District of Connecticut

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England; Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Michael J. Krol, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), New England; today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging the following 14 individuals with offenses related to the large-scale trafficking of fentanyl and methamphetamine pills disguised as legitimate prescription medication, as well as other controlled substances:

WILLIS TAYLOR, 66, of West Haven
AQUARIUS GUMBS, a.k.a. “Q,” “Ice,” and “Diamond,” 48, of New Haven
SEAN PEPE, 38, of East Haven
GORDON LAURIA, 52, of New Haven
PAUL PAOLELLA, 52, of East Haven
PETER ABLONDI TAYLOR, 20, of North Branford
MARK APOTRIAS, 54, of North Branford
THOMAS JOSLIN, 63, of East Haven
DAVID KING, 58, of East Haven
RICHARD GREATSINGER, 26, of West Haven
CHRISTOPHER CAHILL, 55, of Florida
MARKOS PAPPAS, a.k.a. “Speedy,” 49, of New Haven
LISA FAUSEL, 59, of Milford
JULIO ECHEVARRIA, a.k.a. “Warrior, 42, of New Haven

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an investigation by the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force and the DEA New Haven’s Tactical Diversion Squad targeting the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit oxycodone tablets containing fentanyl and counterfeit Adderall tablets containing methamphetamine, and the distribution of heroin and cocaine, in the New Haven area.  The investigation revealed that Willis Taylor, with the assistance of Paul Paolella, Gordon Lauria, and others, coordinated the manufacture of the counterfeit pills, which Taylor distributed to Sean Pepe, and Taylor’s son, Peter Ablondi Taylor, for further distribution.  Pepe supplied pills to Christopher Cahill and others.  Willis Taylor also arranged counterfeit pill transactions between second and third parties, including Mark Apotrias, Thomas Joslin, and David King, and used Aquarius Gumbs as a source of supply for some of these transactions.  Gumbs also distributed controlled substances to his own customers, including Richard Greatsinger.  Marcos Pappas, Lisa Fausel and Julio Echevarria, also conspired to distribute controlled substances.

During the investigation, investigators seized more than two kilograms of fentanyl, including thousands of counterfeit Oxycodone tablets; approximately two kilograms of methamphetamine, including thousands of counterfeit Adderall pills; three kilograms of cocaine and other drugs; four pill-press machines; one industrial mixer; five firearms; and more than $200,000 in cash.

Thirteen of the defendants were arrested on federal criminal complaints last week.  Pepe is currently in state custody.

On April 4, 2023, the grand jury returned an indictment charging each defendant with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, controlled substances.  If convicted of this offense, based on the type and quantity of controlled substances attributable to each defendant, Willis Taylor and Paolella face a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life; Pepe, Pappas, and Fausel face a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years; and the remaining defendants face a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  In addition, the indictment charges Willis Taylor, Gumbs, Pepe, Paolella, and Greatsinger with one or more counts related to the possession and distribution of controlled substances.

The indictment also charges both Gumbs and Pepe with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years, and with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, an offense that carries a mandatory consecutive sentence of at least five 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 matter is being investigated by the DEA New Haven’s Tactical Diversion Squad, the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the U.S. Marshals Service.  The DEA Tactical Diversion Squad is composed of personnel from the DEA and the Manchester, Glastonbury, West Haven, Hamden, Newington, and Bristol Police Departments.  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, today announced that JEFFREY AMARANTE-PEREZ, 29, of the Dominican Republic, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 30 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for trafficking fentanyl and heroin.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from a joint investigation headed by the DEA New Haven Task Force and the Waterbury Police Department into a Waterbury-based drug trafficking operation headed by Nestor Sosa-Ortiz.  The investigation, which included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, physical surveillance, and controlled purchases of narcotics, revealed that Sosa-Ortiz’s organization received large quantities of fentanyl and heroin from suppliers in Connecticut and New York and distributed the narcotics through a network of co-conspirators, including Sanchez-Martinez.  After Sosa-Ortiz was arrested in New York City on a separate federal heroin and fentanyl trafficking charge in May 2019, he continued to control his drug network while incarcerated by using smuggled cell phones to communicate with various co-conspirators.

The Sosa-Ortiz organization used an apartment located at 330 Bishop Street in Waterbury to store kilogram-quantities of fentanyl and heroin, and to process and package the drugs for street sale.  On October 29, 2019, investigators arrested several members of the organization, executed search warrants at the Bishop Street apartment and four other locations, and seized approximately six kilograms of fentanyl and heroin, approximately 100,000 bags of fentanyl/heroin packaged for street distribution, approximately 1,000 fentanyl pills disguised as Percocet pills, one firearm, approximately $50,000 in cash, drug ledgers, and other items.

As the investigation continued, it revealed that Jeffrey Amarante-Perez and his brother, Jeisson Amarante-Perez, served as an alternate source of drug supply to the Sosa-Ortiz organization, and that Edwin Rivas-Cruz was a drug courier for the Amarante-Perez brothers.  Jeisson Amarante-Perez and Rivas-Cruz were intercepted over a wiretap coordinating narcotics transactions, and drug ledgers seized from the Sosa-Ortiz organization in October 2019 indicated drug debts to Jeffrey Amarante-Perez of more than $30,000.

Jeffrey Amarante-Perez has been detained since his arrest on July 1, 2022.  On November 15, 2022, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl.

Jeisson Amarante-Perez, Rivas-Cruz, and Sosa-Ortiz have pleaded guilty and await sentencing.

This investigation has been conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force and the Waterbury Police Department.  The DEA New Haven Task Force includes participants from the DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Connecticut State Police and the New Haven, Waterbury, East Haven, Branford, West Haven, Ansonia, Meriden, Naugatuck, and Shelton Police Departments.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren C. Clark and Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis 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, today announced that FRANCISCO AYALA, 22, of Ansonia, has pleaded in Hartford federal court to offenses related to his participation in a stolen catalytic converter trafficking ring.

According to court documents and statements made in court, law enforcement has been investigating the 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, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, and one count of interstate transportation of stolen property, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala on July 13, 2023.

Ayala is detained pending sentencing.

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 JAYVIAN RODRIGUEZ, 25, of West Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to 126 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, in the summer of 2021, West Hartford Police developed information that Rodriguez was distributing narcotics.  Rodriguez was arrested on state charges on September 3, 2021, after a court authorized search of his Prospect Avenue residence revealed nearly 600 grams of fentanyl, approximately 18 grams of crack cocaine, and items used to process and package narcotics for street sale.  The search also revealed a 9mm Glock-style privately manufactured firearm (“ghost gun”) with an attached laser sight and a “Glock switch” auto sear device, a handgun magazine containing 28 rounds ammunition, and approximately 200 rounds of additional ammunition.  The Glock switch enabled the handgun to fire fully automatically as a machinegun.

Rodriguez was on state probation for prior gun and drug convictions at the time of the search.

Rodriguez, who was released on bond after his state arrest, has been detained since his federal arrest on December 15, 2021.  On November 2, 2022, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

This case was investigated by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force, the West Hartford Police Department, and the Connecticut State Police, with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).  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.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert S. Ruff through the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative.  PSN is 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.

An investigation into the attempted smuggling of a dual-use export-controlled item to Russia in violation of United States export laws and regulations has resulted in the forfeiture of approximately $826,000.

U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery; Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division; Andrew Adams, Director of Task Force KleptoCapture; Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), New England; Special Agent in Charge Rashel D. Assouri of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement, Boston; and Special Agent in Charge Robert Fuller of the FBI New Haven Division made the announcement.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, beginning in 2018, operators of a Latvia-based corporation conspired with the operator of By Trade OU, an Estonia-based company, as well as individuals in Russia and a Russia-based company, to violate U.S. export laws and regulations and smuggle a jig grinder that was manufactured in Connecticut to Russia.  A jig grinder is a high-precision grinding machine system that does not require a license to export to European Union countries, but does require a license for export and reexport to Russia because of its potential application in nuclear proliferation and defense programs.  At no time did the defendants apply for, receive or possess a license of authorization from the U.S. Department of Commerce to export or reexport the jig grinder to Russia, as required by the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 and the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”), which restrict the export of items that could make a significant contribution to the military potential of other nations or that could be detrimental to U.S. foreign policy and national security.

U.S. authorities, working with Latvian authorities, intercepted the jig grinder in Riga, Latvia, before it was to be shipped to Russia.

Several individuals and companies involved in this alleged scheme have been charged by indictment in the District of Connecticut with conspiracy, violation of the Export Control Reform Act, smuggling goods from the United States, and international money laundering conspiracy offenses. 

On December 1, 2022, By Trade OU pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act, and one count of international money laundering conspiracy.  In pleading guilty, By Trade OU admitted that it received funds from a Russian company, identified in the indictment as “Company B,” to purchase a jig grinder on its behalf from a Latvian company that had arranged to purchase the jig grinder from the Connecticut manufacturer.

On March 29, 2023, in a related civil forfeiture action, U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden ordered the forfeiture of $484,696 that had been delivered to the Connecticut manufacturer as part of the attempted purchase of the jig grinder.  On April 4, 2023, in association with the sentencing of By Trade OU, Judge Bolden ordered the forfeiture of an additional €312,192.44 (approximately $342,000) seized from By Trade OU.

As to the other defendants charged in the indictment, U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that an indictment is merely an allegation, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

This investigation is being conducted by HSI field offices in New Haven, Portland (Ore.), and the Hague, Netherlands; the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement in Boston; and the FBI.  The Prosecutor-General’s Office of the Republic of Latvia, the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Republic of Estonia, Latvian Tax and Customs Police, Estonian Tax and Customs Board, and the Latvian State Police are assisting the investigation.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rahul Kale, Konstantin Lantsman, and David Nelson of the District of Connecticut, and Trial Attorney Matthew Anzaldi of the Justice Department’s National Security Division.  The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs is providing valuable assistance. 

The investigation was coordinated with the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture, an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export controls, and economic countermeasures that the United States, along with its foreign allies and partners, has imposed in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine. Announced by the Attorney General on March 2 and run out of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, the task force will continue to leverage all of the Department’s tools and authorities to combat efforts to evade or undermine the collective actions taken by the U.S. government in response to Russian military aggression.

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.

An investigation into the attempted smuggling of a dual-use export-controlled item to Russia in violation of United States export laws and regulations has resulted in the forfeiture of approximately $826,000.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, beginning in 2018, operators of a Latvia-based corporation conspired with the operator of By Trade OU, an Estonia-based company, as well as individuals in Russia and a Russia-based company, to violate U.S. export laws and regulations and smuggle a jig grinder that was manufactured in Connecticut to Russia. A jig grinder is a high-precision grinding machine system that does not require a license to export to European Union countries but does require a license for export and reexport to Russia because of its potential application in nuclear proliferation and defense programs. At no time did the defendants apply for, receive or possess a license of authorization from the U.S. Department of Commerce to export or reexport the jig grinder to Russia, as required by the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), which restrict the export of items that could make a significant contribution to the military potential of other nations or that could be detrimental to U.S. foreign policy and national security.

U.S. authorities, working with Latvian authorities, intercepted the jig grinder in Riga, Latvia, before it was to be shipped to Russia.

Several individuals and companies involved in this alleged scheme have been charged by indictment in the District of Connecticut with conspiracy, violation of the Export Control Reform Act, smuggling goods from the United States and international money laundering conspiracy offenses.

On Dec. 1, 2022, By Trade OU pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act, and one count of international money laundering conspiracy. In pleading guilty, By Trade OU admitted that it received funds from a Russian company, identified in the indictment as “Company B,” to purchase a jig grinder on its behalf from a Latvian company that had arranged to purchase the jig grinder from the Connecticut manufacturer.

On March 29, in a related civil forfeiture action, U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden ordered the forfeiture of $484,696 that had been delivered to the Connecticut manufacturer as part of the attempted purchase of the jig grinder. On April 4, 2023, in association with the sentencing of By Trade OU, Judge Bolden ordered the forfeiture of an additional €312,192.44 (approximately $342,000) seized from By Trade OU.

U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery for the District of Connecticut; Director Andrew Adams of Task Force KleptoCapture; Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Boston; Special Agent in Charge Rashel D. Assouri of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement, Boston; and Special Agent in Charge Robert Fuller of the FBI New Haven Field Office made the announcement.

This investigation is being conducted by HSI Field Offices in New Haven, Connecticut; Portland Oregon; and the Hague, Netherlands; the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement in Boston; and the FBI. The Prosecutor-General’s Office of the Republic of Latvia, the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Republic of Estonia, Latvian Tax and Customs Police, Estonian Tax and Customs Board and the Latvian State Police are assisting the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rahul Kale, Konstantin Lantsman and David Nelson for the District of Connecticut and Trial Attorney Matthew Anzaldi of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided valuable assistance.

The investigation was coordinated through the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture, an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export controls and economic countermeasures that the United States, along with its foreign allies and partners, has imposed in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine. Announced by the Attorney General on March 2, 2022, and under the leadership of the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, the task force will continue to leverage all of the department’s tools and authorities to combat efforts to evade or undermine the collective actions taken by the U.S. government in response to Russian military aggression.

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.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that WILLIE BAINES, 47, of the Bronx, New York, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 63 months of imprisonment, with credit for time served since Baines’s March 2021 arrest in a related federal case, for participating in a brazen burglary ring that resulted in the theft of millions of dollars in vehicles, phones, ATMs and other merchandise from numerous locations in Connecticut, New York and elsewhere.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Baines participated in a theft ring that, between June 2020 and January 2021, primarily burglarized car dealerships and mobile phone stores in Connecticut and New York.  From dealerships, the group stole vehicle key fobs and vehicles, and from mobile phone stores they stole cell phones, electronics and other merchandise.  They also stole ATMs from check cashing businesses and burglarized video game stores.  Josepher Cartagena and Alexander Santiago planned and organized the burglary sprees, recruited Baines and others to participate in those burglaries, maintained inventories of the stolen property, sold that property, and then divided the proceeds among the participants.

Cartagena, Santiago, Baines and their associates committed more than 180 burglaries and stole more than $4 million in property.  They often burglarized multiple locations in one night and, on numerous occasions, escaped from police by engaging the police in high-speed chases that had to be terminated for safety reasons.  An apparent tally found on Santiago’s phone after his arrest indicated that he had engaged police in 89 chases.

Baines and his associates regularly carried firearms during the burglary spree.  On December 22, 2020, Baines was arrested by New York City Police on state charges after a high-speed pursuit and a foot chase.  Baines was driving a stolen vehicle that contained stolen property, and he possessed a firearm at the time of his arrest.  Baines continued to burglarize business while released on bond in his state case.

Baines has been detained since March 11, 2021, after his state firearm charge was adopted for federal prosecution in the Southern District of New York.  He pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm and, on November 8, 2021, was sentenced to 36 months of imprisonment.

On December 1, 2022, Baines pleaded guilty in the District of Connecticut to possession of stolen property.

Cartagena was arrested on December 23, 2020, after engaging law enforcement in multiple high-speed chases and collisions with law enforcement vehicles.  Cartagena dropped a bag containing a 9mm handgun and assorted tools during the pursuit.  A subsequent search of his residence revealed hundreds of thousands of dollars in stolen merchandise, more than 30 vehicle keys and key fobs, 9mm ammunition, and approximately $87,000 in cash.

Santiago was arrested on January 15, 2021.  When investigators sought to conduct a court-authorized search of Santiago’s residence on that date, Santiago’s pit bull attacked an FBI agent and badly wounded his arm.  A search of the residence revealed approximately 20 new cell phones in boxes, approximately 40 vehicle key fobs, a police radio, a glass-punch device, two firearms and a substantial amount of ammunition.

Cartagena and Santiago pleaded guilty and were each sentenced to 90 months of imprisonment.  A fourth co-conspirator, Douglas Noble, also pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 54 months of imprisonment.

This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Connecticut State Police, with the assistance of approximately 30 local police departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert S. Ruff.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOHN TRASACCO, 50, of West Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to 96 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy and fraud offenses related to a scheme to steal COVID-19 relief funds from the City of West Haven.

According to the evidence presented during a trial in this matter, Michael DiMassa was a Connecticut State Representative who was also employed by the City of West Haven, most recently serving as the Administrative Assistant to the City Council.  In April 2020, the State of Connecticut was allocated money by the U.S. Department of the Treasury through the Coronavirus Relief Fund (“CRF”), which was established by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) for the purpose of helping local governments pay costs incurred in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.  From July 2020 through September 2021, the City of West Haven received approximately $1,150,257 in financial assistance from this fund.  DiMassa, who was authorized to approve the designated relief funds for the reimbursement of COVID-related expenditures incurred by West Haven, conspired with others to steal these funds and other West Haven funds through the submission of fraudulent invoices, and subsequent payment, for COVID relief goods and services that were never provided.

The investigation revealed that DiMassa conspired with Trasacco through the submission of fraudulent invoices from L & H Company and JIL Sanitation Services, two companies controlled by Trasacco, to West Haven for goods and services, including thousands of units of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), HVAC maintenance at multiple municipal locations, COVID supplies for the Board of Education, and cleaning services for various municipal and school buildings, including one school building that had been vacant and abandoned for several years.  Trasacco’s companies received approximately $431,982 through this scheme.

On December 2, 2022, a jury found Trasacco guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of wire fraud.

Judge Williams ordered Trasacco to pay $143,994 in restitution.

Trasacco, who had been released on bond, was remanded to custody at the conclusion of today’s court proceeding.

On November 1, 2022, DiMassa pleaded guilty to three counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.  He is awaiting sentencing and has agreed to pay restitution of $1,216,541.80.

On June 14, 2022, John Bernardo, a West Haven city employee who with Michael DiMassa formed a company that they used to bill the city for fraudulent COVID-related consulting services, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.  On March 22, 2023, he was sentenced to 13 months of imprisonment and ordered to pay $58,927.25 in restitution.

On July 14, 2022, Michal DiMassa’s wife, Lauren DiMassa, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.  On March 23, 2023, she was sentenced to six months of imprisonment and ordered to pay $147,776 in restitution.

This matter has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General for Investigations.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ray Miller and David Sheldon.

Individuals with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 are encouraged to report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721, or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that two participants in a spree of violent robberies of AT&T stores in Connecticut and western Massachusetts were sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport.  SHAQUILLE RAYMOND, 25, of Hartford was sentenced to 72 months of imprisonment and five years of supervised release, and SAVIANA BOURNE, 25, of Middletown, was sentenced to 78 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2021, Raymond, Alex Josephs, Ronaldo Smith and Deshawn Baugh committed several violent armed robberies of AT&T stores in Connecticut and western Massachusetts.  The perpetrators typically entered the stores shortly before closing, pointed weapons at employees, and, at times, pistol-whipped, dragged, and shoved employees toward the back inventory room.  They then held the employees at gunpoint while loading large bags with cell phones and other electronics.  The group stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in merchandise.  Bourne, who worked at AT&T stores, helped plan the robberies, served as a getaway driver, and coordinated the sale of the stolen merchandise.   

The investigation revealed that Raymond, Josephs, and Smith robbed AT&T stores in Newington on January 29, 2021, and Enfield on February 24, 2021.  Baugh then joined the conspiracy and together they robbed an AT&T store in Canton on April 15, 2021, and attempted to rob stores in Torrington and Glastonbury in May 2021, but were locked out of the stores.

On June 6, 2021, Raymond and his associates, armed with a semiautomatic pistol, two revolvers, and a semiautomatic rifle, robbed an AT&T store in West Springfield, Massachusetts.  After the robbery, they fled in a vehicle driven by Bourne, who led police on a high-speed chase that ended when their vehicle collided with a Massachusetts State Police cruiser.  Raymond, Josephs, Smith, Baugh, and Bourne were arrested, and a search of the vehicle revealed more than $150,000 in stolen merchandise, as well as the firearms used during the robbery.

Judge Underhill ordered Raymond and Bourne to pay restitution of $298,073.86, which reflects the losses from the Newington, Enfield, and Canton robberies. The property stolen in the West Springfield robbery was recovered.

Raymond and Bourne have been detained since their arrests.  On October 28, 2022, Raymond pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.  On November 30, 2021, Bourne pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, four counts of Hobbs Act robbery, and two counts of attempted Hobbs Act robbery.

Josephs, Smith, and Baugh also pleaded guilty.  On March 1, 2023, Baugh was sentenced to 108 months of imprisonment and was ordered to pay restitution of $124,842.45, which reflects the loss from the Canton robbery.  Josephs and Smith await sentencing.

This matter has been investigated by the FBI's Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force with the assistance of the Massachusetts State Police and the Newington, Enfield, Canton, Torrington, Glastonbury, and West Springfield Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert S. Ruff.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LAQUASIA SAMMS, also known as “Quasia,” 28, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 90 days of imprisonment, followed by two years of supervised release, for making false statements before a federal grand jury in connection with an investigation into the kidnapping and murder of two individuals, and the related murder of a third individual, in November 2015.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 16, 2015, Edward Michael Parks was in Samms’ apartment on Shelton Avenue in New Haven to conduct an illegal sale of firearms.  Samms, Damian Connor, and Tamar Lawrence were also present in the apartment.  When another individual left the apartment with firearms that he had not paid for, Parks, who was armed, held Connor and Lawrence against their will.  Parks collected money and valuables from Connor and Lawrence, and then forced them to travel in Connor’s car to Hamden where Connor said he could get more money.  They were followed in another vehicle by Devante Williams and another individual.  After the vehicles arrived at 676 Mix Avenue in Hamden, Parks shot and killed Connor and Lawrence.  Parks then left the scene with Williams and others in the second vehicle and returned to New Haven.

When Parks appeared to believe that Williams was anxious about the murders of Connor and Lawrence, Parks shot and killed Williams in the area of Sherman Court in New Haven.

During the kidnapping, and after the three victims were murdered, Samms sent several text messages to another individual about what was happening and her reaction to the events.

On March 19, 2019, Samms appeared before a grand jury in New Haven.  During her testimony, Samms repeatedly claimed that she did not remember sending any text messages related to the gun transaction, the kidnapping, or the murder of the three individuals.

On October 1, 2020, Samms pleaded guilty, admitting that she sent the text messages, and that she withheld other information that was sought by the federal grand jury.

Samms, who is released on bond, is required to report to prison on May 11.

On January 19, 2023, a jury found Parks, also known as “Lee” and “Trouble,” of Raleigh, North Carolina, guilty of two counts of kidnapping resulting in death, and one count of witness tampering by killing.  At sentencing, he faces a mandatory term of imprisonment of life.

This investigation has been conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Hamden Police Department and New Haven Police Department.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathaniel J. Gentile and A. Reed Durham, and Assistant State’s Attorney Seth Garbarsky, who has been cross-designated as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in this matter.

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 Hartford Police Chief Jason Thody today announced that JOHNNY MILNER, also known as “Blaze” and “O.G.,” 45, of Hartford, was arrested yesterday on a criminal complaint charging him with possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 40 grams or more of fentanyl.

Following his arrest, Milner appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas O. Farrish in Hartford and was ordered detained.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, law enforcement received information from various sources that Milner was distributing fentanyl to street-level narcotics dealers in the SANA apartment complex located on Main Street in Hartford, which is commonly referred to as the “Sands,” and that he was using locations on Prospect Avenue and Bellevue Street in Hartford to store and distribute narcotics.  On February 21 and March 15, 2023, investigators made controlled purchases of 100 grams of fentanyl from Milner.

In association with Milner’s arrest, investigators conducted court-authorized searches of locations in Hartford and New Britain connected to him.  A search of an apartment on Chestnut Street in New Britain that Milner uses revealed approximately 70 grams of fentanyl and $221,296 in cash.

The charge of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 40 grams or more of fentanyl, carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.

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

This matter is being investigated by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and the Hartford Police Department, with the assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force.  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 is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert S. Ruff.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; announced that OLGA AUCAPINA, also known as Olga Aucapina Paredes, 53, a citizen of Ecuador residing in Woodbridge, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to five months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for participating in a tax refund fraud scheme.

According to court documents and statements made in court, from approximately May 2013 to April 2017, Aucapina and several other Ecuadoran nationals participated in a scheme to illegally obtain tax refunds from the IRS.  In order to obtain the refunds, Aucapina and others filed fraudulent federal tax returns, in the names of other foreign nationals (“claimants”), with the IRS.  The fraudulent tax returns stated that the claimants resided in the U.S., earned wages from companies in the U.S., and had federal income tax withheld from the claimants’ wages.  In truth, the claimants never worked for or earned income from those companies.  In addition, U.S. Customs and Border Protection have no records of the claimants even being present in the U.S. during the tax years for which the returns were filed.  Based on these false tax returns, the IRS issued tax refunds, which were then deposited into bank accounts that were controlled by Aucapina and her associates

Through this scheme, Aucapina and her associates obtained 142 tax refunds, totaling approximately $435,500.  Aucapina personally deposited 59 of those refunds, totaling approximately $177,589, into her own bank accounts. Aucapina and her associates spent some of the proceeds for their personal use, and they wired some of the proceeds to relatives in Ecuador.

Judge Arterton ordered Aucapina to pay restitution of $177,589.

Aucapina, who is released on bond, is required to report to prison on May 30.

On July 16, 2021, Aucapina and three others with were arrested on an indictment charging them with various offenses stemming from this scheme.  On February 14, 2022, Aucapina pleaded guilty to theft of public money.  Her co-defendants pleaded guilty to related charges.

This matter has been investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, with the assistance of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that EDUARDO COLON, 34, of Manchester, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to 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 approximately 2,100 sleeves of fentanyl, approximately 250 grams of unpackaged fentanyl, and a loaded 9mm semiautomatic handgun.

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 pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  A sentencing date is not scheduled.

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 A. Reed Durham.

This 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, announced that MARLON AMAYA-LOPEZ, also known as Elder Figueroa, 34, a citizen of Honduras last residing in Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arteron in New Haven to 12 months of imprisonment for illegally reentering the U.S. after being deported.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Amaya-Lopez was previously deported and removed from the U.S. to Honduras following a felony conviction in 2007 in Connecticut Superior Court for attempted robbery in the second degree, and again in 2015 following a misdemeanor conviction for theft of property.  He illegally reentered the U.S. in 2016.  In February 2020 and again in January 2021, Amaya-Lopez was arrested in Bridgeport for motor vehicle violations.

Amaya-Lopez has been detained since his federal arrest on November 30, 2022.  He pleaded guilty to the offense on January 3, 2023.

This matter was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys and Stephanie T. Levick and Neeraj N. Patel.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JERMAINE CANNON, 19, of New Haven, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to robbery and firearm offenses related to his commission of five gunpoint robberies of the same New Haven business during a six-week period in 2021.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on September 30, October 27, November 6, November 10 and November 11, 2021, Cannon, brandishing a handgun, robbed the Howard Mini Mart & Deli, located on Howard Avenue in New Haven.  During all five robberies, Cannon pointed the gun and threatened to shoot store employees.

Cannon was arrested after the fifth robbery on November 11, 2021.  A search of a residence where Cannon was apprehended revealed a 9mm semiautomatic handgun, a distinctive hoodie he wore during the robbery on November 10, and a pair of latex gloves.

Cannon pleaded guilty to five counts of interference with commerce by robbery, an offense that carries a maximum term imprisonment of 20 years on each count, and one count of carrying, using and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, an offense that carries a mandatory consecutive term of imprisonment of at least seven years.  Judge Thompson scheduled sentencing for June 19.

Cannon has been detained since his arrest.

This matter has been investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and the New Haven Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathaniel J. Gentile and Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis.

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.

As a result of an investigation into gang-related drug trafficking and related violence in New Haven, a federal grand jury in Bridgeport has returned an indictment charging six 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.

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 indictment, which was returned on March 22, charges

JAEDYN RIVERA, also known as “Jae Honcho,” 22
TYJON PRESTON, also known as “TJ,” 20
SAMUEL DOUGLAS, also known as “Blamm,” 24
QUAYMAR SUGGS, 19
KIVEON HYMAN, also known as “Tiny, ” 25
DONELL ALLICK, JR., also known as “D-Nice,” 24

The indictment was unsealed after Suggs and Hyman were arrested on March 24.  On that date, they appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven and were ordered detained.  Preston has been detained in state custody since May 22, 2021, and Rivera, Douglas, and Allick have been detained in federal custody on previous charges.

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 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 two murders and 10 attempted murders.  Exit 8 members 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 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, 2019, members and associates of the gang shot and attempted to kill a member and associate of a rival gang;
• On April 27, 2021, Preston 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, members and associates of the gang shot and attempted to kill a member and associate of a rival gang, and shot another individual in the vicinity;
• On May 11, 2021, members and associates of the gang shot and attempted to kill rival gang members;
• On May 19, 2021, Suggs and others shot and killed a member and associate of a rival gang;
• On May 20, 2021, Rivera and Preston shot and attempted to kill rival gang members, and Rivera and others shot and attempted to kill two other individuals;
• On June 30, 2021, Preston shot and attempted to kill an individual;
• On September 16, 2022, Allick and others shot and killed an individual.

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

The 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 fentanyl and cocaine, an offense that 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 each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

“This investigation, and these charges, demonstrate the Justice Department’s ongoing commitment to provide substantial investigative resources and to work cooperatively with our local law enforcement partners to reduce gun violence in our cities,” said U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery.  “Gun violence will not be tolerated.  No child should have to live in a community overrun by gun violence, and no parent or other family member should have to live with the fear and trauma that such violence causes.  That trauma is, needless to say, profound.  The negative impact of gun violence on our cities is immeasurable.  We know that in New Haven, and in other cities in Connecticut, a very small number of young men involved in gang activity are responsible for a large percentage of shootings and other mayhem that occur there.  If you are engaging in gun violence in Connecticut, we will find you and bring you to justice.”

“This investigation and prosecution represents the hard work and shared ongoing commitment of federal, state and municipal partners in using all resources available to stem violent crime in our cities,” said New Haven State’s Attorney John P. Doyle, Jr.

“These arrests reflect the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) commitment to investigating and bringing to justice those who use firearms to terrorize our communities,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge James M. Ferguson.  “Our neighborhoods are safer today because of the diligent work done by ATF and our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners who remain dedicated to reduce gang violence and make our communities safer.”

“The individuals indicated and arrested in this case must now face the consequences for their alleged reign of violent and destructive behaviors in our community,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Fuller.  “New Haven residents can rest assured that we are working to improve the quality of life in their neighborhoods.”

“Drug trafficking, along with the violence that all too often accompanies it, is a serious threat to the safety and security of our communities,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle.  “Drug dealers and street gangs value their own profits over human life, and are responsible for fueling drug addiction and much of the violent crimes across New England.  These crimes hold law abiding citizens of Connecticut hostage to drug-fueled lawlessness.  This is unacceptable and will not be allowed to happen.  DEA and its local, state and federal partners are dedicated to bringing to justice those that commit these crimes.”

“On behalf of the New Haven Police Department and the New Haven community we value our continued collaboration with the federal law enforcement agencies and the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” said New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson.  “The events of the last few days show us that partnerships matter and that we can get justice for families when we work together.  It is alleged that the group “EXIT 8” and the individuals who have been indicted have been responsible for violence for the past several years.  This case will help make our community a safer place to live.  I thank the ATF, FBI, DEA, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the continued partnership.”

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.

ZIARE DEDRICK, also known as “Zi” and “Hb Zi,” 21, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 255 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for his participation in a violent Bridgeport street gang, including his involvement the murder of Ty’Quess Moore in December 2019.

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.  Dedrick 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.

In early December 2019, Dedrick and other O.N.E. members were involved in multiple shots-fired incidents in Bridgeport.  In one incident, the mother of two East End gang members was shot outside of her Bridgeport home.  After firing shots in the P.T. Barnum Housing Complex on December 8, 2019, Dedrick drove a stolen Lexus to Newfield Avenue in Bridgeport, considered the turf of the East End/East Side gang, where two other O.N.E. members in the car shot and killed Ty’Quess Moore, also known as “Breezo,” 18.

Dedrick has been detained since December 10, 2019.  On November 23, 2022, he pleaded guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy.

This ongoing 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, Rahul Kale, Jocelyn C. Kaoutzanis and Tara E. Levens.

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 LAUREN DiMASSA, formerly known as LAUREN KNOX, 38, of West Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to six months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for participating in a scheme to steal COVID-19 relief funds from the City of West Haven.  Judge Williams also ordered DiMassa to serve the first six months of her supervised release in home confinement and to pay $147,776.10 in restitution.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in April 2020, the State of Connecticut was allocated money by the U.S. Department of the Treasury through the Coronavirus Relief Fund (“CRF”), which was established by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) for the purpose of helping local governments pay costs incurred in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.  From July 2020 through September 2021, the City of West Haven received approximately $1,150,257 in financial assistance from this fund.  Lauren DiMassa’s now husband, Michael DiMassa, was employed by the City of West Haven, most recently serving as the Administrative Assistant to the City Council, and was also a Connecticut State Representative.  Michael DiMassa, who was authorized to approve the designated relief funds for the reimbursement of COVID-related expenditures incurred by West Haven, conspired with Lauren DiMassa, John Bernardo, and John Trasacco to steal these funds and other West Haven funds through the submission of fraudulent invoices, and subsequent payment, for COVID relief goods and services that were never provided.

Between approximately July 2020 and October 2021, Michael DiMassa submitted fraudulent invoices to West Haven for services related to a Youth Violence Prevention Program and for Youth Violence COVID-19 Associated Expenses.  These invoices listed charges for in-home counseling, cleaning supplies, special needs hourly service, wi-fi assistance for low/moderate income families, counseling services, license fees, a fall youth clinic, meals, support group supplies, equipment rental, and youth clinic support group.  The payment vouchers requested that checks be made out to directly to Lauren DiMassa.

West Haven made 16 payments totaling approximately $147,776.10 to Lauren DiMassa, who never provided any services to the City of West Haven.  Michael and Lauren DiMassa used the proceeds for their own benefit.

Lauren DiMassa was arrested on February 18, 2022.  On July 14, 2022, she pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

Lauren DiMassa, who is released on a $50,000 bond, is required to report to prison on May 23.

On November 1, 2022, Michael DiMassa pleaded guilty to three counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.  He is awaiting sentencing and has agreed to pay restitution of $1,216,541.80.

On June 14, 2022, Bernardo, a West Haven city employee who with Michael DiMassa formed a company that they used to bill the city for fraudulent COVID-related consulting services, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.  On March 22, 2023, he was sentenced to 13 months of imprisonment and ordered to pay $58,927.25 in restitution.

On December 2, 2022, a jury found Trasacco, whose companies received approximately $431,982 through this scheme, guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of wire fraud.  He is awaiting sentencing.

This matter has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General for Investigations.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ray Miller and David Sheldon.

Individuals with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 are encouraged to report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721, or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; announced that EDWIN F. GUTIERREZ, 45, a citizen of Ecuador residing in East Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to six months of imprisonment, followed by two years of supervised release, for participating in a tax refund fraud scheme.

According to court documents and statements made in court, from approximately May 2013 to April 2017, Gutierrez and several other Ecuadoran nationals participated in a scheme to illegally obtain tax refunds from the IRS. In order to obtain the refunds, some of Gutierrez’s co-defendants filed fraudulent federal tax returns, in the names of other foreign nationals (“claimants”), with the IRS.  The fraudulent tax returns stated that the claimants resided in the U.S., earned wages from companies in the U.S., and had federal income tax withheld from the claimants’ wages.  In truth, the claimants never worked for or earned income from those companies.  In addition, U.S. Customs and Border Protection have no records of the claimants even being present in the U.S. during the tax years for which the returns were filed.  Based on these false tax returns, the IRS issued tax refunds, which were then deposited into bank accounts that were controlled by Gutierrez and some of his co-defendants.

Through this scheme, Gutierrez and his associates obtained 142 tax refunds, totaling approximately $435,500.  Gutierrez personally deposited 69 of those refunds, totaling approximately $215,460, into his own bank accounts. Gutierrez and his associates spent some of the proceeds for their personal use, and they wired some of the proceeds to relatives in Ecuador.

Judge Arterton ordered Gutierrez to pay restitution of $215,460.

Gutierrez, who is released on bond, is required to report to prison on May 10.

On July 16, 2021, Gutierrez and three others with were arrested on an indictment charging them with various offenses stemming from this scheme.  On October 12, 2022, Gutierrez pleaded guilty to theft of public money.  Gutierrez’s co-defendants pleaded guilty to related charges.

This matter has been investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, with the assistance of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel.

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 Hartford has returned an indictment charging TROY HARRIS, 28, with firearm offenses stemming from a Newington gun store theft in September 2021.

As alleged in the indictment, on September 7, 2021, Harris 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 from Hoffman’s “Guns for the Good Guys,” a federal firearms licensee located in Newington.

It is alleged that Harris’s criminal history includes convictions in Connecticut state court for escape in the first degree, burglary in the third degree, and robbery in the first degree.  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 indictment, which was returned on March 15, charges Harris with theft of firearms from a licensee, and unlawful possession of firearms by a felon.  Harris appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Dave Vatti in Bridgeport and pleaded not guilty to the charges.  If convicted, he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

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

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 matter is being 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, announced that STEPHFAN SANDERSON, also known as “Birdy” and “Beans, 25, of Covington, Georgia, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to 92 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for trafficking firearms into Connecticut.

According to court documents and statements made in court, the FBI, ATF, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service and Bridgeport Police have been investigating multiple Bridgeport-based gangs whose members are involved in narcotics trafficking, murder and other acts of violence.  From at least 2017 until his arrest on November 12, 2020, Sanderson, who formerly resided in Bridgeport, procured at least 25 firearms in Georgia and Alabama and distributed them to individuals he had reason to know would commit felonies with those firearms, including members of the “Greene Homes Boyz” (“GHB/Hotz”) and Original North End (“O.N.E.”) street gangs in Bridgeport.

Some of the firearms Sanderson trafficked contained switches that converted the guns to fully automatic machine guns.  On October 4, 2018, Undrea Kirkland, also known as “Spooda,” used one of the machine guns Sanderson supplied to fire 32 shots at rival gang members in the vicinity of the Greene Homes Housing Complex in Bridgeport.  Although one of the intended targets received minor injuries, most of the shots missed and traveled into a nearby residence.  A man in the kitchen of the residence was struck in the back by one of the bullets.  

Another firearm that Sanderson trafficked was recovered in May 2022 and has been linked to two separate shootings and one homicide.

Sanderson has been detained since his arrest.  On November 15, 2022, he pleaded guilty to one count of crossing state lines with the intent to engage in the unlicensed dealing of firearms.

Kirkland, who admitted his involvement in several gang-related shootings, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity.  On April 22, 2022, he was sentenced to 210 months 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 Stratford and Naugatuck Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rahul Kale, Jocelyn C. Kaoutzanis, Stephanie T. Levick and Karen L. Peck.

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 JOHN BERNARDO, 66, of West Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to 13 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for participating in a scheme to steal COVID-19 relief funds from the City of West Haven.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Bernardo was employed by the City of West Haven as a Housing Specialist in the office of Community Development Administration.  Michael DiMassa was also employed by the City of West Haven, most recently serving as the Administrative Assistant to the City Council, and was a Connecticut State Representative.

In April 2020, the State of Connecticut was allocated money by the U.S. Department of the Treasury through the Coronavirus Relief Fund (“CRF”), which was established by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) for the purpose of helping local governments pay costs incurred in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.  From July 2020 through September 2021, the City of West Haven received approximately $1,150,257 in financial assistance from this fund.  DiMassa, who was authorized to approve the designated relief funds for the reimbursement of COVID-related expenditures incurred by West Haven, conspired with Bernardo, John Trasacco, and DiMassa’s now wife, Lauren DiMassa, to steal these funds and other West Haven funds through the submission of fraudulent invoices, and subsequent payment, for COVID relief goods and services that were never provided.

In January 2021, DiMassa and Bernardo formed Compass Investment Group, LLC.  Beginning in February 2021, Compass Investment Group LLC fraudulently billed the City of West Haven and its “COVID-19 Grant Department” for consulting services purportedly provided to the West Haven Health Department that were not performed.  From February 2021 through September 2021, the City of West Haven paid Compass Investment Group a total of $636,783.70.  Bernardo received a portion of these funds.  DiMassa made several large cash withdrawals from the Compass Investment Group LLC bank account, some of which were made shortly before or after he was recorded as having made a large cash “buy-in” of gaming chips at the Mohegan Sun Casino.

Judge Williams ordered Bernardo to pay $58,927.25 in restitution.

Bernardo was arrested on November 4, 2021.  On June 14, 2022, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

Bernardo, who is released on a $250,000 bond, is required to report to prison on May 22.

On November 1, 2022, DiMassa pleaded guilty to three counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.  He is awaiting sentencing and has agreed to pay restitution of $1,216,541.80.

On December 2, 2022, a jury found Trasacco, whose companies received approximately $431,982 through this scheme, guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of wire fraud.  He is awaiting sentencing.

On July 12, 2022, Lauren DiMassa, who received $147,776 through this scheme, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.  She is scheduled to be sentenced tomorrow at 10 a.m.

This matter has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General for Investigations.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ray Miller and David Sheldon.

Individuals with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 are encouraged to report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721, or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal jury in New Haven has found DONELL ALLICK, JR., also known as “D-Nice,” 24, guilty of narcotics offenses.  Following the trial and before the jury returned its verdict, Allick also pleaded guilty to unlawfully possessing firearms.

According to the evidence disclosed during the trial, between April and October 2022, Allick conspired with others to distribute fentanyl and crack cocaine in the New Haven area.  In September and October 2022, law enforcement made controlled purchases of fentanyl from Allick and his associate, Jourdin Senior.  On October 24, 2022, investigators conducted a court-authorized search of a residence shared by Allick and Senior and seized three handguns, extended magazines, and quantities of fentanyl and crack cocaine, some of which was packaged for street-level distribution.  A related search of Allick’s car, which had been observed in suspected drug transactions, resulted in the seizure of another handgun, a 33-round extended magazine, and quantities of fentanyl and crack cocaine.

Allick was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, fentanyl and cocaine base (“crack cocaine”); one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, fentanyl; and one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base.  Each of these offenses carry a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  Allick pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of firearms by a felon, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years.

Allick’s criminal history include state convictions for escape in the first degree, assault in the second degree-serious injury, and carrying a pistol or revolver without a permit.

The jury found Allick not guilty of one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, a quantity of fentanyl; one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Judge Arterton scheduled sentencing for June 13.  Allick has been detained since his arrest on November 10, 2022.

On March 10, 2023, Senior, also known as “G,” pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, fentanyl and cocaine base.  He awaits sentencing.

This investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); the New Haven Police Department; and the Hamden Police Department.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tara E. Levens and Rahul Kale 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, today announced that West Hartford Acupuncture, located at 173 Oakwood Avenue in West Hartford, has entered into a settlement agreement with the United States under the Americans with Disabilities Act.  In the agreement, West Hartford Acupuncture has agreed to make its business more accessible to persons with disabilities.

The settlement resolves a complaint filed with the U.S. Department of Justice that claims that West Hartford Acupuncture is not physically accessible to persons with mobility disabilities.  Under the terms of the settlement, West Hartford Acupuncture must make numerous changes to its West Hartford building, including making the building’s entrance accessible to persons with mobility disabilities, making its parking ADA-compliant, improving signage, and increasing accessibility inside the building.  West Hartford Acupuncture has also agreed to provide ADA training for its staff.

Under federal law, private entities that own or operate places of “public accommodation,” including professional offices of health care providers, hospitals, and other service establishments, are prohibited from discriminating on the basis of disability.   The ADA authorizes the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate complaints and undertake periodic reviews of compliance 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.

“It is critically important that health care services are accessible to all in our community,” said U.S. Attorney Avery.  “I applaud the operators of West Hartford Acupuncture for agreeing to make their services more accessible to persons with disabilities, without litigation.”

West Hartford Acupuncture has three years to make the changes required by the agreement and must submit certifications concerning compliance to the U.S. Attorney’s Office every six months until it has fully complied with the agreement.

A copy of the settlement agreement will be found on www.ada.gov.

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.

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, and Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Boston Field Office, announced that CHRISTOPHER MICHAELSON, 38, of Guilford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to production of child pornography.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on January 9, 2019, the Guilford Police Department assisted Burrillville (R.I.) Police with the arrest of Michaelson at his residence in Guilford on Rhode Island state charges for child molestation, solicitation and enticement.  During the arrest, officers seized Michaelson’s cellphone.  A court-authorized search of the seized phone revealed hundreds of images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children, primarily boys between the ages of five and 15, and communications between Michaelson and minor victims whom he directed to send sexually explicit photographs of themselves to him.

The charge of production of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years.  Judge Shea scheduled sentencing for June 2.

The Rhode Island state charges against Michaelson are pending.

Michaelson has been detained since his arrest.

This matter has been investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office, the Guilford Police Department and the Burrillville Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephanie T. Levick and Nancy V. Gifford.

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 two Waterbury residents were sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford for their participation in a fentanyl and heroin trafficking organization.  ELIAS SANCHEZ-MARTINEZ, 31, was sentenced to 135 months of imprisonment, and IMIRICI SOSA-ORTIZ, also known as “Mimi,” 36, was sentenced to 94 months of imprisonment.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from a joint investigation headed by the DEA New Haven Task Force and the Waterbury Police Department into a Waterbury-based drug trafficking operation headed by Nestor Sosa-Ortiz.  The investigation, which included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, physical surveillance, and controlled purchases of narcotics, revealed that Sosa-Ortiz’s organization received large quantities of fentanyl and heroin from suppliers in Connecticut and New York and distributed the narcotics through a network of co-conspirators, including Sanchez-Martinez.  After Sosa-Ortiz was arrested in New York City on a separate federal heroin and fentanyl trafficking charge in May 2019, he continued to control his drug network while incarcerated by using smuggled cell phones to communicate with various co-conspirators, including his sisters, Imirici Sosa-Ortiz and Isamelis Sosa-Ortiz.

The organization used an apartment located at 330 Bishop Street in Waterbury to store kilogram-quantities of fentanyl and heroin, and to process and package the drugs for street sale.  Imirici Sosa-Ortiz helped manage the operation at this location.

Sanchez-Martinez, Imirici Sosa-Ortiz, Isamelis Sosa-Ortiz and several co-defendants were arrested on October 29, 2019.  On that date, investigators executed search warrants at the Bishop Street apartment and four other locations and seized approximately six kilograms of fentanyl and heroin, approximately 100,000 bags of fentanyl/heroin packaged for street distribution, approximately 1,000 fentanyl pills disguised as Percocet pills, one firearm, and approximately $50,000 in cash.  Nearly 50 grams of fentanyl were seized from Sanchez-Martinez’s Charlevoux Street residence.

Imirici Sosa-Ortiz has been detained since her arrest.  On January 22, 2020, she pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin and 400 grams or more of fentanyl.

Sanchez-Martinez, who is a citizen of the Dominican Republic, was detained from the date of his arrest until June 20, 2020, when he was released on a $100,000 bond due the COVID-19 pandemic.  Shortly thereafter he fled to the Dominican Republic.  He was located and arrested in the Dominican Republic on June 9, 2021, and has been detained since that date.

On motion from the government, Judge Bryant ordered the forfeiture of Sanchez-Martinez’s bond.  The five individuals who signed Sanchez-Martinez’s bond are responsible for paying $100,000.

On August 29, 2022, Sanchez-Martinez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl.  He faces immigration proceedings when he completes his prison term.

Seventeen individuals were charged as a result of this investigation.  Nestor Sosa-Ortiz and Isamelis Sosa-Ortiz pleaded guilty.  Nestor Sosa-Ortiz is awaiting sentencing.  On December 21, 2022, Isamelis Sosa-Ortiz was sentenced to 94 months of imprisonment.

This investigation has been conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force and the Waterbury Police Department.  The DEA New Haven Task Force includes participants from the DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Connecticut State Police and the New Haven, Waterbury, East Haven, Branford, West Haven, Ansonia, Meriden, Naugatuck, and Shelton Police Departments.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren C. Clark and Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis 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, and James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division, announced that DAQUAN LAMONT WRIGHT, 26, of Bridgeport, was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint charging him with illegal gun possession and trafficking offenses.

Following his arrest, Wright appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Dave Vatti in Bridgeport and was ordered detained.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, an investigation determined that Wright was illegally selling firearms without a license.  Wright was previously convicted in state court of theft of a firearm, and possession with intent to sell narcotics.  It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

It is alleged that, in January and February 2023, investigators made three controlled purchases of handguns from Wright.  One of the handguns had been reported stolen in North Carolina.  During the investigation, Wright indicated that he possessed, and had access to, other firearms and firearm parts.  A search of Wright’s Bridgeport residence today revealed a Glock Model 43 handgun, ammunition, and various gun parts.

The complaint charges Wright with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, and with dealing in firearms without a license, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.

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 has been conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Connecticut State Police, and the Bridgeport, Fairfield and Stamford Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis 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.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JAMES DUDLEY, also known as “Pooka,” 36, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 77 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm, and for violating the conditions of his supervised release from a prior federal conviction.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in the early morning hours of October 4, 2020, Hartford Police officers responded to Addison Street after hearing gunfire in the area.  As a car containing Dudley attempted to flee the scene, an officer on foot ordered it to stop.  The driver put the car in reverse and drove at a high rate of speed before striking a parked vehicle and injuring a woman who was about to enter the car.  Dudley then threw a .40 caliber pistol from the car as it successfully fled.

The recovered pistol had a magazine inserted and its slide locked back, indicating that the gun was fired until empty.  Officers also recovered numerous .40 caliber and 9mm shell casings from the area.  According to the ShotSpotter detection system, 26 shots were fired during the incident.

Subsequent forensic analysis of the seized firearm revealed Dudley’s DNA.  Dudley was arrested on April 11, 2022.

Dudley’s criminal history includes state convictions for robbery and narcotics offenses, and federal convictions for firearm and drug offenses for which he served 52 months of imprisonment.  He was released from federal prison in November 2018 and was on supervised release at the time of the shooting incident in this case.

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.

Dudley has been detained since his arrest.  On May 4, 2022, he pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

This case was investigated by the Hartford Police Department and the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force, with the assistance of the Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory.  The 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.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Leaming through the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative.  PSN is 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, today announced that MYRON WARE, 49, of Colchester, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to defrauding a computer technology company.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between 2017 and 2020, Ware identified companies and organizations that previously had purchased computer parts and components from a Texas-based computer technology company.  On approximately 30 occasions, Ware contacted the victim company and falsely represented himself to be speaking on behalf of a customer he had identified.  Ware typically reported that a previously delivered part or component was not functional and requested a replacement.  After the victim company shipped a replacement item to an address Ware had provided, and which was in the vicinity of the customer he was posing as, he traveled to the address to receive delivery of the package.  Ware sold most of the parts and components he received to others and kept some for his own use.

Ware stole tens of thousands of dollars in products from the victim company through this scheme.

Ware pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  He is released on bond pending sentencing, which is not scheduled.

This investigation has been conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Secret Service.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine E. Boyles.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ROBBIE SMITH, 34, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to 100 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for firearm and narcotics offenses, and for violating the conditions of his supervised release from a prior federal conviction.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in July 2016, Judge Bolden sentenced Smith to 36 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for participating in a narcotics trafficking organization that distributed heroin and crack cocaine throughout New Haven.  He was released from prison in May 2018.

In December 2018, New Haven Police received information that Smith was in possession of a handgun and had been involved in a shooting incident.  On December 28, 2018, a court-authorized search of Smith’s apartment revealed a loaded Smith & Wesson K-22 revolver, a quantity of crack cocaine, and drug packaging materials.  The revolver had been reported stolen in Madison.

Smith’s criminal history also includes a state conviction for first-degree robbery.  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.

Smith has been detained since his arrest.  On July 18, 2019, he pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (“crack”). Smith also admitted that he had violated the terms of his supervised release.

This investigation was conducted by the New Haven Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah P. Karwan.

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

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that ROBERTO MERCEDES-RODRIGUEZ, 43, of New Britain, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to 78 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for fentanyl distribution and firearm possession offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad and the New Britain Police Department determined that Mercedes-Rodriguez and others were selling fentanyl throughout the greater New Britain area.  In February 2021, New Britain Police arrested Mercedes-Rodriguez on state charges after he was found in possession of a quantity of packaged fentanyl, a loaded stolen 9mm handgun, and two loaded high capacity magazines.  Investigators continued to investigate Mercedes-Rodriguez while he was released on bond in his state case and, between August 2021 and February 2022, observed him conducting hand-to-hand drug transactions.

Mercedes-Rodriguez was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on February 24, 2022.  On that date, a court-authorized search of his Cottage Place residence revealed 2,000 wax paper folds containing fentanyl.

Mercedes-Rodriguez’s criminal history includes felony convictions for narcotics, robbery, assault, failure to appear and domestic violence-related offenses, and multiple probation violations.  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 December 12, 2022, Mercedes-Rodriguez pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, and one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.

Mercedes-Rodriguez has been detained since March 11, 2022, when his bond was revoked. 

This investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad and the New Britain Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tara E. Levens and John T. Pierpont, Jr.

A federal jury in Bridgeport has found SIDIKJON MAMADJONOV, 36, a citizen of Uzbekistan formerly residing in New Britain, guilty of making false statements to federal law enforcement and in immigration proceedings.

The trial before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden began on March 1 and the jury returned the guilty verdicts yesterday.

U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery, Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, Special Agent in Charge Robert Fuller of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New Haven Division, and Special Agent in Charge Matthew B. Millhollin of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston made the announcement.

According to the evidence disclosed during the trial, Mamadjonov immigrated to the U.S. in February 2009 and became a lawful permanent resident in September 2010.

On May 27, 2013, Mamadjonov departed the U.S. on a flight to Istanbul, Turkey.  During or before this trip, he learned that his brother, Saidjon Mamadjonov, had been killed while fighting in the civil war in Syria.  Sidikjon Mamadjonov returned to the U.S. on June 11, 2013. In early July 2013, he received a DHL package that contained an iPhone 4.  On the phone were several videos and photographs depicting Saidjon in Syria, including videos of Saidjon cleaning weapons in military dress while armed with a weapon, and a photograph of Saidjon after he was killed.

During three interviews with FBI special agents in 2014, Mamadjonov responded to questions about the trip he took to Turkey in 2013, and questions about his brother.  Mamadjonov made multiple false statements, including that his brother was alive and living in Turkey or Dubai, that he met with his brother while he was in Turkey in 2013, and that his brother sent him a package after he returned from his trip.

In August 2016, Mamadjonov stated to FBI special agents that he had a received a package from Sidikjon, did not know the whereabouts of Saidjon, had not overheard any discussions of Uzbeks in the U.S. going over to Syria to fight, and was not aware of any Uzbeks travelling to Syria.  At that time, Sidikjon knew that Saidjon was an Uzbek who had traveled from the U.S. to Syria and had died while fighting in the civil war, and that he died prior to the date the package was sent.

On October 27, 2016, in an interview with a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officer regarding his U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services an Application for Naturalization, Form N-400 that he had submitted in September 2014, Mamadjonov again provided false statements about his brother and whether he had previously lied to the FBI.

Mamadjonov was arrested on December 22, 2017.

The jury found Mamadjonov guilty of three counts of making a false statement to law enforcement, and one count of making a false swearing in an immigration matter.  At sentencing, which is not scheduled, Mamadjonov faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 25 years.

Mamadjonov is released on a $200,000 bond and residing in Pennsylvania pending sentencing.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, New Britain Police Department and Hartford Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward Chang and Trial Attorney Steven Ward of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that REINALDO COLON OLIVERAS, also known as “Chucho,” 38, formerly of Kissimmee, Florida, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 78 months of imprisonment, followed by eight years of supervised release for arranging cocaine shipments to Connecticut while incarcerated in federal custody.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force of a drug trafficking network led by Landdy Rodriguez of Waterbury.  In the summer of 2021, investigators intercepted phone calls during which Colon, while incarcerated in a federal prison in Atlanta and using a smuggled cell phone, arranged the shipment of cocaine to both Rodriguez and Thomas Marra of Ansonia.  Rodriguez and Marra further distributed the drug to a networks of associates.

In 2015, Colon was sentenced in the District of Puerto Rico to 168 months of imprisonment for narcotics conspiracy, firearm possession and money laundering offenses related to his role as an enforcer for a drug trafficking organization that operated in Puerto Rico and Florida.  Judge Hall ordered 60 months of the 78-month sentence to run consecutively to Colon’s prior sentence, which was scheduled to conclude in 2027.

On November 2, 2021, a grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging Colon, Rodriguez, Marra and others with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.  Colon pleaded guilty to the charge on December 1, 2022.

Rodriguez and Marra have pleaded guilty and await sentencing.

This investigation has been conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Connecticut State Police and the Waterbury Police Department.  The Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Bridgeport Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bridgeport, Danbury, Milford, Norwalk, Stamford and Stratford Police Departments.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kenneth L. Gresham, John T. Pierpont, Jr., and Brendan J. Keefe 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 KISHON SHIELDS, also known as “L.A.” and “Key,” 25, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to 18 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for his role in New Haven drug trafficking ring.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in the fall of 2021, the New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force and New Haven Police Department began investigating a drug trafficking ring that was distributing fentanyl, heroin crack and cocaine in and around the West Hills neighborhood, including the McConaughy Terrace housing complex located on South Genesee Street in New Haven.  The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps, fixed video surveillance and controlled purchases of narcotics, revealed that a member of the conspiracy was receiving heroin and fentanyl from an out-of-state supplier, and kilogram quantities of cocaine through the U.S. Mail from a source in Puerto Rico.  Shields and his coconspirators packaged fentanyl and crack at the McConaughy Terrace housing complex, and referred customers to one another in order to distribute the drugs from that location.

During the investigation, law enforcement seized approximately 19 kilograms of cocaine, more than 7,000 bags of fentanyl, five firearms, and more than $780,000 in cash.

On February 15, 2022, a grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging Shield and seven co-defendants. On November 28, 2022, Shields pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, heroin, cocaine base (“crack”) and cocaine.

This investigation is being conducted by the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force with the assistance of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.  The Task Force includes participants from the New Haven Police Department, Milford Police Department, East Haven Police Department, West Haven Police Department, Connecticut State Police and the Connecticut Department of Correction.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony E. Kaplan and Kenneth L. Gresham 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.

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Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that BRIAN HUGHES, 58, formerly of Madison, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 30 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for defrauding investors of two companies, and for tax evasion.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in March 2015, Hughes founded Handcrafted Brands, LLC (“HCB”), for the purpose of raising money to purchase Salute American Vodka, (“Salute”) an alcoholic beverage company.  Hughes subsequently solicited and received funds from dozens of investors ostensibly for the purchase and subsequent development of Salute.  Hughes used the first investment he received, in the amount $150,000, to pay his taxes and his American Express credit card expenses.  Although HCB purchased Salute in June 2016 for $450,000, Hughes continued to solicit investments from investors and used hundreds of thousands dollars in invested funds for expenses unrelated to Salute.  He also used funds to pay off an earlier investor under the guise of a return on a prior investment made by the earlier investor, which is commonly known as a “lulling” payment.

Hughes also solicited investments purportedly on behalf of another company, which is identified in court documents as “Company-1.”  In fact, Hughes had no official relationship with Company-1 and could not raise capital on its behalf.  Hughes spent the money he received for this investment on personal expenses, to pay earlier investors, and on business related to Salute.

Finally, Hughes evaded the assessment of his tax obligations for the 2015 through 2018 tax years by substantially underreporting his income to the IRS, resulting in a tax loss of $470,880.

Hughes was arrested on January 14, 2021.  On February 15, 2022, he pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, one count of making an illegal monetary transaction, and one count of tax evasion.

Judge Arterton ordered Hughes to pay full restitution to investors in both HCB and Company-1, and to the IRS, in the total amount of $2,991,880.

Hughes, who is released on a $250,000 bond and living in New Canaan, is required to report to prison on September 6.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation Division.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Pierpont, Jr.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, and Meriden Police Chief Roberto Rosado today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging MIGUEL ACEVEDO, 40, of Meriden, with cocaine trafficking offenses.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, on June 7, 2021, Meriden Police arrested Acevedo on state crack cocaine distribution and firearm possession charges.  On that date investigators seized from Acevedo approximately 390 grams of cocaine and $281,000 in cash.  In December 2022, while he was released on bond in his state case, investigators made two controlled purchases of cocaine from Acevedo.

Acevedo was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on February 14, 2023.  A search of his residence on that date revealed approximately 50 grams of cocaine and more than $3,000 in cash.

The indictment, which was returned on March 1, charges Acevedo with two counts of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, cocaine, and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine.  Each charge carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

The indictment also seeks the forfeiture of two vehicles owned by Acevedo and the cash that was seized on the date of his arrest.

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.

Acevedo, who had been released on bond after his federal arrest, appeared on March 1 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Maria E. Garcia in New Haven for a bond violation hearing and was ordered detained.

The state charges against Acevedo stemming from his June 2021 arrest are pending.  The cash that was seized in June 2021 was previously forfeited.

This investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force and the Meriden Police Department.  The DEA New Haven Task Force includes participants from the DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Connecticut State Police and the New Haven, Waterbury, East Haven, Branford, West Haven, Ansonia, Meriden, Naugatuck, and Shelton Police Departments.

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, today announced that a federal jury in New Haven has found RAMON OQUENDO, also known as “Mimo,” 46, of Waterbury, guilty of narcotics trafficking and firearm possession offenses.

The trial before U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall began on February 24 and the jury returned the guilty verdicts yesterday afternoon.

According to the evidence disclosed during the trial, this matter stems from an investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force of a drug trafficking network led by Landdy Rodriguez of Waterbury.  In August 2021, investigators intercepted phone calls during which Rodriguez arranged for Oquendo to supply fentanyl to other drug distributors, including Sylvester Vann, also known as “Bug,” of Waterbury, and Pedro Diaz of Red Lion, Pennsylvania.  Between August and October 2021, investigators conducted physical surveillance and observed Oquendo engaging in multiple drug transactions with Vann and Diaz.  After one transaction, in August 2021, a Pennsylvania State Trooper stopped Diaz’s car in Pennsylvania and seized 48 grams of fentanyl.

Oquendo was arrested on October 26, 2021.  On that date, a court authorized search of Oquendo’s residence revealed approximately 100 grams of fentanyl, 64 grams of crack cocaine, 102 grams of methamphetamine, a large quantity of marijuana, a polymer 80 privately made firearm (“ghost gun”), ammunition, narcotics processing and packaging materials, and nearly $50,000 in cash.

Oquendo’s criminal history includes convictions for felony 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.

The jury found Oquendo guilty of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, 40 grams or more of fentanyl; possession with intent to distribute 40 grams of fentanyl; possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (“crack”) and fentanyl; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and unlawful possession of ammunition by a felon.  At sentencing, which is scheduled for May 25, Oquendo faces at least 10 years of imprisonment. 

Oquendo has been detained since his arrest.

Rodriguez, Vann and Diaz have pleaded guilty and await sentencing.

This investigation has been conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Connecticut State Police and the Waterbury Police Department.  The Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Bridgeport Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bridgeport, Danbury, Milford, Norwalk, Stamford and Stratford Police Departments.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kenneth L. Gresham, John T. Pierpont, Jr., and Brendan J. Keefe 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 PHILIP FROST, 33, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert M. Chatigny in Hartford to 180 months of imprisonment, followed by 15 years of supervised release, for a child exploitation offense.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in March 2016, Frost was convicted in state court of possessing child pornography in the second degree.  On October 1, 2019, while Frost was on special parole and residing in a halfway house in Hartford, a staff member at the halfway house discovered Frost was in possession of a smartphone, which was a violation of Frost’s parole conditions.  The staff member secured the phone and contacted Frost’s parole officer.  That evening, before the parole officer arrived the next morning, Frost used another resident’s phone to delete the history of his various online messaging accounts.

Subsequent analysis of Frost’s smartphone revealed images of child pornography, including images depicting the sexual abuse of prepubescent children.

The investigation further revealed that, between July 31, 2019 and October 1, 2019, Frost engaged in sexual conduct with a 15-year-old victim.  Frost provided a cellphone to the minor victim so that they could communicate, and he enticed the minor victim to send him images of the minor victim engaging in sexually explicit conduct.  Frost also received these images on his smartphone.

Frost was on the Connecticut Sex Offender Registry at the time this criminal conduct.

Frost has been detained since October 2, 2019.  On October 30, 2020, he pleaded guilty to receipt of child pornography.

State sexual assault charges against Frost are pending.

This matter was investigated by the Connecticut State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret M. Donovan.

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 Hartford Police Chief Jason Thody today announced that MARIA DEL CARMEN SANCHEZ POTRERO, also known as Maria Carmela Sanchez, 69, and APOLINAR FRANCISCO PAREDES ESPINOZA, also known as “Pancho,” 56, both of citizens of Mexico residing in Hartford, were arrested yesterday on federal criminal complaints charging each with offenses stemming from their smuggling of aliens into the U.S., harboring them at their Hartford residence, forcing them to work, and threatening to harm them in various ways if they failed to pay exorbitant fees, interest and other living expenses.

Sanchez and Paredes appeared yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert A. Richardson in Hartford who ordered them detained.  A bond hearing for Sanchez is scheduled for March 8.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, beginning in September 2022, the FBI and Hartford Police interviewed approximately 10 Mexican nationals who disclosed that they were smuggled from Mexico into the U.S. and transported to Hartford.  The victims typically stated that they had arranged with Sanchez and her associates in Mexico to cross the border into the U.S. in exchange for a fee of between $15,000 and $20,000 that each would need to pay once they were in the U.S.  In most cases, the victims were required to turn over a property deed as collateral before leaving Mexico.  They were then smuggled across the border and transported to Sanchez’s and Paredes’ residence on Madison Street in Hartford.

It is also alleged that after the victims arrived in Hartford, Sanchez informed them that they would have to pay $30,000, with interest, and that they would have to pay her for rent, food, gas and utilities.  Sanchez and Parades created false documents for the victims, including Permanent Residence cards and Social Security cards, and helped the victims find employment in the Hartford area.  In addition to their own jobs, some victims were required to perform work around the house, or to assist Paredes in his job responsibilities without compensation and without having their debt reduced.

It is further alleged that Sanchez rarely provided victims with an accounting of their debt.  If victims failed to make regular payments, or in amounts that she expected, Sanchez and Paredes would threaten the victims, including threatening to harm family members in Mexico, to take property in Mexico that had been secured as collateral, to reveal victims’ immigration status to U.S. authorities, and to raise their interest payments.  In one instance, Sanchez threatened to call police to say that a victim had tried to rape her.

Sanchez and Paredes are charged with conspiracy to smuggle, transport, harbor, and encourage or induce aliens to enter and reside in the U.S., an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years; conspiracy to commit labor trafficking, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; and extortion, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

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, Hartford Police Department, U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Angel Krull and Shan Patel.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ROBERT RALLO, 59, of New York, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 480 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for offenses stemming from the robbery of Marco Jewelers in Stamford in March 2020, during which Rallo shot and killed the owner of the store.

“This sentence will protect society from a dangerous individual who brutally killed a much loved and respected man and small business owner,” said U.S. Attorney Avery.  “I thank the FBI and the Stamford, Greenwich, Yonkers, New York and New Rochelle Police Departments for thoroughly investigating this crime and helping to bring these defendants to justice.”

“The system of justice in which the FBI and all of our law enforcement partners work within everyday has just spoken,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Fuller.  “The joint efforts of the investigators and prosecutors has been recognized and justice has been served.”

“We are very pleased to see these three career criminals held accountable for this senseless murder, and we want to commend the tireless, cutting edge police work that led to this outcome, said Assistant Chief Richard Conklin of the Stamford Police Department.  “While nothing we do can restore what the Vuono family has lost, we hope that this conviction and sentence can offer some solace.  We are grateful for the expertise of our officers, as well as the collaboration with the FBI and our other law enforcement partners, that contributed to bringing this painful case to a positive conclusion.”

According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 28, 2020, at approximately 2:48 p.m., Stamford Police Officers responded to Marco Jewelers, located at 16 Sixth Street in Stamford.  When officers arrived, they found evidence of a robbery and encountered the storeowner, Mark Vuono, lying on the ground in front of an open safe.  Emergency medical personnel arrived and pronounced Vuono deceased.

Investigators collected and analyzed surveillance video from Marco Jewelers, surrounding businesses and Stamford city cameras.  Video obtained from Marco Jewelers revealed that, on March 28, Paul Prosano drove Robert Rallo and Thomas Liberatore in a black Jaguar to Marco Jewelers.  Rallo and Liberatore then entered the store.  Rallo, armed with a handgun, engaged in a physical altercation with Vuono, while Liberatore stole items from the display cases.  Vuono, who also possessed a firearm, and Rallo struggled next to a large open safe.  During the more than three-minute struggle, Rallo reached into the safe and pulled out a third firearm, a .357 Magnum revolver.  Rallo subsequently shot and killed Vuono with the .357 revolver.

Following the robbery, law enforcement located the black Jaguar in Staten Island and maintained surveillance on the vehicle.  On March 31, at approximately 5:30 p.m., a black BMW X3, driven by Prosano, pulled up beside the black Jaguar.  Rallo exited the rear door of the BMW and entered the driver’s door of a black Jaguar.  The two vehicles then left the area and rapidly accelerated.  The Jaguar crashed on Tompkins Street.  Rallo attempted to flee on foot, but was quickly apprehended.  The BMW crashed into a tree and parked car at the intersection of Daniel Low Terrace and Corson Avenue.  Prosano also attempted to flee and was apprehended.

A search of the BMW revealed 63 rings, eight bracelets, two tie pins, an earring and a cufflink, and a search of Prosano’s residence revealed 23 pairs of earrings and three rings.  These items were stolen from Marco Jewelers on March 28.

Liberatore was arrested on April 1.

Rallo’s criminal history, which includes two prior murder convictions, spans approximately 40 years.  He met Liberatore and Prosano while incarcerated within the New York State Department of Corrections, and had been released from prison in March 2019.

Rallo has been detained since his arrest.  On April 5, 2022, he pleaded guilty to one count of interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act robbery), one count of interstate transportation of stolen property, and one count of using a firearm to cause a death during a robbery.

On December 19, 2022, a jury found Liberatore and Prosano guilty of Hobbs Act robbery and interstate transportation of stolen property. Liberatore was also found guilty of aiding and abetting the use of a firearm to cause a death during a robbery. They are detained while awaiting sentencing.

This investigation has been conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Stamford Police Department and Greenwich Police Department, with the assistance of the New York Police Department, Yonkers (N.Y.) Police Department and New Rochelle (N.Y.) Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis, Rahul Kale and Margaret Donovan.

“This sentence will protect society from a dangerous individual who brutally killed a much loved and respected man and small business owner,” said U.S. Attorney Avery.  “I thank the FBI and the Stamford, Greenwich, Yonkers, New York and New Rochelle Police Departments for thoroughly investigating this crime and helping to bring these defendants to justice.”

“The system of justice in which the FBI and all of our law enforcement partners work within everyday has just spoken,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Fuller.  “The joint efforts of the investigators and prosecutors has been recognized and justice has been served.”

“We are very pleased to see these three career criminals held accountable for this senseless murder, and we want to commend the tireless, cutting edge police work that led to this outcome, said Assistant Chief Richard Conklin of the Stamford Police Department.  “While nothing we do can restore what the Vuono family has lost, we hope that this conviction and sentence can offer some solace.  We are grateful for the expertise of our officers, as well as the collaboration with the FBI and our other law enforcement partners, that contributed to bringing this painful case to a positive conclusion.”

According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 28, 2020, at approximately 2:48 p.m., Stamford Police Officers responded to Marco Jewelers, located at 16 Sixth Street in Stamford.  When officers arrived, they found evidence of a robbery and encountered the storeowner, Mark Vuono, lying on the ground in front of an open safe.  Emergency medical personnel arrived and pronounced Vuono deceased.

Investigators collected and analyzed surveillance video from Marco Jewelers, surrounding businesses and Stamford city cameras.  Video obtained from Marco Jewelers revealed that, on March 28, Paul Prosano drove Robert Rallo and Thomas Liberatore in a black Jaguar to Marco Jewelers.  Rallo and Liberatore then entered the store.  Rallo, armed with a handgun, engaged in a physical altercation with Vuono, while Liberatore stole items from the display cases.  Vuono, who also possessed a firearm, and Rallo struggled next to a large open safe.  During the more than three-minute struggle, Rallo reached into the safe and pulled out a third firearm, a .357 Magnum revolver.  Rallo subsequently shot and killed Vuono with the .357 revolver.

Following the robbery, law enforcement located the black Jaguar in Staten Island and maintained surveillance on the vehicle.  On March 31, at approximately 5:30 p.m., a black BMW X3, driven by Prosano, pulled up beside the black Jaguar.  Rallo exited the rear door of the BMW and entered the driver’s door of a black Jaguar.  The two vehicles then left the area and rapidly accelerated.  The Jaguar crashed on Tompkins Street.  Rallo attempted to flee on foot, but was quickly apprehended.  The BMW crashed into a tree and parked car at the intersection of Daniel Low Terrace and Corson Avenue.  Prosano also attempted to flee and was apprehended.

A search of the BMW revealed 63 rings, eight bracelets, two tie pins, an earring and a cufflink, and a search of Prosano’s residence revealed 23 pairs of earrings and three rings.  These items were stolen from Marco Jewelers on March 28.

Liberatore was arrested on April 1.

Rallo’s criminal history, which includes two prior murder convictions, spans approximately 40 years.  He met Liberatore and Prosano while incarcerated within the New York State Department of Corrections, and had been released from prison in March 2019.

Rallo has been detained since his arrest.  On April 5, 2022, he pleaded guilty to one count of interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act robbery), one count of interstate transportation of stolen property, and one count of using a firearm to cause a death during a robbery.

On December 19, 2022, a jury found Liberatore and Prosano guilty of Hobbs Act robbery and interstate transportation of stolen property. Liberatore was also found guilty of aiding and abetting the use of a firearm to cause a death during a robbery. They are detained while awaiting sentencing.

This investigation has been conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Stamford Police Department and Greenwich Police Department, with the assistance of the New York Police Department, Yonkers (N.Y.) Police Department and New Rochelle (N.Y.) Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis, Rahul Kale and Margaret Donovan.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DESHAWN BAUGH, 20, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 108 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for committing violent robberies of AT&T stores in Connecticut and western Massachusetts.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2021, Baugh, Alex Josephs, Ronaldo Smith and Shaquille Raymond committed several violent armed robberies of AT&T stores in Connecticut and western Massachusetts.  The perpetrators typically entered the stores shortly before closing, pointed weapons at employees, and, at times, pistol-whipped, dragged and shoved employees toward the back inventory room.  They then held the employees at gunpoint while loading large bags with cell phones and other electronics.  The group stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in merchandise.  A fifth co-conspirator, Saviana Bourne, helped plan the robberies, served as a getaway driver, and coordinated the sale of the stolen merchandise.

The investigation revealed that Baugh’s associates robbed AT&T stores in Newington on January 29, 2021, and Enfield on February 24, 2021.  Baugh then joined the conspiracy and he and his associates robbed an AT&T store in Canton on April 15, 2021, and attempted to rob stores in Torrington and Glastonbury in May 2021, but were locked out of the stores.

On June 6, 2021, Baugh and his associates, armed with a semiautomatic pistol, two revolvers, and a semiautomatic rifle, robbed an AT&T store in West Springfield, Massachusetts.  After the robbery, they fled in a vehicle driven by Bourne, who led police on a high-speed chase that ended when their vehicle collided with a Massachusetts State Police cruiser.  Baugh, Josephs, Smith, Raymond and Bourne were arrested, and a search of the vehicle revealed more than $150,000 in stolen merchandise, as well as the firearms used during the robbery.

Baugh has been detained since his arrest.  On November 29, 2022, he pleaded guilty to one count of Hobbs Act robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

Josephs, Smith, Raymond and Bourne have pleaded guilty and await sentencing.

Judge Underhill ordered Baugh to pay restitution of $124,842.45, which reflects the loss from the Canton robbery.

This matter has been investigated by the FBI's Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force with the assistance of the Massachusetts State Police and the Newington, Enfield, Canton, Torrington, Glastonbury, and West Springfield Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert S. Ruff.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MARQUIS JEROME POLLARD, 42, of Yemassee, South Carolina, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 96 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for firearm offenses related to an illegal gun trafficking operation.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in the spring of 2021, ATF Task Force officers learned that Pollard used straw purchasers to obtain firearms in South Carolina, and sold the firearms in Connecticut.  On April 19, 2021, investigators made a controlled purchase of a 9mm Glock handgun and a drum magazine from Pollard and Quinn Mooring in New Haven in exchange for $1,500.  The firearm was one of five 9mm handguns that had been purchased by an individual at a pawn shop in Port Royal, South Carolina, in the month prior to the transaction in Connecticut.

On May 3, 2021, investigators surveilled the firearm purchaser as he picked up two additional handguns from the Port Royal firearm dealer and traveled to a restaurant parking lot in Beaufort, South Carolina, where he transferred them to Pollard.  When law enforcement attempted to arrest Pollard, he fled in his vehicle at a high rate of speed.  Pollard drove on sidewalks and over curbs during the pursuit, and was eventually apprehended in a residential neighborhood after abandoning his car and attempting to flee on foot.  Investigators recovered three firearms from his vehicle, including the two handguns that he received in the restaurant parking lot, and a loaded .40 caliber pistol with a 30-round magazine.

The investigation revealed that Pollard paid two separate straw purchasers to acquire at least 17 firearms for him.  In addition to the two handguns that were seized from Pollard’s vehicle and the 9mm handgun that investigators purchased from Pollard in New Haven in April 2021, five additional firearms have been recovered by law enforcement.  One was recovered from a felon in New Haven in June 2021; one was recovered from the scene of a shooting in Hamden; one was recovered after it was used in a shooting in New Haven; one was recovered from a juvenile in South Carolina after it had been used in multiple crimes; and one was recovered earlier this month in Hamden from an individual who was fleeing from law enforcement in possession of the firearm and a distribution quantity of crack cocaine.  Nine firearms have not been recovered.

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

Pollard was charged by indictments in both the District of Connecticut and in the District of South Carolina.  The South Carolina case was transferred to Connecticut for further prosecution.

Pollard has been detained since his arrest.  On October 28, 2022, he pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

On January 13, 2022, Mooring, of New Haven, pleaded guilty of possession of a firearm by a felon.  He awaits sentencing.

The individuals who purchased firearms for Pollard in South Carolina were charged and convicted in the District of South Carolina.

This matter has been investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), West Haven Police Department, New Haven Police Department, Beaufort Police Department, and Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.  These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Konstantin Lantsman.  The South Carolina case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Carra J. Henderson in the District of South Carolina.

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 JERRELL JAMISON, also known as “Rell” and “Big Bro,” 30, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for distributing narcotics.

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.  On April 16, 2019, the Waterbury Police Department’s Vice and Intelligence Unit conducted a court-authorized search of Jamison’s residence and seized more than 1,400 individual dose bags of fentanyl/heroin; distribution quantities of cocaine, crack and marijuana; a loaded .40 caliber pistol, and more than 40 rounds of ammunition.  Jamison fled his residence when investigators entered, but was apprehended in the rear yard.

Jamison has been identified as a member of the Paybacc Crips street gang. Subsequent analysis of the seized firearm via the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) connected it to shell casings recovered from five prior events, including an assault in December 2016.

After it was determined that Jamison was continuing to engage in criminal activity while released on bond in his state case, his case was adopted for federal prosecution.  Jamison has been detained since his federal arrest on March 10, 2022.  On September 22, 2022, he pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, cocaine base (“crack”), and 40 grams or more of fentanyl.

This matter is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Waterbury Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natasha M. Freismuth and John T. Pierpont, Jr.

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.

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 Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, today announced that THOMAS R. SAINT, 67, of Newtown, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty yesterday in Bridgeport federal court to one count of tax evasion.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Saint is the sole owner of Tom Saint Painting and Remodeling LLC, a Schedule C business engaged in painting and home renovation services.  From 2013 through 2019, Saint attempted to evade the assessment of federal taxes by cashing business checks instead of depositing them into his business’s bank account, depositing cash and business checks into his personal bank account, and failing to inform his tax preparer of this conduct, which resulted in the filing of false returns with the IRS that substantially understated his gross receipts and income.

For the 2013 through 2019 tax years, Saint failed to report a total of $2,163,645 in gross receipts, resulting in a tax loss to the government of $791,500.  Saint has agreed to cooperate with the IRS to pay all outstanding taxes, interest and penalties.

Tax evasion carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.  Saint in scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea on May 22 in Hartford.

Saint is released on a $100,000 bond pending sentencing.

This investigation has been conducted 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 JESUS NIEVES, also known as “Pop,” 39, formerly of Waterbury, Connecticut, and Springfield, Massachusetts, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 63 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for supplying heroin to a member of a Waterbury-area drug trafficking ring.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in May 2020, the DEA New Haven Task Force and Waterbury Police Department began an investigation into a drug trafficking organization that was distributing large amounts of heroin, cocaine and crack in the Waterbury area, and was believed to be headed by Zachary Lee Foster, who worked closely with Jason Metz of Naugatuck.  The investigation included court-authorized wiretaps on multiple phones used by members of the organization, physical surveillance, controlled purchases of narcotics, and motor vehicle stops that resulted in the seizure of drugs.  The investigation revealed that Nieves supplied Metz with pre-packaged heroin that Metz redistributed to others.

On March 1, 2021, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging Nieves, Foster, Metz and 14 others.

Nieves, Foster, Metz, and several associates were arrested on March 3, 2021.  In association with these arrests, law enforcement executed seven search warrants and seized approximately 40,000 bags of suspected heroin, 350 grams of cocaine and 50 grams of crack cocaine, and nine firearms.

Nieves has been detained since his arrest.  On April 26, 2022, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.

Foster and Metz also pleaded guilty.  On June 8, 2022, Metz was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment.  Foster awaits sentencing.

This investigation has been conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force and the Waterbury Police Department.  The DEA New Haven Task Force includes participants from the DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Connecticut State Police and the New Haven, Waterbury, East Haven, Branford, West Haven, Ansonia, Meriden, Naugatuck, and Shelton Police Departments.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick F. Caruso and Brendan Keefe 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.

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.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LUIS CARRASQUILLO, also known as “Cuchi,” 52, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 78 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking cocaine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from a joint investigation led by the FBI and the Norwich, New London and Hartford Police Departments into a narcotics distribution network that stretched from southeastern Connecticut to the Hartford, New Britain and Waterbury areas.  The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps, surveillance, search warrants, and seizures of cocaine and crack cocaine, revealed that Carrasquillo was acquiring large quantities of cocaine and selling the drug to other distributors, some of whom converted the cocaine to crack.

On March 17, 2020, law enforcement conducted a court-authorized search of Carrasquillo’s Adelaide Street residence and seized approximately three kilograms of cocaine and $71,340 in cash.

On June 30, 2020, a grand jury returned an indictment charging Carrasquillo and eight other individuals with offenses related to their involvement in this drug ring. Carrasquillo was arrested on July 1, 2020.

On June 9, 2022, Carrasquillo pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.  Carrasquillo, who is released on a $270,000 bond, is required to report to prison on April 6.

This is Carrasquillo’s second federal conviction for a cocaine trafficking-related offense.

This matter has been investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Norwich, New London and Hartford Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret M. Donovan 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, today announced that a federal jury in Hartford has found LEONARDO HECTOR ROSADO, 52, of the Bronx, New York, guilty of fentanyl and cocaine distribution offenses.

The trial before U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson began on February17 and the jury returned verdicts of guilty on all counts of a three-count superseding indictment this morning.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in April 2021, members of the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and Bridgeport Police Department coordinated the acquisition of a kilogram of heroin from Rosado.  On April 13, 2021, Rosado drove from the Bronx to a meeting location in Bridgeport where he provided a cooperating witness with nearly a kilogram of a substance containing fentanyl, heroin and cocaine, and another small bag containing more than four grams of fentanyl. Investigators arranged another narcotics transaction and, on May 16, 2021, arrested Rosado after he drove to a location in Bridgeport with nearly three kilograms of a substance containing fentanyl, heroin and cocaine, and an additional 983 grams of cocaine.

The jury found Rosado guilty of two counts of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of 400 grams or more of fentanyl, and one count of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of 500 grams or more of cocaine.  Judge Thompson scheduled sentencing for May 18, at which time Rosado faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

Rosado has been detained since his arrest.

This matter has been investigated by the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and the Bridgeport Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tara E. Levens and Daniel E. Cummings.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut has implemented the new United States Attorney’s Offices’ Voluntary Self-Disclosure Policy released earlier today.  The policy, which is effective immediately, details the circumstances under which a company will be considered to have made a voluntary self-disclosure (VSD) of misconduct to a United States Attorney’s Office (USAO), and provides transparency and predictability to companies and the defense bar concerning the concrete benefits and potential outcomes in cases where companies voluntarily self-disclose misconduct, fully cooperate and timely and appropriately remediate.

The goal of the policy is to standardize how VSDs are defined and credited by USAOs nationwide, and to incentivize companies to maintain effective compliance programs capable of identifying misconduct, to expeditiously and voluntarily disclose and remediate misconduct, and to cooperate fully with the government in corporate criminal investigations.  The policy was developed pursuant to the Deputy Attorney General’s September 15, 2022 memorandum, “Further Revisions to Corporate Criminal Enforcement Policies Following Discussions with Corporate Crime Advisory Group” (Monaco Memo), which directed each Department of Justice (DOJ) component that prosecutes corporate crime to review its policies on corporate voluntary self-disclosure and, if there was no formal written policy to incentivize self-disclosure, draft and publicly share such a policy.

Under the new VSD policy, a company is considered to have made a VSD if it becomes aware of misconduct by employees or agents before that misconduct is publicly reported or otherwise known to the DOJ, and discloses all relevant facts known to the company about the misconduct to a USAO in a timely fashion prior to an imminent threat of disclosure or government investigation.  A company that voluntarily self-discloses as defined in the policy and fully meets the other requirements of the policy, by – in the absence of any aggravating factor – fully cooperating and timely and appropriately remediating the criminal conduct (including agreeing to pay all disgorgement, forfeiture, and restitution resulting from the misconduct), will receive significant benefits, including that the USAO will not seek a guilty plea; may choose not to impose any criminal penalty, and in any event will not impose a criminal penalty that is greater than 50 percent below the low end of the United States Sentencing Guidelines (USSG) fine range; and will not seek the imposition of an independent compliance monitor if the company demonstrates that it has implemented and tested an effective compliance program.

The policy identifies three aggravating factors that may warrant a USAO seeking a guilty plea even if the other requirements of the VSD policy are met: (1) if the misconduct poses a grave threat to national security, public health, or the environment; (2) if the misconduct is deeply pervasive throughout the company; or (3) if the misconduct involved current executive management of the company.  The presence of an aggravating factor does not necessarily mean that a guilty plea will be required; instead, the USAO will assess the relevant facts and circumstances to determine the appropriate resolution.  If a guilty plea is ultimately required, the company will still receive the other benefits under the VSD policy, including that the USAO will recommend a criminal penalty of at least a 50 percent and up to a 75 percent reduction off the low end of the USSG fine range, and that the USAO will not require the appointment of a monitor if the company has implemented and tested an effective compliance program.

In cases where a company is being jointly prosecuted by a USAO and another DOJ component, or where the misconduct reported by the company falls within the scope of conduct covered by VSD policies administered by other DOJ components, the USAO will coordinate with, or, if necessary, obtain approval from, the DOJ component responsible for the VSD policy specific to the reported misconduct when considering a potential resolution.  Consistent with relevant provisions of the Justice Manual and as allowable under alternate VSD policies, the USAO may choose to apply any provision of an alternate VSD policy in addition to, or in place of, any provision of its policy.

“Corporate crime can negatively impact our health, safety and financial security,” said U.S. Attorney Avery. “This Voluntary Self-Disclosure Policy not only details the benefits a company will receive for making a voluntary disclosure of misconduct and cooperating during a resulting investigation, but it also establishes a standard across U.S. Attorney’s Office nationwide for evaluating and crediting the self-disclosure.  We encourage all companies who uncover wrongdoing within to come forward, save valuable law enforcement investigative resources, and receive the benefit of being a good corporate citizen.”

The Attorney General’s Advisory Committee (AGAC), under the leadership of United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams, requested that the White Collar Fraud Subcommittee of the AGAC, under the leadership of United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Breon Peace, develop policies in response to the Deputy AG’s memo.  The policy announced today was prepared by a Corporate Criminal Enforcement Policy Working Group comprised of U.S. Attorneys from geographically diverse districts, including U.S. Attorney Peace, as well as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Jessica Aber, U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut Vanessa Roberts Avery, U.S. Attorney for the District of Hawaii Clare Connors, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina Michael F. Easley, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California Stephanie Hinds, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia Christopher Kavanaugh, and U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Philip Sellinger.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Riedel, White Collar Crimes Coordinator for the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys, also participated in the development of the policy.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DIMITRIOS KASSIMIS, also known as Jimmy Kassimis, 58, of Old Saybrook, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to 15 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for tax evasion.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Kassimis owns and operates various entities related to his construction business, including Allstate Contracting and JRC Renovations.  In 2018 and 2021, Kassimis received substantial income from his businesses but did not file any personal or business federal income tax returns, and also did not file any employment tax returns for his businesses.  The investigation revealed that Kassimis did not have any personal bank accounts.  He paid all of his personal expenses through his business bank accounts and made cash withdrawals from the business accounts at casinos for personal expenses.  He also cashed checks made payable to his businesses at a check cashing business in New York and failed to report that income.  In addition, he did not issue IRS Forms 1099 or W-2 to his employees and paid at least some employees in cash.

The tax loss to the IRS for the 2018 through 2021 tax years was $233,086.87.  Judge Williams ordered Kassimis to cooperate with the IRS to pay all outstanding tax liabilities.

On November 9, 2022, Kassimis pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion.

Kassimis, who is released on bond, is required to report to prison on April 24.

This investigation was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David T. Huang.

An indictment was unsealed today in the District of Connecticut charging a Connecticut man and a foreign national with conspiracy, multiple counts of violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), and money laundering in connection with an alleged scheme to pay bribes to Brazilian officials to win contracts with Brazil’s state-owned and state-controlled energy company, Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. – Petrobras (Petrobras).  

According to court documents, Glenn Oztemel, 64, of Westport, worked as a senior oil and gas trader at two Connecticut-based trading companies (Trading Company #1 and Trading Company #2). Eduardo Innecco, 73, a dual Brazilian and Italian citizen, worked as an oil and gas broker and agent for Trading Company #1 and Trading Company #2 in Brazil. Between approximately mid-2010 and continuing into 2018, Oztemel, Innecco, and others allegedly paid bribes to Petrobras officials for their assistance in helping Trading Company #1 and Trading Company #2 obtain and retain business with Petrobras, including by providing Oztemel, Innecco, and others with confidential information regarding Petrobras’ fuel oil business. As alleged, Oztemel and his co-conspirators caused Trading Company #1 and Trading Company #2 to make corrupt payments – disguised as purported consulting fees and commissions – to Innecco, knowing that Innecco would pay a portion of those funds to Brazilian officials as bribes. To conceal the scheme, Oztemel, Innecco, and their co-conspirators allegedly used coded language to refer to the bribes and communicated using personal email accounts, fictitious names, and encrypted messaging applications. 

Oztemel and Innecco are each charged with conspiracy to violate the FCPA, conspiracy to commit money laundering, three counts of violating the FCPA, and two counts of money laundering. They face up to five years in prison for each of the bribery conspiracy and bribery charges, and up to 20 years in prison for each of the money laundering conspiracy and money laundering charges.

Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Vanessa R. Avery for the District of Connecticut, Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, and Assistant Director in Charge Donald Alway of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office made the announcement.

The FBI is investigating the case.

Trial Attorney Clayton P. Solomon and Assistant Chiefs Derek J. Ettinger and Jonathan P. Robell of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael McGarry for the District of Connecticut are prosecuting the case.

The Fraud Section is responsible for investigating and prosecuting FCPA matters. Additional information about the Justice Department’s FCPA enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/fcpa.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.