SOMERVILLE — On Friday, Feb. 9, 2024, at about 6:00 a.m., a task force consisting of eight Somerville Police officers and four members of the U.S. Secret Service New England Cyber Fraud Task Force (NECFTF) executed a search warrant at 222 Fellsway, the home of Benjamin Buchwald.
(The account and quotations in this article were obtained from the Personnel Narrative of Officer Devin Schneider of the Somerville Police Department.)
Buchwald, 42, was wanted in Denton County, Texas, for the online solicitation of a minor.
“Upon knocking and announcing, the door was answered by Benjamin Buchwald, the subject of the search warrant,” Officer Schneider said. “I informed Buchwald of the warrant, and that he was under arrest. At the time I had knowledge and possession of a felony arrest warrant for Online Solicitation of Minor that had been issued by the State of Texas for Buchwald (Denton District Court, TX docket # 1413-020824-158). Texas had requested full extradition for their warrant.”
According to police, Buchwald was arrested without incident. He was handcuffed and relocated to his living room, where Officer Schneider advised him of his Miranda rights from a pre-printed card.
“While waiting for transportation to the police station, Buchwald and I exchanged some small talk,” Officer Schneider said. “Buchwald expressed that he ‘hoped’ that there had been a mistake with his arrest.”
Buchwald was arrested on a fugitive from justice warrant, which is under authority of MA General Law C. 276, S. 20B. He was transported to the Somerville Police Station for booking.
Disclaimer: The Personnel Narrative referenced in this article was obtained from the Somerville Police Department’s weekly arrest log.
