GROTON — On Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, at approximately 2:08 p.m., Groton Police Sergeant Kevin Henehan was patrolling Adams Avenue when he began driving behind a black 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA.
(The account and quotations in this article were sourced from the printed Personnel Narrative of Officer Sergeant Kevin Henehan and do not reflect any political perspective or personal opinion of News Link Live, which is strictly a business entity.)
“I ran a query of the registration status on my cruiser’s mobile data terminal (MDT), which indicated that the vehicle’s registration was revoked for lack of insurance,” Sgt. Henehan said. “I radioed dispatch and requested confirmation of the registration status. Dispatch confirmed the status.”
Sgt. Henehan said he then activated his blue emergency lights and siren, and the vehicle pulled over near 10 Adams Avenue.
“I greeted the operator identified by her New York State license as the registered owner, Ms. Samantha Cristine Portilho Magalhaes,” Sgt. Henehan said. “Ms. Portilho Magalhaes was advised that I had stopped her because the vehicle’s registration was revoked. Ms. Portilho Magalhaes stated that she resides at [# redacted, street redacted] Apt. XXX, Chelsea, MA.”
According to police, Samantha Cristine Portilho Magalhaes, 35, is a resident of Chelsea, MA. According to the Groton Police Department’s arrest report, she was born in Brazil.
“She stated she did not possess a valid Massachusetts license,” Sgt. Henehan said. “I returned to my cruiser and ran a query of Ms. Portilho Magalhaes’ license/registration status on my cruiser MDT. Ms. Portilho Magalhaes’ New York State license status was listed as suspended. The Massachusetts Warrant Management System alerted that there was an active arrest warrant for Ms. Portilho Magalhaes. Dispatch confirmed the warrant.”
According to Sgt. Henehan, the straight warrant issued for Portilho Magalhaes’ arrest was issued on Jan. 17, 2025, by Judge Francis Kenneally of the Malden District Court. The warrant was issued for the following offenses, which allegedly took place in Everett on Sept. 18, 2024: Uninsured Motor Vehicle and Unregistered Motor Vehicle.
At this time, Officer Robert Wayne arrived on scene to assist.
“Ms. Portilho Magalhaes was made aware of the active warrant,” Sgt. Henehan said. “She was placed under arrest, handcuffed (double-locked), and placed in the rear of my cruiser. I transported her to the Groton Police Department for booking.”
Officer Wayne conducted a motor vehicle inventory before it was towed by Groton Collision Repair.
“The license plates were removed from the vehicle and will be submitted into the property room until the registration is activated,” Sgt. Henehan said. “At the station, Ms. Portilho Magalhaes was booked in the usual manner and afforded all applicable rights. She was advised of her Miranda warning rights which were read to her and signed by her indicating that she understood her rights.”
Samantha Cristine Portilho Magalhaes was arrested and charged with:
- Warrant Arrest
“With regards to Ms. Portilho Magalhaes’ motor vehicle infractions in Groton, I advised her that I would be filing a criminal application with the Ayer District Court,” Sgt. Henehan said.
Sergeant Henehan also issued Portilho Magalhaes a Massachusetts Uniform Citation in hand, charging her with violating the following:
- Uninsured Motor Vehicle
- Unregistered Motor Vehicle
- Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle
“A certified copy of the vehicle’s registration status and her NY [New York] license status was requested from the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles,” Sgt. Henehan said. “At approximately 5:00 p.m., Bail Commissioner Matt Day released Ms. Portilho Magalhaes on personal recognizance. She was given her property and signed the GPD [Groton Police Department] Property Release Form.”
Portilho Magalhaes’ arraignment in Ayer District Court was scheduled for Nov. 7, 2025.
Disclaimer: If you are wondering why the arrest in this story took place in November, that’s because I had to file FOIA request(s) to obtain the court documents. FOIAs are time-consuming.
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