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THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, MArCH 3, 2023 Page 13 Saugus man indicted for drug conspiracy involving tens of thousands of counterfeit pills (Editor’s Note: This story was compiled from a press release issued this week by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Boston.) A Saugus man was among two people indicted recently by a federal grand jury in Boston in connection with a drug conspiracy involving tens of thousands of counterfeit pills containing methamphetamine and fentanyl. Aaron Lenardis, 36, of Saugus, and Charles Bates, 31, of Reading, were indicted on one count each of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Boston. Lenardis was also indicted on an additional count of possession with intent to SAUGUS PAST| FROM PAGE 9 and also the manual training room. In 1926, a granolithic walk from the side door to Central Street was completed. Another much larger project was completed. This was the Sweetser School, built on the site of the old Lincoln School, near Cliftondale Square. This building made the continuance of the two platoon system unnecessary. Language courses in French and Latin were offered to eighth grade students. Classes began at 8 a.m. and ended at 1:10 pm, including two lunch periods and a physical education period. The school was allowed to certify pupils to all colleges. In 1927, when enrollment reached 513, two new teachers, Mr. Warren and Miss Towle were added. A debate club was organized, and the first debate was held with Revere on: “Resolved: that the eighteenth amendment to the Constitution should be abolished.” The debate was won by Revere due to their greater experience along this line, reported Principal Webber. In 1929, the two-platoon system was again renewed under pressure of enrollment. In the same year the senior play bore an interesting title of “Adam and Eve.” In 1930, Mr. Webber resigned as principal and was replaced by Mr. Vernon Evans who immediately addistribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl and one count of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. Bates and Lenardis were initially charged by complaint in October 2022. According to the charging documents, in August 2022, an investigation began into Bates after he ordered 50 kilograms of an orange binding agent commonly used to make counterfeit Adderall pills, which he was allegedly observed picking up at a UPS store in Boston. Court filings allege that Bates exchanged text messages with drug customers and associates in which he spoke about pills that are “made to order,” described being physically present at the place vocated a new high school to accommodate 1,000 pupils. School faculty included Mr. Evans, Messrs. Blossom, Haley, Pinciss, Rice, Warren, Watson, Davis, and Hayes and the Misses Hayward, Marison, Stanhope, Towle and Willy. The following years, Mr. Potts, Mr. Taylor and Mr. McCullough, the last having resigned from the school board to become a teacher, were added. Because the financial depression made a drastic economy necessary, the courses in manual training, sewing and penmanship were eliminated. The football team won four games, lost four, and tied two. Mr. Jesse Lambert, Superintendent of Saugus Schools for fifteen years, died on February 10, 1933, and was replaced by Mr. Evans. Mr. Earle McLeod was appointed to replace Mr. Evans as high school principal. In this year, the junior high annex was completed, and the following year a parking lot was completed, and a new cafeteria opened in the basement. Mr. John Leahy was added to the faculty and Mr. Leon Young was appointed submaster. In 1935, Mr. MacLeod resigned, and Mr. John A. W. Pearce was appointed to replace him. In 1935, Superintendent Evans recommended woodworking classes for interested high school boys. Mr. Charles “Buzz” Harvey was hired to coach the now fawhere the pills were made and “watching the guy work so no corners have been cut.” It is also alleged that Bates drafted recipes for counterfeit pills that he kept on his phone or sent to others. It is alleged that the offense involved at least 136,000 counterfeit pills containing methamphetamine, equivalent to approximately 40 kilograms of such pills. It is further alleged that after the pill press broke, Bates traveled to Pawtucket, R.I., to obtain a replacement. Bates was allegedly observed transporting a large, heavy item that appeared to be a pill press to Lenardis’ residence in Saugus. According to court documents, a search of Lenardis’ residence in Saugus on Oct. 25, 2022, resulted in the seizure of the following: an inmous Saugus Sachems and in September of 1936, the first Girls’ Club meeting was held. The Saugus High School Band was officially formed in 1937. Mr. Evans suggested a vocational trade school and a new senior high school but neither, as yet, has been adopted. There were two more ‘firsts:’ Student Council and the first Girl’s Club dance. (Needless to say, it was a great success) … In 1938, Robert Hill won third prize in a national essay contest, conducted by the Veterans’ of Foreign Wars Auxiliary on “The Constitution of the United States.” Stackpole Field was the scene of many gridiron battles and a Ski Club started at the behest of some rugged members of the student body. In 1939, Saugus was the second highest scoring football team in the entire Commonwealth. (In case anyone is interested, Brockton was first) … The Sachems won the North Shore Championship and were called the best defensive team, and went on to win second place in Class C championship out of fifty-one teams. In that year they won eight games, lost one, and tied one. As a reward, the team was presented with a five-day trip to New York City during the Christmas vacation. Also, at this time, Mr. Hammond announced that membership in the Band passed the 50 mark and the first edition of the well-known handbook dustrial pill press, 14 firearms, including a Glock outfitted to operate as a machine gun, at least 1.85 kilograms of pills and powder containing methamphetamine, at least 87.6 grams of pills and powder containing fentanyl, and “M30” stamps commonly used to manufacture counterfeit pills. The charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine each provide for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. The charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fenwas printed. In 1940, an Industrial Arts course for boys for those intending to enter factory work, the Band increased to 60, and Mr. Stephen Lovett, and Mr. Belden Gerald Bly, Jr. was added to the staff. In 1941, the Sachems won the Class C title under coaches Henry Toczlowski and Galligan. In the last year of 1941, an event occurred which affected the entire school. Basement windows were stripped with tape and covered with wooden shutters to minimize flying glass. Air raid stations were assigned to each room and drills were conducted. Rumors about enemy invasions and air raid attacks made their rounds. Many students heard President Roosevelt tell the Congress of the United States that “our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger…we will gain the inevitable triumph.” In 1942, physical education classes started for all boys, along with aeronautics, review math and review science. Several Bond rallies were held. The goal was $1,000 dollars but the thermometer didn’t stop until it reached $2,700. Out of 84 schools selling war stamps in Massachusetts, Saugus ranked fourth in sales. Six teachers entered various branches of the armed forces. Messrs., Galligan, Burns, Hochmuth, Hammond, Gibbs, and Lovett. Mrs. Bisbee, and Miss Solomita, were tanyl each provide for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release and a fine of up to $8 million. The charge of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. U.S. Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and the Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England Field Division, Brian D. Boyle, made the announcement on Monday (Feb. 27). appointed, and the guidance program was put on a fulltime basis. In 1943, many shops were closed, and physical education classes were abolished. David J. Lucey was appointed football coach, Mr. Taylor became Director of Guidance, Mr. Gordon George was hired to teach chemistry and Mr. Germaine took over Mr. Hammond’s place as band director. In 1944, teacher shortage was a pressing problem and a ten percent increase in salary was proposed to help them meet the cost of living. The Saugus Sachems won the Class B Football Championship. In 1945, Mr. Philip Bradbury and Mr. Arthur Strout were appointed to teach physics and drawing respectively. Mr. Gibbs, Galligan and Lovett returned from the armed forces. Mr. Raymond Boyce replaced Mr. Harry Potts, as he passed away suddenly, and Mr. Ralph Earle was selected as a shop teacher. Thus we have the history of Saugus High School, an institution that has served Saugus for 72 years. Its thousands of graduates in every walk of life are gratefully indebted to its many principals and teachers. Last, but not least, they are also indebted to Saugus High School for many friends made and for the many good times which have been a part of the unofficial S.H.S. curriculum.

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