DA: Dorchester man who has pursued life of violent crime gets arrested again

A Dorchester man with a criminal record dating to at least 1981 was arraigned this week on weapons and drug charges after he was arrested by Boston Police officers executing a search warrant at his home.

Arnold Woodrum, 56, was arraigned of charges of unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, possession with intent to distribute a Class B substance as a subsequent offense and being a Level 3 armed career criminal - which will elevate his sentences on the other charges should he be convicted.

Dorchester Municipal Court Judge Judge Jonathan Tynes set bail at $25,000, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney's office, which had requested bail of $75,000.

According to the DA's office, Woodrum:

Was convicted of possession with intent to distribute a Class B substance in 1990, 1998, 2007, and 2010; cocaine distribution in 2004; assault and battery with a dangerous weapon in 1981 and 2004; and rape and abuse of a child in 1998.

The DA's office describes the raid on his apartment last Thursday.

As part of an investigation into suspected drug activity at Woodrum’s 15 Abbot Street apartment, Boston Police and Suffolk County Sheriff’s deputies executed a search warrant of the residence on Thursday. Officers located Woodrum in a bedroom inside the apartment. Upon seeing police, Woodrum allegedly placed his left hand in his pocket and refused repeated orders to remove it. Once officers were able to remove Woodrum's hand, they discovered three rocks of crack cocaine and $1956 in cash. A search of the bedroom where police encountered Woodrum revealed a second plastic bag of crack cocaine and a Kel-Tec PF-9 9mm handgun with seven live rounds in the magazine, prosecutors said.

Innocent, etc.