District of Connecticut

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 TYTHRONE FORD, 27, 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 an employee was shot, in April 2015.

According to court documents and statements made in court, at approximately 11:00 p.m. on April 11, 2015, Ford and two other men entered the Smokin’ Wings restaurant, located on Congress Avenue in New Haven, and demanded money at gunpoint.  One of Ford’s associates subsequently discharged a firearm and shot a female employee in the stomach.  Ford and his associates 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, two of Ford’s associates, 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.  At the time, Ford was waiting in a car outside of the market.

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 Ford and one of his associates possessed the gun.

Ford 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 14, 2021.

Ford has been detained since his arrest on December 10, 2019.

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, announced that ALLEN EVANS, 35, of Hartford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon.

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

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

It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

Evans has been detained since his arrest.

Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for December 14, 2021.

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

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

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that KEVIN LUCAS, also known as “Dutch,” 61, of Bridgeport, pleaded guilty today in New Haven federal court to possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin.

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

Lucas is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall on December 15, 2021, at which time he faces a maximum term of 20 years.  Lucas is released on a $50,000 bond pending sentencing.

This investigation has been conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force, which includes participants from the U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, 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.

As part of an ongoing investigation into gang-related drug trafficking and related violence in Waterbury, a federal grand jury in Hartford has returned an indictment charging 16 Waterbury gang members with engaging in numerous violent criminal acts, including murder and attempted murder, as well as firearm possession and drug trafficking offenses.

Today’s announcement was made by Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; Maureen T. Platt, State’s Attorney for the Waterbury Judicial District; Waterbury Police Chief Fernando C. Spagnolo; David Sundberg, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division.

The 36-count indictment, which was returned on September 14, charges

GABRIEL PULLIAM, a.k.a. “G, ” 27
TAHJAY LOVE, a.k.a. “Goon,” 23
ZAEKWON McDANIEL, a.k.a. “Gap” and “Yung Gap,” 23
EZRA ALVES, a.k.a. “EJ” and “Ezzy,” 21
MALIK BAYON, a.k.a. “Pop” and “Dirt,” 25
D’ANDRE BURRUS, a.k.a. “Dopeman,” 27 
JUSTIN CABRERA, a.k.a. “J.U.,” 22
LADERRICK JONES, a.k.a. “Lexus,” 29
JAIVAUN McKNIGHT, a.k.a. “Sav,” 23
JULIAN SCOTT, a.k.a. “Ju Sav,” 22
DAYQUAIN SINISTERRA, a.k.a. “Quan,” 24
AHMED ALVES, a.k.a. “Stones,” 23
ADRIAN FLEMMING, a.k.a. “Big A” and “Goldo,” 26
JAMES GRAHAM, a.k.a. “Little Cuz,” 21
TAVAUGHN WRIGHT, a.k.a. “Teddy,” 27
DIMITRI BLANDING, 23

Pulliam, Love, McDaniel, Ezra Alves, Burrus, Jones, McKnight, Scott, Sinisterra and Graham have been detained in state custody, and Flemming is currently serving a federal sentence for a related drug charge.  Bayon, Cabrera, Wright, Blanding, and Ahmed Alves were arrested yesterday.  Blanding was released on bond, and Bayon, Cabrera, Wright and Alves are detained pending detention hearings that are scheduled beginning next week.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, in an effort to address escalating violence in Waterbury, the FBI, ATF, and Waterbury Police are actively investigating multiple Waterbury-based groups whose members are involved in narcotics trafficking, murder and other acts of violence. The defendants charged in the indictment are members of the 960 gang – an active gang in the Waterbury area.

The indictment alleges that the 960 gang distributed narcotics and engaged in multiple violent acts, including murder, attempted murder and assault, as well as obstruction of justice.

Among the violent acts committed by the defendants, the indictment alleges that:

• On October 31, 2017, Cabrera attempted to murder members of a rival gang, which resulted in gunshot wounds to an individual with the initials J.B.;
• On November 22, 2017, McDaniel, Bayon and Love murdered Clarence Lewis and Antonio Santos;
• On December 29, 2017, McDaniel attempted to murder an individual believed to be related to a rival gang, which resulted in gunshot wounds to an individual with the initials J.S.;
• On September 21, 2018, Sinisterra attempted to murder individuals associated with an individual with the initials H.M. by shooting at an occupied residence on Lounsbury Street in Waterbury;
• On September 21, 2018, Ezra Alves, McKnight and Sinisterra attempted to murder individuals associated with an individual with the initials H.M. by shooting at an occupied residence on Scott Road in Waterbury;
• On October 6, 2018, Ezra Alves, Scott and Sinisterra attempted to murder individuals believed to be members of a rival gang, which resulted in gunshot wounds to an individual with the initials A.R.;
• On October 11, 2018, Pulliam, Scott and Sinisterra, in an attempt to murder individuals believed to be members of a rial gang, murdered Fransua Guzman and injured an individual with the initials D.M.
• On November 1, 2018, Sinisterra attempted to murder H.M., which resulted in gunshot wounds to H.M.
• On November 18, 2018, Ezra Alves, Scott and Sinisterra attempted to murder individuals believed to be members of a rival gang, which resulted in gunshot wounds to individuals with the initials M.A. and J.S.;
• On October 19, 2019, Love and Graham caused bodily injury to an individual with the initials J.A. in an attempt to obstruct the administration of justice.

“As alleged in the indictment and in related prosecutions, members of the 960 gang not only murdered and attempted to murder rival gang members, but also shot and maimed unintended victims whose lives have been forever changed by their reckless behavior,” said U.S. Attorney Boyle.  This long-term investigation and prosecution of these 16 defendants represent our commitment to use federal resources to help dismantle violent groups and prosecute those whose drug trafficking and relentless acts of gun violence destroy the communities where they operate.  I sincerely thank State’s Attorney Platt for coordinating this prosecution with our office, and Chief Spagnolo and the members of the Waterbury Police Department for their excellent work and close partnership with the FBI and ATF during this investigation.”

“The indictment of 16 members of the 960 gang in Waterbury is a product of the tireless work and collaboration of numerous law enforcement agencies,” said Waterbury State’s Attorney Platt.  “Especially today given the recent escalation of gun violence and gang activity, this effort will undoubtedly make the Waterbury community a safer and better place in which to live.  The Waterbury State’s Attorney’s office is so proud to be a part of this project, and we would like to extend and thanks and admiration to all those who worked so hard to put this case together, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Chief Spagnolo and the Waterbury Police Department, and numerous federal and state law enforcement agencies.”

“The 36-count indictment charging 16 members of the violent Waterbury gang 960 is due in part to the tireless efforts of so many in local and federal law enforcement,” said Chief Spagnolo.  “I want to acknowledge our strong partnerships with the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, the Waterbury State’s Attorney and the FBI.  Our community is a safer place today because of the diligence displayed by law enforcement officers as well as federal and state prosecutors in this investigation.”

“Today’s arrests are a clear indication to all criminal actors in Waterbury and across Connecticut that we are in the community working around the clock to end senseless violence, reduce fear, and to do our part to improve quality of life,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Sundberg.

The indictment charges Pulliam, Love, McDaniel, Ezra Alves, Bayon, Burrus, Jones, McKnight, Scott and Sinisterra with one count of conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years for Pulliam, Ezra Alves, Burrus, Jones, McKnight, Scott and Sinisterra.  Because it is alleged that Bayon, McDaniel and Love killed both Clarence Lewis and Antonio Santos in the course of a single transaction, they face a penalty of life imprisonment if convicted of this count.

In addition, McDaniel, Bayon, Love, Pulliam, Scott and Sinisterra are charged with murder in violation of the Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering (“VCAR”) statute.  This offense carries a mandatory term of imprisonment of life, or death if the government seeks the death penalty in this matter.

Cabrera, McDaniel, Sinisterra, Ezra Alves, McKnight, Scott and Pulliam are charged with multiple counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, attempted murder/aiding and abetting in assault with a dangerous weapon, and attempted murder, all in violation of the VCAR statute. The assault offense carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and the attempted murder offenses carry a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. These defendants are also charged with using and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, an offense that carries a mandatory consecutive sentence of at least 10 years.

Love and Graham are charged with obstruction of justice, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years.

Pulliam, Ezra Alves, Bayon, Burrus, Jones, McKnight, Ahmed Alves, Flemming, Wright and Blanding are charged with conspiring to distribute narcotics, including heroin and fentanyl. If convicted on this count they face a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years

Finally, the indictment charges Ezra Alves, Bayon and Wright with possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, which carries a mandatory consecutive term of imprisonment of at least five years.

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 ongoing investigation is being conducted by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force, ATF and Waterbury Police Department, with the assistance of the Watertown Police Department, New Milford Police Department and Connecticut Department of Correction.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Geoffrey M. Stone, John T. Pierpont, Jr. and Natasha M. Freismuth, and Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Cynthia S. Serafini and Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Don E. Therkildesen, Jr. of the Waterbury State’s Attorney’s Office, who have been cross-designated as Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys in this matter.

This prosecution is a part of the Justice’s Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) 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.

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.

JACQUON BENEJAN, also known as “Blick,” 19, of Bridgeport, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to a racketeering offense stemming from his participation in two gang-related shootings.

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.  Benejan has been a member of the “Greene Homes Boyz” (“GHB/Hotz”), a gang based in the Charles F. Greene Homes Housing Complex in Bridgeport’s North End, whose members and associates distributed heroin, crack cocaine, marijuana and Percocet pills; committed numerous acts of violence against rival gang members and other individuals, and celebrated their criminal conduct on social media websites such as Facebook and YouTube.  GHB/Hotz members and associates also committed acts of intimidation and made threats to deter potential witnesses to their crimes and to protect gang members and associates from detection and prosecution by law enforcement authorities.  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, Benejan 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 October 4, 2018, he and an associate shot and attempted to kill “MS,” a member or associate of the East End gang, inside the Greene Homes housing complex.

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

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

Benejan 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.  Judge Arterton scheduled sentencing for December 10, 2021, at which time Benejan faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

Benejan has been detained since February 19, 2021.

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.

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.

UNDREA KIRKLAND, also known as “Spooda,” 25, of Bridgeport, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to a racketeering offense related to his participation in multiple gang-related shootings.

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.  Kirkand 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, Kirkland admitted that on May 22, 2015, he shot and attempted to kill “KJ,” a member or associate of the 150 gang, at the intersection of Park Street and Shelton Street on Bridgeport’s East Side; on February 27, 2018, he and others shot and attempted to kill “TH,” “RF” and “GS,” members or associates of the East End gang, at 1306 Stratford Avenue in Bridgeport; and on October 4, 2018, he and others shot and attempted to kill “MS,” a member or associate of the East End gang, inside the Greene Homes housing complex.

Kirkland also appears in a YouTube video, surrounded by other GHB/Hotz and O.N.E. members, possessing a firearm with a 50-round drum, discussing acts of violence, and celebrating a jury acquittal in his state trial for attempted murder.

Kirkland 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.  Judge Arterton scheduled sentencing for December 9, 2021, at which time Kirkland faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

Kirkland has been detained since April 11, 2019.

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.

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 Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, announced that KATHRYN POCOCK, 58, of Uncasville, waived her right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to one count of tax evasion.

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

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

Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for December 8, 2021, at which time Pocock faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.

Pocock has agreed to pay $213,965 in restitution to the IRS, and $33,514 to the State of Connecticut.

Pocock is released pending sentencing.

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

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, today announced that a federal jury in New Haven has found RAUL CHAVEZ, 62, of El Paso, Texas, guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.

The trial before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer began on September 7 and the jury returned its verdict this morning.

According to the evidence and testimony at trial, Chavez headed a cocaine trafficking operation that smuggled cocaine from Mexico into El Paso, Texas, and then transported the drug to Connecticut and elsewhere. The investigation revealed that the Chavez organization supplied multiple kilograms of cocaine to Hartford-area distributors for approximately 10 years.  The shipments, which would typically be in the range of 30 to 40 kilograms, were sent regularly from El Paso multiple times per year.

In 2014, the Chavez organization attempted to find an additional source of supply for its Hartford area cocaine customers. In July 2014, a DEA confidential source met Andrew Duron, also known as “Chavo,” in North Carolina. During the meeting, Duron told the confidential source that he wanted to purchase up to 50 kilograms of cocaine for $28,000 per kilogram.  In August 2014, Duron, the confidential source and an undercover DEA agent met in New Jersey where Duron agreed to purchase 25 kilograms of cocaine for $700,000.

The investigation revealed that this cocaine shipment was destined for Tyshawn Welborn, also known as “Black,” of Bloomfield, and Todd Vernon of Hartford, the latter of whom prepaid for approximately 13 kilograms of cocaine.

On August 22, 2014, Chavez and others met with Welborn at a restaurant in East Windsor where they discussed the pick-up of money from Welborn the following day and its delivery to a location to be determined.

On August 23, 2014, Duron met the undercover DEA agent at a location in Wethersfield. Duron told the undercover agent that his associates were in Connecticut and that Duron and the undercover agent would need to travel to a location near Bradley International Airport to verify that the money was in place.  Duron and the undercover agent then drove in separate vehicles to a store parking lot on Kennedy Road in Windsor.  Duron met with Chavez and another associate in the store.  A short time later, a third associate arrived in a Jeep Wrangler, met the undercover agent in the parking lot, showed him a duffel bag and said it contained “half” of the money.  Shortly thereafter, investigators arrived at the scene and arrested Duron, Chavez and his associates.

Investigators recovered from the Jeep a duffel bag containing approximately $284,000 in cash, and a loaded .38 caliber revolver.  The cash had been picked up from Welborn earlier that day.

After word reached Chavez’s son, Christopher Chavez, that his father and others had been arrested, Christopher Chavez coordinated the diversion of a shipment of 34 kilograms of cocaine, which was en route to Connecticut, to a high-level drug distributor in Cleveland, Ohio.

Chavez has been detained since his arrest.  Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for December 8, 2021, at which time Chavez faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

Chavez initially admitted his role in this conspiracy and pleaded guilty to the charge in March 2016.  In January 2017, shortly before Chavez was scheduled to be sentenced, he moved to withdraw his guilty plea.  Judge Meyer denied the motion and sentenced Chavez to 12 years of imprisonment and ordered him to pay a $250,000 fine.  Chavez successfully appealed the decision, the conviction and sentenced were vacated, and the case proceeded to trial.

Duron, Welborn, Vernon and Christopher Chavez were convicted of related charges.

This investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force, including officers from the Wethersfield, Bristol, Hartford, Manchester, New Britain and Newington Police Departments.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian P. Leaming and A. Reed Durham 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, today announced that KEILAH BORIA, 40, of New Haven, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to nine months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for narcotics trafficking and money laundering offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2019, the DEA New Haven Task Force began an investigation into a New Haven-based drug trafficking network headed by Michael Smith, also known as “Head.”  The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps, revealed that Smith and others were distributing heroin and crack cocaine throughout the New Haven area, and that Boria maintained bank accounts that Smith used to launder the cash proceeds of his drug trafficking activity.  From 2016 to 2019, Boria deposited more than $200,000 in cash into the bank accounts.  Smith spent some of the drug proceeds to pay for rental cars that he used to transport narcotics and to travel to meet his drug customers.

In December 2019, Smith was intercepted on a wiretap describing having shot at a rival drug dealer.  New Haven Police collected 31 shell casings from a location in the Fair Haven neighborhood where the shooting occurred.  Smith was arrested on December 23, 2019.

Boria was arrested on September 16, 2020.  On April 14, 2021, she pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess and distribute heroin and cocaine base (“crack”), and one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments.

Boria, who is released on a $150,000 bond, is required to report to prison on November 12, 2021.

Smith, who has been detained since his arrest, pleaded guilty to drug, firearm and money laundering charges on April 15, 2021.  He awaits sentencing.

This investigation is being conducted by the DEA New Haven Task Force, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, and the New Haven, West Haven, Hamden, East Haven, North Haven, Ansonia, Meriden and Derby Police Departments.

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

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that ANTHONY HALL, 60, of Montville, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 52 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for robbing a Norwich bank while he was on supervised release for a prior federal bank robbery conviction.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in April 2011, Anthony Hall was sentenced in Hartford federal court to 87 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for robbing four Connecticut banks in 2008 and 2009.  He was released from federal custody in January 2016.  On September 13, 2019, while on federal supervised release, Hall robbed the Eastern Savings Bank, located at 666 West Main Street in Norwich, of approximately $2,400.

Hall has been detained since his arrest on related state charges on October 28, 2019.  On April 13, 2021, he pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of bank robbery.

Judge Hall sentenced Anthony Hall to 40 months of imprisonment for the bank robbery, and an additional 12 months of imprisonment for violating the conditions of his supervised release.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Norwich Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Gresham.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JAVIER MARTINEZ, 41, of Meriden, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 36 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking fentanyl.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in February 2020, law enforcement coordinated a controlled purchase of 100 grams of fentanyl from Martinez.  On February 13, 2020, investigators stopped Martinez’s vehicle after he arrived at an agreed upon location in West Haven.  A search of the car revealed approximately 100 grams of fentanyl, and a subsequent search of Martinez’s Meriden residence revealed approximately 180 grams of  fentanyl, more than 300 fentanyl pills, and items used to process and package narcotics for street sale. 

On April 22, 2021, Martinez pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.

Martinez, who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on October 18.

This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force, Connecticut State Police Statewide Narcotics Task Force and West Haven Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Natasha M. Freismuth.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that WILTON REYNOSO, also known as Manuel Jose Echevarria-Lugo, 47, a citizen of the Dominican Republic last residing in Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 60 months of imprisonment for trafficking fentanyl and heroin.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in late 2019, the DEA New Haven Task Force began an investigation into the distribution of heroin and fentanyl in New Haven and Waterbury.  The investigation, which included thousands of intercepted communications over court-authorized wiretaps, revealed that Reynoso was receiving large quantities of fentanyl and heroin from a source in New York and then selling the narcotics to other drug distributors.

On June 13, 2020, investigators sought to arrest Reynoso and Tyson Quinones, of Waterbury, after intercepting a series of calls indicating that Reynoso and Quinones were planning to conduct a 200-gram heroin transaction.  On that date, Quinones was arrested at the anticipated meeting place.  Reynoso fled from the meeting scene in his vehicle, which was found abandoned nearby.  He was arrested a short time later after he returned to the vehicle.  A search of a location in Waterbury that Reynoso used to store narcotics revealed more than kilogram of a mixture of fentanyl and heroin, and items used to process and package narcotics.

Reynoso has been detained since his arrest.  On June 19, 2021, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, 400 grams or more of fentanyl.

Reynoso faces immigration proceedings when he completes his prison term.

Quinones pleaded guilty on July 23, 2021, and awaits sentencing.

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

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

MARQUIS ISREAL, also known as “Garf” or “Gbaby,” 25, pleaded guilty today in New Haven federal court to racketeering offenses related to his participation in a gang-related shooting in front of a state courthouse in Bridgeport in January 2020.

Today’s announcement was made by Leonard C Boyle, 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.  Isreal has been a member of the “Original North End” (“O.N.E.”), a gang based in the Trumbull Gardens area of Bridgeport whose members sold narcotics, laundered narcotics proceeds, robbed drug dealers, stole cars from inside and outside Connecticut and used them to commit crimes, and tampered with witnesses who might testify against them.  Since approximately 2017, O.N.E. members have been 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, Isreal admitted that he and his associates attempted to kill members and associates of the East End gang on January 27, 2020, in a brazen afternoon shooting in front of a Bridgeport courthouse.  At 12:11 p.m. on that date, Bridgeport Police responded to the area of 172 Golden Hill Street in Bridgeport after a Shot Spotter activation detected approximately 20 shots being fired in front of the state courthouse located there.  Upon arrival, investigators discovered that four victims had been shot while sitting inside a black Chevrolet Impala.  One victim was shot in the side of his chest and was left paralyzed and a second victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his back, shoulder and wrist.  The victims’ vehicle had approximately 23 entry bullet holes in the driver’s side and windshield area.

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

Isreal pleaded guilty to one count of attempted murder and aiding and abetting, and one count of conspiracy to commit murder, both in violation of the Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering (“VCAR”) statute.  Judge Arterton scheduled sentencing for December 3, 2021, at which time Isreal faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

Isreal 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 and Karen L. Peck.

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.

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 DAMIEN GARCIA, 34, of Vernon, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to five years of probation for a firearm offense stemming from a Stafford pawn shop robbery in 2019.

Garcia also has pleaded guilty to related charges in state court, where he faces a 66-month sentence.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on September 15, 2019, the Connecticut State Police received a report that the Simon Says Pawn Shop, a Federal Firearms Licensee in Stafford, had been burglarized the previous evening and that several firearms had been stolen.  Investigators subsequently determined that seven handguns were missing from the store.  On September 17, Vernon Police developed information that Garcia was involved in the burglary and was in possession of a firearm.  That evening, after officers approached Garcia and his associate, Lawrence McEwen, on West Main Street in Vernon, Garcia and McEwen attempted to flee before.  After both were apprehended, officers recovered a .40 caliber Smith and Wesson pistol that McEwen discarded as he ran away.  The firearm was one of the seven stolen from the Simon Says Pawn Shop on September 14.

The investigation revealed that Garcia sold the other stolen firearms to three separate drug dealers in Hartford in exchange for drugs and cash.

Garcia has been detained since his federal arrest on September 23, 2019.  On December 9, 2020, he pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

On May 12, 2021, McEwen, of Vernon, pleaded guilty to possession of a stolen firearm.  He is scheduled to be sentenced on November 2.

This matter is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Connecticut State Police, Vernon Police Department and Hartford Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Sheldon.

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, today announced that AMBER FOLEY, 33, formerly of Meriden, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 90 months of imprisonment, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for distributing sexually explicit images of a four-year old girl.

According to court documents and statements made in court, law enforcement began investigating Foley in October 2017 after she sent a sexually explicit photo of a four-year-old girl to a man with whom she was chatting on MeetMe, a mobile dating application.  The investigation revealed that she had previously sent sexually explicit images of both the minor victim and a two-year-old boy to other men on MeetMe.  She also initiated conversations about sexual activity involving the minor victim and asked the men to describe in explicit detail the sexual acts they would perform on the minor victim.

Investigators did not uncover any evidence that Foley and the minor victim met the men with whom Foley chatted.

Foley was arrested on January 18, 2018.  On May 11, 2021, she pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography.

This matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Meriden and Hartford Police Departments, with the assistance of the Connecticut Department of Children and Families.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nancy V. Gifford and Maria del Pilar Gonzalez.

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

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

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MICHAEL HOLM, 42, of Branford, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to one count of possession of child pornography.

According to court documents and statements made in court, from approximately September 1, 2014 to March 8, 2021, Holm knowingly possessed child pornography, including on his iPhone and in his online Dropbox account.  He also used various other websites and mobile applications, such as ChatStep, Kik, Discord, Skype, and others, to distribute child pornography to others, sometimes in exchange for other child pornography in return.  A review of Holm’s iPhone and online accounts revealed that, during this time period, he possessed at least 142 unique image files and 118 unique video files of child pornography, including images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of infants and toddlers.

Holm engaged in some of this conduct while he was on federal supervised release for a prior child pornography offense.  In August 2011, Holm was sentenced to three months of imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release for possession of child pornography.

Because of his prior conviction, Holm is a registered sex offender on the Connecticut Sex Offender Registry.

Holm was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on May 24, 2021.  He has been detained since his arrest.

Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for December 2, 2021, at which time Holm faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  The penalties in this matter are enhanced based on Holm’s prior federal conviction for possession of child pornography.

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

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

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

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that EDWIN CORDERO, 20, of Stratford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to a federal car theft offense.

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

The investigation revealed that Cordero, Christopher Mulkern and others have stolen numerous motor vehicles, and used the stolen vehicles to travel throughout Connecticut and to neighboring states to steal other vehicles and the valuables inside, including credit cards, cellular telephones, and firearms.  Cordero  and Mulkern typically frequented upper middleclass neighborhoods to go “car-checking” or “jigging,” which involves an attempt to open the door of a motor vehicle and, if successful, steal the vehicle and/or valuables inside.

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

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

Cordero pleaded guilty to one count of transportation of a stolen vehicle, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for December 3, 2021.

Mulkern pleaded guilty to the same charge on April 30, 2021, and awaits sentencing.

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

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

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 BRIAN WARD, 29, of New Haven, with narcotics distribution and ammunition possession offenses.

The indictment was returned on August 31, 2019.  Ward appeared today via videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah A. L. Merriam and pleaded not guilty to the charges.  He has been detained since August 18.

As alleged in court documents, on July 21, 2021, law enforcement arrested Ward’s associate, Zaquawn Arrington, on a federal criminal complaint at Arrington’s West Haven residence.  Ward was present at Arrington’s residence at the time of the arrest.  A search of the residence revealed crack cocaine, a digital scale, and $2,075 in cash.  During the search, investigators observed Ward throw a bag from the house.  The bag contained crack cocaine packaged for distribution.  Later that day, investigators conducted a court-authorized search of Ward’s New Haven residence and seized a pistol box containing four ammunition magazines, and a box of 39 9mm rounds.

It is alleged that Ward was previously convicted of state felony drug and assault offenses.  It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

It is further alleged that Ward is seen on surveillance video firing a gun at a group of individuals immediately after one of the individuals shot and killed his associate on August 8, 2021, in Hamden.

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

Arrington has been charged separately with federal narcotics offenses and is awaiting trial.

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 Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force, the New Haven Police Department and the West Haven Police Department.  The Task Force includes members from the Connecticut State Police, Connecticut Department of Correction and the New Haven, Milford, East Haven and West Haven Police Departments.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Pierpont, Jr.

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 TYRELL COX-HENDERSON, 28, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to approximately 29 months of imprisonment, time already served, and three years of supervised release, for unlawfully possessing a firearm.  Cox-Henderson will serve his first three months of supervised release in home confinement.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 10, 2019, Cox-Henderson entered a convenience store in New Haven and placed a Smith & Wesson .357 caliber revolver behind some merchandise on a shelf.  Approximately one hour later, Allen Lusmat entered the store and retrieved the firearm from the shelf.  Later that day, after New Haven police officers had reviewed the convenience store’s surveillance video, officers stopped a car in which Lusmat was a passenger.  As officers approached the vehicle, Lusmat threw a black plastic bag out of the window.  A search of bag revealed the firearm that Lusmat retrieved from the store.

Cox-Henderson’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for burglary in the third degree, possession of a weapon or a dangerous instrument in a correctional facility, and conspiracy to commit robbery in the third degree.  It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

Cox-Henderson has been detained since April 10, 2019.  On September 14, 2020, he pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon.

Lusmat, of Bridgeport, pleaded guilty to the same offense and, on August 12, 2021, was sentenced to 37 months of imprisonment.

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the New Haven Police Department.  The case was 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, announced that JABARI WALCOTT, also known as “Jabari Walcott-Greene,” 23, 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 distributing fentanyl.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in the summer of 2020, Hartford Police learned that Kyle Pitts, also known as “Bark,” and others, were selling fentanyl, and that Pitts was using his apartment on Farmington Avenue in West Hartford to store fentanyl.  Between August and October 2020, Hartford Police and the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force made multiple controlled purchases of fentanyl from Pitts, Walcott and Curon Johnson, also known as “Buck,” of East Hartford.

Walcott has been detained since his arrest on state charges on October 14, 2020.  At the time of his arrest, he possessed distribution quantities of fentanyl and crack cocaine, a digital scale and $1060.

On June 7, 2021, Walcott pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, fentanyl.

Pitts and Johnson pleaded guilty to the same charge.  On July 22, 2021, Johnson was sentenced to 37 months of imprisonment.  Pitts awaits sentencing.

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

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that SETH WATSON, 36, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to 84 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing synthetic opioids and violating the conditions of his supervised release from a prior federal conviction.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 4, 2015, Judge Chatigny sentenced Watson to 51 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for possession of ammunition by a previously convicted felon.  Watson, who had been detained since his arrest in July 2012, was released from prison in April 2016.

In 2017, the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and Hartford Police Department received information that Watson was selling heroin and cocaine from a grocery store on Mather Street in Hartford.  In February and March 2017, investigators made four controlled purchases of purported heroin from Watson.  Laboratory testing of purported heroin purchased during the first two transactions determined that the substance was fentanyl, furanylfentanyl and U-47700.  The substance purchased during the third transaction was fentanyl and U-47700, and the substance purchased during the fourth transaction was fentanyl and heroin.

On March 28, 2017, Watson was arrested after investigators conducted a controlled purchase of narcotics from Watson and found him in possession of approximately 781 bags containing a total of approximately 21 grams of a mixture of fentanyl and heroin. 

Watson has been detained since his arrest.  On April 29, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of fentanyl, furanylfentanyl and U-47700.

Judge Chatigny sentenced Watson to 72 months of imprisonment for the drug distribution offense and a consecutive 12 months of imprisonment for violating his supervised release conditions.

The FBI Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, New Britain Police Department, West Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey M. Stone.

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 JAMIE PETRONE-CODRINGTON, 41, of Naugatuck, has been charged by federal criminal complaint with fraud and money laundering offenses related to her alleged theft of millions of dollars in computer hardware from the Yale University School of Medicine where she was employed.

Petrone-Codrington surrendered to law enforcement today and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven.  She was released on a $1 million bond.

As alleged in the complaint, beginning in approximately 2008, Petrone-Codrington was employed by the Yale University School of Medicine (“Yale Med”), Department of Emergency Medicine, and most recently served as the Director of Finance and Administration for the Department of Emergency Medicine.  As part of her job responsibilities, Petrone-Codrington had authority to make and authorize certain purchases for departmental needs as long as the purchase amount stayed below $10,000.  Beginning at least as early as 2013, Petrone-Codrington engaged in a scheme whereby she ordered, or caused others working for her, to order millions of dollars of computer hardware from Yale vendors using Yale Med funds and arranged to ship the stolen hardware to an out-of-state business in exchange for money.

It is further alleged that Petrone-Codrington falsely represented on Yale internal forms and in electronic communications that the hardware was for specified Yale Med needs, such as particular medical studies, and she broke up the fraudulent purchases into orders below the $10,000 threshold that would require additional approval.  The out-of-state business, which resold the computer hardware to customers, paid Petrone-Codrington by wiring funds into an account of a company in which she is a principal.

The criminal complaint charges Petrone-Codrington with mail fraud, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; wire fraud, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; and money laundering, which 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 Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Yale Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David E. Novick.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that TERRENCE COLEMAN, 20, of New Haven, pleaded guilty today in New Haven federal court to a firearm offense.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in September 2020, Coleman, an habitual user of marijuana, possessed a Beretta .22 caliber pistol, which he subsequently traded to another individual in exchange for marijuana.

Coleman, who was arrested on April 16, 2021, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by an individual who is an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance.

Coleman is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall on November 29, 2021, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  He is released on a $10,000 bond pending sentencing.

This matter has been investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natasha M. Freismuth and Konstantin Lantsman.

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

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Joleen D. Simpson, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, today announced that a grand jury in Hartford has returned an indictment charging INNIS FREDERICK, 61, of Saint Cloud, Florida, with a federal tax offense stemming from him employment at a Stratford-based home healthcare company.

The indictment was returned on August 10.  Frederick appeared today via videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector and pleaded not guilty.  He is released on a $20,000 bond.

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

The indictment charges Frederick with conspiracy to defraud the United States and impede and impair the IRS, an offense that carries a 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.  A charge is only an allegation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Foreman was previously charged and convicted in relation to this scheme.

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

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOSE PAULINO, 46, a citizen of the Dominican Republic last residing in the Bronx, New York, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 70 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for narcotics trafficking and immigration offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Paulino supplied large quantities of cocaine and counterfeit oxycodone pills to Musa Hill, of New Haven, who also received heroin from a source in New Haven.  Hill converted some of the cocaine he received into crack cocaine, sold narcotics to customers, and also provided narcotics to an associate for distribution to a network of customers.  During the investigation, investigators made controlled purchases of crack, heroin and hundreds of counterfeit oxycodone pills from Hill.  The vast majority of the counterfeit pills contained fentanyl.

Paulino has been deported to the Dominican Republic, and subsequently illegally reentered the U.S., on three occasions.

Paulino has been detained since his arrest on June 25, 2019.  On November 20, 2020, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, controlled substances, and one count of illegal reentry of a removed alien.

Hill pleaded guilty to related charges and, on March 4, 2020, was sentenced to 72 months of imprisonment.

This case was investigated by the DEA New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer R. Laraia.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RONNELL ROGERS, 28, of New Haven, pleaded guilty today via videoconference before U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall to narcotics distribution and firearm possession offenses.

In July 2019, Rogers was released from federal prison after serving approximately 17 months for unlawful possession of ammunition by a felon.  On January 17, 2021, while he was on federal supervised release, Rogers was arrested in New Haven on related state charges after officers searched his car and found distribution quantities of fentanyl and crack cocaine, and a loaded Smith & Wesson .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol.  The firearm had been reported stolen in Virginia.

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

Rogers pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  He also faces additional penalties for violating the conditions of his federal supervised release.  Judge Hall scheduled sentencing for December 1, 2021.

Rogers has been detained since his federal arrest on January 28, 2021.

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

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

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division, and Waterbury Police Chief Fernando C. Spagnolo, today announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford has returned an indictment charging DEANDRE GREENE, 32, of Waterbury, with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

The indictment was returned under seal on May 4, 2021.  Greene appeared today via videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah A. L. Merriam and entered a plea of not guilty.  He has been detained since his arrest on related state charges on January 31, 2021.

As alleged in the indictment, on January 31, 2021, Greene possessed a loaded Diamondback DB9 9mm handgun with an obliterated serial number.

It is further alleged that Greene’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for criminal possession of a firearm, possession of firearm without a permit, attempted assault in the second degree, and forgery in the first degree.  It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

If convicted of the charge, Greene faces 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.

This matter is being investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Waterbury Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Natasha M. Freismuth.

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

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division, today announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment yesterday charging DIJON CHAMPAGNIE, 21, of Bridgeport, with robbery and firearm offenses stemming from a violent drug-related robbery in West Haven.

As alleged in the indictment, on July 1, 2019, Champagnie robbed narcotics from an individual by means of actual and threatened force, violence and fear of injury.  During the robbery, Champagnie brandished and discharged a firearm.

Champagnie has been detained in state custody since his arrest on related state charges on July 20, 2019.

The indictment charges Champagnie with one count of interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act robbery), which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and one count of possession and discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of life imprisonment.

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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the West Haven, New Haven and Hartford Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Angel M. Krull.

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

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division, announced that ANGEL REYES-RODRIGUEZ, 29, of New Haven, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to unlawful possession and transfer of machineguns.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 3, 2019, Reyes-Rodriguez communicated with an individual over Instagram about a photo of a Glock pistol that Reyes-Rodriguez had posted.  Reyes-Rodriguez asked the individual if he had a Glock, and said that he had a friend with a “chip” to make the gun shoot automatically.  At the direction of law enforcement, the individual arranged to purchase two Glock conversion devices from Reyes-Rodriguez.  On May 9, 2019, Reyes-Rodriguez met the individual at a store parking lot in New Haven and transferred two conversion devices in exchange for $500.

Under federal law, a conversion device that changes a gun into an automatic weapon is considered a machinegun.

Judge Shea scheduled sentencing for November 23, 2021, at which time Reyes-Rodriguez faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  Reyes-Rodriguez is released on a $100,000 bond pending sentencing.

This is Reyes-Rodriguez’s second federal conviction.  In 2016, he was sentenced to probation for delivering a package containing two kilograms of cocaine to a co-conspirator.

This matter is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Chen.

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, today announced that TAFARIE GREEN, 31, of Hartford, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 62 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in February 2016, Green was sentenced in New Haven federal court to 60 months of imprisonment and four years of supervised release for his role in a gang-related crack cocaine distribution ring in Hartford.  Green, who had been detained since his arrest in April 2014, was released from federal prison in April 2019.

On June 2, 2020, Hartford Police detectives conducting a narcotics investigation approached a Dodge Durango that was parked on Kenneth Street in Hartford.  Green, the driver of the vehicle, accelerated and drove straight at the detectives who leaped out of the way.  He then drove at a high rate of speed onto a sidewalk and through two chain link fences before he crashed into a tree.  Green fled the scene on foot.  A second occupant of the vehicle, who possessed a loaded handgun, was immediately apprehended.  A search of the Durango revealed a Ruger 9mm pistol and approximately 144 grams of fentanyl, as well as Green’s wallet and iPhone.

Forensic analysis of the Ruger 9mm pistol revealed the presence of Green’s DNA.

In addition to his previous federal narcotics conviction, Green’s criminal history includes state convictions for assault, robbery, attempted burglary and criminal possession of a firearm. 

Green was arrested on July 13, 2020.  On April 1, 2021, he pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.  He has been detained since his arrest.

Judge Dooley sentenced Green to 50 months of imprisonment for unlawfully possessing a firearm, and an additional 12 months of imprisonment for violating the conditions of his supervised release.

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

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, today announced that MARCO RIVERA-MEJIA, 36, a citizen of Honduras last residing in East Hartford, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 36 months of imprisonment for trafficking fentanyl.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2019, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force developed evidence that Rivera-Mejia was a narcotics courier for an individual who was living in Mexico.  In September 2019, investigators stopped Rivera-Mejia’s vehicle and seized approximately $6,000 in cash he was carrying in suspected narcotics proceeds.  Rivera-Mejia was released after the traffic stop.

On October 24, 2020, at approximately 4:30 p.m., Rivera-Mejia was arrested after he arrived at a parking lot in Manchester in possession of a kilogram of fentanyl that he intended to deliver to another individual.

Rivera-Mejia has been detained since his arrest.  On June 1, 2021, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.

Rivera-Mejia, who entered the U.S. illegally in 2007, faces immigration proceedings when he completes his prison term.

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 Geoffrey M. Stone.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that SAMUEL KLEIN, 65, of Greenwich, pleaded guilty today to fraud and money laundering offenses stemming from an investment fraud scheme.

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

According to court documents and statements made in court, Klein controlled several different entities, including Visual Group LLC; O.S. Management, LLC; KF Pecksland LLC; Four Pines Holdings, LLC; and Payton Lane NH, Inc.  In 2018, Klein made false representations to a victim investor, including that the victim’s funds would be invested in distressed debt, when Klein knew that all of the investment funds would not be used for the stated purposes.  Based on these false representations, the victim investor wrote a check in the amount of $200,000 to Visual Group LLC for the purpose of making a purported investment in distressed debt.  Klein caused the check to be transported from New York to Connecticut and deposited into a bank account in the name of Visual Group LLC.  Klein subsequently solicited and received approximately $50,000 in additional funds from the victim investor.

The investigation further revealed that, from approximately July 2016 through at least June 2019, Klein defrauded three additional victim investors of a total of more than $1.2 million by making multiple false statements and misrepresentations.

Klein knew that all of the funds solicited from the victim investors would not be used for his stated purposes, and instead would be utilized by Klein for personal and other expenditures.

Klein pleaded guilty to one count of interstate transportation of property taken by fraud and one count of money laundering.  Each offense carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall on November 22, 2021, in New Haven.

Klein has agreed to pay restitution in the amount of $1,497,797.52.

Klein is released on a $500,000 bond pending sentencing.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer R. Laraia and David T. Huang.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting 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 Ramsey E. Covington, Acting Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, announced that MARK PAGANI, 60, of Bolton, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today in New Haven federal court to fraud and tax evasion offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, from 2013 to at least August 2015, Pagani conspired with another person (“K.S.”), who is now deceased, to defraud a victim investor of more than $1 million.  K.S. arranged investment deals with the victim, including the purported acquisition of mortgages on properties.  Pagani drafted documents to memorialize certain investment deals, accepted funds from the victim and held the funds in accounts he controlled, and he transferred funds to entities controlled by K.S. and others.  By the time the victim investor made a third investment, which was to acquire mortgages on properties in Springfield, Massachusetts, and Middletown, Connecticut, Pagani knew that the first two investments had not occurred, and that the third investment was not legitimate.  In association with the third investment, the victim wired more than $1.3 million to an account Pagani controlled.  These funds were comingled with other funds, which Pagani sent a portion of to an entity for the benefit of K.S.  In order to conceal the fraud and to create the appearance that it was a legitimate investment, Pagani wired false interest payments to the victim.

In addition, for the 2014 through 2017 tax years, Pagani paid for personal and other expenses using his law firm account and underreported his income on his federal tax returns, resulting in a tax loss of $181,702.  Pagani was previously a practicing attorney with a law office in Wethersfield.

Pagani pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and one count of tax evasion.  Each offense carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.  Pagani is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant on December 15, 2021, in Hartford.

Pagani has agreed to pay restitution of $1,055,092.50 to the victim investor, and $181,702 in tax to the IRS.

This is Pagani’s third federal conviction.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael S. McGarry and Jennifer R. Laraia.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, today announced that a federal jury in Bridgeport has found LUIS CASTRO, 33, of Waterbury, guilty of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.

The trial before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill began on August  24 and the jury returned its verdict yesterday.

According to the evidence and testimony at trial, a DEA Task Force investigation identified Castro as being involved in cocaine trafficking activity.  On September 10, 2018, a court-authorized search of Castro’s residence on Delaware Avenue in Waterbury revealed approximately 566 grams of cocaine, a large kilogram press, narcotics paraphernalia, and $8,292 in cash.

Judge Underhill scheduled sentencing for November 19, 2021, at which time Castro faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.  Castro is released on a $200,000 bond pending sentencing.

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

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

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that TYSHAWN TURNER, 36, formerly of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for unlawfully possessing two firearms.

According to court documents and statements made in court, at approximately 4:40 a.m. on August 5, 2018, Hartford Police dispersed an illegal after-hours party on Belden Street in Hartford.  When police arrived, Turner agreed to take two firearms from an associate, who was on federal supervised release, and then attempted to hide them in a parked car.  Turner was arrested on state charges after officers saw him, searched the car, and found a loaded .32 caliber semi-automatic pistol and a loaded .38 Special revolver.  The revolver had been reported stolen in New Haven in 2011.

Prior to August 2018, Turner was convicted in state court of firearm and robbery offenses.  It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

On October 29, 2020, Turner pleaded guilty to possession of firearms by a felon.

Turner is currently released on a $75,000 bond and residing in Windsor.  He is required to report to prison on October 27, 2021.

As a special condition of his supervised release, Turner is prohibited from entering Hartford without the permission of the U.S. Probation Office.

This matter was investigated by the Hartford Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Conor Reardon and 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, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JODIAN STEPHENSON, also known as “Jodian Gordon,” 37, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to six months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for arranging fraudulent marriages so that non-U.S. citizens would receive U.S. immigration benefits.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Stephenson operated Stephenson Immigration and Legal Services, LLC, in Bridgeport.  Between 2011 and 2017, Stephenson 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 “lawful permanent residence” (“LPR”) status, also known as a “green card.”

One of the 28 sham marriages was between Stephenson, who is a citizen of Jamaica, and a U.S. citizen.  For each of the other 27 fraudulent marriages, Stephenson 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, and 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.

As part of the scheme, Stephenson prepared several immigration documents needed as part of the non-citizen’s LPR application.  She had the applicant and spouse sign the documents and, in many cases, mailed the documents to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service immigration authorities for the applicant.  In some cases, Stephenson or her assistants prepared other false documents for the couple, such as a false lease that portrayed the couple as living together.

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.

During the investigation, Stephenson offered to arrange a sham marriage for a federal law enforcement agent working in an undercover capacity, and help obtain a green card for the undercover agent, in exchange for a proposed fee of $20,000.  In recorded conversations, Stephenson then introduced the undercover agent to a U.S. citizen and advised them about the ways they could create the appearance that they were validly married and living together as husband and wife.

Stephenson was arrested on June 22, 2018.  On August 19, 2019, she pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit immigration marriage fraud.

Stephenson, who is released on a $250,000 bond, is required to report to prison on October 25.  She faces immigration proceedings when she completes her prison term.

A total of 10 individuals, including U.S. citizens who entered into one or more fraudulent marriages with non-citizens, have been charged with related offenses as a result of this investigation, and eight have 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 is being 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.

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, announced that CHRISTOPHER RASCOLL, 49, of Blauvelt, New York, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 36 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for making anti-Semitic death threats to a Jewish resident of Stratford, Connecticut.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in November 2019, Rascoll began to threaten a woman, who is Jewish, through numerous text messages, voicemails and Facebook posts.  In several text messages and voicemails, which continued until June 2020, Rascoll threatened to murder or seriously injure the victim.  He also threatened to blow up the victim’s house and car.  Some of Rascoll’s threatening text messages contained anti-Semitic references to the Holocaust.

On December 23, 2019, the first day of Hannukah, Rascoll sent the victim a message that included the words “Suns about to go down. It would be a shame if your house were used to light the menorah. Or turned in a gas chamber.”  On April 8, 2020, the first day of Passover, Rascoll wrote “I’m going to kill you. You better be gone because if you’re in [the victim’s housing community] Easter weekend I’m going to stick you in an oven. Or I’m going to shoot you . . . . I should send you to a concentration camp.”

On June 26, 2020, only a few hours before he was located and arrested by the FBI, Rascoll left the victim a voicemail message stating, “The police are not going to help you. The courts are not going to help you. . . . I will kill you.”

The FBI’s investigation also identified several other individuals who had been threatened and harassed by Rascoll.

“For seven months, this defendant’s hate-fueled threats made the victim in fear for her life, and she continues to suffer lingering effects of his vicious behavior,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Boyle.  “In addition to protecting the victim, this sentence sends an appropriate message that these crimes cannot be tolerated and will result in a lengthy prison term.”

“The courts have spoken very clearly:  Hate crimes will not be tolerated and the consequences will be significant.” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Sundberg.  “We at the FBI, alongside our law enforcement partners, will continue to address threats based on race, religion, nationality or gender in order to end crimes of hate in our communities.”

Judge Dooley ordered Rascoll to serve the first three months of his supervised release in a residential reentry center.

Rascoll has been detained since his arrest on June 26, 2020.  On April 27, 2021, he pleaded guilty to one count of interference with the right to fair housing, a hate crime, and one count of sending threatening communications.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Stratford Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarala V. Nagala and Amanda S. Oakes.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Lawrence Bobnick. Acting United States Marshal, announced that JOSE SOSTRE, 41, of Hartford, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to escaping from the custody of the Attorney General.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 28, 2012, Sostre was sentenced in New Haven federal court to 120 months of imprisonment and four years of supervised release for distributing heroin.  In September 2020, Sostre was transferred to the Watkinson House Residential Reentry Center in Hartford to complete his prison term.  On November 24, 2020, Sostre left the facility without permission and did not return.  He surrendered to the U.S. Marshals Service on February 23, 2021.

Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for November 24, 2021, at which time Sostre faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.

This matter was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth Gresham.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOVON GAMBLE, 40, of East Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to three years of probation, the first three months of which Gamble must spend in home confinement, for stealing Social Security benefits.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Gamble’s mother lawfully received Social Security Administration (“SSA”) monthly benefit payments.  Gamble’s mother died in June 2007.  The SSA was never informed her death and Gamble continued to access the SSA funds that were deposited into his mother’s account.  Between 2007 and 2017, the SSA deposited more than $88,000 into Gamble’s mother’s account.

Judge Shea ordered Gamble to pay $88,150.78 in restitution.

Gamble also must perform 75 hours of community service while on supervised release.

On May 10, 2021, Gamble pleaded guilty to one count of theft of public funds.

This matter was investigated by the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brendan Keefe and Elena Coronado.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that HILARY ANTHONY BROWNE, 31, of New Britain, pleaded guilty today to firearm possession and drug distribution offenses.

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

According to court documents and statements made in court, in late 2019, the Manchester Police Department, East Central Narcotics Task Force and Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force conducted an investigation of Browne for selling cocaine.  Browne was arrested in Manchester on December 20, 2019.  At the time of his arrest, he possessed a small quantity of cocaine.  After Browne informed an officer that he possessed a firearm, ballistic vest and a quantity of cocaine at his New Britain apartment, a consent search of the apartment revealed a loaded semi-automatic Pieper, Model 1908/Basculant, 6.35mm pistol; a bullet proof vest; and a pill bottle containing 4.7 grams of cocaine.

Browne’s criminal history includes state convictions for robbery in the first degree with the threat of a firearm, burglary and failure to appear.

Browne pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years; felon in possession of body armor, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of three years; and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

This matter has been investigated by the Manchester Police Department, East Central Narcotics Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The case is being 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, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford has returned an indictment charging ZAQUAWN ARRINGTON, 22, of New Haven, with three counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (“crack”).

The indictment was returned on July 27.  Arrington appeared yesterday via videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert A. Richardson and pleaded not guilty to the charge.  Arrington has been detained since July 21.

As alleged in court documents, on January 9, 2021, Arrington was arrested by West Haven Police after they found him in possession of crack cocaine packaged for distribution and $763 in cash.  Subsequent analysis of an iPhone seized from Arrington at the time of his arrest revealed multiple photos and videos of firearms, including photos of Arrington possessing firearms.

It is further alleged that on June 22, 2021, New Haven Police attempted to stop a vehicle being operated by Arrington, but Arrington fled at a high rate of speed.  On July 6, 2021, New Haven Police located Arrington and arrested him.  At the time of his arrest, Arrington possessed crack cocaine packaged for distribution and $580 in cash.

Arrington was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on July 21, 2021.  A search of Arrington’s residence on the date of his arrest revealed crack cocaine packaged for distribution, a digital scale, and $2,075 in cash.  It is further alleged that, the following day, a court-authorized search of a parked vehicle that Arrington had been seen accessing revealed a loaded ghost gun.

If convicted, Arrington faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count of the indictment.

Acting U.S. Attorney Boyle stressed that an indictment 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 Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force, the New Haven Police Department and the West Haven Police Department.  The Task Force includes members from the Connecticut State Police, Connecticut Department of Correction and the New Haven, Milford, East Haven and West Haven Police Departments.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John T. Pierpont, Jr. and Natasha M. Fresimuth

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 JERMAINE OGRINC, 35, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 66 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his role in violent Bridgeport restaurant robbery in 2017.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 29, 2017, at approximately 8:00 p.m., Ogrinc and three other men entered the La Sabrosura Restaurant on East Main Street in Bridgeport.  The robbers, two of whom were armed with firearms, forced two workers and a customer into the kitchen and ordered them to lie on the floor with their hands behind their heads.  Another individual who was in a back room and heard screaming ran from the restaurant and flagged down the police.  One of the robbers took a cellphone from one of the victims and cash from another, and the robbers attempted to break into an ATM in the restaurant.  After spotting police, Ogrinc and his associates fled.  Ogrinc was apprehended a short time later near the restaurant.  In an interview with investigators, he admitted to his role in the robbery.

Ogrinc has been detained since his arrest.  On March 11, 2021, he pleaded guilty to one count of Hobbs Act Robbery.

This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bridgeport Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rahul Kale.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ARMANDO QUINONES, also known as “Yayo,” 40, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea to 37 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for distributing fentanyl.

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

Quinones, a member of Los Solidos, has a criminal history spans more than 20 years includes multiple convictions in Connecticut and New Jersey.

Quinones has been detained since his arrest on June 20, 2019.  On June 27, 2019, a grand jury Hartford returned a 32-count indictment charging Reyes, Quinones and 13 associates with various narcotics trafficking and firearm possession offenses.  On April 19, 2021, Quinones pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.

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

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

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

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ALEX SABO-SANTIAGO, also known as “Boricua,” 42, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking heroin and fentanyl.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in June 2019, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force learned that Sabo-Santiago was expecting a delivery of a kilogram of heroin.  On June 6, 2021, Sabo-Santiago was arrested after he met a drug courier in Hartford and took possession of what he thought was a kilogram of heroin.  A subsequent search of his residence revealed nearly one kilogram of fentanyl, items used to process and package narcotics for sale, and a 9mm firearm.

On December 7, 2020, Sabo-Santiago pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.

Sabo-Santiago, who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on September 21.

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 Geoffrey M. Stone.

Leonard C. Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ROBERTO ACOSTA TORRES, 61, of Hartford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to producing child pornography.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between April 2016 and February 2019, Acosta Torres coerced a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct with him and videorecorded the sexual abuse.  On December 18, 2019, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Acosta’s Hartford residence and seized numerous electronic and storage devices.  Analysis of the seized items revealed at least 18 videos of Acosta Torres sexually abusing the minor victim, and hundreds of videos of other adults and children engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Judge Arterton scheduled sentencing for November 9, 2021, at which time Acosta Torres faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years.

Acosta Torres has been detained since his arrest on December 18, 2019.

This matter is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Hartford and Manchester Police Departments, and the Connecticut Center for Digital Investigations (CDI).  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, and Phillip Coyne, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General, today announced that LISA AZINHEIRA and L.A. VISION LLC, have entered into a civil settlement agreement with the federal and state governments and have agreed to pay $678,901.21 to resolve allegations that they violated the federal and state False Claims Acts.

Azinheira is a licensed optician and an owner of L.A. Vision, a business located on South Whitney Street in Hartford that offers optical goods and services.  The allegations against Azinheira and L.A. Vision concern the submission of claims for optical goods and services that were not medically necessary.

The government alleges that starting in January 2014, every time Azinheira and L.A. Vision billed Connecticut Medicaid for a pair of eyeglasses, they also submitted a claim to Medicaid for “miscellaneous vision services or items,” using procedure code V2799.  Pursuant to the Department of Social Services (“DSS”) fee schedule, procedure code V2799 can only be billed for medically necessary vision services, and must be billed at actual acquisition cost.  The United States and the State of Connecticut allege that Azinheira and L.A. Vision did not provide any services or items that would justify billing that procedure code, and if any services or goods were provided, they were not medically necessary, and not billed at acquisition cost.

The government also alleges that starting in January 2014, Azinheira and L.A. Vision encouraged Medicaid beneficiaries under the age of 21 to choose up to three pairs of eyeglasses at a time.  Relevant Medicaid guidance indicates that spare pairs of eyeglasses are not medically necessary and are not covered.  The federal and state governments contend that Azinheira and L.A. Vision knowingly submitted false claims to Medicaid for multiple pairs of eyeglasses that were not medically necessary.

To resolve the allegations under the federal and state False Claims Acts, Azinheira and L.A. Vision have agreed to pay $678,901.21 to the federal and state governments for conduct occurring between January 1, 2014, and November 10, 2018.

As part of the settlement, Azinheira and L.A. Vision have entered into a three-year billing Integrity Agreement with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that is designed to ensure future compliance with the requirements of federal healthcare programs.

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

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

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DERRICK STOKES, 29, of Middletown, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 72 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for distributing cocaine and crack cocaine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in July and August 2019, the DEA New Haven Task Force made four controlled purchases totaling more than 100 grams of crack cocaine from Stokes.  Stokes was on state probation at the time of the sales.  After Stokes was incarcerated on a state felony drug conviction and probation violation in early September 2019, he instructed his associate, Rayshon Frazier, to take over his drug distribution activity.  Between September and November 2019, investigators made three controlled purchases of crack, totaling approximately 40 grams, from Frazier in Waterbury.

Subsequent analysis of Stokes’ cell phone records revealed that between January 2017 and September 2019, Stokes sold a total of nearly 600 grams of cocaine to two individuals.

Stokes has been detained since September 4, 2019.  On March 24, 2021, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”).

On December 22, 2020, Frazier pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, cocaine base.  On March 18, 2021, he was sentenced to 27 months of imprisonment.

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

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amanda S. Oakes and Sarala V. Nagala.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ALLEN LUSMAT, 30, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 37 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for unlawfully possessing a firearm.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 10, 2019, Tyrell Cox-Henderson entered a convenience store in New Haven and placed a Smith & Wesson .357 caliber revolver behind some merchandise on a shelf.  Approximately one hour later, Lusmat entered the store and retrieved the firearm from the shelf.  Later that day, after New Haven police officers had reviewed the convenience store’s surveillance video, officers stopped a car in which Lusmat was a passenger.  As officers approached the vehicle, Lusmat threw a black plastic bag out of the window.  A search of bag revealed the firearm that Lusmat retrieved from the store. Lusmat was arrested at that time.

Prior to April 2019, Lusmat was convicted in state court of firearm, assault 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.

Lusmat has been detained since his arrest.  On November 18, 2020, he pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon.

Cox-Henderson pleaded guilty to the same charge on September 14, 2020, and awaits sentencing.  He also has been detained since April 10, 2019.

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the New Haven Police Department.  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, and Joshua W. McCallister, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division, today announced that JOSE L. GERENA, 31, and BRIAN I. CRUZ-RODRIGUEZ, 29, both of New Haven, were arrested yesterday and charged by federal criminal complaint with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.

As alleged in court documents, in November 2020, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force executed a federal search warrant on a suspicious package that had been sent through the U.S. Mail from New Haven to an address in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.  The package contained $102,450 in cash.  The investigation revealed that Gerena, with the assistance of Cruz-Rodriguez and others, was supervising the receipt of numerous parcels containing kilogram quantities of cocaine that had been shipped from Puerto Rico, the resale of the cocaine to others, and the shipment of narcotics proceeds to individuals in Puerto Rico.  During the investigation, the organization regularly received cocaine shipments at 365 Poplar Street, 206 Exchange Street and other addresses in New Haven.

Prior to yesterday’s arrests of Gerena and Cruz-Rodriguez, investigators intercepted two parcels each containing a kilogram of cocaine that had been sent through the U.S. Mail from Puerto Rico to 365 Poplar Street and 206 Exchange Street.  Investigators then made a controlled delivery of a parcel containing a kilogram of cocaine to 365 Poplar Street before executing search warrants and making the arrests.

Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

Gerena is currently detained and Cruz-Rodriguez is released on a $150,000 bond.

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

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. 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.

Acting United States Attorney Leonard C Boyle and Connecticut Attorney General William Tong today announced that CORNELL SCOTT HILL HEALTH CORPORATION (“CSH”) has entered into a civil settlement agreement with the federal and state governments and has paid $350,000 to resolve allegations that CSH improperly billed the Connecticut Medicaid program for certain dental services.

CSH is a Federally Qualified Health Center (“FQHC”) that provides a variety of health care services, including dental services, to Connecticut Medicaid beneficiaries and other individuals.  Pursuant to federal requirements, the State of Connecticut compensates FQHCs on an “encounter-based” reimbursement structure.  For the provision of dental services, claims are limited to one all-inclusive encounter per day to include all dental services received by a patient on the same day.

The allegations against CSH arise out of improper billing for certain dental services, specifically prophylactic cleanings and dental exams.  The government alleges that CSH implemented a policy that required Medicaid patients to receive prophylactic cleanings and dental exams on separate days, resulting in CSH getting paid two encounter rates instead of just one rate.

To resolve their liability, CSH paid $350,000 to the federal and state governments for conduct occurring between January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2019.  In addition, CSH has agreed to change its policy and offer all Medicaid beneficiaries the option of scheduling a prophylactic cleaning and dental examination on the same day.

This matter was investigated by the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard M. Molot and by Assistant Attorneys General Michael Cole and Joshua Jackson of the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General.

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