District of Connecticut

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MARC CANNON, 40, of Bridgeport, waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty today before Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to one count of wire fraud stemming from a scheme to defraud both oil companies and individuals whose oil deliveries he fraudulently brokered. 

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

Judge Hall scheduled sentencing for December 3, 2014, at which time CANNON faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

CANNON was originally charged in a criminal complaint that was issued on April 13, 2011, and he was a fugitive until his arrest on January 30, 2014.  He is currently released on a $100,000 bond.

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

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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 Hartford has returned a four-count indictment charging GEORGE DOBUZINSKY, 57, of Durham, with conspiracy and fraud offenses stemming from a kickback scheme he allegedly operated while employed at Yale University.

The indictment was returned on June 11.  DOBUZINSKY appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Holly B. Fitzsimmons in Bridgeport and entered a plea of not guilty.  He was released on a $300,000 bond.

According to the indictment and to statements made in court, DOBUZINSKY has been employed by Yale University as a project manager responsible for obtaining vendors to complete audio/visual projects on Yale’s campus.  It is alleged that between 2005 and 2013, DOBUZINSKY arranged to receive tens of thousands of dollars in kickback payments from vendors in exchange for awarding them additional audio/visual project work.  At first, DOBUZINSKY directed the vendors to make kickback payments to him in the form of checks payable to an entity owned by DOBUZINSKY’s friend, who later provided the money to DOBUZINSKY.   Later in the scheme, DOBUZINSKY directed an individual to start a limited liability corporation (“LLC”) to which vendors could direct their kickback payments.  The individual would deposit the checks at bank branches in Connecticut, and DOBUZINSKY and the individual would spend the money on household expenses.

The indictment further alleges that at various times and during holidays, DOBUZINSKY would request and receive gifts from vendors, including steakhouse gift certificates and electronic equipment for personal use.

The indictment charges DOBUZINSKY with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and three counts of honest services wire fraud.  Each charge carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

The case has been assigned to Senior U.S. District Judge Warren W. Eginton in Bridgeport.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarala V. Nagala.

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.

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The United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut announced that ASM AFSARY, 41, of Stamford, waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty today before Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to conspiring to defraud financial institutions through an extensive mortgage fraud scheme that involved dozens of properties in Fairfield County.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between 2005 and 2013, AFSARY participated in a mortgage fraud conspiracy that involved the purchase of numerous single and multi-family properties, primarily in Bridgeport and Stamford.  During the scheme, AFSARY and his co-conspirators provided materially false information to mortgage lenders.  The fraudulent information included false verifications of mortgage applicants’ income, false verifications of down payments for real estate transactions and false HUD-1 Forms.

In pleading guilty, AFSARY admitted that he recruited and directed the actions of several “straw buyers,” or individuals who fraudulently applied for and obtained mortgage loans but did not have an actual financial investment or stake in the mortgage loan transactions.  In fact, AFSARY was the intended owner of the property, managed the property and collected all of the rents from the property.

Through this scheme, lenders suffered losses of more than $7 million.  Many of the properties involved in this mortgage fraud scheme ended up in foreclosure, or in short sale transactions.

AFSARY pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years.  Judge Hall scheduled sentencing for October 1, 2014.

AFSARY is the fourth individual involved in this scheme to plead guilty.

This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann M. Nevins and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney John McReynolds.

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DONALD GLENN, 42, formerly of Hartford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas P. Smith in Hartford to one count of bank fraud and one count of escape from the custody of the Attorney General.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in December 2009, GLENN was sentenced in Hartford federal court to 78 months of imprisonment for running an extensive fraudulent check cashing scheme that involved more than 200 counterfeit business checks and 75 different bank branches in Connecticut.  Through this scheme, GLENN and his associates defrauded banks of more than $155,000.

On September 28, 2012, the Bureau of Prisons transferred GLENN to a halfway house in Hartford where he was to serve the final six months of his sentence.

In November 2012, while he was in federal custody in the Hartford halfway house, GLENN began to engage in another bank fraud scheme.  In December 2012, GLENN gave an individual a counterfeit check from a Connecticut business in the amount of $4,809.02, and gave a second individual a counterfeit check from the same business in the amount of $4,743.80.  At GLENN’s direction, the individuals deposited the checks into bank accounts and then withdrew a portion of the funds.

On March 27, 2013, GLENN left the halfway house without permission and did not return.

On April 2, 2013, GLENN deposited a counterfeit business check in the amount of $7,321.60 into a bank account he controlled in Connecticut and then withdrew a portion of the funds.

On August 2, 2013, GLENN was arrested in Florida on state charges.  He has been detained since his arrest.
GLENN is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant on September 3, 2014, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 35 years.

GLENN’s criminal history also includes a 1997 federal conviction for bank fraud, for which he received a 41-month prison term, and at least 15 state convictions.

This matter was investigated by the Connecticut Financial Crimes Task Force and the U.S. Marshals Service.  The Task Force includes the U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Connecticut State Police, and the Greenwich, Hartford, Monroe, Stamford, Shelton, Stratford and Waterford Police Departments.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anastasia E. King and David T. Huang.

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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, pleaded guilty today before Senior U.S. District Judge Alfred V. Covello in Hartford 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.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on September 5, 2013, at approximately 10:22 p.m., 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 Holcomb Street 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 that 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.

Judge Covello scheduled sentencing for September 10, 2014, at which time ROYE faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years for possessing with intent to distribute narcotics, and a consecutive sentence of at least five years of imprisonment for possessing a firearm in furtherance of that crime.

This matter is being 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 is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John H. Durham.

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and William P. Offord, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, announced that KENNETH ZITO, 51, of Wethersfield, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Alfred V. Covello in Hartford to three years of probation, the first 10 months of which ZITO must serve in home confinement, for evading the payment of taxes on more than $200,000 in income.  ZITO also was ordered to pay a fine of $6,350 and to perform 300 hours of community service.

According to court documents and statements made in court, ZITO worked at Daniel Zito Financial Services, a South Windsor commercial financial services firm owned by ZITO’s father, where ZITO prepared tax returns for individuals and businesses.  Although ZITO and his father worked together, they submitted client tax returns separately.  Between 2007 and 2009, ZITO cashed checks he received from clients as payment for his services, but did not deposit the checks or declare them on his federal income tax return.  As a result, ZITO did not report $219,759.32 in income during that three-year period, and failed to pay $59,621 in federal income tax.

Prior to his sentencing, ZITO paid $124,241 in back taxes, interest and penalties.

On March 18, 2014, ZITO pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion.

This matter was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Sheldon.

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CRAIG A. STANLAND, 40, of Stamford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for fraudulently obtaining hundreds of computer networking parts from Cisco Systems, Inc.

According to court documents and statements made in court, from October 2012 until he was arrested on October 1, 2013, STANLAND operated a service contract fraud scheme in which he purchased or controlled approximately 18 service contracts for Cisco networking parts.  Pursuant to these service contracts, STANLAND – using the aliases “Alan Johnston” of Opex Solutions, “Kyle Booker” of KLB Networks, “Steve Jones” of SHO Networks, “Robert Johnson” of Adaptations, and “Paul Smith” of PS Solutions, among others – made hundreds of false service requests to Cisco to replace purportedly defective computer networking parts.  Based on these requests, Cisco shipped replacement parts to various addresses at STANLAND’s direction, including to his home in Stamford, to his wife’s business in Brooklyn, N.Y., and to two post office boxes in Greenwich.

STANLAND sold the new parts to third parties to enrich himself.  Although he was supposed to return the allegedly defective parts to Cisco, he either returned no parts at all or instead sent to Cisco third-party, off-brand parts.

Through this scheme, STANLAND fraudulently obtained nearly 600 parts from Cisco.  The retail cost of the parts ranged from approximately $500 to $8,600, and the total loss to Cisco was approximately $834,307. 

The investigation revealed that STANLAND spent some of the money he stole at various high-end restaurants in Fairfield County and New York.

STANLAND was ordered to make full restitution to Cisco.

On January 22, 2014, STANLAND waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Greenwich Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David T. Huang.

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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 Bridgeport Police officers ELSON MORALES, 42, and JOSEPH LAWLOR, 41, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Alker Meyer in Bridgeport to violating an individual’s civil rights by using unreasonable force during the course of an arrest.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 20, 2011, officers MORALES and LAWLOR engaged in a pursuit of a van driven by an individual who was suspected of having a firearm and had failed to submit to a traffic stop.  After the pursuit, the individual was apprehended in Beardsley Park in Bridgeport.  MORALES used his department-issued Taser to incapacitate the individual during the course of his apprehension.  Despite the fact the individual was effectively incapacitated by the initial use of the Taser, MORALES deployed the Taser a second time and LAWLOR kicked the individual several times.

“The use of unreasonable force during an arrest is not only a clear violation of an individual’s civil rights, but also gravely undermines the community’s trust in law enforcement,” stated U.S. Attorney Daly.  “The overwhelming majority of officers in the Bridgeport Police Department are public servants who dedicate their lives to protecting the public.   However, any law enforcement officer who crosses the line during an arrest risks federal prosecution.”

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

“Today’s guilty pleas are such an important reminder to those of us who are sworn to uphold the law, that we are not above the law,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Ferrick.  “Law enforcement officers of this state, and beyond, should rightfully be held to a high standard.  Morales and Lawlor’s actions three years ago profoundly undermined that standard and the public’s faith in law enforcement to protect and to serve.  It is an absolute honor and privilege to serve a community and the good men and women of the Bridgeport Police Department know that, where so many have served with both pride and distinction.”

MORALES and LAWLOR each pleaded guilty to one count of deprivation of rights under color of law, a charge that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of one year and a fine of up to $100,000.

Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for September 2, 2014.

As part of their plea agreements, MORALES and LAWLOR have agreed to resign from the Bridgeport Police Department and not seek employment as a police or peace office during any period of supervision.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anastasia E. King and David E. Novick.

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LESTER FANTAUZZI, 47, of East Lyme, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 37 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing heroin.

In early 2012, Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), the U.S. Secret Service and the New London Police Department initiated an investigation to combat the large-scale trafficking of heroin and cocaine from the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico into and around southeastern Connecticut.  More than 100 individuals were charged with federal and state offenses as a result of this investigation.

According to court documents and statements made in court, FANTAUZZI regularly purchased raw heroin from Luis Ariel Capellan Maldonado and distributed the drug to his own customer base from the Globe Spirit Shop, a liquor store he operated in New London.

FANTAUZZI was arrested on April 3, 2013.  On January 6, 2014, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute heroin.

Capellan Maldonado has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.

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

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

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that GUITANA JONES, 42, formerly of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to approximately one year of imprisonment, time already served, and seven years of supervised release for failing to register as a sex offender and for violating the conditions of her supervised release from a previous federal conviction.  She has been detained since June 10, 2013.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in October 2003, JONES was sentenced in federal court to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy and use of an interstate facility to transmit information about a minor.  Also, in June 2007, she was given a concurrent sentence in state court of risk of injury to a minor and conspiracy to commit risk of injury to a minor.  JONES was released from federal prison in May 2010.

As a convicted sex offender, JONES was told that she was required to register and update her registration under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (“SORNA”).  Convicted sex offenders must update their address within five days of any move, re-registering in any state to which they move, and verifying their current address with local law enforcement every 90 days.  Prior to her release on federal supervision, JONES was told that crossing state lines without registering in the new state or notifying Connecticut of her change of address could result in federal prosecution for failure to register.

In September 2011, JONES requested the Court’s permission to move from Connecticut to Florida.  In March 2012, her request was denied and JONES was told that she was not permitted to move to Florida while on federal supervised release.

In May 2013, the U.S. Probation Office learned that JONES had moved to Florida and, at times, had traveled back to Connecticut to avoid detection of her supervised release violation.  JONES also tested positive for cocaine use.  On June 10, 2013, U.S. Marshals arrested JONES for violating her supervised release.

The investigation revealed that, in September 2012, JONES obtained a Florida identification card after providing an address in Miramar, Fla.  She also possessed and used a cellular telephone with a Florida area code while residing in Florida between February and April 2013.  The Florida Sex Registry has no record of JONES ever applying to register as a sex offender. 

On March 5, 2014, JONES pleaded guilty to one count of failure to register as a sex offender, and also admitted that she violated the terms and conditions of her supervised release.

Judge Underhill ordered JONES to serve the first two years of her seven-year term of supervised release in home confinement under GPS or electronic monitoring by the U.S. Probation Office.  JONES also was ordered to register as a sex offender and to abide by several other conditions, including that she have no unsupervised contact with minors under the age of 18. 

JONES, who has related state charges pending in Waterbury Superior Court, was released into the custody of the Waterbury Police Department following today’s court proceeding.

This matter was investigated by the United States Marshals Service and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter S. Jongbloed.

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JUICY REID-STITH, 38, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for selling crack cocaine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in early 2012, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives began an investigation into the distribution of crack cocaine and related criminal activity in the area of Locust Street in Waterbury.  In April and May 2012, REID-STITH made several sales of crack, with a total weight of approximately 167 grams, to an individual working with law enforcement.

On March 5, 2014, REID-STITH pleaded guilty to one count of possessing with the intent to distribute and distributing 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”).

REID-STITH has an extensive criminal history dating to 1992.

This matter is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the assistance of the Waterbury and Bridgeport Police Departments.  The case is being 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, announced that FRANK MENDOZA, 53, formerly of Jacksonville, Fla., pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford  to one count of interstate stalking.

“First, this defendant abused, threatened and stalked his victim, a woman who had attempted to end her relationship with the defendant,” stated U.S. Attorney Daly.  “The defendant then planted acid-filled bottle bombs in the victim’s car and came dangerously close to permanently disfiguring her.  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.”

“Civilized societies must have zero tolerance for criminals like Mendoza who terrorize not only their victims but the communities in which they reside,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Ferrick.  “The thorough multi-agency investigation into Mendoza’s crimes is indicative of exceptional cooperation among investigators focused on protecting the victim from future harm and seeing to it that justice prevails.”

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.

The charge of interstate stalking carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.  If the binding plea agreement filed today is accepted by the court, MENDOZA will be sentenced to at least 84 months of imprisonment.

Judge Chatigny scheduled sentencing for September 3, 2014.

This matter has been 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 is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Krishna Patel and Vanessa Richards.

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JAMES BROWN, 34, of New Haven, pleaded guilty today before Senior U.S. District Judge Alfred V. Covello in Hartford to one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 28, 2012, New Haven Police responded to a 911 call of a domestic dispute involving a weapon.  Officers arrived at the identified residence and BROWN, who was in the bedroom, was taken into custody.  A subsequent search of the bedroom revealed a loaded Smith and Wesson revolver hidden under the mattress of the bed.

Forensic analysis of the firearm revealed DNA that matched BROWN’s DNA.

BROWN’s criminal history includes convictions for unlawful restraint in the first degree, robbery in the second degree, robbery in the third degree, and sale of a controlled substance.  It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

The charge of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon ordinarily carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  However, BROWN is subject 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.  A defendant who qualifies as an Armed Career Criminal faces a minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and a maximum term of life.

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

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CHAD McCLUSKEY, 44, of San Clemente, Calif., was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Alfred V. Covello in Hartford to 65 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for his role in a meth distribution ring.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Connecticut State Police’s Statewide Narcotics Task Force.  The investigation, which included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of meth, physical surveillance and the use of an undercover officer, revealed that McCLUSKEY and his girlfriend, Kristen Laschober, sent shipments of meth to Kevin Wallin of Waterbury over the course of approximately four years.  After receiving the shipments of meth, Wallin distributed the drug to other dealers and sold it to his own customers. Some of the shipments were sent on consignment with the understanding that Wallin would pay McCLUSKEY and Laschober with proceeds generated from his distribution of the drug. 

For a time during the conspiracy, McCLUSKEY and Laschober supplied Wallin with between one and three pounds of meth on a monthly basis.

McCLUSKEY and Laschober were arrested in Las Vegas, Nev., on January 10, 2013.  On April 18, 2013, they each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine (“meth”).

Wallin was arrested on January 3, 2013.  On April 2, 2013, he pleaded guilty to the same charge.

Laschober and Wallin await sentencing.

This matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick Caruso and H. Gordon Hall.

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ANGEL L. MELENDEZ, 27, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to 90 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in September 2013, MELENDEZ sold crack cocaine to an individual working with law enforcement.  At the time, MELENDEZ was on transitional supervision with the Connecticut Department of Correction.  On September 18, 2013, MELENDEZ was arrested at a family member’s home in New Haven where he shared a bedroom with a young child.  A search of a closet in that bedroom revealed a loaded Beretta Model 1935, 7.65 mm, semi-automatic pistol with an obliterated serial number, approximately $2,000 in heroin packaged for distribution, and $700 in cash.  MELENDEZ admitted that the seized items were his.

MELENDEZ’s criminal history includes multiple felony drug 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.

MELENDEZ has been detained since his arrest.  On December 9, 2013, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

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

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that, on May 28, 2014, in Bridgeport federal court, GERALD COLEY, 44, of Stamford, waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.  COLEY also admitted to violating the terms and conditions of his supervised release from a prior federal conviction.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 3, 2014, Stamford Police were called to the home of COLEY’s girlfriend on a report that COLEY was holding his girlfriend at gunpoint, and that their three children were with them in the residence.  The police arrived at the residence and confirmed that a family friend had escorted the children outside.  COLEY then permitted his girlfriend to leave the residence.  He subsequently surrendered to police and advised officers that he had hidden a gun behind a radiator in the living room.  A search of that location revealed a loaded Glock .40 caliber handgun.

COLEY’s criminal history includes six felony convictions, including a 2002 federal conviction for possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (“crack cocaine”), for which he was sentenced to 151 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release.  COLEY was released from federal prison in September 2012 and began serving his supervised release.

COLEY is scheduled to be sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven on August 20, 2014, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years for illegally possessing a firearm, and up to two years of imprisonment for violating his supervised release.

Charges against COLEY related to the hostage situation are pending in state court.

This matter is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Stamford 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, announced that RAIBWAR RAOUF, also known as “Camel,” of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for attempting to purchase three kilograms of heroin from an undercover officer.

According to court documents and statements made in court, the Drug Enforcement Administration received information that RAOUF was a significant distributor of heroin in the Hartford area, and that he was looking for a new source of heroin supply.  On June 12, 2012, RAOUF traveled to a diner in the Bronx, New York, to meet with an undercover law enforcement officer who was posing as a large-scale heroin trafficker.  RAOUF arranged to purchase three kilograms of heroin from the undercover officer for $55,000 per kilogram.  RAOUF agreed to give the officer approximately $120,000 as a down payment at the time of the initial purchase, and would pay the balance of $45,000 within three days of the purchase.

On July 17, 2012, RAOUF and the undercover officer met at a diner in Stamford to further discuss the heroin transaction.

RAOUF and the undercover officer subsequently agreed to conduct the heroin transaction on July 31, 2012.  On that date, RAOUF’s girlfriend, Lillian Compres, withdrew $120,000 from a safety deposit box at a bank in East Hartford and provided the money to RAOUF.  RAOUF then packed the cash in two VCR cases and placed the VCR cases in the trunk of Compres’s car.  RAOUF then drove his car to the diner in Stamford, and Compres followed RAOUF in her car.

RAOUF and Compres met the undercover officer at the diner but, after RAOUF and Compres feared there was police presence in the area, they and the undercover officer traveled a short distance north on Interstate 95 to a restaurant parking lot.  RAOUF and Compres were arrested at that time.

RAOUF has been detained since his arrest.  On July 1, 2013, he pleaded guilty to one count of attempting to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin.

Compres has pleaded guilty to a related charge and awaits sentencing.

RAOUF was ordered to forfeit $120,000 in U.S. currency that was seized from the trunk of Compres’ car, and an additional $58,000 in U.S. currency that was seized from the safety box held in Compres’ name.

This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor for the City of New York.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey M. Stone.

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Tom Frost, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, Major Fraud Investigations Division, announced that former U.S. Postal Service employee ROBERT GIULIETTI, 57, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 42 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for bribery, fraud and tax offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, GIULIETTI was a Facilities Project Manager for the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) at the USPS Northeast Facilities Office in Windsor, Conn.  GIULIETTI’s duties included recommending and selecting facilities improvement contractors, reviewing and approving bids received from those contractors for USPS work, certifying the completion of work by contractors and approving payment authorizations.  GIULIETTI has admitted that he accepted approximately $89,000 from two contractors to direct inflated USPS facilities construction contracts to them.

Also, in approximately September 2009, GIULIETTI formed MGC LLC to do business with the USPS on projects on which he worked.  MGC was owned in name by GIULIETTI’s wife, and its business address was his home address in Cheshire.  Operating MGC from his USPS office in Windsor, GIULIETTI used his position to direct USPS contracts to MGC, to approve MGC’s work and to authorize payment to MGC for work.  After GIULIETTI directed USPS contracts to MGC, he engaged other contractors to perform the actual work involved with each project.  GIULIETTI generated almost a million dollars in profit by having MGC charge USPS more than MGC had to pay the contractors who performed the actual work.

Between November 2009 and November 2011, GIULIETTI directed more than 150 USPS facility projects to MGC, causing a loss to the USPS of approximately $982,064.68.

GIULIETTI also filed false federal income tax returns for the 2008 through 2011 tax years by fraudulently deducting payments from MGC to members of his family, and by not reporting the corrupt payments that he received.

“The prosecution of corrupt public employees is a top priority of this Office,” stated U.S. Attorney Daly.  “This defendant not only accepted bribes and defrauded the U.S. Postal Service of nearly a million dollars, but he cheated on his taxes, as well.  It is intolerable criminal conduct.  I commend the USPS Office of Inspector General, the Connecticut FBI and IRS-Criminal Investigation for their excellent work in this investigation, which included the seizure of significant assets.”

“The priority mission of the USPS-OIG Major Fraud Investigations Division is to protect the integrity and improve the economy of the U.S. Postal Service through vigorous investigation of schemes designed to defraud it,” stated Special Agent in Charge Frost.  “Mr. Giulietti put the desire for his own personal enrichment ahead of his duty when he betrayed his position of trust and defrauded the U.S. Postal Service.  His sentencing today is the inevitable outcome of his actions.”

GIULIETTI was arrested on December 13, 2012.  On February 7, 2014, he pleaded guilty to one count of bribery of a public official, one count of wire fraud and one count of filing a false tax return. 

As part of his sentence, GIULIETTI is required to pay restitution in the amount of $882,064.68, and back taxes penalties and interest in the amount of $291,026.82.  Judge Underhill ordered the forfeiture of a residence GIULIETTI owns on South Pond Circle in Cheshire, a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox, and approximately $740,000 that was seized from bank accounts.

GIULIETTI was ordered to report to prison on July 23, 2014.

This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan Francis and Eric Glover.

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that FABIAN AUGUSTINE, also known as “J” and “Fabe,” 24, of West Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 71 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking crack cocaine and heroin.

This matter stems from a joint law enforcement investigation headed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) into a narcotics trafficking operation headed by Luther Nance, also known as “Papers” and “Cash.”  The investigation, which included numerous controlled purchases of narcotics and physical surveillance, revealed that Nance and his associates sold crack cocaine and heroin in several communities throughout Connecticut utilizing multiple bases of operation, including a house on Carroll Road in East Hartford, the Sheldon Oaks housing complex in Hartford, and an apartment on Valley Street in Willimantic.

According to court documents and statements made in court, AUGUSTINE primarily distributed narcotics from the Sheldon Oaks apartments in Hartford.  Between August 2012 and December 2012, investigators made at least 12 controlled purchases of crack cocaine or heroin from AUGUSTINE.  The investigation also revealed that AUGUSTINE possessed a firearm and planned to commit an armed robbery of another drug dealer.

On June 27, 2013, a federal grand jury returned a 51-count superseding indictment charging AUGUSTINE, Nance and 13 other individuals with narcotics conspiracy and related offenses.

AUGUSTINE has been incarcerated on state narcotics charges since January 10, 2013.     On February 19, 2014, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack cocaine”).

On March 7, 2014, Nance pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base, and one count of conspiracy to engage in money laundering.  He is detained while awaiting sentencing.

This matter is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney, the State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Hartford, and the Hartford, Willimantic, East Hartford, Enfield and Middletown Police Departments.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey M. Stone.

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that the government has reached a settlement with the Hospital for Special Care in New Britain to resolve allegations that the hospital refused to accommodate a child in its summer camp program in 2013 because the child had juvenile diabetes and required the use of an insulin pump.  Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability, including diabetes, by places of public accommodation.

This matter stems from a complaint by an employee of the Hospital for Special Care who was required to use family and medical leave in order to care for her child because the child was not allowed to attend the Hospital’s Vacation Ventures Kids Camp summer camp program.  Pursuant to the settlement agreement, the Hospital for Special Care agreed to implement policies and procedures to ensure that children with disabilities are afforded full and equal opportunities to participate in and benefit from all of its summer camp programs.  The Hospital also agreed to publish on its website a statement of policy on prohibition of discrimination on the basis of disability.

Under the settlement agreement, the Hospital agreed to restore all of the employee’s family and medical leave used up to the date her child was finally allowed to attend summer camp.

“Every child should have the opportunity to enjoy summer camp in Connecticut,” stated U.S. Attorney Daly.  “Ensuring that children with disabilities, and their families, have equal access to summer camps goes to the heart of the ADA’s promises and protections.  We hope that this agreement serves as a reminder for other Connecticut summer camp programs about their responsibility to comply with the ADA.  While this particular camp was covered under Title III of the ADA – which prohibits discrimination by places of public accommodation – camps run by towns and other municipalities must also comply with the Title II of ADA, which likewise prohibits discrimination against children with disabilities.”

Under Title II and Title III of the ADA, state and local governments and places of public accommodation, respectively, must make reasonable modifications to policies, practices and procedures to afford individuals with disabilities access to and the opportunity to participate and benefit from all of their programs, including summer camps.  Reasonable modifications include an individualized assessment of each child on a case-by-case basis, training summer camp staff on the ADA and, if necessary, the use of injectable medicines.

Additional information about the ADA and its application to places of public accommodation can be found at www.ada.gov.

This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa Perkins, in coordination with the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division.

The enforcement of the ADA is a top priority of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut and the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.  Information about the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department is available at www.justice.gov/crt.

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that two more Romanian citizens have been sentenced for their participation in an extensive Internet “phishing” scheme.  On May 27, CIPRIAN DUMITRU TUDOR, 33, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 14 months of imprisonment.  On May 23, BOGDAN-MIRCEA STOICA, 34, was sentenced by Judge Hall to approximately 27 months of imprisonment, time already served.

TUDOR and STOICA were extradited from Romania following the ratification in 2010 of an amended treaty on mutual legal assistance between Romania and the United States. TUDOR was arrested by Romanian authorities in November 2013, and he was extradited to the U.S. that same month.  He previously had served a sentence of imprisonment in Romania for related crimes. STOICA was arrested by Romanian authorities in February 2012 and was extradited to the U.S. in April 2012.

A phishing scheme uses the Internet to target large numbers of unwary individuals, using fraud and deceit to obtain private personal and financial information such as names, addresses, bank account numbers, credit card numbers and Social Security numbers.  Phishing schemes often work by sending out large numbers of counterfeit e-mail messages that are made to appear as if they originated from legitimate banks, financial institutions or other companies.  The fraudulent email messages ask individuals to click on a hyperlink contained in the email message, which would take the individual to a counterfeit site on the Internet that purports to be the Internet site of the particular bank, financial institution or company.  At the counterfeit Internet site, the individual is then asked to enter information such as the individual’s name, address and credit or debit card numbers.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in June 2005 a resident of Madison, Conn., contacted the FBI in New Haven about a suspicious email that she had received that purported to be from Connecticut-based People’s Bank.  The email stated that the recipient’s online banking access profile had been locked and instructed the recipient to click on a link to a web page where the recipient could enter information to “unlock” his or her profile.  The web page appeared to originate from People’s Bank, but, as the investigation revealed, was actually hosted on a compromised computer in Minnesota.  Any personal identifying and financial information provided by the individual would be sent by email to individuals in Romania, or to a “collector” account, which was an email account used to receive and collect the information obtained through phishing.

TUDOR, STOICA and others were part of a loose-knit conspiracy of individuals from Craiova, Romania, and neighboring areas that shared files, tools, and stolen information obtained through phishing.  The co-conspirators used and shared a number of collector accounts, which contained thousands of email messages that contained credit or debit card numbers, expiration dates, CVV codes, PIN numbers, and other personal identification information such as names, addresses, telephone numbers, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers.  The co-conspirators then used the personal and financial information to access bank accounts and lines of credit and to withdraw funds without authorization, often from ATMs in Romania.

In addition to People’s Bank, financial institutions and companies targeted by the defendants included Citibank, Capital One, Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Comerica Bank, Regions Bank, LaSalle Bank, U.S. Bank, Wells Fargo & Co., eBay and PayPal.

This investigation, which resulted in criminal charges against 19 Romanian citizens, has been conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in New Haven, Conn.

U.S. Attorney Daly acknowledged the critical assistance provided by the U.S. Department of Justice Office of International Affairs, the FBI Legal Attaché in Bucharest, Interpol, the Romanian National Police and the United States Marshals Service.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Edward Chang and Sarala Nagala.

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LUIS ANTONIO MENDEZ, 32, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 96 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for his role in a Hartford-based narcotics trafficking ring.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from a joint law enforcement investigation headed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force and the Hartford Police Department into gang-related narcotics trafficking in Hartford’s South End.  The investigation specifically targeted a heroin and cocaine trafficking organization headed by Angel Rosa, also known as “Little” and “Daddy,” who is a member of the Los Solidos street gang, and his cousin, Angel Rosa, also known as “Mo Betta” and “Fab.”  “Little,” supervised the drug trafficking ring, which included several other family members, through fear and intimidation.  “Mo Betta” managed the daily operations of the organization, facilitated the delivery and transportation of large quantities of heroin, and supervised numerous drug sellers who distributed heroin and other narcotics in the Zion Street area.  At times, “Little” and “Mo Betta” used, or threatened to use, violence to ensure the success of the organization.

MENDEZ delivered substantial quantities of heroin for the Rosa drug trafficking organization.

As a result of the investigation, 21 individuals were charged with various federal offenses, and law enforcement officers seized narcotics, one firearm, approximately $230,000 in cash, eight vehicles and jewelry. 

While he was involved in this heroin trafficking conspiracy, MENDEZ was on probation for committing a robbery with a firearm in the area of 600 Zion Street.  He was convicted of robbery in the first degree and was sentenced to 15 years in jail, suspended after seven years, and five years of probation.  MENDEZ’s criminal history also includes convictions for assault, risk of injury to a minor, possession with intent to sell narcotics and carrying a pistol without a permit.

MENDEZ has been detained since his arrest on April 17, 2013.  On January 8, 2014, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, heroin.

Angel Rosa aka “Little” and Angel Rosa aka “Mo Betta” each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 100 grams or more of heroin.  On May 15, 2014, “Little” was sentenced to 235 months of imprisonment, and on April 29, 2014, “Mo Betta” was sentenced to 165 months of imprisonment.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force, which includes members of the Connecticut State Police, Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut Department of Correction and Connecticut National Guard.  The Connecticut State Police’s Emergency Services Unit, Hartford Police Department’s Emergency Response Team, Capital Region Emergency Response Team, Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations and the New Britain, East Hartford, Wethersfield and Manchester Police Departments have provided valuable assistance to the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian Leaming and Patrick Caruso.

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Deirdre M. Daly, 54, of Fairfield, was sworn in today as the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut by the Honorable Janet C. Hall, Chief Judge for the District, in New Haven.  President Barack Obama nominated Ms. Daly to serve as U.S. Attorney on March 13, 2014, and the U.S. Senate confirmed her nomination on May 21, 2014.  This marks the first time a woman has been nominated by a President and confirmed by the Senate to be the U.S. Attorney for Connecticut.   

“I am grateful to those who supported my nomination and deeply appreciate the opportunity to serve in this position,” stated Ms. Daly.  “I very much look forward to continuing to work with the dedicated and talented people in our Office as well as our many law enforcement partners throughout the State.”

Ms. Daly served as the United States Attorney in an acting or interim capacity since May 14, 2013, following the resignation of her predecessor, David B. Fein.  Between July 2010 and May 2013, she was the First Assistant U.S. Attorney during which time she assisted in the oversight of both the Criminal and Civil Divisions. In March 2013, Ms. Daly led the prosecution of Hector Natal, who was convicted after trial of setting fire to a house in New Haven that resulted in the death of two women and a young boy.

From 1985 to 1997, Ms. Daly was an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of New York, where she prosecuted a wide range of cases from racketeering and murder to corruption and fraud, and later served as the Assistant-In-Charge of White Plains Office for three years.  After leaving the Department of Justice, Ms. Daly was a partner at Daly & Pavlis LLC, a Connecticut law firm with a practice focused on corporate and commercial litigation, white-collar criminal investigations, SEC enforcement actions and corporate internal investigations and monitoring.

A graduate of Dartmouth College and Georgetown University Law Center, earlier in her career, Ms. Daly served as a law clerk for the Honorable Lloyd F. MacMahon, U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of New York.

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.  As U.S. Attorney, Ms. Daly supervises a staff of approximately 64 Assistant U.S. Attorneys and 60 staff members at offices in New Haven, Hartford and Bridgeport.

Ms. Daly is the 51st United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, an office that was established in 1789.

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Cheryl Garcia, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge, U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General, Susan A. Hensley, Regional Director, U.S. Department of Labor – Employee Benefits Security Administration’s Boston Office, and Christy Romero, Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (SIGTARP), todayannounced that DANIEL CARPENTER, 60, of Simsbury, and WAYNE BURSEY, 63, of Bloomfield, have been charged in a 57-count superseding indictment with various conspiracy, fraud and illegal monetary offenses stemming from a scheme to defraud insurance companies into issuing insurance policies on the lives of elderly people for the benefit of the defendants and other investors, also known as a stranger-originated life insurance scheme.

In December 2013, CARPENTER and BURSEY were charged in a 33-count indictment with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, and multiple wire fraud and mail fraud offenses.  The superseding indictment, which was returned by a grand jury in Hartford on May 14, 2014, adds one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, 10 counts of money laundering, and 13 counts of making illegal monetary transactions.  

CARPENTER appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna F. Martinez in Hartford and entered a plea of not guilty to the charges.  BURSEY’s arraignment is not yet scheduled.

According to the superseding indictment, CARPENTER and BURSEY ran a series of companies, based in Simsbury and Stamford, that developed an employee welfare benefit plan and trust (the “Trust”) whose primary objective was to secure insurance policies on the lives of elderly individuals that could be held by the defendants and others as investments, or resold on the life settlement market, which is a third-party market for life insurance policies.  Typically, insurance agents working with, for, or on behalf of the defendants approached individuals who were over the age of 70 (the “Straw Insureds”).  The agents promised to provide the Straw Insureds with free life insurance for two years, and, at the end of the two years, would attempt to sell the policies on the life settlement market.  In most cases, the agents promised the Straw Insureds that they would receive a portion of any sale proceeds.  In other cases, the Straw Insureds were offered a cash inducement up front to participate.

The indictment alleges that CARPENTER and BURSEY, working with insurance agents, caused to be submitted to several insurance providers numerous insurance applications that contained several material misrepresentations, including falsely denying that third-parties were paying the premiums for the insurance, falsely denying discussions about the resale of the policies, falsely inflating the net worth and/or income of the insured, and falsely claiming that the insurance was being purchased for legitimate estate planning-related needs.  All applications were signed by BURSEY, who acted as trustee of the Trust, which was to be the “owner” of all policies in the Trust.  Moreover, the applications purported that the Trust was a bona fide welfare benefit trust under Internal Revenue Code Section 419(e), wherein employers would be making contributions to the Trust in order to fund the life insurance policies for the benefit of certain select employees.

The indictment further alleges that, in truth, no “employer” or Straw Insured ever paid a premium into the Trust, and the premiums were funded by loans, which typically came to the Trust from another company headquartered in Simsbury and controlled by CARPENTER.  In many cases, those loans were, in turn, financed by another third-party financing company based in Stamford.  The loan arrangements were withheld from the insurance providers, who would likely not have issued policies had they known the true nature of the Trust, and had the insurance applications been filled out truthfully.

The indictment further alleges that one Straw Insured died within the first two years of the issuance of the two insurance policies on his life.  Those policies had been issued in late 2006 and early 2007 based on misrepresentations similar to those described above, specifically that his policies were not being funded by a third party and were not intended for resale.  The two insurance policies had a combined death benefit of $30 million, which the insurer paid to the Trust in May 2009, in part based upon further misrepresentations made by CARPENTER, BURSEY and others.  According to the indictment, the Trust, directed by CARPENTER and BURSEY and others, failed to pay the $30 million to the Straw Insured’s beneficiary, and instead used the funds to pay for various expenses, including other insurance premiums that were related to the underlying fraud, as well as to purchase a home in Rhode Island.

If convicted, CARPENTER and BURSEYface a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count of wire fraud and mail fraud, a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years of each count of money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering, and a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years on each count of making illegal monetary transactions.

This case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford.

This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of the Inspector General, the U.S. Department of Labor – Employee Benefits Security Administration’s Boston Office, and the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David E. Novick and Neeraj N. Patel.

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that two Hartford residents were sentenced today in Hartford federal court for operating an identity theft and credit card fraud scheme.  U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea sentenced JONATHAN PRESTON, 23, to 46 months of imprisonment, and his wife, LUMI NUNEZ, 34, to 30 months of imprisonment.  Both defendants were ordered to serve three years of supervised release after they are released from prison.

According to court documents and statements made in court, PRESTON and NUNEZ used the Internet and other sources to obtain personal identifying information of several prominent individuals, including entertainers and professional athletes, and used that information to pose as their victims to gain access to the victims’ credit card accounts.  Since approximately 2010, PRESTON and NUNEZ used the credit card accounts to make more than $500,000 in unauthorized purchases and cash withdrawals.  The defendants used much of the stolen money to purchase vehicles and jewelry, and to gamble at casinos.

PRESTON and NUNEZ have been detained since their arrests on November 7, 2013.  In February 2014, they each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

Judge Shea scheduled a restitution hearing for August 25, 2014.

This investigation was conducted by the U.S. Secret Service, Hartford Police Department and Connecticut Financial Crimes Task Force.  The Task Force includes members of the U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Connecticut State Police, and the Greenwich, Hartford, Monroe, Stamford, Shelton, Stratford and Waterford Police Departments. 

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Edward Chang and Paul McConnell.

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JAWAWN RICARDO HALE, 31, of Roanoke, Va., was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 43 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his participation in a conspiracy to traffic firearms from Virginia to Connecticut, and possessing firearms as a convicted felon.

  According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an investigation conducted by the New Haven Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Between June and August 2012, HALE sold a total of seven firearms and a quantity of ammunition to an individual in Connecticut.  HALE acquired the firearms from Charles Matthew Wilson and others in Virginia, and then transported the firearms to Connecticut.  Leshel Branch, of New Haven, assisted HALE in the transportation and distribution of the firearms.

On August 23, 2012, HALE, Wilson and Branch traveled to a location in New Haven where HALE sold two firearms to an individual in exchange for $2,400.  Shortly after the transaction, the car carrying the three defendants was stopped by law enforcement.  $2000 was recovered from the interior of the car and $400 was seized from Wilson’s person.

HALE has been detained since his arrest on August 23, 2012.  On November 9, 2012, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to engage in the business of dealing in firearms without a license and one count of possession of firearms by a convicted felon.

In 1999, HALE was sentenced in Virginia state court to 40 years of incarceration for second degree murder, and a consecutive three years for use of a firearm in the commission of a murder.  The sentencing judge suspended 29 years of the sentence and imposed a 15-year term of probation.  HALE was released from prison in November 2011.  After his release from federal custody, HALE faces violation of probation proceedings in Virginia, which could result in a sentence of up to 29 years of state incarceration.

Wilson and Branch also pleaded guilty.  On April 17, 2013, Wilson was sentenced to 60 months of imprisonment, and on November 25, 2013, Branch was sentenced to five years of probation.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony E. Kaplan.

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The United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, today announced that DAVID BRYSON, 45, of Ridgefield, BART GUTEKUNST, 62, of Weston, and RICHARD PEREIRA, 42, of Ridgefield, all former executives of New Stream Capital, LLC (“New Stream”), a Ridgefield-based hedge fund, pleaded guilty yesterday in New Haven federal court to a federal conspiracy charge stemming from a scheme to deceive investors in order to obtain and maintain investments.  BRYSON and GUTEKUNST were managing partners and principals at New Stream and PEREIRA was the Chief Financial Officer.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in November 2007, New Stream launched new feeder funds, one based in the United States (“U.S. Fund”) and a series of funds based in the Cayman Islands (“Cayman Fund”).  New Stream also announced that its existing Bermuda Fund would be closing, and all foreign investors would have to move their investments into the Cayman Fund.  Rather than transfer into the new structure, New Stream’s largest investor placed a redemption on its whole investment in the Bermuda Fund in March 2008.  At risk of losing their largest investor, BRYSON, GUTEKUNST and PEREIRA set in motion a scheme to secretly keep the Bermuda Fund open and give priority to Bermuda Fund investors in an effort to reverse the redemption.  As part of the scheme, BRYSON, GUTEKUNST and PEREIRA had New Stream staff secretly reorganize the fund structure so as to effectuate the priority change.

As part of the scheme, New Stream failed to inform investors who had transferred from the Bermuda Fund into the Cayman Fund that the Bermuda Fund was remaining open or that it was being given priority over the Cayman Fund.  Moreover, New Stream continued to market to investors by concealing from them the magnitude of the actual pending redemptions and by using deceptive marketing materials that failed to disclose the existence of New Stream’s Bermuda Fund.

BRYSON, GUTEKUNST and PEREIRA each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, a charge that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.  BRYSON is scheduled to be sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall on August 19, 2014, and GUTEKUNST and PEREIRA are scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Hall on August 22, 2014.

The defendants were arrested on February 26, 2013.  BRYSON and GUTEKUNST are currently released on $5 million bonds, and PEREIRA is released on a $300,000 bond.

This matter has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, with the assistance of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Liam Brennan and Michael McGarry, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Sheldon L. Pollock.

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RAMON GARCIA, 41, of New London, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking heroin.
In early 2012, Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), the U.S. Secret Service and the New London Police Department initiated an investigation to combat the large-scale trafficking of heroin and cocaine from the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico into and around southeastern Connecticut.  More than 100 individuals were charged with federal and state offenses as a result of this investigation.

According to court documents and statements made in court, GARCIA and Xavier Cluff regularly purchased 100 to 150 grams of raw heroin from Luis Ariel Capellan Maldonado and distributed the drug to their own customer base in and around New London.  The investigation identified Cluff and Garcia as Capellan Maldonado’s largest and most frequent purchasers of heroin.

GARCIA was arrested on April 3, 2013.  On December 17, 2013, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.

Cluff pleaded guilty to the same charge and, on April 1, 2014, he was sentenced to 70 months of imprisonment.

Capellan Maldonado has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.

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

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

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that BRUCE BROWN, also known as “Bruce Browne,” “Spenser Brown,” “Spenser Browne,” “Agent Brice” and “Detective Brice,” 47, of Wolcott, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 12 months and one day of imprisonment, followed by one year of supervised release, for impersonating a federal officer and falsifying a military discharge certificate.

According to court documents and statements made in open court, on August 8, 2013, BROWN, operating a Ford Crown Victoria equipped to resemble a police vehicle, entered a shoreline residential community in Old Lyme.  BROWN was wearing a bullet proof tactical vest with police insignia and was carrying a weapon and handcuffs.  When approached by an Old Lyme resident, Brown stated that he was a special agent of the United States Coast Guard and was sent there to observe a Coast Guard vessel that was in the area.

While in the Old Lyme community, BROWN’s fiancée asked a friend to take BROWN out on the friend’s boat.  As the boat was backing out of the slip, BROWN informed the boat owner that “I am commandeering your boat.  Your boat is now a U.S. Coast Guard vessel.”  BROWN then directed the owner to pilot his boat toward other vessels and, at BROWN’s direction, the owner approached two boats operated by private citizens.  In each instance, BROWN required the boat operators to produce their boating licenses. 

BROWN then instructed the boat owner to approach an individual who was operating a jet ski.  Again, BROWN asked the operator for his license.  When the operator could not produce it, BROWN told him to return to the dock. The boat owner took BROWN back to the dock and then observed BROWN enter what appeared to be a police car and drive off with the emergency lights flashing.  BROWN drove his car to the boat launch where the jet ski operator was removing his craft from the water and instructed the operator to obtain his license.  After the operator showed BROWN the license, he was allowed to leave.

Law enforcement officers subsequently located and questioned BROWN in the Old Lyme residential community.  BROWN initially told them that he was a law enforcement officer sent by the U.S. Coast Guard to photograph a Coast Guard cutter that was in the area, but eventually admitted that he was not an officer.  A search of BROWN’s car revealed numerous law enforcement items, including a bulletproof/tactical vest with police insignia and a TSA badge, multiple sets of handcuffs, three handguns, loaded gun magazines, significant quantities of ammunition including hollow point bullets, a knife, and a police tactical baton.  BROWN was arrested on state charges at that time.

While released on bond following his arrest, BROWN took four other law enforcement badges in his possession and threw them into the Chestnut Hill Reservoir in Wolcott.  BROWN subsequently informed federal authorities of his actions and, on September 27, 2013, a dive team from the Connecticut State Police recovered the badges.

Further investigation of this matter revealed that in March 2013, BROWN offered to have a “scared straight” conversation with the sons of an acquaintance who believed BROWN was a federal law enforcement officer with experience in narcotics matters.  Brown arrived at his acquaintance’s home in a Crown Victoria that resembled a police vehicle, displayed a badge and had a holstered gun and handcuffs secured on his belt.  BROWN individually introduced himself to the minors as “Agent Brice” and “Detective Brice.”  After some initial conversation, BROWN escorted the minors up to their rooms.  Their mother tried to follow, but was ordered by BROWN to stay downstairs.  She heard raised voices and later learned from her son that BROWN had drawn his gun and handcuffed her son while BROWN searched his room.

Eventually, BROWN walked downstairs with one of the minors and entered the garage.  BROWN removed the weapon from his holster and pointed it in proximity of the minor as they prepared to enter the garage.  BROWN returned with a backpack that contained about $200, a small amount of what appeared to be marijuana and a pipe.  After confirming with the mother that the money was from a legitimate source, BROWN gave her the money and took the backpack and all of its contents.  While in the house, BROWN indicated that he had conducted surveillance on the boys in the prior week and related several incidents to them that seemed to authenticate that claim.

The investigation further revealed that in April 2002, BROWN was discharged from the U.S. Coast Guard “under other than honorable conditions.”  In February 2013, BROWN submitted a Pistol Permit Application to the Connecticut State Police Special Licensing and Firearms Unit.  In the military history section of the application, BROWN stated that he had not been discharged from the United States Armed Forces with less than an Honorable Discharge.  The form required BROWN to attach a copy of his Department of Defense Discharge Form, DD-214.  In box 24 of his DD-214, BROWN obliterated the words “under other than,” leaving the form to appear as if he had been discharged under “honorable conditions.”

On February 24, 2014, BROWN waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty to two counts of impersonating a federal law enforcement officer and one count of falsifying a military discharge certificate.

BROWN was ordered to report to prison on July 9, 2014.

This matter was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security – Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, the Connecticut State Police, and the Wolcott, Bristol and Southington Police Departments.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Miller.   

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JEROME R. THOMAS, 22, of New Haven, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 36 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on January 1, 2014, members of the Yale University Police Department executed an arrest warrant for THOMAS at his girlfriend’s residence.  THOMAS was apprehended after he attempted to flee the premises through a window.  A search of the residence revealed a .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol, two magazines loaded with .45 caliber ammunition, and a bag containing more than 80 additional rounds of .45 caliber ammunition.

THOMAS was previously convicted in state court of criminal possession of a firearm, possession of narcotics with intent to sell, and carrying a pistol without a permit.  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.

THOMAS has been detained since his arrest.  On February 19, 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 Yale University Police Department.  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, today announced that ANGEL ROSA, also known as “Little” and “Daddy,” 37, of New Britain, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 235 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for operating a Hartford-based narcotics trafficking ring.  Two other members of the ring were also sentenced to prison terms earlier this week.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from a joint law enforcement investigation headed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force and the Hartford Police Department into gang-related narcotics trafficking in Hartford’s South End.  The investigation specifically targeted a heroin and cocaine trafficking organization headed by Rosa, who is a member of the Los Solidos street gang, and his cousin, Angel Rosa, also known as “Mo Betta” and “Fab.”  Rosa, aka “Little,” supervised the drug trafficking ring, which included several other family members, through fear and intimidation.  “Mo Betta” managed the daily operations of the organization, facilitated the delivery and transportation of large quantities of heroin, and supervised numerous drug sellers who distributed heroin and other narcotics in the Zion Street area.  At times, “Little” and “Mo Betta” used, or threatened to use, violence to ensure the success of the organization.

As a result of the investigation, 21 individuals were charged with various federal offenses, and law enforcement officers seized narcotics, one firearm, approximately $230,000 in cash, eight vehicles and jewelry. 

“Little” has been detained since his arrest on April 11, 2013.  A search of his residence on that date revealed more than 500 grams of cocaine packaged for distribution, approximately 24 grams of crack cocaine, and $205,240 in cash.  He was ordered to forfeit the cash, as well as a 2006 Porsche Cayenne, a 2007 Lexus GS350 and a 2007 Acura RL.

“Little’s” criminal history includes multiple felony convictions and he was on state probation after a conviction for distributing narcotics at this time of this offense.

On January 8, 2014, “Little” pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 100 grams or more of heroin.

“Mo Betta” pleaded guilty to the same charge and, on April 29, 2014, he was sentenced to 165 months of imprisonment.  He was also ordered to forfeit $8,767 in cash that was seized from his residence at the time of his arrest, a 2007 Mercedes E550 and a 2006 Harley Davidson XLH1200.

On May 14, 2014, “Little’s” son, ANGEL ROSA, a.k.a. “Bebo,” 19, of New Britain, was sentenced to 66 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release. “Bebo,” a central figure in the drug trafficking organization, sold heroin and cocaine in the Zion Street area nearly every day during the course of the investigation.  “Bebo” also was ordered to forfeit a 2005 Infinity G35 and approximately $811 is cash that was seized from his person on April 11, 2013, when he was arrested.

Also on May 14, 2014, JARED PENNELL, 31, of Uncasville, was sentenced to 46 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release.  Pennell purchased significant quantities of heroin from other members of the conspiracy and then sold the drug to his own customers in southeastern Connecticut.  Pennell’s criminal history includes convictions for robbery and assault.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force, which includes members of the Connecticut State Police, Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut Department of Correction and Connecticut National Guard.  The Connecticut State Police’s Emergency Services Unit, Hartford Police Department’s Emergency Response Team, Capital Region Emergency Response Team, Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations and the New Britain, East Hartford, Wethersfield and Manchester Police Departments have provided valuable assistance to the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian Leaming and Patrick Caruso.

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal jury in Hartford has found JOSE ROQUE, 47, of Bridgeport, guilty of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.  The jury returned the verdict this morning after a two-day trial before U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant.

According to the evidence presented during the trial, on September 1, 2010, Bridgeport Police responded to a residential burglary call.  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.

ROQUE refused to get out of the vehicle.  As one officer attempted to remove ROQUE, 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 murder, 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.  ROQUE was sentenced to 15 years of incarceration for the 1994 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.

Judge Bryant has scheduled sentencing for August 27, 2014.

ROQUE is subject 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 faces 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 is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rahul Kale and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Rombeau.

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that KHALID ABOUTAYEB, 45, of Bridgeport, and his sister, JAMILA ABOUTAYEB, 54, of Fairfield, were arrested yesterday on federal food stamp fraud charges.

On May 14, 2014, a grand jury in New Haven returned separate indictments charging KHALID and JAMILA ABOUTAYEB with engaging in food stamp fraud at the M&J Deli Market, a grocery and convenience store they operated at 988 State Street in Bridgeport.   Following their arrests, the ABOUTAYEBS appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Holly B. Fitzsimmons in Bridgeport.  Both defendants are currently detained.

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

The indictment against KHALID ABOUTABYEB alleges that he unlawfully exchanged customers’ food stamp benefits for ineligible items and cash at M&J Deli Market between approximately December 2011 and February 2013.  The indictment against JAMILA ABOUTAYEB alleges that she unlawfully exchanged food stamp benefits for ineligible items and cash at the store between approximately June 2013 and March 2014.

According to statements made in court, the investigation has revealed that approximately $285,000 in illegal SNAP benefits were redeemed at the store.

If convicted, KHALID and JAMILA ABOUTAYEB face a maximum term of imprisonment of five years and a fine of up to $250,000.

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

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

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DAWN M. GUARINO, also known as Dawn DeCapua Guarino, 54, of Branford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to two years of probation, during which she must perform 100 hours of community service, for structuring currency transactions to evade reporting requirements.  GUARINO pleaded guilty to the offense on January 30, 2014.

Federal law requires all financial institutions to file a Currency Transaction Report (CTR) for currency transactions that exceed $10,000.  To evade the filing of a CTR, individuals will often structure their currency transactions so that no single transaction exceeds $10,000.  Structuring involves the repeated depositing or withdrawal of amounts of cash less than the $10,000 limit, or the splitting of a cash transaction that exceeds $10,000 into smaller cash transactions in an effort to avoid the reporting requirements.  Even if the deposited funds are derived from a legitimate means, financial transactions conducted in this manner are still in violation of federal criminal law.

According to court documents and statements made in court, over the course of 18 days in October and November 2009, GUARINO cashed 18 checks made payable to her in the amount of $9,900 and totaling $178,200.  The transactions occurred at 13 different branches of two banks in eight towns in the New Haven area.  The checks, which were from her attorney, represented GUARINO’s portion of a settlement of a Connecticut civil lawsuit stemming from an automobile accident.  At the time, GUARINO knew that the bank was required to issue a report for a currency transaction in excess of $10,000, and her intention was to evade the transaction reporting requirements.

On April 19, 2014, Judge Underhill ordered GUARINO to forfeit $13,000 based on the parties’ plea agreement.  GUARINO paid the money prior to sentencing.

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

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MIGUEL TORRES, 44, of Waterbury, was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint charging him with enticing and attempting to entice a minor female to send him sexually explicit videos of herself and to engage in unlawful sexual activity.

According to the criminal complaint, TORRES met a minor female at the church they both attended.  TORRES offered to mentor the minor, gave her his cell phone number, and they began communicating via text messages.  In late June 2013, when the minor was 14 years old, TORRES began to ask the minor to send him sexually explicit videos and pictures.  Their text message conversations became sexually explicit, and TORRES persuaded the minor to take sexually explicit videos and pictures of herself and send them to him.  TORRES also sent the minor sexually explicit videos and pictures of himself, and he told her that he had engaged in sexual conduct with other girls so that the minor would be comfortable with it.  In August 2013, TORRES and the minor discussed getting together to engage in sexual activity.

On August 30, 2013, TORRES was arrested on related state charges.  A forensic examination of TORRES’s cell phone revealed several videos of the minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

TORRES has been detained since his state arrest.  Today, he appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Holly B. Fitzsimmons in Bridgeport, who ordered TORRES detained.

If convicted of the federal enticement charge, TORRES faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life. 

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

This matter is being investigated by the Waterbury Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations.  The Connecticut State’s Attorney’s Office in Waterbury is also providing critical assistance in this investigation.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau.

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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Singapore-based ODFJELL ASIA II PTE LTD. and a senior crew member of one of its ships were sentenced yesterday in federal court in Hartford, Conn., for violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS), announced United States Attorney Deirdre M. Daly, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division Robert G. Dreher, and Rear Admiral Daniel B. Abel, Commander of the First Coast Guard District in Boston.  ODFJELL was sentenced to a term of probation and ordered to pay a $1.2 criminal penalty, and the crew member, Ramil Leuterio, was sentenced to three months of imprisonment.  ODFJELL and Leuterio pleaded guilty on March 3, 2014.

According to court documents and statements made in court, ODFJELL ASIA II PTE LTD. (ODFJELL) operated the M/T Bow Lind, a 577-foot, 26,327 gross ton petroleum/chemical tanker ship.  On November 6, 2012, the U.S. Coast Guard boarded the vessel in New Haven to conduct an inspection.  The inspection and subsequent criminal investigation revealed that three times between October 2011 and October 2012, while in international waters, the vessel discharged machinery space bilge water directly into the sea.  At the direction of senior engineer Leuterio, crew members bypassed pollution prevention equipment that was in place to ensure that any discharged bilge water contain less than 15 parts per million of oil.  The illegal discharges were then concealed by misleading entries and omissions in the vessel’s oil record book.

According to several engine room crew members, Leuterio directed them to use a complex system to transfer the bilge water from the bilge holding tank to the sewage tank.  From the sewage tank, the bilge water was dumped directly into the sea without passing through pollution prevention equipment.  Once the bilge holding tank was emptied, Leuterio directed the lower ranking crew members to put clean fresh water and salt water into the tank.  As the pollution prevention equipment automatically records the time it is being operated, Leuterio then processed the clean water through the  prevention equipment, thereby creating an electronic record to account for the bilge water that had bypassed the equipment and been discharged directly overboard.

U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant sentenced ODFJELL to a three-year term of probation and ordered the company to pay a criminal penalty totaling $1.2 million, including $300,000 that will be directed to The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to fund projects aimed at the preservation and restoration of the marine environment of Long Island Sound. 

As a condition of probation, ODFJELL will implement an environmental management plan which will ensure that any ship operated by ODFJELL calling on a port of the United States complies with all maritime environmental requirements established under applicable international, flag state, and port state laws.  The plan ensures that ODFJELL’s employees and the crew of any vessel operated by ODFJELL that calls on a United States port are properly trained in preventing maritime pollution.  An independent monitor will report to the court regarding ODFJELL’s compliance with these obligations during the period of probation.

Leuterio, 42, a citizen of the Philippines, will be deported after he serves his three-month prison term.

The government has requested that Judge Bryant award a portion of the criminal fine imposed to two M/T Bow Lind crew members who notified the Coast Guard of the criminal conduct on board the vessel, and whose information led directly to the convictions obtained in this matter.  Judge Bryant will rule on the government’s motion after further court proceedings.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound, Coast Guard Investigative Service, and Coast Guard office of Investigations and Analysis (CG-INV).  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul H. McConnell from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut and Trial Attorney Stephen Da Ponte in the Environmental Crimes Section of the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice.

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that DOMINGOS DIAS, 44, of formerly of Trumbull and currently residing in Easton, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 30 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his involvement in a mortgage fraud scheme that caused more than $3 million in losses to lenders.

According to court documents and statements made in court, DIAS participated in a conspiracy to fraudulently obtain real estate loans from banks and mortgage lenders through the use of straw buyers.  As part of the scheme, DIAS recruited the straw buyers and then created false verifications of employment, false verifications of rent and other false documentation that was used to qualify the straw buyers for the fraudulent mortgages.  Once the mortgage loans were closed, DIAS distributed some of the proceeds of the scheme to the straw buyers, and kept some of the money for himself.

DIAS sometimes used his wholly-owned limited liability company, Peoples Choice General Contractors, to falsely verify the employment of straw buyers, and also to receive mortgage funds for ”services rendered” when, in fact, no general contracting or other services had been provided to the seller or the buyer of the properties.

In 2006 and 2007, DIAS conspired to defraud lenders in relation to the purchase of three residential real estate properties in Bridgeport and one in Stratford.  DIAS also admitted that the conspiracy involved the fraudulent purchase of at least 10 other properties in Connecticut and Indiana, causing a total of $3.2 million in losses to lenders.

Judge Underhill ordered DIAS to pay restitution of $3,208,450 to the victim mortgage lenders.

On November 18, 2010, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging DIAS and his alleged co-conspirator, Hector Natera, formerly of Bridgeport, with conspiracy, wire fraud and bank fraud offenses.  On February 9, 2012, DIAS pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud, and seven counts of wire fraud.

Natera is currently being sought by law enforcement.  Citizens with information that may be helpful to the investigation of this matter are urged to call the FBI at 203-333-3512.

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

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

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Bruce M. Foucart, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Boston, and Craig Rupert, Special Agent in Charge of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service Northeast Field Office, today announced that ELIYAHU COHEN, also known as ELI COHEN, 63, of Bnei Brak, Israel, has been arrested on federal felony charges of conspiracy to export U.S. defense articles, unlawful export of U.S. defense articles, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.  This matter stems from a long-term investigation into a network of military parts purchasers and brokers involved in an alleged conspiracy to export controlled military parts from the U.S. in violation of U.S. federal criminal law.

“The U.S. Attorney’s office in Connecticut is committed to working with our law enforcement partners here and abroad to ensure that sensitive military items built in the United States do not fall into the wrong hands,” said U.S. Attorney Deirdre Daly.  “Willful and repeated violations of our export laws will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”

“One of Homeland Security Investigations highest priorities is to prevent illicit procurement networks and foreign nations from illegally obtaining U.S. military products and sensitive dual-use technologies,” said Bruce Foucart, special agent in charge of HSI Boston.  “The scope and magnitude of this case illustrates just how real that threat is, HSI will continue to aggressively pursue those who violate U.S. export laws, especially when our national security could be jeopardized.”

“The arrest of Eli Cohen represents the culmination of a long-term collaborative effort amongst investigators and prosecutors in bringing an alleged international arms trafficker to justice,” said Craig Rupert, Special Agent in Charge of the DCIS Northeast Field Office.  “As long as there are those who seek to illegally acquire sensitive U.S. military technology, DCIS will remain committed to combating their efforts and protecting America’s Warfighters.”

On February 6, 2007, a grand jury in the District of Connecticut returned an indictment charging COHEN, his companies, Q.P.S. Ltd., Wheels, Inc., P. AD. Ltd. and R.S. P. Spare Parts Ltd., and others, with conspiring to violate the Arms Export Control Act (“AECA”), and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (“ITAR”), violating those laws, and engaging in a conspiracy to commit money laundering, and aiding and abetting.  On May 8, 2013, a grand jury returned a nine-count superseding indictment, which includes five counts charged in 2007, two additional AECA violations and two violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”).

COHEN was arrested in Israel on May 12, 2014, and a redacted superseding indictment was ordered unsealed yesterday by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport, Connecticut.  COHEN is currently detained in Israel and the U.S. government is seeking his extradition.

According to the indictment, the export from the U.S. of arms, munitions, and related military components, and the technology to build such items, is heavily regulated by federal statutes and corresponding regulations.  The indictment alleges that between 2000 and 2004, COHEN, working with brokers in the U.S., arranged for the export of several defense articles, including U.S. origin Hawk Missile System components, from the U.S.  The Hawk Missile System is a medium range surface-to-air missile system designed to destroy missiles in flight.  It is no longer used by the United States but is used by the Islamic Republic of Iran.  At no time did COHEN or any of his co-conspirators apply for or receive a license or other authorization from the U.S. Department of State to export the defense articles.

The indictment further alleges that in 2012 and 2013, COHEN conspired to ship U.S. origin defense articles, specifically F-4C and F-14 aircraft fighter jet replacement parts, from Israel to Iran, via Athens, Greece, without U.S. government authorization.

If convicted of all of the counts of the superseding indictment in which he is charged, COHEN faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 130 years and a fine of up to $7.5 million. 

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 HSI New Haven, HSI Attaché Tel Aviv, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service and the Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security’s Office of Export Enforcement, with the cooperation and assistance of the Israeli National Police, the Israeli Ministry of Defense, Directorate of Security for the Defense Establishment, the Israel Tax Authority and the International Department of the Israeli State Attorney’s Office.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarala V. Nagala and Paul H. McConnell, and Trial Attorney David Recker of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, Counterespionage Section.

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Shelly Binkowski, Inspector in Charge for the Boston Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service, today announced that a federal grand jury sitting in New Haven has returned an indictment charging LANGSTON XAVIER NEAL, 36, of Charlotte, North Carolina, BENJII CARR, also known as Rodrick Lawon Davis, 39, of New Haven and North Carolina, and BRANDON KEY BENTLEY, 30, of New Haven, with conspiring to commit bank fraud through a stolen check-cashing scheme.  The indictment was returned on May 8, 2014, and the three defendants were arrested yesterday.

The indictment alleges that, between July 2010 and May 2011, NEAL, CARR, and BENTLEY obtained stolen checks, recruited “runners” who would cash the checks, and altered the checks to list the runners as the lawful payees.  The defendants drove the runners to several Connecticut bank branches and directed them to enter the banks and cash the checks.  The runners were paid a small part of the cash proceeds.

The indictment alleges that more than $100,000 in stolen checks were altered and cashed through this scheme.

If convicted of the charge of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, each defendant faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years and a fine of up to $1 million.  All three defendants are currently detained.

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

This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Connecticut Financial Fraud Task Force, and the Branford, Madison, Middlebury, Milford, New Britain, New Haven, New Milford, North Branford, Southbury, Waterbury and Woodbridge Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Henry K. Kopel.

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DAVID LIPTAK, 49, of Milford, waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in Bridgeport to one count of interstate transportation of money obtained by fraud.

According to court documents and statements made in court, LIPTAK was employed by Consolidated Management Group (“CMG”) of Westport.  CMG provided management services to condominium associations, including managing the bank accounts and expenses of the associations. From approximately June 2008 to March 2012, LIPTAK embezzled approximately $108,000 from CMG.

Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for August 6, 2014, at which time LIPTAK faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

This matter is being investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Westport Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Senior Litigation Counsel Richard J. Schechter.

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that VENITA GODFREY-SCOTT, 47, of New Haven, 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, which she used for various home improvement projects.

According to court documents and statements made in court, GODFREY-SCOTT was employed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”) at the Medical Center in West Haven as a supervisor in the Facilities Management Service, which is responsible for carpentry, paint, locks, doors, and other minor construction projects at the Medical Center.  From approximately 2010 until 2013, GODFREY-SCOTT directed VA employees that she supervised to perform home improvement projects at her private residence, including a deck in her backyard, carpet installation, and various kitchen, bathroom and basement improvements.  GODFREY-SCOTT directed the employees to use materials, supplies, tools, and vehicles belonging to the VA, and also had the employees purchase necessary materials at local stores using her government-issued credit card.  Some of the projects were performed during regular work hours.

The total loss to the government as a result of GODFREY-SCOTT’s criminal conduct is estimated to be between $15,000 and $20,000.

GODFREY-SCOTT is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford on August 4, 2014, at which time she faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

This case is being investigated by the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, the Department of Veterans Affairs Police and the General Services Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, New England Regional Investigations Office in Boston.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel.

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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 ROBERT E. LEE, JR., 50, of Oxford, was arrested yesterday on a federal criminal complaint charging him with defrauding multiple investors via a Ponzi scheme.

As alleged in the criminal complaint, 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.  Victims lost several million dollars as a result of this scheme.

LEE was arrested yesterday at his residence.  He then appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joan G. Margolis in New Haven and was released on $250,000 bond.

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

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

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney 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, announced that JOSE NEGRON, also known as “Chino,” 29, formerly of Wethersfield, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 46 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing heroin.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from a joint law enforcement investigation headed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force and the Hartford Police Department into gang-related narcotics trafficking in Hartford’s South End.  The investigation specifically targeted a drug trafficking organization headed by Angel Rosa, aka “Little” and “Daddy,” who is a member of the Los Solidos street gang.  Rosa’s cousin, Angel Rosa, aka “Mo Betta” and “Fab,” supervised the daily operations of the organization, which distributed heroin and other narcotics in the Zion Street area.

The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps, further revealed that Iran Negron, aka “Face,” “Cara” and “Pete,” stored large quantities of the organization’s heroin at his Gilman Street residence, and also sold heroin and cocaine to his own customers.  JOSE NEGRON, who is Iran Negron’s nephew, supplied heroin to Iran Negron and Angel Rosa, aka Mo Betta.

As a result of the investigation, 21 individuals were charged with various federal offenses, and law enforcement officers seized narcotics, one firearm, approximately $230,000 in cash, eight vehicles and jewelry.

NEGRON was arrested on April 12, 2013.  On January 24, 2014, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, heroin.

NEGRON’s criminal history includes convictions for sale of narcotics, larceny and failure to appear.

NEGRON, who has been residing in Manchester while released on a $150,000 bond, was ordered to report to prison on June 10.

Angel Rosa, aka “Little” and “Daddy,” Angel Rosa, aka “Mo Betta” and “Fab,” and Iran Negron have pleaded guilty.  On April 29, 2014, “Mo Betta” was sentenced to 165 months of imprisonment.  “Little” and Iran Negron await sentencing.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force, which included members of the Connecticut State Police, Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut Department of Correction and Connecticut National Guard.  The Connecticut State Police’s Emergency Services Unit, Hartford Police Department’s Emergency Response Team, Capital Region Emergency Response Team, Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations and the New Britain, East Hartford, Wethersfield and Manchester Police Departments have provided valuable assistance to the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian Leaming and Patrick Caruso.

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RICHARD DOYLE, 65, formerly of Litchfield, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for possessing and distributing child pornography.  At the time of his arrest in December 2012, DOYLE was employed as a teacher at a private school in Connecticut.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in late October 2012, a law enforcement agent logged into a publicly available Internet file sharing program and downloaded images of child pornography from shared directories maintained by DOYLE.  On December 4, 2012, the FBI executed a search warrant at DOYLE’s Litchfield residence.  DOYLE was arrested after he admitted that he had used the file sharing program to obtain and trade child pornography.  DOYLE further admitted that he had been viewing child pornography since the 1970’s, had used other computer programs to trade child pornography, and had purchased magazines containing child pornography.

DOYLE indicated that he had thousands of child pornography images in his collection, with some of boys as young as five, six or seven years old.  He directed the FBI to a plastic container hidden under his workbench in the basement of his home, and indicated that the thumb drives in that container comprised his collection of child pornography, with the exception of some magazines that were still in the attic.

DOYLE stated that he only used his home computer system to download and view child pornography and never used his computer at the school where he was employed.

Pursuant to the search warrant, law enforcement seized a desktop computer and seven thumb drives.  Examination of the computer and thumb drives revealed in excess of 4,000 image files and approximately six video files of child pornography.

On December 16, 2013, DOYLE waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty to one count of receipt and distribution of child pornography.

DOYLE has been released on a $200,000 bond and residing with family members since shortly after his arrest on December 4, 2012.  He was ordered to report to prison on July 7.

This case was 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 assisted the investigation.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Miller.

The Connecticut Child Exploitation Task Force, which is housed at the main FBI office in New Haven, investigates crimes against children occurring over the Internet, and provides computer forensic review services for participating agencies.  For more information about the Task Force, or to report child exploitation crimes, please contact the FBI at 203-777-6311.

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 MIGUEL MORALES, also known as “Neow,” 54, of New London, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for his role for trafficking heroin.

In early 2012, Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), the U.S. Secret Service and the New London Police Department initiated an investigation to combat the large-scale trafficking of heroin and cocaine from the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico into and around southeastern Connecticut.  The investigation revealed that Luis Ariel Capellan Maldonado, also known as “Ariel,” and his associates were receiving heroin from sources in the Dominican Republic and distributing it throughout New London County.  At times, Capellan Maldonado also obtained large quantities of raw heroin from co-conspirators in New York City and Providence.  Court-authorized wiretaps revealed that MORALES was one of Capellan Maldonado’s most frequent customers of heroin, and sometimes cocaine.  MORALES then sold the narcotics from his Colman Street residence to other drug distributors and customers.

MORALES has been detained since his arrest on April 3, 2013.  On January 6, 2014, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.

As part of this case, MORALES also forfeited a 2004 Pontiac GTO, a 1995 Nissan truck and a 2004 Acura TSX.

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

Capellan Maldonado has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.

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

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

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that CHARLES JOHNSON, also known as “CJ,” 33, of New Haven, was sentenced on Friday, May 9, by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for distributing crack cocaine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an investigation conducted by the FBI New Haven Safe Streets Task Force into drug distribution and related gang activity in The Hill neighborhood of New Haven.  The investigation, which included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, revealed that members and associates of the Southside Bloods were distributing large quantities of crack cocaine.  In February and March 2012, JOHNSON was intercepted over a wiretap ordering distribution quantities of crack cocaine from other members of the conspiracy.

JOHNSON has been detained since his arrest on September 20, 2012.  On December 12, 2013, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base (“crack cocaine”).

This matter was investigated by the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets Task Force, including the New Haven, Hamden and Milford Police Departments, and the State of Connecticut Department of Correction.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony Kaplan and Gordon Hall.

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that PRICILLA BRITO, 38, of New York, N.Y., and YOWANDY DeLEON, 38, of the Bronx, N.Y., pleaded guilty today before Senior U.S. District Judge Ellen Bree Burns in New Haven to federal offenses related to the trafficking of fraudulent federal tax refund checks.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an investigation into individuals who, through various means, obtained fraudulent U.S. Treasury tax refund checks using stolen identities.  After obtaining the checks, individuals typically deposited them into bank accounts that had been opened using fraudulent identifying documents.  The funds were then quickly withdrawn.  At times, co-conspirators sold the fraudulent checks to others for less than face value of the checks.  The government alleges that millions of dollars were lost as result of this scheme.

BRITO and DeLEON obtained several fraudulent tax refund checks, subsequently delivered some of the checks to co-conspirators in Connecticut, and received proceeds from the negotiation or sale of fraudulent checks.

In 2013, BRITO provided at least nine checks, with a total face value of $59,802, to an individual in Waterbury.  In an undercover operation, the checks were then purchased by an individual working with law enforcement for $35,590.

In October 2013, DeLEON traveled to Connecticut to provide co-conspirators with one fraudulent check with a face value of $7,580.38.  In addition, a law enforcement search of DeLEON’s cell phone revealed images of names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and amounts of refunds for 32 individuals whose identities had been used in filing fraudulent federal tax returns.  In total, the intended loss to the U.S. Treasury resulting from the checks that DeLEON provided to co-conspirators, as well as the refunds issued to the 32 individuals whose personal information was found on her phone, was $240,450.

BRITO pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the U.S.  She is scheduled to be sentenced on August 6, 2014, at which time she faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.

DeLEON pleaded guilty to one count of theft of public funds, and aiding and abetting the theft of public funds.  She is also scheduled to be sentenced on August 6, 2014, at which time she faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

Four other individuals have been charged as a result of this investigation:

On February 12, 2014, Ramon Mena, 25, of Waterbury, pleaded guilty to one count of theft of public money and one count of distribution of heroin.  He has been detained since his arrest on November 23, 2013, and is scheduled to be sentenced on November 1, 2014.

On February 20, 2014, Jerry de los Santos Rodriguez, 23, a citizen of the Dominican Republic last residing in Waterbury, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the U.S.  On May 1, 2014, he was sentenced to approximately five months of imprisonment, time already served, and he will be deported.

Julio Lara Trinidad, 27, of Waterbury, and Cesar Penson-Perez, 27, of New York, N.Y., are awaiting trial.

Trinidad is charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud the U.S., six counts of theft of public money and aiding and abetting the same, one count of Social Security fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.  He has been detained since his arrest on November 23, 2013.

Penson-Perez is charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud the U.S., three counts of theft of public money and one count of aggravated identity theft.  He has been detained since his arrest by the Darien Police Department on March 17, 2014.

As to Trinidad and Penson-Perez, U.S. Attorney Daly stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, the United States Secret Service and Homeland Security Investigations, with the assistance of the Danbury and Darien Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarala V. Nagala.

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that DANIELLE FAUX, 46, of Weston, has been charged in a 54-count superseding indictment with federal health care fraud and income tax fraud offenses.  The superseding indictment was returned by a grand jury in Bridgeport on April 16, 2014, and FAUX appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Holly B. Fitzsimmons in Bridgeport and entered a plea of not guilty to the charges.

According to the superseding indictment, FAUX owned and operated Danielle Faux PT, LLC, a physical therapy clinic located at 27 Lois Street in Norwalk, and was a part owner of Achieve Rehab and Fitness, a gym located at the same address in Norwalk.  The indictment alleges that FAUX engaged in a scheme to defraud Medicare, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Aetna by referring some of her patients for personal training sessions at Achieve Rehab and Fitness and then billing the sessions as if they were physical therapy procedures.  The indictment also alleges that FAUX created and altered patient records when Medicare audited her practice in August 2009, and that she made false statements on her 2008, 2009, and 2010 federal income tax returns.

FAUX was arrested on February 24, 2014, based on an indictment charging her with 46 counts of health care fraud and one count of obstruction of a federal audit.  The superseding indictment includes four additional counts of health care fraud and three counts of making a false statement on a federal income tax return.

If convicted, FAUX faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000 on each of the health care fraud counts, a maximum term of imprisonment of five years and a fine of $250,000 on the obstruction count, and a maximum term of three years and a fine of $100,000 on each of the tax counts.

The case has been assigned to Senior U.S. District Judge Warren W. Eginton in Bridgeport, who has scheduled trial for October.

FAUX is released on a $50,000 bond.

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

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Sheldon.

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The United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut announced that TAIMUR AURORA, 40, of Stamford, waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty today before Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in Bridgeport to conspiring to defraud financial institutions through an extensive mortgage fraud scheme that involved dozens of properties in Fairfield County.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between 2005 and 2013, AURORA participated in a mortgage fraud conspiracy that involved the purchase of numerous single and multi-family properties, primarily in Bridgeport and Stamford.  As part of the scheme, AURORA and his co-conspirators provided to mortgage lenders materially false information, including false verifications of mortgage applicants’ income, false verifications of down payments for real estate transactions and false HUD-1 Forms.  AURORA also directed the actions of various “straw buyers,” or individuals who fraudulently applied for and obtained mortgage loans but did not have an actual financial investment or stake in the mortgage loan transactions.  At times, AURORA acted as a straw buyer himself.

Many of the properties involved in this mortgage fraud scheme ended up in foreclosure, or in short sale transactions, and lenders suffered losses of more than $7 million.  The loss attributed to AURORA’s role in this scheme totals approximately $4.2 million.

AURORA pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud.  He is scheduled to be sentenced on September 17, 2014, and faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years.

This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann M. Nevins and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney John McReynolds.

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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that EDWIN CARTER, 51, of Hartford, pleaded guilty yesterday before Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to possession of firearms by a previously convicted felon.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 6, 2013, members of the Hartford Police Department’s Special Operations Group and Shooting Task Force executed a court authorized search of CARTER’s Plainfield Street residence and recovered an FNH PS90 5.7x28 caliber assault rifle with a high capacity magazine containing 15 live rounds, and one Sarko SAR-I (AK-47) 7.62x39 caliber assault rifle with two high capacity magazines, one containing 27 live rounds and the other containing 26 live rounds.

The FNH PS90 assault rifle had been reported stolen out of East Hartford.

Prior to November 2013, CARTER had sustained three felony convictions in the Connecticut Superior Court, including convictions for assault, weapons in a motor vehicle and possession of narcotics.  It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

CARTER has been detained since his arrest on November 26, 2013.

Judge Hall scheduled sentencing for August 18, 2014, at which time CARTER faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

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

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