District of Connecticut
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Stratford Man Who Illegally Purchased Firearm at Newington Gun Store Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that TYMON PETERSON, 29, of Stratford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to one count of making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in August and September 2017, Peterson and Jamal Weir texted one another about purchasing firearms. Peterson possessed a valid pistol permit and was able to purchase firearms legally, but Weir, as a convicted felon, is prohibited from possessing firearms. On September 22, 2017, Peterson and Weir travelled together to Hoffman’s Gun Center in Newington. At the store, Weir provided Peterson with cash to purchase at least one firearm on his behalf. On that date, Peterson filled out an ATF Form 4473 in which he falsely represented that he was the actual purchaser of a SCCY Model CPX-2, 9mm semi-automatic pistol, and that he was not acquiring the firearm for another person. Peterson gave the pistol to Weir after they exited the store.
Peterson was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on January 1, 2018.
Judge Hall scheduled sentencing for March 8, 2019, at which time Peterson faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.
Peterson is released on a $100,000 bond pending sentencing.
Weir, 29, of Bridgeport, has been detained since his arrest on September 17, 2018. On December 6, 2018, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 1, 2019.
This investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with the assistance of the Connecticut State Police, the Newington Police Department and Hoffman’s Gun Center. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony E. Kaplan and Margaret E. Maigret.
Bridgeport Woman Admits Role in Medicaid Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that TOSHIREA JACKSON, 49, of Bridgeport, waived her right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to one count of health care fraud.
According to court documents and statements made in court, beginning in January 2012, Jackson and Juliet Jacob operated two businesses, Transitional Development And Training (TDAT), and It Takes A Promise (ITAP), both located at 360 Fairfield Avenue in Bridgeport, which provided social and psychotherapy services. The investigation revealed that Jackson and Jacob used ITAP and TDAT to bill Medicaid for psychotherapy services that were never provided. As part of their scheme, Jackson and Jacob used the Medicaid provider numbers of two licensed health care providers who had neither rendered nor supervised any of the psychotherapy services that Jackson and Jacob billed to Medicaid. Jackson, and the two licensed providers, were employees of the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS). The two providers did not authorize Jackson or Jacob to obtain provider numbers for them at TDAT or ITAP, and were not aware that TDAT or ITAP were billing Medicaid as if the providers had personally rendered the psychotherapy services.
The investigation further revealed that, in March 2012, Nikkita Chesney, who was employed by a health care provider that provided substance abuse treatment, including a detoxification program in Bridgeport, began to steal the personal identification information of Medicaid clients who were patients of her employer. The personal identifying information included the patients’ Medicaid identification number, Social Security Numbers and dates of birth. Jackson, Jacob, and Chesney then used the stolen identity information to bill Medicaid for psychotherapy services purportedly provided by TDAT and ITAP, when the Medicaid clients had never received any such services from TDAT or ITAP.
In pleading guilty, Jackson admitted that the scheme involved stealing the identity of more than 150 Medicaid clients, and that she and her co-conspirators successfully billed Medicaid for approximately half of those clients. Jackson further admitted that she and her co-conspirators also billed Medicaid for services to other clients that were never provided to those clients.
When she is sentenced, Jackson faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. She also has agreed to a restitution order of $2,496,618. A sentencing date is not scheduled.
Jackson is released on a $25,000 bond pending sentencing.
On October 18, 2018, Jacob pleaded guilty to one count of health care fraud for her role in this scheme and a separate Medicaid fraud scheme. October 23, 2018, Chesney pleaded guilty to one count of health care fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. Both await sentencing.
Five other individuals have been charged and convicted of health care fraud offenses as a result of this and related investigations.
This matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Sheldon and Auditor Susan Spiegel.
This case is being jointly investigated by the Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Chief State’s Attorney’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Connecticut Attorney General’s Office. U.S. Attorney Durham thanked the Connecticut Department of Social Services for their role in identifying the fraudulent scheme and supporting the investigation and prosecution of the case.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office, Chief State’s Attorney’s Office and Attorney General’s Office meet regularly as part of The Medicaid Fraud Working Group. The Working Group also includes representatives from the Connecticut Department of Social Services; the Connecticut Department of Public Health; the Drug Control Division of the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection; the Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the FBI. The Working Group reviews pending issues and cases, identifies trends that might indicate fraudulent activity, and coordinates efforts for maximum results.
People who suspect health care fraud are encouraged to report it by calling 1-800-HHS-TIPS.
Armed Felon Sentenced to More Than 5 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ADRIAN BELLE, also known as “A.B.,” 24, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to 65 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 March 18, 2018, Belle was the passenger in a vehicle stopped by New Haven Police officers. When the officers asked Belle to step out of the vehicle, he reached into the center console, exited the vehicle and then began to flee on foot. Officers observed Belle throw an object during the pursuit. Once Belle was stopped and secured in handcuffs, officers located a Smith and Wesson .380 Caliber firearm with an obliterated serial number in Belle’s front right jacket pocket. Officers also retrieved a loaded firearm magazine that Belle had thrown while running.
Belle’s criminal history includes a conviction in October 2014 for robbery in the first degree. During the robbery, Belle pointed a loaded firearm at a victim. In August 2011, Belle was convicted of three counts of assault on personnel.
Belle has been detained since his arrest. On September 17, 2018, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives, and the New Haven Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter D. Markle, Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis and Nathaniel J. Gentile.
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.
Nigerian National Sentenced to 45 Months in Federal Prison for Role in Business E-Mail Compromise SchemeRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ADEYEMI ODUFUYE, also known as “Micky,” “Micky Bricks,” “Yemi,” “GMB,” “Bawz,” and “Jefe,” 32, a citizen of Nigeria, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 45 months of imprisonment for his supervisory role in a business e-mail compromise scheme.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Odufuye and others, including Olumuyiwa Yahtrip Adejumo, operated a business compromise scheme that targeted hundreds, if not thousands, of CEOs, CFOs, controllers and others at businesses, nonprofit organizations, and schools in Connecticut and across the United States. As part of the scheme, Odufuye and others sent e-mails addressed to executives that were made to appear to be sent from the legitimate e-mail address of the CEO or other executive from the business. The emails were sent with the intent of having the recipients send or wire money to bank accounts used by members of the conspiracy.
The investigation revealed that scheme participants controlled multiple e-mail and social media accounts used in the scheme and, in certain instances, sent e-mails and attachments containing malware to the intended recipients.
In late 2015, Odufuye and others sent or caused to be sent dozens of e-mails to the controller of a company in Torrington, Connecticut. In the e-mails, Odufuye posed at the real CEO of the victim company and instructed the controller to send multiple wire transfers exceeding a total of $1 million from the company’s accounts to various individuals and purported entities. The company then sent five wire transfers totaling more than $500,000 to accounts in Virginia, Florida, Washington, D.C., and Hong Kong.
The investigation revealed that Odufuye and others also targeted a company headquartered in Waterbury, Connecticut, as part of this scheme.
To date, the FBI has identified 36 wire confirmations in e-mail accounts utilized by Odufuye and others from September 2015 to May 2016, totaling more than $1.6 million. This figure does not include the more than $500,000 in wire transfers from the victim company in Connecticut.
Judge Hall ordered Odufuye to pay restitution in the amount of $921,497.87 to 15 victims of the scheme.
On January 3, 2018, Odufuye pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.
On December 19, 2016, Odufuye was arrested in the United Kingdom where he was a student and was subsequently extradited to the U.S. to face these charges. He has been detained since his arrest.
Adejumo, also a citizen of Nigeria, was living in Toledo, Ohio, as a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. at the time of his arrest on November 17, 2017. He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and, on August 17, 2018, was sentenced to 15 months of imprisonment.
A third Nigerian citizen alleged to be involved in this scheme is awaiting trial.
This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Connecticut Cyber Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David T. Huang.
U.S. Attorney Durham thanked the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency, and the United Kingdom’s Metropolitan Police for their assistance in this case.
To contact the Connecticut Cyber Task Force, please call the FBI in New Haven at 203-777-6311.
Naugatuck Tax Preparer Indicted for Filing False ReturnsRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging ANA NUNEZ, also known as Ana Pagoaga, 47, of Naugatuck, with 12 counts of filing false tax returns.
The indictment was returned on December 6, 2018. Nunez appeared yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah A. L. Merriam in New Haven and entered a plea of not guilty to the charges.
As alleged in the indictment, Nunez owned and operated Nunez MultiServices, LLC, a tax return preparation service located in Naugatuck. From 2011 and continuing at least through 2016, Nunez falsified information on tax returns she prepared for clients and caused the returns to be filed with the Internal Revenue Service. On the returns, Nunez routinely inflated income or created fictitious income; falsified expenses, including education and child care expenses, and falsified deductions, such as business mileage. At times, without her clients’ knowledge, Nunez also falsely inflated information on her clients’ returns in order to increase their refunds and then directed the excess funds to an account she controlled.
If convicted, Nunez faces a maximum term of imprisonment of three years on each count.
Nunez is released on a $150,000 bond. As part of the conditions of her release, she is prohibited from preparing or assisting in the preparation of tax returns except for herself or immediate family members.
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 matter is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan L. Wines.
Former President of Hartford Nonprofit Pleads Guilty to Stealing from HUD ProgramRead the Press Release
John H. Durham. United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that STEVEN F. HARVIN, 53, of New Haven, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to one count of theft from programs receiving federal funds.
According to court documents and statements made in court, the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (“HOPWA”) Program is a federal program dedicated to the housing needs of people living with HIV/AIDS. Under the HOPWA Program, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) makes grants to local communities, states and nonprofit organizations for projects that benefit low-income persons living with HIV/AIDS and their families. HUD is also responsible for administering the Section 8 housing program, which provides federally subsidized housing to low income tenants.
Harvin is a reverend and, from approximately August 2015 to September 2016, he served as President of Zezzo House, a non-profit organization in Hartford that provides housing for individuals and families with health challenges, including HIV/AIDS. HUD provides HOPWA funds to the City of Hartford, which in turn provides the HOPWA funds to organizations in the Hartford area, including Zezzo House. Between January and August 2016, Zezzo House received $70,722 in HOPWA funds. Harvin embezzled some of these funds through cash withdrawals, spent some of the funds on ineligible Zezzo House expenses, and he failed to account for the use of other funds. In total, Harvin misappropriated approximately $25,120.47 in HOPWA funds.
Zezzo House also receives Section 8 funding and, during this time period, Harvin diverted funds from rent checks from Section 8 tenants to his personal use.
Harvin is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Michael P. Shea on March 5, 2019, at which time Harvin faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000. Harvin is released on a $50,000 bond pending sentencing.
This matter is being investigated by the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, and the Hartford Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel.
Hartford Man Pleads Guilty to Illegal Gun PossessionRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ALVIN CRAWFORD, also known as “Nardy,” 34, of Hartford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to one count of possession of firearm by a convicted felon.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 2, 2018, Crawford, holding a yellow plastic bag, exited a car and ran from Hartford Police in the area of Rockville Street in Hartford. Crawford ignored verbal commands to stop running, threw the yellow bag over the fence, scaled the fence, picked up the bag and continued to run. Officers apprehended Crawford on Westland Street shortly after he had dropped the bag. A search of the bag revealed a Taurus .38 Special revolver and five rounds of ammunition.
Crawford’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for criminal possession of a firearm, carrying a pistol without a permit, violation of a protective order, and assault in the second 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.
Crawford has been detained since his arrest.
Judge Hall scheduled sentencing for March 7, 2019, at which time Crawford faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.
This matter is being investigated by the Hartford Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force, which includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction. The case is being 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.
FCI Danbury Correctional Officer Pleads Guilty to Sexually Abusing InmateRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Guido Modano, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General’s New York Field Office, today announced that CARLOS SANCHEZ, 33, of Middlebury, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to sexually abusing an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury (FCI Danbury).
According to court documents and statements made in court, Sanchez was employed as a correctional officer at FCI Danbury. On two occasions in July and August 2018, Sanchez engaged in sexual activity with a female inmate at the prison.
Sanchez pleaded guilty to one count of sexual abuse of a ward, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years. A sentencing date has not been scheduled.
Sanchez is released on a $50,000 bond pending sentencing. He has resigned from the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
This matter is being investigated by the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anastasia E. King.
Hartford Apartment Manager Sentenced to Prison for Allowing Building to be Used by Drug RingRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that FRANKLYN NIEVES, 63, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 28 months of imprisonment, followed by two years of supervised release, for allowing a Hartford apartment building he managed to be used as a drug trafficking hub.
According to court documents and statements made in court, a drug trafficking organization used 8-10 Hamilton Street, a six-unit apartment building in Hartford, to store, process and distribute heroin and fentanyl. Nieves, who managed the building and resided in one of the apartments, was aware of the drug trafficking activity at the building, helped to secure the basement of the building for the trafficking organization’s drug activities, and knew that a 17-year-old was working for the organization and serving drug customers at the building.
Nieves was arrested on December 7, 2017. On May 14, 2018, he pleaded guilty to one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises.
Nieves, who is released on a $50,000 bond, was ordered to report to prison on January 16, 2019.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes 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 is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Leaming.
Attorney Who Hid Money to Avoid Paying Restitution to Fraud Scheme Victims Receives 2 More Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DIANE DALMY, 63, of Denver, Colorado, was resentenced 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 her role in a securities fraud scheme, and for hiding money after her original sentencing proceeding earlier this year to avoid paying restitution to victims of the scheme.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between January 2009 and July 2016, Dalmy used her position as an attorney to assist others in defrauding thousands of investors through a stock “pump and dump” scheme. During the scheme, Dalmy wrote, and permitted a co-conspirator to write in her name, fraudulent opinion letters that were used to unrestrict the co-conspirators’ stock so that the stock could be freely traded on the open market, without having to register the stock with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Dalmy also provided fraudulent “adequacy” letters that were intended to mislead investors who were making investment decisions. At times, she also provided co-conspirators with capital by advancing money, which belonged to other clients of her law practice, from her Lawyer Trust Account (“IOLTA”). Finally, Dalmy laundered approximately $825,000 in proceeds of the scheme through a bank account for a private company she helped incorporate, and her IOLTA.
As a result of the fraud scheme, more than 12,000 victim investors collectively lost nearly $19 million. Dalmy’s total gain from her participation in this conspiracy, and related legal work, was approximately $30,000.
On February 6, 2018, Dalmy pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy. In March 2018, she provided the court with a financial affidavit that required her, under penalty of perjury, to disclose all of her financial resources. On May 15, 2018, Judge Meyer sentenced Dalmy to 36 months of imprisonment and ordered her to pay $2 million in restitution.
After her original sentencing and prior to her reporting to prison in June 2018, Dalmy attempted to hide approximately $47,000 in cash. The money had been omitted from her financial affidavit.
In July 2018, the government notified the court of Dalmy’s willful failure to pay restitution.
Judge Meyer ordered a resentencing hearing and, today, sentenced Dalmy to an additional 24 months of imprisonment, for a total sentence of 60 months of imprisonment.
This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, with assistance from the Connecticut Department of Banking, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and Hartford and Stamford Police Departments. The case was prosecuted by Trial Attorney Avi M. Perry of the Department of Justice’s Fraud Section, who has been designated as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney for this matter.
Sex Offender Sentenced to Prison for Illegally Reentering the U.S.Read the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that ENRIQUE FAJARDO MARIN, 40, a citizen of Ecuador recently residing in Danbury, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 18 months of imprisonment for illegally reentering the U.S.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in December 2011, Fajardo was convicted in Danbury Superior Court of illegal sexual contact with a minor and risk of injury. He was sentenced to 18 years of incarceration, execution suspended after 10 years, with 20 years of probation. Fajardo also was required to register as a sex offender for a period of 10 years.
On February 5, 2016, after he was released from state custody, Fajardo was deported from the U.S. to Ecuador.
On June 28, 2017, Farjardo was arrested in Worcester, Massachusetts. The investigation revealed that Fajardo illegally reentered the U.S. and had been residing in Danbury since approximately December 2016. Fajardo also had failed to register as a sex offender in Connecticut.
Fajardo has been detained since his arrest and is currently incarcerated in state custody for violating his parole. On June 18, 2018, he pleaded guilty in federal court to illegally reentering the U.S.
This matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the U.S. Marshals Service, with the assistance of Connecticut State Parole. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Deborah R. Slater.
Connecticut Crime Prevention Organization Receives Justice Department Project Safe Neighborhoods AwardRead the Press Release
Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker and U.S. Attorney John H. Durham announced that a Connecticut crime prevention organization is the recipient of one of 16 awards presented today during the 2018 Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) National Conference in Kansas City, Missouri. The awards recognize individuals and groups for their dedication and contribution to the success of 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.
“Project Safe Neighborhoods is making our prosecutions more targeted and more effective – and that makes the American people safer,” said Acting Attorney General Whitaker. “Today the Department recognizes 16 examples of those who go above and beyond the call of duty in using PSN to reduce violent crime. We had a lot of impressive nominees, but even with tough competition, these 16 stood out. I want to thank each one of them for their service and congratulate them on a job well done.”
The Justice Education Center, Inc., based in West Hartford, received a PSN award for Innovative Prevention/Reentry Strategy. This award is given to those who have made an impact to reduce offenses, prevent crime by mitigating risk, and prevent recidivism on the part of those reintegrating into society.
Specifically noted during today’s ceremony, the Justice Education Center and the Connecticut U.S. Attorney’s Office developed the Career Pathways Technology Collaborative, a program designed to provide skilled vocational, credentialed training to at-risk youth, 16 to 24 years of age. Career Pathways enables young people to acquire credits toward their high school diploma or GED, obtain entry or competitive level employment, or seek further technology certifications through union or community college programs. This collaborative is deeply community-based, as the Justice Education Center has developed partnerships with local boards of education, community colleges, workforce development boards, and unions. Of the 133 youths enrolled in the program since 2015, more than 70 percent received credit towards graduation. The success of the partnership between the Justice Education Center and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut has fostered the development of new investments in education, risk reduction and career readiness – with PSN funds serving as critical leverage for additional state, municipal and foundation support.
“The Justice Education Center is dedicated to finding creative ways to prevent crime, improve public safety and strengthen our communities in Connecticut,” said U.S. Attorney Durham.” “For more than a decade, the Justice Education Center and U.S. Attorney’s Office have collaborated closely on initiatives to reduce violent crime and curb juvenile crime. I congratulate the Justice Education Center – under the dedicated, tireless and enthusiastic leadership of its executive director Sherry Haller – for this well-deserved national recognition.”
Hartford Man Sentenced to 8 Years in Federal Prison for Drug and Gun OffensesRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DAQUAN PATTERSON-GREENE, 22, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 96 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for drug and firearm offenses.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on September 7, 2017, Patterson-Greene led Hartford Police officers on a foot chase in Hartford’s North End. During the chase, Patterson-Greene discarded a loaded Glock 22 .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol, a firearm magazine containing 15 rounds of .40 caliber ammunition, and an orange backpack.
Officers apprehended Patterson-Greene on Vineland Terrace and recovered the discarded pistol, ammunition and backpack. A search of Patterson-Greene’s person revealed $252 in cash and small amount of marijuana. A search of the backpack revealed approximately 13 ounces of marijuana, 13 zip lock bags containing marijuana, a knotted plastic bag containing several pieces of a substance that field-tested positive for the presence of MDMA (ecstasy), a digital scale, and a box of sandwich bags.
Subsequent analysis of the suspected MDMA identified it as N-Ethylpentylone, which is a controlled analogue of MDMA.
Patterson-Greene’s criminal history includes felony convictions for first-degree assault and possession of a pistol without a permit. In addition, he was on state probation at the time of his arrest.
Patterson-Greene has been detained since his arrest on September 7, 2017. On September 11, 2018, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Judge Thompson ordered Patterson-Greene to perform 100 hours of community service during his term of supervised release.
This matter was investigated by the Hartford Police Department and the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Gang Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Gustafson and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney John F. Fahey of the Hartford State’s Attorney’s Office.
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 Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun ChargeRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that NOEL PEREZ, 22, of Hartford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 29, 2018, Hartford Police stopped a vehicle Perez was driving on Wadsworth Street. A search of the vehicle revealed a loaded Sig Sauer P2022 .40 caliber handgun, which had a laser sight attached to its barrel.
Perez’s criminal history includes felony convictions in state court for assault, burglary and larceny offenses.
It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.
Perez has been detained since his arrest.
Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for February 27, 2019, at which time Perez faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.
This investigation has been conducted by the Hartford Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anastasia E. King.
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.
Former Bank Manager Who Embezzled $879K from CD Accounts is SentencedRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that STEPHEN CARBONELLA, 60, of Hamden, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to 21 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for embezzling funds from Webster Bank Corporation, where he served as bank manager of the Orange branch office. Judge Chatigny also ordered Carbonella to serve the first six months of his supervised release in home confinement.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between approximately 2003 and 2017, Carbonella withdrew $879,016.48 from approximately 20 account holders’ certificate of deposit (CD) accounts at Webster Bank, without the knowledge or consent of the account holders, and used the embezzled funds for his own purposes. He also took steps to conceal his misconduct, including by forging signatures and falsifying documents.
Judge Chatigny ordered Carbonella to pay full restitution.
On September 12, 2018, Carbonella pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement by a bank officer or employee.
Carbonella, who is released on a $200,000 bond, is required to report to prison on January 29, 2019.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Pierpont, Jr.
Bridgeport Man Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison for Third Federal Gun ConvictionRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that FEDERICO CANNON, also known as “Rico,” 36, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 84 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm, and for violating the conditions of his supervised release from a previous federal conviction.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 26, 2017, Cannon was released from federal prison after serving a 70-month sentence for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On July 31, 2017, while Cannon was on federal supervised release, Bridgeport Police received information that Cannon had a gun and was riding in a car in the area of the Trumbull Gardens housing complex in Bridgeport. Officers located and stopped the vehicle. After Cannon was removed from the car, officers located a 9mm semi-automatic SAR B6P handgun from the floor below the passenger seat where Cannon had been sitting. The gun was loaded with 16 rounds of ammunition.
Cannon has been detained since his arrest on July 31, 2017. On July 9, 2018, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Judge Underhill sentenced Cannon to 60 months of imprisonment for the firearm offense, and a consecutive 24 months of imprisonment for violating the conditions of his supervised release.
This is Cannon’s third federal conviction for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
In the early morning hours of October 21, 2004, Cannon was in a car with three other individuals driving northbound on Interstate 95 between Norwalk and Bridgeport when they initiated a confrontation with another car occupied by two men. The confrontation culminated at the bottom of the Exit 25 ramp in Bridgeport when approximately seven or eight shots were fired at the victims’ vehicle. A subsequent search of the vehicle in which Cannon was a passenger revealed a semi-automatic pistol at Cannon’s feet in the right rear passenger seat of the vehicle. A jury in New Haven found Cannon guilty and, on April 12, 2006, he was sentenced to 42 months of imprisonment.
In the early morning hours of February 25, 2012, Bridgeport Police stopped a vehicle in which Cannon was a passenger on Caroline Street in Bridgeport. Cannon initially exited the vehicle and attempted to walk away, but police ordered him back into the car. After directing the driver out of the vehicle, a Bridgeport Police detective observed a 9mm semi-automatic pistol on the floor of the rear passenger area near where Cannon was sitting. The firearm was loaded with 10 live hollow-point cartridges and two full-metal jacket cartridges. A jury in Hartford found Cannon guilty and, on July 11, 2014, he was sentenced to 70 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release.
Cannon also has a state conviction stemming from a car stop by Bridgeport Police on June 6, 1999. On that date, officers located a .25 caliber semi-automatic handgun concealed under the right front passenger seat where Cannon had been sitting.
This matter was investigated by the Bridgeport Police Department’s Tactical Narcotics Team and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rahul Kale.
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.
Simsbury Man Sentenced to Prison for Multimillion Dollar Stranger-Originated Life Insurance SchemeRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DANIEL CARPENTER, 64, of Simsbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to 30 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for defrauding insurance companies into issuing insurance policies on the lives of elderly people for the financial benefit of Carpenter and other investors in the scheme.
On June 9, 2016, Judge Chatigny found Carpenter guilty of 57 counts of conspiracy, mail and wire fraud, money laundering and illegal monetary transaction offenses stemming from the scheme, also known as a stranger-originated life insurance scheme. The verdict followed a bench trial that began on February 16, 2016 and concluded on March 21, 2016. Carpenter had waived his right to a trial by jury.
According to the evidence at trial, Carpenter controlled a series of companies, based in Simsbury and Stamford, that developed the Charter Oak Trust (the “Trust”), an employee welfare benefit plan and trust whose primary objective was to secure insurance policies on the lives of elderly individuals that could be held by Carpenter’s companies as investments, or resold on the life settlement market, which is a third-party market for life insurance policies. Typically, insurance agents working with, for, or on behalf of Carpenter and his companies approached elderly individuals (the “Straw Insureds”). The agents promised to provide the Straw Insureds with free life insurance for two years, and, at the end of the two years, would attempt to sell the policies on the life settlement market. In most cases, the agents promised the Straw Insureds that they would receive a portion of any sale proceeds.
The evidence at trial established that Carpenter, working with insurance agents, caused to be submitted to several insurance providers numerous insurance applications that contained several material misrepresentations, including falsely denying that third-parties were paying the premiums for the insurance, falsely denying discussions about the resale of the policies, falsely inflating the net worth and/or income of the insured, and falsely claiming that the insurance was being purchased for legitimate estate planning-related needs. All applications were signed by Carpenter’s brother-in-law, who acted as trustee of the Charter Oak Trust, which was to be the “owner” of all policies in the trust. Moreover, the applications purported that the Charter Oak Trust was a bona fide welfare benefit trust under Internal Revenue Code Section 419(e), wherein employers would be making contributions to the Charter Oak Trust in order to fund the life insurance policies for the benefit of certain select employees.
The evidence further established that, in truth, no “employer” or Straw Insured ever paid a premium into the Charter Oak Trust. Rather, the premiums were funded by loans primarily from another company headquartered in Simsbury and controlled by Carpenter. In many cases, those loans were, in turn, financed by another third-party financing company based in Stamford. The loan arrangements were withheld from the insurance providers, who would not have issued policies had they known the true nature of the Charter Oak Trust, and had the insurance applications been filled out truthfully.
Based on the false applications that were submitted to the insurance providers, the Charter Oak Trust procured 84 insurance policies that had a total aggregate death benefit of more than $459 million on the lives of 76 different Straw Insureds. In addition, another company controlled by Carpenter received more than $12 million in commissions from the insurance providers, who would not have paid the commissions had they known about the false representations on the insurance applications and the true nature of the Charter Oak Trust.
Finally, the trial evidence showed that one Straw Insured died within the first two years of the issuance of the two insurance policies on his life. Those policies had been issued in late 2006 and early 2007 based on misrepresentations similar to those described above, specifically that his policies were not being funded by a third party and were not intended for resale. The two insurance policies had a combined death benefit of $30 million, which the insurer paid to the Charter Oak Trust in May 2009. At Carpenter’s direction, the Charter Oak Trust failed to pay the $30 million to the Straw Insured’s beneficiary, and instead used the funds to pay for various expenses, including other insurance premiums that were related to the underlying fraud, as well as to purchase a home in Rhode Island.
Judge Chatigny will issue a restitution order at a later date.
Carpenter, who is released on bond, was ordered to report to prison on March 4, 2019.
Carpenter was previously convicted in the District of Massachusetts of mail fraud and wire fraud offenses stemming from an unrelated business scheme. On February 26, 2014, he was sentenced to 36 months of imprisonment for those offenses.
This matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of the Inspector General, the U.S. Department of Labor – Employee Benefits Security Administration’s Boston Office, and the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David E. Novick and Neeraj N. Patel.
Hartford Man Who Pointed Gun at Undercover Officers Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ENRIQUE LUCIANO, 31, of Hartford, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today in Bridgeport federal court to one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 4, 2018, Luciano approached a car on Cabot Street in Hartford and pointed a gun at the car. The car was occupied by two undercover Hartford Police detectives investigating drug activity on Cabot Street. After the detectives identified themselves as police officers, Luciano fled and discarded the gun. Luciano was apprehended and the firearm, a loaded 9mm Taurus PT 908 handgun with an obliterated serial number, was recovered.
Luciano has a previous federal conviction for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and, in May 2010, was sentenced to 60 months of imprisonment for that offense. He also has prior convictions in state court for drug offenses.
Luciano is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden on February 28, 2019, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.
Luciano has been detained since his arrest.
This investigation has been conducted by the Hartford Police Department and the FBI’s Connecticut Violent Crime Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Miller.
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.
Hamden Man Will Return to Federal Prison for Violating Supervise ReleaseRead the Press Release
John H. Durham United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JAMES DICKERSON, also known as “Jim Jim,” 35, of Hamden, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 21 months of imprisonment for violating the conditions of his supervised release.
According to the evidence presented during his trial in April 2013, a joint law enforcement investigation conducted in 2010 by the FBI New Haven Safe Streets Task Force, DEA New Haven Task Force, New Haven Police Department and Hamden Police Department identified and dismantled a large drug trafficking organization centered in the Newhallville section of New Haven and Hamden. During the investigation, Dickerson was intercepted multiple times over a court-authorized wiretap arranging to purchase distribution quantities of crack cocaine. Dickerson also sold crack cocaine to an undercover police officer.
On April 25, 2013, Dickerson was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”), and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base. On January 24, 2014, he was sentenced to 168 months of imprisonment. After an appeal, Dickerson was resentenced, on February 29, 2016, to approximately 63 months of imprisonment, time already served, and three years of supervised release.
After his release from prison, Dickerson violated multiple conditions of his supervised release. On August 18, 2017, he was arrested in Hamden for larceny based on his possession of a stolen motorcycle. On December 12, 2017, he was arrested in Hamden for possessing cocaine and marijuana. On May 6, 2018, he was arrested in Cheshire for a variety of offenses stemming from a car chase. These cases were resolved in state court on September 11, 2018.
Dickerson is currently incarcerated in state custody and has a maximum release date of April 30, 2020.
Judge Meyer ordered Dickerson to begin serving the 21-month federal sentence after his release from state prison.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William J. Nardini.
Five Individuals Charged in Connection with Marriage Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Boston, and Christopher W. Fonda, Supervisory Immigration Officer for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Office of Fraud Detection and National Security, today announced that five individuals have been charged with federal offenses related to their participation in fraudulent marriages so that non-U.S. citizens would receive U.S. immigration benefits.
On November 19, 2018, a federal grand jury returned indictments charging CARL JARRETT, 35, of Bridgeport; KENOL NOEL, 34, of Bridgeport; RICKY OWEN, 39, of Bridgeport, and MARVIN WILLIAMS, 59, of New York, New York, with submitting false immigration documents after entering multiple “marriages” with non-U.S. citizens and sponsoring those non-citizens’ applications for lawful permanent residence in the U.S., also known as “green card” status.
As alleged in the indictments, Jarrett, Noel and Owen each entered into two “marriages,” and in documents submitted in support of the green card applications of their second “spouses,” failed to disclose their prior marriages, and failed to disclose their having also sponsored green card applications for their first “spouses.” It is alleged that Williams entered a total of four such “marriages,” and sponsored the green card applications of all four “spouses.”
The grand jury also returned an indictment charging DWIGHT HENRY, 44, a citizen of Jamaica residing in Queens, New York, with conspiracy to commit immigration/marriage fraud, and making false statements in an immigration document. The indictment alleges that Henry conspired with Jodian Stephenson, of Bridgeport, and another individual, and entered into a sham marriage so that he could obtain green card status.
The five defendants were arrested this week. Jarrett, Williams and Henry are released under various bond conditions, and Noel and Owen are currently detained.
If convicted of the charges against them, Noel faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years; Jarrett, Owen and Williams face a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years, and Henry faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.
In June 2018, Stephenson was charged by indictment with leading a conspiracy to arrange several fraudulent marriages between U.S. citizens and non-citizens. Her case is pending.
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 investigation is being conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service, Office of Fraud Detection and National Security. The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Henry K. Kopel.
Waterbury Man Sentenced to Prison for Child Exploitation OffenseRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that HARRY BRIGHT, also known as “Buddy Bright,” 79, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to three months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for a child exploitation offense. Judge Shea ordered Bright to serve his first two months of supervised release in home confinement.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in November 2017, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) contacted Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) to report that NCMEC had been notified by Facebook’s Trust and Safety team that Bright was enticing a 15-year-old female through Facebook instant messaging to engage in sexual activity, and was planning on traveling to the Philippines on December 4, 2017, to meet the minor victim. The investigation revealed that Bright started communicating with the minor victim in late August 2017, sent her sexually explicit messages and requested that she send him nude photographs of herself. In September 2017, Bright sent the minor victim nude pictures of himself.
The investigation further revealed that Bright had engaged in sexually explicit conversations with other minor females in the Philippines through Facebook, and that he sent one of those minor victims a nude picture of himself.
Bright was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on December 4, 2017. On May 31, 2018, he pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of obscene matter to a minor.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacabed Rodriguez-Coss.
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.
Suffield Man Involved in Stock "Pump and Dump" Scheme is SentencedRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CHRISTIAN MEISSENN, also known as “Christian Nigohossian,” 46, of Suffield, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to three months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his role in a securities fraud scheme.
The sentence was based, in part, on Meissenn’s serious health condition. Judge Meyer ordered Meissenn to serve his three-year term of supervised release in home confinement.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between approximately 2009 and July 2016, Meissenn and others conspired to defraud investors through a stock “pump and dump” scheme. Meissenn and his co-conspirators induced investors to purchase securities by making false and misleading representations in calls, emails and press releases concerning the securities and the issuing companies, thereby causing the price of those securities to become falsely inflated. The issuing companies, most of which were essentially shell companies controlled by Meissenn’s associates, included Terra Energy Resources Ltd. (stock symbol “TRRE”); Mammoth Energy Group, Inc. (stock symbol “MMTE”), a company that later became Strategic Asset Leasing Inc. (stock symbol “LEAS”); Trilliant Exploration Corporation (stock symbol “TTXP”); Electric Motors Corporation (stock symbol “EMCO”); Hermes Jets, Inc. (stock symbol “HRMJ”), which later became Continental Beverage Brands Corporation (stock symbol “CBBB”); and Fox Petroleum, Inc. (stock symbol “FXPT”). The conspirators then sold positions in those securities that were held by conspirators and their designees at the falsely inflated prices, thereby enriching the members of the conspiracy.
As part of the scheme, attorneys signed false and misleading opinion letters that were designed to provide assurances to securities transfer agents and prospective investors. The opinion letters falsely certified that the attorneys had adequately reviewed corporate records and filings for the issuing companies and were satisfied with the adequacy of the companies’ public disclosures.
After selling their own shares at a profit, the conspirators allowed the price of the securities to fall, leaving investors with worthless and unsalable stock. As a result, more than 12,000 victim investors collectively lost nearly $19 million.
Between 2011 and 2015, Meissenn earned approximately $4.4 million through this scheme. He failed to report this income to the Internal Revenue Service, resulting in a tax loss to the government of $1,527,834.
The investigation revealed that Meissenn also failed to file tax returns in 2009 and 2010. In connection with a Connecticut Department of Banking investigation in 2013, Meissenn signed and filed a notarized affidavit falsely stating that he had a negative net worth and had not filed taxes due to lack of income.
On November 8, 2016, Meissenn pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, and one count of tax evasion.
Judge Meyer ordered Meissenn to pay restitution of $5,301,694 to victims, and $1,527,834 to the IRS.
The government has received victim impact statements from more than 800 victims of this scheme.
Meissenn, who is released on bond, was ordered to report to prison on January 10, 2019.
Six other individuals pleaded guilty to various offenses stemming from this scheme.
On September 27, 2017, Damian Delgado, also known as “Michael Neumann,” of Orlando, Florida, was sentenced to 84 months of imprisonment. On May 7, 2018, Brian Ferraioli, of Sayville, N.Y., and Thomas Heaphy, Jr., of East Moriches, N.Y., were each sentenced to 72 months of imprisonment for their roles in this scheme and an unrelated investment fraud scheme. On July 13, 2018, William Lieberman of Boca Raton, Florida, was sentenced to 84 months of imprisonment.
Two attorneys involved in the scheme, Corey Brinson, of Hartford, and Diane Dalmy, of Denver, were each sentenced to 36 months of imprisonment on April 13, 2017, and May 15, 2018. However, Dalmy faces a resentencing proceeding on December 7, 2018, because she misled the court about her financial assets, and hid approximately $47,000 in cash to avoid paying restitution to victims.
This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, with assistance from the Connecticut Department of Banking, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and Hartford and Stamford Police Departments. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Avi M. Perry.
North Carolina Woman Charged with Embezzling Money from Connecticut CompanyRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging SUSANNA KURUS, 43, of Garner, North Carolina, with six counts of wire fraud stemming from an embezzlement scheme.
The indictment was returned on November 15, 2018. Kurus appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna F. Martinez in Hartford, entered a plea of not guilty to the charges, and was released on a $200,000 bond.
As alleged in the indictment and statements made in court, Kurus formerly resided in Connecticut and was employed as the accounting manager for a company based in Stratford, Connecticut. Between approximately October 2014 and June 2017, Kurus used the company’s financial accounting software to transfer customer credits to at least six personal debit card accounts, and then used the money for her personal benefit. Through this scheme, she stole in excess of $130,000.
The charge of wire fraud carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 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 Connecticut Financial Crimes Task Force, U.S. Secret Service and Stratford Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Miller.
New Haven Printing Company Owner Sentenced for Federal Tax OffenseRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LOUIS GOLDBERG, 71, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven for his role in a tax avoidance scheme.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Goldberg owns Good Copy Printing Center Inc. (GCP), a printing company located in New Haven. GCP employed Goldberg’s nephew, Ira Malkin, as a principal salesman, and Malkin earned substantial commissions from GCP based on sales made to customers. Between approximately 2003 and 2012, Goldberg had some knowledge that GCP paid many of Malkin’s personal expenses. With Malkin’s consent, GCP reduced his commissions by the amount of personal expenses the company paid. GCP then reported to the IRS through filed W-2 forms that Malkin had earned substantially less income than he truly earned. By reporting lower commissions paid, GCP also improperly reduced the amount of Medicare Payroll Taxes it reported and paid to the IRS.
In addition, GCP handled printing jobs for Comcast, which included GCP mailing out flyers and paying the relevant postage expense with the expectation that GCP would subsequently be reimbursed for that expense. Goldberg knew that Malkin had GCP pay the postage expense for the Comcast mailings, had Comcast reimburse Malkin for the cost of the mailings, and then had GCP reduce Malkin’s earned commissions by the amount of postage paid by GCP. Through this arrangement, between approximately 2009 and 2012, GCP further underreported Malkin’s income on W-2 forms filed with the IRS. By reporting lower income, GCP again improperly reduced the amount of Medicare Payroll Taxes it reported and paid to the IRS.
Between 2003 and 2012, GCP underreported a total of $40,490 in Medicare taxes.
Judge Hall sentenced Goldberg to one year of probation for his role in this scheme.
Goldberg has paid the IRS approximately $105,000 in restitution, which includes the $40,490 in Medicare taxes he owed, interest and a substantial fraud penalty.
On September 7, 2018, Goldberg pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and assisting in the filing of a false tax return.
On February 27, 2018, Malkin pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion and admitted that he failed to pay $484,581 in federal income taxes on more than $1.5 million in unreported income. On August 9, he was sentenced to six months of imprisonment and six months of home confinement. Malkin has repaid the IRS all of his back taxes, but still owes more than $700,000 in interest and penalties.
This matter was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher W. Schmeisser.
Enfield Man Charged with Selling Heroin and Fentanyl to Overdose VictimRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford has returned an indictment charging CHRISTOPHER FELICIANO, 28, of Enfield, with possession with intent to distribute, and distribution, of heroin and fentanyl.
This matter stems from an ongoing statewide initiative targeting narcotics dealers who distribute heroin, fentanyl or opioids that cause death or serious injury to users.
Feliciano has been detained since his arrest on unrelated state charges earlier this year, and the indictment was returned on November 14, 2018. Feliciano appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven and entered a plea of not guilty to the charge.
As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, at approximately 8:55 a.m., on October 8, 2017, Enfield Police and emergency medical personnel responded to a residence in Enfield and found an unresponsive 24-year-old male in the home. The victim was pronounced deceased. Officers searched the immediate area and located narcotics paraphernalia. Officers also seized the victim’s phone. An analysis of Facebook messages and telephone contacts revealed that the victim had ordered heroin/fentanyl from Feliciano the day before the victim was found deceased.
The charge carries 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 a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Enfield Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis.
Bridgeport Heroin Trafficker Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JONATHAN ZAYAS, 25, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking heroin.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2015, the FBI’s Bridgeport State Streets Task Force, Bridgeport Police Department and Connecticut State Police Statewide Narcotics Task Force initiated an investigation into several heroin distributors operating in Bridgeport. The investigation, included court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of heroin and physical surveillance, revealed that Kareem Roseboro, also known as “Swiss,” was supplying heroin to other distributors. Roseboro and others used the Stylz Barbershop, located on State Street in Bridgeport, as a hub for their narcotics distribution activity.
The investigation further revealed that Roseboro supplied Harry Blake, also known as “Harry-O” and “O,” with large quantities of heroin. Zayas regularly purchased heroin from Blake, and sold the heroin to his own customers in the Bridgeport and Stratford area.
During the course of the investigation, investigators seized multiple “bricks” of heroin, items used in the processing and packaging of heroin, and five firearms. A brick of heroin contains 100 individual dose bags.
On June 6, 2016, a grand jury in Bridgeport returned an eight-count indictment charging Zayas, Roseboro, Blake and four other Bridgeport residents with heroin trafficking offenses. The seven defendants were arrested on June 7, 2016.
Zayas has been detained since his arrest. On December 29, 2016, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 100 grams or more of heroin.
Roseboro and Blake have been convicted of related offenses and await sentencing.
This matter was investigated by the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and the Bridgeport Police Department, with the assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Connecticut State Police, Stratford Police Department, Stamford Police Department and the Trumbull Police Department K-9 Unit. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alina P. Reynolds and H. Gordon Hall.
Berlin Man Charged with Preparing False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, today announced that a federal grand jury in Bridgeport has returned an indictment charging GELIN STERLING, 30, of Berlin, with 18 counts of aiding in the preparation of false tax returns.
The indictment was returned on November 20, 2018, and Sterling was arrested on November 27. Following his arrest, he appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna F. Martinez in Hartford and was released on a $100,000 bond.
As alleged in the indictment, Sterling owned and operated Sterling Tax Plus, LLC, a tax preparation business. For the 2014 through 2017 tax years, Sterling prepared tax returns for multiple clients that included false mileage expenses, false charitable donations, and other false income items.
The charge of aiding in the preparation of a false tax return carries a maximum term of imprisonment of three 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.
The matter is assigned to U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport.
This case is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division and the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer R. Laraia.
New York Woman Who Embezzled $1.1 Million from Darien Auto Dealership Sentenced to 30 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that VANESSA VENCE-SMALL, 50, of New Windsor, New York, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Alker Meyer in New Haven to 30 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for embezzling more than $1.1 million from a Darien auto dealership.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Vence-Small was the controller of Felix F. Callari, Inc., doing business as Continental BMW of Darien, an automobile dealership. From October 2014 to June 2017, Vence-Small made 65 unauthorized electronic fund transfers, totaling $904,659.29, from the dealership’s bank account to her personal American Express account. She also issued and signed 28 checks drawn on the dealership’s bank account, in the total amount of $207,777.78, to pay various third parties, including credit card companies, contractors who performed work at her residence, and a different dealership from which she purchased a car. She also incurred on company accounts an additional $31,452.08 in unauthorized credit card charges and reimbursements.
The investigation revealed Vence-Small’s personal expenses included first-class air travel and vacations to Australia, Hawaii, Mexico and Jamaica; payments to contractors to remodel and landscape her home, and the purchase of a $50,000 Ford Mustang.
Judge Meyer ordered Vence-Small to pay full restitution. She has made approximately $200,000 in restitution payments to date.
On February 22, 2018, Vence-Small pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.
Vence-Small, who is released on a $100,000 bond, was ordered to report to prison on February 4, 2019.
This matter was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service, the Darien Police Department and the Connecticut Financial Crimes Task Force. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Chen.
Indictment Charges New Haven Man with Firearm and Drug OffensesRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned a three-count indictment charging KEVIN McFARLANE, also known as “Jabari McBurn” and “Dexter Creque,” 41, of New Haven, with firearm possession and crack cocaine distribution offenses.
The indictment was returned on November 19, 2018. McFarlane appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna F. Martinez in Hartford and entered a plea of not guilty to the charges. He has been detained since his arrest on related state charges on July 11, 2018.
The indictment alleges that, on July 8, 2018, in New Haven, McFarlane possessed crack cocaine that he intended to distribute, and a Glock model 43 9mm semiautomatic handgun.
The indictment further alleges that McFarlane was convicted in Connecticut state court, in October 2004, of sale of a hallucinogen/narcotic, and in Florida state court, in October 2007, of murder in the second 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.
The indictment charges McFarlane with one count of possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”), an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years; one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, an offense that carries a mandatory consecutive term of imprisonment of at least five 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 Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad and the New Haven Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Stolfi Collins.
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.
Guilford Contractor Sentenced to Prison for Submitting False Claims to the U.S. Postal ServiceRead the Press Release
John H, Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Steven Stuller, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, announced that MARCEL VAN WOLVELAERD, 63, of Guilford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to six months of imprisonment, followed by two years of supervised release, for submitting false documents to the U.S. Postal Service.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Van Wolvelaerd owns and operates CableComm, LLC. From approximately 2007 through 2014, the U.S. Postal Service (“USPS”) contracted with CableComm to perform repair and maintenance work at various USPS facilities. In 2017, Van Wolvelaerd sought payment on certain repair and maintenance work done in Connecticut. Prior to making payment, the USPS requested that Van Wolvelaerd show proof of his costs. In response, Van Wolvelaerd submitted to the USPS a certified claim that included several invoices detailing his costs, including three false invoices from an electric company. Two of the invoices falsely inflated CableComm’s costs, and the third was entirely fictitious.
The investigation also revealed that Van Wolvelaerd provided Robert Giulietti, a USPS facilities project manager, with $59,000 in cash in exchange for CableComm’s receiving USPS contracts.
On December 12, 2017, Van Wolvelaerd pleaded guilty to one count of submitting false claims to the U.S. Postal Service.
“The U.S. Postal Service manages approximately 30,000 contract actions and spends more than $13 billion on contracted supplies and services each fiscal year,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Stuller. “The Office of Inspector General supports the Postal Service by aggressively investigating allegations of misconduct within the contracting process. In this instance, we worked hand-in-hand with the United States Attorney’s Office to help ensure a reasonable case-related resolution. We applaud the exceptional work by the investigative and prosecutorial team knowing it will have a positive impact on the entire contracting process.”
In February 2014, Giulietti pleaded guilty to bribery, fraud and tax offenses. On May 30, 2014, he was sentenced to 42 months of imprisonment and ordered to pay $882,064 in restitution and $291,026 in back taxes, interest and penalties.
Van Wolvelaerd, who is released on a $20,000 bond, was ordered to report to prison on January 3, 2019.
This matter was investigated by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Clark.
East Hartford Doctor Charged with Selling Oxycodone Prescriptions, Medical Marijuana CardsRead 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, announced that Dr. SHEIKH AHMED, 55, of Orange, was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint charging him with offenses related to the illegal prescribing of oxycodone, and illegal certification of patients for state medical marijuana cards.
Following his arrest, Ahmed appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven and was released on a $200,000 bond.
As alleged in the criminal complaint, Ahmed is a pediatrician who operates a medical practice, under the name East Hartford Medical Center, at 580 Burnside Avenue in East Hartford. Despite being a pediatrician, Ahmed’s practice does not appear to focus on children.
It is alleged that, between approximately October 2017 and May 2018, the DEA conducted an investigation of Ahmed using both a cooperating individual and an undercover agent who, equipped with recording devices, made visits to Ahmed’s practice in order to obtain prescriptions for Oxycodone. During the visits, Ahmed sought and received cash payment, typically $500, for a prescription. Ahmed did not conduct an appropriate medical examination when prescribing the oxycodone, and he made comments involving what dosage would be least likely to attract the attention of regulators, and what pharmacy was the least careful about monitoring prescriptions.
The complaint also alleges other dangerous and inappropriate ways Ahmed acted in prescribing oxycodone to the cooperating individual and undercover agent.
It is further alleged that, in March 2018, the cooperating individual sought and received a medical marijuana card from Ahmed, paying Ahmed $500 for an oxycodone prescription and $250 for a medical marijuana card. During the visit, Ahmed checked his computer for a qualifying diagnosis permitted by the Connecticut’s Medical Marijuana Program and selected “Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. Ahmed did not consult with the individual about whether he suffered from any condition that would render his use of marijuana medically appropriate.
The complaint alleges that Ahmed has certified approximately 165 patients for medical marijuana cards. Ahmed has used the diagnosis “Complex Regional Pain Syndrome” to justify a marijuana certification for 33 patients, and the majority of the certifications list a diagnosis of “Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.”
The complaint charges Ahmed with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and aiding and abetting the possession of controlled substances outside the scope of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose. The offenses carry a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
U.S. Attorney Durham stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This investigation is being conducted by the DEA’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad, which includes officers from the Bristol, Milford, Monroe, New Haven, Shelton, Wallingford and Wilton Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony E. Kaplan.
Attorney Admits Filing False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, announced that JUSTIN C. FREEMAN, 46, of Manchester, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to a federal tax charge related to his filing false tax returns that substantially underreported his income.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Freeman is an attorney who owns and operates his own law practice, The Law Offices of Justin C. Freeman, based in Hartford. For the 2010, 2011 and 2012 tax years, Freeman signed individual federal income tax returns that significantly underreported the income he received from his law practice. The returns were subsequently filed by his tax preparer.
For 2010, Freeman reported $476,228 in total income, but actually earned $860,041.93. For 2011, he reported $410,002 in total income, but actually earned $1,093,147.43. For 2012, he reported $529,673 in total income, but actually earned $696,559.43.
Freeman pleaded guilty to one count of filing a false tax return. Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for February 20, 2019, at which time Freeman faces a maximum term of imprisonment of three years and a fine of up to approximately $840,000. He has paid $419,259 in back taxes, and has agreed to cooperate with the IRS to pay all outstanding taxes, interest and penalties.
This matter is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan L. Wines.
Old Saybrook Man Who Failed to Pay $4.8 Million in Income Taxes Sentenced to 90 Months in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, announced that DAVID ADAMS, 58, of Old Saybrook, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 90 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for failing to pay more than $4.8 million in federal income taxes.
“This defendant engaged the IRS in a decades-long wild goose chase to prevent the agency from collecting the taxes he was required by law to pay,” said U.S. Attorney Durham. “He hid income, repeatedly lied to IRS collections officers, filed frivolous claims for due process hearings, and bounced numerous checks. He also misled, and then attempted to implicate, his accountant. All the while, he had the ability to pay and lived more lavishly than the vast majority of Americans. Our nation’s tax collection system requires all of us to pay what we owe, or else our society cannot function. This is an appropriate sentence for an individual who failed to pay his taxes for a good portion of his working life, and likely will never pay all that he owes the citizens of this country.”
“For years, Mr. Adams obstructed IRS efforts to collect back taxes through a series of criminal acts,” said IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge O’Connell. “As a successful entrepreneur, he earned millions and amassed significant wealth, yet willfully chose to evade his significant tax obligations. Honest taxpayers bear the brunt of this crime, through reduced government services and a greater tax burden. IRS-CI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to hold tax cheats accountable, by prosecuting those who undermine the integrity of our tax system.”
According to court documents and statements made in court, in the early 1980s, and then continuing from 1996 onward, Adams was substantially delinquent in filing his tax returns and paying amounts owed to the IRS. Starting at least as early as the 1982 tax year, Adams repeatedly engaged with IRS collections officers tasked with trying to get Adams into compliance with the tax laws. Although IRS collections officers repeatedly advised Adams about his obligations to pay estimated taxes, he continually failed to pay those taxes on time or in sufficient amounts.
As part of this tax fraud scheme, Adams engaged the services of a certified public accountant to prepare his personal tax returns beginning in approximately 1993, and then gave the accountant false information about his estimated payments, about his income, and then blamed the accountant for making errors on his returns as an excuse for why he should not be required to pay the tax due.
In 2002, Adams sold an online floral business, for which he owed over $1.3 million in tax. Adams failed to pay that tax liability and instead hung the return up in collections, in a collections due process hearing, and in tax court, while blaming his accountant for purported “errors” when none were made. As of today, Adams still has a seven-figure balance on that tax year.
In June 2011, Adams sold his partnership interest in another online floral business and received $4,708,419.20 wired into his personal bank account as part of the net proceeds owed to him as a result of the sale. Although he knew that he owed substantial taxes on that amount, Adams concealed the income from his accountant and failed to declare the income on his 2011 tax return. At the same time, Adams represented to an IRS revenue officer who was responsible for collecting Adams’s delinquent tax payments and securing Adams’s overdue tax returns, that he had hoped to have funds to pay down his back tax liability (including tax liability associated with the 2002 sale), but that nothing had been “panning out.” Adams failed to disclose to the revenue officer that he had received $4,708,419.20 in cash less than three weeks earlier.
In June 2012, Adams received an additional $1,320,609.59 into his personal bank account as net proceeds of the 2011 sale. Although he knew that he owed substantial taxes on that amount, Adams failed to disclose the income to his accountant, and failed to declare it on his tax return for that year.
Adams also misled the U.S. District Court and U.S. Probation Office in the case by failing to disclose on his financial affidavit a bank account containing more than $500,000.
In total, Adams engaged in a more than 20-year effort to inhibit the IRS’s efforts to collect back taxes from him. Among other things, he bounced checks to the IRS; told IRS collections officers that payment had been sent when it had not; promised to pay delinquent tax liabilities in full and then delayed payment, made only partial payment, failed to pay at all, or paid off one liability while leaving another liability unpaid; claimed that he lacked funds to pay his delinquent tax but failed to disclose that he had access to enough cash to fully pay back his tax liabilities; filed false and fraudulent returns with the IRS; overstated the amounts of estimated taxes paid to the IRS, and failed to declare more than $6 million in income to the IRS.
Adams was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on April 14, 2016. On October 10, 2017, he pleaded guilty to two counts of tax evasion, three counts of making and subscribing a false tax return, and one count of attempting to interfere with the administration of the IRS laws.
Judge Bryant ordered Adams to pay back taxes, interest and penalties for tax years 2002, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, and 2012, which total $4,872,172.91. Interest and penalties will continue to accrue until his tax obligation is paid.
At the conclusion of today’s sentencing proceeding, Adams, who had been released on bond, was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
U.S. Attorney Durham noted that federal prisoners are required to serve at least 85 percent of their sentenced term of imprisonment and are not eligible for parole.
Adams’s criminal history includes two prior federal convictions. In 1986, he was convicted of credit card fraud for submitting more than $588,000 in fraudulent credit card sales drafts through his floral business over a three-month period in 1985. In 1992, he was convicted of two counts of failure to file tax returns, relating to his failing to file federal income tax returns for the 1984 through 1986 tax years.
This matter was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Susan L. Wines and Jennifer R. Laraia.
Hartford Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun and Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that MANUEL ASHLEY, also known as “Fresh,” 27, of Hartford, pleaded guilty yesterday in Hartford federal court to firearm and drug offenses.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 31 and June 1, 2017, Ashley sold approximately 90 bags containing a mixture of heroin and fentanyl to another individual.
Hartford Police arrested Ashley on June 6, 2017, after he sold a stolen .380 caliber pistol to another individual. On that date, a search of his Babcock Street residence revealed 44 bags containing a mixture of heroin and fentanyl.
Ashley’s criminal history includes multiple state felony convictions. It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.
Ashley pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant on February 27, 2019.
Ashley has been detained since his arrest.
This investigation was conducted by the Hartford Police Department’s Vice and Narcotics Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force. The Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Stolfi Collins.
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.
Hartford Man Charged with Federal Offenses Stemming from Drug-Related ShootingRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Brian C. Turner, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Hartford Police Chief David Rosado, today announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford has returned a four-count indictment charging RANDY PARKMAN, 41, of Hartford, with robbery and firearm offenses.
The indictment was returned on November 6, 2018. Parkman appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah A. L. Merriam in New Haven and entered a plea of not guilty to the charges. He has been detained since his arrest on October 22, 2018.
As alleged in court documents, on May 22, 2018, Parkman shot and seriously wounded an individual during a robbery at 149 Wethersfield Avenue in Hartford. At the time, the location was being used as a “trap house” by a drug trafficking organization. Parkman was arrested at his residence on October 22, 2018. On that date, a search of the home revealed a Taurus, Model 444, .44 caliber revolver, which had been reported stolen from a motor vehicle in Hartford in August 2018.
It is alleged that Parkman’s criminal history includes numerous felony convictions for larceny, burglary and other offenses. It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.
The indictment charges Parkman with one count of interference with commerce by robbery, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and one count of possession and discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life. The indictment also charges Parkman with one count of possession of ammunition by a convicted felon and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, offenses that carry 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 Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes 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.
Former Shelton Resident Who Embezzled $326K from Her Employer Sentenced to 33 Months in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MIRIAM DUBAY, 66, of Purcellville, Virginia, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 33 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for embezzling more than $326,000 from her Connecticut employer.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Dubay, who formerly resided in Shelton, was the bookkeeper for a small, family-owned business in Shelton. Dubay was the only accounting person for the business, and she had access to the company’s bank accounts, check stock, accounting books and records, and petty cash. She also was responsible for depositing business checks and cash payments from customers into the company’s bank account.
From at least as early as April 2010 and continuing through October 2016, Dubay engaged in a scheme to defraud her employer by writing checks on company check stock made out to “cash” and either forging the signature on the checks by hand or by using a fraudulently obtained signature stamp. Dubay either deposited the checks into her personal bank account or cashed the checks at the bank where her employer maintained its business account. Dubay forged 168 separate checks totaling $239,851.68.
As part of this embezzlement scheme, Dubay also stole 103 customer cash payments, totaling $86,279, instead of depositing the cash into the business’s bank account.
Judge Underhill ordered Dubay to make full restitution to her victim employer.
On June 26, 2018, Dubay pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.
Dubay, who is released on a $20,000 bond, was ordered to report to prison on January 16, 2019.
This matter was investigated by the Shelton Police Department, the U.S. Secret Service and the Connecticut Financial Crimes Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan L. Wines.
Bridgeport Man Charged with Committing Multiple RobberiesRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging ALVIN ROBERTSON, 55, of Bridgeport, with three counts of bank robbery and two counts of interference with commerce by robbery.
The indictment was returned on October 16, 2018. Robertson appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge William I. Garfinkel in Bridgeport and entered a plea of not guilty to the charges. He has been detained since his arrest on related state charges on September 27, 2018.
The indictment alleges that Robertson robbed a Subway store located at 9 Ethan Allen Highway in Ridgefield on May 20, 2018; a Subway store located at 447 Monroe Turnpike in Monroe on July 22, 2018; a People’s United Bank branch located at 470 Monroe Turnpike in Monroe on August 29, 2018; a People’s United Bank branch located at 763 Straits Turnpike in Watertown on September 21, 2018, and a People’s United Bank branch located at 1135 Farmington Avenue in Berlin on September 25, 2018.
If convicted, Robertson faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 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 Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Watertown, Ridgefield, Monroe and Berlin Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas P. Morabito.
Manchester Man Pleads Guilty to Drug and Gun Charges Stemming from Hartford Car Wash ShootingRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that HECTOR ALFONSO, 37, of Manchester, pleaded guilty yesterday in New Haven federal court to drug and firearm offenses related to a shooting that occurred in Hartford’s South End in December 2016.
According to court documents and statements made in court, at approximately 10:00 p.m. on December 21, 2016, Hartford Police officers responded to a report of a person shot at a car wash located at 156 Franklin Avenue in Hartford. At the car wash, officers encountered an employee of the car wash who was suffering from two gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to the hospital where he was treated for his injuries and released.
The investigation, which has included analysis of a surveillance video, revealed that, shortly before the shooting, Alfonso and Michael Rivera arrived at the car wash to acquire a distribution quantity of heroin from Ruben Rodriguez and another individual. A dispute and subsequent struggle occurred during the transaction, and Alfonso brandished a firearm. He then shot the employee.
Alfonso was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on April 26, 2017. A search of his Manchester residence on that date revealed cocaine residue on a toilet seat, cocaine and crack cocaine residue in another part of home, and items used to process and package narcotics for street sale. He has been detained since his arrest.
Alfonso pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and one count of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, an offense that carries a mandatory consecutive term of imprisonment of at least seven years. Alfonso is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton on February 12, 2019.
Alfonso’s criminal history includes a federal conviction for possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, cocaine base (“crack”). In June 2014, he was sentenced to 18 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for that offense.
Alfonso faces additional penalties for violating the conditions of his supervised release from his prior federal conviction.
Michael Rivera, 35, of Hartford, and Ruben Rodriguez, 38, of Meriden, have pleaded guilty to related charges and are detained while awaiting sentencing.
When Rodriguez was arrested on September 29, 2017, a search of his residence and vehicle revealed a loaded .40 caliber pistol, numerous rounds of ammunition, approximately 133 grams of heroin, approximately 170 grams of cocaine, and $61,909 in cash.
This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Hartford Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Leaming.
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.
Robbery Getaway Driver Sentenced to 4 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ANTHONY VITO, 28, formerly of Stoughton, Massachusetts, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 48 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for serving as the getaway driver for an armed bank robbery and two commercial robberies in December 2017.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 8, 2017, Vito drove Anthony Provost to the Mobil Gas Station and Dunkin Donuts located at 750 Straits Turnpike in Middlebury. Provost first threatened the cashier at the Mobil station with what appeared to be a firearm, and instructed her to open the cash register and provide her with all of its contents. The cashier complied and provided him with $578. The cashier also complied with Provost’s demand that she give him cigarettes valued at approximately $131. Provost then went to the cashier at the Dunkin Donuts, lifted his shirt to display what appeared to be a firearm and demanded money. During the robbery, when a customer entered the premises, Provost pointed the firearm at her and told her to keep her hands out of her pocketbook. The cashier gave Provost approximately $350. Provost then fled the premises in the vehicle driven by Vito.
Vito then drove Provost to the Thomaston Savings Bank located at 508 South Main Street in Thomaston. At the bank, Provost handed the teller a note stating “Robbery 20’s, 50’s, 100’s, quiet.” Provost also displayed what appeared to be a firearm. After the teller gave him money, Provost told her to get money from the other teller. The teller complied, and Provost left the bank with $1,471. Provost and Vito then fled the scene.
On December 9, 2017, Provost was arrested by Waterbury Police officers in a motel room that was occupied by Vito and another individual. At the scene, officers recovered a silver and beige handled CO-2 powered BB gun, a black ski mask, a gray ski mask, $542 in cash, and multiple packs of cigarettes. Officers also seized a red Ford Explorer that had been used during several of the robberies. Vito was arrested shortly thereafter.
Provost and Vito have been detained since their arrests.
On June 8, 2018, Vito pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting an armed bank robbery.
On April 26, 2018, Provost pleaded guilty to one count of armed bank robbery and admitted that he committed these robberies and several others in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire late last year. On July 19, 2018, he was sentenced to 96 months of imprisonment.
This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Waterbury, Southington, Thomaston, Putnam, Avon, Middlebury, Shrewsbury (Mass.) and Nashua (N.H.) Police Departments. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony E. Kaplan.
New Haven Man Sentenced to More Than 9 Years in Federal Prison for Robbery and Gun OffensesRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that SHAQUILLE RICHARDSON, 25, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 117 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for robbery and firearm offenses.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 30, 2016, at approximately 1:41 a.m., New Haven Police officers were dispatched to Ferry Street after a report that a person had been shot. At the scene, officers found two victims. One victim had been shot in the left elbow and was bleeding heavily, and the other victim was bleeding from the nose.
The investigation, which has included witness interviews, DNA evidence, ballistics evidence and footage from a surveillance video, revealed that Richardson and Thomas Johnson attacked the two victims after they exited a convenience store in an attempt to steal marijuana and money from the victims. Johnson shot one of the victims in his elbow and Richardson struck the other victim in the face with a gun.
Officers apprehended Richardson near the scene of the robbery. When Richardson was found, he was bleeding from a gash to his hand where one of the victims had slashed him with a knife in self-defense. Johnson was arrested on July 28, 2016, during a motor vehicle stop. At the time of his arrest, Johnson possessed the firearm he used during the robbery.
Richardson has been detained since his arrest. On January 31, 2018, he pleaded guilty to one count of Hobbs Act Robbery and one count of carrying a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Johnson, of New Haven, pleaded guilty to related charges on April 4, 2018. On October 11, 2018, he was sentenced to 156 months of imprisonment.
This matter was investigated by the New Haven Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter D. Markle and Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis.
Middletown Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing from Law Firm and Family MemberRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that STEPHEN T. GIONFRIDDO, 68, of Middletown, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to fraud charges stemming from a scheme in which he embezzled more than $500,000 from his former employer, and then stole nearly $400,000 from his brother to pay back his employer.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Gionfriddo was hired by a Rocky Hill law firm as a paralegal in approximately August 2013. Beginning in approximately December 2013, Gionfriddo caused the firm’s bookkeeper to prepare checks payable to various of Gionfriddo’s creditors by misrepresenting that the funds were needed to pay client expenses. Gionfriddo also intercepted numerous checks payable to the law firm or to the firm’s clients, endorsed the checks over to himself, and then deposited the checks into his personal bank account for his own use.
In July 2017, Gionfriddo forged the signature of one of the firm’s partners on a Notice of Certificate Maturity in order to cancel a certificate of deposit (CD) in the name of one of the firm’s clients, and then mailed the form. When the $112,748.21 distribution check representing the proceeds of the client’s CD was mailed to the firm, Gionfriddo intercepted it, forged the signature of the payee, and converted it to his own use.
Through this scheme, Gionfriddo stole $543,372.21 from the law firm and its clients.
In late September 2017, the principals at the law firm confronted Gionfriddo about the theft of funds, and Gionfriddo promised to repay the firm. On October 3, 2017, Gionfriddo called the Thrift Savings Plan (“TSP”), a defined contribution plan for federal employees, and impersonated his brother, who had worked for the federal government and maintains a TSP account. During the call, Gionfriddo obtained information about how to effect a hardship withdrawal of money from the account and have it sent to a bank account he controlled. Gionfriddo also was advised on that call that TSP would issue a Form 1099 in January as a result of the hardship withdrawal.
On October 4, 2017, Gionfriddo faxed a form requesting a withdrawal of $195,000 from his brother’s TSP account for “medical expenses.” Gionfriddo directed the TSP to deposit the funds into a bank account that he controlled.
In an effort to conceal this scheme from his brother, Gionfriddo contacted the U.S. Postal Service and had his brother’s mail held for the entire month of January.
Gionfriddo also stole from his brother’s bank and investment accounts in the total amount of $201,518.
Gionfriddo was arrested on a criminal complaint on June 12, 2018.
Gionfriddo pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud and one count of wire fraud. Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for February 12, 2019, at which time Gionfriddo faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count.
Gionfriddo was convicted of federal wire fraud and mail fraud offenses in 2006 for embezzling more than $633,000 from clients while acting as their attorney.
This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan L. Wines.
Mexican National Pleads Guilty to Reentering the U.S. after Being DeportedRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that JOSE LUIS MERINO HERNANDEZ, also known as “Jose Mendez,” 50, pleaded guilty yesterday in Hartford federal court to one count of reentry of removed alien. Merino Hernandez is a citizen of Mexico last residing in Waterbury.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in January 2005, Merino Hernandez was removed from the U.S. to Mexico after he sustained convictions in New York. He illegally reentered the U.S. and was encountered by ICE while he was incarcerated in New York in November 2010. He was removed to Mexico in January 2011.
U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents encountered Merino Hernandez in Tucson, Arizona, three times in May and June 2011. After the third encounter, Merino Hernandez was charged in the District of Arizona with illegal reentry. He was convicted of the offense, sentenced to 120 days of imprisonment, and removed to Mexico in October 2011.
On June 9, 2018, Merino Hernandez was arrested in Waterbury and charged with four counts of risk of injury of a minor, one count of interfering/resisting arrest, one count of breach of peace and one count of assault 3rd degree. He has been detained since his arrest. On September 10, 2018, he pleaded guilty in state court to one count of reckless endangerment in the first degree.
Merino Hernandez is scheduled to be sentenced in Hartford federal court on February 11, 2019, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of two years.
This matter has been investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), with the assistance of the Waterbury Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Deborah R. Slater.
Bridgeport Man Charged with Crack and Cocaine Distribution OffensesRead 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 ROCKY SAMAS, also known as “Twin,” 47, of Bridgeport, with one count of possession with intent to distribute at 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”), and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
As alleged in court documents, between August and October 2018, investigators conducted three controlled purchases of crack cocaine from Samas in Bridgeport. On November 6, 2018, Samas was arrested on a federal criminal complaint. On that date, investigators searched his Bridgeport residence and seized quantities of crack and powder cocaine.
If convicted, Samas, who has a prior federal narcotics conviction, faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life on the crack cocaine charge, and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years on the powder cocaine charge.
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 Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, and the Stamford and Bridgeport Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Vizcarrondo.
North Branford Man Charged with Distributing Heroin and FentanylRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging SCOTT MATHEWS, 34, of North Branford, with one count of distribution of heroin and fentanyl.
The indictment was returned on November 7, 2018. Mathews appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah A. L. Merriam in New Haven, entered a plea of not guilty to the charge, and was released on a $100,000 bond.
This matter stems from an investigation into the overdose death of a 39-year-old man at a hotel in Meriden in November 2017.
The indictment alleges that, on November 8, 2017, Mathews distributed heroin and fentanyl.
If convicted of this charge, Matthews faces 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 a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Meriden Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Natasha Freismuth.
Former Norwalk Resident Sentenced to Prison for Illegally Reentering U.S. after Being DeportedRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MIGUEL ANGEL ARCOS-VASQUEZ, also known as “Dimas Fernando Herrarte,” 27, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 12 months and one day of imprisonment for illegally reentering the U.S. after being deported. Arcos-Vasquez is a citizen of Guatemala last residing in Norwalk.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in November 2011, Arcos-Vasquez attempted to enter the U.S. at the Mexican border using the identity of a Mexican citizen. He was denied entry into the U.S. and returned by foot to Mexico.
In March 2014, Arcos-Vasquez was arrested by the Stratford Police Department for a burglary offense. In April 2014, he also was charged with failure to appear. He was not encountered by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at this time.
In approximately 2015, Arcos-Vasquez returned to Guatemala voluntarily. In January 2016, he attempted to enter the U.S. three times through Texas, but was removed to Mexico after each attempt.
On January 24, 2017, Arcos-Vasquez was arrested by the Stamford Police Department on charges of threatening in the first degree. On January 27, 2017, under the name of Dimas Herrarte-Ramirez, he was charged by the Norwalk Police Department with sale of a hallucinogen/narcotic and criminal possession of a firearm. He has been detained since that time, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement was notified.
On October 19, 2017, Arcos-Vasquez was sentenced in state court to five years of incarceration, execution suspended after two years. His state prison term is scheduled to expire in January 2019.
Judge Hall ordered Arcos-Vasquez to begin serving his federal sentence upon his release from state prison.
On August 17, 2018, Arcos-Vasquez pleaded guilty in federal court to illegally reentering the U.S. after being deported.
This matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Deborah R. Slater.
Bridgeport Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing FirearmsRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that TYESHON KING, 31, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by two years of supervised release, for illegally possessing firearms.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 24, 2017, members of the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and Bridgeport Police Department conducted a court-authorized search of King’s Bridgeport residence and seized a loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol and a loaded .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol that had been reported stolen in Bridgeport in 2015. Investigators also seized items used to process and package narcotics for street sale.
King’s criminal history includes a state conviction in May 2007 for attempted assault in the first degree. He received a sentence of 15 years of incarceration, suspended after three years, on that conviction.
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.
King has been detained since his federal arrest on July 13, 2017. On August 30, 2018, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon.
This matter was investigated by the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force, DEA’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, and Bridgeport Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph Vizcarrondo and Dave Vatti.
Former Connecticut Attorney Sentenced to More Than 6 Years in Prison for Stealing Nearly $2 MillionRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that THOMAS M. MURTHA, 62, of Birmingham, Michigan and formerly of Newtown, Connecticut, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 78 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for stealing nearly $2 million from clients, friends and family members.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Murtha operated a law practice under the name Maher & Murtha LLC in Bridgeport. Beginning in approximately November 2011, Murtha stole approximately $2 million from more than 20 individuals, including law clients, friends and family members. More than $516,000 of the stolen funds were for the benefit of an individual with mental health issues. As part of the scheme, Murtha submitted false or forged documents to victims. He also incurred charges on credit cards in the names of others without their knowledge or permission.
The investigation revealed that Murtha used some of the stolen funds in connection with the purchase of a $725,000 house in Birmingham, Michigan, and on other lavish expenses, including the purchase and care of show horses.
Judge Shea ordered Murtha to pay total restitution of $1,994,467.15. Murtha also has agreed to forfeit his interests in the house in Michigan and a 2.11 carat diamond engagement ring that the government has seized.
In September 2016, Murtha resigned from the bar after three grievance complaints were filed against him. He was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on April 5, 2017, and a grand jury returned a multi-count indictment against him on August 16, 2017. On May 30, 2018, he pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.
Murtha, who is released on bond, was ordered to report to the U.S. Marshals Service on November 26, 2018, to begin serving his sentence.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Greenwich Police Department, with the assistance of the Connecticut Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer R. Laraia and David T. Huang.
Bridgeport Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Charge Related to Investigation of Stratford Overdose DeathRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that, on November 13, 2018, TALVIN HINTON, 42, of Bridgeport, pleaded guilty in Bridgeport federal court to one count of distribution of heroin.
This matter stems from an ongoing statewide initiative targeting narcotics dealers who distribute heroin, fentanyl or opioids that cause death or serious injury to users.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on September 23, 2017, the Stratford Police Department and emergency medical personnel responded to a suspected overdose of a 25-year-old female at a Stratford home. The victim was transported to the hospital where she was pronounced deceased. At the scene, officers collected nine bags of suspected heroin and other evidence of drug use.
The State of Connecticut Chief Medical Examiner determined the victim’s cause of death to be intoxication of a combination of heroin, fentanyl and other substances.
The investigation revealed that Hinton was the source of the narcotics purchased by the victim shortly before she died.
Between January and March 2018, investigators made four controlled purchases of heroin from Hinton. He was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on March 20, 2018.
Hinton is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport on February 5, 2019, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
Hinton is released on a $25,000 bond pending sentencing.
This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, which includes personnel from the DEA, Connecticut State Police and Norwalk, Stamford, Stratford, Milford, Bridgeport and Trumbull Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Natasha M. Freismuth.
North Haven Man Sentenced to 54 Months in Prison for Role in Fencing OperationRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that PAUL WILLIAM MUZYKA, 49, of North Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 54 months of imprisonment, followed by two years of supervised release, for his role in a large-scale fencing operation.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Muzyka and George J. Connelly, Jr., operated a licensed secondhand store, Ace Amusements, located at 42 Kimberly Avenue in New Haven. At Ace Amusements, Muzyka and Connelly knowingly purchased stolen property from “boosters,” who typically were shoplifters with opioid addictions. The boosters stole the goods from retail stores such as Home Depot, Target, CVS, and Lowe’s, and sold the goods at Ace Amusements for approximately one-third of their retail prices. Muzyka and Connelly then resold the stolen goods at Ace Amusements, and also online at websites such as eBay. Muzyka and Connelly also sold property to resellers, who then resold the property online using online websites.
The investigation revealed that individuals who purchased stolen items at Ace Amusements made at least $1.5 million in sales on eBay from 2007 to 2016.
Judge Shea ordered Muzyka to forfeit $73,143.91 that was seized from him during the investigation.
On March 16, 2016, Muzyka pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit the interstate transport of stolen property and one count of interstate transport of stolen property. He was ordered to report to prison on February 4, 2019.
On May 23, 2018, Connelly was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit the interstate transport of stolen property, and two counts of interstate transport of stolen property. On October 1, he was sentenced to 78 months of imprisonment and was ordered to forfeit an interest of $86,220.85 in a house he owns on Tuttle Drive in New Haven, $10,338.68 that was seized from his and Ace Amusements’ bank accounts, and $13,078.67 in cash that was seized from his person and from various locations inside Ace Amusements on January 25, 2016.
This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Connecticut State Police, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Connecticut Department of Correction, Connecticut Chief State’s Attorney’s Office, and the New Haven, North Haven, Milford, West Haven, Wallingford, Hamden and Orange Police Departments.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John T. Pierpont, Jr. and David T. Huang.
North Branford Man Admits Enticing Girls to Engage in Sexual Activity Through Online AppsRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DANIEL FLEISCHAUER, 32, of North Branford, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between approximately 2013 and 2017, Fleischauer communicated with minor females on internet applications, including Kik and Cypher. At times, the communications involved sexual topics. During these communications, Fleischauer sent sexually explicit images of himself to minor females, and he requested, and received, images and videos of minor females engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Fleischauer believed that one of the minors with whom he engaged in this conduct was under the age of 12.
Fleischauer has been detained since his arrest on December 13, 2017.
Judge Hall scheduled sentencing for February 7, 2019, at which time Fleischauer faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.
This matter is being investigated by the Connecticut Human Trafficking Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations, with the assistance of Kik Interactive. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anastasia E. King.