District of Connecticut

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Jean Pierre Njock, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, today announced that JOHN MATAVA, 58, of Coventry, has been charged by federal criminal complaint with offenses related to his receipt of COVID-19 relief funds.

Matava was arrested on January 7, 2023.  He appeared yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas O. Farrish in Hartford and was released on a $60,000 bond.

In March 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provided emergency financial assistance to Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.  One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).  In April 2020, Congress authorized more than $300 billion in additional PPP funding.  The PPP allowed qualifying small businesses and other organizations to receive unsecured loans at an interest rate of 1%.  PPP loan proceeds were to be used by businesses on payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent and utilities. The PPP allowed the interest and principal to be forgiven if businesses spent the proceeds on these expenses within a certain period of time of receipt and used at least a certain percentage of the amount to be forgiven for payroll.

The PPP was overseen by the Small Business Administration, which has authority over all PPP loans.  Individual PPP loans, however, were issued by private approved lenders, such as Celtic Bank, which received and processed PPP applications and supporting documentation, and then made loans using the lenders’ own funds, which were guaranteed by the SBA.

As alleged in the criminal complaint, in April 2020, Matava applied to Celtic Bank for a $100,000 PPP loan for J.M. Builders LLC.  The application submission included several false representations, including that J.M. Builders LLC had eight employees and an average monthly payroll of $40,000; that the monies would be used for payroll, lease, mortgage, interest and utilities; and that the business owner was not subject to pending formal criminal charges.  At the time of the PPP loan application, there were no records of payroll or employees with the Connecticut Department of Labor for J.M. Builders LLC, and Matava was subject to criminal charges in two pending cases related to arrests in 2017 and 2018.

It is alleged that on April 22, 2020, Celtic Bank disbursed $100,000 to a bank account for J.M. Builders LLC on which Matava was the signatory.  The account was opened on April 21, 2020, and had a balance of $0 immediately prior to the loan funds being disbursed.  Between April 2020 and January 2021, Matava used the funds primarily for personal expenditures, including $3,498 to pay a dog breeder, $4,777 for payments to an RV superstore in Connecticut, and legal fees, including a $2,000 retainer, for four court cases in Rockville, Connecticut.

It is further alleged that in January 2021, Matava sought $100,000 in additional PPP funds from Celtic Bank, and included with the application several additional false statements and fraudulent tax documents.  Celtic Bank denied the application.

The complaint charges Matava with wire fraud affecting a financial institution, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years, and with making an illegal monetary transaction, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 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 Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher W. Schmeisser.

Individuals with information about allegations of 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 VICTOR RAMOS, 41, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 12 months and one day of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for escaping from a halfway house in Bloomfield.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on January 27, 2014, Ramos was sentenced in Hartford federal court to 102 months of imprisonment for robbing banks in Waterbury and New Britain.  In March 2021, Ramos was transferred to the Drapelick Center, a Residential Reentry Center (“halfway house”), in Bloomfield to complete his prison term.  On June 5, 2021, with approximately one month left on his prison term, Ramos left the facility without permission and did not return.  He remained at large for 13 months before being arrested by the Waterbury Police Department in July 2022 on unrelated misdemeanor state charges.

Ramos has been detained since his arrest.  On October 14, 2022, he pleaded guilty to escape from the custody of the Attorney General.

This matter was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Konstantin Lantsman.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, announced that THOMAS PACILIO, 64, of Westport, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to a federal tax offense.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2011, Pacilio and his partner started Clapboard Hill Advisors LLC, a financial services business headquartered in Westport.  In 2013, Pacilio created Alcamo Holding Corporation Inc. (“Alcamo”), an 1120S corporation, and transferred his Clapboard Hill Advisors partnership interest to Alcamo.  In 2014, Pacilio, through Alcamo, and his partner, through a separate 1120S corporation, sold Clapboard Hill Advisors to McGladrey Wealth Management LLC (“McGladrey”).  Under the sale agreement, McGladrey agreed to make a lump sum payment at closing.  Thereafter, Pacilio was to become an employee of McGladrey for three years subject to a non-competition provision.  In addition to being paid a salary by McGladrey, if Pacilio remained an employee, Pacilio would receive a $350,000 payment on each anniversary of the sale for three years.  He would also receive a portion of McGladrey’s annual gross revenue of up to $150,000 for the first year, $350,000 for the second year, and $450,000 for the third year.

In pleading guilty, Pacilio admitted that, for the 2015 through 2018 tax years, he filed individual income tax returns that omitted installment payments related to the sale of Clapboard Hill Advisors to McGladrey.  In total, he omitted approximately $1,476,425 that should have been reported either as ordinary income or as capital gains, which resulted in a tax loss of $286,328 to the IRS.

Pacilio pleaded guilty to one count of filing a false tax return, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of three years.  Judge Nagala scheduled sentencing for April 6.

Pacilio is released on a $350,000 pending sentencing.

This investigation is being conducted by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather L. Cherry.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MYRON BROWN, also known as “Farid,” 49, of Chester, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking cocaine.

This matter stems from an investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force into a drug trafficking organization headed by Tajh Wiley of Norwalk.  The investigation, which included a court-authorized wiretap of Wiley’s phone, revealed that Wiley conspired to distribute large quantities of fentanyl, cocaine and marijuana and distributed drugs throughout Connecticut and elsewhere with the assistance of several associates.  In April 2021, Brown transported approximately 900 grams of cocaine to an associate of Wiley’s in Manhattan.

Wiley and seven co-conspirators were arrested on June 9, 2021.  In association with their arrests, investigators executed multiple search warrants and seized approximately a kilogram of fentanyl, a kilogram of cocaine, approximately 83 grams of crack cocaine, more than 12 pounds of marijuana, two press machines and other items and materials used by Wiley and his co-conspirators to process and package illegal drugs.  Investigators also seized from Wiley jewelry valued at more than $100,000, and a 2021 Mercedes-Benz valued at approximately $146,000.

On May 2, 2022, Brown pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.

Brown was incarcerated in Pennsylvania on state drug and firearm charges when he was indicted in this case.  Brown’s state case was later adopted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and is pending.

On July 25, 2022, a jury found Wiley guilty of drug trafficking offenses.  On December 28, 2022, Judge Arterton sentenced him to 12 years of imprisonment.

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

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

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that GERARDO NUNEZ-IRIZARRY, also known as “Indio,” 44, of Meriden, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between June and August 2021, law enforcement made multiple controlled purchases of fentanyl from Nunez-Irizarry.  In November 2021, Nunez-Irizarry agreed to sell a 50-gram quantity of fentanyl.  On November 18, 2021, investigators stopped Nunez-Irizarry’s car in Meriden as he drove to an arranged location to complete the transaction and seized approximately 50 grams of fentanyl.  He was arrested on state charges at that time.

Nunez-Irizarry was arrested on federal charges on March 24, 2022.

Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for March 30, at which time Nunez-Irizarry faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.

Nunez-Irizarry is released on a $100,000 bond pending sentencing.

This matter is being investigated by the DEA’s New Haven Task Force, which includes personnel from the DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, and the New Haven, East Haven, West Haven, Meriden, Waterbury, Branford, Ansonia, and Middletown Police Departments as well as from the Connecticut State Police.  The investigation has been supported by the Meriden Police Department and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force, which includes members from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Postal Service – Office of the Inspector General, the Connecticut Army National Guard, and the Hartford, New Britain, Meriden and Town of Groton Police Departments.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Konstantin Lantsman 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 FELIX ORTEGA-PAGAN, 41, of Waterbury, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking cocaine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, an investigation led by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force determined that Ortega-Pagan’s associate, Pierre Joshwan Rodriguez, headed a cocaine trafficking operation in which parcels containing kilogram quantities of cocaine were shipped through the U.S. mail from Puerto Rico to multiple addresses in Waterbury.  Rodriguez distributed the cocaine in the Waterbury area and mailed money parcels back to Puerto Rico.  Ortega-Pagan assisted Rodriguez by frequently picking up the cocaine parcels and delivering them to Rodriguez at various stash locations.  Alejandra Santiago-Miranda was a frequent mailer of cocaine parcels from Puerto Rico to Waterbury and was also the recipient of multiple money parcels.

Investigators seized approximately 28 kilograms of cocaine and $216,000 in cash during the investigation.

Ortega-Pagan was arrested on November 20, 2020.  On September 6, 2022, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, 500 grams or more of cocaine.

Ortega-Pagan, who is released on bond, is required to report to prison on February 17.

Rodriguez, also known as “Ochy” of Waterbury, and Santiago-Miranda, of Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, pleaded guilty to related charges.  Rodriguez awaits sentencing and, on December 6, 2022, Santiago-Miranda was sentenced to three years of probation.

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

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that WILLIAM CHEN, 49, of West Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 18 months of imprisonment, followed by one year of supervised release, for operating an extensive tax fraud scheme involving Connecticut and Massachusetts restaurants that he owned and operated.  Judge Underhill also ordered Chen to pay a $20,000 fine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Chen was a part owner of several restaurants, including Ginza Japanese Restaurant in Bloomfield, Ginza Japanese Cuisine in Wethersfield, Kaliubon Ramen in Wethersfield and West Hartford, and Feng Asian Bistro in Hartford and Canton, and Millbury, Massachusetts.  Chen was responsible for purchasing and using the Point-of-Sale (POS) system for restaurant orders, and for training staff on the use of the POS system.  In connection with the POS system, Chen paid an additional fee to activate “zapper” software, which is a commercial computer program designed to deliberately delete transactions from the POS system to create fraudulent sales records.  From approximately 2013 to 2020, Chen and others who worked at the restaurants deleted cash transactions with the intent to reduce the gross receipts and the amount of sales tax collected reported by the POS.  As a result, Chen intentionally suppressed the restaurants’ taxable income that he disclosed to his accountant who prepared his and his restaurants’ income tax returns.

Chen was also responsible for the accounting and financial records at the restaurants, for the collection and withholding of employment taxes for the restaurants at which he worked, and for signing the restaurants’ tax returns.  For the 2013 through 2020 tax years, Chen failed to withhold, account for, and pay to the IRS federal income taxes, Federal Insurance Contributions Act taxes (“FICA”), and federal unemployment taxes for multiple employees that he paid, or that he knew were paid, in cash.

The tax loss attributable to Chen’s criminal conduct is $2,092,926.94.  To date, Chen has paid $600,000 in restitution.

On July 29, 2022, Chen pleaded guilty to two counts of filing a false tax return.

Chen is required to report to prison on April 5.

This matter was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David T. Huang.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that MARLON AMAYA-LOPEZ, also known as Elder Figueroa, 35, a citizen of Honduras last residing in Bridgeport, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to one count of 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 April 2007 in Connecticut Superior Court for attempted robbery in the second degree.  He reentered the U.S. and returned to Connecticut without obtaining the consent of the Attorney General of the United States or his successor, the Secretary for the Department of Homeland Security, to reapply for admission into the U.S.

Judge Arterton scheduled sentencing for March 28, 2023, at which time Amaya-Lopez faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  The penalties in this matter are enhanced based on his prior conviction.

Amaya-Lopez has been detained since his arrest on November 30, 2022.

This matter is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Neeraj N. Patel, Anastasia E. King and Stephanie T. Levick.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ALEXANDER PATTERSON, 34, of Bristol, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to 77 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for unlawfully possessing firearms.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on August 9, 2021, law enforcement conducted a court-authorized search of Tyrone Brown’s residence on Stevens Street in New Haven and seized a loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol.  Brown, who was a convicted felon and was prohibited by federal law from purchasing or possessing a firearm or ammunition, was arrested at that time.  The investigation revealed that the firearm was registered to a family member of Leah Boucher, of Bristol, and that Boucher had purchased 10 other firearms at four different gun stores in Connecticut between March and July 2021.

When investigators interviewed Boucher on August 26, 2021, Boucher admitted that she had purchased firearms for other individuals, and that she was no longer in possession of any of the 10 firearms that were registered to her.  A search of Boucher’s iPhone revealed photos, taken in July 2021, of Patterson and Brown.  In some of the photos, Patterson is seen handling the handgun that was recovered from Brown’s residence on August 9, 2021, and another handgun that investigators determined was registered to Boucher’s family member.

Patterson’s criminal history includes felony convictions in Connecticut and Georgia for firearm, narcotics, home invasion and assault 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.

Patterson was on Georgia probation and Connecticut parole when he committed the firearm offense in this case.

Patterson has been detained since his arrest on January 12, 2022.  On May 24, 2022, he pleaded guilty to unlawful possessions of firearms by a felon.

Brown and Boucher pleaded guilty to related charges.  On August 3, 2022, Brown was sentenced to 60 months of imprisonment, and, on August 10, 2022, Boucher was sentenced to 12 months of imprisonment.

In September 2021, law enforcement recovered one of the 10 firearms that Boucher purchased from another felon.  The other nine firearms have not been found.

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the New Haven Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Gresham.

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

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CHRISTOPHER LISCIO, 40, of Wallingford, pleaded guilty today in Bridgeport federal court to child sexual exploitation and drug trafficking offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between January 2016 and February 2020, Liscio used Snapchat to entice two minor girls to take sexually explicit photographs and videos of themselves and send them to him via the social media application.  The communication with one of the minor victims started when she was approximately 13 years old and continued until she was approximately 16 years old, and the communication with the second minor victim occurred when she was 15 and 16 years old.  Liscio also engaged in sexual acts with the second minor victim on multiple occasions when she was 15 and 16 years old.

In February 2020. Liscio was arrested on state charges related to the sexual assault of a minor.  Between February and April 2020, while he was released on bond in his state case, Liscio sold 2,000 30mg oxycodone pills.

Liscio has been detained since his federal arrest on May 26, 2021.  On that date, a search of his Wallingford residence revealed approximately 500 grams of cocaine, items used to process and package narcotics, and $22,440 in cash.

Liscio pleaded guilty to one count of enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity, one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute oxycodone, and one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.  At sentencing, Liscio faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.  A sentencing date is not scheduled.

This matter has been investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad, with the assistance of the Wallingford Police Department, Middletown Police Department and Fremont (N.H.) Police Department.  The Tactical Diversion Squad includes officers from the Bristol, East Windsor, Hamden, New Britain, West Haven, Newington, Manchester, Glastonbury and Watertown Police Departments.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda S. Oakes.

U.S. Attorney Avery thanked the State’s Attorney’s Offices for the Judicial Districts of New Haven and Middlesex for their close cooperation in investigating and prosecuting this matter.

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 JAVON MOORNING, 43, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 105 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for possessing a stolen 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 July 2011, Moorning was sentenced in New Haven federal court to 100 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing crack cocaine.  In December 2014, Moorning’s sentence was reduced to 84 months of imprisonment.

Moorning was released from federal prison in June 2018.  Shortly after his release, and while on supervised release, he sold heroin and crack cocaine to an individual working with law enforcement.  When Moorning was arrested on July 24, 2018, he possessed additional amounts of heroin and crack cocaine.  Moorning pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute and distribution of heroin and cocaine base (“crack”), and he admitted that he had violated his supervised release.  On January 9, 2019, he was sentenced to 24 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release. 

Moorning was released from prison in April 2020.  On May 17, 2022, he was a passenger in a car that crashed into a tree behind a residence on Whitney Avenue in Hamden after he and an associate attempted to flee from state probation and Hamden Police officers who were serving probation violation warrants.  Moorning ran from the vehicle, removed a 9mm handgun from his waistband and tossed it to the ground.  State probation officers apprehended Moorning and found him in possession of approximately 20 individual-dose bags of suspected heroin, and quantities of crack cocaine and MDMA pills.  A Hamden Police officer recovered the firearm that Moorning had discarded.  The handgun, which was loaded, and had been reported stolen in South Carolina in 2020.

Moorning has been detained since June 3, 2022.  He pleaded guilty on September 14, 2022.

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Hamden Police Department, the Connecticut Office of Adult Probation, and the New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah P. Karwan.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ROBERT ECKERT, 56, of West Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 66 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for distributing child pornography.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Eckert used multiple internet platforms, including MeWe and Kik, to solicit, receive and distribute images of child sexual abuse and to communicate with others about the distribution of child pornography.  He accessed the online platforms on his phone, at his residence, and at the Lutz Children’s Museum in Manchester where he was employed as its executive director.

On June 12, 2020, investigators seized Eckert’s cellphone.  Analysis of the cellphone revealed 1,837 image files and 73 videos depicting child sex abuse, including the abuse of prepubescent minors.

Eckert was arrested on April 8, 2021.  On September 1, 2022, he pleaded guilty to distribution of child pornography.

Eckert, who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on February 15.

This matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with the assistance of the Connecticut State Police and the Manchester Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nancy V. Gifford and Daniel Cummings.

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 TAJH WILEY, also known as “Yung,” 27, of Norwalk, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 144 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for drug trafficking offenses.

This matter stems from an investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force into a drug trafficking organization headed by Wiley.  The investigation, which included a court-authorized wiretap of Wiley’s phone, revealed that Wiley conspired to distribute large quantities of fentanyl, cocaine and marijuana and distributed drugs throughout Connecticut and elsewhere with the assistance of several associates.

Wiley was arrested on June 9, 2021.  In association with his arrest and the arrest of seven of his co-conspirators investigators executed multiple search warrants and seized approximately a kilogram of fentanyl, a kilogram of cocaine, approximately 83 grams of crack cocaine, more than 12 pounds of marijuana, two press machines and other items and materials used by Wiley and his co-conspirators to process and package illegal drugs.  Investigators also seized from Wiley jewelry valued at more than $100,000, and a 2021 Mercedes-Benz valued at approximately $146,000.

On July 25, 2022, a jury found Wiley guilty of one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, 500 grams or more of cocaine, and marijuana, and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (“crack cocaine”).

Wiley has been detained since his arrest.

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

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

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division, and Waterbury Police Chief Fernando C. Spagnolo today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging CHRISTOPHER JUSINO-RODRIGUEZ, 30, and CHADDIEL FERRER, 28, both of Waterbury, with cocaine trafficking offenses.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, an investigation led by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force and the Waterbury Police Department determined that Jusino-Rodriguez and Ferrer were trafficking large quantities of cocaine. 

On October 20, 2022, investigators conducted court-authorized searches of three locations in Waterbury and seized approximately six kilograms of cocaine; nine firearms, including an AR-15 rifle; high-capacity magazines and numerous rounds of ammunition; and $132,365 in cash.  Jusino-Rodriguez and Ferrer were arrested on state charges on that date and were subsequently released on bond.

A total of approximately 18 kilograms of cocaine have been seized during the investigation.

The indictment, which was returned on December 7, 2022, charges Jusino-Rodriguez and Ferrer with one count conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life, and one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.

The indictment was unsealed following Ferrer’s federal arrest on December 21.  Jusino-Rodriguez was arrested on the indictment on December 14.  Both defendants are detained pending trial.

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 U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force (“NBCTTF”) and the Waterbury Police Department, with the assistance of the Connecticut State Police Violent Crimes Task Force.  The NBCTTF includes members from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Postal Service – Office of the Inspector General, the Connecticut Army National Guard, and the Hartford, New Britain, Meriden, and Town of Groton Police Departments.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Konstantin Lantsman and Natasha M. Freismuth.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that RIGOBERTO MATEO-SILVA, also known as “Bori,” 30, of New Britain, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 70 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking cocaine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, a DEA investigation revealed that Mateo-Silva and his associate, Shabazz Valentine, were obtaining kilogram quantities of narcotics from suppliers in California and delivering large amounts of cash to their suppliers in return.

On July 6, 2020, investigators searched Valentine’s Rocky Hill residence, his car, two locations in East Hartford used to store and process narcotics, and a Hartford apartment, and seized substantial quantities of fentanyl, heroin and cocaine; items used to process and package narcotics; firearms and ammunition; and approximately $700,000 in cash.  Mateo-Silva was present at one of the East Hartford locations where approximately 75 grams of cocaine and more than $100,000 in cash was found.  The search of Valentine’s car also revealed tracking receipts for two parcels that had been recently shipped via FedEx to a location in California.  Investigators located and seized the parcels, which contained a total of approximately $160,000 in cash.

As the investigation continued, in the spring of 2021, Mateo-Silva obtained four kilograms of cocaine from his California supplier.

Mateo-Silva has been detained since his arrest on June 25, 2021.  On July 20, 2022, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.

Valentine pleaded guilty to related charges and awaits sentencing.

This investigation has been conducted by the DEA’s Hartford Task Force in coordination with the DEA’s Los Angeles Division.  The Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Enfield, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Windsor Locks and Willimantic Police Departments.

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

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOSE MIGUEL VEGA-RIVERA, 50, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 90 months of imprisonment for trafficking fentanyl and cocaine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in February 2021, the Drug Enforcement Administration identified Vega-Rivera as being involved in drug trafficking activity after he provided more than $72,000 in suspected narcotics proceeds to an undercover law enforcement officer.  On April 27, 2021, DEA Task Force investigators stopped a minivan Vega-Rivera was traveling in after he sold cocaine to an occupant of another vehicle.  Investigators found distribution quantities of fentanyl and cocaine in the minivan, and a related search of a New Britain apartment connected to Vega-Rivera revealed more than a kilogram of fentanyl, more than 500 grams of cocaine, two firearms, and approximately $52,000 in cash.

Vega-Rivera has been detained since April 27, 2021.  On November 29, 2021, he pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

This investigation was conducted by the DEA’s Hartford Task Force, which includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Enfield, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Windsor Locks and Willimantic Police Departments.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey M. Stone 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 DWAYNE THOMPSON, 37, of West Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 156 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for heroin trafficking offenses. 

According to the evidence presented during a bench trial in Hartford, in July 2017, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force received information that Thompson’s associate, Jose Carrasquillo, was interested in acquiring heroin to distribute.  Carrasquillo, working with Thompson, subsequently agreed to purchase three kilograms of heroin, for $42,000 per kilogram, from an undercover law enforcement officer posing as a heroin supplier.  On August 22, 2017, Thompson and Carrasquillo, arriving in separate vehicles, met in South Windsor with an individual working with law enforcement to complete the transaction.  Thompson was arrested after he was found in possession of a firearm and $126,200 in cash.  Carrasquillo, who fled from the scene at a high rate of speed, surrendered to law enforcement two days later.

On June 16, 2022, Judge Thompson found Thompson guilty of one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, and one count of attempt to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin.  Thompson has been detained since that date.

On March 1, 2022, Carrasquillo, of Wethersfield, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin.  He awaits sentencing.

The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Enfield, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Windsor Locks and Willimantic Police Departments.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian P. Leaming and Robert S. Ruff.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that ANTRUM COSTON, 40, of New Haven, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to fraud, money laundering and drug offenses.

In March 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provided emergency financial assistance to Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.  One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

According to court documents and statements made in court, in April 2021, Coston applied for and subsequently received two PPP loans, totaling $41,666, purportedly in relation to a cleaning business he operated.  In association with the loan applications, Coston made multiple false statements, including that his business was established in 2018 when, in fact, no cleaning business associated with Coston had been formed in 2018, and that the business had total gross income for 2019 of $114,658 when, in fact, the business had not earned such income, and Coston was incarcerated for all of 2019.  In February 2022, Coston sought forgiveness of both loans, falsely asserting in each instance that the funds had been spent on payroll costs.

On December 31, 2021, police stopped a car Coston was driving in West Haven.  After initially stopping, Coston drove off, nearly striking the officer as he fled.  Coston was found hiding in a parking lot a short distance away.  A search of vehicle and person revealed distribution quantities of heroin/fentanyl, cocaine and crack cocaine, and more than $2,000 in cash.  A related search of Coston’s residence revealed a ballistic vest, $2,790 in cash, a small quantity of crack, and narcotics paraphernalia.

Coston pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, one count of money laundering, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, and one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  Judge Underhill scheduled sentencing for March 15, 2023.

Coston is released pending sentencing.

Coston’s criminal history includes multiple convictions, including two federal convictions.  In 2004, Coston was convicted in federal court of possession of a firearm by a felon.  He was sentenced to 37 months of imprisonment for that offense, and, in June 2007, received an additional 18 months of imprisonment for violating the conditions of his supervised release.  In December 2017, Coston was sentenced to 40 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for gun and drug offenses.  He was released from federal prison in April 2020, and was on supervised release when he committed the PPP loan fraud, money laundering and drug possession offenses.

This matter has been investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, the Bureau of Alcohol. Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the West Haven Police Department.   The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer R. Laraia.

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 ANTHONY SMALL, also known as “Whompy,” 31, of Shelton, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 66 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking narcotics in Bridgeport.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in the summer of 2017, members of the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and Bridgeport Police Department began investigating individuals who were distributing narcotics in and around Bridgeport.  The investigation included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of narcotics, physical and video surveillance, and the execution of multiple search and seizure warrants.  The investigation revealed that Small’s brother, Antonio Small, led an organization that was distributing large quantities of heroin, fentanyl and crack cocaine on the west side of Bridgeport.

Antonio Small, Anthony Small and their associates used a residence on Poplar Street in Bridgeport to store, process and package narcotics.

The group was also involved in violence.  Intercepted calls revealed that Antonio Small kept a firearm at the residence, and that he possessed it while looking to retaliate against someone he believed had wronged him.  On October 31, 2018, a close associate of Antonio Small was shot and killed in the vicinity of the Poplar Street residence.  A female who was close by was also killed during the incident.

In addition, one of the Smalls’ co-conspirators, while in possession of drugs that he intended to distribute, engaged police in a car chase and struck and killed another motorist and maimed two pedestrians.

Anthony Small has been detained since his arrest on January 15, 2019. On January 21, 2020, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with the intent to distribute, controlled substances, and three counts of possession with intent to distribute heroin.

Antonio Small pleaded guilty and, on July 15, 2022, was sentenced to 25 years of imprisonment.

Anthony Small also has pending state charges stemming from a shooting in Stratford in January 2019.

This matter was investigated by the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and the Bridgeport Police Department, as well as the DEA, Connecticut State Police, and the Stratford, Norwalk, Seymour and Trumbull Police Departments.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen L. Peck and Patrick J. Doherty 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 DEREK COULSON, 36, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 39 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing methamphetamine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in January and February 2021, Coulson sold a total of more than 80 grams of methamphetamine to an undercover law enforcement officer.

Coulson was arrested on June 11, 2021.  On October 8, 2021, he pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, methamphetamine.

At the conclusion of today’s court proceeding, Coulson, who was released on bond, was remanded the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service to begin serving his sentence.

This investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force, which includes participants from the U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Connecticut State Police and the New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, North Haven, East Haven, Branford, Ansonia, Meriden, Derby, Middletown, Naugatuck and Waterbury Police Departments.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan Keefe.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that TREIZY LOPEZ, 25, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 108 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his role in the attempted robbery of a New Haven restaurant, during which he shot an employee, in April 2015.

According to court documents and statements made in court, at approximately 11:00 p.m. on April 11, 2015, Lopez, Tythrone Ford and another man entered the Smokin’ Wings restaurant on Congress Avenue in New Haven and demanded money at gunpoint.  Lopez subsequently discharged a firearm and shot a female employee in the stomach.  Lopez, Ford and their associate then fled the restaurant.  Responding New Haven Police officers subsequently located a .22 caliber revolver in a nearby trash can. 

Approximately eight hours before the Smokin’ Wings robbery, Lopez, Ford and another man traveled together to Bridgeport.  Lopez and the other individual, armed with handguns, entered Sapiaos Market on Lexington Avenue and demanded money.  During the attempted robbery, the owner of the market, Jose Salgado, was shot and killed.  Ford waited in a car outside of the market during the attempted robbery.  After the murder, the three men traveled back to New Haven together.  Hours later, Ford and Lopez participated in the gunpoint robbery at Smokin’ Wings.

Forensic analysis of the revolver found in the trash can in New Haven, and projectiles collected from the scene of both attempted robberies, revealed that the gun was used in both shootings.  DNA collected from the gun revealed that both Lopez and Ford possessed the gun.

Lopez has been detained since his arrest on December 12, 2019.  On September 23, 2021, he pleaded guilty to one count of attempted interference with commerce by robbery.

In March 2018, Lopez was found guilty of first-degree robbery and conspiracy to commit first degree robbery for his role in the Sapiaos Market robbery and homicide.  On August 16, 2018, he was sentenced to 30 years in prison for those offenses.  Judge Meyer ordered Lopez to begin serving his federal sentence after he completes his state sentence.

Ford pleaded guilty to attempted interference with commerce by robbery for his role in the Smokin’ Wings robbery.  On March 15, 2022, was sentenced to 110 months of imprisonment for that offense.  Ford was not charged in relation to the Sapiaos Market robbery.

This matter stemmed from a cold case investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the New Haven Police Department, with the assistance of the Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jocelyn C. Kaoutzanis and Nathaniel J. Gentile through the Justice’s Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program and Project Longevity.

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.

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.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal jury in Bridgeport has found THOMAS LIBERATORE, 65, of White Plains, New York, and PAUL PROSANO, also known as “Tony Pro,” 62, of Brooklyn, guilty of federal offenses in connection with the March 2020 robbery of Marco Jewelers in Stamford, Connecticut.  During the robbery, the owner of Marco Jewelers was shot and killed.

The trial before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley began on December 8 and the jury returned the guilty verdicts this afternoon.

According to the evidence presented during the trial, 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, Prosano drove Robert Rallo and 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 30, 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 also arrested on March 30.

The jury found Liberatore and Prosano guilty of interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act robbery), an offense that carries a maximum term imprisonment of 20 years, and with interstate transportation of stolen property, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  Liberatore was also found guilty of aiding and abetting the use of a firearm to cause a death during a robbery, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of life.  Sentencing dates are not scheduled.

The three defendants have been detained since their arrests.

On April 5, 2022, Rallo, 59, of New York, pleaded guilty to one count of 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.  He awaits 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 GREGORY C. BANKS, 50, of Brookfield, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to health care fraud.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Banks owned and operated North East Counseling & Trauma Services and Gregory Banks Counseling, LLC.  North East Counseling & Trauma Services, which had an office in Danbury, provided counseling services to individual patients, including those with mental health and trauma issues.  Banks was enrolled individually as a Behavioral Health Clinician provider in the Connecticut Medicaid Program (“Medicaid”), but North East Counseling & Trauma Services and Gregory Banks Counseling LLC were never enrolled as providers in Medicaid.

Between January 2018 and July 2022, Banks submitted and caused to be submitted fraudulent claims to Medicaid for counseling services that were purportedly provided to Medicaid clients.  Specifically, Banks submitted claims for dates of service when no services of any kind had been provided to the Medicaid clients identified in the claims. 

In October 2020, the Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) audited Banks and his businesses and requested documentation from Banks for six sample clients.  In response, Banks made multiple false statements for the purpose of delaying the progress of DSS’s audit and to conceal his offense.  For example, in February 2021, Banks sent an email to DSS in which he falsely represented that one of the files DSS requested was destroyed by a water leak above his office when, in fact, no such water leak had occurred.

Through this scheme, Banks defrauded Medicaid of $1,044,387.08.  As part of his plea, Banks has agreed to pay full restitution.

Judge Shea scheduled sentencing for March 13, 2023, at which time Banks faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

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

This investigation has been conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  U.S. Attorney Avery acknowledged the valuable cooperation of the Connecticut Department of Social Services in the investigation.

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

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

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Boston, today announced that NICHOLAS SKIRKANICH, 43, of Ridgefield, was arrested yesterday and charged by federal criminal complaint with possession of child pornography.

Following his arrest, Skirkanich appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Dave Vatti in Bridgeport and was released on a $150,000 bond to home detention under electronic monitoring.

As alleged in court documents, in October 2022, an online service provider submitted a CyberTip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (“NCMEC”) indicating that a TikTok video containing child sex abuse imagery was sent from Skirkanich’s email account to another email account.  Subsequent investigation revealed that Skirkanich’s IP address and social media accounts were also used to facilitate Skirkanich’s possession of child pornography.

Possession of child pornography is an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

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

This matter is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with the assistance of the Ridgefield Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nancy V. Gifford with the assistance of the Danbury State’s Attorney’s Office.

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 MICHAEL FARIAS, 57, of Providence, Rhode Island, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for stealing tires and rims from new vehicles at car dealerships in northeastern states and then selling the stolen items to individuals across the country.

According to court documents and statement made in court, between May 2015 and August 2018, Farias and others stole thousands of dollars’ worth of tires and rims from numerous luxury vehicles at car dealerships in Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York and Maine.  The co-conspirators then sold the stolen goods to others around the U.S.

Farias was arrested on November 17, 2020.  On November 10, 2021, he pleaded guilty to one count of interstate transportation of stolen property.

Farias, who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on April 14.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Shelton, Milford, Waterbury, Stonington, Vernon, Darien, Westchester County (N.Y.), Bedford (N.Y.) and Portland (Maine) Police Departments, and the York County (Maine) Sheriff’s Office.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine E. Boyles.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and David Sundberg, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that CHRISTIAN LUIS VELEZ-RUIZ, 25, of New Britain, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to federal robbery, carjacking, and firearm offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in a crime spree spanning from September 2021 into December 2021, Velez committed 28 armed robberies of convenience stores and six armed carjackings, among other offenses, throughout Connecticut.  He continued committing the robberies after the FBI’s announcement of a $25,000 reward in November 2021 for information leading to Velez’s arrest and conviction.

On December 17, 2021, law enforcement located Velez in his vehicle in a parking lot in New Britain.  Velez attempted to escape by ramming police vehicles and he ultimately fled on foot.  A K9 pursuit ensued, and Velez was captured after he attempted to steal another vehicle.  He has been detained since his arrest.

Velez, who has taken responsibility for all of the offenses he committed during his crime spree, pleaded guilty to one count of carjacking, two counts of interference with commerce by robbery, and two counts of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.  The carjacking occurred on September 2, 2021, when Velez stole at gunpoint a 2020 white Jeep Grand Cherokee from the driveway of a victim in Southington.  One of the robberies occurred on September 26, 2021, when Velez robbed at gunpoint a store located at a Sunoco gas station in Bristol.  Velez pistol-whipped the store employee and stole U.S. currency and cigarettes from the store.  The other robbery occurred on October 7, 2021, when Velez robbed at gunpoint a store located at a Citgo gas station in Southington.  Velez brandished a pistol at the store employee and stole cash and cigarettes from the store.

Judge Nagala scheduled sentencing for March 24, at which time Velez faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 14 years and a maximum term of life imprisonment.

This matter is being investigated by the FBI, the Connecticut State Police, the Greater Hartford Regional Auto Theft Task Force, and the New Britain, Waterbury, Berlin, Bristol, Cromwell, East Hartford, Enfield, Farmington, Glastonbury, Manchester, Meriden, Middletown, Newington, Norwich, Plainville, Southington, Windsor, Wolcott, and Woodbridge 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, and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, today announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford has returned an indictment charging the following five individuals with fentanyl trafficking offenses:

ADDELY ROSARIO-RAMIREZ, aka “Tata,” 24, a citizen of the Dominican Republic
LUIS ELVIS HERNANDEZ-RIVAS, aka “Compa,” 43, a citizen of the Dominican Republic
HUGO IVAN RAMIREZ-BELLOZO, 32, a citizen of Mexico
JUAN GONZALEZ-REYES, aka “Chinbala,” 32, of Hartford
MARIO PASCUAL-AQUINO, 42, of Torrington

The indictment was returned on November 30, 2022.  On December 13, the five defendants appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas O. Farrish in Hartford and pleaded not guilty to the charges.  Rosario-Ramirez, Hernandez-Rivas and Ramirez-Bellozo are detained, and Gonzalez-Reyes and Pasqual Aquino are released on $100,000 bonds.

As alleged in court documents, the DEA’s Hartford Task Force has been investigating a Hartford-based drug trafficking organization involved in the distribution of a large amount of fentanyl and other narcotics, and the transportation and laundering of cash proceeds from their drug trafficking activity. 

It is alleged that, in April 2021, Rosario-Ramirez provided more than $56,000 in suspected narcotics proceeds to an uncover law enforcement officer.  It is further alleged that, in January 2022, investigators coordinated a motor vehicle stop of a minivan Rosario-Ramirez was driving and seized $92,000 from a hidden compartment in the minivan.  Hernandez-Rivas was a passenger in the minivan at the time of the traffic stop.

On November 16, 2022, investigators executed a court-authorized search warrant at an apartment on Putnam Heights in Hartford and seized more than a kilogram of fentanyl, items used to process and package narcotics, and a loaded .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun.  Rosario-Ramirez, Hernandez-Rivas, Ramirez-Bellozo, and Pascual-Aquino, all of whom were present in the apartment, were arrested at that time.  Gonzalez-Reyes was arrested after he arrived at the apartment as the search warrant was being executed, and investigators found an additional quantity of fentanyl on his person.

The indictment charges Rosario-Ramirez, Hernandez-Rivas, Ramirez-Bellozo, Gonzalez-Reyes and Pascual-Aquino with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.  Rosario-Ramirez, Hernandez-Rivas, Ramirez-Bellozo, and Pascual-Aquino are also charged with possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, which also carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.  Gonzalez-Reyes is also charged with possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, which 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 an indictment is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This investigation is being conducted by the DEA’s Hartford Task Force, which includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Enfield, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Windsor Locks and Willimantic Police Departments.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey M. Stone 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 EDIL RAMOS, also known as “E,” 40, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 54 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for narcotics distribution and firearm possession offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an FBI Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and Hartford Police Department investigation into drug trafficking and related criminal acts committed by members and associates of the Los Solidos and Latin Kings street gangs in Hartford’s South End.  Between February and April 2020, investigators made five controlled purchases of crack cocaine and fentanyl from Ramos, a member of Los Solidos.  Most of the drug sales occurred at Ramos’ residence on Wethersfield Avenue.

Ramos was arrested on April 8, 2020.  On that date, a search of his residence revealed a 9mm firearm, a loaded firearm magazine, approximately 1,400 bags of fentanyl, a distribution quantity of crack cocaine, and $33,062 in cash.

Ramos has been detained since his arrest on April 8, 2020.  On March 28, 2022, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base (“crack”), and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon.

The FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, 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 Brian P. Leaming.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Phillip Coyne, Special Agent in Charge for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General, today announced that JASDEEP SIDANA, M.D. and DOCS MEDICAL GROUP, INC. (doing business as Docs Medical), DOCS MEDICAL INC., DOCS URGENT CARE LLP, LUNG DOCS OF CT, P.C., EPIC FAMILY PHYSICIANS, LLP, and CONTINUUM MEDICAL GROUP, LLC (collectively, “DOCS”), have entered into a civil settlement agreement with the federal and state governments in which they will pay a total of $4,267,950.21 to resolve allegations that they submitted false claims for payment to Medicare and the Connecticut Medicaid program for medically unnecessary allergy services, unsupervised allergy services, and services improperly billed as though provided by Sidana.  The agreement also resolves allegations that Sidana and DOCS improperly billed for certain office visits associated with COVID-19 tests.

Sidana is a physician who specializes in pulmonology and is the owner and Chief Executive Officer of DOCS, a medical practice with more than 20 facilities throughout Connecticut that offers a variety of services to its patients, including primary and urgent care, allergy testing and treatment, and COVID testing.

Medicare and Connecticut Medicaid pay only for services or items that are medically necessary.  Some services also have supervision requirements, and allergy tests and the preparation of allergy immunotherapy must be directly supervised by a physician.  Direct supervision requires the supervising physician to be present in the same office suite, and immediately available to render assistance if needed.

In early 2014, DOCS and Sidana started providing allergy testing and treatment services to their patients.  The government alleges that between October 1, 2016, and September 30, 2017, DOCS and Sidana submitted false claims to Medicare and Medicaid for immunotherapy services that were not medically necessary, and were not directly supervised by a physician.  The allegations also involve claims to Medicare and Medicaid for medically unnecessary annual re-testing of allergy patients between January 1, 2014, and November 11, 2018.

The government also alleges that between January 1, 2014, and January 1, 2019, DOCS and Sidana submitted claims for medical services performed by Sidana on dates of service when he was traveling internationally and did not perform or supervise the services.  Instead, the services were actually performed by lower-level providers, who typically receive a lower reimbursement rate from Medicare and Medicaid for such services.

Finally, the government contends that when administering tests for COVID, DOCS and Sidana improperly billed Medicare and Connecticut Medicaid for certain evaluation and management (“E&M”) services, commonly referred to as office visits.  The government alleges that between April 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020, on the same dates that patients received COVID-19 tests, DOCS and Sidana submitted claims for moderately complex “level 3” E&M services, when those level 3 office visits were not in fact provided.

“Depriving Medicare and Medicaid programs of federal funds that have been set aside for the care and treatment of beneficiaries is disgraceful,” said U.S. Attorney Avery.  “Medical services billed to Medicare and Medicaid must be provided based on each patient’s individual medical needs.  Providers who participate in government programs must only bill for medically necessary services, and must accurately bill for the services provided.  This office is committed to vigorously pursuing health care providers who submit false or fraudulent claims to federal health care programs.”

“Healthcare providers are expected to closely follow Medicare rules and bill properly — nothing more, nothing less,” said Special Agent in Charge Phillip M. Coyne of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General.  “When that obligation is violated, government health care programs – and American taxpayers – pay the price.  We are committed to pursuing these types of allegations along with our law enforcement partners as we work to protect the integrity of our federal healthcare system.”

As part of this settlement, DOCS and Sidana have entered into a three-year Integrity Agreement with the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General that is designed to ensure future compliance with the requirements of federal healthcare programs.

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

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

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Phillip Coyne, Special Agent in Charge for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, and David Sundberg, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that MICHAEL LONSKI, 71, of Greenwich, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to health care fraud.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Lonski is a licensed psychologist who, along with another licensed psychologist (“Individual 1”), has operated a practice out of his home office in Old Greenwich.  Lonski and Individual 1 were authorized providers for the Connecticut Medicaid program (“Medicaid”), Medicare and other health care benefit programs.  Lonski assumed responsibility for submitting claims for reimbursement for services allegedly provided by himself and by Individual 1, both at their home office and at various skilled nursing facilities within Connecticut.

In pleading guilty, Lonski admitted that he billed insurers for services that he knew were not rendered, including by billing for patients who were deceased, for dates of service when he was out of the country, for dates of service when Individual 1 was out of the country, and for dates of service when he was hospitalized.  These fraudulent claims resulted in a loss of over $2,651,296, including a loss of $1,157,292 to the Connecticut Medicaid program and a loss of $119,092 Medicare.

Health care fraud carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  Judge Nagala scheduled sentencing for March 10.  As part of his plea, Lonski has agreed to pay full restitution.

Lonski is released on bond pending sentencing.

In 2002, Lonski settled a federal lawsuit alleging health care fraud offenses, which was brought by the government in the Southern District of New York.  Lonski agreed to pay $4 million in restitution and was excluded from participating in the Medicare program from April 2003 to November 2007.  He was reinstated to the Medicare program in approximately December 2008.

This investigation has been conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan L. Wines.

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

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Boston, announced that CHRISTOPHER BATES JR., 36, of Greenwich, was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint charging him with child pornography offenses.

Bates appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Dave Vatti in Bridgeport and was released on a $300,000 bond under electronic monitoring.

As alleged in court documents, an international law investigation revealed that an IP address at Bates’ residence was being used to access the dark web to view images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children.  On November 30, 2022, HSI agents interviewed Bates, who consented to a search of his electronic devices.  A forensic preview of one of his laptops revealed approximately 1,000 images depicting the sexual abuse of children, including infants.  A full forensic examination of his electronic devices is ongoing.

The complaint charges Bates with receipt of child pornography, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and possession of child pornography, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

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

This matter is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with the assistance of the Greenwich Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel.

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

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

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CARLTON FOX, 37, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in June 2021, Waterbury Police made two controlled purchases of heroin and one controlled purchase of fentanyl from Fox.  On June 18, 2021, investigators conducted a court-authorized search of a Waterbury hotel room where Fox was staying and seized a loaded .22 caliber handgun; distribution quantities of heroin, fentanyl and crack cocaine; items used to process and package narcotics for street sale; and $3,980 in cash.

Fox has been detained in federal custody since October 14, 2021.  On April 19, 2022, he pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Waterbury Police Department.  The case was being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc H. Silverman.

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 Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Boston, today announced that JOSHUA GLAESER, 34, of New Britain, has been charged by federal criminal complaint with possession and distribution of child pornography.

As alleged in court documents, in the summer of 2022, a Connecticut State Police detective investigating child exploitation offenses identified an IP address at Glaeser’s New Britain residence that was being used in the distribution of child pornography.  In 2012, Glaeser was convicted in state court of possession of child pornography.  Glaeser was arrested on December 9, 2022, after HSI special agents executed a court authorized search warrant at his residence and seized Glaeser’s Chromebook, tablet, smartphone and storage cards.  Preliminary analysis of the seized items revealed images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children, including prepubescent children.

After his arrest, Glaeser appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert A. Richardson in Hartford and was ordered detained.

If convicted of distribution of child pornography, Glaeser faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years.  If convicted of possession of child pornography, Glaeser faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  The penalties in this matter are enhanced based on Glaeser’s prior conviction for possession of child pornography.

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

This matter is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Connecticut State Police.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel E. Cummings.

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 KEVIN JONES, SR., 58, of Farmington, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 18 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing crack cocaine.  Judge Thompson also ordered Jones to serve 200 hours of community service while on supervised release.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in the summer of 2017, members of the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and Bridgeport Police Department began investigating individuals who were distributing narcotics in and around Bridgeport.  The investigation, which included the use of court-authorized wiretaps and controlled purchases of narcotics, revealed that Kevin Jones Sr.’s son, Kevin Jones II, headed a Bridgeport-based drug trafficking network.  Jones Sr. regular received distribution quantities of crack cocaine from his son and sold the drug to his own customer base.

The investigation resulted in federal charges against Jones Sr., Jones II, and 17 other defendants, and the seizure of narcotics, eight firearms, and more than $360,000 in cash.

Jones Sr. was arrested on November 6, 2018.  On March 4, 2020, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, controlled substances.

Jones Sr., who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on January 27.

Jones II, also known as “Ox” and “Scott,” of Bridgeport, has pleaded guilty and is detained while awaiting sentencing.

This matter has been investigated by the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and the Bridgeport Police Department, as well as the Drug Enforcement Administration, Connecticut State Police, and the Stratford, Norwalk, Seymour and Trumbull Police Departments.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen L. Peck and Patrick J. Doherty 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 XAVIER CRUZ, 28, of Bristol, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet B. Atterton in New Haven to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for unlawful possession of a firearm.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on September 5, 2020, law enforcement found a backpack containing a loaded Smith and Wesson semiautomatic handgun in a parking lot in a residential area of Bristol.  Investigators determined that Cruz had possessed the firearm before discarding it, and subsequent laboratory testing confirmed the presence of Cruz’s DNA on the gun.

Prior to September 2020, Cruz sustained felony convictions in state court for controlled substance 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.

On May 11, 2021, Cruz pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

On July 21, 2021, Cruz, who was released on a $100,000 bond, removed his ankle monitor and absconded.  Cruz surrendered to law enforcement on April 12, 2022, shortly after the government moved to forfeit his bond, which was co-signed by his mother.

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Bristol Police Department, with the assistance of the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of Scientific Services.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tara Levens and Margaret Donovan.

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 CHARLES YOUNG, also known as “Cash,” 36, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 69 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for unlawfully possessing a firearm by a felon, and for violating the conditions of his supervised release that followed a conviction in 2016 for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 25, 2015, Young was arrested after he had engaged law enforcement officers in a high-speed car chase that began in Bridgeport’s east end, continued on I-95 South and ended when Young crashed into a snowbank after exited the highway in Fairfield.  During the chase, a witness saw Young throw something from his car in the vicinity of Exit 24 in Fairfield.  A search of the area revealed a loaded Glock 22 .40 caliber firearm.  Young pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of a firearm by a felon and, on May 16, 2016, was sentenced by Judge Shea to 50 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release.  In association with this incident, Young was also sentenced in state court to five years of imprisonment for violating his probation that followed a 2010 conviction for criminal possession of a firearm and possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle.

Young was released from federal prison in July 2019.

On December 28, 2020, Bridgeport Police officers, who were on high alert following the murder of a well-known gang member the day before, were patrolling the area of the PT Barnum housing complex in order to thwart retaliatory criminal activity.  After observing an Audi SUV roll through a stop sign, officers attempted to stop the vehicle.  The SUV sped away, crashed into two cars, and both the driver, Cole Hernandez, and passenger, Charles Young, fled on foot.  Young ran eastbound on Fairfield Avenue where he was apprehended after he attempted to forcibly enter a vehicle that was stopped at a traffic light.

A search of the SUV revealed a .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol with an extended and partially loaded 50-round magazine, and 50 glassine envelopes containing fentanyl.  Investigators also found a 9mm semi-automatic pistol with a mounted light and laser attachment and a fully loaded 17-round magazine on the ground next to the passenger door of the SUV.

DNA analysis of the seized firearms connected the .45 caliber pistol to Hernandez and the 9mm pistol to Young.

Young has been detained since his arrest.  On April 27, 2022, he pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon.

Hernandez has been detained since his arrest on May 12, 2021.  On January 12, 2022, he pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon, and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.  He is scheduled to be sentenced on December 13.

This matter has been investigated by the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and the Bridgeport Police Department, with the assistance of the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of Scientific Services.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Leaming.

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 LENWOOD GATLING, 39, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 108 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for narcotics distribution and firearm possession offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between July and October 2020, a DEA New Haven Task Force investigation revealed that Gatling was using a storage unit he rented at a facility located on Meriden Road in Waterbury to store and distribute narcotics.  Gatling was arrested on October 14, 2020.  On that date, a court-authorized search of the storage unit revealed nine firearms, three of which were reported stolen; approximately 420 grams of fentanyl packaged in approximately 11,000 individual use bags; approximately 99 grams of heroin; approximately nine grams of cocaine; and approximately $30,000 in cash.

Gatling’s criminal history includes multiple felony 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.

Gatling has been detained since his arrest.  On May 2, 2022, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon.

The Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force includes participants from the U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Connecticut State Police and the New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, North Haven, East Haven, Branford, Ansonia, Meriden, Derby, Middletown, Naugatuck and Waterbury Police Departments.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patricia Stolfi Collins and Neeraj N. Patel.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DAVID KAMAL, 60, of Stafford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to tax evasion.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Kamal, who formerly resided in Hebron, willfully evaded taxes for the 2012 tax year by filing a false tax return for that year.  On the tax return, Kamal claimed false deductions, including deductions for moving expenses and medical expenses he had not incurred.  Kamal subsequently provided false documentation for the moving expenses, including invoices and bank statements, to an attorney for the IRS in connection with U.S. tax court proceedings.  Kamal also filed false tax returns for the 2013 through 2017 tax years by claiming false and inflated unreimbursed medical and dental expenses.

Kamal has agreed to cooperate with the IRS to pay $163,264 in back taxes, as well interest and penalties.

Judge Shea scheduled sentencing for March 2, at which time Kamal faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.  Kamal is released on a $50,000 bond pending sentencing.

This matter is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David T. Huang.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and David Sundberg, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced that TARA KEWALIS, 50, of Beacon Falls, waived her right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to embezzling from a Waterbury credit union where she was employed.

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

Kewalis pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement by a credit union officer or employee, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years.  Judge Hall scheduled sentencing for March 1.

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

This investigation has been conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael S. McGarry.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, today announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford has returned an indictment charging NERICK DIAZ-QUESADA, 24, of New Britain, with cocaine trafficking and firearm possession offenses.

The indictment was returned on November 21, 2022.  Diaz-Quesada appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas O. Farrish in Hartford and pleaded not guilty to the charges.  He has been detained since his arrest on November 10, 2022.

As alleged in court documents, on November 10, 2022, members of the DEA’s Hartford Task Force and New Britain Police Department executed a court-authorized search warrant at an apartment located on LaSalle Street in New Britain suspected of being used as a location to store, process and package narcotics for distribution.  Diaz-Quesada was apprehended after he attempted to flee from investigators when they entered the apartment.  A search of bedroom that Diaz-Quesada used revealed more than two kilograms of cocaine, a loaded Glock 9mm handgun, narcotics packaging materials, and a large amount of cash.

The indictment charges Diaz-Quesada with one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40years, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking activity, an offense that carries a mandatory consecutive term of imprisonment of at least five years.

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

This investigation is being conducted by the DEA’s Hartford Task Force, which includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Enfield, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Windsor Locks and Willimantic Police Departments.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey M. Stone 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 GLEN CAMPBELL, also known as “Nick,” 41, a citizen of Guyana residing in Queens, New York, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 12 months and one day of imprisonment for helping to sell U.S. Savings Bonds that had been stolen from an elderly woman who had purchased the bonds for her grandchildren and other family members.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Jhanannie Singh, also known as “Jasmine” and “Sharmala Persaud,” stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in U.S. Savings Bonds from an elderly woman for whom she provided home health services.  The victim had purchased the bonds for her grandchildren and other relatives.  After the victim died, Singh contacted Campbell who enlisted the help of another individual to redeem the stolen bonds at a financial institution and provide Singh and Campbell with a portion of the proceeds.  Between October 2020 and January 2021, as part of an undercover investigation, law enforcement coordinated the purchase of more than 100 savings bonds, with face values ranging from $50 to $1,000, from Singh and Campbell.  Campbell traveled to Connecticut to complete the transactions.

Singh and Campbell were arrested on January 29, 2021.  At the time of the arrests, the value of the bonds they had delivered during the undercover investigation was $287,312.39.

On June 15, 2022, Campbell pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy.

Singh, also a citizen of Guyana, pleaded guilty to the same charge and, on November 28, 2022, was sentenced to 57 months of imprisonment.

Singh and Campbell face immigration proceedings when they complete their prison terms.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tara E. Levens, Michael S. McGarry and Robert S. Ruff.

The Justice Department has established a National Elder Fraud Hotline to provide services to seniors who may be victims of financial fraud.  The Hotline is staffed by experienced case managers who can provide personalized support to callers.  Case managers assist callers with reporting the suspected fraud to relevant agencies and by providing resources and referrals to other appropriate services as needed.  When applicable, case managers will complete a complaint form with the Federal Bureau of Investigation Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) for Internet-facilitated crimes and submit a consumer complaint to the Federal Trade Commission on behalf of the caller.  The Hotline’s toll-free number is 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311).

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a jury in Hartford federal court has found JOHN TRASACCO, 50, of West Haven, guilty of conspiracy and fraud offenses.  The trial before U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams began on November 21 and the jury returned the guilty verdicts this afternoon.

According to the evidence presented during the trial, 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.

The jury found Trasacco guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of wire fraud.  Each charge carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  A sentencing date is not scheduled.

Trasacco, who had been released on a $100,000 bond, was remanded to custody at the conclusion of today’s court proceedings pending his ability to meet his increased bond requirements.

On November 1, 2022, DiMassa pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud, admitting that he defrauded the City of West Haven of more than $1.2 million through this scheme and two other schemes.  He awaits sentencing.

This matter is being 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, and Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, today announced that MARK CARBUTTI, 48, of Wallingford, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to tax evasion.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Carbutti is an attorney specializing in personal injury law.  For the 2013 through 2017 tax years, Carbutti reported approximately $585,025 in income taxes owed to the Internal Revenue Service as a result of his legal practice and certain rental income.  During that time period and thereafter, Carbutti made only limited payments of his taxes due and owing, and interest and penalties accrued as a result of his non-payment.

Between December 2014 and May 2019, Carbutti received at least 12 notices from the IRS advising him of his tax amounts due and instructions on how to pay his overdue taxes.  When the IRS levied certain personal bank accounts used by Carbutti, he closed those accounts and evaded the payment of taxes, interest, and penalties by writing checks from his law firm’s operating account payable to his paralegal, which subsequently were converted to cash and deposited into the bank accounts of limited liability companies (“LLCs”) that Carbutti had created in association with his real estate holdings.  Carbutti also took substantial additional cash withdrawals from his law firm bank accounts and redeposited the monies in the LLCs bank accounts.  Between approximately 2013 and 2019, Carbutti paid approximately $600,000 in personal expenses from the LLCs bank accounts, including expenditures for gambling at casinos, restaurants, vacations and the purchase of a BMW automobile.

Carbutti pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.  Judge Nagala scheduled sentencing for March 2.

Carbutti has agreed to pay the IRS $750,180 in back taxes, interest and penalties.

This investigation has been conducted by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher W. Schmeisser.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DAVID McMANUS, 57, of Granby, was sentenced today by U.S. Circuit Judge Sarah A. L. Merriam in Bridgeport to 18 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for fraud and tax offenses stemming from his embezzlement of funds from his employer.

According to court documents and statements made in court, McManus was the Chief Financial Officer for a Hartford-based company for nearly 14 years.  Between 2012 and 2018, McManus embezzled approximately $433,584 from the company by using company funds to pay off his personal credit card expenses, and by issuing reimbursements to himself for personal expenses unrelated to the company.

McManus also filed federal income tax returns that omitted the embezzled income for the 2015 through 2018 tax years, resulting in a tax loss of $104,094 to the IRS.

Judge Merriam ordered McManus to pay full restitution to his former employer, as well as all back taxes owed to the IRS.

On May 12, 2022, McManus pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of tax evasion.

McManus, who is released on bond, is required to report to prison on February 8.

This matter was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Hartford Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret Donovan.

TAYLOR DZICZEK, 40, of Chicopee, Massachusetts, was arrested today on federal criminal complaint charging him with robbing a Connecticut bank earlier this year.  As alleged in the complaint, Dziczek is also a suspect is several additional bank robberies that have occurred in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire since September 2021.

Today’s announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery, Special Agent in Charge David Sundberg of the FBI’s New Haven Division, Special Agent in Charge Joseph R. Bonavolonta of the FBI’s Boston Division, and Special Agent in Charge Janeen DiGuiseppi of the FBI’s Albany Division.

Dziczek appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert A. Richardson in Hartford and was ordered detained.

As alleged in the complaint, the FBI and state and local law enforcement have been investigating 14 robberies and one attempted robbery of banks and credit unions in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont and New Hampshire, which were committed by what appears to be the same individual, that occurred between September 2021 and August 2022.  During the investigation, Dziczek was identified as a suspect who robbed the Peoples United Bank, located at 117 East Street in Plainville, Connecticut, on May 26, 2022.  On that date, Dziczek entered the bank, approached the teller counter and gave the teller a note stating words to the effect of, “I have a gun. Don‘t call 911. Don‘t set off any alarms.“  When the teller stated she did not have any more money, Dziczek pulled what appeared to be a black firearm from the front pocket of his sweatshirt and made additional statements including “Give me all the money,” “I have a gun,” and “Don‘t be a hero.”

It is alleged that Dziczek removed some of the paper money wrappers from the money he received from the teller and discarded them at the bank before he fled the scene.   Plainville Police detectives collected the discarded money wrappers as evidence. 

It is further alleged that on October 21, 2022, FBI special agents surveilled Dziczek while he was in the MGM Casino in Springfield, Massachusetts, and retrieved a Red Bull energy drink can with a black straw from which Dziczek was observed drinking.  Laboratory analysis connected DNA found on the black straw to DNA found on discarded money wrappers from the Plainville bank robbery.

The charge of bank robbery 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 ongoing investigation is being conducted by the FBI New Haven Division’s Violent Crimes Task Force, FBI Boston Division, FBI Albany Division, Connecticut State Police, Massachusetts State Police, Athol (Mass.) Police Department, Avon (Conn.) Police Department, Brattleboro (Vt.) Police Department, Chicopee (Mass.) Police Department, East Windsor (Conn.) Police Department, Enfield (Conn.) Police Department, Greenfield (Mass.) Police Department, Keene (N.H.) Police Department, Meriden (Conn.) Police Department, Montague (Mass.) Police Department, Nashua (N.H.) Police Department, Plainville (Conn.) Police Department, Somers (Conn.) Police Department, and Springfield (Mass.) Police Department.  The Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of Scientific Services has provided valuable assistance to the investigation.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel E. Cummings, Stephanie T. Levick and Nancy V. Gifford.  U.S. Attorney Avery thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Districts of Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire for its close cooperation in investigating and prosecuting this matter.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that MARLON AMAYA-LOPEZ, also known as Elder Figueroa, 33, a citizen of Honduras residing in Bridgeport, was arrested yesterday on an indictment charging him with one count of illegally reentering the U.S. after being deported.

The indictment was returned on May 11, 2021 and unsealed yesterday after Amaya-Lopez was located and arrested.  He appeared yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Dave Vatti in Bridgeport, entered a plea of not guilty to the charge, and was ordered detained pending trial.

As alleged in the indictment, Amaya-Lopez was previously deported and removed from the U.S. to Honduras following a felony conviction in April 2007 in Connecticut Superior Court for attempted robbery in the second degree.  He reentered the U.S. and returned to Connecticut without obtaining the consent of the Attorney General of the United States or his successor, the Secretary for the Department of Homeland Security, to reapply for admission into the U.S.

If convicted of the charge of illegal reentry, Amaya-Lopez faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  The penalties in this matter are enhanced based on his prior conviction for a felony.

U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that an indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  A defendant is entitled to a fair trial at which it is the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Neeraj N. Patel and Stephanie T. Levick.

AHMAD KHALIL ELSHAZLY, 25, of West Haven, pleaded guilty today in Bridgeport federal court to attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham(ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization.

U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery, Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, and Special Agent in Charge David Sundberg of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation made the announcement.

According to court documents and statements made in court, beginning in approximately September 2018, Elshazly, a U.S. citizen, expressed a desire to travel to Syria and the surrounding area to fight on behalf of ISIS.  In numerous conversations online and in person, he pledged allegiance to ISIS and its leader, Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi.  For example, in October 2019, Elshazly sent a message pledging allegiance (bayat) to the new leader of ISIS, saying “I pledge my allegiance...to the Khilafah (the successor of the leadership) of the Muslims Abu Ibrahim Al Husseini Al Hashami Al Qurashi…” (after Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi’s death).

On December 14, 2019, Elshazly paid $500 to a person he believed was an ISIS facilitator who would be able to smuggle him out of the U.S. to Turkey.  He further believed that travelling to Turkey would enable him to connect with ISIS members overseas who, in turn, would assist him with traveling to ISIS within Syria.  On December 15, 2019, Elshazly was arrested after he arrived in Stonington, Connecticut, where he expected to board a boat to begin his trip.

“There is no higher priority than the security of our nation,” said U.S. Attorney Avery.  “My office works closely with our law enforcement partners to prevent and apprehend those who wish to cause violence and other harm, both in the U.S. and abroad, before they are successful.  Much of this vitally important work is done behind the scenes and without public recognition.  I thank the FBI’s JTTF and all the agencies involved in this investigation.”

“Today, the diligent efforts of law enforcement has culminated in a guilty plea of a conspirator of potential terrorist crimes against the people of the United States,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Sundberg.  “Our top priority of the FBI remains the disruption of would be terrorists and the havoc they attempt to cause here and abroad.  Justice has been served.”

Elshazly has been detained since his arrest.  The charge of conspiring to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  A sentencing date is not scheduled.

This matter has been investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) with the assistance of the Stonington Police Department, New Haven Police Department and Connecticut State Police.  The FBI’s JTTF includes participants from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Connecticut State Police, Connecticut Department of Correction, Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Department, Norwich Police Department, Hartford Police Department, Stamford Police Department, Norwalk Police Department, Town of Groton Police Department, UConn Police Department, Yale Police Department, and New York Police Department.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret M. Donovan and Trial Attorneys Justin Sher and Daniel Gardner of from the Counterterrorism Section of the Justice Department’s National Security Division.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that OLAJUWON HARRINGTON, also known as “OJ Harrington,” 30, of Waterbury, was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint charging him with fraud and identity theft offenses related to his alleged theft of pandemic unemployment benefits.

Harrington appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven and was released on a $50,000 bond.

As alleged in court documents, in March 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) was signed into law.  The CARES Act created a new temporary federal unemployment insurance program for pandemic unemployment assistance (“Pandemic Unemployment Assistance”).  Pandemic Unemployment Assistance provided unemployment insurance (“UI”) benefits for employed individuals who are not eligible for other types of UI due to their employment status.  The CARES Act also created a new temporary federal program called Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (“FPUC”) that provided additional weekly benefits to those eligible for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance or regular UI.  The Connecticut Department of Labor (CT-DOL) administers UI benefits for residents of Connecticut.

It is alleged that, using identifying information of real persons (“victims”) without their knowledge, Harrington and/or others submitted to CT-DOL numerous fraudulent applications for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance.  Relying on the applications, CT-DOL awarded unemployment assistance in the form of debit cards in the names of the victims and mailed the debit cards to addresses provided in the applications.  Thereafter, Harrington obtained the debit cards issued in victims’ names and unlawfully used the cards for his own benefit.

The complaint charges Harrington with access device fraud, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years, and aggravated identify theft, an offense that carries a mandatory consecutive sentence of two 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 investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General; U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Office of Inspector General; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General and the Connecticut Department of Labor.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher W. Schmeisser.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that KENNEY COTTO, 25, of New Britain, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 72 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for firearm offenses stemming from his participation in the burglary of a Portland firearms dealer in December 2020.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in the early morning of December 31, 2020, Cotto and Christopher Matos burglarized Central Connecticut Arms, a federally-licensed firearms dealer in Portland, and stole 14 firearms.  On January 5, 2021, investigators searched an SUV that Cotto and Matos used during the burglary and recovered clothing that Cotto wore during the burglary, a hammer and tire iron Cotto and Matos used to break into Central Connecticut Arms, and other evidence. Investigators also found Matos’s DNA at the crime scene, and a subsequent search of his residence revealed clothing he wore during the burglary.

On January 4, 2021, Hartford Police arrested Cotto on unrelated firearm and drug possession charges.  He has been detained since his arrest.

To date, three of the firearms stolen from Central Connecticut Arms have been recovered by law enforcement.  Two were recovered by the FBI in an unrelated narcotics investigation, and the third was seized by Waterbury Police after it was fired into the air during an altercation.  The remaining 11 firearms are unaccounted for.

On April 21, 2022, Cotto pleaded guilty to theft of firearms from a licensee, and unlawful possession of firearms by a felon.

Matos, 34, of New Britain, pleaded guilty to the same charges and, on October 31, 2022, was sentenced to 100 months of imprisonment.

Judge Dooley ordered Cotto and Matos to pay $21,528.91 in restitution.

This investigation was conducted by ATF and the Portland, New Britain, Berlin and East Longmeadow (Mass.) Police Departments.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert S. Ruff.

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.

Ahmad Khalil Elshazly, 25, of West Haven, Connecticut, pleaded guilty today in Bridgeport federal court to attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization.

According to court documents and statements made in court, beginning in approximately September 2018, Elshazly, a U.S. citizen, expressed a desire to travel to Syria and the surrounding area to fight on behalf of ISIS. In numerous conversations online and in person, he pledged allegiance to ISIS and its leader, Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi. For example, in October 2019, Elshazly sent a message pledging allegiance (bayat) to the new leader of ISIS, saying “I pledge my allegiance...to the Khilafah (the successor of the leadership) of the Muslims Abu Ibrahim Al Husseini Al Hashami Al Qurashi…” (after Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi’s death).

On Dec.14, 2019, Elshazly paid $500 to a person he believed was an ISIS facilitator who would be able to smuggle him out of the U.S. to Turkey. He further believed that travelling to Turkey would enable him to connect with ISIS members overseas who, in turn, would assist him with traveling to ISIS within Syria. On Dec. 15, 2019, Elshazly was arrested after he arrived in Stonington, Connecticut, where he expected to board a boat to begin his trip.

Elshazly has been detained since his arrest. The charge of conspiring to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. A sentencing date is not scheduled.

Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery for the District of Connecticut and Special Agent in Charge David Sundberg of the FBI New Haven Field Office made the announcement.

This matter has been investigated by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) with the assistance of the Stonington Police Department, New Haven Police Department and Connecticut State Police. The FBI’s JTTF includes participants from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), IRS – Criminal Investigation, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Connecticut State Police, Connecticut Department of Correction, Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Department, Norwich Police Department, Hartford Police Department, Stamford Police Department, Norwalk Police Department, Town of Groton Police Department, UConn Police Department, Yale Police Department and New York Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret M. Donovan for the District of Connecticut and Trial Attorneys Justin Sher and Daniel Gardner of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case.