District of Connecticut

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging RYAN RUSSOW, 29, of Milford, with heroin distribution offenses.

According to statements made in court, on March 12, 2014, a 26-year-old male died at a residence in Milford.  In the decedent’s room, law enforcement officers located two empty bags of heroin stamped “Much Better,” and two full bags bearing the same stamp.  Drug Enforcement Administration analysis confirmed that the full bags contained heroin with a purity level of approximately 76 percent, and the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has concluded that the decedent died of heroin toxicity.

It is alleged that, on the morning of March 12, RUSSOW and the decedent exchanged a series of text messages in which the decedent sought to purchase heroin from RUSSOW.  Video surveillance confirms that the decedent then arrived at RUSSOW’s residence and departed after approximately 15 minutes.

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

On April 23, 2014, the grand jury returned an indictment charging RUSSOW with one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, heroin, and one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin.  RUSSOW was arrested the next day.

RUSSOW has been detained since his arrest.  He appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joan G. Margolis in New Haven and was ordered detained pending trial.

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

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

This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force and the Milford Police Department.  The Task Force is composed of members of the Milford, Stamford, Norwalk and Stratford Police Departments and the Connecticut State Police.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah P. Karwan.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that PETER TURNER, 58, of Burlington, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 21 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for embezzling more than $300,000.

According to court documents and statements made in court, TURNER was the managing partner of Two Buck Ring, LLC, a nine-member LLC that is the majority stake holder of The Bridge Fine Wine Spirits & Beer in New Milford.  He also was a member of Spirited Endeavor, LLC, a 13-member LLC that does business as Town Line Fine Wine, Spirits & Beer in Stratford.  As managing partner of Two Buck Ring (“TBR”), TURNER was responsible for the day-to-day operation of The Bridge Fine Wine Spirits & Beer and had access to the TBR business accounts.

Between November 2010 and February 2012, TURNER, without the authority of other TBR members, wrote numerous checks from the TBR business accounts to himself and used the money for various personal expenses.  TURNER also prepared and disseminated to investors a fraudulent ledger in an effort to conceal his fraud.

Through this scheme, TURNER embezzled approximately $322,500.

TURNER was ordered to make full restitution.

On November 1, 2013, TURNER pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.

This investigation was conducted by the Connecticut Financial Crimes Task Force, which includes members of the U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Connecticut State Police, and the Greenwich, Hartford, Stamford, Shelton and Stratford Police Departments.  U.S. Attorney Daly specifically recognized the efforts of the Greenwich Police Department for its assistance in the investigation and prosecution of this matter.

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

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that former Hartford police detective TISHAY JOHNSON, 40, of Windsor, waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna F. Martinez in Hartford to one count of theft from a local government receiving federal funds.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Hartford residents seeking a permit to carry a concealed weapon are required to submit an application to the City of Hartford through the Hartford Police Department.  The application includes a municipal application processing fee of $70 to Hartford and a background check fee of $66.50 to the State of Connecticut.  JOHNSON administered the Hartford Police Department’s concealed weapons permit program and was responsible for processing citizens’ applications, collecting the application fees and depositing the fees into the appropriate city or state accounts.  Between October 2009 and January 2014, JOHNSON embezzled $29,426.75 that had been paid in connection with permit applications by altering checks and money orders to make it appear that the checks and money orders were payable to him.  He also forged signatures on checks to make it appear that the intended payee had endorsed the check over to him.  JOHNSON then deposited the funds into a personal checking account.

JOHNSON is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny on August 4, 2014, at which time he faces a maximum term of a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.  JOHNSON also has agreed to make restitution of $17,442.50 to the City of Hartford and $11,984.25 to the State of Connecticut.  He is released on a $150,000 bond pending sentencing.

JOHNSON resigned from the Hartford Police Department in January 2014.

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

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

Follow @USAO_CT

The United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut today announced that AMAURY VILLA, 39, a citizen of Cuba last residing in Miami, Florida, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to federal conspiracy and theft charges stemming from his participation in the March 2010 theft of approximately $80 million in pharmaceuticals from an Eli Lilly Company warehouse and storage facility in Enfield, Connecticut.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between January and March 2010, AMAURY VILLA, his brother Amed Villa and others conspired to steal pharmaceuticals from the Eli Lilly Company warehouse and storage facility in Enfield.  In early 2010, AMAURY VILLA and others traveled from the Miami area to Connecticut to gather information about the warehouse facility and the surrounding area.  In the evening of March 13, 2010, a tractor trailer was driven to the parking lot of the Eli Lilly warehouse facility.  Later that evening, AMAURY VILLA and Amed Villa checked for security in the front area, climbed onto the roof, used tools to cut a hole in the facility roof, dropped down into the facility and disabled the alarm system.  Thereafter, AMAURY VILLA and his co-conspirators loaded approximately 49 pallets of pharmaceuticals into the tractor trailer, which they had backed up to the loading dock of the warehouse.  The tractor trailer then traveled to Florida.

The pallets of pharmaceuticals included thousands of boxes Zyprexa, Cymbalta, Prozac, Gemzar and other medicines, valued at approximately $80 million.

AMAURY VILLA, who has been in federal custody since May 2012, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, four counts of theft from an interstate shipment, each of which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, and one count of interstate transportation of stolen property, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

Judge Arterton scheduled sentencing for July 24, 2014.

On October 14, 2011, a search of a storage facility in Florida recovered pharmaceuticals that had been stolen from the Enfield warehouse.  AMAURY VILLA subsequently pleaded guilty in the Southern District of Florida to conspiracy and possession of stolen goods charges and, on November 26, 2012, he was sentenced to 140 months of imprisonment.

Amed Villa has pleaded guilty in the District of Connecticut to conspiracy and theft charges related to the Enfield theft and multimillion dollar warehouse burglaries in Illinois, Virginia, Florida and Kentucky.  He awaits sentencing.

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

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anastasia E. King and Douglas P. Morabito, with the assistance of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

Follow @USAO_CT

PASTE TEXT HERE

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ALAN MISKUNAS, 52, of Hebron, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to three years of probation for filing false tax returns.  MISKUNAS also was ordered to perform 100 hours of community service.

According to court documents and statements made in court, MISKUNAS formerly owned Bolton Flooring Center in Bolton.  During the 2003 and 2004 tax years, MISKUNAS filed income tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service that under-reported Bolton Flooring Center’s gross business receipts by approximately one-half, resulting in his failure to pay more than $64,000 in personal income taxes due on that unreported income.  MISKUNAS also did not file tax returns for the 2005 and 2006 tax years and failed to pay more than $88,000 in taxes owed for those years.

MISKUNAS is required to pay $152,417 in back taxes, plus applicable interest and penalties.

On February 6, 2013, MISKUNAS pleaded guilty to one count of filing a false tax return.

This matter was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Henry K. Kopel.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Patricia M. Ferrick, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Hartford Police Chief James C. Rovella, today announced that 25 individuals have been charged with federal narcotics offenses related to the gang-related distribution of crack cocaine in Hartford’s North End.

According to allegations made in court, this matter stems from a year-long joint law enforcement investigation headed by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force into narcotics trafficking by members and associates of West Hell street gang, and gang-related violent activity.  The investigation, which included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of narcotics and physical surveillance, identified MELKUAN SCOTT, also known as “Young God,” “Mel,” “Young” and “YG,” 23, as the alleged leader of the West Hell street gang who, along with his associates, distributed crack cocaine in the Westland Street area of Hartford. 

SCOTT and five co-defendants were arrested on April 15, 2014, after they allegedly participated in a quarter-kilogram crack cocaine transaction.  The investigation culminated yesterday with the arrest of nine individuals.

Charged in a 52-count indictment, which was returned by a federal grand jury in New Haven on April 24, 2014, are:

MELKUAN SCOTT, a.k.a. “Young God,” “Mel,” “Young” and “YG,” 23, of Eastford Street, Hartford, and Lake Road, Andover
ARTHUR STANLEY, a.k.a. “Wigs,” “P,” and “Peno,” 24, of Townley Street, Hartford
JEFF ANTOINE, a.k.a. “Little Homie,” 19, of Barbour Street, Hartford
RASHAWN DUBOSE, a.k.a. “Chubbs,” and “Trev,” 22, of Love Lane, Hartford
GREGORY THOMAS, a.k.a. “Quanny” and “Jim,” 23, of Earle Street, Hartford
TYSHAWN McDADE, a.k.a. “S Dot” and “S Diddy,” 29, of Homestead Avenue, Hartford
AKEEM MANOO, a.k.a. “Keeme,” 23, of Pliny Street, Hartford, RICARDO HOWE, a.k.a. “Dino” and “Tyson,” 25, of Cornwall Street, Hartford
NEHELIAH BARNETT, a.k.a. “Neagmiah,” “Nelly,” “Ney” and “Nehemiah,” 26, of Love Lane, Hartford
RAYMOND RIVERA, a.k.a. “White Boy,” 24, of Sheldon Street, Hartford
KYRIN-ROBERT JACKSON, a.k.a. “Ky,” 23, of Martin Street, Hartford
*GABRIEL HORACE WILLIAMS-BEY, a.k.a. “G Money,” “Money” and “Mugga,” 25, of Manchester Street, Hartford
TAFARIE GREEN, a.k.a. “Farie,” 24, of Grandview Terrace, Hartford
IRIS PEREZ, 40, of Dudley Street, Manchester, AFESHA MANOO, a.k.a. “Fesha” and “Fee,” 23, of Pliny Street, Hartford
HORACE STARKS, JR., a.k.a. “Head” and “Little Head,” 22, of Burnside Avenue, East Hartford, JAMIE COLEMAN, a.k.a. “City,” 23, of New Britain Avenue, West Hartford
ARNOLD THOMPSON, a.k.a. “B,” 24, of Garden Street, Hartford
JERROD HALL, a.k.a. “Slime,” 20, of Winchester Street, Hartford
RAQUIM SMITH, a.k.a. “Bud,” “Butter” and “Rakim,” 21, of Westland Street, Hartford
JAMAL HOWELL, a.k.a. “Squizzy,” 28, of Eggleston Street, Bloomfield
RASHAWN HILL, 32, of Winchester Street, Hartford
JASON WATSON, a.k.a. “Noggin,” 26, of Earle Street, Hartford
SHAQILLE BROWN, a.k.a. “Shaq,” 21, of Oakland Terrace, Hartford
*MICHAEL MORRISON, a.k.a. “Nazzie,” 24, of Norfolk Street, Hartford

(*WILLIAMS-BEY and MORRISON are currently being sought by law enforcement.  Citizens with knowledge of their whereabouts, or with information that may be helpful the investigation of this matter, are encouraged to call the FBI at 203-777-6311.)

“Gang-related drug activity terrorizes and tears apart the fabric of our communities,” stated U.S. Attorney Daly.  “The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners are prepared to use the full weight of federal law to prosecute individuals involved in gangs and related activity.  I commend the work of the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force, which is committed to investigating serious criminal behavior in Hartford and rooting out violent individuals from our communities.  This investigation is ongoing.  We will continue to work closely with our state counterparts to investigate acts of violence that may relate to this alleged drug trafficking activity.”

“The distribution of narcotics allegedly undertaken by members and associates of the West Hell street gang has been seriously disrupted as a result of this successful long-term investigation by the Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Ferrick.  “It is our hope that this continuing investigation will break West Hell’s stronghold on some of Hartford’s north end neighborhoods.  Any group that attempts to fill the void created by these arrests will suffer the very same fate.”

“This effort is a perfect demonstration of the benefits of all our law enforcement partners, local, state and federal, all working in concert to achieve the same objective of stemming violence in our city streets,” stated Chief Rovella.  “Law enforcement believes that the group targeted in this operation not only distributes drugs, but has had a propensity for gun violence.  We are committed to working together with both the community and our law enforcement partners to make our neighborhoods safer.”

The indictment charges SCOTT, STANLEY, ANTOINE, DUBOSE, THOMAS, McDADE, AKEEM MANOO, HOWE, BARNETT, RIVERA, JACKSON, WILLIAMS-BEY, GREEN, PEREZ, AFESHA MANOO, and STARKS with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base (“crack cocaine”).  If convicted of this charge, based on the quantity of narcotics charged, SCOTT, STANLEY, ANTOINE, DUBOSE, THOMAS, McDADE, AKEEM MANOO and HOWE face a minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life, and BARNETT, RIVERA, JACKSON, WILLIAMS-BEY, GREEN, PEREZ, AFESHA MANOO and STARKS, face a minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.

SCOTT, STANLEY, ANTOINE, DUBOSE, THOMAS, McDADE, AKEEM MANOO, HOWE, RIVERA, WILLIAMS-BEY, and STARKS are charged with one or more counts of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, various quantities of crack cocaine.  SCOTT and STANLEY are also charged with multiple counts of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, crack cocaine and powder cocaine.

COLEMAN, THOMPSON, HALL, SMITH, HOWELL, BROWN and MORRISON are charged with use of telephone to facilitate the distribution of crack cocaine, and HILL and WATSON, are charged with use of a telephone to facilitate the distribution of heroin.  If convicted of this charge, each defendant faces a maximum term of imprisonment of four years.

SCOTT, DUBOSE and BARNETT are charged with one count of maintaining a premise to manufacture a controlled substance.  These defendants are alleged to have used an apartment at 33-35 Love Lane in Hartford to convert, or “cook,” cocaine into crack cocaine.  If convicted of this charge, each defendant faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

Finally, the indictment charges SCOTT, with one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  A loaded Heckler & Koch, model P2000, .40 caliber handgun was found during a search of SCOTT’s residence on April 15, 2014.

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’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Marshals Service and Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division.  The FBI Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.  The Hartford Police Department’s Vice and Narcotics Squad, Major Crimes Unit and Shooting Task Force are providing valuable assistance to the investigation, and the Capitol Region Emergency Response Team (CREST) assisted with the arrest of certain defendants.  The Office of the Chief State’s Attorney is also assisting with this ongoing investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John H. Durham and Peter S. Jongbloed.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that EDWIN CHARON, 30, of West Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 46 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for possessing stolen firearms.  CHARON also was ordered to pay a $7,500 fine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 8, 2012, Elliot Perez stole three boxes containing a total of 111 firearms from the Smith & Wesson manufacturing plant in Springfield.  Perez and his cohort, Michael Murphy, were arrested later that month on charges stemming from the theft, but not before they had sold the majority of the firearms into the illicit gun market in and around Bridgeport. 

On April 2, 2013, the Bridgeport Police Department arrested an individual who possessed one of the stolen Smith & Wesson handguns.  The investigation revealed that the individual had purchased the gun from CHARON in a storage locker in West Haven to which CHARON had access.  A subsequent search of the storage locker revealed four handguns, including another of the stolen Smith & Wesson handguns, and a stolen Ruger 9mm pistol loaded with a high capacity magazine and containing 17 rounds of ammunition.

CHARON was previously convicted of felony offenses, and 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.

CHARON has been detained since his arrest on April 24, 2013.  On January 15, 2014, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of firearms by a previously convicted felon.

Perez and Murphy have pleaded guilty and await sentencing.

This matter is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Bridgeport Police Department and the Stratford Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rahul Kale.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ANGEL ROSA, also known as “Mo Betta” and “Fab,” 43, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 165 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for his role in a heroin trafficking ring.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from “Operation Solid Sweep,” 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, 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.”  ROSA, aka Mo Betta, managed the daily operations of the organization, facilitated the delivery and transportation of large quantities of heroin, and supervised numerous drug sellers, including his own son, who distributed heroin and other narcotics in the Zion Street area.  At times, he also used 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. 

ROSA was arrested on April 11, 2013.  On December 19, 2013, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 100 grams or more of heroin.

As part of his case, ROSA forfeited $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.

During the investigation, ROSA was on state probation for a similar offense.  In 2006, he was convicted of selling heroin and was sentenced to 17 years of incarceration, suspended after seven years. 

Mo Betta’s son, Angel Rosa, aka “Booby” and “Little Booby,” pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 66 months of imprisonment.  Mo Betta’s cousin, Angel Rosa, aka “Little” and “Daddy,” also pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.

This matter is being 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.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOHN W. RICE, 40, of Windsor, pleaded guilty today before U.S. Magistrate Judge William I. Garfinkel in Bridgeport to one count of criminal copyright infringement and one count of money laundering related to his production and sale of thousands of pirated CDs and DVDs.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between 2000 and 2013, doing business as “Dr. Jay’s Entertainment,” RICE manufactured copies of motion pictures, television shows, and music that were copyrighted works, using recordable blank DVDs and CDs.  RICE also produced labels for the discs and paper inserts for the cases in which the pirated works were sold.  RICE set up tables in various locations on which he displayed and sold the bootlegged merchandise, and also advertised and sold the materials over the Internet through Facebook.

The government has seized a total of 8,913 DVDs and 11,410 CDs from RICE and Dr. Jay’s Entertainment.

For the past 13 years, the sale of counterfeit media has constituted RICE’s only source of income, and RICE has admitted that he could make up to $300,000 annually from the illegal sales.

RICE also structured cash deposits into his bank account.  In addition, in November 2012, RICE withdrew from his account $39,237.23 in cash derived from his criminal activity in order to purchase a cashier’s check payable to BMW of West Springfield.

RICE is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford on July 25, 2014, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years and a fine of up to $500,000.  RICE also has agreed to forfeit $48,195.42 seized from his bank account, as well as a 2005 Chevrolet Corvette and a 2012 BMW 650i that he had purchased, but had registered in the names of third parties.

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Homeland Security Investigations and the Hartford Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas P. Morabito.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that AARON MOORE, also known as “Natural Perfection Be-Allah,” 36, of Jewett City, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 41 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.  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.  MOORE was identified as a heroin customer of Emmanuel Blanco Balbuena, who regularly obtained distribution quantities of heroin from Capellan Maldonado.

On January 24, 2013, members of the Norwich Police Department arranged to make a controlled purchase of heroin from MOORE at a Goodwill Store in Norwich.  After entering the store, MOORE apparently identified officers and quickly discarded a plastic bag onto one of the shelves in the store.  Using the store’s video surveillance system, officers were able to find the plastic bag, which contained approximately 24 grams of heroin packaging material.  A subsequent search of MOORE vehicle revealed $20,020 in cash that had been hidden in a computer tower in the car.

MOORE has been detained since his arrest.  On January 6, 2014, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin.

MOORE’s criminal history includes multiple drug-related convictions, and convictions for robbery and assault.

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

Capellan Maldonado and Balbuena have pleaded guilty.  On April 23, 2014, Balbuena was sentenced to 30 months of imprisonment.  Capellan Maldonado 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.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that JEROME WILLINGHAM, 32, of Hartford, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 70 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for distributing crack cocaine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in the summer of 2012, in response to a series of shootings in the area of Bond Street and Franklin Avenue in Hartford, the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force began an investigation targeting gang and narcotics activity in that area.  In October 2012, investigators began to make controlled purchases of multi-gram quantities of crack cocaine from Joshua Suarez, also known as “Tizzo.”  WILLINGHAM was subsequently identified as Suarez’s source for crack cocaine.

WILLINGHAM has been detained since his arrest on April 28, 2013. On December 16, 2013, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine base (“crack cocaine”).

WILLINGHAM has prior felony convictions, and previously served more than seven years in state custody for criminal possession of a firearm.

The sentence in this case was enhanced after Judge Shea found that WILLINGHAM, in advance of his sentencing, had submitted a forged letter to the U.S. Probation Office purporting to confirm his participation in an apprenticeship program.  The letter was submitted to corroborate WILLINGHAM’s assertion that he sold drugs because he had three children and needed to support them, and that he was involved in an ironworker’s apprenticeship program for which he was not receiving compensation.  WILLINGHAM never participated in the apprenticeship program.

Suarez has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.

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

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MARK MISSINO, also known as “Mark Houston” and “Mark Serano,” 46, formerly of Waterford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 204 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for stealing and possessing numerous firearms.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in November 2010, MISSINO and Bernard McAllister possessed 19 firearms that they had stolen during a string of residential burglaries that took place between 2008 and 2010.  The firearms were discovered in an East Lyme storage locker with more than 8,000 other items believed to have been taken during the burglaries. 

Prior to November 2010, MISSINO had been convicted of multiple felony offenses in Connecticut and Florida, including convictions for larceny, burglary, robbery, grand theft and escape.  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.

MISSINO and McAllister have been detained since November 18, 2010, when they were arrested in Massachusetts.  On January 30, 2014, MISSINO pleaded guilty to one count of possession of firearms by a previously convicted felon.  McAllister pleaded guilty to the same charge on June 6, 2013.

MISSINO and McAllister also pleaded guilty in state court to several charges related to the series of residential burglaries.

Judge Underhill recommended that MISSINO’s 204-month federal sentence run concurrently with his state sentence.  MISSINO is scheduled to be sentenced in state court on April 30, at which time he is expected to receive a sentence of 40 years, execution suspended after 25 years.

On March 21, 2014, McAllister was sentenced in federal court to 108 months of imprisonment, concurrently with a state sentence of 25 years, execution suspended after 16 years.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Connecticut State Police, the Massachusetts State Police, and the East Lyme, Greenwich, Madison, Guilford, Glastonbury, North Branford and Wallingford Police Departments.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert M. Spector.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that EMMANUEL BLANCO BALBUENA, also known as “Manny,” 29, of New London, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 30 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.  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.  Court-authorized wiretaps and physical surveillance revealed that BALBUENA regularly purchased distribution quantities of heroin from Capellan Maldonado and then sold the drug to his own customers in New London and Norwich.

BALBUENA 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 the intent to distribute heroin.

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

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MARVIN OGMAN, 37, of New Haven was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 30 months of imprisonment for violating the terms and conditions of his supervised release from a previous federal conviction.  Earlier this month, OGMAN was sentenced to 36 months of imprisonment for using a telephone to facilitate a drug trafficking offense.  The sentences will run consecutively.

In December 2005, MARVIN OGMAN was sentenced in federal court to 95 months of imprisonment, followed by six years of supervised release, for his role in a narcotics distribution conspiracy.  He was released from federal prison in May 2011.

On April 9, 2012, a grand jury returned an indictment charging MARVIN OGMAN and 17 other individuals with narcotics distribution and related offenses stemming from an investigation conducted by the FBI New Haven Safe Streets Task Force, the New Haven Police Department and the Connecticut State Police into drug distribution and related violence allegedly being committed by members and associates of the Grape Street Crips in New Haven.  Two additional individuals were later charged in the case.  During the investigation, MARVIN OGMAN was identified over a court-authorized wiretap arranging crack cocaine transactions with his nephew, Donald Ogman, who has been identified in court proceedings as the alleged leader of the Grape Street Crips.

On December 22, 2012, MARVIN OGMAN pleaded guilty to one count of using a telephone to facilitate a drug trafficking offense.  On April 11, 2014, in Bridgeport, Senior U.S. District Judge Warren W. Eginton sentenced MARVIN OGMAN to 36 months of imprisonment.

Today, Chief Judge Hall ordered MARVIN OGMAN to serve a four-year term of supervised release after serving an effective sentence of 66 months of imprisonment.

Donald Ogman has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.

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

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

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that RICHARD SLEEVA, 51, of Naples, Florida, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to three years of probation for possessing stolen firearms silencers.  SLEEVA was also ordered to perform 450 hours of community service.

According to court documents and statements made in court, SLEEVA was a Federal Firearms Licensee and had obtained silencers as a member of Gemtech’s Board of Directors prior to his removal from the Board in 2001.  When he was removed from the Board, SLEEVA failed to return the silencers after Gemtech repeatedly demanded that he do so.  Gemtech then reported the firearms as stolen.

SLEEVA’s Federal Firearms License expired in 2003.

On September 22, 2011, SLEEVA pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a stolen firearm and admitted that, from 2001 through September 2009, he unlawfully possessed three Gemtech firearms silencers at a former residence in Pennsylvania.

As part of the resolution of this case, SLEEVA agreed to forfeit approximately 117 firearms that he owned and possessed at residences in Pennsylvania and Newtown, Connecticut.  The firearms, which SLEEVA voluntarily turned over to ATF agents in 2009, include more than 40 firearms silencers, more than 40 short-barreled shotguns, as well as several machine guns, semi-automatic handguns and semi-automatic rifles.

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance of Homeland Security Investigations.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert M. Spector.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JESUS F. GONZALEZ, SR., 37, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 180 months of imprisonment, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, for producing child pornography.

According to court documents and statements made in court, GONZALEZ had sexual intercourse with a minor female victim on several occasions between approximately February 2012 and August 2012.  On approximately August 9, 2012, GONZALEZ used his cell phone to take multiple pictures of the victim, naked, in sexually explicit positions.  GONZALEZ then maintained the pictures on his phone.  The victim was approximately 14 years old at the time the sexually explicit pictures were taken.

On February 3, 2014, GONZALEZ pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of production of child pornography.  GONZALEZ has been detained in state custody since his arrest on August 11, 2012 on related state charges.

This matter was investigated by the Waterbury Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Connecticut Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.  The Connecticut State’s Attorney’s Office in Waterbury also provided critical assistance in this investigation.

The case was 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.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LAWRENCE BLUE, 36, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 30 months of imprisonment, followed by six years of supervised release, for distributing crack.

In December 2002, BLUE was sentenced by Judge Hall to 92 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.  He was released from federal prison in June 2009.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 20, 2012, the U.S. Marshals Service and members of the Connecticut Violent Fugitive Task Force arrested BLUE at his Bridgeport residence on a federal violation of supervised release warrant.  On that date, a search of BLUE’s bedroom revealed narcotics, two loaded firearms and approximately $2,500 in cash.

On April 17, 2012, Judge Hall sentenced BLUE to 21 months of imprisonment for violating the conditions of his supervised release stemming from his prior federal conviction.

On October 23, 2013, BLUE pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (“crack”).

BLUE has been detained since his arrest in March 2012.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alina P. Reynolds.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

Follow @USAO_CT

The United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut today announced that three more Florida men have been arrested for their alleged participation in the March 2010 theft of approximately $80 million in pharmaceuticals from an Eli Lilly Company warehouse and storage facility in Enfield, Conn.

On April 10, 2014, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned a second superseding indictment charging AMAURY VILLA, 39, of Miami, YOSMANY NUNEZ, also known as “El Gato,” 41, of Southwest Ranches, Fla., ALEXANDER MARQUEZ, 40, of Hialeah, Fla.,and RAFAEL LOPEZ, 49, of Miami, on federal conspiracy and theft charges.  The indictment was unsealed yesterday. 

NUNEZ, MARQUEZ and LOPEZ, who are citizens of Cuba, were arrested last week in Florida.  VILLA was originally charged by indictment in March 2012 and has been in federal custody since May 2012. 

The second superseding indictment alleges that, between January and March 2010, VILLA, NUNEZ, MARQUEZ, LOPEZ and another individual conspired to steal pharmaceuticals from the Eli Lilly Company warehouse and storage facility in Enfield.  The investigation revealed that, in early 2010, VILLA, NUNEZ and others traveled from the Miami area to Connecticut to gather information about the warehouse facility and the surrounding area.  Shortly before the theft, LOPEZ and another individual traveled to Flushing, N.Y., where they purchased tools needed to break into the warehouse facility, and then traveled to Connecticut.

The indictment alleges that, in the evening of March 13, 2010, MARQUEZ drove a tractor trailer to the parking lot of the Eli Lilly warehouse facility.  Later that evening, VILLA and a co-conspirator carried a ladder to the warehouse, checked for security in the front area, climbed onto the roof, used the tools to cut a hole in the facility roof, dropped down into the facility and disabled the alarm system.  Thereafter, VILLA and others loaded approximately 49 pallets of pharmaceuticals into the tractor trailer, which they had backed up to the loading dock of the warehouse.

The indictment alleges that LOPEZ was in the vicinity of the Enfield warehouse at the time of the theft and communicated by cell phone with a co-conspirator who was inside the warehouse.

The pallets of pharmaceuticals included thousands of boxes Zyprexa, Cymbalta, Prozac, Gemzar and other medicines, valued at approximately $80 million.

It is alleged that MARQUEZ drove the tractor trailer containing the stolen pharmaceuticals from Connecticut to Florida.  VILLA, NUNEZ, MARQUEZ and a co-conspirator then met in Florida, unloaded the stolen pharmaceuticals from the tractor trailer and stored them in public storage facility in Miami area.

As part of an investigation in the Southern District of Florida, on October 14, 2011, a search of a storage facility in Florida recovered pharmaceuticals that had been stolen from the Enfield warehouse.

The defendants are charged with one count of conspiracy, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, four counts of theft from an interstate shipment, each of which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, and one count of interstate transportation of stolen property, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

NUNEZ and MARQUEZ were arrested on April 17 in Florida.  Both are detained pending hearings that are scheduled for April 24 in Fort Lauderdale.  LOPEZ surrendered to authorities yesterday.  He was released on bond and is scheduled to be arraigned in the District of Connecticut on May 1.

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

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anastasia E. King and Douglas P. Morabito, with the assistance of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.

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.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that PIERRE GALAN, also known as “P.L.O.,” 28, of New Haven, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Ellen Bree Burns in New Haven to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking heroin.

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

On December 6, 2013, GALAN pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 100 grams or more of heroin.

GALAN’s criminal history includes one prior felony firearms conviction.

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

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

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that MICHAEL BEVERLY, 37, formerly of New Haven, was sentenced yesterday by Senior U.S. District Judge Ellen Bree Burns in New Haven to 15 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for escaping from federal custody.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 17, 2013, BEVERLY escaped from custody in the Watkinson House Residential Reentry Center in Hartford.  BEVERLY was serving a 77-month term of imprisonment imposed following his 2008 conviction in federal court for possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. He was apprehended approximately two weeks later by the U.S. Marshals Service and returned to custody.

The 15-month sentence imposed yesterday will run consecutively to the undischarged term of imprisonment BEVERLY was serving on his 2008 conviction.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and the New Haven Police Department, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Mattei.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that STEPHANIE ELLIOTT, 41, of West Hartford, and MICHAEL CARTER, 50, of New Haven, have been indicted for tax evasion.

This matter stems from an Internal Revenue Service investigation into high income taxpayers who have had little or no federal withholding taken out of their paychecks.  The investigation revealed that individuals allegedly submitted fraudulent W-4 forms claiming numerous exemptions and had no money withheld from their wages.

The six-count indictment against ELLIOTT alleges that, during the 2007 through 2012 tax years, she paid no federal income taxes on approximately $482,912 in income she received, resulting in a federal tax loss of approximately $100,011.

The three-count indictment against CARTER alleges that, during the 2010 through 2012 tax years, he paid no federal income taxes on approximately $254,332 in income he received, resulting in a federal tax loss of approximately $52,679.

ELLIOTT and CARTER are employed as nurses with the State of Connecticut’s Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

The indictments were returned under seal by a federal grand jury in New Haven on April 9.  ELLIOTT appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Garfinkel in Bridgeport yesterday, and CARTER appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Smith in Hartford today.  ELLIOTT entered a plea of not guilty.  CARTER’s arraignment is scheduled for next week.

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

This case is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan Wines.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LORETTA SENECA, 51, of Boynton Beach, Fla., was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to 27 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for her role in a real estate investment scheme.  SENECA was also ordered to serve the first six months of supervised release in home confinement, and to perform 120 hours of community service.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between approximately November 2006 and December 2007, Robert Rivernider, Robert Ponte and SENECA engaged in a real estate investment conspiracy that defrauded both lenders and individuals they recruited.  Rivernider is SENECA’s brother.  As part of the scheme, Rivernider, Ponte and others recruited victim borrowers to take out financing to purchase various investment properties, primarily in Tennessee and Florida, with financing from victim lenders.  Rivernider and Ponte typically represented to borrowers that these properties would be passive investments and that Rivernider and Ponte would be responsible for the details of the purchase, rental, maintenance and payment of the mortgages on the properties.  The co-conspirators made false representations to the victim borrowers that Rivernider and Ponte would arrange for the purchase of the properties by the borrowers at markedly discounted values.  In fact, Rivernider and Ponte frequently marked up the purchase price of the properties to the victim borrowers, often by as much as 25 percent, without disclosing the increase in the purchase price.  Rivernider, Ponte and others also falsely represented that the investment properties would return to the victim borrowers sufficient monies to cover the carrying costs, as well as reduce the borrowers’ other debt burden.

Rivernider, Ponte, SENECA and others victimized lenders by making multiple false representations in loan applications and other documents provided to the victim lenders.  SENECA, a trained mortgage broker, was actively involved in the real estate transactions, including organizing and gathering many of the materials needed by the victim lenders, gathering certain information from the victim borrowers, providing certain comparables based on properties brokered by Rivernider to be used for purportedly independent appraisals, and a range of other background tasks necessary for the lenders to make the loans.

This scheme involved at least 100 properties, and the victim lending institutions suffered more than $21 million in losses.

On February 25, 2013, SENECA pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy and one count of wire fraud.

Rivernider and Ponte pleaded guilty to multiple charges stemming from both this scheme and a separate scheme that defrauded investors out of approximately $2.2 million.  They are currently serving prison terms of 144 months and 90 months, respectively.

Judge Chatigny ordered SENECA to pay restitution in the amount of $5 million, and the government is seeking an order of full restitution against Rivernider and Ponte.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John H. Durham and Christopher W. Schmeisser.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOSE MORALES, 53, of New London, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing heroin and illegally possessing firearms.

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.  MORALES purchased raw heroin from Maldonado’s associate and sold it to his own customers, typically in quantities of five to ten grams at a time.

MORALES was arrested on April 3, 2013.  A search of his Willets Avenue residence on that date revealed a shotgun, a .22 caliber semi-automatic pistol, several rounds of ammunition, heroin packaging material and $940 in cash.

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.

MORALES has been detained since his arrest.  On January 6, 2014, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute heroin.

MORALES has multiple prior felony convictions, including convictions for sexual assault, violating a protective order, threatening, robbery and larceny.

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

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

Follow @USAO_CT

The United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut and the United States Postal Inspection Service announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven returned a seven-count indictment today charging JOHN G. ROWLAND, 56, of Middlebury, with offenses stemming from his efforts to conceal the extent of his involvement in two federal election campaigns.  ROWLAND served as governor of Connecticut from 1995 to 2004, and in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1985 to 1991.

The indictment alleges that in approximately October 2009, ROWLAND devised a scheme to work for the campaign of a candidate seeking election to the U.S. House of Representatives from Connecticut’s Fifth Congressional District during the 2009 and 2010 election cycle, and to conceal from the Federal Election Commission (“FEC”) and the public the fact that he would be paid to perform that work.  To make the illegal arrangement appear legitimate, ROWLAND drafted a sham consulting contract pursuant to which he would purportedly perform work for a separate corporate entity, referred to in the indictment as the “Animal Center.”  By proposing to run the campaign-related payments to ROWLAND through the Animal Center, ROWLAND sought to prevent actual campaign contributions and expenditures from being reported to the FEC and the public.

The indictment further alleges that during the 2011 and 2012 election cycle, Lisa Wilson-Foley was a candidate for election to the U.S. House of Representatives from Connecticut’s Fifth Congressional District.  Wilson-Foley’s husband, Brian Foley, owns a Connecticut nursing home company and a number of other related companies, including a real estate company.  It is alleged that ROWLAND conspired with Wilson-Foley, Foley and others to conceal from the FEC and the public that ROWLAND was paid money in exchange for services he provided to Wilson-Foley’s campaign.

The indictment alleges that ROWLAND proposed to Wilson-Foley and Foley that he be hired to work on the campaign.  In order to retain ROWLAND’s services for the campaign while reducing the risk that his paid campaign role would be disclosed to the public, ROWLAND, Wilson-Foley and Foley agreed that ROWLAND would be paid by Foley to work on the campaign.  In furtherance of the scheme, ROWLAND, Foley and others created and executed a fictitious contract outlining an agreement purportedly for consulting services between ROWLAND and the law offices of an attorney who worked for Foley’s nursing home company.  Foley made regular payments to ROWLAND for his work on behalf of Wilson-Foley’s campaign and routed those payments from his real estate company through the law offices of the attorney and on to ROWLAND.  ROWLAND provided nominal services to Foley’s nursing home company in order to create a “cover” that he was being paid for those nominal services when, in fact, he was being paid in exchange for his work on behalf of Wilson-Foley’s campaign.

It is alleged that between September 2011 and April 2012, ROWLAND was paid approximately $35,000 for services rendered to Wilson-Foley’s campaign.  The payments originated with Foley and constituted campaign contributions, but were not reported to the FEC in violation of federal campaign finance laws.

The indictment charges ROWLAND with two counts of falsification of records in a federal investigation, a charge that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count, one count of conspiracy, a charge that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, two counts of causing false statements to be made to the FEC, a charge that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years on each count, and two counts of causing illegal campaign contributions, a charge that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of one year on each count.

ROWLAND is expected to be arraigned tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. in New Haven.

This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Investigation Service and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Liam Brennan and Christopher Mattei.

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.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that RICHTER RINVIL, also known as “Ricky, 20, of Stamford, was sentenced yesterday by Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 66 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for possessing two sawed-off shotguns and narcotics.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in January 2013, the Stamford Police Department conducted a controlled purchase of heroin from RINVIL.  RINVIL was arrested on January 30, 2013, and a search of his Custer Street residence on that date revealed two sawed-off shotguns, one of which was loaded, as well as 4.2 grams of heroin packaged for distribution, approximately 293 grams of marijuana, a personal use quantity of cocaine, drug packaging materials and $3,470 in cash.

RINVIL has been detained since his arrest.  On January 13, 2014, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of unregistered firearms.

This matter was investigated by the Stamford Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Vanessa Richards.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that ALPHONZO DIXON, also known as “Fonz,” 26, of New Haven, was sentenced yesterday by Senior U.S. District Judge Warren W. Eginton in Bridgeport to 46 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm and distributing crack cocaine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an investigation conducted by the FBI New Haven Safe Streets Task Force, the New Haven Police Department and the Connecticut State Police into drug distribution and related violence allegedly being committed by members and associates of the Grape Street Crips in New Haven.  DIXON was identified over a court-authorized wiretap communicating with Donald Ogman, who has been identified in court proceedings as the alleged leader of the Grape Street Crips, and discussing narcotics transactions and shootings.

In February 2012, DIXON purchased eighth-ounce quantities of crack cocaine from members of the conspiracy for distribution purposes.  On March 12, 2012, investigators also recovered a revolver that was identified as belonging to DIXON.

DIXON had been convicted in August 2011 of possessing a weapon in a motor vehicle, and 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.

DIXON has been detained since March 26, 2012.

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

All of the defendants have pleaded guilty.  On August 8, 2012, DIXON pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon, and one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base (“crack cocaine”).

DIXON will begin service of his federal sentence after he completes a six-month term of incarceration for contempt ordered in state court on December 13, 2013, following DIXON’s refusal to testify at trial.
Ogman awaits sentencing.

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

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

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ANGEL ROSA, also known as “Booby” and “Little Booby, 21, of East Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 66 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for his role in a heroin trafficking ring.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from “Operation Solid Sweep,” 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, also known as “Little” and “Daddy,” who is a member of the Los Solidos street gang.  Rosa’s cousin, Angel Rosa, also known as “Mo Betta” and “Fab,” supervised the daily operations of the organization, which distributed heroin and other narcotics in the Zion Street area.

ROSA, who is Mo Betta’s son, distributed heroin from 584 Zion Street almost every day during the course of the investigation.

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.

ROSA was arrested on April 11, 2013.  On December 19, 2013, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 100 grams or more of heroin.

Angel Rosa, aka “Little” and “Daddy,” and Angel Rosa, aka “Mo Betta” and “Fab,” have each pleaded guilty and await sentencing.

This matter is being 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.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Bruce M. Foucart, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England, today announced that a federal judge in Hartford has revoked the citizenship of RORY DECORDOVA GAYLE, 44, formerly of Windsor and West Hartford.

According to court documents, GAYLE was born in Jamaica in 1969 and entered the United States in 1979 as a lawful permanent resident.  In January 1999, GAYLE applied to become a U.S. citizen.  On his Application for Naturalization, GAYLE answered “no” in response to the question “Have you ever . . . knowingly committed any crime for which you have not been arrested?”  In an oral interview with a U.S. immigration official in June 1999, GAYLE swore that all of the information provided on his application was true and correct.  GAYLE’s application was approved and, on August 6, 1999, he was sworn in as a naturalized U.S. citizen.

On October 30, 2000, GAYLE pleaded guilty in Connecticut Superior Court to two counts of first degree sexual assault of a minor for crimes committed between November 1996 and September 1999.  GAYLE was sentenced to 20 years of incarceration, suspended after 15 years, a 10-year period of probation and lifetime registration as a sex offender.  He is currently incarcerated with a maximum release date of July 14, 2014.

After an investigation by ICE Homeland Security Investigations uncovered GAYLE’s misrepresentations to immigration authorities, the U.S. Attorney’s Office initiated a denaturalization action against GAYLE in October 2012.

On January 29, 2014, U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant ordered GAYLE’s citizenship revoked on the ground that he lacked the good moral character necessary for citizenship, and that his application for naturalization concealed material facts and included willful misrepresentations.

ICE has initiated removal proceedings against GAYLE on the basis of his criminal history.  On April 4, ICE issued an immigration detainer for GAYLE, requesting that the Connecticut Department of Correction transfer GAYLE to ICE custody upon the conclusion of his state sentence.

“For foreign-born individuals, citizenship is a privilege, not a right,” stated U.S. Attorney Daly.  “Mr. Gayle corrupted the naturalization process by concealing his criminal past, a past that included the repeated sexual abuse of a minor.  The revocation of his citizenship is entirely appropriate.”

“Someone who chooses to sexually abuse a child and then lie in order to gain U.S. citizenship possess a serious threat to the community, and we support the judge’s decision to revoke his citizenship,” said Bruce Foucart, special agent in charge of HSI Boston.

This matter was investigated by ICE Homeland Security Investigations and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carolyn A. Ikari

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Ted Doherty, regional Special Agent in Charge for the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General, Patricia M. Ferrick, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Cheryl Garcia, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, Office of Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigations, New York Region, today announced that Plainville-based construction company MANAFORT BROTHERS, INC. (Manafort) will pay $2.4 million and implement internal reforms subject to independent monitoring to resolve a multi-agency joint criminal and civil investigation into alleged fraud committed by the company in connection with a public works project that commenced in 2007.  As part of the resolution, Manafort admitted that it made false statements to the United States and the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation that disadvantaged business enterprises (DBE) performed subcontracted work on the federally and state funded relocation of Route 72 when, in fact, non-DBE performed the work.

The joint investigation revealed that, in 2007, Manafort submitted a bid to ConnDOT to serve as the general contractor on a federally and state funded project that involved a two-mile relocation of Route 72 in Bristol and Plainville, as well as the reconstruction of 2.4 miles of existing secondary roads.  All qualifying bids were required to designate a percentage of work that would be performed by DBE, a requirement designed to provide socially and economically disadvantaged contractors, who have faced historical barriers to entry in the construction industry, with fair opportunities to compete for federally funded work.

In April 2007, the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) determined that Manafort was the apparent low bidder for the project with bid of approximately $39,663,000.  According to the pre-award bid documents, Manafort represented to ConnDOT that a particular DBE, identified as “Company #1,” would perform work under the contract totaling approximately $3,064,372, or 70 percent of the overall DBE goal.  In its pre-award submission package, Manafort stated that Company #1 would furnish all supervision, labor and materials in respect to the work covered by the subcontract agreement.  This work involved being responsible for the project’s reinforcing steel, materials for structural steel, furnishing a pedestrian bridge that would span the new roadway and the majority of work for a large retaining wall adjacent to the new highway.

The contract for the project was officially awarded to Manafort in August 2007 based, in part, on its representations that Company #1 would perform the work described in Manafort’s pre-award submission. During the course of the project, it was determined Company #1 was not performing most of the work that Manafort claimed it was performing.  In fact, the investigation revealed that Manafort was utilizing Company #1 essentially as a pass-through entity.  That is, Manafort would negotiate with and supervise subcontractors that it procured to perform work that Company #1 was supposed to perform or procure and supervise.  The Government maintains that Manafort arranged to pay those contractors through Company #1 to skirt DBE regulations.

Under the terms of a non-prosecution agreement and civil settlement agreement with the government, Manafort represented that it has undertaken various remedial measures to ensure compliance with the DBE programs for its current and future federally funded construction projects.  These measures include establishing a position for an Ethics and Compliance Officer at Manafort, forming a DBE compliance committee that meets regularly to review and address DBE-related issues, mandating DBE compliance training for Manafort employees, deploying software to insure that DBE are qualified to perform the work that they bid, removing the Manafort personnel directly involved in the misconduct, and continuing to assist law enforcement in its investigation.  Manafort has also agreed to pay a civil fine of $2,460,722.02.

“Manafort sought an unfair and illegal advantage over its competitors and deprived disadvantaged businesses of an opportunity to perform work on this taxpayer funded construction project,” said U.S. Attorney Daly.  “The fine and the remedial measures mandated by this resolution demonstrate this Office’s commitment to ensuring fairness, transparency and equal opportunity in taxpayer funded projects.  By entering into this agreement, Manafort recognized that it made false statements to the Government and committed to change.  While our investigation of individuals continues, we agreed to this corporate resolution in order to reflect the company’s efforts to reform itself and to avoid further damage to its many blameless employees.  We thank the U.S. Department of Transportation – Office of Inspector General, Connecticut FBI and the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General for their excellent work on this important case.”

“The DBE program is a business assistance program of the U.S. DOT which helps economically and socially disadvantaged small businesses compete in the marketplace,” said Ted Doherty, regional Special Agent-in-Charge for the DOT’s Office of Inspector General.  “DBE fraud harms the integrity of the program and adversely impacts law-abiding, small business contractors trying to compete on a level playing field.  Working with our federal, state, and local law enforcement and prosecutorial partners, we will vigorously pursue those who violate the law, and expose and shut down fraud schemes that adversely affect public trust and DOT-assisted programs.”

“Manafort Brothers, Inc. sought to circumvent, misrepresent and outright deceive the U.S. government,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Ferrick.  “Contractors that work on government-funded projects, such as those with disadvantaged business enterprise requirements, need to operate above-board or be excluded from the bidding process.  Manafort has agreed to undertake remedial compliance measures and that is a step in the right direction.  The DOT, DOL and FBI will continue to investigate this matter until all outstanding issues are addressed.”

The non-prosecution agreement announced today addresses only the corporate criminal liability of Manafort, not potential criminal charges for any individual.

This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Transportation – Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General, with assistance from the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation.  The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Mattei and William Collier.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Cynthia Giles, Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, and Commissioner Robert Klee of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection announced that CONOPCO, INC., doing business as UNILEVER HOME & PERSONAL CARE USA, (“Unilever”) was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to three years of probation and a $1 million fine for violating the Clean Water Act at its former manufacturing site in Clinton in 2008.  As part of the resolution of this case, Unilever also is contributing $3.5 million to state and local environmental programs, and instituting a new environmental compliance program at its U.S. manufacturing facilities.

“The environmental integrity of Connecticut’s rivers and the Long Island Sound are of essential importance to our state and all of us,” said U.S. Attorney Daly.  “As this prosecution so clearly demonstrates, we will pursue all violations of federal laws to protect our waters.  We recognize and thank the EPA for their invaluable work in this investigation, and commend Unilever for redressing their violations by contributing $2.5 million to fund research, outreach and education projects related to the effects of rising sea levels, and $1 million to construct a fishway in Clinton and for other environmentally projects in the lower Hammonasset River watershed.  The Company’s contributions will directly assist the State of Connecticut in its efforts to protect and preserve our environment.”

“This case started with Unilever’s criminal conduct and is ending with a big return to the communities,” said Cynthia Giles, Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “Unilever is taking responsibility for its illegal actions by funding important environmental research and development. This work is critical to protect communities, and help them prepare for the effects of climate change.”

“This case sends a strong message that everyone must obey our environmental laws and regulations – they are designed to protect natural resources and the public health and will be enforced,” said DEEP Commissioner Robert Klee.  “In addition, this resolution provides funding for important local projects as well as supports the launch of the Connecticut Institute for Resiliency and Climate Adaptation at the University of Connecticut’s Avery Point campus, where important work will be done to help our residents and communities address challenges being posed by the changing climate.”

According to court documents and statements made in court, Unilever’s Clinton manufacturing facility produced a variety of health and beauty products for sale in the United States.  The wastewater produced by the plant was regulated by a permit that prohibited the company from bypassing any portion of its wastewater treatment system unless the bypass was unanticipated, unavoidable, and necessary to prevent loss of life, personal injury or severe property damage.  The permit further required that Unilever notify authorities within two hours of becoming aware of any bypass, and submit a written report within five days setting forth the cause of the problem, the duration of the event including dates and times, and corrective actions taken or planned to prevent future occurrences.

On December 5, 2008, at approximately 3:00 p.m., a third party contract employee noticed that a hose was being used to bypass the industrial process wastewater treatment system by allowing the contents of a 4,500 gallon vacuum filter filtrate tank to discharge directly to a storm drain pipe that led to Hayden Creek.  Upon making this discovery, the contract employee alerted the junior wastewater treatment operator for the Clinton facility and showed him the hose and ongoing wastewater bypass.  These two individuals then shut off the hose at approximately 3:10 p.m.

At 3:30 p.m., the contract employee notified his non-Unilever supervisor about his observations, and was urged to notify the Safety, Health and Environmental (SHE) manager of the Clinton facility.  The SHE manager received a call from the contract employee between 3:30 and 3:45 p.m.  After asking the contract employee to send her an email describing his observations, the SHE manager went to the waste treatment area between 3:45 and 4:00 p.m. and observed foamy water and signs of recent discharge at the inlet of the storm drain pipe. The SHE manager notified the plant manager, took pictures, and observed the downstream oil/water separator.  Despite the requirement that the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) be notified within two hours of the detection of such a bypass, Unilever chose not notify the DEEP within this two-hour window.

On December 6, 2008, the SHE manager referred the matter to counsel for Unilever for further investigation and notification of DEEP.  The next day, in response to the SHE manager’s request, the contract employee sent the SHE manager an email detailing his observations of the bypass and stating “[t]his is not the first time I’ve seen this done at your facility, I’ve seen this on two previous occasions.  At that time, however, I was still trying to learn the system as quickly as possible and didn’t understand the significance of what I was viewing.”  In the email, the contract employee opined that the senior operator had performed the intentional bypass and had “done this on several occasions, and perhaps more often than we care to know.”

On December 8, 2008, three days after being notified of the illegal discharge, the Unilever plant manager interviewed the two wastewater treatment operators and the contract employee who had initially discovered the bypass.  All three individuals denied any responsibility for the bypass and indicated that they did not know who was responsible, although the contract employee again stated that he believed that the senior operator was responsible.  From these interviews, the plant manager did not determine who was responsible for the bypass or confirm whether any prior bypasses had occurred.  Later that day, the plant manager sent an email to his superior within the organization indicating that “we had somebody by pass [sic] the waste treatment process and put water into the storm water system . . .working with legal on how to handle the DEP [sic], if at all.”

On December 8, a DEEP compliance inspector was on-site at the Clinton facility for an unrelated reason.  Unilever again failed to notify the on-site DEEP representative of the bypass that had occurred.  On approximately December 10, Unilever notified the DEEP for the first time of the discharge that occurred five days earlier on December 5.  This written notification occurred within the required five-day time period for the mandatory written report.  Unilever also disclosed the discharge to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in a written submission dated December 16, 2008.

Unilever conducted its own internal investigation of the December 2008 incident.  In subsequent conversations and written communications with federal and state authorities throughout 2009 and 2010, Unilever claimed it was unable to conclusively determine who was responsible for the bypass, and mischaracterized the incident as an isolated, “one-off” incident that may have been the work of unknown “vandals.”

An extensive EPA investigation revealed the truth about what had happened.  The junior operator admitted to the EPA that he intentionally bypassed the system on December 5. EPA further concluded that for an extended period of time, perhaps as long as two years prior to December 2008, the wastewater treatment operators routinely bypassed the system on a weekly basis, discharging approximately 1,500 gallons of partially treated wastewater at a time to the storm drain that led to Hayden Creek.  EPA’s investigation established that these bypasses were concealed from and unknown to Unilever management, including the SHE manager and the plant manager.  Unilever’s management was aware, however, both that the operators were not properly overseeing the wastewater treatment system and that the system was not properly functioning:

• The strength, flow, and variability of the facility’s wastewater made it difficult to treat.    System upsets and capacity limitations often necessitated that wastewater be trucked off-site for treatment at a cost of approximately $1500 per truckload.  The treatment system operators had authority to call for trucking if needed for wastewater treatment.
• Portions of the treatment system were old and in need of repair and maintenance.  Equipment replacements and system improvements recommended by outside consultants were not fully implemented, although some corrective measures were completed.
• The treatment system required constant operator attention and adjustment.  Nevertheless, during 2008, the senior operator was often absent.  The junior operator did not possess the required license or training to qualify him to operate the system independently for extended periods of time without supervision, yet he was allowed by Unilever to do so.
• Although the waste treatment operators were licensed by the State of Connecticut and subject to applicable permit requirements, they required oversight to properly operate the plant.  That oversight was inconsistent and the operators were allowed to act autonomously.

In December 2012, Unilever ceased manufacturing operations at the Clinton facility.

On December 5, 2013, Unilever pleaded guilty to two counts of knowingly violating, or causing to be violated, the Clean Water Act.

Today, Unilever made a $3.5 million payment to the Connecticut Statewide Supplemental Environmental Project Account (SEP) administered by DEEP.  Of that money, $2.5 million will be directed to the Connecticut Institute for Resiliency and Climate Adaptation at the University of Connecticut’s Avery Point campus, which will conduct research, outreach and education projects related to the effects of rising sea levels.  In addition, $500,000 will be used to design and construct a fishway at the Chapman Mill Pond in Clinton, and $500,000 will be used to fund various water quality or ecosystem restoration projects in the lower Hammonasset River watershed.

Unilever also has agreed to periodic environmental compliance inspections by an outside auditor at all of its manufacturing locations in the U.S, and to certify, within one year of sentencing, that all of its employees at these facilities who perform or manage work subject to environmental compliance requirements have received basic environmental compliance training.  In addition, all Unilever employees who are responsible for advising these facilities with respect to mandatory notifications to be made to state and federal environmental agencies must complete additional training to ensure they understand the legal notification requirements under applicable environmental laws.

This matter was investigated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Miller and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Kenyon.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that EDDIE RODRIGUEZ, also known as “Joel,” 30, of New London, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 77 months of imprisonment, followed by four 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.  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.  RODRIGUEZ purchased heroin from Maldonado’s associate and sold the drug to his own customers.

RODRIGUEZ has been detained since his arrest on April 3, 2013.  On January 2, 2014, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.

RODRIGUEZ has several prior felony convictions.

More than 100 individuals have been charged with federal and state offenses as a result of this investigation.  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 case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Alina P. Reynolds, Sarah P. Karwan and Henry K. Kopel.  The state cases are being prosecuted by the State’s Attorney for the New London Judicial District and Senior Assistant State’s Attorneys Paul Narducci and Stephen Carney.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Patricia M. Ferrick, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Ronald G. Gardella, Special Agent-in-Charge, Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General, New York Field Office, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment today charging KISHA PERKINS, a case manager at the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury (FCI Danbury), for her role in a scheme to solicit and collect cash bribes from FCI Danbury inmates in exchange for a recommendation that inmates be released early to “halfway houses.”

The indictment charges PERKINS, 42, of Waterbury, with one count of paying a bribe to a public official, and one count of acceptance of a bribe by a public official.  PERKINS was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on March 14, 2014.

As alleged in the criminal complaint, in June 2013, PERKINS approached another FCI Danbury employee about an opportunity to participate in a scheme to solicit a cash bribe from an inmate at FCI Danbury in exchange for the inmate’s early release to a halfway house.  At that time, PERKINS held the job title of “Unit Counselor” at FCI Danbury and did not have administrative authority to recommend inmates for early release.  PERKINS explained that the inmate and the inmate’s husband were willing to pay $20,000, and that PERKINS’ co-worker, who would receive half of the money, was needed to complete the scheme because the co-worker had the administrative ability to recommend inmates for early release.

PERKINS’ co-worker declined to participate in the scheme, reported the incident to law enforcement and agreed to cooperate in the investigation, which included the use of numerous consensually recorded conversations.

In July 2013, PERKINS’ co-worker told PERKINS that he/she had changed his/her mind and wanted to participate in the scheme.  It is alleged that PERKINS informed her co-worker that a scheme involving the inmate who had been previously identified was no longer feasible.

As the investigation continued, in February 2014, PERKINS’ co-worker identified a second inmate as a possible candidate for the bribe scheme.  Is it alleged that PERKINS agreed to participate and, after extensive planning, on March 8, 2014, PERKINS and her co-worker traveled to a commuter lot off of Exit 28 on Interstate 84 to pick up a partial bribe payment of $5,000 in cash in a fast food bag that, as PERKINS believed, was to be dropped off by an acquaintance of the inmate.

If convicted, PERKINS faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years on each count.

After her arrest on March 14, PERKINS was released on a $100,000 bond.  Her bond was revoked on March 28 and she is currently detained.  An arraignment and detention hearing is scheduled for April 7 in New Haven.

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 the Department of Justice Office of Inspector General.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan Wines.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that XAVIER CLUFF, 41, of New London, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 70 months of imprisonment, followed by four 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.  According to court documents and statements made in court, CLUFF was intercepted over court-authorized wiretaps ordering 100-gram quantities of heroin from his drug supplier, Luis Ariel Capellan Maldonado, for distribution purposes.  CLUFF was identified as one of Capellan Maldonado’s largest and most frequent customers.

CLUFF has been detained since his arrest on April 3, 2013.  On December 13, 2013, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.

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

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that OVES ST. ORBIN WRIGHT, 56, of Massapequa, N.Y., was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 37 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for trafficking marijuana.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 19, 2013, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CPB) agents in western Texas conducted a search of a tractor trailer and discovered approximately 315 pounds of marijuana secreted in a shipping crate.  CBP agents contacted DEA agents in El Paso who determined that the crate was destined for a shipping facility in Enfield, Conn.  On May 29, 2013, Connecticut DEA agents established surveillance at the Enfield shipping facility and observed WRIGHT and Kevin J. Dunbar unpack the crate, load the contents into a van and travel to a storage facility in East Hartford where they were arrested.

On October 22, 2013, WRIGHT pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute marijuana.  Dunbar, of Manchester, Conn., pleaded guilty to the same charge on October 23, 2013, and awaits sentencing.

This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with the assistance of U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey M. Stone and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Ahearn.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION of Stratford, Conn., which manufactures Black Hawk helicopters and spare parts for the helicopters for the U.S. Military and for friendly nations has entered into a civil settlement in which it will pay $3.5 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act arising from the submission of inflated costs in the pricing of spare parts.

The government alleges that from February 7, 2008 through September 8, 2011, Sikorsky failed to disclose accurate, complete and current cost and pricing data to the Army Aviation and Missile Life Cycle Management Command (“AMCOM”).  AMCOM is one of the purchasing commands of the Army that is charged with purchasing spare parts for the Black Hawk.

The Truth In Negotiations Act requires that contractors disclose accurate, complete and current cost and pricing data to the government during the negotiation process.  When determining the prices to be charged to the government, Sikorsky failed to disclose that it had lower prices for certain parts.  As a result, the government paid artificially excessive prices for those parts.

The Black Hawk repair work was principally performed at the Corpus Christi Army Depot in Corpus Christi, Texas.

“In this era of shrinking defense budgets, it is particularly important to guard the public coffers and safeguard against the unnecessary expenditures of funds from American taxpayers,” said U.S. Attorney Daly.  “Failure to disclose accurate, complete and current cost and pricing data created an uneven playing field in the negotiation process which tilted unfairly in Sikorsky’s favor.”

“Unethical decisions and instances of fraud occurring within the Defense contractor community continue to burden the U.S. Defense budget and puts U.S. military readiness at a disadvantage,” stated Craig W. Rupert, Special Agent in Charge, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) Northeast Field Office.  “With the current state of the economy, taxpayers can ill-afford to overpay for warfighter necessities required to carry out our Defense mission.  This investigative effort and resulting settlement reflects DCIS’ commitment to safeguarding our military members and protecting the taxpayer’s interests by ensuring transparency and accountability in the Department of Defense procurement system.”

This investigation was conducted by the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Defense Contract Audit Agency, Department of Defense Office of Inspector General-Audit Division, and the Defense Contract Management Agency.  The investigation was led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan M. Soloway.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

Follow @USAO_CT

The United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut and the United States Postal Inspection Service announced that LISA WILSON-FOLEY, a former candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, and her husband, BRIAN FOLEY, of Simsbury, pleaded guilty today before U.S Magistrate Judge Donna F. Martinez in Hartford to conspiring to make illegal campaign contributions.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2011 and 2012, WILSON-FOLEY, 54, was a candidate for election to the U.S. House of Representatives from Connecticut’s Fifth Congressional District, and competing in a primary campaign for the nomination of the Republican Party.  As a candidate for federal office, WILSON-FOLEY and her associates formed and registered with the Federal Election Commission (“FEC”) the “Lisa Wilson-Foley for Congress” committee in order to receive contributions and make expenditures on behalf of her campaign.

WILSON-FOLEY knew that federal law imposed restrictions on contributions to federal campaigns, and that her campaign committee was required by law to file periodic reports with the FEC detailing, among other things, contributions made to her campaign and expenditures made on the campaign’s behalf.  Under the federal campaign finance laws, convention, primary and general election campaign contributions were limited to $2,500 each, for a total of $7,500, from any individual to any one candidate.  WILSON-FOLEY knew that one of the purposes of the FEC reporting requirements was to make available to the voting public information concerning the source of contributions to the campaign and the nature of the campaign’s expenditures.

In September 2011, WILSON-FOLEY, FOLEY and a co-conspirator, who is a former elected official in the State of Connecticut, entered into an unlawful conspiracy to make and cause to be made illegal contributions to WILSON-FOLEY’s campaign.  As part of the scheme, the co-conspirator proposed to WILSON-FOLEY and FOLEY that he, the co-conspirator, be hired to work on the campaign.  The co-conspirator advised that he could replace the private political consultant that the campaign had retained.  WILSON-FOLEY wanted the co-conspirator to work on the campaign, but believed that if the co-conspirator was hired in a significant role by her campaign and paid through her campaign committee for that work, the media and the voting public would become aware of the co-conspirator’s official association with her campaign.  WILSON-FOLEY believed that, because the co-conspirator had previously been convicted of a felony offense, disclosure of his paid role in the campaign would result in substantial negative publicity for WILSON-FOLEY’s candidacy.  In order to retain the co-conspirator’s services for the campaign while reducing the risk that his paid campaign role would be disclosed to the public, WILSON-FOLEY, FOLEY and the co-conspirator agreed that the co-conspirator would be paid by FOLEY to work on the Campaign.

FOLEY, 62, owns a Connecticut nursing home company and a number of other related companies, including a real estate company.  As part of the scheme, the co-conspirator, FOLEY and others created and executed a fictitious contract outlining an agreement purportedly for consulting services between the co-conspirator and the law offices of an attorney who worked for FOLEY’s nursing home company.  FOLEY made regular payments to the co-conspirator for his work on behalf of WILSON-FOLEY’s campaign and routed those payments from his real estate company through the law offices of the attorney and on to the co-conspirator.

The co-conspirator provided nominal services to FOLEY’s nursing home company in order to create a “cover” that he was being paid for those nominal services when, in fact, he was being paid in exchange for his work on behalf of WILSON-FOLEY’s campaign.

Between September 2011 and April 2012, the co-conspirator was paid approximately $35,000 for services rendered to WILSON-FOLEY’s campaign.  The payments originated with FOLEY and constituted campaign contributions, but were not reported to the FEC in violation of federal campaign finance laws.

WILSON-FOLEY and FOLEY are scheduled to be sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Warren W. Eginton in Bridgeport on June 23, 2014, at which time they face a maximum term of imprisonment of one year and a fine of up to $100,000.

This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Postal Investigation Service.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Liam Brennan and Christopher Mattei.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ANGELA D. MARTIN, also known as Angela Haussmann, 29, of Wallingford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Holly B. Fitzsimmons in Bridgeport to one count of production of child pornography.

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

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

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

MARTIN is scheduled to be sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven on June 20, 2014, at which time she faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 50 years.  The penalties in this matter are enhanced based on MARTIN’s criminal history.

MARTIN has been detained since her arrest on September 19, 2013.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Wallingford Police Department, and the Connecticut Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel.
This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

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

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Chief State’s Attorney Kevin T. Kane, Patricia M. Ferrick, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Branford Police Chief Kevin Halloran today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven hasreturned an indictment charging JOHN VAILETTE, also known as “John John” and “Snagglepuss,” 42, and STEVEN MARTONE, also known as “Crash,” 45, with committing an arson in Branford in 2006 that caused the death Kathy Hardy.

The indictment was returned on March 26.  MARTONE was arrested this morning at his home in North Branford.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna F. Martinez in Hartford and is detained pending a hearing that is scheduled for April 2.  VAILETTE is currently incarcerated in federal prison.

As alleged in the indictment, at approximately 8:45 a.m. on the morning of March 7, 2006, the Branford Emergency Communications Center received 911 calls reporting a fire at 27 Little Bay Lane in Branford, a single-family home rented by Kathy Hardy.  After members of the Branford Fire Department arrived at the scene and extinguished the fire, firefighters located the body of Kathy Hardy, 39, on the second floor of the residence.   Fire Department investigators ultimately determined that the fire was initiated by accelerants located in the first floor living room area and on the staircase leading to the second floor of the dwelling.  An autopsy performed on Kathy Hardy concluded that the cause of death was smoke inhalation, and her death was classified as a homicide.

The indictment alleges that approximately two days after the fire, investigators located a truck regularly used by VAILETTE, which had been hidden in New Haven for a period of time in the aftermath of the fire.  The truck, which was found at the home of another close associate of VAILETTE’s, contained a silver serving platter and jewelry that belonged to Kathy Hardy.  The indictment also alleges that, after the fire, both VAILETTE and MARTONE made incriminating statements to other individuals.

“These two defendants are charged with setting the fire that killed Kathy Hardy, a mother of three, in 2006,” stated U.S. Attorney Daly.  “This lengthy, complex and ongoing investigation is being conducted with great care and professionalism by dedicated members of the FBI and Branford Police Department, with the assistance of state and local fire investigators.  I want to thank them and our state partners from the Chief State’s Attorney’s Office for their diligence and excellent work in this ongoing investigation.  Together, we seek justice for Ms. Hardy, her family and loved ones.”

“The action today is the result of extensive collaboration and cooperation by law enforcement agencies at the municipal, state and federal levels, and all of these agencies are to be commended for their commitment and dedication to resolving this tragic case,” stated Chief State’s Attorney Kane.

“This was a callous and horrific crime,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Ferrick.  “That the dedicated investigators never relented in their pursuit of justice is a tribute to them and their respective agencies.  I’d like to thank the Branford Police and Fire Departments as well as the Connecticut State Police - Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit for their perseverance in securing an indictment and for their steadfast commitment to the rest of the judicial process.”

“The horrific death of Kathy Hardy and subsequent arduous investigation has been at the forefront of Branford Police Department for the past eight years,” stated Branford Police Chief Halloran.  “The scope of this investigation would have been impossible without the support of the New Haven office of the FBI, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Connecticut Chief State’s Attorney’s Office, Branford Fire Department, and other local, state and federal agencies involved in the investigation.”

If convicted of the charge of committing an arson resulting in death, VAILETTE and MARTONE face up to a lifetime term of imprisonment, or death, should the government pursue the death penalty in this matter.

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, the Branford Police Department and the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney, with the assistance of the Connecticut State Police, Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit and the New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John H. Durham and Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael A. Gailor and Kevin M. Shay.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that CARLOS MATEO, 45, of Bridgeport, waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna F. Martinez in Hartford to one count of theft of government property stemming from his role in a fraudulent federal tax refund scheme.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between November 2011 and February 2012, MATEO obtained fraudulent U.S. Treasury tax refund checks, ranging in amounts of approximately $4,000 to $8,150, which were addressed to different individuals with mailing addresses in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and Florida.  All of the Social Security Numbers used for the tax returns involved in the scheme belong to Puerto Rican citizens.  MATEO provided the checks to Jeovany Rios, who cashed the checks at GE Credit Union branches in Bridgeport, Milford and Danbury with the assistance of Angel Castellano, a teller at the credit union.  Rios then returned some of the cash to MATEO after taking a portion for himself and Castellano.

In total, MATEO provided Rios with 21 fraudulent tax refund checks totaling $137,860.70.

MATEO is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny on June 20, 2014, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

Rios, 39, and Castellano, 26, both of Bridgeport, previously pleaded guilty and await sentencing.

This matter is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarala V. Nagala.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Patricia M. Ferrick, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, John J. Arvanitis, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration in New England, and Hartford Police Chief James C. Rovella, today announced that a federal grand jury sitting in New Haven has returned an indictment charging five men with narcotics offenses in connection with their alleged involvement in a Hartford area heroin trafficking conspiracy.  The indictment was returned on March 25.

The 12-count indictment alleges that from approximately November 2013 through March 2014, the following individuals conspired to distribute various quantities of heroin:

FRANCISCO BIGIO, also known as “Flaco,” 34, of East Hartford
CHARLES JACKSON, also known as “Doo Doo,” 44, of Manchester
CARLOS CARDONA, also known as “Los,” 29, of Hartford
CHRISTOPHER CARDONA, also known as “Tito,” 27, of Hartford
ANTONIO BAEZ, also known as “Pete,” 39, of Hartford

The five defendants were arrested earlier this month on criminal complaints and are currently detained.

According to court documents filed as part of this case, this joint investigation focused on the distribution of heroin that is believed to have been laced with Fentanyl and may have contributed to several recent heroin overdoses in the Hartford area.

Fentanyl is a powerful opioid analgesic used to treat moderate to severe chronic pain that cannot be controlled with other medicines.  It is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine.

U.S. Attorney Daly noted that the investigation is ongoing and investigators are in the process of determining if the heroin involved in this conspiracy contained Fentanyl, and if a connection to the reported overdoses exists.

In addition to being charged with conspiracy, BIGIO is charged with multiple counts of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, cocaine.  It is alleged that BIGIO was found in possession of two kilograms of cocaine at the time of his arrest.

CARLOS CARDONA, CHRISTOPHER CARDONA and BAEZ are also charged with multiple counts of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin.

If convicted of the charge of conspiring to distribute heroin, BIGIO faces a maximum term of imprisonment of life, JACKSON, CARLOS CARDONA and CHRISTOPHER CARDONA face a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years, and BAEZ faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

BIGIO and JACKSON are both serving terms of federal supervised release and face additional penalties if convicted of the charges contained in the indictment.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Hartford Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian Leaming and Patrick Caruso.

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.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that WILLIAM HINES, also known as “Gunz,” 30, of Hamden, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Ellen Bree Burns in New Haven to 57 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing crack cocaine.

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

HINES was arrested on May 30, 2012.  He has been detained since December 12, 2013, when he was arrested in Maine on state charges while released on bond.  On September 4, 2013, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, cocaine base (“crack cocaine”).

HINES’s criminal history includes five prior convictions, including convictions for larceny, possession of narcotics, carrying a pistol without a permit and criminal possession of a firearm.

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

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

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Daniel J. Kumor, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Boston Field Division, announced that DAVID LAGUERCIA, 57, of Broad Brook, was sentenced today by U.S. Magistrate Judge Holly B. Fitzsimmons in Bridgeport to three years of probation for violating federal firearms laws.  LAGUERCIA, the owner of Riverview Gun Sales in East Windsor, was also ordered to pay a personal fine of $1500, an additional fine of $5000 on behalf of his business, and to perform 100 hours of community service.

According to court documents and statements made in court, LAGUERCIA, doing business as RIVERVIEW SALES, INC. (“Riverview”), was a federal firearms licensed dealer in Connecticut (“FFL”) from 2005 to December 2012.  The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted an investigation of LAGUERCIA and Riverview and discovered approximately 300 examples of false or missing information in Riverview’s acquisition and disposition (“A&D”) records.  The investigation also revealed at least two instances in which individuals received firearms prior to receiving approval from the national instant criminal background check system (“NICS”).  Riverview also failed to report the theft of a firearm within 48 hours, and failed to report multiple sales of handguns to the same individuals.

“This investigation revealed that one of Connecticut’s largest gun dealers conducted their business in a lax and irresponsible way,” stated U.S. Attorney Daly.  “Riverview had hundreds of record-keeping violations, improper sales, lax security, and poor inventory management.  Federally-licensed firearms dealers have a critically important responsibility in helping to ensure that legal firearms don’t become illegal firearms on the street, and dealers who chronically fail to follow the rules will be prosecuted.”

“Today’s sentence is a reminder having a Federal Firearms License is not license to break the law,” stated ATF Special Agent in Charge Kumor.  “FFL’s must comply with federal regulations to ensure the safety of the general public.  When an FFL fails to do so and puts communities in danger, the consequence is federal prosecution.”

On December 20, 2012, ATF issued a revocation of Riverview’s FFL, effective on that date.  LAGUERCIA has not appealed this administrative decision.

On August 22, 2013, LAGUERCIA pleaded guilty to one count of transfer of a firearm before completion of background check, and one count of failure to maintain proper firearm records.  LAGUERCIA also pleaded guilty on behalf of RIVERVIEW SALES, INC. to one count of making false entries in dealer’s records.

In addition to a fine of $5000, RIVERVIEW SALES, INC. was sentenced to a five-year term of probation.
While on probation, LAGUERCIA is prohibited from being an FFL or a responsible party for an FFL for a period of five years.

On September 30, 2013, Krystopher DiBella, a former employee of Riverview received a federal sentence of three years of probation for assisting in the transfer of firearms to individuals who failed to complete a required ATF form when purchasing firearms at the store.

In 2011, Jordan Marsh of South Windsor stole approximately 12 firearms of Riverview and, in December 2012, he stole a Windham Weaponry 5.56 mm caliber semi-automatic rifle from the store.  Marsh was arrested on December 15, 2012, after he attempted to steal a Bushmaster .50 caliber rifle from Riverview.  Marsh is currently serving a state sentence of eight years of incarceration, to be followed by a federal sentence of five years of probation.

This matter was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert M. Spector.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ROBERT LEE, also known as “B.O.,” 36, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny 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 “Operation Bloodline,” a joint law enforcement investigation targeting narcotics trafficking and gang violence in the Dwight-Kensington and Fair Haven sections of New Haven.  Led by the DEA New Haven Task Force and the New Haven and Hamden Police Departments, the year-long investigation included the use of court-authorized wiretaps on numerous telephones, extensive physical surveillance, controlled purchases of narcotics, execution of search warrants, and seizures of narcotics and firearms.  More than 100 individuals were charged as a result of the investigation.

LEE has been detained since his arrest on May 22, 2012.  On January 2, 2014, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack cocaine”).

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

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

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

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, New London Police Chief Margaret Ackley and Patricia M. Ferrick, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Havenreturned an indictment yesterday charging three New London men with various offenses stemming from the September 2012 homicide of Javier Reyes, 36, of New London.

As alleged in the indictment, OSCAR VALENTIN, also known as “Tato,” 40, operated and managed a narcotics distribution enterprise at the “Green Garages,” a series of garage bays located as 12/14 Walker Street in New London.  In the summer of 2011, VALENTIN was the intended victim of a murder-for-hire plot orchestrated by former members of his enterprise in an attempt to take over narcotics distribution at the Green Garages.  In September 2012, VALENTIN hired NESTOR PAGAN, also known as “Ernie” and “Naeem Medina,” 31, ANDREW AVILES, also known as “P.A.” and “Papo,” 26, and others, to assault Javier Reyes in an attempt to maintain his position as head of the Green Garages conspiracy.  On the evening of September 12, 2012, Reyes was stabbed multiple times outside of his apartment at 187 Huntington Street in New London, and died a short time later.

“This indictment alleges that Oscar Valentin orchestrated the brutal attack of Javier Reyes as part of his criminal drug dealing enterprise, while Nestor Pagan, Andrew Aviles and others executed Valentine’s order,” stated U.S. Attorney Daly.  “The investigation and prosecution of violent offenders is a top priority of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners.  I commend our partners, the New London State’s Attorney’s Office, the New London Police Department, the FBI, the State Police, the Department of Correction, HSI and Secret Service, for their thorough investigation that has led to these serious charges.”

“The New London Police Department is thankful to the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s office for their close working relationship on this case, and the combined effort of the Connecticut State Police Major Crime Squad, Homeland Security and Secret Service for their efforts leading to this indictment,” stated New London Police Chief Ackley.  “New London Detective Curcuro has been quietly working on this case with the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s office since September 2012 and we look forward to a continued working relationship.”

“Narcotics trafficking and the inescapable violent crimes associated with it plague our cities,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Ferrick.  “Holding those accountable for crimes which impact quality of life for city residents is important to the FBI and to all our law enforcement partners.  We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the New London Police Department in working to bring some sense of relief to the victim’s family and the residents of New London.  I’d like to thank the Connecticut State Police’s Eastern District Major Crime Squad, the Connecticut Department of Correction, Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Secret Service, and the hard-working officers and agents assigned to this investigation, for they remain resolute in their pursuit of justice.”

The four-count indictment charges VALENTIN, PAGAN and AVILES with one count of conspiracy to commit a violent crime in aid of racketeering, specifically an assault that resulted in serious bodily injury, and one count of committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering.  The three defendants are also charged with using a facility in interstate commerce, namely a cellular telephone, with the intent to commit a crime of violence.

The indictment also charges VALENTIN and PAGAN with one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.

If convicted of the charges, each defendant faces a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

VALENTIN has been in federal custody since his arrest on narcotics charges on April 3, 2013.  PAGAN has been in federal custody since his arrest on unrelated firearms charges on December 13, 2012.  AVILES is in state custody on unrelated charges.

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 New London Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the Connecticut State Police’s Eastern District Major Crime Squad, the Connecticut Department of Correction, Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Secret Service and the New London State’s Attorney’s Office.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony Kaplan and Sarah Karwan, and Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Paul Narducci.

A principle of the Justice Department’s Smart on Crime initiative is the prioritization of prosecutions to focus on the most serious cases.  To learn more about the Smart on Crime initiative, click here: http://www.justice.gov/ag/smart-on-crime.pdf.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ANDREW W. NIELSEN, 49, of South Windsor, pleaded guilty today before Senior U.S. District Judge Alfred V. Covello in Hartford to one count of possession of child pornography.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between November 2010 and April 2011, NIELSEN purchased several DVDs containing child pornography, including depictions of prepubescent minors, from a foreign company and had them shipped to his residence.  NIELSEN was arrested on November 1, 2012.  On that date, law enforcement executed a court-authorized search warrant at NIELSEN’s residence and seized several of the DVDs that he had ordered.

NIELSEN was a police officer with the East Hartford Police Department at the time of the offense.  He resigned from the police department after his arrest.

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

NIELSEN has been released on bond under electronic monitoring by the United States Probation Office since November 2012.

This matter is being investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel.

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

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

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that BERNARD McALLISTER, 43, of Lisbon, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 108 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release for stealing and possessing numerous firearms.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in November 2010, McALLISTER and Mark Missino possessed 19 firearms that they had stolen during a string of residential burglaries that took place between 2008 and 2010.  The firearms were discovered in an East Lyme storage locker with more than 8,000 other items believed to have been taken during the burglaries.

Prior to November 2010, McALLISTER had been convicted of multiple felony offenses in several states, including burglary, robbery, breaking and entering, and making terroristic threats with intent to terrorize another.  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.

McALLISTER and Missino have been detained since November 18, 2010, when they were arrested in Massachusetts.  On June 6, 2013, McALLISTER pleaded guilty to one count of possession of firearms by a previously convicted felon.  Missino, 46, of Waterford, pleaded guilty to the same charge on January 30, 2014, and awaits sentencing.

McALLISTER and Missino also pleaded guilty in state court to several charges related to the series of residential burglaries.

Judge Underhill ordered McALLISTER’s 108-month federal sentence to run concurrently with his state sentence.  McALLISTER is scheduled to be sentenced in state court on April 2, at which time he is expected to receive a sentence of 25 years, execution suspended after 16 years.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Connecticut State Police, the Massachusetts State Police, and the East Lyme, Greenwich, Madison, Guilford, Glastonbury, North Branford and Wallingford Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert M. Spector and Jonathan S. Freimann.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MICHAEL LOTZ, 45, of Stamford, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 50 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for stealing and selling firearms.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on August 28, 2012, LOTZ and other individuals stole six firearms from a residence in Stamford.  LOTZ was arrested the following day after he sold three of the stolen firearms to an individual working with law enforcement, and a fourth stolen firearm to an undercover officer.

 LOTZ has been detained since his federal arrest on April 1, 2013.  On October 3, 2013, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of stolen firearms.

LOTZ’s criminal history includes multiple felony convictions for burglary and other offenses.

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Stamford Police Department, with the assistance of the Darien Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rahul Kale and Vanessa Richards.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that BRANDY GOMEZ, 35, of East Hampton, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and bank fraud related to a real estate appraisal scheme.

According to court documents and statements made in court, GOMEZ was a provisional licensed appraiser in Connecticut.  Under Connecticut’s real estate appraisal regulations, GOMEZ was required to be supervised by a certified appraiser.  Between 2006 and 2008, GOMEZ conspired with another individual to obtain real estate appraisal fees to which they were not entitled.  As part of the scheme, GOMEZ’s co-conspirator obtained the names, certified appraiser numbers, appraiser certificates, business names and addresses, and electronic signatures of certified appraisers and, without the certified appraisers’ knowledge, used this information when submitting real estate appraisals that GOMEZ had purportedly completed to mortgage brokers and lenders.  GOMEZ deposited fraudulently obtained appraisal fees into her personal bank account and shared them with her co-conspirator.

GOMEZ and her co-conspirator also submitted falsified work logs to the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection purporting to show that GOMEZ completed dozens of real estate appraisals under the supervision of a certified appraiser when, in fact, she had not performed such work and was not entitled to the appraisal fees. 

GOMEZ and her co-conspirator received approximately $47,908 as a result of submitting the unauthorized and fraudulent appraisals.

Judge Thompson scheduled sentencing for June 20, 2014, at which time GOMEZ faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years.

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

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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

Follow @USAO_CT

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that FEISAL SHARIF, 43, of Branford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 100 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for operating a Ponzi scheme that defrauded investors of more than $3.6 million.

According to court documents and statements made in court, from approximately 2003 to September 2012, SHARIF ran an investment fraud scheme through First Financial, LLC, a firm he operated out of his Branford residence.  As part of the scheme, SHARIF convinced numerous individuals to give him money to invest in what they believed was a commodity pool to profit from trading in commodity futures.  In an effort to make investors believe that their money was safely invested and earning a sizeable return, SHARIF regularly made monthly payments to investors, falsely claiming the payments represented returns on their investments.  He also supplied investors with monthly statements from First Financial that falsely reported the purported balances of their investments and their rate of return on the investments.

In fact, SHARIF was mostly paying existing investors with new money he raised from other investors.  Very little of the investment money he raised was used to trade in commodity futures, and what he did invest in commodity futures did not generate returns anywhere near those he reported to investors.  In addition, a review of First Financial’s bank records revealed that from 2006 to 2012, SHARIF took more than $500,000 by way of ATM withdrawals, ATM transfers or checks made payable to himself.  SHARIF also made hundreds of other bank transfers unrelated to any investments for various personal expenses.

Through this scheme, SHARIF defrauded more than 70 investors of more than $3.6 million.  SHARIF’s victims included relatives, friends and people he knew through their common connection with a religious institution.  Many of these individuals lost substantial portions of their life savings as a result of the scheme.

SHARIF was ordered to pay restitution of $3,682,930.84.

On August 27, 2013, SHARIF pleaded guilty to one count of fraud by a commodity pool operator and and one count of wire fraud.

SHARIF was ordered to report to prison on May 1, 2014.

In a related proceeding, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission today barred SHARIF from associating with any broker, dealer, or investment advisor as a result of his conduct giving rise to his conviction in the criminal matter.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.  U.S. Attorney Daly also acknowledged the assistance of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the State of Connecticut Department of Banking.  The case was prosecuted by Senior Litigation Counsel Richard J. Schechter and Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Murphy.

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

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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