District of Connecticut

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal jury in Harford has found CARL JONES, also known as “M.O.B.,” 42, of Hartford, guilty of a firearm offense.

The trial before U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams began August 21 and the jury returned the guilty verdict yesterday afternoon.

According to the evidence disclosed during the trial and in court documents, in the early morning hours of February 16, 2020, Jones was involved in a gang-related shooting incident inside the Majestic Lounge on Franklin Avenue in Hartford.  During the incident, Jones, a member of Los Solidos, chased down, shot, and wounded a fleeing fellow gang member Joshua Saez and an unintended second victim.  Saez had just shot another gang member Marquis Treadwell, Treadwell’s girlfriend, and an unintended third victim.  Treadwell later succumbed to his injuries.  Jones used a .40 caliber Glock semiautomatic handgun, which he had retrieved from Treadwell after the initial shooting by Saez.  Jones fled the scene with the firearm, but Hartford Police later recovered it from a vehicle on Lawrence Street during an unrelated drug trafficking investigation in September 2021.

Jones’ criminal history includes convictions for felony narcotics, assault, larceny, and failure to appear offenses.  It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

The jury found Jones guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon, and offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

Jones is detained pending sentencing, which is not scheduled.

Saez is serving a state sentence for the murder of Treadwell and the assault of Treadwell’s girlfriend.

This investigation has been conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and the Hartford Police Department.  The Task Force includes members of the FBI, Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, New Britain Police Department, West Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert S. Ruff and Geoffrey M. Stone.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging RYAN FIELDS, 49, and LISA MAHAN, 53, of Port Neches, Texas, formerly of Glastonbury, Connecticut, with offenses for illegally selling misbranded and unapproved prescription drugs.

The indictment was returned on August 8, 2023, and unsealed after Fields and Mahan were arrested this morning in Port Neches, Texas. They are scheduled to appear this afternoon in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.

As alleged in the indictment, from September 2021 to June 2023, Fields and Mahan operated two websites, pinnedaminos.com and projectaminos.com, as well as a private Facebook group called Pinned Aminos, through which they illegally sold and distributed to customers throughout the U.S. misbranded prescription drugs.  They did not require customers to provide a valid prescription, and some of the drugs they sold and distributed were unapproved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for human consumption.  The drugs they sold also included drugs they illegally imported from foreign manufacturers.

The indictment further alleges that, to avoid detection and mislead the FDA, the pinnedaminos.com website had a disclaimer that falsely stated that the products for sale were “intended for laboratory and research use only,” and “not intended for human ingestion.”  In addition, the labeling on the drugs sold and delivered to customers falsely stated that the drugs were “research compounds” and/or “not for human consumption.”  Contrary to these representations, Fields and Mahan knew and intended that the drugs they sold were for human use, and through emails and posts on the Pinned Aminos Facebook group, they provided customers with information on the health benefits of the drugs they sold and directions on dosage.

The indictment alleges that Fields and Mahan unlawfully shipped over 10,000 parcels to customers throughout the country and collected more than $1.4 million from customers.  Fields and Mahan used the proceeds to pay themselves, purchase cars, and purchase a residence in Texas.

The indictment charges Fields and Mahan with one count of conspiracy to introduce misbranded or unapproved drugs into interstate commerce and to smuggle goods into the United States, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

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

This matter is being investigated by the Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations; the Drug Enforcement Administration; and Homeland Security Investigations.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel.

U.S. Attorney Avery thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas for their assistance in this matter.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that Baja Cocina, a restaurant located at 426 Main Street in Ridgefield, has agreed to make changes to become more accessible to persons with mobility disabilities.  The changes are required under a settlement agreement signed by Ridgefield Taco LLC, the owner of Baja Cocina, and the United States under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The settlement resolves a complaint made with the U.S. Department of Justice that claims that Baja Cocina is not physically accessible to persons with mobility disabilities.  Under the agreement, Baja Cocina must work with its landlord to provide an accessible parking space for the restaurant.  It must also continue to provide curbside service to persons with mobility disabilities and ensure that it provides accessible dining surfaces in its outdoor dining area.  Inside the restaurant, Baja Cocina must install ADA-compliant signage and make changes to its accessible bathroom, including relocating the toilet flush controls, relocating a grab bar, and relocating a soap dispenser.

Under federal law, private entities that own or operate places of “public accommodation,” including restaurants, are prohibited from discriminating on the basis of disability.  The ADA authorizes the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate complaints and undertake periodic compliance reviews of covered entities.  The Justice Department is also authorized to commence a civil lawsuit in federal court in any case that involves a pattern or practice of discrimination or that raises issues of general public importance, and to seek injunctive relief, monetary damages, and civil penalties.

U.S. Attorney Avery noted the cooperation of Baja Cocina’s owner in resolving this matter without litigation.

The settlement will remain in effect for three years, and Baja Cocina must submit certifications concerning its compliance to the U.S. Attorney’s Office every six months until it has fully complied with the agreement.

This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stewart C. Dearing.

Any member of the public who wishes to file a complaint alleging that any place of public accommodation or public entity in Connecticut is not accessible to persons with disabilities may contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at 203-821-3700 and ask for the Civil Rights Intake Specialist.

Additional information about the ADA can be found at www.ada.gov, or by calling the Justice Department’s toll-free information line at (800) 514-0301 and (800) 514-0383 (TTY).  More information about the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.justice.gov/crt.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that Nomura Securities International (“NSI”), a U.S.-based broker-dealer subsidiary of Japanese financial services firm Nomura Holdings, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office have entered into a non-prosecution agreement relating to NSI’s fraudulent trading of Residential Mortgage Backed Securities (“RMBS”).  As part of this agreement, NSI will pay a monetary penalty of $35 million and pay restitution to victim customers, which include firms affiliated with recipients of federal bailout funds through the Troubled Asset Relief Program and firms investing as fiduciaries on behalf of pension funds, charitable and educational endowments, insurance companies, and others.

The government’s investigation revealed that NSI – principally from its trading floor in New York City – perpetrated a scheme from 2009 to 2013 to defraud its customers in RMBS trades.  The purpose and effect of NSI’s fraud was to increase its profits on RMBS trades at the expense of victim customers, including victim customers based in Connecticut.  NSI conducted this scheme by, through, and with its employees, who acted with the knowledge, encouragement, and participation of NSI supervisors, including those tasked with compliance responsibilities.

NSI conducted its scheme by misrepresenting material facts to deceive and cheat its customers in trades.  For instance, in certain transactions, NSI traders lied to the buyer about the seller’s asking price (or vice versa), keeping the difference between the price paid by the buyer and the price paid to the seller for NSI.  In other transactions, NSI traders misrepresented to the buyer that bonds held in NSI’s inventory were being offered for sale by a fictitious third-party seller, which allowed NSI to charge the buyer an extra, unearned commission.  NSI supervisors instructed its RMBS traders in, and caused them to use, these fraudulent trading practices.  NSI, with full knowledge and participation of its supervisors, lied to victims who detected or suspected that they had been the victims of fraud.  NSI concealed its fraudulent conduct from its customers, and from its own employees who were not participants in the scheme, in order to prevent or delay discovery.

Under the terms of the non-prosecution agreement, NSI agreed to pay a penalty of $35 million and make restitution to victims of $807,717.68.  NSI previously paid $20,125,614.59 in remediation to victims as part of its settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

This resolution takes into account NSI’s extensive cooperation, acceptance of responsibility for its and its employees’ criminal conduct, remediation efforts, including its discipline and/or termination of employees and its commitment to make complete restitution to all impacted customers, enhanced compliance program, and agreement to continue to cooperate with law enforcement.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office did not require NSI to retain an independent consultant to assess and improve NSI’s compliance and ethics program because NSI has already taken steps to reasonably prevent and detect further fraud, and because of certain structural changes in the secondary market for RMBS that would make repetition of the conduct less likely.

The agreement announced today addresses only the corporate criminal liability of NSI and not criminal charges for any individual.  Several former NSI employees have been charged in connection with NSI trading activities.

This matter was investigated by the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program, the Department of Labor-Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Federal Housing Finance Agency-Office of Inspector General.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Novick, Heather Cherry, and Jonathan Francis.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that TIHAJA ORTIZ-TUCKER, also known as “TJ,” 20, of New Haven, was sentenced today U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 84 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for carjacking and conspiracy offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between March and July 2022, Ortiz-Tucker and others posed as interested buyers of motor vehicles advertised by Connecticut residents (the “victim-sellers”) on Facebook Marketplace.  On three occasions, Ortiz-Tucker and his co-conspirators arranged to meet in person with the victim-sellers for the purported purpose of test driving and purchasing the motor vehicles.  At the conclusion of the purported test drives, Ortiz-Tucker and his co-conspirators stole, at gunpoint, the vehicles, as well as certificates of title, bills of sale, and other ownership documents.  On at least two occasions, Ortiz-Tucker posed as the legitimate owner of stolen motor vehicles, advertised them for sale on the OfferUp online platform, and sold them to unwitting purchasers.

Ortiz-Tucker also participated in two carjackings of Uber drivers in May 2022.  In both instances, an Uber driver picked up the carjacker in New Haven and drove to Wallingford where the cars were taken from the drivers at gunpoint.  Both cars were later recovered in the same area of Hamden.

Ortiz-Tucker was arrested on July 22, 2022.  On May 30, 2023, he pleaded guilty to three counts of taking a motor vehicle from a person by force, violence and intimidation (“carjacking”), and one count of conspiracy.  Ortiz-Tucker is detained.

Following Ortiz-Tucker’s sentencing, RUBEN MONTANO, 20, of New Haven, was sentenced to 48 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release.  On May 2, 2023, Montano pleaded guilty to one count of carjacking, admitting that he participated in one of these carjackings with Ortiz-Tucker in July 2022, and the subsequent sale of the vehicle.  He is also detained.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets Violent Crime Task Force, the Connecticut State Police and the Wallingford, New Haven, Hamden, Waterbury, and Bridgeport Police Departments.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah P. Karwan and Tara E. Levens.

U.S. Attorney Avery encouraged those who sell and purchase items online, and need to meet an individual in person to complete the sale, to use a visible, monitored location.  Contact your local police department to see if it offers a monitored meeting location, or search online for a nearby monitored location.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that TROY COLEMAN, also known as “Hoy” and “TJ,” 37, formerly of Hartford and Waterbury, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 67 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing fentanyl.

According to court documents and statements made in court, an investigation by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force revealed that Troy Coleman and his brother, Tyshawn Coleman, were selling fentanyl and crack cocaine in Hartford.  In November and December 2020, investigators made five controlled purchases of fentanyl, totaling 900 dose bags of the drug, from Troy Coleman.  As the investigation continued, on April 13, 2021, Troy Coleman was shot multiple times outside of a restaurant located at 2393 Main Street in Hartford.  Coleman, who possessed fentanyl and crack cocaine at the time of the shooting, was released from the hospital approximately one week later.

It is alleged that an undercover law enforcement officer purchased fentanyl from Tyshawn Colman in late April and early May 2021.  On May 5, 2021, investigators conducted a court authorized search of Tyshawn Coleman’s apartment on Sisson Avenue in Hartford, where Troy Coleman also resided.  The search revealed distribution quantities of fentanyl and crack cocaine, items used to process and package narcotics for street sale, a .40 caliber “ghost gun” with a loaded high-capacity magazine, a loaded 9mm pistol with an obliterated serial number, and additional loaded gun magazine, ammunition, and $4860 in cash.  Troy Coleman was located and arrested on unrelated later that day.

Troy Coleman has been detained since his federal arrest on October 4, 2021.  On August 23, 2022, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, fentanyl.

Tyshawn Coleman, also known as “Ty” and “Mazi” has been charged by indictment for conduct stemming from this investigation, and is currently being sought by law enforcement.  Individuals with knowledge of his whereabouts are encouraged to call the FBI at 203-777-6311.

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

This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and the Hartford Police Department.  The Task Force includes members of the FBI, Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, New Britain Police Department, West Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian P. Leaming and Brendan J. Keefe through Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that JEFFREY SLOCUM, 55, of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to one count of health care fraud and one count of violating the federal anti-kickback statute.

According to court documents and statements made in court, from 2017 to 2022, Slocum, a former resident of East Lyme, was a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with an office located at 300 State Street in New London.  In 2020, the Connecticut Medicaid program (“Medicaid”) notified Slocum that Medicaid was going to audit certain claims for psychotherapy services Slocum had billed to Medicaid between March 2018 and February 2020.  As part of its audit, Medicaid requested patient records for approximately 100 individual psychotherapy services Slocum had billed to Medicaid.

In March 2021, Medicaid notified Slocum that the audit had determined that he had received over $225,000 in payments from Medicaid for services that he had not documented.  Medicaid told Slocum it would begin to collect the overpayment by deducting the overpayment in installments from future payments Medicaid would make to Slocum.  Once Slocum learned the results of the audit and that he would have to pay the money back to Medicaid, he began submitting fraudulent claims to Medicaid for psychotherapy services that he never provided.  All of the fraudulent claims Slocum submitted to Medicaid represented that he had personally provided the nonexistent services.

As part of his plea, Slocum admitted that from March 1, 2020 to February 24, 2022, he submitted fraudulent claims to Medicaid totaling $695,048.

In pleading guilty, Slocum also admitted that he engaged in a scheme to pay kickbacks to his Medicaid patients in order to induce them to receive psychotherapy services from him.  Slocum paid these kickbacks to patients in the form of cash payments, money orders, and Wal-Mart and VISA gift cards.

Judge Underhill scheduled sentencing for November 8, at which time Slocum faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  Slocum also has agreed to pay full restitution to Medicaid.

This investigation is being conducted by the Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS-OIG) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the Connecticut Department of Social Services.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Sheldon and Auditor Susan Spiegel.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office, Chief State’s Attorney’s Office, and Attorney General’s Office meet regularly as part of The Medicaid Fraud Working Group.  The Working Group also includes representatives from the Connecticut Department of Social Services; the Connecticut Department of Public Health; the Drug Control Division of the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection; the Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the FBI.  The Working Group reviews pending issues and cases, identifies trends that might indicate fraudulent activity, and coordinates efforts for maximum results.

People who suspect health care fraud are encouraged to report it by calling 1-800-HHS-TIPS.

AMIRE NEWSOME, also known as “Mire,” 20, of Bridgeport, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to a racketeering offense stemming from his involvement in a violent Bridgeport street gang.

Today’s announcement was made by Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; Joseph T. Corradino, State’s Attorney for the Fairfield Judicial District; Bridgeport Police Chief Roderick Porter; Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, and Acting U.S. Marshal Lawrence Bobnick.

According to court documents and statements made in court, the FBI, ATF, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Connecticut State Police and Bridgeport Police have been investigating multiple Bridgeport-based gangs whose members are involved in narcotics trafficking, murder and other acts of violence.  Newsome was a member of the Original North End (“O.N.E.”), a gang based in the Trumbull Gardens area of Bridgeport that committed acts of violence against rival gangs, including the East End gang, the East Side gang, and the PT Barnum gang.  O.N.E. members also robbed drug dealers, customers and others, sold narcotics, and stole cars from inside and outside Connecticut, often using the cars to commit crimes.  They frequently used social media to promote and coordinate their criminal activities.

Analysis of numerous social media posts and text messages revealed that Newsome possessed firearms, including firearms with extended magazines, and that he sold a variety of drugs.  He also participated with other O.N.E. members in the theft and possession of stolen vehicles, some of which were used to commit gang-related shootings.

The investigation also revealed that on March 25, 2020, Newsome and O.N.E. member Tyiese Warren stole a car that was in front of the Citgo 6M Service Station and Quik Mart located at 2000 Barnum Avenue in Stratford.  During the theft, they dragged the car’s driver, who was trying to stop the theft and was hanging onto the car, several hundred yards before he let go.  Warren and Newsome then engaged in a carjacking involving a Toyota Corolla in Bridgeport, holding the owner at gunpoint and ultimately driving away in the car.  Minutes later, Warren and Newsome committed a gunpoint robbery of the Citgo in Stratford, taking cash from the store and a cellphone from a store employee.

On March 7, 2021, Newsome and O.N.E. members were involved in a shooting of the mother of an East End gang member.

Newsome has been detained since his arrest on August 10, 2021.

Newsome pleaded guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. A sentencing date is not scheduled.

Warren pleaded guilty to the same charge.  On March 9, 2022, he was sentenced to 40 years of imprisonment.

This investigation is being conducted by the FBI’s Safe Streets and Violent Crimes Task Forces, ATF, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Bridgeport Police Department, Connecticut State Police and the Bridgeport State’s Attorney’s Office, with the assistance of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory and the Naugatuck Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen L. Peck, Tara E. Levens, Patrick J. Doherty, Rahul Kale, and Jocelyn C. Kaoutzanis.

This prosecution is a part of the Justice’s Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), Project Longevity and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) programs.

PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Project Longevity is a comprehensive initiative to reduce gun violence in Connecticut’s major cities.  Through Project Longevity, community members and law enforcement directly engage with members of groups that are prone to commit violence and deliver a community message against violence, a law enforcement message about the consequences of further violence and an offer of help for those who want it.  If a group member elects to engage in gun violence, the focused attention of federal, state, and local law enforcement will be directed at that entire group.

OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.  Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that KENSTON HARRY, 42, of Bloomfield, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for drug trafficking offenses.

This matter stems from an investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force into a drug trafficking organization headed by Tajh Wiley, also known as Yung, of Norwalk.  The investigation, which included a court-authorized wiretap of Wiley’s phone, revealed that Wiley conspired with Harry and others to distribute fentanyl, cocaine and marijuana throughout Connecticut.

Harry was arrested on June 9, 2021.  In association with his arrest, investigators searched his Bloomfield residence and his Hartford business, Action Audio.  The search of his residence revealed more than one kilogram of fentanyl, more than one kilogram of cocaine, and kilogram presses and other items used to process and package narcotics for distribution.  The search of Harry’s business resulted in the seizure of marijuana and other items.

On October 18, 2022, a jury found Harry guilty of one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 500 grams or more of cocaine, and marijuana; one count of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams of fentanyl; one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine; and one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

Harry, Wiley and six others were charged as a result of this investigation.

On July 26, 2022, a jury found Wiley guilty of multiple offenses.  On December 28, 2022, he was sentenced to 144 months of imprisonment.

As part of the investigation, law enforcement seized from Wiley jewelry valued at more than $100,000, and a 2021 Mercedes-Benz valued at approximately $146,000.

Harry, who is released on a $250,000 bond, is required to report to prison on October 25.

This investigation has been conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bridgeport Police Department, Fairfield Police Department, Norwalk Police Department, Stamford Police Department, Stratford Police Department, Yonkers (New York) Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service.  The HIDTA Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Bridgeport Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bridgeport, Norwalk, Stamford, Stratford, Milford, and Danbury Police Departments.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick J. Doherty, Robert S. Dearington, Margaret M. Donovan and Elena L. Coronado through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program.  OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.  Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOSE TIRADO, also known as “Joselito” and “Leet,” 42, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 84 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for fentanyl distribution and firearm possession offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an investigation into gang-related drug trafficking and firearm possession by members of Los Solidos.  The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps, revealed that Luis Feliciano, also known as “Louminaty,” distributed fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and crack to customers and other distributors in the Hartford area, including Tirado, and also to individuals in New York and Maine.  Tirado further distributed fentanyl to other distributors and his own customer.  During the investigation, Tirado also brokered a gun transaction between a codefendant, Devin Texira, and another individual.

Tirado’s criminal history includes five felony drug convictions.  It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

On June 8, 2022, a grand jury returned an indictment charging Tirado, Feliciano, Texira, and 13 others with various narcotics distribution and firearm possession offenses.

Tirado was arrested on June 9, 2022.  On February 23, 2023, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.  He has been detained since his arrest.

Feliciano and Texira pleaded guilty and await sentencing.

This investigation has been conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and the Hartford Police Department.  The Task Force includes members of the FBI, Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, New Britain Police Department, West Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian P. Leaming and Robert S. Ruff. through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program.  OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.  Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ROBERTO DIAZ, also known as “Dragon Eyes,” 53, of West Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 30 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for distributing fentanyl.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an investigation into gang-related drug trafficking and firearm possession by members of Los Solidos.  The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps, revealed that Luis Feliciano, also known as “Louminaty,” distributed fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and crack to customers and other distributors in the Hartford area, including Diaz.  Diaz sold the drug to his own customer base.

On June 8, 2022, a grand jury returned an indictment charging Diaz, Feliciano, and 14 others with various narcotics distribution and firearm possession offenses.

Diaz was arrested on June 9, 2022.  At the time of his arrest, he possessed 63 wax sleeves of fentanyl.

On February 22, 2023, Diaz pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.  He is currently detained.

Feliciano pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.

This investigation has been conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and the Hartford Police Department.  The Task Force includes members of the FBI, Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, New Britain Police Department, West Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian P. Leaming and Robert S. Ruff. through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program.  OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.  Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JULIAN GOODMAN, 25, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 57 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for distributing fentanyl and heroin.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an ongoing investigation into gangs, drug trafficking and the illegal possession of firearms in Waterbury.  The investigation revealed that Goodman and his associate, Alex Reyes, were distributing fentanyl and heroin.  On August 26, 2021, Waterbury Police attempted to execute search warrants for Reyes’s residence and person.  Reyes, who was sitting in his car as officers approached, fled the scene, and struck two police vehicles.  He was located later that day using Goodman’s vehicle.  After Reyes was apprehended, a search of his person revealed a 9mm handgun and $1,433 in cash, and a search of Goodman’s vehicle revealed more than 80 grams of fentanyl, drug packaging materials, multiple cell phones, and $3,492 in cash.  Goodman was apprehended a short distance away.

Goodman has been detained since his arrest.  On November 28, 2022, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, heroin and fentanyl.

On December 13, 2022, Reyes pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and possession of a firearm by a felon.  On June 2, 2023, he was sentenced to an effective term of imprisonment of 60 months.

This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Connecticut State Police; the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Police; the Waterbury Police Department; the Wolcott Police Department; and the Connecticut Department of Correction.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John T. Pierpont, Jr., and Natasha M. Freismuth.

U.S. Attorney Avery thanked the State’s Attorney’s Office for the Judicial District of Waterbury for its close cooperation in investigating and prosecuting this matter.

The prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In May 2021, the Justice Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that a federal grand jury in Bridgeport has returned an indictment charging GUY EUGENE, also known as “Fresh,”  41, of Stratford with robbery, kidnapping, and firearm offenses.

The indictment was returned on July 19, 2023.  Eugene appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Dave Vatti in Bridgeport and pleaded not guilty to the charges.  He has been detained since his arrest on July 12, 2023.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, on September 26, 2022, Eugene and others kidnapped a victim at gunpoint from the area of the Island Vybez Restaurant located at 690 Beechmont Avenue in Bridgeport.  Shortly before the kidnapping, the victim withdrew $3,000 from an ATM and intended to use the money for a monthly rent payment for the restaurant.  During the kidnapping, a masked assailant hit the victim on the head with a gun, and the victim was dragged into a rear of a vehicle.  In the car, Eugene and others threatened to kill the victim and demanded that he call someone to bring them more money.  Eugene and others took from the victim a bank deposit bag with $3,000, and his gold earrings, iPhone, car keys, house keys, and keys to the restaurant.  The victim was released on Maplewood Avenue in Bridgeport.

The indictment charges Eugene with interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act robbery), an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; kidnapping, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of life; and carrying, using, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of seven years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

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

This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force, which includes personnel from the Connecticut State Police and the Bridgeport, Norwalk, and Trumbull Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth Gresham and Rahul Kale.

The United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General, and the Connecticut Attorney General today announced that OPTIMUS HEALTH CARE, INC., a federally-qualified health center (“FQHC”) based in Bridgeport, has entered into a civil settlement agreement with the federal and state governments and has paid a total of $470,093.93 to resolve allegations that it submitted false claims to the Connecticut Medicaid program, and received overpayments from Medicaid for ineligible services.

Optimus Health Care, Inc. (“Optimus”) has 23 locations in southwestern Connecticut.  As an FQHC, Optimus receives patient revenues and grants from the federal and state governments.

The allegations against Optimus arise out of claims submitted to Connecticut Medicaid for dual-eligible beneficiaries.  Dual-eligible beneficiaries are Medicare beneficiaries who are also eligible for Medicaid coverage.  Some dual-eligible beneficiaries are eligible for, and receive, full Medicaid coverage in addition to their Medicare coverage.  Other dual-eligible beneficiaries are known as Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (“QMBs”).  QMBs qualify for Medicaid to pay their Medicare co-pays, premiums, co-insurance, and deductibles. 

The government alleges that Optimus submitted false claims to Connecticut Medicaid for dual-eligible beneficiaries with the incorrect Medicare denial codes.  This caused Medicaid to pay claims it would have otherwise denied.  The government also alleges that Optimus improperly billed Connecticut Medicaid for group therapy services for QMBs who were not eligible for reimbursement for those services.

To resolve its liability, Optimus paid $470,093.93 to the federal and state governments for conduct occurring between January 2014 and December 2020.

The False Claims Act allegations resolved by the settlement were originally brought in a lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court in Connecticut by a relator, or whistleblower, under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act.  These provisions allow private parties to bring suit on behalf of the government and to share in any recovery. The relator, a former employee of Optimus, will receive $62,787.78 as her share of the recovery.  The case resolved by this settlement was captioned U.S. ex rel Migdalia Burgos, and the State of CT v. Optimus Health Care, Inc. (Docket No. 3:19-cv-652).

This matter was investigated by the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Kaczmarek and by Deputy Associate Attorney General Gregory O’Connell of the Attorney General’s Office.

People who suspect health care fraud are encouraged to report it by calling 1-800-HHS-TIPS or the Health Care Task Force at (203) 777-6311.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that NICHOLAS P. HATCH, 29, of Wilton, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to a fraud offense stemming from a scheme involving the sale of counterfeit paintings.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Hatch was the owner of Hatch Estate Services LLC, an estate sales company based in Norwalk.  Between approximately April 2020 and January 2022, Hatch used various websites, including Estatesales.org, a website specializing in estate sales and auctions, to offer for sale purported paintings by the artist Peter Max.  Hatch, who knew that the paintings were not authentic Peter Max paintings, used multiple aliases when interacting with purchasers through email during the sale process, and he made various representations as to the paintings’ authenticity, including providing certificates of the works’ authenticity.

Through this scheme, Hatch sold 145 fraudulent Peter Max paintings and defrauded 43 purchasers out of a total of $248,600.

Hatch pleaded guilty to mail fraud, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  Judge Nagala scheduled sentencing for October 30.

Hatch was arrested on a criminal complaint on May 9, 2023.  He has been detained since July 14, 2023, after he violated the conditions of pre-trial release.

This investigation has been conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher W. Schmeisser.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford has returned an indictment charging MICHELE DEVINE, 49, of Waterford, with fraud and theft offenses in connection with her role as the former executive director of the Southeastern Regional Action Council on Substance Abuse, Inc.

The indictment was returned on July 26.  Devine appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert A. Richardson in Hartford, entered a plea of not guilty, and was released on a $25,000 bond.

As alleged in the indictment and statements made in Court, the Southeastern Regional Action Council on Substance Abuse, Inc. (“SERAC”), headquartered in Norwich, is a 501(c)(3) organization that serves 41 towns in southeastern and northeastern Connecticut with substance abuse, problem gambling, and mental health related services.  SERAC is primarily funded through hundreds of thousands of dollars in state and federal grants from the State of Connecticut’s Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Devine was the executive director of SERAC until July of 2022.  In that role, Devine is alleged to have spent thousands of dollars on purchases that did not relate SERAC but instead appear to be personal expenses for Devine and her family.  These charges include thousands of dollars spent on home appliances; a trip to the Canyon Ranch luxury spa in the Berkshires, Massachusetts; timeshare fees at the Water’s Edge resort; and purchases at Marshalls, Target, Amazon, Best Buy, Etsy, and scrapbooking/crafting websites.

The indictment charges Devine with nine counts of wire fraud, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count, and two counts of theft from an agency receiving federal funds, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years on each count.

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

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, with the assistance of the New London State’s Attorney’s Office and the State of Connecticut Office of the Attorney General.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah P. Karwan.

A federal grand jury in Bridgeport returned a superseding indictment yesterday charging an additional three alleged members and associates of the “Exit 8” street gang in New Haven with conspiring to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity, including drug trafficking, murder, and attempted murder, as well as related offenses.  The grand jury previously returned an indictment charging six alleged members and associates of Exit 8 with related offenses.

Today’s announcement was made by Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; John P. Doyle, Jr., State’s Attorney for the New Haven Judicial District; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division; Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England; and New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson.

The superseding indictment charges

JAEDYN RIVERA, also known as “Jae Honcho,” 22
TYJON PRESTON, also known as “TJ,” 21
SAMUEL DOUGLAS, also known as “Blamm,” 25
QUAYMAR SUGGS, 19
KIVEON HYMAN, also known as “Tiny, ” 25
DONELL ALLICK, JR., also known as “D-Nice,” 24
DEVIN SUGGS, also known as “JB,” 19
NYZAIRE BARNES, also known as “Melo,” 19
ANTWAN HILL, also known as “Bandz,” 19

Devin Suggs, Barnes, and Hill were arrested today.  They appeared in New Haven federal court and were ordered detained.  Rivera, Preston, Douglas, Quaymar Suggs, Hyman, and Allick were charged in an indictment that was returned on March 22, 2023, and are detained.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, in an effort to address violence in New Haven, including murders and attempted murders, the ATF, FBI, DEA and New Haven Police Department, working closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office, have been investigating an ongoing gang war between members and associates of the Exit 8 street gang and rival gangs in the Hill section and other areas of the city.  The Exit 8 gang is named after the geographic area accessed by exiting Interstate 91 at Exit 8 in New Haven.  Recently, younger members of Exit 8 are identifying themselves with the word “Honcho,” which is derived from the street name of an Exit 8 member who was murdered on Quinnipiac Avenue in February 2020.

The superseding indictment alleges that members of the Exit 8 gang engaged in drug trafficking, used and shared firearms, and, since June 2018, have committed at least three murders and 16 attempted murders.  Exit 8 members and associates stole vehicles, at times from outside of the state, and used those stolen vehicles when committing acts of violence.  Gang members also promoted, coordinated, facilitated, and celebrated their narcotics distribution and acts of violence through text messaging and the use of social media applications and websites including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube.

Among the violent acts committed by the Exit 8 gang, the superseding indictment alleges that:

• On June 16, 2018, Douglas and Hyman shot and attempted to kill a member and associate of a rival gang, and shot another individual in the vicinity;
• On January 24, 2019, members and associates of the gang shot and attempted to kill a member and associate of a rival gang;
• On July 14, 2020, Preston and others shot and attempted to kill a member and associate of a rival gang;
• On September 26, 2020, Hill, Preston, and others shot and attempted to kill a member and associate of a rival gang;
• On April 27, 2021, Preston, Devin Suggs, and others shot and attempted to kill an individual;
• On May 3, 2021, Rivera shot and attempted to kill two members and associates of a rival gang;
• On May 10, 2021, Rivera and others shot and attempted to kill a member and associate of a rival gang;
• On May 14, 2021, Rivera and Devin Suggs shot and attempted to kill a member and associate of a rival gang;
• On May 17, 2021, Exit 8 members shot and attempted to kill rival gang members;
• On May 19, 2021, Hill, Preston and others conspired to kill rival gang members, including a rival gang member who was shot and killed on that date by Quaymar Suggs and others;
• On May 20, 2021, Rivera, Preston, and others shot and attempted to kill rival gang members, and Rivera, Devin Suggs, and others shot and attempted to kill two other individuals;
• On June 30, 2021, Preston shot and attempted to kill an individual;
• On July 5, 2021, Hill, Preston, and others shot and killed an individual;
• On August 29, 2021, Exit 8 members and associates shot and attempted to kill a member and associate of a rival gang;
• On March 16, 2022, Devin Suggs and others shot at and attempted to kill rival gang members;
• On April 12, 2022, Hill, Barnes, and others shot at and attempted to kill rival gang members;
• On September 16, 2022, Allick and others shot and killed an individual.
• On January 20, 2023, Devin Suggs and others stole a black BMW from Scarsdale, New York.  Devin Suggs and Barnes then shot and attempted to kill an individual.

The superseding indictment charges each defendant with racketeering conspiracy.  If convicted of this charge, Quaymar Suggs, Preston, and Allick face a maximum term of imprisonment of 60 years, and Rivera, Douglas, Hyman, Devin Suggs, Barnes, and Hill face a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

The superseding indictment also charges Rivera and Preston with attempted assault with a dangerous weapon and attempted murder, in violation of the Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering (“VCAR”) statute, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years; Rivera with VCAR assault with a dangerous weapon and attempted murder, and offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; Rivera with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years; and Douglas with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and a quantity of cocaine, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

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

This investigation is being conducted by ATF, the FBI, the DEA, the New Haven Police Department, the Hamden Police Department, and the New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office, with the assistance of the Connecticut State Police and the Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tara E. Levens, Rahul Kale and Jocelyn C. Kaoutzanis.

This prosecution is a part of the Justice’s Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), Project Longevity and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) programs.

PSN is a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone.  Project Longevity is a comprehensive initiative to reduce gun violence in Connecticut’s major cities.  Through Project Longevity, community members and law enforcement directly engage with members of groups that are prone to commit violence and deliver a community message against violence, a law enforcement message about the consequences of further violence and an offer of help for those who want it.  OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.  Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that VICTOR CUEVAS, 59, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to eight months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiring to defraud a New Haven Probate Judge candidate in 2017.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Cuevas co-operated a Connecticut-based political consulting business called Yellow Dog Strategies (“YDS”).  In 2017, YDS was paid $5,750 to collect 1,000 petition signatures from registered Democrats in New Haven in support of a probate judge primary candidate.  Cuevas supervised YDS’s collection of voters’ signatures using a team of “Circulators,” each of whom was required by state regulations to sign a Statement of Authenticity before a notary public attesting that they had collected the voters’ petition signatures in person.  Rather than collect legitimate voter signatures, Cuevas conspired with others to defraud the candidate by submitting falsified petition forms.  Specifically, Cuevas caused signatures of registered voters to be forged on petitions and caused the signature of a purported Circulator to be forged on a Statement of Authenticity.

Cuevas caused the falsified forms to be delivered to the candidate, who, unaware of the forgeries, submitted those petitions to be counted.  The New Haven Democratic Registrar of Voters quickly detected forged signatures in the petitions.  Upon learning that voter signatures had been forged, the candidate withdrew from the primary.

The Connecticut State Elections Enforcement Commission immediately initiated an investigation into Cuevas’s conduct.  When Cuevas learned of that investigation, he and his co-conspirators attempted to conceal their scheme by pressuring the fictitious Circulator, whose signature had been forged, to sign a false affidavit.

Judge Thompson ordered Cuevas to pay $5750 in restitution.

Cuevas, a former Connecticut State Representative, was on federal probation at the time of the offense.  In October 2016, he was sentenced in New Haven federal court to one year of probation and a $1,000 fine for conspiring with others to commit bank fraud in connection with his home mortgage loan applications.

On October 25, 2022, Cuevas pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

Cuevas, who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on September 5.

This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Conor Reardon and Jonathan Francis.

U.S. Attorney Avery thanked the Connecticut State Elections Enforcement Commission for its assistance in this matter.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOSE GUADALUPE CASTILLO LARA, also known as Jose Castillo, Jose Latta, Francisco Rodriguez, and Jose Ruiz, 41, a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to seven months of imprisonment for illegally reentering the United States after being deported.

According to court documents, Castillo previously was deported from the U.S. to Mexico in April 2009 following a felony conviction in Texas for assault.  He reentered the U.S. shortly thereafter and was encountered by law enforcement in Texas.  On July 13, 2009, he was sentenced to two years of imprisonment for violating the terms of his probation from his assault conviction.  He was again removed to Mexico in June 2010.

On November 17, 2018, Castillo was arrested by Stamford Police.  On March 6, 2019, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging him with reentry of a removed alien.  On March 7, 2019, Castillo was convicted in state court of disorderly conduct related to his November 2018 arrest, and he was released from state custody.  He remained at large until March 17, 2023, when he was apprehended in Massachusetts.

On May 9, 2023, he pleaded guilty to reentry of a removed alien.

This matter was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Casey.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MILTON ROSARIO, also known as “Little,” 41, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 70 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for distributing fentanyl.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an investigation into gang-related drug trafficking and firearm possession by members of Los Solidos.  The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps, revealed that Luis Feliciano, also known as “Louminaty,” distributed fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and crack to customers and other distributors in the Hartford area, including Jose Tirado, also known as “Joselito” and “Leet,” and also to individuals in New York and Maine.  Tirado further distributed fentanyl to Rosario, who sold the drug to his own customer base.

On June 8, 2022, a grand jury returned an indictment charging Rosario, Feliciano, Tirado, and 13 others with various narcotics distribution and firearm possession offenses.

Rosario was arrested on June 9, 2022.  On February 9, 2023, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.  He has been detained since his arrest.

Feliciano and Tirado pleaded guilty and await sentencing.

This investigation has been conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and the Hartford Police Department.  The Task Force includes members of the FBI, Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, New Britain Police Department, West Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian P. Leaming and Robert S. Ruff through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program.  OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.  Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that STEVEN COLLAZO, 32, of Groton, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 18 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his involvement in a conspiracy to receive large quantities of cocaine from Puerto Rico through the U.S. Mail for distribution in Connecticut and elsewhere.  Collazo must serve the first three months of his supervised release in home detention.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in April 2021, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration began investigating a cocaine trafficking operation headed by Carlos Antonio Crespo-Febus.  The investigation revealed that Crespo-Febus was coordinating the shipment of parcels, typically containing two kilograms of cocaine, from U.S. Post Offices in Puerto Rico to various “drop addresses” in New London County.  Collazo, who served as the primary “runner” for Crespo-Febus, picked up parcels from the drop addresses and delivered them to Crespo-Febus at Crespo-Febus’s New London residence.

Investigators intercepted and seized approximately 16 kilograms of cocaine that were mailed from Puerto Rico to Connecticut, and identified dozens of other suspicious parcels that likely contained kilogram quantities of cocaine.

Crespo-Febus and Collazo were arrested on September 20, 2021.  On November 10, 2022, Collazo pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.

Collazo, who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on October 4.

Crespo-Febus, of New London, pleaded guilty on October 21, 2022.  He is detained while awaiting sentencing.

This matter has been investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the New London and Town of Groton Police Departments.  The Task Force includes members from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Postal Service – Office of the Inspector General, the Connecticut Army National Guard, and the Hartford, New Britain, Meriden and Town of Groton Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Konstantin Lantsman.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ORLANDO JIMENEZ, 48, of Yonkers, New York, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 36 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing fentanyl.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in August 2021, in meetings in Norwalk that were arranged and monitored by members of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, Jimenez provided samples of narcotics to an individual working with law enforcement.  During the meetings, Jimenez discussed selling the individual two kilograms of fentanyl for $38,000 per kilogram.

On August 10, 2021, Jimenez again met the individual in Norwalk and sold him approximately 100 grams of suspected fentanyl for $3,800.  Subsequent laboratory testing of the substance Jimenez provided determined it to be a mixture of fentanyl and ADB-Butinaca, a synthetic cannabinoid similar to “K2” or “Spice.”

On August 26, 2021, Jimenez was arrested at meeting location after he traveled to Norwalk to sell two kilograms of suspected fentanyl to the individual.  After his arrest, Jimenez stated to investigators that he had two kilograms of heroin in the back seat of his vehicle.  Investigators located and seized two rectangle-shaped bricks from the vehicle.  Laboratory testing of the bricks of suspected narcotics determined them to contain mostly ADB-Butinaca, and less than one percent of fentanyl.

On February 1, 2023, Jimenez pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

Jimenez, who is released on a $150,000 bond, is required to report to prison on September 5.

This investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, which includes personnel from the DEA Bridgeport Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bridgeport, Danbury, Milford, Norwalk, Stamford, and Stratford Police Departments.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren C. Clark.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that EDWARD WALKER, 50, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for producing child pornography.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in June and July 2019, Walker made two cell phone videos of himself engaging in sexual activity with a 16-year-old girl who was a runaway from foster care and dependent on Walker for housing, food, and other necessities.

On April 12, 2023, Walker pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography.

Judge Shea ordered that the 10-year sentence will run concurrently with a 25-year federal sentence that Walker is currently serving after being convicted of sex trafficking This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Angel M. Krull and Shan 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.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that TARA KEWALIS, 51, of Beacon Falls, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 21 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for embezzling from a Waterbury credit union where she was employed.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Kewalis was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Skyline Financial Federal Credit Union located in Waterbury. From approximately September 2016 until her employment was terminated in March 2021, Kewalis used her position to access the credit union’s accounting system to create fraudulent accounts, make fraudulent entries, and steal $254,532 in credit union funds.

Kewalis has paid restitution of $254,532, but may be required to pay additional restitution to reimburse expenses incurred by the credit union during the investigation and prosecution of this criminal matter.

On December 7, 2022, Kewalis pleaded guilty to embezzlement by a credit union officer or employee.  She has been detained since July 17, 2023, when her bond was revoked after she was found to have violated the conditions of her release.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael S. McGarry.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ROBERT V. MATTHEWS, 65, of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to 65 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy, money laundering, and tax evasion offenses related to multiple schemes that defrauded investors and financial institutions out of tens of millions of dollars.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Matthews was a real estate developer in charge of The Palm House Hotel (“PHH”), a property that he sought to develop in Palm Beach, Florida.  Matthews maintained residences in both Florida and Connecticut.

The EB-5 visa program is a federal program by which foreign nationals and their families are eligible to apply for lawful permanent resident status (commonly known as a “green card”) if they meet certain requirements by investing in a development project in the U.S.  Various entities in the U.S. act as intermediaries between potential foreign investors and investment projects.  One such entity, South Atlantic Regional Center, LLC (“SARC”) in Palm Beach, Florida, advertised EB-5 projects to foreign investors, collected funds from foreign investors that were earmarked for certain development projects, and made the funding available to the respective development project.

The PHH was a development project advertised by SARC to EB-5 investors between approximately 2012 and 2014.  Robert Matthews purchased the PHH property in August 2006, and then lost the property in foreclosure in 2009.  In August 2013, Robert Matthews reacquired control of the property through an entity called Palm House, LLC.  However, Robert Matthews’ brother, Gerry Matthews, was listed in incorporation documents as owning 99 percent of Palm House, LLC, and another individual, who had secured additional financing for Robert Matthews, was listed as owning the remaining 1 percent.

Robert Matthews and others defrauded EB-5 investors by representing that funds from EB-5 investors would be used to develop the PHH; that certain well-known individuals would be on the PHH advisory board and certain well-known entertainers, businesspeople, and politicians “will be a part of the club”; and that Gerry Matthews was a member of the Palm House, LLC management team and was the 99 percent owner of the project.  EB-5 investors invested in the PHH project by providing money to bank accounts controlled by SARC.  SARC, in turn, provided EB-5 money earmarked for PHH use into accounts controlled by Robert Matthews and his associates.

While Gerry Matthews was the nominal 99 percent owner of Palm House, LLC, Robert Matthews controlled the company.  In addition, there was no evidence any of the proffered well-known individuals would be on the PHH advisory board or would be members of the club.  Robert Matthews and others used EB-5 funding for purposes not related to the PHH project, including for Robert Matthews’ personal gain. 

Through this scheme, approximately 61 EB-5 investors lost a total of more than $30 million.

As part of this scheme, Robert Matthews and others moved investor funds through various bank accounts located in Connecticut and Florida.  The funds were used to pay Robert Matthews’, and his wife’s, Maria Matthews, credit card debts, and to purchase two properties located in Washington Depot, Connecticut.  One of the Washington Depot properties was a property that Robert Matthews had previously lost in foreclosure.  Robert Matthews, Nicholas Laudano, and others conspired to purchase the property out of foreclosure by concealing both the relationship between the co-conspirators, and the source of the funds used to purchase the property.

Laudano was a construction contractor who continuously worked on the development of the PHH project between approximately 2006 and 2016.  He also has operated several restaurants in Florida and Connecticut.

In addition, Robert and Maria Matthews evaded paying federal income tax they owed for the 2005 and 2007 calendar years in multiple ways, including by using limited liability companies, a company bank account, and their attorney’s trust account to pay for personal expenses.  For example, in approximately November 2014, Robert Matthews caused Maria Matthews to execute documents to obtain a loan from an individual.  The loan was secured by one of their Washington Depot properties, which, at the time, was in the name of a shell company.  The proceeds of this loan were eventually disbursed into an account controlled by Robert and Maria Matthews in the name of Mirabia LLC.  Robert and Maria Matthews subsequently used the loan proceeds for personal expenses without paying any of their outstanding tax liability.

This tax evasion scheme resulted in a loss to the Internal Revenue Service of approximately $2.75 million in taxes, interest, and penalties.

The investigation also revealed that, between approximately 2007 and 2009, Robert Matthews conspired with others in a scheme to defraud T.D. Banknorth, N.A. (now TD Bank, N.A.), out of the proceeds of a construction loan by making material misrepresentations to the bank in connection with the development of the Point Breeze Hotel in Nantucket, Massachusetts.  At the time Matthews defaulted on the loan, TD Bank was owed approximately $34 million.  After TD Bank foreclosed on the loan, it was owed approximately $12 million.  In June 2010, Matthews conspired with others in a scheme to defraud TD Bank out of its ability to foreclose on another parcel of property in Nantucket owned by Matthews and recover the $12 million dollar debt.

Finally, between approximately December 2010 and January 2013, Robert Matthews conspired with others to defraud JP Morgan Chase Bank N.A. by misappropriating insurance proceeds earmarked for repair of one of his Washington Depot properties.

On April 25, 2019, Robert Matthews pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud, making illegal monetary transactions, and tax evasion.

Matthews, who is released on bond, is required to report to prison on October 23.

Restitution will be determined after additional court proceedings.

On April 25, 2019, Maria Matthews, also known as Mia Matthews, pleaded guilty to tax evasion.  She awaits sentencing.

On March 7, 2018, Gerry Matthews, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.  He also awaits sentencing.

On March 12, 2018, Laudano pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and to making illegal monetary transactions.  On June 4, 2023, he was sentenced to three years of supervised release.

This matter has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John T. Pierpont, Jr. and David E. Novick.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JAKE SCOTT FLEWELLYN, 26, of Norwalk, pleaded guilty today in Bridgeport federal court to a charge related to accessing and possessing images and videos depicting child sex abuse.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in December 2021, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children ("NCMEC") received a report from the smartphone messenger application Kik about a Kik user who was distributing videos of child pornography through its service.  Kik deactivated the user’s account.  In early April 2022, while federal law enforcement was investigating this matter to determine the Kik user’s identity, Kik submitted to NCMEC another report of a user account that was being used to distribute videos of child pornography.  The investigation revealed that Flewellyn created both Kik accounts and, between November 2021 and April 2022, used them to distribute approximately 107 images and videos depicting child sex abuse.

Flewellyn pleaded guilty to accessing with intent to view child pornography, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Michael P. Shea in Hartford on October 23.  Flewellyn is released on a $100,000 bond under electronic monitoring pending sentencing.

This matter has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the Norwalk Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert S. Dearington and 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.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bristol Police Chief Brian Gould today announced that DENNIS JOHN HERNANDEZ, also known as “DJ Hernandez” and “Jonathan Hernandez,” 37, of Bristol, has been charged by federal criminal complaint with interstate threatening and stalking offenses.

As alleged in the complaint, on July 6 and 7, 2023, Hernandez communicated with an individual via Facebook Messenger and made multiple statements threatening to carry out a shooting incident at UConn.  The statements included “I would recommend remaining away from there because when I go I’m taking down everything  And don’t give a f--- who gets caught in the crossfire. I’ve died for years now and now it’s others people turn. I’m prepared to give my life. So if I don’t get to see you on the outside know I love you always  Not all shootings are bad I’m realizing. Some are necessary for change to happen.”

It is alleged that Hernandez’s vehicle was identified on UConn’s campus on July 7.

The complaint also alleges that, on July 18 and 19, 2023, Hernandez made multiple Facebook posts threatening to harm or kill three individuals who reside out of state.  In addition, on July 19, in a conversation via text message with one of the victims, Hernandez stated “We’re taking lives if s--- isn’t paid up. It’s been years in planning just taking notes, names and locations. They talked their way into this and it’s almost point game. I know we don’t play in my family. If we have to take lives or buildings we will. So just letting you know so you can be prepared for a media circus one way or another.”

The complaint charges Hernandez with transmitting interstate communications containing a threat to injure, and with interstate stalking.  Each charge carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.

Hernandez has been detained in state custody on related charges since July 19.  He appeared this afternoon Hartford federal court.

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

This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bristol Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that TYREESE FERRUCCI, 31, of Waterbury, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to unlawful possession of firearms by a felon.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 5, 2022, in connection with a drug trafficking investigation, Waterbury Police conducted a court-authorized search of a residence on Fieldwood Road that was suspected of being used to store, process, and package narcotics.  Ferrucci was arrested at that location after he was found in possession of two loaded Glock 9mm handguns.

Ferrucci’s criminal history includes state conviction for drug and firearm offenses.  It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

At sentencing, which is not scheduled, Ferrucci faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years.  Ferrucci has been detained since his arrest.

This investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Waterbury Police Department and Connecticut State Police.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Natasha Freismuth through Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RICHARD E. SMITH, 67, of Southington, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 144 months of imprisonment, followed by 15 years of supervised release, for possessing millions of child sex abuse images and videos.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Smith’s criminal history includes convictions related to his sexual assault of boys in 1990 and 1998.

On October 1, 2020, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents conducted a court-authorized search of Smith’s Southington residence.  At the time of the search, Smith’s computer was running and connected to a website on the dark web dedicated to child pornography, and one of Smith’s four computer monitors displayed a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet containing numerous child pornography filenames and internet hyperlinks.  Investigators seized Smith’s computer and electronic devices.  Forensic analysis of the seized devices revealed millions of images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children, including infants and toddlers.

Smith has been detained since his arrest on October 1, 2020.  On November 28, 2022, he pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography.

This matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Southington Police Department, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick J. Doherty and Nancy V. Gifford through 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.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that ERIC MUNOZ, SR., also known as “50,” 46, of Hartford, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to 115 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking fentanyl and other narcotics.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in July and August 2021, the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force conducted eight controlled purchases of fentanyl from Munoz Sr. and his son, Eric Munoz, Jr., also known as “Bebo.”

Munoz Sr. and Munoz Jr. were arrested on August 25, 2021.  On that date, a search of Munoz Sr.’s residence on Harbison Avenue in Hartford revealed approximately 900 grams of loose fentanyl, 280 wax folds of fentanyl, 41 rounds of assorted ammunition, and $15,888 in cash.  A search of Munoz Jr.’s residence, also on Harbison Avenue, revealed more than 900 grams of loose fentanyl, approximately 3,800 wax folds of fentanyl, approximately 300 grams of cocaine, approximately 50 grams of crack cocaine, five handguns, and $29,921 in cash.  A search of an apartment located on Capitol Avenue in Hartford, which Munoz Sr. and Munoz Jr. used to store, process, and package narcotics, revealed approximately 200 grams of loose fentanyl, 5,100 wax folds of fentanyl, 130 grams of cocaine, 88 grams of crack cocaine, and eight rounds of ammunition.

Munoz Sr. and Munoz Jr. have been detained since August 25, 2021.

On April 6, 2023, Munoz Sr. pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.

Munoz Jr., 27, pleaded guilty to the same charge on April 11, 2023.  He is scheduled to be sentenced on September 7.

The FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Manchester Police Department, New Britain Police Department, West Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.

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

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, announced that JOHN HORVATH, 72, of Bristol, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today in New Haven federal court to fraud and tax offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Horvath was licensed by the State of Connecticut as a resident insurance producer, which authorized him to sell various forms of insurance.  In that capacity, he sold annuity contracts issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (“Allianz”) to clients.  Beginning no later than July 2015 and continuing until April 2021, Horvath defrauded several clients by advising them that they could achieve better rates of return through alternative investments, rather than their existing annuity contracts, and that he could broker and manage those investments for them.  Victim-investors gave Horvath investment funds with the expectation he would manage the funds for them. Instead, Horvath commingled the victim-investors’ funds with his own and used the pooled money to pay personal expenses and repay earlier victim-investors.

Through this scheme, Horvath defrauded at least eight victims out of approximately $1,189,200.

In addition, Horvath failed to pay income taxes on his substantial income from the scheme, resulting in a loss to the government of $267,739 for the 2015 through 2020 tax years.

Horvath pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and one count of tax evasion, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.  He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford on October 18.

Horvath is released on a $50,000 bond pending sentencing.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Conor M. Reardon.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that GINO RIZZO, 29, of Middletown, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to bank robbery.

According to court documents and statements made in court, using notes demanding cash, Rizzo robbed People’s United Bank branches located in Stop & Shop supermarkets in Glastonbury on July 16, 2022, in Newington on July 18, 2022, and in West Hartford July 20, 2022.

Rizzo was arrested on July 21, 2022.

On April 11, 2023, while on pre-trial release, Rizzo disconnected his GPS electronic monitoring bracelet and absconded from his court-mandated rehabilitation center.  He has been detained since his re-arrest on May 22, 2023.

Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for October 17, at which time Rizzo faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

This matter has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Middletown, Glastonbury, Newington, and West Hartford Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephanie T. Levick and Robert S. Dearington.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ARMANDO VARELA-PLAZA, 41, a citizen of Mexico last residing in Queens, New York, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 37 months of imprisonment for his role in a drug trafficking ring.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from a DEA New Haven Task Force and Waterbury Police Department-led investigation into drug trafficking in and around the city of Waterbury.  The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps on multiple phones, physical surveillance, controlled purchases of narcotics, and motor vehicle stops that resulted in the seizure of drugs and cash proceeds, revealed that Jose Duprey, also known as “Red” and “Colorado,” trafficked kilogram-quantities of cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl.  Duprey used his place of employment to supply narcotics to other drug distributors, and he used his girlfriend’s business, located on Straits Turnpike in Middlebury, to store narcotics and other items.

Varela-Plaza was a courier for Duprey’s drug supplier.  On February 23, 2022, Varela-Plaza called Duprey and arranged to pick up and transport a large quantity of cash proceeds from Duprey.  Later that day, after investigators observed Varela-Plaza meeting with Duprey, they stopped Varela-Plaza’s car and seized $88,000 in cash.

Varela-Plaza, Duprey, and 12 other individuals identified during this investigation were arrested on May 25, 2022.   On that date, a search of Duprey’s Waterbury residence and his Middlebury stash location revealed approximately 10 kilograms of cocaine, two kilograms of heroin, two kilograms of fentanyl, and more than $107,000 in cash.

Varela-Plaza has been detained since his arrest.  On April 25, 2023, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.

Varela-Plaza faces immigration proceedings when he completes his prison term.

Duprey has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.

This investigation has been conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force and the Waterbury Police Department, with the assistance of DEA offices in Connecticut, New York and New Jersey; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Marshals Service; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Connecticut State Police; Connecticut Department of Correction; Connecticut State Parole; and the Naugatuck, Ansonia, West Haven, Meriden and East Haven Police Departments.

U.S. Attorney Avery thanked the Waterbury State’s Attorney’s Office for its cooperation in the investigation and prosecution of this matter.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brendan J. Keefe and Nathaniel J. Gentile through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program.  OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.  Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that GIOVANNI CANDELARIO, 30, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to 65 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm while on federal supervised release.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in August 2015, Candelario was sentenced in Hartford federal court to 57 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.  In July 2018, Candelario was arrested for criminal firearm possession and other offenses and, in addition to a state sentence, he received 12 months of imprisonment for violating the conditions of his federal supervised release.

On January 9, 2021, while he was still on supervised release, Candelario was arrested by the Connecticut State Police after a car he was driving on Route 8 in the Bridgeport area exceeded 115 miles per hour.  Candelario eventually stopped his car near Exit 26 on Interstate 95, and a search of his person revealed a .357 revolver with an obliterated serial number.

Candelario has been detained since his arrest.  On March 2, 2023, he pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

This matter was investigated by the Connecticut State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rahul Kale.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned a nine-count indictment charging TYSHON WALKER, 38, of Naugatuck, and ELVIS PEREZ, also known as “Pops,” 58, of Bridgeport, with offenses related to a series of vehicle thefts from dealerships utilizing personal information from identity theft victims.

The indictment was returned on July 11, 2023.  Perez was arrested on July 19 and Walker surrendered to law enforcement yesterday.  They appeared yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven and entered pleas of not guilty.  Perez was ordered detained and Walker was released on a $250,000 bond.

As alleged in the indictment, since at least September 2020, Walker, Perez, and others utilized personal information stolen from residents of Connecticut and other states to apply for vehicle loans at dealerships in Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Rhode Island for motorcycles, an all-terrain vehicle, and other performance vehicles.  Once the loan was approved by the dealership using the identity theft victim’s information, Walker would send a series of runners, including Perez, Mark Goff, and Thomas Owen, to pick up the vehicle utilizing a fictitious driver’s license that included the identity theft victim’s information and a photograph of the runner.  The vehicle was then transported back to Connecticut for resale on Facebook Marketplace.

The indictment charges Walker and Perez with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years.  Walker is also charged with three counts of wire fraud, which carry a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count, two counts of aggravated identity theft, which carry a mandatory consecutive term of imprison of two years on each count, and two counts of interstate transportation of stolen vehicles, which carry a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years on each count.  Perez is also charged with one count of aggravated identity theft and one count of interstate transportation of stolen property.

Goff, 48, and Owen, 26, both of Ansonia, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy and identity theft charges stemming from this scheme and await sentencing.

In a related case, Nuvar Foster, 30, of Waterbury previously pleaded guilty to interstate transportation of stolen vehicle stemming from the fraudulent purchase of a 2020 Harley Davidson motorcycle from a dealership in Warwick, Rhode Island in December 2020.  On February 21, 2023, he was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to pay restitution of $20,000, the amount he received when he resold the motorcycle.

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

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force, the Bridgeport Police Department, the Hopkinton (R.I.) Police Department, the Westtown – East Goshen Regional (Pa.) Police Department, and the Washington Township (N.J.) Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren C. Clark and Heather M. Cherry.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging DARYL JONES, 53, of Atlanta, Georgia, and MARKOS PAPPAS, 49, of New Haven, with offenses related to a scheme to steal vehicles in other states, transport them to Connecticut, make efforts to conceal the fact they were stolen, and then sell them to customers.

The indictment was returned on June 20, 2023, and unsealed yesterday.  Jones appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven and pleaded not guilty.  He was released on a $50,000 bond pending trial.  Pappas has been detained in federal custody since March 28, 2023, when he was arrested on a narcotics charges stemming from a related investigation.

As alleged in the indictment, Jones, Pappas and others conspired to obtain stolen motor vehicles from car dealerships, car rental businesses, and other sources in Georgia, Illinois, elsewhere, and transported the vehicles to Connecticut.  They altered the vehicle identifying number (VIN) of the stolen motor vehicles to hide the fact that they were stolen, and disabled the vehicles’ onboard communication services, often known as the telematics systems, including GPS systems, in order to thwart attempts to locate the vehicle after it was stolen.  They used the altered VIN to create stickers and other means of identification to put on the stolen motor vehicles, and attempted to remove the VIN etched on the vehicles.  They also created fake vehicle titles and bills of sale using the altered VIN to present to various state’s Departments of Motor Vehicles when registering the vehicles.  The vehicles were sold to customers, often in cash transactions.

Among the stolen vehicles specifically referenced in the indictment are a 2021 Ford Expedition stolen from a rental car company in Oak Brook Village, Illinois, in January 2022, and two Ford F-150 Raptors that were stolen from car dealerships in Gainesville, Georgia, and Canton, Georgia, in November 2022.

It is further alleged that in April 2023, while detained in federal custody as part of a separate indictment, Pappas communicated by phone with co-conspirators about the stolen vehicles.

The indictment charges Jones and Pappas with one count of conspiracy, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, and three counts of possession of a stolen vehicle, and offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years on each count.

U.S. Attorney Avery 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 FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force, with the assistance of the DEA New Haven’s Tactical Diversion Squad, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the U.S. Marshals Service, and the National Crime Insurance Bureau.  The FBI Task Force includes participants from the FBI, the Connecticut State Police, the Connecticut Department of Correction, and the New Haven, Milford, East Haven, West Haven and Wallingford Police Departments. 

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah P. Karwan and Tara E. Levens, in coordination with the New Haven and Milford State’s Attorney’s Offices.

This case is being prosecuted through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program.  OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.  Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that STEVEN GALARZA, 25, of Seymour, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to 78 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for committing 11 robberies of convenience stores and smoke shops in Connecticut, New Hampshire, and New York in 2022.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between February 27 and March 22, 2022, Galarza and others, using facsimile firearms that are designed to appear similar to real firearms, robbed the following retail locations of cash, cigarettes and other items:

• February 27 – Scott’s Village Mobil Gas Station, 843 Farmington Avenue, Farmington
• March 2 – Mystic Mobil Gas Station, 66 Whitehall Avenue, Mystic
• March 3 – Shell Gas Station, 168 Bridge Street, East Windsor
• March 3 – Food Bag, 960 Meriden Waterbury Turnpike, Southington
• March 5 – Valero Gas Station, 1 Main Street, Ellington
• March 5 – Sunoco Gas Station, 446 Bloomfield Avenue, Windsor
• March 8 – Smoker’s Discount World, 636 Silas Deane Highway, Wethersfield
• March 16 – Cove Smoke Market, located at 841 Cove Road, Stamford
• March 19 – 7-Eleven in Salem, New Hampshire
• March 19 – Smoker’s Depot, located at 399 West Main Street, New Britain
• March 22 – 7-Eleven in Katonah, New York

Galarza was arrested on April 19, 2022.  On January 9, 2023, he pleaded guilty to eight counts of Hobbs Act Robbery.  Galarza is detained.

Efrain Deleon and Gilberto Deleon, both of New Britain, participated in most of these robberies and have pleaded guilty to related charges.  They await sentencing.

This investigation has been conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Connecticut State Police, and the Farmington, Stonington, East Windsor, Southington, Windsor, Wethersfield, Stamford, New Britain, Salem (N.H.), and Somers (N.Y.) Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brendan Keefe and Rahul Kale.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that PEDRO GOMEZ, also known as “Nito,” 42, of Hartford, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 76 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing narcotics, and for possessing a firearm and distributing drugs while awaiting sentencing in his federal case.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in March 2016, law enforcement made multiple controlled purchases of heroin/fentanyl from Gomez.  On April 20, 2017, Gomez pleaded guilty in Hartford federal court to possession with intent to distribute heroin.

On May 6, 2022, Gomez, who was awaiting sentencing and released on bond, was arrested after he was found in possession of a stolen handgun and distribution quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, and marijuana.

Gomez’s criminal history includes felony convictions.  It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

Gomez has been detained since his arrest.  On February 14, 2023, he pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

Judge Thompson sentenced Gomez to 30 months of imprisonment for his original narcotics offense, and a consecutive 46 months of imprisonment for the firearm offense.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and the Hartford Police Department. The FBI Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, New Britain Police Department, West Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patricia Stolfi Collins through Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).  PSN, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts, is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally-based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced that ANDRE MESSAM, 46, of Derby, was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint charging him with possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

As alleged in the complaint, on May 10, 2023, the FBI’s Transnational Organized Crime Task Force conducted a controlled purchase of approximately 55 grams of methamphetamine from Messam.  Laboratory analysis of the methamphetamine determined that it was 100 percent pure.

This morning, Messam fled from law enforcement officers who attempted to stop his car in North Haven.  He was located and arrested at a rental car agency on the Berlin Turnpike in Newington.  Messam possessed approximately $7,200 in cash at the time of his arrest.

Following his arrest, Messam appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Maria E. Garcia in New Haven and was ordered detained.

If convicted of the charge in the complaint, Messam faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

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

This investigation is being conducted by the FBI’s Transnational Organized Crime Task Force, which includes members from the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, and the Brookfield and New Milford Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel J. Gentile.

U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery and the leadership of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Violent Crimes and Narcotics Unit convened a series of meetings last week with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to discuss continuing strategies to curb gun violence and firearms trafficking in Connecticut.

“While I and members of my office regularly meet with our law enforcement partners to share information, discuss crime trends, and coordinate investigations and prosecutions, these meetings take on an added significance during the summer months when cities in Connecticut and across the country traditionally experience an uptick of gun violence and related criminal activity,” said U.S. Attorney Avery.  “Using a data-driven, intelligence, and evidence-based approach, we are able to focus on the small number of individuals who are driving the violence in our cities.  Then, either through our violence prevention engagement initiatives, or through federal or state prosecution, we aim to stop the violence before it occurs.  Our collective goal is to make our communities safer by freeing it of recurrent gun violence and the trauma it causes.”

“Working collaboratively with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, we continue to aggressively combat Connecticut gun violence and trafficking,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Fuller.  “Our FBI violent crime and violent gang task forces, which are located throughout Connecticut, consistently prove to be very effective in addressing gun violence in our cities and towns.  This violent threat plaguing our communities is a top priority for the FBI.”

“ATF is committed to our continued collaboration and support of our local, state and federal partners to address violent gun crime,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge James Ferguson.

“DEA is committed to investigating and dismantling violent drug trafficking organizations operating in Connecticut,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle.  “As we all know, drug trafficking in our communities, along with the gun and physical violence that often accompanies it, is a serious threat to our families and communities. DEA and its local, state, and federal partners will continue to work collaboratively to bring to justice those that commit these crimes.”

“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service stands with our federal, state, and local partners to confront the violence in our communities,” said Ketty D. Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service.  “We will aggressively pursue the criminals who, through their misuse of the U.S. Mail, facilitate the crimes which fuel the violence on our streets.”

As the majority of violent crime in Connecticut occurs in heavily-populated Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven and Waterbury, the U.S. Attorney’s Office currently coordinates Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) programs in each of these cities.  PSN, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts, focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office has recently supplemented resources in these four PSN cities, and continues to focus on violent crime in other cities across the state.

Each PSN city’s police department is also an important participant in multiple federal law enforcement task forces that address crime throughout the region.  Other Connecticut police departments also contribute significantly to federal task forces.

Another significant part of federal law enforcement’s gun violence reduction strategy involves long-term investigations that target members of gangs and groups responsible for much of the violence in Connecticut’s cities.  In Bridgeport, more than 30 alleged gang members have been charged across multiple indictments with offenses related to narcotics trafficking, murders, and other acts of violence committed in recent years.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office is also currently prosecuting alleged gang members and associates in New Haven and Waterbury.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is also focusing on the illegal straw purchasing of firearms, the trafficking of firearms into Connecticut and around the state, increasing numbers of privately-made firearms (“PMFs” or “ghost guns”), as well as firearms containing “switches,” which convert ordinary firearms into fully automatic machine guns.

“We are constantly challenged by the sheer number of illegal firearms on the streets, the destructive strength of many of them, and technologies that make their manufacture easier and their tracing harder,” said U.S. Attorney Avery.  “These guns endanger the community and the officers who are sworn to protect us.  This is why we are prioritizing the prosecution of individuals who help turn legal firearms into illegal firearms, and those who manufacture and traffic guns.  Police departments are also increasing the use of the ATF-sponsored National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) to help connect recovered firearms to shell casings found at shooting scenes, which leads to additional arrests and successful prosecutions.”

In addition to the prosecution of firearm and violent crime cases, and the violence prevention efforts that are a major component of PSN, members of the U.S. Attorney’s Office also actively participate in federal court-sponsored programs in an effort to reduce recidivist behavior and make communities safer, including Reentry Court, which offers assistance to formerly-incarcerated individuals on federal supervised release, and Support Court, which connects federal offenders with drug and alcohol addiction to treatment, other resources, and support networks.  The Office has also reached thousands of teens through FED-UP and HEAT, which are anti-violence and drug prevention programs for middle school and high school students emphasizing the extreme dangers of joining groups engaged in violent crime, and of experimentation with fentanyl, including fake pills.

“Ultimately, we know that reducing gun violence requires a multi-pronged approach, which is why members of my office and our law enforcement partners devote much time and energy engaging with returning citizens who have been through the penal system, as well as with youth who we hope will take a different path, to reduce the cycle of violence and save countless lives,” said U.S. Attorney Avery.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that KEJUAN WILLIAMS, 30, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 48 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for a firearm offense.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 18, 2022, after an unidentified shooter opened fire at individuals who were standing in a parking lot outside of a memorial gathering in Hartford, surveillance cameras at the location recorded at least nine individuals drawing firearms, and some of them returned fire.  Shot Spotter technology recorded approximately 50 shots fired within approximately 90 seconds in and around the location, and law enforcement recovered at least 31 shell casings from the scene.  Williams was present at the memorial gathering and was recorded on video brandishing a handgun and firing approximately eight times at the fleeing assailant.  He then fled the scene in a black Acura.

On April 21, 2022, Hartford Police officers located Williams’ car parked near a restaurant on Westland Street.  Williams was found inside the restaurant crouching behind a counter.  Officers apprehended Williams and seized a loaded Taurus G2C 9mm handgun on the ground where Williams had been crouching.  Investigators subsequently submitted to the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) a test-fired shell casing from the seized handgun.  Analysis of the shell casing revealed that it matched shell casings that were recovered from the shooting on April 18.

Williams’ criminal history includes multiple felony convictions, including a conviction in 2015 for carrying a pistol or revolver without a permit.  It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

Williams has been detained since his federal arrest on May 12, 2022.  On January 25, he pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the Hartford Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Pierpont, Jr.

U.S. Attorney Avery thanked the Hartford State Attorney’s Offices for its cooperation in the investigation and prosecution of this matter.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that KINSTON CUTHBERTSON, 31, of Bridgeport, pleaded guilty yesterday in New Haven federal court to a fentanyl trafficking offense.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 27, 2022, a court-authorized search of Cuthbertson’s residence on Waldorf Avenue in Bridgeport revealed approximately 1.2 kilograms of fentanyl; approximately 380 grams of cocaine; a quantity of crack cocaine; items used to process and package narcotics, including a kilogram press; a money counter; and $10,702 in cash.

Cuthbertson pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.  He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer on October 6.

Cuthbertson has been detained since his arrest on May 27, 2022.

This investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Connecticut State Police’s Statewide Narcotics Task Force Southwest and Statewide Urban Violence Cooperative Crime Control Task Force, and the Bridgeport Police Department’s Emergency Services Unit.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patricia Stolfi Collins.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that FRANCISCO AYALA, 22, of Ansonia, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to 30 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for offenses related to his participation in a stolen catalytic converter trafficking ring.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an investigation into the coordinated theft of catalytic converters from motor vehicles across Connecticut.  A catalytic converter contains precious metals, can easily be removed from its vehicle, and is difficult to trace, making it a desirable target for thieves.  The average scrap price for catalytic converters currently varies between $300 and $1,500, depending on the model and type of precious metal component.

The investigation revealed that Ayala engaged in numerous catalytic converter thefts throughout Connecticut, and he was caught on surveillance video stealing converters from two vans at a business in Stratford on March 9, 2022.  Between December 2021 and May 2022, Ayala and an associate sold approximately $150,000 worth of stolen catalytic converters to a co-conspirator who transported the converters to other businesses, including businesses in New York and New Jersey, for further resale and profit.

On April 4, 2023, Ayala pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property, and one count of interstate transportation of stolen property.

Ayala has been detained in state custody for unrelated theft offenses since May 2022.

This investigation is being led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CI), and the East Hartford Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren C. Clark and A. Reed Durham.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that EDUARDO COLON, 34, of Manchester, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to 100 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for fentanyl distribution and firearm possession offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 3, 2022, the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force made a controlled purchase of 1,000 wax sleeves of fentanyl from Colon in front of his Manchester residence on Buckland Hills Road.  Later that day, a court-authorized search of Colon’s residence revealed a loaded 9mm semiautomatic handgun, approximately 2,100 sleeves of fentanyl, approximately 230 grams of unpackaged fentanyl, items used to process and package narcotics, a money counter, and approximately $11,000 in cash.

Colon’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for narcotics offenses.  It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

Colon has been detained since June 3, 2022.  On March 27, 2023, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

The FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Manchester Police Department, New Britain Police Department, West Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney A. Reed Durham.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LUIS MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ, 25, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to approximately 32 months of imprisonment, time already served, and three years of supervised release, for unlawfully possessing firearms.

According to court documents and statements made, on November 19, 2020, Rodriguez’s state parole officer, with the assistance of Hartford Police, conducted an unannounced search of Rodriguez’s Hartford residence and found distribution quantities of crack cocaine and fentanyl, two loaded semi-automatic handguns, and $9,436 in cash.  One for the handguns had been reported stolen in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Rodriguez’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for larceny and burglary offenses.  It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

Rodriguez has been detained since November 19, 2020.  On May 9, 2022, he pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon.

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Hartford Police Department, with the assistance of the Connecticut Department of Correction Division of Parole and Community Services.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth Gresham.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ANTHONY HARRIS, 53, of Farmington, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally distributing oxycodone.

According to court documents and the evidence disclosed during a trial in this matter, Harris, who was prescribed oxycodone for a medical condition, unlawfully sold hundreds of oxycodone pills to another individual approximately every three weeks over the course of more than three years.  The individual who purchased the pills sold them to customers in the Bristol area.

The investigation revealed that Harris sold a total of approximately 9,000 oxycodone pills prescribed to him in exchange for approximately $200,000.

Harris was arrested on June 3, 2021.  On November 9, 2022, a jury found him guilty of four counts of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, oxycodone, and not guilty of one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, oxycodone.

Harris has been detained since November 17, 2022.

This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad and the Bristol Police Department.  The Tactical Diversion Squad included officers from the Bristol, East Windsor, Hamden, New Britain, West Haven, Newington, Manchester, Glastonbury, and Watertown Police Departments. Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Conor M. Reardon and Nathaniel J. Gentile.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, announced that BOULOS HANNA, also known as “Paul Hanna,” 66, of East Lyme, waved his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to tax evasion.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Hanna is the sole owner of Paul Hanna DMD PC, a dental practice in New London.  Hanna takes fees from dental patients in the form personal checks, cash, and credit card payments.  Hanna owns the building where his dental practice is located and the practice pays rent to Hanna individually.

For each of the 2000 through 2009 tax years, Hanna filed a Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return for himself and his wife, and paid the tax due and owing for those years, typically by having withholdings during the year sufficient to cover his tax liability.  For the 2010 through 2012 tax years, Hanna filed a Form 1040 for himself and his wife, but did not pay the tax due and owing.  As a result, from approximately April 2012 through 2017, Hanna was subject to IRS collections enforcement for the 2010 through 2012 tax years, including forced collection activity, such as liens placed on property and seized payments taken by way of levy.

From 2013 through 2020, Hanna earned approximately $1.6 million in taxable income from his work as a dentist and from rental income.  However, he failed to file tax returns for any of those years, resulting in a loss to the IRS of $244,541.  In addition to failing to file personal federal income tax returns, Hanna attempted to evade the assessment of tax by paying himself “management fees” instead of a reasonable wage, operating in cash by self-endorsing business checks to himself and cashing these checks to keep money out of his personal bank accounts, and paying personal expenses directly from his business accounts without reflecting those payments as income.

Judge Williams scheduled sentencing for October 18, at which time Hanna faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.  Hanna is released pending sentencing.

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

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that AARON THOMPSON, 50, last residing in Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 48 months of imprisonment for violating the conditions of his federal supervised release.

 According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 10, 2010, Thompson was sentenced in New Haven federal court to 168 months of imprisonment for his leadership of a Danbury-area crack cocaine distribution ring.  He was released from federal prison in May 2020 and began serving a four-year term of supervised release.

On May 5, 2021, Danbury Police arrested Thompson for risk of injury and sexual assault offenses.  On April 28, 2022, while Thompson’s state case and federal supervised release violation matter were pending, Danbury Police arrested Thompson for narcotics distribution offenses.  He has been detained since that date.

Thompson subsequently pleaded guilty nolo contendere in state court and, on March 20, 2023, received an effective sentence of approximately five years of imprisonment.  Thompson will begin serving his four-year federal sentence when he completes his state sentence, which is currently due to end in April 2027.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David T. Huang.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that TROY HARRIS, 28, pleaded guilty today in New Haven federal court to a firearm offense stemming from a Newington gun store theft in September 2021.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on September 7, 2021, Harris drove a car through the entrance of Hoffman’s “Guns for the Good Guys,” a federal firearms licensee located in Newington, and stole two Kimber Micro 9 9mm semiautomatic pistols, two Kimber Pro Carry .45 ACP semiautomatic pistols, and one Kimber Super Match .45 ACP semiautomatic pistol.

Harris pleaded guilty to theft of firearms from a licensee, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  He is scheduled to be sentenced on October 5.

Harris has been detained since his arrest on September 7, 2021.

This matter has been investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Newington and Bristol Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel E. Cummings through the Justice’s Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program.

PSN, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts, is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

U.S. Attorney Avery thanked the State’s Attorney’s Office for the Judicial District of New Britain for its close cooperation in investigating and prosecuting this matter. 

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging CHRISTIAN BORRERO, 20, and ROBERT SMITH, also known as “Robbie,” 20, both of New Haven, with offenses related to the gunpoint robberies of Connecticut convenience stores and an armed carjacking last summer.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, ATF and the New Haven Police Department have been investigating a series of gunpoint robberies and a carjacking that occurred in late June and early July 2022.  The investigation revealed that Borrero committed an armed robbery of a Citgo Gas Station located at 957 Foxon Road in East Haven on June 29, 2022; an armed carjacking followed by an armed robbery of a 7-Eleven Convenience Store located at 1089 Campbell Avenue in West Haven on July 3, 2022; and an armed robbery on an Xpress Mart Gas Station located at 180 Wakelee Avenue in Ansonia on July 7, 2022.  In addition, on July 6, 2022, Borrero and Smith committed an armed robbery of a Shell Gas Station located at 195 State Street in North Haven.

The indictment, which was returned on June 28, 2023, charges Borrero with four counts of interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act robbery), an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count; one count of carjacking, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years; and two counts of carrying, using, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, an offense that mandatory consecutive term of imprisonment of at least seven years.

The indictment charges Smith with one count of aiding and abetting Hobbs Act robbery and one count of aiding and abetting the carrying, using, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

Borrero and Smith appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven and entered pleas of not guilty.  Borrero has been detained in state custody since July 13, 2022, and Smith has been detained in state custody since January 3, 2023.

U.S. Attorney Avery 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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), with the assistance of the New Haven, East Haven, West Haven, Ansonia, and North Haven Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel J. Gentile.

U.S. Attorney Avery thanked the State’s Attorneys for the Judicial Districts of New Haven and Ansonia/Milford for their cooperation in investigating and prosecuting this matter.

The prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In May 2021, the Justice Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.