us every day and ensuring that public safety resources are visible, responsive, and present in the neighborhoods that need them most. When agencies work together, we can have a greater impact and better serve the community,” said Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni.

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno praised the collaborative effort and emphasized the importance of addressing residents’ concerns through coordinated action.

Sarno said, “First off, I’d like to thank Springfield Police Superintendent Larry Akers, and his dedicated men and women in blue, District Attorney Anthony Gulluni and Colonel Geoffrey Noble of the Massachusetts State Police, for their leadership efforts to continue our collaboration to work in unison in this multifaceted and multi-agency, and force multiplier approach to address quality of life and public safety concerns in the city of Springfield. Public safety will always remain a top priority for my administration – ‘and we’re not done yet!’ I will also continue to work with my friends, State Representative Angelo Puppolo, DA Gulluni and Sheriff Nick Cocchi on our continued push on my bail reform legislation to keep repeat violent criminal offenders off our streets and out of neighborhoods.”

Springfield Police Superintendent Larry Akers said the operation reflects the department's commitment to addressing both crime and quality-of-life concerns while working collaboratively with local and state partners.

Akers stated, “I would like to thank District Attorney Gulluni, Colonel Noble, Mayor Sarno, our Fi****ms Investigation Unit, Neighborhood Stabilization Bureau, and Ordinance/Flex Squad for coordinating this joint Quality-of-Life city-wide sweep. With summer starting, it gets busier in our city. Just two weeks ago Troopers were brazenly fired upon, which cannot be tolerated. This operation emphasizes not only our commitment to keep our citizens, visitors and business community safe, but also shows the strength of our partnership with our local and state law enforcement partners. Beyond this enforcement effort, we will continue to work together to crack-down on these illegal activities and bad actors for the betterment of our entire Springfield community.”

Massachusetts State Police Colonel Geoffrey Noble highlighted the role of state and local partnerships in supporting public safety initiatives across the Commonwealth.

"The Massachusetts State Police embraces partnerships like this one with our law enforcement partners and prosecutors to protect local communities and ensure that residents feel safe in their neighborhood and traveling our roadways. We will always stand ready to support efforts that make the Commonwealth safer, strengthen public confidence, and ensure that those who choose to break the law are brought to justice," said Noble.

Officials emphasized that Thursday's operation is the first of several coordinated enforcement initiatives planned throughout the summer. Participating agencies will continue working together to address public safety and quality-of-life concerns identified by residents across Springfield.

Additional information regarding the results of the operation will be released in the coming week.