District of Connecticut

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that BRUNO DiFABIO, 51, of Ridgefield, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden to 30 days of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for a federal tax offense.

According to court documents and statements made in court, DiFabio has had various ownership interests in several pizza restaurants in Connecticut and New York, including Pinocchio Pizza LLC, doing business as Pinocchio Pizza in New Canaan, Connecticut; Top Oven Restaurant Corp., doing business as Pinocchio Pizza in Wilton, Connecticut; DiFabio Brothers Pizza Corp., doing business as Amore Pizza in Scarsdale, New York; Odell Pizza, Inc., doing business as Amore Cucina and Bar in Stamford, Connecticut; Nepperhan Restaurants Group, Inc., doing business as ReNapoli Pizza, in Old Greenwich, Connecticut; and Homefield Restaurant Corp., doing business as Pinocchio Pizza in Pound Ridge, New York.

DiFabio and his business partner in some restaurants, Steven Cioffi, engaged in a practice whereby cash was removed from the cash register and not deposited into the restaurant’s operating bank account.  The businesses’ outside bookkeeper and accountant used the bank records to determine business gross receipts.  When cash was removed from the register and not deposited into the business bank account, the cash would not be reported to the Internal Revenue Service.  DiFabio and Cioffi also knew that certain employees had their wages paid in cash, and that a certain number of the employees were paid either a portion or the entirety of their wages “off the books.”  By paying various expenses in cash and “off the books,” DiFabio, Cioffi and others facilitated the manipulation of net income reported to the IRS and the underpayment of withholding taxes to the IRS.

As a result of the scheme, the loss to the IRS in income taxes and employment taxes for the 2013 through 2015 tax years was $816,954.  DiFabio has paid approximately $125,000 in restitution to date, and he has agreed to provide additional assets, including interests in his home and businesses, to make full restitution. 

On October 25, 2018, DiFabio pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to file false income tax returns and payroll tax returns. 

DiFabio, who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on July 12, 2021.

On September 24, 2018, Cioffi pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and assisting in the filing of a false tax return.  The loss to the IRS in income taxes and employment taxes for the 2013 through 2015 tax years attributable to Cioffi’s conduct in this scheme was $122,177.59.  On April 27, 2021, Judge Bolden sentenced him to 30 days of imprisonment and ordered him to make full restitution.

On June 4, 2019, Idalecia Lopes Santos, the businesses’ bookkeeper, pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion.  On March 30, 2021, she was sentenced to three years of probation. 

On January 25, 2021, James Guerra, the businesses’ accountant, pleaded guilty to one count of willful failure to collect and pay over withholding taxes.  He awaits sentencing.

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

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 JESSICA PICKERING, 27, formerly of Waterbury, waived her right to be indicted and pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to distributing child pornography through the Kik social media application.

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

Pickering was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on October 27, 2020.

Judge Underhill scheduled sentencing for August 4, 2021, at which time Pickering faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

Pickering is released on a $100,000 bond and residing with family in Queens, New York, pending sentencing.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Wolcott Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarala V. Nagala.

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 CATHERINE FINKLE, 58, of East Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to three years of probation, the first six months of which Finkle must spend in home confinement, for stealing more than $38,000 from East Haven’s Board of Education child care program.  Judge Underhill also ordered Finkle to pay a $20,000 fine, and to perform 50 hours of community of service while on supervised release.

According to court documents and statements made in court, from January 2000 to November 2018, Finkle was the East Haven Board of Education Program Director for the School Age Child Care Program, commonly called the Little Jackets Program.  As the program director, Finkle had access to the Little Jacket Program’s bank accounts and received tuition payments on behalf of the program.  From January 2011 to November 2018, Finkle defrauded the East Haven Board of Education by taking more than $38,000 in tuition payments, in the form of money orders and cash, that had been made for students in the Little Jackets Program.  She then diverted the payments for her own benefit.

Judge Underhill ordered Finkle to pay restitution of $38,554.50.

On February 11, 2021, Finkle pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.

This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Miller. 

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CHRISTOPHER MULKERN, also known as “Chucky,” 21, 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 Mulkern and others have stolen numerous motor vehicles, and used the stolen vehicles to travel throughout Connecticut and to neighboring states to steal other vehicles and the valuables inside, including credit cards, cellular telephones, and firearms.  Mulkern 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, Mulkern and an associate stole a Porsche Panamera from a residence in Westport, Connecticut.  Shortly after midnight on December 2, law enforcement in Westerly, Rhode Island, identified the stolen Porsche and attempted to stop the car.  The Porsche drove recklessly, at speeds of at least 86 mph, between Rhode Island and Connecticut, and evaded police who, for safety reasons, were forced to terminate pursuit.

At approximately 4 a.m. on December 2, Mulkern 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.  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 continued to drive the damaged Porsche onto I-95 into Bridgeport, where Mulkern and an associate were eventually 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, Mulkern possessed two stolen credit cards, and his associate possessed a key fob for a stolen Dodge, which was subsequently located parked on Main Street in Bridgeport.

Mulkern has been detained since his arrest.

Mulkern 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 August 2, 2021.  Mulkern has also agreed to pay restitution to at least seven owners of vehicles he 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, announced that LIONEL GARDNER, also known as “Bleek,” 36, of Newington, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 96 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for narcotics distribution and gun possession offenses, and for violating the conditions of his supervised release from a prior federal conviction.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in October 2015, Gardner was released from federal prison after serving a 60-month sentence for distributing crack cocaine in Hartford.  On November 21, 2018, while Gardner was on federal supervised release, he was arrested on state charges by Newington Police after he sold heroin/fentanyl to a customer, and a search of his residence revealed a large quantity of fentanyl and cocaine, a stolen Glock 10mm pistol, a Smith & Wesson .357 revolver, loaded magazines, and more than $55,000 in cash.

In August 2019, investigators made controlled purchases of fentanyl and crack from Gardner while he was released on bond in his state case.  Gardner was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on August 14, 2019.  On that date, a search of Gardner’s Newington residence revealed approximately 105 grams of powder cocaine, 3.4 grams of crack cocaine, 667 bags of fentanyl, 8.7 grams of loose fentanyl, and $4,000 in cash.

Gardner has been detained since his federal arrest.  On December 17, 2020, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon.

Gardner forfeited the seized firearms and cash.

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

This prosecution has been brought through Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone.

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 MICHAEL MEAKEM, 59, of Norwich, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today in New Haven federal court to one count of wire fraud stemming from an embezzlement scheme.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Meakem was the president and chief executive officer of the Center for Financial Training (“CFT”), a Farmington-based non-profit organization that provided continuing education to employees in the financial services industry.  Between approximately 2013 and 2020, Meakem embezzled at least $683,202 from CFT’s credit card accounts and bank accounts and used the funds on personal expenses, including alimony payments, meals, cruises, other vacations, and gambling at Connecticut’s casinos.

Wire fraud carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  Meakem is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea on August 3, 2021.

Meakem was ordered released by Magistrate Judge Sarah A.L. Merriam on a $100,000 bond pending sentencing.

This investigation has been conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Norwich Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan N. Francis, and the government was represented at today's hearing by Law Student Intern Clio Koller.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JONATHAN COLON, 29, formerly of Meriden, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to possession of a firearm by a felon.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 5, 2018, Colon was arrested at a hotel in Groton where he possessed a Springfield Armory .45 caliber semiautomatic handgun.

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

Judge Underhill scheduled sentencing for August 10, 2021, at which time Colon faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  Colon is released pending sentencing.

This investigation has been conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Town of Groton Police Department and New London Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren C. Clark.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that GUY SMITH, 63, of Shelton, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 14 months of imprisonment, followed by two years of supervised release, for tax evasion.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Smith owns and operates Centerline Interiors LLC, a business that specializes in commercial interior construction.  Smith is also a professional poker player and has participated in poker tournaments at casinos in Connecticut and other locations around the U.S. and The Bahamas.  Smith withdrew funds from both his business and personal bank accounts for his gambling business.

For the 2012 through 2016 tax years, Smith furnished his tax preparer with a summary of Centerline’s income and expenses, which the tax preparer used to prepare Smith’s federal income tax returns.  Smith did not provide his tax preparer with any bank statements.  During these five years, Smith intentionally failed to report to his tax preparer, and to the IRS, approximately $1.1 million in income he received from Centerline Interiors.  In addition, even though the IRS notified Smith on multiple occasions that he was required to report all of his gambling income on his federal tax returns, Smith concealed his gambling income from his tax preparer and paid no income taxes on more than $1 million in gambling winnings. 

For the 2012 through 2016 tax years, Smith failed to pay a total of $821,415 in federal income taxes.  Judge Shea ordered Smith to pay all outstanding taxes, interest and penalties.

Smith pleaded guilty to the offense on December 10, 2020.

Smith, who is released on bond, is required to report to prison on June 30, 2021.

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

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that ISAIAH HALLIDAY, 21, of Hartford, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 108 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for committing violent robberies that victimized several individuals who sought to purchase items over mobile classifieds web apps.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between September and November 2017, Halliday and others committed several robberies in Hartford during they lured would-be customers with real or nonexistent items posted to mobile classifieds web apps, such as Offer Up, Letgo and Craigslist, through the use of a fake account.  Upon arrival, the customers were robbed of money and cell phones.  On each occasion, Halliday threatened the victims with a handgun or what appeared to be a handgun.

On November 11, 2017, Hartford Police officers responded to a location on Blue Hills Avenue in response to a report of a male suffering from a gunshot wound.  Upon arrival, the victim stated that he had traveled to Mansfield Street in Hartford to meet with an individual he contacted on Offer Up to purchase an iPhone.  When he arrived, Halliday approached the front passenger door of his vehicle and pointed a black handgun at him.  After the victim attempted to drive away, Halliday fired one round at him, striking him in the right forearm.

Also, in September 2017, three victims were shot at as they fled the scene of a robbery.  During a robbery in October 2017, Halliday put a gun, or what appeared to be a gun, to a victim’s chest and demanded the victim’s money and cell phone.

Halliday has been detained since his arrest on November 17, 2017.  On February 16, 2021, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery.

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

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that KENDALL JONES, also known as “Wolf,” 32, of Hartford, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to narcotics distribution and firearm possession offenses.

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

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

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

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

Jones pleaded guilty to 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 a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, which carries a mandatory consecutive sentence of at least five years.

Judge Thompson scheduled sentencing for July 22, 2021.

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

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 is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan Keefe.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that NICOLE M. BALKAS, 31, of Bridgeport, 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 health care fraud.

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

From December 2018 to October 2020, Balkas submitted and caused to be submitted fraudulent claims to Medicaid for applied behavior analysis services that were purportedly provided to Medicaid clients.  Balkas submitted claims for dates of service when no applied behavior analysis services of any kind had been provided to the Medicaid clients identified in the claims, and she inflated the number of hours for certain claims even when applied behavior analysis had been provided to the Medicaid clients identified in the claims.

In addition, in September and October 2020, Balkas submitted, and was subsequently paid for, Medicaid claims in which she falsely claimed that a former Helping Hands Academy provider, who was a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (“Individual 1”), performed Medicaid-approved services when, in fact, Individual 1 was not employed by Helping Hands Academy on those dates of service, provided no such services to the clients identified on the claims, and was not aware that Helping Hands Academy or Balkas was billing Medicaid using Individual 1’s name and performing provider number.  Individual 1 had resigned from Helping Hands Academy in July 2019.

In August 2020, the Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS), which administers the Medicaid program in Connecticut, terminated Helping Hands Academy as a provider.  In an effort to rescind the termination and to receive payment for previously submitted claims, Balkas made several false statements and submitted an altered document to DSS.

Medicaid suffered a loss of $551,311.85 as a result of Balkas’ conduct.

Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for July 21, 2021, at which time Balkas faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  Balkas also will be ordered to make full restitution.

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

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

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

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

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

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and David Sundberg, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that CHRISTOPHER RASCOLL, 49, of Blauvelt, New York, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to federal hate crime offenses related to his making anti-Semitic death threats to a resident of Stratford, Connecticut.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in November 2019, Rascoll began making numerous threats to an individual, who is of Jewish faith, through text messages, voicemails and Facebook posts.  In several text messages, which continued into 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, Rascoll sent 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, 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.”

Rascoll pleaded guilty to one count of interference with the right to fair housing, a hate crime, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, and one count of sending threatening communications, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.

Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for July 27, 2021.

Rascoll has been detained since his arrest on June 26, 2020.

This matter has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Stratford Police Department.  The case is being 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, announced that JEFFREY L. BACON, 61, of Bristol, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 84 months of imprisonment, followed by a lifetime term of supervised release, for soliciting child pornography.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in October 2018, Bacon began communicating with a 15-year-old girl through the Kik messaging application after he had met the girl in a Kik chat group for teens.  Knowing that he was communicating with a minor, Bacon sent the girl sexually explicit pictures of himself and described various sexual acts that he wanted to engage in with the girl.  The girl told her mother who reported the communications to the police.

On October 30, 2018, a law enforcement officer assumed the girl’s Kik identity to continue to correspond with Bacon.  Bacon asked the undercover officer, who was posing as the girl, to remind Bacon of her age.  The officer responded with “15.”  From October 30 to November 1, Bacon repeatedly sent sexually explicit pictures and videos of himself to the undercover officer.  Bacon also requested sexually explicit pictures in return.  During their conversations, Bacon asked the undercover officer if he could pick her up from school so he could see her.  Bacon suggested they could go to the mall where the girl could try on clothes while Bacon watched and engaged in a sexual act.  Bacon also discussed going to a motel with the girl to engage in sexual acts with her.

On November 19, 2018, Bacon was arrested on related state charges.  During a subsequent forensic examination of Bacon’s laptop computer, investigators found images of child pornography, including images depicting prepubescent females engaged in sexual acts with adults.

Bacon was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on July 26, 2019.  On November 24, 2020, he pleaded guilty to one count of soliciting child pornography.

At the conclusion of today’s sentencing, Bacon, who was released bond, was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service to being serving his sentence.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Connecticut Child Exploitation Task Force and the Enfield Police Department.  The case was 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 STEVEN CIOFFI, 35, of Trumbull, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to 30 days of imprisonment, followed by one year of supervised release, for a federal tax offense.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Cioffi owned 50 percent of Nepperhan Restaurants Group, Inc., doing business as ReNapoli Pizza, in Old Greenwich, Connecticut, and Pinocchio Pizza in Pound Ridge, New York.  He also owned 25 percent of Odell Pizza, Inc., doing business as Amore Cucina and Bar in Stamford, Connecticut.  Cioffi’s business partner, Bruno DiFabio, owned the other interests in these entities, as well as other pizza restaurants.

Cioffi and DiFabio engaged in a practice whereby cash was removed from the cash register and not deposited into the restaurant’s operating bank account.  The businesses’ outside bookkeeper and accountant used the bank records to determine business gross receipts.  When cash was removed from the register and not deposited into the business bank account, the cash would not be reported to the Internal Revenue Service.  Cioffi and DiFabio also knew that certain employees had their wages paid in cash, and that a certain number of the employees were paid either a portion or the entirety of their wages “off the books.”  By paying various expenses in cash and “off the books,” Cioffi, DiFabio and others facilitated the manipulation of net income reported to the IRS and the underpayment of withholding taxes to the IRS.

The loss to the IRS in income taxes and employment taxes for the 2013 through 2015 tax years attributable to Cioffi’s conduct in this scheme was $122,177.59.  Judge Bolden ordered Cioffi to make full restitution.

On September 24, 2018, Cioffi pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and assisting in the filing of a false tax return.

Cioffi, who is released on a $40,000 bond, is required to report to prison on August 2, 2021.

On October 25, 2018, DiFabio pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to file false income tax returns and payroll tax returns.  When he pleaded guilty, he agreed that the tax loss attributable to his conduct in the scheme was $816,954.

On June 4, 2019, Idalecia Lopes Santos, the businesses’ bookkeeper, pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion, and on January 25, 2021, James Guerra, the businesses’ accountant, pleaded guilty to one count of willful failure to collect and pay over withholding taxes.

DiFabio and Guerra await sentencing.  On March 30, 2021, Lopes Santos was sentenced to three years of probation.

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

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JESSICA GILES, 38, of West Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny to two years of probation, the first three months of which Giles must spend in home confinement, for stealing cash from the mail while working for the U.S. Postal Service.  Judge Chatigny also ordered Giles to pay a $2,400 fine.

Pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the sentencing occurred via videoconference.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between October 2019 and May 2020, while she was employed as a supervisor at the U.S. Post Office in Fairfield, Giles used the flashlight feature on her phone to examine the content of various envelopes that had been placed in the mail.  When she believed that an envelope contained U.S. currency, she opened the envelope, stole the cash that was found inside and, on multiple occasions, tore up and disposed of the envelope.  Recorded surveillance video also revealed that Giles stuffed approximately 19 envelopes into her pants to remove them to a more private location for further examination.

On November 3, 2020, Giles pleaded guilty to theft of mail by a postal employee.

This investigation was conducted by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Konstantin Lantsman.

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

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that BRANDEN HUERTAS, 39, last residing in Bridgeport, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to narcotics distribution and firearm possession offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in January 2020, law enforcement made two controlled purchases of cocaine from Huertas.  Huertas was arrested on February 26, 2020, after a search of his vehicle revealed quantities of heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, marijuana and ecstasy, and a subsequent search of his residence revealed additional quantities of crack and heroin, items used to process and package narcotics for street sale, a loaded 9mm Taurus PT-92C semi-automatic handgun, and additional rounds of ammunition.

Huertas has a criminal history that dates to 1998 and includes state convictions for drug, weapon, robbery, burglary and larceny offenses, and federal convictions in 2015 for possession of firearm by a felon, and in 2019 for escape from custody.

Huertas was on federal supervised release at the time of his arrest.

Huertas pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and one count of possession a firearm by a felon, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  Huertas also faces additional penalties for violating the conditions of his supervised release.

Judge Arterton scheduled sentencing for July 19, 2021.  Huertas has been detained since his arrest.

This matter has been investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and Connecticut State Police.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Clark.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ANTHONY FAUSTINI, 58, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to three months of imprisonment, followed by three months of home confinement and three years of supervised release, for a bankruptcy fraud offense.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 12, 2018, Faustini filed a personal Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut.  In the petition, Faustini noted that his unpaid debts were approximately $86,862.  However, Faustini failed to disclose to the court that he knew that he was the beneficiary of a $100,000 life insurance policy held against the life of his mother.  Nine days later, on March 21, 2018, Faustini’s mother passed away.

On April 18, 2018, Faustini testified under oath regarding his bankruptcy petition.  In response to questioning from the Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustee, Faustini falsely indicated that he had listed all items of value in his petition, and he failed to mention his vested interest in the $100,000 life insurance policy.  In response to a specific question as to whether “anybody died and left you any money,” Faustini responded “No.”

On June 20, 2018, the bankruptcy court entered an order granting Faustini a discharge of his debts.  The next day, Faustini contacted the life insurance company to determine the status of the claim payment and to confirm that the company had his correct address.  On June 26, 2018, the insurance company issued a check for $100,246 to Faustini.

The Office of the U.S. Trustee for the District of Connecticut subsequently received information about the life insurance payment made to Faustini and conducted a “Rule 2004” deposition examination of Faustini on June 5, 2019.  During the examination, Faustini made several false statements, including that he had not known about the life insurance policy when he filed his bankruptcy petition, that did not find out about the policy until he received the check, and that he did not know how the insurance company knew to send the check to his address.

Judge Hall ordered Faustini to pay restitution of $61,062, which comprises the debts and fees that would have been paid had Faustini previously disclosed the insurance recovery, and gives Faustini credit for monies the bankruptcy court was able to recoup from others regarding the insurance policy after the fraud was identified.

On December 3, 2020, Faustini pleaded guilty to making a false statement under oath in a bankruptcy matter.

Faustini, who is released on bond, is required to report to prison on June 9, 2021.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher W. Schmeisser.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that ERIK RAFAEL POLANCO, also known as “Chino,” 24, of Waterbury, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 29 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for his role in a heroin and fentanyl trafficking ring.

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

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

The investigation revealed that Francis Aybar-Peguero received narcotics from members of the Sosa-Ortiz organization and sold them out of his business, the Corner Mini market located on East Farm Road in Waterbury.  Polanco worked with Aybar-Peguero to distribute fentanyl and heroin to other drug distributors and customers.

Polanco, Aybar-Peguero and several co-defendants were arrested on October 29, 2019.  On that date, investigators executed five search warrants and seized approximately six kilograms of suspected heroin/fentanyl, approximately 100,000 bags of suspected heroin/fentanyl packaged for street distribution, approximately 1,000 fentanyl pills disguised as Percocet pills, one firearm and approximately $50,000 in cash.

On June 2, 2020, Polanco pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, heroin and fentanyl.

Polanco, who is released on a $50,000 bond, is required to report to prison on May 30, 2021.

Sixteen individuals were charged as a result of this investigation.  Sosa-Ortiz and Aybar-Peguero pleaded guilty and await sentencing.

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

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

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JAVIER MARTINEZ, 40, of Meriden, pleaded guilty today to fentanyl and heroin trafficking offenses.

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

According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 13, 2020, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of Martinez’s vehicle in West Haven and found Martinez in possession of approximately 100 grams of a mixture of fentanyl and heroin.  A subsequent search of Martinez’s residence in Meriden revealed nearly a kilogram of heroin, approximately 180 grams of a mixture of fentanyl and heroin, more than 300 fentanyl pills, and items used to process and package narcotics for street sale. 

Martinez pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and one count of possession with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin.  He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant on July 28, 2021.

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

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

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Ramsey E. Covington, Acting Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, today announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford has returned a 14-count indictment charging TORISE BAKER, 37, of Bridgeport, with tax fraud offenses.

The indictment was returned on April 6, 2021.  Baker appeared yesterday via videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Dave Vatti, entered a plea of not guilty, and was released on bond.

As alleged in the indictment, Baker prepared tax returns for clients through 101 Things 2 Do, LLC, a multi-service business she operated in Bridgeport.  For the 2014 through 2016 tax years, Baker prepared numerous federal tax returns for taxpayers that claimed false deductions, including unreimbursed business expenses, charitable contributions and tax preparation fees.  In addition, Baker failed to file her own federal tax return for the 2015 tax year. 

The indictment charges Baker with 13 counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation and presentation of false and fraudulent income tax returns, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of three years on each count, and one count of failure to file an income tax return, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of one year.

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

The Justice Department issued a statement today that warns taxpayers to avoid fraudulent tax preparers, notes recent criminal and civil enforcement actions against fraudulent tax preparers, and provides resources for taxpayers and tax preparers.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RONALD CHRISTOPHER SPEAR-ZULETA, also known as “Chris,” 47, of Woodbridge, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 135 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his role in a drug-related robbery.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Spear-Zuleta, his wife, Aninha Spear-Zuleta, and Maritza Torres robbed an associate of Chris Spear-Zuleta, who Chris Spear-Zuleta claimed owed him money in relation to narcotics transactions.  On November 28, 2017, Aninha Spear-Zuleta invited the associate’s girlfriend to the Spear-Zuleta’s Woodbridge residence, where Chris Spear-Zuleta physically assaulted the girlfriend.  At Chris Spear-Zuleta’s instruction, Aninha Spear-Zuleta and Torres then transported the girlfriend to a residence she shared with the associate in Milford, where Aninha Spear-Zuleta and Torres stole several items, including cash, a firearm and several items of expensive clothing.

On April 4, 2018, Chris Spear-Zuleta’s associate was shot to death in front of Spear-Zuleta’s residence.  The homicide investigation is ongoing.

Spear-Zuleta was arrested in San Francisco on December 22, 2018, where he had been living and travelling under a variety of false identities.  He has been detained since his arrest.

Spear-Zuleta’s criminal history includes convictions for drug offenses and multiple assault offenses, including assaults involving a firearm, an assault on a law enforcement officer, and an assault on state personnel while he was incarcerated for a prior offense.

On September 11, 2019, Chris Spear-Zuleta pleaded guilty to one count of Hobbs Act robbery.  Aninha Spear-Zuleta and Maritza Torres pleaded guilty to related charges and are scheduled to be sentenced on April 22 and 23, respectively.

This matter has been investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation, Connecticut State Police and Woodbridge Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Acting U.S. Attorney Boyle and Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Vizcarrondo.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that DEMETRIUS DREW, 26, of New Haven, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to possession of a firearm by a felon.

According to court documents and statements made in court, New Haven Police arrested Drew on August 18, 2020, after a court-authorized search of his residence revealed a loaded Glock model 26, 9mm pistol and a box containing 50 rounds of .38 Special ammunition.

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

Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for July 13, 2021, at which time Drew faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

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

This matter is being investigated by the New Haven Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tara E. Levens and Anthony E. Kaplan.

Acting U.S. Attorney Boyle noted that this prosecution is a part of the Justice’s Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program and Project Longevity.  PSN is a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone.  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 CHAIM STERN, 72, of Flushing, New York, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 30 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for embezzlement and tax offenses related to his operation of nursing homes in Bridgeport and Waterbury.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Stern was the principal operator of the Bridgeport Health Care Center (“BHCC”), Bridgeport Manor, and the Rosegarden Health and Rehabilitation Center LLC (“Rosegarden”) in Waterbury, which were privately owned nursing and rehabilitation facilities.  Between approximately 2011 and 2018, Stern stole approximately $4.1 million from the BHCC Pension Plan, over which he was the trustee, principally by diverting the money to a purported charity, called Em Kol Chai, which Stern controlled, as well as to himself and other entities.  Also, in approximately February 2015, Stern misapplied $305,608.06 from BHCC Health Plan by diverting the money from a stop-loss insurance plan that was intended to pay for an employee health claim, and instead used it for other purposes, including Em Kol Chai, the operation of the BHCC, and for Stern’s personal use.

Stern also failed to pay millions of dollars in other health insurance claims that he was obliged to pay on behalf of his employees, resulting in many cases in debt collection action against employees by the health care providers.

In addition, from at least January 2017 through March 2018, Stern failed to, and caused BHCC and Rosegarden to fail to, pay over employment taxes it collected from BHCC and Rosegarden employees.  Also, from January 2017 through June 2018, Stern failed to, and caused BHCC and Rosegarden to fail to, pay BHCC and Rosegarden’s share of employment taxes.  The total tax loss resulting from Stern’s conduct is $4,356,409.85.

On January 15, 2020, Stern pleaded guilty to one count of theft or embezzlement from an employee benefit plan, one count of theft or embezzlement in connection with healthcare, and one count of willful failure to pay tax.

Stern has already made approximately $4.1 million in criminal restitution to Pension Plan, along with some lost interest as agreed upon in a related civil case.  Judge Hall ordered Stern to pay restitution to participants in the Health Plan with unpaid claims, to the extent that the $2.5 million already paid by Stern and his insurance company in the related civil action do not cover all of those claims.  A third-party claims administrator is currently attempting to settle all of those outstanding health claims.

Finally, Stern also has agreed to pay approximately $2.4 million in restitution to the IRS, representing the tax withholdings Stern took from employees but did not pay over to the IRS.

Stern, who is released on a $500,000 bond, is required to report to prison on May 26, 2021.

This matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Labor – Employee Benefits Security Administration, Boston Regional Office, and Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David E. Novick and Neeraj N. Patel.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that BRIAN GRINNELL, 36, of Lakewood, Ohio, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to distribution of child pornography.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in March 2020, Grinnell posed as a 15-year-old girl and met a female, who at the time was under the age of 12, on Omegle, an online chat website and mobile application that allows users to interact with strangers.  Shortly thereafter, he began communicating with the minor victim on Snapchat.  Grinnell told the minor victim to take sexually explicit photos and videos of herself and send them to Grinnell over Snapchat.  After the minor victim began to feel threatened by Grinnell, she unfriended and blocked Grinnell’s account.

Grinnell subsequently contacted a friend of the minor victim on TikTok and stated that unless the minor victim got in touch with him, he would post a video of the minor victim naked on TikTok.  Grinnell then posted sexually explicit videos of the minor victim on TikTok.  When a friend of the minor victim, who is also a minor, begged Grinnell not to post additional videos of the minor victim, Grinnell stated “I want a video of you begging me to not put them up. And you have to be topless in the video. If you don’t want any more of your friend stuff going out.”  After the friend told Grinnell that they would call the police, Grinnell responded “How are they gonna find me?”  Grinnell then proceeded to post another video of the minor victim on TikTok.

Grinnell has been detained since his arrest on September 23, 2020.

Judge Shea scheduled sentencing for July 19 at which time Grinnell faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

This investigation has been conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Canaan Police Department, with assistance from the Cuyahoga County (Ohio) Prosecutor’s Office and Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tara E. Levens and Sarala V. Nagala through 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.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Ramsey E. Covington, Acting Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, today announced that ROBERT T. COLGAN, 60, of Norwalk, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden to a federal tax offense.

Pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the court proceeding occurred via videoconference.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Colgan controlled a business known as Colgan Financial Group, Inc. (“CFG”), and he employed a bookkeeper to maintain CFG’s books and a return preparer to assist him in the preparation of both CFG’s  corporate tax returns and his personal income tax returns.  Colgan used CFG funds to pay for personal expenditures, but directed his bookkeeper to record the payments as a loan in CFG’s books.  As a result, Colgan’s personal income tax returns for the 2013 through 2017 tax years underreported his income and resulted in a tax loss of more than $250,000.

Colgan pleaded guilty to one count of filing of a false tax return, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of three years.  He is released pending sentencing, which is not scheduled.

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

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DIONTE WILSON, 25, of East Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 33 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition. 

According to court documents and statements made in court, after a review of videos on social media websites identified Wilson as being in possession of several different firearms, members of the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force conducted multiple controlled purchases of marijuana from Wilson.  On August 10, 2020, Wilson was arrested on state charges after he displayed a Taurus .380 caliber handgun following a controlled marijuana purchase.  A subsequent search of Wilson’s residence revealed a loaded .380 caliber Taurus gun magazine and approximately 100 rounds of .22 caliber long rifle hollow point bullets.  After he was released on bond in his state case, Wilson posted videos on social media of himself brandishing a firearm.

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

Wilson has been detained since his federal arrest on September 9, 2020.  On January 19, 2021, he pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

This prosecution was brought through Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone, and through Project Longevity, 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 violence.  A critical component of the Project Longevity strategy is the “call-in,” a face-to-face meeting where Project Longevity partners engage group members 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.

Wilson attended a call-in in December 2019 and did not pursue Project Longevity services that were offered to him.

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. Attorneys Kenneth L. Gresham and Michael J. Gustafson.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and William S. Walker, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Boston, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging RICHARD E. SMITH, 65, of Southington, with receipt and possession of child pornography.

The indictment was returned on March 29.  Smith appeared yesterday via videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert A. Richardson and pleaded not guilty to the charge.  Smith has been detained since his arrest on a criminal complaint on October 1, 2020.

As alleged in court documents, on October 1, 2020, HSI conducted a court-authorized search of Smith’s Southington residence.  At the time of the search, Smith’s computer was running and connected to a website dedicated to child pornography, and one of Smith’s four computer monitors displayed a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet containing numerous child pornography filenames and internet hyperlinks.  Investigators seized Smith’s computer and electronic devices.  Forensic analysis of the seized devices revealed millions of images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children.

If convicted of the charges, Smith faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 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 Homeland Security Investigations with the assistance of the Southington Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Doherty through 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 DEMORSE KELLEY, 39, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 27 months of imprisonment, followed by three months in a halfway house and three years of supervised release, for assaulting a U.S. Postal Service letter carrier.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 7, 2019, a U.S. Postal Service letter carrier was sorting mail inside her postal delivery van that was parked on Sigourney Street in Hartford.  Kelley approached the van from the sidewalk, slid the side door of the van so that it was fully open and then spoke to the letter carrier.  Kelley commented the letter carrier on her appearance and asked her for a hug and for her phone number.  Kelley then climbed into the postal van and allowed the door to close behind him.  During the incident, Kelley touched the letter carrier’s leg below her shorts, made sexual advances and obstructed the letter carrier’s ability to exit.  After a few minutes, the letter carrier was able to exit the van and called Hartford Police, who arrested Kelley later that day.

Kelley has been detained since his arrest.  He pleaded guilty to the offense on January 21, 2021.

This matter was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Hartford Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nancy V. Gifford.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JUAN LUIS MONZON MONTEROSO, also known as Edwin Galvez Lemus, 36, a citizen of Guatemala last residing in Bridgeport, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to illegal reentry of a removed alien.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in November 2010, approximately two weeks after Monzon Monteroso was encountered by U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) in Jacksonville, Florida, he voluntarily departed the U.S.  In January 2011 and again in April 2011, Monzon Monteroso was encountered by the USBP in Texas and was subsequently removed to Guatemala.  He illegally reentered the U.S. and, in May 2017, was encountered by ICE in Hartford.  He was removed to Guatemala a third time in July 2017.

On December 19, 2019, Monzon Monteroso, using the alias Edwin Galvez Lemus, was arrested by Monroe Police and charged with assault on personnel, breach of peace, reckless endangerment, criminal trespass and running from police.  He has been detained since his arrest.

At sentencing, which is not yet scheduled, Monzon Monteroso faces a maximum term of imprisonment of two years.

This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Deborah R. Slater.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MONTRELL DOBBS, JR., 28, of Ansonia, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill to 18 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for serving as a “money mule” in lottery and romance scams that defrauded primarily elderly victims across the country of millions of dollars.

Pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the sentencing occurred via videoconference.

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

Dobbs was recruited to be a “money mule” for individuals who were operating lottery and romance scams between approximately August 2015 and March 2020.  Dobbs retrieved fraudulently obtained cash, checks and money orders that were sent through the mail to various addresses in New Haven, Hamden and Ansonia, and he retrieved funds that were wired through electronic money transfers.  Also, using the alias “Derek Williams,” Dobbs retrieved from the Ansonia Post Office packages containing fraudulently obtained cash and checks.  Dobbs deposited checks and money orders into his own bank account, kept a portion of the funds, and passed along the remaining money to other co-conspirators, either by mailing cash or depositing money into other bank accounts.

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

Dobbs’ involvement in the scheme involved at least 25 victims who lost more a total of more than $85,000.  Judge Underhill ordered Dobbs to pay full restitution.

Dobbs was arrested on March 12, 2020.  On December 21, 2020, he pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering.

Dobbs, who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on June 2.

Four of Dobbs’ alleged co-conspirators are awaiting trial.

This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Army-CID, and New Haven Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather L. Cherry.

The Justice Department has established a National Elder Fraud Hotline to provide services to seniors who may be victims of financial fraud.  The Hotline is staffed by experienced case managers who can provide personalized support to callers.  Case managers assist callers with reporting the suspected fraud to relevant agencies and by providing resources and referrals to other appropriate services as needed.  When applicable, case managers will complete a complaint form with the Federal Bureau of Investigation Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) for Internet-facilitated crimes and submit a consumer complaint to the Federal Trade Commission on behalf of the caller.  The Hotline’s toll free number is 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311).

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that ANTHONY HALL, 60, of Montville, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to one count of bank robbery.

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 in October 2019.

Judge Hall scheduled sentencing for July 6, 2021, at which time Anthony Hall faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years for the bank robbery offense, and additional penalties for violating the conditions of his supervised release.

This matter has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Norwich Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas P. Morabito.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JESUS MANUEL VALLE, also known as “LoLo,” 24, of East Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for narcotics distribution and firearm possession offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, law enforcement identified Valle’s residence on Charter Oak Avenue in East Haven as a hub of narcotics distribution activity.  On February 5, 2020, investigators searched the residence and seized approximately 17 grams of heroin packaged for distribution, 35 grams of loose heroin, 17 grams of packaged cocaine, nine grams of packaged crack cocaine, items used to process and package narcotics for street sale, and a loaded Ruger .44 magnum handgun.

On September 2, 2020, Valle pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine and cocaine base (“crack”), and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Valle who is released on a $250,000 bond, is required to report to prison on June 25, 2021.

This matter was investigated by the DEA Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, the FBI Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and the East Haven Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Vizcarrondo.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and David Sundberg, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced that HECTOR TORRES, 32, of Monroe, was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint charging him with child exploitation offenses related to his alleged sexual abuse of three minor girls.

Following his arrest, Torres appeared via videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Dave Vatti and is detained.

As alleged in the criminal complaint, Torres used Snapchat, FaceTime and text messaging to communicate with three minor girls, ages 11 and 12, to persuade, induce, entice or coerce them to send him naked pictures of themselves and to engage in sexual activity with him. On multiple occasions in February 2021, Torres picked up the girls in his car and brought them to a shopping plaza parking lot in Hartford, where they each engaged in sexual activity with Torres at his direction.  Torres promised to give the girls money, sneakers, vaping supplies and/or food if they sent him photos of their bodies and/or engaged in sex acts with him.  In March 2021, investigators reviewed at least three videos of Torres’s sexual abuse of the girls, one of which shows the right side of his face as well as distinctive tattoos on his hands. 

The complaint charges Torres with coercion and enticement of minors to engage in sexual activity, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life, and with production of child pornography, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 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.

Acting U.S. Attorney Boyle noted that investigators are seeking to identify additional victims and encouraged victims, witnesses and anyone with helpful information to call 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324).

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Hartford Police Department, the Monroe Police Department and the Connecticut Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Angel M. Krull through 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 BRIAN VELEZ, also known as “Whites,” 32, formerly of Hartford and West Hartford, pleaded guilty today to distributing fentanyl while released on bond in a federal gun case.

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

According to court documents and statements made in court, at approximately 10:20 a.m. on November 27, 2018, a car Velez was operating sped away from Hartford Police officers who were attempting to stop the vehicle in Hartford’s South End.  Velez parked in a driveway of a residence on Newbury Street and then ran from the car while carrying a duffel bag.  After Velez was apprehended, a detective located the duffel bag in Velez’s path of travel.  The bag contained a disassembled Ruger AR 556 semi-automatic rifle.

Velez was detained from the date of his arrest until April 2, 2019, when he was released on a $100,000 bond.

In January 2020, law enforcement received information that Velez was involved in ongoing criminal activity, including the distribution of narcotics.  On January 28, 2020, investigators conducted a controlled purchase of 20 bags of fentanyl from Velez in Hartford.

On January 29, 2020, Velez pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon, stemming from his arrest in November 2018.

Velez has been detained since March 12, 2020, after he was arrested on a criminal complaint charging him with distributing fentanyl.

Velez is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant on July 7, 2021, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years for unlawfully possessing a firearm, and a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years for distributing fentanyl while on release in a pending federal case.

This investigation has been conducted by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Gang Task Force, the FBI’s Connecticut Violent Crime Task Force, and the Hartford Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Leaming.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that CARECO MEDICAL, INC. and its owner and CEO, HELGA PFANNER, have entered into a civil settlement agreement with the federal government in which they will pay $28,246 to resolve allegations that they improperly employed an individual who was excluded from all federal healthcare programs.  CareCo Medical (“CareCo”) is a Waterford-based home healthcare organization that provides skilled nursing services, medical social worker services, and rehabilitative therapies.

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

In 2012, Todd Roberts, a physical therapist, pleaded guilty to one count of obstructing a federal audit and, pursuant to a related civil settlement agreement, agreed to pay $328,828.  In addition, Roberts entered into a six-year Integrity Agreement with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services designed to ensure future compliance with the requirements of the Medicare program.  Roberts later defaulted on his obligations under the Integrity Agreement and was excluded from all federal health care programs in 2015.

In November 2018, CareCo and Pfanner hired Roberts for a management position at CareCo.  Roberts served in that position until March 2019.

To resolve their liability for hiring and employing Roberts while he was excluded from all federal healthcare programs, CareCo and Pfanner will pay $28,246.

This matter was investigated by HHS-OIG and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard M. Molot.

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.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOSEPH RYAN, 57, of Trumbull, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to a federal firearm charge related to his unlawful possession and transfer of five firearms on behalf of his drug dealer.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 27, 2018, Ansonia Police executed a state search warrant at an address in Ansonia in order to locate and seize 12 firearms that were registered to a pistol permit holder at the residence.  Investigators could only locate five firearms during the search.  The five firearms were then transported to the Ansonia Police Department for safekeeping.  On April 3, 2019, Ryan, who at the time was a police officer with the Greenwich Police Department, went to the Ansonia Police Department and took custody of the five firearms that had been seized.

In August and September 2019, members of ATF and the New Haven Police Department made controlled purchases of four firearms from Malique Martin.  Three of the four firearms purchased were among the firearms that Ryan took into his custody from the Ansonia Police Department on April 3, 2019.  The investigation revealed that Ryan, who was addicted to heroin transferred firearms to an individual who was a convicted felon, and who helped facilitate heroin transactions between Ryan and a heroin supplier.  Some of the firearms were then transferred to Martin.

Ryan was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on February 21, 2020.

Ryan pleaded guilty to one count of possession of firearms by an unlawful user of a controlled substance, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for July 6, 2021.

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

Martin, of Ansonia, previously pleaded guilty to one count of dealing firearms without a license and one count of possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.  On June 16, 2020, he was sentenced to 12 months and one day of imprisonment.

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

This prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that LUIS COLLAZO-RIVERA, 40, of Caguas, Puerto Rico, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 75 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for trafficking cocaine from Puerto Rico to Connecticut through the U.S. Mail.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2017, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service began investigating a drug trafficking organization that was sending Priority Mail parcels containing kilogram-quantities of cocaine through the U.S. Mail from Puerto Rico to Connecticut and elsewhere.  The investigation revealed that Erick Suarez, of New Britain, coordinated shipments of cocaine from Collazo-Rivera and his associates in Puerto Rico to addresses in New Britain, Hartford, Newington, East Hartford and Bridgeport, as well as Springfield, Massachusetts.  Investigators identified more than 50 suspect parcels that were mailed from Puerto Rico, and intercepted five of the suspect parcels, each of which contained approximately one kilogram of cocaine.

On April 10, 2018, investigators arrested Collazo-Rivera and several other members of the cocaine trafficking ring, including Jerry Rodriguez, also known as “Bebo,” of Hartford.  On that date, a search of Rodriguez’s residence revealed approximately 400 grams of cocaine, approximately 160 grams of heroin, items used to process and package narcotics for street sale, and a loaded .45 caliber handgun.  Also on that date, investigators searched Suarez’s residence, as well as two storage units used by Suarez and one storage unit used by Rodriguez in West Hartford.  The search of Suarez’s storage units revealed more than $50,000 in cash and a search of Rodriguez’s storage unit revealed additional items used to process and package narcotics.

Collazo-Rivera has been detained since his arrest.

On April 18, 2018, a grand jury returned an indictment charging Collazo-Rivera, Suarez, Rodriguez and four other individuals with conspiring to distribute cocaine.  Collazo-Rivera pleaded guilty on April 8, 2019.

Suarez and Rodriguez also pleaded guilty.  On January 15, 2020, Suarez was sentenced to 97 months of imprisonment and, on February 21, 2020, Rodriguez was sentenced to 60 months of imprisonment.

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.  The DEA Puerto Rico Caribbean Corridor Strike Force and U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Newark Division, San Juan (P.R.) Office, have assisted the investigation.

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

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and William S. Walker, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Boston, today announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford has returned an indictment charging ROBERT ECKERT, 56, of Simsbury, with distribution of child pornography.

The indictment was returned on April 6.  Eckert appeared today via videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert A. Richardson and entered a plea of not guilty to the charge.  He is detained pending a follow-up bond hearing that is scheduled for tomorrow at 4:00 p.m.

The government alleged during today’s court proceeding that Eckert used multiple online platforms to distribute images of child sexual abuse and to communicate with others about the distribution of child pornography.  He accessed the online platforms on his phone, at his residence, and at the Lutz Children’s Museum in Manchester where he was employed as its executive director.

If convicted of the charge of distribution of child pornography, Eckert faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

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

This matter is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with the assistance of the Connecticut State Police and the Manchester Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nancy V. Gifford.

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

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

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MICHELLE LYNN GSCHLECHT, formerly known as Richard Gschlecht, 51, last residing in New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for possessing images of child sexual abuse.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in August 1996, Gschlecht was convicted in state court of sexual assault in the first degree related to the aggravated sexual abuse of a minor.  In July 2015, Gschlecht was convicted in state court of possession of child pornography.

In March 2019, Gschlecht began serving a 10-year term of state probation.  In July 2019, Gschlecht’s probation officer received information that Gschlecht was in possession of a cellphone that contained images depicting the sexual abuse of minors.  State probation officers arrested Gschlecht on July 31, 2019, after a review of her phone revealed images of child pornography.  Subsequent forensic analysis of the phone revealed approximately 174 images of child pornography, including images depicting the sexual abuse of prepubescent children and infants.

Gschlecht has been detained since her arrest.  On January 11, 2021, she pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography.

The penalties in this matter were enhanced based on Gschlecht’s criminal history.

This matter was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the New Haven Police Department, with the assistance of the Connecticut’s Office of Adult Probation.  The case was prosecuted by 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, announced that JIMMY FLORES, also known as “Cuz-o,” 37, of East Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 136 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for drug trafficking and firearm possession offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an investigation conducted by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Gang Task Force and Hartford Police Department’s Vice and Narcotics Division into the trafficking of narcotics and associated violence in Hartford’s South End by members and associates of the Almighty Latin Kings Nation (“Latin Kings”).  The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps, physical surveillance and controlled purchases of narcotics, revealed that that Flores and Nelson Ferry operated separate drug trafficking organizations that distributed fentanyl, heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine.  Both organizations used multiple locations to process, package, store and distribute narcotics, and possessed firearms in furtherance of their drug trafficking activities.

Flores’ organization primarily sold narcotics in the area of Hungerford Street and Park Street, and he used both his East Hartford residence and an apartment on Broad Street in Hartford to store and sell drugs.  He also used firearms and acts of violence to further his drug operation.

Flores was arrested on June 19, 2018.  On that date, investigators seized a handgun and various controlled substances that Flores stored at a family member’s residence in East Hartford, and a second handgun found at a barber shop Flores owned in Hartford.

Flores has been detained since his arrest.  On March 12, 2020, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, 40 grams or more of fentanyl and 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”), and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

Ferry pleaded guilty to related charges and, on February 26, 2020, was sentenced to 87 months of imprisonment.

This matter has been investigated by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and the Hartford Police Department.  The Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.  The Hartford Police Department’s Vice and Narcotics Division and Shooting Task Force have provided valuable assistance to the investigation.

The 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 BRIAN MELENDEZ, 32, of West Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 30 months of imprisonment, followed by six years of supervised release, for cocaine distribution and ammunition possession offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Melendez was arrested on January 7, 2020, after a court-authorized search of his West Haven residence and a car parked at the residence revealed a loaded .22 caliber pistol, a distribution quantity of cocaine, and items used to process and package narcotics for street sale.  Melendez’s residence is located in proximity to the Washington Elementary School.

Melendez’s criminal history includes felony convictions for firearms possession offenses in Connecticut and North Carolina.  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 January 4, 2021, Melendez pleaded guilty to one count of possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine near a school.

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the West Haven Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Doherty.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that GEORGE DRAGUSIN, also known as “Georgio Anderini” and “Einstein,” 65, a citizen of Romania, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 33 months of imprisonment for his participation in an extensive ATM skimming scheme that defrauded banks from coast to coast.

According to court documents and statements in court today, between February and June 2017, a Connecticut bank experienced approximately 35 incidents of ATM skimming at locations in Stratford, Monroe, Trumbull, Greenwich, Fairfield and elsewhere in Connecticut.  As part of the scheme, conspiracy members placed skimming devices at the ATMs to capture account numbers and personal identification numbers (“PINs”) from customers who used their ATM cards at the ATMs while the devices were in place.  Conspiracy members then used the captured information to make substitute ATM cards, and obtained money and made purchases using those cards.  The bank suffered losses of approximately $286,069 during the scheme.

On August 23, 2019, Dragusin pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.  In pleading guilty, he admitted that he installed and removed ATM skimming equipment at several bank locations in Connecticut, and used re-encoded cards and PINs to obtain money from several bank locations.  Dragusin also admitted that, between March and September 2018, he participated in ATM skimming activity in Nevada, Illinois, Ohio, Indiana and California, causing multiple banks to suffer total losses of more than $645,000.

Dragusin was arrested in Hayward, California, in September 2018.  He has been detained since his arrest.

This investigation has been conducted by the Connecticut Financial Crimes Task Force; the U.S. Secret Service in New Haven and Las Vegas; the Greenwich Police Department; the Monroe Police Department; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); the New York Police Department; the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department; the Dixon (Calif.) Police Department, and the Hayward (Calif.) Police Department.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anastasia E. King.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment today charging REGINO MORILLO-ESPINAL, 38, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, with possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.

As alleged in court documents, members of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force identified Morillo-Espinal as a trafficker of wholesale quantities of fentanyl.  On March 26, 2021, investigators stopped Morillo-Espinal’s vehicle on I-91 South after he had traveled from Allentown to multiple locations in Hartford.  A search of the vehicle revealed approximately two kilograms of suspected fentanyl.

The charge of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

Morillo-Espinal has been detained since March 26, 2021.

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

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.  The Connecticut State Police has assisted the investigation.

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

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that TODAY’S YOUTH LLC and its owners, Maurice Stuckey and Joyce Anderson, have entered into a civil settlement agreement with the federal and state governments in which they will pay $273,000 to resolve allegations that they caused overpayments to be paid by the Connecticut Medicaid Program.

Today’s Youth is a healthcare organization that provides in-home family therapy and counseling in the greater Hartford area.  The government’s allegations against Today’s Youth, Stuckey and Anderson arise out of improper billing for behavioral health services.

Today’s Youth is enrolled in the Connecticut Medical Assistance Program (“CMAP”), which includes Connecticut’s Medicaid program, as a “Behavioral Health Clinician Group.”  The State of Connecticut Department of Social Services (“DSS”) contracted with Today’s Youth to provide behavioral health services to Medicaid beneficiaries.  DSS does not allow licensed behavioral health clinicians in independent practice to submit claims for services provided by unlicensed individuals, even if the individuals are working toward licensure and supervised by a licensed individual.  The DSS Provider Manual for Licensed Behavioral Health Clinicians in Independent Practice explicitly states, “The department shall not pay for…services provided by anyone other than the provider.”

The government alleges that despite clear guidance from the Medicaid program, Today’s Youth, Stuckey and Anderson routinely submitted claims to Medicaid for behavioral health services as if a licensed behavioral health clinician performed the services when, in fact, an unlicensed provider performed the services.  As a result, Medicaid paid Today’s Youth for behavioral health services that the U.S. and Connecticut would not have paid for had they known unlicensed individuals provided the services.

To resolve its liability, Today’s Youth will pay $273,000 to the federal and state governments for conduct occurring between January 1, 2014 and September 1, 2019.

This matter was investigated by the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne F. Thidemann and by Assistant Attorney General Michael E. Cole 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.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that LUIS COLON, also known as “Big Lou” and “Hitman,” 50, of Stratford, pleaded guilty yesterday to fentanyl distribution and gun possession offenses.

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

According to court documents and statements made in court, between July and December 2020, Colon was involved in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl disguised as oxycodone.  Investigators seized approximately 300 fentanyl pills disguised as oxycodone that had been sold by Colon to a co-conspirator.

Colon was arrested on December 16, 2020, after a court-authorized search of his residence on Dover Street in Stratford revealed 11 firearms, numerous rounds of ammunition, approximately 60 fentanyl pills disguised as oxycodone, approximately 61 grams of cocaine with packaging, items used to process and package narcotics for distribution, and approximately $24,800 in cash.

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

Colon pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea on June 22, 2021.

Colon is released on a $150,000 bond pending sentencing.

This matter is being investigated by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force, which includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, New Britain Police Department, West Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Konstantin Lantsman and Brian 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 JORDAN FLYTHE, also known as “T,” 28, of New Britain, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 36 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing fentanyl and crack cocaine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and Hartford Police Department identified Flythe as a narcotics distributor who supplied various gang members in the Hartford’s South End.  On February 3, 2020, after investigators conducted a controlled purchase of approximately six grams of crack cocaine from Flythe in exchange for $300 in Hartford, Hartford Police stopped Flythe’s vehicle and arrested Flythe on state narcotics charges.  A search of Flythe’s vehicle and person at the time of his arrest revealed approximately 20 grams of crack, a digital scale and $3,450 in cash.    

Shortly after Flythe was released on bond in his state case, investigators made controlled purchases from Flythe of approximately 12 grams of crack on February 12, 100 sleeves of fentanyl and approximately eight grams of crack on February 17, and approximately 7 grams of crack on February 25.

On February 26, 2020, investigators conducted a court-authorized search of a Hartford apartment Flythe used to store, process and package narcotics and seized more than 30 grams of fentanyl, 18 grams of crack, nine ounces of marijuana and $5,582 in cash.  A search of Flythe’s New Britain residence revealed approximately 52 grams of heroin and $3,357 in cash.

Flythe has been detained since his federal arrest on February 26, 2020.  On October 9, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, fentanyl and cocaine base (“crack”).

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

New Haven – Acting U.S. Attorney Leonard C Boyle, Chief State’s Attorney Richard J. Colangelo, Jr., of the Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice, and Special Agent in Charge David Sundberg of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation today announced efforts to address an increase in hate crimes and bias incidents targeting Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

“All Americans should be proud of our nation’s diversity and share a commitment to tolerance and respect for our fellow citizens, no matter their race, religion, ethnicity or sexual orientation,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Boyle.  “We in Connecticut are fortunate that we have not experienced a significant rise in reporting of violence and instances of hatred, intolerance and bigotry against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders similar to what has occurred in other parts of our country this past year.  However, we know these crimes exist, we will not be blind to them, and we want to know about them.  The Connecticut U.S Attorney’s Office, together with the FBI and our other federal, state and local law enforcement partners, is committed to enforcing hate crimes laws that protect all communities.”

“The Division of Criminal Justice is committed to establishing and maintaining a culture of trust and open communication between residents and the State’s Attorney’s Offices in each of the state’s 13 Judicial Districts to improve public safety and to strengthen our community partnerships,” said Chief State’s Attorney Colangelo.  “The Division of Criminal Justice, in partnership with the Connecticut U.S. Attorney’s Office, federal authorities and police departments across the state, stand ready to address all hate-based crimes that have no place in our communities.”

“I want to remind residents of Connecticut communities that any violent criminal act against any person because of their race, color, religion or national origin is a hate crime,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Sundberg.  “This includes violence toward Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders or individuals from East Asian countries.  The FBI will use all authority granted to us by federal law to investigate and hold those who commit violent acts accountable for their actions.  Anyone with knowledge of crimes against Asian community members is asked to report the incident to local police and/or the FBI.  We remain committed to our mission to protect all American people and uphold the Constitution.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office and FBI receive and review complaints of potential hate crimes and provide assistance to state and local law enforcement investigations of hate crimes.  Individuals who believe they are the victim of a hate crime or have witnessed a hate crime are encouraged to call their local police department, or the FBI in New Haven at 203-777-6311.  To submit an online tip, visit http://tips.fbi.gov.

Acting U.S. Attorney Boyle noted that the U.S. Attorney’s Office and FBI, which for several years have trained state and local law enforcement officers on hate crimes laws and cultural competency so that officers are better equipped to assess situations they may encounter, are expanding outreach to Asian communities.  In addition, Assistant U.S. Attorneys are being certified to provide training specific to hate crimes against Asian and Pacific Islander communities at the Connecticut State Police Officer Standards and Training Council (POST).

The Division of Criminal Justice is currently working to establish designated Hate Crimes points of contact in State’s Attorney’s offices across the state in an effort to immediately address any reports of violence based on bigotry and bias toward people of all races.

Today at 5:00 p.m., Assistant U.S. Attorneys who handle criminal and civil rights matters will be participating in a Zoom presentation sponsored by the Connecticut Asian Pacific American Bar Association titled “Stand Up, Speak Out, Be Seen: Moving from Violence to Equity & Inclusion for Asian and Pacific Islander Americans.”  (Send an e-mail to capabaorg@gmail.com to request the Zoom link.)

More information about the Justice Department’s Hate Crimes program can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/hatecrimes.

To access the most recent statistics on hate crimes from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report, visit https://www.justice.gov/hatecrimes/hate-crime-statistics.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CHAZ DEAR, 23, of Bridgeport, pleaded guilty today to possession of a firearm by a felon.

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

According court documents and statements made in court, in late 2019, law enforcement received information that Dear, who was on state parole, was selling marijuana.  Investigators subsequently made a controlled purchase of marijuana from Dear.  On January 30, 2020, Dear was arrested after a court-authorized search of his residence revealed a Glock 27, .40 caliber handgun with an extended magazine loaded with 23 rounds of ammunition, as well as small quantities of heroin and crack cocaine.

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

Dear is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant on June 30, 2021, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. 

Dear has been detained since his arrest.

This matter is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), Connecticut State Police Statewide Narcotics Task Force and Bridgeport Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rahul Kale.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Matthew Modafferi, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, announced that MICHAEL McGUIRK, 36, of Windham, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today to theft of mail by a postal employee.

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

According to court documents and statements made in court, between September 2019 and May 2020, while he was employed as a sales associate at the U.S. Post Office in Columbia, McGuirk stole numerous pieces of mail, including packages and greeting cards that contained gift cards or other items of value.  Surveillance camera footage depicted McGuirk in the Columbia Post Office rifling through the mail, concealing mail in his clothing, opening packages and envelopes, and taking cash from the reserve cash register.

McGuirk is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant on June 23, 2021, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.  He is released pending sentencing.

McGuirk resigned from the U.S. Postal Service in May 2020.

This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Service Office of the Inspector General and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara E. Levens.

Acting U.S. Attorney Boyle encouraged individuals who believe they are a victim of theft related to this case to file a complaint by calling 888-USPS-OIG, or by visiting https://www.uspsoig.gov/form/file-online-complaint.

Leonard C Boyle, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that BRYON McCLELLAN, 33, of Norwich, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to 57 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his role in a southeastern Connecticut drug trafficking ring.

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

On March 5, 2019, a grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment charging McClellan, Allgood and 22 other individuals with various offenses.  A subsequent superseding indictment charged an additional two defendants.

McClellan was arrested on March 7, 2019.  On July 8, 2019, while McClellan was released on bond, the Connecticut State Police stopped McClellan’s vehicle and arrested him after they found him in possession of approximately 33 grams of cocaine.

McClellan has been detained since July 11, 2019.  On October 5, 2020, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, cocaine, and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine while on pre-trial release.

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

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

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