District of Connecticut

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that NELSON ALEJANDRO-CAPO, 37, of West Hartford, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 144 months of imprisonment and five years of supervised release for trafficking cocaine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2024, the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and New Britain Police Department investigated a drug trafficking organization, headed by Wilfredo Ortiz, that was operating out of Supreme Automotive, a car dealership located on Main Street in New Britain.  The investigation included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, physical and electronic surveillance, and several controlled purchases of narcotics, primarily cocaine, from Ortiz and other members of the conspiracy.

Investigators identified Alejandro-Capo as a supplier of cocaine to Ortiz.  Alejandro-Capo, using co-conspirator Eli Samuel O’Farrill-Fernandez as a middleman, supplied Ortiz with approximately two kilograms of cocaine on September 24, 2024, and approximately four kilograms of cocaine on October 12, 2024.

Ortiz and several other members of this drug trafficking organization were arrested on November 14, 2024.  In association with the arrests, investigators conducted court authorized searches of Supreme Automotive and residences and other locations connected to the organization and seized more than five kilograms of cocaine, more than 200 grams of fentanyl, approximately 30 grams of heroin, a kilogram press, seven firearms, ammunition, approximately $75,000 in cash, and 26 vehicles.

Alejandro-Capo was arrested on November 22, 2024.  On December 17, 2025, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, and two counts of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 500 grams or more of cocaine.

Alejandro-Capo has been detained since February 6, 2026, when his bond was revoked.

Ortiz and O-Farrill-Fernandez pleaded guilty and are currently serving prison terms of 135 months and 120 months, respectively.

This investigation has been conducted by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Connecticut State Police, the Connecticut Department of Correction, the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles Police, and the New Britain, Hartford, West Hartford, Waterbury, Naugatuck, East Hartford, Brookfield, Milford, Norwich, Orange, North Haven, Meriden, Berlin, and Manchester Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natasha Freismuth, Reed Durham, and David Nelson.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MORRIS CARTER III, also known as “Mo,” 37, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 156 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for firearm offenses and for violating the conditions of his supervised release from a prior federal conviction.

According to the evidence introduced during his trial, in the early morning of February 19, 2023, Carter was involved in a fight a convenience store in the south end of Hartford.  Surveillance footage shows Carter possessing a firearm and beating a convenience store patron in the head with a firearm magazine, which ejected ammunition during the altercation.  Carter then fled the store, drove toward Wethersfield, and threw two handguns out the car window.  Wethersfield Police stopped the car on Nott Street, found a loaded magazine under the passenger seat, and arrested Carter.  Later that morning, a Wethersfield resident called police after discovering one of the discarded guns at the end of her driveway.  Officers responded and found both discarded firearms, a magazine, and ammunition in the area.  Investigators also recovered the ammunition from the convenience store.

Carter has been detained since his arrest.  On August 15, 2025, a jury found him guilty of one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and one count of possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.

Carter’s criminal history includes a federal conviction in 2013 for conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, crack cocaine, and he was on federal supervised release when he committed the firearm violations in 2023.

Judge Dooley sentenced Carter to 136 months of imprisonment for the firearm violations and a consecutive 20 months of imprisonment for violating the conditions of his supervised release.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Hartford Police Department, and the Wethersfield Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathaniel J. Gentile and Sean P. Mahard.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CARLOS EGBERTO JIMENEZ-TUN, also known as Carlos Egberto-Jimenez, 28, a citizen of Guatemala, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to six months of imprisonment for illegally reentering the United States after being deported.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in April 2019, Jimenez was encountered by U.S. Border Patrol in Texas as part of a criminal alien smuggling investigation.  U.S. Border Patrol determined that Jimenez was in the U.S. illegally and he was deported to Guatemala in July 2019.  In September 2019, U.S. Border Patrol encountered Jimenez in Texas again.  He was arrested for being in the U.S. illegally and was deported to Guatemala in November 2019.

Jimenez subsequently unlawfully reentered the U.S.  Between November 2023 and October 2025, Jimenez was arrested, convicted, and sentenced multiple times in Connecticut Superior Court for larceny, failure to appear in court, interfering and resisting arrest, and violating probation.

On January 16, 2026, Jimenez was arrested in Bridgeport by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations following his release from state custody and has been detained since his arrest.  On January 27, 2026, he pleaded guilty to unlawful reentry. 

This matter is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that ROMAN SANTIAGO JR., 42, of Danbury, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to a cocaine trafficking offense.

According to court documents and statements made in court, from September 2024 to February 2025, Santiago engaged in a narcotics trafficking conspiracy that involved the shipment of cocaine from Puerto Rico to Connecticut through the U.S. Mail.  During the investigation, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service intercepted multiple packages that were mailed from Puerto Rico to various addresses in Connecticut.  Each package was intended for Santiago and contained approximately two kilograms of cocaine.

Santiago was arrested on February 12, 2025.  At time of his arrest, a search of residence revealed a package of cocaine that had been mailed from Puerto Rico, and additional quantities of cocaine and fentanyl.

In total, investigators seized more than 11 kilograms of cocaine during the investigation.

Santiago pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.  He is released on a $50,000 bond pending sentencing, which is scheduled for July 23.

This matter has been investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the 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 State Police, the Hartford Police Department, and the Plainville Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathan Guevremont and Christopher Lembo.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Thomas Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned a 20-count indictment charging MICHAEL JOSEPH MEADE, 61, of Old Saybrook, Connecticut, and CHET LEE WEST, 70, of Nebo, North Carolina, with numerous tax fraud offenses.

The indictment was returned on April 8, 2026, and Meade and West were arrested and presented today.  Meade is detained pending a hearing that is scheduled for tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. in New Haven federal court, and West is released on a $25,000 bond pending his arraignment in the District of Connecticut, which is scheduled for May 7.

The indictment alleges that Meade, who has owned and operated Innovative Components LLC, and subsequently Liquidlevel.com LLC, a Southington-based business engaged in the manufacturing and sale of liquid level float control mechanisms, has a federal tax obligation of approximately $2.5 million for the years 2001 through 2010, 2012, and 2013.  Since approximately 2016, Meade has attempted to evade the payment of his tax obligation in various ways, including by withdrawing large amounts of cash and purchasing cashier’s checks from his business accounts and using the funds for personal expenditures; depositing company funds into a family member’s trust account; transferring company funds to cryptocurrency wallets and accounts that he controlled; establishing new business bank accounts with a different company name, Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TINs), Employer Identification Numbers (EINs), and using nominees; notifying customers that he was no longer connected with his business and directing them to send payments to the newly opened bank account associated with a new TIN; using a shell company to purchase a personal vacation property in Maine; and opening bank accounts using a false social security number.

The indictment further alleges that, beginning in 2021, Meade conspired with West to structure various financial transactions in an effort to obstruct the IRS from assessing and collecting Meade’s federal tax obligation.  Meade and West also conspired to provide fraudulent tax-related information to customers of Meade’s business and to cause false information and false documents to be filed with the IRS.

The indictment charges Meade with one count of tax evasion, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, and six counts of failure to file a tax return, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of one year on each count.  The indictment charges Meade and West each with one count of conspiracy to obstruct and defeat the Internal Revenue Service, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, five counts of attempts to interfere with administration of internal revenue laws, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of three years on each count, and seven counts of aiding or assisting the filing of false documents, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of three years on each count.

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

This investigation is being conducted by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael S. McGarry and Peter S. Jongbloed.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and P.J. O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the FBI today announced that KELIJAH RICHARDSON, also known as “KeKe,” “Keek,” and “Lijh,” 28, and ANIBAL RIVERA, also known as “Go,” “Greenlight Go,” and “greenlightgo.1,” 27, both of Bridgeport, have been charged by indictment with robbing a jewelry store in Clinton earlier this year.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, the FBI New Haven Violent Crimes Task Force, together with state and local law enforcement agencies, has been investigating at least 20 robberies and burglaries, and attempted robberies and burglaries, of jewelry stores and kiosks that occurred between September 2025 and February 2026 in Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts.  In each instance, the suspects, wearing dark clothing, masks, and gloves, entered the jewelry stores and kiosks, used hammers or other tools to break jewelry showcases, and stole jewelry.  They then fled in vehicles that had no license plates or stolen or obstructed license plates.

The indictment, which was returned by a grand jury in Bridgeport on March 18, 2026, alleges that on February 3, 2026, Richardson and Rivera robbed the KAY Outlet in Clinton.  The retail value of items stolen during the theft is approximately $184,000.

The indictment charges Richardson and Rivera with interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act robbery), an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

Richardson, who was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on March 9, 2026, appeared today in Bridgeport federal court and entered a plea of not guilty to the charge.  He is released on a $250,000 bond.

Rivera has been detained since his arrest on February 3, 2026, on a state warrant stemming from an alleged robbery of approximately $259,000 in jewelry from a location in the Buckland Hills Mall in Manchester on September 17, 2025.

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

This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the FBI New Haven Violent Crimes Task Force with the assistance of state and local law enforcement agencies.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen L. Peck.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LUIS PETERSON ROHR FERREIRA BORGES, 25, a citizen of Brazil illegally residing in the U.S., was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver in Hartford to nine months of imprisonment for assaulting a federal officer.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Ferreira Borges has a case pending in Connecticut Superior Court stemming from an arrest on September 16, 2023.  In that case, he is charged with assault of public safety, emergency medical, public transit or health care personnel; assault in the third degree; breach of peace in the second degree; interfering with an officer; and intimidation based on bigotry or bias in the first degree.  On October 10, 2023, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued an arrest warrant for Ferreira Borges charging him with being present in the U.S. in violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

On June 25, 2025, federal law enforcement officers, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations officers, apprehended Ferreira Borges in the area of Zion Street in Hartford.  Ferreira Borges was non-compliant and resisted arrest.  After being placed in a government vehicle, he kicked, flailed, and screamed obscenities at the ERO officers.  As the vehicle traveled to the federal building on Main Street in Hartford, Ferreira Borges began raising and moving his leg, which was inches away from the ERO officer who was driving the vehicle, and Ferreira Borges stated he was going to kick the officer in the neck.  Ferreira Borges then started to bite another ERO officer who tried to control him, and spit on the ERO officer who was driving the vehicle.

Ferreira Borges has been detained since his arrest.  On January 22, 2026, he pleaded guilty to assault on a federal officer.  He faces immigration proceedings when he completes his prison term.

This matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that EDWARD J. SODLOSKY, 72, of Middlebury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to three months of imprisonment and one year of supervised release for tax evasion.  Judge Bolden also ordered Sodlosky to pay a $50,000 fine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Sodlosky, a self-employed Certified Public Accountant, owned and operated Edward J. Sodlosky, Certified Public Accountant (“EJS-CPA”) in Naugatuck.  From 2016 through 2022, Sodlosky prepared and filed annual joint income tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service on behalf of himself and his spouse.  He also filed annual partnership income tax returns for an entity named FinGLTD, which he owned with his spouse.  During this seven-year period, Sodlosky cashed more than 2,000 client payment checks to hide income generated by EJS-CPA.  As a result, a substantial amount of EJS-CPA’s business receipts was diverted from EJS-CPA’s bank accounts, and not reported in his joint income tax returns (Forms 1040 and 1040-SR) or partnership income tax returns (Form 1065).

Sodlosky deposited funds derived from the cashed checks, as well as client payment checks to EJS-CPA, into a network of business, personal, and nominee accounts.  He maintained, controlled, and used 15 different bank accounts to deposit business receipts and to evade income taxes.  Through this scheme, Sodlosky failed to report to the IRS $1,379,694.21 in additional income, resulting in a tax loss to the government of $422,720.

Sodlosky has paid the IRS $422,720, but still owes substantial interest and penalties.

On November 19, 2025, Sodlosky pleaded guilty to tax evasion.

Sodlosky, who is released on a $50,000 bond, is required to report to prison on May 27.

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Chen.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DIANA MILLER-LLOYD, also known as “Diana Rabin” and “Diana Lloyd,” 45, of Port Orange, Florida, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to 18 months of imprisonment and one year of supervised release for preparing numerous false tax returns.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Miller-Lloyd formerly resided in Middlefield and operated Lloyd Forenzique & Accounting Services Corporation, a tax return preparation business in Connecticut.  She established the business in 2017 in Windsor, and subsequently moved it to Branford in 2019 and to Guilford in 2021.  Before 2017, Miller-Lloyd provided tax preparation services under the business name Lloyd Forensic & Accounting Services.  Miller-Lloyd routinely obtained substantial federal tax refunds for her clients, many of whom had annual incomes exceeding $500,000, by disregarding information provided by the clients and their employers, and by fabricating and improperly deducting charitable contributions and business expenses, including advertising, repairs and maintenance, travel, meals, utilities, insurance, and legal services.

As a result of these fraudulent deductions, for the 2016 through 2021 tax years, Miller-Lloyd attempted to obtain for her clients at least $1,062,293 in either fraudulent refunds or fraudulent reductions on owed tax payments.  The IRS detected apparent fraudulent activity on several of the filed returns before refund monies were paid, resulting in an actual loss to the government of $472,913.

In addition, Miller-Lloyd at times used the professional credentials of another person, who was a certified public accountant, to defend filed returns when audited by the IRS.

Judge Nagala ordered Miller-Lloyd to pay to the IRS restitution of $467,717.

On October 1, 2025, Miller-Lloyd pleaded guilty to two counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation of false and fraudulent income tax returns.

In 2010, Miller-Lloyd was convicted in New York for grand larceny related to the preparation of false tax returns.

Miller-Lloyd, who is released on a $25,000 bond, is required to report to prison on July 13.

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

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and P.J. O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the FBI today announced that MARCOS ALEX MENDEZ TORRES, 26, of New Haven, has been charged by federal criminal complaint with multiple child exploitation offenses including traveling to engage in sexual activity with minors he met and coerced online.

As alleged in court documents, Mendez Torres used the social media usernames “nozuto” and “demoniodedinero” to communicate with girls online.  In 2022, Mendez Torres began communicating with an approximately 11-year-old girl in Pennsylvania over the online game platform Roblox.  Between 2022 and 2024, he used social media applications, including Discord and Snapchat, to communicate with the girl.  Between 2023 and 2024, Mendez Torres also communicated via social media with another girl in Ohio beginning when she was approximately 12 years old.  In March 2024, Mendez Torres traveled to Pennsylvania to meet with and to engage in sexual activity with the then-13-year-old girl residing there.  He then traveled back to Connecticut before returning briefly to Pennsylvania and continuing on to Ohio with the intention of engaging in sexual activity with the then-12-year-old girl residing there.

The criminal complaint charges Mendez Torres with coercion and enticement of a minor, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years imprisonment and a maximum of life; travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with children, an offense that carries a maximum of term of imprisonment of 30 years; and transfer of obscene materials to a minor, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

Mendez Torres has been detained since June 26, 2024, when he was arrested by the Connecticut State Police on child exploitation and kidnapping charges relating to a 15-year-old girl in Connecticut.  He was transferred to federal custody and appeared yesterday in Hartford federal court.

U.S. Attorney Sullivan noted that investigators are seeking to identify additional victims and encouraged victims, witnesses, and anyone with helpful information to call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), or to contact the FBI online at tips.fbi.gov.

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

This investigation is being conducted by the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, with the assistance of the Connecticut State Police.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexis L. Beyerlein.

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.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, and Stamford Police Chief Timothy Shaw today announced that JOSUE MUNIZ, 35, of Ansonia, pleaded guilty yesterday in New Haven federal court to a fentanyl and cocaine distribution offense.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2024, the Drug Enforcement Administration and Stamford Police Department learned that an individual, subsequently identified as Muniz, was trafficking fentanyl and cocaine in the Naugatuck Valley.  Investigators conducted multiple undercover purchases of narcotics from Muniz in November and December 2024.  On December 20, 2024, after investigators coordinated a purchase of narcotics, Muniz was arrested at a car dealership in Milford where he was employed.  Muniz possessed approximately 58 grams of fentanyl at time of his arrest, and related searches of his vehicle and Ansonia residence revealed quantities of fentanyl and crack cocaine.

Muniz pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and a quantity of cocaine, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.  A sentencing date is not scheduled.

Muniz, whose criminal history includes state felony convictions for narcotics offenses, has been detained since his arrest.

This matter has been investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Stamford Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Lembo.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Thomas Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven returned a 37-count indictment yesterday charging JESSLY GUZMAN, 36, of Hughestown, Pennsylvania, with tax fraud offenses stemming from the preparation and filing of numerous false federal tax returns.

As alleged in the indictment, Guzman, who formerly resided in New Britain, Connecticut, prepared tax returns for clients through her business Jacky’s Multiservices LLC, based in New Britain.  In addition, in approximately 2013, Guzman established Molina and Family Construction LLC (“MAFC”), a purported construction business in New London.  Insofar as it was ever a going concern, MAFC ceased operations in approximately 2014.  During the 2019 through 2022 tax years, Guzman falsified information on certain tax returns she prepared for clients to reduce her clients’ tax liability, increase their tax refund, or increase the size of their tax credits.  On some returns, Guzman fabricated Forms W-2 to trusted taxpayer clients that fraudulently indicated that those clients were employees of MAFC.  The W-2s reflected false wages from the company and false federal income tax withholdings.  Guzman then caused the false W-2s to be filed with the Social Security Administration and the IRS.  For some clients, Guzman also prepared and included false Schedules C reporting business expenses and losses, a false Schedule E reporting rental property expenses and losses, and false education expenses, education credits, and child and dependent care expenses.

The indictment also alleges that Guzman prepared and filed false tax returns for her and her spouse claiming wages from MAFC and the withholding of federal taxes.

The indictment charges Guzman with 33 counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation and presentation of a false income tax return, and four counts of make and subscribing a false income tax return.  The charges carry a maximum term of imprisonment of three years on each count.

Guzman’s arraignment is pending.

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

This investigation has been conducted by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter S. Jongbloed.

A woman who was a naturalized U.S. citizen from Bosnia and Herzegovina was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court in Bridgeport, Connecticut, to 30 months in prison for naturalization fraud based on lies about her prior criminal conduct to obtain U.S. citizenship.

According to statements made in court and court documents, Nada Radovan Tomanić, 53, of West Virginia, served with the Zulfikar Special Unit of the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 1990s, during the armed conflict in the region. Along with other Zulfikar Special Unit soldiers, Tomanić participated in the severe physical and psychological abuse of Bosnian Serb civilian prisoners, including torture and inhuman treatment amounting to a war crime.

When applying for U.S. naturalization in 2012, Tomanić, who resided in Hartford at the time, falsely denied having served in a detention facility or in any other situation involving the detention of others. She also falsely denied having committed a crime for which she had not been arrested — specifically, the crime of inflicting serious bodily harm under the Criminal Law of the Socialist Republic of Yugoslavia.

Tomanić’s deception extended beyond her written naturalization application. During her interview with a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officer, she was placed under oath and was legally obligated to answer questions truthfully. Despite that obligation, she again lied about her service in a detention facility and her past criminal conduct.

“The defendant tortured and abused prisoners in Bosnia and then lied to U.S. immigration authorities to live in the U.S. and become a citizen,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva for the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Human rights violators are not welcome in the United States. Thanks to the courage of the victims, and the diligence and dedication of our prosecutors and law enforcement partners, the defendant has been held accountable for exploiting our immigration system and evading responsibility for her crimes.”

“I sincerely appreciate the investigative work of our law enforcement partners both here in the U.S. and in Bosnia who have disregarded the passage of decades to ensure that justice is served,” said U.S. Attorney David X. Sullivan for the District of Connecticut. “There is no statute of limitations for human decency.”

“This case has always been about more than lying on naturalization documents,” said Special Agent in Charge P.J. O’Brien of the FBI New Haven Field Office. “Over the course of this investigation Tomanić’s violent history of targeting people based on their ethnicity and religion came to light, and we hope that yesterday’s sentencing gives some measure of justice to her victims. The FBI, along with our partners at the Department of Homeland Security’s Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center, and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Office of Fraud Detection and National Security will continue to investigate crimes of this nature to ensure the sanctity of the immigration process for all who righteously apply for U.S. Citizenship.”

Tomanić pleaded guilty on Nov. 10, 2025, to one count of procuring citizenship contrary to law.

The FBI investigated the case, with coordination provided by the Department of Homeland Security’s Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center (HRVWCC) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ Office of Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS), along with the FBI’s International Human Rights Unit (IHRU). The Justice Department thanks authorities from Bosnia and Herzegovina, to include the Ministry of Justice of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Srpska Ministry of Interior, Serbian authorities, and the United Nations International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, who were instrumental in providing assistance that aided in furthering the investigation.

Trial Attorney Elizabeth Nielsen of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anastasia King and Angel Krull for the District of Connecticut prosecuted the case, with assistance from HRSP historians. The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs also provided assistance.

Members of the public who have information about human rights violators in the United States are urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALLFBI (1-800-225-5324) or through the FBI’s online tip form at www.tips.fbi.gov/, or Homeland Security Investigations at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE (1-866-347-2423) or through ICE’s online tip form at www.ice.gov/webform/ice-tip-form.

A Connecticut woman who was a naturalized U.S. citizen from Bosnia and Herzegovina was sentenced yesterday to 30 months in prison for naturalization fraud based on lies about her prior criminal conduct to obtain U.S. citizenship.

According to statements made in court and court documents, Nada Radovan Tomanić, 53, of West Virginia, served with the Zulfikar Special Unit of the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 1990s, during the armed conflict in the region. Along with other Zulfikar Special Unit soldiers, Tomanić participated in the severe physical and psychological abuse of Bosnian Serb civilian prisoners, including torture and inhuman treatment amounting to a war crime.

When applying for U.S. naturalization in 2012, Tomanić falsely denied having served in a detention facility or in any other situation involving the detention of others. She also falsely denied having committed a crime for which she had not been arrested — specifically, the crime of inflicting serious bodily harm under the Criminal Law of the Socialist Republic of Yugoslavia.

Tomanić’s deception extended beyond her written naturalization application. During her interview with a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officer, she was placed under oath and was legally obligated to answer questions truthfully. Despite that obligation, she again lied about her service in a detention facility and her past criminal conduct.

“The defendant tortured and abused prisoners in Bosnia and then lied to U.S. immigration authorities to live in the U.S. and become a citizen,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva for the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Human rights violators are not welcome in the United States. Thanks to the courage of the victims, and the diligence and dedication of our prosecutors and law enforcement partners, the defendant has been held accountable for exploiting our immigration system and evading responsibility for her crimes.”

“I sincerely appreciate the investigative work of our law enforcement partners both here in the U.S. and in Bosnia who have disregarded the passage of decades to ensure that justice is served,” said U.S. Attorney David X. Sullivan for the District of Connecticut. “There is no statute of limitations for human decency.”

“This case has always been about more than lying on naturalization documents,” said Special Agent in Charge P.J. O’Brien of the FBI New Haven Field Office. “Over the course of this investigation Tomanić’s violent history of targeting people based on their ethnicity and religion came to light, and we hope that yesterday’s sentencing gives some measure of justice to her victims. The FBI, along with our partners at the Department of Homeland Security’s Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center, and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Office of Fraud Detection and National Security will continue to investigate crimes of this nature to ensure the sanctity of the immigration process for all who righteously apply for U.S. Citizenship.”

Tomanić pleaded guilty on Nov. 10, 2025, to one count of procuring citizenship contrary to law.

The FBI investigated the case, with coordination provided by the Department of Homeland Security’s Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center (HRVWCC) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ Office of Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS), along with the FBI’s International Human Rights Unit (IHRU). The Justice Department thanks authorities from Bosnia and Herzegovina, to include the Ministry of Justice of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Srpska Ministry of Interior, Serbian authorities, and the United Nations International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, who were instrumental in providing assistance that aided in furthering the investigation.

Trial Attorney Elizabeth Nielsen of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anastasia King and Angel Krull for the District of Connecticut prosecuted the case, with assistance from HRSP historians. The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs also provided assistance.

Members of the public who have information about human rights violators in the United States are urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALLFBI (1-800-225-5324) or through the FBI’s online tip form at www.tips.fbi.gov/, or Homeland Security Investigations at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE (1-866-347-2423) or through ICE’s online tip form at www.ice.gov/webform/ice-tip-form.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), New England, today announced that JOHN O’ROURKE, also known as JOHN CASEY, 27, a citizen of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, has been charged by federal criminal complaint with illegally reentering the United States after being deported.

O’Rourke appeared yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven and was ordered detained.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, O’Rourke has used several other aliases including “John O’Rouke,” “Michael Casey,” “John Joyce,” “Robert Davanzo,” “David Collins,” and “James McCormack.”  On October 7, 2024, U.S. Border Patrol apprehended O’Rourke, under an alias, and four other individuals near Fort Covington, New York, close to Canadian border.  An investigation revealed that O’Rourke did not have legal status in the U.S. and, on October 15, 2024, he was removed by foot from New York to Canada.

It is further alleged that on February 18, 2025, O’Rourke was arrested under the name John Casey in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and charged with state offenses including evading responsibility and breach of peace.  Continued investigation revealed that O’Rourke has pending cases stemming from arrests under various aliases in Suffolk County, New York, in November 2023; Everett, Washington, in September 2025; Linden, New Jersey, in December 2025; and Snohomish County, Washington, in January 2026.  He also has a pending arrest warrant for a larceny offense issued by Connecticut Superior Court judge in Danbury, Connecticut, and is being sought by law enforcement in Surrey, England.

O’Rourke was arrested on March 2, 2026, in Pleasonton, California, on an arrest warrant issued by a judge in Torrington, Connecticut, charging O’Rourke with larceny in the first degree, making home improvements without a valid home improvement certificate, and mispresenting or impersonating a registered contractor.

O’Rourke has been detained since his arrest. 

If convicted of the charge of unlawful reentry, O’Rourke faces a maximum term of imprisonment of two years.

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

This matter is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOSE RAUL MAITA, 55, a citizen of Ecuador, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver in Hartford to unlawful reentry of a removed alien.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in June 1996, Maita was granted status as a legal permanent resident in the United States following approval of an application based on his marriage to a U.S. citizen.  In February 1998, Maita was convicted in Westchester County Court in New York of sexual abuse first degree involving sexual contact by forcible compulsion.  The victim of the offense was nine years old.  Maita was sentenced to five years of probation and was required to register as a sex offender.  In November 2000, Maita was convicted in New York of failure to register as a sex offender.  In August 2001, he was convicted of driving while intoxicated and for violating his probation stemming from his sexual abuse conviction.  Maita’s probation was revoked and he was sentenced to one year of incarceration.  In October 2003, Maita was deported to Ecuador.

Maita illegally reentered the U.S. and, in November 2006, he was convicted in Westchester County Court of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.  In April 2007, he was convicted in New York of failure to register as a sex offender.  In April 2008, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested Maita and, in October 2008, he was convicted in the Southern District of New York of unlawful reentry.  In August 2009, Maita was again removed to Ecuador.  He subsequently unlawfully reentered the U.S.

On September 20, 2025, Maita, who identified himself as “Jose P. Maita” and provided a false date of birth, was arrested by the Connecticut State Police in Southbury on charges of illegal operation of a motor vehicle without a license and illegal operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and drugs.  Maita was subsequently released on bond.

On November 4, 2025, the U.S. District Court in New Haven issued a criminal complaint charging Maita with unlawful reentry.  Maita was located and arrested by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations on March 18, 2026, in Waterbury.  He has been detained since his arrest.

Judge Oliver scheduled sentencing for July 2, at which time Maita faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

This matter is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced MARIO RAMIRO ARAGON-RUANO, also known as Mario Ramiro Aragon and Jose Juana-Zapata, 43, a citizen of Guatemala, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver in Hartford to unlawful reentry of a removed alien.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in August 2006, Aragon-Ruano, using the name Jose Juana-Zapata, was encountered by U.S. Border Patrol in Arizona.  He was deported to Guatemala later that month and warned that he could not return to the U.S. for a period of five years.  He subsequently reentered the U.S. and was arrested in 2007.

In August 2008, Aragon-Ruano was convicted, under the name Mario Ramiro Aragon, in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on a federal charge of murder for hire, and was sentenced to 87 months of imprisonment.  In September 2013, he was again deported to Guatemala.

In July 2019, U.S. Border Patrol encountered Aragon-Ruano in Arizona.  In January 2020, he was convicted in U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona for illegally reentering the U.S. after being deported and he was sentenced to 13 months and one day of imprisonment. He was deported to Guatemala a third time in July 2020.

Aragon-Ruano subsequently unlawfully reentered the U.S.  On January 10, 2026, he was arrested by Waterbury Police and charged with criminal trespass in the first degree and breach of peace in the second degree.  After Aragon-Ruano was released on bond on those state charges, he was arrested by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations on January 12, 2026, in Waterbury.

Aragon-Ruano has been detained since his arrest.  Judge Oliver scheduled sentencing for July 1, 2026, at which time Aragon-Ruano faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

This matter is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MELISSA CRUZ, 37, and JOSE RAMIREZ, 41, both of New Britain, were sentenced today in Hartford federal court for offenses stemming from their participation in a conspiracy to import and sell counterfeit goods.  U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver sentenced Cruz to one year of probation and a $20,000 fine, and Ramirez to one year of probation and a $10,000 fine. 

According to court documents and statements made in court, between 2021 and 2024, Cruz and Ramirez conspired with others to sell counterfeit clothing, luxury and designer handbags and purses, and jewelry bearing counterfeit trademarks to customers across the U.S., some of which they imported from outside the U.S.  Cruz and Ramirez used Facebook to conduct live shows during which Cruz showcased, advertised, and sold the counterfeit goods.  In total, Cruz and Ramirez made more than $4 million in gross sales for the counterfeit merchandise through various electronic peer-to-peer payment services including CashApp, Paypal, and Venmo.

Between March 2022 and March 2023, U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized multiple international parcels containing dozens of counterfeit handbags from Thailand, China, and Hong Kong that were addressed to Cruz and Ramirez’s residence in New Britain.  On December 19, 2024, law enforcement conducted a court-authorized search of the residence and seized nearly 2,000 units of counterfeit goods.

Judge Oliver ordered Cruz and Ramirez to pay restitution in the total amount of $10,711.25.

Cruz and Ramirez each previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to willfully infringe a copyright.

This matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with the assistance of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.  The case prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Gordon.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CARLOS CABRERA-ZARUMA, 45, a citizen of Ecuador, pleaded guilty today in New Haven federal court to unlawful reentry of a removed alien.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Cabrera-Zaruma illegally entered the U.S. from Mexico in 2000.  In 2008, he was convicted and sentenced in Connecticut Superior Court of sexual assault in the second degree against a victim under the age of 16, and operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs.  He was deported to Ecuador in September 2010.  Cabrera-Zaruma subsequently unlawfully reentered the U.S. and returned to Connecticut.  On September 6, 2025, he was arrested in Danbury and charged with motor vehicle violations.

Cabrera-Zaruma has been detained since his federal arrest on October 7, 2025.  He is scheduled to be sentenced in Hartford on June 29.  The offense carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

This matter is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
 

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ERIC D. COX, 43, of Southington, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to 29 months of imprisonment and two years of supervised release for firearm and narcotics offenses stemming from a shooting in Hartford in 2020.

According to the evidence presented during his trial, on September 4, 2020, Cox engaged in a violent altercation near Hartford Hospital in Hartford.  During the altercation, in which Cox was slashed with a knife, Cox pulled out a gun and fired multiple shots at the individual who slashed him and others in the vicinity, which resulted in a bystander being shot multiple times.  Hartford Police responded to the incident and found several cartridge casings on Jefferson Street where the stabbing and shooting occurred, and a hospital employee found a discarded .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol outside the entrance of the hospital’s emergency department and notified law enforcement.  Police searched Cox’s car after the incident and found a bag containing approximately 28 grams of cocaine.  Subsequent analysis of the firearm revealed the presence of Cox’s DNA.

Cox’s criminal history includes a federal conviction in 2008 for a crack cocaine distribution offense.

On November 21, 2025, a jury found Cox guilty of one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and one count of possession of cocaine.

Cox, who is released on $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on August 6.

The Hartford State’s Attorney’s Office prosecuted the other individual involved in the altercation.     

This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Hartford Police Department, with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert S. Dearington and Mary G. Vitale.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, P.J. O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the FBI, and Berlin Police Chief Matthew J. McNally today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment yesterday charging THOMAS MARRA, 55, of North Haven, with bank robbery.

The indictment alleges that, on December 31, 2025, Marra robbed the Webster Bank on Webster Square Road in Berlin.

If convicted of the offense, Marra faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

Marra has been detained since his arrest on related state charges on January 7, 2026.

In May 2023, Marra was sentenced in New Haven federal court to 60 months of imprisonment for a narcotics trafficking offense.  He was released from prison in June 2025 and was on federal supervised release at the time of the alleged bank robbery.  Marra faces additional penalties if he is found to have violated the conditions of his supervised release.

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

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Berlin Police Department, and the North Haven Police Department.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathan J. Guevremont and Brendan J. Keefe.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MARC ANTHONY ALEXANDER, 45, formerly of Milford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sarah F. Russell in New Haven to 30 months of imprisonment and two years of supervised release for fraud and firearm offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2022, a business known as “Traveling Graces, LLC” was registered with the State of Connecticut with Melanie Ham as its registered agent and “Dr. Marc Anthony Alexander” as its manager.  Between July 2023 and December 2023, Alexander and Ham misrepresented to a Connecticut resident (the “victim”), who Alexander had met on a dating app, that Traveling Graces was a legitimate business and they were looking for investors.  The victim provided two bank checks totaling $167,000 to Alexander and Ham, which they used for their own purposes.

In May 2024, Alexander met with an employee of the residential community in which he resided and claimed to be an FBI agent who required additional parking spaces assigned to him for professional reasons.  He wore clothing that falsely identified him as an FBI agent, showed a fake FBI identification badge, and possessed a Hellcat 9mm pistol in a holster.

Alexander’s criminal history includes convictions for fraud and other offenses.  In April 2017, he was sentenced in New Haven federal court to 96 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for his involvement in a scheme related to the theft and negotiation of postal money orders that defrauded the U.S. Postal Service of more than $300,000, and his role in a separate scheme that involved the fraudulent sale of financed vehicles, which defrauded lenders of more than $1 million.  Alexander was released from federal prison in February 2023.

In February 2024, while he was on supervised release, Alexander was arrested by Stamford Police for illegal operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol/drugs, illegal operation of a motor vehicle under suspension, illegal operation of a motor vehicle without minimum insurance, and failure to drive in a proper lane.  In November 2024, Alexander is alleged to have used a bank statement he manipulated with false information to facilitate the purchase of a vehicle from a car dealership in Dartmouth, Massachusetts.  Alexander also falsely reported his address to his probation officer, left Connecticut without permission, and opened nine new lines of credit, all in violation of the terms and conditions of his supervised release.

Alexander has been detained in federal custody since January 13, 2025.  On February 26, 2025, he was sentenced in Hartford federal court to two years of imprisonment for violating the conditions of his supervised release from his prior federal conviction.  On January 29, 2026, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

On November 19, 2025, Ham pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.  She awaits sentencing.

This matter has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Miller.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Noah Fallon, Acting Investigations Branch Chief for the Federal Protective Service, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging PETERSON BERNADEL, 39, of Meriden, with offenses related to the theft of government property.

The indictment alleges that Bernadel was a Computer Systems Administrator (CSA) at the Office of the Federal Public Defender for the District of Connecticut (FDO).  As a CSA, he had physical access to the FDO’s inventory of digital and electronic devices, including computers, tablet computers, cellular telephones, and other devices.  He also had the ability to add, remove, and edit information contained in their digital inventory record-keeping system.  Bernadel stole property from the FDO, including iPads, Apple and Dell computers, a Mavic drone, and a Canon digital camera, and exchanged the items for cash at pawn shops.  He also falsified an inventory record related to an Apple laptop computer that he had stolen and pawned.

The indictment, which was returned on March 24, 2026, charges Bernadel with eight counts of theft of government property, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years on each count, and one count of falsifying records and information, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.

Bernadel was arrested on April 1, 2026.  He is released on a $50,000 bond pending trial.

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

This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Protective Service.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel George.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that HUACHUN ZHENG, also known as “Ri Yuan,” 43, a citizen of China last residing in Queens, New York, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to 30 months of imprisonment for offenses related to a series of vehicle thefts from dealerships utilizing personal information from identity theft victims.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Zheng, who did not have legal status in the U.S, and others used stolen personal and financial information and stolen or counterfeit identity cards from multiple identity theft victims to apply for loans to purchase or lease luxury vehicles from a car dealership in Greenwich.  They then transported the vehicles to New York and sought to resell them.

On September 27, 2022, Zheng, using a stolen identity, obtained $94,742.73 in financing to purchase a 2019 Porsche Panamera from the Greenwich dealership.  After the fraud scheme came to light, the dealership repossessed the vehicle before it could be resold.  Zheng’s co-conspirators fraudulently obtained financing and purchased other vehicles from the dealership.

The investigation revealed that Zheng and his co-conspirators used stolen identity information to perpetrate other frauds.  On September 10, 2022, Zheng was arrested in Nassau County, New York, in connection with a scheme in which he and others passed fraudulent checks to purchase jewelry.  At the time of that arrest, Zheng was driving a Maserati that had been purchased from a dealership in Jamaica, New York, and was registered in the name of the victim whose identity Zheng used to purchase the Porsche Panamera from the Greenwich dealership later that month.

Zheng has been detained since his arrest on January 28, 2025.  On January 6, 2026, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.

Zheng faces immigration proceedings when he completes his prison term.

This matter has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Greenwich Police Department and the New York City Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elena L. Coronado.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and P.J. O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the FBI, today announced that the U.S. Attorney’s Office, working with the FBI and other law enforcement agencies, has recovered and forfeited more than $600,000 in cryptocurrency associated with a fraud scheme.

As alleged in court documents, in September 2025, a Connecticut resident identified as “T.M.” received a letter purporting to be from “Ledger Security & Compliance.”  The letter claimed that T.M.’s Ledger device, which is a device used for storing cryptocurrency, needed to undergo a new mandatory security check.  In reality, when T.M. followed the instructions in the letter, the fraudsters were able to compromise T.M.’s Ledger device and steal approximately $234,000 in cryptocurrency.

The FBI and Connecticut State Police traced the cryptocurrency transactions through multiple cryptocurrency wallets and successfully seized approximately $600,000 worth of Tether, a form of cryptocurrency.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office filed a civil forfeiture complaint (3:26-cv-28) alleging that the Tether cryptocurrency was the proceeds of wire fraud and that it was involved in money laundering.  On March 31, 2026, the U.S. District Court entered a decree of forfeiture.

Generally, the U.S. Attorney’s Office first seeks to forfeit the cryptocurrency, then works with the Department of Justice’s Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section to, in many cases, return it to crime victims so that victims have clear title to the property without risk of further litigation.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David C. Nelson.

More information on cryptocurrency fraud schemes and where to report related criminal activity is available here: https://www.ic3.gov/CrimeInfo/Cryptocurrency.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that CESAR RUBEN YLLESCAS, 52, a citizen of Peru, has been charged by federal criminal complaint with unlawful reentry of a removed alien.

As alleged in court documents, between 1995 and 2015, Yllescas was arrested, convicted, and sentenced multiple times in Connecticut Superior Court and Chicopee, Massachusetts District Court for narcotics offenses, threatening, assault, failure to appear in court, and illegal operation of a motor vehicle.  In June 2016, Yllescas was deported to Peru.  He subsequently reentered the U.S., was convicted in federal court of unlawful reentry and, in December 2019, was sentenced to 10 months of imprisonment.  In May 2020, Yllescas was again deported to Peru.

It is further alleged that Yllescas again illegally reentered the U.S.  On March 20, 2026, he was arrested by the West Springfield, Massachusetts Police Department for motor vehicle-related charges and on an outstanding warrant for failure to appear in court in 2015 for a violation of probation.  After Yllescas was released on bond on those state charges, he was arrested by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations on March 23, 2026, in West Springfield.

Yllescas appeared yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas O. Farrish in Hartford and was ordered detained.

If convicted of the charge of unlawful reentry, Yllescas faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

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

This matter is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MIGUEL FRANCISCO GUZMAN, 31, of Woodbridge Township, New Jersey, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to 168 months of imprisonment and 10 years of supervised release for child exploitation and drug distribution offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 18, 2025, Guzman began messaging on Snapchat with a girl under the age of 13 (“minor victim”) in Connecticut.  Guzman solicited sexually explicit images from the minor victim and sent sexually explicit images of himself to the minor victim.  Later that night, Guzman travelled to Connecticut and engaged in sexual conduct with the minor victim.  He also coerced the minor victim into ingesting cocaine.

A court-authorized search of Guzman’s Snapchat account revealed that, between March and May 2025, Guzman attempted to solicit sexually explicit images and arrange sexual encounters with other minors.

Guzman has been detained since his arrest on August 12, 2025.  On November 6, 2025, he pleaded guilty to one count of enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity and one count of distribution of a controlled substance to a person under age 21.

This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of local police in Connecticut and the Woodbridge Township (N.J.) Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine E. Boyles, with the assistance of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey.

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.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOSHUA BAILEY, 46, of Milford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to 144 months of imprisonment and 10 years of supervised release for enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 12, 2024, Elizabeth Jordan, after sustained pressure from Bailey, engaged in sexual activity with a minor and livestreamed the activity to Bailey using Facebook messenger.  A subsequent search of Bailey’s phone revealed a series of screenshots of Jordan and the minor engaged in sexual activity. 

Bailey and Jordan have been detained since August 2024 when they were arrested for related state offenses.  On November 3, 2025, they each pleaded guilty in federal court to enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity.

Judge Nagala ordered Bailey to pay $5,000 pursuant to the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015, and $10,000 pursuant to Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act of 2018.

Jordan, 43, of West Haven, is awaiting sentencing.

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

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.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that a federal jury in New Haven has found former Connecticut State Senator DENNIS A. BRADLEY, JR., 43, of Bridgeport, guilty of defrauding Connecticut’s program for publicly funding political campaigns during his 2018 run for State Senate.

According to the evidence presented during the trial, in his 2018 campaign for State Senate representing the 23rd District, Bradley and others conspired to defraud the Connecticut State Election Enforcement Commission (“SEEC”), the Citizens’ Election Fund, and the State of Connecticut by making material misrepresentations concerning Bradley’s compliance with state election law and the requirements and restrictions of the Citizens’ Election Program (“CEP”), a voluntary public election-financing program under which candidates can apply to SEEC for grants to fund their primary and general election campaigns.  Bradley and his co-conspirators violated CEP rules, then engaged in a scheme to trick SEEC into awarding his campaign undeserved CEP grants by making misrepresentations and omissions to disguise the nature of a March 15, 2018, campaign launch event at Dolphin’s Cove restaurant in Bridgeport.

Although CEP rules imposed a $2,000 limit on Bradley’s expenditure of personal funds, Bradley used more than $7,000 in personal funds to pay for the Dolphin’s Cove campaign event, including an open bar, food, printed invitations, a band, a DJ, and a videographer.  In an attempt to hide the Dolphin’s Cove campaign event from SEEC, Bradley and his co-conspirators claimed it was a “Thank You Party” for Bradley’s law firm.  At least eight donors gave to Bradley’s campaign at the Dolphin’s Cove event, but Bradley and his co-conspirators altered and falsified the contribution cards so that none were dated March 15, 2018.

CEP rules required complete and truthful disclosures of Bradley’s campaign contributions and expenditures.  In April, May, and June 2018, Bradley’s campaign filed disclosure statements with SEEC that fraudulently omitted that Bradley had held the Dolphin’s Cove campaign event, omitted that Bradley had incurred or paid more than $7,000 in expenses for that event, omitted that Bradley’s campaign had accepted contributions at the event, and misrepresented the dates of those contributions.

On May 24, 2018, Bradley applied for a CEP grant to fund his Democratic primary campaign.  On July 10, 2018, relying on the false and misleading information contained in Bradley’s filings, SEEC issued the campaign $84,140 in public funds.  On August 14, 2018, Bradley won the Democratic primary with approximately 55 percent of the vote.

After issuing a CEP primary grant to Bradley, SEEC began investigating a citizen complaint regarding Bradley’s campaign, including the Dolphin’s Cove campaign event.  On August 21, 2018, Bradley emailed a letter to SEEC in which he denied all the allegations in the citizen complaint as “frivolous and manipulative” and falsely stated, “This was in no shape or form a political event. … In fact, we did not collect any donations at this event and have no donations dated 03/15/2018.”

On October 12, 2018, after Bradley attempted to obtain an additional $95,710 CEP grant to fund his general election campaign, his campaign treasurer, Jessica Martinez, repeated similar false statements under oath to SEEC.  Bradley then once again repeated those lies at a SEEC meeting considering whether to award his campaign the general election grant.  SEEC eventually denied Bradley that grant.  On November 6, 2018, Bradley won the general election.

The jury found Bradley guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and five counts of wire fraud.  Each offense carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

Bradley is released on a $300,000 bond pending sentencing, which has not yet been scheduled.

Martinez pleaded guilty to a related charge and has been sentenced.  A cooperating campaign volunteer also pleaded guilty to a charge stemming from her role in the offense and awaits sentencing.

This case has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being  prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan N. Francis and David E. Novick.

JOHN MURIUKU WAMUIGAH, 36, a citizen of Kenya, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to approximately 23 months of imprisonment, time already served, for his participation in a business email compromise scheme that operated out of multiple countries, including the United States.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Wamuigah participated in a business email compromise scheme masterminded by his co-conspirator, Okechuckwu Valentine Osuji, a Nigerian national.  Osuji and his co-conspirators targeted specific individuals and businesses by masquerading as trustworthy entities in electronic communications to obtain money.  They used unwitting and witting “money mules,” including victims of romance scams, to receive fraud proceeds in their bank accounts and then either transferred those funds from the money mule accounts to accounts under the co-conspirators’ control or converted the stolen proceeds to cash for further transfer.  Over the years-long operation of the scheme, numerous victims were tricked into transferring funds into bank accounts the victims believed were under the control of legitimate recipients as part of normal business operations.  In reality, the bank accounts were controlled by Osuji and his co-conspirators.  The victims included a Connecticut-based financial company, a Colorado-based lending company, an Alaska-based nonprofit performing arts organization, a New York-based food and beverage company, and many others.

As a result of the scheme, losses and intended losses totaled more than $12 million.

Wamuigah’s role in the scheme involved his altering or forging invoices, contracts, and wire transfer instructions at Osuji’s direction.  Osuji used the forged documents to trick victims into sending money to bank accounts he and others controlled.

Wamuigah was arrested in Malaysia in 2022 at the request of the United States and extradited to the United States in 2025.  On October 17, 2025, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.  Wamuigah will be transferred to ICE custody and removed to Kenya.

On May 1, 2024, a jury in New Haven found Osuji guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft.  On December 4, 2024, he was sentenced to 96 months of imprisonment.  On October 15, 2024, co-conspirator Tolulope Bodunde, a citizen of Nigeria was sentenced to 24 months of imprisonment.

This matter was investigated by the FBI New Haven Field Office and the Stamford Police Department.  The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, Royal Malaysia Police, and Malaysian Attorney General’s Chambers provided valuable assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of Wamuigah from Malaysia.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel and the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section.

ANGEL DELAROSA, 40, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, has been extradited to the United States to face narcotics and firearms trafficking charges.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, the FBI and the Homeland Security Task Force New Haven (HSTF New Haven) have been investigating a narcotics and firearms trafficking organization led by Delarosa while he resided in the Dominican Republic.  Delarosa, a former resident of Waterbury, coordinated the distribution of narcotics and firearms in Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey through multiple redistributors in those locations.  During the investigation, investigators made more than 30 controlled purchases from redistributors totaling more than one kilogram of fentanyl, more than 200 grams of methamphetamine, and 17 firearms.  Laboratory analysis of the purchased fentanyl revealed that some of it was mixed with bromazolam, which is a relatively new synthetic benzodiazepine that was unscheduled at the time it was sold, and which is increasingly found as a component in mixtures of drugs resulting in overdoses.

It is alleged that the Delarosa made statements to sources suggesting that he had the ability to direct violence against individuals in the U.S.

On July 8, 2025, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment under seal charging Delarosa with one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, 400 grams or more of fentanyl and a quantity of methamphetamine, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life, and one count of engaging in a firearms trafficking conspiracy, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years.

On December 9, 2025, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned a 15-count indictment charging six of Delarosa’s alleged co-conspirators with related offenses.

On January 30, 2026, Delarosa was arrested in the Dominican Republic at the request of the United States.  He appeared yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven, pleaded not guilty to the charges in the indictment, and was ordered detained pending trial.

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

This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion.  The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad.  Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement toward identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders.  In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.

HSTF New Haven comprises agents and officers from the FBI, DEA, HSI, ATF, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Department of Labor, and Connecticut State Police, with prosecutions led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut.

This investigation was assisted by FBI New York, FBI Newark, FBI Tampa, FBI Orlando Resident Agency, FBI Legal Attaché (LEGAT) Office in Santo Domingo, and the New Haven, East Haven, North Haven, Milford, and Waterbury Police Departments.

The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and Dominican authorities provided significant assistance in securing Delarosa’s arrest and extradition.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathan J. Guevremont.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that ENRIQUE DELLVALLE-PEREZ, 39, of Waterbury, has been charged by indictment with drug distribution and firearm offenses.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, an investigation determined that Dellvalle-Perez was distributing cocaine and crack cocaine in and around Waterbury.  On September 25, 2025, a court-authorized search of Dellvalle-Perez’s residence on Bucks Hill Road in Waterbury revealed more than four kilograms of cocaine, a loaded Glock 27 semi-automatic pistol, and other items.  Dellvalle-Perez was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on that date.

It is further alleged that Dellvalle-Perez’s criminal history includes state felony drug convictions.

On March 24, 2026, a grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging Dellvalle-Perez with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, an offense that carries a mandatory consecutive term of imprisonment of at least five years; and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years.

U.S. Attorney Sullivan 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.

Dellavalle is currently released on a $150,000 bond.

This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion.  The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad.  Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement toward identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders.  In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children.  The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.

HSTF New Haven comprises agents and officers from the FBI, DEA, HSI, ATF, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, U.S. Department of Labor, and Connecticut State Police, with prosecutions led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut.

This investigation includes members of the DEA New Haven District Office (NHDO) Task Force, which is composed of participants from the DEA, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Connecticut State Police, and the New Haven, Waterbury, Branford, West Haven, Ansonia, Meriden, Naugatuck, Middletown, and Shelton Police Departments. 

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathan J. Guevremont and Justyn P. Stokely.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Thomas Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, announced that MARK EDWARDS, 61, of Danbury, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Sarah F. Russell in New Haven to an offense related to the filing of false tax returns.

According to court documents and statements made in court, since approximately 1998 Edwards has owned and operated “Mark Edwards Roofing and Siding, LLC,” a roofing and construction business.  Beginning at least as early as 2018, Edwards failed to keep accurate records or perform bookkeeping for his business, and during the preparation of his income tax returns he provided his tax preparer with handwritten income and expense figures that substantially underreported his income.  On his federal income tax returns for the 2019 through 2023 tax years, Edwards underreported his gross receipts by at least $1.3 million, resulting in a tax loss to the IRS of $368,334.

Edwards pleaded guilty to aiding in the preparation of a false tax return, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of three years.

Edwards is released on a $50,000 bond pending sentencing, which is not scheduled.

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

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that DANNY TURKVAN, also known as “Smooth” 54, of Stamford, has been charged with distributing crack cocaine after he had been sentenced in another federal case and prior to reporting to prison.

On August 13, 2025, Turkvan was sentenced in Hartford federal court to 46 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for his participation in a southwestern Connecticut narcotics trafficking conspiracy.  Turkvan, who was released on a $150,000 bond, was ordered to report to prison on October 16, 2025.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, an investigation revealed that Turkvan continued to distribute narcotics after his August 2025 sentencing.  Stamford Police arrested Turkvan on state charges on October 11, 2025, and seized crack cocaine that he intended to distribute.

On March 3, 2026, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Turkvan with possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (“crack”), which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and for committing the offense while on pre-trial release, which carries a mandatory consecutive term of imprisonment of up to 10 years.

Turkvan has been detained since his arrest.  He appeared yesterday in Bridgeport federal court and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

This investigation is being conducted by the Stamford Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Stolfi Collins.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ORONDE JEFFERSON, 42, of Bridgeport, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver in Hartford to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 20, 2024, the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and Bridgeport Police Department observed Jefferson outside a known drug location on Maple Street interacting with individuals engaging in suspected drug sales.  Jefferson was arrested on state charges after he was searched and officers found him in possession of 32 individual glassine folds of fentanyl, a ziplock bag containing 71 capsules of crack cocaine, and a loaded Glock 9mm handgun equipped with a loaded high-capacity magazine.

Jefferson was arrested on related federal charges on May 9, 2025.

Judge Oliver scheduled sentencing for June 11, at which time Jefferson faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

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

This investigation has been conducted by the FBI Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force, the Bridgeport Police Department, and the Stratford Police Department.  The Task Force is composed of personnel from the FBI, Connecticut State Police, and the Bridgeport, Norwalk, and Trumbull Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary G. Vitale.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that JAVON MORSE, 30, of Norwich, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to cocaine distribution and firearm possession offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 13, 2017, Morse was sentenced in Bridgeport federal court to 60 months of imprisonment and four years of supervised release for trafficking cocaine.  He was released from prison in January 2021.

On October 14, 2024, while on federal supervised release, Morse fled from Norwich Police during a traffic stop.  After he fled, Morse went to a storage facility where he maintained a storage unit.  As Norwich Police again attempted to stop Morse’s vehicle, Morse threw a backpack from the vehicle and sped away.  Morse’s vehicle became disabled a short distance away and he was taken into custody.  Morse possessed $2,356 in cash at the time of his arrest.

A search of the backpack Morse discarded revealed nearly a kilogram of cocaine, numerous narcotic pills, items used to process and package narcotics, and other items. A search of Morse’s storage unit revealed four handguns, including two “ghost guns;” loaded gun magazines, including high-capacity magazines; ammunition; and other items.  A subsequent search of Morse’s vehicle revealed approximately 10 pounds of marijuana, narcotic pills, quantities of methamphetamine and crack cocaine, items used to process and package narcotics, and $4,449 in cash.

Morse, who has been detained in federal custody since December 12, 2024, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years.  He faces additional penalties if he is found to have violated the conditions of his supervised release.

Sentencing is scheduled for June 30.

This investigation has been conducted by the Norwich Police Department, the Connecticut State Police, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Stolfi Collins.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that HARRY WHITLEY, 23, of New Haven, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 4, 2024, Whitley, who had an active state arrest warrant and was on probation, was observed participating in a suspected drug transaction in New Haven.  Whitley was arrested a short time later in Waterbury.  At the time of his arrest, he possessed fentanyl, cocaine, and oxycodone, and a Glock 17 9mm semiautomatic pistol with an extended magazine and a Glock-style machine gun conversion device, commonly referred to as a “Glock switch.”

Whitley’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for firearm possession and larceny offenses.

The charge carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.  Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for June 11.

Whitley has been detained since his arrest.

This matter has been investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the New Haven Police Department, and the Connecticut State Police.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Lembo and Nathan Guevremont.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that MARQUIS WILLIAMS, 49, last residing in Colchester, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 27 months of imprisonment for violating the conditions of his supervised release that followed a prior federal conviction related to his operating a mail theft, identity theft, and bank fraud scheme.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2018 and 2019, Williams and his then-girlfriend stole mail from hundreds of residential mailboxes in Connecticut and used information contained in the mail to steal identities, produce fake identification, forge checks, and cash or deposit checks stolen from the mail.  More than 70 bank fraud victims were identified during the investigation.  Williams pleaded guilty and, in April 2023, was sentenced in Hartford federal court to 78 months of imprisonment and five years of supervised release.

On September 9, 2025, approximately one month into his five-year term of supervised release, Williams was arrested by the Old Saybrook Police Department following a traffic stop and charged with driving under the influence and operating a motor vehicle under suspension.  During a search of his vehicle, officers found approximately 132 pieces of mail that Williams had recently stolen from mailboxes in Old Saybrook, Guilford, Milford, and Old Lyme.

Williams has been detained in federal custody since September 22, 2025.  He will be on supervised release for 33 months when he completes his 27-month prison term.

Williams’ criminal history also includes a federal conviction in 2002 for conspiracy, identity fraud, and credit card fraud offenses for which he was sentenced to 51 months of imprisonment.

This matter was investigated by the Old Saybrook Police Department and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Gordon.

Individuals who believe they are a victim of mail theft may file a complaint by calling 877-876-2455 or by visiting https://www.uspis.gov/report.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging JULIO CESAR FERNANDEZ-SALAZAR, 44, a citizen of Mexico, with unlawful reentry of a removed alien.

As alleged in court documents, Fernandez-Salazar has used numerous aliases, including Julio Fernandez, Julio Cesar Salazar, J. Cesar Fernandez-Salazar, Paulo Cesar Salazar, Alejandro Lugo, Jorge Ortigoza, and Julio C. Fernandez-Salazar.  Fernandez-Salazar was first convicted of an immigration violation in October 2007 in the District of Arizona, was sentenced to 45 days of imprisonment, and was voluntarily returned to Mexico.  In June 2009, after he returned to the U.S. and was convicted in Tempe Municipal Court in Arizona of failure to appear and driving with a suspended license, Fernandez-Salazar was deported to Mexico.  In July 2009, U.S. Border Patrol encountered and arrested Fernandez-Salazar near the U.S./Mexico border and he was again deported to Mexico.

It is further alleged that Fernandez-Salazar illegally reentered the U.S. and, in April 2017, was convicted in Maricopa County of unlawful imprisonment and solicitation to commit misconduct involving weapons.  In April 2018, he was convicted in the U.S. District Court in Arizona of unlawful reentry and was again deported to Mexico.

It is further alleged that on November 27, 2024, Fernandez-Salazar was arrested by the Connecticut State Police in Colchester and charged with illegal operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and drugs, and other offenses.  He was subsequently released on bond.

On July 18, 2025, the U.S. District Court in New Haven issued a criminal complaint charging Fernandez-Salazar with unlawful reentry.  He was located and arrested in Arizona on February 25, 2026, and has been detained since that date.  The indictment was returned on March 17, 2026.

If convicted of the charge of unlawful reentry, Fernandez-Salazar faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

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

This matter is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Lembo.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that JOSE RAUL MAITA, 55, a citizen of Ecuador, has been charged by federal criminal complaint with unlawful reentry of a removed alien.

As alleged in court documents, in June 1996, Maita was granted status as a legal permanent resident in the United States following approval of an application based on his marriage to a U.S. citizen.  In February 1998, Maita was convicted in Westchester County Court in New York of sexual abuse first degree involving sexual contact by forcible compulsion.  The victim of the offense was nine years old.  Maita was sentenced to five years of probation and was required to register as a sex offender.  In November 2000, Maita was convicted in New York of failure to register as a sex offender.  In August 2001, he was convicted of driving while intoxicated and for violating his probation stemming from his sexual abuse conviction.  Maita’s probation was revoked and he was sentenced to one year of incarceration.  In October 2003, Maita was deported to Ecuador.

It is further alleged that Maita illegally reentered the U.S. and, in November 2006, he was convicted in Westchester County Court of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.  In April 2007, he was convicted in New York of failure to register as a sex offender.  In April 2008, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested Maita and, in October 2008, he was convicted in the Southern District of New York of unlawful reentry.  In August 2009, Maita was again removed to Ecuador.

It is further alleged that, on September 20, 2025, Maita, who identified himself as “Jose P. Maita” and provided a false date of birth, was arrested by the Connecticut State Police in Southbury on charges of illegal operation of a motor vehicle without a license and illegal operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and drugs.  Maita was subsequently released on bond.

On November 4, 2025, the U.S. District Court in New Haven issued a criminal complaint charging Maita with unlawful reentry.  He was located and arrested this morning in Waterbury.

Maita appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven and was ordered detained.

If convicted of the charge of unlawful reentry, Maita faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

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

This matter is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DERRICK RIVERA, 22, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to 144 months of imprisonment and five years of supervised release for committing two armed robberies of Bridgeport businesses in 2022.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 11, 2022, Rivera, brandishing a firearm, entered a barbershop located on Wood Avenue in Bridgeport.  Rivera then robbed an employee and two customers of cash and fled the barbershop.

On November 25, 2022, Rivera robbed a restaurant located on Wade Street in Bridgeport.  During the robbery, Rivera pointed a firearm at the owner, who was behind the register, and demanded cash.  Rivera reached across the counter, grabbed the cash and, while fleeing, fired twice in the direction of the owner and other employees.  One of the bullets passed through the digital display of the cash register.  Shattered pieces of glass and plastic from the register and a shell casing caused injuries to the owner’s face, eye, hand, and stomach.

In a victim impact statement, the restaurant owner stated that the trauma he suffers from the robbery and shooting forced him to sell the restaurant.

Rivera has been detained since his arrest on November 25, 2023.  On October 23, 2025, he pleaded guilty to one count of interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act robbery) and one count of carrying, using, and count of discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

This matter was investigated by the Bridgeport Police Department, the Stratford Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Stolfi Collins.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that NICHOLAS KINGSLEY, 42, of Agawam, Massachusetts, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 110 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for firearm possession offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an investigation into Chinese companies suspected of importing firearms parts, including machinegun conversion devices (“MCDs) and silencers.  During the investigation, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) flagged several packages containing MCDs and silencers that were addressed to Kingsley’s residence in Agawam.  U.S. Customs and Border Protection intercepted and searched one of the packages addressed to Kingsley and found three silencers and four MCDs.  On April 8, 2024, HSI executed a search warrant at Kingsley’s residence and found a small amount of narcotics, but no firearms.  Kingsley was arrested on state drug charges and released on bond.

On April 16, 2024, Enfield Police arrested Kingsley after they stopped a vehicle in which Kingsley was a passenger and found three privately made firearms (“ghost guns”), a silencer, an extended magazine, a Glock MCD, and 45 rounds of ammunition.  On April 18, 2024, while Kingsley was detained in state custody, HSI special agents conducted a search of his vehicle in Agawam and seized 14 firearms, several Glock MCDs, magazines, body armor, and approximately 3,000 rounds of various caliber ammunition.  A subsequent search of Kingsley’s phones revealed evidence of purchases of MCDs and firearms, including a conversation between Kingsley and a Chinese company discussing an order of MCDs.

Kingsley’s criminal history includes felony convictions for drug, firearm, assault, and larceny 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.

Kingsley has been detained since his arrest.  On December 22, 2025, he pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of firearms by a felon, unlawful possession of a machine gun, and unlawful possession of a weapon in violation of the National Firearms Act.

This matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Enfield Police Department, and the Agawam Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Lembo.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that ELI SAMUEL O’FARRILL-FERNANDEZ, also known as “Maple,” 48, of New Britain, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 120 months of imprisonment and five years of supervised release for trafficking cocaine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2024, the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and New Britain Police Department investigated a drug trafficking organization, headed by Wilfredo Ortiz, that was operating out of Supreme Automotive, a car dealership located on Main Street in New Britain.  The investigation included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, physical and electronic surveillance, and several controlled purchases of narcotics, primarily cocaine, from Ortiz and other members of the conspiracy.

Investigators identified O’Farrill-Fernandez as a supplier of cocaine to Ortiz.  On September 24, 2024, O’Farrill-Fernandez supplied Ortiz with approximately two kilograms of cocaine, and on October 12, 2024, he delivered four kilograms of cocaine to Ortiz at Supreme Automotive.

O’Farrill-Fernandez, Ortiz, and other members of this drug trafficking organization were arrested on November 14, 2024.  In association with the arrests, investigators conducted court authorized searches of Supreme Automotive and residences and other locations connected to the organization and seized more than five kilograms of cocaine, more than 200 grams of fentanyl, approximately 30 grams of heroin, a kilogram press, seven firearms, ammunition, approximately $75,000 in cash, and 26 vehicles.  A search of O’Farrill-Fernandez’s residence on Maple Street revealed numerous items used to process and package narcotics, including multiple metal press plates used for pressing narcotics into kilogram size bricks.

O’Farrill has been detained since his arrest.  On November 17, 2025, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.

Wilfredo Ortiz pleaded guilty to the same charge and, on March 9, 2026, was sentenced to 135 months of imprisonment.

This investigation has been conducted by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Connecticut State Police, the Connecticut Department of Correction, the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles Police, and the New Britain, Hartford, West Hartford, Waterbury, Naugatuck, East Hartford, Brookfield, Milford, Norwich, Orange, North Haven, Meriden, Berlin, and Manchester Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natasha Freismuth, Reed Durham, and David Nelson.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), New England, today announced that YUNIOR BENAVIDES, 49, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, has been charged by federal criminal complaint with illegally reentering the United States after being deported.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, in 2009, Benavides and others were charged with federal offenses related to their participation in a Hartford area narcotics distribution conspiracy.  He pleaded guilty, was sentenced to 60 months of imprisonment and, in November 2013, was deported to the Dominican Republic.  Benavides subsequently illegally reentered the U.S.  On March 6, 2026, HSI agents stopped a car in West Hartford in connection to a drug trafficking investigation.  Benavides, the driver of the car, was identified as being unlawfully present in the U.S. and was taken into custody.

Benavides appeared yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas O. Farrish in Hartford and was ordered detained.

If convicted of the charge of unlawful reentry, Benavides faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

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

This matter is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ADAM C. SALGADO, JR., 32, of West Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to 72 months of imprisonment and seven years of supervised release for receiving and possessing child sex abused material.

According to court documents and statements made in court, a cloud-based storage company that provides services for wireless customers made multiple CyberTipline reports to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (“NCMEC”) that a user, identified as Salgado, had videos of child sexual abuse stored on the account.  Subsequent investigation revealed that Salgado had a history of downloading and deleting the encrypted messaging app Telegram, which he used to connect with others who traded in child sex abuse material and to view and download hundreds of child sex abuse images and videos.

Salgado was arrested on June 5, 2024, in Texas where he was serving in the U.S. Army.  On November 10, 2025, he pleaded guilty to receipt of child pornography.

Salgado, who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on April 16.

This matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with the assistance of the Middletown Police Department and the Army Criminal Investigation Division.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel George.

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.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ALYSON CRANICK, 44, of Columbia, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 240 months of imprisonment and 10 years of supervised release for coercing a minor boy to engage in sexual activity.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Cranick, first using text messaging and Snapchat, and then using the internet chat service Discord, coerced an 11-year-old boy to engage in sexually explicit conduct with her.  Several times during the summer and into the fall of 2022, Cranick induced the minor victim to leave his house after midnight to meet up with her.  Cranick sexually assaulted the minor victim during these meetings.

Between July and October 2022, Cranick exchanged more than 4,700 messages with the minor victim on Discord.

Cranick was arrested on related state charges on November 14, 2023, and has been detained since November 28, 2023.  She was federally charged in July 2024.  On November 18, 2025, she pleaded guilty to coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity.

This matter was investigated by the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force and the Connecticut State Police’s Eastern District Major Crime Unit.  The FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force includes federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel E. Cummings and Katherine E. Boyles through the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation.

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

For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

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

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MICKYEEM PROFIT, 22, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 102 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for his participation in the violent armed robberies of multiple retail stores and an Amazon delivery truck in December 2022.

According to court documents and statements made court, Profit and others committed  gunpoint robberies of Omega Deli, located at 999 Maplewood Avenue in Bridgeport, on December 15, 2022; Milford Convenience & Tobacco, located at 784 Boston Post Road in Milford, on December 21, 2022; an Amazon delivery truck and merchandise in Bridgeport on December 23, 2022; and Smoke Shop, located at 2175 Boston Avenue in Bridgeport, on December 23, 2022.  In addition, Profit’s associates committed a gunpoint robbery of Cumberland Farms, located at 1290 West Broad Street in Stratford, on January 2, 2023.

During the store robberies, Profit and his accomplices entered businesses with firearms, threatened employees, forced victims to the ground, and stole money and property.  At Milford Convenience & Tobacco, Profit stepped on a victim while holding a gun to her head.  During the Amazon truck robbery, Profit and his accomplices forced the driver into the back of the truck at gunpoint where they assaulted him.

Profit has been detained since his arrest on January 2, 2023.  On October 2, 2025, he pleaded guilty to one count of interference with commerce by robbery (“Hobbs Act robbery”) and one count of carrying, using, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

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

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), New England, today announced that MAX MOTA PINHO, 45, a citizen of Brazil residing in Stamford, has been charged by federal criminal complaint with possession of child pornography.

As alleged in court documents, a cloud-based storage company that provides services for wireless customers made multiple CyberTipline reports to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (“NCMEC”) that a user, subsequently identified as Pinho, had videos and images of child sexual abuse stored on the account.  Subsequent investigation confirmed that child sex abuse material was stored on Pinho’s account.

Pinho was arrested yesterday at his Stamford residence.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Dave Vatti in Bridgeport and was released on a $50,000 bond.  Pinho, who overstayed a tourist visa issued in 2003, was then taken into U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody.

Possession of child pornography carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

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

This matter is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Stamford Police Department, the Watertown Police Department, and the Westport Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Gordon.

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.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LUIS SALAMAN, also known as “Bebe,” 44, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 168 months of imprisonment and eight years of supervised release for his role in a fentanyl trafficking conspiracy.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in October 2021, the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force learned that Salaman was distributing large quantities of narcotics throughout New Haven.  Between November 2021 and March 2022, investigators made multiple controlled purchases of distribution quantities of fentanyl from Salaman, his associate Jesus Seguinot, and their associates.

Salaman has been detained since his arrest on April 5, 2022.  On December 19, 2024, a jury found Salaman and Seguinot guilty of conspiracy to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and Salaman guilty of three counts of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 40 grams or more of fentanyl. 

The government learned that while Salaman was detained, and during the trial itself, he worked with others to make several threatening social media posts to intimidate individuals who were cooperating with the government and testifying at his trial.

Salaman’s criminal history includes convictions for reckless endangerment, resisting arrest, assault and firearms offenses, and criminal contempt.

On July 30, 2025, Seguinot was sentenced to 78 months of imprisonment.

This investigation was conducted by FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force, including members from the FBI, the Connecticut State Police, the Connecticut Department of Correction, and the New Haven, Milford, East Haven, West Haven, and Wallingford Police Departments.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David T. Huang.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CHRISTOPHER PURVIS, 29, was sentenced today to 60 months of imprisonment, consecutive to federal and state sentences that he is currently serving, for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 7, 2022, New Britain Police attempted to stop a car in which Purvis was an occupant.  As officers approached the car, Purvis accelerated at a high rate of speed.  The car crashed a short time later and Purvis and others ran from the scene.  A search of the car revealed quantities of fentanyl and cocaine, and a loaded Glock 9mm handgun that had been reported stolen.  Analysis of the firearm and drug packaging revealed the presence of Purvis’ DNA.

Purvis pleaded guilty on August 8, 2025.

Purvis is currently serving a 72-month federal sentence for trafficking fentanyl and cocaine in northern Vermont, and a concurrent six-year Connecticut state sentence for firearm and threatening offenses.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force and the Bristol Police Department.  The Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Enfield, Manchester, Middletown, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, and Windsor Locks Police Departments.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natasha Freismuth and Christopher Lembo.