Current Court Report - January 2, 2024

This week’s Current Court Report includes arraignments and dispositions from Tuesday’s Nantucket District Court session.

Alberth Steven Obando, 34, of Nantucket will have a Sept. 3, 2023 charge of assault & battery on a police officer continued without a finding for one year on the condition he complete the probation without any violations.

Charges of assault & battery, indecent assault & battery on a person 14 years old or over, and disorderly conduct stemming from the same incident were dismissed after the alleged victim in the case declined to testify.

According to the police report, Obando was involved in a physical altercation downtown just prior to midnight on September 2, 2023. It was alleged by an individual involved in the fight that Obando inappropriately touched a female without her consent.

NPD officer Jack Moran said that Obando appeared to be going in and out of consciousness due to both the altercation and being intoxicated. He had blood in his facial/mouth area from multiple lacerations.

Officers attempted to provide medical care to Obando before the Nantucket Fire Department arrived. Obando yelled “F*** you” at the officers multiple times and spit blood on one of the officers – landing on his uniform. His behavior also drew a small crowd, Moran said, of people startled by his behavior.

Manuel Omar Portillo Rivera, 26, of Nantucket was arraigned on a Dec. 27 charge of trespassing. He had a not-guilty plea entered on his behalf and was ordered to return to court Jan. 29 for a pretrial hearing.

Gary N. Vaccaro, 66, of Nantucket was arraigned on Dec. 31, 2023 charges of negligent operation of a motor vehicle, operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, and two charges of leaving the scene of property damage. He had not-guilty pleas entered on his behalf and was ordered to return to court Feb. 12 for a pretrial hearing.

According to the police report, Vaccaro was involved in a New Year’s Eve motor vehicle crash in the area of Surfside Road and Fairgrounds Road striking a taxi – causing heavy front-end damage to the cab before Vaccaro allegedly fled the scene.

Officers observed a post with a stop sign and street sign on it at the corner of Boulevard and Surfside Road that had been completely knocked down with fresh tire marks near it originating from Surfside Road.

Witnesses told police the other vehicle involved was an older, yellow Ford Ranger with front end damage to the headlight. As police continued the investigation of the scene, a vehicle matching the description provided by witnesses approached the intersection. Vaccaro identified himself as the operator and allegedly admitted to police he was involved in the crash before continuing to drive away from the scene.

Following field sobriety tests and two breath alcohol tests, it was determined that Vaccaro was under the influence of alcohol.

Timothy J. White, 44, of Nantucket will have a Dec. 5, 2023 charge of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol continued without a finding for one year on the condition he complete a driver-alcohol education program, forfeit his license for 45 days, pay a $250 program fee, $250 head-injury fee, $50 OUI assessment fee, and a $50 victim-witness fee.

Charges of negligent operation of a motor vehicle and failure to stop/yield stemming from the same incident were dismissed.

*All defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty under a court of law*