District of Connecticut
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Wethersfield Man Admits Participating in Multiple Swatting IncidentsRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MATTHEW TOLLIS, 22, of Wethersfield, pleaded guilty today in New Haven federal court to participating in a series of “swatting” incidents that occurred in Connecticut and other states in 2014.
“Swatting” is the making of a hoax call to any emergency service to elicit an emergency response based on the false report of an ongoing critical incident. Incidents typically produce the deployment of SWAT units, bomb squads, and other police units, as well as the evacuations of schools, businesses and residences.
“Swatting incidents have wasted millions of dollars in law enforcement resources and have caused emotional distress for numerous victims,” stated U.S. Attorney Daly. “This is not a game. We are committed to exposing individuals responsible for these threats and prosecuting them to the full extent of the law.”
According to court documents and statements made in court, TOLLIS was a member of a group primarily consisting of Microsoft X-Box gamers who referred to themselves as “TCOD” (TeAM CrucifiX or Die). TOLLIS and his TCOD associates used the Internet communication service Skype to make hoax threats involving bombs, hostage taking, firearms, and mass murder. TOLLIS was identified as a participant in at least six of these swatting incidents, including a bomb threat to the UConn’s Admissions Department on April 3, 2014. This hoax call resulted in a three-hour, campus-wide lockdown and required the UConn Police and the Connecticut State Police’s Bomb Squad, Emergency Services Unit and SWAT teams to respond.
TOLLIS also participated in TCOD swatting calls to the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, Boston University, two high schools in New Jersey and a high school in Texas. In pleading guilty, TOLLIS admitted that he identified potential institutions, including UConn and Boston University, for TCOD members to make the threatening calls, and gathered telephone numbers and other information about the targeted institutions.
The investigation revealed that one of the founders of TCOD, a resident of Scotland who has identified himself as “Verified,” was responsible for at least five additional swatting incidents in Connecticut and Massachusetts in 2014. Other members of TCOD also reside in the U.K., and the FBI continues to coordinate its investigation with law enforcement authorities in the U.K.
TOLLIS was arrested on September 3, 2014, on state charges stemming from the UConn swatting incident, and he was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on September 10, 2014. He is currently released on a $100,000 bond.
Today, TOLLIS waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty to conspiring to engage in the malicious conveying of false information, namely a bomb threat hoax, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years. He is scheduled to be sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall on September 15, 2015.
This matter is being investigated by the FBI’s New Haven, Newark and Boston field offices, the UConn Police Department, the Connecticut Intelligence Center, the Willimantic Police Department, the Monroe Police Department, the Harvard University Police Department, the Boston University Police Department, the Newton (Mass.) Police Department, the Cambridge (Mass.) Police Department and other state and local law enforcement agencies.
U.S. Attorney Daly also acknowledged the critical assistance being provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Krishna R. Patel and Stephen B. Reynolds.
Hartford Man Sentenced to Prison for Crack Cocaine Trafficking OffenseRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JAMIE COLEMAN, also known as “City,” 24, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Alker Meyer in Bridgeport to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by one year of supervised release, for his role in a crack cocaine trafficking ring.
According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from a year-long joint law enforcement investigation headed by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force into narcotics trafficking by members and associates of West Hell street gang, and gang-related violent activity. The investigation, which included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of narcotics and physical surveillance, identified Melkuan Scott, also known as “Young God,” “Mel,” “Young” and “YG,” 24, as the leader of the West Hell street gang who, along with his associates, distributed crack cocaine in the Westland Street area of Hartford.
Scott regularly supplied COLEMAN with crack cocaine, which COLEMAN sold to his own customers.
Twenty-five individuals were charged as a result of the investigation, and 24 defendants have been convicted on charges in the indictment or related charges. One defendant was shot and killed while his case was pending.
On December 2, 2014, COLEMAN pleaded guilty to one count of using a telephone to facilitate a narcotics trafficking offense.
Scott has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.
This matter has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Marshals Service and Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division. The FBI Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction. The Hartford Police Department’s Vice and Narcotics Squad, Major Crimes Unit and Shooting Task Force are providing valuable assistance to the investigation, and the Capitol Region Emergency Response Team (CREST) assisted with the arrest of certain defendants. The Office of the Chief State’s Attorney is also assisting with this ongoing investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John H. Durham and Peter S. Jongbloed.
Bridgeport Man Sentenced to 22 Years in Federal Prison for MurderRead the Press Release
JOHNNIE JEFFERSON, also known as “Jeezy,” 24, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 264 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for his involvement in the October 2012 murder of Dawayne Cobb in Bridgeport.
According to court documents and statements made in court, JEFFERSON and Trumaine Hearst devised a plan to rob Dawayne Cobb of marijuana. On October 10, 2012, JEFFERSON and Hearst drove to the vicinity of 220 Sunshine Circle to meet Cobb and robbed from him at gunpoint a jar containing approximately two ounces of marijuana. Although Cobb offered no resistance, Hearst shot him twice. JEFFERSON and Hearst transported the stolen marijuana to a Bridgeport residence and subsequently distributed it amongst themselves and others.
Later that day, Cobb was discovered in the driver seat of his idling vehicle. He had gunshot wounds in his shoulder and abdomen.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office remains committed to addressing violence in the inner city whenever and wherever it appears,” stated U.S. Attorney Deirdre M. Daly. “We stand shoulder to shoulder with local police departments and the FBI in prioritizing those responsible for gun violence. Our hearts go out to the family of Dawayne Cobb for their tragic loss. This young man was struck down in the prime of his life over a small amount of marijuana. This sentence makes clear that defendants responsible for such lawless cruelty will be held accountable.”
“Today’s sentencing serves to warn those engaged in violent criminal activity that the Safe Streets Task Force is committed to bringing violent offenders to justice,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Patricia M. Ferrick. “We have zero tolerance for gun violence, and we will continue to work side by side with our law enforcement partners so that tragedies like this will one day become obsolete.”
“Today sends a clear message that gun violence won’t ever be tolerated in Bridgeport, and the people who commit it will face the consequences,” stated Bridgeport Police Chief Joseph L. Gaudett, Jr. “Our detectives did outstanding work in this case to bring justice to Mr. Cobb’s family and work closely with both state and federal prosecutors to ensure that criminals are held accountable to the highest level when they commit gun violence in our city. We owe that and more to the kids and families who live, work and play in Bridgeport every day.”
On November 3, 2014, JEFFERSON pleaded guilty to one count of causing the death of Dawayne Cobb through the use of a firearm.
Hearst pleaded guilty to the same charge on November 10, 2014. On May 19, 2015, he was sentenced to 28 years of imprisonment.
JEFFERSON and Hearst have been detained since July 16, 2013.
U.S. Attorney Daly noted that federal prisoners are required to serve at least 85 percent of their sentenced term of imprisonment and are not eligible for parole.
This matter was investigated by Bridgeport Police Department and the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tracy Dayton and Rahul Kale.
APRN Admits Receiving Kickbacks from Drug Company for Prescribing Pain MedicationRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that HEATHER ALFONSO, 42, of Middlebury, waived her right to indictment and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to receiving kickbacks in relation to a federal healthcare program.
According to court documents and statements made in court, ALFONSO was employed as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) at Comprehensive Pain and Headache Treatment Center (CPHTC) located in Derby. As part of her practice, ALFONSO prescribed various controlled substances to clients of the treatment center.
The investigation revealed that ALFONSO was a heavy prescriber of a drug that is used to treat cancer pain. A review of Medicare Part D prescription drug events for prescribers of the drug showed that ALFONSO was responsible for more than $1 million in claims and was the highest prescriber of the drug in Connecticut. Interviews with several of ALFONSO’s patients, who are Medicare Part D beneficiaries and who were prescribed the drug, revealed that most of them did not have cancer, but were taking the drug to treat their chronic pain. Medicare and most private insurers will not pay for the drug unless the patient has an active cancer diagnosis and an explanation that the drug is needed to manage the patient’s cancer pain.
The investigation further revealed that the manufacturer of the drug paid ALFONSO as a speaker for more than 70 dinner programs at a rate of approximately $1,000 per event. In many instances, the dinner programs were only attended by ALFONSO and a sales representative for the drug manufacturer. In other instances, the programs were attended by individuals, including office staff and friends, who did not have licenses to prescribe controlled substances. For the majority of these dinner programs, ALFONSO did not give any kind of presentation about the drug at all.
From January 2013 until March 2015, ALFONSO was paid $83,000 by the drug manufacturer. In pleading guilty, ALFONSO admitted that the money she was paid influenced her prescribing of the drug.
The charge of receipt of kickbacks in relation to a federal healthcare program carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years and a fine of up to $250,000. Judge Shea scheduled sentencing for September 17, 2015.
U.S. Attorney Daly stated that the investigation is ongoing.
This investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Diversion Squad. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Douglas P. Morabito and Richard M. Molot
U.S. Attorney Daly encouraged individuals who suspect health care fraud to report it by calling the Health Care Fraud Task Force (203) 785-9270 or 1-800-HHS-TIPS.
Stamford Man Sentenced to 4 Years in Prison for Illegal Gun Possession, Violating Supervised ReleaseRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that on June 19, 2015, FRANK GREEN, SR., 50, of Stamford, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to 48 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm, and for violating the terms and conditions of his supervised release from a prior federal conviction. GREEN pleaded guilty on March 24, 2015.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in August and September 2013, Stamford Police made two controlled purchases of purported cocaine from GREEN in the vicinity of a home on Amelia Place where GREEN had been residing. On October 4, 2013, police executed a search warrant at the home and seized from GREEN’s bedroom three small baggies of cocaine, a scale, packaging material, a cutting agent and a loaded .38 caliber revolver.
GREEN’s criminal history includes several state felony convictions and a federal narcotics felony conviction. In June 2011, GREEN was sentenced by Judge Chatigny to 39 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his role in a cocaine distribution conspiracy. He was released from federal prison in April 2013.
On Friday, Judge Chatigny sentenced GREEN to 37 months of imprisonment for illegally possessing the firearm and a consecutive 11-month prison term for the supervised release violation.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Stamford Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert M. Spector.
New Haven Man Admits Illegal Gun PossessionRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that SHAWN HILL, 31, of New Haven, pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The jury in the case had been picked and HILL’s trial was scheduled to begin this morning.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 12, 2012, ATF agents and New Haven Police officers executed a search warrant at a residence on Norton Street in New Haven where HILL had been residing. As New Haven SWAT team members forced entry into the second floor apartment, HILL discarded a fully-loaded Sig Sauer, P229, .40 caliber pistol through a window in a bedroom where a 9-year-old child was sleeping. The pistol was quickly recovered by law enforcement and HILL was arrested.
The firearm had been reported as stolen from Wilmington, North Carolina.
HILL’s criminal history includes several felony convictions. It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.
HILL is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny on September 14, 2015, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.
HILL has been detained since his arrest.
This matter has been investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the New Haven Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John H. Durham.
East Hartford Man Sentenced to More Than 5 Years in Federal Prison for Role in Narcotics Trafficking RingRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JAMES BROWN, also known as “Decky,” 25, of East Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 66 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for his role in a narcotics trafficking ring.
This matter stems from a joint law enforcement investigation headed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) into a narcotics trafficking operation headed by Luther Nance, also known as “Papers” and “Cash.” The investigation, which included numerous controlled purchases of narcotics and physical surveillance, revealed that Nance and his associates sold crack cocaine and heroin in several communities throughout Connecticut utilizing multiple bases of operation, including a house on Carroll Road in East Hartford, the Sheldon Oaks housing complex in Hartford and an apartment on Valley Street in Willimantic.
According to court documents and statements made in court, BROWN received wholesale quantities of crack cocaine from Nance and other members of the conspiracy and supplied the drug in smaller quantities to dealers and customers. At times, BROWN converted, or “cooked,” cocaine into crack cocaine. The investigation revealed that BROWN and other members of his crew possessed firearms in association with their narcotics trafficking activities.
On June 27, 2013, a federal grand jury returned a 51-count superseding indictment charging BROWN, Nance and 13 other individuals with narcotics conspiracy and related offenses.
On August 19, 2014, BROWN pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack cocaine”).
BROWN has been detained in state custody since January 2013 and is serving a state sentence of four years of incarceration and six years of special parole for sale of narcotics. The federal sentence imposed today will run concurrently with the remainder of BROWN’s state sentence.
On March 7, 2014, Nance pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base, and one count of conspiracy to engage in money laundering. He is detained while awaiting sentencing.
This matter is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney, the State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Hartford, and the Hartford, Willimantic, East Hartford, Enfield and Middletown Police Departments.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey M. Stone.
Bridgeport Man Charged with Illegal Gun PossessionRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury in Bridgeport returned an indictment yesterday charging LORENZO CARTER, 20, of Bridgeport, with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
The indictment alleges that, on April 8, 2015, CARTER possessed a .22 caliber handgun.
Prior to April 2015, it is alleged that CARTER had sustained felony convictions for carrying a pistol without a permit and illegally receiving a pistol. It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.
If convicted, CARTER faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.
CARTER has been detained in state custody since his arrest on April 8, 2015.
U.S. Attorney Daly stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force and the Bridgeport Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Laraia.
Ridgefield Doctor Pays $218,633 to Settle Allegations under the False Claims ActRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that EDWARD BERMAN, MD, a physician with a practice in Ridgefield, has entered into a civil settlement with the government in which he will pay $218,633 to resolve allegations that BERMAN violated the False Claims Act.
U.S. Attorney Daly explained that the allegations against BERMAN involve fraudulent billing to Medicare for subsequent skilled nursing facility (“SNF”) services. The government alleges that BERMAN submitted claims to Medicare for SNF services that were not performed in accordance with Medicare requirements. Specifically, the government alleges that BERMAN “upcoded” certain services, submitting claims to Medicare by using a higher-paying billing code when services with lower-paying billing codes were actually provided.
To resolve his liability under the False Claims Act, BERMAN will pay $218,633, in order to reimburse the Medicare programs for conduct occurring during the time period January 1, 2008, through March 4, 2014.
“Health care providers that overcharge Medicare drain critical funds from the Medicare program and increase health care costs,” U.S. Attorney Daly stated. “The U.S. Attorney’s office is committed to vigorously pursuing physicians and other health care providers who submit fraudulent claims to federal health care programs. Providers who submit false claims to the government face serious monetary and administrative sanctions.”
Under the False Claims Act, the government can recover up to three times its actual damages, plus penalties of $5,500 to $11,000 for each false claim.
This case was investigated by the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne F. Thidemann with the assistance of Auditor Kevin A. Saunders.
In entering into the settlement agreement, BERMAN did not admit liability.
U.S. Attorney Daly encouraged individuals who suspect health care fraud to report it by calling the Health Care Fraud Task Force (203) 785-9270 or 1-800-HHS-TIPS.
Norwalk Man Charged with Orchestrating Investment Fraud ScamRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JAMES E. NEILSEN, 55, of Norwalk, was arrested today on a criminal complaint charging him with defrauding individual investors out of more than $400,000.
Following his arrest, NEILSEN appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge William I. Garfinkel in Bridgeport and was ordered detained.
According to statements made in court, it is alleged that NEILSEN defrauded three individuals by convincing them to invest their money with him. Instead of investing funds as promised, NEILSEN used the money to pay other investors and to make various personal expenditures.
The complaint charges NEILSEN with wire fraud, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
U.S. Attorney Daly stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with valuable assistance from the Greenwich Police Department and the Connecticut Department of Banking.
Citizens with information that may be helpful to this investigation are encouraged to contact the FBI at (203) 333-3512.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David T. Huang.
Bridgeport Man Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison for Role in Drug Robbery SchemeRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that HUMBERTO SOTO, 27, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Alker Meyer in Bridgeport to 84 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for planning to conduct an armed robbery of narcotics stash house.
This matter stems from “Operation Samson,” an initiative headed by the ATF and the Bridgeport and New Haven Police Departments that targeted violent criminals, illegal firearm possession and firearm trafficking. In the spring of 2014, approximately 40 ATF special agents and personnel from Connecticut and across the country were deployed with New Haven and Bridgeport Police to conduct numerous covert operations.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in March 2014, the ATF began an investigation into Carlos “Camby” Colon and Carlos “Joel” Colon, who were known narcotics and firearm traffickers in Bridgeport. Law enforcement also had received information that Joel Colon was interested committing an armed robbery of a drug dealer. During the investigation, which employed the use of an ATF agent working in an undercover capacity, the Colons recruited SOTO and others to commit an armed robbery of what they believed to be a narcotics stash house of 15 kilograms of cocaine. In recorded conversations, SOTO agreed to secure a firearm for the robbery and stated that any occupants of the house who brandished a weapon would be shot. SOTO also stated that all of the participants must be dressed in black, not have cellular telephones and wear gloves, and suggested that they should create fictitious tattoos in order to avoid identification.
On April 11, 2014, SOTO, the Colons, Markus Mendez, Nelson Diaz, Trevor Pierce and Hiram “Gringo” Mojica gathered at a location in Stamford where they believed they would be informed of the address of the narcotics stash house, and would then travel to the stash house to conduct the robbery. All seven were arrested at that time. A search of the center console of the vehicle that SOTO and Mendez drove to the meet location revealed a loaded and cocked Ruger 9mm pistol. A search of the car that Diaz, Pierce and Mojica drove to the location also revealed a loaded .40 caliber pistol.
SOTO has been detained since his arrest. On March 2, 2015, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery and one count of use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Camby Colon, Joel Colon, Mendez, Diaz, Pierce and Mojica have pleaded guilty and await sentencing.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Vanessa Richards.
More Than Two Dozen Charged after FBI Task Force Investigation into Hartford Drug and Gun TraffickingRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Patricia M. Ferrick, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Hartford Police Chief James C. Rovella, today announced that 29 individuals have been charged with federal offenses stemming from the gang-related distribution of heroin and crack cocaine in Hartford’s South End.
According to allegations made in court, in September 2014, the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force initiated an investigation into narcotics distribution, firearms trafficking and acts of violence carried out by members and associates Los Solidos in Hartford’s South End. The investigation has included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of heroin, crack cocaine and firearms, and the execution of more than 15 searches. These law enforcement efforts have resulted in the seizure of 24 firearms, approximately $74,000, two kilograms of crack cocaine, two kilograms of powder cocaine, one kilogram of heroin, 7000 bags of packaged heroin, 10 pounds of marijuana and four vehicles.
This prosecution stems from Project Longevity, a comprehensive initiative to reduce gun violence in Connecticut’s major cities. Through Project Longevity, community members and law enforcement directly engage with members of groups that are prone to commit violence. A critical component of the Project Longevity strategy is the “call-in,” a face-to-face meeting where Project Longevity partners engage group members and deliver a community message against violence, a law enforcement message about the consequences of further violence and an offer of help for those who want it. Members of Los Solidos attended call-ins that were held in April 2014 and August 2014.
Last week, a grand jury in Hartford returned eight indictments charging 28 individuals. Twenty-four of the defendants were arrested yesterday, two defendants were already incarcerated, and two defendants are still being sought by law enforcement. One additional individual was charged by criminal complaint after being arrested during the course of yesterday’s operation.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners will use the full weight of federal law to make our cities safer by identifying violent gangs and prosecuting members and associates involved in drug trafficking and related activity,” stated U.S. Attorney Daly. This investigation removed two dozen firearms from the street. “I commend the work of the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force, which is committed to investigating serious criminal behavior in Hartford and rooting out violent individuals from our communities. Project Longevity exists to give every member of a group participating in criminal behavior a new path to become a contributing member of society. This prosecution should send a clear message to those who choose to resist a lifestyle change that the path they’re currently taking may very well lead to a federal courtroom.”
“The distribution of narcotics allegedly undertaken by members and associates of the Los Solidos street gang has been seriously disrupted as a result of this successful long-term investigation by the Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Ferrick. “It is our hope that our continuing investigations will break the stronghold certain gangs believe they have over Hartford neighborhoods.”
“This operation, which embedded Hartford Police Department patrol officers and detectives with our federal partners for several months, is an example of our strong relationships and continued cooperation with all of our local, state and federal partners,” stated Hartford Police Chief Rovella. “We continue to support these efforts and relationships to cooperatively enhance a safer city.”
The following individuals are charged in an indictment with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin:
MELVIN CASTRO, a.k.a. “Humacoa,” 22, of Hartford
LUIS CASTRO, a.k.a. “Cano,” 43, of Hartford
FRANCISCO SANCHEZ-REYES, a.k.a. “Chino,” 37, of Hartford
HERNAN GONZALEZ, 26, of Hartford
MANUEL LOZADO, a.k.a. “Mayo,” 25, of HartfordThis indictment also charges MELVIN CASTRO with 12 counts and GONZALEZ and LOZADO each with one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin. The indictment further charges MELVIN CASTRO with three counts of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon, and WILLIAM MARRERO, 22, of East Hartford, with one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.
The following individuals are charged in a separate indictment:
FELIX JIMENEZ, a.k.a. “P.R.,” 30, of Hartford
ROGELIO ORTEGA, 45, of Manchester
SANDRO RUIZ, a.k.a. “Domi” 41, of Hartford
RICHARD CRUZ, a.k.a. “Gotti,” 25, of Windsor Locks
JOANNA NEGRON, 36, of HartfordJIMENEZ and ORTEGA are charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base (“crack cocaine”). JIMENEZ is also charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of heroin, one count of use of telephone in the commission of a drug trafficking felony, and two counts of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon. CRUZ is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin, one count of use of telephone in the commission of a drug trafficking felony and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes. RUIZ and NEGRON are each charged with one count of use of telephone in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
The following individuals are charged in an indictment with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base:
VINCENTE RIVERA, a.k.a. “Macho,” 35, of Hartford
BASILIA GOMEZ, 30, of Hartford
JORGE GOMEZ, a.k.a. “Joe,” 29, of Hartford
PEDRO ROMAN, a.k.a. “Tony,” 38, of HartfordThis indictment also charges RIVERA with 11 counts of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, cocaine base, and one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon. In addition, the indictment charges WILLIAM PEREZ, a.k.a. “Jay,” 30, of East Hartford, with one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon, and EDWARD BLAIR, 33, of Hartford, MORRIS LANIER, 23, of Hartford, and NAHKIA ROBERTS, 30, of Willimantic, each with one count of use of a telephone in the commission of a drug trafficking felony.
Another indictment charges EDUARDO ZAYAS, a.k.a. “Za,” 31, of East Hartford, and MICHAEL KELLEY, 34, of New Britain, with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base. ZAYAS is also charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, possession with intent to distribute heroin, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes, and possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon. KELLEY is also charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (two counts), possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, and maintaining a drug-involved premises.
This indictment also charges SHAWN KARJOHN, 37, of Hartford, RICHARD JEWELL, 40, of Hartford and CHRISTOPHER ROSA, 32, of Hartford, with use of telephone in the commission of a drug trafficking felony. KARJOHN is also charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine base.
Charged in four separate indictments are:
EDGARDO TORRES, a.k.a. “Eggy,” 36, of East Hartford, with 14 counts of possessing with intent to distribute, and distribution, of heroin and crack cocaine.
JOSE SERRANO, 30, of Hartford, with one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.
ERIC ORTIZ, a.k.a. “Nice,” 34, of Hartford, with four counts of possession with intent to distribute heroin.
MIGUEL DIAZ, a.k.a. “Smooth,” 35, of Wethersfield, with two counts of possession with intent to distribute heroin, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.
CARLOS RIVERA, 24, of Hartford, was arrested on a criminal complaint charging him with possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon and possession with intent to distribute heroin and crack cocaine.
U.S. Attorney Daly stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force. The FBI Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction. The Hartford Police Department’s Vice and Narcotics Squad, Major Crimes Unit, Shooting Task Force and South Conditions Unit are providing valuable assistance to the investigation, and the U.S. Marshals Service and Capitol Region Emergency Response Team (CREST) assisted with the arrests.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael J. Gustafson and Gabriel J. Vidoni.
Bridgeport Restaurant Owner Sentenced to Prison for Filing False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MARIA PINHEIRO, 58, of Trumbull, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to two months of imprisonment, followed by one year of supervised release, for filing false tax returns. Chief Judge Hall also ordered PINHEIRO to perform 100 hours of community service.
According to court documents and statements made in court, PINHEIRO owns and operates the Dolphin’s Cove Marina (“DCM”), a seafood restaurant in Bridgeport. From 2007 through 2009, PINHEIRO was the sole shareholder and bookkeeper for DCM, and she handled all of the DCM finances. Instead of depositing all of the cash receipts from DCM into the DCM business checking account, PINHEIRO deposited substantial amounts of cash from the business into her personal checking account. She then failed to provide her personal bank records to the firms that prepared the federal income tax returns for her and DCM.
Between 2007 and 2009, PINHEIRO deposited $352,437 in cash that DCM received into her personal bank account. Some of deposits were structured in amounts of less than $10,001 in order to evade her bank’s currency transaction reporting requirements. PINHEIRO caused the filing of false personal and corporate tax returns, resulting in a tax loss of $92,251.
On March 25, 2015, PINHEIRO pleaded guilty to one count of filing a false tax return. As part of her plea agreement, PINHEIRO agreed to pay back taxes, interest and penalties in the total amount of $243,956.98, which she paid in full today.
This matter was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah P. Karwan.
New York Woman Who Assisted Ponzi Schemer is SentencedRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that CHRISTINE HERNANDEZ, 43, of Yonkers, N.Y., was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to three years of probation for assisting Michael Goldberg’s decade-long Ponzi scheme.
According to court documents and statements made in court, for more than a decade, Michael Goldberg, a resident of Connecticut, ran a Ponzi scheme that took in more than $100 million from investors. The vast majority of Goldberg’s fraud involved his solicitation of individuals and organizations to invest money in the purchase of distressed assets from JP Morgan Chase Bank (“Chase”). Goldberg falsely represented to potential investors in these “Chase asset deals” that Chase had granted him a contractual right to purchase foreclosed and seized business assets from a Chase Foreclosure Manifest, which he would then resell in prearranged transactions to large, well-known corporations. Goldberg represented that his purchase and resale of these foreclosed assets would enable him to pay investors a return on capital of up to 20 percent in a short period of time, typically 90 days. In addition, Goldberg represented that Chase would refund the purchase price of any asset that could not be resold, and that therefore there was no risk to the investor that any principal investment would be lost. In fact, Goldberg had no relationship with either Chase or with the supposed purchasers of the distressed assets, and the “Chase asset deals” did not exist.
Goldberg paid investors with funds received from new investors. When his scheme was revealed, Goldberg had defrauded investors out of more than $30 million.
In 2008 and 2009, HERNANDEZ assisted Goldberg in concealing aspects of his scheme by posing as a Chase employee on three occasions at a bank branch in New York City, and also on at least one conference call, in order to confirm to investors Goldberg’s relationship with Chase so that those investors would continue to place money with Goldberg. HERNANDEZ also participated in investor phone calls under her own name and claimed to be a Chase contractor checking inventory that would be available to Goldberg’s supposed corporate “customers.”
HERNANDEZ was unaware that the Chase asset deals did not exist, but believed that she was helping to prevent investors from going directly to Chase, thereby cutting Goldberg out of the purported asset deals.
On March 23, 2015, HERNANDEZ waived her right to indictment and pleaded guilty to one count of misprision of a felony.
On September 13, 2010, Goldberg pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud. On May 16, 2011, he was sentenced to 120 months of imprisonment and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $31,023,035.40.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David E. Novick.
New London Cocaine Trafficker Sentenced to More Than 7 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that PEDRO GIL RIVERA ORTIZ, known as “Gil,” 50, of New London, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 87 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for importing and distributing cocaine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in early 2012, Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), the U.S. Secret Service and the New London Police Department initiated an investigation to combat the large-scale trafficking of heroin and cocaine from the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico into and around southeastern Connecticut. The investigation revealed that certain members of the conspiracy coordinated the shipment of heroin, and sometimes cocaine, via human couriers from the Dominican Republic to the United States. Other members of the conspiracy obtained kilogram-quantities of cocaine in Puerto Rico and then mailed the drug to locations in and around New London where it was sold to distributors and customers. Narcotics were also obtained from sources in New York City and Rhode Island.
More than 100 individuals were charged with federal and state offenses as a result of this investigation.
The investigation revealed that RIVERA ORTIZ conspired with his nephew, Juan G. Cheverez, known as “Guinchi,” and Juan Hernandez, known as “Johnny,” to receive kilogram-quantities of cocaine in the mail from Axel Matta Figueroa, known as “Joelito,” in Puerto Rico, and then distributed the drug in southeastern Connecticut. Between November 2012 and through April 2013, Cheverez, Hernandez and RIVERA ORTIZ routinely traveled to Puerto Rico to meet with Matta Figueroa to purchase cocaine. The conspirators often packaged the cocaine at “Gil’s house,” a property in Baharona, Morovis owned by RIVERA ORTIZ, and then mailed the cocaine to locations in the U.S.
RIVERA ORTIZ has been detained since his arrest on April 3, 2013. On November 25, 2014, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.
Cheverez, Hernandez and Matta Figueroa also pleaded guilty. On February 18, 2015, Cheverez was sentenced to 77 months of imprisonment and, on November 20, 2014, Matta Figueroa was sentenced to 66 months of imprisonment. Hernandez awaits sentencing.
This matter is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations; U.S. Secret Service; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Air and Marine; Connecticut State Police; New London Police Department, Norwich Police Department, Waterford Police Department, Groton Town Police Department, East Lyme Police Department and Putnam Police Department. The United States Marshals Service; ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations; Drug Enforcement Administration; HSI Assistant Attaché, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; HSI Arecibo, Puerto Rico Resident Office; Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation; Connecticut Department of Correction, Parole and Community Services; and the Groton City, Willimantic, New Haven and Bristol Police Departments have provided valuable assistance to the investigation.
The federal case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah P. Karwan, Alina P. Reynolds and Henry K. Kopel. The state cases are being prosecuted by the State’s Attorney for the New London Judicial District and Senior Assistant State’s Attorneys Paul Narducci and Stephen Carney.
New Haven Man Sentenced to 4 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Crack CocaineRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that THOMAS CARR, also known as “Tommy Love,” 27, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 48 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing crack cocaine. CARR also was ordered to perform 100 hours of community service.
CARR is one of more than 100 individuals charged as a result of “Operation Bloodline,” a joint law enforcement investigation targeting narcotics trafficking and gang violence in the Dwight-Kensington and Fair Haven sections of New Haven. Led by the DEA New Haven Task Force and the New Haven and Hamden Police Departments, the year-long investigation included the use of court-authorized wiretaps on numerous telephones, extensive physical surveillance, controlled purchases of narcotics, execution of search warrants, and seizures of narcotics and firearms.
According to court documents and statements made in court, the investigation revealed that James Bowman, also known as “Jimmy-Jam,” operated a large-scale cocaine and crack cocaine trafficking operation in the greater New Haven area. CARR ran Bowman’s drug-selling location in the Fair Haven section of New Haven.
CARR was arrested on May 17, 2012. On January 4, 2013, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 280 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack cocaine”). CARR has been detained since April 17, 2014, when his bond was revoked.
Bowman pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.
This matter has been investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, North Haven, Branford, Ansonia and Meriden Police Departments. The United States Marshals Service, the Connecticut State Police, the Connecticut Department of Correction, Parole and Community Services and the Milford, Hartford, New Britain, North Branford and Stratford Police Departments have provided valuable assistance to the investigation.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys S. Dave Vatti and Marc Silverman.
Former Connecticut Resident Admits Operating Investment SchemeRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOSEPH T. MORRIS, 52, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., formerly of Connecticut, pleaded guilty today in Bridgeport federal court to operating an investment scheme that defrauded individuals out of approximately $175,000.
According to court documents and statements made in court, MORRIS and two other individuals formed a company in October 2011 to develop business opportunities in Iraq. The company’s initial focus was on establishing a pizza restaurant at the U.S. Consulate compound in Erbil, Iraq, and establishing a business to distribute and install specialty window film on vehicles and at hotels, residences, and government buildings, which would protect windows and windshields from blast and breakage, and provide heat retention, ultra-violet shielding, and privacy. MORRIS was the company’s in-country manager in Iraq.
In pleading guilty, MORRIS admitted that he made numerous fraudulent representations to his co-founders regarding the restaurant and the window film business, knowing that the representations would be communicated to potential investors to induce them to invest in the company. Through the use of fraudulent emails and photographs, MORRIS falsely represented that a lease had been signed to establish a pizzeria on the U.S. consulate compound in Erbil, that renovations were underway, and that progress was being made toward completing renovations and opening the restaurant. MORRIS also falsely represented that the company had an exclusive arrangement with a specialty window film manufacturer to distribute and install the window film in all of Iraq. Based on these misrepresentations, MORRIS caused approximately a dozen investors, most of whom were U.S. military veterans, to invest approximately $175,000 in the company. Instead of using the money from investors to pay for legitimate business expenses, MORRIS diverted large sums of money for his own personal use.
The scheme was revealed in late April to early May 2012 when one of the co-founders discovered that the company did not have a lease or agreement to open and operate a pizza restaurant at the U.S. consulate compound in Erbil and that the company did not have an exclusive arrangement with a window film manufacturer to distribute and install specialty window film in Iraq.
MORRIS pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer on September 17, 2015.
This matter has been investigated by the U.S. Secret Service, the Wilton Police Department, and the Connecticut Financial Crimes Task Force, which includes federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel.
East Hampton Woman Sentenced to More Than 5 Years in Prison for Real Estate Appraisal SchemeRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ANN HILS, 55, of East Hampton, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 63 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for operating a real estate appraisal scheme.
According to court documents and statements made in court, HILS was not a provisional or certified real estate appraiser in the state of Connecticut at any time. Between approximately December 2006 and March 2008, HILS conspired with her daughter, Brandy Gomez, to obtain more than $47,000 in real estate appraisal fees to which they were not entitled. As part of the scheme, HILS and Gomez knowingly submitted falsified work logs to the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection purporting to show that Gomez, a provisional appraiser, completed dozens of real estate appraisals under the supervision of a certified appraiser when, in fact, Gomez had not performed such work and was not entitled to such appraisal fees.
HILS also used the individual names, certified appraiser license numbers, business names, and, in some instances, signatures, of three certified appraisers without their authorization in dozens of fraudulent real estate appraisals. HILS submitted the appraisals to co-conspirators who used the appraisals in support of obtaining fraudulent mortgages for straw borrowers. The appraisals contributed to more than $2.5 million in actual or intended losses to various mortgage lenders.
HILS was ordered to pay $47,908 in restitution.
On August 22, 2014, HILS pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and bank fraud.
On March 19, 2014, Gomez pleaded guilty to the same charge. On May 5, 2015, she was sentenced to one day of imprisonment and five years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $47,908 in restitution.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division and U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David T. Huang.
Former State Fraud Enforcement Official Pleads Guilty to Federal Fraud ChargeRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LYNWOOD PATRICK, JR., 39, of East Hartford, waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to one count of mail fraud related to his submission of a fraudulent application for a personal mortgage modification.
According to court documents and statements made in court, from approximately October 2012 through May 2013, while he was employed as the Director of Investigations for the State of Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS), Office of Quality Assurance, PATRICK applied for a mortgage modification through JP Morgan Chase under the Making Home Affordable program, a federal initiative designed to assist homeowners who have experienced a decline in income access secure loans at lower rates. The application requested assistance in connection with a property PATRICK owned in East Hartford.
During the application process, PATRICK represented that the East Hartford property was his primary residence and was owner occupied when, in fact, the property was not his primary residence and he did not occupy it. PATRICK also fabricated State of Connecticut paystubs and lied about his assets in order qualify for the program. Specifically, PATRICK claimed total assets of $500 in one checking account to show that he had experienced a loss of income causing a hardship when, in fact, he had thousands of dollars spread out over multiple accounts at several institutions and his rate of pay had not diminished.
The investigation revealed that, in connection with the loan application, PATRICK faxed fraudulent documents to JP Morgan Chase from DSS offices and used a DSS fax coversheet.
In his capacity as the Director of Investigations, PATRICK was responsible for coordinating and conducting activities to prevent, detect and investigate fraud, waste, abuse and overpayments in the Connecticut Medicaid, Care4Kids, Supplemental Nutritional Assistance and Connecticut Energy Assistance Programs. PATRICK’s salary was partially paid for by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which is a federal agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Judge Bolden scheduled sentencing for August 31, 2015, at which time PATRICK faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
PATRICK has been released on a $150,000 bond since his arrest on May 6, 2015.
This matter is being investigated by the Connecticut Public Corruption Task Force, which includes the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher M. Mattei.
Citizens are encouraged to report corruption to the Connecticut Public Corruption Task Force by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).
Three More Charged in Federal Steroid and Prescription Narcotic Distribution InvestigationRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned a superseding indictment charging 11 individuals with steroid and prescription pill distribution offenses. Eight of the individuals charged in the superseding indictment were arrested in April, and three individuals were arrested this morning.
According to allegations contained in court documents and statements made in court, a long-term investigation led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations revealed that former Newtown Police sergeant Steven Santucci was receiving shipments of steroid ingredients from China and manufacturing and distributing wholesale quantities of steroids. The investigation further revealed that other members of the conspiracy were distributing prescription pills, including oxycodone.
Charged in the 12-count superseding indictment are:
STEVEN SANTUCCI, 38, of Waterbury
ALEX KENYHERCZ, 28, of Ansonia
MARK BERTANZA, 33, of Shelton
JASON CHICKOS, 46, of Bridgeport
FRANK PECORA, 53, of Derby
JEFFREY GENTILE, 33, of Ansonia
STEVEN FERNANDES, 54, of Southington
MICHAEL D. MASE, 32, of Sherman
GUIDO VOLPE, 36, of Prospect
JOHN KOCH, 48, of Coventry
LOUIS BORRERO, 52, of Ansonia
SANTUCCI, KENYHERCZ, BERTANZA, CHICKOS, PECORA, GENTILE, FERNANDES and MASE were arrested in late April and were charged by indictment on May 6, 2015. VOLPE, KOCH and BORRERO were arrested today.
The superseding indictment charges all of the defendants with one count of conspiracy to distribute anabolic steroids, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $500,000. SANTUCCI, KENYHERCZ and BERTANZA are also charged with six counts of possession with intent to distribute anabolic steroids, an offense that carries the same statutory penalties.
The superseding indictment also charges KENYHERCZ, BERTANZA, GENTILE, PECORA and BORRERO with one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute oxycodone, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of up to $1 million. PECORA is also charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, oxycodone, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, both of which carry a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of up to $1 million, and with one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.
In addition, SANTUCCI is charged with one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of up to $500,000. This charge stems from SANTUCCI’s alleged use of proceeds of the sale of anabolic steroids to wire payments to foreign sellers of ingredients to make liquid anabolic steroids, and to purchase drug packaging materials from domestic companies.
PECORA is detained while awaiting trial and the other defendants are released on bond.
During the course of the investigation, law enforcement officers seized hundreds of vials of steroids, approximately 600 grams of raw testosterone powder, approximately 350 grams of powder cocaine, and four long guns.
This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rahul Kale and Robert M. Spector.
U.S. Attorney Daly stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Hartford Man Sentenced to 51 Months in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing AmmunitionRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that SETH WATSON, 30, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to 51 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing ammunition.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on July 16, 2012, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) received information from the Hartford Police Department’s Shoot Team regarding five individuals who had purchased ammunition from a sporting goods store in East Hartford the previous day. All five of the individuals, including WATSON, were convicted felons. The investigation revealed that WATSON and others had purchased one box of 9mm ammunition, one box of .38 Special ammunition and one box of .45 Auto ammunition. Each of the boxes contained 50 rounds.
The investigation further revealed that the individuals stored firearms and ammunition in the basement of a residence on Pliny Street in Hartford. A court-authorized search of the residence on July 18, 2012, revealed most of the ammunition that had been purchased on July 15, 2012, as well as a loaded 9mm handgun, a loaded .38 caliber revolver, a loaded pistol grip shotgun, and additional rounds of ammunition.
WATSON has been detained since his arrest on July 20, 2012. On April 30, 2014, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of ammunition by a previously convicted felon.
WATSON’s criminal history includes at least eight felony convictions, including a conviction for burglary in the first degree.
This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Hartford Police Department, with the assistance of the East Hartford Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey M. Stone.
Winsted Man Charged with Federal Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford has returned a two-count indictment charging JAMES CAVE, 44, of Winsted, with federal firearm offenses. The indictment was returned on May 20, 2015, and CAVE appeared yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna F. Martinez in Hartford and entered a plea of not guilty to the charges.
According to allegations contained in a previously-filed criminal complaint, on April 7, 2015, CAVE met an undercover ATF agent at a location in Torrington and sold him a Webley, model Mark IV .455 caliber revolver in exchange for $700 in cash. Investigators subsequently determined that the revolver had been stolen from a home in Connecticut.
It is alleged that CAVE sustained a felony conviction in Connecticut state court in October 2003.
The indictment charges CAVE with one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, and one count of dealing firearms without a license, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.
CAVE was arrested on a criminal complaint on April 30, 2015, and is released on a $100,000 bond.
U.S. Attorney Daly stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Torrington Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gabriel J. Vidoni.
East Hampton Man Charged with Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Patricia M. Ferrick, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced that KEITH HAESSLY, 45, of East Hampton, was arrested today and charged by federal criminal complaint with possession, distribution and production of child pornography.
The criminal complaint alleges that in January 2015, the Federal Bureau of Investigation received information that HAESSLY was distributing images of child pornography over the Internet and had engaged in numerous sexually explicit chats related to the sexual exploitation of young boys. Subsequent investigation revealed that HAESSLY has been posing as a female, using the name “Amy Finch,” and used loop recordings of females to entice boys to engage in sexual activity over webcams through video chat programs such as Skype and Omegle. HAESSLY then made recordings of the boys engaged in sexual activity.
Investigators conducted a court-authorized search of HAESSLY’s residence earlier today and seized a laptop computer. HAESSLY was arrested at his place of work.
Following his arrest, HAESSLY appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah A. L. Merriam in New Haven and was ordered detained.
The charge of production of child pornography carries a minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years.
U.S. Attorney Daly stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Connecticut Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Miller.
This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.
New Britain Bakery Operator Pleads Guilty to Tax FraudRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and William P. Offord, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, announced that MARIAN KOBRYN, 63, of Farmington, waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty today in New Haven federal court to one count of making a false statement on a federal tax return.
According to court documents and statements made in court, KOBRYN and his wife own and operate Kasia’s Bakery, located on Broad Street in New Britain. Until recently, Kasia’s Bakery routinely operated on a “cash only” basis. During the 2010 through 2013 tax years, KOBRYN diverted a total of $730,860 in cash that the business received, deposited the money into his and his wife’s personal bank accounts, and failed to pay $242,889 in federal taxes on the income.
The investigation revealed that KOBRYN attempted to conceal the diverted cash proceeds by regularly traveling to several branches of Farmington Bank to make cash deposits in amounts under $10,000 in order to evade the bank’s currency transaction reporting requirements.
KOBRYN is scheduled to be sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Warren W. Eginton in Bridgeport on August 25, 2015, at which he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of three years and a fine of up to $100,000. KOBRYN also has agreed to pay back taxes and applicable interest and penalties.
This matter has been investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Sheldon.
Former Owner of Insurance Brokerage Agency Pleads Guilty to Stealing $10 Million from AetnaRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that BONNEY J. HEBERT, 59, of Killington, Vermont, waived her right to indictment and pleaded guilty today before Senior U.S. District Judge Alfred V. Covello in Hartford to wire fraud and money laundering charges stemming from her theft of more than $10 million from Hartford-based Aetna Life Insurance Company.
According to court documents and statements made in court, HEBERT was the sole owner and president of Academic Risk Resources and Insurance, LLC (“ARRI”), a risk management and insurance brokerage agency based in Boston. ARRI’s business included brokering insurance contracts between health insurance providers and colleges or universities in order to provide health insurance for students and other individuals affiliated with the college or university. In July 2007, HEBERT and ARRI began serving as the broker for a student health insurance contract entered into between Aetna and Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. The contract between Aetna and Rutgers provided that premiums would be paid by Rutgers to ARRI and then transmitted by ARRI to Aetna.
Between 2009 and 2012, HEBERT failed to pass along to Aetna $10,358,728 in premiums paid by Rutgers. She used the stolen funds on personal expenses and to cover the business expenses of ARRI.
HEBERT pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and one count of engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. Judge Covello scheduled sentencing for August 27, 2015.
HEBERT disclosed her fraudulent scheme to Aetna representatives in June 2012. She subsequently sold ARRI to another business and directed that payments related to the sale be made directly to Aetna. Through these payments, HEBERT has repaid Aetna approximately $1.59 million. HEBERT also has not collected more than $900,000 in commissions owed to her by Aetna. As a result, HEBERT currently owes Aetna $7,846,305.45 in restitution.
This matter has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Avi M. Perry.
Hartford Man Admits Armed Robbery of Windsor BankRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ODAIN J. JOHNSON, 22, of Hartford, pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to committing the armed robbery of the First Niagara Bank in Windsor in January.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on January 10, 2015, at approximately 9:15 a.m., two masked men, one of whom brandished a firearm, entered the First Niagara Bank at 2133 Poquonock Avenue in Windsor. The two men vaulted the teller counter, directed two bank employees to the bank vault and ordered one of the employees to open the vault. Once inside the vault, the men ordered the bank employees to the ground and took $81,530 from the vault. The men also ordered bank employees to open teller drawers and proceeded to take an additional amount of money from the drawers. One of the masked men pointed a gun at a customer who entered the bank during the robbery, ordered him to the ground and told him not to look up. After exiting the bank, the masked men confronted a second customer who was about to enter the bank. One of the men pointed a gun at the customer and stated “If you say anything, we’ll shoot you….”
In pleading guilty, JOHNSON admitted that he participated in the bank robbery, and that he brandished a firearm during the offense.
JOHNSON was arrested on January 17, 2015, in Lewiston, Maine, and has been detained since his arrest.
JOHNSON pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery. He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny on August 31, 2015, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
This matter is being investigated by the FBI and the Windsor, East Windsor and Glastonbury Police Departments, with the assistance of the Enfield Police Department, the Capital Region Emergency Services Team (CREST) and the Maine State Police. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Deborah R. Slater and Douglas P. Morabito.
Bridgeport Man Involved in Drive-By Shooting Sentenced to 6 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that RASHAD DANCY, 26, of Bridgeport, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 72 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in the afternoon of May 5, 2014, Bridgeport Police responded to a report of shots fired in front of house on Shelton Street, during which a resident of house was nearly struck. Witnesses reported the gunfire came from a red Ford Fusion, and subsequent analysis of surveillance camera videos confirmed the reports. Officers also recovered several 7.62x39 ammunition casings at the scene.
Police then located a red Ford Fusion on Willow Street and saw DANCY enter the car and drive away. Officers stopped the car, questioned DANCY and recovered a spent rifle cartridge head stamped “762x39.” DANCY then consented to a search of his residence, where officers seized a loaded .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun, as well as drug packaging materials.
The investigation revealed that DANCY had rented a red Ford Fusion in April 2014 and, that on May 2, 2014, a friend of DANCY’s had been shot and killed during an altercation at a Danbury nightclub. The Shelton Street residence where the drive-by shooting occurred was the home to individuals who were involved in an altercation at that nightclub on May 2.
DANCY’s criminal history includes convictions related to trafficking heroin and marijuana. It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.
DANCY has been detained since his arrest on May 5, 2014. On March 2, 2015, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.
This matter was investigated by the Bridgeport Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rahul Kale.
Waterbury Man Sentenced to Prison for Role in Fraudulent Income Tax Refund SchemeRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that BERNARD BRANTLEY, 45, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Alker Meyer in Bridgeport to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his role in a fraudulent federal income tax refund scheme.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between November 2012 and May 2013, Kenya Malcolm, Charles Ross, BRANTLEY and others conspired to file false federal income tax returns in the names of individuals without the individuals’ knowledge. Malcolm, who operated a business in Arizona called “Biggest Refund Taxes,” held herself out falsely to be a certified public accountant. As part of the scheme, Malcolm paid Ross, also a resident of Surprise, to recruit individuals to her tax preparation business. Ross subsequently contacted BRANTLEY in Connecticut and offered him a portion of Ross’s recruitment earnings if BRANTLEY would also recruit clients for Malcolm. Instead of recruiting clients for tax preparation services, BRANTLEY and individuals that BRANTLEY hired recruited victims under false pretenses, telling them that they were eligible for government funding and not telling them that tax returns would be filed in their names. BRANTLEY and his associates then collected victims’ Social Security numbers, dates of birth and other personal information and provided that information to Malcolm.
Malcolm, who knew that BRANTLEY was recruiting individuals under false pretenses, used the personal information she was provided, as well as false income and employment information for each victim, to file tax returns that generated large tax refunds. She then directed a portion of the tax refunds to herself, a portion to Ross and BRANTLEY, and a portion to the victim, usually through a prepaid debit card.
Approximately $2.5 million in fraudulent federal income tax refunds were sought through this scheme, and more than $1 million in refunds were disbursed.
Judge Meyer ordered BRANTLEY to pay restitution in the amount of $395,537.
On February 17, 2015, BRANTLEY pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy.
Malcolm and Ross have also pleaded guilty and await sentencing.
This matter is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarala V. Nagala and Senior Litigation Counsel Richard J. Schechter.
Waterbury Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Role in Massive Stolen Identity Tax Refund SchemeRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Shelly A. Binkowski, Inspector in Charge for the Boston Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and William P. Offord, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, today announced that on May 26, 2015, JULIO LARA TRINIDAD, 28, of Waterbury, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 144 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for participating in a stolen identity tax refund fraud scheme that resulted in a loss of more than $7.5 million from the U.S. Treasury.
“One of the Department of Justice’s Tax Division’s highest priorities is prosecuting people who use stolen identities to steal money from the U.S. Treasury by filing false tax returns,” stated U.S. Attorney Daly. “This scheme involved nearly $6.8 million dollars in fraudulent refunds – money stolen from law abiding taxpayers at an enormous cost to the Treasury. We hope that this lengthy prison term will deter other potential offenders as these prosecutions will continue to be a priority for our Office.”
“The defendants in this investigation attempted to utilize the mail to further their criminal enterprise,” stated Inspector in Charge Binkowski. “Based on the diligent work of Postal Inspectors and our state and federal law enforcement partners, Julio Lara Trinidad will be serving a lengthy prison sentence. This is a clear example that if criminals attempt to illegally utilize the mail, they will be brought to justice.”
“Those who commit stolen identity refund fraud (SIRF) of this magnitude and with this degree of deception deserve to be punished to the full extent of the law,” stated Special Agent in Charge Offord. “Mr. Trinidad’s 12-year prison sentence highlights the seriousness of SIRF crimes. The government is not the only victim – identity theft can have a severe emotional and financial impact on its victims. IRS, along with our law enforcement partners, remains vigilant in identifying, investigating and prosecuting those individuals who perpetrate these schemes.”
According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an investigation into individuals who, through various means, obtained fraudulent U.S. Treasury tax refund checks using stolen identities. After obtaining the checks, individuals sold them for less than face value of the checks, or deposited them into bank accounts that had been opened using fraudulent identifying documents. The funds were then quickly withdrawn from the bank accounts.
In 2011, TRINIDAD was arrested in New Jersey for stealing U.S. Treasury tax refund checks from mailboxes. He pleaded guilty to a related charge in the District of New Jersey in January 2012. An arrest warrant was issued for TRINIDAD after he failed to appear for his sentencing in May 2012. TRINIDAD was arrested on November 23, 2013, and subsequently was charged by indictment in the District of Connecticut.
While he was a fugitive from justice, TRINIDAD and his co-conspirators opened at least 59 bank accounts in the names of identity theft victims, depositing U.S. Treasury tax refund checks into the accounts, and then quickly withdrawing the funds, resulting in more than $663,000 in loss to the U.S. Treasury. Between December 2012 and February 2013, one of the accounts was used to purchase six licenses for a brand of tax preparation software. These licenses were used to file more than 36,000 federal income tax returns, seeking more than $234 million in federal tax refunds intended to be issued to TRINIDAD and his co-conspirators. Nearly $6.8 million in fraudulent refunds were issued before the scheme was identified.
TRINIDAD’s co-defendants, Jerry De Los Santos Rodriguez and Cesar Penson-Perez, have admitted that they worked with TRINIDAD to open bank accounts using fraudulent identities.
In addition, between July and October 2013, TRINIDAD and Ramon Mena sold more than $60,000 in fraudulently-obtained U.S. Treasury checks to an individual working with law enforcement. TRINIDAD and Mena received some of these checks from Pricilla Brito and Yowandy DeLeon.
TRINIDAD has been detained since his arrest. On February 10, 2015, TRINIDAD pleaded guilty to one count of theft of public money and one count of aggravated identity theft.
De Los Santos Rodriguez, Penson-Perez, Mena, Brito and DeLeon previously pleaded guilty.
This matter is being investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, the United States Secret Service and Homeland Security Investigations, with the assistance of the Danbury and Darien Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarala V. Nagala.
Waterbury Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Enticement of Minor He Met at ChurchRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MIGUEL TORRES, 45, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Alker Meyer in Bridgeport to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for enticing a minor female to send him sexually explicit videos and pictures of herself.
According to court documents and statements made in court, TORRES met a minor female at the church they both attended. TORRES offered to mentor the minor, gave her his cell phone number, and they began communicating via text messages. In late June 2013, when the minor was 14 years old, TORRES began to ask the minor to send him sexually explicit videos and pictures. Their text message conversations became sexually explicit and TORRES persuaded the minor to take sexually explicit videos and pictures of herself and send them to him. TORRES also sent the minor sexually explicit videos and pictures of himself, and he told her that he had engaged in sexual conduct with other girls so that the minor would be comfortable with it.
TORRES has been detained since his arrest on related state charges on August 30, 2013, and he pleaded guilty to the offense on March 4, 2015.
This matter was investigated by the Waterbury Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations. The Connecticut State’s Attorney’s Office in Waterbury also provided critical assistance in this investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel.
This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.
New Haven Man Sentenced to Prison for Role in Check Fraud RingRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that BRANDON KEY BENTLEY, 31, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 12 months and one day of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for his role in a check fraud ring.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between July 2010 and May 2011, BENTLEY, Langston Neal and Benjii Carr obtained stolen checks, recruited “runners” who cashed the checks, and altered the checks to list the runners as the lawful payees. The three individuals drove the runners to several Connecticut bank branches and directed them to enter the banks and cash the checks. The runners were paid a small part of the cash proceeds. Through this scheme, 39 checks totaling $114,102.34 were altered and presented to banks, and 37 of those checks totaling $104,070.94 were cashed by the banks.
On September 9, 2014, BENTLEY pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud.
Neal, of Charlotte, N.C., and Carr, of New Haven, previously pleaded guilty to the same charge and were sentenced to prison terms of 18 months and 30 months, respectively.
Each of the three defendants was ordered to pay full restitution.
This matter was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, along with the Connecticut Financial Fraud Task Force and the Branford, Madison, Middlebury, Milford, New Britain, New Haven, New Milford, North Branford, Waterbury, Woodbridge and Southbury Police Departments. U.S. Attorney Daly also acknowledged the cooperation and assistance of the State’s Attorney’s Offices for the Judicial Districts of New Haven, Waterbury, Fairfield and Tolland. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Henry K. Kopel.
East Haven Zoning Official Charged with Extorting from ResidentRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Patricia M. Ferrick, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced that FRANK BIANCUR, JR., 40, of West Haven, was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint charging him with seeking and receiving illegal payments while employed as a Zoning Enforcement Officer for the Town of East Haven.
According to the criminal complaint and to statements made in court, BIANCUR has been employed as the Town of East Haven’s Planning and Zoning Administrator/Zoning Enforcement Officer. Earlier this month, a resident of East Haven contacted the East Haven Police Department and the FBI with information that he/she had been extorted by BIANCUR since approximately October 2012 and, as a result, had made cash payments to BIANCUR.
The complaint alleges that, most recently, on May 19, 2015, BIANCUR called the victim and informed the victim that BIANCUR had to inspect an addition to the victim’s residence. Although BIANCUR stated that he was “fighting” for the victim, he also demanded a payment of $200 or he would make the victim tear down the addition. On May 21, 2015, the victim engaged in a consensually-recorded meeting with BIANCUR at BIANCUR’s office in East Haven Town Hall. During the meeting, the victim gave BIANCUR $200 in cash, which BIANCUR put in his pocket.
The complaint charges BIANCUR with one count of theft of honest services mail fraud, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
BIANCUR was arrested this morning at his residence. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah A.L. Merriam in New Haven and was released on a $20,000 bond.
Prior to his employment by the Town of East Haven, BIANCUR was employed by the City of West Haven and the City of Bridgeport.
Citizens with information that may be helpful to this ongoing investigation are encouraged to contact the FBI at (203) 777-6311.
U.S. Attorney Daly stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the Connecticut Public Corruption Task Force and the East Haven Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher W. Schmeisser.
The Connecticut Public Corruption Task Force includes the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General. Citizens can contact the Task Force to report corrupt activity by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).
East Hartford Man Convicted of Federal Firearms OffenseRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that RONDELL JACKSON, also known as “D-Rugs,” 28, of East Hartford, waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on September 25, 2014, JACKSON sold a loaded Vektor 9mm semi-automatic pistol to another individual in exchange for $550. The firearm had been reported stolen to the East Hartford Police Department in November 2013 in connection with a burglary complaint.
JACKSON was arrested on October 29, 2014.
JACKSON’s criminal history includes several state felony convictions, including convictions for robbery, possession of narcotics and sexual assault. He was on state probation at the time of the offense.
Judge Shea scheduled for sentencing for October 30, 2015, at which time JACKSON faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.
This matter has been investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the East Hartford Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gabriel J. Vidoni.
Bridgeport Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking CocaineRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MOYAN FORBES, 23, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking cocaine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in January 2012, the FBI Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force, Bridgeport Police Department and Connecticut State Police Statewide Narcotics Task Force began an investigation into narcotics trafficking and violent criminal activity in and around the Trumbull Gardens housing complex in Bridgeport. The investigation revealed that Ronell Hanks, also known as “Biz” and “Ace,” headed an organization that sold heroin and crack cocaine 24-hours a day, seven days a week. FORBES supplied Hanks with cocaine, which Hanks “cooked” into crack.
During the course of the investigation, investigators seized approximately one kilogram of heroin, one-half kilogram of crack cocaine, approximately $100,000 in cash, three vehicles, jewelry, nine firearms, and more than 200 rounds of ammunition. One of the firearms was an assault-type rifle and four of the firearms were stolen.
FORBES was arrested on December 5, 2013. On that date, a search of his residence revealed a Beretta handgun in the kitchen next to a loaded magazine. Investigators also seized approximately $1,000 from FORBES’s pants pocket, as well as one round of ammunition that matched the ammunition in the seized firearm.
On December 18, 2013, a grand jury in Bridgeport returned an indictment charging Hanks, FORBES and 12 other individuals with a variety of narcotics and firearms trafficking offenses.
FORBES has been detained since his arrest. On August 14, 2014, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute at least 500 grams of cocaine.
Hanks pleaded guilty and, on February 25, 2015, was sentenced to 17 years of imprisonment.
This matter is being investigated by the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force, in coordination with the Bridgeport Police Department, the Trumbull Police Department and the Connecticut State Police Statewide Narcotics Task Force. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Fairfield are assisting this investigation and prosecution. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tracy Lee Dayton and Rahul Kale.
Two Men Charged with Distributing Synthetic Drugs That Caused Overdoses at Wesleyan UniversityRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, and Middletown Police Chief William McKenna, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging ERIC LONERGAN, 22, of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and ZACHARY KRAMER, 21 of Bethesda, Maryland, with distributing controlled substances that caused multiple Wesleyan University students to overdose during the past school year.
The five-count indictment was returned yesterday, and LONERGAN and KRAMER are scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah A. L. Merriam in New Haven at noon today.
“Our hope is that this prosecution puts to bed the misperception that synthetic drugs are harmless party drugs,” said U.S. Attorney Daly. “As the allegations in this indictment clearly show, these drugs are highly dangerous. Many of the Wesleyan students who overdosed were seriously ill and one student nearly died. The growth and evolution of synthetic drugs is a serious public health concern. As is clear today, together with the DEA and our local partners, we will prosecute these cases. We thank the DEA, the Middlesex State’s Attorney’s Office and the Middletown Police Department for their collaboration and diligent work in this ongoing investigation.”
“The distribution and use of synthetic drugs is a potentially deadly game,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Ferguson. “The truth of the matter is that when someone uses a synthetic drug, they are playing Russian roulette with their life. There is no way for a user to know what deadly combination of drugs is in that capsule. The DEA New England Field Division and our law enforcement partners are committed to investigating individuals and groups that traffic synthetic drugs.”
“I am very proud of the Middletown Police Department members and all public safety officials who have worked on the WESU Molly incident,” said Middletown Police Chief McKenna. “We received incredible assistance from outside agencies, including the Middlesex County State’s Attorney’s office, the State of Connecticut Forensics Crime Laboratory, medical providers and WESU officials during the course of the investigation. The health of many students was jeopardized, causing a major public safety concern to our community. We are now fortunate to partner up with, and give continued assistance to, the U.S. Attorney’s office, DEA and other federal agencies in their continued efforts to achieve the results that are being reported today. The citizens of Middletown and the State of Connecticut are very fortunate to have the combined efforts of local, state and federal agencies working in collaboration to achieve law enforcement’s ultimate goal of providing the safety and security that they deserve.”
According to the allegations set forth in the indictment, LONERGAN and KRAMER were students at Wesleyan in Middletown, Connecticut. Beginning in approximately November 2013, LONERGAN began purchasing and redistributing MDMA, also known as “Molly,” a Schedule I controlled substance, to students on or in the vicinity of the Wesleyan campus. Charging approximately $20 per .1 gram of Molly or $200 per gram, LONERGAN regularly sold Molly from his dorm room between 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. during most nights. LONERGAN also counseled students on how to ingest Molly and other psychedelic drugs. At one point in 2014, after the administration at Wesleyan sent out a campus-wide communication warning of the dangers of ingesting controlled substances like Molly, LONERGAN responded by distributing a pamphlet instructing students on the use of psychedelic drugs. Also in 2014, KRAMER began purchasing Molly from LONERGAN and distributing it to students at Wesleyan.
The indictment alleges that in September 2014, LONERGAN agreed to provide Molly to students who were planning a “rolling” party at Wesleyan, which is a party where guests ingest Molly. LONERGAN provided several grams of what he represented to be Molly to an individual who then distributed it to students in .1 gram capsules. On September 13, 2014, several Wesleyan students overdosed on the substance provided by LONERGAN and some were transported to the hospital. The students either swallowed the capsule or opened the capsules and snorted the powder. Many of them had strong adverse reactions, complaining of extreme lethargy or an irrational fear of everything and everyone around them. Some of these students did not recover for at least three days. One student snorted only .05 grams of the substance and within 10 minutes, passed out. After she was revived and taken to her room, she remained bedridden for two days before finally being transported to the hospital.
According to the indictment, after the September 2014 overdoses, LONERGAN sent electronic communications to several of the students, assuring them that the substance he had sold them was safe and that he had tested it himself to make certain it was Molly. He also sent some of these students a link to a video purporting to show him performing a test on the substance that yielded a positive result for MDMA. In February 2015, one of the students, who had earlier overdosed, provided a capsule that she had purchased from LONERGAN in September 2014 to the Middletown Police. A lab test on that capsule revealed that it did not contain MDMA, but rather AB Fubinaca, which is a synthetic cannabinoid and a Schedule I controlled substance, and 6-MAPB, which is an analogue of MDMA.
The indictment further alleges that in early 2015, KRAMER, who had taken over for LONERGAN as the primary supplier of Molly at Wesleyan, provided Molly to some of his friends for redistribution to students on campus. On February 21, 2015, 11 individuals, including 10 Wesleyan students, overdosed on a substance they believed was Molly, and many were transported to the hospital. These students reported similar symptoms as those who overdosed in September 2014. Two of the students were in critical condition, and one of those students had to be revived after his heart stopped. All of these students obtained the purported Molly through individual distributers who were supplied directly by KRAMER. After the events of February 21, law enforcement officers seized the substance identified as Molly from one of KRAMER’s distributers and sent it to a toxicology laboratory for testing. Laboratory analysis confirmed that the powdered substance contained AB Fubinaca.
The indictment charges both LONERGAN and KRAMER with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute MDMA and AB Fubinaca, and one count of attempted distribution of MDMA and distribution of AB Fubinaca. Each of these charges carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of up to $1 million. The indictment also charges LONERGAN and KRAMER with distribution of MDMA within 1000 feet of a private college, a charge that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of one year, a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years, and a fine of up to $2 million.
U.S. Attorney Daly stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Middletown Police Department, with the assistance of the State of Connecticut’s Forensic Science Laboratory.
U.S. Attorney Daly acknowledged the support and assistance of the Middlesex State’s Attorney’s Office, which is prosecuting several state cases stemming from these overdose events.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert M. Spector, with the assistance of Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Eugene Calistro.
Former Plymouth Finance Director Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison for Embezzling More Than $800KRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DAVID J. BERTNAGEL, 41, of Thomaston, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Alker Meyer in Bridgeport to 30 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for embezzling more than $800,000 from the Town of Plymouth. Judge Meyer also ordered BERTNAGEL to perform 1,500 hours of community service while on supervised release.
According to court documents and statements made in court, from October 2011 through October 2014, BERTNAGEL was employed as the Finance Director for the Town of Plymouth. During that time period, BERTNAGEL issued 207 checks totaling approximately $808,030 from the Town’s payroll account to himself. BERTNAGEL used the embezzled funds to make mortgage payments, pay credit card bills, fund home improvement projects and purchase more than $100,000 in coins, stamps and other collectibles. He also converted more than $182,000 of the stolen funds by way of cashed checks, ATM withdrawals and money orders.
In addition, BERTNAGEL’s federal tax returns for the 2012 and 2013 tax years failed to report any of his embezzled income, resulting in a tax loss to the government of $145,564 for those two years. BERTNAGEL also did not file a tax return with the IRS for the 2011 tax year.
BERTNAGEL was arrested on January 20, 2015. On February 20, 2015, he pleaded guilty to one count of theft from a local government receiving federal funds and one count making and subscribing a false tax return.
Judge Meyer ordered BERTNAGEL to make restitution in the amount of $808,029.94 to the Town of Plymouth, and to cooperate with the IRS to pay all outstanding taxes, penalties and interest. BERTNAGEL also has agreed to forfeit more than $45,000 that he held in bank accounts, and assorted jewelry, stamps, coins and other collectibles that were seized on the date of his arrest.
This matter was investigated by the Connecticut Public Corruption Task Force, which includes the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher M. Mattei.
Citizens are encouraged to report corrupt activity to the Connecticut Public Corruption Task Force by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).
U.S. Attorney's Office Conducts Americans with Disabilities Act Review of New Haven Area HotelsRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that the U.S. Attorney’s Office is nearing completion of a review of hotels in and around New Haven to determine if they are being operated in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Under federal law, private entities that own or operate “places of public accommodation,” which includes hotels, are prohibited from discriminating on the basis of disability. The ADA authorizes the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate complaints and to undertake periodic reviews to determine compliance by covered entities. The Justice Department is also authorized to commence a civil lawsuit in federal court in any case that involves a pattern or practice of discrimination or that raises issues of general public importance, and to seek injunctive relief, monetary damages, and civil penalties.
As part of a compliance review survey, 12 New Haven area hotels, which were randomly selected, were asked to complete and return a survey form. Onsite inspections to confirm survey responses were then conducted and each hotel was reviewed for its compliance with federal law. Six of the surveyed hotels were found to have ADA violations. The government has been working with the owners and operators of each hotel found in violation in an effort to secure voluntary compliance. To date, three of the six hotels found in violation, the La Quinta Inn and Suites, Courtyard Marriott and New Haven Hotel, have entered into settlement agreements with the government and are working cooperatively with the government to address the violations.
The government continues to work with the three remaining hotels to secure voluntary compliance agreements and address existing ADA violations.
“The Americans with Disabilities Act ensures that residents and visitors alike are able to access and enjoy the state’s hotels and other public accommodations,” stated U.S. Attorney Daly. “Ensuring these public places are equally accessible to all is essential for businesses to properly serve a diverse population who live, work and visit Connecticut. We look forward to working with the owners and operators of these hotels as we assess their compliance with federal law and work cooperatively to secure voluntary compliance.”
The hotel survey was conducted in accordance with the Justice Department’s statutory responsibility to review compliance with federal law, and not in response to any specific complaint against any of the hotels within the scope of the review. Any member of the public who wishes to file a complaint alleging that a hotel or any other place of public accommodation within the District of Connecticut is not accessible to persons with disabilities may contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at 203-821-3700.
Additional information about the ADA can be found at www.ada.gov, or by calling the Department’s toll-free information line at (800) 514-0301 and (800) 514-0383 (TDD). More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.justice.gov/crt.
This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Nelson, Vanessa Avery, and Ndidi N. Moses, and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa Perkins, in coordination with the Disability Rights Section of the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.
Bridgeport Cocaine Trafficker Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that on May 19, DAMONT GEE, also known as “Monty,” 39, of Bridgeport, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for trafficking cocaine
This matter stems from “Operation Slim Fast,” a joint law enforcement investigation that focused on two drug trafficking organizations, one that operated out of Bridgeport and one that operated out of Bridgeport, Puerto Rico, and Springfield, Mass. In 2010, members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force initiated an investigation of narcotics trafficking activity in and around the Marina Village Housing Complex in Bridgeport that focused primarily on the Marina Village Bloods, a violent narcotics trafficking organization. Members of the Marina Village Bloods have been responsible for, or connected to, multiple shootings in Bridgeport.
The investigation revealed that members of the Sex, Money, Murder set of the Marina Village Bloods, sold large quantities of narcotics from an abandoned residence at 105/107 Johnson Street, which is located across from the street from the Marina Village Housing Complex.
GEE was believed to have been a member, or close associate, of the Marina Village Bloods, until his brother, Richard Gee, was killed in a gun battle across the street from 105/107 Johnson Street on July 17, 2010.
Between September and November 2010, the Task Force made five controlled purchases of a total of approximately 449 grams of cocaine from GEE. Subsequent intercepted calls and surveillance confirmed that GEE was the source of supply of cocaine for several street-level dealers and customers in the Bridgeport area.
GEE was arrested on January 4, 2011, after he and an associate traveled to a meeting location in Hartford to purchase four kilograms of cocaine. Task Force officers seized the cocaine, as well as more than $100,000 in cash from GEE and his associate.
GEE has been detained since his arrest. On June 6, 2013, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.
As a result of this investigation, 19 individuals were charged with various narcotics and firearms related offenses, and law enforcement officers seized approximately four kilograms of cocaine, one kilogram of crack cocaine, a quantity of heroin, an SKS assault rifle, five handguns and more than $150,000 in cash.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force, including personnel from the FBI and the Bridgeport, Norwalk and Trumbull Police Departments, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Drug Enforcement Administration, Connecticut State Police, and Hartford, Stratford and Stamford Police Departments.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tracy Dayton and Doug Morabito.
Attorney Charged with Stealing $1.8 Million from Oxford Woman's EstateRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that PETER M. CLARK, 57, of Woodbury, was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint charging him with stealing more than $1.8 million from the estate of an Oxford woman who died in 2010.
According to the criminal complaint, Miriam S. Strong of Oxford died on July 2, 2010. At the time of her death, Strong had a will, which left money, property and other items to a list of individuals, the Town of Oxford, the State of Connecticut, and several religious and other charitable entities. The will also called for the creation of a scholarship fund for college-bound students from Oxford. CLARK drafted the will as Strong’s attorney and served as a witness to Strong’s execution of the will. The will named CLARK and another individual as co-executors. The investigation has revealed that, during the course of the administration of the will, CLARK took at least $1.8 million from Strong’s estate for his own use.
The complaint charges CLARK with one count of mail fraud, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
CLARK was arrested this morning at his residence. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah A.L. Merriam in New Haven and will be released after he posts a $500,000 bond that will be co-signed by family members.
U.S. Attorney Daly stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Connecticut State Police – Western District Major Crime Squad. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah P. Karwan.
Hartford Man Pleads Guilty to Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and William Offord, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, today announced that TROY HESTER, 42, of Hartford, pleaded guilty yesterday in Bridgeport federal court to one count of tax evasion.
This matter stems from an Internal Revenue Service investigation into State of Connecticut employees and others who had little or no federal withholding taken out of their paychecks and who failed to file income tax returns. The investigation revealed that certain individuals submitted fraudulent W-4 forms claiming numerous exemptions, or that they were exempt, and had little or no money withheld from their wages.
According to court documents and statements made in court, during the 2008 through 2013 tax years, HESTER, while employed by the Metropolitan District Commission, paid little or no federal income taxes on approximately $438,877 in income he received, resulting in a federal tax loss of approximately $70,480.
HESTER is scheduled to be sentenced on August 11, 2015, by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford. He faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, a fine of up to $250,000, and is required to pay all back taxes, plus interest and penalties.
This case is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan Wines.
Sex Offender Sentenced to Prison for Violating Federal Registration and Notification LawRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that LESTER JOY, 34, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 27 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for failing to register as a sex offender.
The Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (“SORNA”), which was passed by Congress in 2006 as part of the Adam Walsh Act, provides a comprehensive set of minimum standards for sex offender registration and notification in the United States and seeks to strengthen the nationwide network of sex offender registration and notification programs. In part, SORNA requires registered sex offenders to register and keep their registration current in each jurisdiction in which they reside, work, or go to school.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 25, 2002, JOY was convicted in the State of New Jersey of sexual assault in the second degree, endangering the welfare of a child in the third degree and theft in the third degree. For these offenses, he was sentenced to three years of imprisonment, lifetime community supervision and was subject to lifetime registration as a sex offender. On January 4, 2006, JOY was convicted in Suffolk County, New York, of three counts of rape in the third degree, two counts of criminal sexual acts in the third degree and two counts of disseminating indecent material to a minor. For these offenses, he was sentenced to a period of 42 to 84 months of incarceration and lifetime probation.
In 2013, prior to his release from prison, JOY was informed of his registration obligations under SORNA and he signed forms stating that he understood his sex offender registration requirements in both New York and New Jersey.
On November 30, 2013, JOY was released from the Morris County, New Jersey jail following service of a sentence for violation of his lifetime term of community supervision in New Jersey. However, he did not register as a sex offender in either New Jersey or New York, and moved to Connecticut. He failed to notify New Jersey, New York and Connecticut officials of his move to Connecticut, as required.
JOY has been detained since his arrest in New Haven on March 16, 2014. He pleaded guilty to the offense on February 23, 2015.
This matter was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Deborah R. Slater.
Federal Jury Finds Hartford Man Guilty of Crack Cocaine Trafficking OffensesRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that, on May 18, a federal jury in Bridgeport found TYSHAWN McDADE, also known as “S Dot” and “S Diddy,” 30, of Hartford, guilty of crack cocaine trafficking offenses.
According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from a year-long joint law enforcement investigation headed by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force into narcotics trafficking by members and associates of West Hell street gang, and gang-related violent activity. The investigation, which included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of narcotics and physical surveillance, identified Melkuan Scott, also known as “Young God,” “Mel,” “Young” and “YG,” 24, as the leader of the West Hell street gang who, along with his associates, distributed crack cocaine in the Westland Street area of Hartford.
The evidence at trial proved that McDADE conspired with Scott and others to distribute crack cocaine. On March 3, 2014, McDADE sold a quantity of crack to an individual working with law enforcement.
The jury found McDADE guilty of one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack cocaine”), and one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, cocaine base. When he is sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer, McDADE faces a minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life
Twenty-five individuals were charged as a result of the investigation. Scott and 22 other defendants previously pleaded guilty to various offenses. One defendant was shot and killed while his case was pending.
This matter has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Marshals Service and Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division. The FBI Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction. The Hartford Police Department’s Vice and Narcotics Squad, Major Crimes Unit and Shooting Task Force are providing valuable assistance to the investigation, and the Capitol Region Emergency Response Team (CREST) assisted with the arrest of certain defendants. The Office of the Chief State’s Attorney is also assisting with this ongoing investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John H. Durham and Peter S. Jongbloed.
Bridgeport Man Sentenced to 28 Years in Federal Prison for MurderRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that TRUMAINE HEARST, also known as “Man,” 21, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 336 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for his involvement in the October 2012 murder of Dawayne Cobb in Bridgeport.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 10, 2012, at approximately 6:20 p.m., Dawayne Cobb was discovered in the driver seat of an idling vehicle in the vicinity of 220 Sunshine Circle in Bridgeport. Cobb had gunshot wounds in his shoulder and abdomen.
HEARST has admitted that, on that date, he and Johnnie Jefferson, also known as “Jeezy,” planned to rob Cobb of marijuana. HEARST and Jefferson then drove to Sunshine Circle to meet Cobb, murdered him and stole from him a jar containing approximately two ounces of marijuana. HEARST and Jefferson transported the stolen marijuana to a Bridgeport residence and subsequently distributed it amongst themselves and others.
On November 10, 2014, HEARST pleaded guilty to one count of causing the death of Dawayne Cobb through the use of a firearm.
Jefferson pleaded guilty to the same charge on November 3, 2014, and awaits sentencing.
HEARST and Jefferson have been detained since July 16, 2013.
U.S. Attorney Daly noted that federal prisoners are required to serve at least 85 percent of their sentenced term of imprisonment and are not eligible for parole.
This matter was investigated by Bridgeport Police Department and the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tracy Dayton and Rahul Kale.
Hartford Crack Dealer Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOSHUA EASTERLING, also known as “Skeet,” “Squash” and “SQ,” 28, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by eight years of supervised release, for distributing crack cocaine.
This matter stems from “Operation Vinefield,” a joint law enforcement investigation headed by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force targeting narcotics trafficking and gang violence in Hartford’s North End. As a result of the nine-month investigation, 38 individuals were charged with various offenses related to the distribution of crack cocaine and the unlawful possession and dealing of firearms in and around Hartford.
According to court documents and statements made in court, the investigation revealed EASTERLING controlled the distribution of crack cocaine in Hartford’s lower Vine Street area. EASTERLING distributed crack to other street-level dealers, and also sold the drug directly to customers.
During the investigation, EASTERLING’s drug trafficking organization was responsible for distributing more than six kilograms of crack.
EASTERLING’s criminal history includes several felony convictions.
EASTERLING has been detained since his arrest on February 23, 2012, and he pleaded guilty on February 15, 2013.
This matter was investigated by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force, the Connecticut State Police, the Hartford Police Department, and the Connecticut Department of Correction. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Leaming.
Norwalk Man Sentenced to 57 Months in Federal Prison for Possessing Stolen GunRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that JACOB KEELS, 33, of Norwalk, was sentenced yesterday by Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 57 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for possessing a stolen firearm.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in the early morning hours of October 17, 2013, KEELS attempted to flee from Norwalk Police on South Main Street. As KEELS was being apprehended, a .22 caliber revolver dropped from his waistband. The firearm had been reported stolen in Bethel.
KEELS’ criminal history includes multiple felony narcotics convictions.
KEELS has been detained since his arrest. On February 5, 2015, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a stolen firearm.
This matter was investigated by the Norwalk Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Vanessa Richards.
Justice Department Settles Effective Communication Case with Wallingford Police DepartmentRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Town of Wallingford Police Department have reached a settlement agreement under which the Wallingford Police Department agrees to implement training and ensure its policies comply with the effective communication requirements of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Police Department voluntarily agreed to enter into the settlement agreement during the Justice Department’s investigation into allegations that the Police Department failed to effectively communicate with persons who are deaf and hard of hearing.
“We commend the Town of Wallingford for voluntarily entering into this settlement agreement,” stated U.S. Attorney Daly. “By doing so, they are ensuring that there will be effective communication with those members of their community who are deaf or hard of hearing. The Town has been cooperative throughout this investigation. The decision to agree to the terms of the settlement reflects the Town’s strong commitment to both protect public safety and to uphold individuals’ civil rights.”
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that “public entities,” including local governments and police departments, ensure effective communication with qualified individuals with disabilities. Under this agreement, a person who is deaf or hard of hearing will be able to benefit from the same services as every other person.
The agreement requires that the Wallingford Police Department:
- Ensure its policies and practices are nondiscriminatory, and provide effective communication for people with communication disabilities, including the provision of sign language interpreters;
- Post a notice of the policy in public areas;
- Train staff on the policies; and
- Ensure that appropriate auxiliary aids and services, including qualified interpreters and specifically tactile interpreters, are made available to all individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Individuals who believe that they may have been victims of discrimination can file a complaint with the U.S. Attorney’s Office at 203-821-3700. More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.justice.gov/crt. Additional information about the ADA can be found at www.ada.gov, or by calling the Department’s toll-free information line at (800) 514-0301 and (800) 514-0383 (TDD).
This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ndidi N. Moses and Michelle McConaghy, with the assistance of the Disability Rights Section of the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.
Ambulance Companies Pay $595,000 to Settle Allegations of Medically Unnecessary Ambulance TransportationRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that EFK OF CONNECTICUT, INC., d/b/a NELSON AMBULANCE SERVICE, located in North Haven, and SKMP ENTERPRISES, INC., d/b/a ACCESS AMBULANCE SERVICE, located in Bridgeport, have entered into a civil settlement agreement with the government in which they will pay $595,000 to resolve allegations that they improperly billed the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
The government alleges that NELSON AMBULANCE SERVICE (“NELSON”) and ACCESS AMBULANCE SERVICE (“ACCESS”), routinely billed for non-emergency, scheduled ambulance services that were not medically necessary. The medically unnecessary ambulance services were provided to Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries being transported to and from their regularly scheduled dialysis treatments. Patients transported by NELSON and ACCESS were typically picked up at their residences or at nursing homes and transported by ambulance to and from dialysis treatment three times per week.
Relevant regulations indicate that medical necessity for ambulance transport is established when the patient’s condition is such that the use of any other means of transportation is contraindicated. The regulations indicate that the patient must be “bed confined” or otherwise have a medical condition such that transportation by ambulance is medically required.
The government alleges that NELSON and ACCESS, which have the same ownership, regularly transported patients by ambulance, at an average cost of approximately $380 for each round trip, when the patients did not meet the criteria of being “bed confined” or otherwise have a medical condition requiring transportation by ambulance. Some of the same patients NELSON and ACCESS regularly transported by ambulance were transported to and from other doctor’s visits utilizing a wheelchair van, at an average cost of only $60 for each round trip.
To resolve their liability, NELSON and ACCESS will pay $595,000 for conduct occurring between January 2008 and August 2013.
In entering into the civil settlement agreement, NELSON and ACCESS did not admit liability.
This matter was investigated by the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard M. Molot and Auditor Kevin Saunders.
People who suspect health care fraud are encouraged to report it by calling 1-800-HHS-TIPS or the Health Care Fraud Task Force at (203) 777-6311.
U.S. Attorney's Office Settles Americans with Disabilities Act Case with Patriot National BankRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that the U.S. Attorney’s Office has reached an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) settlement with Stamford-based Patriot National Bank to ensure equal access for individuals with disabilities at all Patriot Bank locations.
The agreement resolves an ADA complaint filed by an individual who is deaf or hard of hearing who alleged that Patriot National Bank would not do business with her over the phone using a telecommunications relay service. Since the commencement of the investigation, Patriot National Bank has worked cooperatively to develop and amend its policies and practices to comply with the ADA and the Department of Justice’s implementing regulations.
“Individuals who have disabilities must not be denied equal access to the services offered by financial institutions simply because of their disability,” said U.S. Attorney Daly. “Patriot National Bank’s cooperation during this investigation has shown that it is committed to equal access and effective communication with its customers who have disabilities. Our office has received other complaints against other major financial institutions, alleging that they are also refusing to communicate with individuals with disabilities who use relay services to communicate by telephone. These refusals are discrimination, and we will be looking into these complaints.”
The agreement requires Patriot Bank to accept all relay calls in all of its branches and amend its policies, practices, and training to ensure the removal of barriers to access at its retail stores. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Providing appropriate auxiliary aids and services to persons with disabilities when necessary to ensure effective communication throughout its financial services and programs.
- Adopting and enforcing a policy on effective communication with individuals who are deaf, are hard of hearing or have speech disabilities, for all retail stores and financial services.
- Posting a summary of the policy in retail locations and distributing the policy to current and new employees and contractors.
- Accepting calls made through a relay service operator by customers who are deaf, are hard of hearing or have speech disabilities on an equivalent basis to calls from other customers. This includes eliminating special security provisions applied to relay calls and using the same caller verification procedures whether or not a customer uses a relay service.
- Ensuring that its ATMs and websites are accessible to individuals with disabilities.
- Providing staff training on the ADA and Patriot Bank’s obligations to provide effective communication to individuals with disabilities.
- Posting and maintaining in a conspicuous location in all banking stores a notice stating that individuals with disabilities have a right under the ADA to request a sign language or oral interpreter or other auxiliary aids or services.
Title III of the ADA prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities by businesses that serve the public. Among other things, the ADA requires financial institutions, accountants, lawyers, doctors and other businesses to provide auxiliary aids and services that are necessary for effective communication. For individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, auxiliary aids include qualified sign language or oral interpreters, use of relay services, computer-assisted real time transcription, and, for simple communications, the exchange of written notes.
Individuals who believe that they may have been victims of discrimination can file a complaint with the U.S. Attorney’s Office at 203-821-3700. More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.justice.gov/crt. Additional information about the ADA can be found at www.ada.gov, or by calling the Department’s toll-free information line at (800) 514-0301 and (800) 514-0383 (TDD).
This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ndidi N. Moses with the assistance of the Disability Rights Section of the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.
Greenwich Woman Admits Embezzling $176K from EmployerRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MICHELLE CRAWFORD, 33, of Greenwich, waived her right to indictment and pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to one count of wire fraud stemming from her embezzlement of more than $176,000 from her employer.
According to court documents and statements made in court, CRAWFORD worked as the office manager for the New England Oil Company (“NEOC”) located in Greenwich. In her capacity as the office manager, CRAWFORD had access to the bank accounts, credit cards and payment system of NEOC. Between May 2011 and May 2014, CRAWFORD embezzled approximately $176,735 from NEOC by making unauthorized withdrawals and by using company funds to pay personal expenses while disguising them in company records as legitimate NEOC expenses.
CRAWFORD is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant on July 29, 2015, at which time she faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
This investigation was conducted by the U.S. Secret Service, the Greenwich Police Department and the Connecticut Financial Crimes Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas P. Morabito.
Waterbury Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison for Firearm and Narcotics OffensesRead the Press Release
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that BRANDON SAPP, 28, of Waterbury, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for possessing a firearm and heroin.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on August 5, 2014, Watertown Police observed SAPP drive up to a residence on Franklin Avenue and conduct what appeared to be a narcotics transaction with another individual standing outside of the home. When officers attempted to stop his car, SAPP pulled away at a high rate of speed. In the ensuing pursuit, SAPP struck a police vehicle, exited his car and fled on foot. He was apprehended a short time later.
A search of the route through which SAPP had fled revealed a 9mm semi-automatic pistol, and a search of his car revealed three 9mm firearm magazines, 15 rounds of 9mm ammunition and approximately 375 baggies of heroin, many of which were marked with the label “Obsession.” SAPP also possessed approximately $990 in cash.
On January 22, 2015, SAPP pleaded guilty to one count of possession of heroin with the intent to distribute, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Watertown Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gabriel J. Vidoni.