District of Connecticut

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that NATHANIEL BONILLA, 32, of Bristol, pleaded guilty today in Bridgeport federal court to theft of mail by a postal employee.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Bonilla was a mail processing clerk at the U.S. Postal Service’s Process and Distribution Center (PDC) in Hartford.  Between April 2020 and October 2020, Bonilla opened mail envelopes with a razor blade and removed cash and dozens of gift cards or prepaid debit cards for his own personal use.

In September 2020, a woman in New York mailed a letter containing a $500 Home Depot gift card to a family member in Torrington.  The Torrington resident received the envelope, but it had been opened and the gift card had been removed.  Bonilla was subsequently captured on Home Depot in-store surveillance footage using the gift card to buy merchandise.

On October 16, 2020, investigators confronted Bonilla as he was opening a letter with a razor blade.  On that date, a search of his personal bag contained 44 gift cards that he had previously stolen while at work, and 37 opened envelopes at his workstation at the Hartford PDC.

Bonilla was arrested on November 20, 2020.

Bonilla is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford on February 10, 2022, at which time Bonilla faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.  Bonilla is released on a $50,000 bond pending sentencing.

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

Individuals who believe they are a victim of mail theft are encouraged to file a complaint by calling 888-USPS-OIG, or by visiting https://www.uspsoig.gov/form/file-online-complaint.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that TRAVIS M. WILLIAMS, 34, of Norwich, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to child exploitation offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on more than 100 occasions, Williams engaged in sexual acts with a child who was approximately 9 years old.  He recorded some of these acts on his iPhone.  Specifically, on July 21, 2019, Williams photographed himself sexually abusing the child.  He subsequently sent the photographs to an adult female via text message.  On July 27, 2019, Williams filmed 10 videos depicting him sexually abusing the child.

Investigators recovered numerous text messages between Williams and the adult female in July 2019.  In certain text messages, Williams told the adult female that he wanted to engage in sexual acts with her while the child watched, and that he wanted the child to take part in these sexual acts.

Williams pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years, and one count of distribution of child pornography, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for January 24, 2022.

Williams has been detained since his arrest on related state charges on August 30, 2019.

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

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

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

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

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that KENNETH BINGELL, 34, of Montville, was sentenced yesterday via videoconference by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny to 46 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing heroin and fentanyl.

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

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

The investigation further revealed that in January 2018, Bingell and others burglarized a residence in Plainfield and stole three firearms.  Law enforcement subsequently recovered two of the firearms, but Bingell and another individual sold the third firearm to Reyes and Nieves in exchange for 100 bags of heroin/fentanyl and $150.

On June 8, 2021, Bingell pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl.

Bingell has been detained since August 8, 2019, after he was arrested on unrelated state charges for possessing distribution quantities of heroin/fentanyl.  These charges, as well as the burglary charges, are pending in state court.

Reyes and Nieves pleaded guilty to federal fentanyl distribution offenses.  On October 26, 2021, Reyes was sentenced to 151 months of imprisonment.  Nieves awaits sentencing.

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

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division, and South Windsor Police Chief Kristian Lindstrom today announced that SHAMEIK CAMARA, 32, of Hartford, was arrested yesterday on a federal criminal complaint charging him with offenses related to the theft of firearms from a South Windsor warehouse in August.

Following his arrest, Camara appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert A. Richardson in Hartford and was released on a $100,000 bond.  A follow-up bond hearing is scheduled for November 1 at 10:30 a.m.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, in August 2021, a shipment of 50 Zigana, Model PX-9G2 pistols was stolen from R&L Carriers, a national freight shipping company with a warehouse located at 540 Sullivan Avenue in South Windsor.  Even though R&L employees were aware of the theft shortly after it occurred in mid-August, they did not notify law enforcement.  Officials at R&L carriers reported the theft to law enforcement on September 16, 2021.  Earlier this month, investigators identified Camara after seeing Facebook Marketplace and Offer Up posts selling high-end speakers and sports trading cards that were similar to items stolen from the R&L warehouse at about the same time of the firearm shipment theft. 

It is alleged that Camara, a previously convicted felon, possessed one of the stolen firearms at the time of his arrest.  Two additional stolen firearms have been recovered by law enforcement.    

Camara is charged with receipt and possession of items from an interstate shipment, possession of firearms by a felon, and possession of stolen firearms.  Each charge carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

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

This investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and the South Windsor Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria del Pilar Gonzalez.

The ATF Boston Field Division and the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the trade association for the firearms industry, have announced a combined reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of persons involved in this theft of firearms.  Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact investigators immediately at 860-935-8080 or call 888-ATF-TIPS (888-283-8477), or send an email to ATFTips@atf.gov.

As part of an ongoing effort to address gun violence in Connecticut’s major cities, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, in conjunction with Project Longevity, Bridgeport Hospital, the Bridgeport Police Department and several community organizations, has developed “FED-UP: Working Together For A Safer Community,” a school-based anti-gun violence program.

FED-UP is designed to address and help stop increasing gun violence that is destroying the lives of students, their families and friends, and their community.  Geared toward students in the 6th through 10th grades, the FED-UP presentation includes a representative from the U.S. Attorney’s Office presenting statistics on gun violence around the country and in the local community, and techniques that law enforcement use to investigate gun crimes; a hospital representative describing the trauma room, the victim experience, gunshot wounds, and statistics on death and survival; a parent or relative of someone who has been lost to gun violence; a formerly incarcerated person; and a representative from Project Longevity discussing community options and programs to lead students away from gun violence.

“FED-UP is a valuable program that teaches kids not only about the current state of gun violence in their community, of which they are well aware, but it encourages them to understand that what they are experiencing with gun violence is not normal or acceptable, that there is nothing wrong with being angry or scared by it, and that they can help put an end to it,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Leonard C Boyle.  “We hope that FED-UP will stimulate students to engage, provide ideas on how to end gun violence, and learn about how their community can provide alternative, positive options.”

FED-UP launched in September in Bridgeport and, to date, the presentation has reached more than 500 students.  Additional presentations in Bridgeport schools are scheduled through the remainder of the school year.  FED-UP will soon be made available to schools in Hartford, New Haven and Waterbury.  School administrators in those cities who would like to learn about FED-UP and schedule a presentation are encouraged to contact Assistant U.S. Attorney Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis at jocelyn.kaoutzanis@usdoj.gov or 203-821-3700.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that JAIME PINTO, 45, of Manchester, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for fraud and identity theft offenses stemming from his involvement in a scheme to use stolen identities to lease and purchase vehicles and motorcycles.

According to court documents and statements made in court, beginning in late 2017, Pinto, Domingo St. Hilaire Rosario and another individual conspired to use stolen identities to obtain vehicles and motorcycles at dealerships in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Jersey.  As part of the scheme, Rosario arranged for a car or motorcycle to be purchased or leased from a dealership in the name of an identity theft victim, and Pinto or another co-conspirator impersonated the identity theft victim at the dealership to complete the paperwork.  Rosario supplied Pinto and others with fraudulent identification documents bearing the victim’s personal identifying information, and with a fraudulent photo identification that contained the identifying information of the victim and a photograph of a co-conspirator.  Rosario intended to sell or export the vehicles.

Through this scheme, Rosario, Pinto and their co-conspirators acquired at least 13 vehicles and attempted to acquire at least two more.  Some of the vehicles were recovered by law enforcement and returned to the dealers.

On March 20, 2019, Pinto pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, one count of wire fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft.  He has been detained since July 2019 after he violated conditions of his release and his bond was revoked.

On May 10, 2021, Rosario pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.  On October 20, 2021, Judge Bryant sentenced him to 65 months of imprisonment.

Judge Bryant ordered Rosario and Pinto to pay $203,873.11 in restitution.

This matter has been investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with substantial assistance from the Vernon Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anastasia E. King.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that JASON WILLIAMS, 36, a citizen of Belize last residing in Los Angeles, California, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for trafficking crystal methamphetamine to Connecticut.

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

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

Williams has been detained since his arrest on November 17, 2020.  On July 28, 2021, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

Williams faces immigration proceedings when he completes his prison term.

Castillo, 42 and a citizen of Belize, has pleaded guilty, awaits sentencing and is detained.

The DEA’s Hartford Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Enfield, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Windsor Locks and Willimantic Police Departments.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey M. Stone.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division, announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment today charging JEAN CARLOS MERCADO, 32, of Meriden, with cocaine trafficking offenses stemming from his alleged participation in a drug trafficking organization that used the U.S. Mail to ship kilogram quantities of cocaine from Puerto Rico to Meriden.

As alleged in court documents, in October 2020, law enforcement identified suspicious parcels that were being mailed from Puerto Rico to an address in Meriden.  On October 26, 2020, investigators identified Mercado after he picked up a parcel from that location.  After Mercado picked up another parcel from the location on November 6, 2020, investigators coordinated a traffic stop of his vehicle, which was unregistered, and towed the vehicle and seized the parcel.  A court-authorized search of the parcel revealed two kilograms of cocaine.  In the following months, Mercado conspired with others to pick up postal parcels, and law enforcement seized four more kilograms of cocaine linked to Mercado.

The indictment charges Mercado with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life, and one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.

Mercado was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on July 21, 2021, and is released on a $100,000 bond.

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

This matter is being investigated by Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, with assistance from the Meriden Police Department.

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

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JUAN REYES, 28, last residing in West Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to 151 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for trafficking fentanyl.

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

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

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

Reyes has been detained since his federal arrest on June 29, 2018.  On June 9, 2021, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.

Nieves, 30, of Hartford, pleaded guilty to the same charge and is scheduled to be sentenced on October 28.  He is also detained.

Dubicki pleaded guilty to fentanyl, heroin and cocaine distribution charges and is also detained while awaiting sentencing, which is scheduled for November 16.

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

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOHN MAGNESS, 72, of Bristol, Maine, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to two years of probation and ordered to pay a $45,000 fine for scuttling several sailboats and motorboats between the Black Rock Harbor and the Pennfield Reef Lighthouse in Long Island Sound.  Judge Underhill also ordered Magness to perform 50 hours of community service while on supervised release.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Magness, formerly of Southbury, Connecticut, was the owner of Bluefish Cove Marina in Bridgeport.  While preparing to sell the property in 2018, Magness and Peter Albrecht, who worked at the marina, engaged Carlos Santos to sink several abandoned vessels in the Long Island Sound without a permit.  Magness agreed to forgive Santos’ unpaid dockage fees in exchange for his help sinking the vessels.  Investigators identified as least five vessels as having been scuttled at Magness’ request between October 2018 and April 2019.

On November 2, 2020, Magness pleaded guilty to one count of obstruction of navigable waters by sinking a vessel.  Albrecht, of Norwalk, and Santos, of Westbrook, each previously pleaded guilty to the same charge and was sentenced to a one-year term of probation.  Albrecht was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and Santos was ordered to pay a $500 fine.

This matter was investigated by the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren C. Clark.

TYIESE WARREN, also known as “Loose Screw,” 21, of Bridgeport, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to a racketeering offense stemming from a murder and other violent crimes he committed as a member of a Bridgeport gang.

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

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

In pleading guilty, Warren admitted that on December 8, 2019, he and others shot and killed Ty’Quess Moore, a member or associate of the East End/P.T. Barnum gang alliance.

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

Warren also admitted that he participated in gang-related drug trafficking.

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

Warren pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity.  Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for January 21, 2022, at which time Warren faces a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

Warren has been detained since March 25, 2020.

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

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

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

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

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

Leonard C. Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ELIEZER PEREZ, also known as “Ka-King,” 42, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 48 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing oxycodone from his New Britain grocery store.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in the summer of 2019, the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad and the New Britain Police Department.began investigating individuals who were selling oxycodone pills from Elzier Grocery, located at 1485 Corbin Avenue in New Britain.  Between July and December 2019, investigators made multiple controlled purchases of oxycodone pills from Perez, Elzier Grocery’s owner Raul Cabrera-Vasquez, and others at the store.

On February 26, 2020, court authorized searches of the Elzier Grocery and a nearby residence revealed more than 1000 oxycodone pills, drug packaging materials, drug ledgers, and approximately $10,000 in cash.

Perez has been detained since his arrest on December 12, 2020.  On May 11, 2021, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, oxycodone.

Cabrera-Vasquez pleaded guilty to the same charge and, on June 10, 2021, was sentenced to 48 months of imprisonment.

This investigation has been conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad and the New Britain Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Pierpont, Jr.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that DOMINGO ST. HILAIRE ROSARIO, 57, formerly of Danbury, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 65 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for fraud and identity theft offenses stemming from his involvement in a scheme to use stolen identities to lease and purchase vehicles and motorcycles.

According to court documents and statements made in court, beginning in late 2017, Rosario, Jamie Pinto and another individual conspired to use stolen identities to obtain vehicles and motorcycles at dealerships in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Jersey.  As part of the scheme, Rosario arranged for a car or motorcycle to be purchased or leased from a dealership in the name of an identity theft victim, and Pinto or another co-conspirator impersonated the identity theft victim at the dealership to complete the paperwork.  Rosario supplied his co-conspirators with fraudulent identification documents bearing the victim’s personal identifying information, and with a fraudulent photo identification that contained the identifying information of the victim and a photograph of a co-conspirator.  Rosario intended to sell or export the vehicles.

Through this scheme, Rosario and his co-conspirators acquired at least 13 vehicles and attempted to acquire at least two more.  Some of the vehicles were recovered by law enforcement and returned to the dealers.

Judge Bryant ordered Rosario to pay $203,873.11 in restitution.

In July 2018, Rosario was stopped by the New Jersey State Police driving a Chevrolet Silverado that had been obtained through the fraud from dealership in Vernon, Connecticut.  After that encounter, he fled to the Dominican Republic.  On February 28, 2019, a federal grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment charging Rosario.  He was extradited from the Dominican Republic in May 2020, and is detained.

On May 10, 2021, Rosario pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.

On March 20, 2019, Pinto, 44, last residing in Manchester, pleaded guilty to conspiracy, fraud and identity theft offenses.  He is detained while awaiting sentencing, which is scheduled for October 27.

This matter has been investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with substantial assistance from the Vernon Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarala V. Nagala and Anastasia E. King.

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, David Sundberg, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Christina D. Scaringi, Special Agent in Charge of the Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, announced that MICHAEL DiMASSA, 30, of West Haven, was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint charging him with defrauding the City of West Haven of more than $600,000.

DiMassa surrendered to law enforcement this morning.  He appeared before U.S. District Judge Sarah A. L. Merriam in New Haven and was released on a $250,000 bond.

As alleged in the complaint, DiMassa has been employed by the City of West Haven for approximately 12 years and has most recently served as the Administrative Assistant to the City Council.  He is also currently a Connecticut State Representative.  In January 2021, DiMassa and another individual formed Compass Investment Group, LLC.  Beginning in February 2021, Compass Investment Group LLC fraudulently billed the City of West Haven and its “COVID-19 Grant Department” for consulting services purportedly provided to the West Haven Health Department that were not performed.  From February 2021 through September 2021, the City of West Haven paid Compass Investment Group a total of $636,783.70.

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

The complaint charges DiMassa with wire fraud, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

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

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

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and David Sundberg, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that TINA MANUS, 42, of Stratford, waived her right to be indicted and pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to a conspiracy offense related to her role in a scheme to obtain public funds for the 2018 Connecticut State Senate campaign of Dennis A. Bradley.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2018, Manus was a campaign volunteer for the Bradley campaign.  Between March and October 2018, Manus conspired with Bradley, his former campaign treasurer, Jessica Martinez, and others to defraud the Connecticut State Election Enforcement Commission (“SEEC”), the Citizens’ Election Fund, and the State of Connecticut by making misrepresentations concerning 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.

Manus pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

Manus, who has agreed to cooperate in the ongoing investigation of this matter, is released on a $150,000 bond pending sentencing.

On May 24, 2021, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging Bradley and Martinez with offenses related to Bradley’s 2018 run for State Senate.  Each entered a plea of not guilty and is awaiting trial.  Acting U.S. Attorney Boyle stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that GEORGE HARRIS, 40, of Hartford, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to possession of a firearm by a felon.

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

Prior to July 2020, Harris had been convicted of a felony risk of injury of a child offense.  It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

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

At sentencing, Harris faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

This matter has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Hartford Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Henry Kopel.

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

ASANTE GAINES, also known as “Santi,” 24, of Bridgeport, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to racketeering and attempted murder offenses stemming from his participation in a Bridgeport gang.

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

According to court documents and statements made in court, the FBI, ATF, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service and Bridgeport Police have been investigating multiple Bridgeport-based gangs whose members are involved in narcotics trafficking, murder and other acts of violence.  Gaines has been a member of the “Greene Homes Boyz” (“GHB/Hotz”), a gang based in the Charles F. Greene Homes Housing Complex in Bridgeport’s North End, whose members and associates distributed heroin, crack cocaine, marijuana and Percocet pills; committed numerous acts of violence against rival gang members and other individuals, and celebrated their criminal conduct on social media websites such as Facebook and YouTube.  GHB/Hotz members and associates also committed acts of intimidation and made threats to deter potential witnesses to their crimes and to protect gang members and associates from detection and prosecution by law enforcement authorities.  From approximately 2017 until August 2020, GHB/Hotz members were aligned with members of the “Original North End” (“O.N.E.”), a gang based in the Trumbull Gardens area of Bridgeport, against rival groups in Bridgeport, including the East End, East Side and PT Barnum gangs, as well as 150, which is a geographic gang based on the West Side of Bridgeport.

In pleading guilty, Gaines admitted that he participated in gang-related drug trafficking, and helped plan the retaliation shootings of members of opposition gangs.  On January 27, 2020, he assisted GHB/Hotz and O.N.E. members who attempted to kill East End gang members and associates in a brazen afternoon shooting in front of a Bridgeport courthouse.  At 12:11 p.m. on that date, Bridgeport Police responded to the area of 172 Golden Hill Street in Bridgeport after a Shot Spotter activation detected approximately 20 shots being fired in front of the state courthouse located there.  Upon arrival, investigators discovered that four victims had been shot while sitting inside a black Chevrolet Impala.  One victim was shot in the side of his chest and was left paralyzed and a second victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his back, shoulder and wrist.  The victims’ vehicle had approximately 23 entry bullet holes in the driver’s side and windshield area.

Gaines pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity, and one count of attempted murder and aiding and abetting, in violation of the Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering (“VCAR”) statute.  Judge Arterton scheduled sentencing for February 7, 2022, at which time Gaines faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years.

Gaines is detained.

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

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

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

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

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

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that NOE CASTRO, 51, of Phoenix, Arizona, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to 20 months of imprisonment for trafficking narcotics into Connecticut.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in late 2018, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Task Force and New Haven Police Department began investigation an organization that was responsible for trafficking kilogram-quantities of heroin, fentanyl and cocaine from Mexico and Arizona to the New Haven area.  Investigators subsequently identified Juan Carlos Gonzalez-Rubio as being responsible for moving narcotics from Arizona to Connecticut.  Between March and May 2019, investigators intercepted three packages – two that contained approximately one kilogram of cocaine, and one that contained approximately one kilogram of a mixture of heroin and fentanyl – that Gonzalez-Rubio, with Castro’s assistance, had shipped from Arizona to New Haven.  The investigation revealed that Gonzalez-Rubio and Castro trafficked narcotics both through the use of commercial shipping methods, like UPS and FedEx, and by secreting drugs in cars with hidden compartments that were transported on commercial car-haulers.

Castro has been detained since his arrest on March 6, 2020.  On June 2, 2021, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with the intent to distribute, heroin, fentanyl and cocaine.

On August 21, 2021, Gonzalez-Rubio was sentenced to 48 months of imprisonment.  Gonzalez-Rubio, who was previously deported to Mexico and returned to the U.S., faces immigration proceedings at the conclusion of his sentence.

This matter was investigated by the DEA Task Force and the New Haven Police Department, with the assistance of the DEA in Tucson and Phoenix, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in New Haven and Tucson.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis and Rahul Kale.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that, WILLIAM MEIER, 39, of Norwich, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for attempting to engage in sexual activity with a minor.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in May 2020, Meier accessed a chatroom dedicated to teens on the Kik social messaging application and began chatting with an FBI online covert employee (“OCE”) who was posing as a 14-year-old girl living in Connecticut.  Meier raised the prospect of meeting the “girl” in order to engage in sexual intercourse with her and impregnate her.  On August 5, 2020, Meier sent the OCE a sexually explicit photo of himself.  Meier was arrested the following day after he traveled from his home to a location in New London where he expected to meet the “girl” and engage in sexual activity with her.

Meier has been detained since his arrest on August 6, 2020.  On July 27, 2021, he pleaded guilty to using an interstate facility to attempt to persuade a minor to engage in sexual activity.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New London Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Doherty.

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

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

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and David Sundberg, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Hartford Police Chief Jason Thody today announced that DANNY LAWHORN, 30, of Hartford, has been charged by federal criminal complaint with child enticement and narcotics distribution offenses.

Lawhorn appeared today via videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert A. Richardson in Hartford and is detained pending a hearing that is scheduled for October 22 at 1:00 p.m.  Lawhorn has been detained in state custody since October 5 when he was arrested on related state charges.

As alleged in the complaint, Lawhorn was the coach for a basketball program that had been registered with the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) from 2018 to 2020.  In the spring of 2021, the family of a minor female paid Lawhorn $700 and signed a contract for the minor to play in the program, which they believed to still be part of the AAU.  Lawhorn and his girlfriend served as the minor’s host family and allowed her to reside with them at their home in Hartford.  Other girls from the program also stayed at the house at times.

The complaint alleges that in the early morning hours of June 13, 2021, Lawhorn used his cellphone to text the minor a voice message asking her to give him a massage.  When the minor went to Lawhorn’s bedroom, he directed her to massage his groin and inner thighs with her hands and, ultimately, sexually assaulted her.  Lawhorn was arrested later that morning on related state charges for second degree sexual assault.  Prior to his arrest, law enforcement found distribution quantities of crack cocaine in his pocket.

The complaint also alleges that two other girls reported that Lawhorn had repeatedly sexually assaulted them when they played on his AAU basketball team in 2017 and 2019, respectively.  Both girls, who were under the age of 18 at the time they were sexually assaulted, reported that Lawhorn first asked for a massage before he sexually assaulting them.

It is further alleged that, on October 5, 2021, Hartford Police arrested Lawhorn on three counts of second-degree sexual assault charges for assaulting one of the girls.  At the time of his arrest, Lawhorn possessed approximately 300 wax paper sleeves containing a white powder substance that tested positive for fentanyl.

The federal complaint charges Lawhorn with enticement and attempted enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (“crack”) and fentanyl, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

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

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

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

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

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

Individuals who believe they have been victimized by this defendant are encouraged to contact the FBI at 203-503-5593 or visit www.fbi.gov/DannyLawhorn.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MARCOS MENDEZ, 31, of Kissimmee, Florida, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to 72 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking cocaine from Puerto Rico to Connecticut through the U.S. Mail.

According to court documents and statements made in court, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service developed evidence regarding a drug trafficking organization that was sending USPS parcels containing kilograms of cocaine from Puerto Rico to Connecticut and Massachusetts.  Between July and December 2018, law enforcement intercepted and seized five suspect parcels that were being mailed to addresses in Bristol, Meriden and Burlington, Connecticut, and in Worcester, Massachusetts. All five of the suspect parcels contained multiple kilogram-sized bricks of cocaine.  On several occasions, investigators conducted surveillance of the delivery of suspect parcels and the scheduled delivery of seized parcels.  During surveillance, investigators observed Mendez, who formerly resided in Bristol, and other individuals picking up or attempting to pick up parcels that had been seized.

On January 9, 2019, investigators arrested Mendez and other members of this drug trafficking organization.  A search of Mendez’s Bristol residence at the time of his arrest revealed more than a kilogram of cocaine, numerous bags of marijuana packaged for distribution, and $146,712 in cash.

On January 23, 2019, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Mendez and five others with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and related offenses.

On May 18. 2021, Mendez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.

Mendez, who is released on a $500,000 bond, is required to report to prion on January 3, 2022.

This case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.  The DEA’s Hartford Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Enfield, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Windsor Locks and Willimantic Police Departments.  The DEA Puerto Rico Caribbean Corridor Strike Force and U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Newark Division, San Juan (P.R.) Office, have assisted the investigation.

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

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and David Sundberg, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that JOEL LINDSAY, also known as “Joey Guapo,” 23, and JOSEPH PINA, 24, both of East Hartford, have pleaded guilty in Hartford federal court to offenses related to the sex trafficking of a minor.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in October 2019, Lindsay and Pina recruited, enticed and transported a minor victim to engage in commercial sex acts.  Specifically, on October 17, 2019, Lindsay, Pina and another individual picked up the minor victim and took her to a hotel in East Windsor. At the hotel, they took photographs of the minor victim and posting her photos on a website and advertised her sexual services.  Lindsay and Pina than arranged prostitution appointments for the minor victim.  On that night, the minor victim earned at least $100 from prostitution appointments, all of which she gave to Lindsay.

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

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

Lindsay pleaded guilty today to one count of sex trafficking of a minor, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.  He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant on January 12, 2022.  Lindsay, a citizen of Jamaica, has been detained since arrest on August 20, 2020.

On October 6, 2021, Pina pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a minor, and offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of life.  He is released on a $100,000 bond while awaiting sentencing, which is scheduled for January 19, 2022.

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

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MICHAEL C. MONROE, 48, of Norwalk, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to six months of imprisonment, six months of home confinement, three years of supervised release, and 90 hours of community service, for tax evasion.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Monroe operated a construction business known as Monroe Construction.  From 2008 through 2013, Monroe owed substantial unpaid income taxes and penalties to the IRS.  In 2014, the IRS levied the business bank account used by Monroe as the operating account for his construction company.  Monroe subsequently closed his business bank account and, between approximately November 2014 and November 2017, evaded payment to the IRS of his preexisting tax obligations by using a check cashing service to cash approximately $1.5 million in customer checks paid to his business.  For the 2014 and 2015 tax years, Monroe failed to report to the IRS a total of more than $700,000 that his business generated in gross revenues.  In addition to evading payment to the IRS of more than $107,000, he understated the federal income taxes he owed in 2014 and 2015 by approximately $34,000.

Judge Underhill ordered Monroe to pay total back taxes of $141,041, plus interest and penalties.

On March 15, 2021, Monroe pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion.

Monroe is required to report to prison by December 9, 2021.

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

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JESSICA STUART, 38, of Fairfield, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 27 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for health care fraud and identity theft offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Stuart was employed by Helping Hands Academy, LLC, in Bridgeport, which provided applied behavior analysis services to children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).   Helping Hands Academy enrolled as a participating provider in the Connecticut Medicaid Program (“Medicaid”) in approximately September 2018.

Medicaid requires that ASD treatment services be provided under the supervision of a licensed medical practitioner or a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), a graduate-level certification in behavior analysis.  BCBAs are also required to be credentialed in writing by the state.  Stuart does not have a college degree, was not a BCBA or licensed medical practitioner, and did not have any formal training in applied behavior analysis for ASD.  Between approximately May 2019 and September 2020, Helping Hands Academy paid Stuart at least $146,0000 and submitted to Medicaid numerous fraudulent claims for applied behavioral analysis services that Stuart performed but was not qualified to provide.  Stuart stole the professional identity of a legitimate BCBA so she could impersonate a BCBA and make a BCBA’s salary.  Stuart caused Medicaid to pay out on over 1,900 fraudulent claims related to 12 children with ASD.

The investigation revealed that Stuart also used fraudulent or fabricated documents, or forged signatures, in other areas of her life.

Medicaid suffered a loss of more than $339,561 as a result of Stuart’s conduct.  Judge Meyer ordered Stuart to make full restitution.

On June 2, 2021, Stuart pleaded guilty to one count of health care fraud and one count of using false identification in connection with health care fraud.

Stuart is required to report to prison on December 3, 2021.

On April 28, 2021, Nicole Balkas, the owner of Helping Hands Academy, pleaded guilty to one count of health care fraud.  She awaits sentencing.

This investigation has been conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Acting U.S. Attorney Boyle acknowledged the valuable cooperation of the Connecticut Department of Social Services in the investigation.

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

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

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CHRISTOPHER POSKUS, 47, of Waterbury, pleaded guilty today to two counts of failing to register as a sex offender. 

Pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the court proceeding before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector occurred via videoconference.

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

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

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

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

Poskus is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton on January 4, 2022, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

This matter is being investigated by the United States Marshal Service.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Vizcarrondo. 

The United States Attorney’s Office today announced that it has entered into a settlement agreement with New Britain-based CW Resources Inc. to resolve allegations that CW Resources submitted claims that falsely certified compliance with program requirements and failed to maintain adequate medical documentation of significantly disabled employees pursuant to the AbilityOne Program.

The U.S. AbilityOne Commission is an independent federal agency that administers the AbilityOne Program, which provides employment opportunities for people who are blind or have significant disabilities in the manufacture and delivery of products and services to the federal government.  To qualify for contracts administered by the AbilityOne Commission, CW Resources was required by federal regulation to employ significantly disabled individuals for 75 percent of its direct labor hours.  To maintain compliance, CW Resources was required to submit annual certifications certifying such compliance.

It is alleged that CW Resources certified to the federal government that its direct labor hour figures were true and accurate when, in fact, the direct labor hours actually worked by significantly disabled individuals were much lower and were not supported by adequate medical documentation.

To resolve allegations under the False Claims Act, CW Resources has agreed to pay the federal government $600,000 and enter into a compliance agreement.

“These false claims damaged an important government program that provides employment opportunities for people who are blind or have significant disabilities, and we hope that this settlement and the funds recovered send a significant deterrent message,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Leonard C Boyle.  “Protecting the U.S. Treasury against false claims is a priority of this office and the Justice Department.  I thank CW Resources for cooperating fully during the extensive investigation of this matter and we are confident that the compliance program incorporated into this agreement by the AbilityOne Commission will have a positive impact.”

“Protecting the integrity of the procurement process is a top priority for the Department of Defense (DoD) Office of Inspector General Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS),” stated Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Hegarty, DCIS Northeast Field Office.  “Organizations that contract with the DoD under the AbilityOne Program are expected to fulfill the promises they make to the DoD and the significantly disabled individuals the program is intended to employ.”      

“This settlement represents the government’s commitment to hold any AbilityOne contractor accountable for noncompliance and ensure that federal dollars intended to employ workers who are blind or have significant disabilities are indeed used for that purpose” said Acting Inspector General Stefania Porter of the U.S. AbilityOne Commission. “Working with the United States Attorney’s Office and our investigative and law enforcement partners, the AbilityOne Office of Inspector General protects the integrity and public trust in the largest employment program in the nation of blind and significantly disabled workers.”

This investigation was conducted by the Office of the Inspector General for the U.S. AbilityOne Commission, the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the Defense Contract Audit Agency, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William M. Brown, Jr.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that WILLIAM TISDOL, 22, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 18 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for a firearm offense.

According to court documents and statements made in court, shortly after noon on September 9, 2020, members of the Hartford Police Department responded to reports of gunshots on Sterling Street in Hartford.  At the scene, officers found a female companion of Tisdol sitting in a car in front of a residence and suffering from serious gunshot wounds.  Tisdol was subsequently located inside the residence in critical condition and suffering from gunshots to his arms, hips and torso.  Both Tisdol and his companion were transported to the hospital.  Officers recovered a .380 caliber handgun with an obliterated serial number, and multiple shell casings, from the pavement next to the car.  The investigation revealed that Tisdol had used the firearm in a gunfight with unidentified assailants.

At the time of the shooting incident, Hartford Police had an open arrest warrant for Tisdol related to an armed robbery and kidnapping that occurred in May 2020.

Tisdol has been detained since his hospitalization.

In a separate federal case, on September 15, 2020, a grand jury returned an indictment charging Tisdol and seven other individuals with offenses stemming from numerous “grab and go” thefts from various retail fashion stores in Connecticut and nearby states.  A “grab-and-go” scheme is a type of theft where one or more perpetrators enter a retail store, grab as many items of clothing or other goods as they can carry, leave the store without paying for the merchandise, and depart in a waiting getaway vehicle.

On May 14, 2021, Tisdol pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to transport and possess stolen property and, on July 7, he pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.

On September 9, 2021, Tisdol was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to six months of imprisonment for his role in the grab and go theft scheme.

These investigations were conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Hartford, New Canaan, Wrentham (Mass.), Auburn (Mass.) and Nassau County (N.Y.) Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Margaret Donovan and Brendan Keefe.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that PATRICIO MILINIK, 43, a citizen of Argentina residing in Greenwich, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to making a false statement during an immigration matter.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in January 2016, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) granted conditional permanent resident status to Milinik after he had married a U.S. citizen in 2015.  In 2018, Milinik petitioned to have the conditions removed to allow him to become a lawful permanent resident and obtain a “green card.”  While his petition was pending, a USCIS immigration officer and HSI special agent visited Milinik and his then-wife at their residence.  During the visit, the immigration officer asked Milinik whether there had been any periods of separation from his wife during their marriage.  Milinik falsely denied any period of separation with the exception of occasion work-related travel.

The investigation revealed that Milinik and his then-wife were separated for several periods during their marriage, and that Milinik had communicated with several individuals expressing that he was not in a bona fide marriage and that he only stayed married to his wife in order to obtain his green card.

Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for January 3, 2022, at which time Milinik faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.

Milinik is released pending sentencing.

This matter is being investigated by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patricia Stolfi Collins and Nancy V. Gifford.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LANCE BAPTISTE, 43, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 36 months of imprisonment for distributing heroin while on supervised release for a prior heroin trafficking conviction.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from a joint investigation headed by the DEA New Haven Task Force and the Waterbury and Naugatuck Police Departments.  The investigation, which included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, physical surveillance and controlled purchases of narcotics, revealed that Keith Jordan  of Waterbury received large quantities of heroin from various suppliers and sold the drug to other drug distributors and street-level customers.  Jordan also purchased and distributed cocaine.

The investigation further revealed that Domingo Alves, of Waterbury, served as one of Jordan’s drug suppliers, and also sold heroin to other distributors and his own customers.  Baptiste assisted Alves in his heroin distribution activity.

Baptiste’s criminal history includes six drug convictions, including a federal heroin trafficking conviction in 2012 for which he was sentenced in the Southern District of New York to 87 months of imprisonment.  He was released from federal prison in July 2017 and was on federal supervised release at the time of his criminal activity in this case.

Baptiste, Jordan, Alves and 26 other individuals were charged with various offenses related to the distribution of heroin, fentanyl, cocaine and crack cocaine as a result of this investigation.

Baptiste was arrested on March 20, 2019.  On January 22, 2020, he Baptiste pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, heroin.

Baptiste, who is released on bond, is required to report to prison on November 10, 2021.

On January 27, 2021, Jordan was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment.

This investigation has been conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force, Waterbury Police Department and Naugatuck Police Department, with the critical assistance of the U.S. Secret Service, New York Field Office.  The DEA New Haven Task Force includes participants from the U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, and the New Haven, East Haven, West Haven, Branford, Ansonia, Meriden, Middletown, Naugatuck and Waterbury Police Departments.

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

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut, in partnership with the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), have entered into a Voluntary Resolution Agreement with Backus Hospital to ensure effective communication with individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.

The agreement resolves a complaint filed with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) on behalf of an individual who is deaf, alleging that Backus Hospital failed to provide timely auxiliary aids and services to effectively communicate with the patient during an inpatient stay at Backus Hospital in violation of Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  According to the complaint, despite requesting services upon arrival and receiving them during his emergency room stay, the complainant was not provided an interpreter or video remote interpreting services at critical points of care during his inpatient stay and relied on hand-written notes to communicate with doctors and staff during the hospital visit.

In partnership with DOJ, OCR conducted an investigation of the complaint allegations and a review of Backus Hospital’s policies and procedures for effective communication with individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to determine compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act of 2010 (Section 1557).  Collectively, these federal civil rights laws prohibit any entity that receives federal financial assistance from discriminating against qualified individuals with disabilities, and requires an entity to take steps to ensure communication with individuals with disabilities is as effective as communication with others through the use of appropriate auxiliary aids and services.

As a result of the joint investigation, Backus Hospital voluntarily entered this agreement and affirmed its assurance of compliance with Section 504, Section 1557, and Title III of the ADA.  Under the agreement, Backus Hospital agreed to take steps to ensure the availability of auxiliary aids and services, and to monitor such steps.  Additionally, Backus Hospital has agreed to $7,500 in compensatory relief for the complainant under the ADA.

“Health care providers have a responsibility to provide effective communication, which is a key component to ensuring patients receive quality care,” said OCR Director Lisa Pino. “This agreement sends an important message about the importance of eliminating unnecessary barriers to equal treatment for those who are deaf or hard of hearing.”

“Our Office is committed to protecting the rights of those who are deaf or hard of hearing and ensuring that all persons are able to effectively communicate with health care professionals,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Leonard C Boyle.

To read the full Voluntary Resolution Agreement text, please visit: https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-providers/compliance-enforcement/agreements/vra-between-doj-hhs-ocr-william-backus-hospital/index.html.

Any member of the public who wishes to file a complaint alleging that the office of a health care provider or any other place of public accommodation or public entity in Connecticut is not accessible to persons with disabilities may contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at 203-821-3700.

Additional information about the ADA can be found at www.ada.gov, or by calling the Justice Department’s toll-free information line at (800) 514-0301 and (800) 514-0383 (TTY).  More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.justice.gov/crt.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that on October 1, 2021, AUDREY BONET JOHNSON, 34, of Brooklyn, New York, pleaded guilty in New Haven federal court to conspiracy to commit immigration marriage fraud.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 1, 2012, Johnson, a U.S. citizen, and Shanon St. Aubyn Stephenson, a citizen of Jamaica, entered into a fraudulent marriage.  Shortly thereafter, Johnson and Stephenson applied to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (“USCIS) for Stephenson to become a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., often called a “green card.”  Following an interview with the USCIS in 2012, Stephenson was issued a temporary, two-year green card.  In subsequent submissions and statements to the USCIS, Johnson and Stephenson claimed to be married and living together in Brooklyn, New York.  In fact, Stephenson married Jodian Stephenson, also known as Jodian Gordon, in 2010, and lived with her, and not Johnson, in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Johnson is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford on January 4, 2022, at which time she faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.

This investigation revealed that Jodian Stephenson, a citizen of Jamaica, operated Stephenson Immigration and Legal Services, LLC, in Bridgeport.  Between 2011 and 2017, she conspired with others to arrange 28 sham marriages between U.S. citizens and non-citizens residing in the U.S. for the purpose of the non-citizens’ applying for and obtaining  green cards.  One of the sham marriages was between Johnson and Shanon Stephenson, and another was between Jodian Stephenson and a U.S. citizen.  Jodian Stephenson typically found and introduced a U.S. citizen to be the non-citizen’s purported spouse and helped the couple obtain a marriage license.  She also organized the marriage ceremony and celebration, coached the couple on how to make their marriage appear to be genuine despite their neither living together nor otherwise intending to remain actually married, and prepared and helped submit several immigration documents needed as part of the non-citizen’s green card application.  Jodian Stephenson typically charged between $17,000 and $20,000 to complete this process for a non-citizen, and the citizen spouse received between $2,000 and $4,000 for his or her participation.

Jodian Stephenson and Shanon Stephenson each previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit immigration marriage fraud.  On August 26, 2021, Jodian Stephenson was sentenced to six months of imprisonment.  Shanon Stephenson awaits sentencing.

A total of 10 individuals were charged as a result of this investigation, and all pleaded guilty.  Removal proceedings have been or are being commenced against all individuals whose green card applications were found to have been based on sham marriages.

This investigation has been conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service’s Office of Fraud Detection and National Security.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Henry K. Kopel.

DIOMIE BLACKWELL, also known as “Yamo,” 24, of Bridgeport, pleaded guilty today to a racketeering offense stemming from his participation in gang-related shootings, including a shooting in front of a state courthouse in Bridgeport in January 2020.

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

According to court documents and statements made in court, the FBI, ATF, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service and Bridgeport Police have been investigating multiple Bridgeport-based gangs whose members are involved in narcotics trafficking, murder and other acts of violence.  Blackwell has been a member of the “Greene Homes Boyz” (“GHB/Hotz”), a gang based in the Charles F. Greene Homes Housing Complex in Bridgeport’s North End, whose members and associates distributed heroin, crack cocaine, marijuana and Percocet pills; committed numerous acts of violence against rival gang members and other individuals, and celebrated their criminal conduct on social media websites such as Facebook and YouTube.  GHB/Hotz members and associates also committed acts of intimidation and made threats to deter potential witnesses to their crimes and to protect gang members and associates from detection and prosecution by law enforcement authorities.  From approximately 2017 until August 2020, GHB/Hotz members were aligned with members of the “Original North End” (“O.N.E.”), a gang based in the Trumbull Gardens area of Bridgeport, against rival groups in Bridgeport, including the East End, East Side and PT Barnum gangs, as well as 150, which is a geographic gang based on the West Side of Bridgeport.

In pleading guilty, Blackwell admitted that on February 7, 2018, he and an associate shot and attempted to kill “MJ,” a member or associate of the 150 gang.  And, on January 27, 2020, he and others attempted to kill members and associates of the East End gang in a brazen afternoon shooting in front of a Bridgeport courthouse.  At 12:11 p.m. on that date, Bridgeport Police responded to the area of 172 Golden Hill Street in Bridgeport after a Shot Spotter activation detected approximately 20 shots being fired in front of the state courthouse located there.  Upon arrival, investigators discovered that four victims had been shot while sitting inside a black Chevrolet Impala.  One victim was shot in the side of his chest and was left paralyzed and a second victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his back, shoulder and wrist.  The victims’ vehicle had approximately 23 entry bullet holes in the driver’s side and windshield area.

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

Blackwell pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton on December 28, 2021, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

Blackwell has been detained since August 6, 2020.

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

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

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

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

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

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford has returned an indictment charging JAVED SAEED, 52, and DASTGIR SAEED, 68, both of South Windsor, with food stamp fraud offenses.

The indictment was returned on September 14, 2021, and the defendants were arrested on September 29.  They are released on bonds pending trial.

The federal Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program (“SNAP”) is administered by the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service and utilizes federal tax dollars to subsidize low-income households to provide them with the opportunity to achieve a more nutritious diet by increasing their food-purchasing power.  SNAP recipients purchase eligible food items at retail food stores through the use of an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, and SNAP benefits may be accepted by authorized retailers only in exchange for eligible items.  Items such as alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, paper goods and soaps are not eligible for purchase with Food Stamp benefits, and it is a violation of the rules and regulations governing the food stamp program to allow benefits to be used to purchase ineligible items.  SNAP benefits may not lawfully be exchanged for cash under any circumstances.  The program is designed so that the total amount of each purchase is electronically transferred to the retailer’s designated bank account.

As alleged in the indictment, Javed Saeed is the owner of Manchester Quick Mart, a convenience store and Mobil gas station located at 262 Oakland Street in Manchester, and Dastgir Saeed helped operate the store.  Between November 2016 and January 2020, Javeed Saeed, Dastgir Saeed and others illegally allowed customers to redeem their food stamp benefits for cash and other ineligible items, including gasoline and male enhancement pills, and charged the customers’ food stamp cards a premium of nearly 50 percent for these transactions.

The indictment charges Javed and Dastgir Saeed with one count of conspiracy to commit food stamp fraud, and one count of food stamp fraud.  Each charge carries maximum term of imprisonment of five years.

Acting U.S. Attorney Boyle stressed that an indictment is only a charge and 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 U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anastasia E. King.

DESTINE CALDERON, 26, of Bridgeport, pleaded guilty today in federal court to a racketeering offense stemming from his participation in a Bridgeport gang, and his presence during a gang-related shooting that occurred in front of a state courthouse in Bridgeport in January 2020.

Pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the court proceeding before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah A. L. Merriam occurred via videoconference.

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

According to court documents and statements made in court, the FBI, ATF, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service and Bridgeport Police have been investigating multiple Bridgeport-based gangs whose members are involved in narcotics trafficking, murder and other acts of violence.  Calderon has been a member of the “Greene Homes Boyz” (“GHB/Hotz”), a gang based in the Charles F. Greene Homes Housing Complex in Bridgeport’s North End, whose members and associates distributed heroin, crack cocaine, marijuana and Percocet pills; committed numerous acts of violence against rival gang members and other individuals, and celebrated their criminal conduct on social media websites such as Facebook and YouTube.  GHB/Hotz members and associates also committed acts of intimidation and made threats to deter potential witnesses to their crimes and to protect gang members and associates from detection and prosecution by law enforcement authorities.  Since approximately 2017, GHB/Hotz members have been aligned with members of the “Original North End” (“O.N.E.”), a gang based in the Trumbull Gardens area of Bridgeport, against rival groups in Bridgeport, including the East End, East Side and PT Barnum gangs, as well as 150, which is a geographic gang based on the West Side of Bridgeport.

In pleading guilty, Calderon admitted that he participated in gang-related drug trafficking.  He also was aware of the planning and present in a vehicle when GHB/Hotz and O.N.E. members attempted to kill members and associates of the East End gang in a brazen afternoon shooting in front of a Bridgeport courthouse on January 27, 2020.  At 12:11 p.m. on that date, Bridgeport Police responded to the area of 172 Golden Hill Street in Bridgeport after a Shot Spotter activation detected approximately 20 shots being fired in front of the state courthouse located there.  Upon arrival, investigators discovered that four victims had been shot while sitting inside a black Chevrolet Impala.  One victim was shot in the side of his chest and was left paralyzed and a second victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his back, shoulder and wrist.  The victims’ vehicle had approximately 23 entry bullet holes in the driver’s side and windshield area.

Calderon also appears in YouTube videos and in social media posts promoting the gang.

Calderon pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton on December 28, 2021, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

Calderon has been detained since August 6, 2020.

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

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

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

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

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

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ERICK E. GOMEZ, JR., 28, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 3, 2020, Gomez fled from his car after he was involved in a car accident in Woodbridge.  A search of the car revealed a loaded .380 semi-automatic pistol, 15 baggies of crack cocaine and 12 folds of heroin and fentanyl.  Gomez, who was on state probation, was subsequently charged with state offenses stemming from this incident, and another incident in April when he was found in a car with a convicted felon and a firearm.  On July 31, 2020, Gomez, who was released on bonds in both of his state cases, was arrested on related federal charges.  At the time of his arrest he possessed quantities of crack cocaine, heroin/fentanyl and methamphetamine.

Gomez has been detained since his federal arrest.  On June 9, 2021, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Gomez has a criminal history that includes convictions for escape, interfering with arrest, possessing firearms, assault, and possession and sale of narcotics.

This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, New Haven Police Department and Woodbridge Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony E. Kaplan, Peter D. Markle and Tara E. Levens.

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

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOHN MATTHEWS, also known as “Jay” and “Gotti,” 36, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 136 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 1, 2018, a 35-year-old man in Trumbull died of a drug overdose.  The investigation revealed that Matthews sold the victim the fentanyl that caused the victim’s death.

On November 2, 2018, law enforcement investigators, posing as the overdose victim and using the victim’s cell phone, placed an order for narcotics from Matthews.  Matthews was arrested after he arrived at the victim’s residence to complete the transaction.  At the time of his arrest, Matthews possessed 247 wax folds of fentanyl and $1,828 in cash.

Matthews’ criminal history includes multiple drug-related convictions, and he was on state parole when he distributed the fentanyl involved in the overdose death.

Matthews has been detained since in state custody since February 11, 2019, after he was arrested and charged with stealing a firearm, criminal weapon possession and possession of controlled substances offenses.  On June 18, 2021, he pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl.

Judge Thompson ordered that the 136-month sentence is in addition to the approximately 32 months Matthews has served in state custody.

This investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Trumbull Police Department and Bridgeport Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Natasha Freismuth.

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and David Sundberg, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that MICHAEL FERRO, 35, of Avon, has been charged by federal criminal complaint with multiple child exploitation offenses.

Ferro surrendered to law enforcement yesterday.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas O. Farrish in Hartford and was released on a $100,000 bond.

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

The complaint charges Ferro with sexual exploitation of children, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years; attempted receipt of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; and attempted enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

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

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

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

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

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Joshua W. McCallister, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division, Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, and Town of Groton Police Chief Louis J. Fusaro, Jr., today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment yesterday charging CARLOS ANTONIO CRESPO-FEBUS, 40, of New London, and STEVEN COLLAZO, 30, of Groton, for their alleged involvement in a scheme to receive large quantities of cocaine from Puerto Rico through the U.S. Mail for distribution in Connecticut and elsewhere.

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

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

Crespo-Febus and Collazo were arrested on federal criminal complaints on September 20, 2021.

The indictment charges Crespo-Febus and Collazo with 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.  Based on his prior conviction for a serious violent felony, namely second degree murder, Crespo-Febus faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years if he is convicted of the charge.

Crespo-Febus is currently detained and Collazo is released on a $100,000 bond.

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

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

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that JAMES LEE, 24, of New Haven, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to possession with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine and cocaine base (“crack”).

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

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

Lee has been detained since April 5, 2021.  Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for December 21, 2021, at which time Lee faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

Russell, 32, of New Haven, has been detained since his arrest on May 21, 2021.  On that date, he possessed additional narcotics packaged for distribution.

On September 14, 2021, Russell pleaded guilty in federal court to possession with intent to distribute, heroin, cocaine and cocaine base.  He is scheduled to be sentenced on December 7, 2021.

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

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

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, and New London Police Chief Brian Wright, today announced that a federal jury in Bridgeport has found ANTHONY WHYTE, also known as “Jak Mac,” 47, of New London, and AMY SARCIA, 52, of Stonington, guilty of narcotics trafficking and money laundering offenses, and Whyte guilty of a firearm offense.

The trial before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden began on September 10 and the jury returned the guilty verdicts this afternoon.

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

According to the evidence introduced during the trial, Whyte obtained heroin, fentanyl and cocaine from various sources in Connecticut, New York and elsewhere, and distributed the narcotics to other members of the conspiracy.  Whyte’s co-conspirators then sold the drugs to customers and other street-level drug dealers.  Sarcia, who both distributed and used cocaine, accepted narcotics proceeds from Whyte and provided Whyte with weekly paychecks from her business, Two Wives Pizza, and a federal W-2 tax form, in an attempt to disguise the narcotics proceeds as employment wages.  Sarcia also accepted cash from Whyte for allowing him to use three apartments in a building she managed to store and dispense narcotics.

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

The jury found Whyte and Sarcia guilty of one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, various narcotics, and one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments (“money laundering”).  Whyte was also found guilty of three counts of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, various narcotics, and one count possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

At sentencing, which is not scheduled, Whyte faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life, and Sarcia faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 60 years.

Twenty-Three others charged as a result of this investigation previously pleaded guilty.

This investigation has been conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Marshals Service, Connecticut Statewide Narcotics Taskforce East, Connecticut Department of Correction and the New London, Waterford, City of Groton, Stonington, Norwich, Old Saybrook and UConn Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natasha M. Freismuth and Angel M. Krull through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program.  OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.  Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that KENDALL JONES, also known as “Wolf,” 32, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 84 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for narcotics distribution and firearm possession offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in September and October 2020, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force, along with state and local law enforcement officers, conducted an operation in response to a recent spike in drug-related violence in Hartford’s North End.  Jones was identified during the operation as an active drug seller.

On October 7, 2020, investigators sought to arrest Jones on a state arrest warrant and observed him at a gas station on Albany Avenue in Hartford engaging in what appeared to be drug transactions.  As task force officers approached Jones, Jones ran and discarded a black leather shoulder bag.  Jones was apprehended after a short chase.  A search of his person revealed approximately eight grams of crack cocaine and a quantity of marijuana, and the discarded shoulder bag contained a loaded .22 caliber Ruger semiautomatic handgun.

The handgun has been reported stolen in North Carolina in July 2020.

Jones’ criminal history includes state convictions for drug, firearm, robbery and larceny offenses.

Jones, while released on bond in this federal case, was arrested on state narcotics charges on April 9, 2021, after he was again observed making drug sales in Hartford.  He has been detained since his arrest.

On April 29, 2021, Jones pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (“crack”), and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

The DEA’s Hartford Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Windsor Locks and Willimantic Police Departments.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan Keefe.

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

Leonard C Boyle, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Boston, today announced that WAYNE MARCELL, 35, of Danbury has been charged by federal criminal complaint with multiple child exploitation offenses.

Marcell appeared today via videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector.  He has been detained since his arrest on related state charges on June 23, 2021.

As alleged in court documents, in April 2021, a 14-year-old female in Georgia met Robert Fyke, 33, of Lubbock, Texas, on an online video/chat platform.  Fyke and the minor victim then used Kik and other social media platforms to communicate.  In May 2021, Fyke drove from Texas to Georgia, picked up the minor victim and drove her back to Lubbock.  The minor victim resided with Fyke for approximately four weeks.

It is further alleged that, while living with Fyke, the minor victim began communicating with Marcell on video game and social media platforms.  In June 2021, Marcell paid an individual $2,000 to drive the minor victim from Texas to Illinois.  Marcell then drove from Connecticut to Illinois, picked up the minor victim, and brought her to his home in Danbury.  Marcell engaged in multiple illicit sexual acts with the minor victim, and took photos and videos of the sexual abuse.

The complaint charges Marcell with sexual exploitation of a child, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years; receipt of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; and transportation of a minor with the intent to engage in illegal sexual activity, and conspiracy, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

Fyke, who has been detained since his arrest on June 17, 2021, has been charged in the Northern District of Texas.

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

This matter is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service and Danbury Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nancy V. Gifford with the cooperation of the Danbury State’s Attorney’s Office.

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

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

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that KEVIN BARCO, 37, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 39 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a sawed-off shotgun.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 6, 2018, Hartford Police encountered Barco sitting in a car that was parked on Albany Avenue.  A subsequent search of the car revealed a Harrington and Richardson, Model 176, 10 gauge shotgun with a sawed-off barrel.  Eight shotgun shells were also found in the car.

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

On July 17, 2020, Barco pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a felon.

Barco, who is released on $50,000 bond, is required to surrender to the U.S. Marshals Service on October 1 to begin serving his sentence.

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Hartford Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Miller.

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

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that EDDY ANTONIO TORRES MOREL, 51, of Meriden, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 78 months of imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release for trafficking heroin.  Judge Shea also ordered Torres to pay a $50,000 fine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, an investigation revealed that Torres was trafficking narcotics from Big Daddy’s Deli and Jamal’s Market, two stores he operated on East Main Street in Bridgeport.  During the investigation, law enforcement made two controlled purchases of a half-kilogram of heroin from Torres, first at Jamal’s Market on October 29, 2019, and then at Big Daddy’s Deli on January 24, 2020.

Torres was arrested on February 5, 2020.  On that date, investigators searched his residence and stores and seized two firearms, assorted firearm parts, ammunition, and approximately $22,000 in cash.

On June 28, 2021, Torres pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin.

Torres, who is released on a $300,000 bond, is required to report to prison on February 10, 2022.

This matter was investigated by the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bridgeport Police Department and the Stamford Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Vizcarrondo.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal jury in Hartford has found JOSE PEREZ, 40, of Hartford, guilty of possession of a firearm by a felon.

The trial before U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant began yesterday and the jury returned the verdict this afternoon.

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

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

Perez was apprehended on January 19, 2021.

At sentencing, which is not scheduled, Perez faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  Perez is released on a $30,000 bond pending sentencing.

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

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

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, and Phillip Coyne, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), announced that Dr. DAVID CIANCIMINO, 62, of Trumbull, was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint charging him with health care fraud and controlled substances offenses related to the illegal distribution of prescription medication.

Ciancimino appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector and was released on a $500,000 bond.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, Ciancimino has been a sole practitioner practicing psychiatry and neurology/psychiatry from an office located at 4 Corporate Drive in Shelton.  Since October 2020, law enforcement has been investigating Ciancimino’s prescribing practices of various benzodiazepines, such as Xanax, and stimulants, such as Adderall.  The investigation, which has included the use of federal task force officers acting in an undercover capacity, revealed that Ciancimino was providing prescriptions for Adderall or Xanax to numerous individuals in exchange for $200 in cash, typically with little to no medical examination of his patients.  Many of Ciancimino’s patients used Medicaid to pay for the prescriptions Ciancimino wrote for them.

It is alleged that between July 2020 to September 2021, Ciancimino deposited approximately $356,000 in cash into his bank account.  Ciancimino also received dozens of payments of $200 through his Venmo account.

Ciancimino is charged with making false statements relating to health care matters, health care fraud, and distribution of controlled substances outside the scope of professional practice and not for legitimate medical purpose.

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

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

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

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division, and Acting New Haven Police Chief Renee Dominguez announced that TREIZY LOPEZ, 24, of New Haven, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to a charge stemming from the attempted robbery of a New Haven restaurant, during which he shot an employee, in April 2015.

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

Approximately eight hours prior to the Smokin’ Wings robbery, Lopez and another individual, armed with handguns, entered Sapiaos Market, located on Lexington Avenue in Bridgeport, and demanded money.  During the attempted robbery, the owner of the market, Jose Salgado, was shot and killed.  Ford was waiting in a car outside of the market during the attempted robbery.

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

Lopez pleaded guilty to one count of attempted interference with commerce by robbery, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for December 16, 2021.

Ford pleaded guilty to the same charge on September 21, 2021, and awaits sentencing.

Lopez is currently incarcerated in state custody after being convicted of offenses related to his role in the robbery and homicide at Sapiaos Market.

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

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

Project Longevity is a comprehensive initiative to reduce gun violence in Connecticut’s major cities.  Through Project Longevity, community members and law enforcement directly engage with members of groups that are prone to commit violence and deliver a community message against violence, a law enforcement message about the consequences of further violence and an offer of help for those who want it.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division, and Hartford Police Chief Jason Thody today announced that a federal grand jury in Bridgeport returned an indictment yesterday charging LUIS MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ, 23, of Hartford, with narcotics distribution and firearm possession offenses.

As alleged in the indictment, on November 19, 2020, a search of Rodriguez’s Hartford residence revealed distribution quantities of crack cocaine and fentanyl, two loaded semi-automatic handguns, and $9,436 in cash.

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

The indictment charges Rodriguez with one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (“crack”) and fentanyl, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

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

Rodriguez has been detained in state custody since November 19, 2020.

This matter is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Hartford Police Department, with the assistance of the Connecticut Department of Correction Division of Parole and Community Services.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth Gresham.

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

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ROBERT J. MOSLEY, 54, formerly of Bridgeport, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to possession of child pornography.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2016, Mosley was convicted in Connecticut Superior Court of possession of child pornography in the second degree.  He was sentenced for that offense to 10 years in jail, execution suspended after six years, and 20 years of probation.  Mosley was released on parole in November 2018.

On January 28, 2020, Connecticut parole officers and Connecticut state troopers conducted a home visit at Mosley’s residence.  During the visit, Mosley was found in possession of an unapproved smart phone, and an approved mobile phone that contained suspected child pornography.  Investigators seized both phones and Mosley was remanded to custody.  Subsequent analysis of the seized phones and a cloud storage account maintained by Mosley revealed thousands of images and hundreds of video depicting the sexual abuse of children, primarily boys between the ages of 2 and 14.  In addition, analysis of Mosley’s e-mail account revealed that he sent numerous e-mails soliciting child pornography, sent images of child pornography to others, and sent links to his cloud storage account.

Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for December 22, 2021, at which time Mosley faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  The penalties in this case are enhanced based on Mosley’s criminal history.

Mosley has been detained since January 28, 2020.

This matter has been investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Connecticut State Police, with the assistance of the Connecticut Department of Correction Division of Parole and Community Services.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel J. Gentile.

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

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

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Joshua W. McCallister, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division, today announced that RAUL ROBLES, 38, of New London, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to a narcotics trafficking offense stemming from his role in a conspiracy in which cocaine was mailed through the U.S. Postal Service from Puerto Rico to southeastern Connecticut.

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

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

Robles was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on April 9, 2021.

Robles pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.  Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for December 14, 2021, at which time Robles faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.

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

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

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