For Immediate Release December 22, 2017
Contact: Press Office
781-897-8325
BILLERICA – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Billerica Chief of Police Daniel Rosa have announced that Adam Bradley, 32, of Lynn, was sentenced by Judge Maynard Kirpilani today to life without the possibility of parole in connection with the 2012 Billerica homicide that resulted in the death of 22-year-old Quintin Koehler. A jury convicted Bradley of first degree murder yesterday. Bradley was also convicted of home invasion, attempted armed robbery, possession of a firearm without a license and possession of ammunition.
District Attorney Ryan stated, “The death of Quintin Koehler in his own home was the result of a plan allegedly put together by six men to force their way into a home, terrorize the residents and enrich themselves with money and marijuana. This conviction is a testament to the dedication of multiple law enforcement agencies over the past five years who have thoroughly investigated this case to ensure that the individuals involved are held accountable for their role in this venture. We will continue to work with our federal and local partners as the remaining cases in this matter move forward.”
Chief Rosa added, “I am very proud of the investigative and prosecutorial team in this case who worked tirelessly to finally get justice for the victim and the community.”
On July 7, 2012, at approximately 3:50 a.m., four men forced entry into a home at 795 Boston Road in Billerica, smashing the door from its hinges. Some of the men wore masks, and at least three of them were armed with handguns. When two occupants of the house resisted and tried to force them back out of the door of the home, one of the home invaders fatally shot a resident of the home, Quintin Koehler. The home invaders fled without completing their robbery plan.
The subsequent investigation by the Massachusetts State Police and the Billerica Police Department, including the identification and development of cooperating witnesses, cellular phone records analysis, cellular site location information, surveillance video analysis and DNA analysis of items recovered from the crime scene, revealed that the home invasion plot allegedly involved six men, who participated in a joint venture in order to steal cash and marijuana from the victims.
Included in the group were Adam Bradley, who organized the plot and recruited the participants; Jason Estabrook, who fought with the victims in the kitchen of the home where the attempted armed robbery took place; Peter Bin and Gabriel Arias; who allegedly carried firearms into the home; and Steven Touch and Sophan Keo, who allegedly provided transportation to and from the scene of the crime.
While awaiting trial, Adam Bradley repeatedly wrote letters and made telephone calls from jail asking known gang associates and acquaintances to have the prosecution’s cooperating witness killed to prevent the witness from testifying against him at trial.
The Commonwealth alleges that Bradley, Bin, Arias, Touch and Keo were all members or associates of the Bloods organization based in Lynn, Massachusetts.
Jason Estabrook, 34, of Lynn, was convicted by a Middlesex Superior Court Jury of first degree murder, home invasion and attempted armed robbery in June of 2016. He was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.
Peter Bin, 30, of Peabody, was convicted by a Middlesex Superior Court Jury of first degree murder, home invasion and attempted armed robbery in December of 2014. He was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.
Gabriel Arias, 25, of Lynn, was convicted in December of 2014 of willfully misleading a police investigation in connection with this case, and was sentenced to five to seven years in state prison.
In June of 2017, after new evidence was uncovered by investigators, a Middlesex County Grand Jury indicted Sophan Keo, 29, of Beverly, Gabriel Arias, 25, of Lynn, and Steven Touch, 28, of Lynn, in connection the death of Quintin Kohler. The defendants are each charged with murder in the first degree, home invasion, attempt to commit armed robbery and two counts of conspiracy.
Both Sophan Keo and Gabriel Arias have been arraigned and ordered held without bail in connection with the homicide.
Police are actively seeking the third defendant, Steven Touch, an alleged leader of the Young Bloods, a violent street gang operating in and around Lynn, Massachusetts. The FBI is offering a monetary reward of up to $10,000 for information leading his arrest. Touch is considered extremely dangerous and members of the public should not attempt to approach him.
Touch is a 28-year-old Cambodian male who is a legal U.S. citizen, with black hair, brown eyes and a goatee. He is 5’7” in height and weighs approximately 220 pounds. He last resided at 108 Empire Street, Lynn, Massachusetts.
Touch has six tattoos; the word “Blood” on his right upper arm, the word “Mayhem” on his right neck, a baby footprint on his right neck, the letter “Y” with the word “Young” underneath his right inner forearm, the letter “B” with the word “Blood” underneath, on his left forearm, and the word “Touch” on his left hand.
Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts should call the FBI Boston Division’s North Shore Gang Task Force at 1-857-386-2000. Tips can also be electronically submitted at tips.fbi.gov.
Members of the public with information they believe will be helpful can also contact Massachusetts State Police at 508-820-2121 or Billerica Police at 978-667-1212.
These charges are allegations and Keo, Arias and Touch are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The prosecutors assigned to this case were Special Assistant District Attorney David Solet and Assistant District Attorney Jamie Charles. The Victim Witness Advocate was Meaghan McCarthy, the paralegal was Kristina D’Ambra.
Update 2/16/18 – This incident has been resolved as a misunderstanding. No criminal intent.
