District of Connecticut

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DESHAWN BAUGH, 20, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 108 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for committing violent robberies of AT&T stores in Connecticut and western Massachusetts.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2021, Baugh, Alex Josephs, Ronaldo Smith and Shaquille Raymond committed several violent armed robberies of AT&T stores in Connecticut and western Massachusetts.  The perpetrators typically entered the stores shortly before closing, pointed weapons at employees, and, at times, pistol-whipped, dragged and shoved employees toward the back inventory room.  They then held the employees at gunpoint while loading large bags with cell phones and other electronics.  The group stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in merchandise.  A fifth co-conspirator, Saviana Bourne, helped plan the robberies, served as a getaway driver, and coordinated the sale of the stolen merchandise.

The investigation revealed that Baugh’s associates robbed AT&T stores in Newington on January 29, 2021, and Enfield on February 24, 2021.  Baugh then joined the conspiracy and he and his associates robbed an AT&T store in Canton on April 15, 2021, and attempted to rob stores in Torrington and Glastonbury in May 2021, but were locked out of the stores.

On June 6, 2021, Baugh and his associates, armed with a semiautomatic pistol, two revolvers, and a semiautomatic rifle, robbed an AT&T store in West Springfield, Massachusetts.  After the robbery, they fled in a vehicle driven by Bourne, who led police on a high-speed chase that ended when their vehicle collided with a Massachusetts State Police cruiser.  Baugh, Josephs, Smith, Raymond and Bourne were arrested, and a search of the vehicle revealed more than $150,000 in stolen merchandise, as well as the firearms used during the robbery.

Baugh has been detained since his arrest.  On November 29, 2022, he pleaded guilty to one count of Hobbs Act robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

Josephs, Smith, Raymond and Bourne have pleaded guilty and await sentencing.

Judge Underhill ordered Baugh to pay restitution of $124,842.45, which reflects the loss from the Canton robbery.

This matter has been investigated by the FBI's Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force with the assistance of the Massachusetts State Police and the Newington, Enfield, Canton, Torrington, Glastonbury, and West Springfield Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert S. Ruff.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MARQUIS JEROME POLLARD, 42, of Yemassee, South Carolina, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 96 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for firearm offenses related to an illegal gun trafficking operation.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in the spring of 2021, ATF Task Force officers learned that Pollard used straw purchasers to obtain firearms in South Carolina, and sold the firearms in Connecticut.  On April 19, 2021, investigators made a controlled purchase of a 9mm Glock handgun and a drum magazine from Pollard and Quinn Mooring in New Haven in exchange for $1,500.  The firearm was one of five 9mm handguns that had been purchased by an individual at a pawn shop in Port Royal, South Carolina, in the month prior to the transaction in Connecticut.

On May 3, 2021, investigators surveilled the firearm purchaser as he picked up two additional handguns from the Port Royal firearm dealer and traveled to a restaurant parking lot in Beaufort, South Carolina, where he transferred them to Pollard.  When law enforcement attempted to arrest Pollard, he fled in his vehicle at a high rate of speed.  Pollard drove on sidewalks and over curbs during the pursuit, and was eventually apprehended in a residential neighborhood after abandoning his car and attempting to flee on foot.  Investigators recovered three firearms from his vehicle, including the two handguns that he received in the restaurant parking lot, and a loaded .40 caliber pistol with a 30-round magazine.

The investigation revealed that Pollard paid two separate straw purchasers to acquire at least 17 firearms for him.  In addition to the two handguns that were seized from Pollard’s vehicle and the 9mm handgun that investigators purchased from Pollard in New Haven in April 2021, five additional firearms have been recovered by law enforcement.  One was recovered from a felon in New Haven in June 2021; one was recovered from the scene of a shooting in Hamden; one was recovered after it was used in a shooting in New Haven; one was recovered from a juvenile in South Carolina after it had been used in multiple crimes; and one was recovered earlier this month in Hamden from an individual who was fleeing from law enforcement in possession of the firearm and a distribution quantity of crack cocaine.  Nine firearms have not been recovered.

Pollard’s criminal history includes multiple felony convictions.  It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

Pollard was charged by indictments in both the District of Connecticut and in the District of South Carolina.  The South Carolina case was transferred to Connecticut for further prosecution.

Pollard has been detained since his arrest.  On October 28, 2022, he pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

On January 13, 2022, Mooring, of New Haven, pleaded guilty of possession of a firearm by a felon.  He awaits sentencing.

The individuals who purchased firearms for Pollard in South Carolina were charged and convicted in the District of South Carolina.

This matter has been investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), West Haven Police Department, New Haven Police Department, Beaufort Police Department, and Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.  These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Konstantin Lantsman.  The South Carolina case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Carra J. Henderson in the District of South Carolina.

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 JERRELL JAMISON, also known as “Rell” and “Big Bro,” 30, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for distributing narcotics.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an ongoing investigation into gangs, drug trafficking and the illegal possession of firearms in Waterbury.  On April 16, 2019, the Waterbury Police Department’s Vice and Intelligence Unit conducted a court-authorized search of Jamison’s residence and seized more than 1,400 individual dose bags of fentanyl/heroin; distribution quantities of cocaine, crack and marijuana; a loaded .40 caliber pistol, and more than 40 rounds of ammunition.  Jamison fled his residence when investigators entered, but was apprehended in the rear yard.

Jamison has been identified as a member of the Paybacc Crips street gang. Subsequent analysis of the seized firearm via the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) connected it to shell casings recovered from five prior events, including an assault in December 2016.

After it was determined that Jamison was continuing to engage in criminal activity while released on bond in his state case, his case was adopted for federal prosecution.  Jamison has been detained since his federal arrest on March 10, 2022.  On September 22, 2022, he pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, cocaine base (“crack”), and 40 grams or more of fentanyl.

This matter is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Waterbury Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natasha M. Freismuth and John T. Pierpont, Jr.

U.S. Attorney Avery thanked the State’s Attorney’s Office for the Judicial District of Waterbury for its close cooperation in investigating and prosecuting 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, and Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, today announced that THOMAS R. SAINT, 67, of Newtown, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty yesterday in Bridgeport federal court to one count of tax evasion.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Saint is the sole owner of Tom Saint Painting and Remodeling LLC, a Schedule C business engaged in painting and home renovation services.  From 2013 through 2019, Saint attempted to evade the assessment of federal taxes by cashing business checks instead of depositing them into his business’s bank account, depositing cash and business checks into his personal bank account, and failing to inform his tax preparer of this conduct, which resulted in the filing of false returns with the IRS that substantially understated his gross receipts and income.

For the 2013 through 2019 tax years, Saint failed to report a total of $2,163,645 in gross receipts, resulting in a tax loss to the government of $791,500.  Saint has agreed to cooperate with the IRS to pay all outstanding taxes, interest and penalties.

Tax evasion carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.  Saint in scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea on May 22 in Hartford.

Saint is released on a $100,000 bond pending sentencing.

This investigation has been conducted by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan Wines.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JESUS NIEVES, also known as “Pop,” 39, formerly of Waterbury, Connecticut, and Springfield, Massachusetts, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 63 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for supplying heroin to a member of a Waterbury-area drug trafficking ring.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in May 2020, the DEA New Haven Task Force and Waterbury Police Department began an investigation into a drug trafficking organization that was distributing large amounts of heroin, cocaine and crack in the Waterbury area, and was believed to be headed by Zachary Lee Foster, who worked closely with Jason Metz of Naugatuck.  The investigation included court-authorized wiretaps on multiple phones used by members of the organization, physical surveillance, controlled purchases of narcotics, and motor vehicle stops that resulted in the seizure of drugs.  The investigation revealed that Nieves supplied Metz with pre-packaged heroin that Metz redistributed to others.

On March 1, 2021, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging Nieves, Foster, Metz and 14 others.

Nieves, Foster, Metz, and several associates were arrested on March 3, 2021.  In association with these arrests, law enforcement executed seven search warrants and seized approximately 40,000 bags of suspected heroin, 350 grams of cocaine and 50 grams of crack cocaine, and nine firearms.

Nieves has been detained since his arrest.  On April 26, 2022, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.

Foster and Metz also pleaded guilty.  On June 8, 2022, Metz was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment.  Foster awaits sentencing.

This investigation has been 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 is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick F. Caruso and Brendan Keefe 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.

U.S. Attorney Avery thanked the State’s Attorney’s Office for the Judicial District of Waterbury for its close cooperation in investigating and prosecuting this matter.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LUIS CARRASQUILLO, also known as “Cuchi,” 52, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 78 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking cocaine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from a joint investigation led by the FBI and the Norwich, New London and Hartford Police Departments into a narcotics distribution network that stretched from southeastern Connecticut to the Hartford, New Britain and Waterbury areas.  The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps, surveillance, search warrants, and seizures of cocaine and crack cocaine, revealed that Carrasquillo was acquiring large quantities of cocaine and selling the drug to other distributors, some of whom converted the cocaine to crack.

On March 17, 2020, law enforcement conducted a court-authorized search of Carrasquillo’s Adelaide Street residence and seized approximately three kilograms of cocaine and $71,340 in cash.

On June 30, 2020, a grand jury returned an indictment charging Carrasquillo and eight other individuals with offenses related to their involvement in this drug ring. Carrasquillo was arrested on July 1, 2020.

On June 9, 2022, Carrasquillo pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.  Carrasquillo, who is released on a $270,000 bond, is required to report to prison on April 6.

This is Carrasquillo’s second federal conviction for a cocaine trafficking-related offense.

This matter has been investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Norwich, New London and Hartford Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret M. Donovan 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 a federal jury in Hartford has found LEONARDO HECTOR ROSADO, 52, of the Bronx, New York, guilty of fentanyl and cocaine distribution offenses.

The trial before U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson began on February17 and the jury returned verdicts of guilty on all counts of a three-count superseding indictment this morning.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in April 2021, members of the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and Bridgeport Police Department coordinated the acquisition of a kilogram of heroin from Rosado.  On April 13, 2021, Rosado drove from the Bronx to a meeting location in Bridgeport where he provided a cooperating witness with nearly a kilogram of a substance containing fentanyl, heroin and cocaine, and another small bag containing more than four grams of fentanyl. Investigators arranged another narcotics transaction and, on May 16, 2021, arrested Rosado after he drove to a location in Bridgeport with nearly three kilograms of a substance containing fentanyl, heroin and cocaine, and an additional 983 grams of cocaine.

The jury found Rosado guilty of two counts of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of 400 grams or more of fentanyl, and one count of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of 500 grams or more of cocaine.  Judge Thompson scheduled sentencing for May 18, at which time Rosado faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

Rosado has been detained since his arrest.

This matter has been 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 Tara E. Levens and Daniel E. Cummings.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut has implemented the new United States Attorney’s Offices’ Voluntary Self-Disclosure Policy released earlier today.  The policy, which is effective immediately, details the circumstances under which a company will be considered to have made a voluntary self-disclosure (VSD) of misconduct to a United States Attorney’s Office (USAO), and provides transparency and predictability to companies and the defense bar concerning the concrete benefits and potential outcomes in cases where companies voluntarily self-disclose misconduct, fully cooperate and timely and appropriately remediate.

The goal of the policy is to standardize how VSDs are defined and credited by USAOs nationwide, and to incentivize companies to maintain effective compliance programs capable of identifying misconduct, to expeditiously and voluntarily disclose and remediate misconduct, and to cooperate fully with the government in corporate criminal investigations.  The policy was developed pursuant to the Deputy Attorney General’s September 15, 2022 memorandum, “Further Revisions to Corporate Criminal Enforcement Policies Following Discussions with Corporate Crime Advisory Group” (Monaco Memo), which directed each Department of Justice (DOJ) component that prosecutes corporate crime to review its policies on corporate voluntary self-disclosure and, if there was no formal written policy to incentivize self-disclosure, draft and publicly share such a policy.

Under the new VSD policy, a company is considered to have made a VSD if it becomes aware of misconduct by employees or agents before that misconduct is publicly reported or otherwise known to the DOJ, and discloses all relevant facts known to the company about the misconduct to a USAO in a timely fashion prior to an imminent threat of disclosure or government investigation.  A company that voluntarily self-discloses as defined in the policy and fully meets the other requirements of the policy, by – in the absence of any aggravating factor – fully cooperating and timely and appropriately remediating the criminal conduct (including agreeing to pay all disgorgement, forfeiture, and restitution resulting from the misconduct), will receive significant benefits, including that the USAO will not seek a guilty plea; may choose not to impose any criminal penalty, and in any event will not impose a criminal penalty that is greater than 50 percent below the low end of the United States Sentencing Guidelines (USSG) fine range; and will not seek the imposition of an independent compliance monitor if the company demonstrates that it has implemented and tested an effective compliance program.

The policy identifies three aggravating factors that may warrant a USAO seeking a guilty plea even if the other requirements of the VSD policy are met: (1) if the misconduct poses a grave threat to national security, public health, or the environment; (2) if the misconduct is deeply pervasive throughout the company; or (3) if the misconduct involved current executive management of the company.  The presence of an aggravating factor does not necessarily mean that a guilty plea will be required; instead, the USAO will assess the relevant facts and circumstances to determine the appropriate resolution.  If a guilty plea is ultimately required, the company will still receive the other benefits under the VSD policy, including that the USAO will recommend a criminal penalty of at least a 50 percent and up to a 75 percent reduction off the low end of the USSG fine range, and that the USAO will not require the appointment of a monitor if the company has implemented and tested an effective compliance program.

In cases where a company is being jointly prosecuted by a USAO and another DOJ component, or where the misconduct reported by the company falls within the scope of conduct covered by VSD policies administered by other DOJ components, the USAO will coordinate with, or, if necessary, obtain approval from, the DOJ component responsible for the VSD policy specific to the reported misconduct when considering a potential resolution.  Consistent with relevant provisions of the Justice Manual and as allowable under alternate VSD policies, the USAO may choose to apply any provision of an alternate VSD policy in addition to, or in place of, any provision of its policy.

“Corporate crime can negatively impact our health, safety and financial security,” said U.S. Attorney Avery. “This Voluntary Self-Disclosure Policy not only details the benefits a company will receive for making a voluntary disclosure of misconduct and cooperating during a resulting investigation, but it also establishes a standard across U.S. Attorney’s Office nationwide for evaluating and crediting the self-disclosure.  We encourage all companies who uncover wrongdoing within to come forward, save valuable law enforcement investigative resources, and receive the benefit of being a good corporate citizen.”

The Attorney General’s Advisory Committee (AGAC), under the leadership of United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams, requested that the White Collar Fraud Subcommittee of the AGAC, under the leadership of United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Breon Peace, develop policies in response to the Deputy AG’s memo.  The policy announced today was prepared by a Corporate Criminal Enforcement Policy Working Group comprised of U.S. Attorneys from geographically diverse districts, including U.S. Attorney Peace, as well as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Jessica Aber, U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut Vanessa Roberts Avery, U.S. Attorney for the District of Hawaii Clare Connors, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina Michael F. Easley, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California Stephanie Hinds, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia Christopher Kavanaugh, and U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Philip Sellinger.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Riedel, White Collar Crimes Coordinator for the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys, also participated in the development of the policy.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DIMITRIOS KASSIMIS, also known as Jimmy Kassimis, 58, of Old Saybrook, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to 15 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for tax evasion.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Kassimis owns and operates various entities related to his construction business, including Allstate Contracting and JRC Renovations.  In 2018 and 2021, Kassimis received substantial income from his businesses but did not file any personal or business federal income tax returns, and also did not file any employment tax returns for his businesses.  The investigation revealed that Kassimis did not have any personal bank accounts.  He paid all of his personal expenses through his business bank accounts and made cash withdrawals from the business accounts at casinos for personal expenses.  He also cashed checks made payable to his businesses at a check cashing business in New York and failed to report that income.  In addition, he did not issue IRS Forms 1099 or W-2 to his employees and paid at least some employees in cash.

The tax loss to the IRS for the 2018 through 2021 tax years was $233,086.87.  Judge Williams ordered Kassimis to cooperate with the IRS to pay all outstanding tax liabilities.

On November 9, 2022, Kassimis pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion.

Kassimis, who is released on bond, is required to report to prison on April 24.

This investigation was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David T. Huang.

An indictment was unsealed today in the District of Connecticut charging a Connecticut man and a foreign national with conspiracy, multiple counts of violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), and money laundering in connection with an alleged scheme to pay bribes to Brazilian officials to win contracts with Brazil’s state-owned and state-controlled energy company, Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras (Petrobras).  

According to court documents, Glenn Oztemel, 64, of Westport, worked as a senior oil and gas trader at two Connecticut-based trading companies (Trading Company #1 and Trading Company #2). Eduardo Innecco, 73, a dual Brazilian and Italian citizen, worked as an oil and gas broker and agent for Trading Company #1 and Trading Company #2 in Brazil. Between approximately mid-2010 and continuing into 2018, Oztemel, Innecco, and others allegedly paid bribes to Petrobras officials for their assistance in helping Trading Company #1 and Trading Company #2 obtain and retain business with Petrobras, including by providing Oztemel, Innecco, and others with confidential information regarding Petrobras’ fuel oil business. As alleged, Oztemel and his co-conspirators caused Trading Company #1 and Trading Company #2 to make corrupt payments – disguised as purported consulting fees and commissions – to Innecco, knowing that Innecco would pay a portion of those funds to Brazilian officials as bribes. To conceal the scheme, Oztemel, Innecco, and their co-conspirators allegedly used coded language to refer to the bribes and communicated using personal email accounts, fictitious names, and encrypted messaging applications. 

Oztemel and Innecco are each charged with conspiracy to violate the FCPA, conspiracy to commit money laundering, three counts of violating the FCPA, and two counts of money laundering. They face up to five years in prison for each of the bribery conspiracy and bribery charges, and up to 20 years in prison for each of the money laundering conspiracy and money laundering charges.

Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Vanessa R. Avery for the District of Connecticut, Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, and Assistant Director in Charge Donald Alway of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office made the announcement.

The FBI is investigating the case.

Trial Attorney Clayton P. Solomon and Assistant Chiefs Derek J. Ettinger and Jonathan P. Robell of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael McGarry for the District of Connecticut are prosecuting the case.

The Fraud Section is responsible for investigating and prosecuting FCPA matters. Additional information about the Justice Department’s FCPA enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/fcpa.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Jean Pierre Njock, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson announced that ZAQUAWN ARRINGTON, also known as “Dreads,” 23, of New Haven, was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint charging him with possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, controlled substances.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, in April 2022, Arrington began serving a three-year term of supervised release, which followed a federal conviction for a crack cocaine distribution offense.  Between October and December 2022, investigators made controlled purchases of suspected crack cocaine and fentanyl from Arrington and his associates.  When he was arrested this morning, Arrington possessed a quantity of suspected crack and $500 in cash.

Arrington appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Maria E. Garcia in New Haven and was ordered detained.

The charge of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, controlled substances carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

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

This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force and the New Haven Police Department.  The Task Force includes members from the Connecticut State Police, Connecticut Department of Correction and the New Haven, Milford, East Haven and West Haven Police Departments.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John T. Pierpont, Jr. and Nathaniel J. Gentile.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DAVON THOMAS, 29, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on July 26, 2020, Hartford Police stopped a car Thomas was operating for motor vehicle violations.  A search of the car revealed a loaded 9mm handgun and approximately 18 grams of crack cocaine packaged for distribution.  Thomas was arrested on state charges at that time.

Prior to July 2020, Thomas was convicted in Connecticut and Georgia state courts of robbery offenses.  In December 2020, while he was released on bond in his state case, Thomas was arrested in Massachusetts for possessing with intent to distribute narcotics.  He was subsequently convicted and sentenced for that offense.

Thomas has been detained since his federal arrest on June 9, 2021.  On September 14, 2022, he pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (“crack”). 

This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Violent Crimes Task Force and the Hartford Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret M. Donovan through the Justice’s Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program.

PSN, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts, 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, Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division, and Wethersfield Police Chief Rafael Medina, announced that SHANE J. SAWICKI, 28, formerly of Wethersfield, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, an investigation revealed that Sawicki was connected to a drug trafficking organization in Illinois that was coordinating the sale and shipment of Xanax and crystal methamphetamine from California, and that he was receiving mailed packages containing Farmapram, which is a Mexican brand of alprazolam (Xanax).  In April 2022, investigators conducted a court-authorized search of a package that was mailed from California to Sawicki’s Wethersfield address.  The package contained two bottles containing a total of 180 Farmapram pills.  Investigators also identified four similar parcels that had been mailed to Sawicki’s address prior to April 2022.

On April 29, 2022, investigators conducted a court authorized search of Sawicki’s apartment and seized thousands counterfeit Adderall pills containing methamphetamine, a small quantity of counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl, a distribution quantity of cocaine, numerous other bags and containers of assorted pills of different colors and shapes, a container of MDMA, and three bottles of Farmapram pills.  A subsequent search of Sawicki’s cell phone revealed photographs of large quantities of pills, a large amount of U.S. currency, and numerous text message conversations regarding the sale of illicit substances.

Sawicki was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on July 7, 2022.  He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea on May 17.

Sawicki is released on a $100,000 bond and residing in Farmington pending sentencing.

This investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Wethersfield Police Department.  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, Windsor Locks and Willimantic Police Departments.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney A. Reed Durham.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that BOMANI AFRICA, 62, last residing in Philadelphia, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for committing armed bank robberies.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Africa met his associate, George Bratsenis, when they were both incarcerated on robbery convictions in a New Jersey state prison.  On April 20, 2014, Africa and Bratsenis robbed a People’s United Bank branch located on Old Kings Highway Road in Darien, Connecticut.  Bratsenis, driving his pick-up truck, dropped Africa off in downtown Darien.  Africa then entered the bank, pulled out a gun, jumped over the teller counter and ordered a teller to open drawers, saying “I will shoot you if you don’t give me all your money!”  Africa took a substantial amount of cash and then left the bank.  Bratsenis picked up Africa a short distance away and they left the scene.

In September 2014, Africa, Bratsenis, and Africa’s son, Randi Feliciano, conspired to rob another bank.  In the early morning hours of September 25, 2014, Feliciano drove Africa from Philadelphia to a parking lot in Trumbull, Connecticut, where, at approximately 8:30 a.m., Africa stole a car from a victim a gunpoint.  The next morning, Africa and Bratsenis, both wearing masks and brandishing firearms, robbed a People’s United Bank branch located on Madison Avenue in Trumbull, taking nearly $30,000 in cash.  After they drove from the scene in the car Africa had carjacked, they parked in a nearby parking lot and set fire to the car.  Feliciano drove Africa from the scene and followed Bratsenis to a Norwalk restaurant where the three men divided the proceeds of the robbery.  Feliciano then drove Africa back to Philadelphia.

On December 13, 2014, Africa and Feliciano, both wearing masks and brandishing firearms, robbed a First Niagara Bank branch located on Hawley Lane in Stratford, taking more than $15,000 in cash.

Africa, who has a lengthy criminal history that includes multiple convictions for robbery offenses, has been detained since his arrest on May 28, 2015.  On December 16, 2015, he pleaded guilty to one count of armed bank robbery.

Bratsenis and Feliciano pleaded guilty to the same charge.  On April 5, 2022, Bratsenis was sentenced to 96 months of imprisonment and, on February 21, 2017, Feliciano was sentenced to 51 months of imprisonment.

In addition to this prosecution, Africa and Bratsenis have each pleaded guilty to murder-for-hire charges in the District of New Jersey for committing a contract killing of an individual in New Jersey on May 22, 2014.  They await sentencing in that case.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Darien, Trumbull, Stratford, and Bridgeport Police Departments.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rahul Kale.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ANGEL CORREA-ORTIZ, 38, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 48 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for his involvement in a cocaine trafficking ring.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in November 2020, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force executed a federal search warrant on a suspicious package that had been sent through the U.S. Mail from New Haven to an address in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.  The package contained $102,450 in cash.  The investigation revealed that Jose L. Gerena, of New Haven, was supervising the receipt of numerous parcels containing kilogram quantities of cocaine that had been shipped from Puerto Rico to addresses in and around New Haven, the resale of the cocaine to others, and the shipment of narcotics proceeds to individuals in Puerto Rico.  During the investigation, law enforcement intercepted multiple parcels of cocaine and U.S. currency that was sent through the U.S. Mail.

Correa-Ortiz helped identify addresses for the organization to use to receive parcels, moved parcels once they were received, and he accompanied other members of the organization during drug transactions.

Most of the parcels containing cocaine were transported to a stash house on Exchange Street in New Haven that Gerena, Jose Rodriguez-Caraballo and others used as a hub to distribute wholesale quantities of cocaine.

Rodriguez-Caraballo, also known as “Puma,” was arrested on March 18, 2021, after he traveled with another co-conspirator to a location in Milford to sell two kilograms of cocaine for $86,000.  Investigators seized the cocaine and a loaded 9mm handgun from their vehicle.  Correa-Ortiz, who had traveled to the same location in another vehicle, was not arrested at that time.

Gerena was arrested on August 10, 2021, after investigators made a controlled delivery of a parcel containing a kilogram of cocaine to his New Haven residence.

Correa-Ortiz was arrested on September 30, 2021.  On August 26, 2022, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.

Correa-Ortiz, who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on March 22.

Gerena and Rodriguez-Caraballo also pleaded guilty.  Gerena awaits sentencing.  On November 2, 2022, Rodriguez-Caraballo was sentenced to 12 years of imprisonment.

This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with the assistance of the New Haven 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.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Konstantin Lantsman and Karen Peck 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, and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, today announced that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging ISSACHAMIL TORRES, also known as “Chamil,” 35, of Hartford; EFRAIN CHEVEREZ, 32, of Hartford; and ENRIQUE RODRIGUEZ RIVERA, 23, of East Hartford, with fentanyl trafficking offenses.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, an investigation revealed that Torres was using an apartment on Nutmeg Lane in East Hartford to store, process and package narcotics for street sale.  On January 25, 2023, investigators conducted a court-authorized search of the apartment and seized approximately 5,400 dose bags of fentanyl, approximately one kilogram of unpackaged fentanyl, and items used to process and package narcotics.  Torres, Cheverez and Rodriguez, who were present in the apartment, were arrested at that time.  That same day, a search of Torres’s residence on Crown Street in Hartford revealed distribution quantities of fentanyl and crack cocaine, and approximately $30,000 in cash.

On February 8, 2023, a grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment charging the three defendants with one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.  These offenses carry a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.  The indictment also charges Torres with one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

Rodriguez appeared yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas O. Farrish in Hartford and pleaded not guilty to the charges.  Torres and Cheverez are scheduled to be arraigned next week.

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 by the DEA’s Hartford Task Force, which includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Enfield, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Windsor Locks and Willimantic Police Departments.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey M. Stone 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 U.S. Attorney’s Office has reached a settlement agreement with Lake Shore Lounge, Inc., doing business as Down the Hatch restaurant in Brookfield, to resolve allegations that the restaurant 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 Down the Hatch required the removal of a service animal from the restaurant as a condition of service.  An additional complaint alleged that the restrooms and parking spaces were inaccessible to individuals with physical disabilities. 

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 employees may make of a customer who enters the restaurant with a service animal, and training employees regarding the policy.  Down the Hatch has also made a compensation payment to the complainant as required by the agreement.  In addition, Down the Hatch agreed to make significant improvements that will increase accessibility to restrooms and parking spaces on the premises.     

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 Down the Hatch has worked cooperatively with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to promptly address the ADA issues without litigation.

“We enforce the Americans with Disabilities Act to ensure that individuals are able to access and enjoy the state’s restaurants, service establishments, retail stores and other places of public accommodation,” said U.S. Attorney Avery.  “The ADA requires businesses to appropriately serve the diverse populations of patrons who live, work, and visit Connecticut.  We appreciate Down the Hatch’s commitment to increasing access to its restaurant for individuals with disabilities who require service animal assistance and those with 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.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned a 10-count indictment charging ALRICK ANTHONY GARDNER, 32, of New Britain, with fraud offenses stemming from his alleged participation in a sweepstakes scam that defrauded primarily elderly victims across the country of millions of dollars.

Gardner was arrested yesterday.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert A. Richardson in Hartford, entered pleas of not guilty to the charges, and was released on a $50,000 bond pending trial.

The indictment alleges that, since at least 2020, Gardner and his associates used a sweepstakes scheme to induce elderly victims to provide them with money.  As part of this scheme, scammers notified victims, primarily by telephone, that they won a Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes.  The victims were told that in order to collect their winnings, they must pay fees and taxes.  Following the initial phone call, Gardner sometimes mailed the victims fake documents, including a “winning notification” letter from Publishers Clearing House and a letter from the Internal Revenue Service stating that the victims were required by law to pay taxes on their winnings.  Victims sent cash, money orders or checks through the mail to various addresses in Connecticut and throughout the U.S.  Gardner deposited some of that money into his personal bank account.

The indictment charges Gardner with six counts mail fraud and four counts of wire fraud.  Each of these charges carries 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 by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service with the assistance of the New Britain Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather L. 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).

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JEAN CARLOS MERCADO, 34, of Meriden, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 50 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his participation in a drug trafficking organization that used the U.S. Mail to ship kilogram quantities of cocaine from Puerto Rico to Connecticut.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in October 2020, law enforcement identified suspicious parcels that were being mailed from Puerto Rico to an address in Meriden.  On October 26, 2020, investigators identified Mercado after he picked up a parcel from that location.  After Mercado picked up another parcel from the location on November 6, 2020, investigators coordinated a traffic stop of his vehicle, which was unregistered, and towed the vehicle and seized the parcel.  A court-authorized search of the parcel revealed two kilograms of cocaine.  In the following months, Mercado conspired with others to pick up postal parcels, and law enforcement seized four more kilograms of cocaine linked to Mercado.

Mercado was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on July 21, 2021.  On July 26, 2022, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.

At the conclusion today’s court proceeding, Mercado, who was released on bond, was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service to begin serving his sentence.

This matter was investigated by Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, with assistance from the Meriden Police Department.  The DEA New Haven Task Force includes personnel 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.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Konstantin Lantsman 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, and Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Boston, today announced that JASON GORISS, 49, last residing in Wallingford, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to one count of possession of child pornography.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in November and December 2018, Goriss four images and five videos depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The images and videos included depictions of prepubescent children, and at least one image of bondage.  Goriss shared some of the images and videos on an internet-based blog.

Goriss previously was convicted in Connecticut Superior Court of risk of injury to a minor.

Goriss is currently incarcerated in state custody for a violation of probation, he has other charges for sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor pending in Connecticut Superior Court. 

Judge Thompson scheduled sentencing for May 17, at which time Goriss faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  The penalties in this matter are enhanced based on Goriss’s prior conviction for risk of injury to a minor.

This matter is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Wallingford Police Department, with the assistance of the Office of Adult Probation.  The case is being prosecuted by Nancy V. Gifford and Neeraj N. Patel, with cooperation from the New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office.

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

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

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that THEODORE ROOSEVELT OWENS, 22, of Hartford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to offenses related to his possession of a stolen firearm and his role in a catalytic converter theft ring.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 21, 2021, Vernon Police arrested Owens in a hotel parking lot on outstanding warrants.  An investigation revealed that, shortly before his arrest, Owens possessed a loaded Zigana, Model PX-9 G2, 9mm pistol, which he had cause to believe was stolen, and approximately five grams of crack cocaine.  The firearm was part of a shipment of 50 Zigana PX-9G2 pistols that was stolen from an R&L Carriers warehouse in South Windsor in August 2021. 

The investigation further revealed that Owens had conspired with others in the theft and sale of catalytic converters.  Between September 24 and October 17, 2021, Owens sold a co-conspirator $26,320 worth of catalytic converters, including converters that Owens knew were stolen.  Owens’ co-conspirator transported the converters to other businesses, including businesses in New York and New Jersey, for further resale and profit.

Owens pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of a stolen firearm, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, and one count of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.  A sentencing date is not scheduled.

Owens has been detained since his arrest.

The firearm theft investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and the South Windsor Police Department and East Hartford Police Department.  The catalytic converter investigation is being led by the ATF, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CI), and the East Hartford Police Department.  These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren C. Clark and A. Reed Durham.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Jean Pierre Njock, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Phillip Coyne, Special Agent in Charge for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, announced that DENNIS DELLAGHELFA, 53, of Waterbury, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to health care fraud.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Dellaghelfa is a licensed hearing instrument specialist and the owner of General Hearing, a Waterbury-based hearing aid dealer.  Since approximately 2013, General Hearing has been a participating provider enrolled in the Connecticut Medical Assistance Program (CTMAP), Connecticut Department of Social Services-administered program that provides medical assistance to low income persons.  CTMAP’s benefit packages, referred to as “HUSKY” or “Connecticut Medicaid,” are jointly funded by the State of Connecticut and the federal government.

From approximately June 2016 to April 2022, Dellaghelfa submitted, or caused to be submitted, false and fraudulent claims for payment for services and equipment that were not provided or were medically unnecessary.  For example, in November 2018, Dellaghelfa submitted claims to Connecticut Medicaid for services provided to six patients during a period of time that Dellaghelfa was traveling outside the U.S.  In 2019 and 2020, some of the fraudulent claims involved services that were purportedly provided by his three employees.  However, Dellaghelfa knew that the employees performed hearing tests without having the required professional permit, and submitted paperwork for hearing tests and services that did not occur or were not medically necessary.

In addition, in violation of the CTMAP provider agreement, Dellaghelfa paid third-party “patient recruiters” for each Medicaid patient they brought to General Hearing for a hearing test, and that then failed the hearing test and received hearing aids.  He also submitted false claims to Connecticut Medicaid for testing and hearing aids for five of the patient recruiters who did not need hearing aids.

As part of his plea agreement, Dellaghelfa has agreed to make restitution of $6,141,857 to the Connecticut Medicaid program.  As part of his restitution obligation, Dellaghelfa has agreed to forfeit $332,675 currently held in personal and business bank accounts.

Dellaghelfa pleaded guilty to one count of health care fraud, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  Judge Thompson scheduled sentencing for May 16.

Dellaghelfa is released pending sentencing.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG), with the assistance of the Waterbury Police Department.

The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Heather L. Cherry and Elena L. Coronado.

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 KYLE J. WINE, 42, of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to 132 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for fraud and money laundering offenses stemming from a $7 million scheme related to his commercial aircraft supply businesses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Wine owned and operated various companies engaged in the business of commercial aircraft supply, including JetPro International, LLC (“JetPro”), Nexus Aviation, and Turbotech Partners.  From at least 2018 through 2021, Wine defrauded investors in aircraft-related transactions.  Wine used victims' money to purchase aircraft airframes and engines, sold the aircraft airframes and engines, hid the resulting profits from his investors, and diverted invested funds for his personal use.

As part of the scheme, Wine induced an investment firm based in Darien, Connecticut, to invest $4.5 million in the purported acquisition and sale of an Airbus A320-231 airframe and two aircraft engines.  Wine sent fictitious correspondence to the victim investor and created fake domain names and email accounts.  He then used those email accounts to send fraudulent correspondence to the victim investor to trick the investor into believing that JetPro was attempting to sell the Airbus airframe and the two aircraft engines to certain buyers.  In fact, Wine had already sold one engine for $2.45 million and the Airbus airframe for $1.3 million.  He never informed the victim investor of those sales and shared none of the proceeds of the sales with the investor.  Wine also used some of these invested funds to purchase another aircraft engine without the knowledge of the victim investor.

In total, Wine’s fraud scheme caused $7,152,666.67 in losses to 13 separate victims.

Judge Williams will issue a restitution order after additional court proceedings.  Wine’s restitution obligation will be reduced to reflect money recouped through the sale of any asset that was part of his fraud scheme.

On July 19, 2022, Wine pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering.  In November 2022, while he was released on bond pending sentencing, Wine created and submitted counterfeit bank statements in an attempt to obtain a loan to purchase a Cadillac Escalade from a Kansas auto dealership.  He has been detained since December 20, 2022, when his bond was revoked.

This is Wine’s second federal conviction.  In 2010, Wine pleaded guilty in the Western District of Missouri to fraud and money laundering offenses stemming from a mortgage fraud scheme that involved approximately $4.4 million in fraudulent loans on 86 properties.  He received a sentence of probation for those offenses.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan N. Francis.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that SAEED MUSTAPHA MOUSSA, 33, a citizen of Ghana last residing in East Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. Circuit Judge Sarah A. L. Merriam in New Haven to 274 months of imprisonment for video recording his sexual assault of a minor.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in September 2020, East Hartford Police received a report that Moussa’s cell phone contained videos of Moussa engaging in sexual activity with a young child.  East Hartford Police subsequently conducted a court-authorized search of Moussa’s residence and seized Moussa’s cell phone, computer equipment and computer storage media.  Investigators also executed a search warrant on Google for the contents of Moussa’s Google Photos account.  The cell phone and Google Photos account contained videos, taken between 2018 and 2020, of Moussa sexually assaulting a girl who was under the age of 12.

Moussa has been detained since his arrest on related state charges on October 27, 2020.  On November 15, 2021, he pleaded guilty in federal court to production of child pornography.  The state charges are pending.

Moussa faces immigration proceedings when he completes his prison term.

This matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the East Hartford Police Department and the West Chester Township (Ohio) Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nancy V. Gifford.

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

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 CAROLINA GUERRENO, 50, of Fairfield, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by two years of supervised release, for embezzling approximately $1.5 million from her employer.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Guerreno served as the Chief Financial Officer of a financial services company located in Shelton.  As part of her job responsibilities, she had access to her employer’s bank accounts and was allowed to initiate financial transactions, including wiring company funds to other bank accounts.  From January 2019 and continuing until her fraud was detected by the company in February 2021, Guerreno stole $1,532,207.24 by altering company financial transactions and directing electronic payments from her employer’s bank account to her credit card accounts, her personal bank accounts, and to pay her home equity line of credit.  Guerreno used the stolen funds for home improvements, furniture, a luxury automobile, European vacations, a time-share condominium at a Vermont ski resort, jewelry, to pay off her home mortgage, and to fund her children’s college savings accounts.

Judge Shea ordered Guerreno to make full restitution.  To date, Guerreno has repaid her employer approximately $400,000.

On August 30, 2022, Guerreno pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.

This matter was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service, the Wallingford Police Department and the Connecticut Financial Crimes Task Force.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Miller.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DOUGLAS LARA, also known as “Spaz,” 25, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 48 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an ongoing investigation into gangs, drug trafficking and the illegal possession of firearms in Waterbury.  On May 6, 2021, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Police attempted to apprehend Lara after he had driven a stolen 2021 Mercedes Benz SUV to a garage at the Foxwoods Resort Casino.  As Lara ran from police, he discarded a loaded 9mm handgun with an obliterated serial number, keys to the stolen SUV, and a backpack that contained 9mm ammunition.  Officers arrested Lara and subsequently seized the items he discarded.

Lara’s criminal history includes felony state convictions, including multiple larceny convictions related to the theft of vehicles, and a conviction related to a shooting incident.  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.

Lara has been detained since his arrest.  On October 27, 2022, he pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. 

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; the Connecticut State Police; the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Police; the Waterbury Police Department; the Wolcott Police Department; and the Connecticut Department of Correction.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natasha M. Freismuth and John T. Pierpont, Jr.

U.S. Attorney Avery thanked the State’s Attorney’s Office for the Judicial District of Waterbury for its close cooperation in investigating and prosecuting this matter.

The prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In May 2021, the Justice Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

JAMAR TRAYLOR, also known as “J-Hop,” 23, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 168 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for offenses related to his participation in a violent Bridgeport street gang.

Today’s announcement was made by Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; Joseph T. Corradino, State’s Attorney for the Fairfield Judicial District; Bridgeport Police Chief Roderick Porter; Jean Pierre Njock, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, and Acting U.S. Marshal Lawrence Bobnick.

According to court documents and statements made in court, the FBI, ATF, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service and Bridgeport Police have been investigating multiple Bridgeport-based gangs whose members are involved in narcotics trafficking, murder and other acts of violence.  Traylor was a member of the Original North End (“O.N.E.”), a gang based in the Trumbull Gardens area of Bridgeport that committed acts of violence against rival gang, including the East End gang, the East Side gang, and the PT Barnum gang.  O.N.E. members also robbed drug dealers, sold narcotics, and stole cars from inside and outside Connecticut and used the cars to commit crimes.

On August 8, 2018, Traylor and other O.N.E. members stole a Jeep Grand Cherokee in Newburgh, New York, and drove it back to Bridgeport.  In the following days, Traylor and others conspired to use the car to kill East End gang members and their allies who they had learned through social media were at a deli on Stratford Avenue in Bridgeport.  Although that plan fell through, in the early morning hours of August 13, 2018, O.N.E. members drove the stolen Jeep to Stratford and Union Avenues in Bridgeport where they shot and killed Len Smith, 25, who they mistook for a rival East End group member, and shot and seriously wounded Smith’s female companion, both of whom were seated in a parked car.  After the shooting, O.N.E. members transported the Jeep to Indian Wells State Park in Shelton where they burned the vehicle in an effort to destroy evidence of the murder.

On October 22, 2018, Traylor and other O.N.E. members committed a violent robbery of a marijuana dealer.

On June 1, 2021, Bridgeport Police arrested Traylor, who at the time was on state probation following a weapons conviction, when a search of his residence revealed five Glock handguns; 14 gun magazines, including a 50-round drum and three extenders; speed loaders; laser attachments; ammunition; body armor; bags of marijuana; and items use to process and package narcotics.

Traylor has been detained since his arrest.  On June 10, 2022, he pleaded guilty to conspiring to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity.

This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the FBI’s Safe Streets and Violent Crimes Task Forces, ATF, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Bridgeport Police Department, Connecticut State Police and the Bridgeport State’s Attorney’s Office, with the assistance of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory and the Waterbury Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen L. Peck, Rahul Kale, Jocelyn C. Kaoutzanis and Tara E. Levens.

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 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.

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.  If a group member elects to engage in gun violence, the focused attention of federal, state and local law enforcement will be directed at that entire group.

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 U.S. Attorney’s Office has reached a settlement agreement with the Town of East Lyme to resolve allegations that the East Lyme Town Hall 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 physical disabilities alleging that multiple aspects of East Lyme’s Town Hall facility were inaccessible to individuals with mobility disabilities.  East Lyme is in the process of making significant improvements, as required by the settlement agreement, including improving the accessibility of the Town Hall parking lot, main entrance, multi-level access routes to connect the main upper floor to the basement, visitor and employee interaction counters, public restrooms and drinking fountains.  

Under federal law, public entities 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 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 commended the leadership of the Town of East Lyme for having worked cooperatively and collaboratively with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to expeditiously address the ADA issues without litigation.

“Among the most important protections provided by the Americans with Disabilities Act are those ensuring individuals with disabilities have access to public services, especially key local government facilities such as Town Hall,” said U.S. Attorney Avery.  “Our Office is committed to enforcing the ADA, which requires public entities, including municipalities, to provide access to individuals with disabilities.  We greatly appreciate the willingness of the Town of East Lyme and the commitment of its First Selectman to greatly increase the accessibility and usability of East Lyme’s Town Hall.”

Any member of the public who wishes to file a complaint alleging that a public entity or place of public accommodation 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., 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, today announced that ELVIN GONZALEZ, also known as Peewee,” 45, of Hartford, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 87 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for narcotics and firearm offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in June 2021, the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and Hartford Police Department made controlled purchases of distribution quantities of fentanyl and crack cocaine from Gonzalez and his associate, Jose Rivera, also known as “Chepo.”

Gonzalez and Rivera were arrested on June 25, 2021.  On that date, a search of Gonzalez’s Wethersfield Avenue residence revealed approximately 4,000 dose bags of fentanyl, approximately 139 grams of crack, approximately 18 grams of cocaine, two loaded handguns, a loaded rifle, and additional rounds of ammunition.  The rifle and one of the handguns had been reported stolen.  A search of Rivera’s East Hartford revealed approximately 162 grams of loose fentanyl, 300 dose bags of fentanyl, items used to process and package narcotics for street sale, a handgun and a loaded magazine, and more than $19,000 in cash.

Gonzalez’s lengthy criminal history includes convictions in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont for narcotics, robbery and other 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.

On November 10, 2021, Gonzalez pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon.  Gonzalez, who is released on bond, is required to report to prison on June 7.

Rivera, 43, pleaded guilty to the same offenses on January 5, 2023, and is detained while awaiting sentencing.

The FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force includes members of the 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 Brian P. Leaming.

This prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  In May 2021, the Justice Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: Fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

United States Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery and Connecticut Attorney General William Tong today announced that COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH AFFILIATES, INC. (“CMHA”), has entered into a civil settlement agreement with the federal and state governments in which it will pay $384,322 to resolve allegations it overbilled the Connecticut Medicaid program for certain behavioral health services.

CMHA is a behavioral health provider with a headquarters in New Britain and has 10 locations in northwestern and central Connecticut.  At one of its locations, Harvest House in New Britain, CMHA runs a group home for clients with serious and persistent mental illness.

CMHA provides Medicaid Rehabilitation Option (MRO) services to its clients residing at Harvest House.  MRO services are designed to help clients who have functional disabilities secondary to serious and persistent mental illness achieve maximum functioning in self-care and independent living.  In order to receive monthly MRO payments, a behavioral health provider, such as CMHA, must furnish clients with at least 40 hours of MRO services per month and document such services in accordance with Medicaid requirements.

The government alleges that CMHA submitted claims for MRO services to Connecticut Medicaid for certain clients for certain months at Harvest House and were paid the monthly fee for those services, but failed to document at least 40 hours of covered MRO services per month for the clients in question.

To resolve the governments’ common law claims, CMHA agreed to pay $384,322, which covers the time-period from January 2015 through December 2019.

The investigation of CMHA was initiated through the filing of a complaint under the whistleblower provisions of the federal and state False Claims Acts.  The relator (whistleblower) will receive 15 percent of the settlement, in the amount of $57,648.

The case related to this settlement is captioned United States and State of Connecticut ex rel. Lugli v. Community Mental Health Affiliates, Inc. (Docket No. 20-cv-1483).

This matter was investigated by the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Richard M. Molot, and by Assistant Attorney General Rick Porter of the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General.

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 ERRIE McCLENDON, also known as “Buck,” 32, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 24 months of imprisonment for violating the conditions of his supervised release.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 11, 2019, New Haven Police received information that an individual was in possession of a firearm in Goffe Street Park in New Haven.  After officers arrived at the park and identified McClendon, a convicted felon, they approached him and instructed him to remove his hand from his sweatshirt pocket.  McClendon then removed a handgun from his pocket and tossed it toward a bystander.  The bystander, refusing to catch the gun, put his hands in the air and the gun fell to the ground.  McClendon then struggled with the officers before he was subdued.  A loaded Ruger, model P85, 9mm pistol with an obliterated serial number, was recovered from the scene.

McClendon pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and, on September 23, 2020, Judge Bryant sentenced him to 41 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release.

McClendon was released from prison in June 2022.

In October 2022, Hamden Police arrested McClendon for assault, threatening, and risk of injury to a minor offenses stemming from a domestic incident in September 2022.  In addition, on multiple occasions between June and December 2022, McClendon tested positive for cocaine and marijuana.  McClendon also violated his supervised release conditions in other ways, including having unauthorized contact with another convicted felon.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MARIA MALDONADO, 50, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing fentanyl.

According to court documents and statements made in court, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force identified Maldonado’s husband as a distributor of heroin and cocaine in Connecticut, New York and elsewhere.  Maldonado’s husband was arrested on federal charges on January 13, 2021, and a search of his and Maldonado’s residence on that date revealed approximately 13,000 wax folds of fentanyl, more than 300 grams of loose fentanyl, approximately one kilogram of cocaine, quantities of crack cocaine and marijuana, items used to process and package narcotics for street sale, a .40 caliber handgun equipped with a loaded 30-round high-capacity magazine, a separate loaded 50-round “drum” magazine, and assorted ammunition.

While Maldonado’s husband was detained in federal custody, he continued to coordinate the distribution of fentanyl through Maldonado, as well as Maldonado’s son, Carlos Santiago, Jr., and a drug supplier, Henry DeJesus-Morales.  On June 2, 2021, a court-authorized search of Maldonado’s residence revealed approximately 71 grams of loose fentanyl, approximately 1,800 wax folds of fentanyl, distribution quantities of marijuana, drug packaging supplies, a loaded pistol, a loaded shotgun, and approximately $13,000 in cash.  The same day, a court-authorized search of Maldonado’s father-in-law’s house revealed approximately $60,000 in U.S. currency and assorted jewelry, which were seized as proceeds of drug trafficking.

Maldonado pleaded guilty on March 17, 2022.

Maldonado, who is released on a $75,000 bond, is required to report to prison on March 1.

DeJesus-Morales and Santiago pleaded guilty to related charges and were sentenced to 44 months and six months of imprisonment, respectively.

As to Maldonado’s husband, who is awaiting trial, 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 DEA's Hartford Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Enfield, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Windsor Locks and Willimantic Police Departments.

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, and Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned a 25-count indictment charging DAVID ETIENNE, 48, of Norwich, with tax fraud offenses.

The indictment was returned on January 25, 2023.  Etienne appeared yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Maria E. Garcia in New Haven and pleaded not guilty.  He is released on a $100,000 bond pending trial.

As alleged in the indictment, Etienne operated as a tax return preparer through several businesses, including Los Maestros Inc, Los Maestros Group, Tax Experts USA, and Tax Experts USA Inc.  For the 2015 through 2019 tax years, Etienne prepared numerous federal tax returns for clients that 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.

The indictment charges Etienne with 25 counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of false income tax returns, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of three years on each count.

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

This investigation is being conducted by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer R. Laraia and Lauren C. Clark.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that KAREEM SWINTON, also known as “K,” 41, last residing in Owings Mills, Maryland, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by six years of supervised release, for narcotics trafficking offenses.

According to the evidence presented during a trial last year, in 2018, the FBI, the Norwich Police Department and other law enforcement agencies began investigating a narcotics trafficking organization that was operating in southeastern Connecticut.  The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps and controlled purchases of crack, revealed that Swinton, who formerly resided in Norwich, regularly traveled to Connecticut and other states to supply co-conspirators with narcotics, primarily cocaine and crack.  Swinton’s co-coconspirators in Connecticut distributed the drugs in the Norwich area.

On August 3, 2022, a jury found Swinton guilty of one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, cocaine and cocaine base (“crack”), and one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, a controlled substance. 

Ten other individuals were convicted of narcotics trafficking offenses stemming from this investigation.

Swinton has been detained in federal custody since February 21, 2019.

Swinton’s criminal history includes a prior federal conviction for trafficking cocaine and crack.  In June 2008, Swinton was arrested by the Texas Highway Patrol after he was found in  possession of approximately two kilograms of cocaine and more than two pounds of marijuana that he was transporting from Arizona to Connecticut.  In August 2009, he was sentenced in Bridgeport federal court to 100 months of imprisonment for that offense.

This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Connecticut State Police, and the Norwich, Town of Groton, and Waterford Police Departments, with the assistance of the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office, the Baltimore Police Department, and the Delaware State Police.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natasha M. Freismuth and Marc H. Silverman 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, and Jean Pierre Njock, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced that FRANCESCO PENSIERO, also known as Frank Pensiero, 50, of Stamford, was arrested today on federal criminal complaint charging him with robbing three Connecticut banks in October 2020.

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

As alleged in the complaint, on October 13, 2020, Pensiero and an associate robbed the Chase Bank located at 2855 Main Street in Stratford.  During the robbery, Pensiero’s associate displayed a handgun on the teller counter and presented the teller with a note that read “this is a robbery give me all your money.”  The teller provided Pensiero’s associate with approximately $1,000 and Pensiero and his associate exited the bank.

It is also alleged that, later on October 13, 2020, Pensiero robbed the People’s United Bank located at 1160 Kings Highway Cutoff in Fairfield.  During the robbery, he pulled out a handgun and presented the teller a note that stated “This is a robbery.”  The teller provided Pensiero with $5,458 and Pensiero exited the bank.

It is further alleged that, on October 28, 2020, Pensiero and his associate robbed the People’s United Bank located at 95 Main Street in New Canaan.  Pensiero displayed a handgun, provided the teller with a note demanding money, verbally threatened to kill the teller and other employees, and ordered the bank employees to lie on the floor.  Pensiero and his associate stole $9,130 during the robbery, and fled from the bank in a red Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS.  The following day, the car was set on fire on Green Avenue in New Canaan.

The charge of bank robbery carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

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

Pensiero’s associate was charged with, and convicted of, related state offenses stemming from these robberies.

This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Stratford, Fairfield and New Canaan Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel E. Cummings and Amanda S. Oakes.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that BRANDI WIGGINS, 36, of Hartford, formerly of Glastonbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven for a firearm trafficking offense.  Judge Meyer ordered Wiggins to serve three years of supervised release and pay a $3,000 fine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Wiggins came to the attention of the ATF after several firearms that she purchased in North Carolina were recovered in Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts.  The investigation revealed that, between April 2016 and November 2019, Wiggins purchased seven firearms in North Carolina.  She later sold the firearms at pawn shops and also through a website that specializes in firearm sales.

With the government’s consent, Judge Meyer sentenced Wiggins below the recommended sentencing guidelines range based on Wiggins’ extraordinary family circumstances, including her prior involvement in an abusive relationship with her former husband.

On August 18, 2022, Wiggins pleaded guilty to engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license, a felony offense.

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan Keefe.

This prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  In May 2021, the Justice Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: Fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Jean Pierre Njock, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that JOEL HUNTSMAN, also known as “Jay Huntsman, “Joel Feser,” and “Jay Blackburn”), 34, of Preston, was arrested yesterday on a federal criminal complaint charging him with child exploitation offenses.

After his arrest, Huntsman appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven and was ordered detained.

As alleged in court documents, in June 2022, the Kik mobile messenger application submitted a CyberTip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (“NCMEC”) that a user, subsequently identified as Huntsman, had distributed child sex abuse images and videos to another Kik user.  On November 2, 2022, the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted a court-authorized search of Huntsman’s residence and seized multiple items, including two mobile phones.  Analysis of the seized phones revealed images of child pornography.

The complaint charges Huntsman with distribution of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and with possession of child pornography, which 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 the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Connecticut State Police.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel E. Cummings and Nancy V. Gifford.

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 Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, today announced that RAFAEL MARTINEZ, 31, of New Britain, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty yesterday in Hartford federal court to fentanyl distribution and firearm possession offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2022, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force identified Martinez as a large-scale distributor of fentanyl.  The investigation revealed that Martinez used an apartment on Sargeant Street in Hartford to store and process fentanyl for distribution, and he also distributed the drug from his residence on Hayes Street in New Britain.  On August 3, 2022, investigators executed a court-authorized search warrant at Martinez’s New Britain residence and encountered Martinez, who they observed throwing a white powder substance from the living room window.  A search of the residence revealed approximately 3,000 wax folds of fentanyl, additional loose quantities of fentanyl and crack cocaine, narcotics paraphernalia, two handguns, ammunition, and $28,777 in cash.  Investigators subsequently recovered another approximately 200 grams of fentanyl, as well as items used to process and package narcotics, that Martinez had thrown from the window.

Martinez’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for narcotics 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.

Martinez pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment, of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years, and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny on April 13.

Martinez has been detained since August 3, 2022.

This investigation is being conducted by the DEA’s Hartford Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The 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, Windsor Locks and Willimantic Police Departments.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey M. Stone 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, Jean Pierre Njock, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Stamford Police Chief Timothy Shaw today announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford has returned an indictment charging RICARDO GEORGES, 32, of Stamford, with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

The indictment was returned on January 19, 2023.  Georges appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Maria E. Garcia and entered a plea of not guilty.  Georges has been detained since his arrest by Stamford Police on related state charges on May 7, 2022.

As alleged in the indictment, on May 7, 2022, Georges possessed a loaded Para USA, model Expert Commander 1911, .45 ACP caliber, semi-automatic pistol.

It is further alleged that Georges’ criminal history includes felony convictions in Connecticut and New York for assault on public safety personnel, robbery in the first degree, criminal possession of a firearm, and multiple drug 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.

If convicted of the charge, Georges faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

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

This matter is being investigated by the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force, the Stamford Police Department, and the Office of the State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Stamford-Norwalk.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel E. Cummings.

This prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  In May 2021, the Justice Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: Fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that SHAVARIUS SMITH, 22, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 70 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for a firearm offense.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 8, 2021, at approximately 11:15 p.m., New Haven Police recovered a 9-millimeter privately made firearm (“ghost gun”) equipped with a 31-round high-capacity magazine, and distribution quantities of heroin and crack cocaine, from a parked stolen vehicle that Smith had been driving.  Smith, a known Bloods gang member, had been released from state incarceration on September 2, 2021, was serving a term of probation, and was wearing a GPS ankle monitor as a condition of his probation.  Officers located and arrested Smith a short time later.

Smith’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for larceny and drug 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.

Smith has been detained since his arrest.  On June 24, 2022, he pleaded guilty to possession of ammunition by a felon.

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the New Haven Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis through the Justice’s Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program and Project Longevity.

PSN, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts, 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.

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.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that GREGORY T. WILLS, also known as “G Money,” “G” and “Greg Jamison,” 40, of Norwalk, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to fentanyl distribution and firearm possession offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in the summer of 2020, members of the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and Norwalk Police Department made multiple controlled purchases of fentanyl from Wills.  On September 23, 2020, investigators conducted a court-authorized search of a Norwalk residence that Wills used as a “stash” location and seized approximately 60 grams of fentanyl, items used to process and package narcotics for street sale, four handguns, and numerous rounds of ammunition.  Investigators located Wills later that day at another location in Norwalk.  He discarded a loaded handgun as he attempted to flee but was quickly apprehended.

Wills pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, which carries a mandatory consecutive term of imprisonment of at least five years.

Under the terms of a binding plea agreement, if accepted by the court, the parties have agreed that 10 years of imprisonment is a reasonable sentence in this case.

Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for April 10.  Wills has been detained since his arrest.

Wills’ criminal history includes a 2003 federal conviction, under the name Greg Jamison, for distributing crack cocaine, which resulted in a 108-month prison term.

This matter has been investigated by the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and the Norwalk Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah P. Karwan and Karen L. Peck 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 Triumph Actuation Systems – Connecticut, LLC (“Triumph”) has entered into a civil settlement agreement with the United States and has paid $478,586.49 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by inflating rates charged to and paid by the government on defense contracts.

Triumph is a limited liability company located in Windsor, Connecticut, that designs and manufactures mechanical and actuation components for commercial and U.S. military aircraft and military systems.  The government contends that, between April 1, 2014 and March 31, 2020, Triumph inflated the general and administrative (“G&A”) rates charged to and paid by the government and higher tier contractors on government contracts by including certain labor costs in those rates when, in fact, those same costs had already been directly charged to and paid by others.  As a result of Triumph’s inflated G&A rates, Triumph was paid twice for the same costs.

“Federal contractors who falsely and fraudulently overbill the government, including defense contractors, will be held accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Avery.  “We thank the relator for coming forward to report the fraudulent conduct, and DCIS, Army CID, NCIS and DCAA for thoroughly investigating this matter.”

“Investigating allegations of cost mischarging on Department of Defense (DoD) contracts is a top priority for the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), the law enforcement arm of the DoD Office of Inspector General,” stated Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Hegarty, DCIS Northeast Field Office. “The DCIS is committed to working with its law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to ensure the integrity of the DoD procurement process. The Defense Contract Audit Agency’s Operations Investigative Support Division provided valuable assistance in this matter.”

“We are very pleased with today's announcement,” said Special Agent in Charge L. Scott Moreland of the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division’s Major Procurement Fraud Field Office.  “This is a true testament to our continued commitment to work closely and seamlessly with our fellow law enforcement agencies to protect the financial interests of the United States Army and the United States Government as a whole.”

“Procurement fraud wastes taxpayer dollars, damages the integrity of the Department of the Navy procurement process, and ultimately threatens Navy and Marine Corps readiness,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael T. Wiest of the NCIS Northeast Field Office.  “NCIS and our federal partners remain committed to ensuring the good stewardship of taxpayer dollars and the safety of Department of the Navy warfighters by fully investigating all allegations of procurement fraud.”

The False Claims Act allegations resolved by the settlement were originally brought in a lawsuit filed by a whistleblower under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provisions of the False Claims Act, which allow private parties to bring suit on behalf of the government and to share in any recovery.  The relator (whistleblower), a former employee of Triumph, will receive $90,931.43 as his share of the recovery.

This investigation was conducted by the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the Department of the Army Criminal Investigative Division, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and the Defense Contract Audit Agency Operations Investigative Support Division. This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Gruber, with the assistance of Auditor Susan N. Spiegel.

The case resolved by this settlement was captioned U.S. ex rel. Balestrieri v. Triumph Actuation Systems – Connecticut, LLC and Triumph Group, Inc. (Docket No. 17-cv-1945).

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ROBERT ALLEN, 33, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to 30 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for fentanyl distribution and firearm possession offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 23, 2019, Hartford Police conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle Allen was driving on Woodland Street.  A search of the car revealed a loaded Ruger LCP .380 caliber handgun and approximately 48 wax paper sleeves containing a mixture of heroin and fentanyl.  The firearm had been reported stolen in Louisiana.

Allen’s criminal history includes state convictions for assault, firearm, drug, larceny and witness tampering offenses.  It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

On July 8, 2020, Allen pleaded guilty to one count of possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Allen, who had been released on bond pending sentencing, has been detained since August 31, 2022, after he was arrested on state narcotics and firearm offenses.  The state charges are pending.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Connecticut Violent Crime Task Force and the Hartford Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey M. Stone through the Justice’s Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program.  PSN, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts, 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 Jean Pierre Njock, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that an investigation of a fraud scheme targeting vulnerable victims has resulted in the forfeiture of approximately 151 Bitcoins, as well as other digital assets.

According to court documents, in approximately October 2020, overseas individuals began targeting vulnerable victims, including first generation U.S. citizens and elderly persons, through phone calls by pretending to be members of U.S. law enforcement agencies and telling the victims that their identity had been compromised.  The overseas individuals used computer programs to make it appear as if their phone calls were coming from legitimate government sources.  After gaining the victims’ trust, the overseas individuals requested transfers of money for “safekeeping” with the promise that the victims would receive their money, plus interest, when the perpetrators of the nonexistent identity fraud were captured.  Once the overseas individuals had access to the victims’ money, they moved the money through multiple bank accounts and converted the money to digital currency in the form of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.

Law enforcement investigators traced the victims’ money through the various accounts and identified a digital wallet holding Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies that had been purchased with the victims’ money.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office applied for and received a civil asset forfeiture seizure warrant for the digital wallet and, following the seizure, filed a civil asset forfeiture complaint against the digital assets, which resulted in an order of forfeiture from the U.S. District Court of the District of Connecticut.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office used the civil asset forfeiture procedure because the digital assets constituted the proceeds of wire fraud.  Although law enforcement continues to investigate the overseas individuals behind this scam, those individuals remain at large.  Civil asset forfeiture allowed the government to recover the victims’ money while the investigation is ongoing.

“This office and our law enforcement partners are prepared to use all tools available to investigate, disrupt, and prosecute fraud schemes, especially scams that target vulnerable populations," said U.S. Attorney Avery.  "We will continue to be at the forefront of investigating and seizing digital assets such as cryptocurrency when those assets are linked to criminal behavior.  Individuals committing crimes will not be able to hide the proceeds of those crimes digitally or elsewhere."

“No matter which cyber tools and methods criminal actors create to defraud members of the public, we at the FBI, U.S. Marshals and the Secret Service dedicate all resources to identifying those responsible and bringing them to justice no matter where they are in the world,” said FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Njock.  “We encourage everyone to conduct due diligence to verify authenticity of who they are dealing with when conducting business online to avoid being a victim of scams.”

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Secret Service and the U.S. Marshals Service.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David C. Nelson.

The docket number associated with this case is 3:22-cv-01308 (JCH).

Members of the public seeking to confirm they have been contacted by an actual government employee are encouraged to call the local division of the claimed government entity and ask to be connected directly with the officer or agent they were contacted by.  Victims of this scam are encouraged to file a report with their local law enforcement agency and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov.

United States Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery, New Haven State’s Attorney John P. Doyle, Jr., Acting Special Agent in Charge Jean Pierre Njock of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Hamden Police Acting Chief Timothy F. Wydra and New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson today announced that a federal jury in Bridgeport has found EDWARD MICHAEL PARKS, also known as “Lee” and “Trouble,” 36, of Raleigh, North Carolina, guilty of charges related to the kidnapping and murdering of two individuals in Hamden, and the killing of a third man in New Haven to stop him from notifying law enforcement.

The trial before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley began on January 9.  On January 19, the jury returned verdicts of guilty on all counts of an indictment charging Parks with two counts of kidnapping resulting in death, and one count of witness tampering by killing.  At sentencing, Parks faces a mandatory term of imprisonment of life.   

According to the evidence presented during the trial, on November 16, 2015, Parks was in an apartment on Shelton Avenue in New Haven to conduct an illegal sale of firearms.  Damian Connor and Tamar Lawrence were also present in the apartment.  When another individual left the apartment with firearms that he had not paid for, Parks, who was armed, held Connor and Lawrence against their will.  Parks collected money and valuables from Connor and Lawrence, and then forced them to travel in Connor’s car to Hamden where Connor said he could get more money.  They were followed in another vehicle by Devante Williams and another individual.  After the vehicles arrived at 676 Mix Avenue in Hamden, Parks shot and killed Connor and Lawrence.  Parks then left the scene with Williams and others in the second vehicle and returned to New Haven.

When Parks appeared to believe that Williams was anxious about the murders of Connor and Lawrence, Parks shot and killed Williams in the area of Sherman Court in New Haven.

Parks has been incarcerated in federal custody following an unrelated conviction for drug and firearm offenses in the Eastern District of North Carolina.

“I thank our partners in the FBI, Hamden Police Department, New Haven Police Department and New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office for their collaborative efforts in bringing a person responsible for three cold-blooded killings to justice,” said U.S. Attorney Avery.  “The Justice Department has prioritized the disruption of illegal gun trafficking across the United States, and this prosecution serves as yet another reminder of the scourge of illegal guns and violence in our communities.  The victims of this heinous crime, and their loved ones, are in my thoughts.”

“The New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office would like to thank the members of the jury for their service and for their careful consideration of the evidence in this case,” said New Haven State’s Attorney Doyle. “This verdict shows that strong partnerships between law enforcement are invaluable in the pursuit of justice for victims and their grieving families. We look forward to this continued collaboration as we strive every day to make our communities in greater New Haven safer.”

“A life of crime has resulted in a life sentence,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Jean Pierre Njock.  “It is our sincere hope that this verdict by the jury brings some closure and peace to the victims’ families in this case.  The FBI extends its gratitude to all state, local and federal law enforcement and prosecutors who worked this case relentlessly for several years.”

“I hope this verdict gives the families of these victims some sense of peace and closure, said Hamden Acting Police Chief Wydra.  “I would also like to thank and commend Hamden Sergeant Jomo Crawford, New Haven Assistant Chief Bertram Ettienne, the FBI Safe Street Violent Task Force, the Offices of the U.S. Attorney, New Haven State’s Attorney Office including now Chief State’s Attorney Pat Griffin and current New Haven State’s Attorney Jack Doyle, Raleigh, North Carolina Detective I.O. Smith, and so many other Law Enforcement partners who assisted. I would also like to thank the Hamden and New Haven communities who worked with law enforcement to provide valuable information pertaining to these three homicides.  This case demonstrated that by successful collaboration at the highest level and working together we were able to get a violent individual off the streets.”

“I would like to thank our federal partners for the work on this case, “said New Haven Police Chief Jacobson.  “It is crucial for the reduction of violent crime for us to work hand in hand with our federal partners and we are grateful for the collaborative efforts.”

This investigation has been conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Hamden Police Department and New Haven Police Department.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathaniel J. Gentile and A. Reed Durham, and Assistant State’s Attorney Seth Garbarsky, who has been cross-designated as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in this matter.

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 New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment today charging DERRICK BROCK, also known as “Dereck Brock,” 36, of New Haven with a fentanyl and crack cocaine distribution offense.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, on January 10, 2023, at approximately 5:20 a.m., members of the DEA’s New Haven Task Force and New Haven Police Department conducting surveillance encountered Brock in a minivan that was parked on Elliott Street in New Haven.  Brock was suspected of distributing narcotics from the minivan, and a registration query of the license plate information on the vehicle revealed no record.  When a law enforcement vehicle activated its siren and emergency lights in an attempt to stop him, Brock drove away at a high-rate of speed through stop sticks that successfully deflated the minivan’s tires before he crashed head-on into a vehicle being operated by two DEA special agents.  Brock exited the minivan and ran from the scene, but was apprehended in the backyard of a residence on Orchard Street.  A search of Brock’s person and vehicle revealed distribution quantities of fentanyl and crack cocaine.

The two DEA special agents, and Brock, were transported to the hospital for injuries sustained in the crash.

The indictment charges Brock with one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base (“crack”), an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

Brock has been detained since January 10.

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 DEA’s New Haven Task Force, the New Haven Police Department, ATF and the Connecticut State Police.  The DEA Task New Haven Task Force includes personnel from the DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Connecticut State Police and the New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, North Haven, East Haven, Branford, Ansonia, Meriden, Derby, Middletown, Naugatuck and Waterbury Police Departments.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan Keefe.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, today announced that MELISSA PEZZOLO, 66, of New Milford, waived her right to be indicted and pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to federal tax offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, for nearly 20 years, Pezzolo  was employed as the office manager and bookkeeper for a nursery and landscaping services company in Bethel.  Pezzolo was responsible for managing the company’s books and invoices, paying the company’s bills, and handling the company’s payroll and employment tax obligations.  She also was responsible for coordinating with the company’s tax return preparer who prepared the yearly filed corporate tax returns.

Beginning in or before 2014 and continuing through 2018, Pezzolo willfully failed to file any employment tax returns (Forms 941) and failed to make any related payments of withholding taxes on behalf of the company.  Nevertheless, she continued to distribute paychecks to employees that withheld employees’ income and FICA taxes.  She accounted for the withholdings on the employees’ annual W-2 forms, which she continued to issue, though she did not provide the W-2 forms or pay the related withholding taxes to the IRS or the Social Security Administration.  She also failed to pay the company’s own share of FICA taxes.

With respect to her own withholdings, Pezzolo neither withheld nor paid her withholding taxes to the IRS, nor issued herself any W-2 forms between approximately 2010 and 2018.  She also failed to pay her own required income taxes.

In pleading guilty, Pezzolo further admitted that she stole thousands of dollars from her employer by giving herself raises that were not authorized and by paying personal expenses using the company’s corporate bank account and company credit card. 

Pezzolo has agreed to make restitution of $1,329,314, which reflects $1,170,992 in unpaid company payroll taxes and $158,322 in unpaid personal income taxes for the 2014 through 2018 tax years.

Pezzolo pleaded guilty to one count of willful failure to collect or pay over tax, and one count of tax evasion of assessment.  Each offense carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.

Pezzolo is released pending sentencing, which is not scheduled.

This investigation has been conducted by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elena L. Coronado and Christopher W. Schmeisser.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LAMAIN HEARD, 33, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 37 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for a federal firearm offense.

According to court documents and statements made in court, June 15, 2021, members of the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and Bridgeport Police Department investigating gang-related violence and the potential for a retaliation shooting attempted to stop a car in Bridgeport.  The law enforcement vehicles had activated their lights and sirens, and officers exiting the vehicles wore vests bearing the letters “FBI” and “POLICE.”  Instead of stopping, the car drove at the federal law enforcement officers and their vehicles, crashing into three different law enforcement officers’ vehicles and into a civilian motorist.  One officer fired into the car as it headed toward the officer, causing the car to veer into another law enforcement vehicle and, ultimately, to crash into a pole.  Heard, who was a passenger in the car, dropped a semiautomatic pistol in the car and then attempted to flee the scene before he was apprehended.  Subsequent forensic analysis of the firearm revealed that it contained Heard’s DNA.

Heard has previously been convicted of a felony offense and he attended a Project Safe Neighborhoods presentation at which he was informed that a felon caught with a firearm could be prosecuted in federal court.

Heard has been detained since his federal arrest on January 21, 2022.  On June 2, 2022, he pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon.

The driver of the car has been with assaulting, resisting, or impeding federal officers, and is awaiting trial.  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 matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and the Bridgeport Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rahul Kale. the Justice’s Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program and Project Longevity.

PSN, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts, 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.

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.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Boston, announced that KYLE FASOLD, 52, of formerly of Plainville, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 300 months of imprisonment, followed by 15 years of supervised release, for child exploitation offenses.

“This defendant’s reprehensible conduct involved a tremendous violation of trust and the ultimate invasion of privacy,” said U.S. Attorney Avery.  “The many victims in this case, several of whom provided impact statements to the court and bravely spoke at today’s sentencing, will have to manage their trauma for the remainder of their lives.  May this sentence serve as fair warning to anyone involved in this type of reprehensible behavior, and anyone who believes that they can engage in illicit dark web activity anonymously.  Our law enforcement partners will find you and bring you to justice.” 

“Fasold betrayed the trust of the families who put their children in his care,” said HSI Special Agent in Charge Millhollin.  “I hope this significant sentence brings a measure of justice to those he harmed with his crimes.  This case was brought to light by the remarkable work of HSI’s cyber investigations.  We will not cease in our efforts to track down predators like Fasold who victimize children.”

According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 6, 2020, after an investigation revealed that Fasold had uploaded images of child pornography to the dark web, HSI special agents, with the assistance of the Plainville Police Department and Connecticut State Police, executed a court-authorized search of Fasold’s residence and seized numerous electronic devices.  Analysis of the seized devices revealed that between June 2017 and March 2020, Fasold surreptitiously recorded at least 36 minors, as well as several adults, by placing video-recording devices in locations where he knew minors would likely be partially or fully naked, including bathrooms in his residence, the girl’s locker room in Plainville High School, and the bathroom adjacent to the coach’s office in Plainville High School.  Fasold edited the videos to produce hundreds of images depicting lascivious exhibition of the victims’ genitals or pubic area, and uploaded numerous images to the dark web.

At time of the offense, Fasold was a parent volunteer for a youth recreational swim program in Plainville.

Investigators also found on Fasold’s seized devices numerous images and videos depicting child sexual abuse that Fasold did not produce.

Fasold has been detained since his arrest on March 6, 2020.  On September 29, 2022, he pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography.           

This investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Plainville Police Department and the Connecticut State Police.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nancy V. Gifford.

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 Jean Pierre Njock, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that HAMILTON CLARK SMITH, 57, of Milford, was arrested yesterday on a federal criminal complaint charging him with threatening a federal law enforcement officer.

Following his arrest, Smith appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven and was ordered detained pending a bond hearing that is scheduled for January 18.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, on January 10 and 11, 2023, Smith sent a series of threatening text messages to a Deputy U.S. Marshal, including threats to harm and kill the Deputy U.S. Marshal, and to harm the Deputy U.S. Marshal’s family.  In addition, on January 11, 2023, Smith called the U.S. Marshals Service Communications Center in Virginia and made a statement threatening to kill the Deputy U.S. Marshal.

The complaint charges Smith with making interstate threats, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, and with threatening a federal law enforcement officer, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

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

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren C. Clark.