Choose Granite Countertops in Hanson, MA for Elegance and Durability

A Massachusetts man was arrested Friday on federal dogfighting charges, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

John Murphy, 50, of Hanson, was indicted on nine counts of possessing animals for use in an animal fighting venture in violation of the federal Animal Welfare Act. He was scheduled to appear in federal court in Boston on Friday morning.

This is the first time federal charges have been brought in Massachusetts under the law, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

The indictment and arrest comes after federal agents and the Animal Rescue League of Boston searched a home on East Washington Street in Hanson last June. Throughout the day, investigators were seen taking out boxes, paper bags and empty animal crates. At the time, a law enforcement source told NBC10 Boston that the investigation involved multiple locations in Massachusetts and two other states.

Investigators released few details on the investigation Wednesday but could be seen removing items, including animal crates, from the home.

According to the indictment, Murphy possessed numerous items associated with possessing dogs for participation in an animal fighting venture at his residence in Hanson, including intravenous infusion equipment; syringes; antibiotics; injectable anabolic steroids; injectable corticosteroids; a skin stapler; forceps; equipment used to train dogs, including a treadmill, a slat mill, a carpet mill, and a flirt pole; dog training and fighting literature; a hanging digital scale used to weigh dogs for matches; written training regimens; break sticks, used to separate fighting dogs; and a breeding stand used to immobilize female dogs during breeding to prevent harm while mating.

Federal officials also filed a civil forfeiture complaint against 13 pitbull-type dogs, seized in June 2023 from Murphy’s residence and another residence in Townsend. As alleged in the complaint, several of the seized dogs had evidence of scarring. The dogs are currently in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

At both locations where the dogs were seized from, items associated in illegal dogfighting operations were found, including training equipment, veterinary supplies, dog fighting literature, DVDs, kennels used to house dogs individually and break sticks, which dogfighters use to force open a dog's bit onto another dog's body at the termination of a fight or while training.

The complaint also alleges that Murphy communicated with other dogfighters via Facebook, where they discussed the results of dogfights, injuries sustained by fighting dogs and breeding dogs. Federal prosecutors say Murphy also belonged to private dogfighting Facebook groups used to share fight results, buy and sell fighting dogs and exchange information on training and conditioning fighting dogs, among other things.

Federal prosecutors said Murphy's Facebook accounts also contained a photo of a pit bull-type dog with scarring and discolorations on its head and leg consistent with dogfighting, a photo of a pit bull-type dog restrained in a breeding stand and videos that depicted pit bull-type dogs physically tethered to treadmill-like devices commonly used to physically condition dogs for a dogfight. One video showed what appeared to be live bait placed at the end of the treadmill to entice the dog to run faster and harder.

The charges of possessing animals for use in an animal fighting venture each provide for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.

BOSTON —

Nine months after federal agents were seen taking dogs and items from a Massachusetts home, the resident is facing a slew of dogfighting charges.

John Murphy, 50, of Hanson, was indicted by a grand jury on nine counts of possessing animals for use in an animal fighting venture, in violation of the federal Animal Welfare Act.

NewsCenter 5 was there on June 7 when federal agents executed a search warrant at East Washington Street in Hanson. Agents were seen carrying bags of evidence, a metal chain and something resembling a treadmill from the home to a waiting box truck. Dog kennels were visible in the backyard.

At the time, federal and local officials did not divulge the reason for their investigation.

Video below: Agents seen removing dogs, items from home

According to the indictment filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court for Massachusetts, items found that day at Murphy's home included "intravenous infusion equipment; syringes; antibiotics; injectable anabolic steroids; injectable corticosteroids; a skin stapler; forceps; equipment used to train dogs, including a treadmill, a slat mill, a carpet mill, and a flirt pole; dog training and fighting literature; a hanging digital scale used to weigh dogs for matches; written training regimens; break sticks, used to separate fighting dogs; and a breeding stand used to immobilize female dogs during breeding to prevent harm while mating."

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Thirteen pit bull-type dogs were seized in June 2023 from Murphy’s residence and another residence in Townsend, according to the office of the Acting U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts. The dogs are currently in the care of a contractor hired by the U.S. Marshals Service.

Training equipment, veterinary supplies, dog fighting literature and other related items were found at both locations where the dogs were seized, the U.S. Attorney's office said.

Video below: Sky5 over Hanson raid

Murphy is accused of using Facebook to communicate with other dogfighters and belonged to private groups used to share fight results, exchange tips and buy or sell fighting dogs, the U.S. Attorney's office said. Photos on his accounts showed dogs with scars described as "consistent with dogfighting" and others using some of the equipment like what was seized in the search.

There was also a video showing dogs tethered to "treadmill-like-devices" used for conditioning dogs in preparation for a fight, the U.S. Attorney's office said.

According to the Department of Justice, charges of possessing animals for use in an animal fighting venture each provide for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.

HANSON - Eat your heart out, Clark Griswold, Tim Young is here to put your Christmas display to shame.

The Hanson homeowner, along with his wife, Kim, and longtime friend Ken Stone, continue to build upon the initially modest Christmas display they started when the Youngs moved into the home at 16 Woodbrook Lane off King Street in 1998.

What started with some lights here and a few inflatable displays there has expanded to the point where well over 150 inflatable characters line their entire front lawn − and even a little bit of their neighbor's (with permission, of course).

Strings of lights at hip level create clear paths for visitors to wander among the air-filled characters ranging from classic Disney to Harry Potter and Star Wars (there's more than one Darth Vader in the mix).

Leafless trees shine brightly with lights strung around the branches, as does the home's roof with its "Merry Christmas 2023" display. Several more strings of lights stream down from a flagpole.

A digital timer in the window counts down the days until Christmas Day.

"It's been a project, and we've learned from it,” Tim Young said of the display, which remains up through Dec. 30. “It’s still growing.”

Each year, they search for new inflatables online and in stores. Kim says she usually heads out to stores right after Christmas to scoop up whatever discounted decorations remain.

While the inflatables can wear down over time, Kim said the couple make every effort to preserve their collection and make repairs when possible.

"I've taken apart more than one (inflatable) motor and put it back together," she said.

House display helps Hanson Food Pantry

The Holiday House of Hanson, as it's come to be known locally, really kicked into overdrive four or five years ago, Tim said. He took advantage of the display's popularity to begin collecting food and monetary donations for the Hanson Food Pantry, for which he volunteers.

The display has generated several thousand of dollars in donations, Tim said. Their Halloween display, which is half the size of the Christmas one but still growing, generated about $1,000 in cash donations and 70 pounds of food, he said.

A large, red stand-alone mailbox next to the donation area is there so children can write and send their letters to Santa using a template Tim created. Each letter is answered by Santa or one of his helpers.

“We have a lot going on here,” Tim said.

Holiday House of Hanson Scavenger Hunt

They'll be even busier than usual this weekend when they hold their annual scavenger hunt from 10 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (Dec. 9 and 10).

Santa will be on hand from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. both days. Check out the Holiday House of Hanson Facebook page for updates and any scheduling change if the weather doesn't cooperate.

The scavenger hunt comes with a $10 suggested donation, which is not required to take part.

“It doesn't matter if you don't have any money," Tim said. "We just want people to have a good time.”

The scavenger hunt is based on finding answers to questions about the display, such as how many Santa inflatables are on display or the total number of inflatables. There will be a list of questions for the kids and a slightly harder one for adults wishing to take part.

'It's as easy as 1-2-3': Learning wiring solutions along the way

Tim, who manages a warehouse in the area, is not an electrician by trade, but he has learned about wiring and techniques to give him as much easy access to the displays as possible over the years.

“You have to really learn what you're doing,” he said.

He has three dedicated breakers for the display.

“It's as simple as 1-2-3. You throw three switches on and the whole thing goes on,” he said.

Each breaker represents a zone within the display, he said.

“I can turn on the inflatables at 8 in the morning and not have the lights going,” he said. “We don’t use timers. We just use the switches in the house."

Many of the wires are underground, so the display is both free from messy cords while also ensuring no one trips over them as they walk along the display paths.

Tim Young pointed out a lighted sign on the sidewalk near the driveway whose wire is nestled safely in a crack in the sidewalk.

"You learn to be creative and work with what you have," he said.

Technology has brought changes to the display, such as the introduction of LED string lights and streaming music.

Tim said he started with a five-CD changer and can now simply ask Alexa to find holiday music.

“And you’re good to go,” he said.

The Christmas music plays for the visitors as they wander through lighted paths to check out the hundreds of decorations. An FM feed allows visitors to take in the sights and sounds while sitting warmly in their cars.

Woodbrook Lane residents are down with the display

Tim said he hasn’t heard any complaints from his neighbors in the lightly populated area. In addition to his immediate neighbor to the right who allows the display to extend to their land, there are two houses across the street, both of which are set far back down long driveways.

“They're pretty good about it,” Tim said of his neighbors.

Many people park and explore the display on foot, but it's not uncommon to see cars passing slowly with an outstretched arm holding a phone to capture a picture or some video, Tim said.

It's moments like those, along with the children delighting in the display, that keep him going from one Christmas to the next.

“It is a lot of work," he said. "It's a labor of love, and it's all about joy and making people happy."

HANSON, Mass. —

A Massachusetts native was selected #1 overall in the 2024 National Women’s Soccer League Draft.

Ally Sentnor is headed west to play for the the Utah Royals.

The midfielder/forward from Hanson, led the University of North Carolina this season in scoring with 11 goals, including five game-winners.

Sentnor started playing when she was just four years old, and like many young preschool players, she started with town soccer and her dad as the volunteer parent coach.

“I played for my town with all my best friends from elementary school,” Sentnor recalls fondly. “And my dad was my coach, which was amazing and just a great time.”

She eventually moved on to play for the South Shore Select, a club soccer team, when she was seven years old. But it wasn’t long before the calls started coming.

“When she started getting called into national team camps at 12, 13 years old, it was a shock to us, and we were just like, what’s happening?” said her father, Rich Sentnor.

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What was happening was that Sentnor was en route to her dream of becoming a professional soccer player. She accelerated her graduation by a year from Thayer Academy in Braintree to go play for the legendary program at UNC – alma mater to women’s soccer greats like Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly, Heather O’Reilly, and Ashlyn Harris, among many others.

But after her redshirt sophomore season, she decided it was time to make the jump, and made the difficult decision to leave UNC and declare for the NWSL draft this month.

“This is what makes her happy,” said her mother, Lee Sentnor. “She’s chasing her dreams that we didn’t necessarily think were realistic when she was a young child. So she’s proving us all wrong.”

On the surface, it's easy to see what a player can do in a game situation: there's video, statistics and analytics. But in the case of Sentnor, seeing up close and personal is truly believing.

"Her touch on the ball is impeccable. Her ability to cut in and out in tight spaces is like nothing I've ever seen,” said Sentnor’s South Shore Select club team coach, Liz Lima. “And then her explosiveness as well, with and without the ball."

The midfielder-forward just finished her redshirt sophomore season at one of the best soccer schools in the country: the University of North Carolina. She led the team this season in scoring with 11 goals and seven assists for 29 points. But it's the intangibles that have her club coach raving.

"She had this drive and grit I haven't seen in almost any athlete I've coached," Lima said.

"I'm a very competitive person, so I love the competition. Just every practice, every game, being able to compete with my teammates but also play alongside of them," Sentnor said.

Coaches first did double-takes when Sentnor was just 7 years old, playing club soccer for the South Shore Select.

"Just out of the corner of my eye, I saw this little girl just turn the corner and take off. And I was just immediately … who was that?" said Dan Colwell, Sentnor’s technical coach for the last six years.

Colwell helps elite Division I college players and future pros perfect their craft. He said Sentnor has always been on a different level, not just with her skillset but with how she looks to build her whole self.

"Some days it's a recovery session, some days it's a mental health day, some days it's a spend time with your family. But she treats every day like it's the most important day," Colwell said.

Her soccer resume is loaded with awards and accomplishments. She even co-captains the United States youth national team. But spend a few minutes with her and you see why her coaches are quick to praise her pure adoration for the sport and her team.

"Just when my team has these incredible moments together. And we all come together and enjoy it and fight until the end, I think I just really enjoyed those hard-fought wins," she said.

"You just want to be around her. Because she has such a positive energy. She's an energy giver, not an energy taker,” Colwell said. “You want her to do well, and want her to be on your team. And her teammates love playing with her."