District of Connecticut
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Former Torrington Resident Sentenced to 4 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking Heroin and CocaineRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that HENLY FELIZ SANTIAGO, 43, a citizen of the Dominican Republic last residing in Torrington, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to 48 months of imprisonment for trafficking heroin and cocaine
According to court documents and statements made in court, in January 2018, law enforcement in Indiana seized approximately three kilograms of heroin that was being transported to Santiago, and investigators subsequently learned that Santiago was involved in the cross-country transportation of heroin and cocaine to Connecticut. On January 20, 2018, an Orange County (N.Y) Sheriff conducted a motor vehicle stop of a tractor-trailer at a toll barrier on Interstate 87 in Newburgh, New York. Saul Onzures of El Paso, Texas, was driving the truck and Francisco Castillo, also of El Paso, was a passenger in the truck. A search of the truck revealed 10 kilograms of cocaine that was destined for Santiago in Torrington.
Santiago has been detained since his arrest on November 8, 2018. On January 15, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribution of, one kilogram or more of heroin.
Santiago faces immigration proceedings at the conclusion of his prison term.
Onzures and Castillo pleaded guilty to related charges and were sentenced to prison terms of 27 months and 25 months, respectively.
This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis.
Clinton Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison for Child Exploitation OffenseRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MARK FELNER, 31, of Clinton, 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 engaging in sexual activity with an underage victim in 2015 and 2016, and receiving pornographic images from the minor victim.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on multiple occasions in 2015, Felner, who was 26 at the time, traveled from Connecticut to North Carolina to engage in illegal sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl. In 2015 and 2016, when Felner and the minor victim were not physically together, the victim, at Felner’s instruction, sent pornographic images of herself through social media messaging services.
Felner was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on October 8, 2019. A memory card seized from Felner at the time of his arrest revealed pornographic images that he had received from the minor victim.
On July 15, 2020, Felner pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography.
Felner, who is released on a $50,000 bond, is scheduled to report to prison on January 7, 2021.
Felner will be required to register as a sex offender as a result of his conviction.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New London and East Lyme Police Departments. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Margaret Donovan and Neeraj Patel.
This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.
Norwich Man Sentenced to More Than 5 Years in Federal Prison for Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DANIEL FRANCOIS, also known as “Bear,” 30, of Norwich, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 65 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing firearms.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 20, 2019, Francois was arrested after he provided quantities of crack cocaine and marijuana to an undercover ATF special agent in exchange for two Davis model P-380 .380 caliber pistols. A subsequent search of Francois’ person and vehicle also revealed approximately 20 grams of heroin.
Francois’ criminal history includes state felony convictions for robbery and drug offenses. It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.
Francois has been detained since his arrest. On December 2, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.
This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Ledyard and Norwich Police Departments, with the assistance of Connecticut State Parole. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret M. Donovan.
This prosecution has been brought though Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone.
Hartford Man Pleads Guilty to Carjacking OffenseRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ARNO SMITH, 57, of Hartford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to a federal robbery offense connected to a carjacking in 2018.
According to court documents and statements made in court, at approximately 11:00 p.m. on July 26, 2018, Smith approached a woman who was sitting in her 2006 Honda in a Hartford parking lot and pressed what the woman believed to be a gun against her neck. Smith then grabbed the victim’s purse and the victim got out of the car. Smith pointed the weapon at the victim, told her to walk away, and then drove away in the car.
After the robbery, Smith attempted to use the victim’s credit card at two locations in Bristol.
The investigation also revealed that Smith robbed the Price Chopper supermarket located at 121 Farmington Avenue in Bristol on July 27; the Price Chopper supermarket located at 410 Queen Street in Southington on September 4; the U-Haul Moving and Storage located at 755 Capitol Avenue in Hartford on September 5; the Home Depot located at 55 Granby Street in Bloomfield on September 15; the Lowe’s Home Improvement located at 31 Buckland Hills Drive in South Windsor on September 16; the Days Inn located at 185 Ella Grasso Turnpike in Windsor Locks on September 18, 2018, and the U-Haul Moving and Storage located at 3197 Main Street in Hartford on September 19.
Smith was arrested on state charges on September 20, 2018. He was sitting in the victim’s car at the time of his arrest.
Smith pleaded guilty to one count of Hobbs Act robbery, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. A sentencing date is not scheduled.
Smith has been detained since his arrest.
This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Violent Crimes Task Force and the Hartford, Bristol, Southington, Bloomfield, South Windsor, Windsor Locks, Farmington and West Hartford Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Gustafson.
This prosecution has been brought through Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone.
Ohio Man Charged with Posing as Teen, Receiving Sexually Explicit Videos from Minor, Posting on TikTokRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, 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 New Canaan Police Chief Leon Krolikowski announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment today charging BRIAN GRINNELL, 35, of Lakewood, Ohio, with distribution of child pornography.
As alleged in court documents, in March 2020, Grinnell posed as a 15-year-old girl and met a female, who at the time was under the age of 12, on Omegle, an online chat website and mobile application that allows users to interact with strangers. Shortly thereafter, he began communicating with the minor victim using the account name “alexisswimmer99” on Snapchat. Grinnell told the minor victim to take sexually explicit photos and videos of herself and send them to Grinnell over Snapchat. After the minor victim began to feel threatened by alexisswimmer99, she unfriended and blocked the alexisswimmer99 account.
It is further alleged that Grinnell, under the username “alexisswimmer9,” subsequently contacted a friend of the minor victim on TikTok and stated that unless the minor victim got in touch with him, he would post a video of the minor victim naked on TikTok. Grinnell then posted sexually explicit videos of the minor victim on TikTok. When a friend of the minor victim, who is also a minor, begged Grinnell not to post additional videos of the minor victim, Grinnell stated “I want a video of you begging me to not put them up. And you have to be topless in the video. If you don’t want any more of your friend stuff going out.” After the friend told Grinnell that they would call the police, Grinnell responded “How are they gonna find me?”
It is alleged that Grinnell then proceeded to post another video of the minor victim on TikTok.
Grinnell has been detained since his arrest on a criminal complaint on September 23, 2020.
If convicted of the charge of distribution of child pornography, Grinnell faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
U.S. Attorney Durham 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 Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Canaan Police Department, with assistance from the Cuyahoga County (Ohio) Prosecutor’s Office and Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tara E. Levens and Sarala V. Nagala.
New Haven Woman Admits Lying to Federal Grand Jury about Knowledge of Kidnapping and Triple HomicideRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that LAQUASIA SAMMS, also known as “Quasia,” 26, of New Haven, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to making false statements before a federal grand jury in connection with an investigation into the kidnapping and murder of two individuals, and the related murder of a third individual, in November 2015.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 16, 2015, Samms was present when an illegal firearm transaction was occurring in her apartment on Shelton Avenue in New Haven. Damian Connor and Tamar Lawrence were also present in the apartment. When an individual left the apartment with firearms that he had not paid for, the individual whose firearms were taken held Connor and Lawrence against their will. Connor and Lawrence were robbed of money and valuables, and then forced to travel in Connor’s car to Hamden where Connor said he could get more money. They were followed in another vehicle by Devante Williams and another individual. After the vehicles arrived at 676 Mix Avenue in Hamden, Connor and Lawrence were shot and killed. Williams was shot and killed a short time later in the area of Sherman Court in New Haven.
During the kidnapping, and after the three victims were murdered, Samms sent several text messages to another individual about what was happening and her reaction to the events.
On March 19, 2019, Samms appeared before a grand jury in New Haven. During her testimony, Samms repeatedly claimed that she did not remember sending any text messages related to the gun transaction, the kidnapping, or the murder of the three individuals.
In pleading guilty, Samms admitted that she sent the text messages, and that she withheld other information that was sought by the federal grand jury.
Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for December 28, 2020, at which time Samms faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.
On December 9, 2019, the grand jury returned an indictment charging Edward Michael Parks, also known as “Lee” and “Trouble,” 34, of Raleigh, North Carolina, with kidnapping and murdering the two individuals in Hamden, and killing the third victim in New Haven to stop him from advising law enforcement what had occurred. Parks is awaiting trial, and U.S. Attorney Durham stressed that an indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Hamden Police Department and New Haven Police Department.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony E. Kaplan, Peter D. Markle and Jocelyn C. Kaoutzanis, and Assistant State’s Attorney Seth Garbarsky, who has been cross-designated as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in this matter.
New Haven Teen Who Obstructed Justice is SentencedRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DIAVION HUTCHINGS, also known as “Avi,” 19, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to two years of probation for obstructing justice.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in February 2019, the New Haven Police Department conducted a video-recorded interview with an individual who had just been arrested. During the interview, the individual provided information that led to the state arrest of Hutchings’ significant other (“L.W.”). A copy of the interview video was provided to L.W.’s lawyer.
In April 2019, a federal grand jury returned an indictment against the individual whose interview was video recorded.
On April 24, 2019, Hutchings viewed the interview video at the office of L.W.’s lawyer, and recorded at least 15 separate portions of the interview using her iPhone. Hutchings transmitted portions of the recordings that she made of the interview video to others via text message and through the use of Facebook Live. In those transmissions, Hutchings communicated threats of harm toward the individual who provided information about L.W.
Hutchings was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on June 3, 2019. On June 29, 2020, she pleaded guilty to one count of obstruction of justice.
This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maria del Pilar Gonzalez and Sarah P. Karwan.
Manchester Dentist, Dental Clinics and Dental Imaging Facility Pay $300K to Settle False Claims AllegationsRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that ABBAS MOHAMMADI, DDS, and his businesses, COLUMBIA DENTAL, P.C. and COLUMBIA ORAL MAXILLOFACIAL IMAGING, L.L.C., have entered into a civil settlement agreement with the federal and state governments and paid $300,000 to resolve allegations that they violated the federal and state False Claims Acts.
Mohammadi, a dentist and oral surgeon, is the owner of Columbia Dental, P.C. (“CDPC”), which operates 15 dental clinics throughout Connecticut, and Columbia Oral Maxillofacial Imaging Imaging, L.L.C. (“COMILLC”), a dental imaging facility in Manchester. Mohammadi and both corporations are enrolled as providers in the Connecticut Medical Assistance Program (“CMAP”), which includes the state’s Medicaid program. It is alleged that, from January 2012 through February 2016, Mohammadi, CDPC and COMILLC billed Medicaid for dental restoration services that were not provided or were not medically necessary. It is also alleged that, from January 2014 through November 2015, Mohammadi, CDPC and COMILLC billed Medicaid for x-ray services that were not provided by individuals who had been certified by the Dental Assisting National Board to take x-rays.
To resolve the allegations under the federal and state False Claims Acts, Mohammadi, CDPC and COMILLC paid $300,000 in order to reimburse the Medicaid program.
A complaint against Mohammadi, CDPC and COMILLC was filed in the U.S. District Court in Connecticut (U.S. ex rel. Mahoney v. Columbia Dental, P.C.. et al., No. 3:15-CV-918) under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provisions of the both the federal and state False Claims Acts, which allow private parties to bring suit on behalf of the government. The whistleblower provisions of both the federal and state False Claims Acts provide that the whistleblower is entitled to receive a percentage of the proceeds of any judgment or settlement recovered by the government. The relator (whistleblower), Ms. Brittany Ames Mahoney, a former employee at CDPC, will receive a share of the proceeds of the settlement in the amount of $45,000. The Court issued judgment in favor of the U.S. and the State of Connecticut against Mohammadi, CDPC and COMILLC in the amount of $300,000 pursuant to the terms of the settlement agreement.
This investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne F. Thidemann, and by Assistant Attorney General Joshua L. Jackson of the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General.
This matter is announced in coordination with a Department of Justice nationwide enforcement action involving more than 300 defendants in criminal and civil cases across 51 federal districts. The defendants, including more than 100 doctors, nurses and other licensed medical professionals, are alleged to have submitted more than $6 billion in false and fraudulent claims to federal health care programs and private insurers.
People who suspect health care fraud are encouraged to report it by calling 1-800-HHS-TIPS or the Health Care Fraud Task Force at (203) 777-6311.
Indictment Charges 8 Hartford County Residents for Roles in Northeast Burglary SpreeRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, 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, on September 15, 2020, a federal grand jury in Hartford returned a six-count indictment charging the following individuals with offenses related to their involvement in an extensive commercial burglary spree:
PAIGE JAMES, also known as “Ishaya James,” 27, of Hartford
JAHLIIL PARROTT, also known as “Stretch,” 23, of Windsor
ANDRES BARCLETT, also known as “Coolie,” 26, of Hartford
AYSIA RYAN, 21, of Windsor
WILLIAM TISDOL, 20, of Hartford
JORDAN BRAITHWAITE, 23, of New Britain
JEZENIA MILLER, 21, of Hartford
TASHANIQUE BLIZZARD, 25, of HartfordThe indictment stems from “Operation American Steal,” a long-term multi-agency investigation into numerous “grab and go” thefts from various retail fashion stores in Connecticut and nearby states. A “grab-and-go” scheme is a type of theft where one or more perpetrators enter a retail store, grab as many items of clothing or other goods as they can carry, leave the store without paying for the merchandise, and depart in a waiting getaway vehicle.
The indictment alleges that the eight defendants were part of a network of individuals who burglarized Polo Ralph Lauren, T.J. Maxx, Balenciaga, Burberry, Macy’s, Marshalls, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Tommy Hilfiger and other stores in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York. They then transported the stolen merchandise to Connecticut and sold the items on the internet or the street.
The indictment charges each of the defendants with one count of conspiracy to transport and possess stolen property, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years. In addition, James, Parrott, Barclett, Braithwaite and Blizzard are each charged with one or more counts of interstate transportation of stolen property, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years on each count.
Blizzard, Braithwaite, Miller and Tisdol have been arrested, and James, Parrott, Barclett, and Ryan are being sought by law enforcement.
Citizens with knowledge of the whereabouts of James, Parrott, Barclett and Ryan, or with information that may be helpful the investigation of this matter, are encouraged to call the FBI at 203-996-4132 or 860-993-5499.
U.S. Attorney Durham 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 matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Hartford, New Canaan, Wrentham (Mass.), Auburn (Mass.) and Nassau County (N.Y.) Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Margaret Donovan and Brendan Keefe.
Connecticut Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor Pays $230K to Settle False Claims AllegationsRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that HECTOR B. CHUKWUEMEKA OKWUOSA, LADC, and his business, MY FATHER MY SON REHABILITATION AND COUNSELING CENTER LLC, have entered into a civil settlement agreement with the federal and state governments and paid $230,000 to resolve allegations that they violated the federal and state False Claims Acts.
Okwuosa is a state Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor and the owner of My Father My Son, a now dissolved private behavioral health practice that provided in-home mental health and substance abuse counseling in the greater New Haven, Hartford and Bridgeport communities. Okwuosa is enrolled as a Licensed Behavioral Health Clinician in Independent Practice in the Connecticut Medical Assistance Program (“CMAP”), which includes the state’s Medicaid program. It is alleged that, on numerous occasions, Okwuosa and My Father My Son billed Medicaid for behavioral health services as if a licensed individual had provided the services when in fact an unlicensed individual rendered the services.
To resolve the allegations under the federal and state False Claims Acts, Okwuosa and My Father My Son paid $230,000 in order to reimburse the Medicaid program for conduct occurring from March 1, 2017 to May 5, 2018.
Under the False Claims Act, the government can recover up to three times its actual damages, plus penalties of $11,665 to $23,331 for each false claim.
This case stems from a larger investigation into fraudulent activity in the area of behavioral health services, which has been jointly conducted by the Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Chief State’s Attorney’s Office and the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General, with support from the Connecticut Department of Social Services.
This case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne Thidemann, and Assistant Attorney General Joshua L. Jackson of the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General.
This matter is announced in coordination with a Department of Justice nationwide enforcement action involving more than 300 defendants in criminal and civil cases across 51 federal districts. The defendants, including more than 100 doctors, nurses and other licensed medical professionals, are alleged to have submitted more than $6 billion in false and fraudulent claims to federal health care programs and private insurers.
People who suspect health care fraud are encouraged to report it by calling 1-800-HHS-TIPS or the Health Care Fraud Task Force at (203) 777-6311.
Hartford Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Distributing Fentanyl and CrackRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that YASIL SANTOS, also known as “Lilo,” 25, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for distributing fentanyl and crack cocaine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an investigation conducted by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Gang Task Force and Hartford Police Department’s Vice and Narcotics Division into the trafficking of narcotics and associated violence in Hartford’s South End by members and associates of the Almighty Latin Kings Nation (“Latin Kings”). The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps, physical surveillance and controlled purchases of narcotics, revealed that two members of the Latin Kings operated separate drug trafficking organizations that distributed fentanyl, heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine. The organizations used multiple locations to process, package, store and distribute narcotics, and possessed firearms in furtherance of their drug trafficking activities.
Nelson Ferry led one of the drug trafficking organizations. Ferry, with the assistance of Santos and others, processed and packaged heroin/fentanyl at his East Hartford residence, and he operated a “trap house” at 149 Wethersfield Avenue in Hartford as a distribution point for drug customers. Santos worked with Ferry to distribute heroin/fentanyl and crack cocaine from the Wethersfield Avenue trap house.
Santos has been detained since his arrest on July 24, 2018. On September 24, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, 40 grams or more of fentanyl and 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”).
Santos’ criminal history includes two state convictions for firearm offenses.
Ferry pleaded guilty to related charges and, on February 26, 2020, was sentenced to 87 months of imprisonment.
This matter is being investigated by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and the Hartford Police Department. The Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction. The Hartford Police Department’s Vice and Narcotics Division and Shooting Task Force have provided valuable assistance to the investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Leaming.
Hartford Man Involved in Cocaine Trafficking Ring Sentenced to 30 Months in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that HECTOR LUNA, 32, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 30 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for his role in a cocaine trafficking ring.
According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service into a drug trafficking organization that was receiving shipments of cocaine from Puerto Rico and California, and distributing the drug in and around Hartford. The investigation revealed that a U.S. Postal Service letter carrier was facilitating the shipment of parcels containing kilograms of cocaine through the USPS to addresses that were on his delivery route in Hartford. The letter carrier distributed cocaine to his own drug customers, and also delivered parcels to other large-scale cocaine traffickers in the Hartford area. Luna received parcels of cocaine from the letter carrier and delivered them to other co-conspirators.
Luna was arrested on May 21, 2019. On June 4, 2019, a grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment charging Luna and 18 co-defendants with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and related offenses. On November 17, 2020, Luna pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.
Luna, who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on November 11, 2020.
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Windsor Locks and Willimantic Police Departments.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey M. Stone.
Massachusetts Man Who Defrauded Connecticut Art Dealer is SentencedRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that HAROLD GORDON, 71, of Templeton, Massachusetts, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to five years of probation for defrauding a Connecticut art dealer.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in approximately October 2012, Gordon began communicating by phone and email with a respected art dealer and appraiser (the “victim”) in Connecticut, to induce the victim to purchase a tall antique desk, commonly known as a “secretary desk.” In these communications, Gordon falsely represented to the victim that the desk was decorated and dedicated as a Civil War memorial for a Connecticut soldier who died at the Battle of Antietam while fighting for the Union Army. These misrepresentations included Gordon’s claims that the surviving soldiers in the fallen soldier’s Connecticut regiment had crafted the desk to serve as a war memorial for the deceased soldier’s family; that other than cleaning the vintage clock, Gordon had done nothing else to refurbish or decorate the desk; and that Gordon had purchased the desk from a descendant of the deceased Connecticut soldier.
In early March 2014, the victim examined the secretary desk at Gordon’s Massachusetts residence, and then took several subsequent steps to confirm the desk’s authenticity, such as taking a portion of the desk apart. The victim then purchased the desk from Gordon for $64,500. At Gordon’s request, the victim provided the payment in three separate checks.
In February 2015, the victim sold the desk to the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art in Hartford. After completing this transaction, the victim sent Gordon an additional payment of $25,000 because the victim had made a significant profit from the sale.
In February 2018, various third parties made inquiries to the victim about the authenticity of the secretary desk. The victim contacted Gordon, who admitted that he had refurbished and decorated the desk himself, created the false narrative about the desk’s history, and targeted the victim to purchase it due to the victim’s respected stature in the American folk art community. The victim then made full restitution to the Wadsworth Atheneum.
Judge Meyer ordered Gordon to pay restitution of $84,500 to the victim.
On January 29, 2019, Gordon pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Chen.
JPMorgan Chase & Co. Agrees to Pay $920 Million in Connection with Schemes to Defraud Precious Metals and U.S. Treasuries MarketsRead the Press Release
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPMorgan), a New York, New York-based global banking and financial services firm, has entered into a resolution with the Department of Justice to resolve criminal charges related to two distinct schemes to defraud: the first involving tens of thousands of episodes of unlawful trading in the markets for precious metals futures contracts, and the second involving thousands of episodes of unlawful trading in the markets for U.S. Treasury futures contracts and in the secondary (cash) market for U.S. Treasury notes and bonds.
JPMorgan entered into a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) in connection with a criminal information filed today in the District of Connecticut charging the company with two counts of wire fraud. Under the terms of the DPA, JPMorgan will pay over $920 million in a criminal monetary penalty, criminal disgorgement, and victim compensation, with the criminal monetary penalty credited against payments made to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) under a separate agreement with the CFTC being announced today and with part of the criminal disgorgement credited against payments made to the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) under a separate agreement with the SEC being announced today.
“For over eight years, traders on JP Morgan’s precious metals and U.S. Treasuries desks engaged in separate schemes to defraud other market participants that involved thousands of instances of unlawful trading meant to enhance profits and avoid losses,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian C. Rabbitt of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Today’s resolution — which includes a significant criminal monetary penalty, compensation for victims, and requires JP Morgan to disgorge its unlawful gains — reflects the nature and seriousness of the bank’s offenses and represents a milestone in the department’s ongoing efforts to ensure the integrity of public markets critical to our financial system.”
“JPMorgan engaged in two separate years-long market manipulation schemes,” said U.S. Attorney John H. Durham of the District of Connecticut. “Not only will the company pay a substantial financial penalty and return money to victims, but this agreement requires JPMorgan to self-report violations of the federal anti-fraud laws and cooperate in any future criminal investigations. I thank the FBI for its dedication in investigating these deceptive trading practices and other sophisticated financial crimes.”
“For nearly a decade, a significant number of JP Morgan traders and sales personnel openly disregarded U.S. laws that serve to protect against illegal activity in the marketplace,” said Assistant Director in Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. of the FBI’s New York Field Office. “Today's deferred prosecution agreement, in which JP Morgan Chase and Co. agreed to pay nearly one billion dollars in penalties and victim compensation, is a stark reminder to others that allegations of this nature will be aggressively investigated and pursued.”
According to admissions and court documents, between approximately March 2008 and August 2016, numerous traders and sales personnel on JPMorgan’s precious metals desk located in New York, London, and Singapore engaged in a scheme to defraud in connection with the purchase and sale of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium futures contracts (collectively, precious metals futures contracts) that traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange Inc. and Commodity Exchange Inc., which are commodities exchanges operated by the CME Group Inc. In tens of thousands of instances, traders on the precious metals desk placed orders to buy and sell precious metals futures contracts with the intent to cancel those orders before execution, including in an attempt to profit by deceiving other market participants through injecting false and misleading information concerning the existence of genuine supply and demand for precious metals futures contracts. In addition, on certain occasions, traders on the precious metals desk engaged in trading activity that was intended to deliberately trigger or defend barrier options held by JPMorgan and thereby avoid losses.
One of the traders on the precious metals desk, John Edmonds, 38, of Brooklyn, New York, pleaded guilty on Oct. 9, 2018, to one count of commodities fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, commodities fraud, commodities price manipulation, and spoofing, and his sentencing, at this time, has not been scheduled before U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny of the District of Connecticut. Another one of the traders on the precious metals desk, Christian Trunz, 35, of New York, New York, pleaded guilty on Aug. 20, 2019, to one count of conspiracy to engage in spoofing and one count of spoofing in connection with his precious metals futures contracts trading at JPMorgan and another financial services firm, and his sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 28, 2021, before U.S. District Judge Sterling Johnson of the Eastern District of New York.
Finally, as part of the investigation, the department obtained a superseding indictment on Nov. 15, 2019 against three former JPMorgan traders, Gregg Smith, Michael Nowak, and Christopher Jordan, and one former salesperson, Jeffrey Ruffo, in the Northern District of Illinois that charged them for their alleged participation in a racketeering conspiracy and other federal crimes in connection with the manipulation of the precious metals futures contracts markets. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Also according to admissions and court documents, between approximately April 2008 and January 2016, traders on JPMorgan’s U.S. Treasuries desk located in New York and London engaged in a scheme to defraud in connection with the purchase and sale of U.S. Treasury futures contracts that traded on the Chicago Board of Trade, which is a commodities exchange operated by the CME Group Inc., and of U.S. Treasury notes and bonds traded in the secondary cash market (the U.S. Treasury futures, notes, and bonds, collectively, U.S. Treasury Products). In thousands of instances, traders on the U.S. Treasuries desk placed orders to buy and sell U.S. Treasury Products with the intent to cancel those orders before execution, including in an attempt to profit by deceiving other market participants through injecting false and misleading information concerning the existence of genuine supply and demand for U.S. Treasury Products.
As part of the DPA, JPMorgan, and its subsidiaries JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (JPMC) and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (JPMS) have agreed to, among other things, continue to cooperate with the Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut in any ongoing or future investigations and prosecutions concerning JPMorgan, JPMC, JPMS, and their subsidiaries and affiliates, and their officers, directors, employees and agents. As part of its cooperation, JPMorgan, JPMC, and JPMS are required to report evidence or allegations of conduct which may constitute a violation of the wire fraud statute, the anti-fraud, anti-spoofing and/or anti-manipulation provisions of the Commodity Exchange Act, the securities and commodities fraud statute, and federal securities laws prohibiting manipulative and deceptive devices. In addition, JPMorgan, JPMC, and JPMS have also agreed to enhance their compliance program where necessary and appropriate, and to report to the government regarding remediation and implementation of their enhanced compliance program.
The department reached this resolution with JPMorgan based on a number of factors, including the nature and seriousness of the offense conduct, which spanned eight years and involved tens of thousands of instances of unlawful trading activity; JPMorgan’s failure to fully and voluntarily self‑disclose the offense conduct to the department; JPMorgan’s prior criminal history, including a guilty plea on May 20, 2015, for similar misconduct involving manipulative and deceptive trading practices in the foreign currency exchange spot market (FX Guilty Plea); and the fact that substantially all of the offense conduct occurred prior to the FX Guilty Plea.
JPMorgan received credit for its cooperation with the department’s investigation and for the remedial measures taken by JPMorgan, JPMC, and JPMS, including suspending and ultimately terminating individuals involved in the offense conduct, adopting heightened internal controls, and substantially increasing the resources devoted to compliance. Significantly, since the time of the offense conduct, and following the FX Guilty Plea, JPMorgan, JPMC, and JPMS engaged in a systematic effort to reassess and enhance their market conduct compliance program and internal controls. These enhancements included hiring hundreds of new compliance officers, improving their anti-fraud and manipulation training and policies, revising their trade and electronic communications surveillance programs, implementing tools and processes to facilitate closer supervision of traders, taking into account employees’ commitment to compliance in promotion and compensation decisions, and implementing independent quality assurance testing of non-escalated and escalated surveillance alerts. Based on JPMorgan’s, JPMC’s and JPMS’ remediation and the state of their compliance program, the department determined that an independent compliance monitor was unnecessary.
Today, the CFTC announced a separate settlement with JPMorgan, JPMC, and JPMS in connection with a related, parallel proceeding. Under the terms of that resolution, JPMorgan agreed to pay approximately $920 million, which includes a civil monetary penalty of approximately $436 million, as well as restitution and disgorgement that will be credited to any such payments made to the department under the DPA. Also, the SEC announced today a separate settlement with JPMS in connection with a related, parallel proceeding regarding trading activity in the secondary cash market for U.S. Treasury notes and bonds. Under the terms of that resolution, JPMS agreed to pay $10 million in disgorgement and a civil monetary penalty of $25 million.
The FBI’s New York Field Office investigated this case. Assistant Chief Avi Perry and Trial Attorney Matthew F. Sullivan of the Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Francis of the District of Connecticut prosecuted the case.
Individuals who believe that they may be a victim in this case should visit the Fraud Section’s Victim Witness website at https://www.justice.gov/criminal-vns/case/jpmorgan-dpa or call (888) 549-3945.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
JPMorgan Chase & Co. Agrees to Pay $920 Million in Connection with Schemes to Defraud Precious Metals and U.S. Treasuries MarketsRead the Press Release
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPMorgan), a New York, New York-based global banking and financial services firm, has entered into a resolution with the Department of Justice to resolve criminal charges related to two distinct schemes to defraud: the first involving tens of thousands of episodes of unlawful trading in the markets for precious metals futures contracts, and the second involving thousands of episodes of unlawful trading in the markets for U.S. Treasury futures contracts and in the secondary (cash) market for U.S. Treasury notes and bonds.
JPMorgan entered into a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) in connection with a criminal information filed today in the District of Connecticut charging the company with two counts of wire fraud. Under the terms of the DPA, JPMorgan will pay over $920 million in a criminal monetary penalty, criminal disgorgement, and victim compensation, with the criminal monetary penalty credited against payments made to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) under a separate agreement with the CFTC being announced today and with part of the criminal disgorgement credited against payments made to the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) under a separate agreement with the SEC being announced today.
“For over eight years, traders on JP Morgan’s precious metals and U.S. Treasuries desks engaged in separate schemes to defraud other market participants that involved thousands of instances of unlawful trading meant to enhance profits and avoid losses,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian C. Rabbitt of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Today’s resolution — which includes a significant criminal monetary penalty, compensation for victims, and requires JP Morgan to disgorge its unlawful gains — reflects the nature and seriousness of the bank’s offenses and represents a milestone in the department’s ongoing efforts to ensure the integrity of public markets critical to our financial system.”
“JPMorgan engaged in two separate years-long market manipulation schemes,” said U.S. Attorney John H. Durham of the District of Connecticut. “Not only will the company pay a substantial financial penalty and return money to victims, but this agreement requires JPMorgan to self-report violations of the federal anti-fraud laws and cooperate in any future criminal investigations. I thank the FBI for its dedication in investigating these deceptive trading practices and other sophisticated financial crimes.”
“For nearly a decade, a significant number of JP Morgan traders and sales personnel openly disregarded U.S. laws that serve to protect against illegal activity in the marketplace,” said Assistant Director in Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. of the FBI’s New York Field Office. “Today's deferred prosecution agreement, in which JP Morgan Chase and Co. agreed to pay nearly one billion dollars in penalties and victim compensation, is a stark reminder to others that allegations of this nature will be aggressively investigated and pursued.”
According to admissions and court documents, between approximately March 2008 and August 2016, numerous traders and sales personnel on JPMorgan’s precious metals desk located in New York, London, and Singapore engaged in a scheme to defraud in connection with the purchase and sale of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium futures contracts (collectively, precious metals futures contracts) that traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange Inc. and Commodity Exchange Inc., which are commodities exchanges operated by the CME Group Inc. In tens of thousands of instances, traders on the precious metals desk placed orders to buy and sell precious metals futures contracts with the intent to cancel those orders before execution, including in an attempt to profit by deceiving other market participants through injecting false and misleading information concerning the existence of genuine supply and demand for precious metals futures contracts. In addition, on certain occasions, traders on the precious metals desk engaged in trading activity that was intended to deliberately trigger or defend barrier options held by JPMorgan and thereby avoid losses.
One of the traders on the precious metals desk, John Edmonds, 38, of Brooklyn, New York, pleaded guilty on Oct. 9, 2018, to one count of commodities fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, commodities fraud, commodities price manipulation, and spoofing, and his sentencing, at this time, has not been scheduled before U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny of the District of Connecticut. Another one of the traders on the precious metals desk, Christian Trunz, 35, of New York, New York, pleaded guilty on Aug. 20, 2019, to one count of conspiracy to engage in spoofing and one count of spoofing in connection with his precious metals futures contracts trading at JPMorgan and another financial services firm, and his sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 28, 2021, before U.S. District Judge Sterling Johnson of the Eastern District of New York.
Finally, as part of the investigation, the department obtained a superseding indictment on Nov. 15, 2019 against three former JPMorgan traders, Gregg Smith, Michael Nowak, and Christopher Jordan, and one former salesperson, Jeffrey Ruffo, in the Northern District of Illinois that charged them for their alleged participation in a racketeering conspiracy and other federal crimes in connection with the manipulation of the precious metals futures contracts markets. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Also according to admissions and court documents, between approximately April 2008 and January 2016, traders on JPMorgan’s U.S. Treasuries desk located in New York and London engaged in a scheme to defraud in connection with the purchase and sale of U.S. Treasury futures contracts that traded on the Chicago Board of Trade, which is a commodities exchange operated by the CME Group Inc., and of U.S. Treasury notes and bonds traded in the secondary cash market (the U.S. Treasury futures, notes, and bonds, collectively, U.S. Treasury Products). In thousands of instances, traders on the U.S. Treasuries desk placed orders to buy and sell U.S. Treasury Products with the intent to cancel those orders before execution, including in an attempt to profit by deceiving other market participants through injecting false and misleading information concerning the existence of genuine supply and demand for U.S. Treasury Products.
As part of the DPA, JPMorgan, and its subsidiaries JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (JPMC) and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (JPMS) have agreed to, among other things, continue to cooperate with the Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut in any ongoing or future investigations and prosecutions concerning JPMorgan, JPMC, JPMS, and their subsidiaries and affiliates, and their officers, directors, employees and agents. As part of its cooperation, JPMorgan, JPMC, and JPMS are required to report evidence or allegations of conduct which may constitute a violation of the wire fraud statute, the anti-fraud, anti-spoofing and/or anti-manipulation provisions of the Commodity Exchange Act, the securities and commodities fraud statute, and federal securities laws prohibiting manipulative and deceptive devices. In addition, JPMorgan, JPMC, and JPMS have also agreed to enhance their compliance program where necessary and appropriate, and to report to the government regarding remediation and implementation of their enhanced compliance program.
The department reached this resolution with JPMorgan based on a number of factors, including the nature and seriousness of the offense conduct, which spanned eight years and involved tens of thousands of instances of unlawful trading activity; JPMorgan’s failure to fully and voluntarily self‑disclose the offense conduct to the department; JPMorgan’s prior criminal history, including a guilty plea on May 20, 2015, for similar misconduct involving manipulative and deceptive trading practices in the foreign currency exchange spot market (FX Guilty Plea); and the fact that substantially all of the offense conduct occurred prior to the FX Guilty Plea.
JPMorgan received credit for its cooperation with the department’s investigation and for the remedial measures taken by JPMorgan, JPMC, and JPMS, including suspending and ultimately terminating individuals involved in the offense conduct, adopting heightened internal controls, and substantially increasing the resources devoted to compliance. Significantly, since the time of the offense conduct, and following the FX Guilty Plea, JPMorgan, JPMC, and JPMS engaged in a systematic effort to reassess and enhance their market conduct compliance program and internal controls. These enhancements included hiring hundreds of new compliance officers, improving their anti-fraud and manipulation training and policies, revising their trade and electronic communications surveillance programs, implementing tools and processes to facilitate closer supervision of traders, taking into account employees’ commitment to compliance in promotion and compensation decisions, and implementing independent quality assurance testing of non-escalated and escalated surveillance alerts. Based on JPMorgan’s, JPMC’s and JPMS’ remediation and the state of their compliance program, the department determined that an independent compliance monitor was unnecessary.
Today, the CFTC announced a separate settlement with JPMorgan, JPMC, and JPMS in connection with a related, parallel proceeding. Under the terms of that resolution, JPMorgan agreed to pay approximately $920 million, which includes a civil monetary penalty of approximately $436 million, as well as restitution and disgorgement that will be credited to any such payments made to the department under the DPA. Also, the SEC announced today a separate settlement with JPMS in connection with a related, parallel proceeding regarding trading activity in the secondary cash market for U.S. Treasury notes and bonds. Under the terms of that resolution, JPMS agreed to pay $10 million in disgorgement and a civil monetary penalty of $25 million.
The FBI’s New York Field Office investigated this case. Assistant Chief Avi Perry and Trial Attorney Matthew F. Sullivan of the Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Francis of the District of Connecticut prosecuted the case.
Individuals who believe that they may be a victim in this case should visit the Fraud Section’s Victim Witness website at https://www.justice.gov/criminal-vns/case/jpmorgan-dpa or call (888) 549-3945.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.
Doctor Sentenced to Prison for Illegally Prescribing Oxycodone, Failing to Pay Employee TaxesRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that that Dr. SHEIKH AHMED, 57, of Orange, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to six months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally prescribing oxycodone and failing to pay employee withholding taxes to the IRS.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Ahmed is a pediatrician who operated a medical practice, under the name East Hartford Medical Center, at 580 Burnside Avenue in East Hartford. Despite being a pediatrician, Ahmed’s practice did not only focus on children. Between December 2017 and May 2018, Ahmed prescribed controlled substances, including Oxycodone, to two individuals outside the scope of professional medical practice. The individuals paid Ahmed $500 to issue prescriptions for 30-day supplies of Oxycodone, and Ahmed agreed to increase the patients’ dosage in the future, without discussion as to the medical justification for the increase. Ahmed counseled the patients about the need to increase dosages gradually to avoid scrutiny from pharmacies regarding the prescribed medications. Ahmed also had the patients bypass normal financial intake procedures and took cash payments directly from the patients. Ahmed failed to perform sufficient examinations to assess the patients’ pain levels prior to issuing the prescriptions.
The investigation also revealed that Ahmed failed to pay over to the Internal Revenue Service $117,893 in employee withholding taxes from five of his businesses, including East Hartford Medical Center, between 2013 and 2016.
Ahmed was arrested on November 28, 2018. On November 8, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of prescribing outside the scope of medical practice, and one count of willful failure to pay withholding taxes.
Ahmed has made full restitution to the IRS.
Ahmed, who is released on a $200,000 bond, is required to report to prison on November 10.
This investigation was conducted by the DEA’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, and the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Chief State’s Attorney. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony E. Kaplan and Christopher W. Schmeisser.
Stamford Heroin Trafficker Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOAQUIN VERAS, 46, of Stamford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, one kilogram or more of heroin.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in March and May 2019, investigators made two controlled purchases of approximately 100 grams of heroin each from Veras. Investigators then arranged to purchase a kilogram of heroin from Veras for $58,000.
On May 16, 2019, Veras was arrested in possession of approximately one kilogram of heroin. A search of a Stamford apartment that Veras used as a stash location revealed another kilogram of heroin, a quantity of cocaine, items used to process and package narcotics for sale, and $7,000 in cash.
Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for December 23, 2020, at which time Veras faces a maximum term of imprisonment of life.
Veras has been detained since his arrest.
In August 2011, Veras was sentenced in the Southern District of New York to 57 months of imprisonment for conspiring to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.
This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force and the Stamford Police Department. The Task Force includes personnel from the DEA, Connecticut State Police and Norwalk, Stamford, Stratford, Milford, Bridgeport and Trumbull Police Departments. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Vizcarrondo.
New Haven Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Federal Gun Possession OffenseRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that SHANNON WICKER, also known as “Bishop,” 34, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for possessing a firearm in association with his drug trafficking activity.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 16, 2019, law enforcement in New Haven conducted a court-authorized search of a Chapel Street apartment and found a loaded .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol; quantities of heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine and marijuana; items used to process and package narcotics for street sale, and other items. Wicker, who was present during the search, was arrested on related state charges at that time.
Wicker’s criminal history includes multiple state felony convictions, including convictions for weapon in a motor vehicle, sale of illegal hallucinogens or narcotics, sale of a controlled substance, possession of narcotics, tampering with evidence, and failure to appear.
Wicker has been detained since his federal arrest on November 6, 2019. On January 15, 2020, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.
This matter was investigated by the New Haven Police Department, Connecticut State Police, Connecticut Department of Correction, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret M. Donovan.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone.
New Haven Man Sentenced to 41 Months in Federal Prison for Illegal Gun PossessionRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ERRIE McCLENDON, also known as “Buck,” 29, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 41 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 11, 2019, New Haven Police received information that McClendon was in possession of a firearm in Goffe Street Park in New Haven. After officers arrived at the park and identified McClendon, they approached him and instructed him to remove his hand from his sweatshirt pocket. McClendon then removed a handgun from his pocket and tossed it toward a bystander. The bystander, refusing to catch the gun, put his hands in the air and the gun fell to the ground. McClendon then struggled with the officers, but was eventually subdued. A loaded Ruger, model P85, 9mm pistol with an obliterated serial number, was recovered from the scene.
Prior to May 2019, McClendon had been convicted in state court of felony narcotics 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.
McClendon has been detained since June 19, 2019, when he was arrested on a state probation violation charge. On November 13, 2019, he pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the New Haven Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter D. Markle and Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis.
This prosecution has been brought though Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone.
New Haven Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking Offense, Assaulting Federal Correctional OfficerRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and David J. Freed, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, announced that SHAWN HILL, also known as “SB,” 37, of New Haven, pleaded guilty today to assaulting a federal correctional officer, and distributing heroin and crack cocaine shortly after his release from federal custody.
Pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the guilty plea proceeding before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in the District of Connecticut occurred via videoconference.
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. The wiretap 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 November 26, 2019. His case in the Middle District of Pennsylvania was subsequently transferred to the District of Connecticut for further prosecution.
Today, Hill pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base (“crack”) and heroin, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and one count of assault on a correctional officer, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of eight years. Hill also admitted that he violated the conditions of his supervised release, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of two years.
Hill is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford on December 15, 2020.
This matter is being 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.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony E. Kaplan, Peter D. Markle and Elena L. Coronado of the District of Connecticut, and Robert J. O’Hara of the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
Bridgeport Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing HeroinRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that, DEWAYNE JOYNER, also known as “Weezy,” 36, of Bridgeport, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 180 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for distributing heroin.
According to the evidence presented during a trial earlier this year, during the summer of 2017, members of the ATF, DEA and Bridgeport Police Department, who were investigating narcotics trafficking in Bridgeport’s East End neighborhood, learned that Joyner was selling heroin. In September 2017, investigators conducted controlled purchases of heroin from Joyner. The investigation revealed that Joyner was staying at a hotel in Bridgeport, and was storing narcotics in his hotel room.
The investigation subsequently revealed that Joyner and others had stolen a large quantity of heroin during an armed home-invasion robbery on September 2, 2017. Joyner discharged two rounds from a handgun during the robbery.
Joyner was arrested on September 12, 2017. At the time of his arrest, a search of his person revealed a quantity of heroin, $1,326 in cash, four cellphones and his hotel room key. A search of the hotel room revealed more than 250 grams of heroin and items used to process and package narcotics for street sale.
On January 31, 2020, a jury found Joyner guilty of one count of possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, one count of possession with intent to distribute a quantity of heroin, and two counts of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, a quantity of heroin.
Joyner has been detained since his arrest.
This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force and the Bridgeport Police Department. The DEA Task Force includes personnel from the DEA, Connecticut State Police and Norwalk, Stamford, Stratford, Milford, Bridgeport and Trumbull Police Departments.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph Vizcarrondo and Sarala Nagala.
Wisconsin Man Sentenced for Schemes that Defrauded Illinois Company of More Than $9 MillionRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that STEVEN C. GOLD, 47, of Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall to 36 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for participating in two separate schemes that defrauded his former employer of more than $9 million.
Pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the sentencing occurred via videoconference.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Gold and John T. Finkle III were employed by JST, a supplier of electronic components based in Waukegan, Illinois. Finkle, of East Haven, was primarily employed in sales for JST and Gold operated the accounting and billing systems for the company. Between approximately February 2015 and December 2018, Finkle conspired with Kenneth Pedroli, and Gold, to defraud JST through a scheme involving purchases of electronic components that Pedroli made from JST for a business he operated in Islandia, New York. As part of the scheme, Finkle instructed Pedroli to place his orders and list prices at a fraction of JST’s published prices. After Pedroli’s orders were submitted to JST at the discounted prices, the products were shipped from JST to Pedroli. Finkle instructed Pedroli to pay only a portion of the invoiced price and to make the payments directly to Finkle, which Pedroli did. Finkle deposited the payments into his personal checking account, and provided a portion of the funds to Gold, who manipulated the accounting records of JST to make it appear that Pedroli had paid JST for the products he received.
JST was defrauded of $3,359,058.69 through this scheme.
During the investigation of the scheme involving Finkle and Pedroli, investigators uncovered an additional $6,060,151 that Gold had stolen from JST by accessing and manipulating JSTs accounting system. Gold used the stolen funds to pay for personal expenses that included vacations, online gambling, home improvement costs, furniture, clothes, restaurants, college tuition, and car payments. He also unlawfully transferred hundreds of thousands of dollars in JST funds to his wife’s company.
Judge Hall ordered Gold to pay restitution of $9,419,209.69
On February 21, 2020, Gold pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and one count of wire fraud.
Gold, who is released on a $500,000 bond, is required to report to prison on December 2, 2020.
Finkle and Pedroli previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. On November 22, 2019, Finkle was sentenced to 24 months of imprisonment. On December 12, 2019, Pedroli was sentenced to three years of probation.
This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Miller of the District of Connecticut, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacqueline Stern of the Northern District of Illinois.
Seven Charged with Trafficking Heroin and Crack in New HavenRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, 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 the unsealing of an indictment charging seven individuals with New Haven-area narcotics trafficking and related offenses.
On September 9, 2020, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging the following individuals with conspiring to distribute heroin and crack cocaine:
MICHAEL SMITH, also known as “Head,” 34, of New Haven
KEILAH BORIA, 39, of New Haven
ERNEST HOLCOMB, also known as “Ern,” 32, of North Branford
JONATHAN DUARTE, 35, of New Haven
CHAWN BATTLE, 47, of New Haven
ALEX REYES, 33, of New Haven
ALEXIS VIERA, 32, of New Haven
As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, in 2019, the DEA New Haven Task Force began an investigation into a New Haven-based drug trafficking network headed by Michael Smith. The investigation revealed that Smith, Duarte, Reyes and Holcomb were distributing heroin and crack cocaine throughout the New Haven area. During the investigation, Viera was identified as a supplier of crack to Smith’s organization, and Battle was identified as customer who bought heroin from the organization and sold the drug to his own customers. The investigation also revealed that Boria maintained bank accounts that Smith used to launder the cash proceeds of his drug trafficking activity, and that Smith spent some of the drug proceeds to pay for rental cars that he used to transport narcotics, and to travel to meet his drug customers.It is further alleged that on December 19, 2019, Smith possessed a firearm and used the firearm in a drug-related shooting.
If convicted of conspiring to distribute heroin and cocaine base (“crack”), based on the type and quantity of drug attributable to each defendant, Smith, Boria and Duarte face a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years, and Holcomb, Battle, Reyes and Viera face a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
The indictment also charges Smith with one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of heroin, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and one count of use of a firearm during and in relation to, and in furtherance of, a drug trafficking crime, an offense that carries a mandatory term of imprisonment of at least 10 years.
The indictment also charges Smith and Boria with one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
Smith has been detained since his arrest on state charges on December 23, 2019. The other six defendants were arrested on September 16, 2020, after the indictment was returned.
Smith, Duarte, Battle and Viera are detained, and Boria, Holcomb and Reyes are released pending trial.
U.S. Attorney Durham noted 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 New Haven Task Force, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, and the New Haven, West Haven, Hamden, East Haven, North Haven, Ansonia, Meriden and Derby Police Departments.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys H. Gordon Hall and John T. Pierpont, Jr.
Man Admits Using Kik to Solicit, Receive and Distribute Child PornographyRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Boston, announced that DYLAN KOERNER, 29, of New Britain, formerly of West Hartford, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today to one count of distribution of child pornography.
Pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the court proceeding before U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton occurred via videoconference.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between July 2019 and October 2019, Koerner used a false identity and posed as a teenager on Kik, an internet mobile application, to solicit child pornography from Kik users who he believed to be minor females. He also distributed images and videos of child pornography to other Kik users.
Analysis of Koerner’s cell phone and an external hard drive seized from him in October 2019 revealed approximately 121 unique images and nine unique videos depicting child pornography.
Judge Arterton scheduled sentencing for December 14, 2020, at which time Koerner faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
Koerner is released on a $100,000 bond pending sentencing.
This matter is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nancy V. Gifford.
This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.
Waterbury Man Sentenced to More Than 6 Years in Prison for Distributing Fentanyl and HeroinRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that TYRELL CAMPBELL, also known as “Bricks,” 30, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 78 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing fentanyl and heroin.
According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from a joint investigation headed by the DEA New Haven Task Force and the Waterbury and Naugatuck Police Departments into a heroin and cocaine trafficking operation headed by Keith Jordan of Waterbury. The investigation, which included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, physical surveillance and controlled purchases of narcotics, revealed that Jordan was receiving large quantities of heroin from various suppliers and selling to drug to other distributors, including Campbell, and street-level customers. Jordan also purchased and distributed cocaine.
On March 13, 2019, a grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment charging Campbell, Jordan and 27 other individuals with various offenses related to the distribution of heroin, fentanyl, cocaine and crack cocaine.
Campbell and several of his codefendants were arrested on March 20, 2019. In association with the arrests, investigators seized approximately 3,000 bags of heroin, 400 grams of cocaine, 350 grams of fentanyl/heroin mixed, 400 grams of heroin, 10 grams of crack, 20 pounds of marijuana, fentanyl patches, a one-kilogram press, four handguns, approximately $120,000 in cash and four vehicles.
Investigators seized from Campbell approximately 10 grams of a mixture of fentanyl and heroin, and $6,765 in cash, when he was arrested.
Campbell’s criminal history includes felony convictions for narcotics offenses, and he was on state probation while engaged in the criminal conduct that led to the federal charges. In October 2018, he was arrested by Waterbury Police for criminal possession of a handgun.
Campbell has been detained since March 20, 2019. On October 15, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, heroin.
Jordan pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.
This investigation has been conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force, Waterbury Police Department and Naugatuck Police Department, with the critical assistance of the U.S. Secret Service, New York Field Office. The DEA New Haven Task Force includes participants from the U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, and the New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, North Haven, Branford, Ansonia, Meriden, Derby, Middletown, Naugatuck and Waterbury Police Departments.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys S. Dave Vatti and Nathaniel J. Gentile.
Waterbury Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Role in Cocaine Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOEVANNY VICENTE, 34, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release for his role in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy.
According to court documents and statements made in court, a DEA Task Force investigation identified Vicente as a broker of kilogram-quantity cocaine transactions. Vicente was arrested on September 10, 2018, after he delivered two kilograms of cocaine to another individual in Waterbury.
On November 13, 2018, after an indictment was returned in this case, Vicente was released on a $100,000 bond. The appearance bond was co-signed by two individuals and secured by a residential property Vicente owned on York Street in Waterbury. Vicente subsequently fled to the Dominican Republic. He was arrested on March 5, 2019, in Puerto Rico after he traveled there to visit his son.
On February 1, 2019, Judge Underhill ordered Vicente’s appearance bond and his York Street property forfeited.
Vicente has been detained since his arrest. On December 10, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, 500 grams or more of cocaine.
This matter is being investigated by the DEA Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rahul Kale, Karen Peck and Christine Sciarrino.
Southington Woman Sentenced to 2 Years in Federal Prison for Embezzling $370K from EmployerRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LYDIA CABRERA, 37, of Southington, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for embezzling $370,000 from her employer.
According to court documents and statements made in court, from approximately August 2016 to August 2018, Cabrera was employed by A2Z Home Medical Supplies (“A2Z”) as a bookkeeper. As part of her job responsibilities, Cabrera was given access to A2Z’s online merchant payment system. Approximately 10 days after being hired by A2Z, Cabrera began to use A2Z’s online merchant payment system to steal from the company by falsely representing that customers of A2Z had sought a return of their funds. On approximately 272 occasions, Cabrera input her personal debit card information as the card to which the funds should be returned. Through this scheme, Cabrera embezzled approximately $370,000.
Judge Meyer ordered Cabrera to make full restitution to A2Z.
Prior to working for A2Z, Cabrera worked as a bookkeeper for a home health care aid company. Between April 2015 and July 2016, Cabrera stole approximately $68,000 from the company. This fraud scheme was prosecuted in state court. In advance of her sentencing in this matter, Cabrera submitted to the state court fictitious character letters from A2Z colleagues in an attempt to obtain leniency at sentencing.
Cabrera was arrested on March 1, 2019. On October 23, 2019, she pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud.
Cabrera, who has been released on bond since the date of her guilty plea, is required to report to prison on January 5, 2021.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Pierpont, Jr.
Simsbury Woman Sentenced to 41 Months in Federal Prison for Embezzling More Than $580KRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that PAMELA HILL, 55, of Simsbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffery A. Meyer in New Haven to 41 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for embezzling approximately $584,000.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between 2013 and 2018, Hill embezzled more than $500,000 from a company where she was employed as a controller. Hill wrote company checks to herself, applied signature stamps with the owner’s signature to the checks, and deposited the checks into her own bank account. She also issued electronic payments to her bank account and disguised the payments to make them appear to payments to vendors. When the company’s CFO questioned Hill about a vendor payment in December 2018, Hill provided the CFO with an altered bank statement that falsely reflected the payment had been credited back to the company’s account.
The investigation also revealed that Hill defrauded a separate individual for whom she provided bookkeeping services.
Judge Meyer ordered Hill to pay restitution of $518,161.45 to the victim company and the victim company’s insurer, and $66,076.96 to the victim individual.
On November 26, 2019, Hill pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.
Hill was previously convicted in federal court of conspiracy to defraud the United States for assisting a former employer commit income tax fraud. In December 2003, she was sentenced to two years of probation for that offense.
Hill, who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on October 23, 2020.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer R. Laraia.
Manchester Man Sentenced to 80 Months in Prison for Child Exploitation OffenseRead the Press Release
John H. Durham. United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LUQMAN GOTTI, formerly known as Timothy Pennington, 39, of Manchester, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to 80 months of imprisonment, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for exchanging sexually explicit images with a teenage boy.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in June 2017, Gotti and a 13-year-old boy were communicating through the Kik messaging application. After the boy informed Gotti that he was 14 years old, Gotti asked the boy for pictures and sent the boy a sexually explicit image of himself, intending that the boy send Gotti a sexually explicit picture in return. The boy then sent sexually explicit pictures of himself to Gotti. Later in the conversation, Gotti told the boy “I already went to jail over a 14 year old not trying to go through that again.” Gotti then asked the boy for more sexually explicit pictures. In response, the boy sent Gotti another sexually explicit photograph and video of himself.
In 2000, Gotti was convicted in state court of second degree sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl. At the time of this offense, Gotti’s name was Timothy Pennington. He subsequently changed his name to Luqman Gotti.
Gotti has been detained since November 14, 2017, when he was arrested on related state charges. On December 20, 2018, he pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of accessing with intent to view child pornography.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Manchester Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel.
This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.
Hartford Man Sentenced to 57 Months in Federal Prison for Distributing PCPRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JORGE OQUENDO, also known as “G,” 35, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in Hartford to 57 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing PCP.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in May 2019, the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and Hartford Police Department received information that Oquendo was distributing a large quantity of packaged and liquid PCP from his Wilson Street residence. Investigators subsequently made a controlled purchase of PCP from Oquendo at his residence.
On May 22, 2019, investigators attempted to arrest Oquendo after he drove to a parking lot on Prospect Avenue in West Hartford. When multiple law enforcement vehicles closed in on Oquendo, he quickly accelerated, struck and damaged one police vehicle, drove across the parking lot, and then smashed his car into a second law enforcement vehicle that was blocking the exit to Prospect Avenue. A task force officer who occupied the second police vehicle was injured in the crash and briefly lost consciousness. Oquendo was apprehended and placed under arrest shortly thereafter.
At the time his arrest. Oquendo possessed a clear plastic bag containing smaller zip lock bags, each containing a black leaf substance soaked in PCP. A subsequent search of Oquendo’s residence revealed approximately 50 grams of black leaves soaked in PCP, more than seven grams of liquid PCP, items used to process and package narcotics for street sale, and approximately $14,000 in cash.
Oquendo’s criminal history includes convictions for firearm and assault offenses.
Oquendo has been detained since his federal arrest on May 31, 2019. On June 12, 2020, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute phencyclidine (PCP).
The FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Leaming.
Waterbury Man Sentenced to 66 Months in Federal Prison for Trafficking NarcoticsRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that Pedro Santos, 47, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 66 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking heroin and cocaine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from a joint investigation headed by the DEA New Haven Task Force and the Waterbury and Naugatuck Police Departments into a heroin and cocaine trafficking operation headed by Keith Jordan of Waterbury. The investigation, which included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, physical surveillance and controlled purchases of narcotics, revealed that Jordan was receiving large quantities of heroin from various suppliers, including Santos, and selling to drug to other distributors and street-level customers. Jordan also purchased and distributed cocaine.
In November and December 2018, investigators intercepted hundreds of calls on Santos’ phone that were pertinent to drug trafficking. The intercepts revealed that Santos was receiving narcotics from co-conspirators and supplying heroin and cocaine to a network of street-level drug distributors.
On March 13, 2019, a grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment charging Santos, Jordan and 27 other individuals with various offenses related to the distribution of heroin, fentanyl, cocaine and crack cocaine.
Several of Santos’ codefendants were arrested on March 20, 2019. In association with the arrests, investigators seized approximately 3,000 bags of heroin, 400 grams of cocaine, 350 grams of fentanyl/heroin mixed, 400 grams of heroin, 10 grams of crack, 20 pounds of marijuana, fentanyl patches, a one-kilogram press, four handguns, approximately $120,000 in cash and four vehicles.
Santos evaded capture until August 8, 2019, when he was apprehended in Holyoke, Massachusetts. He has been detained since his arrest.
On January 23, 2020, Santos pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, 100 grams or more of heroin.
Jordan pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.
This investigation has been conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force, Waterbury Police Department and Naugatuck Police Department, with the critical assistance of the U.S. Secret Service, New York Field Office. The DEA New Haven Task Force includes participants from the U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, and the New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, North Haven, Branford, Ansonia, Meriden, Derby, Middletown, Naugatuck and Waterbury Police Departments.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys S. Dave Vatti and Nathaniel J. Gentile.
Waterbury Man Sentenced to 46 Months in Federal Prison for Counterfeit Check Bank Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JONELL BONILLA, 26, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant to 46 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for operating a counterfeit check bank fraud scheme.
Pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the court proceeding occurred via videoconference.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between approximately December 2017 and January 2019, Bonilla and others obtained access to bank accounts by recruiting individuals through social media and persuading the individuals to share their account information, including debit cards and associated PIN numbers. The account holders were paid for providing access to their bank accounts. Bonilla and his co-conspirators misrepresented to the account holders that U.S. Postal Service money orders or authentic checks would be deposited into their accounts. After Bonilla and his co-conspirators had access to the accounts, they deposited counterfeit checks into those accounts and then withdrew money from the accounts before the banks discovered the checks to be counterfeit.
Bonilla and his co-conspirators attempted to steal more than $500,000 through this scheme, and were successful in defrauding at least 12 banks of approximately $319,000.
Judge Bryant ordered Bonilla to pay restitution of $254,499.90.
Bonilla has been detained since his arrest on January 9, 2019. On October 2, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of bank fraud.
Three of Bonilla’s co-conspirators have pleaded guilty and await sentencing.
This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the U.S. Secret Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Pierpont, Jr.
Hartford Man Sentenced to More Than 8 Years in Prison for Fentanyl Distribution and Gun Possession OffensesRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ARCADIO DONES, also known as “Gordo,” 45, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 100 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for fentanyl distribution and firearm possession offenses.
According to court documents and statements made in court, law enforcement received information that Dones was distributing fentanyl from a restaurant parking lot in Hartford’s North Meadows neighborhood. On three occasions in September 2018, investigators conducted controlled purchases of fentanyl from Dones.
Dones was arrested on September 27, 2018. On that date, a court-authorized search of his residence revealed a loaded Smith and Wesson .40 caliber pistol, more than 200 rounds of ammunition, approximately 200 grams of fentanyl, more than one kilogram of cocaine, a drug ledger, numerous items used in the processing and packaging of narcotics for street sale, $2,110 in cash, and other items. Investigators also seized more than $2,200 in cash from Dones’ person and vehicle.
Dones’ criminal history includes felony convictions for narcotics, firearm, aggravated battery, 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.
Dones has been detained since his arrest. On February 4, 2020, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and the Hartford Police Department. The Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Leaming.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone.
Hartford Man Sentenced to 70 Months in Federal Prison for Drug and Gun OffensesRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MAURICE TUCKER, also known as “Mo,” 37, of Hartford was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 70 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for narcotics trafficking and firearm possession offenses.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2018, the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force began investigating Ricardo Reyes, also known as “Rick the Ruler,” a member of the Los Solidos street gang who was distributing fentanyl, heroin, cocaine and crack in the area of Park Street and Hungerford Street in Hartford. During the investigation, law enforcement conducted multiple controlled purchases of narcotics from Reyes. Court-authorized wiretaps confirmed that Reyes was distributing narcotics to numerous customers, and identified individuals who supplied drugs to Reyes and associates who sold drugs on his behalf. Intercepted communications also revealed Reyes was acquiring and trafficking firearms.
Investigators identified Tucker as a narcotics distributor. On May 2, 2019, a court-authorized search of Tucker’s residence revealed three loaded semiautomatic pistols, including one that had been reported stolen in 2011; assorted ammunition; approximately 22 grams of fentanyl packaged in 900 bags; approximately 59 grams of crack cocaine; approximately 15 grams of cocaine; items used to process and package narcotics for street sale, and $43,810 in cash. Tucker was arrested on state charges on that date.
Tucker has been detained since his federal arrest on June 17, 2019.
On June 27, 2019, a grand jury Hartford returned a 32-count indictment charging Reyes, Tucker and 13 associates with various narcotics trafficking and firearm possession offenses.
On March 16, 2020, Tucker pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, cocaine base (“crack”), and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Reyes has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.
The FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction. The Hartford Police Department’s Vice and Narcotics Division and the New Britain Police Department have provided valuable assistance to the investigation. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Leaming.
Easton Man Charged with Producing Images of Child Sex AbuseRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, 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 has returned an indictment charging ROBERT McGUIRE, 41, of Easton, Connecticut with production of child pornography.
The one-count indictment, which was returned on September 9, 2020, alleges that McGuire produced images of child pornography between February 2018 and June 2020.
McGuire appeared today via videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge William I. Garfinkel and pleaded not guilty to the charge. He has been detained since his arrest by the Easton Police Department on related state charges on July 10, 2020.
If convicted of the charge, McGuire faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years.
U.S. Attorney Durham stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Easton Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Konstantin Lantsman and Sarala V. Nagala.
U.S. Attorney Durham thanked the State’s Attorney’s Office for the Judicial District of Fairfield 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.
Alleged Hartford Gang Member Sentenced to Prison for Selling Crack and FentanylRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that KENDALL FAIR, 21, of West Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 15 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing crack and fentanyl.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in July 2019, after a spate of gun violence in Hartford, the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force, DEA, Hartford Police Department and other law enforcement agencies initiated an investigation targeting gang-related drug distribution and associated violence in north Hartford. Investigators determined that a significant amount of the gun violence was committed by members of two rival neighborhood street gangs, the Dumouts and the Hoodstars. It is alleged that Fair was a member of the Dumouts. Between August and September 2019, investigators made three controlled purchases of crack and two controlled purchases of crack and fentanyl from Fair.
On September 13, 2019, investigators arrested Fair at his residence. During a search of Fair’s bedroom, investigators seized approximately 15 grams of crack, a quantity of cocaine, and six bags of fentanyl.
On April 27, 2020, Fair pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of cocaine base (“crack”).
On May 14, 2020, Fair, who had been detained since his arrest, was released on a $100,000 bond. Fair’s conditions of release included that he reside with family in West Hartford, and that he be confined to the home with electronic monitoring.
In the early morning hours of September 7, 2020, Hartford Police responded to a location on Huntington Street in Hartford on a report of shots fired and found Fair suffering from two gunshot wounds to his leg. A handgun and approximately 40 different caliber shell casings were located at the scene.
Fair’s criminal history includes multiple felony convictions. He also was a victim of shooting incidents in March 2018 and May 2018.
Fair was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service at the conclusion of today’s court proceeding.
The FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey M. Stone.
New Haven Man Pleads Guilty to Illegal Possession of HandgunRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that TYRELL COX-HENDERSON, 27, of New Haven, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 10, 2019, Cox-Henderson possessed a Smith & Wesson .357 caliber revolver in New Haven. Prior to that date, Cox-Henderson was convicted in state court of burglary in the third degree, possession of a weapon or a dangerous instrument in a correctional facility, and conspiracy to commit robbery in the third degree.
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 December 7, 2020, at which time Cox-Henderson faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.
Cox-Henderson has been detained since his arrest on April 10, 2019.
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. Attorney Nathaniel J. Gentile.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone.
New York Man Admits Using Fake Credit Cards to Defraud Lowe's of More Than $183KRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LARELL DAVID, 30, of New York, New York, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to one count of access device fraud stemming from a scheme through which he defrauded Lowe’s home improvement stores in several states of more than $183,000.
According to court documents and statements made in court, from July 2017 through March 2018, David produced more than 100 counterfeit credit cards in the name of “Kevin Douglas,” but encoded with legitimate credit card numbers belonging to other persons. He then used the fraudulent credit cards to make more than 350 purchases of gift cards and merchandise at Lowe’s home improvement stores in Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and Florida. A typical fraudulent transaction involved the purchase of one or more Lowe’s gift cards in the amount of $400.00, as well as store merchandise.
Lowe’s suffered a loss of $183,576.05 through this scheme, including more than $21,000 in fraudulent transactions conducted at 15 Lowe’s locations in Connecticut.
David was arrested on January 16, 2019.
Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for December 8, 2020, at which time David faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. David is released on a $100,000 bond pending sentencing.
This matter has been investigated by the U.S. Secret Service, the Wallingford Police Department and the Connecticut Financial Crimes Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Chen.
Former Bristol Resident Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl and Crack Distribution ChargesRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ELKIE CRUMP, also known as “40,” 38, pleaded guilty today to fentanyl and crack cocaine distribution offenses.
Pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the court proceeding before U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall occurred via videoconference.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in December 2019, the DEA’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad and Bristol Police Department began an investigation into Crump after receiving information that Crump, who formerly resided on Davis Drive in Bristol, was distributing fentanyl. On three occasions in January and February 2020, investigators conducted controlled purchases of fentanyl from Crump.
On March 3, 2020, Crump was arrested in West Hartford where he was residing as a condition of his state parole. At the time of his arrest, Crump possessed approximately 14 grams of crack cocaine. On that date, a related search of a Davis Drive residence revealed a 9mm handgun that Crump had possessed.
Crump pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, fentanyl, and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (“crack”). Judge Hall scheduled sentencing for December 2, 2020, at which time Crump faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count.
Crump has been detained since his arrest.
The DEA Tactical Diversion Squad includes officers from the Bristol, Hamden, Meriden, New Britain, West Haven and Watertown Police Departments.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Conor M. Reardon.
New Haven Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun ChargeRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CHAZE YOPP, 27, of New Haven, pleaded guilty today to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the court proceeding before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden occurred via videoconference.
According to court documents and statements made in court, shortly after midnight on January 11, 2020, Yopp was a passenger in an SUV that sped away from New Haven Police officers who attempted to stop the SUV for multiple motor vehicle infractions. The SUV ultimately crashed into a light box at the corner of Dixwell Avenue and Bassett Street. Yopp fled from the crash on foot and discarded a loaded Taurus 9mm pistol as he ran through backyards along Dixwell Avenue.
Yopp was arrested on state charges on January 28, 2020, and on federal criminal complaint of February 26, 2020.
Yopp’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for drug and firearm offenses. It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.
The charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.
Yopp is released on a $25,000 bond pending sentencing, which is not scheduled.
This matter is being investigated by the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets Gang Task Force and the New Haven Police Department. The task force includes members from the Connecticut State Police, Connecticut Department of Correction and the New Haven, Milford, East Haven and Hamden Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Conor M. Reardon.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone.
New Haven Man Charged with Illegally Possessing Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment yesterday charging DEMETRIUS DREW, 25, of New Haven, with one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and one count of possession of ammunition by a convicted felon.
This prosecution is part of a coordinated federal, state and local law enforcement effort to address rising gun violence in New Haven. Participating in this effort are the New Haven Police Department; the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
As alleged in court documents, on August 18, 2020, a court-authorized search of Drew’s New Haven residence revealed a loaded Glock model 26, 9mm pistol and a box containing 50 rounds of .38 Special ammunition. Prior to that date, Drew was convicted in state court of felony narcotics 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.
Drew has been detained in state custody since his arrest by New Haven Police on August 18, 2020.
If convicted, Drew faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years on each count.
U.S. Attorney Durham 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 New Haven Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tara E. Levens and Anthony E. Kaplan.
U.S. Attorney Durham noted that this prosecution is a part of the Justice’s Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program and Project Longevity. PSN is a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone. Project Longevity is a comprehensive initiative to reduce gun violence in Connecticut’s major cities. Through Project Longevity, community members and law enforcement directly engage with members of groups that are prone to commit violence and deliver a community message against violence, a law enforcement message about the consequences of further violence and an offer of help for those who want it.
Hartford Cocaine Dealer Sentenced to 46 Months in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that BRANDON GINEYARD, 38, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant to 46 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for trafficking cocaine.
Pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the sentencing occurred via videoconference.
According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service into a drug trafficking organization that was receiving shipments of cocaine from Puerto Rico and California, and distributing the drug in and around Hartford. The investigation revealed that a U.S. Postal Service letter carrier was facilitating the shipment of parcels containing kilograms of cocaine through the USPS to addresses that were on his delivery route in Hartford. The letter carrier distributed cocaine to his own drug customers, and also delivered parcels to other large-scale cocaine traffickers in the Hartford area.
Gineyard regularly purchased ounce-quantities from another member of the organization and sold the drug in smaller quantities to his own customers.
Gineyard was arrested on May 22, 2019. On June 4, 2019, a grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment charging Gineyard and 18 co-defendants with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and related offenses.
Gineyard has been detained since his arrest. On November 26, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Windsor Locks and Willimantic Police Departments.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey M. Stone.
Former USPS Employee Sentenced for Stealing Nearly $40K in Postal Money OrdersRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that KEITH SANFORD, 33, of Litchfield, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to five years of probation for embezzling nearly $40,000 in postal money orders while working for the U.S. Postal Service.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between July 2017 and December 2018, Sanford was employed by the U.S. Postal Service and worked on a rotating basis at the Granby, West Granby and East Hartland Post Offices. Between April and December 2018, Sanford issued 139 postal money orders totaling $39,937.02 to himself and, in certain instances, his associates, without remitting payment for them. Sanford received all of the proceeds from this scheme.
Judge Bryant ordered Sanford to pay full restitution.
On June 2, 2020, Sanford pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government property.
This matter was investigated by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria del Pilar Gonzalez.
Bridgeport Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison for Role in Large-Scale Heroin Trafficking RingRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RANDY MARCHI, 39, formerly of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for his role in a large-scale heroin trafficking ring.
According to court documents and statements made in court, an investigation revealed that Ivan Rosario, also known as “Ghost,” headed a Bridgeport-based heroin trafficking organization that, between approximately April 2015 and March 2017, received at least 30 kilograms of heroin that had been transported from Mexico to Bridgeport hidden inside motorcycles equipped with secret compartments. The organization then distributed the drug in the Bridgeport area.
Marchi served as the “table manager” for Rosario’s organization, overseeing the processing and packaging of the organization’s heroin for street sale.
On March 16, 2017, a grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment charging Rosario, Marchi and five other individuals with heroin trafficking and related offenses.
Marchi has been detained since his arrest on April 1, 2017. On March 15, 2018, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, heroin.
On April 24, 2018, a jury found Rosario guilty of one count of causing or inducing any person to destroy evidence. The jury could not reach a verdict on one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, and found Rosario not guilty of one count of witness tampering and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
On July 18, 2019, Judge Bryant sentenced Rosario to 210 months of imprisonment.
This matter was investigated by the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force, DEA’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, Bridgeport Police Department and Stratford Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Vizcarrondo.
Simsbury Man Sentenced to 37 Months in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing and Using ExplosivesRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DAVID BOURNE, 38, of Simsbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 37 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing and using explosives.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 6, 2018, Connecticut State Police responded to Rory Mocarsky’s residence in Hartland after reports of gunfire and explosions at the property, and after viewing a YouTube video showing Mocarsky and Bourne engaged in activities involving firearms and explosives. A search of the property revealed an 8mm rifle, three .22 caliber rifles, a suspected homemade silencer, ammunition, a suspected improvised explosive device (“IED”), suspected post-blast IED devices and fragments, suspected explosive materials, and other electronic devices. A related search of a location in the Tunxis State Forest in East Hartland, where Mocarsky and Bourne had recorded explosions, revealed metal fragments, a section of PVC pipe, and PVC pipe fragments from a suspected IED.
On January 2, 2019, Bourne threw a pipe bomb, which he constructed, into the back of a victim’s truck, where it exploded.
Bourne was arrested on May 9, 2019. On September 24, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of an unregistered destructive device.
Bourne, who is released on a $50,000 bond, is required to report to prison in 60 days.
On July 2, 2019, Mocarsky pleaded guilty to one count of possession of firearms by a convicted felon. He awaits sentencing.
This matter has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, and Connecticut State Police. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas P. Morabito.
Former USPS Employee Admits Stealing Cash and Gift Cards from MailRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ELIZABETH URBANI, 42, of West Haven, waived her right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today to theft of mail by a U.S. Postal Service (USPS) employee.
Pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the court proceeding before U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson occurred via videoconference.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Urbani was employed by the U.S. Postal Service and most recently was a mail carrier assigned to the New Haven Post Office. Beginning in December 2019, some USPS customers along Urbani’s mail route submitted complaints that their mail was missing or had been stolen. Subsequent investigation revealed that, in January and February 2020, Urbani opened approximately 125 pieces of mail and stole cash and gift cards contained within several of those mail pieces.
Judge Thompson scheduled sentencing for December 1, 2020, at which time Urbani faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.
Urbani is released on a $50,000 bond pending sentencing.
This investigation has been conducted by the U.S. Postal Service Office of the Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan Keefe.
Individuals who believe they are a victim of mail theft may file a complaint by calling 888-USPS-OIG or by visiting www.uspsoig.gov/form/new-complaint-form
Former Head of Enfield Community Development Corp Sentenced to Prison for Theft of Government FundsRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DARRIN LAMORE, 49, of Enfield, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson to five months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for stealing government funds. Judge Thompson also ordered Lamore to serve the first five months of supervised release in home confinement with electronic monitoring.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Lamore was the executive director of the Enfield Community Development Corporation (“ECDC”), a non-profit corporation that oversees economic development projects in Enfield, primarily in the Thompsonville section of the town. The ECDC is responsible for administering federal grant money allocated to Enfield by the State of Connecticut, including grants to provide assistance to low and middle income home buyers, small business assistance, and the cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties. From June 2012 to October 2015, Lamore funded his salary with those federal grants well in excess of the portion of the grants that was allowed to be used for salary. He also obtained additional funds to pay his salary by falsifying invoices from vendors, and by submitting vendor invoices to the state for reimbursement when, in fact, he had never paid the invoices.
Through this scheme, Lamore took $97,854.34. Judge Thompson ordered Lamore to pay full restitution to the Town of Enfield and the State Department of Economic and Community Development.
Lamore was arrested on a criminal complaint on February 16, 2018. On March 16, 2018, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and theft from a program receiving federal funds.
Lamore, who is released on a $25,000 bond, is required to report to prison on January 5, 2021.
This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Enfield Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David E. Novick.
Alabama Man Pleads Guilty to Violating Federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification ActRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that YAMIL DIAZ, 48, formerly of Alabama, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to one count of failing to register as a sex offender.
The Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (“SORNA”), which was passed by Congress in 2006 as part of the Adam Walsh Act, provides a comprehensive set of minimum standards for sex offender registration and notification in the United States and seeks to strengthen the nationwide network of sex offender registration and notification programs. In part, SORNA requires registered sex offenders to register and keep their registration current in each jurisdiction in which they reside, work, or go to school.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in May 2019, Diaz was convicted in Alabama of attempted sexual abuse of a child less than 12 years of age. He received a sentenced of 120 months of incarceration, suspended after seven months, and two years of supervised probation. In July 2019, Diaz registered as a sex offender with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Sex Offender Registration Unit. Diaz acknowledged in writing that he was required to register as a sex offender in each jurisdiction where he resided.
In August 2019, Diaz traveled from Alabama to Connecticut and, from at least November 2019 to February 24, 2020, he resided and worked as a mechanic in Waterbury. Diaz failed to register as a sex offender with the Connecticut Sex Offender Registry, as required under SORNA.
In September 2019, a court in Coffee County issued an arrest warrant for Diaz for violating his probation. On February 24, 2020, the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force located Diaz in Waterbury and arrested him on the outstanding Alabama warrant. He has been detained since his arrest.
Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for November 30, 2020, at which time Diaz faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.
This matter is being investigated by the United States Marshal Service. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Chen.
Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing Van from New York Hospital, Burglarizing Connecticut Post OfficeRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LEON CLINEDINST, 37, formerly of Ocala, Florida, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to one count of burglary of a U.S. Post Office, and one count of interstate transportation of a stolen vehicle.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on the morning of Saturday, January 25, 2020, Clinedinst was discharged from Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. Shortly after his discharge, Clinedinst stole a hospital van from the Mount Sinai garage and then drove the van to the U.S. Post Office located at 317 West Avenue in Stamford. He then entered the post office, which was closed at the time, through a mail chute. After Clinedinst’s actions triggered the security alarm, a responding law enforcement officer observed Clinedinst exit the front entrance with a large rolling bin filled with unopened packages. Clinedinst was detained, and a search of is person revealed several keys belonging to the post office. A subsequent search of the post office revealed a second large rolling postal bin filled with packages, and damage to the video surveillance security system.
At sentencing, which is not yet scheduled, Clinedinst faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years.
Clinedinst has been detained since January 25, 2020.
This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Stamford Police Department, and the New York City Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Chen.
Colchester Woman Sentenced to Prison for Embezzling $400K from EmployerRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that VICKI MILLER, 57, of Colchester, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to six months of imprisonment, followed by two years of supervised release, for embezzling from her employer.
According to court documents and statements in court today, Miller was employed as a bookkeeper for Greylock Property Group LLC and its owner. Between approximately July 2017 and August 2018, Miller used her access to her employers’ bank accounts to embezzle $413,180 of their money by making withdrawals at ATMs, writing checks to herself, and transferring funds to her own accounts.
Judge Dooley ordered Miller to make full restitution, and to participate in mental health treatment and a gambling addiction treatment program while she is on supervised release.
Miller was arrested on February 13, 2019. On August 23, 2019, she pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.
Miller, who is released on a $50,000 bond, is required to report to prison on January 5, 2021.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Town of Groton Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Francis.