District of Connecticut

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that HECTOR DIAZ, 24, Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing heroin and crack cocaine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in May 2020, the DEA New Haven Task Force and Waterbury Police Department began an investigation into a drug trafficking organization that was distributing large amounts of heroin, cocaine and crack in the Waterbury area.  The investigation included court-authorized wiretaps on multiple phones used by members of the organization, physical surveillance, controlled purchases of narcotics, and motor vehicle stops that resulted in the seizure of drugs.  In November 2020, Diaz was intercepted multiple times on a wiretap ordering distribution quantities of heroin and crack cocaine from James Grant, also known as “Bobo,” “Bo,” and “Jimbo,”  Diaz then sold the drugs to his own customers.

On March 1, 2021, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging Diaz, Grant and 15 others with conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, heroin, cocaine and cocaine base (“crack”).  Diaz pleaded guilty on November 1, 2021.

Diaz has been detained since his arrest on March 3, 2021.  On that date, law enforcement executed seven search warrants and seized approximately 40,000 bags of suspected heroin, 350 grams of cocaine and 50 grams of crack cocaine, and nine firearms

Grant pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.

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

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

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

JACQUON BENEJAN, also known as “Blick,” 20, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 97 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for offenses stemming from his membership in  a violent Bridgeport street 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.  Benejan has been a member of the “Greene Homes Boyz” (“GHB/Hotz”), a gang based in the Charles F. Greene Homes Housing Complex in Bridgeport’s North End, whose members and associates distributed heroin, crack cocaine, marijuana and Percocet pills; committed numerous acts of violence against rival gang members and other individuals, and celebrated their criminal conduct on social media websites such as Facebook and YouTube.  GHB/Hotz members and associates also committed acts of intimidation and made threats to deter potential witnesses to their crimes and to protect gang members and associates from detection and prosecution by law enforcement authorities.  From approximately 2017 until August 2020, GHB/Hotz members had been aligned with members of the “Original North End” (“O.N.E.”), a gang based in the Trumbull Gardens area of Bridgeport, 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.

The investigation revealed that on February 7, 2018, Benejan and an associate shot and attempted to kill “MJ,” a member or associate of the 150 gang.  On October 4, 2018, he and an associate shot and attempted to kill “MS,” a member or associate of the East End gang, inside the Greene Homes housing complex.  In both of these shootings, innocent bystanders in their homes were either wounded or nearly wounded by stray bullets.

Benejan also appears in YouTube videos and in social media posts, where firearms are present, promoting the gang.

Law enforcement also made controlled purchases of narcotics from Benejan.  On March 13, 2020, a court-authorized search of Benejan’s residence revealed two firearms and crack cocaine.

Benejan has been detained since February 19, 2021.  On September 17, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity.

This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the FBI’s Safe Streets and Violent Crimes Task Forces, ATF, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Bridgeport Police Department, Connecticut State Police and the Bridgeport State’s Attorney’s Office, with the assistance of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory and the Waterbury Police Department.  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 BARRY DUCLOS, 43, of Norwich, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to 170 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for trafficking fentanyl analogues on the dark web and firearm offenses.

According to the evidence introduced during his trial, between approximately September 2017 and February 2018, Duclos operated a vendor page on the dark web “Dream Market.”  Using the alias 1NOLEFB1, Duclos advertised the sale of fentanyl analogues on Dream Market.  He then used the U.S. Mail to ship fentanyl analogues to customers who paid for the drugs using Bitcoin.

On September 21, 2017, a 39-year-old man in Tennessee fatally overdosed after using cyclopropyl fentanyl he ordered from Duclos.

Duclos was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on February 12, 2018.  A search of his residence at the time of his arrest revealed a YHM rifle with multiple magazines, two of which were extended magazines.  The firearm was loaded with a round in the chamber.  Investigators also located and seized fentanyl and carfentanil from the residence, along with a computer used by Duclos to access Dream Market.

Duclos was convicted in state court, in February 2001, of sale of narcotics and, in March 2017, of larceny in the third degree.  It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

On July 30, 2021, a jury found Duclos guilty of seven counts of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of fentanyl analogues; one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and carfentanil; one count of possession of ammunition by a convicted felon; and one count possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Duclos has been detained since his arrest.

This matter was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Connecticut State Police, the Norwich Police Department, and the Robertson County (Tenn.) Sherriff’s Office.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren C. Clark and Patrick J. Doherty.

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that JESSICA PICKERING, 28, formerly of Waterbury, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 96 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervise release, for distributing child pornography through the Kik social media application.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in October 2020, Pickering joined a Kik group geared toward those with a sexual interest in children and then corresponded with an FBI Online Covert Employee (“OCE”) who was monitoring the group.  Pickering stated that she had access to three minors, aged 7 and younger.  On October 20, 2020, Pickering posted two live videos to the Kik group that depicted child pornography of a male toddler.  Pickering later sent the OCE two additional videos that depicted child pornography of the same child.  The next day, Pickering withdrew from the Kik group, stating that she “felt an immense amount of disgust for [her]self after what [she] did the other night.”

Pickering was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on October 27, 2020.  She pleaded guilty to the offense on May 5, 2021.

Pickering, who is released on bond while residing with family in Queens, New York, is required to report to prison on March 16.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Wolcott Police Department.  The case was 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 ROBERT McGUIRE, 42, of Easton, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to 30 years of imprisonment, followed by a lifetime term of supervised release, for producing photographs and videos of his sexual abuse of a young child.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between February 2019 and June 2020, McGuire repeatedly sexually abused a prepubescent child and took photographs and videos of the sexual assaults.  The investigation also revealed that McGuire sexually assaulted a second prepubescent child on at least one occasion.

McGuire has been detained since his arrest by the Easton Police Department on related state charges on July 10, 2020.  On June 8, 2021, he pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of production of child pornography.

The state charges against McGuire are pending.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Easton Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Konstantin Lantsman.

U.S. Attorney Boyle thanked the State’s Attorney’s Office for the Judicial District of Fairfield for its close cooperation in the investigation and prosecution of 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 KATHRYN POCOCK, 59, of Uncasville, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 12 months and one day of imprisonment, followed by one year of supervised release, for tax evasion.

According to court documents and statements made in court, since 1991, Pocock has operated Sunshine Cleaners, LLC, a home cleaning business.  Between 2015 and 2019, Pocock withdrew approximately $855,000 from the business and failed to report those proceeds on the relevant tax forms for the business and on her federal income tax returns.  The investigation revealed that Pocock regularly cashed numerous client checks that had been paid to her business, deposited some checks into her personal bank account, and paid her employees “under the table.”  Pocock wrote checks payable to cash from her personal and business bank accounts, and paid employees in cash without properly collecting and paying over employment tax to the IRS or sales and use taxes owed to the State of Connecticut.

The investigation also revealed that Pocock provided her tax preparer with false spreadsheets and supporting documentation that significantly understated her income and employee-related expenses.

Pocock’s criminal conduct resulted in a total tax loss of $213,965, comprising unreported taxes of $180,451 owed to the IRS and $33,514 owed to the State of Connecticut.  Judge Meyer ordered Pocock to pay full restitution.

Pocock pleaded guilty to the offense on September 15, 2021.

This investigation was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher W. Schmeisser and Katherine E. Boyles.

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that VICTOR ENCARNACION, 34, of Norwich, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to 43 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his role in a southeastern Connecticut drug trafficking ring.

This matter stems from an investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Connecticut Statewide Narcotics Taskforce East, Connecticut Department of Correction and the New London, Waterford, City of Groton and Stonington Police Departments, into the distribution of narcotics and illegal possession of firearms in southeastern Connecticut.  The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps and controlled purchases and seizures of narcotics and firearms, revealed that Royshawn Allgood, also known as “Boy Roy,” received narcotics from another member of the conspiracy and then distributed the drugs to users and other street-level distributors.  Encarnacion, while on state probation for a narcotics distribution offense, acquired distribution quantities of heroin from Allgood and sold the drug to other dealers and his own customers.

Encarnacion has been detained since his arrest on February 21, 2019.  On March 5, 2019, a grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment charging Encarnacion, Allgood and 22 other individuals with various offenses.  A subsequent superseding indictment charged an additional two defendants.

On May 6, 2021, Encarnacion pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

Allgood pleaded guilty to a related charge and, on January 3, 2020, was sentenced to 71 months of imprisonment.

This investigation has been conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Connecticut Statewide Narcotics Taskforce East, Connecticut Department of Correction and the New London, Waterford, City of Groton, Stonington, Norwich, Old Saybrook and UConn Police Departments.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Natasha M. Freismuth 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 TOMMY JULIUS, also known as “General” and “J,” 39, of New Haven, was sentenced today via videoconference by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny to 41 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his role in a New Haven-based drug trafficking ring.  Judge Chatigny ordered Julius to serve the first six months of his supervised release in home confinement.

This matter stems from an investigation headed by the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force and New Haven Police Department that targeted drug trafficking and related acts of violence by members, former members and associates of the “Island Brothers” street gang in New Haven.  The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps and controlled purchases of narcotics from Julius and others, also revealed that the drug trafficking organization had established a base of operation in Fitchburg, Massachusetts.  The investigation subsequently identified a second drug trafficking network that involved the large-scale distribution of heroin.  Julius regularly distributed heroin and crack cocaine to street sellers who, in turn, provided Julius with proceeds from their drug sales.

Twenty-five individuals were convicted as a result of this investigation.

Julius was arrested on July 10, 2019.  On September 2, 2021, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substance.  He has been detained since October 5, 2021, when his bond was revoked after he violated conditions of his release.

Julius’ criminal history dates to 1998 and includes several convictions, including a federal firearm conviction in 2011 for which he received a sentence of 10 years in prison.  In January 2018, he received an additional 14 months of imprisonment for violating the conditions of his federal supervised release.

This matter has been investigated by the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force, New Haven Police Department, Milford Police Department, Hamden Police Department, East Haven Police Department, Connecticut State Police, Connecticut Department of Correction and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony E. Kaplan, Elena L. Coronado and Tara E. Levens 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 JOSE RODRIGUEZ-CARABALLO, also known as “Puma,” 32, of New Haven, pleaded guilty today via videoconference before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer to cocaine trafficking offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in November 2020, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force executed a federal search warrant on a suspicious package that had been sent through the U.S. Mail from New Haven to an address in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.  The package contained $102,450 in cash.  The investigation revealed that an associate of Rodriguez-Caraballo was supervising the receipt of numerous parcels containing kilogram quantities of cocaine that had been shipped from Puerto Rico to addresses in and around New Haven, the resale of the cocaine to others, and the shipment of narcotics proceeds to individuals in Puerto Rico.  During the investigation, law enforcement intercepted multiple parcels of cocaine and U.S. currency that was sent through the U.S. Mail.

The investigation revealed that Rodriguez-Caraballo picked up cocaine parcels from the addresses they were shipped to, repackaged the cocaine, and helped distribute it to other drug sellers and customers.

Rodriguez-Caraballo was arrested on March 18, 2021, after he traveled with a co-conspirator to complete a cocaine transaction.  Investigators seized approximately two kilograms of cocaine and a firearm from their vehicle.

Rodriguez-Caraballo pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.  Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for April 21, at which time Rodriguez-Caraballo faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

Rodriguez-Caraballo has been detained since his arrest.

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 the assistance of the New Haven Police Department.  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.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Konstantin Lantsman and Karen Peck 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.

Moustapha Diakhate, 46, of Stamford, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today via video conference before U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea to offenses related to his receipt of more than $4 million in COVID-19 relief funds guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Today’s announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Leonard C Boyle, Special Agent in Charge Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite of the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General’s Eastern Region, Special Agent in Charge David Sundberg of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Special Agent in Charge Joleen D. Simpson of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England.

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

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

Diakhate maintained an ownership or management interest in certain small business entities, including Ansonia Developers LLC, Winsbay Inc., Buyers Association Group LLC, Washington Management LLC, Diakhate Capital, Inc., and Poulson & Gold Inc.  Beginning in May 2020, Diakhate provided Citibank and M&T Bank with false and fraudulent information during the PPP loan application process in order to obtain PPP loans for each of his six entities totaling more than $4 million.  Diakhate then used a portion of the funds for various personal expenses, including to pay off a loan he had been provided to purchase of a 2010 Porsche Panamera Turbo, and to purchase both a Mercedes and BMW.  He also purchased a $50,000 certificate of deposit with PPP funds, and disbursed funds to various and individuals unrelated to his business entities.

Diakhate was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on May 7, 2021.  Today, he pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years, and one count of making an illegal monetary transaction, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  Judge Shea scheduled sentencing for April 21.

Diakhate is released on a $450,000 bond pending sentencing.

This matter is being investigated by the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher W. Schmeisser.

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, announced that ANTHONY GILCHRIST, 32, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 37 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing heroin and fentanyl.

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, including the “Greene Homes Boyz” (“GHB/Hotz”), a gang based in the Charles F. Greene Homes Housing Complex in Bridgeport’s North End, whose members and associates distributed heroin, crack cocaine, marijuana and Percocet pills; committed numerous acts of violence against rival gang members and other individuals, and celebrated their criminal conduct on social media websites such as Facebook and YouTube.  GHB/Hotz members and associates also committed acts of intimidation and made threats to deter potential witnesses to their crimes and to protect gang members and associates from detection and prosecution by law enforcement authorities. 

In January and February 2020, investigators made controlled purchases of a mixture of heroin and fentanyl from Gilchrist at the Greene Homes Housing Complex.  Gilchrist was a member or associate of GHB/Hotz who had recently been released from state custody after receiving a 15-year jail sentence, suspended after eight years, for selling narcotics.

Gilchrist was arrested on March 13, 2020.  On November 20, 2020, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl.

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 Naugatuck Police Department.  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 SHAKALE BRANTLEY, also known as “Charlie Wilson,” “Kellz,” and “Man Man,” 22, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 292 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for racketeering and witness tampering offenses.

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.  Brantley was a member of the Original North End (“O.N.E.”), a gang based in the Trumbull Gardens area of Bridgeport that committed acts of violence against rival gang, including the East End gang, the East Side gang, and the PT Barnum gang.  O.N.E. members also robbed drug dealers, sold narcotics, laundered narcotics proceeds, stole cars from inside and outside Connecticut and used them to commit crimes, and tampered with witnesses who might testify against them.

On August 8, 2018, Brantley and other O.N.E. members stole a white Jeep Grand Cherokee in Newburgh, New York, and drove it back to Bridgeport.  In the following days, Brantley conspired to use the car to kill East End gang members and their allies who Brantley had learned through social media were at a deli on Stratford Avenue in Bridgeport.  Although that plan fell through, in the early morning hours of August 13, 2018, O.N.E. members drove the stolen Jeep to Union Avenue in Bridgeport where they shot and killed Len Smith, 25, who they mistook for a rival East End group member, and shot and seriously wounded Smith’s female companion, both of whom were seated in a parked car.  After the shooting, Brantley and other O.N.E. members transported the Jeep to Indian Wells State Park in Shelton where they burned the vehicle in an effort to destroy evidence of the murder.

In October 2018 in Bridgeport, and in November 2018 in Stratford, Brantley and other O.N.E. members and associates attacked a marijuana dealer and stole marijuana from him.  After Brantley was arrested on federal charges on March 23, 2020, and while he was incarcerated, he attempted to solicit others to kill the victim of the marijuana robberies, who Brantley had learned had become a federal witness, in order to prevent Brantley’s prosecution for those offenses.  Specifically, Brantley reached out by prison call to associates and by letters addressed to those associates in an effort to have his associates kill the robbery victim and then cover his nose with fentanyl to make it appear as if he overdosed.

On July 12, 2021, Brantley pleaded guilty to one count of engaging in a pattern of racketeering activity and one count of solicitation of witness tampering.

This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the FBI’s Safe Streets and Violent Crimes Task Forces, ATF, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Bridgeport Police Department, Connecticut State Police and the Bridgeport State’s Attorney’s Office, with the assistance of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory and the Waterbury Police Department.  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 MICHAEL WEINSTEIN, 28, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 65 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for a federal firearm offense.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in October 2020, law enforcement observed Facebook video posts of Weinstein firing a handgun at a Connecticut shooting range, and possessing ammunition.  Specifically, on October 14, 2020, he possessed .40 caliber ammunition, manufactured by Speer in Idaho, at the shooting range.  A subsequent court-authorized search of Weinstein’s cellphone revealed a photo and multiple videos of Weinstein handling additional firearms.

Weinstein’s criminal history includes convictions in state court for criminal possession of a gun, conspiracy to commit robbery in the third degree, and robbery in the first degree.  It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

Weinstein was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on November 18, 2020.  On July 23, 2021, he pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of ammunition by a felon.

Weinstein, who had been released on bond, has been detained since November 18, 2021, when he was arrested in New Haven and charged with state drug offenses.

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Conor M. Reardon.

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 DAVID CIANCIMINO, 62, of Trumbull, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today via videoconference before U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams to a controlled substance offense related to his illegal distribution of prescription medication.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Ciancimino was a sole practitioner practicing psychiatry and neurology/psychiatry from an office located at 4 Corporate Drive in Shelton.  In October 2020, law enforcement began investigating Ciancimino’s prescribing practices of various benzodiazepines, such as Xanax, and stimulants, such as Adderall.  During the investigation, federal task force officers acting in an undercover capacity paid Ciancimino $200 during visits to receive a prescriptions for Xanax or Adderall, or their generic equivalents, with little to no medical examination.

Ciancimino pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of a controlled substance without a legitimate medical purpose and outside the scope of professional practice, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment 20 years.

As part of his plea, Ciancimino has agreed to forfeit $175,773.45.

Ciancimino is released on  a $500,000 bond pending sentencing, which is not scheduled.

As disclosed during today’s court proceedings, Ciancimino surrendered his medical license last week.

This investigation has been conducted by the DEA New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad and HHS-OIG’s Office of Investigations, with the assistance of the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection – Drug Control Division and the Middlebury Police Department.  The DEA’s Tactical Diversion Squad includes personnel from the DEA and the Bristol, East Windsor, Glastonbury, Hamden, Manchester, New Britain, Newington, Watertown and West Haven Police Departments.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather L. Cherry.

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that TRAVIS M. WILLIAMS, 34, of Norwich, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 23 years of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for photographing and video recording his repeated sexual abuse of a child.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on more than 100 occasions, Williams engaged in sexual acts with a child who was approximately 9 years old.  In July 2019, Williams used his iPhone to photograph himself sexually abusing the child, and he subsequently sent the photographs to a woman via text message.  On July 27, 2019, Williams filmed 10 videos depicting him sexually abusing the child.

Investigators recovered numerous text messages between Williams and the woman.  In certain text messages, Williams told the woman that he wanted to engage in sexual acts with her while the child watched, and that he wanted the child to take part in these sexual acts.

Williams has been detained since his arrest on related state charges on August 30, 2019.  On October 28, 2021, he pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of production of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography.

The state charges against Williams are pending.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Norwich Police Department and the Connecticut State Police.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amanda S. Oakes and Neeraj N. Patel.

U.S. Attorney Boyle thanked the New London State’s Attorney’s Office for its cooperation and assistance in the investigation and 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, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ROBERT ECCLESTON, 58, of Canton, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today via videoconference to one count of distribution of child pornography.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2020, covert FBI personnel in two different field offices outside of Connecticut were monitoring various public groups on the social medial application Kik.  In August and September 2020, Eccleston, using the Kik usernames “hartfordctguy” and “Mowgli100,” distributed numerous pornographic images and videos of children in these Kik groups, including images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of toddlers and prepubescent children.  Eccleston also served as an administrator of one Kik group and required prospective members to send him videos of child sexual abuse for group access.

Eccleston was arrested on December 11, 2020.  At the time of the offense, he was employed as a Victim Services Advocate for the Hartford Superior Court in Hartford.

Eccleston is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford on April 19, at which time he faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

Eccleston has been detained since his arrest.

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 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, today announced that LUIS CASTRO, 34, of Waterbury, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 68 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking cocaine.

On August 27, 2021, a jury found Castro guilty of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.  According to the evidence and testimony at trial, in September 2018, a DEA Task Force investigation revealed that Castro was attempting to purchase two kilograms of cocaine.  On September 10, 2018, task force officers conducted surveillance on individuals who were suspected of being the source of the cocaine as they traveled by car to Castro’s residence on Delaware Avenue in Waterbury.  Investigators later stopped the car and recovered $67,000 in cash.  A search of Castro’s residence that evening revealed more than 500 grams of a mixture containing cocaine, a kilogram press, items used to process narcotics for redistribution, and $8,292 in cash.

This is Castro’s second federal conviction.  In March 2011, he was sentenced in the Southern District of New York to 18 months of imprisonment for trafficking cocaine, crack and firearms.

Castro, who had been released on bond, was remanded to custody at the conclusion of the court proceeding to begin serving his sentence.

This matter has been investigated by the DEA Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rahul Kale and Tara Levens.

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that SEAN THOMAS, 32, of Rocky Hill, pleaded guilty today via videoconference to one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2020, Hartford Police were investigating Thomas and others for distributing fentanyl and marijuana.  As part of the investigation, an undercover officer purchased marijuana from an employee at Puff Paradise, a smoke shop on New Britain Avenue owned by Thomas.  On June 2, 2020, in anticipation of executing multiple search warrants, investigators surveilled Thomas as he drove his car from his Rocky Hill residence to Kenneth Street in Hartford, where he entered a parked Dodge Durango.  Believing that Thomas was conducting a narcotics transaction, detectives approached the Durango.  Tafarie Green, the driver of the vehicle, accelerated and drove straight at the detectives who leaped out of the way.  He then drove at a high rate of speed onto a sidewalk and through two chain link fences before he crashed into a tree.  Green fled the scene on foot, but Thomas was immediately apprehended.  A subsequent search of Puff Paradise revealed approximately three pounds of marijuana, and a search of Thomas’s residence revealed more than 100 grams of unpackaged fentanyl, approximately 3,500 bags of packaged fentanyl, items used to process and package narcotics for street sale, and $16,511 in cash.

Thomas is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford on April 20, 2022, at which time he faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.

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

Green, who was on federal supervised release, was arrested on July 13, 2020.  He pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon and, on August 31, 2021, was sentenced to 62 months of imprisonment.

This matter has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and the Hartford Police Department’s Vice, Intelligence and Narcotics Unit, with the assistance of the Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Leaming.

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division, today announced that a federal grand jury in Bridgeport returned an indictment yesterday charging ANDRES VASQUEZ, 34, of Canterbury, with offenses related to the unlawful possession of a machinegun and other firearms.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, on April 28, 2020, federal agents executed a search warrant at an apartment in New Britain and seized drugs, drug paraphernalia, a 9mm handgun and ammunition.  The handgun was registered to Vasquez and had not been reported stolen.  The investigation revealed that Vasquez had several other firearms registered to him.  On June 5, 2020, a search of Vasquez’s Canterbury residence revealed five semi-automatic rifles, three handguns, a machinegun bearing no serial number, additional unserialized firearms, firearm parts, ammunition, and drug paraphernalia.  Vasquez was a heroin user when he was in possession of the firearms.

The indictment charges Vasquez with one count of possession of firearms by a user of a controlled substance, and one count of unlawful possession of a machinegun.  Each offense carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

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

Vasquez was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on December 14, 2020.  He is released on a $25,000 bond and is scheduled to be arraigned on January 27.

This matter is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Connecticut State Police, with the assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration.   The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Angel M. Krull.

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, and David Sundberg, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford has returned an indictment charging MICHAEL DAVIS, 33, of Hartford, with narcotics distribution and firearm possession offenses.

The indictment was returned on October 21, 2021.  Davis, who has been detained in state custody since April 2021, appeared today via videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector and pleaded not guilty.

According to the indictment, on February 10, 2021, Davis possessed crack cocaine and ecstasy that he intended to distribute, and a Remington Arms, model RP9, 9mm handgun.

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

The three-count indictment charges Davis possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (“crack”) and MDMA (“ecstasy”), which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; possession of a firearm by a felon, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, which carries a mandatory minimum five-year term of imprisonment and up to life imprisonment.

The indictment also seeks forfeiture of the handgun and $1,020 seized from Davis at the time of his arrest.

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 FBI’s Connecticut Violent Crime Task Force and the Hartford Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney 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, today announced that FRANK BIGGS, 63, of Hamden, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 27 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing powder and crack cocaine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from a joint investigation led by the FBI and the Norwich, New London and Hartford Police Departments into a narcotics distribution network that stretched from southeastern Connecticut to the Hartford, New Britain and Waterbury areas.  The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps, surveillance, search warrants, and seizures of cocaine and crack cocaine, revealed that Biggs purchased cocaine and crack from his supplier, Aaron Clayton, and then sold the drugs to his own network of drug dealers and users.

On March 17, 2020, law enforcement conducted court-authorized searches of Clayton’s residence and two other residences connected to this drug trafficking organization and seized approximately three kilograms of cocaine and nearly $100,000 in cash. 

On June 30, 2020, a grand jury returned an indictment charging Biggs, Clayton and seven other individuals with offenses related to their involvement in this drug ring.  Biggs was arrested on July 6, 2020.

On September 22, 2021, Biggs pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base (“crack”).

Biggs, who is released on bond, is required to report to prison on March 18.

Clayton, of New Britain, has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.

This matter has been investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Norwich, New London and Hartford Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Margaret Donovan and Maria del Pilar Gonzalez 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 LEE, 51, of Glastonbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to six months of imprisonment, followed by one year of supervised release, for filing false tax returns.  Judge Bryant also ordered Lee to pay a $5,500 fine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Lee owns and operates American U.S.A. Paving.  For the 2015 through 2018 tax years, Lee provided his tax return preparer with information that substantially understated the gross receipts for the paving business.  As a result, Lee’s personal federal income tax returns for the 2015 through 2018 tax years, which Lee authorized his preparer to file with the IRS, underreported his income by a total of more than $588,000, resulting in a tax loss of $154,238.

Lee has paid full restitution to the IRS.

On July 20, 2021, Lee pleaded guilty to one count of filing a false tax return.        

Lee who is released on bond, is required to report to prison on March 30.

This investigation was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher W. Schmeisser.

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that KEVIN LUCAS, also known as “Dutch,” 62, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today via videoconference by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall to 36 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervise release, for trafficking narcotics.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between May and August 2019, law enforcement made a series of controlled purchases of redistribution quantities of heroin from Lucas.  Lucas was arrested on August 22, 2019, and a search of his residence on that date revealed additional distribution quantities of heroin, approximately 139 grams of crack cocaine, approximately 365 grams of cocaine, items used to process and package narcotics, a 9mm handgun, two loaded magazines, ammunition, and $35,220 in cash.

On September 21, 2021, Lucas pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin.

This investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force, including participants from the U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, and the New Haven, East Haven, West Haven, Branford, Ansonia, Meriden, Middletown, Naugatuck and Waterbury Police Departments.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel J. Gentile.

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MICHAEL SCHMEER, 52, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for downloading thousands of child sex abuses images and videos over the internet.

According to court documents and statements made in court, an investigation revealed that an IP address at Schmeer’s residence was being used to download child sex abuse images and videos from a peer-to-peer file sharing network.  On August 12, 2020, investigators conducted a court-authorized search of Schmeer’s residence and seized computer equipment, including multiple external storage devices.  Schmeer, who was present during the search, was arrested on state charges after he admitted to investigators that he downloaded and possessed child pornography.  Analysis of the seized storage devices revealed more than 54,000 images and 5,000 videos depicting the sexual abuse of children.

On August 4, 2021, Schmeer pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography.

Schmeer, who has released on bond since his federal arrest on April 6, 2021, is required to report to prison on February 18.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Connecticut State Police, Watertown Police Department and Waterbury Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan Keefe.

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 NNAMDII ROSS, 34, of Norwich, was sentenced today via videoconference by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall to 48 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing ammunition.

According to court documents and statements made in court, shortly after midnight on August 2, 2020, New London Police responded to a report of shots fired on Ann Street in New London during a large gathering of individuals.  One shooting victim was found at the scene and transported to the hospital.  At the scene officers located and collected .40 caliber, .45 caliber, and 9 mm rounds of ammunition.  Ross was also shot at the gathering and was transported to the hospital by his fiancée.  At the hospital, investigators took possession of some of Ross’s personal effects, including six rounds of .22 caliber ammunition.

On August 7, 2021, law enforcement recovered a .45 caliber handgun that was found at a residence in New London.  Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection’s Division of Scientific Service analysis of the handgun revealed Ross’s DNA, and analysis by the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) revealed a link between the handgun and the .45 caliber ammunition found on Ann Street on November 2, 2020.

Ross’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for robbery 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.

Ross was arrested on September 10, 2020.  On October 7, 2021, he pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of ammunition by a felon.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New London Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Natasha M. Freismuth.

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, and James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division, today announced that QUINN MOORING, 40, of New Haven, pleaded guilty yesterday via videoconference before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

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

On April 22, 2021, investigators made a controlled purchase of 9mm ammunition from Mooring in New Haven.

Mooring’s criminal history includes state convictions for felony robbery, unlawful restraint and failure to appear offenses.  It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

Mooring was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on June 14, 2021.

The offense carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  Mooring is released on a $50,000 bond pending sentencing, which is not scheduled.

This matter is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), West Haven Police Department and New Haven Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney 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, today announced that ANDRE SMITH, also known as “Dre,” 42, of Woodstock, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 41 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing cocaine and crack.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2018, the FBI, Norwich Police Department and other law enforcement agencies began investigating a drug trafficking organization that was distributing heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine in southeastern Connecticut.  The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps and six controlled purchases of crack from Harold Butler, revealed that Butler and others were distributing narcotics to drug users and other street-level dealers, including Smith, in southeastern Connecticut.  Butler also used his Norwich business, Hat Boyz, to store and distribute narcotics.

Smith was arrested on February 20, 2019.  On March 5, 2019, a grand jury returned an indictment charging Smith, Butler and 11 other individuals with narcotics trafficking offenses.  On October 12, 2021, Smith pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and cocaine base (“crack”).

Smith, who is released on bond, is required to report to prison on March 23.

Butler pleaded guilty and, on October 9, 2019, was sentenced to 77 months of imprisonment.

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. Attorney Natasha M. Freismuth 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 James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division, today announced that NICHOLAS SCHNEIDER, 32, of Putnam, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Sarah A. L. Merriam in New Haven to unlawful possession of ammunition by a felon.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 5, 2020, ATF agents searched a residence in Canterbury where Schneider was living.  In Schneider’s bedroom, investigators located numerous rounds of ammunition, various firearm parts, a firearm kit, and firearm magazines.

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

Schneider was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on December 14, 2020.

Judge Merriam scheduled sentencing for April 6, 2022, at which time Schneider faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  Schneider is released on bond pending sentencing.

This matter is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Connecticut State Police, with the assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Angel M. Krull.

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 TASHUAN MINOR-DAVIS, 24, of New Haven, pleaded guilty today via videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Dave Vatti to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

According to court documents and statements made in court, at approximately 10:00 p.m. on September 25, 2020, members of the West Haven Police Department’s Street Crime Unit conducting surveillance observed Minor-Davis engage in what appeared to be a street-level drug transaction from his vehicle while parked at a gas station in West Haven.  Officers attempted to stop on the car that Minor-Davis was operating, but Minor-Davis fled the scene.  Officers located the car a short time later, apprehended Minor-Davis after a brief foot chase, and recovered from him approximately 34 grams of cocaine and 19 grams of fentanyl.

Minor-Davis is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny on April 5, 2022, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

Minor-Davis is released on a $100,000 bond pending sentencing.

This investigation has been conducted by the DEA New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad and the West Haven Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara E. Levens.

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOSE NUNEZ-TORRES, also known as “Jose Nunez” and “J-Money,” 21, of Hartford, was sentenced today via videoconference by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny to approximately 16 months of imprisonment, time already served, followed by three years of supervised release, for theft and narcotics offenses.  Judge Chatigny ordered Nunez-Torres to serve the first four months of supervised release in home confinement.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on January 29, 2019, Nunez-Torres and Dominque Perry stole a 2016 Honda Accord from a residence in Newington.  The vehicle was the property of a federal law enforcement agency and contained fully loaded firearm magazines for multiple weapons, ammunition, handcuffs and other restraints, a ballistic vest and its component parts, and raid jackets.  After stealing the vehicle, Perry drove the Accord to a location in Bloomfield where he Nunez-Torres removed the vehicle’s tires and rims.  Nunez-Torres and Perry subsequently sold the tires and rims, and advertised the sale of loaded firearm magazines, ammunition, ballistic vest and other items.

Nunez-Torres was arrested on March 1, 2019.  The vehicle and its tires and rims have been recovered, but some of the law enforcement equipment that was in the car has not been located.

In the afternoon of November 14, 2020, while he was released on bond in his federal case, Nunez-Torres was arrested on state charges after law enforcement officers encountered him sleeping in a stolen car that was parked on an I-91 off ramp in Hartford.  A search of the car revealed two stun guns, a black metal collapsible baton, and distribution quantities of fentanyl and marijuana.  He has been detained in state custody since that date.

On May 11, 2021, Nunez-Torres pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of theft of government property and one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

Nunez-Torres subsequently pleaded guilty in state court to risk of injury of a minor related to his intending to impair the morals of a minor under the age of 16, and to larceny offenses related to his earlier theft of two additional vehicles, a 2016 Nissan Maxima valued at $17,000 and a 2012 BMW 528 valued at $22,000.  Nunez-Torres is expected to be released from state custody on February 8.

Perry pleaded guilty in federal court to theft of government property and, on February 3, 2020, was sentenced to 12 months and one day of imprisonment, followed by four months of home confinement.

Judge Chatigny ordered Nunez-Torres and Perry to pay $1,560 in restitution for the missing equipment.

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Newington Police Department, the Hartford Police Department and the Connecticut State Police.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter S. Jongbloed.

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 JOHN LEE ORTIZ, 28, and AUDLEY REEVES, 30, both of East Hartford, have been charged with federal firearm offenses related to the illegal fabrication and sale of firearms.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, in late 2021, the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force learned that Ortiz and others were selling “ghost guns,” which are homemade firearms that do not contain serial numbers or other identifying markings that prevent them from being traced to the owner, seller or manufacturer of the firearm.  In December 2021, investigators made controlled purchases of seven handguns, a Bushmaster .223 caliber rifle, and numerous rounds of ammunition from Ortiz.  Most of the handguns had no serial numbers and had plastic lower receivers that appeared to be made with a 3D printer.  Reeves was identified during the investigation as the fabricator of the ghost guns.

Ortiz and Reeves were arrested on January 5, 2022.  On that date, a court-authorized search of an apartment on Church Street in East Hartford revealed six fully assembled firearms, approximately 12 partially assembled firearms, three high-capacity magazines, various firearm parts, and tools used to construct firearms.  Reeves was present in the apartment at the time of the search, and a 3D printer in the apartment was in the process of printing a stock of an AR-15 style rifle.

Ortiz and Reeves are each charged by criminal complaint with engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.  Ortiz is also charged with selling firearms to a prohibited person, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

Ortiz and Reeves are currently detained.

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 FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, New Britain Police Department, West Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Leaming.

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 LUCIANO SOLIS-SANCHEZ, 36, a citizen of Mexico last residing in Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 57 months of imprisonment for immigration and controlled substances offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Solis-Sanchez has never held legal status in the U.S.  In April 2007, Solis-Sanchez was encountered by U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) in Arizona and was granted voluntary return to Mexico.  In November 2017, he was again encountered by USBP and was removed to Mexico.  Approximately one week after his removal, Solis-Sanchez was again encountered by USBP in Arizona while attempting to unlawfully enter the U.S.  He was charged and convicted of illegal entry and was again removed to Mexico.

On two occasions in May 2019, Solis-Sanchez was encountered by USBP in Texas and was removed to Mexico.

On March 3, 2020, Solis-Sanchez was arrested by Waterbury Police on charges of possession of narcotics with intent to sell, possession of drugs near a prohibited place, operating a motor vehicle without a license, and driving the wrong way on a one-way street.  He was released by the state on a promise to appear.  Federal authorities subsequently learned of the arrest and obtained an arrest warrant for Solis-Sanchez charging him with illegal reentry.

On January 8, 2021, U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspected a UPS package that originated in Zapopan, Mexico, and was addressed to “Alfonso Perez, 39 Bucks Hill Rd, Waterbury, CT 06704 United States,” which was Solis-Sanchez’s residence.  The package contained a handcrafted lamp that had two bundles containing approximately 498 grams of methamphetamine hidden behind a fiberglass panel.

On January 13, 2021, law enforcement made a controlled delivery of the package to 39 Bucks Hill Road, and then executed a search warrant at the residence.  The search revealed a distribution quantity of cocaine.  Solis-Sanchez was arrested a short time later.  At the time of his arrest, he possessed an additional quantity of cocaine that he intended to sell.  Solis-Sanchez subsequently admitted that he arranged for the delivery of the package containing methamphetamine, and also received cocaine shipments from the same supplier.

Solis-Sanchez has been detained since January 13, 2021.  On June 24, 2021, he pleaded guilty one count of reentry of a removed alien and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine.

This investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, and the Connecticut State Police, Statewide Narcotics Task Force, Northwest.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Angel M. Krull.

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that GEOFFREY GORDON, 51, of Brooklyn, New York, was sentenced today via videoconference by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden to 75 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for supplying cocaine to a southeastern Connecticut drug trafficker.

This matter stems from an investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Connecticut Statewide Narcotics Taskforce East, Connecticut Department of Correction and the New London, Waterford, City of Groton and Stonington Police Departments, into the distribution of narcotics and illegal possession of firearms in southeastern Connecticut.  The investigation included court-authorized wiretaps and controlled purchases and seizures of heroin, cocaine and firearms. 

According to court documents and statements made in court, Anthony Whyte, also known as “Jak Mac,” of New London, obtained heroin, fentanyl and cocaine from various sources in Connecticut, New York and elsewhere, and distributed the narcotics to others who then sold the drugs to customers and other street-level drug dealers.  Gordon supplied at least five kilograms of cocaine to Whyte for redistribution in Connecticut.

On February 21, 2019, Whyte and several other co-conspirators were arrested.  On that date, a search of Whyte’s New London apartment revealed more than 1.5 kilograms of cocaine; approximately 185 grams of heroin; approximately 100 grams of fentanyl and fentanyl pills; 10 firearms, several of which were stolen; and approximately $25,000 in cash.  Investigators seized additional narcotics, another firearm, and nearly $200,000 in cash from other members of the conspiracy.

Gordon was arrested on August 8, 2019.  A search warrant executed in association with his arrest yielded almost a kilogram of heroin and fentanyl, a 9mm handgun and $29,241in cash.

Gordon has been detained since his arrest.  On April 28, 2021, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute, and possession with the intent to distribute, 500 grams or more of cocaine.

On September 28, 2021, a jury found Whyte guilty of one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, various narcotics; one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments (“money laundering”); three counts of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, various narcotics; and one count possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  He awaits sentencing.

Twenty-Three others charged as a result of this investigation have been convicted.

This investigation has been conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Marshals Service, Connecticut Statewide Narcotics Taskforce East, Connecticut Department of Correction and the New London, Waterford, City of Groton, Stonington, Norwich, Old Saybrook and UConn Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natasha M. Freismuth and Angel M. Krull 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 RONNELL ROGERS, 28, of New Haven, was sentenced today via videoconference by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall to 51 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for narcotics distribution and firearm possession offenses, 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, Rogers was released from federal prison after serving approximately 17 months for unlawful possession of ammunition by a felon.  On January 17, 2021, while he was on federal supervised release, Rogers was arrested in New Haven on after officers searched his car and found distribution quantities of fentanyl and crack cocaine, and a loaded Smith & Wesson .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol.  The firearm had been reported stolen in Virginia.

In addition to his prior federal conviction, Rogers’ criminal history includes state convictions for firearm, larceny and risk of injury offenses.

Rogers has been detained since his federal arrest on January 28, 2021.  On September 2, 2021, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Judge Hall sentenced Rogers to 37 months of imprisonment for the narcotics and firearm offenses, and an additional 14 months of imprisonment for violating the conditions of his supervised release.

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the New Haven Police Department.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah P. Karwan.

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 MULKERN, also known as “Chucky,” 22, of Stratford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 48 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his role in an auto theft ring.

According to court documents and statements made in court, the FBI, Connecticut State Police and local police have been investigating multiple car theft rings in Connecticut, and violent crimes that are being committed using stolen vehicles.

The investigation revealed that Mulkern and others have stolen numerous motor vehicles, and used the stolen vehicles to travel throughout Connecticut and to neighboring states to steal other vehicles and the valuables inside, including credit cards, cellular telephones, and firearms.  Mulkern and his associates typically frequented upper middleclass neighborhoods to go “car-checking” or “jigging,” which involves an attempt to open the door of a motor vehicle and, if successful, steal the vehicle and/or valuables inside.  Once the thieves take the cars, they sell, trade or pawn any items of value found in the cars and sell or “rent” the stolen cars to other criminals.

On December 1, 2020, Mulkern and Edwin Cordero stole a Porsche Panamera from a residence in Westport, Connecticut.  Shortly after midnight on December 2, law enforcement in Westerly, Rhode Island, identified the stolen Porsche and attempted to stop the car.  The Porsche drove recklessly, at speeds of at least 86 mph, between Rhode Island and Connecticut, and evaded police who, for safety reasons, were forced to terminate pursuit.

At approximately 4 a.m. on December 2, Mulkern, Cordero and others used the stolen Porsche to steal a Dodge Challenger from a residence in Milford, Connecticut.  In the evening of December 2, Stratford Police spotted and attempted to stop the Porsche, which was being driven by Mulkern and in which Cordero was a passenger.  During the pursuit, Mulkern rammed a car stopped at a red light at an intersection, drove up on the sidewalk and through the red light, and then struck a second vehicle, causing the second vehicle to flip onto its roof.  Mulkern drove the damaged Porsche onto I-95 into Bridgeport, where he and Cordero were apprehended as they attempted to enter another stolen Audi A4 that was parked on Gregory Street.  A search of the stolen Audi revealed approximately 13 key fobs for other vehicles, and a search of the Porsche revealed five cellphones.  In addition, Cordero possessed a key fob for the stolen Dodge Challenger, which was subsequently located parked on Main Street in Bridgeport, and Mulkern possessed two stolen credit cards.

Mulkern has been detained since his arrest.  On April 30, 2021, he pleaded guilty to one count of transportation of a stolen vehicle. 

Cordero pleaded guilty to the same offense on September 8, 2021, and awaits sentencing.  

Cordero and Mulkern have also agreed to pay restitution to at least seven owners of vehicles they stole and/or damaged.

This matter has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Connecticut State Police and the Stratford, Milford, Stonington, Westport, Bridgeport, New Haven, Meriden, Darien, Old Saybrook, and Westerly (R.I.) Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah P. Karwan.

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOHNNY ORTEGA, also known as “Clatcho,” 39, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for distributing fentanyl.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2018, the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force began investigating Ricardo Reyes, also known as “Rick the Ruler,” a member of the Los Solidos street gang who was distributing fentanyl, heroin, cocaine and crack in the area of Park Street and Hungerford Street in Hartford.  During the investigation, law enforcement conducted multiple controlled purchases of narcotics from Reyes.  Court-authorized wiretaps confirmed that Reyes was distributing narcotics to numerous customers, and identified individuals who supplied drugs to Reyes, as well as associates of Reyes who sold drugs on his behalf.  Intercepted communications also revealed Reyes was acquiring and trafficking firearms.

Ortega, who is Reyes’ brother-in-law, supplied Reyes with fentanyl, and used his Rowe Avenue residence to store, process and package fentanyl for distribution.  On June 17, 2019, a court-authorized search of the residence revealed approximately 3,450 dose-bags of fentanyl, narcotics paraphernalia, a loaded Glock .40 caliber pistol, and ammunition.

On June 27, 2019, a grand jury Hartford returned a 32-count indictment charging Reyes, Ortega and 13 associates with various narcotics trafficking and firearm possession offenses.  Ortega was arrested on July 2, 2019.  On April 20, 2021, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 40 grams or more of fentanyl.

Ortega, who is released on a $200,000 bond, is required to report to prison on February 28, 2022.

Reyes pleaded guilty and, on February 11, 2021, was sentenced to 18 years of imprisonment.

The FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, New Britain Police Department, West Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.  The Hartford Police Department’s Vice and Narcotics Division provided valuable assistance to the investigation.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Leaming 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, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced QUAYSHON SHARPE, 28, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 26 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for unlawfully possessing firearms.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on January 7, 2020, a court-authorized search of Sharpe’s residence on Ivy Street in New Haven revealed a Saiga 7.62 caliber “AK” style rifle, a Mossberg 500 12-gauge shotgun, a loaded Llama .45 caliber handgun, shotgun shells and a high-capacity rifle magazine.  Sharpe was arrested earlier that day for an unrelated event.

Sharpe’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for sale of a controlled substance and carrying a dangerous weapon.

On June 4, 2021, Sharpe pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

Sharpe, who is released on a $25,000 bond, is required to report to prison on February 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, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ROBERT C. HARRINGTON, 55, of Milford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 72 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for trading child sex abuse images on the internet.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in January 2019, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) received information from Australian and Canadian law enforcement authorities that two usernames associated with an Internet Protocol (IP) address at Harrington’s Milford residence were sending and receiving images depicting the sexual abuse of girls through a web-based application.  On May 15, 2019, investigators searched Harrington’s residence and seized his tablet computer.  The tablet contained numerous images and videos depicting child sex abuse.

Harrington has been detained since his arrest on May 15, 2019.  On July 21, 2021, he pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography.

This investigation was conducted by HSI with the assistance of the Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team (JACET), South Australia Police, Australian Federal Police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria del Pilar Gonzalez.

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 Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Boston, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging KEVIN CURLEY, 40, formerly of Morris, with receipt of child pornography and distribution of child pornography.

The indictment was returned on December 7, 2021.  Curley appeared yesterday via videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert A. Richardson and entered a plea of not guilty to the charges.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, “Tor,” which is an acronym for “The Onion Router,” is a worldwide network of internet-connected computers that is designed to conceal the true IP addresses of the computers on the network and the identities of the network’s users.  In 2020, HSI began investigating Curley for his involvement in an online community of individuals who sent and received child pornography images and videos via a hidden service website that operated on the Tor network.  On August 5, 2020, investigators conducted a court-authorized search of Curley’s former residence in Morris and seized Curley’s desktop computer.  Analysis of the seized computer revealed hundreds of images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children.

If convicted of the charge of receipt of child pornography, Curley faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  The charge of possession of child pornography carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

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

Curley was originally arrested on a federal criminal complaint on October 8, 2020.  He is released on a $150,000 bond and residing in Naugatuck while awaiting trial.

This matter is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren C. Clark.

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, today announced that a federal jury in Hartford has found ONIEL WILKS, 42, a citizen of Jamaica, guilty of narcotics, identity fraud and money laundering offenses.  The trial before U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson began on December 13 and the jury returned the verdicts this morning.

According to the evidence at trial, in November 2018, members of the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force arrested several individuals, including Louie McDowell, who were distributing large quantities of heroin, fentanyl and crack cocaine in an around Bridgeport.  The investigation subsequently revealed that McDowell was being supplied with heroin, fentanyl and cocaine by Wilks, who was using a false identity and living in California.  Wilks, who had been removed from the U.S. to Jamaica in February 2014 and then illegally reentered the U.S., used stolen identifying information of an individual to apply for and receive a Florida driver’s license in 2015, and a U.S. passport in 2016.  Investigators determined that Wilks had used his fraudulent passport to travel overseas, including to Japan and Thailand.

In April 2019, Wilks, using his stolen identity, was stopped by law enforcement officers in southern California with five kilograms of suspected cocaine in the car he was driving.  As the investigation into Wilks’ drug trafficking activities continued, in July 2019, investigators seized a package containing six kilograms of cocaine that was being mailed from California to Connecticut.  On August 5, 2019, Wilks was arrested and court-authorized searches of two residences and a vehicle connected to him revealed approximately four kilograms of fentanyl, items used to process and package narcotics, false identifications and more than $160,000 in cash.

The jury found Wilks guilty of one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, five kilograms or more of cocaine and 400 grams or more of fentanyl; one count of making a false statement in a passport application; one count of aggravated identity theft; and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Judge Thompson scheduled sentencing for March 16, 2022, at which time Wilks faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 12 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

Wilks also will forfeit a 2014 Dodge Ram truck, a 2019 Toyota Rav4, a 2017 Acura MDX, diamonds originally valued at more than $50,000, a watch he purchased for more than $12,000, and approximately $180,000 seized from a bank account.

Wilks has been detained since his arrest.

McDowell has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.

This investigation has been conducted by the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration, Connecticut State Police, and the Bridgeport, Stratford, Norwalk, Seymour and Trumbull Police Departments.  The investigation has been assisted by law enforcement in California, including the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (“HIDTA”) Task Force Group 44, the Orange County Sheriff’s Regional Narcotics Suppression Program, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and the Culver City Police Department.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen L. Peck and A. Reed Durham.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Tyler Amon, Special Agent in Charge of EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division for New England, and Commissioner Katie Scharf Dykes of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection announced that MARMON UTILITY LLC waived its right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to a felony violation of the Clean Water Act for knowingly failing to properly operate and maintain the industrial wastewater treatment system and sludge-processing equipment at the Kerite Power Cable & Pump Cable factory located at 49 Day Street in Seymour, Connecticut.  Marmon Utility LLC (“Marmon”), a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, owns and operates the factory.

Under the terms of its plea agreement, if accepted by the court, Marmon will be under federal probation for three years and must pay $2.4 million to the government: $800,000 as a federal penalty and $1.6 million to fund a community service project administered by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (“CT DEEP”) to remediate the Naugatuck River.

According to court documents and statements made in court, the Kerite Power Cable & Pump Cable (“Kerite”) factory in Seymour manufactures large power cables and generates industrial wastewater containing heavy metals such as lead and zinc.  Under its 2015 CT DEEP permit, Marmon was required to properly operate and maintain the wastewater treatment system at the factory to reduce the heavy-metal content by chemical precipitation before the wastewater could be discharged to the sewage treatment plant. 

The investigation revealed that Marmon had been cutting back on its environmental compliance program for many years, and had not had an employee with an environmental background running its wastewater treatment system since February 2004.  When the operator of the wastewater treatment system became ill in March 2016, Marmon ran the system for approximately five months with maintenance employees who lacked environmental training and training on the treatment system. 

On September 7 and 8, 2016, the superintendent of the Seymour treatment plant observed unusual, rusty brown wastewater flowing into the plant and notified CT DEEP.  This rusty brown influent was interfering with the decomposition of the sewage.  The superintendent took samples and determined that the lead concentration of the rusty brown influent was approximately 127 times greater than the plant’s normal lead measurement, and that its zinc concentration was over 10 times the typical zinc concentration.  During the next several days, the superintendent had to order several truckloads of biologic microorganisms to break down the unprocessed sewage.  It took two weeks for the treatment plant to return to usual operational capacity. 

On September 27 and 29, 2016, CT DEEP and the plant superintendent inspected Marmon’s Kerite facility and concluded that it had discharged the rusty brown influent with the high lead and zinc concentrations on September 7, 8, and 9, 2016.  CT DEEP issued a Notice of Violation to Marmon based on, among other evidence:

• The Marmon facility manager’s statements (1) that the wastewater treatment operator had not been at the facility since the end of March 2016 due to medical reasons; (2) that no sludge had been processed in the filter press since this employee’s departure; and (3) no other Marmon employee had been trained to process sludge as required under the CT DEEP permit.
• The Kerite factory had discharged 5,725 gallons of industrial wastewater on September 7, 2016, and 5,225 gallons on September 8, 2016, which exceeded the daily discharge limit in Marmon’s CT DEEP permit.
• The lead concentration in water samples taken from Marmon’s final discharge tank, which flows to the Seymour sewage treatment plant, was 69 times greater than the permissible limit in Marmon’s CT DEEP permit.  The zinc concentration was 8.5 times greater than the prescribed limit.

The EPA’s investigation further disclosed that from at least April 24, 2016, and until September 29, 2016, the Marmon maintenance employees operating the wastewater treatment system did not know how to check and maintain the pH probe, operate the sludge filter press, check or change certain filters. These were all key components of the treatment system used to remove heavy metals from the factory’s industrial wastewater. These employees also did not have access to detailed manuals for operating the system. 

In fact, these Marmon employees informed investigators that, during this time period, when certain tanks became full and the system was imbalanced, they would empty the tank by opening certain valves to discharge the industrial wastewater without treating it.  As of mid-October 2016, the 3,000-gallon holding tank in Marmon’s wastewater treatment system held 1,000 gallons of sludge.

In addition to not properly operating and maintaining the wastewater treatment system and sludge-processing equipment at the Seymour factory, Marmon has also admitted to knowingly exceeding its maximum daily discharge limit in its CT DEEP permit on September 7 and 8, 2016, knowingly failing to notify CT DEEP promptly of the improper bypass, and that it had stopped processing the sludge using a sludge filter press as required under the CT DEEP permit.

“Any company operating a factory in Connecticut that ignores federal and state environmental laws does so at its own peril,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Boyle.  “Marmon failed to properly operate its industrial wastewater treatment system, thereby allowing unacceptably high levels of lead and zinc in its factory wastewater to flow to the Seymour sewage treatment plant – nearly knocking it offline.  Although Marmon once had a robust environmental program, the company gradually eliminated its environmental compliance department and reassigned these duties to maintenance workers with minimal training.  Today’s prosecution under the CWA is the direct result of Marmon’s penny-wise, pound-foolish approach.  We recognize and thank the EPA and CT DEEP for their invaluable work in protecting the environmental integrity of Connecticut’s rivers and the Long Island Sound.” 

“A town’s publicly owned wastewater treatment plant disinfects incoming wastewater from industry so clean water can be safely returned to our creeks, rivers, and lakes,” explained Special Agent in Charge Tyler Amon with EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division for New England.  “The criminal conduct of Marmon Utility compromised Seymour’s operations and the company simply did not play by the rules.  Today’s criminal pleading demonstrates again the U.S. Attorney’s Office and EPA’s commitment to protecting Connecticut’s environment.”

“By disinvesting in environmental management and the proper operation and maintaining of its wastewater pretreatment systems, Marmon’s conduct compromised the Town of Seymour’s Publicly Owned Treatment Works’ ability to properly treat all the wastewaters it receives from its community and protect the quality of the Naugatuck River for fishing and swimming, “ DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes said.  “This action sends a clear message – everyone has a role in protecting public health and our environment and there are significant consequences for not obeying our environmental laws and regulations.  Funds that will be provided to DEEP as a result of the proposed settlement of this case will strengthen programs that preserve and improve the quality of the Naugatuck River and its aquatic ecosystem. This settlement was achieved through a strong partnership of the DEEP, the EPA and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.  DEEP is proud to have played a part in this effort.”

This Clean Water Act offense carries a fine of not less than $5,000 but not more than $50,000 per day of the violation.

Judge Dooley has scheduled sentencing for April 7, 2022.

This matter has been investigated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Chen, with assistance from the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General. 

NatWest Markets Plc (NatWest), a London, U.K.-based global banking and financial services firm, pleaded guilty today to various fraud schemes in the markets for U.S. Treasury securities and futures contracts.

NatWest pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of securities fraud in connection with a criminal information filed today in the District of Connecticut. U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams accepted the pleas and sentenced NatWest to pay approximately $35 million in a criminal fine, restitution, and forfeiture. NatWest also will serve three years of probation and will agree to the imposition of an independent compliance monitor.

“As we have previously warned, there will be serious consequences for a company that breaches the terms of an agreement with the government. Today’s guilty plea by NatWest and the associated penalty show exactly that,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “Company executives should realize that investment in compliance programs can avoid situations like this, and take action accordingly.” 

“NatWest is a repeat offender,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Leonard C Boyle for the District of Connecticut. “In this instance, a criminal conviction was an appropriate penalty, given the conduct of NatWest’s supervisors, its compliance deficiencies, and its decision not to take the steps required to fulfill its agreement with this office that resolved a prior securities fraud scheme.”

“NatWest’s schemes were egregious – spanning multiple years and countries – and the sentencing today reflects that,” said Deputy Director Paul M. Abbate of the FBI. “Let this case be an example that the FBI will not tolerate companies that fraudulently interfere in U.S. markets for their own gain. The FBI and our law enforcement partners are dedicated to protecting the integrity of our financial institutions and the Americans who use them.”

“For over six years, NatWest engaged in separate fraud schemes to manipulate the market and unlawfully enrich themselves,” said Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Criminal Investigations Group. “Those who engage in this type of abuse of power should know they cannot escape detection and will be held accountable for their actions. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is proud to work alongside our fellow law enforcement partners to protect the integrity of the financial marketplace and it’s participants.”

According to court documents and NatWest admissions, between January 2008 and May 2014, NatWest traders in London and Stamford, Connecticut, independently engaged in schemes to defraud in connection with the purchase and sale of U.S. Treasury futures contracts. Separately, in 2018, two other traders employed at NatWest’s Singapore branch engaged in a fraud scheme in connection with the purchase and sale of U.S. Treasury securities in the secondary (cash) market.

In each scheme, NatWest traders engaged in “spoofing” by placing orders with the intent to cancel those orders before execution, attempting to profit by deceiving other market participants by injecting false and misleading information regarding the existence of genuine supply and demand in the market. The spoof orders were designed to artificially push up or down the prevailing market price so that the NatWest traders could trade more profitably as a result of these schemes. In some instances, one of the NatWest traders took advantage of the close correlation between U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. Treasury futures contracts and engaged in cross-market manipulation by placing spoof orders in the futures market in order to profit from trading in the cash market.

The 2018 securities fraud scheme constituted a material breach of the Oct. 25, 2017 Non-Prosecution Agreement between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut and NatWest’s U.S. broker-dealer subsidiary, NatWest Markets Securities Inc. (formerly RBS Securities Inc.), and occurred while NatWest (formerly The Royal Bank of Scotland Plc) was on probation following its May 20, 2015 guilty plea and Jan. 5, 2017 sentencing for conspiring to manipulate the foreign currency exchange market.

A number of relevant considerations contributed to the department’s criminal resolution with NatWest, including the nature and seriousness of the offense, NatWest’s substantial prior history of other criminal conduct and civil and regulatory actions against it, its breach of a prior agreement, and the state of NatWest’s compliance program. 

The FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated this matter.

Acting Deputy Chief Avi Perry and Trial Attorney Elise Kent Bernanke of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Francis of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut are prosecuting the case.

Individuals who believe that they may be a victim in this case should visit the Fraud Section’s Victim Witness website at https://www.justice.gov/criminal-vns/case/natwest.

NatWest Markets Plc (NatWest), a London, U.K.-based global banking and financial services firm, pleaded guilty today to various fraud schemes in the markets for U.S. Treasury securities and futures contracts.

NatWest pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of securities fraud in connection with a criminal information filed today in the District of Connecticut. U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams accepted the pleas and sentenced NatWest to pay approximately $35 million in a criminal fine, restitution, and forfeiture. NatWest also will serve three years of probation and will agree to the imposition of an independent compliance monitor.

“As we have previously warned, there will be serious consequences for a company that breaches the terms of an agreement with the government. Today’s guilty plea by NatWest and the associated penalty show exactly that,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “Company executives should realize that investment in compliance programs can avoid situations like this, and take action accordingly.” 

“NatWest is a repeat offender,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Leonard C Boyle for the District of Connecticut. “In this instance, a criminal conviction was an appropriate penalty, given the conduct of NatWest’s supervisors, its compliance deficiencies, and its decision not to take the steps required to fulfill its agreement with this office that resolved a prior securities fraud scheme.”

“NatWest’s schemes were egregious – spanning multiple years and countries – and the sentencing today reflects that,” said Deputy Director Paul M. Abbate of the FBI. “Let this case be an example that the FBI will not tolerate companies that fraudulently interfere in U.S. markets for their own gain. The FBI and our law enforcement partners are dedicated to protecting the integrity of our financial institutions and the Americans who use them.”

“For over six years, NatWest engaged in separate fraud schemes to manipulate the market and unlawfully enrich themselves,” said Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Criminal Investigations Group. “Those who engage in this type of abuse of power should know they cannot escape detection and will be held accountable for their actions. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is proud to work alongside our fellow law enforcement partners to protect the integrity of the financial marketplace and it’s participants.”

According to court documents and NatWest admissions, between January 2008 and May 2014, NatWest traders in London and Stamford, Connecticut, independently engaged in schemes to defraud in connection with the purchase and sale of U.S. Treasury futures contracts. Separately, in 2018, two other traders employed at NatWest’s Singapore branch engaged in a fraud scheme in connection with the purchase and sale of U.S. Treasury securities in the secondary (cash) market.

In each scheme, NatWest traders engaged in “spoofing” by placing orders with the intent to cancel those orders before execution, attempting to profit by deceiving other market participants by injecting false and misleading information regarding the existence of genuine supply and demand in the market. The spoof orders were designed to artificially push up or down the prevailing market price so that the NatWest traders could trade more profitably as a result of these schemes. In some instances, one of the NatWest traders took advantage of the close correlation between U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. Treasury futures contracts and engaged in cross-market manipulation by placing spoof orders in the futures market in order to profit from trading in the cash market.

The 2018 securities fraud scheme constituted a material breach of the Oct. 25, 2017 Non-Prosecution Agreement between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut and NatWest’s U.S. broker-dealer subsidiary, NatWest Markets Securities Inc. (formerly RBS Securities Inc.), and occurred while NatWest (formerly The Royal Bank of Scotland Plc) was on probation following its May 20, 2015 guilty plea and Jan. 5, 2017 sentencing for conspiring to manipulate the foreign currency exchange market.

A number of relevant considerations contributed to the department’s criminal resolution with NatWest, including the nature and seriousness of the offense, NatWest’s substantial prior history of other criminal conduct and civil and regulatory actions against it, its breach of a prior agreement, and the state of NatWest’s compliance program. 

The FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated this matter.

Acting Deputy Chief Avi Perry and Trial Attorney Elise Kent Bernanke of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Francis of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut are prosecuting the case.

Individuals who believe that they may be a victim in this case should visit the Fraud Section’s Victim Witness website at https://www.justice.gov/criminal-vns/case/natwest.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CRYSTAL KLATT, 36, of Meriden, waived her right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to one count of wire fraud stemming from an embezzlement scheme.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Klatt was employed as an office manager by a property management company located in Hamden.  Clients of the property management company would allow the company access to their bank accounts in order to allow the management company to make payments on behalf of the respective client.  Klatt had access to the client’s bank accounts as part of her job responsibilities.  Between approximately December 2014 and January 2021, Klatt diverted a total of $446,859.82 from the bank accounts of at least 14 clients to pay her personal credit card charges.

Judge Hall scheduled sentencing for March 8, 2022, at which time Klatt faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  Klatt is released on a $50,000 bond pending sentencing.

This matter has been investigated by the U.S. Secret Service, Hamden Police Department and Connecticut Financial Crimes Task Force.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Miller.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Matthew Modafferi, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, announced that LINDIM ASIPI, 44, of Waterbury, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to one count of wire fraud related to his theft of U.S. Postal Service (USPS) funds.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Asipi was a motor vehicle service driver for the USPS based in Waterbury, and the USPS provided Asipi with a fleet credit card that enabled him to purchase fuel.  Between approximately January 2019 and June 2020, Asipi conducted several hundred fraudulent transactions with his fleet credit card to obtain cash from gas stations without purchasing fuel.  To execute these fraudulent transactions, Asipi used his assigned personal identification number (PIN), as well as the PIN of another USPS driver who was unaware of Asipi’s scheme.

On April 11, 2020, Asipi was recorded on store video surveillance driving his USPS vehicle and parking next to the gas pumps at a gas station in Prospect.  After Asipi exited the vehicle and entered the store, Asipi’s credit card was used to charge $160 at 11:50 a.m. and $140 at 11:51 a.m.  Surveillance video footage then shows Asipi driving away from the gas station without pumping any fuel.

At sentencing, which is not scheduled, Asipi faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Service, Office of the Inspector General.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Chen.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, today announced that ROBERTO PORZIO, 48, of Westport, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to one count of tax evasion.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Porzio, who operates Bert’s Tree Service, Inc., deposited numerous customers’ checks into personal bank accounts, transferred a significant portion of the funds into a personal investment account, and kept from the corporation’s bookkeeper his receipt of the additional payments.  These diverted payments were not reported either on his individual federal tax returns as additional salary or on the corporation’s tax returns as additional receipts.

For the 2012 through 2016 tax years, Porzio failed to report a total of more than $900,000 in additional income.  The underreporting of Porzio’s income tax liability and the company’s payroll tax obligations resulted in a loss of $331,388 to the IRS.

Judge Underhill scheduled sentencing for March 10, 2022, at which time Porzio faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.

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

This matter has been investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anastasia King.

A federal grand jury in Bridgeport, Connecticut, returned an indictment yesterday charging a former manager of a major aerospace engineering company and five executives of outsource engineering suppliers (Suppliers) for participating in a long-running conspiracy to restrict the hiring and recruiting of employees among their respective companies. The conspiracy affected thousands of engineers and other skilled workers in the aerospace industry who perform services in the design, manufacturing and servicing of aircraft components for both commercial and military purposes.

According to the one-count felony indictment unsealed today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut, six individuals — Mahesh Patel, of Connecticut; Robert Harvey, of South Carolina; Harpreet Wasan, of Connecticut; Steven Houghtaling, of Connecticut; Tom Edwards, of Connecticut; and Gary Prus, of Florida — conspired with unnamed others to allocate employees by agreeing not to hire or solicit employees from each other’s companies.

This indictment is the first in an ongoing investigation into labor market allocation in the aerospace engineering services industry. Patel, described as a leader of the conspiracy given his position and authority as the Suppliers’ common customer, was previously charged by complaint. He was arrested and appeared before a federal magistrate judge on the charge last week, and was released on a $100,000 appearance bond. The remaining defendants are expected to appear before federal district courts in different districts this week.

“Conduct that corrupts competition for workers has no place in our economy,” said Assistant Attorney General Jonathan S. Kanter of the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division. “Our investigation revealed a prolonged and widespread scheme to deprive aerospace workers of the ability to plan their own careers and earn competitive pay. The Department of Justice and our law enforcement partners will continue to hold individuals and companies accountable for criminal conduct aimed at depriving workers of the myriad benefits that flow from competition.”

“No one should be illegally denied the opportunity to pursue better jobs, higher pay and greater benefits,” said Peter S. Jongbloed, Counsel to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut. “It is vital that the labor market in the defense and aerospace remain fair, open and competitive, and we look forward to continuing the partnership with the Antitrust Division and our law enforcement partners to prosecute this important case.”

“Anticompetitive practices undermine legitimate procurement and acquisition processes designed to ensure equity among parties that do business with the government. The DoD Office of Inspector General’s Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) is fully committed to prioritizing investigations involving corruption of the DoD labor market,” said Principal Deputy Director James R. Ives of the DCIS. “We will continue to partner with the Department of Justice to ensure the labor market that supplies goods and services to the U.S. military remains competitive.”  

According to the indictment, the defendants and co-conspirators recognized the mutual financial benefit of the conspiracy — namely, reducing the rise in labor costs that would occur when aerospace workers were free to find new employment in a competitive environment. Patel and certain other co-conspirators explicitly appealed to this financial benefit when communicating with each other about the agreement.

The maximum penalty under the Sherman Act for a conspiracy to restrain trade is 10 years of imprisonment and a fine of $1 million. The maximum fine may be increased to twice the gain derived from the crime or twice the loss suffered by the victims of the crime if either amount is greater than the statutory maximum fine. 

The charges are the result of an ongoing federal antitrust investigation into labor market allocation in the aerospace engineering services industry, conducted by the Antitrust Division’s New York Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut, and the New Haven and New York Resident Agencies of DCIS. Anyone with information in connection with this investigation should contact the Antitrust Division’s Complaint Center at 888-647-3258, or visit http://www.justice.gov/atr/report-violations.

An indictment merely alleges that a crime has been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

A middle-aged Lubbock man was sentenced today to the statutory maximum of 30 years in federal prison for producing sexually explicit images of a 14-year-old girl he picked up in Georgia, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Chad E. Meacham.

Robert David Fyke, 34, was arrested in June and pleaded guilty in August to production of child pornography. He was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge James Wesley Hendrix.

According to plea papers and the evidence presented at sentencing, Mr. Fyke admitted he exchanged sexually explicit images with a 14-year-old child he met on Kik, a messaging app popular among teenagers.  He then traveled to Georgia in an attempt to pick her up, but was initially unsuccessful and returned home.  On May 15, he drove to Georgia a second time, picked her up, and brought her back to Lubbock.

On June 17, law enforcement tracked the child’s phone to Mr. Fyke’s Lubbock residence, but were unable to find the child or her abuser there. Eventually, they located the defendant at his place of employment, and he consented to an search of his phone and a forensic interview.

On the phone, law enforcement found sexually explicit images of the child. Mr. Fyke initially told agents he believed the girl in the photographs was 16 or 17, but later admitted he knew she was 14. He stated that the child left him for another adult male, who he believed lived in Pennsylvania or Connecticut.  Fyke admitted to producing sexually explicit images of Doe after arriving in Lubbock.

That same day, law enforcement in Connecticut recovered the child and apprehended Wayne Marcell, 35, who has been charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut with sexual exploitation of the child, among other crimes. Mr. Marcell, who was charged via criminal complaint, is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office – Lubbock Resident Agency and the Lubbock Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children Division conducted the investigation with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Dekalb County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia, and the Danbury Police Department in  Connecticut. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Rancourt is prosecuting the Northern District of Texas case against Mr. Fyke; Assistant U.S. Attorney Nancy V. Gifford is prosecuting the District of Connecticut case against Mr. Marcell.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MICHAEL COPELAND, 58, of Bloomfield, 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 cocaine.

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 Copeland 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.

The investigation also revealed that Mendoza worked with others, including Danny Rhodes and Neliobet DeJesus, in the Hartford area to distribute heroin and cocaine.

Copeland was arrested on November 22, 2019.  On May 19, 2021, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, cocaine.

Copeland, who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on February 16, 2022.

Rhodes, of Bloomfield, and DeJesus, now residing in Orlando, Florida, have pleaded guilty.  On December 8, Judge Dooley sentenced to Rhodes to 87 months of imprisonment. DeJesus awaits sentencing.

Mendoza, last residing in Reading, Pennsylvania, is being sought by law enforcement.  Acting 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, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Edward Grace, Assistant Director of the Office of Law Enforcement for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announced that KING SHEUNG CHAN, also known as “Nelson,” 30, a permanent resident of Hong Kong of the People’s Republic of China, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to approximately eight months of imprisonment, time already served, for smuggling glass eels from the United States.

According to court documents and statements made in court, there is strong foreign demand for the export of live juvenile American glass eels, commonly called “glass eels” or “elvers,” to large “eel farms” in mainland China where the baby eels are raised to adult size for human consumption.  Along the Atlantic Coast, the commercial harvest of glass eels is legal only in South Carolina and Maine, with Maine using a heavily regulated quota system.  In recent years, the legal price for glass eels has generally fluctuated between $3,000 and $5,000 per kilogram.

The illegal harvest and sale of glass eels to overseas buyers have damaged American eel populations and their long-term vitality.  Since 2014, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature has listed the American eel as “Endangered.” 

Chan worked for Asia Aquatic Company, Ltd., based in Hong Kong, and a Canadian company named Laknock Trading.  Chan’s job was to procure glass eels from countries in North America and Europe, and to have them shipped via overnight air to Hong Kong. 

In 2017, Chan illegally smuggled 103 kilograms of glass eels, valued at approximately $340,000, from the U.S. to Hong Kong.  Some of those glass eels had been illegally harvested in Connecticut.

On April 7, 2021, Chan packed 19.3 kilograms of live glass eels worth approximately $86,000 that had been stored at a Connecticut facility.  Chan was told by undercover U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) officers who were posing as fisherman that these glass eels had been unlawfully harvested from Virginia, Maryland and Massachusetts.  After packing the glass eels in oxygenated bags, he paid $29,500 to the undercover officers and drove the live cargo to JFK Airport. 

Later that afternoon, Chan met the freight forwarder near JFK Airport that was handling the in-transit shipment of 10 boxes shipped by Laknock Trading from Canada.  Chan had arranged for the shipment of the boxes, which contained bags of dead glass eels with a few live ones mixed in.  Chan opened the boxes, took out the bags of dead glass eels, and replaced them with the bags of live glass eels packed a few hours before in Connecticut.  Chan resealed the boxes and returned them to the freight forwarder, which transported the shipment to the airline cargo area for export to Hong Kong.  Shortly thereafter, FWS officers arrested Chan and seized the glass eels from the airline cargo area.  FWS later released the glass eels into the wild.

Chan has been detained since his arrest.  He pleaded guilty on July 1, 2021.

This matter was investigated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Chen.