Trial Court of Massachusetts, Worcester District Court docket #2562CR003275 – Statement of Facts in Support of Application for Criminal Complaint
[Originally signed on June 10th, 2025. There’s an instance of “bills” in here that I think is supposed to be “pills”?]
On Monday, June 9th, 2025, at approximately 4:15PM [accompanying officer] and I responded to a motor vehicle accident on School St. Reported to be a previous road rage incident.
Upon our arrival, both vehicles involved were pulled over to the side of School St. [Vermont passenger plates on a] 2017 Toyota Camry and NH PC 5507848 2010 Honda Accord. First vehicle was operated by [a woman in her 60s], second vehicle was operated by a Mr. Christopher Cantwell (DOB: 11/20/80).
Upon the investigation, Mr. Cantwell was recording [the woman] while using his phone driving by [her]. [She] proceeded to try and film Mr. Cantwell's license plate. A motor vehicle accident occurred (see report 25-198-AC).
Mr. Cantwell told [the accompanying officer] that his insurance has lapsed on his vehicle. A tow truck was requested for the vehicle. During our inventory per department policy for a vehicle being towed, [an additional officer] and [the accompanying officer] located items consistent with Class E drugs.
Mr. Cantwell was taken into custody, placed in hand cuffs double locked (DL). He was secured in the backseat of Cruister 56. Once there he was booked, processed, fingerprinted, photographed and afforded all applicable rights including use of a telephone.
During our inventory the following was located: 30 grams Methamphetamines, 200 pills Sildenafil, 5 units Testosterone, Unknown brown powder, Unknown white bills. Drugs were identified with a TruNarc.
I will be charging Mr. Cantwell with the following:
Ch. 94C S. 32C – Possess to distribute Class A drug
Ch. 94C S. 32A – Possess to distribute Class B drug
Ch. 94C S. 32B – Possess to distribute Class C drug
Ch. 94C S. 32D – Possess to distribute Class D drug
Ch. 94C S. 32E – Trafficking in 18 grams or more, Methamphetamine
Ch. 90 S. 13B - Use of electronic device while operating a motor vehicle (490136AD)
Trial Court of Massachusetts, Worcester Superior Court docket #2585BP00115 – In the Matter of: Cantwell, Christopher C. (bail petition)
[Originally occurred on August 12th, 2025. Instead of a transcript, I’ll provide a summary.]
Court enters session. The Judge makes sure Cantwell, who seems to be appearing virtually, can hear the proceedings. Audio is occasionally marred by him trying to say something.
Defense offers an acceptance letter for a recovery program, and asks Cantwell be released on his own cognizance conditioned on attending the program and any aftercare that the program orders. Defense points out that Cantwell being a NH resident without health insurance made finding a program for him in Massachusetts difficult. The program is a partial hospitalization one, with a sober living house component with transportation between the various components, 24-hour staffing, minimum three drug screenings a week, and treatment options ranging from CBT to 12-step and otherwise.
Defense describes the auto accident as him being rear-ended. Defense states that, after learning Cantwell didn’t have health insurance, that police began inventorying his vehicle in preparation for a tow. States that the officers did offer that Cantwell the chance to drive the car off on his own if he was able to obtain auto insurance, which Cantwell was able to do via his smartphone. Defense states that they feel it makes for a strong Motion to Suppress, given the procurement of insurance while the police were still conducting their inventory.
Defense states that the probable cause hearing has been held up in District Court, while the Commonwealth waits 6 months for a drug cert. Defense maintains that Cantwell is unable to assert his rights while waiting for the Commonwealth to decide what to do. Defense states that Cantwell has “some history with the courts, but I would suggest a fairly limited history,” mostly misdemeanors, 4-year sentence, and an open case in NH with which he was eager to deal.
Cantwell’s attorney in NH has succeeded in preventing that local court from revoking his release so far, and that a warrant from this case could complicate the NH case greatly. States that $25k is not reasonable for Cantwell’s circumstances, that if he were even able to post it there would be extradition proceedings involved. States that Cantwell is motivated to deal with both his cases, has no history of defaulting, and is not a flight risk. Brings up Cantwell’s proximity as a resident of Manchester, and asks that Cantwell be given a reasonable bail due to his lack of default history.
Defense asks that the Court releases Cantwell on personal cognizance in order to engage with the sober living program and attendant stipulations, and that if the Court does not do so that they reduce his bail anyway. Forwards $1.5k as an amount Cantwell could produce.
Court asks Defense to elaborate on Cantwell’s ties to NH.
Defense states that Cantwell has lived in NH for several years. Admits that he’s not sure Cantwell has family he’s close to anywhere. States that Cantwell’s ties are friends that can help with transportation, and that most of his ties are in the Manchester area.
Court states that they have seen the police report. Notes that the sober living situation appears to be 24/7.
Defense agrees, stating that it’s not technically a residential program, due to the substance abuse program and the sober living component are not out of the same building. Transportation is managed back-and-forth.
Court asks to hear from the Commonwealth.
Commonwealth asks that the Court deny the bail petition. Alleges that the arrest started as a road rage incident, where Cantwell followed another vehicle off of Rt. 395 onto Rt. 20 in Auburn MA. The other vehicle pulled over, Cantwell passed it, and Cantwell brake-checking caused the collision. States that Cantwell’s actions caused the accident.
Commonwealth states that Cantwell’s car was inventoried due to his lack of insurance, and that a number of narcotics of different typed were found: meth, ketamine, MDMA, testosterone, prescription meds that were not prescribed to Cantwell, and a brown powder that the officers believed to be heroin. Cantwell also had scales, vials, and other instruments and drug paraphernalia speaking to sales and usage.
Commonwealth states that Cantwell has no ties to MA, and was just passing through. Mentions a federal conviction & sentencing for extortion, and history out of VA with convictions & sentencing for A&B and malicious release of a dangerous gas that caused injury. States that Cantwell has multiple entries for assault, domestic violence (as recent as March 2025, still open) in NH. States that Cantwell has history out of NY for DWIs and firearms leading to convictions & sentencing.
Commonwealth states their appreciation for Defense getting Cantwell into a substance abuse program. States that Cantwell doesn’t appear to have relevant ties in NH. Notes that Cantwell lives in Manchester NH, while the program is in Nashua NH. States that, if Cantwell is already having transportation issues between Worcester MA and Manchester NH, they will not improve with adding a third location. Defense states bail is appropriate, given likelihood of Cantwell’s flight or failure to appear. Once again asks that the bail petition be denied.
Court asks to hear from Probation.
Probation states they’re not sure what the Court is looking for.
Court says “anything.”
Probation states they are not sure they can adequately supervise him, and have no connections with programs in NH, that retrieval may be difficult.
Defense asks to reply to Commonwealth.
Court assents.
Defense states that the NY charge was not for firearms, it was a firearms/weapon charge. States that it is not a firearm conviction in the way that MA would think of a firearms conviction. States the charge was essentially a weapons misdemeanor, from when Cantwell was 19.
Defense states that Cantwell has only one case out of NH that is open, one case with multiple charges.
Defense states that Cantwell does not have transpo issues per se, that Cantwell’s license is valid and that he was able to recover insurance immediately in the face of having it lapsed during an accident. Posits that Cantwell wouldn’t have issues getting to and from court, due to his support network in Manchester and the program in Nashua. States that the drive is not that far, and that the program would be a great opportunity for Cantwell.
Court states that they were also looking for defaults, and asks Commonwealth for any indications that Cantwell had ever not come back to court.
Commonwealth states that Cantwell has not apparently been charged to a failure to appear, or if that would appear in Cantwell’s Interstate Identification Index. States that it is difficult to determine Cantwell’s default history out-of-state.
Court asks Defense about Cantwell’s employment.
Defense describes Cantwell’s work as sporadic, and states that Cantwell does not have current or stable employment. States that the program would be able to help Cantwell with life skills training. States that Cantwell has done IT and entertainment, but that Cantwell has had trouble finding work more recently.
Court states that the program looks good, and agrees to lower bail to $3k provided Cantwell lives at the sober home and attends the partial hospitalization program. Asks if the Commonwealth has any other conditions, stating that there are other stipulations about signing off on releases and screenings three times a day.
Commonwealth asks for a stay-away/no-contact order, though given that both parties were strangers that there would be no issue.
Court agrees. Bail petition concludes.