Cambridge man pleads not guilty to alleged false 911 calls reporting homicide

James J. Saia, 65, of Cambridge, pleaded not guilty to a charge of false or silent 911 call subsequent offense and a charge of a false crime report.

On April 18 at 10:19 a.m., three officers responded to Briarwood Road where a caller, identified as Saia, said there was a homicide. According to the police report, the officers confirmed that, as suspected, the address Saia gave for the homicide did not exist. Saia had two prior incidents of calling in false reports to the Waltham Police Department in recent weeks. According to the police report, police investigated all calls and were satisfied that a homicide hadn’t occurred.

The Saia family has a residence on a connecting road nearby. Police spoke with Saia’s brother, who said he spoke to Saia two days beforehand and that Saia lived in Cambridge. On April 27, Saia was arraigned in court, where he entered a plea of not guilty on all charges.

Judge Ellen M. Caulo released Saia on personal recognizance. The Commonwealth filed to revoke the order of pretrial release and issue an order of pretrial detention, but the motion was denied. A mental health evaluation with a recommended treatment plan was ordered; Saia must report to the Cambridge probation office once a week. A pretrial hearing for Saia’s case is set for May 26.

Additional court action

Liana C. Alonge, 41, of Waltham, pleaded not guilty on April 27 to one charge of possession of a class B drug. Caulo released Alonge on personal recognizance and a pretrial hearing for her case is scheduled for May 27.

Charles F. Ogua, 36, of Waltham, pleaded not guilty on April 24 to one charge of cocaine trafficking in 18 grams or more and less than 36 grams as well as one charge of possession to distribute a class B drug. He is being held at Middlesex County Jail and will face a pretrial hearing May 22.

Jhoan E. Contreras, 21, of Waltham, pleaded not guilty on April 21 to one charge of assault on a family or household member and one charge of breaking and entering for misdemeanor. Caulo released Contreras on personal recognizance. A pretrial hearing for his case is scheduled for June 3.

Hebert A. Ryan, 64, of Waltham, pleaded not guilty on April 27 to a charge of assault and battery on a family or household member. Caulo released Ryan on personal recognizance. A pretrial hearing for his case is scheduled for May 19.