District of Connecticut

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ANDREW DAVIS, 41, a citizen of Jamaica last residing in Hamden, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 295 months of imprisonment for marijuana trafficking, firearm possession and money laundering offenses.

According to the evidence presented during Davis’ trial in December 2018, in 2013, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Connecticut State Police began an investigation into individuals who were moving large amounts of marijuana from the Southwestern United States to Connecticut.  During the investigation, investigators intercepted four packages, each containing approximately eight kilograms of marijuana, from the U.S. Mail, and made multiple controlled purchases of the drug from a member of the trafficking ring.

Davis was arrested on February 1, 2017, after investigators conducted court-authorized searches of a Hamden apartment that Davis shared with his girlfriend, Shanice Goffe; a storage unit in West Haven that was rented in Goffe’s name, and two Bridgeport apartments that Davis maintained under different aliases.

A search of the Hamden residence revealed more than one pound of marijuana, a loaded 9mm handgun, boxes of .45 caliber ammunition, $62,409 in cash, and numerous false identifications, including a U.S. passport, all of which contained a photo of Davis.  A search of the storage unit revealed approximately 33 kilograms of marijuana, ammunition and firearm magazines, additional false identifications, and $350,100 in cash.  A search of a Bridgeport apartment rented in the name of “Cordel Freckleton” yielded one firearm, and a search of an apartment rented in the name of “Andrew Carter” revealed more than 60 pounds of marijuana and two firearms, one of which was stolen.

Investigators also seized a 2014 BMW X6, a 2016 Honda Accord, and a 2008 Honda Odyssey, all of which were registered to Goffe and had been purchased with proceeds of the marijuana trafficking enterprise.

The investigation further revealed that Davis, using the name “Steve Williams,” was under investigation in 2008 for marijuana trafficking.  In August 2008, Bridgeport Police conducted a search of Davis’s Bridgeport apartment and discovered a fake identification, photos of Davis/Williams, three firearms, extended magazines, ammunition, drug packaging paraphernalia, marijuana packaged for resale, and eight UPS receipts for packages that had not arrived.  Bridgeport Police subsequently seized the UPS packages, which contained a total of more than 75 pounds of marijuana.  “Williams” was never located.

At the time of Davis’s federal arrest on February 1, 2017, investigators seized more than 40 identification cards with false names, including the names of the addressees of the 2008 Bridgeport packages.  When presented to U.S. Marshals and asked his name, Davis said, “Let’s go with Steve Williams.”

On December 18, 2018, the jury found Davis guilty of one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana, one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 kilograms or more of marijuana, one count of possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Davis faces immigration proceedings when he completes his prison term.

On November 20, 2017, Goffe pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 50 kilograms or more of marijuana, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.  On February 28, 2018, she was sentenced to 30 months of imprisonment.

This matter has been investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Connecticut State Police, with the assistance of Bridgeport Police Department, U.S Customs and Border Patrol and the U.S. Marshals Service.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rahul Kale.

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that RAY FONTANEZ, also known as “Pun,” 34, of Bridgeport, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for distributing heroin.

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, resulted in federal charges against 19 defendants and the seizure of narcotics, items used to process and package drugs for street sale, eight firearms, and more than $360,000 in cash.  Fontanez was intercepted over a wiretap discussing the acquisition and distribution of heroin with Luis Martinez.  The conversations revealed that Fontanez, who sold heroin to his own customers, was helping Martinez transition from the sale of cocaine and opioid pills to the sale of heroin.

Fontanez was arrested on January 15, 2019.  On December 20, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.

Martinez, also known as “Macho,” of Stratford, pleaded guilty to narcotics distribution and firearm offenses and, on January 26, 2021, was sentenced to 63 months of imprisonment.

This matter is being 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.

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that that JERRY ROLLINS, also known as “Prank,” 37, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing crack cocaine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an FBI New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force and New Haven Police Department investigation into narcotics trafficking in the Hill section of New Haven.  The investigation included court-authorized wiretaps and multiple controlled purchases of crack.  Between July and September 2020, investigators made five controlled purchases of crack from Rollins.  Intercepted communications subsequently confirmed that Rollins was selling distribution quantities of crack to other street-level dealers.

Rollins was arrested on January 26, 2021.  On that date, a search of his residence revealed crack, narcotics processing and packaging materials, and more than $9,000 in cash.

Rollins has been detained since his arrest.  On October 20, 2021, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, cocaine base (“crack”).

The FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force includes members from the New Haven Police Department, Milford Police Department, Hamden Police Department, East Haven Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.  The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and West Haven Police Department have assisted the investigation.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel J. Gentile and Marc H. Silverman 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.

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JONATHAN RIVERS, 39, of Meriden, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 96 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, on February 26, 2020, Meriden Police arrested Rivers after a search of a disabled vehicle on his property revealed more than 575 grams of cocaine, more than 44 grams of crack cocaine, more than 52 grams of fentanyl, more than 26 grams of heroin, 690 grams of marijuana, a Highpoint Model HCP .40 caliber handgun, a Smith and Wesson Model 629-1 44 Magnum Revolver, a Romanian Model TTC 9mm handgun, and 18 rounds of .40 caliber ammunition.  A quantity of crack cocaine was also found in a vehicle Rivers had driven earlier that day.

Rivers’ criminal history includes state convictions for robbery, kidnapping and drug 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 September 29, 2021, Rivers pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon.

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

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”), and the Meriden Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Margaret Donovan and Konstantin Lantsman, with assistance from Law Student Intern Joseph Linfield.

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.

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CORTNEY DUNLAP, 37, of Burlington, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 57 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for operating a wide-ranging scheme that defrauded the Connecticut Medicaid Program of more than $1.3 million.

According to court documents and statements in court, from 2014 to 2020, Dunlap was a Licensed Professional Counselor with offices located on Brainard Road in Hartford.  Dunlap also owned two entities, Inspirational Care and KEYS Program Inc., through which he managed group homes in Hartford, Bristol, Cromwell and Waterbury, including residences for women and children who were victims of domestic abuse.

From August 2018 through October 2020, Dunlap engaged in a scheme to defraud the Connecticut Medicaid Program by submitting claims for psychotherapy services that were purportedly provided to Medicaid clients.  The vast majority of the claims were for occasions and dates of service when no psychotherapy services of any kind had been provided to the Medicaid clients identified in the claims.  On a limited number of occasions, some of the services were rendered by unlicensed individuals who were not qualified or licensed to provide psychotherapy.

The Connecticut Medicaid program suspended Dunlap as a Medicaid provider on approximately April 28, 2020, and, on May 7, 2020, federal law enforcement agents executed a court-authorized search of Dunlap’s Hartford offices.  Dunlap subsequently billed Medicaid for psychotherapy services through Inspirational Care for services that which were not provided, using the provider number of a licensed clinical social worker who did not provide the services and was not aware that her provider number was being used to bill for the nonexistent services.

Dunlap required tenants of the group homes operated or managed by Inspirational Care and KEYS program to provide copies of the Medicaid member cards for the tenants and their children as a condition of the tenants residing at the group homes.  Dunlap then used these Medicaid member numbers to bill Medicaid for psychotherapy services that were not provided to the tenants or their children.  Dunlap used the Medicaid member numbers of approximately 65 tenants or their children to bill Medicaid for fraudulent services, and Medicaid paid Dunlap approximately $543,117 for psychotherapy services that were not provided to these individuals.

In February 2019, the New Haven Public Schools hired Dunlap as a guidance counselor at the New Haven Adult and Continuing Education Center.  In February 2020, Dunlap accessed a database containing personal identifying information of students and former students enrolled at New Haven Adult and Continuing Education, many of whom Dunlap did not have any professional relationship with and had never met.  Dunlap used the information he acquired to determine whether the students were insured by Medicaid and, if so, identified the students’ Medicaid member identification numbers.  He then billed Medicaid for fraudulent psychotherapy services that were never provided to the students.  Dunlap used the personal identifying information and Medicaid member numbers of approximately 135 New Haven Adult and Continuing Education students to bill Medicaid for fraudulent services, and was paid a total of approximately $593,383 by Medicaid for these claims.

Dunlap also fraudulently billed Medicaid for psychotherapy services purportedly provided to employees of Inspirational Care when no such services were provided, and submitted fraudulent claims to Medicaid for psychotherapy services purportedly provided to members of his family when no such services were provided.

Judge Dooley ordered to Dunlap to pay restitution to Medicaid in the amount of $1,313,322.

U.S. Attorney Boyle noted that Connecticut Department of Social Services, working in close cooperation with law enforcement, suspended Medicaid payments to Dunlap and recovered $337,777.63 that Dunlap was slated to receive from Medicaid.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Civil Division also seized and forfeited $412,415.20 from Dunlap’s bank accounts.  Dunlap has made an additional restitution payment of $20,000, leaving a restitution obligation of $543,129.17.

Dunlap was arrested on a criminal complaint on October 14, 2020.  On June 4, 2021, he pleaded guilty to one count of health care fraud.

Dunlap, who is released on bond, is required to report to prison on April 25.

This investigation has been conducted by the Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the Office of the Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Office of the Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Education, the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Connecticut Chief State’s Attorney’s Office, the Connecticut Attorney General’s Office and the Connecticut Department of Social Services.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Sheldon with the assistance of Auditor Susan N. Spiegel.

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DANIEL JIMENEZ DE LA CRUZ, 36, a citizen of the Dominican Republic last residing in Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 60 months of imprisonment for distributing fentanyl.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Jimenez was arrested on September 20, 2018, after Drug Enforcement Administration special agents executed a search warrant at his Waterbury residence.  Outside of Jimenez’s bedroom window, agents found a trash bag that contained approximately 63 grams of fentanyl, a loaded Smith and Wesson .38 caliber revolver, several rounds of ammunition, and items used to process and package narcotics for street sale.  Investigators also found $10,185 in cash in Jimenez’s bedroom.

Jimenez, who has been detained since his arrest, previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.

Jimenez faces immigration proceedings when he completes his prison term.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John T. Pierpont, Jr. and Amanda S. Oakes.

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.

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOSE PEREZ, 40, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 33 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release.  On September 24, 2021, a jury found Perez guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

According to the evidence and testimony at trial, on November 13, 2016, Hartford Police detectives responding to a ShotSpotter activation recovered a loaded revolver in a car last registered to Perez and containing documents addressed to Perez in the glove box.  DNA analysis of the seized firearm indicated Perez had handled the firearm.

Prior to November 2016, Perez had sustained state felony convictions for narcotics and burglary offenses.  It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

Perez was apprehended on January 19, 2021.

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

This matter was investigated by the Hartford Police Department and the FBI’s Connecticut Violent Crime Task Force, with the assistance of the Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tara E. Levens and Maria del Pilar Gonzalez.

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.

TYIESE WARREN, also known as “Loose Screw,” 21, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 480 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for murder and other violent crimes he committed as a member of a Bridgeport gang.

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

According to court documents and statements made in court, the FBI, ATF, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service and Bridgeport Police have been investigating multiple Bridgeport-based gangs whose members are involved in narcotics trafficking, murder and other acts of violence.  Warren has been a member of the “Original North End” (“O.N.E.”), a gang based in the Trumbull Gardens area of Bridgeport whose members sold narcotics, laundered narcotics proceeds, committed acts of violence against rival gang members, robbed drug dealers, stole cars from inside and outside Connecticut and used them to commit crimes, and tampered with witnesses who might testify against them.  From approximately 2017 until August 2020, O.N.E. members were aligned with the “Greene Homes Boyz” (“GHB/Hotz”), a gang based in the Charles F. Greene Homes Housing Complex in Bridgeport’s North End, against rival groups in Bridgeport, including the East End, East Side and PT Barnum gangs, as well as 150, which is a geographic gang based on the West Side of Bridgeport.

On December 8, 2019, Warren and others shot and killed Ty’Quess Moore, 18, a member or associate of the East End/P.T. Barnum gang alliance.

Warren also helped plan and carry out the retaliation shootings of East End gang members and associates in a brazen afternoon shooting in front of a Bridgeport courthouse.  At 12:11 p.m. on January 27, 2020, Bridgeport Police responded to the area of 172 Golden Hill Street in Bridgeport after a Shot Spotter activation detected approximately 20 shots being fired in front of the state courthouse located there.  Upon arrival, investigators discovered that four victims had been shot while sitting inside a black Chevrolet Impala.  One victim was shot in the side of his chest and was left paralyzed and a second victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his back, shoulder and wrist.  The victims’ vehicle had approximately 23 entry bullet holes in the driver’s side and windshield area.

Warren also participated in gang-related drug trafficking.

Further, on March 25, 2020, Warren and an accomplice stole a car that was in front of the Citgo 6M Service Station and Quik Mart located at 2000 Barnum Avenue in Stratford.  During the theft, they dragged the car’s driver, who was trying to stop the theft and was hanging onto the car, several hundred yards before he let go.  Warren and an accomplice then engaged in a carjacking involving a Toyota Corolla in Bridgeport, holding the owner at gunpoint and ultimately driving away in the car.  Minutes later, Warren and an accomplice committed a gunpoint robbery of the Citgo in Stratford, taking cash from the store and a cellphone from a store employee.  Stratford Police arrested Warren later that night after he crashed another stolen car he was driving on an I-95 on-ramp and then ran from police.

Warren has been detained since March 25, 2020.  On October 25, 2021, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity.

This ongoing investigation is being conducted by ATF, the FBI’s Safe Streets and Violent Crimes Task Forces, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Bridgeport Police Department, Connecticut State Police and the Bridgeport State’s Attorney’s Office, with the assistance of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory and the Stratford and Naugatuck Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rahul Kale, Karen L. Peck, Jocelyn C. Kaoutzanis, and Stephanie T. Levick.

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

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

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

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

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division, and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, today announced that WILLIE FRANCO, 33, and DANIELLA FOX, 31, both of New Haven, were arrested yesterday and charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and fentanyl.

As alleged in a criminal complaint, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force and Drug Enforcement Administration have been investigating Franco and Fox’s narcotics trafficking activities since 2021.  On March 2, 2022, investigators intercepted a USPS parcel destined for an address in East Haven associated with Franco and Fox.  A court-authorized search of the parcel revealed approximately one kilogram of cocaine and one kilogram of fentanyl.  Investigators also identified other suspicious parcels, which originated in Arizona and California, that had been mailed to the address, and another address associated with Franco and Fox, since July 2021.

On March 7, 2022, law enforcement made a controlled delivery of the intercepted parcel to the East Haven address.  Franco and Fox, who were waiting in a car that was parked on the street, were arrested after Fox retrieved the package.  A subsequent search of Franco and Fox’s New Haven residence resulted in the seizure of approximately one kilogram of fentanyl, a quantity of crack cocaine, digital scales and other narcotics packaging paraphernalia, a loaded Glock .40 pistol with an obliterated serial number, a drum extended magazine for a high-capacity rifle, a bulletproof vest, ammunition, and more than $300,000 in cash.

Franco and Fox appeared yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven and were ordered detained.

If convicted of the charge, Franco and Fox face a maximum term of  imprisonment of 20 years.

U.S. Attorney Boyle 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 ongoing investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the New Haven Police Department, East Haven Police Department and Connecticut State Police.  The Task Force includes members from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Postal Service – Office of the Inspector General, the Connecticut Army National Guard, and the Hartford, New Britain, Meriden and Town of Groton Police Departments.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tara E. Levens and Konstantin Lantsman.

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that GLADSTONE BENJAMIN, JR., 30, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 42 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for drug distribution and firearm possession offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in April 2019, Hartford Police made two controlled purchases of marijuana from Benjamin at his Collins Street residence.  On April 23, 2019, investigators conducted a court-authorized search of Gladstone’s residence and found a loaded Taurus 9mm handgun with an extended clip; two loaded Taurus .45 caliber handguns; a loaded semiautomatic handgun that did not contain a make, model or serial number stamp; a Remington Arms 12 gauge shotgun with an unreadable serial number; more than 1,000 rounds of loose and boxed ammunition, and distribution quantities of heroin and marijuana.

Benjamin’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for firearm and drug 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 February 8, 2021, Benjamin pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin and marijuana, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

On February 26, 2021, Benjamin, who was released on bond, was arrested by Hartford Police after they found him in a car with two firearms.  He has been detained since his arrest, and his state charges are pending.

This investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and the Hartford Police Department.  The FBI Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, New Britain Police Department, West Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anastasia E. King and Konstantin Lantsman.

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.

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that GLADSTONE BENJAMIN, JR., 30, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 42 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for drug distribution and firearm possession offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in April 2019, Hartford Police made two controlled purchases of marijuana from Benjamin at his Collins Street residence.  On April 23, 2019, investigators conducted a court-authorized search of Gladstone’s residence and found a loaded Taurus 9mm handgun with an extended clip; two loaded Taurus .45 caliber handguns; a loaded semiautomatic handgun that did not contain a make, model or serial number stamp; a Remington Arms 12 gauge shotgun with an unreadable serial number; more than 1,000 rounds of loose and boxed ammunition, and distribution quantities of heroin and marijuana.

Benjamin’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for firearm and drug 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 February 8, 2021, Benjamin pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin and marijuana, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

On February 26, 2021, Benjamin, who was released on bond pending sentencing, was arrested by Hartford Police after they found him in a car with two firearms.  He has been detained since his arrest, and his state charges are pending.

This investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and the Hartford Police Department.  The FBI Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, New Britain Police Department, West Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anastasia E. King and Konstantin Lantsman.

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.

U.S. Attorney Leonard C Boyle, Special Agent in Charge Phillip Coyne of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, and Connecticut Attorney General William Tong today announced that REDWOOD TOXICOLOGY LABORATORY, INC. has entered into a civil settlement agreement with the federal and state governments and has paid nearly $4.8 million to resolve allegations it overcharged the Connecticut Medicaid program for certain laboratory services.

Redwood Toxicology Laboratory (“RTL”), with a headquarters located in Santa Rosa, California, provides laboratory-testing services, specifically urine drug testing services, for substance abuse patients enrolled in the Connecticut Medicaid program.  The government alleges that RTL violated Connecticut’s so-called “Most Favored Nation” regulation (Conn. Agencies Regs. § 17b-262-649), which provides, in essence, that clinical laboratories should not seek payment from Connecticut Medicaid for services at a price that is higher than the lowest price the laboratory charges for the same or similar services from other third parties.  Specifically, the government alleges that RTL regularly accepted payments from Connecticut Medicaid for certain urine drug tests at the rate of $38 per test, while at the same time charging other third parties from $2 to $10.50 for the same or substantially similar urine drug tests.

To resolve the governments’ allegations, RTL agreed to pay $4,797,578, which covers claims submitted to the Connecticut Medicaid program from January 1, 2015, through and including February 24, 2018.

“We are committed to ensuring that public funds used for substance abuse treatment are properly spent, and clinical laboratories that charge government health care programs a higher price than they charge to other providers for the same or similar services will be held accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Boyle. 

This matter was investigated by the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard M. Molot, and Assistant Attorney General Gregory O’Connell of the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General.

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

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that NELIOBET DeJESUS, 44, of Orlando, Florida, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 30 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for trafficking narcotics.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2018, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force began investigating a Hartford area narcotics trafficking operation that involved the use of the U.S. Mail to ship parcels of drugs and drug proceeds.  Investigators determined that Israel Mendoza, also known as “D-Nice,” supplied Michael Copeland, of Bloomfield, with large quantities of cocaine, and that Copeland, at Mendoza’s direction, mailed parcels containing cash to individuals in California.  In September and October, U.S. Postal Inspectors in California intercepted and seized two parcels, each containing approximately $13,000 in cash, that Copeland mailed in Connecticut to addresses in the Fresno area.  Investigators analyzed postal records and identified dozens of additional parcels connected to this drug trafficking network that are suspected to have contained narcotics or drug proceeds.

In February 2019, investigators seized a parcel containing nearly 500 grams of cocaine that had been mailed from California to a Bloomfield residence that was connected to Copeland.

Mendoza worked with others, including DeJesus and Danny Rhodes, in the Hartford area to distribute heroin and cocaine.  During the investigation, after DeJesus had moved to Orlando, Florida, investigators identified a mail parcel that was destined for a residence in Orlando that was linked to DeJesus.  A court authorized search of the parcel revealed approximately 500 grams of cocaine and approximately five grams of fentanyl.

DeJesus was arrested on October 22, 2020.  On June 3, 2021, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine.

Copeland and Rhodes, also of Bloomfield, have pleaded guilty.  On December 8, 2021, Rhodes was sentenced to 87 months of imprisonment, and on December 16, 2021, Copeland was sentenced to 30 months of imprisonment.

Mendoza, last residing in Reading, Pennsylvania, is being sought by law enforcement.  U.S. Attorney Boyle stressed that, as to Mendoza, charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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 Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Connecticut State Police and Hartford Police Department assisted the investigation.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey M. Stone.

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; Christopher Algieri, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Veteran Affairs, Office of the Inspector General, Northeast Field Office; and James M. Noble, Special Agent in Charge, Coast Guard Investigative Service, Northeast Region, today announced that, on March 4, DERRICK BREWER, 37, of Enfield, pleaded guilty via videoconference before U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala to an offense related to his theft of nearly $70,000 from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”).

According to court documents and statements made in court, in March 2018, Brewer submitted paperwork to the VA offices in Hartford as part of an application for service-connected disability benefits.  Specifically, Brewer submitted a form known as a “DD-214,” which indicated that his discharge from his former service in the U.S. Coast Guard was characterized as “Honorable.”  The DD-214 had been altered prior to its submission, as official Coast Guard records show that Brewer’s discharge was characterized as “Other Than Honorable Conditions” following Brewer’s convictions under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.  There is no record of the discharge characterization ever having been upgraded.  As a result of this submission, Brewer collected approximately $69,584.16 in VA benefits from March 2018 through September 2020.

Brewer was arrested on a criminal complaint on October 29, 2020. 

Brewer pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government funds, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  Judge Nagala scheduled sentencing for May 27, 2022.

Brewer is released on a $10,000 bond pending sentencing.

This matter is being investigated by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of the Inspector General, Northeast Field Office, and the Coast Guard Investigative Service.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elena L. Coronado and Margaret M. Donovan.

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that SHAYNE SHAYER, 40, of Thompson, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to approximately one day of imprisonment, time already served, and 10 years of supervised release, for downloading child sex abuse videos from the dark web.

According to court documents and statements made in court, a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigation, which was initiated by law enforcement in Europe, revealed that, in January 2018, Shayer used cryptocurrency to access a dark web server and download 43 videos depicting the sex abuse of children.  The videos included depictions of incest and sodomy, and some involved children under the age of 12.

On February 22, 2021, Shayer pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography.

Judge Chatigny ordered Shayer to perform 200 hours community service while on supervised release, and to pay a mandatory $5,000 special assessment, which will be deposited into a fund that supports victims of child pornography.

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.

Leonard C Boyle, 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 MATTHEW X. SMITH, 28, of Stonington, has been charged by federal criminal complaint with child exploitation offenses.

Smith surrendered to law enforcement today.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven and was released on a $100,000 bond.

As alleged in the complaint, on August 12, 2021, Smith, using the Kik social media application, initiated contact with an FBI Online Covert Employee (“OCE”) who was posing as a 14-year-old girl.  Smith sent sexually explicit messages to the OCE, requested the OCE send him sexually explicit pictures, and discussed meeting the OCE to engage in sexual conduct.  The Kik communication continued in the following days, and investigators also determined that Smith, using a different Kik user account, had engaged in sexually explicit exchanges with the OCE in 2020.  Smith and the OCE agreed to meet on August 18, 2021. 

On August 18, 2021, Smith was arrested by New London Police after he arrived at the agreed upon meeting location.

The complaint charges Smith with attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor, attempted receipt of child pornography, solicitation of child pornography and attempted enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity.

U.S. Attorney Boyle 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 matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the New London Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Stolfi Collins.

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.

MARQUIS ISREAL, also known as “Garf” or “Gbaby,” 25, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 210 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for racketeering offenses related to his participation in a gang-related shooting in front of a state courthouse in Bridgeport in January 2020.

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

According to court documents and statements made in court, the FBI, ATF, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service and Bridgeport Police have been investigating multiple Bridgeport-based gangs whose members are involved in narcotics trafficking, murder and other acts of violence.  Isreal has been a member of the “Original North End” (“O.N.E.”), a gang based in the Trumbull Gardens area of Bridgeport whose members sold narcotics, laundered narcotics proceeds, robbed drug dealers, stole cars from inside and outside Connecticut and used them to commit crimes, and tampered with witnesses who might testify against them.  From approximately 2017 until August 2020, O.N.E. members were aligned with the “Greene Homes Boyz” (“GHB/Hotz”), a gang based in the Charles F. Greene Homes Housing Complex in Bridgeport’s North End, against rival groups in Bridgeport, including the East End, East Side and PT Barnum gangs, as well as 150, which is a geographic gang based on the West Side of Bridgeport.

Isreal and his associates attempted to kill members and associates of the East End gang on January 27, 2020, in a brazen afternoon shooting in front of a Bridgeport courthouse.  At 12:11 p.m. on that date, Bridgeport Police responded to the area of 172 Golden Hill Street in Bridgeport after a Shot Spotter activation detected approximately 20 shots being fired in front of the state courthouse located there.  Upon arrival, investigators discovered that four victims had been shot while sitting inside a black Chevrolet Impala.  One victim was shot in the side of his chest and was left paralyzed and a second victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his back, shoulder and wrist.  The victims’ vehicle had approximately 23 entry bullet holes in the driver’s side and windshield area.

As alleged in court documents in a related case, Isreal had previously been shot and seriously wounded by one of his victims in a restaurant at 1653 Barnum Avenue in the East End of Bridgeport on September 15, 2019.

Isreal has been detained since August 6, 2020.  On September 10, 2021, he pleaded guilty to one count of attempted murder and aiding and abetting, and one count of conspiracy to commit murder, both in violation of the Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering (“VCAR”) statute.

This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the FBI’s Safe Streets and Violent Crimes Task Forces, ATF, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Bridgeport Police Department, Connecticut State Police and the Bridgeport State’s Attorney’s Office, with the assistance of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rahul Kale, Jocelyn C. Kaoutzanis, Karen L. Peck and Stephanie T. Levick.

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

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

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

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

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ARASH VAKHSHOURI, 43, of Las Vegas, Nevada, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to three years of probation for submitting false documents to a government agency.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between January and May 2017, Vakhshouri drafted and sent a total of seven fraudulent letters to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in Connecticut purporting to be from two individuals who had applied to USCIS to become legal residents of the U.S. in March 2016.  The letters, which included the victims’ names, passport numbers, application numbers and alien file numbers, fraudulently requested the withdrawal or cancellation of the victims’ applications for legal permanent resident status in the U.S.  Vakhshouri was attempting to have the two victims be forced to return to Iran, where they are religious minorities.

Vakhshouri was arrested on June 20, 2019, and he pleaded guilty to the offense on June 8, 2021.

Judge Arterton ordered Vakhshouri to perform 100 hours of community service while he is on supervised release, and to pay $9,129 in restitution the victims.

This matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Manchester Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathaniel J. Gentile and Conor M. Reardon.

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that YEHUDI MANZANO, 37, of Waterbury, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to a child exploitation offense.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on August 21, 2016, Manzano used his cell phone to record a video of himself engaging in sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old girl, and then uploaded the video to his Google Photos account.

Manzano was arrested on related state charges on November 10, 2016, and charged federally by indictment on May 3, 2018.  Today, he pleaded guilty to one count of transportation 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.  Judge Underhill scheduled sentencing for May 25.

Manzano is released on a $300,000 bond pending sentencing.

This matter has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Waterbury Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Neeraj N. Patel and Nancy V. Gifford.

U.S. Attorney Boyle thanked the State’s Attorney’s Office for the Judicial District of Waterbury for its 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.

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MAURICE MENAFEE, also known as “Mo,” 32, of New Haven, was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint charging him with drug and firearm offenses.

Menafee appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven and is detained pending a detention hearing that is scheduled for March 4 at 9:30 a.m.

As alleged in court documents, in the morning of February 9, 2022, members of the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force and the New Haven Police Department Shooting Task Force observed a car involved in suspected drug transactions at the intersection of Baldwin Street and Davenport Avenue in New Haven, and then traveling recklessly at high-rate of speed throughout the city.  Investigators subsequently located the vehicle parked at a residence on Plymouth Street and identified the driver as Menafee.  After Menafee was apprehended, a search of his person revealed $564 in cash and a search of the car revealed a Sig Sauer P238 .380 caliber pistol, 64 baggies of crack cocaine, and 116 wax folds of fentanyl.

Menafee was arrested on state charges on February 9 and released on bond.

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

The complaint charges Menafee with possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

U.S. Attorney Boyle 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.

The DEA 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 is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katherine E. Boyles and Nathaniel J. Gentile.

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.

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOSEPH PINA, 24, of East Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 96 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for a child sex trafficking offense.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in October 2019, Pina conspired with his associate, Joel Lindsay, to recruit, entice and transport a 16-year-old girl to engage in commercial sex acts.  Specifically, on October 17, 2019, Pina, Lindsay and another individual picked up the minor victim and took her to a hotel in East Windsor. At the hotel, they took photographs of the minor victim and posted her photos on a website to advertise her sexual services.  Pina and Lindsay then arranged prostitution appointments for the minor victim.  On that night, the minor victim earned at least $100 from prostitution appointments, all of which she gave to Lindsay.

On October 18, 2019, Pina and Lindsay posted more advertisements on the same web site and arranged prostitution appointments for the minor victim at a hotel in Windsor Locks.  The following two days, Pina and Lindsay posted advertisements on the website and the minor victim saw additional prostitution customers.  The victim again gave all of the money earned through these appointments to Lindsay.

The investigation further revealed that Pina and Lindsay engaged in sexual activity with the minor victim, even though they knew that she was under the age of 18.  The minor victim also reported to investigators that Lindsay physically assaulted her.

On October 6, 2021, Pina pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a minor.

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

On October 15, 2021, Lindsay, also known as “Joey Guapo,” pleaded guilty to one count of sex trafficking of a minor.  He is scheduled to be sentenced on April 13.  Lindsay, a citizen of Jamaica, has been detained since arrest on August 20, 2020.

This matter has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Angel M. Krull.

Leonard C Boyle, 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 MICHAEL FERRO, 36, formerly of Avon, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to one count of distribution of child pornography.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on August 18, 2021, Ferro, using the Kik social media application, began chatting in a Kik group with an FBI Online Covert Employee (“OCE”) who was posing as a father of a 12-year-old girl.  After Ferro determined that the OCE was engaging in sexual activity with his “daughter,” he sent the OCE a photo depicting the genitals of a child.  Ferro then stated that he had more pictures to share, and expressed an interest in meeting the OCE’s daughter to engage in sexual activity.  After confirming Ferro’s identity, investigators traveled to Ferro’s Avon residence late in the evening of August 18, informed him of the investigation, and seized his cell phone.

Ferro was arrested on a criminal complaint on September 29, 2021.

Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for May 24, 2022, at which time Ferro faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

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

This matter has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Avon Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nancy V. Gifford.

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

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

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that BABAR KHAN, 43, of South Windsor, pleaded guilty today via videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector to conspiracy and tax offenses related to a scheme through which individuals seeking immigration services were defrauded.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Khan and his wife, Khatija Khan, operated JLLAS CORP. and EIMAAN LLC, which were created to provide services to clients involved in proceedings with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”).  From 2015 to 2020, the Khans recruited clients who sought some form of immigration status, relief or benefit.  Many of these clients are aliens residing in the U.S. without legal status and had limited education, a limited ability to understand English, and little to no knowledge of the documents that the Khans were filing with USCIS on their behalf. 

Khatija Khan represented herself as an attorney with a background in immigration matters, even though she was not an attorney.  The Khans prepared petitions and applications for their clients that contained information that they knew to be false.  They also fabricated false documents to support their clients’ applications with USCIS without their clients’ knowledge.  They then mailed, or caused to be mailed, these fraudulent applications and documents to USCIS, where they were received and made part of the official Alien file of each respective client.

Many of the Khans’ clients received no relief from USCIS despite paying the Khans significant amounts of money.  To generate fees from clients, Khatija Khan filed applications with USCIS even when the submissions lacked merit or a legitimate basis. 

Victims identified to date lost a total of $326,212 as a result of this scheme.

In pleading guilty, Babar Khan also admitted that, in the 2016 tax year, he failed to report to the IRS approximately $27,901 in additional taxable income and failed to pay an additional $7,942 in federal taxes that were owed.

Babar Khan and Khatija Khan were arrested on December 19, 2019.  After her arrest, Khatija Khan continued to defraud multiple clients.           

Babar Khan pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, and offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and one count of making and subscribing a false tax return, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of three years.  He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill on May 23 in Bridgeport.  Khan is released on a $50,000 bond pending sentencing.

On November 19, 2021, Khatija Khan pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and one count of mail fraud.  She awaits sentencing.

This matter is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, with assistance from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Chen.

Individuals who believe they have been victimized by this scheme contact Ines Cenatiempo, Victim-Witness Coordinator of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, at Ines.Cenatiempo@usdoj.gov or by phone at 203-821-3757.

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that INNIS FREDERICK, 61, of Saint Cloud, Florida, pleaded guilty today via videoconference before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden to a tax offense, which stemmed from his employment at a Stratford-based home healthcare company.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Frederick worked as the payroll manager for Equinox Home Care, LLC (“ECH”), a home healthcare company based in Stratford that was originally established as a partnership between Frederick’s sister, Theresa Foreman, and another individual.  In September 2012, the partnership ended, and, by court order, Foreman was obligated to make payments to her partner for the purchase of the partner’s interest in EHC.  Between approximately 2012 and 2016, Frederick assisted Foreman by processing payroll that caused checks to be issued to “ghost employees,” who did not actually work for ECH.  The money paid to the ghost employees was actually paid to Foreman, who did not report the hundreds of thousands of dollars of income on her tax returns.  By submitting false payroll data, Frederick also caused false Forms W-2 and W-3 to be submitted to the Internal Revenue Service.

Frederick pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and impede and impair the IRS, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.

Frederick has agreed that the tax loss attributable to him as a result of his involvement in this scheme is approximately $248,827.

Frederick is released on a $20,000 bond pending sentencing, which is not scheduled.

Foreman was previously charged and convicted in relation to this scheme, and other conduct.  She has been ordered to pay more than $600,000 in restitution to the IRS.

Former Chief Financial Officer of the home healthcare company, Pamela Smith, also was charged and convicted in a related case.

This matter is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer R. Laraia and Peter S. Jongbloed. 

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that ALEJANDRO CASTILLO, 42, a citizen of Belize last residing in Los Angeles, California, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for trafficking crystal methamphetamine to Connecticut.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on September 22, 2020, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force arrested an individual who possessed more than 400 grams of crystal methamphetamine.  Investigators learned that the individual had received the meth from a tractor trailer driver who regularly transported kilogram quantities of meth and other drugs from California to locations in the eastern U.S.  In October 2020, the individual traveled to California and was introduced to Jason Williams, who was identified as a supplier of large quantities of meth and marijuana.  Williams then traveled to Connecticut with Castillo and, on October 27, 2020, Williams and Castillo provided the individual with a crate containing approximately 2.2 kilograms (nearly five pounds) of meth.  Williams told the individual to use the crate to ship them $60,000 in proceeds from the sale of the drugs.

On November 11, 2020, law enforcement seized an additional five pounds of crystal meth that Williams shipped from California to Connecticut.

Castillo has been detained since his arrest on November 16, 2020.  On October 15, 2021, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

Castillo faces immigration proceedings when he completes his prison term.

On October 27, 2021, Williams, also a citizen of Belize, was sentenced to 60 months of imprisonment.

The DEA’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. Attorney Geoffrey M. Stone.

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DANIEL ESTREMERA, 42, last residing in East Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 138 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for his role in a fentanyl trafficking ring, and for violating the conditions of his supervised release that followed a prior federal conviction.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in July 2019, the DEA’s Hartford Task Force began investigating a Mexican-based drug trafficking organization that was distributing fentanyl and heroin in Connecticut.  The investigation revealed that members of the organization were receiving kilogram-quantities of narcotics, primarily fentanyl, from a source of supply, and then distributing the drug to various narcotics traffickers, including Estremera. Estremera and others then sold the drug to street-level distributors.

Members of the organization delivered cash generated from the sale of narcotics to a money broker in Brooklyn, New York, who assisted in laundering the narcotics proceeds before they were transferred to leaders of the drug trafficking organization.  On August 14, 2019, investigators stopped Estremera’s car, after Estremera met with a drug associate, and seized $14,960 in cash.  On August 28, 2019, after observing Estremera transferring a shopping bag to another individual, investigators stopped the other individual’s vehicle and seized $72,570 in cash that was contained in the bag.  Between August and October 2019, law enforcement seized more than $100,000 in cash from other members of the drug trafficking organization.

Members of the organization used several locations to store, process and package fentanyl for street stale, including office space on Pratt Street in Hartford, an apartment in the Asylum Hill neighborhood in Hartford, and an apartment in New Britain.  Estremera used an apartment on South Street in West Hartford to process, package and store narcotics.  On March 13, 2020, investigators searched the apartment and seized approximately 1.5 kilograms of fentanyl and approximately 500 wax folds of the drug.

Estremera and several co-defendants were arrested on April 28, 2020.  On that date, investigators seized approximately $100,000 in cash, a firearm, several thousand wax folds of suspected fentanyl, and numerous items used in the processing and packaging of narcotics.

Estremera has been detained since his arrest.

On June 3, 2020, a grand jury returned an indictment charging Estremera and nine others with narcotics distribution and money laundering offenses.  On July 20, 2021, Estremera pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.

Estremera’s criminal history includes a state drug conviction for which he served a 42-month prison sentence, and a federal conviction stemming from his role in a Hartford-area heroin trafficking ring.  In February 2009, was sentenced in federal court 120 months of imprisonment, followed by eight years of supervised release.  He was released from prison in March 2018 and was on supervised release at the time of his arrest for his conduct in this case.

Judge Hall sentenced Estremera to 120 months of imprisonment for trafficking fentanyl, and a consecutive 18 months of imprisonment for violating the conditions of his supervised release.

The DEA’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.  Agencies assisting the investigation include the DEA New York Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (“OCDETF”) Strike Force and the New York Police Department.

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.

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MICHAEL NIEVES, 30, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to 168 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for trafficking fentanyl.

According to court documents and statements made in court, the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force and the Norwich Police Department launched an investigation after several fatal and non-fatal overdoses occurred in a short period of time in eastern Connecticut.  Investigators determined that, beginning at least as early as January 2017 and continuing to July 2018, Nieves worked with Juan Reyes to supply heroin and fentanyl to other distributors, including individuals who regularly traveled from eastern Connecticut to Hartford to purchase the drugs.  Those individuals then sold the drug to customers in the Norwich and New London areas.

On July 5, 2017, Norwich Police officers responded to a residence on the report of an overdose.  The victim, a 34-year-old male, was transported to the hospital where he died.  The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner subsequently determined the victim’s cause of death to be “acute fentanyl intoxication.”  The investigation revealed that Christopher Dubicki, of Norwich, sold the fentanyl to the victim after previously purchasing it from Nieves and Reyes.

Investigators have connected six other overdoses, three fatal and three non-fatal, to drugs that were supplied by Nieves and Reyes.

Nieves has been detained since his arrest on June 5, 2018.  On June 29, 2021, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.

Reyes, last residing in West Hartford, pleaded guilty to the same charge on June 9, 2021.  On October 26, he was sentenced to 151 months of imprisonment and followed by five years of supervised release.

Dubicki pleaded guilty to fentanyl, heroin and cocaine distribution charges and is detained while awaiting sentencing.

This investigation has been conducted by the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force and the Norwich Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Stolfi Collins.

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DOUGLAS SENERTH, 32, of South Windsor, pleaded guilty today in New Haven federal court to a fraud offense related to his theft of approximately $679,000 from his grandparents.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between 2011 and 2019, Senerth defrauded his grandmother and his late grandfather by falsely claiming to be a college student and inducing them to give him approximately $419,000 to pay for nonexistent college tuition and other related expenses, and an additional approximately $260,000 by falsely claiming that he would invest their money into an investment fund run by one of his nonexistent professors.  As part of the scheme, Senerth created fraudulent college transcripts, letters and email accounts that he used to corroborate his lies.

Senerth has been detained in state custody since February 10, 2021, when he was arrested on unrelated charges.

Senerth pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford on May 17, 2022.

Senerth has agreed to pay restitution of $679,944.

This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Cherry.

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).  For more information, please visit: https://ovc.ojp.gov/program/stop-elder-fraud/providing-help-restoring-hope.

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that THEO SARGENT, also known as “Ciph,” 43, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 33 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for unlawfully possessing firearms and narcotics.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 10, 2019, New Haven Police conducted a court-authorized search of his residence on Quinnipiac Avenue in New Haven and seized three handguns, more than 300 rounds of ammunition, approximately 20 grams of crack, quantities of marijuana and MDMA, and items used to process and package narcotics for street sale.  Sargent was arrested on state charges on that date.

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

On October 19, 2021, Sargent pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (“crack”), and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon.

Sargent, who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on April 20, 2022.

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

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.

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that GERIATRIC & ADULT PSYCHIATRY, LLC, (“GAP”) and its owner, ALAN SIEGAL, M.D., have entered into a civil settlement agreement with the federal and state governments to resolve allegations that they improperly employed an individual who was excluded from all federal healthcare programs.  GAP is a medical practice located in Hamden.

To resolve their liability under the federal and state False Claims Acts, GAP and Siegal will pay $310,874.

In 2006, Eric Ressner, a physician, was convicted in the Southern District of Florida of conspiracy to commit health care fraud.  As a result of his conviction, he was excluded from all federal health care programs. 

When the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) excludes an individual or entity from federal health care programs, no program payments may be made for items or services furnished by that excluded individual or entity.  In September 1999, HHS-OIG issued a Special Advisory Bulletin in order to provide guidance to health care providers who might employ or contract with an excluded individual or entity.  In May 2013, HHS-OIG issued an Updated Special Advisor Bulletin containing additional guidance.  Both the original and updated Special Advisory Bulletins advised that, in order to avoid potential liability, health care providers should check the List of Excluded Individuals/Entities on the HHS-OIG web site: http://oig.hhs.gov/exclusions

In February 2016, GAP and Siegal hired Ressner to be the clinical director at GAP.  Ressner served in that position until June 2021.  During that time, GAP and Siegal billed and sought reimbursements from federal healthcare programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE and the Railroad Retirement Medicare Program.  A portion of the reimbursements that GAP and Siegal received were used to pay Ressner’s salary and benefits.

This matter was investigated by the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard M. Molot and Assistant Attorney General Greggory O’Connell of the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General.

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

U.S. Attorney Leonard C Boyle, Special Agent in Charge David Sundberg of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and New Haven Police Acting Chief Renee Dominguez today announced that eight individuals have been charged with federal offenses related to the distribution of fentanyl, heroin, crack and powder cocaine in the New Haven area.  As a result of the investigation, law enforcement seized approximately 19 kilograms of cocaine, more than 7,000 bags of fentanyl, and more than $780,000 in cash.

Charged in a five-count indictment are:

JASHON SPEARMAN, also known as “J ” and “Deuce,” 33, of New Haven
JAMES HILLARD, 64, of New York and New Jersey
HENRY HORTON, also known as “Bodie,” 39, of New Haven
JAYQUAN MARTINEZ, also known as “Neighbor” and “Quan,” 20, of New Haven
KISHON SHIELDS, also known as “L.A.” and “Key,” 24, of New Haven
RAYQUAN GORY, also known as “Wavy,” 26, of New Haven
JEREMIAH HARGROVE, also known as “Myers” and “Miah,” 39, of New Haven
TIFFANY BROWN, also known as “Tiff,” 39 of New Haven

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, in the fall of 2021, the New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force and New Haven Police Department began investigating Spearman and others for the distribution of narcotics in and around the West Hills neighborhood, including the McConaughy Terrace housing complex, in New Haven.  The investigation revealed that Hillard was supplying Spearman with heroin and fentanyl, and that Spearman was receiving kilogram quantities of cocaine through the U.S. Mail from a source in Puerto Rico.  On February 4, 2022, investigators arrested Spearman and Hillard after they met in the Bronx, New York, and a search of Hillard’s car revealed more than 7,000 folds of suspected heroin/fentanyl and approximately $30,000 in cash.

It is further alleged that, on February 8, investigators executed court-authorized search warrants at several locations, including a Ward Street residence where Spearman distributed narcotics, and vehicles in which Spearman was suspected of storing narcotics.  A search of a minivan revealed approximately 19 kilograms of cocaine; a search of a vehicle registered to Spearman revealed $750,400 in cash, assorted jewelry and a quantity of fentanyl; and a search of the Ward Street residence revealed additional cash, several money counters, and numerous cellphones.  The search also found and seized five firearms.

On February 15, a grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging the eight defendants with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute various quantities of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine base (“crack”) and cocaine.  Spearman, Horton, Martinez, Shields and Gory are also charged with additional narcotics offenses.  If convicted of the most serious charges in the indictment, Spearman faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life; Hillard faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years, and Horton, Martinez, Shields, Gory, Hargrove and Brown face a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

Horton, Martinez, Shields, Gory, Hargrove and Brown were arrested on February 17.

The indictment also seeks the forfeiture of the seized cash, jewelry and four vehicles.

“I credit all the members of the FBI Safe Streets/Gang Task Force for their great work in this investigation, which has disrupted the flow of a significant amount of cocaine and fentanyl into Connecticut,” said U.S. Attorney Boyle.  “The cocaine and cash seized earlier this month was extraordinary, and would not have been accomplished without a terrific, coordinated effort by all involved.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work with our federal, state and local partners to stem the drug trade in our cities and appropriately prosecute those responsible for it.”

“We understand the frustration at times expressed by community members about the drug activity within their neighborhoods,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Sundberg.  “This case is the response to some of those demands for action by residents.  The severe impact of this case will be felt for some time thanks to the coordinated efforts of all of our law enforcement partners.”

“We value the relationships we have with our federal partners and the collaborative work that is routinely done,” said Chief Dominguez.  “The arrests of these individuals will provide an immediate positive impact in the community as we continue to work together to make our community safer.  I am grateful for the dedication and hard work from everyone involved in this investigation.”

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

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

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

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that GEORGE HARRIS, 40, last residing in Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 12 months and one day of imprisonment for illegally possessing firearms.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on July 12, 2020, Harris was transported by ambulance to Hartford Hospital in an intoxicated state.  When the attending nurse began changing Harris out of his clothes and into hospital garments, a loaded .38 caliber semiautomatic pistol fell from one of his pants pockets.

Prior to July 2020, Harris had been convicted of a felony offense.  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.

Harris has been detained since his arrest on July 17, 2021.  At the time of his arrest, he possessed another loaded semiautomatic pistol.

On October 20, 2021, Harris pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon.

Harris, a citizen of Jamaica, faces immigration proceedings when he completes his prison term.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Hartford Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda S. Oakes.

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.

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, David Sundberg, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Christina D. Scaringi, Special Agent in Charge of the Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, today announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford has returned an indictment charging former employee of the City of West Haven and his three alleged co-conspirators for their involvement in schemes that resulted in the theft of more than $1.2 million dollars in COVID relief funds and other funds from the City of West Haven.

The six-count indictment, which was returned yesterday, charges MICHAEL DiMASSA, 31, JOHN TRASACCO, 50, LAUREN KNOX, 37, and JOHN BERNARDO, 65, all of West Haven, with conspiracy and fraud offenses.  Trasacco and Knox, who were arrested today, and DiMassa and Bernardo, who were previously arrested, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven and pleaded not guilty to the charges.  They are released on bond pending trial.

As alleged in the indictment, 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 Trasacco, Knox and Bernardo 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 indictment alleges that DiMassa conspired with Trasacco through the submission of fraudulent invoices to L & H Company and JIL Sanitation Services, two entities controlled by Trasacco, for goods and services never received by West Haven, 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.  L & H Company and JIL Sanitation Services received approximately $431,982 through this scheme.

The indictment also alleges that DiMassa and Knox, who are now married, submitted numerous fraudulent invoices to West Haven for services related to a Youth Violence Prevention Program and for Youth Violence COVID-19 Associated Expenses.  These invoices listed charges for in-home counseling, cleaning supplies, special needs hourly service, wi-fi assistance for low/moderate income families, counseling services, license fees, a fall youth clinic, meals, support group supplies, equipment rental, and youth clinic support group.  West Haven made at least 16 payments totaling approximately $147,776.10 to Knox, who never provided any services to the City of West Haven.

It is further alleged that in January 2021, DiMassa and Bernardo formed Compass Investment Group, LLC.  Beginning in February 2021, Compass Investment Group LLC fraudulently billed the City of West Haven and its “COVID-19 Grant Department” for consulting services purportedly provided to the West Haven Health Department that were not performed.  From February 2021 through September 2021, the City of West Haven paid Compass Investment Group a total of $636,783.70.  Bernardo received at least $45,000 of these funds.

As disclosed previously in court documents, it is alleged that DiMassa made several large cash withdrawals from the Compass Investment Group LLC bank account, some of which were made shortly before or after he was recorded as having made a large cash “buy-in” of gaming chips at the Mohegan Sun Casino.

The indictment charges DiMassa with three counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and three counts of wire fraud.  Trasacco, Knox and Bernardo are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit fraud and one count of wire fraud.  Each charge carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

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

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

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.

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that CEDRIC GOODWIN, also known as “Ceddyo,” 32, last residing in West Haven, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to 57 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for firearm and drug offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in the early morning hours of September 22, 2019, Goodwin attempted to enter a bar located on Crown Street in downtown New Haven.  During a pat-down search of Goodwin by a security worker, a firearm magazine fell from Goodwin’s right ankle area.  Goodwin retrieved the magazine and left the establishment.  The security worker notified nearby New Haven Police officers who subsequently located Goodwin.  As they approached Goodwin, the officers heard the sound of an object hitting the ground.  Goodwin was detained, and a search of the area revealed a firearm magazine containing eight rounds of .380 caliber ammunition.  Goodwin was arrested on state charges at that time.

Goodwin’s criminal history includes felony convictions for narcotics, weapon, robbery and assault offenses.  On March 10, 2020, Goodwin was arrested on a federal criminal complaint charging him with possession of ammunition by a convicted felon.  Following his arrest, he was released on a $100,000 bond and other conditions, including that he reside at the home of a third-party custodian on Sanford Street in West Haven.  Law enforcement subsequently received information that Goodwin was engaged in narcotics trafficking activity and was in possession of a firearm.

On May 14, 2020, Goodwin was arrested after investigators conducted a court-authorized search of his residence and, in the garage, found a Smith and Wesson revolver, several rounds of assorted ammunition, multiple baggies of suspected heroin, a quantity of marijuana, and items used to process and package drugs for street sale.

Goodwin has been detained since his arrest.  On July 14, 2021, he pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of ammunition by a felon, possession with intent to distribute heroin and marijuana, and commission of an offense while on federal pretrial release.

This investigation was conducted 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 Maria del Pilar Gonzalez.

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.

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CHRISTOPHER J. BRERETON, 35, of Fargo, North Dakota, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 37 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for traveling to Connecticut to attempt to engage in sex with a minor.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in January 2020, Brereton began chatting online with a minor female who had an online profile stating she was 18 years old.  In February 2020, a law enforcement officer received permission to take over the minor’s account and, in an undercover capacity, the officer informed Brereton of the female’s true age of 15 years old.  Brereton continued to chat with the “girl,” discussed engaging in sexual activity with her and made plans to drive to Connecticut meet her for sex.

On March 12, 2020, Brereton began driving from North Dakota and he arrived at a hotel in Meriden the next day.  At the hotel, Brereton unpacked lingerie and sexual paraphernalia he had purchased for the planned sexual encounter.  He was arrested later that day by New Haven Police on state charges after he drove to a location where he had arranged to meet the “girl.”

Brereton has been detained since his arrest.  On July 19, 2021, he pleaded guilty to one count of traveling interstate with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.

This matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the New Haven Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anastasia E. King.

U.S. Attorney Boyle thanked the New Haven State Attorney’s Office for its assistance in the prosecution of this case.

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.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division, today announced that ABRAHAM ROSADO, 33, of New London, pleaded guilty yesterday in Bridgeport federal court to a narcotics trafficking offense stemming from his role in a conspiracy in which cocaine was mailed through the U.S. Postal Service from Puerto Rico to southeastern Connecticut.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in August 2020, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force in Connecticut intercepted a suspicious package that was destined for a location in Puerto Rico.  A court-authorized search of the package revealed $158,900 in cash.  Investigators established a connection between Raul Robles, who is Rosado’s cousin, and the seized package, and learned that Robles’ and Rosado’s residence on Blackhall Street in New London had received approximately 25 suspicious parcels from Puerto Rico since September 2019.

Investigators continued to monitor USPS deliveries of parcels mailed from Puerto Rico to the Blackhall Street residence, including multiple parcels addressed to names of individuals who did not reside there.  A court-authorized search of one parcel that had been mailed to a fictitious individual at the residence revealed more than a kilogram of cocaine. 

Rosado was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on April 8, 2021.

Rosado pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.  He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer on May 11, 2022.  Rosado is detained pending sentencing.

Robles pleaded guilty to the same offense on September 21, 2021, and awaits sentencing.

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

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Konstantin Lantsman.

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LEE BLANCHETTE, 59, of Farmington, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 12 months and one day of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for stealing more than $100,000 from a customer of the bank where she was employed.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Blanchette was employed by Bank of America as a relationship manager.  As a relationship manager, Blanchette had the authority to cause temporary ATM cards to be activated and assigned to a customer’s account.  Between August 2014 and March 2016, Blanchette caused multiple temporary ATM cards to be activated for bank accounts of a customer who Blanchette knew was experiencing cognitive decline.  Without the customer’s authorization, Blanchette used the temporary ATM cards to withdraw significant funds from the customer’s accounts, keeping a significant portion for her own benefit, and causing a loss of $103,080.

Judge Meyer ordered Blanchette to pay full restitution to Bank of America, which covered the victim’s losses.

On May 25, 2021, Blanchette pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud.

Blanchette, who is released on bond, is required to report to prison on April 4.

This matter was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer R. Laraia.

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).  For more information, please visit: https://ovc.ojp.gov/program/stop-elder-fraud/providing-help-restoring-hope.

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CHRISTOPHER POSKUS, 47, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 16 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for failing to register as a sex offender.

The Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (“SORNA”), which was passed by Congress in 2006 as part of the Adam Walsh Act, provides a comprehensive set of minimum standards for sex offender registration and notification in the United States and seeks to strengthen the nationwide network of sex offender registration and notification programs.  In part, SORNA requires registered sex offenders to register and keep their registration current in each jurisdiction in which they reside, work, or go to school.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2010, Poskus was convicted in state court of possession of child pornography and was sentenced to 14 years of incarceration, suspended after seven years, and 10 years of probation.  He also was required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.  While on probation, Poskus violated several mandatory and special conditions, had his probation revoked, returned to prison, and eventually was placed under house arrest with GPS monitoring.

In July 2019, Poskus removed his GPS monitoring device and fled to California.  On August 29, 2019, the U.S. Marshals Service located and arrested Poskus in San Francisco, where he was residing in a homeless shelter.  Poskus failed to update his Connecticut sex offender registration to reflect an interstate change of residence, and he failed to register as a sex offender in California.

Poskus was detained from the date of his arrest until December 21, 2020, when he began serving a seven-year term of probation.  On January 7, 2021, state probation officers were unable to contact Poskus, and they subsequently discovered that Poskus had left Connecticut by train shortly after his release from prison.  He was again located in San Francisco, and has been detained in federal custody on March 18, 2021.  Poskus again had failed to update his Connecticut sex offender registration to reflect an interstate change of residence, and he failed to register as a sex offender in California.

On October 14, 2021, Poskus pleaded guilty to two counts of failing to register as a sex offender. 

This matter was investigated by the United States Marshal Service and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Vizcarrondo. 

United States Attorney Leonard C Boyle, Inspector in Charge Ketty Larco-Ward of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division, and J. Russell George, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, today announced that a federal jury in Bridgeport has found three men guilty of offenses related to their participation in lottery and romance scams that defrauded primarily elderly victims across the country of millions of dollars.

Yesterday, after a week-long trial before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill, FAROUQ FASASI, 27, RODNEY THOMAS, JR., 31, and RALPH PIERRE, 32, all formerly of New Haven, were convicted of conspiracy, fraud and money laundering offenses.

According to the evidence presented during the trial, in a lottery scam, scammers notify victims by telephone, through online communications, or by mail, that they have won the lottery.  The victims are then told that in order to collect the prize they must pay fees for things like taxes, shipping and processing.  Often, once a victim sends a small amount of money, a scammer will ask for larger sums of money with a promise of more winnings.  The victims never receive winnings.  In a romance scam, scammers take advantage of people looking for companionship by pretending to be prospective companions.  Scammers typically create fake online profiles on dating websites that include false personal details such as the death of a spouse, or military service, to lure victims to trust them.  Once they have gained the trust of victims, scammers will ask victims for money, falsely claiming to need money for medical or business emergencies, for travel to see the victim, or other purposes.

Between approximately August 2015 and March 2020, Fasasi, Thomas and others used lottery scams, romance scams and other fraudulent means to induce elderly victims to provide them with money, gifts and personal details.  Victims sent cash, money orders or checks through the mail to various addresses in Connecticut, and also wired or deposited money into bank accounts in Connecticut controlled by conspiracy members and their associates.

Fasasi, Thomas, Pierre and other co-conspirators lived together for a time at a residence on Sherman Avenue in New Haven, where many packages containing cash, checks and money orders from victims were delivered.  To help launder the money obtained from fraud victims, Pierre formed a fake charity, called “Global Protection Foundation,” and opened four bank accounts in the fake charity’s name.

The investigation revealed that these scams defrauded more than 200 victims across the U.S. of more than $5 million.  Many of the victims were elderly and vulnerable, and some victims lost their life savings.  One Connecticut victim lost more than $1 million.

The jury found Fasasi and Thomas guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, and one count of mail fraud.  Fasasi was also found guilty of three counts of money laundering.  Pierre was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and one count of money laundering.  Judge Underhill scheduled sentencing for May 10.

Three other individuals have been charged and convicted of offenses stemming from their participation in this scheme.

“The Justice Department is committed to rooting out and prosecuting those who steal from seniors and other vulnerable victims,” said U.S. Attorney Boyle.  “These verdicts will help to heal the many individuals who gave thousands of dollars to these predators.  I encourage all to resist falling victim to these schemes and not send any money to anyone you haven’t met in person.  Instead, call your local police department, or 833-FRAUD-11, for assistance and to report these crimes.”

“The verdicts exemplify the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s dedication to protecting those who have been victimized by scams that utilize the U. S. Mail to perpetuate fraud,” said Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division.  “The financial loss suffered by some of our most vulnerable population is devastating, often unrecoverable.  The teamwork exhibited between multiple federal law enforcement agencies ensured the success of this investigation.”

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).  For more information, please visit: https://ovc.ojp.gov/program/stop-elder-fraud/providing-help-restoring-hope.

This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Army-CID, and New Haven Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Heather L. Cherry and Stephanie T. Levick

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that BRIAN HUGHES, 57, of Madison, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to multiple offenses stemming from a scheme to defraud investors of two companies.

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

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

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

Hughes pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, one count of making an illegal monetary transaction, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, and one count of tax evasion, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.  A sentencing date is not scheduled.

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

Hughes was arrested on January 14, 2021.  He is released on a $250,000 bond pending sentencing, which is not scheduled.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Pierpont, Jr.

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ALLEN EVANS, 35, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 16 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 23, 2020, Hartford Police stopped a car in which Evans was a passenger.  Evans was arrested after a search of his person revealed a loaded Taurus Model 85 “.38 Special” handgun, and a search of the vehicle revealed additional ammunition.

At the time of his arrest, Evans was on state probation following a conviction in 2018 for possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle.

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.

Evans has been in custody since March 12, 2021.  He pleaded guilty on September 21.

This matter was investigated by the Hartford Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward Chang.

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.

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JAMES LEE, 24, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 46 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing heroin, cocaine and crack.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 13, 2021, New Haven Police encountered Lee as he was sitting in a car at a gas station.  The car had fled from police on March 8.  A search of Lee’s person revealed $3,815 and a search of the car revealed $3,443.  Officers then found a hidden compartment in the vehicle’s center counsel that contained heroin, crack and cocaine packaged for distribution, and a loaded 9mm handgun.

On the morning of April 5, 2021, a New Haven Police detective traveling in an unmarked police cruiser in the area of Orange Street and Wall Street identified another car that had fled from West Haven Police during an attempted traffic stop on April 1.  The detective followed the car to a location of Brown Street, where he observed occupants of the vehicle engage in what appeared to be street-level drug transactions, and then to a location on Elm Street.  On Elm Street, James Lee, who had been released on bond, and Darryl Russell exited the car and entered a building.  Lee was arrested after he exited the building.  Russell ignored commands not to leave the scene but was apprehended a short distance away after he was found hiding in a trash can.  A search of their car revealed heroin, crack and cocaine packaged for distribution, and more than $2,000 in cash.

Lee has been detained since his arrest.  On September 28, he pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine and cocaine base (“crack”).

Russell, of New Haven, has been detained since May 21, 2021.  On that date, he possessed additional narcotics packaged for distribution.

On September 14, 2021, Russell pleaded guilty in federal court to possession with intent to distribute, heroin, cocaine and cocaine base.  He awaits sentencing.

This matter has been investigated by the New Haven Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel J. Gentile.

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.

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that WILLIAM SACCO, 49, of Pelham, New Hampshire, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to a conspiracy charge stemming from his involvement in a construction project fraud scheme.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Sacco was a project manager for a Massachusetts-based mechanical contractor.  From June 2014 to December 2017, Sacco conspired to defraud his employer and the owners of certain projects he managed by inflating change orders on the projects.  As part of the conspiracy, a co-conspirator subcontractor made more than $200,000 in payments to Sacco and also for Sacco’s benefit, including payments for Sacco’s children’s college tuition, a graduation party, a Mac laptop, airline tickets, hotels and Sacco’s rent.  Sacco and the co-conspirator submitted inflated change orders to Sacco’s employer to offset some of the costs of the payments the co-conspirator made to Sacco.

Sacco pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  Sacco has agreed to pay restitution in the amount of $41,195.85.

Sacco was arrested on November 22, 2021.  He is released on a $50,000 bond pending sentencing, which is scheduled for May 9.

This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David T. Huang, with assistance from the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division, New York Office.

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ROBERT MARLIN SELLERS, 61, of Bristol, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to child exploitation offenses related to his attempt to engage in sex with a minor.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2020, law enforcement received information that Sellers was sharing videos of child sex abuse on a website that is focused on incest.  In November 2020, an undercover FBI employee began interacting with Sellers on the social media application Kik.  In the chats, Sellers made statements that he had sexually abused children, and that he had trafficked a child to engage in commercial sex acts.  He also said that he had recently traveled out of state to have sex with another 12-year-old girl.  The undercover investigator told Sellers that he had a 12-year-old daughter (“Doe”).  After Sellers introduced the idea that Doe could be trafficked for sex, and offered suggestions to the undercover investigator about how it could be accomplished, Sellers arranged to have sex with Doe in exchange for $200.

In January 2021, Sellers, using an encrypted instant messenger application, sent the undercover investigator a link to videos of child sex abuse that Sellers maintained on a file sharing website.

On February 4, 2021, Sellers was arrested at a hotel in Southington shortly after he provided the undercover investigator $200 to engage in sex with Doe.

Sellers has been detained since his arrest.

Sellers pleaded guilty to one count of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life, and one count of distribution of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

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

This matter is being investigated by the FBI New Haven Child Exploitation Task Force and the Southington Police Department.  The task force includes members from the Connecticut State Police and the Naugatuck, East Windsor, New London and Southington Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Angel M. Krull.

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.

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CHRISTOPHER RODRIGUEZ, also known as “Rico,” 33, last residing in Hamden, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for distributing heroin and crack cocaine.

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 has 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 Rodriguez, Antonio Small, Evan Sheffield, Louis McDowell, Anthony Small and others were distributing large quantities of heroin, fentanyl and crack cocaine in the Bridgeport area.

On January 13, 2020, Rodriguez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, 100 grams or more of heroin and a quantity of cocaine base (“crack”).

Antonio Small, Sheffield, McDowell, and Anthony Small have pleaded guilty.  On October 27, 2020, Judge Thompson sentenced Sheffield to 97 months of imprisonment.  Antonio Small, McDowell and Anthony Small await sentencing.

This matter is being 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 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.

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that BRYAN WILSON, 39, of Madison, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to one count of tampering with a consumer product.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Wilson was employed as a nurse by The Vascular Experts, a Connecticut company that performs outpatient medical procedures.  As part of his duties, Wilson was responsible for conducting sedations on patients and he had access to the secure area in his workplace that contained vials of drugs used as anesthetics, including fentanyl.  In August and September 2021, Wilson took vials of fentanyl that were intended to be used to formulate infusion for patients.  He used a syringe to withdraw the fentanyl from the vials and reinjected saline into the vials so that it would appear as if none of the narcotics were missing.

Judge Shea scheduled sentencing for May 5, 2022, at which time Wilson faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

Wilson was released on bond pending sentencing.  He has surrendered his nursing license.

This matter is being investigated by the Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations; the DEA’s Hartford Diversion Control Division; and the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, Drug Control Division.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Miller.

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned a superseding indictment charging GRISELLE ORTIZ ARCHILLA, 31, of New London, with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute at least five kilograms of cocaine.

The superseding indictment was returned on February 8.  Ortiz Archilla appeared today via videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector and is released on a $100,000 bond.

The superseding indictment also charges Carlos Antonio Crespo-Febus, 40, of New London, and Steven Collazo, 30, of Groton, with the same offense.  Crespo-Febus and Collazo were originally charged by indictment in September 2021.

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

It is further alleged that investigators have intercepted and seized more than 12 kilograms of cocaine that were mailed from Puerto Rico to Connecticut, and have identified dozens of other suspicious parcels that likely contained kilogram quantities of cocaine.

Crespo-Febus and Collazo were arrested on September 20, 2021.  Crespo-Febus is detained and Collazo is released to home detention on a $100,000 bond.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine carries a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

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

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

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that BRYAN VINALES, also known as “Tiano,” 25, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his role in a heroin and fentanyl trafficking ring.

According to court documents and statements made in court, an investigation by the DEA New Haven Task Force and the Waterbury Police Department revealed that Nestor Sosa-Ortiz operated a Waterbury-based drug trafficking organization that received large quantities of heroin and fentanyl from suppliers in Connecticut and New York and distributed the narcotics throughout New Haven County.  The organization used an apartment located at 330 Bishop Street in Waterbury to store kilogram-quantities of heroin and fentanyl, and to process and package the drugs for street sale.

On May 18, 2019, Sosa-Ortiz was arrested in New York City on a separate federal heroin and fentanyl trafficking charge.  On that date, law enforcement intercepted a planned drug transaction and seized approximately two kilograms of fentanyl and two kilograms of heroin.  Sosa-Ortiz continued to control his drug network while incarcerated by using smuggled cell phones to communicate with various co-conspirators.

During the investigation, Jeffrey Tavarez was intercepted on calls coordinating the purchase of heroin and fentanyl from both the Sosa-Ortiz organization and from other individuals who sometimes supplied the Sosa-Ortiz organization with narcotics.  Vinales worked with Tavarez to acquire the drugs and then distribute them to their own customers.

Tavarez and several co-defendants were arrested on October 29, 2019.  On that date, investigators executed five search warrants and seized approximately six kilograms of heroin and fentanyl, approximately 100,000 bags of heroin/fentanyl packaged for street distribution, approximately 1,000 fentanyl pills disguised as Percocet pills, one firearm and approximately $50,000 in cash.  Tavarez possessed nearly 40 grams of fentanyl packaged for distribution at the time of his arrest.

Vinales, who was not arrested on October 29, 2019, continued to distribute narcotics after Tavarez’s arrest.  In February 2020, investigators made controlled purchases of approximately 60 grams of fentanyl from Vinales.

Vinales was arrested on July 15, 2020.  On July 23, 2021, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, heroin and fentanyl.

Seventeen individuals were charged as a result of this investigation.  Sosa-Ortiz and Tavarez pleaded guilty.  Sosa-Ortiz awaits sentencing, and Tavarez was sentenced to 48 months of imprisonment.

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

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis and Lauren Clark 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.

Leonard C Boyle, 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 DAVID KAMAL, 60, of Stafford, formerly of Hebron, was arrested this morning on tax fraud, obstruction of justice and identity theft charges.

Kamal appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert A. Richardson in Hartford and was released on a $50,000 bond.

On February 1, 2022, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an 11-count indictment charging Kamal.  The indictment alleges that Kamal willfully evaded taxes for the 2012 and 2013 tax years by filing false tax returns for those years and providing false documentation, including invoices and bank statements, to an attorney for the IRS in connection with tax court proceedings.  Kamal then filed false tax returns for the 2014 through 2017 tax years by claiming $153,400, $148,910, $49,300, and $50,247 in unreimbursed medical expenses, respectively.   He also submitted false documents in a U.S. Tax Court proceeding, and, without authorization, used an individual’s personal information to file false tax returns and negotiate federal tax refund checks.  

The indictment charges Kamal with two counts of tax evasion, and offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years; four counts of filing a false tax return, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of three years; one count of obstruction of an official proceeding, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and four counts of unlawful use of a means of identification, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years.

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

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

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that ROBERT GRANT HALL, also known as “Chevy,” 41, of Norwich, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for distributing cocaine, crack and heroin.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2018, the FBI, Norwich Police Department and other law enforcement agencies began investigating a narcotics trafficking organization that was operating in southeastern Connecticut.  The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps and controlled purchases of crack, revealed that Hall and others were distributing heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine to drug users and other street-level dealers. 

On March 5, 2019, a grand jury returned an indictment charging Hall and 12 other individuals with narcotics trafficking offenses.  On July 29, 2021, Hall pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”).

Hall has been detained in federal custody since March 27, 2019.

This investigation has been conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Connecticut State Police and Norwich, Town of Groton and Waterford Police Departments, with the assistance of the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office, Baltimore Police Department and Delaware State Police.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natasha M. Freismuth Marc H. Silverman 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.