Chelsea man charged with assault released on GPS due to Lavallee Protocol
BOSTON, July 9, 2025 – A Chelsea man and woman are facing armed robbery and other charges after attacking a man on the street and stealing his cell phone, Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced.
JOSHUA SULLIVAN, 45, of Chelsea was charged in Chelsea District Court July 1 with two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, receiving stolen property and armed robbery. Judge Stuart Hurowitz ordered Sullivan held on $1,500 bail. Sullivan, who hadn’t posted bail and did not have an attorney due to the bar advocate work stoppage, was ordered released today under the Lavallee Protocol in place in Suffolk and Middlesex counties. His next court date is Friday, July 11 for a status hearing.
EMILY SHEEHAN, 33, of Chelsea was charged with armed robbery. Judge Hurowitz released Sheehan on personal recognizance. Sheehan is due back in court on August 13 for appointment of counsel.
At about 12:12 p.m. on June 30, Chelsea police responded to the area of 180 Crescent Avenue. A 911 caller reported that an unknown male, later identified as Sullivan and female, later identified as Sheehan, had gotten into an altercation with his co-worker.
The caller reported seeing Sullivan using a knife to cut down posters bearing photos of him taken by surveillance cameras in local businesses. When confronted, Sullivan brandished a switchblade and swung it at the victim. The victim dodged the knife. The victim said he punched Sullivan in the face in self-defense and then chased him down the street.
The caller told officers that Sullivan and Sheehan fled toward Dudley Street. The caller also handed officers a brown wallet that fell out of Sullivan’s pocket during the altercation. Officers observed a Mass ID which belonged to the caller’s boss.
The victim and Sullivan engaged in a second altercation during which Sullivan stabbed the victim in the back.
During the second altercation, Sheehan ran up to the victim, reached into his back pocket and stole his cellphone.
As officers drove down Dudley Street, multiple civilians in the area pointed toward Webster and Spencer avenues and yelled “they’re over there!”
Officers observed a minor cut on the victim’s back. The victim declined any medical attention.
Officers recovered a brown switchblade in Sullivan’s right pocket.
Sullivan has two pending shoplifting cases out of Dorchester BMC.
“Thanks to the 911 caller and a quick police response these defendants were taken into custody to answer for their dangerous actions on a busy street in the middle of the day. I’m grateful that no one was seriously hurt in this situation,” Hayden said.
All charged individuals are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden’s office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 20,000 cases a year. More than 160 attorneys in the office practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Boston Juvenile Courts. The office employs some 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs to serve anyone who comes in contact with the criminal justice system. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, our commitment to crime prevention, and our dedication to keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe.
James Borghesani, Chief of Communications