District of Connecticut

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that GIOVANNI MASUCCI, also known as John Masucci, 46, of Woodbridge, pleaded guilty today in Bridgeport federal court to one count of wire fraud related to his theft of more than $1 million from a Connecticut company.

According to court documents and statements made in court, MASUCCI operated a financial consulting business in North Haven.  As part of his business, he provided financial consulting services to a company located in Milford and had access to the company’s checkbooks and financial ledgers.  From approximately September 2011 to February 2014, MASUCCI defrauded the Milford company by diverting company funds to his own bank account.  He also wrote checks from the company’s bank account to pay his personal credit card bills and the credit card bills of a personal acquaintance.  As part of the scheme, MASUCCI created false entries in the corporate check ledger that falsely indicated the checks were written for legitimate business purposes, and he typically forged the signature of the authorized company representative on the checks.  In order to conceal his crime, MASUCCI took the company’s check book.

The investigation revealed that MASUCCI used the stolen funds to pay for domestic and international travel, lodging, and to make purchases at several high-end retailers.

MASUCCI is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer on February 12, 2015, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

This matter is being investigated by the Connecticut Financial Crimes Task Force, the United States Secret Service and the Greenwich Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Miller.

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that MARIAME ROBINSON-COWAN, 66, of Yonkers, N.Y., waived her right to indictment and pleaded guilty yesterday in New Haven federal court to one count of conspriacy related to her participation in an advance fee fraud scheme.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between approximately March 2010 and October 2014, a co-conspirator of ROBINSON-COWAN’s operated Jalin Realty Capital Advisors, LLC, (Jalin) and American Capital Holdings, LLC, (ACH).  Using these businesses, the co-conspirator defrauded individuals, including Connecticut residents, who wired funds to him in anticipation of receiving large business loans.  The upfront fees were alternately described as “application fees,” “collateral fees” or “commitment fees.”  The victims were promised a refund of the upfront fees if their loan transactions were not completed.

In order to convince victim-borrowers that the loans were legitimate and Jalin and ACH had successfully secured loans in the past, the co-conspirator provided victims and potential victims ROBINSON-COWAN’s name and phone number and told them that they could contact ROBINSON-COWAN for a reference.  ROBINSON-COWAN then falsely represented to victims and potential victims that she had, in fact, received funding from her co-conspirator for a construction loan, and that she had successfully done a project financed with her co-conspirator and Jalin.

Through this scheme, the government believes that more than 20 individuals provided ROBINSON-COWAN’s co-conspirator with a total of more than $3 million in advance fees for business loans that were never provided.  A few individuals received a partial refund of advance fees they had provided, but the refunds were made using fees that had been paid by other victims.

ROBINSON-COWAN is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton on May 20, 2015, at which time she faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Ansonia Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony Kaplan and Michael McGarry.

Citizens with information that may be helpful to this ongoing investigation are encouraged to contact the FBI at (203) 777-6311.

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ROMELL BROWN, 36, of New Haven, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Warren W. Eginton in Bridgeport to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for his role in a gang-related 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 BROWN, who is not a member of the Grape Street Crips, regularly supplied cocaine to the leader of organization, Donald Ogman, who then converted the cocaine into crack for sale.  At times, BROWN also sold crack cocaine.

BROWN has been detained since his arrest on March 29, 2012.    On March 11, 2014, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 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.

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that ANTHONY MOORE, also known as “Freak,” 33, of New Haven, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to 63 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for distributing crack and powder 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.

MOORE was arrested on May 22, 2012, and is detained.  On December 10, 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”).

MOORE’s criminal history includes three prior felony drug convictions.

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.

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LARRY MATHEWS, 34, of Pawcatuck, Conn., waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna F. Martinez in Hartford to stealing personal information from hundreds of computers and personal electronic devices that had been brought to him for repair.

According to court documents and statements made in court, MATHEWS was the proprietor of a computer repair business in Pawcatuck.  Beginning in 2008, MATHEWS was also employed as a civilian contract employee for the U.S. Coast Guard as a computer “help desk” technician.  On more than 250 occasions, for his own use, MATHEWS copied personal information and files from computers and personal electronic devices that had been brought to him for repair.  The personal information and files included account names and passwords, and sexually-explicit photographs and videos.

The investigation has revealed that MATHEWS shared the stolen personal information with only one other individual, who reported the criminal activity to law enforcement in 2013.

MATHEWS pleaded guilty to one count of computer intrusion in furtherance of a tortious invasion of privacy.  He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny on February 4, 2015, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years and a fine of up to $250,000.

This case is being investigated by the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Edward Chang and Carolyn Ikari.

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that GARRETT SANTILLO, 35, recently residing in Hollywood, Fla., has been charged by indictment with mailing numerous threatening letters to individuals in Connecticut, including two federal judges and Connecticut’s governor.

On September 23, 2014, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned a nine-count indictment charging SANTILLO with writing and mailing threatening letters.  SANTILLO, who has been detained since his arrest on September 29, 2014, appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna F. Martinez in Hartford and entered a plea of not guilty to the charges.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, on July 15, 2014, a federal judge received a threatening letter at his Connecticut residence via the U.S. Postal Service.  The letter was postmarked on July 11, 2014, from Miami, but did not bear a return address.  The letter writer made certain demands and stated “You (sic) home addresses in Conn. are public information and if you mask your identity by name or appearance, we can still track you to wherever you go and will kill you if you don’t follow what this letter instructs.”

Following the judge’s receipt of the threatening letter, approximately 14 other individuals in Connecticut, including another federal judge and the governor of Connecticut, also received letters containing death threats.  All of the letters were handwritten, were mailed from the Miami area to the victims’ home addresses in Connecticut, did not bear a return address, contained a demand for action and threatened death if the recipient failed to comply with the writer’s request.

The indictment charges SANTILLO with two counts of impeding, intimidating, influencing or retaliating against a federal judge by threats, which carry a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years on each count, and seven counts of mailing threatening communications, one of which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and six of which carry a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.

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.

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

This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Connecticut State Police, the Yale University Police Department and the Broward County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Department, with the assistance of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Dayton.

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that TRUMAINE HEARST, also known as “Man,” 21, of Bridgeport, pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to his involvement in the October 2012 murder of Dawayne Cobb in Bridgeport.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 10, 2012, at approximately 6:20 p.m., the body of Dawayne Cobb was discovered in the driver seat of an idling vehicle in the vicinity of 220 Sunshine Circle in Bridgeport.  Cobb had gunshot wounds in his shoulder and abdomen.

In pleading guilty, HEARST admitted that on that date, he and Johnnie Jefferson, also known as “Jeezy,” planned to rob Cobb of marijuana.  HEARST and Jefferson then drove to Sunshine Circle to meet Cobb, murdered him and stole from him a jar containing approximately two ounces of marijuana.  HEARST and Jefferson transported the stolen marijuana to a Bridgeport residence and subsequently distributed it amongst themselves and others.

HEARST pleaded guilty to one count of causing the death of Dawayne Cobb through the use of a firearm, a charge that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of life.   He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea on February 4, 2015.

Jefferson, 24, of Bridgeport, pleaded guilty to the same charge on November 3, 2014, and awaits sentencing.

HEARST and Jefferson have been detained since July 16, 2013.

This matter is being investigated by Bridgeport Police Department and the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tracy Dayton and Rahul Kale.

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOHN VOLOSHIN, 58, of Woodbridge, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to nine months of imprisonment for violating the terms and conditions of his federal supervised release.

On May 17, 2012, Judge Chatigny sentenced VOLOSHIN to 33 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for operating multiple fraud schemes that caused losses of more than $1.5 million to individuals and lenders.  As part of the schemes, VOLOSHIN forged signatures and used fabricated bank account statements, tax returns, mortgage releases and loan applications.  VOLOSHIN was released from prison on May 16, 2014, and began serving this three-year term of supervised release.

Shortly after his release from prison, in an attempt to gain permission from the U.S. Probation Office to travel to London, VOLOSHIN repeatedly lied to and misled his supervising probation officer by concocting a bogus job for a real estate concern in London.  In furtherance of his ruse, VOLOSHIN submitted to the U.S. Probation Office a fake employment letter for a $250,000 job, enlisted the help of another individual to provide verbal and written verification of this fictitious job by posing as VOLOSHIN’s would-be boss, convinced a childhood friend to let him use his credit card to pay for a web hosting service in order to disguise the financial trail tying the payment back to VOLOSHIN, and created three fake websites for his bogus London-based employer, including a website that was pirated from a legitimate real estate firm in London. 

VOLOSHIN has been detained since his arrest on September 9, 2014, for supervised release violations.

The matter was brought by the U.S. Probation Office and additional investigation was provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David T. Huang.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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Tom Carson
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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that SHAUN JAMES, 45, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to 65 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for distributing PCP.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 14, 2012, officers with the DEA’s New Haven Task Force conducted a court-authorized search of JAMES’s apartment on Pearl Lake Road in Waterbury, where they found several containers of liquid PCP and materials used to package the drug for distribution.  Officers also recovered a loaded .44 caliber revolver, an additional box of ammunition and approximately $28,500 in cash.  JAMES was arrested on that date.

JAMES has been detained since his arrest.  On May 28, 2014, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with the intent to distribute 100 grams or more of Phencyclidine (“PCP”).

The seized cash and firearm were forfeited.

This case was investigated by the DEA’s New Haven Task Force with the assistance of the Waterbury Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael E. Runowicz.

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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, today announced that a federal grand jury sitting in New Haven has returned an indictment charging PAUL PERROTTI, 47, of Middlebury, with three counts of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds.  PERROTTI is the Fire Chief for the Town of Middlebury.

PERROTTI was arrested this morning at his residence.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Holly B. Fitzsimmons in Bridgeport and was released on a $250,000 bond.

According to the indictment, PERROTTI has been the Fire Chief of the Middlebury Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. (“MVFD”) since 1997.  PERROTTI also is a licensed electrical contractor and, since approximately 2010, has operated Paul Perrotti Electric, LLC (“PPE”).  The indictment alleges that between 2011 and 2013, PERROTTI used MVFD operating accounts to pay for unauthorized personal expenses and for expenses associated with PPE.  These payments included checks paid directly to PERROTTI, checks paid directly to PPE, checks made directly payable to employees of PPE, checks made to various vendors of PPE for PPE-related supplies, and checks made to reimburse third parties for personal loans owed by PERROTTI.  PERROTTI also submitted invoices to the Town of Middlebury for expenses that he falsely claimed were incurred by MVFD but, in fact, were expenses related to the business of PPE, including bills for various vendors of PPE.

The indictment further alleges that PERROTTI opened a Home Depot credit card account in the name of the MVFD and used it to purchase items related to his business, including electrical wires, breakers and wire.  In addition, he used an MVFD debit card to withdraw cash for himself and to make purchases not related to the MVFD, including purchases for food and gas.

In total, it is alleged that PERROTTI embezzled more than $70,000 from the MVFD.

The charge of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 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.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Karwan.

The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Alker Meyer in Bridgeport.

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that WILLIAM DONG, 23, of Fairfield, pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to transporting an assault weapon into Connecticut in violation of federal law.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in September 2013, DONG traveled to Pennsylvania, purchased a Bushmaster model XM-15-E2S, .223 caliber semi-automatic rifle and transported the rifle back to Connecticut.  This firearm is considered a prohibited assault weapon under Connecticut state law.

On December 3, 2013, West Haven Police arrested DONG in the vicinity of the University of New Haven after he was found in possession of two handguns on his person, and the Bushmaster rifle, which was seized from his nearby car.  DONG told police that he had purchased the rifle from a seller in Pennsylvania in September 2013 through an advertisement placed on www.armslist.com.

Although it is not unlawful under federal law for an individual, who is not a prohibited person, to possess this Bushmaster firearm, it is a federal violation for an individual to purchase this firearm outside of Connecticut and travel into the state with it, since it is a prohibited firearm under Connecticut state law. 

DONG has been detained since his arrest.  He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford on January 29, 2015, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.

On October 17, 2014, DONG pleaded guilty in Milford Superior Court to state firearms offenses related to the December 2013 incident in West Haven.

This matter is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, working together with the West Haven Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert M. Spector.

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that two women involved in an extensive mortgage fraud scheme have pleaded guilty in Hartford federal court.  Today, MALGORZATA KARAS-GOLKA, also known as “Margaret,” 46, of Newington, pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud related to the scheme and, on November 3, CARMELINDA MAROTTA, also known as “Linda,” 45, of Manchester, pleaded guilty to bank fraud, as well.

According to court documents and statements made in court, from approximately June 2005 to July 2010, Filippos Milios, KARAS-GOLKA, MAROTTA and others conspired to defraud banks and mortgage lenders in obtaining dozens of mortgages for the sale of properties owned by Milios, KARAS-GOLKA and others.  The conspiracy involved the use of straw borrowers, false mortgage applications, false HUD-1 forms and fraudulent down payments in connection with the purchase of nearly 50 houses primarily located in Hartford, New Haven and Middlesex counties. 

As part of the scheme, Milios purchased properties, either in his own name, in a limited liability corporation in which he had an interest, or with KARAS-GOLKA.  Milios, MAROTTA and others then recruited borrowers to purchase these properties.  Unbeknownst to the lenders who extended mortgages to the borrowers, Milios, MAROTTA, and KARAS-GOLKA submitted fraudulent documents in connection with the loan applications, including false HUD-1 forms, employment verification letters, and rental verification letters.

Milios made the down payments on behalf of the borrowers who were recruited to purchase the properties.  Attorney Gabriel Serrano, who served as a closing attorney for most of the fraudulent transactions, often released the seller’s proceeds checks from a closing to Milios before receiving the down payment, and Milios used the seller’s proceeds checks to purchase the down payment check for the same transaction.  Milios failed to disclose to mortgage lenders that he paid money to borrowers, mortgage brokers, and recruiters.

Many of the properties involved in the scheme ended up in foreclosure and lenders lost a total of approximately $5.6 million.

In pleading guilty, KARAS-GOLKA admitted that she was involved in nine fraudulent real estate transactions, and MAROTTA admitted that she was involved in three fraudulent transactions.

The charge of bank fraud carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years.  Both MAROTTA and KARAS-GOLKA are scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson on January 30, 2015.

Milios and Serrano previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and bank fraud, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.  They await sentencing.

This case is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the United States Postal Inspection Service.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David T. Huang and William J. Nardini.

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The United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut announced that two Florida residents pleaded guilty today in New Haven federal court to charges related to their participation in the theft of pharmaceuticals from an Eli Lilly Company warehouse and storage facility in Enfield, Conn.  YOSMANY NUNEZ, also known as “El Gato,” 42, of Southwest Ranches, Fla., ALEXANDER MARQUEZ, 41, of Hialeah, Fla., each pleaded guilty to one count of transportation of stolen property.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in early 2010, NUNEZ, MARQUEZ, Amaury Villa, Amed Villa and another individual planned to steal pharmaceuticals from the Eli Lilly Company warehouse and storage facility in Enfield.  The investigation revealed that, prior to the theft, NUNEZ and Amaury Villa traveled from the Miami area to Connecticut to gather information about the warehouse facility and the surrounding area.  Shortly before the theft, Amed Villa and another individual traveled to Flushing, N.Y., where they purchased tools needed to break into the warehouse facility, and 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 tools 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.

The individuals who participated in the theft split up in Connecticut.  MARQUEZ then drove the tractor trailer to Florida, where he subsequently reunited with Amaury Villa, Amed Villa and NUNEZ so the 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.

NUNEZ and MARQUEZ, who are both citizens of Cuba, were arrested on April 17, 2014.  NUNEZ is detained and Marquez is released on a $200,000 bond.  They are scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arteron in February 2015, at which time each faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

Amaury Villa and Amed Villa have also pleaded guilty 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.

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The United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut announced that THOMAS RAGONESE, 55, of Trumbull, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to three years of probation, the first six months of which RAGONESE must spend in home confinement on electronic monitoring, for participating in a scheme to defraud a Bridgeport-based residential property owner.  He was also ordered to perform 60 hours of community service.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Anthony Testo and his business, ACT Builders, Inc., were contracted to serve as a property manager for an entity in Bridgeport that owned an apartment complex and several single and multi-family residences.  Testo’s role as property manager included filling vacant rental units, setting rental amounts, collecting security deposits, collecting rent from tenants and depositing rental payments in the property owner’s bank account.  Testo also was required to submit to the property owner a monthly “rent roll,” which was a spreadsheet showing the occupancy of the rental units, the rental amounts due and the rental payments collected from tenants.  RAGONESE provided accounting services to Testo and ACT Builders.  At Testo’s instruction, RAGONESE prepared the rent rolls.

From approximately January 2007 to August 2010, Testo and ACT Builders, with RAGONESE’s assistance, defrauded the property owner by submitting fraudulent rent rolls that misrepresented that certain rental units were vacant with no rent due when, in fact, the apartments were occupied and rent had been collected.  The rent rolls also misrepresented that the rent due and collected for certain rental units was lower than the amount that was actually collected.  Testo deposited rental income that was due to the property owner into both his personal bank account and the ACT Builders bank account.

Through this scheme, and also by submitting fraudulent subcontractor invoices to the property owner, Testo defrauded the defrauded the property owner of at least $275,000.

For the 2007 through 2010 tax years, RAGONESE prepared Testo’s federal tax returns, which failed to report the rental income that Testo kept for his own use and benefit.  This resulted in a tax loss to the Internal Revenue Service of $71,795.

On July 17, 2014, RAGONESE pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and assisting the preparation and filing of a false tax return.

On June 20, 2014, Testo pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of assisting in the preparation and filing of a false tax return.  Testo also admitted that he failed to report his fraudulent income on his 2007 through 2010 personal federal income tax returns.  In addition, Act Builders pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

On November 3, 2014,  Testo was sentenced to five months in community confinement (halfway house), followed by three years of supervised release, the first six months of which must be served in home confinement.  He was also ordered to pay an $18,000 fine, $275,000 in restitution to the victim, and $71,795, plus penalties and interest, to the IRS.  ACT Builders was sentenced to five years of probation.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Felice Duffy.

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The United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut announced that ANTHONY TESTO, 67, of Monroe, and his company, ACT Builders, Inc., were sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford for defrauding a Bridgeport-based residential property owner.  TESTO was ordered to serve five months in community confinement (halfway house), followed by three years of supervised release, the first six months of which must be served in home confinement.  He was also ordered to a pay a fine of $18,000.  ACT Builders was sentenced to five years of probation.

According to court documents and statements made in court, TESTO and ACT Builders were contracted to serve as a property manager for an entity in Bridgeport that owned an apartment complex and several single and multi-family residences.  TESTO’s role as property manager included filling vacant rental units, setting rental amounts, collecting security deposits, collecting rent from tenants and depositing rental payments in the property owner’s bank account.  TESTO also was required to submit to the property owner a monthly “rent roll,” which was a spreadsheet showing the occupancy of the rental units, the rental amounts due and the rental payments collected from tenants.  Thomas Ragonese provided accounting services to TESTO and ACT Builders.  At TESTO’s instruction, Ragonese prepared the rent rolls.

From approximately January 2007 to August 2010, TESTO and ACT Builders, with Ragonese’s assistance, defrauded the property owner by submitting fraudulent rent rolls that misrepresented that certain rental units were vacant with no rent due when, in fact, the apartments were occupied and rent had been collected.  The rent rolls also misrepresented that the rent due and collected for certain rental units was lower than the amount that was actually collected.  TESTO deposited rental income that was due to the property owner into both his personal bank account and the ACT Builders bank account.

Through this scheme, and also by submitting fraudulent subcontractor invoices to the property owner, TESTO defrauded the property owner of at least $275,000.

In addition, for the 2007 through 2010 tax years, Ragonese prepared Testo’s federal tax returns, which failed to report the rental income that TESTO kept for his own use and benefit.  This resulted in a tax loss to the Internal Revenue Service of $71,795.

As part of his sentence, TESTO was ordered to pay $275,000 in restitution to the victim, and $71,795, plus applicable penalties and interest, to the IRS.

On June 20, 2014, TESTO pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of assisting in the preparation and filing of a false tax return, and ACT Builders pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

On July 18, 2014, Ragonese, of Trumbull, pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and assisting the preparation and filing of a false tax return.  He awaits sentencing.

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

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that PATRICK CASTAGNA, 55, of Sarasota, Fla., formerly of Norwalk, 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 investment fraud scheme.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in February 2011, CASTAGNA offered an individual a purported investment opportunity in a telecommunications company.  The individual gave CASTAGNA $150,000 to invest based on CASTAGNA’s representations and wired $150,000 to a bank account controlled by CASTAGNA.  CASTAGNA did not invest the money as promised, but rather used the money for his own personal expenses.  Between February and September 2011, CASTAGNA made misrepresentations to the victim concerning the purported investment.

Judge Arterton scheduled sentencing for February 4, 2015, at which time CASTAGNA faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and 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

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOHNNIE JEFFERSON, also known as “Jeezy,” 24, of Bridgeport, pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to his involvement in the October 2012 murder of Dawayne Cobb in Bridgeport.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 10, 2012, at approximately 6:20 p.m., the body of Dawayne Cobb was discovered in the driver seat of an idling vehicle in the vicinity of 220 Sunshine Circle in Bridgeport.  Cobb had gunshot wounds in his shoulder and abdomen.

In pleading guilty, JEFFERSON admitted that on that date, he and another individual planned to rob Cobb of marijuana.  JEFFERSON and the other individual then drove to Sunshine Circle to meet Cobb, murdered him and stole from him a jar containing approximately two ounces of marijuana.  JEFFERSON and the other individual transported the stolen marijuana to a Bridgeport residence and subsequently distributed it amongst themselves and others.

JEFFERSON pleaded guilty to one count of causing the death of Dawayne Cobb through the use of a firearm, a charge that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of life.   He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea on January 27, 2015.

This matter is being investigated by Bridgeport Police Department and the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tracy Dayton and Rahul Kale.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that SYED NAQSHBAND, 33, of New Haven, waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas P. Smith in Hartford to one count of conspiracy to commit marriage fraud.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between July and August 2013, NAQSHBAND persuaded a female friend, who is a U.S. citizen, to travel with him to Pakistan and marry his nephew so that the nephew, a citizen of Pakistan, could enter the U.S.  NAQSHBAND offered to help pay the woman's travel expenses and assured her she would not have to live with his nephew once they returned to the U.S.

The scheme was disrupted just before the planned travel, when the woman, accompanied by NAQSHBAND, applied for a U.S. Passport and the U.S. Passport Office alerted the FBI of certain suspicious observations. 

NAQSHBAND faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years and a fine of up to $250,000 when he is sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant.  A sentencing date is not yet scheduled.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, the U.S. Passport Office, Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service’s Office of Fraud Detection and National Security.  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

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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 DANIEL HAMLETT, JR., 28, of New Haven, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to participating in the robbery of a Seymour bank last year.

HAMLETT JR. pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting bank robbery, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  Judge Thompson scheduled sentencing for January 23, 2015.

On April 9, 2013, an individual wearing a mask and brandishing a black handgun entered the Webster Bank on New Haven Road in Seymour, ordered everyone to get on the floor, jumped over the teller counter and forcibly took $5,594 in cash from two teller drawers.  He then jumped back over the teller counter and walked out of the front door of the bank.  In pleading guilty, HAMLETT JR. admitted that he entered the bank shortly before the robbery and thereafter was in telephone contact with his father, Daniel W. Hamlett, Sr.  After the robbery, HAMLETT JR. picked up Hamlett Sr. in his father’s red Toyota Prius and eluded law enforcement.

On March 13, 2014, a grand jury returned an indictment charging HAMLETT JR. and Hamlett Sr. in connection with this bank robbery.  HAMLETT JR. was arrested on March 14, 2014, and his trial was scheduled to begin on November 3, 2014.

Daniel W. Hamlett, Sr. is being sought by law enforcement, and the FBI is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to his arrest.  Citizens with information concerning this case can contact the New Haven Division of the FBI at (203) 777-6311.

As to Hamlett Sr., 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 the FBI and the Seymour Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney’s Douglas P. Morabito and Sarala V. Nagala.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal jury in Hartford jury has found EDWARD MEMOLI, 65, of Unadilla, N.Y., guilty of federal extortion charges.

According to the evidence at trial, between approximately September 2010 and December 2011, MEMOLI conspired with Joseph Casolo of Norwalk to extort money from a small-business owner in Fairfield County by impersonating organized crime figures.  Casolo threatened the victim in person, in phone conversations and in text messages using multiple personas, repeatedly stating or implying that if the victim failed to make the extortion payments, the victim, the victim’s spouse, and the victim’s daughter would be harmed with violence.  Casolo enlisted the assistance of MEMOLI who identified himself as “Lorenzo,” the organized crime family’s “enforcer,” and made at least 20 threatening calls to the victim at Casolo’s direction.  At the time, MEMOLI was living in Greenville, South Carolina.

MEMOLI specifically threatened to cause the business owner’s daughter, who was pregnant, to have a miscarriage.

The investigation revealed that the victim made more than $200,000 in cash payments to Casolo as a result of these threats.  Casolo shared a portion of these funds with MEMOLI by sending them to him via Western Union money transfer.

Casolo and MEMOLI also targeted another Fairfield County resident for extortion.  Posing as “Lorenzo,” MEMOLI called the victim both on his cellular telephone and at his place of work, and made veiled threats to the victim’s wife and two children.

Law enforcement learned of Casolo and MEMOLI only after information regarding their extortion scheme came to light on a court-authorized wiretap investigating organized crime activity in Fairfield County.

MEMOLI was found guilty today of one count of conspiracy to obstruct interstate commerce by extortion, and one count of aiding and abetting the obstruction of interstate commerce by extortion, both of which carry a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant on January 20, 2015.

Casolo pleaded guilty to one count of extortion and, on October 24, 2013, he was sentenced to 57 months of imprisonment.

This matter was investigated by the FBI Fairfield County Organized Crime Task Force and the Stamford Police Department, with the assistance of the FBI’s Binghamton Field Office.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Chen and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Rombeau.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

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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 FRANK MENDOZA, 53, formerly of Jacksonville, Fla., was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for stalking a Connecticut woman and planting hydrochloric acid-filled bottle bombs in her car.

“This lengthy prison term will help to protect a woman who was abused, threatened and stalked by this defendant, and who nearly suffered a horrible, disfiguring injury at his hands,” stated U.S. Attorney Daly.  “It also sends a message that domestic violence is intolerable and offenders will be appropriately punished and removed from society.  Under the federal Violence Against Women Act, the Department of Justice is empowered with tools to prosecute domestic violence and stalking crimes.  We commend the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Forces in Connecticut and Florida, and all of our partner investigative agencies who investigated this heinous crime in an effort to secure justice and provide safety for the victim.”

“Mr. Mendoza terrorized his victim and endangered both his victim and the community,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Ferrick.  “As a result of a thorough investigation conducted by the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Connecticut State Police, the New Haven Police Department, the Stamford Police Department, the Stamford Fire Department and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Mr. Mendoza has been brought to justice.  Civilized societies must have zero tolerance for criminals like Mendoza who terrorize not only their victims but the communities in which they reside.”

According to court documents and statements made in court, MENDOZA began a romantic relationship with a woman in Jacksonville, Fla, in 2008.  MENDOZA then became emotionally and psychologically abusive toward the victim.  The victim also learned that MENDOZA had a serious prior criminal history and claimed to be affiliated with a gang.  She also observed MENDOZA carrying a firearm.  MENDOZA’s abusive and threatening behavior caused the victim to attempt to end the relationship.

In approximately September 2010, as part of a ruse, the victim told MENDOZA that she was moving to Rhode Island for a work-related training program.  The victim instead moved to Stamford, Conn.  In October 2010, MENDOZA learned that the victim had moved to Connecticut and began to place numerous harassing and threatening phone calls to her, her friends and her work colleagues.

In early November 2010, MENDOZA traveled from Florida to Connecticut, visited the victim’s residence and place of work, and then returned to Florida.  On December 8, 2010, MENDOZA flew from Florida to New York City, rented a car, drove to the victim’s Connecticut residence, and placed two, two-liter bottles in the victim’s car.  The bottles contained hydrochloric acid and an aluminum foil wick.

At approximately 11:00 p.m. on December 8, 2010, the victim approached her car and observed that the car’s interior had been dampened by a liquid.  She also observed a bottle on the driver’s side floor.  When she picked the bottle up, it began to smoke and fizz.  She then gently placed the bottle down and ran from the car.  The bottle then exploded.

The investigation revealed that the first bottle had exploded before the victim had reached the car.

MENDOZA has been detained since his arrest in Jacksonville on August 17, 2012.  On June 5, 2014, he pleaded guilty to one count of interstate stalking.

This matter was investigated by the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Forces in New Haven and Jacksonville, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Connecticut State Police, the New Haven Police Department, the Stamford Police Department, the Stamford Bomb Squad, the Stamford Fire Department and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Krishna Patel and Vanessa Richards.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

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In an effort to ensure that the November 4, 2014 elections are administered fairly in every city and town in Connecticut, 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, Michael J. Brandi, Executive Director of the Connecticut State Elections Enforcement Commission, Denise Merrill, Connecticut Secretary of the State, and Kevin T. Kane, Connecticut Chief State’s Attorney, today announced that a telephone hotline will be available for use by anyone who witnesses or experiences voting irregularities on Election Day.

The hotline will be staffed by the Connecticut State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC) during polling hours on Election Day.  Anyone with knowledge of election fraud or voting rights abuses is encouraged to call 1-866-733-2463 (1-866-SEEC-INFO) to report suspected violations.  The number is toll-free statewide.  Individuals also can call the SEEC at 860-256-2940.  The SEEC staff will answer questions, advise on complaint procedures and, if appropriate, request the assistance of state criminal or federal law enforcement authorities in the investigation and possible prosecution of the matter.

Citizens can also send an email to elections@ct.gov to communicate with the SEEC and the Secretary of the State’s office on Election Day.

The SEEC is the primary elections investigative and civil enforcement authority in Connecticut.  The Secretary of the State’s office is charged with overseeing all elections in Connecticut, which includes advising and assisting local Registrars of Voters and Town Clerks on their statutory responsibilities regarding administration of elections.

Federal law protects against crimes such as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input.  It also contains special protections for the rights of voters and provides that they can vote free from acts that intimidate or harass them.  For example, actions of persons designed to interrupt or intimidate voters at polling places by questioning or challenging them, or by photographing or videotaping them, under the pretext that these are actions to uncover illegal voting may violate federal voting rights law.  Further, federal law protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice.

On Election Day, representatives of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI will be in direct contact with the SEEC, the Secretary of the State’s office and the office of the Chief State’s Attorney in order to receive any complaints of electoral corruption or civil rights violations.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah P. Karwan has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer for the District of Connecticut.  In that capacity, she is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of complaints of election fraud and voting rights abuses in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.

The FBI in Connecticut and across the country will have special agents available to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on Election Day.  The local FBI field office in New Haven can be reached by the public at 203-777-6311.  In addition, complaints about ballot access problems or discrimination can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section in Washington at 1-800-253-3931 or (202) 307-2767.     

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Tom Carson
U.S. Attorney’s Office
203-821-3722

William Aldenberg
Federal Bureau of Investigation
203-503-5200

Kevin Ahern and William Smith
State Elections Enforcement Commission
860-256-2940

Av Harris
Secretary of the State’s Office
860-509-6255

Mark Dupuis
Office of the Chief State’s Attorney
860-258-5997

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that DAYQUAN JACKSON, also known as “Quan” and “DaeDae,” 26, of Bridgeport, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and bank fraud in connection with a stolen check scheme.

According to court documents and statement made in court, 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.

Financial institutions and individual victims lost more than $120,000 as a result of this scheme.

Judge Arterton scheduled sentencing for March 5, 2015, at which time JACKSON faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years and a fine of up to $1 million.

JACKSON was arrested on March 7, 2014.  He currently is released on bond to the custody of an inpatient residential drug treatment facility.

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

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment yesterday charging JEROME T. WALKER, 27, of New Haven, with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

As alleged in court documents, 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 set of car keys belonging to the vehicle that WALKER had been driving.

Prior to that date, it is alleged that WALKER had sustained multiple felony convictions.  It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

If convicted, WALKER faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.  He has been detained since his arrest.

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 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

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that KARL ROYE, also known as “Eagle,” 23, of Hartford, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Alfred V. Covello in Hartford to 90 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release.

According to court documents and statements made in court, the Hartford Police Department received information that ROYE was selling crack cocaine out of his Holcomb Street residence in Hartford and that he possessed handguns that he used to protect his drug operation.  Investigators then made a controlled purchase of crack at ROYE’s residence.

On September 5, 2013, the Hartford Police Department’s Shooting Task Force and the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force executed a state search warrant at ROYE’s residence.  As the search team approached the residence, ROYE drove from his house at a high rate of speed.  Officers stopped ROYE at the end of the street and seized from him two cell phones and $640 in cash.  A search of ROYE’s residence yielded approximately $2,000 in cash and a money counting machine, which were found in ROYE’s bedroom.  Searchers also found two backpacks that were hidden above a tiled ceiling in the basement.  The backpacks revealed quantities of crack cocaine and marijuana packaged for distribution, two digital scales, drug packaging materials, and a .38 caliber Smith & Wesson, Model 60, revolver.

A firearms trace on the weapon established that it had been reported to the Hartford Police Department in November 2012 as having been stolen from the residence of its owner.

ROYE has been detained since his arrest on September 5, 2013.  On June 11, 2014, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (“crack”), and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

ROYE’s criminal history includes an arrest by Hartford Police on October 8, 2009, after he was found in possession of four loaded handguns, a silencer and quantities of crack and marijuana.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force and the Hartford Police Department.  The FBI task force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John H. Durham.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that TYRONE CRUMP, also known as “KT,” 29, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 48 months of imprisonment, followed by one year of supervised release, for distributing crack cocaine.

This matter stems from “Operation Vinefield,” a joint law enforcement investigation headed by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force targeting narcotics trafficking and gang violence in Hartford’s North End.  As a result of the nine-month investigation, 38 individuals were charged with various offenses related to the distribution of crack cocaine and the unlawful possession and dealing of firearms in and around Hartford.

According to court documents and statements made in court, one of the main targets of the investigation was Dementrius Nave, a member of the AVE street gang with a lengthy criminal history.  Court-authorized wiretaps of Nave’s phones, coordinated motor vehicle stops and seizures, and physical surveillance, confirmed that Nave and his associates, including CRUMP, conspired to distribute crack cocaine and other narcotics in Hartford’s Northeast neighborhood.  CRUMP is a member of the AVE.

CRUMP’s criminal history includes convictions for multiple firearm offenses, theft of motor vehicles, fleeing police, possessing narcotics and smuggling contraband into a correctional facility.

CRUMP has been detained since his arrest on May 8, 2012.  On November 12, 2013, he pleaded guilty to one count of using a telephone to facilitate the distribution of crack cocaine.

Nave also pleaded guilty and, on August 21, 2014, was sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment.

This matter has been investigated by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force, the Connecticut State Police, the Hartford Police Department, and the Connecticut Department of Correction.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Leaming.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

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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 LAWRENCE J. HERZING, 45, of Greenwich, was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint alleging that he embezzled millions of dollars from the hedge fund where he was employed.

As alleged in the criminal complaint, HERZING was recently employed as the controller of Greenwich-based Contrarian Capital Management, L.L.C.  On 32 occasions between 2004 and 2013, HERZING used his position to wire funds from his employer to accounts that he controlled.  Two fraudulent wire transfers specifically alleged in the complaint totaled more than $2.4 million.

Following his arrest, HERZING appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge William I. Garfinkel in Bridgeport and was released on a $5.6 million bond, $2.6 million of which will be secured by HERZING’s Greenwich residence.

The complaint charges HERZING with wire fraud, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

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

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the Greenwich Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan Francis and Heather Cherry.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

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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 EL MEHDI SEMLALI FATHI, 27, a citizen of Morocco last residing in Bridgeport, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in new Haven to 24 months of imprisonment for fabricating a refugee application to remain in the U.S.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in January 2008, FATHI was admitted to the United States after he obtained a student visa to study at Virginia International University.  In February 2009, FATHI’s student visa status was terminated by the university after he failed all of his classes during the Fall 2008 semester and did not register for classes for the Spring 2009 semester.  After his student visa status was terminated, FATHI failed to leave the U.S.

In December 2010, FATHI was detained in immigration custody as a result of an arrest in Virginia.  While he was detained, he met an individual who explained refugee relief to him.  In an effort to obtain refugee relief and remain in the U.S., FATHI reviewed certain country reports relating to Morocco and then prepared and filed, under penalty of perjury, a false refugee application (I-589), which included events he learned about in the country reports.  FATHI’s false statements included a claim that he would be persecuted by the Kingdom of Morocco based on his membership in a particular social group and imputed political opinion, and that he was arrested twice in 2007 and persecuted by the Moroccan government.

In June 2011, an immigration judge in Virginia released FATHI on bond.  FATHI then moved to Bridgeport and his immigration case was transferred to Connecticut.  In September 2011, FATHI represented to an immigration judge in Hartford that all of the information on his I-589 application was accurate when he knew that all of the information in support of his refugee claim was materially false.

While his immigration proceedings were pending, FATHI traveled to California where he was arrested and subsequently placed in immigration custody.  In January 2013, after his immigration proceedings were transferred to California, FATHI again falsely represented to an immigration judge in Adelanto, Calif., that his refugee application was true and accurate.  In another hearing in August 2013, FATHI again committed perjury while testifying in support of his refugee application by stating that he was arrested and savagely beaten several times by the Moroccan authorities when, in fact, he was never arrested or persecuted by the Moroccan authorities, and that he attended a university in Marrakech during which he participated in demonstrations that caused him to be arrested by the Moroccan authorities when, in fact, he never attended any university in Marrakech.

In February 2014, during an interview with a federal agent, FATHI falsely claimed that Moroccan intelligence authorities had arrested him as part of a conspiracy with all of the other members of Jamaat Ansar El-Mehdi, a Moroccan based terrorist group that was dismantled by Moroccan security forces in 2006.

FATHI has been detained since his arrest on April 7, 2014.  On July 24, 2014, he waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty to one count of perjury in an immigration matter.

FATHI has agreed to be deported at the conclusion of his prison term.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, which includes participants from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in New Haven, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Connecticut State Police, Bridgeport Police Department, Norwich Police Department and the New York Police Department.  The HSI attaché office in Casablanca, Morocco, provided critical assistance to the investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Krishna Patel and Stephen Reynolds.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that HARLAND FIELDS, 28, of the Bronx, N.Y., was sentenced yesterday by Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 66 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for trafficking oxycodone.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2012, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Task Force began investigating an oxycodone trafficking operation headed by Nicholas Dyber of West Hartford.  The investigation, which included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of oxycodone, physical surveillance and the use of an undercover officer, revealed that Dyber was being supplied with bulk quantities of oxycodone by FIELDS and also Eduardo Garcia of Modesto, California.  At times, Dyber paid Brian Vanderpool, of West Hartford, to travel to New York to pick up oxycodone from FIELDS and transport the pills to Dyber in Connecticut.  Dyber distributed the pills he received from FIELDS and Garcia to customers and other Hartford-area distributors.

FIELDS has been detained since his arrest on October 11, 2013.  On May 27, 2014, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 5,000 oxycodone pills.

Dyber, Garcia and Vanderpool have also pleaded guilty.  On August 21, 2014, Garcia was sentenced to 60 months of imprisonment.  Dyber and Vanderpool await sentencing.

This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Task Force, which includes personnel from the DEA and the New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, North Haven, Branford, Ansonia and Meriden Police Departments.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Caruso.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut,announced that DANIEL SCOTT, 26, of New London, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 36 months of imprisonment for distributing heroin and for violating his supervised release from a previous federal conviction.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 19, 2010, Judge Arterton sentenced SCOTT to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for selling crack cocaine.  He was released from prison in March 2013 and began serving his term of supervised release.

Approximately seven months after his release from prison, the New London Police Department received information that SCOTT was selling marijuana and heroin from his apartment on Shaw Street in New London.  In November 2013, SCOTT sold marijuana to an individual working with law enforcement and, on December 30, 2013, SCOTT sold heroin to the same individual.

On January 15, 2014, a court-authorized search of SCOTT’s apartment revealed a quantity of heroin, drug packaging material, a cell phone and approximately $661 in cash.  Also, a search of SCOTT’s rental vehicle revealed 2.6 grams of heroin packaged for distribution and two additional cell phones.  SCOTT was arrested on that date.

SCOTT has been detained since his arrest.  On June 23, 2014, he waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin.

This is SCOTT’s fourth felony drug conviction.

Judge Arterton sentenced SCOTT to 21 months of imprisonment for distributing heroin and 24 months of imprisonment, nine months concurrent, for violating the terms and conditions of his supervised release, for an effective sentence of 36 months of imprisonment.  SCOTT was ordered to serve three years of supervised release following his release from prison.

This matter was investigated by the New London Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah P. Karwan.

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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 KAVON ROGERS, 27, of New Haven, with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

As alleged in the indictment and previously-filed court documents, on September 27, 2014, ROGERS was arrested by officers with the New Haven Police after he was found in possession of a stolen Smith and Wesson .380 caliber semiautomatic handgun.  Prior to that date, ROGERS had sustained felony convictions.

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

If convicted of the charge, ROGERS faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

ROGERS has been detained since his arrest.

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

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RICHARD MASON, 33, of New Haven, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Warren W. Eginton in Bridgeport to 57 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing crack cocaine.

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, the New Haven Police Department and the Connecticut State Police into drug distribution and related violence allegedly being committed by members and associates of the Grape Street Crips in New Haven.  During the investigation, MASON was identified over a court-authorized wiretap conducting narcotics transactions with Donald Ogman, who has been identified in court proceedings as the alleged leader of the Grape Street Crips.  MASON regularly obtained quantities of crack Ogman and then sold the drug to customers in the Hill section of New Haven.

On April 9, 2012, a grand jury returned an indictment charging MASON and 17 other individuals with narcotics distribution and related offenses stemming from this investigation.  Two additional individuals were later charged in the case. 

All of the defendants have pleaded guilty.  On March 21, 2014, MASON pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base (“crack cocaine”).

MASON has been detained since his arrest on April 11, 2012.

Ogman awaits sentencing.

This matter was investigated by the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets Task Force, 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.

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ALEXANDER ALVAREZ, 32, of East Lyme, was arrested today on federal charges related to his alleged theft of more than $100,000 from customers of the bank where he was employed.

On October 21, 2014, a grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging ALVAREZ with two counts of bank fraud.  ALVAREZ appeared this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge William I. Garfinkel in Bridgeport and is currently detained.  A detention hearing is scheduled for October 24.

As alleged in the indictment, from January 2012 to February 2013, ALVAREZ was employed as a Financial Service Representative for a bank in Newington.  While employed at the bank, ALVAREZ identified accounts that had little banking activity.  He then caused the mailing address for the accounts he targeted to be changed from the owner’s address to a fraudulent address so that transactions in the accounts would not be immediately discovered by the account owner.  ALVAREZ then created fraudulent transfer slips causing the funds to be transferred to another account that he believed was dormant, or to an account that he directly controlled, or to be issued in a bank check.  Once the funds were transferred from the owner’s account, ALVAREZ withdrew the funds from the bank in cash or via an ATM card, or transferred them to his personal banking account.

The indictment alleges that ALVAREZ stole $100,806.85 from one bank customer and $11,137.01 from a second bank customer.

The charge of bank fraud carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years and a fine of up to $1,000,000.

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

The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford.

This matter is being investigated by the Connecticut Financial Crimes Task Force, the Stratford Police Department and the Greenwich Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Miller.

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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, today announced that NOAH L. MYERS, 43, of Lyme, waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to defrauding investment clients in a “cherry-picking” securities scheme.

“Investors place an extraordinary amount of trust in their investment advisors, and we will always protect their right to the fair and ethical management of their savings,” stated U.S. Attorney Daly.  “Investment advisors who breach their clients' trust in violation of federal securities laws will be prosecuted and risk losing both their freedom and their ill-gotten gains.  We thank the FBI and the SEC for their diligent work in uncovering this cherry-picking scheme.”

“Noah Myers put his financial self-interest ahead of that of his clients,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Ferrick.  “This conduct undermines the confidence of the American public in our securities markets.  The FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to vigorously investigate and prosecute these crimes.”

“Cherry-picking” is a fraudulent securities trading practice in which the responsible individual executes trades without assigning those trades to a particular trading account until the individual determines whether or not the trade has become profitable or suffered losses.  The responsible individual then allocates the profitable trades to favored accounts – often the individual’s own account – and assigns unprofitable trades to disfavored client accounts.

According to court documents and statements made in court, MYERS was the sole owner of MiddleCove Capital, LLC (“MiddleCove”), a Connecticut limited liability company with its principal place of business in the Centerbrook section of Essex.  MiddleCove had been registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as an investment adviser since 2008, and MYERS was the portfolio manager and managed a number of client accounts with assets of approximately $129 million.  MiddleCove used Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”) to trade securities and as the custodian of the investments held in client accounts.  As part of the trading arrangement with Schwab, MYERS was permitted to place block purchases and sales of securities through a master account with Schwab and then, later in the day, allocate the purchases and sales to various accounts, including his personal accounts and various client accounts, all held by Schwab.

Between April 2009 and November 2010, MYERS engaged in “cherry-picking” at MiddleCove by purchasing the leveraged exchange traded fund (ETF) ProShares UltraShort Financials, otherwise known by its ticker symbol “SKF,” as well as other securities.  MYERS then disproportionately allocated trades that had appreciated in value during the course of the day to his personal and business accounts and allocated trades that had depreciated in value during the day to the accounts of his advisory clients.  As a result, MYERS gained as his clients suffered commensurate trading losses.

For example, in August 2009, on the nine days when MYERS purchased SKF in block trades in the master account and the security was sold as a day trade, MYERS allocated between 9 percent and 32 percent of the profitable block trades to his personal accounts.  On three of those days he allocated between 27 percent and 31 percent of the profitable day trades to his personal accounts.

In addition, on September 2, 2009, MYERS purchased SKF in a block trade in the master account and, after the investment increased in value, sold the shares in a day trade and allocated more than 31 percent of the investment to his personal accounts.  In sharp contrast, MYERS undertook four additional block purchases in the master account of SKF on September 3, 4, 16 and 28, 2009.  On each of these days, when the SKF investment declined in value by the close of trading, MYERS allocated no more than 5 percent of the block trade to his personal accounts and instead allocated the remaining 95 percent of the shares to his clients’ accounts.

In filings with the SEC in April 2009 and March 2010, MYERS and MiddleCove represented that batched trades would be allocated fairly and not unduly favor MYERS or MiddleCove.

MYERS pleaded guilty to one count of security fraud, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of up to $5 million.  Judge Underhill scheduled sentencing for January 12, 2015.
The SEC has revoked the registration of MiddleCove as an investment adviser and barred MYERS from the securities industry.

This matter has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher W. Schmeisser.

Citizens are encouraged to report any financial fraud schemes by calling, toll free, 855-236-9740, or by sending an email to ctsecuritiesfraud@ic.fbi.gov.

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DAVID HANEY, 53, of Marlborough, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for robbing five Connecticut pharmacies last year.

On November 22, 2013, HANEY was arrested on a criminal complaint charging him with the armed robbery of a CVS store located at 525 Buckland Road in South Windsor.  At approximately 7:45 p.m. on September 25, 2013, HANEY entered the store and proceeded to the pharmacy counter.   He then asked for the pharmacist by name, showed the pharmacist what appeared to be a firearm that was in his waistband and demanded oxycodone pills.  The pharmacist gave HANEY more than 2000 oxycodone pills of different strengths and HANEY exited the store.

On February 19, 2014, HANEY pleaded guilty to one count of interference with commerce by robbery related to the South Windsor CVS robbery.  In pleading guilty, HANEY also admitted that he committed similar robberies at a Walgreens on Deming Street in Manchester on September 15, 2013, a Walgreens on Main Street in Meriden on October 3, 2013, a CVS on Main Street in East Hartford on October 11, 2013, and a Walgreens on Talcottville Road in Vernon on November 9, 2013.

HANEY has admitted that he used most of the pills to fuel his own addiction to pain medication and sold the rest.  He has been detained since his arrest.

Judge Underhill ordered that HANEY make restitution to the victims.

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Drug Enforcement Administration and the South Windsor, East Hartford, Meriden, Vernon, and Manchester Police Departments, with the assistance of other state and local law enforcement agencies.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony E. Kaplan.

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ANGELA D. MARTIN, also known as Angela Haussmann, 30, of Wallingford, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 210 months of imprisonment, followed by 20 years of supervised release.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in August 2013, MARTIN sexually abused a female child, filmed the abuse with her cell phone, and then emailed the video to another individual in California.  The victim was approximately three years old at the time of the abuse. 

In addition to filming and distributing the video of the sexual abuse that she inflicted on the female child, MARTIN possessed and distributed other child pornography that she received from individuals with whom she was communicating via email, text messaging, and chat applications.

 MARTIN is a registered sex offender as the result of a prior felony conviction in the state of Connecticut for second degree sexual assault of a minor.       

MARTIN has been detained since her arrest on September 19, 2013.  On March 28, 2014, she pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography.

 This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Wallingford Police Department, and the Connecticut Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel.

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

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

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that HARRY P. MICONI, 78, of West Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to six months of imprisonment, followed by two years of supervised release, the first six months of which MICONI must spend in home confinement, for bribing the former executive director of the West Haven Housing Authority.

According to court documents and statements made in court, MICONI owned and operated several painting and contracting businesses in West Haven, including P and K Contractor LLC.  Between January 2007 and February 2012, MICONI and his business made more than $800,000 in corrupt payments to Michael Siwek, the executive director of the West Haven Housing Authority, and to Four Star Development Company LLC, an entity personally owned and controlled by Siwek.  In return, Siwek directed approximately $2.8 million in business for or with the West Haven Housing Authority and its two affiliated instrumentalities, Meadow Landing and Spring Heights, to MICONI and his businesses.  Meadow Landing and Spring Heights are two housing complexes that are owned and managed, in part, by the West Haven Housing Authority.

As part of his sentence, MICONI was ordered to pay $862,563 in restitution.

On November 6, 2013, MICONI pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery in connection with a program receiving federal funds.

On September 4, 2014, SIWEK pleaded guilty to bribery and tax evasion charges stemming from his receipt of approximately $1.5 million in bribes from MICONI and others while he was employed by the West Haven Housing Authority.  He awaits sentencing.

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

This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Karwan.

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LAMAR POWELL, 60, of Norwalk, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for his role in a southwestern Connecticut narcotics trafficking ring. 

This matter stems from a six-month investigation spearheaded by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Stamford Police Department’s Narcotics and Organized Crime Squad.  As a result of the investigation, 20 individuals were charged with various federal offenses related to the distribution of cocaine and crack cocaine in Bridgeport, Norwalk and Stamford.  In addition, law enforcement officers seized more than $100,000 in cash, 500 grams of cocaine, 350 grams of crack cocaine, several vehicles and jewelry.

According to court documents and statements made in court, the investigation revealed that Marvin Wooten, also known as “Smash,” of Norwalk, was operating a significant crack cocaine distribution ring in Fairfield County.  Between September 2012 and January 2013, Wooten regularly purchased multi-hundred gram quantities of cocaine from various sources of supply, including POWELL, and also from individuals who were distributing cocaine out of a Bridgeport barbershop.  Wooten then converted the cocaine to crack cocaine and distributed it to other dealers and customers.      

During the investigation, Wooten met with POWELL on several occasions to purchase hundreds of grams of cocaine.

On July 11, 2013, POWELL pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack cocaine”) and 500 grams or more of powder cocaine.

Wooten also pleaded guilty and, on May 22, 2013, was sentenced to 120 months of imprisonment.

This matter has been investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force – including the Bridgeport, Stamford, Norwalk, Milford, Westport, and Stratford Police Departments, and the Connecticut State Police – and the Stamford Police Department’s Narcotics and Organized Crime Squad.  The U.S. Marshals Service also assisted in the arrests of several of the defendants.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah Karwan and Robert Spector.

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced several leadership and supervisory appointments within the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Michael J. Gustafson has been named First Assistant U.S. Attorney.  Mr. Gustafson has been with the U.S. Attorney’s Office since 1997.  For the last four years, he served as Chief of the Criminal Division, and previously as Supervisor of the District’s Hartford Office and Chief of the Organized Crime Strike Force.  Prior to joining the Department of Justice, Mr. Gustafson was in private practice for eight years, and served as a law clerk to both Senior U.S. District Judge T. Emmet Clarie and U.S. Magistrate Judge F. Owen Eagan.  Mr. Gustafson is a 1983 graduate of Amherst College and a 1986 graduate of the University of Connecticut School of Law.

“In his long tenure in the Office, Mike has distinguished himself as someone with excellent judgment and outstanding character,” stated U.S. Attorney Daly.   “A terrific prosecutor and enormously dedicated public servant, Mike is an invaluable asset to me and everyone who works here. Never seeking credit or recognition, Mike works tirelessly to help others while also prosecuting some of our most important and challenging cases.  In his new role, we will have the benefit of his advice and counsel on all significant matters within the Office.” 

William J. Nardini has been named Chief of the Criminal Division.  Mr. Nardini joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office in 2000, and previously served as Chief of Appeals.  He recently completed a four-year assignment as the Department of Justice Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Rome where he coordinated requests for extradition and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters between American and Italian legal authorities.  Prior to joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Mr. Nardini served as a law clerk for Justice Sandra Day O’Connor of the U.S. Supreme Court as well as Judges José Cabranes and Guido Calabresi of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Mr. Nardini is a 1990 graduate of Georgetown University and a 1994 graduate of Yale Law School.  He also received an LL.M from the European University Institute in 1999 as a Fulbright Scholar.

“We are excited and very fortunate to have Bill returning to the Office after his distinguished service as the Justice Department’s Attaché in Italy,” stated U.S. Attorney Daly.  “Bill’s legal acumen, wise counsel and management skills make him a great fit for the critically important position of Criminal Chief.  We are confident that he will provide valuable guidance to our talented AUSAs.”

The Criminal Division, which is responsible for enforcing federal criminal laws, comprises three program-based units:  National Security and Major Crimes, Violent Crimes and Narcotics, and Financial Fraud and Public Corruption.

The National Security and Major Crimes Unit is responsible for prosecuting matters involving international and domestic terrorism, civil rights and hate crimes, human trafficking and child exploitation, cybercrime and identity theft,  organized crime, immigration and customs enforcement, government program and defense contractor fraud, and environmental crimes.  Raymond F. Miller is the Chief of the Unit.  Stephen B. Reynolds and Krishna R. Patel are the Deputy Chiefs.  AUSA Reynolds also supervises the Office’s national security work and coordinates the District’s Anti-Terrorism Advisory Committee (ATAC).

The Violent Crimes and Narcotics Unit includes the District’s Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) prosecutions, and violent crime, gangs and narcotics investigations.  S. Dave Vatti is the Chief of the Unit, and AUSAs Robert M. Spector and Brian P. Leaming are the Deputy Chiefs.  AUSA Spector is the District’s OCDETF Coordinator, which targets major drug trafficking operations responsible for the distribution of large quantities of narcotics by violent drug organizations, and AUSA Leaming serves as PSN Coordinator, overseeing firearms prosecutions that seek to deter the illegal possession of guns and reduce gun and gang violence.

The Financial Fraud and Public Corruption Unit includes securities, commodities  and investor fraud, public corruption, bank fraud and embezzlement, mortgage fraud, tax fraud, health care fraud, bankruptcy fraud and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations.  Christopher M. Mattei is the newly appointed Chief of the Unit, and Michael S. McGarry and David E. Novick are the Deputy Chiefs.  This Unit includes the Connecticut Securities Fraud Task Force.

In addition, The District of Connecticut’s Appellate Unit is led by Sandra S. Glover, who serves as Chief of Appeals, and Marc H. Silverman, who serves as Deputy Chief.

John H. Durham continues to serve as Counsel to the United States Attorney, John B. Hughes remains the longstanding Chief of the Civil Division and Peter S. Jongbloed continues as the Executive United States Attorney.

“This supervisory team is a talented and experienced group of public servants who are driven by the cause of justice,” stated U.S. Attorney Daly.  “Their dedicated efforts make Connecticut a safer and more secure place to live.  I am fortunate and proud to be working by their side.”

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.

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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, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging ROBERT E. LEE, JR., 50, of Oxford, with five counts of wire fraud stemming from his alleged operation of a Ponzi scheme.  The indictment was returned on October 7, 2014.

As alleged in the indictment and other court documents, LEE was employed as a broker and financial advisor for various financial investment firms until July 2013 when he was terminated by his most recent employer, Rockwell Global Capital, LLC.   Between January 2011 and March 2014, LEE defrauded individuals by claiming that he was investing their money in various investment vehicles when, in fact, he was maintaining custody of their funds in his personal bank account.  He then used the money to make distributions to other investors, and for personal expenses.  To conceal the scheme, LEE fabricated account statements and other documents, which he delivered to his victims.

LEE was arrested on a criminal complaint on May 12, 2014.  He is currently released on a $250,000 bond and is scheduled to be arraigned in Bridgeport federal court on October 14 at 11 a.m. before Magistrate William I. Garfinkel.  Each count of wire fraud carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
The indictment also seeks the forfeiture of $358,077.17 that LEE held in an online trading account at the time of his arrest, and which has been seized by the government.

This matter has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford.

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 the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David T. Huang and Christopher M. Mattei.

Citizens with information that may be helpful to this ongoing investigation are encouraged to contact the FBI at (203) 777-6311.

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, William P. Offord, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, Patricia M. Ferrick, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and William K. Harrington, U.S. Trustee for Connecticut, New York, and Vermont (Region 2), today announced that JASON SHEEHAN, 41, and his wife, GLORVINA CONSTANT, 35, of New Haven, have pleaded guilty in Hartford federal court to charges stemming from an extensive bankruptcy fraud and tax fraud scheme.

“Instead of helping his fledgling company to emerge from bankruptcy, Jason Sheehan looted it, embezzled funds, and stole millions from taxpayers,” stated U.S. Attorney Daly.  “Gloria Constant siphoned hundreds of thousands of dollars from the company’s bankruptcy estate by way of a no-show job, some of which was used to purchase a large home for her family while the company was failing.  I commend the diligence of our Bankruptcy Fraud Working Group, which uncovered this scheme, and continues to unearth similar schemes that victimize not only creditors, but all citizens.”

“Fraud and dishonesty in bankruptcy proceedings undermine the integrity of this important system,” stated IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Offord.  “Through his false statements to both the IRS and U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Mr. Sheehan evaded the payment of millions of dollars in employment taxes for his own personal gain.  IRS and our law enforcement partners will continue to vigorously investigate those who willfully engage in this type of bankruptcy and tax fraud.”

“Put simply, Sheehan and Constant committed crimes on top of crimes,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Ferrick.  “The extent to which this couple deceived the bankruptcy court and made misrepresentations to the IRS speaks to their total disregard for the law.  Fortunately, as is typical in document intensive investigations, the paper trail was overwhelming.  Unfortunately, many hardworking people employed by Infinistaff lost their jobs.  Together with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI and IRS make a formidable team and will pursue and bring to justice those who so willfully violate our country’s bankruptcy and tax laws.”

“This case is an excellent example of the collaborative efforts of the Bankruptcy Fraud Working Group to combat fraud and abuse in our nation’s bankruptcy system,” stated U.S. Trustee Harrington.  “The U.S. Trustee Program and its law enforcement partners are committed to protecting the integrity of the bankruptcy system.”

SHEEHAN pleaded guilty yesterday to one count of willful failure to collect, account for and pay tax, one count of embezzlement from a bankruptcy estate and one count of making a false declaration  statement under penalty of perjury in a bankruptcy case.

According to court documents and statements made in court, SHEEHAN was the sole member of a limited liability company known as Infinistaff, LLC, which provided temporary workers to employers.  In September 2010, Infinistaff filed a voluntary chapter 11 bankruptcy petition with the Connecticut Bankruptcy Court.  As part of the bankruptcy case, SHEEHAN filed operating reports that falsely claimed that   another company was being paid to process Infinistaff’s payroll checks and to prepare and file its payroll tax returns and tax payments.  During this time, SHEEHAN also falsely represented to the Internal Revenue Service that this other company was making tax deposits under its taxpayer identification number.  Although Infinistaff had such an arrangement with the other company for a period of time, the arrangement was terminated at the time SHEEHAN made these representations.  After the arrangement with the other company was terminated, SHEEHAN continued to file operating reports with the bankruptcy court indicating that the arrangement was still in place, and that this other company was being paid monthly “administration fees.”  SHEEHAN filed these reports in order to conceal his embezzlement of over $1 million from Infinistaff’s bankruptcy estate. 

In addition, between 2011 and 2013, Infinistaff failed to account for and pay to the IRS more than $2.5 million in employment taxes the company had withheld from employee paychecks, and also failed to pay approximately $1.4 million in employer payroll taxes.

The investigation further revealed that CONSTANT received Infinistaff payroll checks totaling $354,000 during the bankruptcy proceedings even though she performed no work for the company.

SHEEHAN and CONSTANT used the stolen money to support a lavish lifestyle, including foreign travel and the purchase a $650,000 home in CONSTANT’s name.

CONSTANT pleaded guilty on October 6 to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2013, CONSTANT purchased a home using proceeds from a $390,000 mortgage loan she obtained from a local bank, as well as approximately $260,000 embezzled by SHEEHAN from the Infinistaff bankruptcy estate.  The mortgage loan application falsely stated that CONSTANT worked for Infinistaff and earned approximately $16,000 per month, when in fact, she did not work for Infinistaff at all.  After a bankruptcy trustee was appointed in the Infinistaff bankruptcy case and the company was no longer operating, CONSTANT applied for a second mortgage loan of $131,000 from the bank.  CONSTANT again misrepresented on the loan application that she was employed by Infinistaff and earning a substantial salary.

SHEEHAN is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson on December 31, 2014, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years.  CONSTANT is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Thompson on January 6, 2015, at which time she faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.

This matter is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the U.S. Trustee Program.

The U.S. Trustee Program is the Department of Justice component that promotes and protects the integrity of the bankruptcy system by overseeing case administration and litigating to enforce the civil bankruptcy laws.  Members of the public can report suspected bankruptcy fraud via email to USTP.Bankruptcy.Fraud@usdoj.gov.

In the District of Connecticut, the U.S. Attorney’s Office coordinates a Bankruptcy Fraud Working Group that includes representatives from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Office of the U.S. Trustee, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann M. Nevins and Senior Litigation Counsel Richard J. Schechter.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DARRICK COLLETTE, 33, of Thompson, formerly of Putnam, waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to one count of receipt and distribution of child pornography.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in March 19, 2013, an FBI special agent logged onto a publicly available Internet file sharing network and downloaded images and videos of child pornography from a computer connected to the network with an Internet Protocol (IP) address assigned to COLLETTE’s residence while he was living in Putnam.   During a search of the residence on June 13, 2013, law enforcement officers seized computers and multiple external hard drives.  COLLETTE was arrested at that time after he admitted that he had been downloading and trading child pornography over the Internet for more than 10 years.

Forensic analysis of COLLETTE’s computers and hard drives revealed more than 600 image files and videos of child pornography. 

COLLETTE faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of up to $250,000.  A sentencing date is not yet scheduled.  He has been released on a bond and electronic monitoring since his arrest.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Connecticut Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.  The Connecticut State Police and Putnam Police Department assisted in the search of COLLETTE’s residence.

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
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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that STEPHEN GOODRICH, 57, of Rocky Hill, waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna F. Martinez in Hartford to one count of mail fraud and one count of subscribing to a false tax return.  The charges stem from GOODRICH’s operation of an investment scheme that defrauded investors out of more than $1.8 million.

According to court documents and statements made in court, GOODRICH formerly resided in Bristol where he conducted an investment business using the name Goodrich Financial.  Although GOODRICH was not a licensed or registered investment adviser, he provided a business card to some investors that falsely represented that he was licensed to conduct an investment business.  Beginning in approximately 2006 and continuing to approximately November 2012, GOODRICH engaged in a scheme to defraud individuals who had provided him with investment funds by failing to invest the funds as represented, and by using some of the investment funds for his personal use.  At times, GOODRICH also used new investor funds to return the principal investment to older investors as is often done in Ponzi schemes.  In order to prevent his investors from becoming aware of the scheme, GOODRICH provided written performance summaries to his investors that falsely represented the value of their investments.  More than ten investors collectively lost more than $1.8 million as a result of this scheme.

During the years 2007 to 2011, GOODRICH used more than $600,000 of the investors’ funds for his personal use without disclosing this income on his federal tax returns.  As a result, GOODRICH owes $239,443 in additional federal taxes, plus interest and penalties.

GOODRICH is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson on December 30, 2014, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 23 years, a fine of up to approximately $3.6 million and an order of restitution.

GOODRICH is released on a $25,000 bond.

This matter is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, with the assistance of the Connecticut Department of Banking.  The case is being prosecuted by Senior Litigation Counsel Richard J. Schechter.

Citizens are encouraged to report any financial fraud schemes by calling, toll free, 855-236-9740, or by sending an email to ctsecuritiesfraud@ic.fbi.gov.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Michael J. Ferguson, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, today announced the arrests of OMAR ANDRADE, 29, of Norwalk; and JOEL A. ESTRELLA-DISLA, 24, and WILMER ANTONIO GOMEZ-RODRIGUEZ, 28, both of New York, N.Y., on heroin trafficking charges.

As alleged in the criminal complaint, this matter stems from an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Norwalk Police Department into suspected cocaine and heroin distribution by ANDRADE.  In September 2014, ANDRADE agreed to provide one kilogram of heroin to a DEA Task Force officer acting in an undercover capacity.  ANDRADE, ESTRELLA and GOMEZ were arrested on September 30 after they delivered approximately one kilogram of heroin to a pre-arranged location in Norwalk. 

The three defendants appeared yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge William I. Garfinkel in Bridgeport and were ordered detained.

Each defendant is charged with one count conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, one kilogram or more of heroin, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years, a maximum term of imprisonment of life, and a fine of up to $10 million.

U.S. Attorney Daly stressed that a criminal complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  The defendants are entitled to a fair trial at which it is the Government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force and the Norwalk Police Department.  The Task Force includes personnel from the Norwalk, Stamford, Stratford and Milford Police Departments, and the Connecticut State Police.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney H. Gordon Hall.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MICHAEL STANLEY, 25, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 70 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 1, 2014, New Haven police officers observed STANLEY walking on Kensington Street in New Haven.  At the time, STANLEY was wanted by the State of Connecticut Division of Parole.  When the officers approached STANLEY in their marked car, STANLEY reached into his waistband, pulled his hood over his head, and walked in the opposite direction.  After police stopped and exited the car, STANLEY ran, reached into his waistband area and threw an object. Officers apprehended STANLEY a short distance away.

A search of the area where STANLEY discarded an object revealed a fully-loaded Glock semi-automatic pistol that had been reported stolen in New Haven.  In addition, a search of STANLEY’s person revealed crack cocaine packaged for sale.

Subsequent forensic analysis of the firearm revealed DNA consistent with STANLEY’s DNA.
STANLEY has multiple prior felony convictions.  It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

STANLEY has been detained since his arrest on February 1.  On July 15, 2014, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.

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

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOSE ROQUE, 47, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 180 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release.  On May 16, 2014, a jury found ROQUE guilty of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.

According to the evidence presented during the trial, on September 1, 2010, Bridgeport Police responded to a residential burglary call.  When they arrived, the complainant described the burglar and the vehicle he drove from the scene.  Later that day, officers spotted ROQUE driving the car and attempted to stop him.  After a chase, which involved multiple police cars, ROQUE was stopped, but he refused to exit the vehicle.  As one officer attempted to remove him, a second officer approached from the other side of the car and saw a brown gun handle tucked along the right side of the driver’s seat.  After ROQUE made a movement toward the gun, the second officer kicked in the passenger window of the vehicle.  ROQUE was taken out of the vehicle and tasered when he pushed back at officers.

A search of the vehicle revealed a .38 caliber Smith & Wesson SPL Model #64-2 handgun at the side of the driver’s seat. 

ROQUE’s criminal history includes several state felony convictions, including convictions for robbery and burglary in 1984; assault and burglary in 1991; escape in 1992; burglary in 1993, and assault, attempted assault of an officer, attempted escape, attempted riot in an institution, and conspiracy to commit assault in 1994.

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.

ROQUE was sentenced pursuant to the Armed Career Criminal Act, a federal law imposing severe penalties for firearm or ammunition possession by persons who have been convicted of at least three violent felonies or serious drug offenses.  As an Armed Career Criminal, ROQUE faced a minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

This matter was investigated by the Bridgeport Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rahul Kale and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Rombeau.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that FRANK METE, 57, of Berlin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to 41 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release.

According to court documents and statements made in court, from approximately 2009 to November 2012, METE operated an investment fraud scheme in which he held himself out as a broker of hard money loans between investors and purported individual borrowers who were willing to borrow money at interest rates of 15 to 18 percent.  In fact, there were no such borrowers.  In order to induce the investors to extend loans to the purported borrowers through him as the broker, METE created false promissory notes, mortgage documents and other false records using the names of the fictitious borrowers.  After receiving from the victim investors checks that were made out to the purported borrowers, he forged the signatures on the checks and deposited the funds into several bank accounts he opened in the borrowers’ names.

Through this scheme, METE defrauded investors of approximately $1,191,610.50.  He used the funds to pay for various personal expenses.

METE also failed to file federal income tax returns from 2009 to 2012, causing a tax loss to the government of approximately $357,324.

METE was ordered to make full restitution to his victim investors.  He also was ordered to pay $666,851.84 in back taxes, penalties and interest to the Internal Revenue Service.

On December 4, 2013, METE pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of tax evasion.

METE has been detained in state custody on unrelated charges since November 8, 2013.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael S. McGarry.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ARACELYS PICHARDO, 26, of Jersey City, New Jersey, waived her right to indictment and pleaded guilty today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna F. Martinez in Hartford to one count of theft of government property.

According to court documents and statements made in court, PICHARDO obtained fraudulent U.S. Treasury tax refund checks through her former boyfriend, Carlos Jose Luis, also known as Jose Quilestorres.  The checks were payable to individuals from Puerto Rico whose identities had been stolen and in whose names tax returns generating the refund checks had been filed by various scheme participants.  Between November 2011 and February 2012, PICHARDO provided at least 21 of these fraudulently obtained tax refund checks to Carlos Mateo.  Mateo gave the checks to Jeovany Rios, who cashed them at credit union branches in Bridgeport, Milford and Danbury with the assistance of Angel Castellano, a teller at the credit union.  Rios returned most of the funds to Mateo after taking a portion for himself and Castellano.  Mateo then gave a majority of the funds he received to PICHARDO who passed the money on to Luis.  Luis paid PICHARDO for her role in helping to transact the checks.

In total, PICHARDO provided Mateo with 21 U.S. Treasury tax refund checks totaling $137,860.70.

PICHARDO is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny on December 29, 2014, at which time she faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

Mateo, Rios, and Castellano, all of Bridgeport, have pleaded guilty to charges related to this scheme.

In 2013, Luis pleaded guilty in both the Southern District of New York and the District of New Jersey, admitting that he was a leader of a scheme to steal more than $10 million in fraudulent federal tax refund checks.  He is currently serving a 108-month federal prison term.  (http://www.justice.gov/usao/nys/pressreleases/March14/QuilestorressentencingPR.php)

This matter is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, and 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

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal jury in New Haven has found RALPH CROZIER, 62, an attorney based in Seymour, guilty of money laundering offenses.  The trial before Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall began on September 16 and the jury returned its verdict this afternoon.

According to the evidence introduced during the trial, law enforcement began investigating CROZIER after receiving information from a convicted narcotics trafficker who was in federal custody.  The narcotics trafficker stated that he was a former client of CROZIER and that CROZIER had convinced him to invest $30,000 in cash into CROZIER’s law partner’s solar energy company.  CROZIER knew that the cash was derived from his client’s narcotics trafficking activities.

In 2013, the narcotics trafficker’s mother agreed to wear a recording device while meeting with CROZIER to discuss her son’s prior investment.  On April 11, 2013, the woman brought $11,000 in DEA funds to a meeting with CROZIER, representing that her son had hidden the cash and wanted her to bring it to CROZIER.  The conversation during the meeting made it clear that the money had been illegally derived from drug dealing.  CROZIER accepted the cash and told the woman that he was going to make out the receipt in her son’s name, stating “I don’t want to put your name on anything because I don’t want you involved with hiding things from the Feds.”  CROZIER was arrested shortly after the woman left his office.

CROZIER was convicted of one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments and one count of attempt to launder monetary instruments.  Each charge carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of up to $1 million.

Chief Judge Hall scheduled sentencing for December 18, 2014.

CROZIER is currently released on a $200,000 bond.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rahul Kale and Robert Spector, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Rombeau.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that CHRISTOPHER BRYAN COLEMAN, 25, of Waterbury, pleaded guilty yesterday in New Haven federal court to one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 22, 2014, officers from the Waterbury Police Department responded to a complaint of a disturbance at 1298 N. Main Street in Waterbury.  There, the complainant told police that her car had broken down and, while she was awaiting assistance, a male had attempted to gain entry to her vehicle.  As one of the officers drove up to the male, who was later identified as COLEMAN, the officer observed COLEMAN remove a firearm from his waist area and throw it over a chain link fence.  Officers then recovered an RG14 .22 caliber revolver with an obliterated serial number, loaded with six rounds, three of which were live and three of which were expended.

Prior to that date, COLEMAN had sustained felony convictions, including sale of a controlled substance, escape in the first degree, and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.

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.

COLEMAN is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton on December 22, 2014, at with time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000 in fines.  He has been detained since his arrest on April 22.

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Waterbury Police Department.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony E. Kaplan.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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