District of Connecticut
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Connecticut Company Pays over $475K to Resolve False Claims Act AllegationsRead the Press Release
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).
Hartford Man Sentenced to 30 Months in Federal Prison for Fentanyl Distribution and Gun Possession OffensesRead the Press Release
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.
Phone Scam Investigation Results in Forfeiture of Nearly $3 Million in CryptocurrencyRead the Press Release
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.
North Carolina Man Guilty of Charges Related to the Killing of 3 Connecticut Men in 2015Read the Press Release
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.
New Haven Man Who Crashed Minivan into DEA Special Agents Charged with Narcotics Distribution OffenseRead the Press Release
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.
New Milford Woman Pleads Guilty to Tax OffensesRead the Press Release
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.
Bridgeport Man Sentenced to More Than 3 Years in Federal Prison for Gun OffenseRead the Press Release
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.
Plainville Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison for Child Exploitation OffensesRead the Press Release
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.
Milford Man Charged with Threatening Federal Law Enforcement OfficerRead the Press Release
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.
Alabama Medical Billing Company Pays $153K to Resolve False Claims AllegationsRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Phillip Coyne, Special Agent in Charge for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General, and Jean Pierre Njock, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that AMVIK SOLUTIONS, LLC (“Amvik”) has entered into a civil settlement agreement with the federal government and has paid $153,300 to resolve allegations that it submitted false claims for payment to the Connecticut Medicaid program for applied behavior analysis (“ABA”) services.
Amvik, based in Birmingham, Alabama, offers billing, claims, and collections services for healthcare providers. Amvik uses its proprietary WebABA software to perform these services for ABA providers throughout the United States. Helping Hands Academy, LLC (“Helping Hands”) was a Bridgeport-based ABA services provider that provided ABA services to children with autism. In 2018, Helping Hands retained Amvik to handle the billing and claims for those ABA services. The government alleges that when submitting claims for payment to Connecticut Medicaid on behalf of Helping Hands, Amvik falsely identified the incorrect Board Certified Behavior Analyst (“BCBA”) as the rendering provider on the claims. This caused Connecticut Medicaid to pay claims that it would not have otherwise paid.
To resolve the allegations under the federal False Claims Act, Amvik has paid $153,300 to the federal government for conduct occurring between October 3, 2019, through October 1, 2020.
This matter was investigated by the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Kaczmarek.
People who suspect health care fraud are encouraged to report it by calling 1-800-HHS-TIPS or the Health Care Task Force at (203) 777-6311.
Woodstock Man Sentenced to Another Year for Failing to Report to PrisonRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ANDRE SMITH, also known as “Dre,” 43, of Woodstock, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 12 months and one day of imprisonment for failing to surrender for service of his sentence.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on January 12, 2022, Smith was sentenced in Hartford federal court to 41 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for conspiring to distribute cocaine and crack in eastern Connecticut. Smith, who was released on bond, was ordered to report to prison on March 23. 2022. On March 19, 2022, Smith cut off his electronic monitoring bracelet, and he subsequently failed to report to his designated Bureau of Prisons facility as ordered.
Smith turned himself in to the U.S. Marshals Service in Bridgeport on June 14, 2022, and has been detained since that date. He pleaded guilty on October 11, 2022.
This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Marshals Service, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Natasha M. Freismuth.
Hamden Man Admits Attempting to Travel to Fight for ISISRead the Press Release
KEVIN IMAN McCORMICK, 29, of Hamden, pleaded guilty today in Bridgeport federal court to attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization.
U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery, Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, and Acting Special Agent in Charge Jean Pierre Njock of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New Haven Division made the announcement.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between August and October 2019, McCormick made several statements to others expressing a desire to travel to Syria and to fight for ISIS. In one conversation in October 2019, McCormick stated “I gotta fight bro, because those people, Abu Masa and ISIL, they fought for me bro, I know it, I can feel it, in my heart. So it’s my time to fight . . . It just is what it is bro, it’s just my – it’s just my time to go bro.” When McCormick was asked to elaborate on where he would like to travel, McCormick responded, “I don’t know, I don’t know bro – it’s gotta be like Syria. Where ISIL is at….whichever place is easiest, whatever place I can get there the fastest, the quickest, the easiest, and where I can have a rifle and I can have some people bro. That’s what I need, I need a rifle and I need some people, I need Islamic law, I need, that’s what I need, because if I have these things, it’s gonna to be very hard to kill me.”
On October 12, 2019, McCormick attempted to board a flight from Connecticut to Jamaica, but was prevented by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. McCormick subsequently told an individual that he wanted to travel to Jamaica, and then onward to Syria to join ISIS. He also indicated that he wanted to acquire weapons.
On October 19, 2019, McCormick made a video during which he pledged allegiance to ISIS and its leader, Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi. Also on that date, he purchased a plane ticket from Toronto, Canada, to Amman, Jordan. On October 21, 2019, McCormick was arrested after he traveled to a small private airport in Connecticut where he expected to board a plane that would fly him to Canada.
McCormick has been detained since his arrest.
The charge of attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. McCormick is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley on April 6.
This matter has been investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) with the assistance of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
The FBI’s JTTF includes participants from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Connecticut State Police, Connecticut Department of Correction, Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Department, Norwich Police Department, Hartford Police Department, Stamford Police Department, Norwalk Police Department, Town of Groton Police Department, UConn Police Department, Yale Police Department, and New York Police Department.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter S. Jongbloed of the District of Connecticut and Trial Attorneys Justin Sher and John Cella from the Counterterrorism Section of the Justice Department’s National Security Division.
Connecticut Man Admits to Attempting to Travel to Fight for ISISRead the Press Release
Kevin Iman McCormick, 29, of Hamden, pleaded guilty today in federal court to attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between August and October 2019, McCormick made several statements to others expressing a desire to travel to Syria and to fight for ISIS. In one conversation in October 2019, McCormick stated, “I gotta fight bro, because those people, Abu Masa and ISIL, they fought for me bro, I know it, I can feel it, in my heart. So it’s my time to fight . . . It just is what it is bro, it’s just my – it’s just my time to go bro.” When McCormick was asked to elaborate on where he would like to travel, McCormick responded, “I don’t know, I don’t know bro – it’s gotta be like Syria. Where ISIL is at….whichever place is easiest, whatever place I can get there the fastest, the quickest, the easiest, and where I can have a rifle and I can have some people bro. That’s what I need, I need a rifle and I need some people, I need Islamic law, I need, that’s what I need, because if I have these things, it’s gonna to be very hard to kill me.”
On Oct. 12, 2019, McCormick attempted to board a flight from Connecticut to Jamaica but was prevented by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. McCormick subsequently told an individual that he wanted to travel to Jamaica, and then onward to Syria to join ISIS. He also indicated that he wanted to acquire weapons.
On Oct. 19, 2019, McCormick made a video during which he pledged allegiance to ISIS and its leader, Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi. Also on that date, he purchased a plane ticket from Toronto, Canada, to Amman, Jordan. On Oct. 21, 2019, McCormick was arrested after he traveled to a small private airport in Connecticut where he expected to board a plane that would fly him to Canada.
McCormick has been detained since his arrest.
The charge of attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. McCormick is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley on April 6.
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery for the District of Connecticut, and Assistant Director Robert R. Wells of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division made the announcement.
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) is investigating the case with assistance provided by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter S. Jongbloed of the District of Connecticut and Trial Attorneys Justin Sher and John Cella of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case.
East Windsor Man Admits Recording His Sexual Abuse of MinorRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MARK ROMAN, 54, of East Windsor, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to production and possession of child pornography.
According to court documents and statements made in court, law enforcement began investigating Roman after Yahoo! reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that Roman’s email account was transmitting images of child sexual abuse. Investigators determined that Roman’s email account also contained voyeuristic images and videos of naked children that appeared to be homemade.
On November 2, 2021, the Connecticut State Police and East Windsor Police Department executed a state search warrant at Roman’s residence and seized Roman’s iPhone, laptop and computer storage devices. Analysis of the seized revealed more than 1,000 images and videos of child pornography, including images and videos of Roman sexually abusing a girl who was between the ages of six and eight. The seized images also included numerous voyeuristic videos that Roman secretly took of the minor victim, another minor female who was between the ages of two and four, and adult victims.
Roman pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years, and one count of possession of child pornography, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant on April 5.
Roman has been detained since his arrest on November 29, 2021.
This matter has been investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Connecticut State Police, with the assistance of the East Windsor Police Departments. The case is being 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.
Bridgeport Man Sentenced to Prison for Child Exploitation OffenseRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MICHAEL NASTU, 63, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to 18 month of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for a child exploitation offense.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in March 2021, Nastu, using the Kik social media application, initiated a chat with an FBI Online Covert Employee (“OCE”) who was posing as a 14-year-old girl from Connecticut. Between March 31 and June 25, 2021, Nastu sent the OCE sexually explicit messages and several pictures and videos of male genitalia, and he attempted to entice the OCE to send him child pornography in return. Although they had multiple text exchanges about meeting in person, Nastu never travelled to meet the OCE.
Nastu was arrested on June 30, 2021. On September 22, 2022, he pleaded guilty to attempted transfer of obscene materials to a minor.
Nastu, who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on March 13.
This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amanda S. Oakes and Nancy V. Gifford through the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.
Windsor Resident Sentenced to 33 Months in Prison for Defrauding Employer and its Lender of More than $700KRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MARGARET BOISTURE, 51, of Windsor, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to 33 months of imprisonment, followed by two years of supervised release, for defrauding her former employer and one of its lenders of more than $700,000. Judge Williams also ordered Boisture to pay a $7,100 fine and to make full restitution.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Boisture functioned as the chief financial employee of ZoneFlow Reactor Technologies, a pre-revenue company in the business of developing and commercializing a new technology that improves the efficiency of the production of hydrogen. PayPal marketed and serviced commercial loans from WebBank, a third-party lender. Between approximately October 2016 and February 2020, Boisture defrauded ZoneFlow, PayPal and WebBank by diverting ZoneFlow money to herself; taking unauthorized loans that caused ZoneFlow to pay additional interest expense; and making misrepresentations to PayPal and WebBank to induce them to make unauthorized loans to ZoneFlow that expanded the pool of money from which Boisture could take.
In total, Boisture’s criminal conduct caused losses of $632,159.78 to ZoneFlow and $78,088.76 to PayPal and WebBank.
On July 19, 2022, Boisture pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud affecting a financial institution.
Boisture, who is released on a $500,000 bond, is required to report to prison on March 13.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David E. Novick.
Town of Greenwich Agrees to Increase Accessibility at Marina to Comply with Americans with Disabilities ActRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that the U.S. Attorney’s Office has reached a settlement agreement with the Town of Greenwich to resolve allegations that a Greenwich marina 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 Greenwich’s Byram Marina has no designated accessible boat slips and no accessible routes to the boat slips. As a result, the marina is not accessible to individuals with physical disabilities. Greenwich is in the process of making significant improvements to the Byram Marina, as required by the settlement agreement, including improving the accessibility of designated boat slips, and the routes to those slips, as well as other accommodations designed to increase accessibility.
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 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.
“Among the most important protections provided by the Americans with Disabilities Act are those ensuring individuals with disabilities have access to public services, including recreational activities such as boating,” stated 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 Greenwich and its leaders to work with our office collaboratively to increase the accessibility and usability of Greenwich’s facilities.”
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. of the District of Connecticut in coordination with the Disability Rights Section of the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.
Stonington Man Pleads Guilty to Child Exploitation OffenseRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MATTHEW X. SMITH, 28, of Stonington, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Jeffery A. Meyer in New Haven to soliciting child pornography.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on August 12, 2021, Smith, using the Kik social media application, initiated contact with an FBI Online Covert Employee (“OCE”) who was posing as a 14-year-old girl. Smith sent sexually explicit messages to the OCE, requested the OCE send him sexually explicit pictures, and discussed meeting the OCE to engage in sexual conduct. The Kik communication continued in the following days, and investigators also determined that Smith, using a different Kik user account, had engaged in sexually explicit exchanges with the OCE in 2020. Smith and the OCE agreed to meet on August 18, 2021.
On August 18, 2021, Smith was arrested by New London Police on state charges after he arrived at the agreed upon meeting location. He was charged by federal criminal complaint in February 2022.
Judge Meyer has scheduled sentencing for April 4, 2023, at which time Smith faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. Smith is released on a $100,000 bond pending sentencing.
This matter has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the New London Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Stolfi Collins.
This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.
New Haven Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that TYRIQ MARTIN, 22, of New Haven, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to possession of ammunition by a felon.
According to court documents and statements made in court, a court-authorized search of Martin’s Snapchat account in the spring of 2022 revealed numerous photos of Martin in possession of firearms. On June 15, 2022, New Haven Police arrested Martin in the area of Ferry Street and Chatham Street on an outstanding state warrant for firearm and narcotics offenses. At the time of his arrest, Martin possessed a loaded Polymer 80 privately made firearm. A subsequent search of the car Martin was seen driving revealed 11 rounds of 9mm ammunition.
In July 2021, Martin was convicted in state court of conspiracy to commit first-degree assault, for which he was sentenced to five years of incarceration, execution suspended after 16 months, and three years of probation.
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.
At sentencing, which is not scheduled, Martin faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.
Martin has been detained since his arrest.
This investigation has been conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the New Haven Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis and Rahul Kale 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.
Coventry Man Charged with Fraudulently Obtaining COVID-19 Relief FundsRead the Press Release
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 Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, today announced that JOHN MATAVA, 58, of Coventry, has been charged by federal criminal complaint with offenses related to his receipt of COVID-19 relief funds.
Matava was arrested on January 7, 2023. He appeared yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas O. Farrish in Hartford and was released on a $60,000 bond.
In March 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provided emergency financial assistance to Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). In April 2020, Congress authorized more than $300 billion in additional PPP funding. The PPP allowed qualifying small businesses and other organizations to receive unsecured loans at an interest rate of 1%. PPP loan proceeds were to be used by businesses on payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent and utilities. The PPP allowed the interest and principal to be forgiven if businesses spent the proceeds on these expenses within a certain period of time of receipt and used at least a certain percentage of the amount to be forgiven for payroll.
The PPP was overseen by the Small Business Administration, which has authority over all PPP loans. Individual PPP loans, however, were issued by private approved lenders, such as Celtic Bank, which received and processed PPP applications and supporting documentation, and then made loans using the lenders’ own funds, which were guaranteed by the SBA.
As alleged in the criminal complaint, in April 2020, Matava applied to Celtic Bank for a $100,000 PPP loan for J.M. Builders LLC. The application submission included several false representations, including that J.M. Builders LLC had eight employees and an average monthly payroll of $40,000; that the monies would be used for payroll, lease, mortgage, interest and utilities; and that the business owner was not subject to pending formal criminal charges. At the time of the PPP loan application, there were no records of payroll or employees with the Connecticut Department of Labor for J.M. Builders LLC, and Matava was subject to criminal charges in two pending cases related to arrests in 2017 and 2018.
It is alleged that on April 22, 2020, Celtic Bank disbursed $100,000 to a bank account for J.M. Builders LLC on which Matava was the signatory. The account was opened on April 21, 2020, and had a balance of $0 immediately prior to the loan funds being disbursed. Between April 2020 and January 2021, Matava used the funds primarily for personal expenditures, including $3,498 to pay a dog breeder, $4,777 for payments to an RV superstore in Connecticut, and legal fees, including a $2,000 retainer, for four court cases in Rockville, Connecticut.
It is further alleged that in January 2021, Matava sought $100,000 in additional PPP funds from Celtic Bank, and included with the application several additional false statements and fraudulent tax documents. Celtic Bank denied the application.
The complaint charges Matava with wire fraud affecting a financial institution, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years, and with making an illegal monetary transaction, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.
U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher W. Schmeisser.
Individuals with information about allegations of fraud involving COVID-19 are encouraged to report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721, or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Waterbury Man Who Escaped from Bloomfield Halfway House is SentencedRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that VICTOR RAMOS, 41, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 12 months and one day of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for escaping from a halfway house in Bloomfield.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on January 27, 2014, Ramos was sentenced in Hartford federal court to 102 months of imprisonment for robbing banks in Waterbury and New Britain. In March 2021, Ramos was transferred to the Drapelick Center, a Residential Reentry Center (“halfway house”), in Bloomfield to complete his prison term. On June 5, 2021, with approximately one month left on his prison term, Ramos left the facility without permission and did not return. He remained at large for 13 months before being arrested by the Waterbury Police Department in July 2022 on unrelated misdemeanor state charges.
Ramos has been detained since his arrest. On October 14, 2022, he pleaded guilty to escape from the custody of the Attorney General.
This matter was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Konstantin Lantsman.
Westport Investment Advisor Pleads Guilty to Federal Tax ChargeRead the Press Release
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, announced that THOMAS PACILIO, 64, of Westport, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to a federal tax offense.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2011, Pacilio and his partner started Clapboard Hill Advisors LLC, a financial services business headquartered in Westport. In 2013, Pacilio created Alcamo Holding Corporation Inc. (“Alcamo”), an 1120S corporation, and transferred his Clapboard Hill Advisors partnership interest to Alcamo. In 2014, Pacilio, through Alcamo, and his partner, through a separate 1120S corporation, sold Clapboard Hill Advisors to McGladrey Wealth Management LLC (“McGladrey”). Under the sale agreement, McGladrey agreed to make a lump sum payment at closing. Thereafter, Pacilio was to become an employee of McGladrey for three years subject to a non-competition provision. In addition to being paid a salary by McGladrey, if Pacilio remained an employee, Pacilio would receive a $350,000 payment on each anniversary of the sale for three years. He would also receive a portion of McGladrey’s annual gross revenue of up to $150,000 for the first year, $350,000 for the second year, and $450,000 for the third year.
In pleading guilty, Pacilio admitted that, for the 2015 through 2018 tax years, he filed individual income tax returns that omitted installment payments related to the sale of Clapboard Hill Advisors to McGladrey. In total, he omitted approximately $1,476,425 that should have been reported either as ordinary income or as capital gains, which resulted in a tax loss of $286,328 to the IRS.
Pacilio pleaded guilty to one count of filing a false tax return, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of three years. Judge Nagala scheduled sentencing for April 6.
Pacilio is released on a $350,000 pending sentencing.
This investigation is being conducted by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather L. Cherry.
Pennsylvania Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison for Role in Connecticut Drug RingRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MYRON BROWN, also known as “Farid,” 49, of Chester, Pennsylvania, 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 trafficking cocaine.
This matter stems from an investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force into a drug trafficking organization headed by Tajh Wiley of Norwalk. The investigation, which included a court-authorized wiretap of Wiley’s phone, revealed that Wiley conspired to distribute large quantities of fentanyl, cocaine and marijuana and distributed drugs throughout Connecticut and elsewhere with the assistance of several associates. In April 2021, Brown transported approximately 900 grams of cocaine to an associate of Wiley’s in Manhattan.
Wiley and seven co-conspirators were arrested on June 9, 2021. In association with their arrests, investigators executed multiple search warrants and seized approximately a kilogram of fentanyl, a kilogram of cocaine, approximately 83 grams of crack cocaine, more than 12 pounds of marijuana, two press machines and other items and materials used by Wiley and his co-conspirators to process and package illegal drugs. Investigators also seized from Wiley jewelry valued at more than $100,000, and a 2021 Mercedes-Benz valued at approximately $146,000.
On May 2, 2022, Brown pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.
Brown was incarcerated in Pennsylvania on state drug and firearm charges when he was indicted in this case. Brown’s state case was later adopted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and is pending.
On July 25, 2022, a jury found Wiley guilty of drug trafficking offenses. On December 28, 2022, Judge Arterton sentenced him to 12 years of imprisonment.
This investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bridgeport Police Department, Fairfield Police Department, Norwalk Police Department, Stamford Police Department, Stratford Police Department, Yonkers (New York) Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service. The HIDTA Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Bridgeport Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bridgeport, Norwalk, Stamford, Stratford, Milford and Danbury Police Departments.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick J. Doherty, Robert S. Dearington, Margaret M. Donovan and Elena L. Coronado 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.
Meriden Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Distribution ChargeRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that GERARDO NUNEZ-IRIZARRY, also known as “Indio,” 44, of Meriden, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between June and August 2021, law enforcement made multiple controlled purchases of fentanyl from Nunez-Irizarry. In November 2021, Nunez-Irizarry agreed to sell a 50-gram quantity of fentanyl. On November 18, 2021, investigators stopped Nunez-Irizarry’s car in Meriden as he drove to an arranged location to complete the transaction and seized approximately 50 grams of fentanyl. He was arrested on state charges at that time.
Nunez-Irizarry was arrested on federal charges on March 24, 2022.
Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for March 30, at which time Nunez-Irizarry faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.
Nunez-Irizarry is released on a $100,000 bond pending sentencing.
This matter is being investigated by the DEA’s New Haven Task Force, which includes personnel from the DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, and the New Haven, East Haven, West Haven, Meriden, Waterbury, Branford, Ansonia, and Middletown Police Departments as well as from the Connecticut State Police. The investigation has been supported by the Meriden Police Department and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force, which 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. 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.
Waterbury Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Trafficking CocaineRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that FELIX ORTEGA-PAGAN, 41, of Waterbury, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking cocaine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, an investigation led by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force determined that Ortega-Pagan’s associate, Pierre Joshwan Rodriguez, headed a cocaine trafficking operation in which parcels containing kilogram quantities of cocaine were shipped through the U.S. mail from Puerto Rico to multiple addresses in Waterbury. Rodriguez distributed the cocaine in the Waterbury area and mailed money parcels back to Puerto Rico. Ortega-Pagan assisted Rodriguez by frequently picking up the cocaine parcels and delivering them to Rodriguez at various stash locations. Alejandra Santiago-Miranda was a frequent mailer of cocaine parcels from Puerto Rico to Waterbury and was also the recipient of multiple money parcels.
Investigators seized approximately 28 kilograms of cocaine and $216,000 in cash during the investigation.
Ortega-Pagan was arrested on November 20, 2020. On September 6, 2022, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, 500 grams or more of cocaine.
Ortega-Pagan, who is released on bond, is required to report to prison on February 17.
Rodriguez, also known as “Ochy” of Waterbury, and Santiago-Miranda, of Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, pleaded guilty to related charges. Rodriguez awaits sentencing and, on December 6, 2022, Santiago-Miranda was sentenced to three years of probation.
This matter has been investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force, which includes members from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Postal Service – Office of the Inspector General, the Connecticut Army National Guard, and the Hartford, New Britain, Meriden, and Town of Groton Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Natasha M. Freismuth.
Restaurant Owner Sentenced to Prison for $2 Million Tax Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that WILLIAM CHEN, 49, of West Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 18 months of imprisonment, followed by one year of supervised release, for operating an extensive tax fraud scheme involving Connecticut and Massachusetts restaurants that he owned and operated. Judge Underhill also ordered Chen to pay a $20,000 fine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Chen was a part owner of several restaurants, including Ginza Japanese Restaurant in Bloomfield, Ginza Japanese Cuisine in Wethersfield, Kaliubon Ramen in Wethersfield and West Hartford, and Feng Asian Bistro in Hartford and Canton, and Millbury, Massachusetts. Chen was responsible for purchasing and using the Point-of-Sale (POS) system for restaurant orders, and for training staff on the use of the POS system. In connection with the POS system, Chen paid an additional fee to activate “zapper” software, which is a commercial computer program designed to deliberately delete transactions from the POS system to create fraudulent sales records. From approximately 2013 to 2020, Chen and others who worked at the restaurants deleted cash transactions with the intent to reduce the gross receipts and the amount of sales tax collected reported by the POS. As a result, Chen intentionally suppressed the restaurants’ taxable income that he disclosed to his accountant who prepared his and his restaurants’ income tax returns.
Chen was also responsible for the accounting and financial records at the restaurants, for the collection and withholding of employment taxes for the restaurants at which he worked, and for signing the restaurants’ tax returns. For the 2013 through 2020 tax years, Chen failed to withhold, account for, and pay to the IRS federal income taxes, Federal Insurance Contributions Act taxes (“FICA”), and federal unemployment taxes for multiple employees that he paid, or that he knew were paid, in cash.
The tax loss attributable to Chen’s criminal conduct is $2,092,926.94. To date, Chen has paid $600,000 in restitution.
On July 29, 2022, Chen pleaded guilty to two counts of filing a false tax return.
Chen is required to report to prison on April 5.
This matter was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David T. Huang.
Honduran National Admits Illegally Reentering the U.S.Read the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that MARLON AMAYA-LOPEZ, also known as Elder Figueroa, 35, a citizen of Honduras last residing in Bridgeport, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to one count of illegally reentering the U.S. after being deported.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Amaya-Lopez was previously deported and removed from the U.S. to Honduras following a felony conviction in April 2007 in Connecticut Superior Court for attempted robbery in the second degree. He reentered the U.S. and returned to Connecticut without obtaining the consent of the Attorney General of the United States or his successor, the Secretary for the Department of Homeland Security, to reapply for admission into the U.S.
Judge Arterton scheduled sentencing for March 28, 2023, at which time Amaya-Lopez faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. The penalties in this matter are enhanced based on his prior conviction.
Amaya-Lopez has been detained since his arrest on November 30, 2022.
This matter is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Neeraj N. Patel, Anastasia E. King and Stephanie T. Levick.
Bristol Man Sentenced to More Than 6 Years in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing FirearmsRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ALEXANDER PATTERSON, 34, of Bristol, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to 77 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for unlawfully possessing firearms.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on August 9, 2021, law enforcement conducted a court-authorized search of Tyrone Brown’s residence on Stevens Street in New Haven and seized a loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol. Brown, who was a convicted felon and was prohibited by federal law from purchasing or possessing a firearm or ammunition, was arrested at that time. The investigation revealed that the firearm was registered to a family member of Leah Boucher, of Bristol, and that Boucher had purchased 10 other firearms at four different gun stores in Connecticut between March and July 2021.
When investigators interviewed Boucher on August 26, 2021, Boucher admitted that she had purchased firearms for other individuals, and that she was no longer in possession of any of the 10 firearms that were registered to her. A search of Boucher’s iPhone revealed photos, taken in July 2021, of Patterson and Brown. In some of the photos, Patterson is seen handling the handgun that was recovered from Brown’s residence on August 9, 2021, and another handgun that investigators determined was registered to Boucher’s family member.
Patterson’s criminal history includes felony convictions in Connecticut and Georgia for firearm, narcotics, home invasion and assault 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.
Patterson was on Georgia probation and Connecticut parole when he committed the firearm offense in this case.
Patterson has been detained since his arrest on January 12, 2022. On May 24, 2022, he pleaded guilty to unlawful possessions of firearms by a felon.
Brown and Boucher pleaded guilty to related charges. On August 3, 2022, Brown was sentenced to 60 months of imprisonment, and, on August 10, 2022, Boucher was sentenced to 12 months of imprisonment.
In September 2021, law enforcement recovered one of the 10 firearms that Boucher purchased from another felon. The other nine firearms have not been found.
This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the New Haven Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Gresham.
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.
Wallingford Man Pleads Guilty to Child Exploitation and Drug Trafficking OffensesRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CHRISTOPHER LISCIO, 40, of Wallingford, pleaded guilty today in Bridgeport federal court to child sexual exploitation and drug trafficking offenses.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between January 2016 and February 2020, Liscio used Snapchat to entice two minor girls to take sexually explicit photographs and videos of themselves and send them to him via the social media application. The communication with one of the minor victims started when she was approximately 13 years old and continued until she was approximately 16 years old, and the communication with the second minor victim occurred when she was 15 and 16 years old. Liscio also engaged in sexual acts with the second minor victim on multiple occasions when she was 15 and 16 years old.
In February 2020. Liscio was arrested on state charges related to the sexual assault of a minor. Between February and April 2020, while he was released on bond in his state case, Liscio sold 2,000 30mg oxycodone pills.
Liscio has been detained since his federal arrest on May 26, 2021. On that date, a search of his Wallingford residence revealed approximately 500 grams of cocaine, items used to process and package narcotics, and $22,440 in cash.
Liscio pleaded guilty to one count of enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity, one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute oxycodone, and one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. At sentencing, Liscio faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life. A sentencing date is not scheduled.
This matter has been investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad, with the assistance of the Wallingford Police Department, Middletown Police Department and Fremont (N.H.) Police Department. The Tactical Diversion Squad includes officers from the Bristol, East Windsor, Hamden, New Britain, West Haven, Newington, Manchester, Glastonbury and Watertown Police Departments.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda S. Oakes.
U.S. Attorney Avery thanked the State’s Attorney’s Offices for the Judicial Districts of New Haven and Middlesex for their close cooperation in investigating and prosecuting this matter.
This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.
New Haven Man Sentenced to More Than 8 Years for Possessing Stolen Gun, Violating Supervised ReleaseRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JAVON MOORNING, 43, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 105 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for possessing a stolen firearm, and for violating the conditions of his supervised release from a prior federal conviction.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in July 2011, Moorning was sentenced in New Haven federal court to 100 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing crack cocaine. In December 2014, Moorning’s sentence was reduced to 84 months of imprisonment.
Moorning was released from federal prison in June 2018. Shortly after his release, and while on supervised release, he sold heroin and crack cocaine to an individual working with law enforcement. When Moorning was arrested on July 24, 2018, he possessed additional amounts of heroin and crack cocaine. Moorning pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute and distribution of heroin and cocaine base (“crack”), and he admitted that he had violated his supervised release. On January 9, 2019, he was sentenced to 24 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release.
Moorning was released from prison in April 2020. On May 17, 2022, he was a passenger in a car that crashed into a tree behind a residence on Whitney Avenue in Hamden after he and an associate attempted to flee from state probation and Hamden Police officers who were serving probation violation warrants. Moorning ran from the vehicle, removed a 9mm handgun from his waistband and tossed it to the ground. State probation officers apprehended Moorning and found him in possession of approximately 20 individual-dose bags of suspected heroin, and quantities of crack cocaine and MDMA pills. A Hamden Police officer recovered the firearm that Moorning had discarded. The handgun, which was loaded, and had been reported stolen in South Carolina in 2020.
Moorning has been detained since June 3, 2022. He pleaded guilty on September 14, 2022.
This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Hamden Police Department, the Connecticut Office of Adult Probation, and the New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah P. Karwan.
Former Children's Museum Director Sentenced to 66 Months in Prison for Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ROBERT ECKERT, 56, of West Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 66 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for distributing child pornography.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Eckert used multiple internet platforms, including MeWe and Kik, to solicit, receive and distribute images of child sexual abuse and to communicate with others about the distribution of child pornography. He accessed the online platforms on his phone, at his residence, and at the Lutz Children’s Museum in Manchester where he was employed as its executive director.
On June 12, 2020, investigators seized Eckert’s cellphone. Analysis of the cellphone revealed 1,837 image files and 73 videos depicting child sex abuse, including the abuse of prepubescent minors.
Eckert was arrested on April 8, 2021. On September 1, 2022, he pleaded guilty to distribution of child pornography.
Eckert, who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on February 15.
This matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with the assistance of the Connecticut State Police and the Manchester Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nancy V. Gifford and Daniel Cummings.
This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.
Norwalk Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal Prison for Drug OffensesRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that TAJH WILEY, also known as “Yung,” 27, of Norwalk, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 144 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for drug trafficking offenses.
This matter stems from an investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force into a drug trafficking organization headed by Wiley. The investigation, which included a court-authorized wiretap of Wiley’s phone, revealed that Wiley conspired to distribute large quantities of fentanyl, cocaine and marijuana and distributed drugs throughout Connecticut and elsewhere with the assistance of several associates.
Wiley was arrested on June 9, 2021. In association with his arrest and the arrest of seven of his co-conspirators investigators executed multiple search warrants and seized approximately a kilogram of fentanyl, a kilogram of cocaine, approximately 83 grams of crack cocaine, more than 12 pounds of marijuana, two press machines and other items and materials used by Wiley and his co-conspirators to process and package illegal drugs. Investigators also seized from Wiley jewelry valued at more than $100,000, and a 2021 Mercedes-Benz valued at approximately $146,000.
On July 25, 2022, a jury found Wiley guilty of one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, 500 grams or more of cocaine, and marijuana, and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (“crack cocaine”).
Wiley has been detained since his arrest.
This investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bridgeport Police Department, Fairfield Police Department, Norwalk Police Department, Stamford Police Department, Stratford Police Department, Yonkers (New York) Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service. The HIDTA Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Bridgeport Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bridgeport, Norwalk, Stamford, Stratford, Milford and Danbury Police Departments.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick J. Doherty, Robert S. Dearington, Margaret M. Donovan and Elena L. Coronado through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Waterbury Men Charged with Cocaine Trafficking OffensesRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division, and Waterbury Police Chief Fernando C. Spagnolo today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging CHRISTOPHER JUSINO-RODRIGUEZ, 30, and CHADDIEL FERRER, 28, both of Waterbury, with cocaine trafficking offenses.
As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, an investigation led by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force and the Waterbury Police Department determined that Jusino-Rodriguez and Ferrer were trafficking large quantities of cocaine.
On October 20, 2022, investigators conducted court-authorized searches of three locations in Waterbury and seized approximately six kilograms of cocaine; nine firearms, including an AR-15 rifle; high-capacity magazines and numerous rounds of ammunition; and $132,365 in cash. Jusino-Rodriguez and Ferrer were arrested on state charges on that date and were subsequently released on bond.
A total of approximately 18 kilograms of cocaine have been seized during the investigation.
The indictment, which was returned on December 7, 2022, charges Jusino-Rodriguez and Ferrer with one count conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life, and one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.
The indictment was unsealed following Ferrer’s federal arrest on December 21. Jusino-Rodriguez was arrested on the indictment on December 14. Both defendants are detained pending 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 U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force (“NBCTTF”) and the Waterbury Police Department, with the assistance of the Connecticut State Police Violent Crimes Task Force. The NBCTTF includes members from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Postal Service – Office of the Inspector General, the Connecticut Army National Guard, and the Hartford, New Britain, Meriden, and Town of Groton Police Departments.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Konstantin Lantsman and Natasha M. Freismuth.
New Britain Man Sentenced to 70 Months in Federal Prison for Trafficking CocaineRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that RIGOBERTO MATEO-SILVA, also known as “Bori,” 30, of New Britain, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 70 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking cocaine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, a DEA investigation revealed that Mateo-Silva and his associate, Shabazz Valentine, were obtaining kilogram quantities of narcotics from suppliers in California and delivering large amounts of cash to their suppliers in return.
On July 6, 2020, investigators searched Valentine’s Rocky Hill residence, his car, two locations in East Hartford used to store and process narcotics, and a Hartford apartment, and seized substantial quantities of fentanyl, heroin and cocaine; items used to process and package narcotics; firearms and ammunition; and approximately $700,000 in cash. Mateo-Silva was present at one of the East Hartford locations where approximately 75 grams of cocaine and more than $100,000 in cash was found. The search of Valentine’s car also revealed tracking receipts for two parcels that had been recently shipped via FedEx to a location in California. Investigators located and seized the parcels, which contained a total of approximately $160,000 in cash.
As the investigation continued, in the spring of 2021, Mateo-Silva obtained four kilograms of cocaine from his California supplier.
Mateo-Silva has been detained since his arrest on June 25, 2021. On July 20, 2022, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.
Valentine pleaded guilty to related charges and awaits sentencing.
This investigation has been conducted by the DEA’s Hartford Task Force in coordination with the DEA’s Los Angeles Division. 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 was 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.
Hartford Man Sentenced to More Than 7 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking Fentanyl and CocaineRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOSE MIGUEL VEGA-RIVERA, 50, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 90 months of imprisonment for trafficking fentanyl and cocaine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in February 2021, the Drug Enforcement Administration identified Vega-Rivera as being involved in drug trafficking activity after he provided more than $72,000 in suspected narcotics proceeds to an undercover law enforcement officer. On April 27, 2021, DEA Task Force investigators stopped a minivan Vega-Rivera was traveling in after he sold cocaine to an occupant of another vehicle. Investigators found distribution quantities of fentanyl and cocaine in the minivan, and a related search of a New Britain apartment connected to Vega-Rivera revealed more than a kilogram of fentanyl, more than 500 grams of cocaine, two firearms, and approximately $52,000 in cash.
Vega-Rivera has been detained since April 27, 2021. On November 29, 2021, he pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
This investigation was 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 was 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.
West Hartford Man Sentenced to 13 Years in Federal Prison for Heroin Trafficking OffensesRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced DWAYNE THOMPSON, 37, of West Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 156 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for heroin trafficking offenses.
According to the evidence presented during a bench trial in Hartford, in July 2017, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force received information that Thompson’s associate, Jose Carrasquillo, was interested in acquiring heroin to distribute. Carrasquillo, working with Thompson, subsequently agreed to purchase three kilograms of heroin, for $42,000 per kilogram, from an undercover law enforcement officer posing as a heroin supplier. On August 22, 2017, Thompson and Carrasquillo, arriving in separate vehicles, met in South Windsor with an individual working with law enforcement to complete the transaction. Thompson was arrested after he was found in possession of a firearm and $126,200 in cash. Carrasquillo, who fled from the scene at a high rate of speed, surrendered to law enforcement two days later.
On June 16, 2022, Judge Thompson found Thompson guilty of one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, and one count of attempt to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin. Thompson has been detained since that date.
On March 1, 2022, Carrasquillo, of Wethersfield, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin. He awaits sentencing.
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Enfield, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Windsor Locks and Willimantic Police Departments. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian P. Leaming and Robert S. Ruff.
Felon Pleads Guilty to PPP Loan Fraud, Money Laundering and Drug OffensesRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that ANTRUM COSTON, 40, of New Haven, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to fraud, money laundering and drug offenses.
In March 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provided emergency financial assistance to Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
According to court documents and statements made in court, in April 2021, Coston applied for and subsequently received two PPP loans, totaling $41,666, purportedly in relation to a cleaning business he operated. In association with the loan applications, Coston made multiple false statements, including that his business was established in 2018 when, in fact, no cleaning business associated with Coston had been formed in 2018, and that the business had total gross income for 2019 of $114,658 when, in fact, the business had not earned such income, and Coston was incarcerated for all of 2019. In February 2022, Coston sought forgiveness of both loans, falsely asserting in each instance that the funds had been spent on payroll costs.
On December 31, 2021, police stopped a car Coston was driving in West Haven. After initially stopping, Coston drove off, nearly striking the officer as he fled. Coston was found hiding in a parking lot a short distance away. A search of vehicle and person revealed distribution quantities of heroin/fentanyl, cocaine and crack cocaine, and more than $2,000 in cash. A related search of Coston’s residence revealed a ballistic vest, $2,790 in cash, a small quantity of crack, and narcotics paraphernalia.
Coston pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, one count of money laundering, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, and one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. Judge Underhill scheduled sentencing for March 15, 2023.
Coston is released pending sentencing.
Coston’s criminal history includes multiple convictions, including two federal convictions. In 2004, Coston was convicted in federal court of possession of a firearm by a felon. He was sentenced to 37 months of imprisonment for that offense, and, in June 2007, received an additional 18 months of imprisonment for violating the conditions of his supervised release. In December 2017, Coston was sentenced to 40 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for gun and drug offenses. He was released from federal prison in April 2020, and was on supervised release when he committed the PPP loan fraud, money laundering and drug possession offenses.
This matter has been investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, the Bureau of Alcohol. Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the West Haven Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer R. Laraia.
Individuals with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 are encouraged to report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721, or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Shelton Man Sentenced to 66 Months in Federal Prison for Trafficking Narcotics in BridgeportRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that ANTHONY SMALL, also known as “Whompy,” 31, of Shelton, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 66 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking narcotics in Bridgeport.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in the summer of 2017, members of the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and Bridgeport Police Department began investigating individuals who were distributing narcotics in and around Bridgeport. The investigation included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of narcotics, physical and video surveillance, and the execution of multiple search and seizure warrants. The investigation revealed that Small’s brother, Antonio Small, led an organization that was distributing large quantities of heroin, fentanyl and crack cocaine on the west side of Bridgeport.
Antonio Small, Anthony Small and their associates used a residence on Poplar Street in Bridgeport to store, process and package narcotics.
The group was also involved in violence. Intercepted calls revealed that Antonio Small kept a firearm at the residence, and that he possessed it while looking to retaliate against someone he believed had wronged him. On October 31, 2018, a close associate of Antonio Small was shot and killed in the vicinity of the Poplar Street residence. A female who was close by was also killed during the incident.
In addition, one of the Smalls’ co-conspirators, while in possession of drugs that he intended to distribute, engaged police in a car chase and struck and killed another motorist and maimed two pedestrians.
Anthony Small has been detained since his arrest on January 15, 2019. On January 21, 2020, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with the intent to distribute, controlled substances, and three counts of possession with intent to distribute heroin.
Antonio Small pleaded guilty and, on July 15, 2022, was sentenced to 25 years of imprisonment.
Anthony Small also has pending state charges stemming from a shooting in Stratford in January 2019.
This matter was investigated by the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and the Bridgeport Police Department, as well as the DEA, Connecticut State Police, and the Stratford, Norwalk, Seymour and Trumbull Police Departments.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen L. Peck and Patrick J. Doherty through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Bridgeport Meth Dealer Sentenced to 39 Months in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DEREK COULSON, 36, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 39 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing methamphetamine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in January and February 2021, Coulson sold a total of more than 80 grams of methamphetamine to an undercover law enforcement officer.
Coulson was arrested on June 11, 2021. On October 8, 2021, he pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, methamphetamine.
At the conclusion of today’s court proceeding, Coulson, who was released on bond, was remanded the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service to begin serving his sentence.
This investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force, which includes participants from the 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. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan Keefe.
Man Sentenced for Role in Attempted Robbery of New Haven Restaurant Where Employee was ShotRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that TREIZY LOPEZ, 25, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 108 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his role in the attempted robbery of a New Haven restaurant, during which he shot an employee, in April 2015.
According to court documents and statements made in court, at approximately 11:00 p.m. on April 11, 2015, Lopez, Tythrone Ford and another man entered the Smokin’ Wings restaurant on Congress Avenue in New Haven and demanded money at gunpoint. Lopez subsequently discharged a firearm and shot a female employee in the stomach. Lopez, Ford and their associate then fled the restaurant. Responding New Haven Police officers subsequently located a .22 caliber revolver in a nearby trash can.
Approximately eight hours before the Smokin’ Wings robbery, Lopez, Ford and another man traveled together to Bridgeport. Lopez and the other individual, armed with handguns, entered Sapiaos Market on Lexington Avenue and demanded money. During the attempted robbery, the owner of the market, Jose Salgado, was shot and killed. Ford waited in a car outside of the market during the attempted robbery. After the murder, the three men traveled back to New Haven together. Hours later, Ford and Lopez participated in the gunpoint robbery at Smokin’ Wings.
Forensic analysis of the revolver found in the trash can in New Haven, and projectiles collected from the scene of both attempted robberies, revealed that the gun was used in both shootings. DNA collected from the gun revealed that both Lopez and Ford possessed the gun.
Lopez has been detained since his arrest on December 12, 2019. On September 23, 2021, he pleaded guilty to one count of attempted interference with commerce by robbery.
In March 2018, Lopez was found guilty of first-degree robbery and conspiracy to commit first degree robbery for his role in the Sapiaos Market robbery and homicide. On August 16, 2018, he was sentenced to 30 years in prison for those offenses. Judge Meyer ordered Lopez to begin serving his federal sentence after he completes his state sentence.
Ford pleaded guilty to attempted interference with commerce by robbery for his role in the Smokin’ Wings robbery. On March 15, 2022, was sentenced to 110 months of imprisonment for that offense. Ford was not charged in relation to the Sapiaos Market robbery.
This matter stemmed from a cold case investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the New Haven Police Department, with the assistance of the Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jocelyn C. Kaoutzanis and Nathaniel J. Gentile 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.
Federal Jury Finds 2 Men Guilty of Charges Related to Robbery and Murder of Stamford JewelerRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal jury in Bridgeport has found THOMAS LIBERATORE, 65, of White Plains, New York, and PAUL PROSANO, also known as “Tony Pro,” 62, of Brooklyn, guilty of federal offenses in connection with the March 2020 robbery of Marco Jewelers in Stamford, Connecticut. During the robbery, the owner of Marco Jewelers was shot and killed.
The trial before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley began on December 8 and the jury returned the guilty verdicts this afternoon.
According to the evidence presented during the trial, on March 28, 2020, at approximately 2:48 p.m., Stamford Police Officers responded to Marco Jewelers, located at 16 Sixth Street in Stamford. When officers arrived, they found evidence of a robbery and encountered the storeowner, Mark Vuono, lying on the ground in front of an open safe. Emergency medical personnel arrived and pronounced Vuono deceased.
Investigators collected and analyzed surveillance video from Marco Jewelers, surrounding businesses and Stamford city cameras. Video obtained from Marco Jewelers revealed that, on March 28, Prosano drove Robert Rallo and Liberatore in a black Jaguar to Marco Jewelers. Rallo and Liberatore then entered the store. Rallo, armed with a handgun, engaged in a physical altercation with Vuono, while Liberatore stole items from the display cases. Vuono, who also possessed a firearm, and Rallo struggled next to a large open safe. During the more than three-minute struggle, Rallo reached into the safe and pulled out a third firearm, a .357 Magnum revolver. Rallo subsequently shot and killed Vuono with the .357 revolver.
Following the robbery, law enforcement located the black Jaguar in Staten Island and maintained surveillance on the vehicle. On March 30, at approximately 5:30 p.m., a black BMW X3, driven by Prosano, pulled up beside the black Jaguar. Rallo exited the rear door of the BMW and entered the driver’s door of a black Jaguar. The two vehicles then left the area and rapidly accelerated. The Jaguar crashed on Tompkins Street. Rallo attempted to flee on foot, but was quickly apprehended. The BMW crashed into a tree and parked car at the intersection of Daniel Low Terrace and Corson Avenue. Prosano also attempted to flee and was apprehended.
A search of the BMW revealed 63 rings, eight bracelets, two tie pins, an earring and a cufflink, and a search of Prosano’s residence revealed 23 pairs of earrings and three rings. These items were stolen from Marco Jewelers on March 28.
Liberatore was also arrested on March 30.
The jury found Liberatore and Prosano guilty of interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act robbery), an offense that carries a maximum term imprisonment of 20 years, and with interstate transportation of stolen property, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. Liberatore was also found guilty of aiding and abetting the use of a firearm to cause a death during a robbery, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of life. Sentencing dates are not scheduled.
The three defendants have been detained since their arrests.
On April 5, 2022, Rallo, 59, of New York, pleaded guilty to one count of Hobbs Act robbery, one count of interstate transportation of stolen property, and one count of using a firearm to cause a death during a robbery. He awaits sentencing.
This investigation has been conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Stamford Police Department and Greenwich Police Department, with the assistance of the New York Police Department, Yonkers (N.Y.) Police Department and New Rochelle (N.Y.) Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis, Rahul Kale and Margaret Donovan.
Brookfield Counselor Admits Defrauding Medicaid of More Than $1 MillionRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that GREGORY C. BANKS, 50, of Brookfield, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to health care fraud.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Banks owned and operated North East Counseling & Trauma Services and Gregory Banks Counseling, LLC. North East Counseling & Trauma Services, which had an office in Danbury, provided counseling services to individual patients, including those with mental health and trauma issues. Banks was enrolled individually as a Behavioral Health Clinician provider in the Connecticut Medicaid Program (“Medicaid”), but North East Counseling & Trauma Services and Gregory Banks Counseling LLC were never enrolled as providers in Medicaid.
Between January 2018 and July 2022, Banks submitted and caused to be submitted fraudulent claims to Medicaid for counseling services that were purportedly provided to Medicaid clients. Specifically, Banks submitted claims for dates of service when no services of any kind had been provided to the Medicaid clients identified in the claims.
In October 2020, the Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) audited Banks and his businesses and requested documentation from Banks for six sample clients. In response, Banks made multiple false statements for the purpose of delaying the progress of DSS’s audit and to conceal his offense. For example, in February 2021, Banks sent an email to DSS in which he falsely represented that one of the files DSS requested was destroyed by a water leak above his office when, in fact, no such water leak had occurred.
Through this scheme, Banks defrauded Medicaid of $1,044,387.08. As part of his plea, Banks has agreed to pay full restitution.
Judge Shea scheduled sentencing for March 13, 2023, at which time Banks faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.
Banks is released on a $100,000 bond pending sentencing.
This investigation has been conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. U.S. Attorney Avery acknowledged the valuable cooperation of the Connecticut Department of Social Services in the investigation.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David T. Huang.
People who suspect health care fraud are encouraged to report it by calling 1-800-HHS-TIPS.
Ridgefield Man Charged with Child Pornography OffenseRead the Press Release
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 NICHOLAS SKIRKANICH, 43, of Ridgefield, was arrested yesterday and charged by federal criminal complaint with possession of child pornography.
Following his arrest, Skirkanich appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Dave Vatti in Bridgeport and was released on a $150,000 bond to home detention under electronic monitoring.
As alleged in court documents, in October 2022, an online service provider submitted a CyberTip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (“NCMEC”) indicating that a TikTok video containing child sex abuse imagery was sent from Skirkanich’s email account to another email account. Subsequent investigation revealed that Skirkanich’s IP address and social media accounts were also used to facilitate Skirkanich’s possession of child pornography.
Possession of child pornography is an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with the assistance of the Ridgefield Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nancy V. Gifford with the assistance of the Danbury State’s Attorney’s Office.
This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.
Rhode Island Man Sentenced to Prison for Stealing and Selling Luxury Car Tires and RimsRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MICHAEL FARIAS, 57, of Providence, Rhode Island, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for stealing tires and rims from new vehicles at car dealerships in northeastern states and then selling the stolen items to individuals across the country.
According to court documents and statement made in court, between May 2015 and August 2018, Farias and others stole thousands of dollars’ worth of tires and rims from numerous luxury vehicles at car dealerships in Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York and Maine. The co-conspirators then sold the stolen goods to others around the U.S.
Farias was arrested on November 17, 2020. On November 10, 2021, he pleaded guilty to one count of interstate transportation of stolen property.
Farias, who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on April 14.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Shelton, Milford, Waterbury, Stonington, Vernon, Darien, Westchester County (N.Y.), Bedford (N.Y.) and Portland (Maine) Police Departments, and the York County (Maine) Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine E. Boyles.
New Britain Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Offenses Stemming from Robbery and Carjacking SpreeRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and David Sundberg, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that CHRISTIAN LUIS VELEZ-RUIZ, 25, of New Britain, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to federal robbery, carjacking, and firearm offenses.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in a crime spree spanning from September 2021 into December 2021, Velez committed 28 armed robberies of convenience stores and six armed carjackings, among other offenses, throughout Connecticut. He continued committing the robberies after the FBI’s announcement of a $25,000 reward in November 2021 for information leading to Velez’s arrest and conviction.
On December 17, 2021, law enforcement located Velez in his vehicle in a parking lot in New Britain. Velez attempted to escape by ramming police vehicles and he ultimately fled on foot. A K9 pursuit ensued, and Velez was captured after he attempted to steal another vehicle. He has been detained since his arrest.
Velez, who has taken responsibility for all of the offenses he committed during his crime spree, pleaded guilty to one count of carjacking, two counts of interference with commerce by robbery, and two counts of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. The carjacking occurred on September 2, 2021, when Velez stole at gunpoint a 2020 white Jeep Grand Cherokee from the driveway of a victim in Southington. One of the robberies occurred on September 26, 2021, when Velez robbed at gunpoint a store located at a Sunoco gas station in Bristol. Velez pistol-whipped the store employee and stole U.S. currency and cigarettes from the store. The other robbery occurred on October 7, 2021, when Velez robbed at gunpoint a store located at a Citgo gas station in Southington. Velez brandished a pistol at the store employee and stole cash and cigarettes from the store.
Judge Nagala scheduled sentencing for March 24, at which time Velez faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 14 years and a maximum term of life imprisonment.
This matter is being investigated by the FBI, the Connecticut State Police, the Greater Hartford Regional Auto Theft Task Force, and the New Britain, Waterbury, Berlin, Bristol, Cromwell, East Hartford, Enfield, Farmington, Glastonbury, Manchester, Meriden, Middletown, Newington, Norwich, Plainville, Southington, Windsor, Wolcott, and Woodbridge Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert S. Ruff.
Indictment Charges 5 Men with Fentanyl Trafficking OffensesRead the Press Release
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 in Hartford has returned an indictment charging the following five individuals with fentanyl trafficking offenses:
ADDELY ROSARIO-RAMIREZ, aka “Tata,” 24, a citizen of the Dominican Republic
LUIS ELVIS HERNANDEZ-RIVAS, aka “Compa,” 43, a citizen of the Dominican Republic
HUGO IVAN RAMIREZ-BELLOZO, 32, a citizen of Mexico
JUAN GONZALEZ-REYES, aka “Chinbala,” 32, of Hartford
MARIO PASCUAL-AQUINO, 42, of TorringtonThe indictment was returned on November 30, 2022. On December 13, the five defendants appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas O. Farrish in Hartford and pleaded not guilty to the charges. Rosario-Ramirez, Hernandez-Rivas and Ramirez-Bellozo are detained, and Gonzalez-Reyes and Pasqual Aquino are released on $100,000 bonds.
As alleged in court documents, the DEA’s Hartford Task Force has been investigating a Hartford-based drug trafficking organization involved in the distribution of a large amount of fentanyl and other narcotics, and the transportation and laundering of cash proceeds from their drug trafficking activity.
It is alleged that, in April 2021, Rosario-Ramirez provided more than $56,000 in suspected narcotics proceeds to an uncover law enforcement officer. It is further alleged that, in January 2022, investigators coordinated a motor vehicle stop of a minivan Rosario-Ramirez was driving and seized $92,000 from a hidden compartment in the minivan. Hernandez-Rivas was a passenger in the minivan at the time of the traffic stop.
On November 16, 2022, investigators executed a court-authorized search warrant at an apartment on Putnam Heights in Hartford and seized more than a kilogram of fentanyl, items used to process and package narcotics, and a loaded .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun. Rosario-Ramirez, Hernandez-Rivas, Ramirez-Bellozo, and Pascual-Aquino, all of whom were present in the apartment, were arrested at that time. Gonzalez-Reyes was arrested after he arrived at the apartment as the search warrant was being executed, and investigators found an additional quantity of fentanyl on his person.
The indictment charges Rosario-Ramirez, Hernandez-Rivas, Ramirez-Bellozo, Gonzalez-Reyes and Pascual-Aquino with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life. Rosario-Ramirez, Hernandez-Rivas, Ramirez-Bellozo, and Pascual-Aquino are also charged with possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, which also carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life. Gonzalez-Reyes is also charged with 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.
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.
Hartford Gang Member Sentenced to 54 Months in Prison for Drug and Gun OffensesRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that EDIL RAMOS, also known as “E,” 40, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 54 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for narcotics distribution and firearm possession offenses.
According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an FBI Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and Hartford Police Department investigation into drug trafficking and related criminal acts committed by members and associates of the Los Solidos and Latin Kings street gangs in Hartford’s South End. Between February and April 2020, investigators made five controlled purchases of crack cocaine and fentanyl from Ramos, a member of Los Solidos. Most of the drug sales occurred at Ramos’ residence on Wethersfield Avenue.
Ramos was arrested on April 8, 2020. On that date, a search of his residence revealed a 9mm firearm, a loaded firearm magazine, approximately 1,400 bags of fentanyl, a distribution quantity of crack cocaine, and $33,062 in cash.
Ramos has been detained since his arrest on April 8, 2020. On March 28, 2022, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base (“crack”), and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon.
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.
Connecticut Physician and Urgent Care Practice Pay over $4.2 Million to Settle False Claims Act AllegationsRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Phillip Coyne, Special Agent in Charge for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General, today announced that JASDEEP SIDANA, M.D. and DOCS MEDICAL GROUP, INC. (doing business as Docs Medical), DOCS MEDICAL INC., DOCS URGENT CARE LLP, LUNG DOCS OF CT, P.C., EPIC FAMILY PHYSICIANS, LLP, and CONTINUUM MEDICAL GROUP, LLC (collectively, “DOCS”), have entered into a civil settlement agreement with the federal and state governments in which they will pay a total of $4,267,950.21 to resolve allegations that they submitted false claims for payment to Medicare and the Connecticut Medicaid program for medically unnecessary allergy services, unsupervised allergy services, and services improperly billed as though provided by Sidana. The agreement also resolves allegations that Sidana and DOCS improperly billed for certain office visits associated with COVID-19 tests.
Sidana is a physician who specializes in pulmonology and is the owner and Chief Executive Officer of DOCS, a medical practice with more than 20 facilities throughout Connecticut that offers a variety of services to its patients, including primary and urgent care, allergy testing and treatment, and COVID testing.
Medicare and Connecticut Medicaid pay only for services or items that are medically necessary. Some services also have supervision requirements, and allergy tests and the preparation of allergy immunotherapy must be directly supervised by a physician. Direct supervision requires the supervising physician to be present in the same office suite, and immediately available to render assistance if needed.
In early 2014, DOCS and Sidana started providing allergy testing and treatment services to their patients. The government alleges that between October 1, 2016, and September 30, 2017, DOCS and Sidana submitted false claims to Medicare and Medicaid for immunotherapy services that were not medically necessary, and were not directly supervised by a physician. The allegations also involve claims to Medicare and Medicaid for medically unnecessary annual re-testing of allergy patients between January 1, 2014, and November 11, 2018.
The government also alleges that between January 1, 2014, and January 1, 2019, DOCS and Sidana submitted claims for medical services performed by Sidana on dates of service when he was traveling internationally and did not perform or supervise the services. Instead, the services were actually performed by lower-level providers, who typically receive a lower reimbursement rate from Medicare and Medicaid for such services.
Finally, the government contends that when administering tests for COVID, DOCS and Sidana improperly billed Medicare and Connecticut Medicaid for certain evaluation and management (“E&M”) services, commonly referred to as office visits. The government alleges that between April 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020, on the same dates that patients received COVID-19 tests, DOCS and Sidana submitted claims for moderately complex “level 3” E&M services, when those level 3 office visits were not in fact provided.
“Depriving Medicare and Medicaid programs of federal funds that have been set aside for the care and treatment of beneficiaries is disgraceful,” said U.S. Attorney Avery. “Medical services billed to Medicare and Medicaid must be provided based on each patient’s individual medical needs. Providers who participate in government programs must only bill for medically necessary services, and must accurately bill for the services provided. This office is committed to vigorously pursuing health care providers who submit false or fraudulent claims to federal health care programs.”
“Healthcare providers are expected to closely follow Medicare rules and bill properly — nothing more, nothing less,” said Special Agent in Charge Phillip M. Coyne of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General. “When that obligation is violated, government health care programs – and American taxpayers – pay the price. We are committed to pursuing these types of allegations along with our law enforcement partners as we work to protect the integrity of our federal healthcare system.”
As part of this settlement, DOCS and Sidana have entered into a three-year Integrity Agreement with the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General that is designed to ensure future compliance with the requirements of federal healthcare programs.
This matter was investigated by the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Kaczmarek, with the assistance of Auditor Kevin Saunders, and by Deputy Associate Attorney General Gregory O’Connell of the Attorney General’s Office.
People who suspect health care fraud are encouraged to report it by calling 1-800-HHS-TIPS or the Health Care Task Force at (203) 777-6311.
Greenwich Psychologist Admits Defrauding Medicaid, Medicare and Private InsurersRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Phillip Coyne, Special Agent in Charge for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, and David Sundberg, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that MICHAEL LONSKI, 71, of Greenwich, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to health care fraud.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Lonski is a licensed psychologist who, along with another licensed psychologist (“Individual 1”), has operated a practice out of his home office in Old Greenwich. Lonski and Individual 1 were authorized providers for the Connecticut Medicaid program (“Medicaid”), Medicare and other health care benefit programs. Lonski assumed responsibility for submitting claims for reimbursement for services allegedly provided by himself and by Individual 1, both at their home office and at various skilled nursing facilities within Connecticut.
In pleading guilty, Lonski admitted that he billed insurers for services that he knew were not rendered, including by billing for patients who were deceased, for dates of service when he was out of the country, for dates of service when Individual 1 was out of the country, and for dates of service when he was hospitalized. These fraudulent claims resulted in a loss of over $2,651,296, including a loss of $1,157,292 to the Connecticut Medicaid program and a loss of $119,092 Medicare.
Health care fraud carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. Judge Nagala scheduled sentencing for March 10. As part of his plea, Lonski has agreed to pay full restitution.
Lonski is released on bond pending sentencing.
In 2002, Lonski settled a federal lawsuit alleging health care fraud offenses, which was brought by the government in the Southern District of New York. Lonski agreed to pay $4 million in restitution and was excluded from participating in the Medicare program from April 2003 to November 2007. He was reinstated to the Medicare program in approximately December 2008.
This investigation has been conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan L. Wines.
People who suspect health care fraud are encouraged to report it by calling 1-800-HHS-TIPS.
Greenwich Man Charged with Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
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 CHRISTOPHER BATES JR., 36, of Greenwich, was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint charging him with child pornography offenses.
Bates appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Dave Vatti in Bridgeport and was released on a $300,000 bond under electronic monitoring.
As alleged in court documents, an international law investigation revealed that an IP address at Bates’ residence was being used to access the dark web to view images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children. On November 30, 2022, HSI agents interviewed Bates, who consented to a search of his electronic devices. A forensic preview of one of his laptops revealed approximately 1,000 images depicting the sexual abuse of children, including infants. A full forensic examination of his electronic devices is ongoing.
The complaint charges Bates with receipt of child pornography, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and possession of child pornography, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with the assistance of the Greenwich Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel.
This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.