District of Connecticut

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that JASHON SPEARMAN, also known as “J ” and “Deuce,” 35, of New Haven, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to 144 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for his role in a New Haven area drug trafficking ring operating in the West Hills neighborhood of New Haven.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in the fall of 2021, the New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force and New Haven Police Department began investigating Spearman and others for the distribution of fentanyl, heroin crack and cocaine in and around the West Hills neighborhood, including the McConaughy Terrace housing complex located on South Genesee Street in New Haven.  The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps, fixed video surveillance and controlled purchases of narcotics, revealed that Spearman was receiving fentanyl and heroin from James Hillard, of New York, and shipments of kilogram quantities of cocaine through the U.S. Mail from Puerto Rico, which were arranged by Jean Mangual-Castro, also known as “Mangui,” of West Haven.  Spearman then distributed the drugs to others, several of whom processed, packaged, and sold fentanyl and crack at the McConaughy Terrace housing complex.

On February 4, 2022, investigators arrested Spearman and Hillard after they met in the Bronx and a search of Hillard’s car revealed more than 7,000 folds of heroin/fentanyl and approximately $30,000 in cash.

On February 8, 2022, investigators executed court-authorized search warrants at several locations, including a residence on Ward Street in New Haven where Spearman distributed narcotics, and vehicles in which Spearman was suspected of storing narcotics.  A search of a minivan revealed approximately 19 kilograms of cocaine; a search of a vehicle registered to Spearman revealed $750,400 in cash, assorted jewelry valued at over $112,000, and fentanyl, crack, and heroin; and a search of the Ward Street residence revealed additional cash, several money counters, and numerous cellphones.  Investigators also seized five firearms during the searches.

On February 15, 2022, a grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging Spearman, Hilliard and six co-defendants with narcotics trafficking offenses.  On April 19, 2022, Spearman, Mangual-Castro, and two others were charged in a separate indictment with offenses related to the trafficking of cocaine through the mail from Puerto Rico.  

Spearman has been detained since his arrest.  On June 30, 2023, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five or more kilograms of cocaine, 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and a quantity of cocaine base (“crack”) and heroin.

Judge Nagala ordered Spearman to forfeit the seized cash, jewelry, firearms, and three vehicles.

All 11 defendants charged during this investigation pleaded guilty.  On May 11, 2023, Mangual-Castro was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment.  On December 12, 2023, Hillard was sentenced to 12 months and one day of imprisonment.

This investigation was conducted by the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force, and the New Haven Police Department.  The FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force includes participants from the New Haven Police Department, Milford Police Department, East Haven Police Department, West Haven Police Department, Connecticut State Police, and the Connecticut Department of Correction.  The U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking 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.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony E. Kaplan and Kenneth L. Gresham 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 – U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery today announced that the District of Connecticut collected $233,519,760 in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2023.  Of this amount, approximately $185,939,535 was collected in criminal actions and approximately $47,580,225 was collected in civil actions.

The Connecticut U.S. Attorney’s Office also worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $493,544 in cases pursued jointly by these offices.

“This past fiscal year, our Office’s dedicated attorneys and staff helped to recover more than $233 million, which ranked third in the nation among all U.S. Attorney’s Offices,” said U.S. Attorney Avery. “These funds are not only returned directly to victims of crime, but they also are used to fund ongoing federal, state, and local law enforcement efforts, and to provide needed services for victims.  Through both our criminal prosecutions and civil enforcement work we are committed to seeking justice for victims, removing ill-gotten gains from wrongdoers, and protecting the integrity of important government programs.”

The majority of monies recovered in criminal actions were from Glencore, Ltd., to resolve the government’s investigation into a commodity price manipulation scheme, and from Nomura Securities International, stemming from its fraudulent trading of Residential Mortgage Backed Securities.  Large civil recoveries were from a medical doctor and his practice to resolve allegations that it defrauded the Medicare and Medicaid programs, and from Yale University and a professor to settle a case involving the failure to share patent royalties with the government.

The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims.  The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss.  While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims Fund, which distributes the funds collected to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.

Additionally, the Connecticut U.S. Attorney’s Office, working with partner agencies and divisions, collected $47,825,883 in asset forfeiture actions in FY 2023.  Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.

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.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Roberto Coviello, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced that MICHAEL B. PINES, 75, of Avon, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to health care fraud.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Pines is a psychologist who owned and operated Michael B. Pines, Ph.D., P.C., located in Glastonbury.  Pines provided psychotherapy to young children, adolescents, adults, and he was enrolled individually as a Behavioral Health Clinician provider in the Connecticut Medicaid Program (“Medicaid”).

Between January 2017 and October 2023, Pines submitted and caused to be submitted fraudulent claims to Medicaid for psychotherapy services that were purportedly provided to his Medicaid clients.  Specifically, Pines submitted claims for dates of service when no services of any kind had been provided to the Medicaid clients identified in the claims, including when he was traveling, on vacation, recovering from surgery, or otherwise not working.  He also submitted claims when an appointment had been canceled, when the claimed client was in the hospital, when he had stopped treating the claimed client, and when the claimed client had never been his client.  In addition, when Pines treated multiple Medicaid clients in the same family at the same time, he billed Medicaid for the group visit as multiple individual claims, a practice that he knew was not permitted by Medicaid.

Through this scheme, Pines defrauded Medicaid of $1,617,679.  As part of his plea, Pines has agreed to pay full restitution.  He also has agreed to forfeit several jewelry items that were seized during the investigation.

Judge Nagala scheduled sentencing for May 6, at which time Pines faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

Pines is released on a $250,000 bond pending sentencing.

This investigation has been conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David T. Huang.

People who suspect health care fraud are encouraged to report it by calling 1-800-HHS-TIPS.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that JERRARD SANTIAGO, 43, of New Haven, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to narcotics distribution offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this investigation began after an individual who had purchased narcotics in a restroom of the Mohegan Sun Casino on May 18, 2021, overdosed on the casino floor and died approximately 11 days later.  On February 3, 2023, investigators made a controlled purchase of fentanyl and heroin from Santiago.  On February 14, 2023, investigators made a controlled purchase of fentanyl and cocaine from Santiago.

Santiago pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, a controlled substance, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count.  Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for April 22.

Santiago has been detained since his arrest on March 30, 2023.

This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Mohegan Tribal Police.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ross Weingarten and Christopher W. Schmeisser.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that TEEJAY JOHNSON, 38, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to 46 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for unlawfully possessing a firearm.  Johnson must also serve the first six months of his supervised release in home detention.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 9, 2022, members of the New Haven Police Department Shooting Task Force and other law enforcement officers executed a state search warrant at Johnson’s residence.  Johnson was found coming out of the bathroom after narcotics had been flushed down the toilet.  Investigators collected samples of narcotics from the bathroom, and found in other areas of the residence fentanyl and other narcotics, marijuana, more than $8,600 in cash, and a loaded .40 caliber handgun with an extended magazine and 16 rounds of ammunition.

Johnson’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for firearm and assault related 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.

Johnson has been detained since his federal arrest on April 21, 2022.  On August 28, 2023, he pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the New Haven Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anastasia King 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.

United States Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery, Inspector in Charge Ketty Larco-Ward of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division, Acting Special Agent in Charge David Meisenheimer of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Washington D.C. Field Office, and Acting Special Agent in Charge Christopher Gust of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), today announced that RICHARD FASANELLA, 54, a U.S. citizen last residing in Venezuela, has been charged with conspiracy, fraud, and monetary offenses related to his alleged role in receiving, moving, and converting money stolen from victims of online scams.

As alleged in the indictment, Fasanella’s associates used various online scams, including romance scams, to defraud dozens of primarily elderly victims of millions of dollars.  Fasanella is a registered agent for multiple business entities that were registered in Connecticut and elsewhere in the U.S.  Fasanella applied for an Employer Identification Number (“EIN”), also known as a Federal Tax Identification Number, for these various businesses, and he and his associates used the EINs to open business bank accounts in the names of those businesses.  Fasanella and his associates then used these bank accounts to deposit cash, money orders, and checks that fraud victims mailed to specified addresses and recipients.  Victims also wired money directly from their bank accounts to the bank accounts controlled by Fasanella and his associates.  Fasanella and others retained a portion of the fraudulently obtained money and passed the rest of the money to others, primarily through cryptocurrency.

On July 25, 2023, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned a 19-count indictment charging Fasanella.  The indictment was unsealed after Fasanella was deported from Bogota, Colombia, on January 22, 2024.  On January 26, he appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Dave Vatti Bridgeport and pleaded not guilty to the charges.  He is currently detained.

The indictment charges Fasanella with one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; four count of mail fraud, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count; five counts of wire fraud, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count; one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and illegal monetary transactions, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; five counts of money laundering, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment 20 years on each count; and three counts of illegal monetary transactions, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years on each count.

U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

“The Justice Department and our law enforcement partners are committed to rooting out and prosecuting online scammers and their criminal associates who prey upon vulnerable victims,” said U.S. Attorney Avery.  “I thank the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, IRS-CI and TIGTA for unraveling this complex scheme and identifying this defendant, and the U.S. Marshals and Migración Colombia for their invaluable assistance in tracking him down and bringing him to justice in the U.S.”

“This investigation, which uncovered a large-scale, complex web of money laundering through the U.S. Mail, reflects the U.S. Postal Inspections Services’ commitment to dismantle schemes by criminals who seek to profit by exploiting victims through fraud,” said Inspector in Charge Ketty Larco-Ward, Boston Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. “This alleged scheme included the victimization of many elderly Americans as well as many international victims.  I commend our fellow law enforcement partners, domestic and international, for their assistance with this case.  The U.S. Postal Inspection Service will continue to be relentless in fighting crime that impacts the people we serve wherever, and however it occurs.”

“It is alleged that Mr. Fasanella orchestrated brazen schemes of staggering proportions,” said IRS-CI Acting Special Agent in Charge David Meisenheimer.  “His arrest is another example of IRS Criminal Investigation and our law enforcement partners commitment to investigate and prosecute those who take advantage of taxpayers for their personal financial gain.”

“The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) aggressively investigates individuals who use the IRS’s programs and tax collecting authority to scam others, especially seniors and other vulnerable populations,” said Christopher Gust, acting Special Agent in Charge.  “The defendant in this case is alleged to have done just that by targeting and victimizing the most vulnerable in our society.  Our mission at TIGTA is to protect the integrity of our nation’s system of tax administration.  We are committed to working with our law enforcement partners to ensure those who endeavor to corrupt federal tax administration are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

This investigation is being conducted the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, IRS-CI, and TIGTA, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service and Migración Colombia.  The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section’s Judicial Attaché’s office at the U.S. Embassy in Bogota provided assistance.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Cherry.

The Justice Department has established a National Elder Fraud Hotline to provide services to seniors who may be victims of financial fraud.  The Hotline is staffed by experienced case managers who can provide personalized support to callers.  Case managers assist callers with reporting the suspected fraud to relevant agencies and by providing resources and referrals to other appropriate services as needed.  When applicable, case managers will complete a complaint form with the Federal Bureau of Investigation Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) for Internet-facilitated crimes and submit a consumer complaint to the Federal Trade Commission on behalf of the caller.  The Hotline’s toll-free number is 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311).

To read more about the Justice Department’s efforts to combat elder fraud and abuse click here.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ORTEXIS RAMOS, 34, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to 72 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for unlawfully possessing a firearm as a felon.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on September 16, 2022, Bridgeport Police encountered Ramos, who was a passenger in an unregistered car that was stopped at the intersection of Ridge Avenue and Walnut Street in Bridgeport.  When officers ordered Ramos to exit the vehicle, he attempted to flee.  Ramos was apprehended a short distance away, and a search of his person revealed a Taurus G2C 9mm semiautomatic handgun with a high-capacity magazine that was loaded with 9mm ammunition.

In 2005, Ramos was convicted of murder and sentenced to 25 years of imprisonment, and he was on state parole at the time of his arrest in September 2022.

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.

Ramos has been detained since his arrest.  On November 1, 2023, he pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

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.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that BRANDON BLANKS, 38, of Springfield, Massachusetts, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 84 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for unlawfully possessing a firearm, and for violating the conditions of his supervised release from a prior federal conviction.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Blanks was arrested on November 2, 2021, after he broke into an Enfield apartment carrying a loaded firearm and threatened an individual.  Responding officers located a polymer80 9mm firearm (“ghost gun”) with an extended magazine containing 24 rounds of ammunition.  In Blanks’ car, officers found and seized a loaded Ruger 9mm firearm and a bag containing approximately 72 grams of crack cocaine and approximately 400 bags of para-Flourofentanyl, a fentanyl analogue.

Blanks’ criminal history includes felony convictions for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, armed robbery, carrying a firearm without a license, and multiple drug offenses, including a federal drug conviction in 2018 in the District of Vermont.  Blanks was on federal supervised release at the time of his criminal conduct in November 2021.

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.

Blanks has been detained since his arrest.  On November 29, 2022, he pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon.

This matter was investigated by the Enfield Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Reed Durham.

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. 

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 has returned a 10-count indictment charging JAMES KEATING, 51, of Paoli, Pennsylvania, with offenses stemming from an alleged fraud scheme against his former employer.

The indictment was returned on January 16, 2024, and Keating surrendered to authorities in Philadelphia on January 18.  He appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas O. Farrish in Hartford, pleaded not guilty, and was released on a $100,000 bond.

As alleged in the indictment, Keating was an Assistant Vice President and surety bond claims handler at Allied World Insurance Company (“Allied World”).  He later served in the same capacity at Crum and Forster subsidiary U.S. Fire Insurance Company, where he also handled claims on Allied World surety bonds.  All surety bond claims were handled through Allied World’s offices in Farmington, Connecticut.  Between 2017 and 2021, Keating defrauded Allied World in two ways.  First, he used a shell company, American Construction & Industrial LLC, to bill Allied World for unnecessary claims work that was not performed and took the proceeds for himself.  Second, he solicited and received kickbacks from Allied World vendors through another Keating-owned company, Surety Risk Solutions (also known as “SRS” or “SR5”), without the knowledge of his employer.  Keating also caused these vendors to use another company in which he had an undisclosed ownership interest, Kodiak Asset Recovery, for asset searches at vastly inflated prices.  Keating profited nearly $1 million through American Construction & Industrial LLC, more than $350,000 in kickbacks through Surety Risk Solutions, and nearly $125,000 through Kodiak Asset Recovery.

The indictment charges Keating with 10 counts of wire fraud, an offense that 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 matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David E. Novick.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JAKE SCOTT FLEWELLYN, 26, of Norwalk, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for accessing and possessing images and videos depicting child sex abuse.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in December 2021, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (“NCMEC”) received a report from the smartphone messenger application Kik about a Kik user who was distributing videos of child pornography through its service.  Kik deactivated the user’s account.  In early April 2022, while federal law enforcement was investigating this matter to determine the Kik user’s identity, Kik submitted to NCMEC another report of a user account that was being used to distribute videos of child pornography.  The investigation revealed that Flewellyn created both Kik accounts and, between November 2021 and April 2022, used them to distribute approximately 107 images and videos depicting child sex abuse.

On July 31, 2023, Flewellyn pleaded guilty to accessing with intent to view child pornography.

Flewellyn, who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on March 15.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the Norwalk Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert S. Dearington and Neeraj N. Patel.

This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.

JAEDYN RIVERA, also known as “Jae Honcho,” 23, 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, including murders and attempted murders, 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 Rivera 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.

Rivera admitted today that he took part in four shootings of rival gang members in May 2021.  Three individuals were injured during those shootings.  On May 14, 2021, one victim was shot in the leg and torso, and on May 20, 2021, one victim was shot in the leg and another victim was shot in the back.

Rivera pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  A sentencing date is not scheduled.

Rivera has been detained since May 21, 2021.

This investigation is being conducted by ATF, the FBI, the DEA, the New Haven 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.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Danbury Police Chief Patrick Ridenhour today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment yesterday charging ENRIQUE PAULO PUCHA-JIMENEZ, 33, of Danbury, with child exploitation offenses.

As alleged in the indictment, on multiple occasions between February 2020 and August 2023, Pucha-Jimenez sexually abused a girl (“the victim”) who was between the approximate ages of nine and 12.  He also used his cell phone to take photographs and videos of his sexual abuse of the victim.

On August 16, 2023, Danbury Police arrested Pucha-Jimenez on state sexual assault and risk of injury offenses.  He has been detained since his arrest, and his state charges are pending. 

The indictment charges Pucha-Jimenez with 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, and with possession of child pornography, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

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 and the Danbury 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 Danbury.

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.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division. today announced that RAMON RAMOS-ACEVEDO, 48, of New Britain, pleaded guilty yesterday in Hartford federal court to a charge stemming from the large scale trafficking of fentanyl and cocaine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2022, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s (USPIS) Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force identified suspicious packages that were being to a New Britain address connected to Ramos-Acevedo and his associate, Victor Rodriguez-Gomez, also known as “Calami,” of Desert Hot Springs, California.  A court-authorized search of one package, which had been mailed from California, revealed approximately one kilogram of fentanyl and one kilogram of heroin.  In July 2022, USPIS investigators in San Bernardino, California, contacted Connecticut investigators to report that a court-authorized search of a package that was addressed to a residence on Willow Street in New Britain revealed eight cell phones.  On August 1, 2022, investigators conducted a controlled delivery of the package in New Britain and observed Ramos-Acevedo and Rodriguez-Gomez take possession of it.

Investigators identified several additional suspicious packages associated with Ramos-Acevedo and, on August 11, 2022, observed Ramos-Acevedo in California mailing packages to an address in New Britain.

Investigators also developed evidence that Rodriguez-Gomez had an associate who used a van to transport narcotics from California, or another location in the southwestern United States, to addresses in Connecticut associated with Ramos-Acevedo.  On August 25, 2022, investigators observed Ramos-Acevedo unloading items from the van in New Britain.

On September 7, 2022, the Connecticut State Police, which was assisting with surveillance, stopped a vehicle that Ramos-Acevedo was driving in Newington for a motor vehicle violation.  Rodriguez-Gomez was a passenger in the vehicle.  After a K-9 alerted to several items within the vehicle, a search revealed $179,578 in cash and nine cellphones.  A subsequent search of a house in Farmington where Ramos-Acevedo claimed he was living resulted in the seizure of an additional $30,426 in cash.

On November 30, 2022, the Iowa State Patrol stopped Rodriguez-Gomez’s associate, who was driving the van that had been identified in August 2022.  A search of the van revealed approximately 22 kilograms of cocaine and two kilograms of fentanyl, which was destined for Ramos-Acevedo in New Britain.

Ramos-Acevedo, who has been detained since his arrest on December 1, 2022, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and five kilograms or more of cocaine, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.  He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea on April 15.

Rodriguez-Gomez, 48, who has been detained since his arrest on December 4, 2022, pleaded guilty to the same charge on December 4, 2023.  He is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Shea on March 8.

This investigation is being conducted by the DEA’s Hartford Task Force and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force.  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 USPIS 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.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Geoffrey M. Stone and Shan Patel.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JEROND ROGERS, JR., 30, of Bridgeport, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 25, 2022, Rogers possessed a loaded Glock 26 semi-automatic pistol.

Rogers’ criminal history includes state felony convictions for sale of narcotics, criminal possession of a weapon, and 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 or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

Rogers has been detained since his federal arrest on March 20, 2023.

Judge Underhill scheduled sentencing for April 16, at which time Rogers faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years.

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.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, today announced that RAMONA ESPINOSA, 57, MANUEL LIRIANO, 38, and JOSE COLLADO, 36, all of Waterbury, have been charged with federal fentanyl distribution offenses.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force identified Espinosa, Liriano, and Collado as fentanyl pill traffickers.  In September 2023, investigators made two controlled purchases of a total of 550 fentanyl pills from Espinosa.  On November 29, 2023, investigators made a controlled purchase of 2,000 fentanyl pills from Espinosa and, on that date, identified Collado as her drug supplier.

On December 12, 2023, a court-authorized search of a Waterbury residence shared by Espinosa and Liriano resulted in the seizure of approximately 10,000 fentanyl pills.  Espinosa was arrested on a federal criminal complaint at that time.  Liriano was arrested on December 16 and Collado was arrested on December 27.

On December 27, 2023, a federal grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment charging Espinosa, Liriano, and Collado with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.  In addition, the indictment charges Espinosa with one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, which also carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years, and Espinosa with three counts, and Liriano and Collado with one count, of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, fentanyl, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

Espinosa appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Maria E. Garcia in New Haven and pleaded not guilty to the charges.  Liriano and Collado were previously arraigned and also entered pleas of not guilty.

U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that an indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Espinosa, Liriano, and Collado are each released on a $50,000 bond pending trial.

This matter is being investigated the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, which includes personnel from the DEA Bridgeport Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Norwalk, Stamford, Stratford, Milford, and Danbury Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren C. Clark.

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 JOHN VOLOSHIN, also known as “Josh Thomas,” 68, formerly of New Haven and Woodbridge, has been extradited to the U.S. from Brazil to face fraud, identity theft, and money laundering offenses.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, in May 2012, Voloshin was sentenced in Hartford federal court to 33 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for operating multiple fraud schemes that caused losses of more than $1.5 million to individuals and lenders.  He was released from prison in May 2014.  In November 2014, he was sentenced to an additional nine months of imprisonment for violating the terms and conditions of his federal supervised release for repeatedly lying to his supervising probation officer by concocting a bogus job for a real estate concern in London.  He was released from prison in June 2015.  In the fall of 2015, Voloshin engaged in another fraud scheme by soliciting money from individuals and falsely representing that the money would be fully invested to generate very high returns.  In November 2017, he was sentenced to 27 months of imprisonment for the offense and for violating his supervised release.  He was also ordered to pay $275,000 in restitution, in addition to his restitution obligation from his 2012 conviction.  He was released from prison in May 2018.

On September 23, 2020, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging Voloshin with seven counts of bank fraud, two counts of aggravated identity theft, and two counts of money laundering.  The indictment, which was unsealed today, alleges that between January and April 2019, Voloshin defrauded a company in Bloomfield for which he provided accounting and tax preparation services to individuals and companies.  Voloshin stole blank checks for both the company’s business account and the company owner’s personal account, forged the owner’s name on the checks, and negotiated the checks for his own benefit.  Voloshin also stole and negotiated checks and money orders that were written out as payment by third parties to the company.  As part of the scheme, Voloshin incorporated an entity in Wyoming with a name very similar to that of the company, opened a bank account in the name of the sham company, deposited misappropriated checks into the account, and used the stolen funds for his own benefit.

Voloshin was arrested on July 14, 2021, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and has been in custody since that time.  He appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas O. Farrish in Hartford and pleaded not guilty to the new charges against him.

Bank fraud carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years on each count, aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory two-year term of imprisonment on each count, and money laundering carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count.  Voloshin also faces additional penalties if he is found to have violated the conditions of his supervised release from his 2017 conviction.

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.  U.S. Attorney Avery thanked Interpol and Brazilian authorities for their assistance in apprehending this defendant, and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs for coordinating the extradition proceedings in this matter.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David T. Huang and Sean P. Mahard.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), New England, and Stamford Police Chief Timothy Shaw announced that RICK MARRO, 42, most recently residing in Stamford, was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint charging him with child exploitation offenses.

Marro appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Dave Vatti in Bridgeport and was ordered detained.

As alleged in court documents, law enforcement began investigating Marro in August 2023 after a 16-year-old male victim reported that he had been sexually exploited by Marro.  The victim reported that he met Marro on a dating application, and they then began communicating on Snapchat in April 2023.  The victim indicated that they met in person at Marro’s house on multiple occasions, and two of the encounters were sexual in nature.  The victim reported that Marro gave him “poppers,” that Marro was “into” asphyxiation, and, on one occasion, Marro strangled him and he passed out “for a minute or two.”  A law enforcement review of the victim’s Snapchat account showed that Marro sent him videos that Marro had recorded of them engaged in sexual activity.  He also sent the victim a video depicting Marro choking him.

It is further alleged that law enforcement subsequently seized and searched Marro’s cell phone.  During the examination of Marro’s phone, law enforcement located the same videos that he recorded and sent the victim showing them engaged in sexual activity.  Investigators also located text messages that Marro had sent to another individual in which Marro stated that he “choked [the victim] all the way to unconscious today by accident.”

The complaint charges Marro with 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; receipt and distribution 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 possession of child pornography, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Stamford Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel.

This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that KINSTON CUTHBERTSON, 32, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for trafficking fentanyl.

According to court documents and statements made in court, an investigation revealed that Cuthbertson was distributing narcotics from his Waldorf Avenue residence.  Cuthbertson was arrested on May 27, 2022, after a court-authorized search of his residence revealed approximately 1.2 kilograms of fentanyl; approximately 380 grams of cocaine; a quantity of crack cocaine; items used to process and package narcotics, including a kilogram press; a money counter; and $10,702 in cash.  Cuthbertson threw a shoebox containing bags of fentanyl out of a window during the execution of the search warrant.  Some of the bags broke open from the impact and spilled onto the ground.

Cuthbertson has been detained since his arrest.  On July 17, 2023, he pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.

This investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Connecticut State Police’s Statewide Narcotics Task Force Southwest and Statewide Urban Violence Cooperative Crime Control Task Force, and the Bridgeport Police Department’s Emergency Services Unit.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Stolfi Collins.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that ANGEL DELGADO, 59, of Hartford, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 54 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking fentanyl.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an investigation into gang-related drug trafficking and firearm possession by members of Los Solidos.  The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps, revealed that Luis Feliciano, also known as “Louminaty,” distributed fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and crack to customers and other distributors in the Hartford area, including Delgado, and also to individuals in New York and Maine.

On March 31, 2022, after intercepted calls indicated that Feliciano had recently supplied Delgado with drugs, and an investigator successfully ordered 20 sleeves of fentanyl from Delgado over the phone, Delgado was arrested at a hotel in Hartford where he was living.  A search of Delgado’s person revealed approximately 250 sleeves of fentanyl and 13 capsules of cocaine, and a search of the hotel room revealed another 1,700 sleeves of fentanyl.  Some of the sleeves contained a mixture of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and xylazine.

Delgado’s criminal history spans approximately 35 years and includes 26 convictions for drug, assault, failure to appear, violation of a protective order, and other offenses.

Delgado has been detained since his arrest.  On June 8, 2022, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Delgado, Feliciano, and 14 others with various narcotics distribution and firearm possession offenses.

On February 22, 2023, Delgado pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.

Feliciano has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.

This investigation has been conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and the Hartford Police Department.  The Task Force includes members of the FBI, Hartford Police Department, East Hartford 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. Attorney Robert S. Ruff. 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.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DAVID ETIENNE, 49, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by one year of supervised release, for a tax fraud offense.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Etienne operated as a tax return preparer in Norwich through several businesses, including Los Maestros Inc, Los Maestros Group, Tax Experts USA, and Tax Experts USA Inc.  For the 2012 through 2021 tax years, Etienne prepared numerous federal tax returns for clients.  The returns included false expenses and losses in connection with sole proprietorship businesses when he knew the taxpayers had not operated sole proprietorship businesses, false unreimbursed employee expenses, and, in certain instances, false medical, dental or education-related expenses.  Etienne’s criminal conduct involved tax loss, affecting both the IRS and the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services, of approximately $600,000.

On September 5, 2023, Etienne pleaded guilty to aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false income tax return.

Etienne who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on February 28.

Restitution will be determined after additional court proceedings.

This investigation was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren C. Clark.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that EFRAIN DELEON, 61, of New Britain, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to 79 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for committing nine robberies of convenience stores and smoke shops in Connecticut and New Hampshire in 2022.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between February 27 and March 16, 2022, Efrain Deleon, Gilberto Deleon, and Steven Galarza, using BB guns that are designed to appear similar to real firearms, robbed the following retail locations of cash, cigarettes and other items:

• February 27 – Scott’s Village Mobil Gas Station, 843 Farmington Avenue, Farmington
• March 2 – Mystic Mobil Gas Station, 66 Whitehall Avenue, Mystic
• March 3 – Shell Gas Station, 168 Bridge Street, East Windsor
• March 3 – Food Bag, 960 Meriden Waterbury Turnpike, Southington
• March 5 – Valero Gas Station, 1 Main Street, Ellington
• March 5 – Sunoco Gas Station, 446 Bloomfield Avenue, Windsor
• March 8 – Smoker’s Discount World, 636 Silas Deane Highway, Wethersfield
• March 16 – Cove Smoke Market, located at 841 Cove Road, Stamford

During the robberies, Efrain Deleon typically interacted directly with the store clerk and took the cash and tobacco products.  Gilberto Deleon acted as the “lookout” and Galarza acted as the “getaway” driver.  At times, their roles overlapped.

On March 19, 2022, Efrain Deleon and Galarza also robbed a 7-Eleven in Salem, New Hampshire.

Efrain Deleon has been detained since his arrest on April 19, 2022.  On May 9, 2023, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery.  Deleon’s criminal history includes seven prior robbery convictions.

Galarza, of Seymour, and Gilberto Deleon, of New Britain, pleaded guilty to related charges.  On July 20, 2023, Galarza, who also committed two additional robberies in Connecticut and New York, was sentenced to 78 months of imprisonment.  On December 14, 2023, Gilberto Deleon was sentenced to 34 months of imprisonment.

This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Connecticut State Police, and the Farmington, Stonington, East Windsor, Southington, Windsor, Wethersfield, Stamford, New Britain, Salem (N.H.), and Somers (N.Y.) Police Departments. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan Keefe.

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 Twin Pines Diner in East Haven to resolve allegations that the diner 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 Twin Pines Diner required the removal of a service animal from the diner as a condition of service.

As a result of the settlement agreement, the restaurant is in the process of posting signage indicating “Service Animals Welcome”; implementing a “Service Animal Policy,” which includes the types of legally permissible inquiries store employees may make of a customer who enters the store with a service animal; and training employees regarding the policy. 

Under federal law, private entities that own or operate places of “public accommodation,” including 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 owner of Twin Pines Diner has 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.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that OLAJUWON HARRINGTON, also known as “OJ Harrington,” 31, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to 48 months of imprisonment, followed by two years of supervised release, for his theft of pandemic unemployment benefits.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in March 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) was signed into law.  The CARES Act created a new temporary federal unemployment insurance program for pandemic unemployment assistance (“Pandemic Unemployment Assistance”).  Pandemic Unemployment Assistance provided unemployment insurance (“UI”) benefits for employed individuals who are not eligible for other types of UI due to their employment status.  The CARES Act also created a new temporary federal program called Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (“FPUC”) that provided additional weekly benefits to those eligible for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance or regular UI.  The Connecticut Department of Labor (CT-DOL) administers UI benefits for residents of Connecticut.

Numerous fraudulent applications for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, which used identifying information of real persons (“victims”) without their knowledge, were submitted to CT-DOL.  Relying on the applications, CT-DOL awarded unemployment assistance in the form of debit cards in the names of approximately 43 victims and mailed the debit cards to addresses provided in the applications.  Over an approximately 20-month period, Harrington obtained those debit cards issued in victims’ names and unlawfully used the cards for his own benefit.

Judge Williams ordered Harrington to pay restitution of $793,254.

Harrington was arrested on a criminal complaint on November 30, 2022.  On May 10, 2023, he pleaded guilty to access device fraud.

This investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General; the U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Office of Inspector General; the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General;  and the Connecticut Department of Labor.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher W. Schmeisser.

Individuals with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 are encouraged to report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721, or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven returned has returned an indictment charging FREDY ADALBERTO GUARDADO SALGADO, also known as “Fredy Guardado” and “Fredy Salgado,” 42, a citizen of El Salvador, with one count of illegally reentering the United States after being deported.

The indictment was returned on January 3, 2024, and Salgado was arrested yesterday.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven, entered a plea of not guilty to the charge, and was ordered detained.

As alleged in the indictment and in statements made in court, Salgado was deported from the U.S. to El Salvador following a felony conviction in December 2010 in Connecticut Superior Court for assault in the second degree involving a stabbing.  Salgado illegally reentered the U.S. and, on August 6, 2023, he was arrested by Hamden Police on state assault and breach of peace charges.

If convicted of the charge of illegal reentry, Salgado faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

The state charges against Salgado are pending.

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 U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel George.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that JOSEPH AMADEO, 39, of North Branford, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 84 months of imprisonment, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, for downloading child sex abuse images and videos from the dark web.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2020, HSI began investigating Amadeo for his involvement in an online community of individuals who sent and received child pornography images and videos on the dark web.  Amadeo was a registered sex offender on the Connecticut Sex Offender Registry based on a 2013 state conviction involving child pornography.

On March 24, 2021, investigators conducted a court-authorized search of Amadeo’s residence and seized Amadeo’s computer and other electronic devices.  Analysis of the devices revealed thousands of images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children, many as young as infants.

Amadeo was arrested on June 3, 2021.  On April 19, 2023, he pleaded guilty to receipt of child pornography.

Amadeo, who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on February 2.

This matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amanda Oakes and Shan Patel.

This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.

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 ANTHONY NIRO, 60, and NANETTE NIRO, 59, of Newington, have pleaded guilty in Hartford federal court to offenses stemming from a tax evasion scheme.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Anthony Niro was a co-owner of A. Niro Landscape Contractors, Inc. (“ANLC”), a business that provided landscaping and snowplowing services for large commercial properties and for personal residences.  Nanette Niro, who is married to Anthony Niro, was the bookkeeper for ANLC and maintained ANLC’s financial records.  For the 2006 through 2010 tax years, Anthony Niro, his business partner, and Nanette Niro conspired to evade both corporate and individual income tax by causing a large portion of ANLC’s receipts to be deposited into two non-interest-bearing checking accounts, and then transferred money out the accounts to themselves for their benefit.  Anthony Niro, his business partner, and Nanette Niro failed to provide information about these non-interest-bearing accounts to the tax return preparer who prepared ANLC’s federal income tax returns.  The 2006 through 2009 tax returns were filed with the IRS.  A 2010 tax return was not filed.

Through this scheme, nearly $14 million in ANLC’s gross receipts were not reported to the IRS for the 2006 through 2010 tax years, resulting in a tax loss of $2,931,011. 

Anthony Niro and his ANLC business partner also owned numerous residential and commercial properties through several entities.  They earned rental income through some of the properties, and some of that income was also not reported to the IRS.

For the 2006 through 2010 tax years, Anthony and Nanette Niro failed to report to the IRS $8,022,644.90 in income, resulting in a tax loss of $1,472,735.  As an example, on their 2009 federal individual tax return, Anthony and Nanette Niro reported taxable income of $131,895 when their correct taxable income for that year was $1,891,955.

On January 4, 2024, Anthony Niro pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion.  Nanette Niro pleaded guilty to the same charge today.  At sentencing, they each face a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.

Anthony and Nanette Niro have paid restitution of $1,472,735.  They are still required to pay substantial financial penalties and interest.

This investigation is being conducted by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher W. Schmeisser.

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 American Cruise Lines, Inc., headquartered in Guilford, Connecticut, to resolve allegations that the company was not operating in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”).

This matter was initiated based on six complaints received by the U.S. Department of Justice that American Cruise Lines was not accessible to or usable by individuals with disabilities who use wheelchairs.  American Cruise Lines owns and operates 17 passenger vessels.  The complaints alleged that American Cruise Lines failed to provide cruise ships that were fully accessible to passengers in wheelchairs, failed to provide for safe embarkation and disembarkation procedures for passengers in wheelchairs, and failed to provide wheelchair-accessible ground transportation for passengers during shore excursions. This settlement agreement addresses accessibility on all 17 vessels and implements accessibility standards and policies to provide greater access during cruises.

As a result of the settlement agreement, American Cruise Lines will submit a comprehensive remediation plan to improve accessibility for passengers with disabilities aboard all ships within 18 months.  The United States will have the opportunity to review and approve the plan before renovations begin.  In addition, the agreement requires American Cruise Lines to adopt ADA-compliant policies, procedures, and training; assign an ADA compliance officer; and establish an accessible website.  Finally, the agreement requires American Cruise Lines to provide safe and accessible boarding and disembarking procedures and staff training, publicly available “accessibility request” and reservation procedures, and portable communication devices to alert deaf passengers when there is an emergency aboard ship.  

Under federal law, private entities that own or operate places of “public accommodation,” including cruise ships, are prohibited from discriminating on the basis of disability.  The ADA authorizes the Justice Department 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 American Cruise Lines has worked cooperatively with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to address the ADA issues without litigation.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to safeguarding civil rights, including those protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act,” said U.S. Attorney Avery.  “Businesses are required, under the ADA, to appropriately serve a diverse customer base, ensuring that individuals are able to access and enjoy restaurants, service establishments, retail stores and other places of public accommodation.  That includes cruise ships.  We appreciate American Cruise Lines’ commitment to increasing access to its ships for individuals with physical disabilities and mobility challenges.”

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. Attorneys William M. Brown, Jr. and Stewart Dearing of the District of Connecticut, in coordination with the Disability Rights Section of the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.

United States Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery, Inspector in Charge Ketty Larco-Ward of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division, Acting Inspector General Heather M. Hill of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, and Westport Police Chief Foti Koskinas today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging NEIL A. LOTT, 50, of Westport, with wire fraud related to a misappropriation scheme.

As alleged in the indictment and statements made in court, from 2017 until August 2021, Lott was a 51 percent owner of Pacific Atlantic Handling Services, LLC (“PAH”), a baggage handling company based at John F. Kennedy International Airport.  In August 2021, Lott was terminated from PAH for cause.  However, in November 2021, Lott opened a business bank account in the name of PAH without PAH’s knowledge or authorization.  On November 30, 2021, Lott deposited into this account a U.S. Treasury check in the amount of $477,167, paid to the order of PAH, for an Employee Retention Tax Credit.

The indictment was returned on January 3, 2024, and Lott was arrested on January 4.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Dave Vatti in Bridgeport and was released on a $350,000 bond.

If convicted of wire fraud, Lott faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that an indictment 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 the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), and the Westport Police Department, with assistance from the Port Authority Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Cherry.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that two New York men were sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford for engaging in a wide-ranging mortgage fraud scheme involving 24 mortgage loans on numerous multifamily housing properties in Hartford totaling nearly $50 million.  JACOB DEUTSCH, 58, of Brooklyn, was sentenced to 62 months of imprisonment and four years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $10,000 fine, and ARON DEUTSCH, 63, of Monsey, was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to pay a $1 million fine.

According to court documents and statements in court proceedings, Jacob Deutsch and Aron Deutsch work at B H Property Management, LLC (“BHPM”), a property management company that manages numerous multifamily housing properties in Hartford.  From September 2016 through May 2021, Jacob Deutsch, who ran the day-to-day operations BHPM, and Aron Deutsch engaged in a scheme to defraud several financial institutions, government-sponsored enterprises Federal Home Loan Mortgage Company (“Freddie Mac”) and the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”), and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) by providing them with false information overstating the value of multifamily housing properties managed by BHPM in connection with loans secured by those properties.

As part of the scheme, Jacob Deutsch provided false rent rolls and falsified leases to the victim financial institutions and their appraisers, which either overstated the number of renters by listing fictitious renters or others not actually living there, or falsely inflated the amount of rent paid by occupants.  Jacob Deutsch deceived inspectors into believing that unoccupied apartments were occupied by staging the apartments with furniture and by requiring BHPM employees to falsely tell inspectors they lived there and to lie to inspectors if asked whether there were vacancies.  For instance, a rent roll and income and expense summary submitted by Jacob Deutsch to CBRE Capital Markets, Inc. (“CBRE”) in June 2018 falsely represented that 16 Evergreen Avenue was 100 percent occupied when, in fact, not a single tenant resided there at the time.  Later, Jacob Deutsch e-mailed CBRE pictures of money orders and checks purporting to reflect rent payments from fake tenants on the falsified rent rolls for 16 Evergreen Avenue to show proof of payment of rent when, in fact, the money orders and checks had been purchased by Aron Deutsch or BHPM employees at Aron Deutsch’s direction.

Jacob Deutsch also provided the victim financial institutions with false and inflated income statements and financials for the properties, doctored bank statements, doctored or false documents overstating the purchase price of various multifamily housing properties, and doctored checks and invoices showing false or overstated capital improvements made to those properties.  The false information provided by Jacob Deutsch induced the victim financial institutions to issue loans that they otherwise would not have issued on the requested terms, or for amounts larger than they would have authorized had they been provided with truthful information.  In addition, the false information induced Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae to purchase the resulting loans from the victim financial institutions, and induced HUD to issue a mortgage insurance commitment to a victim financial institution.

Jacob and Aron Deutsch were arrested on May 19, 2021. 

After his arrest and while released on bond, Jacob Deutsch victimized another lender to secure an $11 million loan.

Jacob and Aron Deutsch pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud affecting a financial institution on July 12, 2022, and June 1, 2022, respectively.

Jacob Deutsch is required to report to prison on March 8.

Jacob Deutsch’s criminal history includes a wire fraud conviction in the Eastern District of New York stemming from an insurance fraud scheme.  In October 2003, he was sentenced to three months of imprisonment for that offense.

This investigation was conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s Office of Inspector General, and HUD’s Office of Inspector General for Investigations.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Heather Cherry and Sarah Gruber.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut today announced that AUBREY WAYNE ROSE, JR., 43, of Hartford, was arrested yesterday on a federal criminal complaint charging him with making threats against the Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center in West Haven, certain U.S. members of Congress, and other federal employees.

Rose appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas O. Farrish in Hartford and was detained until a hearing scheduled for January 8.

As alleged in court documents, on March 7, 2023, Rose sent a threatening email to the Defense Finance Accounting Service, which is the U.S. Department of Defense agency that, among other things, maintains and pays military retirees their monthly retirement and disability benefits and Combat Related Special Compensation. He also sent the email to the offices of four members of the United States Congress. In the email, he asked for a formal appeal of his military pay and stated, “If not[,] the 2d Amendment is in our Constitution for a reason. . . . ONE WAY OR ANOTHER. I PICKED UP A RIFLE TO PROTECT THIS COUNTRY BEFORE. I WILL MAKE SURE I PICK IT UP FOR MYSELF. IM TIRED OF GAMES YALL CAN FIX IT OR NOT. MY DECISION HAS BEEN MADE[.]” 

In addition, according to court documents, on the morning of December 20, 2023, Rose entered the VA Medical Facility in West Haven wearing a tactical vest and carrying a bullhorn. As VA police officers followed him, he stated, “Next time I come back, I’m bringing a weapon.” Later that morning, Rose went to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New Haven office and told an agent that if he did not get assistance from the VA, he would have “to go back to the VA with a firearm.”

Court documents also describe other instances of threatening behavior. On May 30, 2023, Rose sent an email to several individuals, including an employee of the Connecticut Superior Court. The email contained a draft of another email he was planning to send to an unnamed member of Congress stating, “Your continued refusal to acknowledge fact and ignore me will leave me with no other choice but use my 2nd Amend Rights to force this GOVT to do the right thing. . . . Your continued non compliance will only solidify my decision and force me to act with the only decision that yourself and other govt agencies have left. To force you comply or be killed in the process.” Then on June 5, 2023, Rose attempted to gain access to the Connecticut office of a Member of the United States Congress. He was wearing a tactical vest on his chest and what appeared to be two knives strapped to the back of the tactical vest. Office staff was able lock the door before he entered. He returned later that afternoon, stood outside the office, and yelled through the intercom in a threatening manner. 

The complaint charges Rose with making threats against federal officials, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Protective Service, the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of the Inspector General, Northeast Field Office, and the Department of Veterans Affairs Police. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Neeraj N. Patel and Sean P. Mahard.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CHRISTIAN BORRERO, 20, of New Haven, pleaded guilty today in New Haven federal court to offenses stemming from his gunpoint robberies of Connecticut convenience stores and an armed carjacking last summer.

According to court documents and statements made in court, ATF and the New Haven Police Department investigated a series of gunpoint robberies and a carjacking that occurred in late June and early July 2022.  The investigation revealed that Borrero committed an armed robbery of a Citgo Gas Station located at 957 Foxon Road in East Haven on June 29, 2022; an armed carjacking followed by an armed robbery of a 7-Eleven Convenience Store located at 1089 Campbell Avenue in West Haven on July 3, 2022; and an armed robbery on an Xpress Mart Gas Station located at 180 Wakelee Avenue in Ansonia on July 7, 2022.  In addition, on July 6, 2022, Borrero and his associate, Robert Smith, committed an armed robbery of a Shell Gas Station located at 195 State Street in North Haven.

Borrero pleaded guilty to two counts of carrying, using, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, an offense that mandatory consecutive term of imprisonment of at least seven years, on each count.  A sentencing date is not scheduled.

On September 28, 2023, Smith, of New Haven, pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting Hobbs Act robbery and one count of aiding and abetting the carrying, using, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.  He also awaits sentencing.

Borrero has been detained since July 13, 2022, and Smith has been detained since January 3, 2023.

This matter has been investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) with the assistance of the New Haven, East Haven, West Haven, Ansonia, and North Haven Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel J. Gentile.

U.S. Attorney Avery thanked the State’s Attorneys for the Judicial Districts of New Haven and Ansonia/Milford for their cooperation in investigating and prosecuting this matter.

The prosecution 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.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that LUIS IVAN DIAZ, 25, of Hartford, pleaded guilty yesterday in Hartford federal court before to a narcotics distribution offense.

According to court documents and statements made in court, the Connecticut State Police obtained an arrest warrant for Diaz after his DNA was found on a gun that was thrown from a vehicle during a State Police pursuit on March 8, 2022.  The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force had also identified Diaz as a fentanyl trafficker.  Diaz was located and arrested on November 3, 2022.  At the time of his arrest, Diaz possessed approximately 35 grams of fentanyl, 23 grams of cocaine, and five grams of crack cocaine.

Diaz pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill on March 15 in Bridgeport.

Diaz has been detained since his arrest.

The DEA’s Hartford 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. Attorneys Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis and Kenneth L. Gresham.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that GABRIEL HORACE WILLIAMS-BEY, 35, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to 48 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a handgun, and for violating the conditions of his supervised release from a prior federal conviction.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Williams-Bey’s criminal history includes a state firearms conviction, multiple state narcotics convictions, and a federal narcotics conviction for which he was sentenced, in June 2016, to eight years of imprisonment and four years of supervised release.  He was released from federal prison in August 2021.

On June 30, 2022, Hartford Police attempted to stop William-Bey’s vehicle.  Williams-Bey fled at a high rate speed, was eventually caught by police, and then attempted to flee again on foot.  After Williams-Bey was apprehended, a search of his vehicle revealed a loaded semi-automatic handgun. 

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.

Williams-Bey has been detained in federal custody since July 12, 2022.  On October 5, 2023, he pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

Judge Nagala sentenced Williams-Bey to 37 months of imprisonment for the firearm offense, and a consecutive 11 months of imprisonment for violating the conditions of his supervised release.

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Hartford Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kenneth L. Gresham and Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis 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.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MYRON WARE, 49, of Colchester, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to three years of probation for defrauding a computer technology company.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between 2017 and 2020, Ware identified companies and organizations that previously had purchased computer parts and components from a Texas-based computer technology company.  On approximately 30 occasions, Ware contacted the victim company and falsely represented himself to be speaking on behalf of a customer he had identified.  Ware typically reported that a previously delivered part or component was not functional and requested a replacement.  After the victim company shipped a replacement item to an address Ware had provided, and which was in the vicinity of the customer he was posing as, he traveled to the address to receive delivery of the package.  Ware sold most of the parts and components he received to others and kept some for his own use.

Ware stole tens of thousands of dollars in products from the victim company through this scheme.  Judge Bolden ordered Ware to pay restitution of $77,068.40.

On March 9, 2023, Ware pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud.

This investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the U.S. Secret Service.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine E. Boyles.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOHN MATAVA, 59, of Coventry, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to offenses related to his receipt of COVID-19 relief funds.

In March 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provided emergency financial assistance to Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.  One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).  In April 2020, Congress authorized more than $300 billion in additional PPP funding.  The PPP allowed qualifying small businesses and other organizations to receive unsecured loans at an interest rate of 1%.  PPP loan proceeds were to be used by businesses on payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent and utilities. The PPP allowed the interest and principal to be forgiven if businesses spent the proceeds on these expenses within a certain period of time of receipt and used at least a certain percentage of the amount to be forgiven for payroll.

The PPP was overseen by the Small Business Administration, which has authority over all PPP loans.  Individual PPP loans, however, were issued by private approved lenders, such as Celtic Bank, which received and processed PPP applications and supporting documentation, and then made loans using the lenders’ own funds, which were guaranteed by the SBA.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in April 2020, Matava applied to Celtic Bank for a $100,000 PPP loan for J.M. Builders LLC.  The application submission included several false representations, including that J.M. Builders LLC had eight employees and an average monthly payroll of $40,000; that the monies would be used for payroll, lease, mortgage, interest and utilities; and that the business owner was not subject to pending formal criminal charges.  At the time of the PPP loan application, there were no records of payroll or employees with the Connecticut Department of Labor for J.M. Builders LLC, and Matava was subject to criminal charges in two pending cases related to arrests in 2017 and 2018.

On April 22, 2020, Celtic Bank disbursed $100,000 to a bank account for J.M. Builders LLC on which Matava was the signatory.  The account was opened on April 21, 2020, and had a balance of $0 immediately prior to the loan funds being disbursed.  Between April 2020 and January 2021, Matava used the funds primarily for personal expenditures, including $3,498 to pay a dog breeder, $4,777 for payments to an RV superstore in Connecticut, and legal fees, including a $2,000 retainer, for four court cases in Rockville, Connecticut.

In January 2021, Matava sought $100,000 in additional PPP funds from Celtic Bank, and included with the application several additional false statements and fraudulent tax documents.  Celtic Bank denied the application.

Matava was arrested on January 7, 2023.  He pleaded guilty today to one count of wire fraud affecting a financial institution, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years, and to one count of making an illegal monetary transaction, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for March 29.

Matava is released on a $60,000 bond, in home detention, pending sentencing.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher W. Schmeisser and Sean P. Mahard.

Individuals with information about allegations of fraud involving COVID-19 are encouraged to report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721, or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that PIERRE JOSHWAN RODRIGUEZ, also known as “Ochy,” 42, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 210 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for heading a cocaine trafficking conspiracy.

According to court documents and statements made in court, an investigation led by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force determined that Rodriguez headed a cocaine trafficking operation in which parcels containing kilogram quantities of cocaine were concealed within boxed Bluetooth speakers and shipped through the U.S. mail from Puerto Rico to multiple addresses in Waterbury.  Rodriguez distributed the cocaine in the Waterbury area and mailed money parcels back to Puerto Rico.  Felix Ortega-Pagan assisted Rodriguez by frequently picking up the cocaine parcels and delivering them to Rodriguez at various stash locations.  Alejandra Santiago-Miranda was a frequent mailer of cocaine parcels from Puerto Rico to Waterbury and was also the recipient of multiple money parcels.  Rodriguez and Ortega-Pagan also converted some of the cocaine into crack cocaine.

Investigators seized approximately 28 kilograms of cocaine during the investigation.

On November 20, 2020, investigators searched Rodriguez’s residence and seized evidence of the cocaine distribution conspiracy, $56,008 in cash, and jewelry.  Rodriguez remained at large until February 17, 2021.  He possessed $5,540.00, four cellphones, and jewelry at the time of his arrest.

In total, law enforcement seized from Rodriguez a total of $455,308.83 in cash and from a bank account, jewelry appraised at $509,045, a 2019 Polaris Slingshot, a 2013 BMW X6, a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee, a 2020 Can Am Spyder Roadster, and a 2015 Toyota Sienna.

Rodriguez’s criminal history spans more than 25 years and includes multiple drug convictions.  In 2013, he was sentenced in state court to 15 years of incarceration, suspended after 90 months, for possession with intent to sell.

Rodriguez has been detained since February 17, 2021.  On August 18, 2022, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, five kilograms or more of cocaine.

Ortega-Pagan and Santiago-Miranda pleaded guilty to related charges and have been sentenced.

This matter was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force, with the assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Marshals Service, and Waterbury Police Department.  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 was being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Natasha M. Freismuth 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.  Rodríguez was designated as a Regional Priority Organization Target (RPOT) under the OCDETF Program.

Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

KEVIN IMAN McCORMICK, 30, of Hamden, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 144 months of imprisonment, followed a lifetime term of supervised release with monitoring of his electronic devices, for attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization.

U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery, Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, and Special Agent in Charge Robert Fuller of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New Haven Division made the announcement.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between August and October 2019, McCormick made several statements to others expressing a desire to travel to Syria and to fight for ISIS.  In August 2019, McCormick stated to members of a Muslim community center that “we should support ISIS” and “jihad is the way to go.” In another conversation in October 2019, McCormick stated “I gotta fight bro, because those people, Abu Masa and ISIL, they fought for me bro, I know it, I can feel it, in my heart. So it’s my time to fight . . . It just is what it is bro, it’s just my – it’s just my time to go bro.”  When McCormick was asked to elaborate on where he would like to travel, McCormick responded, “I don’t know, I don’t know bro – it’s gotta be like Syria. Where ISIL is at….whichever place is easiest, whatever place I can get there the fastest, the quickest, the easiest, and where I can have a rifle and I can have some people bro. That’s what I need, I need a rifle and I need some people, I need Islamic law, I need, that’s what I need, because if I have these things, it’s gonna to be very hard to kill me.”

On October 12, 2019, McCormick attempted to board a flight from Connecticut to Jamaica, but was prevented by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.  McCormick subsequently told an individual that he wanted to travel to Jamaica, and then onward to Syria to join ISIS.  He also indicated that he wanted to acquire weapons.

On October 19, 2019, McCormick made a video during which he pledged allegiance to ISIS and its leader, Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi.  Also on that date, he purchased a plane ticket from Toronto, Canada, to Amman, Jordan.  On October 21, 2019, McCormick was arrested after he traveled to a small private airport in Connecticut where he expected to board a plane that would fly him to Canada.

McCormick has been detained since his arrest.  On January 12, 2023, he pleaded guilty to attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization.

This matter was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) with the assistance of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

The FBI’s JTTF includes participants from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Connecticut State Police, Connecticut Department of Correction, Norwich Police Department, Hartford Police Department, Stamford Police Department, Town of Groton Police Department, Yale Police Department, and New York Police Department.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Neeraj Patel and Peter Jongbloed of the District of Connecticut, and Trial Attorneys Justin Sher and John Cella from the Counterterrorism Section of the Justice Department’s National Security Division.

Kevin Iman McCormick, 30, of Hamden, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 144 months of in prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release, for attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between August and October 2019, McCormick made several statements to others expressing a desire to travel to Syria and to fight for ISIS. In August 2019, McCormick stated to members of a Muslim community center that “we should support ISIS” and “jihad is the way to go.” In another conversation in October 2019, McCormick stated, “I gotta fight bro, because those people, Abu Masa and ISIL, they fought for me bro, I know it, I can feel it, in my heart. So it’s my time to fight . . . It just is what it is bro, it’s just my – it’s just my time to go bro.” When McCormick was asked to elaborate on where he would like to travel, McCormick responded, “I don’t know, I don’t know bro – it’s gotta be like Syria. Where ISIL is at….whichever place is easiest, whatever place I can get there the fastest, the quickest, the easiest, and where I can have a rifle and I can have some people bro. That’s what I need, I need a rifle and I need some people, I need Islamic law, I need, that’s what I need, because if I have these things, it’s gonna to be very hard to kill me.”

On Oct. 12, 2019, McCormick attempted to board a flight from Connecticut to Jamaica but was prevented by the Department of Homeland Security. McCormick subsequently told an individual that he wanted to travel to Jamaica, and then onward to Syria to join ISIS. He also indicated that he wanted to acquire weapons.

On Oct. 19, 2019, McCormick made a video during which he pledged allegiance to ISIS and its then-leader, Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi. Also on that date, he purchased a plane ticket from Toronto, Canada, to Amman, Jordan. On Oct. 21, 2019, McCormick was arrested after he traveled to a small private airport in Connecticut where he expected to board a plane that would fly him to Canada.

McCormick has been detained since his arrest. On Jan. 12, he pleaded guilty to attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization.

U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery for the District of Connecticut, Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, and Special Agent in Charge Robert Fuller of the FBI New Haven Field Office made the announcement.

This FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) investigated the case with the assistance of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

The FBI’s JTTF includes participants from Homeland Security Investigations, IRS – Criminal Investigation Division, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Connecticut State Police, Connecticut Department of Correction, Norwich Police Department, Hartford Police Department, Stamford Police Department, Town of Groton Police Department, Yale Police Department, and New York Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Neeraj Patel and Peter Jongbloed for the District of Connecticut, and Trial Attorneys Justin Sher and John Cella of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section prosecuted the case.

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 New Haven has returned a 12-count indictment charging the following six individuals with gun trafficking and other offenses:

STEFAN BAGLEY, JR., 22, of Stratford
TREMAYNE FERGUSON, a.k.a., “Tre,” 23, of West Haven
JAMAINE ADKINS, JR., a.k.a. “G Banger,” 21, of Stratford
JEFFREY CHARLESTON, a.k.a. “J Dot,” 20, of Bridgeport
ESKAVAIL GORDON, a.k.a. “Vail,” 20, of Stratford
CHASE DRALLE, a.k.a. “Chevy,” 20, of Trumbull

The indictment was returned on December 12, 2023, and the six defendants were arrested on December 18.

As alleged in the indictment, court documents, and statements made in court, on July 26, 2023, Stefan Bagley, Jr. was shot and wounded while traveling in his vehicle in Bridgeport.  Later that same day, Bagley’s vehicle was used in another shooting incident in Bridgeport.  An investigation revealed that, between October 2022 and October 2023, Bagley purchased approximately 20 9mm handguns from licensed firearm dealers, and then trafficked the guns through a network of customers, including Ferguson, Charleston, Gordon, and Dralle.  Bagley typically scratched the serial numbers off of the firearms before providing them to his customers, making the guns more difficult to trace.  To date, only one of the firearms purchased by Bagley is accounted for.

The indictment charges Bagley with engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, and with making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  The indictment also charges Bagley, Ferguson, Charleston, Gordon, and Dralle with one or more firearms trafficking offenses, each of which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years.  Adkins is charged with possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.

U.S. Attorney Avery noted that this case is being prosecuted, in part, under the new criminal provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which Congress enacted and the President signed in June 2022.  The Act is the first federal statute specifically designed to target the unlawful trafficking and straw-purchasing of firearms.

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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Bridgeport Police Department, and the Connecticut State Police.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Margaret Maigret Donovan and Jessica Casey 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.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RONIER SANCHEZ ALONSO, 47, of Naucalpan, Mexico, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 48 months of imprisonment for his role in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Sanchez conspired with others to transport approximately 1700 kilograms of cocaine from South America to the U.S.  On August 6, 2016, Sanchez and Rupert De Las Casas flew a private jet, which was registered in the U.S., from the Dominican Republic to Venezuela where the cocaine was to be loaded onto the jet.  De Las Casas was the pilot and Sanchez was the co-pilot.  From Venezuela, the jet was to fly to Honduras where the cocaine would be loaded onto trucks for transport through Mexico into the U.S.  A fake flight plan filed with Dominican authorities reported that the plane was traveling to Brazil.  The plane crash-landed just short of a landing strip in Venezuela.  Sanchez, De Las Casas and another co-conspirator evaded capture by Venezuelan authorities, and the cocaine was diverted back to Colombia.

On December 14, 2016, a grand jury in Bridgeport returned an indictment charging Sanchez and others with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine on board an aircraft registered in the U.S.  Sanchez has been detained since he was arrested in Asuncion, Paraguay, on March 25, 2021.  He was extradited to the U.S. in July 2022 and, on August 1, 2023, pleaded guilty to the offense.

De Las Casas, who last resided in Florida, pleaded guilty and is detained while awaiting sentencing.

Another co-conspirator, Arrinson De La Cruz, who had worked at an airport in the Dominican Republic and helped to coordinate the travel of the jet through the airport uninterrupted, was charged separately for his role in this scheme and other drug trafficking activity.  De La Cruz, a citizen of the Dominican Republic who had resided in Wolcott, Connecticut, pleaded guilty and, on November 20, 2019, was sentenced to 144 months of imprisonment.

This investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force, which includes members from the DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Connecticut State Police and the New Haven, Waterbury, East Haven, Branford, West Haven, Ansonia, Meriden, Naugatuck, and Shelton Police Departments.  The DEA Country Office in Paraguay, Interpol and the Paraguayan National Police have assisted the investigation.

U.S. Attorney Avery thanked the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs and the U.S. State Department for coordinating the extradition proceedings in this matter, the U.S. Marshals Service for managing the defendant’s safe transport from Paraguay to the U.S., and the Paraguay Attorney General’s Office for its assistance with the extradition.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rahul Kale 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.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that BRANDON BATISTE, also known as “B,” 36, last residing in Chicopee, Massachusetts, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to 504 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for kidnapping and murdering another Massachusetts man in 2020.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 24, 2020, Batiste and Calvin Roberson, also known as “Cutty,” kidnapped Francisco Roman, Jr., 28, at gunpoint from a residence in Chicopee, Massachusetts.  Batiste and Roberson threatened to harm Roman if he did not comply with their orders, handcuffed him, and stole cash, marijuana, and other items from Roman.  Batiste and Roberson forced Roman into the rear of Roman’s 2010 Acura ZDX, and transported Roman and the other 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.

Shortly before 9 p.m. on December 26, 2020, Hartford police and fire personnel responded to Shultas Place and found the car engulfed in flames.  After the fire was extinguished, investigators discovered Roman’s body with multiple gunshot wounds in the rear of the vehicle.

Batiste has been detained since his arrest on February 11, 2021.  On June 30, 2023, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit kidnaping, and causing the death of a person through the use of a firearm.

Roberson pleaded guilty to the same charges on April 27, 2023, and is detained while awaiting sentencing.

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 is being 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.

U.S. Attorney Avery thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts for their assistance in this matter.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CHRISTOPHER POLLER, 30, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 84 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for drug distribution and firearm possession offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 3, 2022, Waterbury Police traveled to Poller’s residence to issue an arrest warrant for Poller and to conduct a court-authorized search of the residence.  Upon arrival, investigators observed Poller conduct suspected drug transactions from his vehicle, and then enter his residence.  Poller was arrested, and a search of his vehicle revealed two loaded handguns, more than 500 dose bags of fentanyl, and approximately 39 grams of crack cocaine.

Poller’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for narcotics distribution, larceny, assault, escape, and weapons possession 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.

Poller has been detained since his arrest.  On August 14, 2023, he pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base (“crack”), and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Waterbury Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine E. Boyles 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.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DEVIN TEXIRA, also known as “LV,” 27, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 57 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for a firearm possession offense.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an investigation into gang-related drug trafficking and firearm possession by members of Los Solidos.  The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps, revealed that Luis Feliciano, also known as “Louminaty,” distributed fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and crack to customers and other distributors in the Hartford area, and also to individuals in New York and Maine.  In October 2021, a member of Feliciano’s drug trafficking network, Jose Tirado, coordinated the sale of 9mm handgun, owned by Texira, to another individual for $800.

Texira’s criminal history includes felony convictions for firearm possession, robbery, assault, and threatening offenses, and he was on state probation in October 2021 during the firearm transaction.  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.

Hartford Police arrested Texira on March 27, 2022, on state charges related to an alleged threatening incident involving a firearm.

On June 8, 2022, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Texira, Feliciano, Tirado, and 13 others with various narcotics distribution and firearm possession offenses.

On February 16, 2023, Texira pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.  He has been detained since his arrest, and he awaits sentencing on the unrelated state charges.

Feliciano and Tirado pleaded guilty.  On August 11, 2023, Tirado, also known as “Joselito” and “Leet,” was sentenced to 84 months of imprisonment.  Feliciano awaits sentencing.

This investigation has been conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and the Hartford Police Department.  The Task Force includes members of the FBI, Hartford Police Department, East Hartford 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. Attorney Robert S. Ruff. 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.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that MICHAEL LONSKI, 72, of Greenwich, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to 27 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for operating a $2.6 million health care fraud scheme.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Lonski was a licensed psychologist who, along with wife, Dr. Evelyn Llewellyn, maintained separate medical practices out of their home office in Old Greenwich.  Lonski and Llewellyn were authorized providers for the Connecticut Medicaid program (“Medicaid”), Medicare, and other health care benefit programs.  Lonski assumed responsibility for submitting claims for reimbursement for services allegedly provided by himself and Llewellyn, both at their home office and at various skilled nursing facilities within Connecticut.

For years, Lonski billed insurers for services that he knew were not rendered, including by billing for patients who were deceased, for dates of service when he was out of the country, for dates of service when Llewellyn was out of the country, and for dates of service when he was hospitalized.  From 2014 through 2019, Lonski submitted more than 80,000 claims for service, and he claimed to have provided services every single day, including weekends and holidays, except for one day in 2017.  On 60 of these dates, Lonski billed for more than 24 hours of service, and on 901 dates, Lonski billed for more than 12 hours of service.  These fraudulent claims resulted in a loss of over $2,651,294, including a loss of $1,157,292 to the Connecticut Medicaid program and a loss of $119,092 Medicare.

In 2002, Lonski settled a federal civil lawsuit alleging health care fraud, which was brought by the government in the Southern District of New York.  Lonski agreed to pay $4 million in restitution and was excluded from participating in all federal healthcare programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, for five years. 

Judge Nagala ordered Lonski to pay restitution $2,651,294.

On December 12, 2022, Lonski pleaded guilty to health care fraud.  Lonski is required to report to prison on March 25, 2024.

In May 2023, Llewellyn entered into a civil settlement agreement with the federal and state governments in which she agreed to pay $658,294 to settle allegations that she received payment for claims submitted by Lonski to the Medicare and Medicaid programs for psychology services allegedly provided by Llewellyn to Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries that were, in fact, not provided.

This investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Susan L. Wines, Richard M. Molot, and Christine Sciarrino

People who suspect health care fraud are encouraged to report it by calling 1-800-HHS-TIPS.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that NESTOR SOSA-ORTIZ, 39, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for trafficking fentanyl and heroin.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from a joint investigation headed by the DEA New Haven Task Force and the Waterbury Police Department into a Waterbury-based drug trafficking operation headed by Sosa-Ortiz.  The investigation, which included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, physical surveillance, and controlled purchases of narcotics, revealed that Sosa-Ortiz’s organization received large quantities of fentanyl and heroin from suppliers in Connecticut and New York and distributed the narcotics through a network of co-conspirators.  After Sosa-Ortiz was arrested in New York City on a separate federal heroin and fentanyl trafficking charge in May 2019, he continued to control his drug network while incarcerated by using smuggled cell phones to communicate with various co-conspirators, including his sisters, Imirici Sosa-Ortiz and Isamelis Sosa-Ortiz.

The Sosa-Ortiz organization used an apartment located at 330 Bishop Street in Waterbury to store kilogram-quantities of fentanyl and heroin, and to process and package the drugs for street sale. 

On October 29, 2019, several of Nestor Sosa-Ortiz’s co-conspirators were arrested.  On that date, investigators executed search warrants at the Bishop Street apartment and four other locations and seized approximately six kilograms of fentanyl and heroin, approximately 100,000 bags of fentanyl/heroin packaged for street distribution, approximately 1,000 fentanyl pills disguised as Percocet pills, one firearm, and approximately $50,000 in cash.

Nestor-Sosa Ortiz has been detained since May 18, 2019, and his federal charges that were pending in the Southern District of New York were subsequently transferred to the District of Connecticut for further prosecution.  On June 18, 2020, he pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin and 400 grams or more of fentanyl, related to both the Connecticut and New York.

Seventeen individuals were charged and convicted as a result of this investigation.  Imirici Sosa-Ortiz and Isamelis Sosa-Ortiz pleaded guilty and were each sentenced to 94 months of imprisonment.

This investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force and the Waterbury Police Department.  The DEA New Haven Task Force includes participants from the DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Connecticut State Police and the New Haven, Waterbury, East Haven, Branford, West Haven, Ansonia, Meriden, Naugatuck, and Shelton Police Departments.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren C. Clark and Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis 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.

Vanessa Roberts Avery,  United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that THOMAS AQUILES, Jr., 37, formerly of New Britain, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 42 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for a heroin trafficking offense.

According to court documents and statements made in court, at approximately 10:00 p.m. on December 21, 2016, Hartford Police officers responded to a report of a person shot at a car wash located at 156 Franklin Avenue in Hartford.  At the car wash, officers encountered an employee of the car wash who was suffering from two gunshot wounds.  The victim was transported to the hospital where he was treated for his injuries,

The investigation, which included analysis of a surveillance video, revealed that Hector Alfonso arrived at the car wash shortly before the shooting to conduct a heroin transaction with Aquiles and Ruben Rodriguez.  Alfonso and Rodriguez were both armed with handguns.  A dispute and subsequent struggle between Alfonso and Aquiles occurred during the transaction, and Alfonso shot the employee as he attempted to run from the car wash.

Alfonso was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on May 10, 2017.  A search of his Manchester residence on that date revealed cocaine residue on a toilet seat, cocaine, and crack cocaine residue in another part of home, and items used to process and package narcotics for street sale.  Alfonso pleaded guilty to drug and firearm offenses and, on March 22, 2019, he was sentenced to 153 months of imprisonment for both offenses, and for violating the conditions of his supervised release from a prior federal conviction.

Rodriguez was arrested on September 27, 2017.  On that date, a search of his Meriden residence and vehicle revealed a loaded .40 caliber pistol, numerous rounds of ammunition, approximately 133 grams of heroin, approximately 170 grams of cocaine, and $61,909 in cash. Rodriguez pleaded guilty to drug and firearm offenses and, on March 21, 2019, was sentenced to 72 months of imprisonment.

Aquiles, who was on state parole with the state of Connecticut in December 2016, absconded in January 2018 and remained a fugitive until he was arrested in New York in August 2022.  On April 18, 2023, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin.  He is currently detained in state custody.

This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Hartford Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shan Patel and Trial Attorney Brian P. Leaming of the Justice Department’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section.

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.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that AARON CHRISTIAN, 30, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 21 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for a firearm offense that followed a gang-related shootout.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 18, 2022, after an unidentified shooter, who is suspected of being a member of a rival gang, opened fire at individuals who were standing in a parking lot outside of a memorial gathering in Hartford, surveillance cameras at the location recorded at least nine individuals drawing firearms, and some of them returned fire.  Shot Spotter technology recorded approximately 50 shots fired within approximately 90 seconds in and around the location, and law enforcement recovered at least 31 shell casings from the scene.  It is alleged that Christian was present at the memorial gathering and was recorded on video firing at the fleeing assailant.

Following the shooting, Hartford Police obtained a warrant for Christian’s arrest.  On July 14, 2022, officers encountered Christian standing with others outside of a smoke shop located at 390 Franklin Avenue in Hartford.  As officers approached, Christian fled and attempted to throw a handgun onto the roof of the business.  The gun struck the awning of the business and fell to the sidewalk.  Christian was apprehended and officers recovered a loaded Ruger Model LCP .380 pistol from the sidewalk.

Christian’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for drug, larceny and threatening 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.

Christian has been detained since his arrest.  On July 14, 2023, he pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

State charges against Christian related to his alleged conduct on April 18, 2022 are pending.

This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the Hartford Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John T. Pierpont, Jr. and Robert S. Dearington

U.S. Attorney Avery thanked the Hartford State Attorney’s Offices for its cooperation in the investigation and prosecution of this matter.

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.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that THOMAS LIBERATORE, 66, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 384 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for offenses stemming from the robbery of Marco Jewelers in Stamford in March 2020.  During the robbery, the owner of Marco Jewelers was shot and killed.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 28, 2020, at approximately 2:48 p.m., Stamford Police Officers responded to Marco Jewelers, located at 16 Sixth Street in Stamford.  When officers arrived, they found evidence of a robbery and encountered the storeowner, Mark Vuono, lying on the ground in front of an open safe.  Emergency medical personnel arrived and pronounced Vuono deceased.

Investigators collected and analyzed surveillance video from Marco Jewelers, surrounding businesses and Stamford city cameras.  Video obtained from Marco Jewelers revealed that, on March 28, 2020, Paul Prosano drove Robert Rallo and Liberatore in a black Jaguar to Marco Jewelers.  Rallo and Liberatore then entered the store.  Rallo, armed with a handgun, engaged in a physical altercation with Vuono, while Liberatore stole items from the display cases.  Vuono, who also possessed a firearm, and Rallo struggled next to a large open safe.  During the more than three-minute struggle, Rallo reached into the safe and pulled out a third firearm, a .357 Magnum revolver.  Rallo subsequently shot and killed Vuono with the .357 revolver.

Between $360,000 and $430,000 worth of jewelry was stolen during the robbery.

Following the robbery, law enforcement located the black Jaguar in Staten Island and maintained surveillance on the vehicle.  On March 31, 2020, at approximately 5:30 p.m., a black BMW X3, driven by Prosano, pulled up beside the black Jaguar.  Rallo exited the rear door of the BMW and entered the driver’s door of a black Jaguar.  The two vehicles then left the area and rapidly accelerated.  The Jaguar crashed on Tompkins Street.  Rallo attempted to flee on foot, but was quickly apprehended.  The BMW crashed into a tree and parked car at the intersection of Daniel Low Terrace and Corson Avenue.  Prosano also attempted to flee and was apprehended.

A search of the BMW revealed 63 rings, eight bracelets, two tie pins, an earring and a cufflink, and a search of Prosano’s residence revealed 23 pairs of earrings and three rings.  These items were stolen from Marco Jewelers.

Liberatore has been detained since his arrest on April 1, 2020.  On December 19, 2022, a jury found Liberatore and Prosano guilty of interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act robbery) and interstate transportation of stolen property.  Liberatore was also found guilty of aiding and abetting the use of a firearm to cause a death during a robbery.  The trial evidence established that Liberatore, who formerly resided in Stamford, orchestrated the robbery of Marco Jewelers.

Liberatore has a lengthy criminal history, and he served a total of approximately 30 years in prison prior to the Marco Jewelers and the murder of Mark Vuono.  He met Rallo and Prosano while incarcerated within the New York State Department of Corrections.

On April 5, 2022, Rallo pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act robbery, interstate transportation of stolen property, and using a firearm to cause a death during a robbery.  On March 1, 2023, he was sentenced to 40 years of imprisonment.

On July 5, 2023, Prosano was sentenced to 30 years of imprisonment.

This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Stamford Police Department and Greenwich Police Department, with the assistance of the New York Police Department, Yonkers (N.Y.) Police Department and New Rochelle (N.Y.) Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis, Rahul Kale and Margaret Donovan.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that DELROY ANDERSON, also known as “Max,” 56, formerly of Stamford, appeared yesterday in New Haven federal court for his arraignment on money laundering offenses contained in a superseding indictment.  Anderson entered a plea of not guilty to the charges.

As alleged in the superseding indictment, which was returned by a grand jury in Bridgeport on July 6, 2022, for approximately five years, Anderson conspired with others to launder hundreds of thousands of dollars in proceeds from a marijuana trafficking operation by paying for marijuana cultivation, package shipping, electricity, and air travel expenses with the proceeds.  He also deposited the drug trafficking proceeds into multiple bank accounts opened in the name of Maximillion Enterprises Inc., and structured deposits to evade reporting requirements under federal law.

In February 2020, Anderson was charged, with alleged co-conspirators Kelvin Jackson and Stephanie Atkinson, by indictment with various money laundering offenses.  On February 18, 2022, Anderson, who had been released on bond pending trial, was scheduled to appear before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport for a guilty plea proceeding.  He failed to appear for that court proceeding and ceased contact with his attorney and the U.S. Probation Office.

On November 8, 2023, the U.S. Marshals Service located and arrested Anderson in Dallas, Texas.  He has been detained since his arrest.

The superseding indictment charges Anderson with one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments, three counts of promotional money laundering, two counts of concealment money laundering, and one count of structuring money laundering.  If convicted, Anderson faces 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.

Jackson, 54, of Bristol, Virginia, and Atkinson, 45, of Stamford, have each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments.  Both await sentencing.

This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Marshals Service.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys and David T. Huang and Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis 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.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that the United States and the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA have entered into a settlement agreement to resolve allegations that staff at one of its branches, the Hamden/North Haven YMCA, discriminated against a child with Down syndrome 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 Down syndrome who requires toileting assistance.  The complaint claimed that staff at the Hamden/North Hamden YMCA did not provide reasonable modifications to allow the child to enjoy the full benefits of the before-school program and did not allow the child to enroll in the after-school program until and unless the child’s family found and, if necessary, paid for a personal aide to accompany the child.

Under the terms of the settlement agreement, the Hamden/North Haven YMCA has agreed not to discriminate against children with disabilities in the future.  It will implement new policies and procedures for handling requests for reasonable modifications that are consistent with the ADA and that include obligations to conduct an individualized assessment of each child’s needs and engage in a back-and-forth interactive process with parents, guardians, and caregivers about a child’s needs.  The Hamden/North Haven YMCA will also provide training to its staff on the ADA.

In addition, working with the Hamden Special Education Parents Teacher Association, the Hamden North Haven YMCA has also agreed to conduct outreach to parents, guardians, and caregivers of children with disabilities in the Hamden community, including making reasonable efforts to reach those who do not speak English as their primary language.  The Hamden/North Haven YMCA will also designate an ADA coordinator, who will be responsible for reviewing requests for reasonable modifications and ensuring that proper communication occurs between the YMCA staff and parents, guardians, caregivers, and school personnel about the needs of each child with a disability enrolled in its programs.

The Central Connecticut Coast YMCA has also agreed to pay $3,000 to the individual who complained and to allow the complainant’s child to enroll in the before- and after-school programs in future with appropriate reasonable modifications, if needed.

“Families depend on childcare so that they can go to work and earn a living to support their families,” said U.S. Attorney Avery.  “This includes finding appropriate childcare for children with disabilities.  My office is committed to ensuring that every child’s family has equal access to childcare in Connecticut.  I want to thank the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA and the Hamden/North Haven YMCA for signing this settlement agreement, which signals their commitment to serving children with disabilities and their families in the future.”

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.