District of Connecticut
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
New Haven Man Admits Stealing and Selling Catalytic ConvertersRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MICHAEL ALMODOVAR, also known as “Eme ElColorado,” 30, of New Haven, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to offenses related to his participation in a stolen catalytic converter trafficking ring.
According to court documents and statements made in court, law enforcement has been investigating the theft of catalytic converters from motor vehicles across Connecticut. A catalytic converter contains precious metals, can easily be removed from its vehicle, and is difficult to trace, making it a desirable target for thieves. The average scrap price for catalytic converters currently varies between $300 and $1,500, depending on the model and type of precious metal component.
The investigation revealed that Downpipe Depot & Recycling LLC (“Downpipe Depot”), which had a warehouse on Park Avenue in East Hartford, purchased stolen catalytic converters from a network of thieves, including Almodovar, and then transported and sold the catalytic converters to recycling businesses in New York and New Jersey.
Business records seized during the investigation revealed that, between March 2022 and May 2022, Downpipe Depot paid Almodovar $34,445 for catalytic converters. In one incident, while Almodovar was in the process of stealing a catalytic converter from a car parked in a parking lot, he was interrupted by a witness who used his cellphone take pictures of Almodovar. Almodovar attacked the witness, smashed his car window, cut him with the saw he used to steal the converter, and then fled. The next day, Almodovar sold six converters to Downpipe Depot in exchange for $2,180.
Almodovar pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, and one count of interstate transportation of stolen property, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. Judge Nagala scheduled sentencing for June 18.
Almodovar was arrested on November 28, 2023. He is detained pending sentencing.
This investigation is being led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CI), and the East Hartford Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren C. Clark and A. Reed Durham.
Waterbury Woman Receives Prison Time for Role in Drug RingRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MICHELLE CRUZ, 38, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 15 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for her role in a narcotics trafficking ring.
According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from a DEA New Haven Task Force and Waterbury Police Department-led investigation into drug trafficking in and around the city of Waterbury. The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps on multiple phones, physical surveillance, controlled purchases of narcotics, and motor vehicle stops that resulted in the seizure of drugs and cash proceeds, revealed that Jose Duprey, also known as “Red” and “Colorado,” trafficked kilogram-quantities of cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl. Duprey used his place of employment to supply narcotics to other drug distributors, and he used his girlfriend’s business, located on Straits Turnpike in Middlebury, to store narcotics and other items.
In April and May 2022, Cruz was intercepted on a wiretap ordering heroin and fentanyl from Duprey, which she then distributed to her drug customers.
Cruz, Duprey, and 12 other individuals identified during this investigation were arrested on May 25, 2022. On that date, a search of Duprey’s Waterbury residence and his Middlebury stash location revealed approximately 10 kilograms of cocaine, two kilograms of heroin, two kilograms of fentanyl, and more than $107,000 in cash.
On August 9, 2023, Cruz pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. Cruz, who is released on a $50,000 bond and living in New York, is required to report to prison on May 21.
Duprey has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.
This investigation has been conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force and the Waterbury Police Department, with the assistance of DEA offices in Connecticut, New York and New Jersey; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Marshals Service; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Connecticut State Police; Connecticut Department of Correction; Connecticut State Parole; and the Naugatuck, Ansonia, West Haven, Meriden and East Haven Police Departments.
U.S. Attorney Avery thanked the Waterbury State’s Attorney’s Office for its cooperation in the investigation and prosecution of this matter.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brendan J. Keefe and Nathaniel J. Gentile through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
New Haven Resident Admits Making False Statements During Citizenship ProcessRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that MOHAMED NAJM KAMASH, also known as Mohamed Najm Mohamed Ali Kamash, 33, of New Haven, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to making a false statement in a naturalization proceeding.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Kamash is a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., having immigrated to the U.S. from Iraq in 2014. On August 17, 2021, Kamash appeared in Hartford for a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) interview about his pending Application of Naturalization (Form N-400), and was placed under oath. During the interview with a USCIS agent, Kamash knowingly and falsely stated that he did not know anyone involved with a terrorist organization and that no member of his family was involved with a terrorist organization.
At sentencing, which is not scheduled, Kamash faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.
Kamash was arrested on a criminal complaint on May 5, 2022. He is released on a $250,000 bond pending sentencing.
This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick Doherty and Konstantin Lantsman.
Stratford Man Who Sexually Exploited Girls Online Sentenced to 11 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ALEXANDER DILELLA, 24, of Stratford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 132 months of imprisonment, followed by seven years of supervised release, for child exploitation offenses related to his sexual exploitation of girls across the country through Snapchat and other online applications. Judge Underhill also ordered Dilella to pay $24,000 in restitution.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2020 and 2021, Dilella used various online applications, including Snapchat, FaceTime, and Omegle to communicate with at least nine minor girls across the country, some as young as 12 and 13 years old, and manipulate them to engage in sexual activity while livestreaming, and to send him explicit images and videos of themselves. Dilella also sent sexually explicit images of himself to several of minor victims.
During one Snapchat exchange with a 14-year-old victim in Colorado, Dilella referred to the girl as a “child porn slave” and demanded that she send him a sexually explicit image of herself, which she did. Dilella also attempted to meet a 16-year-old victim in Stratford to engage in sex acts with him, but they could not agree on a location. When the victim suggested they meet in her basement, Dilella declined because he felt was a “trap.”
On May 24, 2021, investigators seized Dilella’s iPhone. Analysis of the phone revealed videos of prepubescent children being sexually abused.
Dilella was arrested on May 4, 2022. On November 8, 2023, he pleaded guilty to receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography.
Dilella, who is released on a $250,000 bond, is required to report to prison on May 15.
This matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with the assistance of the Stratford and Milford Police Departments. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Angel M. Krull.
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.
Discovery Zone Learning Center to Make Changes to Comply with ADARead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that the government and the Discovery Zone Learning Center (“Discovery Zone”), a private childcare center with locations in Columbia, Hebron, and Marlborough, Connecticut, have entered into a settlement agreement to resolve allegations that Discovery Zone staff discriminated against a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder in violation of the Americans with Disability Act (“ADA”).
This matter was initiated by a complaint made with the U.S. Department of Justice on behalf of a child with Autism. Based on its investigation, the government found that Discovery Zone failed to reasonable modify its programs to accommodate the child, which resulted in Discovery Zone excluding the child from its childcare programs.
Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Discovery Zone has agreed not to discriminate against children with disabilities in the future, will implement new policies and procedures for handling requests for reasonable modifications that are consistent with the ADA, and will provide training to its staff on the ADA. Discovery Zone has also agreed to pay $1,500 to the complainant.
“No family should have to worry that their child will be excluded from group childcare because the child is disabled,” said U.S. Attorney Avery. “I want to commend the Discovery Zone Learning Center for doing the right thing by cooperating with our investigation and agreeing to comply with the ADA going forward.”
The settlement agreement is effective for three years, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office will monitor compliance during that time.
This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stewart C. Dearing.
Any member of the public who wishes to file a complaint alleging that any place of public accommodation or public entity in Connecticut is not accessible to persons with disabilities may contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at 203-821-3700 and ask for the Civil Rights Intake Specialist.
Additional information about the ADA can be found at www.ada.gov, or by calling the Justice Department’s toll-free information line at (800) 514-0301 and (800) 514-0383 (TTY). More information about the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.justice.gov/crt.
Waterbury Gang Member Pleads Guilty to Multiple Federal OffensesRead the Press Release
EZRA ALVES, also known as “EJ” and “Ezzy,” 23, of Waterbury, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to offenses stemming from his participation in the 960 gang, a violent Waterbury street gang.
Today’s announcement was made by Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; Maureen T. Platt, State’s Attorney for the Waterbury Judicial District; Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division; and Waterbury Police Chief Fernando C. Spagnolo.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in an effort to address drug trafficking and related violence in Waterbury, the FBI, ATF, and Waterbury Police have been investigating multiple Waterbury-based groups, including the 960 gang. On September 14, 2021, a federal grand jury in Hartford returned a 36-count indictment charging Alves and 15 other alleged 960 gang members with racketeering, narcotics trafficking, firearm possession, murder, attempted murder and assault, and obstruction of justice offenses.
Alves pleaded guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy, three counts of attempted murder and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, two counts of carrying and using a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, controlled substances.
Alves specifically admitted that he and other 960 members were engaged in drug trafficking and violent activity, and conspired to shoot and murder members of rival gangs, including:
- On September 21, 2018, in retaliation for the murder of an associate, Alves and other 960 members participated in a drive-by shooting of an occupied residence on Scott Road in Waterbury.
- On October 6, 2018, in a drive-by shooting, Alves and other gang members attempted to murder individuals believed to be members of a rival gang, which resulted in gunshot wounds to an individual.
- On November 18, 2018, Alves and other gang members participated in a drive-by shooting of rival gang members, which resulted in gunshot wounds to two individuals.
Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for June 18, 2024, at which time Alves faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 17 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.
Alves has been detained since November 15, 2019.
This investigation is being conducted by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force, ATF, and Waterbury Police Department, with the assistance of the Watertown Police Department, New Milford Police Department and Connecticut Department of Correction. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Geoffrey M. Stone, John T. Pierpont, Jr. and Natasha M. Freismuth, and Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Don E. Therkildesen, Jr. and Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney Alexandra Arroyo of the Waterbury State’s Attorney’s Office, who have been cross-designated as Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys in this matter.
This prosecution is a part of the Justice’s Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) programs.
PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
New Britain Man Involved in Cocaine Trafficking Sentenced to 30 Months in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that NERICK DIAZ-QUESADA, 25, of New Britain, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to 30 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for trafficking cocaine.
According to court documents, on November 10, 2022, members of the DEA’s Hartford Task Force and New Britain Police Department executed a court-authorized search warrant at an apartment located on LaSalle Street in New Britain suspected of being used as a location to store, process, and package narcotics for distribution. Diaz-Quesada was apprehended after he attempted to flee from investigators when they entered the apartment. A search of bedroom that Diaz-Quesada used revealed more than two kilograms of cocaine, a loaded Glock 9mm handgun, narcotics packaging materials, and a large amount of cash.
Diaz-Quesada has been detained since his arrest. On January 26, 2023, he pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
This investigation is being conducted by the DEA’s Hartford Task Force, which includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Enfield, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, and Windsor Locks Police Departments. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey M. Stone.
Waterbury Man Sentenced to 29 Years in Federal Prison for Role in Kidnapping and Murder of Massachusetts ManRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CALVIN ROBERSON, also known as “Cutty,” 41, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to 348 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for his role in the kidnapping and murder of a Massachusetts man in 2020.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 24, 2020, Roberson and Brandon Batiste kidnapped Francisco Roman, Jr., 28, at gunpoint from a residence in Chicopee, Massachusetts. Roberson and Batiste threatened to harm Roman if he did not comply with their orders, handcuffed him, and stole cash, marijuana, and other items from Roman. Roberson and Batiste forced Roman into the rear of Roman’s car and transported Roman and the stolen property to Connecticut. Batiste shot and killed Roman while the car was en route to Hartford. They then drove the car to Shultas Place in Hartford and left it parked on the street.
Roberson and Batiste then drove a separate car to an apartment that Roberson shared with Shamari Smith in Waterbury, and took most of the property stolen during the robbery into the apartment.
Shortly before 9 p.m. on December 26, 2020, Hartford police and fire personnel responded to Shultas Place and found Roman’s car engulfed in flames. After the fire was extinguished, investigators discovered Roman’s body with multiple gunshot wounds in the rear of the vehicle.
Roberson has been detained since his arrest on February 11, 2021. On April 27, 2023, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit kidnaping, and causing the death of a person through the use of a firearm.
Batiste pleaded guilty to the same charges and, on December 20, 2023, was sentenced to 42 years of imprisonment.
Smith, who lied to law enforcement about what she knew about the robbery, kidnapping, and murder, and her role in the disposal of the stolen property, pleaded guilty to misprision of a felony. On October 13, 2023, she was sentenced to 25 months of imprisonment.
This investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force, FBI’s Springfield Gang Task Force, Massachusetts State Police, Hampden County (Mass.) District Attorney’s Office, Hartford Police Department’s Major Crimes Division, Chicopee Police Department and Springfield Police Department, with the assistance of the Waterbury Police Department and the FBI’s Atlanta Field Office.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Angel M. Krull and Trial Attorney Brian P. Leaming of the Justice Department’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section.
Norwalk Inn Agrees to Permit Service Animals in Americans with Disabilities Act SettlementRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that the U.S. Attorney’s Office has reached a settlement agreement with the Norwalk Inn and Conference Center (“Norwalk Inn”), located in Norwalk, to resolve allegations that the facility was not operating in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”).
The settlement agreement resolves an ADA complaint filed by an individual with disabilities alleging that the Norwalk Inn required the removal of a service animal from the Inn as a condition of service in July 2023.
As a result of the settlement agreement, the Norwalk Inn is in the process of posting signage indicating “Service Animals Welcome,” implementing a “Service Animal Policy,” which includes the types of legally permissible inquiries Norwalk Inn employees may make of a customer who enters the facility with a service animal, and training employees regarding the policy.
Under federal law, private entities that own or operate places of “public accommodation,” including hotels and restaurants, are prohibited from discriminating on the basis of disability. The ADA authorizes the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate complaints and undertake periodic reviews of compliance of 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.
U.S. Attorney Avery noted that the owners of Norwalk Inn have worked cooperatively with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to promptly address the ADA issues without litigation.
Any member of the public who wishes to file a complaint alleging that any place of public accommodation or public entity in 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 Justice Department’s toll-free information line at (800) 514-0301 and (800) 514-0383 (TTY). 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. Attorney William M. Brown, Jr. of the District of Connecticut in coordination with the Disability Rights Section of the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.
Two Members of Violent Waterbury Gang Plead GuiltyRead the Press Release
DAYQUAIN SINISTERRA, also known as “Quan,” 26, and AHMED ALVES, also known as “Stones,” 26, both of Waterbury, pleaded guilty this week in Bridgeport federal court to offenses stemming from their participation in the 960 gang, a violent Waterbury street gang.
Today’s announcement was made by Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; Maureen T. Platt, State’s Attorney for the Waterbury Judicial District; Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division; and Waterbury Police Chief Fernando C. Spagnolo.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in an effort to address drug trafficking and related violence in Waterbury, the FBI, ATF, and Waterbury Police have been investigating multiple Waterbury-based groups, including the 960 gang. On September 14, 2021, a federal grand jury in Hartford returned a 36-count indictment charging Sinisterra, Alves, and 14 other alleged 960 gang members with racketeering, narcotics trafficking, firearm possession, murder, attempted murder and assault, and obstruction of justice offenses.
On March 13, 2024, Sinisterra pleaded guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy, six counts of attempted murder and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, and three counts of carrying and using a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
Sinisterra specifically admitted that he and other 960 members were engaged in violent activity and conspired to shoot and murder members of rival gangs, including:
- On September 21, 2018, in retaliation for the murder of an associate, Sinisterra and other 960 members participated in drive-by shootings of occupied residences on Lounsbury Street and Scott Road in Waterbury.
- On October 6, 2018, in a drive-by shooting, Sinisterra and other gang members attempted to murder individuals believed to be members of a rival gang, which resulted in gunshot wounds to an individual.
- On October 11, 2018, in an effort to murder rival gang members, Sinisterra and other gang members participated in a drive-by shooting that resulted in the death of an innocent bystander, 30-year-old Fransua Guzman, and the paralysis of a second victim.
- On November 1, 2018, Sinisterra shot a rival gang member.
- On November 18, 2018, Sinisterra and other gang members participated in a drive-by shooting of rival gang members, which resulted in gunshot wounds to two individuals.
Sinisterra is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley on June 17, 2024. If Judge Dooley accepts the terms of a binding plea agreement, Sinisterra will be sentenced to 35 years of imprisonment.
Sinisterra has been detained since his arrest on November 21, 2018.
On March 12, 2024, Alves pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, and one count of being an accessory after the fact. Alves admitted that he trafficked drugs in furtherance of the 960 enterprise. He also admitted that, after the gang-related shooting that occurred on November 18, 2018, Alves picked up 960 members who participated in the shooting using a stolen car, and drove them to a 960 member’s residence where they stashed firearms. Later, 960 members drove the stolen car and left it in Meriden, and Alves again picked them up.
Alves was arrested on September 16, 2021. He is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Dooley on June 13, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 35 years.
Alves is released on a $100,000 bond pending sentencing.
This investigation is being conducted by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force, ATF, and Waterbury Police Department, with the assistance of the Watertown Police Department, New Milford Police Department and Connecticut Department of Correction. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Geoffrey M. Stone, John T. Pierpont, Jr. and Natasha M. Freismuth, and Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Don E. Therkildesen, Jr. and Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney Alexandra Arroyo of the Waterbury State’s Attorney’s Office, who have been cross-designated as Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys in this matter.
This prosecution is a part of the Justice’s Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) programs.
PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Justice Department Secures Agreement with Connecticut Department of Correction to Protect Religious Rights in PrisonRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that it has reached an agreement with the Connecticut Department of Correction (CDOC) that expands opportunities for group religious practice throughout the state prison system. The agreement resolves the department’s investigation of CDOC, pursuant to the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA).
Under the agreement, CDOC has adopted a new policy that expands access to group worship or other collective religious activities. Under the prior policy, only a chaplain or approved outside volunteer of the same faith as the members of a religious group could supervise the group’s religious practice. The revised policy will permit other staff and chaplains of other faiths to supervise group religious practice and will allow incarcerated persons to facilitate some group religious activities.
“Religious liberty is a foundational principle of the United States, and the religious rights of incarcerated persons are guaranteed by both the Constitution and federal law,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This agreement will protect the religious practices of people held in correctional facilities across Connecticut by expanding the available options for supervising group religious activities. The Justice Department remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting the religious rights of all persons, including those who are incarcerated.”
“Federal law guarantees all Americans the right to freely exercise one’s religion, which includes the right of institutionalized persons to practice their faith and worship together,” said U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery for the District of Connecticut. “We are committed to protecting this fundamental right and are grateful for the Connecticut Department of Correction’s ongoing collaboration to ensure better protection for collective religious services.”
In addition to expanding who can supervise group religious practice, the agreement requires CDOC to implement a new “inmate conductor” program, which will allow incarcerated persons to take an active role in facilitating collective religious activities. CDOC will also collect and review data on a regular basis to ensure that the new policy has the intended effect of increasing access to group worship or collective religious activities. The settlement requires appropriate notification and training of CDOC staff and leadership to implement the revised policy. The department will have access to documents and correctional facilities to assess compliance with the agreement.
For additional information about the Civil Rights Division and the Special Litigation Section, please visit www.justice.gov/crt/special-litigation-section. The Justice Department issued a report on the 20th Anniversary of RLUIPA in 2020 and a statement and on the Institutionalized Persons Provisions of RLUIPA in 2017. Those interested in finding out more about RLUIPA can visit www.justice.gov/crt/religious-land-use-and-institutionalized-persons-act-0.
Former Connecticut Resident Pleads Guilty to Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Harry T. Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, today announced that DANNY D. BEEMAN, 66, of Beverly Hills, Florida, and a former resident of Connecticut, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to tax evasion.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Beeman claimed to be the originator and developer of computer software technology capable of compressing electronically-stored data. In 2012, Beeman and other individuals formed a Connecticut company, identified in court documents as “Company-A,” to allow Beeman to develop the compression software. From 2013 to 2017, Company-A paid Beeman approximately $316,000 to develop the software. During this time, Beeman submitted fake invoices to Company-A seeking reimbursement for purchases of computer-related equipment that he never purchased. Beeman obtained approximately $2 million from Company-A through these fake invoices.
In total, from 2013 to 2017, Beeman received approximately $2.3 million from Company-A, all of which was taxable income. Beeman also had long-term capital gains income of approximately $1.5 million resulting from the sale of shares in Company-A. However, Beeman never filed tax returns for any of those years, resulting in a tax loss to the Internal Revenue Service of approximately $1,054,032.
Beeman faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 5 years. A sentencing date has not been scheduled.
Beeman is released pending sentencing.
This matter is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel.
Connecticut U.S. Attorney’s Office and DEA New England Release PSA Warning of Fentanyl and Counterfeit PillsRead the Press Release
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut and the New England Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration have released a public service announcement asking Connecticut residents to remain vigilant during this ongoing opioid abuse epidemic, and issuing a warning about the increasing percentage of fentanyl now found in counterfeit prescription pills that are illegally trafficked in the U.S.
“Overdose deaths due to fentanyl intoxication have become a devastating part of the fabric of Connecticut and our nation,” said U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery. “While there are indications that annual overdose death rates are no longer rising and may have leveled off, or slightly decreased, far too many people continue to die accidentally by consuming fentanyl and counterfeit pills that contain it. While our office, the DEA, and our other federal, state, and local partners continue to work to dismantle drug trafficking rings and stem the flow of these deadly drugs, we ask the public to remain vigilant and continue to spread awareness to family and friends. We hope this public service announcement is viewed widely and the message in it absorbed by all. One pill can kill you, and there are resources available to help us end this scourge.”
“Last year, the DEA seized thousands of pounds of fentanyl powder and more than 79 million fentanyl-laced pills across the U.S.,” said David Lanzoni, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England. “But as drug poisoning is now the leading cause of death of Americans between the ages of 18 and 45, we clearly have more work to do. Everyone needs to know that nearly all of the pills sold on the street are counterfeit, and approximately seven out of ten them contain a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl. Please watch this public service announcement and help spread these astonishing numbers.”
The public service announcement is available at these links:
- https://youtu.be/TvFf6Sy0q5M (YouTube)
- https://twitter.com/USAO_CT/status/1768287229619720230 (X/Twitter)
- https://www.facebook.com/usaoct/posts/pfbid028KVay6XfoVHDNPdPMxdyiHmdKV8vr4LcwVfss3VWi8apKyExM3rFVjaQnk8oLeTCl (Facebook)
Additional resources on fentanyl and fentanyl pills, as well as prevention and treatment, are available at www.dea.gov/onepill.
To learn more about the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s fentanyl awareness and drug prevention program for students, please visit: www.justice.gov/usao-ct/heat.
Information about the DEA New England Division can be found at: www.dea.gov/divisions/new-england.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is charged with enforcing federal criminal laws in Connecticut and representing the federal government in civil litigation. The Office is composed of approximately 68 Assistant U.S. Attorneys and 57 staff members at offices in New Haven, Bridgeport and Hartford. For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut, please visit www.justice.gov/ct.
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Windsor Man Sentenced to 70 Months in Federal Prison for Trafficking Counterfeit Oxycodone Pills Containing FentanylRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MICHAEL LEE, 26, of Windsor, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to 70 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl.
According to court documents and statements made in court, a DEA New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of narcotics and the seizure of drugs that had been shipped through the U.S. Mail, revealed that Michael Lee, his brother Alexander Lee, and others, received thousands of counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl, and other controlled substances, from a source of supply on the west coast of the U.S., and then distributed the drugs to various street-level distributors and numerous drug customers in Connecticut.
In February 2022, Michael and Alexander Lee traveled to California and shipped a package back to Alexander Lee’s Windsor residence. The package, which was intercepted and searched pursuant to a federal search warrant, contained approximately 18,000 fentanyl pills disguised as oxycodone. In May 2022, the Lees again traveled to California and shipped a package to an associate in Bloomfield. A search of the package revealed 1,800 tablets of Alprazolam (Xanax) that appeared to be manufactured in Mexico.
During the investigation, investigators also seized approximately 25 pounds of marijuana, seven firearms, and thousands of dollars in cash.
Michael and Alexander Lee were arrested on June 29, 2022. On that date, a search of Michael Lee’s residence revealed more than 1,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills, a small quantity of prescription Xanax tablets, and a loaded .45 caliber pistol with an extended magazine.
On November 6, 2023, Michael Lee pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. Currently released on a $100,000 bond, he is required to report to prison on April 24.
Alexander Lee pleaded guilty to the same charge and, on September 6, 2023, was sentenced to 60 months of imprisonment.
This matter was investigated by the DEA New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad, with the assistance of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Connecticut State Police; East Central Narcotics Task Force; and the Windsor and Enfield Police Departments. The DEA Tactical Diversion Squad is composed of personnel from the DEA and the Bristol, East Windsor, Hamden, New Britain, West Haven, Newington, Manchester, Glastonbury, and Watertown Police Departments.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren C. Clark and Stephanie T. Levick through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Bridgeport Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun ChargeRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ZAN HAIRSTON, JR., 26, of Bridgeport, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on January 9, 2023, the Bridgeport Police Department received a report that Hairston had unlawfully entered a residence of a former girlfriend, searched through her belongings and, during a subsequent FaceTime call with her, threatened her by brandishing what appeared to be a firearm. When officers located and approached Hairston on Union Avenue in Bridgeport, Hairston attempted to flee. He was apprehended a short distance away, and officers recovered from the ground near Hairston a Taurus TX .22 firearm equipped with a mounted laser and loaded with an extended magazine containing 20 rounds of ammunition, a Glock 26 Gen4 firearm loaded with one round, and a Glock magazine with 13 rounds of ammunition.
Hairston’s criminal history includes felony convictions in Connecticut for conspiracy to commit robbery in the first degree with a firearm, burglary in the second degree, criminal possession of a firearm, and illegal possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle. It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.
Judge Nagala scheduled sentencing for June 7, at which time Hairston faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years.
Hairston has been detained since his federal arrest on February 22, 2023.
This matter is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Bridgeport Police Department.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rahul Kale and Lauren Clark through Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Woman Charged with Robbing Waterbury and Bristol Banks in FebruaryRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment today charging HEATHER BROWN, 49, last residing in New Haven, with robbing three Connecticut banks last month.
The indictment alleges that Brown robbed the Wells Fargo Bank located at 800 Wolcott Street in Waterbury on February 6, 2024; the Liberty Bank located at 1030 Hamilton Avenue in Waterbury on February 7, 2024; and the Webster Bank located at 575 Farmington Avenue in Bristol on February 9, 2024.
Brown has been in custody since her arrest on state charges on February 9, 2024.
The indictment charges Brown with three counts of bank robbery, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count.
U.S. Attorney Avery 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 investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Waterbury, Bristol, and Southington Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony E. Kaplan and Nathan J. Guevremont.
Prisoner Who Escaped from Bloomfield Halfway House Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that HECTOR SANTIAGO, 29, pleaded guilty yesterday in Hartford federal court to escaping from the custody of the Attorney General.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 18, 2019, Santiago was sentenced in Hartford federal court to 69 months of imprisonment for a narcotics trafficking offense. On June 23, 2023, he was transferred from the U.S. Penitentiary in Lee County, Virginia, to the Drapelick Center, a Residential Reentry Center (halfway house) in Bloomfield, to complete his custodial sentence. On September 27, 2023, Santiago left the facility and failed to return. He was located and arrested in Hartford on February 9, 2024.
Santiago has been detained since his arrest.
At sentencing, which is not scheduled, Santiago faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.
This matter was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean P. Mahard.
Indictment Charges Danbury Resident with Fentanyl Trafficking OffenseRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that JAIRO ABREU, 31, of Danbury, has been charged by indictment with a fentanyl trafficking offense.
As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, an investigation by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and Hartford Police Department revealed that Abreu was trafficking fentanyl into Hartford. Abreu was arrested on state charges on October 17, 2023. Following his arrest, a search of his Danbury residence revealed approximately three kilograms of fentanyl and an additional approximately 2,000 wax sleeves containing fentanyl.
Abreu was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on February 23, 2024. On March 6, a grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging him with possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. Abreu appeared yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert A. Richardson in Hartford, entered a plea of not guilty to the charge, and was released on a $100,000 bond.
If convicted of the charge, Abreu faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of 40 years.
U.S. Attorney Avery 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.
The FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Manchester Police Department, New Britain Police Department, West Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Geoffrey M. Stone and Sean P. Mahard through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Waterbury Gang Member Pleads Guilty to Multiple Federal OffensesRead the Press Release
JAIVAUN McKNIGHT, also known as “Sav,” 25, of Waterbury, pleaded guilty today in Bridgeport federal court to multiple offenses stemming from his participation in the 960 gang, a violent Waterbury street gang.
Today’s announcement was made by Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; Maureen T. Platt, State’s Attorney for the Waterbury Judicial District; Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division; and Waterbury Police Chief Fernando C. Spagnolo.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in an effort to address drug trafficking and related violence in Waterbury, the FBI, ATF, and Waterbury Police have been investigating multiple Waterbury-based groups, including the 960 gang. On September 14, 2021, a federal grand jury in Hartford returned a 36-count indictment charging McKnight and 15 other alleged 960 gang members with racketeering, narcotics trafficking, firearm possession, murder, attempted murder and assault, and obstruction of justice offenses.
McKnight pleaded guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy, one count of attempted murder and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, one count of carrying and using a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.
McKnight specifically admitted that he and other 960 members were engaged in violent activity, including shootings, assaults and attempted murders, and that he trafficked drugs in furtherance of the 960 enterprise. On September 21, 2018, in retaliation for the murder of an associate, McKnight and other 960 members attempted to murder individuals by shooting at an occupied residence on Scott Road in Waterbury.
McKnight has been detained since his arrest on September 16, 2021. He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley on June 12, at which time he faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.
This investigation is being conducted by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force, ATF, and Waterbury Police Department, with the assistance of the Watertown Police Department, New Milford Police Department and Connecticut Department of Correction. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Geoffrey M. Stone, John T. Pierpont, Jr. and Natasha M. Freismuth, and Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Don E. Therkildesen, Jr. and Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney Alexandra Arroyo of the Waterbury State’s Attorney’s Office, who have been cross-designated as Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys in this matter.
This prosecution is a part of the Justice’s Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) programs.
PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Teen Admits Role in 2 New Haven Gang Shootings, Pleads Guilty to Racketeering ChargeRead the Press Release
NYZAIRE BARNES, also known as “Melo,” 19, of New Haven, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to a racketeering offense stemming from his role in a violent New Haven street gang.
Today’s announcement was made by Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; John P. Doyle, Jr., State’s Attorney for the New Haven Judicial District; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division; Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England; and New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in an effort to address violence in New Haven, the ATF, FBI, DEA and New Haven Police Department, working closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office, have been investigating an ongoing gang war between members and associates of the Exit 8 street gang and rival gangs in the Hill section and other areas of the city. The Exit 8 gang is named after the geographic area accessed by exiting Interstate 91 at Exit 8 in New Haven. Recently, younger members of Exit 8 are identifying themselves with the word “Honcho,” which is derived from the street name of an Exit 8 member who was murdered on Quinnipiac Avenue in February 2020.
The investigation revealed that Barnes and other members of the Exit 8 gang engaged in drug trafficking, used and shared firearms, and, since June 2018, have committed at least three murders and 16 attempted murders. Exit 8 members and associates also stole vehicles, at times from outside of the state, and used those stolen vehicles when committing acts of violence. Gang members also promoted, coordinated, facilitated, and celebrated their narcotics distribution and acts of violence through text messaging and the use of social media applications and websites including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube.
Barnes pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity, and specifically admitted that he took part in two gang-related shootings. On April 12, 2022, Barnes and other Exit 8 members shot and attempted to kill rival gang members. On January 20, 2023, Exit 8 members, including Devin Suggs, stole an SUV in Scarsdale, New York. Later that day, Barnes and Suggs committed a drive-by shooting of a rival gang member in New Haven. The victim was shot in the head, but survived the attack.
At sentencing, which is not scheduled, Barnes faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. Barnes has been detained since August 3, 2023.
Suggs pleaded guilty to the same charge on February 20, 2024, and awaits sentencing.
This investigation is being conducted by ATF, the FBI, the DEA, the New Haven Police Department, the Hamden Police Department, and the New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office, with the assistance of the Connecticut State Police and the Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tara E. Levens, Rahul Kale and Jocelyn C. Kaoutzanis.
This prosecution is a part of the Justice’s Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), Project Longevity and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) programs.
PSN is a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone. Project Longevity is 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 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. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Stratford Man Sentenced to 7 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Meth and OxycodoneRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that EDWARD JOHNSON, 32, of Stratford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Harford to 84 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for distributing methamphetamine and oxycodone.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in April 2022, the Stratford Police Department’s Narcotics, Vice and Intelligence Unit and the Drug Enforcement Administration began investigating Johnson and others for distributing controlled substances in the Stratford and Bridgeport area. Johnson was arrested on August 2, 2022. On that date, investigators conducted a court authorized search of his residence on Thompson Street in Stratford and seized approximately 967 grams of methamphetamine in both pill form and powder form, approximately 13 grams of oxycodone pills; other prescription pills, more than six pounds of marijuana, and $32,151 in cash.
At the time of his arrest, Johnson was on state probation from a prior drug offense, and on pre-trial release for state narcotics and firearm charges.
Johnson has been detained since his arrest. On December 14, 2023, he pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and oxycodone.
This matter was investigated by the Stratford Police Department’s Narcotics, Vice and Intelligence Unit and the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force. The HIDTA Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Bridgeport Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bridgeport, Norwalk, Stamford, Stratford, Milford, and Danbury Police Departments. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie T. Levick.
New Haven Man Charged with Possessing Loaded Gun While Released on Bond in another Federal CaseRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging ANTRUM COSTON, 41, of New Haven, with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, and with committing the offense while released on bond in another case.
On September 18, 2023, Coston was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 37 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for pandemic relief fraud, money laundering, and drug offenses. Judge Underhill ordered Coston, who was released on bond, to surrender for service of his sentence on November 29, 2023.
As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, on October 25, 2023, New Haven Police arrested Coston after they found him in possession of a loaded Taurus G3 9mm handgun with an extended magazine, and various controlled substances.
It is alleged that Coston’s criminal history includes multiple felony convictions, including two federal convictions for firearm offenses.
The indictment was returned on March 6, 2023. Coston, who has been detained since his state arrest, appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas O. Farrish in Hartford and entered a plea of not guilty to the charge.
If convicted, Coston faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, and a consecutive sentence of up to 10 years for possessing the firearm while on federal release.
U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that a criminal complaint 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 investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the New Haven Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel J. Gentile
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Bridgeport Man Admits Role in Scheme that Defrauded Social Security AdministrationRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Sharon MacDermott, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, Boston – New York Field Division, announced that TROVOY DIXON, 31, of Bridgeport, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today to an offense stemming from his role in a scheme to defraud the Social Security Administration.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2021, unidentified fraudsters engaged in a scheme to defraud the Social Security Administration (SSA) using stolen identities. The fraudsters would contact the SSA posing as legitimate Social Security recipients, often presenting the SSA with confidential personal information, like Social Security numbers and dates of birth, to validate their purported identities. They would then instruct the SSA to change the legitimate SSA recipients’ existing bank account deposit information so that monthly SSA payments would be deposited into bank accounts controlled by scheme participants.
In approximately August 2021, Dixon was contacted by phone by a scheme participant using a Jamaican based telephone number and was asked if he wished to make money through moving money. Dixon agreed, and was instructed to open bank accounts that he would control. After monies generated from the scheme were deposited into Dixon’s online bank accounts, he would withdraw cash from the accounts and use commercial money transfer services to wire a portion of the cash to designated bank accounts in either Jamaica or Mexico. Dixon admitted that he consciously avoided learning the monies were illegally obtained, although in time he knew them to be, and ultimately kept close to half of the monies for his personal use.
Between August 2021 and July 2023, more than $300,000 was deposited into bank accounts Dixon controlled. When accounts were closed due to suspicious fraudulent withdrawal activity, Dixon opened additional accounts to continue his illegal activity.
Dixon pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. He has agreed to make restitution of $161,000.
Judge Oliver scheduled sentencing for June 30. Dixon is released on a $50,000 bond pending sentencing.
This investigation is being conducted by the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher W. Schmeisser.
Waterbury Gang Member Pleads Guilty to Racketeering ChargeRead the Press Release
LADERRICK JONES, also known as “Lexus,” 31, of Waterbury, pleaded guilty today in Bridgeport federal court to a racketeering offense stemming from his participation in the 960 gang, a violent Waterbury street gang.
Today’s announcement was made by Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; Maureen T. Platt, State’s Attorney for the Waterbury Judicial District; Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division; and Waterbury Police Chief Fernando C. Spagnolo.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in an effort to address drug trafficking and related violence in Waterbury, the FBI, ATF, and Waterbury Police have been investigating multiple Waterbury-based groups, including the 960 gang. On September 14, 2021, a federal grand jury in Hartford returned a 36-count indictment charging Jones and 15 other alleged 960 gang members with racketeering, narcotics trafficking, firearm possession, murder, attempted murder and assault, and obstruction of justice offenses.
In pleading guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy, Jones admitted that he trafficked narcotics in furtherance of the 960 enterprise, and that he was aware that 960 members were engaged in violent activity and committed murders and attempted murders.
Jones has been detained since his arrest on June 27, 2019. He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley on June 11, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
This investigation is being conducted by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force, ATF and Waterbury Police Department, with the assistance of the Watertown Police Department, New Milford Police Department and Connecticut Department of Correction. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Geoffrey M. Stone, John T. Pierpont, Jr. and Natasha M. Freismuth, and Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Don E. Therkildesen, Jr. and Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney Alexandra Arroyo of the Waterbury State’s Attorney’s Office, who have been cross-designated as Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys in this matter.
This prosecution is a part of the Justice’s Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) programs.
PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Vernon Man Charged with Enticing Minors He Communicated with on Snapchat to Send Him Sexually Explicit ImagesRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced that DARYL TODD, 43, of Vernon, was arrested today and charged by criminal complaint with child exploitation offenses.
Following his arrest, Todd appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas O. Farrish in Hartford and was ordered detained pending a detention hearing that is scheduled for March 11.
As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, an investigation by the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force revealed that Todd used Snapchat to communicate with minor girls and entice them to send him sexually explicit images and videos of themselves, often in return for money that Todd sent the victims using the mobile payment service Cash App. Todd also sent sexually explicit images of himself to the minor victims.
Todd was arrested this morning after investigators executed a court-authorized search warrant at his residence and a preliminary review of his cellphone revealed sexually explicit images of minor females.
The complaint charges Todd with transfer of obscene material to minors, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years; receipt of child pornography, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.
U.S. Attorney Avery 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 FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nancy V. Gifford through 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.
Connecticut Dentist Sentenced to Prison for Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that BOULOS HANNA, also known as “Paul Hanna,” 66, of East Lyme, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to 10 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for tax evasion. Judge Williams also ordered Hanna to pay a $25,000 fine in addition to his restitution obligation.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Hanna is the sole owner of Paul Hanna DMD PC, a dental practice in New London. Hanna takes fees from dental patients in the form personal checks, cash, and credit card payments. Hanna owns the building where his dental practice is located and the practice pays rent to Hanna individually.
For each of the 2000 through 2009 tax years, Hanna filed a Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return for himself and his wife, and paid the tax due and owing for those years, typically by having withholdings during the year sufficient to cover his tax liability. For the 2010 through 2012 tax years, Hanna filed a Form 1040 for himself and his wife, but did not pay the tax due and owing. As a result, from approximately April 2012 through 2017, Hanna was subject to IRS collections enforcement for the 2010 through 2012 tax years, including forced collection activity, such as liens placed on property and seized payments taken by way of levy.
From 2013 through 2020, Hanna earned approximately $1.6 million in taxable income from his work as a dentist and from rental income. However, he failed to file tax returns for any of those years, resulting in a loss to the IRS of $244,541. In addition to failing to file personal federal income tax returns, Hanna attempted to evade the assessment of tax by paying himself “management fees” instead of a reasonable wage, operating in cash by self-endorsing business checks to himself and cashing these checks to keep money out of his personal bank accounts, and paying personal expenses directly from his business accounts without reflecting those payments as income.
Hanna is required to pay $244,541 in restitution.
Hanna pleaded guilty on July 17, 2023. He is required to report to prison on May 6.
This matter was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan Wines.
Waterbury Gang Member Admits Role in 2018 Drive-By Shooting that Killed Innocent Bystander, Paralyzed SecondRead the Press Release
D’ANDRE BURRUS, also known as “Dopeman,” 30, of Waterbury, pleaded guilty yesterday in Bridgeport federal court to a racketeering offense stemming from his participation in the 960 gang, a violent Waterbury street gang.
Today’s announcement was made by Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; Maureen T. Platt, State’s Attorney for the Waterbury Judicial District; Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division; and Waterbury Police Chief Fernando C. Spagnolo.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in an effort to address drug trafficking and related violence in Waterbury, the FBI, ATF, and Waterbury Police have been investigating multiple Waterbury-based groups, including the 960 gang. On September 14, 2021, a federal grand jury in Hartford returned a 36-count indictment charging Burrus and 15 other alleged 960 gang members with racketeering, narcotics trafficking, firearm possession, murder, attempted murder and assault, and obstruction of justice offenses.
In pleading guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy, Burrus admitted that he trafficked heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine in furtherance of the 960 enterprise. He also admitted that he conspired to murder members of a rival gang on October 11, 2018, which resulted in the death of an innocent bystander, 30-year-old Fransua Guzman, and the paralysis of a second victim. Burrus was in one of two cars 960 members used when the victims were shot.
Burrus is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley on June 7, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
Burrus has been detained since his arrest on February 19, 2019.
This investigation is being conducted by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force, ATF, and Waterbury Police Department, with the assistance of the Watertown Police Department, New Milford Police Department and Connecticut Department of Correction. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Geoffrey M. Stone, John T. Pierpont, Jr. and Natasha M. Freismuth, and Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Don E. Therkildesen, Jr. and Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney Alexandra Arroyo of the Waterbury State’s Attorney’s Office, who have been cross-designated as Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys in this matter.
This prosecution is a part of the Justice’s Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) programs.
PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Stamford Man Sentenced to Prison for Theft of $800K from Trust AccountRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CURTIS SOLSVIG, 69, of Stamford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to 18 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for stealing more than $800,000 from a family trust he administered.
According to court documents and statements made in court, a married couple (the “victims”) created a trust for the primary benefit of their two children. In 1996, Solsvig, a relative of the victims, began serving as trustee of the trust. Beginning in 2011 and continuing for approximately eight years, Solsvig stole approximately $816,000 from the trust and used the funds for a variety of personal expenses. By the time his scheme concluded, less than $20 remained in the trust account.
Judge Nagala ordered Solsvig to pay restitution of $816,205.09.
On December 6, 2023, Solsvig pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.
Solsvig, who is released on a $250,000 bond, is required to report to prison on April 19.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Conor M. Reardon.
Stamford Man Pleads Guilty to Producing Child Sex Abuse ImagesRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that SERVIO BARROS-TERREROS, 57, of Stamford, pleaded guilty today in Bridgeport federal court to a child exploitation offense.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in December 2022, a minor female victim reported that, when she was nine and 10 years old, Barros-Terreros had sexually assaulted her multiple times. The victim reported that Barros-Terreros took sexually explicit pictures of her, and threatened to publish the pictures and show them to the victim’s mother if the victim told anyone. Barros-Terreros also instructed the victim to undress during video calls he initiated with the victim, during which he also engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
On January 12, 2023, Stamford Police arrested Barros-Terreros on state sexual assault and risk of injury offenses, and seized Barros-Terreros’ iPhone. Analysis of the iPhone revealed sexually explicit images of the minor victim, and images of Barros-Terreros engaging in sexually explicit conduct with the minor victim.
Barros-Terreros pleaded guilty to production of child pornography, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years. He is scheduled to be sentenced U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford on June 13.
Barros-Terreros has been detained since his arrest.
This matter has been investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Stamford Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel E. Cummings with the assistance of the Office of the State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Stamford-Norwalk.
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.
East Hartford Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Trafficking Fentanyl PillsRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that OMARI LEWIS, 25, of East Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to 15 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing fentanyl pills.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Lewis was identified as a street-level dealer of fentanyl pills after Windsor Police intercepted a UPS package with approximately 3,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl inside. The investigation revealed that Lewis also used his SnapChat account to advertise the sale counterfeit oxycodone pills. In December 2021 and January 2022, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Tactical Diversion Squad made two controlled purchases of a total of more than 400 fentanyl pills from Lewis.
Lewis was arrested on June 13, 2023. On November 13, 2023, he pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, fentanyl.
Lewis, who is released on a $75,000 bond, is required to report to prison on April 30.
This matter was investigated by the DEA New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad and the Windsor Police Department. The Tactical Diversion Squad is composed of personnel from the DEA and the Bristol, East Windsor, Hamden, New Britain, West Haven, Newington, Manchester, Glastonbury, and Watertown Police Departments. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren C. Clark and Stephanie T. Levick.
Danbury Postmaster Who Operated Bribery, Kickback, and Embezzlement Scheme Sentenced to 4 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that EPHREM D. NGUYEN, 51, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 48 months of imprisonment, followed by two years of supervised release, for operating a bribery, kickback, and embezzlement scheme while serving as the Postmaster of the Danbury Post Office.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Nguyen was employed by the U.S. Postal Service (“USPS”) as the Postmaster of the Danbury Post Office in Danbury, with responsibilities that included supervising the maintenance and repair of all equipment, facilities, and vehicles assigned to the post office. In November 2020, Nguyen required that all Danbury Post Office vehicle maintenance and repair work be performed by a certain vendor, identified in court documents as “Vendor-1,” even though Nguyen knew that another vendor already had a contract for with the Danbury Post Office for those services. Nguyen demanded that Vendor-1 provide free vehicle maintenance and repairs for himself, one of his children, a USPS employee, and employee of Nguyen’s personal business. In 2022, Nguyen solicited and received $90,000 in cash bribes from Michael D. Lutz, the general manager of Vendor-1. In exchange for these bribes, Nguyen caused the USPS to overpay Vendor-1 for vehicle maintenance and repair, which Nguyen characterized as a “raise.” Between approximately January 2022 and February 2023, Nguyen used USPS credit cards to pay Vendor-1 more than $1 million, or approximately $760,000 more than necessary to pay for legitimate maintenance and repair work.
In addition, Nguyen embezzled more than $80,000 from the USPS by using his USPS credit cards to rent vehicles for the personal use of himself and others, and he approved more than $8,000 in fraudulent travel expense reimbursement claims for a co-worker.
Through these schemes, Nguyen defrauded the USPS of approximately $933,553.42.
Judge Underhill ordered Nguyen to make full restitution.
On October 13, 2023, Nguyen pleaded guilty to honest services wire fraud.
Nguyen, formerly of Brookfield, has been residing in Quincy, Massachusetts, while released on a $100,000 bond. He is required to report to prison on May 30.
On February 21, 2024, Lutz pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud. He is awaiting sentencing.
This investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan N. Francis.
Indictment Charges Bridgeport Man with Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division, and Bridgeport Police Chief Roderick Porter today announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford has returned an indictment charging LAMAR DWIGHT BLAKE, 46, of Bridgeport, with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
The indictment was returned on January 31, 2023, and Blake was arrested on February 26, 2023. He appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Dave Vatti in Bridgeport and entered a plea of not guilty to the charge.
As alleged in the indictment, on August 6, 2023, Blake possessed a loaded Glock .40 caliber handgun with an extended magazine.
It is further alleged that Blake’s criminal history includes felony convictions in Connecticut for possession of narcotics with intent to sell, attempted assault in the second degree, possession of narcotics, and criminal possession of a firearm.
It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.
If convicted of the charge, Blake faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years.
U.S. Attorney Avery 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.
Blake is released on a $100,000 bond pending trial.
This matter is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Bridgeport Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean P. Mahard.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Superseding Indictment Charges Hartford Man with Drug Trafficking, Gun Possession OffensesRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned a superseding indictment charging LUIS DeJESUS, 29, of Hartford, with narcotics distribution and firearm possession offenses.
As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, DeJesus’s criminal history includes felony convictions in state court for criminal possession of a firearm and burglary in the third degree. In 2022, members of the Connecticut State Police’s Statewide Narcotics Task Force – North Central Office conducted a series of controlled purchases of narcotics from DeJesus. DeJesus was arrested on state charges on December 16, 2022. On that date, a court-authorized search of his Hartford residence revealed approximately 500 grams of fentanyl, 97 grams of crack cocaine, approximately one kilogram of marijuana, drug processing and packaging materials, a loaded Glock 45 9mm handgun, and approximately $52,000 cash. The case was adopted for federal prosecution and, on March 7, 2023, a grand jury returned an indictment charging DeJesus with one count of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and a quantity of cocaine, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
It is further alleged that, after his federal arrest, DeJesus was released on a $100,000 bond and into home confinement at residence of a family member on Warren Street in Hartford. DeJesus was arrested on November 20, 2023, after law enforcement executed a search warrant at the residence. As investigators entered the residence, DeJesus threw fentanyl out of a window. A search of the residence revealed an additional quantity of fentanyl, a small quantity of cocaine, and drug processing and packaging materials. In total, DeJesus is alleged to have possessed more than 400 grams of fentanyl on that date.
On February 20, 2024, the grand jury returned a superseding indictment charging DeJesus with an additional count of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.
If convicted, DeJesus faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life for each of the narcotics offenses, and maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years for the firearm offense.
DeJesus, who has been detained since November 20, 2023, appeared today in Hartford federal court and pleaded not guilty to the charges in the superseding indictment.
U.S. Attorney Avery 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 Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Resident Office and the Connecticut State Police’s Statewide Narcotics Task Force – North Central Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Reed Durham.
Hartford Felon Sentenced to More Than 8 Years in Prison for Gun Offense, Violating Supervised ReleaseRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DENROY FABLE, 40, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to 102 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for unlawfully possessing a firearm, and for violating his conditions of supervised release that followed a prior federal conviction.
According to the evidence presented during Fable’s trial in October 2023, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force and Hartford Police Department conducted an investigation of a business located at 136 Barbour Street in Hartford that was suspected of trafficking narcotics. The business, a purported clothing store, had an awning that read “The HOLE Ex-Con 360 the movement.” In October 2022, investigators made two controlled drug purchases of marijuana from the store.
On October 5, 2022, Fable and others were in the store when investigators conducted a court-authorized search of the store and seized quantities of suspected crack cocaine, psychedelic mushrooms, cocaine, marijuana, heroin, synthetic opioid pills, fentanyl pills disguised as oxycodone, MDMA, drug packaging and processing materials, U.S. currency, and five handguns. One of the handguns seized, a loaded .380 semiautomatic pistol, was found in a pocket of Fable’s jacket that was hanging on a shelf. Subsequent forensic testing of the firearm revealed the presence of Fable’s DNA.
Fable’s criminal history includes state convictions for criminal possession of a firearm, and carrying a pistol without a permit, and federal convictions for possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine and crack.
On October 26, 2023, Fable was found guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
In March 2019, Fable was sentenced in New Haven federal court to 37 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release. He was released from prison in August 2020, and was on supervised release when he possessed the firearm in October 2022.
Judge Williams sentenced Fable to 78 months of imprisonment for unlawfully possessing the firearm, and a consecutive 24 months of imprisonment for violating the conditions of his supervised release.
Fable has been detained since October 5, 2022.
This investigation was conducted by the DEA’s Hartford Task Force and the Hartford Police Department, with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and the Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory. The DEA Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Enfield, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, and Windsor Locks Police Departments. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys A. Reed Durham and Brendan J. Keefe.
Hartford Drug Trafficker Sentenced to More Than 7 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that ERIC MUNOZ, Jr., also known as “Bebo,” 28, of Hartford, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to 88 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking fentanyl and other narcotics.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in July and August 2021, the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force made eight controlled purchases of fentanyl from Munoz Jr. and his father, Eric Munoz, Sr.
Munoz Jr. and Munoz Sr. were arrested on August 25, 2021. On that date, a search of Munoz Jr.’s residence on Harbison Avenue in Hartford revealed more than 900 grams of loose fentanyl, approximately 3,800 wax folds of fentanyl, approximately 300 grams of cocaine, approximately 50 grams of crack cocaine, five handguns, and $29,921 in cash. A search of Munoz Sr.’s residence, also on Harbison Avenue, revealed approximately 900 grams of loose fentanyl, 280 wax folds of fentanyl, 41 rounds of assorted ammunition, and $15,888 in cash. A search of an apartment located on Capitol Avenue in Hartford, which Munoz Jr. and Munoz Sr. used to store, process, and package narcotics, revealed approximately 200 grams of loose fentanyl, 5,100 wax folds of fentanyl, 130 grams of cocaine, 88 grams of crack cocaine, and eight rounds of ammunition.
Munoz Jr. has been detained since his arrest. On April 11, 2023, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.
Munoz Jr. has a prior federal narcotics trafficking conviction. In August 2017, he was sentenced in Hartford federal court to 31 months of imprisonment for that offense.
Munoz Sr. also pleaded guilty and, on July 25, 2023, was sentenced to 115 months of imprisonment.
The FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Manchester Police Department, New Britain Police Department, West Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey M. Stone.
Federal Jury Finds Hartford Felon Guilty of Possessing Loaded HandgunRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division, and Hartford Police Chief Jason Thody today announced that a federal jury in Bridgeport has found CHRISTOPHER GASKIN, 47, of Hartford, guilty of a firearm possession offense.
According to the evidence presented during the trial, in the afternoon of January 1, 2022, Hartford Police officers stopped a car Gaskin was operating on Irving Street in Hartford. Gaskin was arrested after a search of his person revealed a loaded .380 caliber handgun, a bag containing approximately five grams of crack cocaine, and 35 vials of crack.
Gaskin’s criminal history includes several felony convictions, including convictions for assault, robbery and witness tampering offenses. 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.
The trial began on February 26, and the jury today found Gaskin guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, and not guilty of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (“crack”).
Judge Underhill scheduled sentencing for May 22, at which time Gaskin faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. Gaskin is detained pending sentencing.
This matter has been investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Hartford Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Angel M. Krull and Patricia Stolfi Collins through Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Meriden Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Robbery ChargesRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that KENNETH MICHAEL STROTHERS, 27, of Meriden, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to federal robbery charges.
According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an investigation by the FBI and several local police departments into a series of armed robberies that occurred across Connecticut in early 2021. The investigation revealed that Strothers committed at least 10 robberies over an approximately two-week period.
Strothers pleaded guilty to two counts of interference with commerce by robbery (“Hobbs Act robbery”) and specifically admitted that he robbed businesses in Wethersfield and New Britain.
On February 9, 2021, Strothers entered the Valero gas station store at 930 Silas Deane Highway in Wethersfield, used a firearm to pistol-whip the store clerk in the head, stole approximately $260 from two cash registers, and fled the scene in a stolen car. The store clerk was hospitalized with a serious head wound.
On February 10, 2021, Strothers entered Broad Street Pawn at 210 Broad Street in New Britain, used a firearm to pistol-whip a store employee in the head, stole approximately $2,000, and fled the scene with two associates in a stolen truck. Three children of the store owner hid in a bathroom during the robbery.
Strothers was arrested on February 12, 2021, and investigators seized from him the handgun he used during the robberies. He has been detained in state custody since his arrest.
At sentencing, Strothers faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years. Under the terms of a binding plea agreement, if accepted by the court, the parties have agreed that an effective sentence of 14 years of imprisonment is appropriate in this case.
This investigation has been conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New Britain Police Department, the Wethersfield Police Department, the Newington Police Department, the Cromwell Police Department, the West Hartford Police Department, the Meriden Police Department, and the Connecticut Department of Correction. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen L. Peck.
Bristol Man Pleads Guilty to Participating in Vehicle Theft SchemeRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RYAN TESTA, 47, of Bristol, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to charges stemming from a series of vehicle thefts from dealerships using personal information from identity theft victims.
According to court documents and statement made in court, beginning in approximately September 2020, Testa’s alleged co-conspirator utilized personal information stolen from residents of Connecticut and other states to apply for vehicle loans at dealerships in Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Rhode Island for motorcycles, an all-terrain vehicle, and other performance vehicles. Once the loan was approved by the dealership using the identity theft victim’s information, Testa’s co-conspirator would send a series of runners, including Testa, to pick up the vehicle utilizing a fictitious driver’s license that included the identity theft victim’s information and a photograph of the runner. The vehicle was then transported back to Connecticut for resale on Facebook Marketplace.
Testa pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years, and one count of aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory consecutive term of imprisonment of two years. Judge Hall scheduled sentencing for May 21.
Testa has been detained since May 16, 2023.
This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force, the Bridgeport Police Department, the Hopkinton (R.I.) Police Department, the Westtown – East Goshen Regional (Pa.) Police Department, and the Washington Township (N.J.) Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren C. Clark and Heather M. Cherry.
Honduran National Sentenced to Prison for Illegally Reentering the U.S.Read the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CHRISTIAN JAVIER AMAYA-AGUILAR, 27, a citizen of Honduras last residing in Danbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to 14 months of imprisonment for illegally reentering the United States after being deported.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Amaya-Aguilar illegally entered the U.S. in 2013. He settled in Connecticut and, in 2016, was arrested by Danbury Police for first-degree sexual assault. He pleaded guilty to the offense, received a sentence of five years of incarceration and 10 years of special parole, and was deported to Honduras in July 2021.
Amaya-Aguilar illegally reentered the U.S. and, on July 2, 2023, was arrested by Danbury Police for breach of peace and assault offenses. He has been detained since his state arrest.
On November 27, 2023, Amaya-Aguilar pleaded guilty in federal court to illegal reentry.
This matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean P. Mahard.
Hartford Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Trafficking ChargeRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JAHQUAN BLACKWIN, also known as “Mula,” 27, of Hartford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to a fentanyl trafficking offense.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in June 2022, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force began investigating Blackwin and others for distributing fentanyl and cocaine in the Hartford area. In July and August 2022, investigators made four controlled purchases of fentanyl from Blackwin.
Blackwin was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on August 17, 2022. On that date, a search of Blackwin’s Judson Street apartment revealed approximately 750 grams of fentanyl, 500 grams of cocaine, 32 grams of crack cocaine, 700 grams of psilocybin, and five kilograms of marijuana. Investigators also found and seized two loaded Polymer 80 handguns (“ghost guns”), one of which was fitted with a high-capacity magazine, and a loaded Glock 43X handgun.
Blackwin pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years. Judge Dooley schedule sentencing for June 6.
Blackwin has been detained since his arrest.
The DEA Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Enfield, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, and Windsor Locks Police Departments. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan Keefe.
Bridgeport Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun ChargeRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ALEXIS A. VALLEJO, also known as “Boobie” and “Boobie Porter,” 33, of Bridgeport, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 29, 2021, Vallejo attempted to flee from Bridgeport Police officers. Officers apprehended Vallejo and found him in possession of a loaded SCCY 9mm semiautomatic handgun.
Vallejo’s criminal history includes felony convictions in state court for firearm possession, robbery, larceny, and failure to appear offenses. 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.
Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for June 4, at which time Vallejo faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years.
Vallejo has been detained since his federal arrest on June 30, 2022.
This matter is being investigated by the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and the Bridgeport Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ross Weingarten and Karen L. Peck through Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Cheshire Woman Sentenced to Prison for Fraud and Tax Offenses Stemming from Nearly $1 Million Embezzlement SchemeRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that ERIN SULLIVAN, 53, of Cheshire, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for fraud and tax offenses stemming from an embezzlement scheme.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Sullivan was employed as the office manager for a family-owned construction business, identified in court documents in “Company A,” based in Orange. Beginning at least as early as 2016, Sullivan made false entries into Company A’s payroll and accounting system that caused the system to generate hundreds of fraudulent checks payable to her or to “Petty Cash.” Almost immediately after she generated a fraudulent check, Sullivan changed the reference in the payroll and accounting system to show that it had been issued to a different payee. Sullivan sometimes generated checks in the name of Company A’s owner, forged the signature of Company A’s owner on the checks, and either cashed the checks or deposited them into her bank account. She also altered the payroll and accounting system in other ways, which resulted in her receiving additional pay to which she was not entitled. Through this scheme, Sullivan embezzled $955,960.71 from Company A.
In addition, Sullivan failed to pay $233,738 in federal income taxes on her embezzled income for the 2016 through 2021 tax years.
Judge Dooley ordered Sullivan to pay restitution of more than $1.17 million. Sullivan has paid approximately $640,000 in restitution to date.
On October 30, 2023, Sullivan pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of tax evasion.
Sullivan, who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on April 8.
This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, with the assistance of the Orange Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael S. McGarry.
Bridgeport Man Sentenced to Prison for Gun and Drug OffensesRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that KENNETH JOYNER, 33, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to 30 months of imprisonment, followed by two years of supervised release, for firearm and drug offenses.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 25, 2022, Bridgeport Police stopped Joyner’s car for motor vehicle violations. Joyner was arrested after he was found in possession of a loaded Polymer P80 9mm semi-automatic pistol (“ghost gun”) and several bags of marijuana that he intended to sell. A subsequent search of Joyner’s residence revealed a loaded Ruger P95 9mm semi-automatic pistol with an obliterated serial number, marijuana that Joyner intended to sell, and drug paraphernalia.
On November 28, 2023, Joyner pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm with obliterated serial number, and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
Joyner has been detained since his federal arrest on April 13, 2023.
This matter was investigated by the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and the Bridgeport Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ross Weingarten and Karen L. Peck through Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Seymour Man Admits Involvement in Danbury Post Office Bribery and Kickback SchemeRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Kenneth Cleevely, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, and Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced that MICHAEL D. LUTZ, 26, of Seymour, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to a conspiracy offense stemming from a bribery and kickback scheme involving the Postmaster of the Danbury Post Office.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Ephrem D. Nguyen was employed by the U.S. Postal Service (“USPS”) as the Postmaster of the Danbury Post Office in Danbury, with responsibilities that included supervising the maintenance and repair of all equipment, facilities, and vehicles assigned to the post office. Lutz was the general manager for a company, identified in court documents as “Vendor-1,” which provided vehicle maintenance and repair services for the Danbury Post Office.
In November 2020, Nguyen required that all Danbury Post Office vehicle maintenance and repair work be performed by Vendor-1, even though Nguyen knew that another vendor already had a contract with the Danbury Post Office for those services. Nguyen demanded that Vendor-1 provide free vehicle maintenance and repairs for himself, one of his children, a USPS employee, and employee of Nguyen’s personal business. In 2022, Nguyen solicited and received from Lutz $90,000 in cash bribes, which Lutz paid from Vendor-1’s proceeds. In exchange for these bribes, Nguyen caused the USPS to overpay the Vendor-1 for vehicle maintenance and repair, which Nguyen characterized as a “raise.” Between approximately January 2022 and February 2023, Nguyen used USPS credit cards to pay Vendor-1 approximately $1.1 million, approximately $260,000 of which was for legitimate maintenance and repair work.
The USPS lost approximately $843,271.32 though this scheme.
Lutz pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit honest services wire, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. Judge Underhill scheduled sentencing for May 16.
Lutz is released on bond pending sentencing.
On October 13, 2023, Nguyen pleaded guilty to one count of honest services wire fraud related to this scheme and also admitted that he embezzled more than $80,000 from the USPS by using his USPS credit cards to rent vehicles for the personal use of himself and others, and that he approved more than $8,000 in fraudulent travel expense reimbursement claims for a co-worker.
Nguyen is released on a $100,000 bond and residing in Massachusetts while awaiting sentencing.
This investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan N. Francis.
Ridgefield Man Pleads Guilty to Child Exploitation OffenseRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that NICHOLAS SKIRKANICH, 44, of Ridgefield, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver in Hartford to a charge related to possessing and accessing images and videos depicting child sex abuse material.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in October 2022, an online service provider submitted a CyberTip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (“NCMEC”) indicating that a TikTok video containing child sex abuse imagery was sent from Skirkanich’s email account to another email account. Subsequent investigation revealed that Skirkanich possessed and accessed additional material containing child sex abuse imagery between approximately August 2021 and December 2022.
Skirkanich was arrested on December 15, 2022.
Skirkanich pleaded guilty to accessing with intent to view and possessing child pornography, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. Judge Oliver scheduled sentencing for May 15. Skirkanich is released on a $150,000 bond pending sentencing.
This matter is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with the assistance of the Ridgefield Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shan Patel, with the assistance of the Danbury State’s Attorney’s Office.
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.
Teen Admits Role in Several New Haven Gang Shootings, Pleads Guilty to Racketeering ChargeRead the Press Release
DEVIN SUGGS, also known as “JB,” 19, of New Haven, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to a racketeering offense stemming from his role in a violent New Haven street gang.
Today’s announcement was made by Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; John P. Doyle, Jr., State’s Attorney for the New Haven Judicial District; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division; Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England; and New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in an effort to address violence in New Haven, the ATF, FBI, DEA and New Haven Police Department, working closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office, have been investigating an ongoing gang war between members and associates of the Exit 8 street gang and rival gangs in the Hill section and other areas of the city. The Exit 8 gang is named after the geographic area accessed by exiting Interstate 91 at Exit 8 in New Haven. Recently, younger members of Exit 8 are identifying themselves with the word “Honcho,” which is derived from the street name of an Exit 8 member who was murdered on Quinnipiac Avenue in February 2020.
The investigation revealed that Suggs and other members of the Exit 8 gang engaged in drug trafficking, used and shared firearms, and, since June 2018, have committed at least three murders and 16 attempted murders. Exit 8 members and associates also stole vehicles, at times from outside of the state, and used those stolen vehicles when committing acts of violence. Gang members also promoted, coordinated, facilitated, and celebrated their narcotics distribution and acts of violence through text messaging and the use of social media applications and websites including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube.
Suggs pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity, and specifically admitted that he took part in five shootings of rival gang members between April 2021 and January 2023. As a result of these shootings, on April 27, 2021, a rival gang member was shot in the leg; on May 14, 2021, a rival gang member was shot in the leg and torso; and on May 20, 2021, one victim was shot in the back and another victim was shot in the leg. On January 20, 2023, Suggs and other Exit 8 members stole an SUV in Scarsdale, New York, and, later that day, committed a drive-by shooting of a rival gang member in New Haven. The victim was shot in the head, but survived the attack.
At sentencing, which is not scheduled, Suggs faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. Suggs has been detained since August 3, 2023.
This investigation is being conducted by ATF, the FBI, the DEA, the New Haven Police Department, the Hamden Police Department, and the New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office, with the assistance of the Connecticut State Police and the Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tara E. Levens, Rahul Kale and Jocelyn C. Kaoutzanis.
This prosecution is a part of the Justice’s Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), Project Longevity, and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) programs.
PSN is a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone. Project Longevity is 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 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. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Sex Offender Charged with Child Exploitation OffensesRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment today charging MICHAEL SZWARC, 36, of Derby, with child exploitation offenses.
As alleged in the indictment and in court filings, Szwarc was convicted in 2013 in state court of possession of child pornography in the second degree, and in 2022 in federal court of receipt of child pornography. In January 2024, while Szwarc was on federal supervised release, his federal probation officer conducted an unannounced visit to his home and discovered him in possession of an unauthorized laptop. The probation officer seized the laptop. A subsequent examination of the device by the FBI revealed multiple images of child pornography.
The indictment charges Szwarc with receipt of child pornography, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years, and with possessing and accessing with intent to view child pornography, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. The penalties in this matter are enhanced because of Szwarc’s prior federal and state convictions for possessing child pornography.
Szwarc has been detained since his arrest on February 9, 2024.
U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that an indictment 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. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel E. Cummings.
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.
Justice Department Transfers Approximately $500,000 in Forfeited Russian Funds to Estonia for Benefit of UkraineRead the Press Release
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco and Estonian Secretary General Tõnis Saar announced today at the Munich Security Conference the transfer of nearly $500,000 in forfeited Russian funds for the purpose of providing aid to Ukraine. The funds were forfeited by the United States following the breakup of an illegal procurement network attempting to import into Russia a high-precision, U.S.-origin machine tool with uses in the defense and nuclear proliferation sectors. Additionally, on Wednesday, Feb. 14, a citizen of Latvia charged criminally in connection with the procurement scheme pleaded guilty to violating U.S. export laws and regulations.
This transfer is the first of its kind from the United States to a foreign ally for the express purpose of assisting Ukraine, and the second time the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture has made confiscated Russian assets available for Ukraine—having provided $5.4 million in forfeited funds last year to the State Department for the support of Ukrainian war veterans. The confiscated funds are being transferred to Estonia since under current authorities, the facts of this case do not allow for a direct transfer to Ukraine. Estonia will use the funds for a project to expedite damage assessments and critical repairs to the Ukrainian electrical distribution and transmission system, which have been purposefully targeted by Russian forces.
“Today’s announcement demonstrates the unwavering resolve of the United States and our Estonian partners to cut off President Putin's access to the western technologies he relies on to wage an illegal war against Ukraine,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, who signed the transfer agreement on behalf of the United States. “This step for justice and restoration blazes a new trail toward combating Russia’s ongoing brutality. The Department of Justice will continue pursuing creative solutions to ensure the Ukrainian people can respond and rebuild.”
“Preventing cross-border crime has been and will be an even greater priority in the future,” said Secretary General Tõnis Saar of the Estonian Ministry of Justice.“Effective prosecution of sanctioned crimes is a very important part of this. In my opinion, this agreement provides additional motivation to deal with sanctions violations even more. The reason is very simple, the goal here is not only to detect, prosecute and ensure justice, but to direct illegal income to the victim, i.e. Ukraine. I hope that this will become the new normality for sanctioned crimes in other countries in the future.”
“Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Department of Justice, together with its U.S. and overseas partners, has leveraged every tool available to cut off the Kremlin from the resources it needs to prosecute its war of aggression. These efforts are yielding results,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “Today, we demonstrate once again our commitment to holding Russia to account and to aiding the people of Ukraine as they bravely resist and rebuild.”
“I commend the investigators who prevented this sensitive piece of Connecticut-manufactured equipment from crossing the Russian border, and our team of prosecutors who are not only bringing the individuals and entities involved to justice but have worked to seize and forfeit the funds involved in its purchase,” said U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery for the District of Connecticut. “We thank our law enforcement partners and the Government of the Republic of Estonia for helping us achieve our mission to chase down the assets of those who violate our laws and to ensure proper compensation to their victims.”
“This agreement between the United States and Estonia not only reinforces our strong partnership, it fortifies the commitments of both countries to stand up to Russian aggression,” said Executive Associate Director Katrina W. Berger of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). “This transfer stems from a joint investigation into the attempted illegal shipment of military materials to aid the Russian war against Ukraine. HSI will continue to ensure the safety of the homeland of this great nation, and when necessary, that of our allies.”
“The Putin regime has purposefully targeted critical and civil infrastructure in Ukraine to weaken morale, cripple the Ukrainian economy, and use winter as a weapon of war. The funds we are providing to Estonia today will be used to dramatically reduce the time needed to evaluate and prioritize urgent repairs to Ukraine’s electrical infrastructure, all in effort to literally keep the lights on,” said Task Force KleptoCapture Co-Director Michael Khoo.
This action demonstrates that the Department and its international partners will seek and develop novel solutions to ensure that the profits of Russian criminal networks are redirected for the support of the Ukrainian people.
The agreement with Estonia showcases the joint commitments of the United States and Estonia to both enforce the export control regimes that deprive the Russian war machine of critical technologies and supplies and use the confiscated criminal proceeds to sustain Ukraine as it resists illegal Russian aggression.
In March 2023, an investigation into the attempted smuggling of a dual-use export-controlled item to Russia resulted in the forfeiture of $484,696, representing funds wired into the United States to purchase the item. The item, known as a jig grinder, is a high-precision grinding machine system that requires a license for export or reexport to Russia because of its applications in nuclear proliferation and defense programs. The jig grinder was intercepted before it could reach Russia.
In addition to the forfeiture, U.S. authorities, with the active support of the Estonian Prosecutor General’s Office and the Estonian Tax and Customs Board, charged multiple individuals and companies who were part of the smuggling network. The transfer of the forfeited funds to Estonia is in recognition of the crucial assistance received from the Estonian authorities.
Among those criminally charged in the smuggling case, Latvian national Vadims Ananics, 47, was arrested in Latvia on Oct. 18, 2022, and pleaded guilty earlier this week in federal court in Connecticut. Ananics admitted to his role in the scheme to violate U.S. export laws and regulations by attempting to smuggle a dual-use export-controlled item to Russia.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Ananics was the general manager of CNC Weld, a Latvia-based corporation. Beginning in 2018, Ananics conspired with others, including individuals in Russia and a Russia-based company, to violate U.S. export laws and regulations to smuggle a 500 Series CPWZ Precision jig grinder that was manufactured in Connecticut to Russia.
In August 2019, to finalize the purchase of the jig grinder, Ananics and others traveled to Bridgeport, Connecticut, where he informed the sellers that the jig grinder was being purchased for the benefit of CNC Weld. Only after the jig grinder was exported from the United States did Ananics inform the sellers that CNC Weld was not the end user.
Ananics pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act, an offense that carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.
U.S. authorities, working with Latvian authorities, intercepted the jig grinder in Riga, Latvia, before it was to be shipped to Russia. In March 2023, $484,696 in funds involved in the purchase of the jig grinder were subsequently forfeited.
In turn, Estonia has, in consultation with the United States, agreed to use the transferred funds to finance a drone-based program to assess the damage Russian aggression has done to Ukraine’s electrical distribution and transmission infrastructure.
In April 2023, an additional €312,192.44 (approximately $342,000) was ordered forfeited as part of a criminal sentence imposed on one of the shell companies involved in the jig-grinder smuggling network. The funds are currently held in Latvia pending final enforcement of the U.S. forfeiture order.
HSI Field Offices in New Haven, Connecticut; Portland Oregon; and the Hague, Netherlands; the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement in Boston; and the FBI handled the investigation. In addition to the assistance by Estonian authorities, the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Republic of Latvia, the Latvian Tax and Customs Police, and the Latvian State Police provided valuable assistance.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rahul Kale, Konstantin Lantsman, Stephanie Levick, and David Nelson for the District of Connecticut and Trial Attorneys Brendan Geary and Matthew Anzaldi of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are handling the investigation and the Ananics prosecution. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided valuable assistance. The international sharing agreement was prepared with the support of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, the Treasury Executive Office for Asset Forfeiture, and the State Department.
The investigation was coordinated through the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture, an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export controls, and economic countermeasures that the United States, along with its foreign allies and partners, has imposed in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine. Announced by the Attorney General on March 2, 2022, and under the leadership of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, the task force will continue to leverage all of the department’s tools and authorities to combat efforts to evade or undermine the collective actions taken by the U.S. government in response to Russian military aggression.
Former U.S. Postal Employee Admits Stealing MailRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that SHAWN R. FULLER, 37, of Hamden, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to a mail theft offense.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Fuller, while employed by the U.S. Postal Service as a mail carrier in Meriden, was under investigation for stealing mail packages. On April 17, 2023, an investigator observed Fuller at the Meriden post office opening two mail packages, removing two items from the packages, and placing them in the trunk of his car. He then notified his supervisors that he had to leave work for the day. Hamden Police subsequently stopped Fuller’s car. After a police K9 alerted officers to the possible presence of narcotics, a search of the trunk of the car revealed approximately four kilograms of a substance containing cocaine. Fuller was arrested at that time.
Fuller pleaded guilty to theft of mail by a postal employee, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years. Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for May 10.
Fuller is released on a $100,000 bond pending sentencing.
This matter has been investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with the assistance of the Hamden and West Haven Police Departments. The Task Force includes members from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Postal Service – Office of the Inspector General, the Connecticut Army National Guard, and the Hartford, New Britain, Meriden, and Town of Groton Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert S. Dearington and Brendan J. Keefe.
Bridgeport Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Robbery OffenseRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that JERMAINE BETHEL, 27, of Bridgeport, pleaded guilty yesterday in Bridgeport federal court to a federal robbery offense.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 28, 2023, Bethel and three associates drove to a Bridgeport apartment building where they intended to carry out a robbery at an apartment where they believed they would find drugs and drug proceeds. Bethel, wearing gloves and a surgical mask, and two associates, one of whom carried a crowbar, entered the apartment building. Bethel’s third associate stayed in the vehicle to serve as a getaway driver. After failing to enter the apartment, Bethel and his associates returned to the vehicle, where they were encountered by a law enforcement. Officers searched the vehicle and its occupants and seized two handguns and the crowbar. A search of Bethel’s person revealed 45 small bags containing crack cocaine.
Bethel pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 7 by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven.
Bethel has been detained since his arrest on April 28, 2023.
This investigation is being conducted by FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and the Bridgeport Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ross Weingarten and Karen Peck.