District of Connecticut
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
New Britain Man Sentenced to 8 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Fentanyl and Crack in HartfordRead the Press Release
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.
New Haven Teen Charged with Gunpoint CarjackingRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and David Sundberg, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, 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.
South Windsor Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Defrauding Grandparents of $679KRead the Press Release
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.
Waterbury Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
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.
Windsor Resident Admits Defrauding Employer and its Lender of More Than $700KRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and David Sundberg, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, 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.
Operator of Missouri Aircraft Supply Businesses Pleads Guilty in $7 Million Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
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.
Bronx Man Involved in Brazen Burglary Ring Sentenced to More Than 7 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
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.
Virginia Company Pays $137,500 to Resolve False Claims Act AllegationsRead the Press Release
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.
Naugatuck Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking Heroin and CrackRead the Press Release
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.
Connecticut Man Charged with Child Exploitation Offenses, Making Interstate ThreatsRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and David Sundberg, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that GREGORY BUTTS, 51, of Sprague, has been charged by federal criminal complaint with child exploitation offenses and making threatening communications.
Butts appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas O. Farrish in Hartford. He has been detained since March 4, 2022, when he was arrested for violating his state probation.
As alleged in the complaint, in November 2020, family and friends of two missing juveniles in Colorado posted information about the missing juveniles on social media pages and included a phone number asking the public to call with information. Butts, with his own phone number blocked, called the number and spoke to a female friend of the missing juveniles, who recorded the conversation. Butts stated that he was with the missing juveniles and had had sexual contact with them. He threatened to harm the missing juveniles if the conversation were recorded or if law enforcement were contacted, and threatened the female friend who answered the phone. He then said that he would return the missing juveniles if the female friend would have sexual intercourse with him. Shortly after the juveniles had been reported missing, they returned home. They were not harmed and had not been kidnapped.
Is it further alleged that investigators determined that the call emanated from a lightly-populated area in Sprague, Connecticut, and that Butts was a registered sex offender living in the area who was on probation following a state conviction for illegal sexual contact with a minor. After a Connecticut probation officer identified Butts’ voice on the recording, probation officers searched Butts’ residence and another residence where he also had been staying and seized a computer, storage devices, multiple cell phones and other items. A search of the seized items revealed thousands of images and videos of child pornography.
It is also alleged that a search of the seized items revealed downloaded conversations Butts had on Snapchat with minors. In the chats, Butts engaged in sexually explicit conversations, made numerous threats and demanded, and sometimes received, sexually explicit photos.
The complaint charges Butts with possession of a child pornography, which, based on his criminal history, carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; attempted coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity, which carries mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life; and making an interstate threat to injure, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.
U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that a criminal complaint is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in New Haven, Connecticut and Loveland, Colorado, with the assistance of the Connecticut Office of Adult Probation, Connecticut State Police and the Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nancy V. Gifford.
U.S. Attorney Avery thanked the State’s Attorney’s Office for the Judicial District of New London for its close cooperation in investigating and prosecuting this matter.
This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com
East Haven Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking CrimeRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LUIS SALAMAN, also known as “J,” “Lou Benz,” “Louie Benz” and “Benz,” 20, of East Haven, pleaded guilty today via videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas O. Farrish in Hartford to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on September 22, 2020, New Haven Police officers arrested Salaman on an outstanding state arrest warrant after he entered a store on the corner of Ferry Street and Sanford Street in New Haven. At the time of his arrest, Salaman possessed a loaded Sig Sauer 1911 .45 caliber firearm with an obliterated serial number, and heroin and marijuana that he intended to distribute.
Salaman has been detained since his federal arrest on October 2, 2020.
Salaman is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer on October 17, 2022, at which time he faces a mandatory term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.
This matter is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the New Haven Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Konstantin Lantsman and Natasha Freismuth.
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.
Seymour Man Sentenced to More Than 5 Years in Federal Prison for Drug and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that LOUIE McDOWELL, 49, of Seymour, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 66 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for narcotics distribution and firearm possession offenses.
According to court documents and statements made in court, 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 McDowell, Christian Rodriguez, Antonio Small, Evan Sheffield, Anthony Small and others were distributing large quantities of heroin, fentanyl and crack cocaine in the Bridgeport area.
McDowell and several of his co-conspirators were arrested on November 6, 2018. On that date, a search of McDowell’s residence on Cedar Street in Seymour revealed quantities of cocaine and heroin, items used to process and package narcotics, firearms and ammunition, jewelry, and approximately $129,000 in cash. A related search of a safety deposit box that McDowell used revealed approximately $217,000 in cash.
Judge Thompson ordered the forfeiture of the seized firearms, jewelry and cash.
McDowell has been detained since his arrest. On July 14, 2021, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances, and one count of possession of a firearm during and relation to a drug trafficking crime.
Rodriguez, Antonio Small, Sheffield and Anthony Small also pleaded guilty. On October 27, 2020, Sheffield was sentenced to 97 months of imprisonment, and on February 11, 2022, Rodriguez was sentenced to 60 months of imprisonment.
Antonio Small and Anthony Small await 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.
Wife of Former West Haven City Employee Admits Role in Scheme to Steal COVID Relief FundsRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LAUREN DiMASSA, formerly known as LAUREN KNOX, 38, of West Haven, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to a conspiracy charge stemming from her role in a scheme to steal COVID relief funds from the City of West Haven.
According to court documents and statements made in court, DiMassa conspired with her husband, who at the time was a West Haven city employee, to steal money that was provided to West Haven to alleviate the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Between approximately July 2020 and October 2021, DiMassa’s husband submitted fraudulent invoices to West Haven for services related to a Youth Violence Prevention Program and for Youth Violence COVID-19 Associated Expenses. These invoices listed charges for in-home counseling, cleaning supplies, special needs hourly service, wi-fi assistance for low/moderate income families, counseling services, license fees, a fall youth clinic, meals, support group supplies, equipment rental, and youth clinic support group. The payment vouchers requested that checks be made out to directly to DiMassa.
West Haven made 16 payments totaling approximately $147,776.10 to DiMassa, who never provided any services to the City of West Haven. DiMassa and her husband used the proceeds for their own benefit.
DiMassa pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years.
DiMassa was arrested on February 18, 2022. She is released on a $50,000 pending sentencing, which is not scheduled.
As to DiMassa’s husband, who has been charged with related offenses, U.S. Attorney Avery stressed charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General for Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Miller.
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.
Stratford Man Sentenced to Prison for Fentanyl Distribution and Gun Possession OffensesRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LUIS COLON, also known as “Big Lou” and “Hitman,” 51, of Stratford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 32 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for fentanyl distribution and gun possession offenses. Colon must spend the first six months of his supervised release in home confinement.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between November and December 2020, Colon was involved in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl disguised as oxycodone. Investigators seized approximately 300 fentanyl pills disguised as oxycodone that had been sold by Colon to a co-conspirator.
Colon was arrested on December 16, 2020, after a court-authorized search of his residence on Dover Street in Stratford revealed 11 firearms, numerous rounds of ammunition, approximately 50 fentanyl pills disguised as oxycodone, approximately 61 grams of cocaine with packaging, items used to process and package narcotics for distribution, and approximately $24,800 in cash.
Colon’s criminal history includes state convictions for conspiracy to commit murder, assault, weapons, robbery 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.
On March 30, 2021, Colon pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon.
Colon, who is released on a $150,000 bond, is required to report to prison on September 12.
This matter is being investigated by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force, which 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 case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Konstantin Lantsman and Brian 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.
New York Man Admits Role in Mortgage Fraud Scheme Involving Hartford Apartment BuildingsRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JACOB DEUTSCH, 57, of Brooklyn, New York, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to a charge stemming from a wide-ranging mortgage fraud scheme involving 24 mortgage loans on numerous multifamily housing properties in Hartford totaling nearly $50 million.
According to court documents and statements in court proceedings, Jacob Deutsch and Aron Deutsch work at B H Property Management, LLC (“BHPM”), a property management company that manages numerous multifamily housing properties in Hartford. From September 2016 through May 2021, Jacob Deutsch, who ran the day-to-day operations BHPM, and Aron Deutsch engaged in a scheme to defraud several financial institutions, government-sponsored enterprises Federal Home Loan Mortgage Company (“Freddie Mac”) and the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”), and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) by providing them with false information overstating the value of multifamily housing properties managed by BHPM in connection with loans secured by those properties.
As part of the scheme, Jacob Deutsch provided false rent rolls and falsified leases to the victim financial institutions and their appraisers, which either overstated the number of renters by listing fictitious renters or others not actually living there, or falsely inflated the amount of rent paid by occupants. Jacob Deutsch deceived inspectors into believing that unoccupied apartments were occupied by staging the apartments with furniture and by requiring BHPM employees to falsely tell inspectors they lived there and to lie to inspectors if asked whether there were vacancies. For instance, a rent roll and income and expense summary submitted by Jacob Deutsch to CBRE Capital Markets, Inc. (“CBRE”) in June 2018 falsely represented that 16 Evergreen Avenue was 100 percent occupied when, in fact, not a single tenant resided there at the time. Later, Jacob Deutsch e-mailed CBRE pictures of money orders and checks purporting to reflect rent payments from fake tenants on the falsified rent rolls for 16 Evergreen Avenue to show proof of payment of rent when, in fact, the money orders and checks had been purchased by Aron Deutsch or BHPM employees at Aron Deutsch’s direction.
Jacob Deutsch also provided the victim financial institutions with false and inflated income statements and financials for the properties, doctored bank statements, doctored or false documents overstating the purchase price of various multifamily housing properties, and doctored checks and invoices showing false or overstated capital improvements made to those properties. The false information provided by Jacob Deutsch induced the victim financial institutions to issue loans that they otherwise would not have issued on the requested terms, or for amounts larger than they would have authorized had they been provided with truthful information. In addition, the false information induced Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae to purchase the resulting loans from the victim financial institutions, and induced HUD to issue a mortgage insurance commitment to a victim financial institution.
Jacob Deutsch and Aron Deutsch were arrested on a criminal complaint on May 19, 2021.
Today, Jacob Deutsch pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud affecting a financial institution, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years. He is released on a $50,000 bond pending sentencing, which is not scheduled.
Aron Deutsch, 61, of Monsey, New York, pleaded guilty to the same charge on June 1, 2022. He is released on a $100,000 bond pending sentencing, which is scheduled for November 3.
This investigation has been conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s Office of Inspector General, and HUD’s Office of Inspector General for Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Heather Cherry and Sarah Gruber.
Danbury Man Sentenced to 22 Years in Federal Prison for Child Exploitation OffenseRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that WAYNE MARCELL, 36, of Danbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to 264 months of imprisonment, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for engaging in illicit sexual acts with child, and photographing and video recording his sexual abuse. Judge Bolden also ordered Marcell to pay a $30,000 fine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in April 2021, a 14-year-old female in Georgia met Robert Fyke, of Lubbock, Texas, on an online video/chat platform. Fyke and the minor victim then used Kik and other social media platforms to communicate. In May 2021, Fyke drove from Texas to Georgia, picked up the minor victim and drove her back to Lubbock. The minor victim resided with Fyke for approximately four weeks, and Fyke produced sexually explicit images of the victim.
While living with Fyke, the minor victim began communicating with Marcell on video game and social media platforms. In June 2021, Marcell paid an individual $2,000 to drive the minor victim from Texas to Illinois. Marcell then drove from Connecticut to Illinois, picked up the minor victim, and brought her to his home in Danbury. Marcell engaged in multiple illicit sexual acts with the minor victim, and took photos and videos of the sexual abuse.
Marcell has paid restitution of $86,885.74 to his minor victim.
Marcell has been detained since his arrest on related state charges on June 23, 2021. On April 5, 2022, he pleaded guilty in federal court to sexual exploitation of a child.
Fyke pleaded guilty to a related charge in the Northern District of Texas and, on December 16, 2021, was sentenced to 30 years of imprisonment.
This matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service and Danbury Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nancy V. Gifford with the assistance of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas and the Danbury State’s Attorney’s Office.
This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.
East Windsor Man Admits Role in Oxycodone Prescription Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that an East Windsor man has admitted his role in a scheme to acquire and distribute oxycodone obtained through fraudulent prescriptions. On July 5, 2022, JAYSON KEMP, 45, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, oxycodone.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Kemp obtained blank prescription paper from employees of various Connecticut medical practices. He kept some of the prescription paper for himself and also sold some of the prescription paper, for thousands of dollars, to other individuals, including Oral Welborn, who resided in Hartford. Kemp, Welborn and another co-conspirator then recruited “runners,” who typically were individuals who received Medicaid and Medicare benefits, to fill fraudulent prescriptions at various pharmacies. Kemp, Welborn and the other co-conspirator filled out each prescription with the runner’s identifying information and forged a doctor’s signature on the prescription. The runner then filled the fraudulent prescription at a pharmacy, generally using their Medicaid or Medicare benefits, and provided the pills to Kemp, Welborn and their co-conspirator in exchange for approximately $50 per prescription. Kemp, Welborn and their co-conspirator then sold the pills to individuals suffering from opioid addictions.
Kemp, Welborn and their co-conspirator were responsible for filling at least 150 fraudulent prescriptions for oxycodone, almost all of which were for 150 30-mg oxycodone pills.
Kemp was arrested on August 2, 2019. He is released on a $150,000 pending sentencing, which is not scheduled.
Welborn pleaded guilty to the same charge on March 10, 2020, and awaits sentencing. Kemp and Welborn’s co-conspirator was charged and convicted in state court.
This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General, and the Vernon Police Department.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Pierpont, Jr.
Former Employee of Mechanical Contractor Sentenced to Prison for Inflating Change OrdersRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that WILLIAM SACCO, 49, of Pelham, New Hampshire, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to three months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his involvement in a construction project fraud scheme. Judge Dooley also ordered Sacco to serve the first five months of supervised release in home confinement and to perform 50 hours of community service.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Sacco was a project manager for a Massachusetts-based mechanical contractor. From June 2014 to December 2017, Sacco conspired to defraud his employer and the owners of certain projects he managed by inflating change orders on the projects. As part of the conspiracy, a co-conspirator subcontractor, who owned an insulation company, made more than $200,000 in payments to Sacco and also for Sacco’s benefit, including payments for Sacco’s children’s college tuition, a graduation party, a Mac laptop, airline tickets, hotels and Sacco’s rent. Sacco and the co-conspirator submitted inflated change orders to Sacco’s former employer to offset some of the costs of the payments the co-conspirator made to Sacco.
Sacco was arrested on November 22, 2021. On February 14, 2022, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
Judge Dooley ordered Sacco to pay restitution of $41,195.85, which was paid in full prior to the sentencing.
Sacco, who is released on a $50,000 bond, is required to report to prison on September 6.
This investigation has been conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David T. Huang, with assistance from the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division, New York Office.
U.S. Attorney Makes Supervisory AppointmentsRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery today announced several supervisory appointments within the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
“I am fortunate to lead an office with a long roster of extremely talented individuals who are committed to the cause of justice,” said U.S. Attorney Avery. “The high level of collaboration and teamwork that our attorneys and staff exemplify carries over to our partnerships with federal, state and local law enforcement, as well as other community leaders. I am confident that our office will continue to make Connecticut a safer place to live, and have a tremendous impact in our communities.”
Marc H. Silverman has been named Chief of the Criminal Division. Mr. Silverman joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office in 2010 and, since 2014, has served as Deputy Chief of the Office’s Appellate Division. Prior to joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Mr. Silverman was an Arthur Liman Public Interest Fellow at Advocates for Children of New York, Inc.; an associate at Morvillo Abramowitz Grand Iason & Anello PC; and a law clerk for Judge Kimba M. Wood of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and Judge Dennis Jacobs of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Mr. Silverman is a 2003 graduate of Yale University and a 2006 graduate of Yale Law School.
The Criminal Division, which is responsible for enforcing federal criminal laws, comprises four program-based units: Violent Crimes and Narcotics, Financial Fraud and Public Corruption, National Security and Cybercrime, and Major Crimes.
U.S. Attorney Avery has appointed Jocelyn Kaoutzanis as Chief of the Violent Crimes and Narcotics Unit (VCN), which includes Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) prosecutions, the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), and violent crime, gangs and narcotics investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Pierpont, Jr., continues in his role as Deputy Chief of the unit and as PSN Coordinator, overseeing firearms prosecutions that seek to deter the illegal possession of guns and reduce gun and gang violence. Brian Leaming has been named as a Deputy Chief of the Unit, and will serve as OCDETF Coordinator, which targets major drug trafficking operations responsible for the distribution of large quantities of narcotics by major drug trafficking organizations.
The Financial Fraud and Public Corruption Unit is responsible for investigating matters involving securities and investor fraud, public corruption, bank fraud and embezzlement, mortgage fraud, tax fraud, health care fraud, bankruptcy fraud and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations. David Novick continues to serve as Chief of the unit, and Christopher Schmeisser remains as Deputy Chief.
Peter Jongbloed continues as Chief of National Security and Cybercrime Unit, which is responsible for prosecuting matters involving international and domestic terrorism, customs enforcement and identity theft, and sophisticated cybercrimes.
The Major Crimes Unit is responsible for prosecuting matters including civil rights and hate crimes, immigration, human trafficking and child exploitation, government program fraud, and environmental crimes. Nancy Gifford has been named Chief of the Unit and Neeraj Patel is the Deputy Chief.
Michelle McConaghy serves as Chief of the Civil Division, which handles a wide variety of cases in which the United States or its employees are plaintiffs or defendants. David Nelson serves as the Deputy Chief of the Civil Division.
The Civil Division’s Defensive Unit, which is headed by John Larson, defends claims filed against the U.S., including tort, medical malpractice, employment discrimination, immigration and foreclosures. The unit also defends claims brought against individual federal employees (Bivens claims).
The Civil Division’s Affirmative Civil Enforcement and Civil Rights Unit, which is headed by Richard Molot, pursues claims on behalf of the U.S. in cases involving health care fraud, defense contractor fraud, drug diversion, forfeitures and environmental violations. In addition, the unit maintains a Civil Rights enforcement program, which brings civil rights actions to enforce federal statutes prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, disability, religion, familial status and national origin and to recover damages for victims of civil rights violations.
The Civil Division also has a Financial Litigation Unit, headed by Christine Sciarrino, which is responsible for collecting debts owed to the United States.
The District of Connecticut’s Appellate Division will continue to be led by long-time Chief Sandra Glover. The Appellate Division supervises all appeals arising out of the Criminal and Civil Divisions. The Division assists with writing briefs and motions and preparing assistants for oral arguments before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. The Division also coordinates the approval process for government appeals, provides guidance on legal issues arising in criminal and civil cases, advises the Office of developments in the law, and assists in the formulation of Office policies that address the enforcement of that law.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Chen will serve in the newly-created role of Director of Community Engagement and will coordinate all of the Office’s community engagement efforts around the state.
Alfred Pavlis serves as the First Assistant U.S. Attorney and Susan Wines continues in her role as the Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney.
The District is composed of approximately 68 Assistant U.S. Attorneys and approximately 57 staff members at offices in New Haven, Hartford and Bridgeport.
Five Alleged Members of Enfield-Area Drug Trafficking Organization IndictedRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, and Enfield Police Chief Alaric Fox today announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford has returned a five-count indictment charging the following five men with narcotics trafficking offenses:
SERGIO HORTA-MOLINA, 46, of Suffield
OCTAVIO RAZON-MEJIA, also known as “Pachas,” 36, of Enfield
CARLOS GUTIERREZ-FERNANDEZ, also known as “Shaggy,” 38, of Enfield
JUAN SANCHEZ-RAZON, also known as “Juanito,” 27, of Enfield
GUILLERMO CAPETILLO-CERVANTES, 34, of EnfieldHorta-Molina, Razon-Mejia and Gutierrez-Fernandez were arrested on federal charges on May 5. An indictment was returned on May 19 and unsealed on June 21 after Sanchez-Razon and Capetillo-Cervantes were arrested on that date. Sanchez-Razon and Capetillo-Cervantes appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas O. Farrish in Hartford and entered pleas of not guilty. Each defendant is currently detained.
As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, in October 2021, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force began investigating a drug trafficking organization, with ties to a Mexican drug cartel, operating in the area of Enfield, Connecticut, and Springfield, Massachusetts. The organization was believed to be trafficking multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine, as well as heroin. The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps and controlled purchases and seizures of narcotics, revealed that Horta-Molina arranged the shipment of cocaine and other narcotics to Connecticut, and then distributed the drugs to other members of the organization who, in turn, sold the drugs to street-level traffickers and drug customers.
It is further alleged that, during the investigation, Horta-Molina arranged the shipment of a package from California to Sanchez-Razon’s Enfield residence. On April 27, 2022, Sanchez-Razon delivered the package to Gutierrez-Fernandez. Law enforcement subsequently stopped Gutierrez-Fernandez as he was attempting to deliver the package to Horta-Molina. A search of the package revealed more than one kilogram of cocaine.
The indictment charges the five defendants with conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, controlled substances. If convicted of this charge, based on the type and quantity of narcotics involved, Horta-Molina, Razon-Mejia and Gutierrez-Fernandez face a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years, and Sanchez-Razon and Capetillo-Cervantes face a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. Each defendant is also charged in one or more counts related to the possession and distribution of narcotics.
The indictment alleges that Horta-Molina faces enhanced penalties based on a prior federal conviction in the District of New Jersey for conspiring to distribute cocaine and heroin. Horta-Molina was charged with the offense after a search of his Suffield residence in September 2017 revealed approximately 23 kilograms of cocaine and one kilogram of heroin. In November 2019, Horta-Molina was sentenced to 40 months of imprisonment and five years of supervised release for that offense. He was released from prison in July 2020 and was on federal supervised release at the time of his arrest in this case.
U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This investigation is being conducted by the DEA’s Hartford Task Force and the Enfield 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 is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney A. Reed Durham through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Bridgeport Man Charged with Unlawful Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and David Sundberg, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that a federal grand jury in Bridgeport returned an indictment yesterday charging KIMANI WILLIAMS, 30, of Bridgeport, with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
As alleged in the indictment, on April 7, 2022, Williams was arrested in Bridgeport after law enforcement recovered a loaded Smith and Wesson .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol, which Williams had possessed, from the ground next to Williams’ person.
It is alleged that Williams’ criminal history includes felony convictions in Connecticut and New York for criminal possession of a weapon, carrying a dangerous weapon, and assault of public safety or emergency personnel. It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.
Williams has been detained since his arrest. If convicted of the charge, he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.
U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and the Bridgeport Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kenneth L. Gresham and Jocelyn C. Kaoutzanis.
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.
Statement of U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery on the injuries suffered by Richard “Randy” Cox while in New Haven Police custody on June 19, 2022Read the Press Release
“My office is closely monitoring the ongoing investigations into the circumstances that have left Mr. Randy Cox paralyzed and hospitalized after being taken into custody by the New Haven Police Department on June 19. My prayers are with him and his family. All suspects taken into police custody must be afforded timely and appropriate medical care in the event of an emergency. Mayor Elicker and Chief Jacobson have acted expeditiously and reported publicly on some actions already taken at the local level in response to this incident, including the suspension of several officers involved pending further investigation, and they have stated a commitment to reform NHPD practices. The Connecticut State Police are investigating the matter, and we will continue to coordinate with them and our other law enforcement partners at the state and federal levels. If federal action is warranted, the Justice Department will pursue every available avenue to the full extent of the law.”
Hamden Man Charged with Mailing Numerous Threatening LettersRead the Press Release
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division, announced that GARRETT SANTILLO, 43, of Hamden, was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint charging him with mailing numerous threatening letters to individuals in Connecticut and elsewhere.
As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, between approximately March and June 2022, Santillo mailed more than 100 letters containing threatening and hateful statements, including threats of violence, to journalists, judges and other public officials and individuals in Connecticut and elsewhere. Several letters mailed by Santillo contained this language: “If you don’t obey what this letter says, along with others including people in Washington DC and everywhere and you. You all will be killed!!”
Santillo appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas O. Farrish is Hartford and was released on a $100,000 bond.
As noted in court documents, Santillo has been federally prosecuted, convicted and sentenced for mailing threatening letters three prior times, and he completed his most recent term of federal supervision in August 2021.
The charge of mailing a threatening communication carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years. If the threatening communication is addressed to a federal judge or federal law enforcement officer, the maximum penalty is 10 years of imprisonment.
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 U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Marshals Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Connecticut State Police, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and the Hamden, Milford, Ridgefield and New Haven Police Departments. The investigation has also been assisted by the offices of the Connecticut Chief State’s Attorney, New Haven State’s Attorney and Litchfield State’s Attorney.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael S. McGarry.
New Haven Man Sentenced to 78 Months in Prison for Drug Trafficking, Assaulting Correctional OfficerRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that SHAWN HILL, also known as “SB,” 38, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to 78 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for assaulting a federal correctional officer, and distributing heroin and crack cocaine shortly after his release from federal custody and while on supervised release.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 11, 2016, Hill was sentenced in Hartford federal court to 72 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. After his sentencing, Hill was incarcerated at USP Canaan, a high-security federal prison in Waymart, Pennsylvania. On June 30, 2017, a correctional officer located a 6-inch metal “ice pick” style weapon in Hill’s left sock. About an hour later, as prison staff attempted to put hand restraints on Hill so that Hill could be transported to the prison’s Special Housing Unit, Hill slipped his arm out of the restraints and struck a correctional officer in the head with a restraint that was still attached to one of his hands, causing injury to the correctional officer.
On September 19, 2017, a grand jury in the Middle District of Pennsylvania returned an indictment charging Hill with one count of assaulting a federal correctional officer, and one count of possessing contraband in prison.
On April 4, 2019, after he had completed his 72-month sentence, Hill was released on bond while his charges in the Middle District of Pennsylvania were pending.
On April 11, 2019, Hill was intercepted over a court-authorized wiretap during an investigation being conducted by the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force and New Haven Police Department addressing drug trafficking and related acts of violence by members, former members and associates of the “Island Brothers” street gang in New Haven. Evidence developed during the investigation confirmed that Hill was involved in the acquisition and distribution of heroin and crack cocaine.
On July 9, 2019, a grand jury in New Haven returned a 15-count indictment charging 25 individuals with federal narcotics offenses related to the distribution of crack cocaine, cocaine and heroin. Hill and another individual were added as defendants in a superseding indictment that was returned on November 25, 2019.
Hill has been detained since his arrest on November 26, 2019. His case in the Middle District of Pennsylvania was subsequently transferred to the District of Connecticut for further prosecution.
On September 22, 2020, Hill pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base (“crack”) and heroin, and one count of assault on a correctional officer. Hill also admitted that he violated the conditions of his supervised release.
Judge Chatigny sentenced Hill to 57 months of imprisonment for the narcotics and assault offenses, and a consecutive 21 months of imprisonment for violating the conditions of his supervised release. Hill also must spend the first six months of his supervised release in a halfway house, and the next six months on curfew with electronic monitoring.
This matter was investigated by the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force, New Haven Police Department, Milford Police Department, Hamden Police Department, East Haven Police Department, Connecticut State Police, Connecticut Department of Correction, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony E. Kaplan, Elena L. Coronado and Tara E. Levens.
Bridgeport Gang Member Admits Role in 2019 MurderRead the Press Release
TYRONE MOORE, also known as “Ty Ralph Lauren,” 20, of Bridgeport, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to a racketeering offense stemming from his involvement in a violent Bridgeport street gang, including the murder of a rival in July 2019.
Today’s announcement was made by Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; Joseph T. Corradino, State’s Attorney for the Fairfield Judicial District; Bridgeport Acting Police Chief Rebeca Garcia; David Sundberg, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, and Acting U.S. Marshal Lawrence Bobnick.
According to court documents and statements made in court, the FBI, ATF, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service and Bridgeport Police have been investigating multiple Bridgeport-based gangs whose members are involved in narcotics trafficking, murder and other acts of violence. Moore has been a member of the “East End gang,” which began as a local street gang based in the East End of Bridgeport, but currently has members and associates who are either incarcerated or living throughout Bridgeport and surrounding towns. The East End gang has been aligned with other groups, including the PT Barnum Gang, the East Side gang and 150, which is a geographic gang based on the West Side of Bridgeport. These groups were aligned against rival organizations in Bridgeport, including the “Original North End” (“O.N.E.”) and the “Greene Homes Boyz,” (“GHB/Hotz”), based in the Charles F. Greene Homes Housing Complex in Bridgeport’s North End.
Moore and other East End members distributed heroin, crack cocaine, marijuana and Percocet pills; used and shared firearms; and committed murder and other acts of violence against rival gang members and other individuals. East End members celebrated their criminal conduct on social media websites such as Facebook and YouTube, and committed acts of intimidation and made threats to deter potential witnesses to their crimes and to protect gang members and associates from detection and prosecution by law enforcement authorities.
In pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity, Moore specifically admitted that, on July 12, 2019, he and another East End member shot and killed Sean Warren, also known as “Kujoe,” a member and associate of the O.N.E. gang.
Under the terms of a binding plea agreement, if accepted by the court, the parties have agreed that a sentence of between 20 and 30 years of imprisonment is an appropriate sentence in this case.
Moore is detained pending sentencing, which is not scheduled.
This investigation is being conducted by the FBI’s Safe Streets and Violent Crimes Task Forces, ATF, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Bridgeport Police Department, Connecticut State Police and the Bridgeport State’s Attorney’s Office, with the assistance of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory and the Waterbury Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rahul Kale, Jocelyn C. Kaoutzanis, and Stephanie T. Levick.
This prosecution is a part of the Justice’s Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), Project Longevity and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) programs.
PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Project Longevity is a comprehensive initiative to reduce gun violence in Connecticut’s major cities. Through Project Longevity, community members and law enforcement directly engage with members of groups that are prone to commit violence and deliver a community message against violence, a law enforcement message about the consequences of further violence and an offer of help for those who want it. If a group member elects to engage in gun violence, the focused attention of federal, state and local law enforcement will be directed at that entire group.
OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Hartford Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun ChargeRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ERIC WHITE, 31, of Hartford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 17, 2021, Hartford Police arrested White after they found him in possession of a loaded .45 caliber Taurus handgun.
White’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for assault 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.
White has been detained since his arrest. Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for September 30 at which time White faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.
This investigation has been conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Connecticut Violent Crime Task Force and the Hartford Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer R. Laraia.
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.
Four Windsor Men Charged with Trafficking Counterfeit Oxycodone Pills Containing FentanylRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, today announced that the following four men were arrested yesterday on federal narcotics distribution charges primarily related to the large-scale trafficking of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl:
MICHAEL LEE, 24, of Windsor
ALEXANDER LEE, 21, of Windsor
DARYL BEAUFORT, 24, of Windsor
JUSTIN LITTLE, 24, of WindsorAs alleged in court documents and statements made in court, the DEA New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad has been investigating a drug trafficking organization led by Michael Lee and his brother Alexander Lee. The investigation, which has included court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of narcotics and the seizure of drugs that had been shipped through the U.S. Mail, revealed that Michael Lee, Alexander Lee and others received thousands of counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl, and other controlled substances, from a source of supply on the west coast of the U.S., and then distributed the drugs to various street-level distributors in Connecticut, including Beaufort and Little, and numerous drug customers.
During the investigation and in association with yesterday’s arrests, investigators seized more than 15,000 counterfeit oxycodone tablets containing fentanyl, more than 1,800 alprazolam tablets (commonly referred to as “Xanax”), approximately 25 pounds of marijuana, seven firearms, and thousands of dollars in cash.
The defendants were arrested on criminal complaints charging each with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, and possession with intent to distribute and distribution of controlled substances.
Each defendant appeared yesterday before U.S. District Judge Robert A. Richardson in Hartford. Michael and Alexander Lee are currently detained, and Beaufort and Little were released on bonds.
U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the DEA New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad, with the assistance of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Connecticut State Police; East Central Narcotics Task Force; and the Windsor and Enfield Police Departments. The DEA Tactical Diversion Squad is composed of personnel from the DEA and the Watertown, East Windsor, Manchester, Glastonbury, New Britain, West Haven, Hamden and Newington Police Departments.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren C. Clark and Stephanie T. Levick through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Indictment Charges New Haven Man with Robbery and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging JERMAINE CANNON, 19, of New Haven, with charges stemming from two gunpoint robberies of a New Haven business in November 2021.
The indictment was returned on June 7, 2022. On June 24, Cannon appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Dave Vatti in Bridgeport and entered a plea of not guilty to the charges. He has been detained since his arrest on state charges on November 11, 2021.
The indictment alleges that on November 10, 2021, and again on November 11, 2021, Cannon, brandishing a firearm, robbed Howard Mini Mart & Deli, located on Howard Avenue in New Haven.
The indictment charges Cannon with two counts of interference with commerce by robbery, an offense that carries a maximum term imprisonment of 20 years, and two counts of carrying, using and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, an offense that carries mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of at least seven years.
U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the New Haven Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathaniel J. Gentile and Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis.
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.
Danbury Man Involved in Murder and Arson Scheme Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that GEORGE RIVERA, also known as “Pito,” 33, of Danbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his role in a plan to murder an individual and set fire to the Bridgeport business where he worked.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in early morning hours of April 2, 2018, Bridgeport Police patrolling the west side of Bridgeport attempted to stop a car that was operating with unlit taillights. The car fled from police and, during the police pursuit, officers observed several items being thrown from its windows. After the car stopped several blocks away, officers arrested Luis Mercado, who was driving the car, and Dominick Gonzalez, and recovered two loaded handguns and a quantity of marijuana that had been thrown from the car. A search of the car also revealed a black ski mask, a pair of binoculars, and a container of gasoline. The investigation revealed that Mercado, Gonzalez, Rivera, Jason Scott and Luis Mejias were involved in a plan to murder an individual and set fire to the Wood Avenue Body Shop in Bridgeport where the individual worked.
Rivera, Scott and Mejias were arrested later that morning at a hotel in Milford. A search of a hotel room revealed a loaded Smith and Wesson model M&P 15-22 caliber rifle, a loaded Taurus “Judge” revolver, a loaded Anderson Manufacturing AR 15 multi-caliber rifle, a loaded 12-gauge shotgun, additional ammunition, brass knuckles, binoculars, gloves and a knit mask. Investigators also located a seized packaged heroin, ecstasy pills, marijuana, a digital scale and other items in the room, and ammunition and shotgun shells in the trunk of their car.
Each defendant has a criminal history that includes multiple felony convictions. It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce. Specifically, Rivera’s criminal history includes convictions for firearm, drug, burglary, robbery and assault offenses.
On March 25, 2022, Rivera pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon.
Mercado, Gonzalez, Mejias and Scott also pleaded guilty, and Mercado, Mejias and Scott were each sentenced earlier this week to 10 years of imprisonment. Gonzalez awaits sentencing.
This matter has been investigated by the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and the Bridgeport and Milford Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen L. Peck.
New Haven Man Sentenced to 3 Years in Prison for Role in Lottery and Romance Fraud SchemesRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RALPH PIERRE, 32, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 36 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, Pierre 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. To help launder the money obtained from fraud victims, Pierre formed a fake charity, called “Global Protection Foundation,” and opened four bank accounts in the fake charity’s name. Between July and November 2018, more than $200,000 was deposited into and withdrawn from these bank accounts and Pierre’s personal bank accounts.
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 February 15, 2022, Fasasi, Thomas and Pierre were found guilty of multiple charges stemming from this scheme. Specifically, Pierre was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and one count of money laundering. Three 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 August 31.
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
Indictment Charges 16 Individuals with Drug and Gun OffensesRead the Press Release
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 a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned a 27-count indictment charging the following 16 individuals with various narcotics distribution and firearm possession offenses stemming from the gang-related distribution of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine and crack:
LUIS FELICIANO, a.k.a. “Louminaty,” 38, of East Hartford
JOSE TIRADO, a.k.a. “Joselito” and “Leet,” 41, of Hartford
CARL JONES, a.k.a. “M.O.B.,” 41, of Hartford
LUIS ROBLES, a.k.a. “Lou,” 25, of Hartford
ROBERTO DIAZ, a.k.a. “Dragon Eyes,” 52, of West Hartford
MILTON ROSARIO, a.k.a. “Little,” 39, of Hartford
ANGEL DELGADO, 58, of Hartford
MARTIN MALDONADO, 33, of Hartford
JEREMY OZUNA, 27, of New Jersey
ROBERT VALLE, 58, of Schenectady, New York
MARSHA WATSON, 33, of Bangor, Maine
DEVIN TEXIRA, a.k.a. “LV,” 25, of Hartford
JOSHUA RODRIGUEZ, 31, of Hartford
JOEL DELEON, JR., a.k.a. “Psycho,” 41, of Hartford
HERIBERTO MENDEZ, a.k.a. “Big Ed,” 43, of Hartford
CHRISTOPHER GILLIARD, a.k.a. “CJ” and “Gilly,” 34, of HartfordThe indictment, which was returned on June 8, alleges that Feliciano and several co-defendants distributed fentanyl, heroin, cocaine and crack to customers and other distributors in the Hartford area, and also to Watson in Bangor, Maine, and Ozuna and Valle in Schenectady, New York. The indictment also alleges that several defendants unlawfully possessed firearms.
Feliciano was arrested on April 13, 2022, after searches of his East Hartford residence and a Hartford apartment he used to store drugs revealed more than three kilograms of heroin, approximately 700 grams of fentanyl, quantities of crack and powder cocaine, and 40 rounds of ammunition. The other defendants have been detained in state custody, or were arrested by members of the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force after the indictment was returned.
The indictment charges Feliciano, Tirado, Jones, Robles, Diaz, Rosario, Delgado, Maldonado, Ozuna, Valle and Watson with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, controlled substances. Feliciano, Jones, Tirado, Rodriguez, Delgado, Deleon, Robles and Gilliard are charged in one or more counts with various narcotics distribution offenses.
The indictment also charges Jones, Tirado, Texira, Deleon and Mendez with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon; Feliciano with unlawful possession of ammunition by a felon; and Robles with possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that an indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and the Hartford Police Department. The Task Force includes members of the FBI, Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, New Britain Police Department, West Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian P. Leaming and Robert S. Ruff.
Bridgeport Man Involved in Murder and Arson Scheme Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JASON SCOTT, also known as “Hood,” 39, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his role in a plan to murder an individual and set fire to the Bridgeport business where he worked.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in early morning hours of April 2, 2018, Bridgeport Police patrolling the west side of Bridgeport attempted to stop a car that was operating with unlit taillights. The car fled from police and, during the police pursuit, officers observed several items being thrown from its windows. After the car stopped several blocks away, officers arrested Luis Mercado, who was driving the car, and Dominick Gonzalez, and recovered two loaded handguns and a quantity of marijuana that had been thrown from the car. A search of the car also revealed a black ski mask, a pair of binoculars, and a container of gasoline. The investigation revealed that Mercado, Gonzalez, Scott, Luis Mejias and George Rivera were involved in a plan to murder an individual and set fire to the Wood Avenue Body Shop in Bridgeport where the individual worked.
Scott, Mejias and Rivera were arrested later that morning at a hotel in Milford. A search of a hotel room revealed a loaded Smith and Wesson model M&P 15-22 caliber rifle, a loaded Taurus “Judge” revolver, a loaded Anderson Manufacturing AR 15 multi-caliber rifle, a loaded 12-gauge shotgun, additional ammunition, brass knuckles, binoculars, gloves and a knit mask. Investigators also located a seized packaged heroin, ecstasy pills, marijuana, a digital scale and other items in the room, and ammunition and shotgun shells in the trunk of their car.
Each defendant has a criminal history that includes multiple felony convictions. It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.
On March 28, 2022, Scott pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon.
Mercado, Gonzalez, Mejias and Rivera also pleaded guilty. On June 27, 2022, Mercado and Mejias were each sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment. Gonzalez and Rivera await sentencing.
This matter has been investigated by the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and the Bridgeport and Milford Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen L. Peck.
Two Men Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Participating in Murder and Arson SchemeRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LUIS MERCADO, also known as “Pops,” 55, of Bridgeport, and LUIS MEJIAS, also known as “Kermit,” 35, of Waterbury, were each sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for their role in a plan to murder an individual and set fire to the Bridgeport business where he worked.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in early morning hours of April 2, 2018, Bridgeport Police patrolling the west side of Bridgeport attempted to stop a car that was operating with unlit taillights. The car fled from police and, during the police pursuit, officers observed several items being thrown from its windows. After the car stopped several blocks away, officers arrested both Mercado, who was driving the car, and Dominick Gonzalez, and recovered two loaded handguns and a quantity of marijuana that had been thrown from the car. A search of the car also revealed a black ski mask, a pair of binoculars, and a container of gasoline. The investigation revealed that Mercado, Gonzalez, Mejias, George Rivera and Jason Scott were involved in a plan to murder an individual and set fire to the Wood Avenue Body Shop in Bridgeport where the individual worked.
Mejias, Rivera and Scott were arrested later that morning at a hotel in Milford. A search of a hotel room revealed a loaded Smith and Wesson model M&P 15-22 caliber rifle, a loaded Taurus “Judge” revolver, a loaded Anderson Manufacturing AR 15 multi-caliber rifle, a loaded 12-gauge shotgun, additional ammunition, brass knuckles, binoculars, gloves and a knit mask. Investigators also located a seized packaged heroin, ecstasy pills, marijuana, a digital scale and other items in the room, and ammunition and shotgun shells in the trunk of their car.
Each defendant has a criminal history that includes multiple felony convictions. It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.
On March 25, 2022, Mercado and Mejias each pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon.
Gonzalez, Rivera and Scott pleaded guilty and await sentencing.
This matter has been investigated by the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and the Bridgeport and Milford Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen L. Peck.
Norwich Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JAMES BAKER, 36, of Norwich, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 3, 2021, Norwich Police stopped Baker for a motor vehicle violation and subsequently found a loaded, .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol under the driver’s seat of the vehicle, and more than 600 bags of fentanyl on his person.
Baker’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for assault, burglary, weapon 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.
Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for September 27, at which time Baker faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.
Baker has been detained since February 3, 2021.
This investigation has been conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Norwich Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natasha M. Freismuth through the Justice’s Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program.
PSN, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts, is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
New Britain Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking FentanylRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ARMANDO GONZALEZ, 40, of New Britain, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking fentanyl.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in July 2019, the DEA’s Hartford Task Force began investigating a Mexican-based drug trafficking organization that was distributing fentanyl and heroin in Connecticut. The investigation revealed that Gonzalez and other members of the organization received kilogram-quantities of narcotics, primarily fentanyl, from a source in Mexico, and then distributed the drug to street-level distributors. Members of the organization delivered cash generated from the sale of narcotics to a money broker in Brooklyn, New York, who assisted in laundering the narcotics proceeds before they were transferred to leaders of the drug trafficking organization. Between August and October 2019, investigators seized more than $200,000 in cash from members of the drug trafficking organization.
Gonzalez and his associate, David Cintron, used several locations to store, process and package fentanyl for street stale, including office space on Pratt Street in Hartford, an apartment in the Asylum Hill neighborhood in Hartford, and an apartment in New Britain. On December 18, 2019, Cintron was arrested on state charges shortly after he drove from the Pratt Street location and was found in possession of approximately 4,860 wax paper sleeves of fentanyl, 90 grams of unpackaged fentanyl, and other items used to process and package narcotics.
Gonzalez, Cintron and three associates were arrested on federal charges on April 28, 2020. On that date, investigators searched the New Britain apartment and seized numerous bags of suspected fentanyl, items used to process and package narcotics, a 9mm firearm, 9mm ammunition, and cash. Cintron was located in the bathroom of his Manchester residence, flushing suspected fentanyl in the toilet.
On June 3, 2020, a grand jury returned an indictment charging Gonzalez, Cintron and eight others with narcotics distribution and money laundering offenses. On March 28, 2022, Gonzalez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.
Gonzalez has been detained since his arrest.
Gonzales’s criminal history includes a state assault conviction, stemming from an incident where he stabbed a two victims at a nightclub, and federal conviction for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
Cintron pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.
The DEA’s Hartford Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Enfield, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Windsor Locks and Willimantic Police Departments. Agencies assisting the investigation include the DEA New York Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Strike Force and the New York Police Department.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey M. Stone through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
New Haven Gang Member Pleads Guilty to Firearm and Narcotics OffensesRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that SHAVARIUS SMITH, 22, of New Haven, pleaded guilty today via videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven to firearm and drug offenses.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 8, 2021, at approximately 11:15 p.m., New Haven Police recovered a 9-millimeter “ghost gun” equipped with a 31-round high-capacity magazine, and distribution quantities of heroin and crack cocaine, from a parked stolen vehicle that Smith had been driving. Smith, a known Bloods gang member, was released from prison on September 2, 2021, was serving a term of probation, and was wearing a GPS ankle monitor as a condition of his probation. Officers located and arrested Smith a short time later.
Smith’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for larceny and drug offenses. It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.
Smith pleaded guilty to one count of 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 heroin and cocaine base (“crack cocaine”), which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. Smith is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton on October 3, 2022.
Smith has been detained since his arrest.
This matter has been investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the New Haven Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis through the Justice’s Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program and Project Longevity.
PSN, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts, is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Project Longevity is a comprehensive initiative to reduce gun violence in Connecticut’s major cities. Through Project Longevity, community members and law enforcement directly engage with members of groups that are prone to commit violence and deliver a community message against violence, a law enforcement message about the consequences of further violence and an offer of help for those who want it.
Hartford Man Sentenced to 44 Months in Prison for Trafficking NarcoticsRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that HENRY DEJESUS-MORALES, also known as “Red,” 33, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 44 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking narcotics.
According to court documents and statements made in court, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force identified a Hartford man as a distributor of heroin and cocaine in Connecticut, New York and elsewhere. The narcotics distributor was arrested on federal charges on January 13, 2021. A cellphone seized during the investigation revealed that DeJesus-Morales supplied narcotics to the Hartford man, and further investigation revealed that the narcotics trafficker, while detained in federal custody, was working with his wife and her son to distribute drugs. DeJesus-Morales was subsequently intercepted on a court-authorized wiretap coordinating the sale of narcotics and, on May 27, 2021, he was observed distributing approximately 20 grams of fentanyl to the son of the detained individual’s wife.
DeJesus has been detained since his arrest on June 28, 2021. On March 21, 2022, he pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of, and possession with intent to distribute, controlled substances.
The DEA’s Hartford Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Enfield, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Windsor Locks and Willimantic Police Departments.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert S. Ruff through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Waterbury Heroin Trafficker Sentenced to 84 Months in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JAMES GRANT, also known as “Bobo,” “Bo,” and “Jimbo,” 58, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 84 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for distributing heroin.
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. The investigation included court-authorized wiretaps on multiple phones used by members of the organization, physical surveillance, controlled purchases of narcotics, and motor vehicle stops that resulted in the seizure of drugs. The investigation revealed that Grant received heroin and cocaine from other members of the conspiracy, converted some of the cocaine into crack, and then sold the drugs to other distributors and users.
On March 1, 2021, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging Grant and 16 others. On January 24, 2022, Grant pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine and cocaine base (“crack”).
Grant has been detained since January 21, 2021.
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 Roberts Avery thanked the State’s Attorney’s Office and the Judicial District of Waterbury for its close cooperation in investigating and prosecuting this matter.
Tax Return Preparer Charged with Tax Fraud OffensesRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, today announced that a federal grand jury in Bridgeport has returned a 22-count indictment charging KEYANTE PAUL, 33, of, Florida, with tax fraud offenses.
The indictment was returned on June 15, 2022. Paul was arrested yesterday in Florida. She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daniel Irick in Orlando and was released on bond. Her arraignment in the District of Connecticut is scheduled for June 30.
As alleged in the indictment, Paul, through her business Keys Tax Services, operated as a tax return preparer, and she traveled to Connecticut for part of the year to prepare returns for Connecticut clients. For the 2015 through 2018 tax years, Paul prepared numerous federal tax returns for clients that included false income “adjustments” that reduced taxpayers’ reported adjusted gross income, false expenses and losses in connection with sole proprietorship businesses that clients did not operate, and, in at least one instance, false charitable contributions.
The indictment charges Paul with 22 counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of false income tax returns, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of three years on each count.
U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This investigation is being conducted by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer R. Laraia and Lauren C. Clark.
West Hartford Man Guilty of Heroin Trafficking OffensesRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson today found DWAYNE THOMPSON, 37, of West Hartford, guilty of heroin trafficking offenses.
According to the evidence presented during a bench trial in Hartford, in July 2017, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force received information that Thompson’s associate, Jose Carrasquillo, was interested in acquiring heroin to distribute. Carrasquillo, working with Thompson, subsequently agreed to purchase three kilograms of heroin, for $42,000 per kilogram, from an undercover law enforcement officer posing as a heroin supplier. On August 22, 2017, Thompson and Carrasquillo, arriving in separate vehicles, met in South Windsor with an individual working with law enforcement to complete the transaction. Thompson was arrested after he was found in possession of a firearm and $126,200 in cash. Carrasquillo, who fled from the scene at a high rate of speed, surrendered to law enforcement two days later.
Judge Thompson found Dwayne Thompson guilty of one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, and one count of attempt to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin.
At sentencing, which is scheduled for September 9, Thompson faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term imprisonment of life. Thompson, who had been released on bond, was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service today.
On March 1, 2022, Carrasquillo, 36, of Wethersfield, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin. He is released on a $150,000 pending sentencing, which is scheduled for September 13.
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Enfield, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Windsor Locks and Willimantic Police Departments. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian P. Leaming and Robert S. Ruff.
Romanian National Involved in ATM Skimming Scheme is SentencedRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that NICOLAE MARIUS BARBU, 50, a citizen of Romania, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 21 months of imprisonment for his participation in an extensive ATM skimming scheme that defrauded banks in Connecticut and elsewhere.
According to court documents and statements in court, between February and June 2017, a Connecticut bank experienced approximately 35 incidents of ATM skimming at locations in Stratford, Monroe, Trumbull, Greenwich, Fairfield and elsewhere in Connecticut. As part of the scheme, conspiracy members placed skimming devices at the ATMs to capture account numbers and personal identification numbers (“PINs”) from customers who used their ATM cards at the ATMs while the devices were in place. Conspiracy members then used the captured information to make substitute ATM cards, and obtained money and made purchases using those cards. Barbu joined this conspiracy in April 2017.
In addition, in April 2018, Barbu and another individual stole credit cards from an individual’s belongings at a gym in Rockville, Maryland. They then used the cards to make more than $9,000 in purchases at Microsoft and Apple stores in Maryland.
Judge Shea ordered Barbu to pay restitution of $139,533 to the victim bank, and $9,536 to the banks that issued the credit cards used for his fraudulent purchases.
Barbu was arrested in Michigan in September 2020. He subsequently pleaded guilty and was sentenced in Michigan for state offenses related to credit card theft and possession of forged identification.
On March 25, 2022, Barbu pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud.
Barbu, who has been detained since his arrest, faces immigration proceedings when he completes his prison term.
This investigation was conducted by the Connecticut Financial Crimes Task Force, U.S. Secret Service, Greenwich Police Department, Monroe Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and several local police departments. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anastasia E. King.
Hartford Man Admits Illegally Possessing Handgun in ManchesterRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that MICHAEL JONES, 25, of Hartford, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on July 24, 2021, Jones pointed a firearm at another individual outside of a hookah lounge on Broad Street in Manchester. When Manchester Police arrived on the scene, Jones attempted to flee and discarded the firearm in the rear parking lot of the lounge. Jones was apprehended and the firearm, a loaded Taurus G2C 9mm pistol with an obliterated serial number, was recovered.
Prior to July 2021, Jones was convicted in state court of criminal possession of a firearm. It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.
Judge Underhill scheduled sentencing for September 7, at which time Jones faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. Jones has been detained since his arrest.
This matter has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Connecticut Violent Crime Task Force, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and Manchester Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie T. Levick and John T. Pierpont, Jr.
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.
Hamden Man Sentenced to 7 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing FentanylRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DARRYL SMALL, 34, of Hamden, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 84 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for fentanyl distribution offenses.
According to court documents and statements made in court, the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force began investigating Small after receiving information that he was distributing heroin and fentanyl in and around New Haven. In December 2020 and January 2021, investigators conducted multiple controlled purchases of fentanyl from Small.
Small was arrested on February 24, 2021. On that date, a court-authorized search of his Hamden residence revealed $24,134 in cash and approximately $165,000 in jewelry. Judge Dooley ordered Small to forfeit the cash and jewelry, and Small’s 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 that was also seized at the time of his arrest.
Small has been detained since his arrest. On March 7, 2022, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 40 grams or more of fentanyl.
Small’s criminal history includes felony convictions for criminal possession of a weapon, carrying a pistol without a permit, and first-degree robbery.
The FBI Safe Streets Task Force includes officers from the New Haven Police Department, Milford Police Department, Hamden Police Department, East Haven Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Conor M. Reardon.
Three Charged with Stealing Cash and Cigarettes in Robbery SpreeRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and David Sundberg, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment yesterday charging STEVEN GALARZA, 24, of Seymour; EFRAIN DELEON, 58, of New Britain; and GILBERTO DELEON, 56, of New Britain, with committing eight robberies of convenience stores and smoke shops across Connecticut earlier this year.
As alleged in the indictment and other court documents, between February 27 and March 22, 2022, Galarza, Efrain Deleon and Gilberto Deleon, using facsimile firearms that are designed to appear similar to real firearms, robbed the following retail locations of cash, cigarettes and other items:
- February 27 – Scott’s Village Mobil Gas Station, 843 Farmington Avenue, Farmington
- March 2 – Mystic Mobil Gas Station, 66 Whitehall Avenue, Mystic
- March 3 – Shell Gas Station, 168 Bridge Street, East Windsor
- March 3 – Food Bag, 960 Meriden Waterbury Turnpike, Southington
- March 5 – Valero Gas Station, 1 Main Street, Ellington
- March 5 – Sunoco Gas Station, 446 Bloomfield Avenue, Windsor
- March 8 – Smoker’s Discount World, 636 Silas Deane Highway, Wethersfield
- March 16 – Cove Smoke Market, located at 841 Cove Road, Stamford
The indictment charges each of the defendants with one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery and eight counts of Hobbs Act Robbery. If convicted, Galarza, Efrain Deleon and Gilberto Deleon face a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count.
U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Galarza, Efrain Deleon and Gilberto Deleon were arrested on April 19, 2022, on a federal criminal complaint emanating from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. Efrain and Gilberto Deleon are detained and Galarza is released on a $50,000 bond.
This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Connecticut State Police, and the Farmington, Stonington, East Windsor, Southington, Windsor, Wethersfield and Stamford Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brendan Keefe and Rahul Kale.
New Britain Man Charged with Illegal Gun and Ammunition PossessionRead the Press Release
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 New Haven returned an indictment yesterday charging LUIS JAVIER LOPEZ, 23, of New Britain, with unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon.
The indictment alleges that, on February 26, 2022, Lopez possessed a loaded Taurus G3 9mm pistol and a magazine containing 9mm ammunition.
It is further alleged that Lopez has been previously convicted in state court of possession with intent to sell a controlled substance. 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 Lopez with one count of possession of a firearm by a felon, and one count of possession of ammunition by a felon. Each charge carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.
U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Lopez has been detained since his arrest on related state charges by Hartford Police on February 26, 2022.
This matter is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Hartford Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephanie T. Levick and Angel M. Krull.
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.
West Haven City Employee Admits Role in Scheme to Steal Covid Relief FundsRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOHN BERNARDO, 66, of West Haven, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to a conspiracy charge stemming from his role in a scheme to steal COVID relief funds from the City of West Haven.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Bernardo was employed by the City of West Haven as a Housing Specialist in the office of Community Development Administration. In January 2021, Bernardo and another city employee formed Compass Investment Group, LLC. Beginning in February 2021, Compass Investment Group LLC fraudulently billed the City of West Haven and its “COVID-19 Grant Department” for consulting services purportedly provided to the West Haven Health Department that were not performed. From February 2021 through September 2021, the City of West Haven paid Compass Investment Group a total of $636,783.70. Bernardo received a portion of these funds.
Bernardo pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years.
Bernardo was arrested on November 4, 2021. He is released on a $250,000 pending sentencing, which is not scheduled.
This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General for Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Miller.
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.
New Haven Man Charged with Illegally Possessing Firearm While on Federal Supervised ReleaseRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging SHAQUIL GARY, 29, of New Haven, with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
The indictment was returned on June 8, 2022. Gary appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert A. Richardson in Hartford and entered a plea of not guilty. He has been detained since his arrest on related state charges on April 19, 2022.
As alleged in the indictment, on April 19, 2022, Gary possessed a loaded Glock model 17, 9mm pistol.
It is further alleged that Gary’s criminal history includes a federal felony conviction for armed robbery of a person in lawful control of property of the United States, and state felony convictions for the sale and possession of narcotics. It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.
If convicted of the charge, Gary faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. Gary, who is currently on federal supervised release, faces additional penalties if he is found to have violated the conditions of his supervised release.
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, the New Haven Police Department and the Hamden Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert S. Dearington.
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.
Meriden Man Indicted for Trafficking FentanylRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment today charging GERARDO NUNEZ-IRIZARRY, also known as “Indio,” 43, of Meriden, with possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.
As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, between June and August 2021, law enforcement made multiple controlled purchases of fentanyl from Nunez-Irizarry. In November 2021, Nunez-Irizarry agreed to sell a 50-gram quantity of fentanyl. On November 18, 2021, investigators stopped Nunez-Irizarry’s car in Meriden as he drove to an arranged location to complete the transaction and seized approximately 50 grams of fentanyl. He was arrested on state charges at that time.
Nunez-Irizarry was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on March 24, 2022.
If convicted of the charge, Nunez-Irizarry faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.
U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Nunez-Irizarry is currently released on a $100,000 bond.
This matter is being investigated by the DEA’s New Haven Task Force, which includes personnel from the DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, and the New Haven, East Haven, West Haven, Meriden, Waterbury, Branford, Ansonia, and Middletown Police Departments as well as from the Connecticut State Police. The investigation has been supported by the Meriden Police Department and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force, which includes members from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Postal Service – Office of the Inspector General, the Connecticut Army National Guard, and the Hartford, New Britain, Meriden and Town of Groton Police Departments.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Konstantin Lantsman through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Hartford Man Pleads Guilty to Offenses Stemming from Theft of Firearms from South Windsor WarehouseRead the Press Release
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that SHAMEIK CAMARA, 32, of Hartford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Sarah A. L. Merriam in Bridgeport to offenses stemming from the theft of numerous firearms from a South Windsor warehouse last year.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in August 2021, a shipment of 50 Zigana, Model PX-9G2 pistols was stolen from R&L Carriers, a national freight shipping company with a warehouse located at 540 Sullivan Avenue in South Windsor. Even though R&L employees were aware of the theft shortly after it occurred in mid-August, they did not notify law enforcement. Officials at R&L carriers reported the theft to law enforcement on September 16, 2021. In October 2021, investigators identified Camara after seeing Facebook Marketplace and Offer Up posts selling high-end speakers and sports trading cards that were similar to items stolen from the R&L warehouse at about the same time of the firearm shipment theft.
Camara was arrested on October 28, 2021. At this time of his arrest, he possessed two firearms, one of which was a Zigana pistol taken during the theft in August 2021.
Camara was previously convicted of felony 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.
Camara pleaded guilty to one count of possession of firearm by a felon, and one count of receipt and possession of items from an interstate shipment. Judge Merriam scheduled sentencing for September 6, 2022, at which time Camara faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
This investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and the South Windsor Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren C. Clark and A. Reed Durham.
Bridgeport Gang Member Pleads Guilty to Federal Racketeering ChargeRead the Press Release
JAMAR TRAYLOR, also known as “J-Hop,” 22, of Bridgeport, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to a racketeering charge stemming from his participation in a violent Bridgeport street gang.
Today’s announcement was made by Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; Joseph T. Corradino, State’s Attorney for the Fairfield Judicial District; Bridgeport Acting Police Chief Rebeca Garcia; David Sundberg, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, and Acting U.S. Marshal Lawrence Bobnick.
According to court documents and statements made in court, the FBI, ATF, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service and Bridgeport Police have been investigating multiple Bridgeport-based gangs whose members are involved in narcotics trafficking, murder and other acts of violence. Traylor was a member of the Original North End (“O.N.E.”), a gang based in the Trumbull Gardens area of Bridgeport that committed acts of violence against rival gang, including the East End gang, the East Side gang, and the PT Barnum gang. O.N.E. members also robbed drug dealers, sold narcotics, laundered narcotics proceeds, and stole cars from inside and outside Connecticut and used the cars to commit crimes.
On August 8, 2018, Traylor and other O.N.E. members stole a Jeep Grand Cherokee in Newburgh, New York, and drove it back to Bridgeport. In the following days, Traylor and others conspired to use the car to kill East End gang members and their allies who they had learned through social media were at a deli on Stratford Avenue in Bridgeport. Although that plan fell through, in the early morning hours of August 13, 2018, O.N.E. members drove the stolen Jeep to Union Avenue in Bridgeport where they shot and killed Len Smith, 25, who they mistook for a rival East End group member, and shot and seriously wounded Smith’s female companion, both of whom were seated in a parked car. After the shooting, O.N.E. members transported the Jeep to Indian Wells State Park in Shelton where they burned the vehicle in an effort to destroy evidence of the murder.
On October 22, 2018, Traylor and others committed a violent robbery of a marijuana dealer.
On June 1, 2021, Traylor, who at the time was on probation after a state felony weapons conviction, possessed five Glock handguns and ammunition.
Traylor pleaded guilty to one count of engaging in a pattern of racketeering activity, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. He has been detained since June 1, 2021.
This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the FBI’s Safe Streets and Violent Crimes Task Forces, ATF, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Bridgeport Police Department, Connecticut State Police and the Bridgeport State’s Attorney’s Office, with the assistance of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory and the Waterbury Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen L. Peck, Rahul Kale, Jocelyn C. Kaoutzanis and Tara E. Levens.
This prosecution is a part of the Justice’s Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), Project Longevity and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) programs.
PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Project Longevity is a comprehensive initiative to reduce gun violence in Connecticut’s major cities. Through Project Longevity, community members and law enforcement directly engage with members of groups that are prone to commit violence and deliver a community message against violence, a law enforcement message about the consequences of further violence and an offer of help for those who want it. If a group member elects to engage in gun violence, the focused attention of federal, state and local law enforcement will be directed at that entire group.
OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.