District of Connecticut

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, David Sundberg, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Hartford Police Chief Jason Thody today announced that ZAIQWAN FOTHERGILL, 20, and HAKEEM ROBINSON, 27, both of Hartford, have been charged with robbing a Hartford credit union in June.

An indictment, which was returned by a grand jury in Hartford on August 4, alleges that, on June 29, 2022, Fothergill and Robinson used a firearm to commit a robbery of the Cencap Federal Credit Union located at 2775 Main Street in Hartford.

The two-count indictment charges Fothergill and Robinson with armed bank robbery, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 25 years, and with using, carrying and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, an offense that carries a mandatory consecutive term of imprisonment of at least seven years.

Hartford Police officers arrested Fothergill and Robinson in Keney Park in Hartford shortly after the robbery.  They have been detained since their arrests.

Robinson appeared yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Dave Vatti in Bridgeport and entered a plea of not guilty.  Fothergill’s arraignment is scheduled for September 6.

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

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Connecticut Violent Crime Task Force and the Hartford Police Department.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Leaming.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RODNEY THOMAS, JR., 31, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 72 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his role in lottery and romance scams that defrauded primarily elderly victims across the country of millions of dollars.

According to the evidence presented during a trial in this matter, in a lottery scam, scammers notify victims by telephone, through online communications, or by mail, that they have won the lottery.  The victims are then told that in order to collect the prize they must pay fees for things like taxes, shipping and processing.  Often, once a victim sends a small amount of money, a scammer will ask for larger sums of money with a promise of more winnings.  The victims never receive winnings.  In a romance scam, scammers take advantage of people looking for companionship by pretending to be prospective companions.  Scammers typically create fake online profiles on dating websites that include false personal details such as the death of a spouse, or military service, to lure victims to trust them.  Once they have gained the trust of victims, scammers will ask victims for money, falsely claiming to need money for medical or business emergencies, for travel to see the victim, or other purposes.

Between approximately August 2015 and March 2020, Farouq Fasasi and others used lottery scams, romance scams and other fraudulent means to induce elderly victims to provide them with money, gifts and personal details.  Fasasi recruited Thomas into the scheme in 2017.  Victims sent cash, money orders or checks through the mail to various addresses in Connecticut, and also wired or deposited money into bank accounts in Connecticut controlled by conspiracy members and their associates.

Fasasi, Thomas and other co-conspirators lived together for a time at a residence on Sherman Avenue in New Haven, where many packages containing cash, checks and money orders from victims were delivered.  Fasasi and Thomas recruited others into the scheme, including those who served as “money mules.”  These individuals used personal bank accounts, and also established and used bank accounts in the names of businesses and charitable organizations, to launder money obtained from fraud victims. 

The investigation revealed that these scams defrauded more than 200 victims across the U.S. of more than $5 million.  Many of the victims were elderly and vulnerable, and some victims lost their life savings.  One Connecticut victim lost more than $1 million.

Judge Underhill will issue a restitution order after additional court proceedings.

On February 15, 2022, Fasasi and Thomas were found guilty of multiple charges stemming from this scheme.  On August 8, 2022, Judge Underhill sentenced Fasasi to 14 years of imprisonment and ordered him to pay more than $5.9 million in restitution.

Four other individuals have been charged and convicted of offenses stemming from their participation in this scheme.

Thomas has been detained since May 31, 2022, when his bond was revoked for violating conditions of his release.

“This defendant was an active participant in a scheme that involved the cruel theft from numerous seniors and other vulnerable individuals, and this prison term is appropriate,” said U.S. Attorney Avery.  “I thank all of our law enforcement partners who investigated this case and helped achieve some justice for the victims of these crimes.  The Justice Department has made it a priority to investigate and prosecute those who commit these crimes.  If you suspect that you or someone you know may be falling victim to one of these schemes, I encourage you to call your local police department or 833-FRAUD-11 for assistance.”

“Lottery scams and romance scams cost Americans millions every year,” said Inspector in Charge Ketty Larco-Ward of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division.  “Losses can be monumental and entire fortunes, inheritances and retirement security can be wiped-out.  This sentencing demonstrates the commitment of our agency along with our law enforcement partners to bring unscrupulous scam artists to justice.”

“The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) aggressively investigates individuals who impersonate Internal Revenue Service (IRS) employees or who use the IRS’s tax collecting authority to scam others, especially seniors and other vulnerable populations,” said Trevor Nelson, TIGTA’s Deputy Inspector General for Investigations.  “The defendants in this case did just that, targeting and victimizing the most vulnerable in our society.  Our mission at TIGTA is to protect the integrity of our nation’s system of tax administration.  We are committed to working with our law enforcement partners to ensure those who endeavor to corrupt federal tax administration are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

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

This matter was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Army-CID, and New Haven Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Heather L. Cherry and Stephanie T. Levick.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DOMINIC COLON-BROWN, 28, of Farmington, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 12 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for trafficking firearms that were stolen in Florida to Connecticut.  Judge Meyer also ordered Colon-Brown to pay a $2,200 fine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in January 2021, Colon-Brown sold a firearm to a convicted felon.  He then conspired with Julian Judge and another individual to obtain firearms in Florida and sell them in Connecticut.  In late February 2021, Colon-Brown and Judge drove to Florida, obtained three handguns and transported them back to Connecticut.  Colon Brown and Judge knew the firearms were stolen or otherwise illegally obtained.

On March 8, 2021, law enforcement recovered the three firearms, as well as more than 100 rounds of ammunition and approximately 60 grams of cocaine, during a search of a New Britain apartment.

During the investigation, Colon-Brown and his associates were captured in recorded conversations discussing the illegal acquisition and sale of firearms.  Colon-Brown and Judge also posted photos of themselves on social media in possession of firearms.

Colon-Brown was arrested on May 27, 2021.  On January 20, 2022, he pleaded guilty to one count of transporting stolen firearms across state lines.

Judge, of New Britain, pleaded guilty to the same charge and, on May 27, 2022, he was sentenced to 24 months of imprisonment and ordered to pay a $3,000 fine.

This investigation has been conducted by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force, New Britain Police Department, Farmington Police Department, West Hartford Police Department and Pasco County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Angel M. Krull.

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

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JHANANNIE SINGH, also known as “Jasmine” and “Sharmala Persaud,” 52, a citizen of Guyana last residing in Queens, New York, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to a conspiracy offense relating to the theft of hundreds of thousands of dollars in U.S. Savings Bonds from an elderly woman who had purchased the bonds for her grandchildren and other family members.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Singh stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in U.S. Savings Bonds from an elderly woman for whom she provided home health services.  The victim had purchased the bonds for her grandchildren and other relatives.  After the victim died, Singh contacted Glen Campbell, also known as “Nick,” who enlisted the help of another individual to redeem the stolen bonds at a financial institution and provide Singh and Campbell with a portion of the proceeds.  Between October 2020 and January 2021, as part of an undercover investigation, law enforcement coordinated the purchase of more than 100 savings bonds, with face values ranging from $50 to $1,000, from Singh and Campbell.  Campbell traveled to Connecticut to complete the transactions.

Singh and Campbell were arrested on January 29, 2021.  In June and July 2021, Singh attempted to obstruct the investigation and prosecution of this matter by offering to pay Campbell if he agreed to lie and provide false testimony.  Singh has been detained since August 4, 2021.

Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for November 28, at which time Singh faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.

Campbell pleaded guilty to the same charge on June 15, 2022, and awaits sentencing.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tara E. Levens, Michael S. McGarry and Robert S. Ruff.

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

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division, announced that BRANDI WIGGINS, 35, of Glastonbury, waived her right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license.

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

Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for December 12, at which time Wiggins faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.

Wiggins is released pending sentencing.

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

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

Moustapha Diakhate, 46, of Stamford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 42 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for fraudulent receiving more than $4 million in COVID-19 relief funds guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.  Judge Shea also ordered Diakhate to serve three months in home detention when he is released from prison, and to perform 75 hours of community service while on supervised release.

Today’s announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery, Special Agent in Charge Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite of the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General’s Eastern Region, Special Agent in Charge David Sundberg of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Special Agent in Charge Joleen D. Simpson of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in March 2020, the 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 must 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 Citibank, which received and processed PPP applications and supporting documentation, and then made loans using the lenders’ own funds, which were guaranteed by the SBA.

Diakhate maintained an ownership or management interest in certain small business entities, including Ansonia Developers LLC, Winsbay Inc., Buyers Association Group LLC, Washington Management LLC, Diakhate Capital, Inc., and Poulson & Gold Inc.  Beginning in May 2020, Diakhate provided Citibank and M&T Bank with false and fraudulent information during the PPP loan application process in order to obtain PPP loans for each of his six entities totaling more than $4 million.  Diakhate then used a portion of the funds for various personal expenses, including to pay off a loan he had been provided to purchase of a 2010 Porsche Panamera Turbo, and to purchase both a Mercedes and BMW.  He also purchased a $50,000 certificate of deposit with PPP funds, and disbursed funds to various and individuals unrelated to his business entities.

Citibank and M&T Bank successfully recovered more than $2 million after discovering Diakhate’s fraud.  Judge Shea ordered Diakhate to pay restitution of $1,702,479.

Diakhate was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on May 7, 2021.  On January 26, 2022, he pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of making an illegal monetary transaction.

Diakhate, who is released on a $450,000 bond, is required to report to prison on October 14.

This matter was investigated by the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher W. Schmeisser.

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

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ARNO SMITH, 60, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 84 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for committing a carjacking in 2018.

According to court documents and statements made in court, at approximately 11:00 p.m. on July 26, 2018, Smith approached a woman who was sitting in her 2006 Honda in a Hartford parking lot and pressed what the woman believed to be a gun against her neck.  Smith then grabbed the victim’s purse and the victim got out of the car.  Smith pointed the weapon at the victim, told her to walk away, and then drove away in the car.  The cremated remains of the victim’s son were in the vehicle.

After the robbery, Smith attempted to use the victim’s credit card at two locations in Bristol.

Smith was arrested on state charges on September 20, 2018.  At the time of his arrest he was sitting in the victim’s car.  The remains of the victim’s son where not in the car and have not been recovered.

The investigation also revealed that between July 27 and September 19, 2018, Smith committed robberies at businesses located in Bristol, Southington, Hartford, Bloomfield, South Windsor and Windsor Locks.

Smith has been detained since his arrest.  On October 6, 2020, he pleaded guilty to one count of Hobbs Act robbery

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Violent Crimes Task Force and the Hartford, Bristol, Southington, Bloomfield, South Windsor, Windsor Locks, Farmington and West Hartford Police Departments.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan Keefe.

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

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Phillip M. Coyne, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, announced that ZAYA POWELL, 25, of Waterbury, waived her right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to a false statement offense stemming from her creation of false COVID-19 vaccine records for several individuals.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Powell worked as a Data Entry Specialist for Griffin Health Services Corporation (“Griffin Health”) and, in that role, she traveled to various COVID-19 vaccination sites in Connecticut operated by Griffin Health.  Although Powell did not administer the vaccines, she had access to the Griffin Health electronic health record system and to stacks of blank COVID-19 vaccination cards.  She also had access to the Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS), a database developed by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) that tracked COVID-19 vaccine administration.

Between August and October 2021, Powell created fraudulent vaccination records in VAMS for 14 different individuals.  The records indicated that each of the 14 individuals had received a single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccination at a Griffin Health location when, in fact, none had received any COVID-19 vaccination from Griffin Health or any other health care provider.  In order to create the fraudulent vaccination record, Powell entered each individual’s name and date of birth into VAMS.  She also created fraudulent COVID-19 vaccination cards for each of the 14, and distributed the fraudulent cards to the individuals or to their family members or co-workers.  The fraudulent cards included lot numbers of genuine vaccines that were administered to other Griffin Health patients.

The investigation revealed that four of the 14 individuals who received fraudulent COVID-19 vaccination cards created by Powell were state employees who worked at the Southbury Training School, a Connecticut Department of Developmental Services facility located in Southbury.  The four Southbury Training School employees were “state employees” or “state hospital employees” within the scope of Executive Order 13G issued by Governor Lamont, and were therefore required to meet the vaccination requirements of the Executive Order by September 27, 2021.  The four employees sought and used the fraudulent COVID-19 vaccination cards created by Powell and the false entries in VAMS created by Powell to falsely document that they had received a COVID-19 vaccination.

Powell pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement relating to a health care matter, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.  Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for November 4, 2022.

Powell is released on a $25,000 bond pending sentencing.

This investigation is being conducted by the Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS-OIG).

U.S. Attorney Avery thanked the Connecticut Department of Public Health, the Connecticut Department of Developmental Services, and Griffin Health for their assistance in the investigation.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Sheldon.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RALPH ERNEST, 19, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 66 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for drug and firearm offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an ongoing investigation into gangs, drug trafficking and the illegal possession of firearms in Waterbury.  On January 18, 2021, Ernest, a member of the Paybacc Crypts gang, stole a car belonging to an off-duty Connecticut State Police trooper.  The car contained three shotguns and FBI credentials.  Ernest was arrested the next day after officers located him in the stolen car and recovered a 9mm handgun with an extended magazine loaded with 17 rounds of ammunition, as well as quantities of heroin, cocaine and marijuana.  Two of the stolen shotguns were recovered soon after Ernest’s arrest from one of his gang associates.  The third stolen shotgun and the FBI credentials have not been located.

Ernest has been detained since his arrest on January 19, 2021.  On April 7, 2022, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. 

This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Connecticut State Police; the Waterbury Police Department; the Wolcott Police Department, and the Connecticut Department of Correction.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natasha M. Freismuth and John T. Pierpont, Jr.

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

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

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that KEVEN SANTOS, 24, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 76 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for firearm possession and heroin distribution offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in April 2021, Santos was on state parole.  As a result of an investigation into activities, including multiple shootings, by members of the Paybacc Crypt street gang in Waterbury, Santos’ parole officer made the decision to conduct a compliance check.  On April 16, 2021, state parole officers, Waterbury Police and Connecticut State Police located Santos and conducted the compliance check after they observed Santos carrying a bag and enter his car, which was parked near a residence on Easton Avenue in Waterbury.  Inside the bag, investigators found and seized approximately 137 gross grams of cocaine, approximately 4.8 gross grams of crack, 29 Xanax pills, and a digital scale.  A subsequent search of Santos’ residence revealed two loaded firearms, and a search of a garage that Santos had access to revealed approximately one kilogram of cocaine.

Santos has been detained in state custody since April 16, 2021.  On May 2, 2022, he pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon.  Santos will begin serving his 76-month federal sentence today.

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Waterbury Police Department and Connecticut State Police, with the assistance of Connecticut State Parole.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Natasha M. Freismuth.

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

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOSE ANGEL SUAREZ, 39, of Veja Baja, Puerto Rico, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking cocaine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, an investigation headed by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force and New Haven Police Department revealed that Malbin Rubiera-Herrera, also known as “Chaca,” acquired fentanyl, heroin and cocaine from sources in Connecticut and New Jersey and distributed the drugs through a network of associates in the greater New Haven area.  Between October and December 2018, investigators made controlled purchases of narcotics from Rubiera-Herrera.  Subsequent court-authorized wiretaps revealed a widespread narcotics trafficking conspiracy that involved the trafficking of kilogram-quantities of fentanyl, heroin and cocaine into Connecticut.

In March 2019, Rubiera-Herrera and William Claudio-Suarez were intercepted on a wiretap discussing the shipment of two kilograms of cocaine two Connecticut.  On March 7, 2019, a series of intercepted calls revealed that Jose Suarez and Mario Llanos-Ayala had just sold a kilogram of cocaine and were traveling in a car in New Jersey.  Investigators alerted New Jersey law enforcement authorities who stopped and searched the car and recovered approximately one kilogram of cocaine, a loaded .45 caliber handgun and more than $2,500 in cash.

On June 5, 2019, a grand jury returned a superseding indictment charging Suarez, Rubiera-Herrera, Claudio-Suarez, Llanos-Ayala and 10 other individuals with fentanyl, heroin and cocaine trafficking offenses. Suarez was located and arrested in Puerto Rico on April 20, 2021.  At the time of his arrest, he possessed nearly 200 rounds of ammunition.

Suarez has been detained since his arrest.  On April 14, 2022, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with the intent to distribute, 500 grams or more of cocaine.

Suarez is separately charged in the District of Puerto Rico with unlawful possession of ammunition by a felon. 

This matter was investigated by the DEA New Haven Task Force and the New Haven Police Department, with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Marshals Service, Connecticut State Police, Connecticut Department of Correction, East Haven Police Department, Easton Police Department, Orange Police Department, and the Cape May County (N.J.) Prosecutor’s Office, Gangs, Guns and Narcotics Task Force.

The DEA New Haven Task Force 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.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program.  OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.  Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that NOEL PEREZ, 25, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 18 months of imprisonment for violating the conditions of his federal supervised release.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 29, 2018, Hartford Police stopped a vehicle Perez was driving on Wadsworth Street.  A search of the vehicle revealed a loaded .40 caliber handgun, which had a laser sight attached to its barrel.  On December 4, 2018, Perez, whose criminal history includes felony convictions for assault, burglary and larceny offenses, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of a firearm by a felon.  On November 20, 2019, while he was released on bond and awaiting sentencing, Perez was arrested by Hartford Police after he was found in possession of heroin and nearly $900 in cash.  In addition, a gun was discovered in the driveway where he and two associates stood before they ran from police.  Perez’s bond was revoked and, on July 20, 2020, Judge Meyer sentenced him to 24 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release.

Perez was released from federal prison on December 31, 2020, and began his term of supervised release.  On April 28, 2021, Hartford Police officers observed Perez driving a car and, with two associates, engaging in drug transactions from the car.  After officers attempted to stop Perez’s vehicle, Perez put the car in reverse and then ran from the car and was apprehended after he attempted to jump over a fence.  A search the vehicle revealed narcotics and two loaded “ghost” guns.

Perez has been detained since his arrest.  On April 28, 2022, he pleaded guilty in state court to firearm possession and narcotics distribution offenses and was sentenced to 34 months of imprisonment.  Judge Meyer ordered the 18-month federal sentence to run consecutively to the state sentence.

Following his release from federal prison, Perez will be on supervised release for an additional 18 months, the first three months of which he must serve in a halfway house.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anastasia E. King.

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

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LUIS CIURO, 37, of East Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 180 months of imprisonment, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for trafficking narcotics.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 15, 2019, Manchester Police received a call reporting that a woman was yelling and displaying a gun outside of an apartment building on John Olds Drive in Manchester.  Law enforcement had previously received information that an individual was operating a fentanyl mill in an apartment within the same building.

Responding officers conducted surveillance of the building and saw Ciuro exit the building and place a black bag into the trunk of a car.  After Ciuro and another individual entered the car and it drove away, officers conducted a traffic stop.  An officer opened the trunk of car and retrieved the bag that Ciuro had carried from the building.  The bag contained one shoebox that contained approximately $70,000 in cash, and a second shoebox that contained two loaded handguns, both of which had been reported stolen.  After Ciuro admitted to law enforcement that used an apartment on John Olds Drive to store and process narcotics, a search of the apartment revealed approximately 687 grams of fentanyl, .69 grams of PCP, four grams of psilocybin mushrooms, and various drug-packaging materials.

On November 20, 2020, Ciuro pleaded guilty today to one count of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.

The penalties in this case were enhanced based on Ciuro’s criminal history, which includes a prior federal conviction for conspiring to distribute crack cocaine.  On January 4, 2008, Ciuro was sentenced in New Haven federal court to 84 months of imprisonment for that offense.

This investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force and the Manchester Police Department.  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 Nathaniel J. Gentile.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LEAH BOUCHER, 30, of Bristol, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 12 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally purchasing firearms for individuals she knew were felons.

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 Boucher, and that Boucher had purchased 10 other firearms at various gun stores in Connecticut between 2018 and 2021.  When investigators interviewed Boucher on August 26, 2021, she 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 Brown and Alexander Patterson, also a convicted felon.  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.

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.

Boucher was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on October 15, 2021, and has been detained since February 23, 2022, when her bond was revoked.  On April 29, she pleaded guilty to making a false statement to a firearms dealer.

Brown pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and, on August 3, 2022, he was sentenced to 60 months of imprisonment.

On May 24, 2022, Patterson, of Bristol, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of firearms by a felon.  He is detained while awaiting sentencing.

This matter is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the New Haven Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Gresham.

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

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that two Stamford residents who manufactured and distributed counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl analogues were sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport.  ARBER ISAKU, 32, was sentenced to 51 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release, and VINCENT DECARO, 32, was sentenced to 48 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Isaku and Decaro purchased fentanyl analogues from suppliers in China and, working out of Decaro’s residence at 77 West Hill Circle in Stamford, pressed the drug into counterfeit oxycodone pills, which they sold to customers on dark web markets.  David Reichard, who lived for a short time at Decaro’s residence, helped Isaku and Decaro press pills and mail the pills to customers.

On April 3, 2018, a court-authorized search of Decaro’s residence revealed numerous pills containing approximately 330 grams of fentanyl and acetyl fentanyl, approximately 40 grams of fentanyl analogues in powder form, three pill presses, instructions on how to prepare the fentanyl analogue Carfentanil, a hazardous material suit, a gas/respirator-type mask, and numerous U.S. Postal mail envelopes.

At the time of the search of Decaro’s home in April 2018, Isaku and Decaro were in Europe.  On September 21, 2018, Isaku and Decaro were arrested by Albanian State Police as they were attempting to cross the border from Albania into Kosovo.  A search of an apartment in Tirana where they had been staying revealed alprazolam, fentanyl and other controlled substances; tools and dies for pressing pills, and instructions for synthesizing fentanyl.

On June 15, 2021, Decaro pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl analogues and, on August 6, 2021, Isaku pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, fentanyl analogues.  Isaku and Decaro, who are both released on bonds, are required to report to prison on September 21 and November 2, respectively.

Reichard has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.

This matter has been investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, Connecticut State Police and Stamford Police Department, with the assistance of the Albanian State Police.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick J. Doherty and Margaret M. Donovan, with the assistance of Law Student Intern Mikayla Pieksza.

U.S. Attorney Avery thanked the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of International Affairs for coordinating the extradition proceedings in this matter.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Matthew Modafferi, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, announced that UMBERTO PIGNATARO, 46, of Bridgeport, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to theft of mail by a postal employee.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between December 2020 and May 2021, Pignataro, while employed as a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service in Norwalk, stole hundreds of pieces of mail, including packages and greeting cards that contained cash, gift cards and other items of value.  During the investigation, video surveillance captured Pignataro rifling through, destroying and pocketing pieces of mail while servicing his mail route.  When confronted by investigators in May 2021, Pignataro admitted stealing mail, and also admitted that he possessed a firearm and used cocaine at work.  He was then placed on unpaid leave.

At sentencing, which is scheduled for November 17, Pignataro faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.

Pignataro is released pending sentencing.

This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katherine E. Boyles and Michael S. McGarry.

U.S. Attorney Avery encouraged individuals who believe they are a victim of theft related to this case to file a complaint by calling 888-USPS-OIG, or by visiting www.uspsoig.gov/form/file-online-complaint.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that GERMAN EDUARDO MARTINEZ FRANCO, 41, a citizen of Mexico last residing in West Haven, pleaded guilty yesterday in Hartford federal court to one count of illegally reentering the U.S. after being deported.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on seven occasions between 1998 and 2015, Martinez was encountered in Arizona was subsequently removed to Mexico.  In the District of Arizona, in 2010, Martinez was convicted of illegal entry and sentenced to 90 days of imprisonment.  In 2011, he was convicted of illegal reentry and sentenced to 18 months of imprisonment;  In 2014, he was convicted of possession with intent to distribute marijuana and was sentenced to 33 months of imprisonment.  Martinez was last removed to Mexico in December 2015.

On July 1, 2021, Martinez, who was using another identity, was arrested in West Haven and charged with possession with intent to sell greater than one ounce of heroin or methamphetamine, possession with intent to sell a narcotic substance, two counts of possession of a controlled substance, criminal impersonation, and forgery in the first degree.  He has been detained since his state arrest.

Martinez is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall on October 31, 2022, at which time his faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

Martinez has pleaded guilty in state court to a narcotics possession offense and awaits sentencing for that offense.

The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, with the assistance of the West Haven Police Department and Drug Enforcement Administration.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Stolfi Collins.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that FAROUQ FASASI, 28, of Manchester, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 168 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his role in lottery and romance scams that defrauded primarily elderly victims across the country of millions of dollars.

According to the evidence presented during a trial in this matter, in a lottery scam, scammers notify victims by telephone, through online communications, or by mail, that they have won the lottery.  The victims are then told that in order to collect the prize they must pay fees for things like taxes, shipping and processing.  Often, once a victim sends a small amount of money, a scammer will ask for larger sums of money with a promise of more winnings.  The victims never receive winnings.  In a romance scam, scammers take advantage of people looking for companionship by pretending to be prospective companions.  Scammers typically create fake online profiles on dating websites that include false personal details such as the death of a spouse, or military service, to lure victims to trust them.  Once they have gained the trust of victims, scammers will ask victims for money, falsely claiming to need money for medical or business emergencies, for travel to see the victim, or other purposes.

Between approximately August 2015 and March 2020, Fasasi, Rodney Thomas, Jr. and others used lottery scams, romance scams and other fraudulent means to induce elderly victims to provide them with money, gifts and personal details.  Victims sent cash, money orders or checks through the mail to various addresses in Connecticut, and also wired or deposited money into bank accounts in Connecticut controlled by conspiracy members and their associates.

Fasasi, Thomas, and other co-conspirators lived together for a time at a residence on Sherman Avenue in New Haven, where many packages containing cash, checks and money orders from victims were delivered.  Fasasi recruited others into the scheme, including those who served as “money mules.”  These individuals used personal bank accounts, and also established and used bank accounts in the names of businesses and charitable organizations, to launder money obtained from fraud victims. 

The investigation revealed that these scams defrauded more than 200 victims across the U.S. of more than $5 million.  Many of the victims were elderly and vulnerable, and some victims lost their life savings.  One Connecticut victim lost more than $1 million.

Judge Underhill ordered Fasasi to pay restitution in the amount $5,946,371.58.

“This is an appropriate sentence for a financial predator who made his money by systematically and cruelly victimizing seniors and other vulnerable individuals,” said U.S. Attorney Avery.  “The Justice Department has made it a priority to investigate and prosecute those who commit these crimes.  If you suspect that you or someone you know may be falling victim to one of these schemes, I encourage you to call your local police department or 833-FRAUD-11 for assistance.”

“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service has a long and proud history of protecting the United States mail from criminal attack,” said Inspector in Charge Ketty Larco-Ward of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division.  “This defendant took advantage of one of our most vulnerable populations, senior citizens. As long as we have criminals with such disregard for the law, Postal Inspectors will continue to focus their efforts on the protection of the American public. I fully commend the hard work and countless hours put forth by all of the law enforcement agencies involved, which resulted in bringing this case to justice.”

On February 15, 2022, Fasasi and Thomas were found guilty of multiple charges stemming from this scheme.  Thomas awaits sentencing.

Four other individuals have been charged and convicted of offenses stemming from their participation in this scheme.

Fasasi, who is released on a $200,000 bond, is required to report to prison on September 21.

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

This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Army-CID, and New Haven Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Heather L. Cherry and Stephanie T. Levick.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division, today announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford has returned an indictment charging NIQUELLE LANDELIUS, 26, of New Haven, with firearm and narcotics offenses.

The indictment, which was returned yesterday, alleges that on February 22, 2022, Landelius possessed a 9mm semi-automatic pistol, which had no serial number or manufacturer information, loaded with nine rounds of ammunition.  On that date, Landelius also possessed quantities of crack cocaine and heroin that he intended to distribute.

The indictment further alleges that Landelius’ criminal history includes state convictions for felony narcotics offenses.  It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

The indictment charges Landelius with one count of unlawful possession of ammunition by a felon, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (“crack”) and heroin, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

Landelius was arrested on state charges on February 22, 2022, and is currently in state custody.  His federal arraignment is not scheduled.

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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the New Haven Police Department.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie T. Levick.

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.

WASHINGTON – BC Flynn Contracting Corp. (BC Flynn) and Axion Specialty Contracting LLC (Axion) pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Connecticut for their roles in a conspiracy to rig bids on insulation contracts in Connecticut in violation of the antitrust laws and, as to BC Flynn, to engage in criminal fraud related to those insulation contracts.

According to plea agreements filed yesterday in the U.S. District Court in Bridgeport, BC Flynn and Axion conspired among themselves and other companies and individuals to rig bids on contracts for installing insulation around pipes and ducts on construction projects at universities, hospitals, and other public and private entities in Connecticut. The conspiracy ran for nearly seven years, beginning as early as June 2011 and continuing until as late as March 2018.  Four individuals and one company previously pleaded guilty to charges related to their role in this scheme and await sentencing.

“Construction and infrastructure projects — many of them funded in whole or part by taxpayers — deserve to have contracting processes that are fair and competitive,” said Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter of the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division. “The division will work with our law enforcement partners to ensure that the individuals and corporations that defraud these projects are held fully responsible for their actions.”

“The plea agreements detail how the perpetrators submitted collusive bids and shared bid numbers with their competitors in an illegal effort to improve their companies’ bottom lines,” said U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery for the District of Connecticut. “I commend the FBI and DCIS for investigating this scheme that victimized hospitals, universities and businesses throughout Connecticut.”

“Free and open markets are the foundation of a vibrant economy,” said Special Agent in Charge David Sundberg of the FBI New Haven Field Office. “The FBI is committed to investigating perpetrators of antitrust and fraud crimes that corruptly limit competition in the construction sector.”

“The Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), the law enforcement arm of the Department of Defense (DoD) Office of Inspector General, is fully committed to protecting the integrity of the DoD procurement system,” said Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Hegarty of the DCIS Northeast Field Office. “Anticompetitive and fraudulent practices undermine the legitimate procurement processes designed to ensure equity among parties that do business with the DoD. We will continue to partner with the Department of Justice and the FBI to ensure that the market for construction services provided to the U.S. military remains competitive.” 

The antitrust charges announced today carry a maximum penalty of a $100 million fine for each defendant corporation. The fraud conspiracy charge against BC Flynn carries a maximum penalty of a $500,000 fine. The fines for the antitrust and fraud conspiracy charges may be increased to twice the gain derived from the crime or twice the loss suffered by the victims of the crime, if either of those amounts is greater than the statutory maximum fine. In addition, pursuant to the plea agreements, which are subject to the court’s final approval, BC Flynn and Axion have agreed to pay restitution to the victims.

This investigation is being conducted by the Antitrust Division’s New York Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut, the FBI’s New Haven Division, and the DCIS’s New Haven Resident Agency. 

In November 2019, the Department of Justice created the Procurement Collusion Strike Force, a joint law enforcement effort to combat antitrust crimes and related fraudulent schemes that impact government procurement, grant, and program funding at all levels of government — federal, state and local. To contact the Procurement Collusion Strike Force, or to report information on market allocation, price fixing, bid rigging and other anticompetitive conduct related to construction or infrastructure, go to https://www.justice.gov/procurement-collusion-strike-force.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal jury in New Haven has found KAREEM SWINTON, also known as “K,” 40, last residing in Owings Mills, Maryland, guilty of narcotics trafficking offenses.

According to the evidence presented during the trial, in 2018, the FBI, the Norwich Police Department and other law enforcement agencies began investigating a narcotics trafficking organization that was operating in southeastern Connecticut.  The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps and controlled purchases of crack, revealed that Swinton, who formerly resided in Norwich, trafficked narcotics into the Norwich area, where co-conspirators further distributed the drugs.

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

Yesterday, the jury found Swinton guilty of one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, cocaine and cocaine base (“crack”), and one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, a controlled substance.  Ten other individuals were previously convicted of narcotics trafficking offenses stemming from this investigation.

U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer has scheduled sentencing for October 26, 2022, at which time Swinton faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years on each count.

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

This investigation has been conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Connecticut State Police, and the Norwich, Town of Groton, and Waterford Police Departments, with the assistance of the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office, the Baltimore Police Department, and the Delaware State Police.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natasha M. Freismuth and Marc H. Silverman through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program.  OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.  Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that TYRONE BROWN, 27, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Brown was arrested on August 9, 2021, after a court-authorized search of his residence on Stevens Street in New Haven revealed a loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol.

Brown’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for firearm, robbery, burglary and larceny 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.

Brown has been detained since his arrest.  On April 25, 2022, he pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

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

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 Hartford Police Chief Jason Thody today announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford has returned an indictment charging THOMAS RIVERA, 29, of New Britain, with fentanyl distribution and firearm possession offenses.

The indictment was returned on July 21, 2022, and Rivera was arrested yesterday.  Following his arrest he appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert A. Richardson in Hartford who ordered Rivera detained.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, on June 3, 2022, Hartford Police stopped a vehicle Rivera was operating and found him in possession of a bag containing approximately 140 grams of fentanyl, approximately 370 sleeves of fentanyl, a loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol, and $1,323 in cash.  Rivera was arrested on state charges at that time and subsequently posted a $1 million bond.

The indictment alleges that Rivera’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for firearm possession and drug distribution offenses.  It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

The indictment charges Rivera with one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years; one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, which carries mandatory consecutive prison term of at least five years; and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years.

U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that an indictment 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 investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force and the Hartford Police Department’s Vice, Intelligence and Narcotics Division.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert S. Ruff.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that ADRIAN JOSEPH, 55, a citizen of St. Lucia last residing in Bridgeport, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Sarah A. L. Merriam in Bridgeport to offenses related to his acquiring federal documents under an assumed identity.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Joseph has been living in Bridgeport under an assumed identity for approximately 20 years.  Using his stolen identity, Joseph has obtained from various governmental agencies multiple identity documents, including a U.S. passport, a Social Security Account Number card, a City of Bridgeport voting registration card, and a Connecticut driver’s license from the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (“CT DMV”).  In February 2020, Joseph visited the CT DMV in Norwalk and, using fraudulent identity documents, successfully applied for and received a REAL ID driver’s license.

During the investigation, the individual whose identity Joseph used informed the government that his identity documents were stolen in the late 1990s. 

Joseph pleaded guilty to one count of use of a passport secured by a false statement, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, and one count of false representation of a social security account number, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.  Judge Merriam scheduled sentencing for October 25.

Joseph has been detained in federal custody since January 31, 2021.

This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service and the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force, Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles Police and Bridgeport Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Chen.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that STANLEY PIERRE, 35, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 30 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his participation in lottery and romance scams that defrauded primarily elderly victims across the country of millions of dollars.

According to the evidence presented during a trial in this matter, in a lottery scam, scammers notify victims by telephone, through online communications, or by mail, that they have won the lottery.  The victims are then told that in order to collect the prize they must pay fees for things like taxes, shipping and processing.  Often, once a victim sends a small amount of money, a scammer will ask for larger sums of money with a promise of more winnings.  The victims never receive winnings.  In a romance scam, scammers take advantage of people looking for companionship by pretending to be prospective companions.  Scammers typically create fake online profiles on dating websites that include false personal details such as the death of a spouse, or military service, to lure victims to trust them.  Once they have gained the trust of victims, scammers will ask victims for money, falsely claiming to need money for medical or business emergencies, for travel to see the victim, or other purposes.

Between approximately August 2015 and March 2020, Farouq Fasasi, Rodney Thomas, Jr. and others used lottery scams, romance scams and other fraudulent means to induce elderly victims to provide them with money, gifts and personal details.  Victims sent cash, money orders or checks through the mail to various addresses in Connecticut, and also wired or deposited money into bank accounts in Connecticut controlled by conspiracy members and their associates.

Fasasi, Thomas, and other co-conspirators lived together for a time at a residence on Sherman Avenue in New Haven, where many packages containing cash, checks and money orders from victims were delivered.

Pierre used his personal bank accounts and also established business bank accounts to launder money obtained from fraud victims.  Some victims transferred  money directly into these bank accounts, and checks that were mailed to the Sherman Avenue residence were also deposited into the accounts.  For example, in November 2018, $78,373 was deposited into one of Pierre’s business accounts and approximately $58,000 was withdrawn.  In December 2018, approximately $91,000 was deposited and more than $116,000 was withdrawn.

Pierre also recruited others to lauder proceeds from the scheme.

The investigation revealed that these scams defrauded more than 200 victims across the U.S. of more than $5 million.  Many of the victims were elderly and vulnerable, and some victims lost their life savings.  One Connecticut victim lost more than $1 million.

On January 27, 2022, Pierre pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering.

On February 15, 2022, Fasasi, Thomas and Ralph Pierre were found guilty of multiple charges stemming from this scheme.  On June 28, 2022, Ralph Pierre was sentenced to 36 months of imprisonment.  Fasasi and Thomas await sentencing.

Two other individuals have been charged and convicted of offenses stemming from their participation in this scheme.

Pierre, who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on September 21.

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

This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Army-CID, and New Haven Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Heather L. Cherry and Stephanie T. Levick.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that on July 29, 2022, NICOLE STEINER, formerly known as Nicole Balkas, 32, formerly of Stratford and now residing in Edison, New Jersey, pleaded guilty in Bridgeport federal court to a health care fraud offense that she committed while awaiting sentencing in another health care fraud case.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 28, 2021, Steiner pleaded guilty to one count of health care fraud related to her operation of Helping Hands Academy, LLC, in Bridgeport, which provided applied behavior analysis services to children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and was enrolled as a participating provider in the Connecticut Medicaid Program (“Medicaid”).  From December 2018 to October 2020, Steiner submitted and caused to be submitted fraudulent claims to Medicaid for applied behavior analysis services that were purportedly provided to Medicaid clients.  She submitted claims for dates of service when no applied behavior analysis services of any kind had been provided to the Medicaid clients identified in the claims, and she inflated the number of hours for certain claims even when applied behavior analysis had been provided to the Medicaid clients identified in the claims.  Steiner also submitted false Medicaid claims in 2020 using a former employee’s name and performing provider number.

After the Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS), which administers the Medicaid program in Connecticut, terminated Helping Hands Academy as a provider, Steiner made several false statements and submitted an altered document to DSS in an effort to rescind the termination and to receive payment for previously submitted claims.

Medicaid suffered a loss of $551,311.85 as a result of Steiner’s admitted conduct.

After her guilty plea, Steiner was released on a $50,000 bond.  While she was awaiting sentencing in her case, Steiner was a silent partner in another company that provided applied behavior analysis services to children diagnosed with ASD called New Beginnings Children’s Behavioral Health LLC.  Steiner was responsible for billing claims to Medicaid, managing payroll, and recruiting and screening potential employees, and she and had access to and used her business partner’s email and other online accounts to operate the company.  Steiner and the company engaged in health care fraud by billing Medicaid for thousands of dollars in services not rendered and, in particular, billing for services not rendered by Steiner.

Steiner was arrested on May 2, 2022.

Steiner is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer on October 21, 2022.  She faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years for the new case, part of which must be imposed consecutively to the sentence she receives in her initial health care fraud case.

Pending sentencing Steiner is released on a $250,000 bond in home detention and under electronic monitoring.

This investigation is being 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.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and James Casey, Regional Chief, Division of Refuge Law Enforcement, announced that DAVID FOSTER, 51, of Westbrook, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in late September and early October 2020, after receiving an anonymous complaint, the Connecticut Environmental Conservation Police (EnCon) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service personnel investigated the spreading of whole kernel corn around a hunting blind on Menunketesuck Island in Westbrook.  Foster had received a summons for waterfowl baiting/taking violations in the same area in October 2009.  On October 10, 2020, which was the opening day of duck hunting season, officers who had established surveillance near the duck blind observed Foster and two other hunters shoot and retrieve ducks over the area that had been baited.  When they finished, officers conducted a compliance check.  Under questioning, Foster admitted that he had spread corn over the hunting area to attract ducks.

Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for October 28, 2022, at which time Foster faces a maximum term of imprisonment of one year and a fine of up to $100,000.

This matter has been investigated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Refuge Law Enforcement, and the Connecticut Environmental Conservation Police.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel J. Gentile.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that ANTOINE WALKER, 42, of Norwich, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for drug and firearm offenses, and for violating the conditions of his supervised release from a prior federal conviction.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2020, Norwich Police conducting a drug trafficking investigation made two controlled purchases of crack from Walker.  On June 10, 2020, investigators conducted a court-authorized search of Walker’s home and, in the garage, found approximately 114 grams of heroin, nearly two pounds of marijuana, items used to process and package drugs for street sale, and a loaded .38 Special Smith and Wesson revolver.  A search of the residence revealed approximately 15 grams of crack cocaine together with a digital scale.  Walker was arrested on state charges at that time.  He was arrested on federal charges on June 12, 2020.

Walker was on federal supervised release at the time of the offense.  In 2013, Walker was sentenced in the Southern District of New York to 80 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for armed robbery and bank robbery offenses.

Walker has been detained since June 12, 2020.  On May 9, 2022, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine base (“crack”) and marijuana, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Norwich Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret M. Donovan.

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 ROBERT ECCLESTON, 58, of Canton, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 108 months of imprisonment, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for distributing images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2020, covert FBI personnel in two different field offices outside of Connecticut were monitoring various public groups on the social medial application Kik.  In August and September 2020, Eccleston, using the Kik usernames “hartfordctguy” and “Mowgli100,” distributed numerous pornographic images and videos of children in these Kik groups, including images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of toddlers and prepubescent children.  Eccleston also served as an administrator of two Kik groups and required prospective members to send him videos of child sexual abuse for group access.

Eccleston was arrested on December 11, 2020.  At the time of the offense, he was employed as a Victim Services Advocate for the Hartford Superior Court in Hartford.

Eccleston has been detained since his arrest.  On January 24, 2022, he pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography.

As part of his sentence, Judge Shea ordered Eccleston to pay a total of $25,000 to four victims of his offense, $35,000 to the Child Pornography Victims Reserve, $5,000 to the Domestic Trafficking Victims Fund, and a $30,000 fine.

“This case is a harsh reminder that the sexual exploitation of children occurs across all segments of our community,” said U.S. Attorney Avery.  “Based on the position this defendant held while engaging in such reprehensible conduct, this case represents a tremendous violation of trust on multiple levels.  We thank the FBI and our other law enforcement partners for investigating and rooting out these crimes wherever they exist, and we further thank the dedicated professionals of the Office of Victim Services of the Judicial Branch of the State of Connecticut for their assistance and continued service to victims throughout Connecticut.”

“This case shines a light on why we in law enforcement exhaust all means available to protect our most vulnerable population,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Sundberg.  “Sexual crimes against children will always be a top priority for the FBI.”

This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the Avon Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Angel M. Krull.

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

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

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that TORISE BAKER, 39, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to three months of imprisonment, followed by one year of supervised release, for a tax fraud offense.  Judge Shea also ordered Baker to serve the first month of her supervised release in home detention, and to pay a $7,500 fine.

According to court documents and statement made in court, for the 2014 through 2016 tax years, Baker, an enrolled agent permitted to represent clients before the Internal Revenue Service, prepared approximately 3,600 federal tax returns for clients through 101 Things 2 Do, LLC, a multi-service business she operated in Bridgeport.  Many of these tax returns claimed false deductions, including unreimbursed business expenses, charitable contributions and tax preparation fees.

In April 2016, Baker met with an undercover federal agent posing as a customer.  The agent provided Baker with a W-2 for the 2015 tax year, told Baker that he/she did not make any gifts to charity, and offered no information about any other valid deductions.  On the tax return that she prepared and filed for the agent, Baker included $5520 in deductions for charitable gifts; $2,105 for parking fees, tolls, and transportation; and $2,660 for uniforms and protective clothing.  Those deductions were false.

In addition, Baker failed to file her own federal tax returns and pay taxes for the 2015 and 2016 tax years.

Judge Shea ordered Baker to pay $112,956 in restitution to the IRS.

As a result of Baker’s criminal conduct, many of her clients’ filed tax returns will need to be amended.  The amount of Baker’s restitution may be reduced as her clients resolve their own tax liability with the IRS.

On March 21, 2022, Baker pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and assisting in the preparation and presentation of false and fraudulent income tax returns.

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

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that on July 29, 2022, MICHAEL SIMPSON, 33, of Bloomfield, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing heroin and illegally possessing a firearm.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on July 22, 2018, Hartford Police arrested Simpson who was selling drugs from his car while parked at a car wash on Homestead Avenue in Hartford.  At the time of his arrest, Simpson possessed distribution quantities of heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, crack cocaine and marijuana; a loaded Taurus .380 caliber handgun, and $2,664 in cash.

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

On February 25, 2021, Simpson pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon.

Simpson, who is released on bond, is required to report to prison on August 29.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Violent Crime Task Force and the Hartford Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Sheldon.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that SEAN THOMAS, 32, of Rocky Hill, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking fentanyl.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2020, Hartford Police were investigating Thomas and others for distributing fentanyl and marijuana.  As part of the investigation, an undercover officer purchased marijuana from an employee at Puff Paradise, a smoke shop on New Britain Avenue owned by Thomas.  On June 2, 2020, in anticipation of executing multiple search warrants, investigators surveilled Thomas as he drove his car from his Rocky Hill residence to Kenneth Street in Hartford, where he entered a parked Dodge Durango.  Believing that Thomas was conducting a narcotics transaction, detectives approached the Durango.  Tafarie Green, the driver of the vehicle, accelerated and drove straight at the detectives who jumped out of the way.  Green then drove at a high rate of speed onto a sidewalk and through two chain link fences before he crashed into a tree.  Green fled the scene on foot, but Thomas was immediately apprehended.  A subsequent search of Puff Paradise revealed approximately three pounds of marijuana, and a search of Thomas’s residence revealed more than 100 grams of unpackaged fentanyl, approximately 3,500 bags of packaged fentanyl, items used to process and package narcotics for street sale, and $16,511 in cash.

On January 20, 2022, Thomas pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.

Thomas was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshals Service after sentencing.

Green, who was on federal supervised release, was arrested on July 13, 2020.  He pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon and, on August 31, 2021, was sentenced to 62 months of imprisonment.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and the Hartford Police Department’s Vice, Intelligence and Narcotics Unit, with the assistance of the Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Leaming.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, announced that, WILLIAM CHEN, 49, of West Hartford waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today in Bridgeport federal court to offenses stemming from an extensive tax fraud scheme involving Connecticut and Massachusetts restaurants that he owns and operates.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Chen is 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.

Chen pleaded guilty to two counts of filing a false tax return, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of three years on each count.  He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Sarah A. L. Merriam on October 21, 2022.

Chen was released on his personal recognizance pending sentencing.

This matter is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David T. Huang.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LUIS MIGUEL ROSARIO-PERALTA, 32, a citizen of the Dominican Republic last residing in Stamford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 54 months of imprisonment and five years of supervised release for trafficking fentanyl.

According to court documents and statements made in court, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Stamford Police Department’s Narcotics and Organized Crime Unit identified Rosario-Peralta as a large-scale fentanyl trafficker.  In July 2019, investigators intercepted Rosario-Peralta on a wiretap negotiating the sale of kilogram quantities of narcotics. Rosario-Peralta was arrested on July 5, 2019, in Yonkers, New York, after he traveled to a drug stash location there and picked up approximately three kilograms of fentanyl.

Peralta has been detained since his arrest.  On August 5, 2020, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.

Rosario-Peralta faces immigration proceedings when he is released from prison.

This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Stamford Police Department, with the assistance of the Yonkers Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie T. Levick.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DERON D. FREEMAN, 47, of Glastonbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by one year of supervised release, for tax fraud offenses.   

According the evidence presented during a bench trial in October and November 2021, Freeman is an attorney who has owned and operated The Law Offices of Deron Freeman in Hartford.  Freeman has practiced primarily in the areas of personal injury and criminal law.  Between 2006 and 2010, Freeman fell severely behind on his federal tax payments and failed to pay his overdue tax balance, despite multiple notices of delinquent taxes and the imposition of payment and interest by the IRS.  In 2010, the IRS initiated a collection action against Freeman for the 2007, 2008 and 2009 tax years.

In 2011, soon after Freeman entered into a payment plan with the IRS, he began using a bank account in the name of a third party to hold hundreds of thousands of dollars in an attempt to protect the funds from IRS scrutiny.  By June 2012, Freeman made sufficient tax payments so that the IRS removed a lien against Freeman for the 2008 tax year.  Shortly thereafter, Freeman transferred more than $248,000 from the third-party account to his personal money market account.  Freeman subsequently filed false tax returns for 2011, 2012 and 2013, failing to pay taxes on approximately $950,000 in income in those years, and also willfully failed to pay significant taxes owed for the 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 tax years.

The evidence at trial revealed that Freeman spent lavishly on cars and watercraft and, between 2012 and 2016, spent approximately $1.5 million constructing a new home.

Judge Bolden ordered Freeman to pay $357,062 in restitution to the IRS and was fined $15,000.

On April 18, 2022, Judge Bolden found Freeman guilty of three counts of making and subscribing a false tax return, and four counts of failure to pay income tax.

Freeman who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on September 12, 2022.

This investigation was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Susan L. Wines and Christopher W. Schmeisser.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LAWRENCE JACKSON, 26, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 42 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his role in a narcotics distribution conspiracy.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in May 2020, the DEA New Haven Task Force and Waterbury Police Department began an investigation into a drug trafficking organization that was distributing large amounts of heroin, cocaine and crack in the Waterbury area, and was believed to be headed by Zachary Lee Foster, who worked closely with Jason Metz and James Grant.  The investigation included court-authorized wiretaps on multiple phones used by members of the organization, physical surveillance, controlled purchases of narcotics, and motor vehicle stops that resulted in the seizure of drugs.  Between October 2020 and January 2021, Jackson was intercepted multiple times on a wiretap ordering heroin and crack cocaine from Grant.  Jackson then sold the drugs to his own customers.

On March 1, 2021, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging Jackson, Foster, Metz, Grant and 13 others. 

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

Jackson has been detained since his arrest.  On March 23, 2022, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.

Foster, Metz and Grant also pleaded guilty.  Metz, of Naugatuck, was sentenced to 120 months of imprisonment, and Grant, of Waterbury, was sentenced to 84 months of imprisonment.  Foster awaits sentencing.

This investigation has been conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force and the Waterbury Police Department.  The DEA New Haven Task Force includes participants from the 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 is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick F. Caruso and Brendan Keefe through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program.  OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.  Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

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

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division, announced that TOMLIN HOOPER, 23, of Waterbury, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to one count of attempted mail theft.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in February 2021, as part of mail theft investigation, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service installed a surveillance camera outside the Ellington Post Office to record activity at the mail collection box.  On four occasions between February 11 and March 22, 2021, Hooper is captured on video accessing the mail collection box using a U.S. Postal Service Arrow Key, and stealing mail, some of which included checks.

Tomlin was arrested in the early morning hours of March 29, 2021, as he attempted to steal mail from the mail collection box at the Ellington Post Office.

Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for October 25, 2022 at which time Hooper faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.  As part of his plea agreement, Hooper has agreed to pay restitution of at least $23,632.34.

Hooper is released on a $75,000 bond pending sentencing.

This investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan Keefe.

Individuals who believe they are a victim of mail theft may file a complaint by calling 888-USPS-OIG or by visiting https://www.uspsoig.gov/form/file-online-complaint.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that FRANCISCO FRANCESCHINI, 29, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 55 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for firearm possession and drug distribution offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 8, 2021, a court-authorized search of Franceschini’s residence revealed a loaded 9mm handgun, a loaded .380 caliber handgun, and approximately 44 grams of crack cocaine.

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

Franceschini has been detained in federal custody since September 23, 2021.  On March 18, 2022, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a felon, and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (“crack”).

This investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Connecticut Violent Crime Task Force, the Hartford Police Department and the Connecticut State Police.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David T. Huang.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that SHERMAN PETERS, also known as “Red,” 37, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 41 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his role in a narcotics distribution conspiracy.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in May 2020, the DEA New Haven Task Force and Waterbury Police Department began an investigation into a drug trafficking organization that was distributing large amounts of heroin, cocaine and crack in the Waterbury area, and was believed to be headed by Zachary Lee Foster, who worked closely with Jason Metz and James Grant.  The investigation included court-authorized wiretaps on multiple phones used by members of the organization, physical surveillance, controlled purchases of narcotics, and motor vehicle stops that resulted in the seizure of drugs.  Between December 2020 and January 2021, Peters was intercepted multiple times on a wiretap ordering heroin, cocaine and crack from Foster.  Peters then sold the drugs to his own customers.

On March 1, 2021, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging Peters, Foster, Metz, Grant and 13 others. 

On March 3, 2021, in association with the arrests of several members of this conspiracy, law enforcement executed seven search warrants and seized approximately 40,000 bags of suspected heroin, 350 grams of cocaine and 50 grams of crack cocaine, and nine firearms

Peters has been detained since his arrest on March 9, 2021.  On March 31, 2022, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.

Foster, Metz and Grant also pleaded guilty.  Metz, of Naugatuck, was sentenced to 120 months of imprisonment, and Grant, of Waterbury, was sentenced to 84 months of imprisonment.  Foster awaits sentencing.

This investigation has been conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force and the Waterbury Police Department.  The DEA New Haven Task Force includes participants from the 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 is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick F. Caruso and Brendan Keefe through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program.  OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.  Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

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

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal jury in New Haven has found TAJH WILEY, also known as “Yung,” 26, of Norwalk, and JEVAUGHN WATSON, also known as “Russ,” 28, of Ansonia, guilty of drug trafficking offenses.

The trial before U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton began on July 13 and the jury returned the guilty verdicts yesterday afternoon.

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 quantities of fentanyl, cocaine and marijuana and distributed drugs throughout Connecticut and elsewhere with the assistance of other associates.

Wiley, Watson, and six others were arrested in June 2021.  In association with the 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.

The 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”).  At sentencing he faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.  Watson was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute marijuana, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.

Judge Arterton scheduled sentencing for October 12, 2022.

This investigation has been 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 Elena L. Coronado, Robert S. Dearington, Patrick J. Doherty, and Margaret M. Donovan through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program.  OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.  Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, today announced that RONIER SANCHEZ ALONSO, 46, a citizen of Mexico who is charged in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy, has been extradited from Paraguay.

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

Sanchez is scheduled to be arraigned today at 2:30 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas O. Farrish in Hartford.

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

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.

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

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

This investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force, which includes members of 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 DEA Country Office in Paraguay, Interpol and the Paraguayan National Police have assisted the investigation.

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

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rahul Kale through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program.  OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.  Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that SAMUEL QUILES, 38, of New Britain, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 96 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for distributing fentanyl and crack cocaine in Hartford.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in November 2019, the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and Hartford Police initiated an investigation targeting drug dealers and their drug suppliers who were operating principally in Hartford’s South End.  The investigation revealed that Quiles, who had a lengthy criminal history, was selling narcotics in the area of Heath and Rowe Streets in Hartford.  Between January and March 2020, investigators made controlled purchases of distribution quantities of fentanyl and crack from Quiles and a 16-year-old juvenile he employed.

Quiles was arrested on March 4, 2020, on a state warrant charging him with firearm and reckless endangerment offenses related to a shooting incident that occurred in January 2019.  While detained in state custody, Quiles arranged for his girlfriend, Iris Colon, to continue his narcotics trafficking activities.  Colon was arrested on April 15, 2020.  At the time of her arrest a search of Quiles’ and Colon’s Dwight Street residence revealed approximately 130 grams of fentanyl and drug paraphernalia.

Quiles has been detained since his state arrest.  On February 22, 2022, he pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 40 grams of fentanyl and a detectable amount of cocaine base (“crack cocaine”).

Colon pleaded guilty to the same charge on February 24, 2022, and awaits sentencing.

The FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, New Britain Police Department, West Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.  The Hartford Police Department’s Vice and Narcotics Division provided valuable assistance to the investigation.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Leaming through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program.  OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.  Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and David Sundberg, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced that TIHAJA ORTIZ-TUCKER, 18, of New Haven, was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint charging him with carjacking.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets Violent Crime Task Force and several police departments have been investigating multiple violent carjackings that have occurred recently in Connecticut.  One carjacking involved a victim who had posted her vehicle for sale on Facebook Marketplace.  On July 7, 2022, Ortiz-Tucker and others met the victim on Thompson Street in Bridgeport and test drove her car.  The victim reported that, after the test drive, Ortiz-Tucker reached into a black fanny pack-style pouch slung over his shoulder and pulled out a 9mm handgun and pointed it at her.  Ortiz-Tucker instructed the victim to get out of the car or he was going to shoot her.  The victim complied, and Ortiz drove away in the victim’s vehicle.

It is further alleged that Ortiz-Tucker is suspected of being involved in other gunpoint  carjackings, including two carjackings of Uber drivers on May 2 and May 4, 2022.  In both instances, an Uber driver picked up the carjacker in New Haven and drove to Wallingford where their cars were taken from them.  Both cars were later recovered in the same area of Hamden.

Ortiz-Tucker appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven and was ordered detained pending a detention hearing that is scheduled for July 26.

The complaint charges Ortiz-Tucker with conspiracy, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, and with possessing and brandishing a firearm in connection with a crime of violence, namely carjacking, which carries a mandatory consecutive sentence of at least seven 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’s Safe Streets Violent Crime Task Force, the Connecticut State Police and the Wallingford, New Haven, Hamden, Waterbury, and Bridgeport Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah P. Karwan and Tara E. Levens.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DOUGLAS SENERTH, 33, of South Windsor, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to 18 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for stealing approximately $679,000 from his grandparents.  Judge Chatigny also ordered Senerth to serve the first six months of his supervised release in home confinement.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between 2011 and 2019, Senerth defrauded his grandmother and his late grandfather by falsely claiming to be a college student and inducing them to give him approximately $419,000 to pay for nonexistent college tuition and other related expenses, and an additional approximately $260,000 by falsely claiming that he would invest their money into an investment fund run by one of his nonexistent professors.  As part of the scheme, Senerth created fraudulent college transcripts, letters and email accounts that he used to corroborate his lies.

Judge Chatigny ordered Senerth to pay restitution of $679,944.

Senerth has been detained in state custody since February 10, 2021, when he was arrested on unrelated charges.  On February 23, 2022, he pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of wire fraud.

Senerth’s state case is pending.  His federal sentence will begin when his state case is resolved.

This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Cherry.

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

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MICHAEL MUNN, 55, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for participating in a narcotics conspiracy.

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 Louie McDowell was supplying large quantities of heroin and cocaine to Munn and others, who then sold the drugs to other distributors and drug users.

On January 8, 2019, Munn, McDowell and 10 other individuals were charged in a superseding indictment with various narcotics distribution and firearm distribution offenses.  Munn was arrested on January 15, 2019.  On January 15, 2020, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances.

Munn, who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on August 23.

McDowell, of Seymour, pleaded guilty and, on July 13, 2022, was sentenced to 66 months of imprisonment.

The other 10 defendants also pleaded guilty.

This matter has been 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 is being 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.

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, announced that MARGARET BOISTURE, 50, of Windsor, waived her right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to a charge stemming from her fraud against her former employer and one of its lenders.

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 $78,066.76 to PayPal and WebBank.

Boisture pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud affecting a financial institution, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years.

Boisture is released on a $500,000 bond pending sentencing, which is not scheduled.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David E. Novick.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, David Sundberg, 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, announced that KYLE J. WINE, 41, of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today via videoconference before U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to fraud and money laundering offenses stemming from a $7 million scheme related to his commercial aircraft supply businesses.

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

resulting profits from his investors, and diverted invested funds for his personal use.

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

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

Wine pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and one count of money laundering, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

Wine is released on bond pending sentencing, which is not scheduled.

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

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOSEPHER Y. CARTAGENA, 26, of the Bronx, New York, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 90 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his leadership of a brazen burglary ring that resulted in the theft of millions of dollars in vehicles, phones, ATMs and other merchandise from numerous locations in Connecticut, New York and elsewhere.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Cartagena and his brother, Alexander Santiago, led a theft ring that, between June 2020 and January 2021, primarily burglarized car dealerships and mobile phone stores in Connecticut and New York.  From dealerships, the group stole vehicle key fobs and vehicles, and from mobile phone stores they stole cell phones, electronics and other merchandise.  They also stole ATMs from check cashing businesses and burglarized video game stores.  Cartagena and Santiago planned and organized the burglary sprees, recruited others to participate in those burglaries, maintained inventories of the stolen property, sold that property, and then divided the proceeds among the participants.  Cartagena used his residence to stockpile stolen merchandise and illicit proceeds.

Cartagena, Santiago and their associates committed more than 180 burglaries and stole more than $4 million in property.

Cartagena, Santiago and their associates often burglarized multiple locations in one night and, on numerous occasions, escaped from police by engaging the police in high-speed chases that had to be terminated for safety reasons.  An apparent tally found on Santiago’s phone after his arrest indicated that he had engaged police in 89 chases.

The investigation also revealed that Cartagena and some of his associates possessed firearms during the conspiracy.

On December 23, 2020, when investigators attempted to apprehend Cartagena in the Bronx, Cartagena drove his vehicle onto a sidewalk, struck a law enforcement officer’s vehicle causing injuries to the officer, and then accelerated toward another law enforcement officer who was on foot and had to run out of the way.  He then drove to a gas station, exited his own damaged vehicle, stole a Jeep that was being cleaned at the gas station, and escaped at a high-rate of speed into oncoming traffic.

At the gas station, officers recovered a black bag that Cartagena had dropped.  The bag contained a 9mm handgun and assorted tools.  Officers then searched Cartagena’s residence and seized hundreds of thousands of dollars in stolen merchandise, more than 30 vehicle keys and key fobs, 9mm ammunition, and approximately $87,000 in cash.

After additional high-speed chases and collisions with law enforcement vehicles later that day, Cartagena was arrested at approximately 10 p.m. that evening, in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan

Cartagena has been detained since his arrest.  On February 3, 2022, he pleaded guilty to possession of stolen property.

Santiago was arrested on January 15, 2021.  When investigators sought to conduct a court-authorized search of Santiago’s residence on that date, Santiago’s pit bull attacked an FBI agent and badly wounded his arm.  Santiago was arrested, and a search of the residence revealed approximately 20 new cell phones in boxes, approximately 40 vehicle key fobs, a police radio, a glass-punch device, two firearms and a substantial amount of ammunition.

Santiago pleaded guilty and, on May 17, 2022, he was sentenced to 90 months of imprisonment.

On May 2, 2022, Douglas Noble, of New York, was sentenced to 54 months of imprisonment for his role in this conspiracy.  Two other co-conspirators were charged with offenses stemming from this scheme.

This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Connecticut State Police, with the assistance of approximately 30 local police departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert S. Ruff and Ray Miller.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Christopher Scharf, Special Agent-in-Charge, U.S. Department of Transportation – Office of Inspector General, Northeastern Region, today announced that McClain & Company, Inc. (“McClain”) has entered into a civil settlement agreement with the government and has paid $137,500 to resolve allegations that it paid a third party to falsify certificates of inspection for vehicles used to inspect bridges and, after a Connecticut workplace fatality involving a McClain under bridge inspection (“UBI”) vehicle, provided the false inspection certificates for that vehicle to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) during the resulting investigation.

McClain, based in Culpeper, Virginia, rents and leases bridge access equipment to engineering companies and government agencies for use on bridge inspection and bridge maintenance projects.  As part of its business, McClain provided UBI vehicles to various state departments of transportation and bridge inspection engineering firms under federal aid contracts funded in part by the U.S. Department of Transportation, including multiple contracts with the Connecticut Department of Transportation.

The government contends that, between January 2012 and January 2015, McClain paid Virginia-based Martin Enterprize, Inc. (“MEI”) to create 123 certificates of inspection falsely certifying that MEI had inspected the UBI vehicles in McClain’s fleet when, in fact, McClain knew that the UBI vehicles had not been inspected by a neutral third party.  In addition, after OSHA opened a workplace fatality investigation into the death of one of McClain’s employees who had been operating a McClain UBI vehicle in Connecticut, McClain sent OSHA false certificates of inspection for the UBI vehicle that had been involved in the workplace fatality.

As part of its civil settlement agreement with the government, McClain has paid $137,500.

“This settlement resolves allegations that a government contractor not only took shortcuts that put its own employees at risk, but it attempted to thwart a proper federal investigation of a workplace fatality involving its equipment,” said U.S. Attorney Avery.  “This is unacceptable.  Businesses and individuals who receive federal funds and then engage in such misconduct face both criminal and civil penalties.”

Since July 2019, McClain has been under an Interim Administrative Settlement and Compliance Agreement with the Federal Highway Administration.

In related criminal proceedings, McClain, McClain employee Kenneth Mix, and Carol “Casey” Smith, who was the president of MEI, each pleaded guilty to federal charges related to their conduct in this matter.

“The settlement announced today demonstrates our commitment to working with our law enforcement and prosecutorial colleagues to protect the integrity of Federal-aid programs,” said Christopher Scharf, Special Agent-in-Charge, U.S. Department of Transportation – Office of Inspector General, Northeastern Region. “Having a safe workplace is equally as important as shielding taxpayer funds from fraud, waste, and abuse as we go about the business of building and maintaining the Nation’s infrastructure.”         

This investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation – Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General. This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Gruber, with the assistance of Auditor Susan N. Spiegel.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ANTONIO SMALL, also known as “Tone” and “Bert,” 30, formerly of Naugatuck, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 300 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for trafficking heroin and crack cocaine 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 Antonio Small, Louie McDowell, Christian Rodriguez, Evan Sheffield, Anthony Small and others were distributing large quantities of heroin, fentanyl and crack cocaine in the Bridgeport area.

Small was the leader of an organization that was based on the west side of Bridgeport.  Small and his associates used a residence on Poplar Street in Bridgeport to store, process and package narcotics, and his group was involved in violence.  Intercepted calls revealed that 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 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 Small’s 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.

Small’s criminal history includes convictions for drug, firearm, evidence tampering, and other offenses, and he was on state probation while engaged in the conduct that resulted in his federal prosecution.

Small has been detained since his arrest on November 6, 2018.  On January 24, 2020, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with the intent to distribute, more than one kilogram of heroin and a quantity of cocaine base (“crack”).

McDowell, Rodriguez, Sheffield and Anthony Small also pleaded guilty.  McDowell, Rodriguez and Sheffield have been sentenced, and Anthony Small awaits sentencing.

This matter has been 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 is being 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.