Gloucester man arraigned for attempted murder

SALEM – A Gloucester man who authorities say was involved in an attempted murder of a Peabody man who allegedly owed him money is free after posting $15,000 cash bail following his arraignment.Anthony Polsonetti Jr., 52, of 32 New Way Lane, Gloucester, entered his plea of innocent to eight indictments that include trafficking over 200 grams of Opium, Class A, trafficking over 200 grams of OxyCodone, Class B, as well as extortion, attempting to procure perjury, conspiracy, assault with intent to commit murder and two counts of usury (related to loan sharking), before Salem Superior Court Judge John T. Lu.The judge agreed to set the bail amount proposed by First Assistant District Attorney John T. Dawley and the defense lawyer, Michael Ciofi.On the evening of Feb. 15 his alleged co-conspirator, Christopher Sherry, 40, went to a home at 611 Lowell St. in Peabody to reportedly collect a debt for Polsonetti.At first the victim, Michael Aresco, was able to convince Sherry he had the wrong man.Because Sherry had never seen the victim he left but returned a short time later in search of Aresco after realizing he had been fooled.It was about 6 a.m. the following morning when Sherry allegedly fired 14 rounds into the house with a high-powered semi-automatic assault rifle.State police and local police investigating the incident were led to the home of Polsonetti where they discovered evidence of loan sharking, drug trafficking and extortion.Polsonetti is due back in court on Oct. 14 for a pretrial conference.Sherry, of Beverly, was arraigned last Friday on conspiracy, attempted extortion and assault with intent to murder charges. Bail was set at $20,000 cash and his case continued to Sept. 27 following his innocent plea.They were indicted by an Essex County grand jury last Wednesday afternoon.