District of Connecticut

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that THERESA SUTHERLAND, 34, of East Windsor, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Alfred V. Covello in Hartford to 51 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for engaging in a fraud and identity theft scheme.

According to court documents and statements made in court, SUTHERLAND was employed by Mass Mutual Financial Group as a claims examiner in the company’s Enfield office.  Mass Mutual offers full-time employees up to $8,500 in college tuition reimbursement and up to $5,000 reimbursement for the expenses associated with the adoption of a child.  SUTHERLAND and other Mass Mutual employees defrauded the company by submitting numerous fraudulent claims for tuition reimbursement and adoption expenses.  In association with the fraudulent claims for adoption expenses, SUTHERLAND and her co-conspirators submitted birth certificates and Social Security numbers of actual children who were not their own.

SUTHERLAND and her co-conspirators received approximately $240,000 in fraudulent reimbursements during the conspiracy, and SUTHERLAND specifically received more than $75,000.

The investigation revealed that SUTHERLAND defrauded three other employers in addition to Mass Mutual.  Judge Covello ordered her to pay total restitution of $400,000 to Mass Mutual and these former employers.

On November 19, 2013, SUTHERLAND pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.

Four other former employees of Mass Mutual were charged as a result of this investigation.

This investigation is being conducted by the Connecticut Financial Crimes Task Force, including the Connecticut State Police.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas P. Morabito.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722 thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that KHALID ABOUTAYEB, 46, of Bridgeport, pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to one count of unlawful use of food stamp benefits.

On May 14, 2014, a grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging ABOUTAYEB with engaging in food stamp fraud at the M&J Deli Market, a grocery and convenience store he operated at 988 State Street in Bridgeport.

The federal Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program (“SNAP”) is administered by the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service and utilizes federal tax dollars to subsidize low-income households to provide them with the opportunity to achieve a more nutritious diet by increasing their food-purchasing power.  SNAP recipients purchase eligible food items at retail food stores through the use of an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, and SNAP benefits may be accepted by authorized retailers only in exchange for eligible items.  Items such as alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, paper goods and soaps are not eligible for purchase with Food Stamp benefits, and it is a violation of the rules and regulations governing the food stamp program to allow benefits to be used to purchase ineligible items.  SNAP benefits may not lawfully be exchanged for cash under any circumstances.  The program is designed so that the total amount of each purchase is electronically transferred to the retailer’s designated bank account.

In pleading guilty, ABOUTABYEB admitted that he and others unlawfully exchanged customers’ food stamp benefits for ineligible items and cash at M&J Deli Market between approximately December 2011 and February 2013.  The investigation has revealed that more than $285,000 in illegal SNAP benefits were redeemed at the store.

ABOUTAYEB is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny on March 11, 2015, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, a fine and restitution of approximately $199,000.

This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Felice M. Duffy.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722 thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced the unsealing of an indictment charging KAIEEMA GADSON, 25, or Providence, R.I., with two counts of sex trafficking of a minor.

The indictment was returned by a grand jury in Hartford on November 19, 2014, and GADSON was arrested yesterday in Providence.  Following her arrest, she appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna F. Martinez in Hartford and was ordered detained.

The indictment alleges that, in December 2013, GADSON recruited, harbored and transported two minors to engage in commercial acts.

The charge of sex trafficking of a minor carries mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

U.S. Attorney Daly 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 Homeland Security Investigations and the Connecticut State Police, with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarala V. Nagala and David E. Novick.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722 thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that WESLEY SKORSKI, 44, of Marlborough, will pay a $1,000 fine for violating the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.  U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna F. Martinez imposed the sentence today in Hartford federal court.

According to court documents and statements made in court, SKORSKI owned and operated AviaMed, a Wethersfield-based business licensed by the State of Connecticut to engage in the wholesale distribution of medical devices and prescription drugs under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.  As part of the operation of AviaMed, SKORSKI received orders for prescription drugs from physicians and other health care providers.

In 2010 and 2011, SKORSKI entered into agreements with suppliers in the United Kingdom and Canada to receive prescription drugs, including oncology and dermatology drugs, which were commercially manufactured or produced outside the U.S. for distribution in foreign markets.  After receiving the drugs from the foreign suppliers, SKORSKI repackaged them and distributed them to health care providers in the U.S. outside Connecticut.

The drugs SKORSKI received from foreign suppliers failed to contain the labeling required by the Food and Drug Administration, and were not approved for sale within the U.S.  As a result, the drugs were considered misbranded under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

On September 23, 2014, SKORSKI pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of introducing a misbranded drug into interstate commerce, in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

This investigation was conducted by special agents from the Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Sheldon.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722 thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that WILLIAM DAVIS, 27, of Allentown, Pa., JEFFREY HOUSTON, 28, of Allentown, and CHRISTOPHER GAY, 29, of Bronx, N.Y., have pleaded guilty in Hartford federal court to charges stemming from their involvement in a violent kidnapping and jewelry store robbery in April 2013.

According to court documents and statements made in court, at approximately 9:00 p.m. on April 11, 2013, at least four men wearing masks and gloves, two of whom were armed with handguns, broke into an apartment on Gravel Street in Meriden, Conn., bound four victims with duct tape and covered their heads with pillowcases, towels and jackets.  Three of the perpetrators then forced two of the victims into a victim’s vehicle and drove to Lenox Jewelers in Fairfield, Conn., where the two victims worked.  At the store, the perpetrators stole jewelry, watches and loose diamonds valued at between $4 million and $5 million.  They then fled in the victim’s car, leaving the two victims bound inside the store.

DAVIS, HOUSTON and GAY have been detained since their arrests on May 22, 2013.

Today, DAVIS pleaded guilty to one count of interference with commerce by robbery and one count of use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.  HOUSTON and GAY pleaded guilty to the same charges on December 8 and December 10, respectively.

When they are sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford, each faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on the robbery charge and a mandatory consecutive term of imprisonment of at least seven years on the firearm charge.  Each also faces a restitution order of approximately $3 million.

In pleading guilty, DAVIS, HOUSTON and GAY have agreed to forfeit gemstones, jewelry, watches and more than $127,000 in cash seized from them on May 22, 2013.  HOUSTON also has agreed to forfeit his vehicle.

Two other individuals have been charged with participating in this kidnapping and robbery and are awaiting trial.

This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Fairfield Police Department and Meriden Police Department.  U.S. Attorney Daly also acknowledged the assistance provided by the U.S. Marshals Service and FBI in New York and Pennsylvania; the York, Allentown and Bethlehem Police Departments in Pennsylvania, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Lee Dayton.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722 thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that three East Hartford residents involved in a coast to coast drug trafficking ring were sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in January 2013, the DEA’s Hartford Task Force began an investigation into the narcotics distribution activities of Luis Fernandez of East Hartford.  The investigation, which included the use of court-authorized wiretaps and controlled purchases of narcotics, revealed that Fernandez’s family members and associates in southern California shipped heroin, cocaine and marijuana to Fernandez at various addresses in the Hartford area.  Fernandez, who also was supplied with narcotics from individuals in New York, sold the drugs locally to other dealers and customers.

JOSE DEJESUS RIVERA, also known as “Chuy,” 25, was sentenced to 60 months imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release.  DEJESUS RIVERA moved to Connecticut from Pomona, Calif., in late 2012 and resided in East Hartford with Luis Fernandez.

JESUS FERNANDEZ, also known as “Guerro” and “Guate,” 29, of East Hartford, formerly of Mexico, also was sentenced to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release.

The investigation revealed that DEJESUS RIVERA and JESUS FERNANDEZ assisted Fernandez in the distribution of heroin.  JESUS FERNANDEZ and Luis Fernandez are cousins.  On September 4, 2013, DEJESUS and JESUS FERNANDEZ sold approximately six grams of heroin to an individual working with law enforcement.  The next day, DEJESUS RIVERA and JESUS FERNANDEZ negotiated a larger heroin transaction with the same individual and arranged a meeting.  After they arrived at the meet location, officers apprehended DEJESUS RIVERA, who was found in possession of approximately 250 grams of heroin, but JESUS FERNANDEZ fled the scene.

The investigation also determined that DEJESUS RIVERA was the intended recipient of a kilogram of heroin that was seized by law enforcement in Wallingford in July 2013.  Also, in July 2012, DEJESUS RIVERA was involved in the laundering of approximately $28,000 in drug proceeds in California.

DEJESUS RIVERA has been detained since his arrest on September 5, 2013.  On August 21, 2014, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.

JESUS FERNANDEZ was arrested in Ohio on October 11, 2013, and has been detained since that date.  On April 28, 2014, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.

CARLOS FERNANDEZ, also known as Ricardo Fernandez, 21, a citizen of Mexico last residing in East Hartford, was sentenced to approximately 14 months of imprisonment, time already served.  During the investigation, CARLOS FERNANDEZ delivered a package containing 468 grams of cocaine to a third party at the direction of his cousin, Luis Fernandez.

CARLOS FERNANDEZ has been detained since his arrest on October 9, 2013.  On September 22, 2014, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine.  He will be deported to Mexico.

More than 20 individuals have been charged with narcotics distribution and related offenses as a result of this investigation.  Fernandez has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.

This investigation has been led by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force, including personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office and the Bristol, Hartford, Manchester, New Britain, Newington, and Wethersfield Police Departments.  Agencies assisting the investigation include the DEA in New Haven, Bridgeport, Los Angeles and Panama, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Connecticut State Police, State of Connecticut Office of Adult Probation, and the Hartford, East Hartford and New Britain Police Departments.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys S. Dave Vatti and Gabriel J. Vidoni.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722 thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JEFFREY WARGA, 61, of North Kingstown, R.I., waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

According to court documents and statements made in court, WARGA was the president and owner of Rhode Island-based Bay Components, LLC.  From approximately July 2005 until November 2008, WARGA and others engaged in a scheme to defraud their business customers, including a Connecticut company, by falsely representing that the electronic parts they sold were not from Asia when, in fact, the parts had been purchased from companies located in Asia; were new parts from the original manufacturer when, in fact, the parts were used; and were authentic parts when, in fact, WARGA and his co-conspirators knew the parts were counterfeit parts.

The charge of conspiracy to commit wire a fraud carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  A sentencing date has not been scheduled.

U.S. Attorney Daly stated that the investigation is ongoing.

This matter is being investigated by the Defense Criminal Investigative Service and the U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Felice M. Duffy.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722 thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MARC CANNON, 40, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 27 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for operating a scheme to defraud both oil companies and individuals whose oil deliveries he fraudulently brokered.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between approximately February 2010 and April 2011, CANNON, sometimes known as “Marc the Oil Man,” engaged in a scheme to defraud heating oil companies and to obtain money from individuals who received oil deliveries.  CANNON posed as a retail customer when dealing with oil companies, and as a bargain oil seller when dealing with property owners.  As part of the scheme, CANNON would make an offer to a property owner to sell oil at below market cost in exchange for a cash payment.  Then he would contact a retail oil company, set up a fraudulent account using stolen personal identifying information, and place an order for the oil company to deliver home heating oil to a property owned by the property owner.  The oil would be delivered to the property as ordered.  CANNON would then collect cash for the delivery from the property owner, but he did not remit this payment to the oil company.  When the oil company contacted the property owner to collect payment for the oil, the company would discover that the property owner had already made payment to CANNON.

CANNON was charged in a criminal complaint that was issued on April 13, 2011, and he was a fugitive until his arrest on January 30, 2014.  On June 17, 2014, he pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.

This matter was investigated by the United States Secret Service, the Connecticut Financial Crimes Task Force, the North Haven Police Department and the North Branford Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Krishna R. Patel.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722 thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CLAYTON CARNEY, also known as “Hardcore,” 38, of Hamden, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Warren W. Eginton in Bridgeport to 77 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for his role in a narcotics distribution ring.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an investigation conducted by the FBI New Haven Safe Streets Task Force and the New Haven Police Department into drug distribution and related violence allegedly being committed by members and associates of the Grape Street Crips in New Haven.  The investigation revealed that CARNEY conspired with Donald Ogman, who has been identified in court proceedings as the leader of the Grape Street Crips, to purchase quantities of cocaine from their respective dealers, convert the cocaine to crack and then sell the crack to customers and other street-level distributors.

CARNEY’s criminal history includes several state felony drug convictions.

CARNEY has been detained since his arrest on April 11, 2012.    On March 24, 2014, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack cocaine”). 

A total of 18 individuals were charged as a result of this investigation, and all have pleaded guilty.  Ogman and several other defendants await sentencing.

This matter is being investigated by the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets Task Force, which includes the New Haven, Hamden and Milford Police Departments, the Connecticut State Police and the State of Connecticut Department of Correction.  The investigation has been assisted by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Westerly (R.I.) Police Department.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony E. Kaplan and H. Gordon Hall.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722 thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Patricia M. Ferrick, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced that WILFRIDO A. CARDENAS HOFFMAN, 31, of El Hatillo, Venezuela, waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to making threatening phone calls to residents of Newtown, Connecticut, shortly after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting tragedy in December 2012.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 16, 2012, two days after the shooting that claimed 26 lives at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CARDENAS HOFFMAN used a voice over IP application on an iPod to make numerous phone calls from his home in Venezuela to Newtown residences.  In one of the telephone calls, HOFFMAN stated: “This is Adam Lanza. I’m gonna [expletive] kill you.  You’re dead.  You’re dead.  You hear me?  You’re dead.”  In another phone call, HOFFMAN stated: “This is Adam Lanza.  I’m gonna kill you.  You’re dead.  With my machine gun.  You’re dead [expletive].”

The investigation revealed that CARDENAS HOFFMAN made more than 90 calls to approximately 47 telephone numbers of Newtown residences.  Not all of the calls were successfully placed and answered.

“As we approach the second anniversary of this terrible event, we remember all of the victims whose lives were lost, and their family and friends who still struggle to manage their grief,” stated U.S. Attorney Daly.  “These threatening calls, just two days after the tragedy, compounded the collective suffering of all of the citizens of Newtown and needlessly stressed law enforcement resources at a critical time.  It is reprehensible criminal conduct.  We are committed to investigating similar hoax crimes and prosecuting all who commit them, here and abroad.”

“Mr. Hoffman’s actions in the days after December 14, 2012, further victimized an already vulnerable community” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Ferrick.  “As a society we simply cannot tolerate this type of heinous behavior.  Crimes like this will continue to be a priority of the FBI.”

CARDENAS HOFFMAN was charged by criminal complaint on May 20, 2013.  The complaint remained sealed until CARDENAS HOFFMAN was arrested on June 21, 2014, in Miami as he transitioned through Miami International Airport en route to Mexico from Venezuela.  He has been detained since his arrest.

The charge of making threatening telephone calls carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years and a fine of up to $250,000.  CARDENAS HOFFMAN is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea on February 12, 2015.

This matter has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Krishna Patel and Edward Chang.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722 thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that EDWARD HOGAN, 38, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Ellen Bree Burns in New Haven to 36 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for trafficking cocaine and marijuana that he stole from the U.S. Mail.

This matter stems from a federal investigation into the use of the mails to transport narcotics from Puerto Rico to the greater Waterbury area.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Edward Hogan was employed by the U.S. Postal Service as a supervisor of customer service assigned to the Plaza Station Post Office in Waterbury.  From approximately January 2012 to August 2013, Hogan used his position with the U.S. Postal Service to profile packages that he believed contained illegal drugs by making note of the originating address, destination address, size of the package and value of the postage.  Upon identifying a package that he suspected contained narcotics, he would steal the package from the mail and bring it to his residence or the residence of his brother, Justin Hogan, where they would open the package and extract the drugs.  Edward Hogan would then reseal the empty package and deliver it to the destination.

The brothers distributed the stolen drugs to third parties for profit.

Through this scheme, Edward and Justin Hogan stole and then sold more than 100 pounds of marijuana and two kilograms of cocaine.

On November 9, 2013, law enforcement surveilled Edward Hogan as he intercepted a package containing approximately two kilograms of cocaine that was delivered to the Waterbury Main Post Office on Grand Street.  He then transported the parcel to his residence.  Justin Hogan arrived at the residence a short time later and opened the package in Edward Hogan’s presence.

On August 7, 2014, Edward Hogan pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, and one count of embezzlement of mail by a U.S. Postal Employee.

On the same date, Justin Hogan pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, and one count of receipt of stolen mail matter.  On December 4, 2014, he was sentenced to 24 months of imprisonment.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the U.S. Postal Service – Office of Inspector General.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher M. Mattei.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722 thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that SHIRROD HENDERSON, also known as “Rizz,” 35, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to 64 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for distributing crack cocaine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from “Operation Bloodline,” a joint law enforcement investigation targeting narcotics trafficking and gang violence in the Dwight-Kensington and Fair Haven sections of New Haven.  Led by the DEA New Haven Task Force and the New Haven and Hamden Police Departments, the year-long investigation included the use of court-authorized wiretaps on numerous telephones, extensive physical surveillance, controlled purchases of narcotics, execution of search warrants, and seizures of narcotics and firearms.  More than 100 individuals were charged as a result of the investigation.

HENDERSON has been detained since his arrest on July 12, 2012.  On September 9, 2013, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack cocaine”).

HENDERSON’s criminal history includes a state conviction for burglary in the second degree, and a prior federal conviction for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, North Haven, Branford, Ansonia and Meriden Police Departments.  The United States Marshals Service, the Connecticut State Police, the Connecticut Department of Correction, Parole and Community Services and the Milford, Hartford, New Britain, North Branford and Stratford Police Departments provided valuable assistance to the investigation.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys S. Dave Vatti and Marc Silverman.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722 thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LEROY McCOY, 49, of Manchester, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 54 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for committing violent bank robberies in Southbury, Cromwell and Wallingford.

According to court documents and statements made in court, McCOY, Michael Morris and Keith Sutherland conspired to commit the armed robberies of the Naugatuck Savings Bank in Southbury on April 20, 2011, the Webster Bank in Cromwell on October 7, 2011, and the Connex Credit Union in Wallingford on April 19, 2012.

Prior to each robbery, Sutherland, with the knowledge of McCOY and Morris, stole a minivan in the New Haven area.  Upon arriving at each victim bank, McCOY, Morris and two other individuals, wearing masks and armed with handguns, burst into the bank and ordered employees and customers to the ground.  They then forced a bank employee to open the vault, stuffed money taken from the vault and teller drawers into duffle bags, exited the bank fled in the stolen vehicle.

A total of approximately $230,000 was taken during the three robberies.

McCOY has been detained since his arrest on October 4, 2013.  On September 11, 2014, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit armed bank robbery.

McCOY’s criminal history includes nine convictions for felony offenses, including robbery.
Morris and Sutherland have pleaded guilty and await sentencing.

This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the FBI, the Connecticut State Police, and the Cromwell, Wallingford, Fairfield and Orange Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas P. Morabito.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722 thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that PEDRO RIVERA, also known as “Cheito,” 36, of Groton, pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more cocaine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in early 2012, Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), the U.S. Secret Service and the New London Police Department initiated an investigation to combat the large-scale trafficking of heroin and cocaine from the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico into and around southeastern Connecticut.  The investigation revealed that certain members of the conspiracy coordinated the shipment of heroin, and sometimes cocaine, via human couriers from the Dominican Republic to the United States.  Other members of the conspiracy obtained kilogram-quantities of cocaine in Puerto Rico and then mailed the drug to locations in and around New London where it was sold to distributors and customers.  Narcotics were also obtained from sources in New York City and Rhode Island.

More than 100 individuals were charged with federal and state offenses as a result of this investigation.

According to statements made in court, RIVERA arranged the shipment of cocaine from sources in Puerto Rico to the New London area.  RIVERA’s cocaine trafficking operation was assisted by individuals who lived in and around Morovis, Puerto Rico, including his parents, Juan Rivera Ortiz and Ivette Pagan Rodriguez.  RIVERA then distributed the cocaine to customers in southeastern Connecticut through a network of associates.

RIVERA is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant on March 3, 2015, at which time he faces a minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.  RIVERA has been in custody since his arrest on April 3, 2013.

Rivera Ortiz and Pagan Rodriguez pleaded guilty on November 24, 2014, and await sentencing. 

This matter is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations; U.S. Secret Service; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Air and Marine; Connecticut State Police; New London Police Department, Norwich Police Department, Waterford Police Department, Groton Town Police Department, East Lyme Police Department and Putnam Police Department.  The United States Marshals Service; ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations; Drug Enforcement Administration; HSI Assistant Attaché, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; HSI Arecibo, Puerto Rico Resident Office;  Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation; Connecticut Department of Correction, Parole and Community Services; and the Groton City, Willimantic, New Haven and Bristol Police Departments have provided valuable assistance to the investigation.

The federal case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah P. Karwan, Alina P. Reynolds and Henry K. Kopel.  The state cases are being prosecuted by the State’s Attorney for the New London Judicial District and Senior Assistant State’s Attorneys Paul Narducci and Stephen Carney.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722 thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that YU LONG, 36, formerly of New Haven, Conn., has been arrested and charged with attempting to travel to China with sensitive proprietary documents that set forth detailed equations and test results used in the development of technologically advanced titanium for U.S. military aircraft.  The documents were taken from a Connecticut defense contractor where LONG had been employed. 

LONG was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on November 7, 2014 at a residence in Ithaca, N.Y., after he had attempted, two days earlier, to fly to China from Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, in the possession of the sensitive, proprietary material.  LONG initially appeared in federal court in Syracuse, N.Y., on November 8 and 10, 2014, where he was ordered detained pending his transport to Connecticut to face the charges.

LONG appeared this morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge William I. Garfinkel in Bridgeport, Conn., who ordered the criminal complaint to be unsealed and LONG to remain in custody.

As alleged in the complaint affidavit and in statements made in court, LONG holds Chinese citizenship and is a lawful permanent resident of the U.S.  From approximately August 2008 to May 2014, LONG worked as a Senior Engineer / Scientist at a research and development center for a major defense contractor in Connecticut (“Company A”).  Both during and after his employment there, LONG traveled to the People’s Republic of China.  Most recently, on August 19, 2014, LONG returned to the U.S. from China through John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York and, during a secondary inspection screening by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, LONG was found in the possession of $10,000.00 in undeclared U.S. cash, registration documents for a new corporation being set up in China, and a largely completed application for work with a state-controlled aviation and aerospace research center in China.  The application materials highlighted certain of LONG’s work history and experiences that he claimed to have obtained while employed at Company A, including work on F119 and F135 engines.  The F119 engine is employed by the U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor fighter aircraft, and the F135 engine is employed by the U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft.

According to the criminal complaint and statements made in court, on November 5, 2014, LONG boarded a flight from Ithaca to Newark Liberty International Airport, with a final destination of China.  During LONG’s layover in Newark, CBP officers inspected LONG’s checked baggage and discovered that it contained, among other things, sensitive, proprietary and export controlled documents from another major defense contractor, located outside the state of Connecticut (“Company B”).  Further investigation determined that the U.S. Air Force had convened a consortium of major defense contractors, including Company A and Company B, to work together to see whether they could collectively lower the costs of certain metals used.  As part of those efforts, members of the consortium shared technical data, subject to stringent restrictions on further dissemination.  Company B reviewed the Company B documents found in LONG’s possession at Newark Liberty Airport and confirmed that it provided the documents to Company A as part of the consortium.  Company B further confirmed that LONG was never an employee of Company B.  A review of Company A computer records indicated that LONG had printed the documents while employed at Company A.  The documents bore warnings that they contained sensitive, proprietary and export controlled material, which could not be copied or communicated to a third party.  Moreover, since 1989, the U.S. has imposed a prohibition upon the export to China of all U.S. defense articles and associated technical data as a result of the conduct in June 1989 at Tiananmen Square by the military of the People’s Republic of China.

The complaint charges LONG with transporting, transmitting and transferring in interstate or foreign commerce goods obtained by theft, conversion, or fraud.  The charge carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

U.S. Attorney Daly 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 led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in New Haven in coordination with Homeland Security Investigations in New Haven and Newark.  U.S. Attorney Daly also thanked the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Ithaca, Syracuse and Newark, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Service in New York and Newark, and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Northern District of New York and the District of New Jersey, for their efforts and assistance in this matter.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen Reynolds and Krishna Patel of the District of Connecticut, and Trial Attorney Brian Fleming of the Justice Department’s Counterespionage Section (CES).

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722 thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that BELLARMIN NAMEGABE, 46, of Shelton, waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty yesterday in Bridgeport federal court to preparing false tax returns.

According to court documents and statements made in court, NAMEGABE, while operating a tax preparation business based in Shelton, falsely reported expenses, deductions and credits on numerous clients’ tax returns without his clients’ knowledge or consent.  The false returns included fabricated Schedule A’s, Schedule C’s, number of dependents, fuel tax credits and other items.

As part of the investigation, special agents with the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division interviewed 11 of NAMEGABE’s clients who stated that NAMEGABE had falsified their returns.  In addition, as part of an undercover operation, an agent simply dropped off his Form W-2 at NAMEGABE’s business, provided his name and some identifying information, such as his Social Security Number, and left.  With the information provided, the undercover agent was only entitled to a refund of $632.  Approximately two weeks later, the undercover agent’s return was posted to the IRS database.  The return was prepared falsely and generated a refund of $3,235.

NAMEGABE pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and assisting the filing of a false tax return, a charge that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of three years.  He is scheduled to be sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Warren W. Eginton on February 26, 2014.

NAMEGABE also has agreed to pay back taxes, penalties and interest related to the false tax returns he prepared during the 2007 through 2011 tax years for the 11 individuals who were interviewed as part of the investigation.  The tax loss attributed to those false returns is approximately $240,196. 

This matter is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas P. Morabito.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722 thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that VINCENT CLARK, also known as “Nu-Nu” and “Duke,” 33, of New Haven, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Ellen Bree Burns in New Haven to 140 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for trafficking crack cocaine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from “Operation Bloodline,” a joint law enforcement investigation targeting narcotics trafficking and gang violence in the Dwight-Kensington and Fair Haven sections of New Haven.  Led by the DEA New Haven Task Force and the New Haven and Hamden Police Departments, the year-long investigation included the use of court-authorized wiretaps on numerous telephones, extensive physical surveillance, controlled purchases of narcotics, execution of search warrants, and seizures of narcotics and firearms.  More than 100 individuals were charged as a result of the investigation.

The investigation revealed that Kevin Wilson, also known as “Nature,” operated a large-scale drug trafficking operation in the greater New Haven area.  CLARK served as Wilson’s “right-hand man,” assisting Wilson in the conversion of cocaine to crack cocaine, the delivery of crack to customers and the collection of drug proceeds.

On April 19, 2012, before he was indicted on federal charges, law enforcement officers attempted to arrest CLARK pursuant to an outstanding state arrest warrant, apprehended him after a foot chase and recovered multiple baggies of crack cocaine from his person.  He has been detained since his arrest.  On April 5, 2013, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, 280 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”).

CLARK’s criminal history includes prior convictions for drug offenses and for acts of violence.

Wilson has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.

This matter has been investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, North Haven, Branford, Ansonia and Meriden Police Departments.  The United States Marshals Service, the Connecticut State Police, the Connecticut Department of Correction, Parole and Community Services and the Milford, Hartford, New Britain, North Branford and Stratford Police Departments have provided valuable assistance to the investigation.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys S. Dave Vatti and Marc Silverman.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722 thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JUSTIN HOGAN, 34, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Ellen Bree Burns in New Haven to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking cocaine stolen from the U.S. Mail.

This matter stems from a federal investigation into the use of the mails to transport narcotics from Puerto Rico to the greater Waterbury area.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Justin Hogan’s brother, Edward Hogan, was employed by the U.S. Postal Service as a supervisor of customer service assigned to the Plaza Station Post Office in Waterbury.  From approximately January 2012 to August 2013, Edward Hogan used his position with the U.S. Postal Service to profile packages that he believed contained illegal drugs by making note of the originating address, destination address, size of the package and value of the postage.  Upon identifying a package that likely contained narcotics, Edward Hogan would steal the package from the mail and bring it to his or Justin Hogan’s residence where they would open the package and extract the drugs.  Edward Hogan would then reseal the empty package and deliver it to the destination.

The brothers distributed the stolen drugs to third parties for profit.

Through this scheme, Edward and Justin Hogan stole and then sold more than 100 pounds of marijuana and two kilograms of cocaine.

On November 9, 2013, law enforcement surveilled Edward Hogan as he intercepted a package containing approximately two kilograms of cocaine that was delivered to the Waterbury Main Post Office on Grand Street.  He then transported the parcel to his residence.  Justin Hogan arrived at the residence a short time later and opened the package in Edward Hogan’s presence.

On August 7, 2014, Justin Hogan pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, and one count of receipt of stolen mail matter.  On the same date, Edward Hogan pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, and one count of embezzlement of mail by a U.S. Postal Employee.

Edward Hogan is scheduled to be sentenced on December 11.

This case has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the U.S. Postal Service – Office of Inspector General.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher M. Mattei.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722 thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RICHARD DAVIS, also known as “Quan Bezel,” 21, of New Haven, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Alfred V. Covello in Hartford to 30 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing ammunition.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on January 10, 2014, DAVIS possessed 15 rounds of .22 caliber ammunition.  Prior to that date, DAVIS had been convicted of multiple felony offenses, including carrying a pistol without a permit, theft of a firearm and sale of a controlled substance.

It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

This prosecution stems from Project Longevity, a comprehensive initiative to reduce gun violence in Connecticut’s major cities.  Through Project Longevity, community members and law enforcement directly engage with members of groups that are prone to commit violence.  A critical component of the Project Longevity strategy is the “call-in,” a face-to-face meeting where Project Longevity partners engage group members and deliver a community message against violence, a law enforcement message about the consequences of further violence and an offer of help for those who want it. 

DAVIS and several associates attended a call-in in November 2012.

DAVIS has been detained since his arrest on February 27, 2014.  On July 30, 2014, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of ammunition by a previously convicted felon.

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Haven and West Haven Police Departments.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney H. Gordon Hall.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722 thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RYAN RUSSOW, 29, of Milford, pleaded guilty today in New Haven federal court to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin.

According to court documents and statements made in court, from November 2013 to April 2014, RUSSOW obtained heroin from a source in New Haven and then distributed the drug out of his residence on Stone Manor Drive to customers.  On March 12, 2014, RUSSOW sold a number of bags of heroin, stamped “Much Better,” to R.P., 26, of Milford.  Later that day, R.P. was found deceased at his residence in Milford.  In R.P.’s room, law enforcement officers located two empty bags of heroin stamped “Much Better,” and two full bags bearing the same stamp. 

Drug Enforcement Administration analysis confirmed that the full bags contained heroin with a purity level of approximately 76 percent, and the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner concluded that R.P. died of heroin toxicity.

On March 19, 2014, the DEA executed a search warrant at RUSSOW’s residence and seized more than $19,000 in cash, a digital scale and drug packaging materials.

RUSSOW has been detained since his arrest on April 23, 2014.

RUSSOW is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton on February 26, 2014, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

RUSSOW faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count.

This matter has been investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force and the Milford Police Department.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah P. Karwan.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722 thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that WILLIAM E. CHASE, 69, of Milford, waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty yesterday in Bridgeport federal court to one count of theft of public funds.

According to court documents and statements made in court, CHASE’s mother, a Social Security benefits recipient, died in November 1988.  At the time of his mother’s death, CHASE was a co-signor on the checking account into which his mother’s monthly Social Security benefits were deposited.  Despite the fact that CHASE was identified as the informant on his mother’s death certificate in 1988, he failed to notify the Social Security Administration of her death or take any steps to stop the monthly benefit payments.  From the time of his mother’s death until May 2014, $307,396 in Social Security benefits were direct deposited into the bank account controlled by CHASE.  CHASE utilized more than $292,000 of the deposited benefits for his personal use and enjoyment.

In May 2014, the bank returned the remaining balance of the checking account, approximately $14,761, to the Social Security Administration.

CHASE is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill on February 25, 2015, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, a fine of up to approximately $600,000, and mandatory restitution.

This matter is being investigated by the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General – Office of Investigations, and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau and Assistant U.S. Attorney Anastasia Enos King.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722 thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that KERONN MILLER, also known as “Fresh,” 24, of Hartford pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to aiding and abetting in the murder of Ian Francis of Hartford.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 21, 2010, Ian Francis was shot multiple times while sitting in his vehicle on Sigourney Street in Hartford.  Francis died as a result of his injuries on January 15, 2011.

In pleading guilty, MILLER admitted that he enticed Francis to Sigourney Street understanding that the plan was to murder Francis when he arrived there.  MILLER also admitted that he participated in this plot in order to assist someone else who wanted to prevent a third person from communicating with federal law enforcement and to prevent a person’s attendance at an official federal proceeding.

MILLER pleaded guilty to one count of witness tampering – second degree murder, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of life.  Under the terms of the plea agreement, if accepted by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea, MILLER faces a sentence of 168 to 210 months of imprisonment.  Sentencing is scheduled for May 26, 2015.

“There is no higher priority for the U.S. Attorney’s Office than addressing violent crime in our cities and prosecuting violent offenders,” stated U.S. Attorney Daly.  “This case is particularly important to the federal authorities as the investigation made clear that the victim was killed as part of a plan to undermine and obstruct federal law enforcement proceedings.  We commend the FBI Task Force and the Hartford Police Department for their excellent investigative work in bringing to justice one of those responsible for this murder.  We also thank them for their continued and diligent work in this ongoing investigation.”

MILLER has been detained since his arrest on November 7, 2012.

A trial in the matter of MILLER’s co-defendant is scheduled for March 2015.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes and Gang Task Force and the Hartford Police Department’s Major Crimes Division.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian Leaming and Jennifer Laraia.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722 thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JONATHAN COLON, 27, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Warren E. Eginton in Bridgeport to 72 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for possessing with intent to distribute crack cocaine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on January 10, 2013, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at COLON’s one-room apartment on Birmingham Street in Bridgeport and found approximately 62 grams of crack cocaine packaged for street sale. Officers also located a loaded .223 caliber Bushmaster XM15-E2S assault rifle under COLON’s mattress.  COLON, who was in the apartment at the time of the search, admitted to officers that he purchased the rifle the previous day for a combination of cash and crack.

COLON has been detained since his arrest on January 10, 2013.  On July 25, 2013, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack cocaine”).

COLON’s criminal history includes multiple felony convictions.  In December 2008, he was arrested for possessing a .45 caliber automatic handgun and crack cocaine and subsequently served three years in prison for that offense.  He was arrested in this case approximately six weeks after he release from state prison.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rahul Kale.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722 thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that JOSHUA SAEZ, 24, of Hartford, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 71 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for possessing heroin, which he stole from a drug dealer, and two handguns.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in January 2013, the DEA’s Hartford Task Force began an investigation into the narcotics distribution activities of Luis Fernandez of East Hartford.  The investigation, which included the use of court-authorized wiretaps and controlled purchases of narcotics, revealed that Fernandez’s family members and associates in southern California shipped heroin, cocaine and marijuana to Fernandez at various addresses in the Hartford area.  Fernandez, who also was supplied with narcotics from individuals in New York, sold the drugs locally to other dealers and customers.

During the course of the investigation, SAEZ and Eric Colon made arrangements to obtain approximately 140 grams of heroin from co-defendant Jose Rivera-Baron.  While under law enforcement surveillance, Rivera-Baron met with Colon and SAEZ in the parking lot of a restaurant on Franklin Avenue in Hartford.  Following the meeting, Colon drove away at high rate of speed.  Investigators believed that Rivera-Baron had been robbed and pursued Colon’s car.  SAEZ exited the car and was taken into custody.  A search of his person revealed two handguns and 138.1 grams of heroin.

The investigation revealed that SAEZ and Colon had stolen the heroin from Rivera-Baron.

The quantity of heroin that SAEZ possessed would have produced nearly 7000 individual dosage bags and had a street value of approximately $35,000.

Prior to August 2013, SAEZ had been convicted of a felony assault charge.  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.

SAEZ has been detained since his arrest.  On September 9, 2014, he pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and one count of possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.

More than 20 individuals have been charged with narcotics distribution and related offenses as a result of this investigation.  Fernandez, Colon and Rivera-Baron have pleaded guilty and await sentencing.

This investigation has been led by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force, including personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office and the Bristol, Hartford, Manchester, New Britain, Newington, and Wethersfield Police Departments.  Agencies assisting the investigation include the DEA in New Haven, Bridgeport, Los Angeles and Panama, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Connecticut State Police, State of Connecticut Office of Adult Probation, and the Hartford, East Hartford and New Britain Police Departments.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys S. Dave Vatti and Gabriel J. Vidoni.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722 thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

Follow @USAO_CT  

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that CHRISTOPHER T. AGRITELLY, 30, formerly of New Britain, Conn., and Tempe, Ariz., pleaded guilty yesterday in Hartford federal court to failing to register as a sex offender.

The Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (“SORNA”), which was passed by Congress in 2006 as part of the Adam Walsh Act, provides a comprehensive set of minimum standards for sex offender registration and notification in the United States and seeks to strengthen the nationwide network of sex offender registration and notification programs.  In part, SORNA requires registered sex offenders to register and keep their registration current in each jurisdiction in which they reside, work, or go to school.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in September 2007, AGRITELLY was convicted in Connecticut Superior Court in New Britain of first degree sexual abuse and was sentenced to a term of incarceration of 15 years, execution suspended, seven years to serve, followed by 15 years of probation and mandatory lifetime sex offender registration.  When he was released from prison in February 2013, AGRITELLY was informed of his registration obligations under SORNA.

AGRITELLY initially complied with Connecticut Sex Offender Registry requirements while he resided in New Britain after his release from prison.  However, in August 2013, he failed to respond to an address verification request and a subsequent Notice of Violation sent by the Sex Offender Registry Unit.

AGRITELLY also failed to report to his state probation officer and the state obtained an arrest warrant for him for a violation of the terms and conditions of his probation.

On January 29, 2014, AGRITELLY was arrested by law enforcement in Tempe, Ariz., pursuant to the probation violation warrant issued in Connecticut.  He never registered as a sex offender in Arizona.

AGRITELLY has been detained since his arrest.  He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson on February 27, 2014, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

This matter was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Deborah R. Slater.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722 thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that TYQUAN PORTER, also known as “T.Y.,” 27, of Bridgeport, pleaded guilty today in New Haven federal court to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

This matter stems from “Operation Samson,” a multi-layered initiative headed by the ATF and the Bridgeport and New Haven Police Departments that targeted violent criminals, illegal firearm possession and firearm trafficking.  In the spring of 2014, approximately 40 ATF special agents and personnel from Connecticut and across the country were deployed with New Haven and Bridgeport Police to conduct numerous covert operations. 

According to court documents and statements made in court, in April 2014, PORTER sold a .40 caliber rifle, a .380 caliber pistol with a high capacity magazine, and a 7.62x39 mm caliber rifle to an undercover ATF officer.  PORTER also provided a loaded .38 caliber revolver with an obliterated serial number and a faulty trigger mechanism to the undercover ATF officer to repair.

PORTER was previously convicted in state court of a felony narcotics offense.  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.

PORTER is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton on March 2, 2015, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

PORTER was arrested on May 12, 2014, and is currently released on a $150,000 bond.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rahul Kale.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722 thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that two men involved in a check fraud ring have pleaded guilty in Hartford federal court.  BENJII CARR, also known as Rodrick Lawon Davis, 39, of New Haven and North Carolina, pleaded guilty today to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud.  LANGSTON XAVIER NEAL, 37, of Charlotte, North Carolina, pleaded guilty to the same charge yesterday.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between July 2010 and May 2011, CARR, NEAL and Brandon Key Bentley obtained stolen checks, recruited “runners” who cashed the checks, and altered the checks to list the runners as the lawful payees.  The three individuals drove the runners to several Connecticut bank branches and directed them to enter the banks and cash the checks.  The runners were paid a small part of the cash proceeds.  Through this scheme, 39 checks totaling $114,102.34 were altered and presented to banks, and 37 of those checks totaling $104,070.94 were cashed by the banks.

On September 9, 2014, Bentley, 31, of New Haven, also pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud.

CARR, NEAL and Bentley are scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in February 2015.  Each defendant faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years and a fine of up to $1 million.

This matter has been investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, along with the Connecticut Financial Fraud Task Force and the Branford, Madison, Middlebury, Milford, New Britain, New Haven, New Milford, North Branford, Waterbury, Woodbridge and Southbury Police Departments.  U.S Attorney Daly also acknowledged the cooperation and assistance of the State’s Attorney’s Offices for the Judicial Districts of New Haven, Waterbury, Fairfield and Tolland.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Henry K. Kopel.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722 thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that THOMAS PROVENZANO, 48, of Torrington, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 18 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for his role in a series of fraudulent real estate transactions.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in November 2005, PROVENZANO obtained a $923,200 loan to purchase a lakefront home located at 27 Palmer Road in Morris for more than $1.1 million, despite lacking the income and savings to pay off the mortgage.  The property was owned by an entity controlled by a co-conspirator and, on the mortgage loan application, PROVENZANO falsely listed his employment with a company owned by his co-conspirator.  In fact, PROVENZANO never worked at the company.  The application also falsely listed PROVENZANO’s income as $20,000 per month when, in fact, his annual income was less than $50,000.  The company subsequently provided verification for the false employment and income information on the loan application.

In November 2006, PROVENZANO refinanced the loan, obtaining a $936,000 mortgage from a federally insured bank.  The new loan application, like the prior application, falsely listed PROVENZANO as employed by the same company as in the original loan application, and falsely listed his monthly income as $28,000, equal to $336,000 annually.  The company again provided verification for the false information on the loan application.

The loan is now in default, and the Palmer Road property is now in foreclosure.

In May and June 2010, PROVENZANO and the same co-conspirator learned that the FBI and IRS were investigating the real estate and mortgage transactions involving the Palmer Road property.  Among other things, the federal agents were examining a discrepancy in the closing documents, which showed that PROVENZANO had been obligated to make a down payment of approximately $249,000, but had never paid it.   PROVENZANO and his co-conspirator met and created a false promissory note in the amount of approximately $249,000, and backdated the note to November 2005, to serve as an explanation of why the $249,000 down payment had never been paid at the closing.  In June 2010, PROVENZANO agreed to be interviewed by the FBI and IRS.  During the interview he falsely claimed that he had not needed to make the down payment in November 2005 because he had signed a promissory note to the seller for the same amount.  Later that same month, PROVENZANO met with the FBI and IRS agents and provided them with a copy of the false, backdated promissory note.

As part of a separate conspiracy, in December 2009 and January 2010, PROVENZANO, the same co-conspirator and others engaged in a series of discussions about how to defraud a title insurance company.  According to the discussions, the scheme involves a real property sale based on a deliberately defective title search, where one or more liens on the property are deliberately omitted from the title search report.  After the property is sold and title insurance is issued, the conspirators arrange an event that triggers a new title search, such as a resale of the property.  The “overlooked” liens turn up, providing the conspirators with a legal claim against, and a large payout from, the title insurer.

The conspirators attempted the scheme on a property held in the name of an entity controlled by PROVENZANO’s co-conspirator located at 66 Donahue Road Extension in Litchfield.  PROVENZANO assisted in a title search of the property in January 2010, but then ceased to participate in the scheme.  The property was later sold in March 2010 to his co-conspirator’s brother, and title insurance was issued based upon a defective title search.  Three liens against the property, totaling approximately $990,000, had been deliberately omitted from the title search report.

PROVENZANO was ordered to pay $299,000 in restitution.

On January 9, 2014, PROVENZANO waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty to one count ofconspiracy to commit bank fraud, one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice and one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud.

Four other individuals who are alleged to be involved in these schemes have been charged by indictment and are awaiting trial.

This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Henry Kopel.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722 thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that WEST ROBERTSON, also known as “Po,” 32, of New London, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to unlawfully possessing ammunition in connection with a recent shooting in New London.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 29, 2014, in the vicinity of Maple Avenue in New London, ROBERTSON became involved in an altercation with another individual and shot the victim several times.  ROBERTSON then fled the scene. 

The victim’s injuries were not life-threatening.

Eyewitness accounts identified ROBERTSON as the shooter, and a video surveillance camera captured his girlfriend’s car fleeing the scene of the shooting.  Police also recovered ammunition shell casings in the Maple Avenue area.

ROBERTSON was arrested on June 6, 2014.  The firearm he used in the shooting was later recovered.

ROBERTSON has multiple state felony convictions including those for robbery, kidnapping and possession of narcotics.  It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

ROBERTSON pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition.  At sentencing, ROBERTSON faces up to 10 years of imprisonment.  A sentencing date has not been scheduled.

ROBERTSON has been detained since his arrest.

This matter is being investigated by the New London Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with the assistance of the Connecticut State Police.   The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Karwan.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722 thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ERIC WATKINS, 26, of Bridgeport, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to one count of mail fraud in connection with a stolen check scheme.

According to court documents and statements made in court, WATKINS was involved in a scheme with his cousin, Dayquan Jackson, also known as “Quan” and “DaeDae,” in which Jackson and others stole mail from residences in Fairfield County throughout 2013 and 2014 in order to obtain either blank checks or credit card “convenience checks.”  Jackson and others then used some of the stolen checks to purchase cars, motorcycles, and all-terrain vehicles listed for sale on the Internet from unsuspecting victims in surrounding states.  Some of the stolen checks also were provided to “runners” who deposited the checks into their bank accounts.  Jackson and others then withdrew the funds from the accounts.

In December 2013, WATKINS sent via FedEx a fraudulent check stolen from the mail of a Connecticut victim to an unsuspecting individual in New Jersey who had posted an all-terrain vehicle for sale on Craigslist, for the purpose of obtaining the vehicle.

Judge Arterton scheduled sentencing for February 19, 2015, at which time WATKINS faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

WATKINS was arrested on August 22, 2014.  He currently is released on bond.

Jackson has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.

This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, with substantial assistance from the Connecticut Financial Fraud Task Force and the Greenwich, Fairfield, Wilton and Bridgeport Police Departments, as well as law enforcement in New Hampshire.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc Silverman and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722 thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

Follow @USAO_CT

The United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut announced that RAFAEL LOPEZ, 50, a citizen of Cuba residing in Miami, Fla., pleaded guilty today in New Haven federal court to a federal charge related to the theft of pharmaceuticals from an Eli Lilly Company warehouse and storage facility in Enfield, Conn. 

According to court documents and statements made in court, in early 2010, Amaury Villa, Amed Villa, Yosmany Nunez and Alexander Marquez planned to steal pharmaceuticals from the Eli Lilly Company warehouse and storage facility in Enfield.  The investigation revealed that, in March 2010, LOPEZ agreed to drive Amed Villa from Florida to Connecticut and back as Amed Villa did not possess a driver’s license.  Prior to the theft, LOPEZ rented a hotel room for himself and Amed Villa in Flushing, N.Y.  In Flushing, LOPEZ accompanied Amed Villa to a Home Depot where they purchased approximately $757 worth of tools with cash.  They then traveled to Connecticut.

In the evening of March 13, 2010, individuals involved in the theft dropped off a ladder in the rear parking lot of the warehouse facility and left.  That same night, Marquez drove a tractor trailer to the facility.  Thereafter, Amed Villa and Amaury Villa carried the ladder to the building, checked for security in the front area, climbed onto the roof, used the tools purchased from Home Depot to cut a hole in the facility roof, dropped down into the facility and disabled the alarm system.  Amaury Villa, Amed Villa and Nunez then loaded more than 40 pallets of pharmaceuticals into the tractor trailer, which had been backed up to the loading dock of the warehouse. 

The pallets of pharmaceuticals included thousands of boxes Zyprexa, Cymbalta, Prozac, Gemzar and other medicines, valued between $50 and $100 million.

Lopez waited outside the warehouse during the burglary and, several times, contacted Amed Villa and Amaury Villa by phone to ask what was taking so long.

After the theft, the participants split up in Connecticut and Marquez drove the tractor trailer to Florida.  As LOPEZ drove Amed Villa back to Florida, he was told that Amed Villa and Amaury Villa had stolen a tractor trailer truck.

Certain individuals involved in the theft reunited in Florida so the stolen pharmaceuticals could be transferred from the tractor trailer into self-storage units in the Miami area.

On October 14, 2011, law enforcement authorities searched a storage facility in Florida and recovered pharmaceuticals that had been stolen from the Enfield warehouse.

LOPEZ, who was arrested on April 21, 2014, pleaded guilty today to one count of misprision of a felony, admitting that he was aware of the theft from the Eli Lilly warehouse and that the stolen property was transported across state lines, and that he not only failed to report the offense to the authorities, but took steps to conceal it.

LOPEZ is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arteron on February 18, 2015, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of three years.  He currently is released on bond.

Amaury Villa, Amed Villa, Nunez and Marquez have all pleaded guilty to various charges and await sentencing.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Enfield Police Department, with the assistance of several other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and federal, state and local law enforcement agencies that have been investigating large-scale thefts of pharmaceuticals and other products.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anastasia E. King and Douglas P. Morabito.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722 thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that STEPHEN DeCRESCENZO, 37, of West Haven, waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to one count of wire fraud stemming from an embezzlement scheme.

According to court documents and statements made in court, DeCRESCENZO was employed as personal banker for JPMorgan Chase Bank in New Canaan.  Between approximately September 2008 and November 2011, DeCRESCENZO embezzled $106,028 in funds from customer accounts by transferring the funds into a separate customer account to which he had access.  As part of his scheme, DeCRESCENZO disguised numerous withdrawals from the accounts as authorized cash withdrawals by customers when, in fact, he had stolen the money.  DeCRESCENZO also wired funds stolen from a customer account into another bank account for his personal benefit.

Judge Arterton scheduled sentencing for February 17, 2015, at which time DeCRESCENZO faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

DeCRESCENZO was released on a $50,000 bond.

DeCRESCENZO, who was a member of the West Haven City Council, resigned from the Council today.

This investigation is being conducted by the Connecticut Financial Crimes Task Force, the Greenwich Police Department and the New Canaan Police Department.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas P. Morabito.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722 thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that JEFFREY BENTON, also known as “Fresh,” 29, of New Haven, was sentenced on Friday, November 21, by Senior U.S. District Judge Ellen Bree Burns in New Haven to 108 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking narcotics.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from “Operation Bloodline,” a joint law enforcement investigation targeting narcotics trafficking and gang violence in the Dwight-Kensington and Fair Haven sections of New Haven.  Led by the DEA New Haven Task Force and the New Haven and Hamden Police Departments, the year-long investigation included the use of court-authorized wiretaps on numerous telephones, extensive physical surveillance, controlled purchases of narcotics, execution of search warrants, and seizures of narcotics and firearms.  More than 100 individuals were charged as a result of the investigation.

The investigation revealed that Kevin Wilson, also known as “Nature,” operated a large-scale drug trafficking operation in the greater New Haven area.  Intercepted communications revealed that BENTON obtained heroin from Wilson and distributed the drug in the Dwight/Chapel area.

BENTON was arrested on May 17, 2012, at a location on Orchard Street in New Haven.  Officers searched the location and recovered approximately 100 grams of cocaine, one gram of crack cocaine, a digital scale, drug packaging materials and $5,536, including three counterfeit $100 bills.  The search also revealed four firearms.  Three of the firearms were loaded, one with an extended magazine, and one that was equipped with a laser sight.

BENTON has been detained since his arrest.  On August 30, 2013, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 100 grams or more of heroin.

BENTON’s criminal history includes four prior felony convictions, three for drug offenses and one for a firearm offense.

Wilson has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.

This matter has been investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, North Haven, Branford, Ansonia and Meriden Police Departments.  The United States Marshals Service, the Connecticut State Police, the Connecticut Department of Correction, Parole and Community Services and the Milford, Hartford, New Britain, North Branford and Stratford Police Departments have provided valuable assistance to the investigation.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys S. Dave Vatti and Marc Silverman.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722 thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment today charging GARY RAY BRUNACHE, 35, of Norwich, with assaulting two federal law enforcement officers.

The indictment alleges that, on November 13, 2014, BRUNACHE assaulted two Department of Defense Police Officers at the Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton.  During the assault, BRUNACHE brandished a knife and stabbed one of the officers in the leg.

BRUNACHE is charged with two counts of assaulting a federal officer.  If convicted, he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years for each count.

BRUNACHE has been detained since his arrest on November 13.

U.S. Attorney Daly 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 case is being investigated by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Connecticut State Police, Town of Groton Police Department and Norwich Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gabriel J. Vidoni.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722 thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that WAYNE EVANGELISTA, also known as “Wayne Nance,” 36, of Bristol, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. Judge Warren W. Eginton in Bridgeport to 63 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing firearms.

According to court documents and statements made in court, prior to March 2011, EVANGELISTA had been convicted of multiple felony offenses in Connecticut state court and federal court in Connecticut, including criminal possession of a firearm (twice), third degree burglary, second degree forgery, bank fraud, and both first and second degree larceny.

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.

In March 2011, EVANGELISTA convinced another individual, who had a valid firearms permit, that he was a Bail Enforcement Agent.  In March and April 2011, EVANGELISTA persuaded the individual to purchase a .40 caliber pistol and a .380 caliber pistol on his behalf, and EVANGELISTA took possession of the firearms after they were purchased.  Also in April 2011, EVANGELISTA possessed a 9mm pistol that he cleaned for the same individual who had purchased the other two firearms for him.

EVANGELISTA has been detained since his arrest on March 15, 2012.  On April 5, 2013, he pleaded guilty to three counts of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.

This matter was investigated by the Connecticut State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert M. Spector.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722 thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOSEPH LUCA, 68, of Meriden, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to four years of probation, the first six months of which LUCA must spend in home confinement with electronic monitoring, for stealing Social Security benefits and filing false tax returns.  LUCA also was ordered to perform 80 hours of community service.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in April 1993, LUCA applied for Social Security Disability Insurance (“SSDI”) claiming that he was disabled and unable to work.  From January 2002 through April 2011, LUCA regularly reported to the Social Security Administration, under the penalty of perjury, that he remained unable to work and he reported no earned income.  In fact, during this time, LUCA earned more than $1,000 per month from his work as a hairdresser at a beauty salon he owned and operated.  LUCA was not entitled to SSDI payments during this entire period because his earnings exceeded the SSA monthly substantial gainful activity limit.

An undercover investigation revealed that LUCA typically opened his beauty salon in the morning from Tuesday to Saturday each week, cut and styled his clients’ hair throughout the day in exchange for payment, and then locked up the salon at night.  Throughout the day, he stood while he worked without the assistance of a cane or similar device, and also carried and lifted items using his body and arms.  During the investigation, LUCA told an undercover agent who was posing as a client that he had been styling hair for 45 years.

Based on LUCA’s false representations that he was disabled, unable to work, and reported no income, the Social Security Administration paid him, as well as his children as auxiliary beneficiaries, a total of $122,332 that he and his children were not entitled to receive.

In May 2011, the Social Security Administration terminated LUCA’s SSDI benefit payments.

LUCA also willfully signed and filed federal tax returns for the 2006 through 2009 tax years that failed to report a total of more $675,000 in additional taxable income.  On each of these four tax returns, LUCA reported a loss and no tax due.  The investigation determined that LUCA did not report his receipt of income from various sources, including rental real estate, work as a private investigator, interest on bank accounts, SSDI payments he was not entitled to receive, and capital gains on rental properties. 

On his 2006 federal tax return alone, LUCA failed to report approximately $299,674 in additional income, with a tax due in the amount of $36,687.

Judge Shea ordered LUCA to pay $122,332 in restitution to the Social Security Administration, and $64,093 in back taxes, plus penalties and interest.

On July 11, 2014, LUCA waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty to one count of stealing government money and one count of filing a false federal tax return. 

This matter was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, and the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General – Office of Investigations.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter S. Jongbloed.  

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722 thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Patricia M. Ferrick, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced that EARL O’GARRO, JR., 31, of Marlborough, was arrested today on an indictment alleging that he defrauded multiple victims of a total of approximately $1.5 million.  Yesterday, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned the indictment, which charges O’GARRO with one count of wire fraud.

O’GARRO appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna F. Martinez in Hartford and entered a plea of not guilty.  He was released on a $500,000 bond.

According to the indictment, O’GARRO was the President, Chief Executive Officer and an owner of Hartford-based Hybrid Insurance Agency, LLC, doing business as Hybrid Insurance Group (“Hybrid”), an insurance brokerage specializing in placing wholesale and specialty line insurance products.  In January 2012, O’GARRO, on behalf of Hybrid, submitted an application to the State of Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (“DECD”) pursuant to the Small Business Express loan and grant program.  The purpose of the application was to secure a Small Business Express loan in the amount of $100,000 and a Small Business Express grant in the amount of $26,320.  It is alleged that O’GARRO provided false and misleading information concerning Hybrid’s financial condition on the application.  In particular, O’GARRO falsely inflated the value of Hybrid’s cash assets in order to increase the likelihood that his application would be approved for the amount of funds he sought.  Based in part on the false statements contained in O’GARRO’s application and a subsequent formal agreement, DECD approved Hybrid’s Small Business Express application and awarded Hybrid a Small Business Express loan in the amount of $100,000 and $26,320 matching grant.

The indictment further alleges that, in July 2013, O’GARRO sent a series of electronic communications to a company that administers the payment of premiums on behalf of insured entities (“Victim 1”).  In the communications, O’GARRO falsely claimed that he was an officer and underwriter for an insurance company (“Insurance Company 1”) with authority to direct Victim 1 to release premium payments.  Acting in his assumed capacity, O’GARRO directed Victim 1 to remit to Hybrid premium payments for policies associated with four corporate entities purportedly insured by Insurance Company 1.  Three of the four companies, Blaque Rock Capital LLP d/b/a Us Restaurant, Marlbro’s Restaurant Group LLP d/b/a Us Restaurant, and Epplied Staffing Solutions LLC, were registered with the Connecticut Secretary of State and associated with O’GARRO.  The fourth company, D&D Moving Company, was not registered with the Connecticut Secretary of State, but was utilized by O’GARRO as a repository for fraudulently obtained funds.  In fact, Insurance Company 1 had not issued any policies for any of these entities.  In response to the fraudulent communications created by O’GARRO, Victim 1 remitted approximately $691,266.75 to Hybrid, which O’GARRO then converted to his own use.

Hybrid was a wholesale broker for certain insurance policies held by the City of Hartford.  The indictment further alleges that, in July 2013, O’GARRO directed the city to transfer $868,244 to Hybrid.  Of that sum, $441,900 constituted a premium payment to an insurance company offering excess liability insurance policies and $228,097 constituted a premium payment to a second insurer.  O’GARRO did not remit either of the premium payments, and instead converted the money to his own use.  O’GARRO subsequently advised the city that the premium payments had been remitted to the insurers.

If convicted of wire fraud, O’GARRO faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

U.S. Attorney Daly 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.

U.S. Attorney Daly stated that the investigation is ongoing.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher M. Mattei.

The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722 thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Patricia M. Ferrick, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and William P. Offord, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven returned a seven-count indictment yesterday charging RYAN GEDDES, 41, of Litchfield, JASON CALABRESE, 43, of Watertown, RICHARD GEDDES, 41, of Bethlehem, and DUSTIN WHITTEN, 31, of Thomaston, with multiple conspiracies involving bank fraud, mail and wire fraud, bankruptcy fraud and obstruction of justice.  The charges stem from an alleged series of fraudulent real estate and insurance transactions, and an alleged arson of a vacation home.

The four defendants were arrested this morning.  They appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joan G. Margolis in New Haven and were released on bonds of varying amounts.

According to the indictment, by 2005, RYAN GEDDES had incurred several debts, including a business debt of more than $490,000 for which he was being sued.  GEDDES and the other defendants then commenced a series of schemes to conceal GEDDES’s assets from creditors and to defraud various banks and insurance companies.

The indictment alleges that from 2005 through 2007, GEDDES, CALABRESE, and others prepared a series of three false mortgage loan and mortgage refinancing applications with respect to properties located at 27 Palmer Road in Morris and 669 Goshen Road in Torrington.  The first transaction sought to conceal GEDDES’s ownership of the 27 Palmer Road property.  The indictment further alleges that when GEDDES and others learned in 2010 of the federal investigation, they created a false, backdated document and gave it to the investigating agents in an effort to portray the first 27 Palmer Road mortgage transaction as legitimate.  The indictment charges GEDDES and CALABRESE with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and GEDDES with one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice related to this scheme.

The indictment also alleges that GEDDES and others conducted a straw sale of another GEDDES property in 2010 from which they obtained title insurance after conducting a fraudulent title search.  Because the search deliberately omitted to list almost a million dollars of liens against the property, the conspirators intended to plan an event that would trigger a new title search, resulting in discovery of the omitted liens, the filing of a title insurance claim, and a nearly million dollar insurance payout to the straw owner for the fraudulently omitted liens.  For this scheme, GEDDES is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud.

The indictment further alleges that RYAN GEDDES and his brother, RICHARD GEDDES, conspired to commit bankruptcy fraud in 2010, based on the paper transfer of a home owned by RYAN GEDDES to RICHARD GEDDES, soon followed by RYAN GEDDES’s filing a bankruptcy petition in which he claimed not to own any real property.  RYAN GEDDES also is charged with bankruptcy false statements for those acts.

Finally, RYAN GEDDES and WHITTEN are charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, based on the paper transfer to WHITTEN of a New York vacation home property owned by GEDDES, the procurement of an insurance policy on the home in WHITTEN’s name, and the alleged arson of the home, followed by WHITTEN’s filing an insurance claim of more than $600,000 on the destroyed home.

If convicted, RYAN GEDDES faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 90 years, CALABRESE faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years, RICHARD GEDDES faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, and WHITTEN faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

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

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Henry Kopel and Michael Gustafson.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722 thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DAVID WOLVOVSKY, 31, of Fairfield, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to four years of probation, the first six months of which WOLVOVSKY must spend in home confinement, for illegally importing a tablet machine to produce oxycodone pills.  Judge Underhill also ordered WOLVOVSKY to pay a fine of $2,000, forfeit $21,034 in cash that was seized at the time of his arrest, and perform 100 hours of community service.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on July 23, 2013, WOLVOVSKY was arrested after he received delivery of a package containing a tableting machine that had been ordered from China and delivered to his residence.  On that date, WOLVOVSKY stated to investigators that he purchased the machine through an individual he had met on the Internet, and that he had also purchased what he had believed to be a large quantity oxycodone powder from the same individual.  WOLVOVSKY then stated that, before the machine had arrived, he had tested the powder and determined that it was not true oxycodone powder.  A subsequent search of WOLVOVSKY’s residence revealed a package containing approximately one kilogram of the fake oxycodone powder.  The search also revealed opiate test kits, packaging materials, tablet dying/imprinting machinery and $21,034 in cash.

On July 24, 2014, WOLVOVSKY waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty to one count of unlawfully importing a tableting machine.

This matter is being investigated by the DEA New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad and Homeland Security Investigations.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rahul Kale.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722 thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

Follow @USAO_CT

U.S. Attorney Deirdre M. Daly today announced that the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut collected $112,723,252.62 in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2014.  Of this amount, $95,214,056.17 was collected in criminal actions and $17,509,196.45 was collected in civil actions.
Further, the District of Connecticut, working with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice, collected an additional $174,020,651.35 in cases pursued jointly with these offices.  Of this amount $150,068,294.28 was collected in criminal actions and $23,952,357.07 was collected in civil actions.

Attorney General Eric Holder announced on Wednesday that the Justice Department collected $24.7 billion in civil and criminal actions in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2014.

The more than $24 billion in collections in FY 2014 represents over eight times the appropriated $2.91 billion budget for the 94 U.S. Attorney’s offices and the main litigating divisions in that same period.

“Every day, the Justice Department’s federal prosecutors and trial attorneys work hard to protect our citizens, to safeguard precious taxpayer resources, and to provide a valuable return on investment to the American people,” said Attorney General Holder.  “Their diligent efforts are enabling us to achieve justice and recoup losses in virtually every sector of the U.S. economy.  And this result shows the fruits of the Justice Department’s tireless work in enforcing federal laws; in protecting the American people from violent crime, national security threats, discrimination, exploitation, and abuse; and in holding financial institutions accountable for their roles in causing the 2008 financial crisis.”

“This past fiscal year, our Office’s dedicated and talented attorneys and staff helped to recover over $286 million which will be returned to the public, and most importantly, to the victims of crime,” said U.S. Attorney Daly.  “For the District of Connecticut, this unprecedented amount of recovered money exceeds our Office’s yearly budget by approximately 13 times.  We are gratified that these funds are returned directly to victims of crime, provide needed services for these victims and fund ongoing federal, state and local law enforcement efforts.  One of our primary missions is to seek justice for victims, remove ill-gotten gains from wrongdoers and protect the integrity of important government programs.”

The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims.  The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss.  While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims’ Fund, which distributes the funds to state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.

The largest civil collections were from affirmative civil enforcement cases, in which the United States recovered government money lost to fraud or other misconduct or collected fines imposed on individuals and/or corporations for violations of federal health, safety, civil rights or environmental laws.  In addition, civil debts were collected on behalf of several federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Internal Revenue Service, Small Business Administration and Department of Education.

FY 2014 criminal recoveries in Connecticut include a fine payment of approximately $88 million by Japan-based Marubeni Corporation, which was convicted of participating in a scheme to pay bribes to high-ranking government officials in Indonesia to secure a lucrative power project, and a payment of approximately $9.8 million by New York-based investment bank and broker-dealer Jeffries LLC as part of a non-prosecution agreement relating to Jefferies’ improper trading in residential mortgage-backed securities.  The largest civil recovery in Connecticut occurred last March when Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation of Stratford paid $3.5 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act arising from the submission of inflated costs in the pricing of helicopter spare parts.

The District of Connecticut also participated with the Justice Department and other Districts to recover approximately $150 million from UBS Securities Japan Co. Ltd. and RBS Securities Japan Ltd., both of which were involved in a long-running manipulation of LIBOR bench mark interest rates, and approximately $22 million from Wellcare Health Plans, Inc., as part of a civil settlement to resolve false claims to Medicare and various Medicaid programs.

In addition, the U.S. Attorney’s office in Connecticut, working with partner agencies and divisions, collected $2,227,708 in asset forfeiture actions in FY 2014.  Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is charged with enforcing federal criminal laws in Connecticut, and with representing the federal government in civil litigation in the District.  The District is composed of approximately 64 Assistant U.S. Attorneys and approximately 60 staff members at offices in New Haven, Hartford and Bridgeport.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722 thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RYAN HARDING, 29, of Woodstock, waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between July 16, 2013 and October 30, 2013, HARDING received images and videos of child pornography that he downloaded from individuals via the Internet using a peer-to-peer file sharing program.  During a search of the residence on October 30, 2013, law enforcement officers seized computers and a thumb drive.  Forensic analysis of HARDING’s computers and thumb drive revealed more than 600 image files and videos of child pornography.  He also possessed images of a partially naked 13-year old boy that he knew.

Judge Shea scheduled sentencing for March 13, 2015, at which time HARDING faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years, a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

Since his arrest on November 26, 2013, HARDING has been released on a bond and placed on home confinement with GPS monitoring.

This matter is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Connecticut State Police Computer Crimes Unit.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel.

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

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

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722 thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that SANDRA KIMBRO, 66, of Hamden, waived her right to indictment and pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to one count of theft of public funds.

According to court documents and statements made in court, KIMBRO’s mother, a Social Security benefits recipient, died in 1984.  At the time of her death, KIMBRO and her mother had a jointly-held bank account into which the mother’s monthly Social Security benefits were deposited.  Between April 1984 and February 2014, KIMBRO illegally obtained $160,457 in Social Security benefits that had been deposited into the account for her mother’s use.  Through the years, as she withdrew money from the bank account, KIMBRO described to bank employees how she was providing care to her mother.

KIMBRO is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford on February 11, 2015, at which time she faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, a fine of up to $250,000 and an order of restitution.

This matter is being investigated by the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General – Office of Investigations, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Miller.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722 thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ROBERT JOSEPH PARKER, 52, of Fairfield, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 18 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for tax evasion.

According to court documents and statements made in court, PARKER earned income by providing information technology services to various businesses.  Between 1996 and 2012, PARKER did not pay any federal income tax on approximately $2 million of income he received in his own name, and in the name of his alter ego entity known as Success Zone, LLC.

As part of his sentence, PARKER was ordered to pay $1,869,419 in taxes, interest and penalties for himself personally for tax years 1996 through 2012, and for Success Zone, LLC, for tax years 2003 through 2012.

On March 5, 2014, PARKER waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion.

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division and was prosecuted by Senior Litigation Counsel Richard J. Schechter.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722 thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that HEATHER RANGHELLI, also known as “Barbie,” 24, of New London, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 46 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for trafficking heroin.

According to  court documents and statements made in court, in early 2012, Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), the U.S. Secret Service and the New London Police Department initiated an investigation to combat the large-scale trafficking of heroin and cocaine from the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico into and around southeastern Connecticut.  The investigation revealed that Luis Ariel Capellan Maldonado received heroin from a Dominican-based source of supply through New York and then distributed the drug to his own customer base in and around New London.

During the course of the investigation, Cruz “Jay” Bonilla was identified as a heroin and cocaine customer of Luis Ariel Capellan Maldonado and Enrique Luciano.  When Bonilla was incarcerated on parole charges with the state, he made arrangements from prison to have RANGHELLI, his girlfriend, take over his heroin distribution activities.  RANGHELLI, who used Bonilla’s cell phone to sell heroin to Bonilla’s customers, regularly obtained 10 to 30 grams of heroin, first from Luciano and then directly from Capellan Maldonado.

More than 100 individuals were charged with federal and state offenses as a result of this investigation.
RANGHELLI was arrested on April 4, 2013.  On December 13, 2013, she pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute heroin.  She has been detained since June 20, 2014, when her bond was revoked.

Bonilla, Capellan Maldonado and Luciano all pleaded guilty and are serving prison terms.

This matter is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations; U.S. Secret Service; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Air and Marine; Connecticut State Police; New London Police Department, Norwich Police Department, Waterford Police Department, Groton Town Police Department, East Lyme Police Department and Putnam Police Department.  The United States Marshals Service; ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations; Drug Enforcement Administration; HSI Assistant Attaché, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; HSI Arecibo, Puerto Rico Resident Office;  Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation; Connecticut Department of Correction, Parole and Community Services; and the Groton City, Willimantic, New Haven and Bristol Police Departments have provided valuable assistance to the investigation.

The federal cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alina P. Reynolds, Sarah P. Karwan and Henry K. Kopel.  The state cases are being prosecuted by the State’s Attorney for the New London Judicial District and Senior Assistant State’s Attorneys Paul Narducci and Stephen Carney.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722 thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JESSE KAPLAN, 31, formerly of Naugatuck, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Ellen Bree Burns in New Haven to 57 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally obtaining and distributing prescription narcotics.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in May 2012, the Drug Enforcement Administration began an investigation into the filling of fraudulent prescriptions for oxycodone at pharmacies in Connecticut and New York through the use of fraudulent identifications.  The investigation revealed that KAPLAN and a co-defendant traveled to pharmacies together and used multiple aliases to fraudulently fill prescriptions for oxycodone and hydromorphone.  They then pooled, traded or shared their pills for further distribution.

On August 8, 2013, KAPLAN was arrested by Naugatuck Police as a result of his alleged participation in a home invasion in Torrington.  The incident followed an attempted sale of 60 oxycodone 30mg pills in exchange for $1,000 at the residence.  According to pharmaceutical records and video surveillance, just hours before this attempted drug transaction, KAPLAN filled a prescription at a pharmacy under the alias “Sean Mullin” for 60 oxycodone 30mg pills.  When Naugatuck police officers arrested KAPLAN, they located seven New York State driver’s licenses, all depicting KAPLAN’s photo with different identifying information.

KAPLAN was arrested on federal charges on December 20, 2013.  On August 12, 2014, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute oxycodone.

This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Diversion Squad and the Greenwich and Naugatuck Police Departments.    The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Vanessa Richards.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722 thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOSEPH RAJKUMAR, 44, formerly of Farmington, pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to one count of attempted receipt of child pornography.  The charge stems from RAJKUMAR’s sexual relationship with a student while he was a teacher at Miss Porter’s School in Farmington. 

According to court documents and statements made in court, in approximately April 2011, RAJKUMAR, who was a science teacher and advisor to the Science Olympiad team at Miss Porter’s School, befriended a minor female victim who was a student at the school.  Before the victim left the school for summer break in June 2011, RAJKUMAR pressured her to create an anonymous email account that did not contain her name, which she eventually did.  RAJKUMAR had already created an anonymous email account for his own use, in violation of the school’s policy that teachers and students should communicate via email only through a school-sponsored website.  Through the email accounts, RAJKUMAR and the victim frequently engaged in video chats and, during the chats, RAJKUMAR made multiple attempts to get the victim to remove her shirt.  The victim initially resisted, but eventually succumbed to RAJKUMAR’s advances and exposed her chest to him through the video chat.

Beginning in approximately November 2011, RAJKUMAR and the victim engaged in a sexual relationship that lasted several months.  The investigation revealed evidence of numerous video chats that took place through at least April 2012.  In the chats, RAJKUMAR frequently made lascivious comments to the victim and pressured her to expose herself.

The investigation further revealed that RAJKUMAR had also begun to harass other young girls at the school in person and through text messages.  He told one female student via text message that she looked “hot” in the pants she was wearing at a school event and told another that she should create an anonymous email account so that they could do “naughty things” that were “secret.”  In total, RAJKUMAR corresponded with at least six victims, including the one victim with whom he eventually had sexual intercourse.  RAJKUMAR asked at least one of the other victims to start a physical relationship with him.

RAJKUMAR is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny on February 6, 2015, at which time he faces a minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

RAJKUMAR previously pleaded guilty in state court to sexual assault in the second degree and, in January 2014, was sentenced to 10 years of incarceration, execution suspended after 18 months, and 10 years of probation.  He currently is in state custody.

This matter is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations with the assistance of the Farmington Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarala V. Nagala

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722 thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Patricia M. Ferrick, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced that EDWARD MINERLY, 52, of Ansonia, waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to one count of making a false report of police brutality to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 18, 2013, officers with the Derby Police Department arrested MINERLY on an outstanding probation violation warrant.  On May 31, 2013, MINERLY called the New Haven Federal Bureau of Investigation and spoke with an FBI special agent.  In the call, MINERLY alleged that Derby Police officers had recently arrested him for a probation violation and, upon placing him in a holding cell, commenced taunting him, subjecting him to flashing lights and tipping him backwards out of his wheelchair.  MINERLY also alleged that Derby Police officers kicked him in the head, arms and upper body.

On June 6, 2013, an FBI special agent interviewed MINERLY in person at a Bridgeport hospital where MINERLY had been admitted.  MINERLY again made allegations similar to those made on May 31, 2013, namely, that Derby Police officers had arrested him and, after placing him in a holding cell, picked him out of his wheelchair, threw him into a wall, flashed the lights on and off, and kicked him in the head and beat him.

In pleading guilty today, MINERLY admitted that the statements he made to the FBI alleging physical abuse by members of the Derby Police Department after his probation violation arrest were false.
“The Department of Justice is committed to investigating and prosecuting civil rights abuses by members of law enforcement,” stated U.S. Attorney Daly.  “We are equally committed to prosecuting false reports of police brutality as these reports not only waste valuable federal law enforcement resources, but they have the potential to indelibly stain the police department and its officers that are unfairly maligned.”

MINERLY is scheduled to be sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Alfred V. Covello on February 10, 2015, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years and a fine of up to $250,000.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Henry K. Kopel and First Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Gustafson.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722 thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JEROME T. WALKER, also known as “Ratchet,” 26, of New Haven, pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 14, 2014, officers from the New Haven Police Department conducted a traffic stop of WALKER, who was driving with a suspended license, in the vicinity of Norton Street and Elm Street.  After initially pulling over, WALKER accelerated from the scene at high rate of speed.  A short time later, New Haven and Hamden Police officers found WALKER’s vehicle parked at a residence on Warner Street in Hamden.  Officers then observed WALKER walking in front of the residence and he was placed under arrest.  In the vicinity, officers found a duffel bag containing a Smith and Wesson .38 caliber revolver and a set of car keys belonging to the vehicle that WALKER had been driving.

WALKER has previously been convicted of multiple felony offenses.  It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

WALKER has been detained since his arrest.  He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson on February 17, 2015, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the New Haven Police Department and the Hamden Police Department.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony Kaplan and Jennifer Laraia.  

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722 thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Gregory K. Null, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General, announced that ROBBIE ROSSI, 42, formerly of Massachusetts and Nevada, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to 18 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for fraudulently obtaining disaster relief funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

According to court documents and statements made in court, a severe storm and tornado outbreak struck central Massachusetts on June 1, 2011.  After a Presidential Declaration authorized FEMA to provide disaster relief funds to local residents, ROSSI obtained more than $12,000 in disaster relief benefits by falsely representing that he lived at a residence on New Bridge Street in West Springfield, Mass., that had been damaged by the storm.  As part of the scheme, ROSSI provided FEMA with false documentation of rent payments he claimed to have paid in the months following the storm.  Between August 2011 and April 2013, ROSSI received payments at various addresses that he supplied to FEMA, including a residence in Enfield, Conn.

ROSSI was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $12,718.60.

ROSSI has been detained since his arrest on January 14, 2014.  On June 24, 2014, he pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud.

This matter was investigated by the Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security with the assistance of the U.S. Secret Service, Las Vegas Field Office.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Sheldon.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722 thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that GARY RAY BRUNACHE, 35, of Norwich, has been charged by criminal complaint with federal assault offenses related to an incident that occurred last night at the Naval Submarine Base in Groton.

As alleged in the criminal complaint, on November 13, 2014, BRUNACHE approached three Department of Defense Police Officers outside of Building 500 at the Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton and proceeded to swing a knife at one of the officers.  After failing to comply with warnings from the officer, a second officer sprayed BRUNACHE with pepper spray in an effort to subdue him.  BRUNACHE then turned on the second officer and stabbed him in his right thigh area.  The first officer fired approximately three rounds from his service pistol at BRUNACHE as BRUNACHE was trying to stab the second officer.  BRUNACHE, who was not hit by the rounds, was eventually subdued.

BRUNACHE is charged with assault of a federal officer, a charge that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the U.S., a charge that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  He appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna F. Martinez in Hartford and is detained pending a detention hearing that is scheduled for November 19 at 12:00 p.m.

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

This matter is being investigated by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Connecticut State Police, Town of Groton Police Department and Norwich Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian P. Leaming and Robert M. Spector.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722 thomas.carson@usdoj.gov