District of Connecticut

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MEEM JANNAT, 25, of Brooklyn, New York, formerly of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to seven months of imprisonment, followed by one year of supervised release, for her role in a counterfeit check bank fraud scheme.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between approximately December 2017 and January 2019, Jannat and her co-conspirators, including Jonell Bonilla, Tania Cruz and Lilibeth Perez, obtained access to bank accounts by recruiting individuals through social media and persuading the individuals to share their account information, including debit cards and associated PIN numbers.  The account holders were paid for providing access to their bank accounts.  Jannat and her co-conspirators misrepresented to the account holders that U.S. Postal Service money orders or authentic checks would be deposited into their accounts.  After the co-conspirators had access to the accounts, they deposited counterfeit checks into those accounts, and withdrew money from the accounts before the banks discovered the checks to be counterfeit.

The co-conspirators attempted to steal more than $500,000 through this scheme, and were successful in defrauding at least 12 banks of approximately $319,000.

Jannat has agreed that the loss attributable to her role in the scheme is $50,389.05.  Judge Bryant will order restitution after additional court submissions.

Jannat was arrested on January 14, 2019.  On July 1, 2020, she pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud.

Jannat, who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on December 16, 2020.

Bonilla, Cruz and Perez previously pleaded guilty to related charges and await sentencing.  On September 12, 2020, Bonilla was sentenced to 46 months of imprisonment.  Cruz and Perez await sentencing.

This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the U.S. Secret Service.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Pierpont, Jr.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ALEXIS VELEZ, 56, formerly of Connecticut and Maine, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 57 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for trafficking narcotics.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in August 2018, the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and the Hartford Police Department received information that Danny Castillo and Pascual Ivan Medina were distributing large quantities of fentanyl in and around Hartford.  An investigation revealed that Castillo used his family business, the Albany Grocery Store located at 1160 Albany Avenue in Hartford, to conduct narcotics transactions.  Between October 2018 and January 2019, investigators made multiple controlled purchases of distribution quantities of fentanyl from Castillo, sometimes with Medina’s assistance, at both the Albany Grocery Store and Castillo’s apartment on Woodland Street in Hartford.

On January 25, 2019, investigators conducting surveillance observed Velez arrive by car at Castillo’s apartment building, interact with Castillo, enter his apartment, exit the apartment and then drive away from the location.  After a Hartford Police cruiser conducted a traffic stop of Velez’s vehicle, a search of Velez’s person revealed quantities of cocaine and crack cocaine, and a search of a bag that Velez was seen carrying as he entered and exited Castillo’s apartment revealed approximately 102 grams of a mixture of fentanyl and heroin, 46 grams of cocaine, 15 grams of crack, two ounces of marijuana, and $4060 in cash.  Velez was arrested at that time.

Castillo was arrested a short time later at his Woodland Street apartment.  A search of the residence revealed approximately 436 grams of fentanyl, 229 grams of heroin, 231 grams of a mixture with both fentanyl and heroin, 543 grams of a mixture of tramadol and methamphetamine, numerous items used to process and package narcotics for distribution, a loaded short-barrel shotgun, and a loaded Smith & Wesson .357 revolver.  Investigators later recovered a third firearm from Castillo’s residence.

U.S. Attorney Durham noted that the quantity of the fentanyl and heroin seized from Castillo would have produced at least 35,000 dose bags of the drugs.

On February 28, 2020, Velez pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base (“crack”).  He is currently detained.

Castillo and Medina pleaded guilty to related charges.  On August 25, 2020, Castillo was sentenced to 128 months of imprisonment and, on January 23, 2020, Medina was sentenced to 30 months of imprisonment.

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

John H. Durham, 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 JESSICA GILES, 37, of West Haven, waived her 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 Sarah A.L. Merriam 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.

Giles’ illegal conduct was recorded by video surveillance at the Fairfield post office.

Giles is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny on February 4, 2021, at which time she faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.

Giles is released pending sentencing.

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

U.S. Attorney Durham 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.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LESTER B. JOY, 40, formerly of Waterbury, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to failing to register as a sex offender.

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

According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 25, 2002, Joy was convicted in the State of New Jersey of sexual assault in the second degree, endangering the welfare of a child in the third degree and theft in the third degree.  For these offenses, he was sentenced to three years of imprisonment, lifetime community supervision and was subject to lifetime registration as a sex offender.  On January 4, 2006, Joy was convicted in Suffolk County, New York, of three counts of rape in the third degree, two counts of criminal sexual acts in the third degree and two counts of disseminating indecent material to a minor.  For these offenses, he was sentenced to a period of 42 to 84 months of incarceration and lifetime probation.

On November 30, 2013, Joy was released from the Morris County, New Jersey jail following service of a sentence for violation of his lifetime term of community supervision in New Jersey.  However, he did not register as a sex offender in either New Jersey or New York, and moved to Connecticut.  He failed to notify New Jersey, New York and Connecticut officials of his move to Connecticut, as required.  On February 23, 2015, Joy pleaded guilty in the District of Connecticut to failing to register as a sex offender.  On May 18, 2015, he was sentenced in Hartford federal court to 27 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for that offense.

In January 2017, after he was released from federal prison, Joy failed to report to parole in New Jersey and failed to seek permission to change his address or advise New Jersey of his new address Connecticut.  He also failed to comply with treatment requirements of his federal supervised release.  In April 2017, Joy was sentenced to an additional seven months of federal imprisonment for violating the conditions of his supervised release.  He was released from federal custody in August 2017.

On February 17, 2019, Joy’s girlfriend, who did not have physical or legal custody of her three minor children, participated in a Department of Children and Families’ supervised visit with the children at a restaurant in Waterbury.  During the visit, Joy’s girlfriend was given permission to take the children to the restroom.  Instead, Joy’s girlfriend took her children out the back door of the restaurant into a waiting vehicle determined to have been used by Joy in the past.

On March 7, 2019, Joy, his girlfriend and her three children were located by Mexican law enforcement authorities in Mazatlán, Mexico, and Joy and his girlfriend were arrested.  Joy had failed to provide information to the Connecticut Sex Offender Registry, as required by SORNA, about his travel to Mexico.

Joy has been detained since his arrest.

Judge Underhill scheduled sentencing for January 26, 2021, at which time Joy faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

On October 29, 2020, Joy pleaded guilty in Waterbury Superior Court to three counts of risk of injury, and was sentenced to three years of incarceration followed by seven years of special parole.

This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Waterbury Police Department, with the assistance of Mexican law enforcement authorities.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Deborah R. Slater and Nancy V. Gifford.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that BRIAN EVANS, 21, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 30 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for fentanyl distribution and firearm possession offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in July 2019, after a spate of gun violence in Hartford, the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force, DEA, Hartford Police Department and other law enforcement agencies initiated an investigation targeting gang-related drug distribution and associated violence in north Hartford.  On August 7, 2019, investigators made a controlled purchase of fentanyl from Evans.

Evans was arrested on September 13, 2019.  On that date, investigators searched his residence and seized a loaded semiautomatic pistol, a loaded handgun with no serial number, and $1,025 in cash.

In May 2014, Evans was convicted in state court of first degree robbery and conspiracy to commit first degree robbery.  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 June 10, 2020, Evans pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of fentanyl, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Evans, who is released on a $50,000 bond, is required to report to prison on January 6, 2021.

The FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Gustafson.

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.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that PHILIP FROST, 30, formerly of Waterbury, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today to one count of receipt of child pornography.

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, in March 2016, Frost was convicted in state court of possessing child pornography in the second degree.  On October 1, 2019, while Frost was on special parole and residing in a halfway house, a staff member at the halfway house discovered Frost was in possession of a smartphone, which was a violation of Frost’s parole conditions.  The staff member secured the phone and contacted Frost’s parole officer.  That evening, before the parole officer arrived the next morning, Frost used another resident’s phone to delete the history of his various online messaging accounts.

Subsequent analysis of Frost’s smartphone revealed images of child pornography, including images depicting the sexual abuse of prepubescent children.  Frost had received the images on his smartphone after searching for them on the internet.

The investigation further revealed that, between July 31, 2019 and October 1, 2019, Frost engaged in sexual conduct with a 15-year-old victim.  Frost provided a cellphone to the minor victim so that they could communicate, and he enticed the minor victim to send him images of the minor victim engaging in sexually explicit conduct.  Frost also received these images on his smartphone.

Frost was on the Connecticut Sex Offender Registry at the time this criminal conduct.

Frost is scheduled be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny on January 28, 2021, at which time he faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.     

The minimum and maximum penalties in this case are enhanced based on Frost’s criminal history.

Frost has been detained since October 2, 2019.

This matter is being investigated by the Connecticut State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret M. Donovan.

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.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Phillip Coyne, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, announced that LISA M. ALEXANDER, 54, of Cheshire, waived her right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to a charge stemming from her writing prescriptions for controlled substances outside the scope of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Alexander was a licensed Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (“APRN”) and held a DEA controlled substance registration that allowed her to prescribe Schedule II through V controlled substances.  Between approximately April 2017 and February 2020, Alexander wrote illicit prescriptions to distribute and dispense more than 3,600 oxycodone pills, a Schedule II controlled substance, and nearly 3,000 alprazolam pills (which is sold and marketed under the trade name Xanax), a Schedule IV controlled substance, to multiple individuals.  Alexander did not have a legitimate practitioner-patient relationship with these individuals, did not conduct medical examinations with these individuals, and did not confirm conditions that would medically require treatment using these controlled substances.  Alexander also knew that at least some of these individuals were selling the pills instead of taking them.

In addition, Alexander knew that some of the individuals who received prescriptions from Alexander were on Medicare or Medicaid.  Most of the illicit prescriptions that Alexander wrote were paid for by Medicaid or Medicare.

Alexander pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful distribution and dispensing of controlled substances by a practitioner, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  Judge Hall scheduled sentencing for January 22, 2021.

Alexander is released pending sentencing.

This investigation is being conducted by HHS-OIG’s Office of Investigations and the DEA’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad, with the assistance of the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection – Drug Control Division and the Manchester, Meriden and Cheshire Police Departments.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that BRIAN HANNA, also known as “Zo,” 52, of Brooklyn, New York, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 72 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking heroin.

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

On March 13, 2019, a grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment charging Hanna, Jordan, and 27 other individuals with various offenses related to the distribution of heroin, fentanyl, cocaine and crack cocaine.

On March 21, 2019, in association with the arrest of several of Hanna’s codefendants, investigators seized approximately 3,000 bags of heroin, 400 grams of cocaine, 350 grams of fentanyl/heroin mixed, 400 grams of heroin, 10 grams of crack, 20 pounds of marijuana, fentanyl patches, a one-kilogram press, four handguns, approximately $120,000 in cash and four vehicles.

Hanna was arrested in Texas on April 19, 2019.  On November 7, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, 100 grams or more of heroin. 

Hanna, who is released on a $200,000 bond, is required to report to prison on December 16, 2020.

Jordan pleaded guilty to related charges and awaits sentencing.

This investigation has been conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force, Waterbury Police Department and Naugatuck Police Department, with the critical assistance of the U.S. Secret Service, New York Field Office.  The DEA New Haven Task Force includes participants from the U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, and the New Haven, 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 S. Dave Vatti and Nathaniel J. Gentile.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that TIMOTHY CHARLEMAGNE, also known as “Red,” 44, of Windsor, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall to 41 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing heroin and fentanyl to an overdose victim.

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, on April 11, 2015, members of the Enfield Police Department and medical personnel responded to an untimely death at a residence in Enfield.  The victim was located in a bedroom of the residence.  Investigators seized 30 empty wax folds from the bedroom where the victim was found, and the victim’s cell phone.

Analysis of the victim’s cellphone and witness interviews confirmed that the victim purchased heroin combined with fentanyl from Charlemagne shortly before the victim died.

Charlemagne was arrested on December 20, 2017.  On August 30, 2018, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribution, and distribution of, controlled substances.

This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Enfield Police Department, Windsor Police Department, Hartford Police Department and Connecticut’s Office of Adult Probation.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; Christopher Algieri, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Veteran Affairs, Office of the Inspector General, Northeast Field Office; and James M. Noble, Special Agent in Charge, Coast Guard Investigative Service, Northeast Region, announced that DERRICK BREWER, 35, of Enfield, was arrested today on a criminal complaint charging him with offenses related to his submission of altered documents to the Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”).

As alleged in the criminal complaint, in March 2018, Brewer submitted paperwork to the VA offices in Hartford as part of an application for service-connected disability benefits.  Specifically, Brewer submitted a form known as a “DD-214,” which indicated that his discharge from his former service in the U.S. Coast Guard was characterized as “Honorable.”  The DD-214 had been altered prior to its submission, as official Coast Guard records show that Brewer’s discharge was characterized as “Other Than Honorable Conditions” following Brewer’s convictions under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.  There is no record of the discharge characterization ever having been upgraded.  As a result of this submission, Brewer collected approximately $69,584.16 in VA benefits up until September 30, 2020.

The complaint charges Brewer with theft of government funds, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, and making false statements, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.

Brewer appeared today via videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert A. Richardson and was released on a $10,000 bond.

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

This matter is being investigated by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of the Inspector General, Northeast Field Office, and the Coast Guard Investigative Service.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret Maigret Donovan.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JORGE ALBERTO RODRIGUEZ RODRIGUEZ, 33, a citizen of Honduras last residing in Stamford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 18 months of imprisonment for illegally reentering the U.S.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 20, 2010, Rodriguez Rodriguez was arrested in Stamford on a charge of operating under the influence.  He was subsequently arrested in Westport for failure to appear.  Rodriguez Rodriguez was convicted in Stamford Superior Court of operating under the influence and sentenced to four months of incarceration.

On August 30, 2010, Rodriguez Rodriguez was released from state custody and was served with a Notice to Appear by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) based on a charge that he entered the U.S without documentation.  While released on bond and awaiting his immigration hearing, Rodriguez Rodriguez was arrested in Stamford on a charge of operating under the influence.  He was convicted of the offense and sentenced to one year of incarceration, suspended after 150 days.  On June 13, 2011, he was removed from the U.S. following service of his state sentence.

On December 18, 2018, Rodriguez Rodriguez was arrested by Stamford Police on a charge of operating under the influence and evading injury/property damage.  A biometric fingerprint match subsequently confirmed Rodriguez Rodriguez’s unlawful reentry into the U.S.  He has been detained in state custody since July 28, 2019, when he was arrested by Stamford Police on a charge of failure to appear.  He was convicted of these offenses and, on September 26, 2019, was sentenced in state court to three years of incarceration, suspended after one year, and three years of probation.

On February 25, 2020, he pleaded guilty in federal court to unlawful reentry of a removed alien.

This investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Deborah R. Slater.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that JASON WHITEHEAD, 41, of Springfield, Massachusetts, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to a charge related to his defrauding multiple companies through a flexible spending account scheme.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Whitehead worked at PayFlex, a company that administered health care and dependent care spending accounts for corporate employees.  PayFlex was acquired by Aetna Inc. in 2011.  Whitehead worked at the PayFlex division until approximately August 2017, when he transferred to another division at Aetna.  However, he retained his employee access to PayFlex’s computer systems via his login credentials.

From September 2016 through July 2019, Whitehead defrauded multiple corporate victims of monies intended to be paid to the victims’ employees for dependent care reimbursements.  Using access he had to PayFlex’s systems, Whitehead created multiple fictitious employees at three different victim companies.  He then submitted to PayFlex dozens of fraudulent reimbursement claims for dependent care expenses by the fictitious employees.  Through this scheme, PayFlex made $176,200 in payments to Whitehead and to third parties that Whitehead designated.

Whitehead is scheduled to be sentenced on January 19, 2021, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  As part of his plea agreement, Whitehead agreed to pay $176,200 in restitution.

Whitehead is released pending sentencing.

This investigation is being led by a Hartford Police Department detective in his capacity as a member of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Connecticut Cyber Task Force (CCTF).  The FBI’s CCTF is staffed with detectives from the Connecticut State Police’s Cyber Crimes Investigation Unit and the Bristol, Hartford, New Canaan, Orange, Stamford, Torrington, Watertown and UConn Police Departments.  To contact the CCTF, please call the FBI’s New Haven Field Office at 203-777-6311.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DURE DANCY, 25, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 27 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a loaded gun in Hartford.

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, on April 16, 2019, Hartford Police arrested Dancy after they found him in possession of a loaded Sig Sauer .45 caliber pistol that contained seven live .45 caliber rounds of ammunition.  The gun had been reported stolen in North Carolina.

In 2017, Dancy was convicted in state court of carrying a pistol without a permit.  It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

Dancy has been detained since his arrest.  On June 17, 2020, he pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and the Hartford Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Gustafson.

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.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that NATHANIEL RODRIGUEZ, 24, formerly of Enfield, Connecticut and Holyoke, Massachusetts, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 45 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm.

According to court documents and statements made in court, at approximately 2:00 a.m. on January 27, 2019, Hartford Police received reports of a fight outside of the Vanish Bar and Grille Club on Meadow Street in Hartford.  After responding to the scene, a detective saw Rodriguez arguing with several individuals in an SUV, and then produce a handgun.  Hartford Police officers secured Rodriguez and recovered a loaded M&P Bodyguard .380 caliber handgun that he dropped on the ground.

The gun had been reported stolen in Massachusetts in 2017.

Rodriguez’s criminal history includes felony convictions in Massachusetts for firearms, assault, drug, and witness intimidation offenses.

Rodriguez has been detained since March 29, 2019, when he was arrested in Enfield in an unrelated case.  On January 28, 2020, he pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.

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

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.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MANUEL A. GOMEZ, 31, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 37 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 17, 2019, Gomez was involved in a one-car motor vehicle accident in East Hartford.  As East Hartford Police responded to the accident, Gomez ran from the scene.  He was apprehended after a short foot chase.  A subsequent search of Gomez’s vehicle revealed a loaded AM-15 .223 caliber rifle.

In 2008, Gomez was convicted in state court of two counts of assault in the first degree, on which he was sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment, execution suspended after seven years.

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.

Gomez has been detained since his arrest.  On June 16, 2020, he pleaded guilty today to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

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

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.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that EVAN SHEFFIELD, also known as “Smooth,” 34, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 97 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking heroin, fentanyl and crack cocaine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in the summer of 2017, members of the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and Bridgeport Police Department began investigating individuals who were distributing narcotics in and around Bridgeport.  The investigation has included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of narcotics, physical and video surveillance, and the execution of multiple search and seizure warrants.  The investigation revealed that Sheffield, Antonio Small, Louis McDowell, Anthony Small, Michael Munn, Christopher Rodriguez and others were distributing large quantities of heroin, fentanyl and crack cocaine.  The investigation further revealed that the co-conspirators were using Sheffield’s residence on Poplar Street in Bridgeport to store, process and package narcotics for street sale, and that Sheffield and his associates kept a firearm at his residence.

Sheffield was arrested on November 6, 2018.  On January 14, 2020, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, 100 grams or more of heroin and a quantity of cocaine base (“crack”).

Sheffield, who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on January 5, 2021.

Antonio Small, McDowell, Anthony Small, Munn and Rodriguez have pleaded guilty and await sentencing.

This matter is being investigated by the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and the Bridgeport Police Department, as well as the DEA, Connecticut State Police, and the Stratford, Norwalk, Seymour and Trumbull Police Departments.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen L. Peck and Patrick J. Doherty.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ROBERT WINSTON, also known as “Bobbo,” 35, of New London, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to 28 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing heroin.

This matter stems from an investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Connecticut Statewide Narcotics Taskforce East, Connecticut Department of Correction and the New London, Waterford, City of Groton and Stonington Police Departments, into the distribution of narcotics and illegal possession of firearms in southeastern Connecticut.  The investigation included court-authorized wiretaps and controlled purchases and seizures of heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine, and firearms.  The investigation revealed that Winston received heroin from a co-conspirator and distributed the drug to his own customers.

On March 5, 2019, a grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment charging 24 individuals with various offenses.  On August 6, 2019, the grand jury returned a superseding indictment adding Winston and another defendant.  On June 4, 2020, Winston pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute heroin.

Winston has been detained in state custody since August 14, 2019, for an unrelated drug offense.

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.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging JOEL MARTINEZ, JR., 22, of New Haven, with narcotics distribution and firearm possession offenses.

This prosecution is part of a coordinated federal, state and local law enforcement effort to address rising gun violence in New Haven.  Participating in this effort are the New Haven Police Department; the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

As alleged in court documents, on September 17, 2020, during a court-authorized search of a New Haven hotel room being used by Martinez to process and package narcotics, law enforcement seized a loaded Glock model 26, 9mm pistol with an obliterated serial number; a box of 9mm ammunition; approximately 74 grams of crack cocaine including packaging; approximately 150 grams of heroin including packaging; 12 digital scales; three blenders; other items used to process and package narcotics; and $1,825 in cash.  Martinez was arrested on state charges at that time.

Martinez was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on October 14, 2020.  On October 19, the grand jury returned a four-count indictment charging Martinez with one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (“crack cocaine”), which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years; one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; one count of possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five 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.

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

This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Task Force, New Haven Police Department and New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara E. Levens.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Boston, today announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford has returned an indictment charging DEBRAN MOORE, also known as Debran Chanel, 21; SHAMONIQUE MACKEY, 21; DAIJAH FAGAN, 20; TAMIJAH HUNTER, 21; SHARNICE JACKSON, 19; LEONNA JONES, 21; and IMANI AITCHESON, 21, all of Hartford, with conspiracy and fraud offenses related to a scheme to defraud Victoria’s Secret stores in Connecticut and Massachusetts.

The indictment was returned on October 6, 2020, and was unsealed after the defendants were arrested.  Each defendant is released on a $100,000 bond.

As alleged in the indictment, beginning at least as early as February 2019 and continuing through at least October 2019, the co-conspirators devised a scheme through which they stole thousands of dollars from L Brands, the parent company of Victoria’s Secret stores.  As part of the scheme, the co-conspirators shoplifted merchandise from Victoria’s Secret stores in Connecticut and Massachusetts.  They then returned the shoplifted Victoria’s Secret merchandise through a “No Original Receipt” return, which allowed them to obtain gift cards for Victoria’s Secret in the value of the stolen merchandise (the “Return Step”).  The co-conspirators then redeemed the gift cards at Victoria’s Secret stores for merchandise that slightly exceeded the value of the gift card, so that the excess amount was charged to a debit card connected to a co-conspirator (the “Redeem Step”).  They then returned the merchandise purchased in the Redeem Step, with the refund for the entire amount credited to the co-conspirator’s debit card (the “Refund Step”).

It is alleged that the loss to L Brands from this scheme exceeds $100,000.

The indictment charges each defendant with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and one count of wire fraud.  Both charges carry a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

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

This investigation is being conducted by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, with the assistance of the Connecticut State Police, Hartford Police Department and L Brands Loss Prevention.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarala V. Nagala.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that WILLIAN LEONARDO SANCHEZ MATA, 33, a citizen of the Dominican Republic last residing in Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 37 months of imprisonment for illegally possessing a firearm.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force into a drug trafficking organization that was distributing heroin and fentanyl in and around Hartford.  After investigators made controlled purchases of fentanyl from a member of the organization, they obtained a search warrant for an apartment on Crown Street in Hartford.

On October 23, 2019, investigators searched the Crown Street apartment and seized a loaded .380 caliber Smith and Wesson handgun with an obliterated serial number from Sanchez Mata’s bedroom.  Investigators also seized approximately 100 grams of fentanyl, as well as items used to process and package narcotics for street sale, from other locations within the apartment.

The investigation revealed that Sanchez Mata had illegally entered the U.S. twice and was unlawfully residing in the country.

Sanchez Mata has been detained since his arrest on October 23, 2019.  On June 3, 2020, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by an alien who is illegally in the U.S.

Sanchez Mata faces immigration proceedings when he completes his prison term.

The Drug Enforcement Administration’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 Geoffrey M. Stone.

John H. Durham, 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 ZOHEB A. DEURA, 34, of Stratford, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to embezzlement of mail by a U.S. Postal Service employee.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between February and April 2020, while he was employed as a supervisor at the U.S. Post Office in Middletown, Deura stole numerous packages, including packages containing an Apple computer, PlayStation and Nintendo gaming devices, an iPhone, footwear, and clothing items.

Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for January 13, 2021, at which time Deura faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.

Deura is released pending sentencing.  He has resigned from the U.S. Postal Service.

This investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, and the case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert S. Ruff.

U.S. Attorney Durham 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.

John H. Durham, 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, on October 5, 2020, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging WILLIAM MEIER, 38, of Norwich, with one count of use of the internet to attempt to persuade a minor to engage in sexual activity, and one count of attempted transfer of obscene materials to a minor.

The indictment alleges that, on August 5, 2020, Meier transferred an obscene image to a person that he believed was under the age of 16, and that he used a cellphone and an internet-based messaging application in an attempt to solicit illicit sex with a minor.

Meier appeared today via videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert A. Richardson and pleaded not guilty to the charges.  He has been detained since his arrest by the New London Police Department on related state charges on August 6, 2020.

If convicted of the charges, Meier faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

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

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

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

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LEON C. VACCARELLI, 43, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 90 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for operating an investment scheme that defrauded individuals of approximately $1.5 million.

According to court documents and the evidence presented during his trial last year, Vaccarelli was a registered representative of The Investment Center (“TIC”), a brokerage company, and was an investment adviser associated with IC Advisory Services, Inc. (“IC Advisory”).  He also was the owner and only member of LWLVACC, LLC, and conducted business through an entity named Lux Financial Services (“Lux Financial”).  Using these various entities, Vaccarelli operated a financial advisory and brokerage service through which he offered investment advice and sold investments and securities to individuals and families in the Waterbury area.

Between approximately 2011 and 2017, Vaccarelli defrauded approximately 15 victim investors of approximately $1.5 million by falsely representing that he would invest his clients’ money in IRA rollover accounts, money market accounts, certificates of deposit (“CDs”), or other types of interest-earning investments.  However, instead of investing customers’ funds as he had represented, Vaccarelli deposited customer funds into his own personal account and business bank accounts, commingled those funds with his own money, and used the funds to pay both business and personal expenses, including tuition and mortgage payments.  In some instances, he also used customer funds to make bogus “interest payments” to other victim-investors.

Vaccarelli’s victims include an elderly woman who Vaccarelli coerced into transferring approximately $300,000 in funds from a safe investment portfolio into a bank account that Vaccarelli controlled.  Vaccarelli subsequently spent the money on personal expenses and to pay off another investor who threatened to sue him.  Vaccarelli also stole nearly $500,000 from a trust, which was established in 1991 to care for a woman with diminished capacity.  Other victims include a retired schoolteacher, a retired construction worker, and medical professionals.

Vaccarelli is required to pay full restitution, and Judge Arterton will issue a restitution order after additional court proceedings.

On May 2, 2018, a grand jury returned an indictment charging Vaccarelli with three counts of mail fraud, six counts of wire fraud and three counts of money laundering.  On March 5, 2019, a superseding indictment against Vaccarelli added three counts of wire fraud and six counts of securities fraud.

On May 29, 2019, a jury found Vaccarelli guilty of all counts of the superseding indictment.

Vaccarelli, who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on January 5, 2021.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Postal Inspection Service.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael S. McGarry and Jennifer R. Laraia.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that VINSON SINGLETON, JR., 26, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny to 30 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for committing several armed robberies in March 2016.

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

According court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an investigation into a series of armed and attempted armed robberies of commercial establishments in Ansonia, North Haven and New Haven in March 2016.  The investigation revealed that, in the evening of March 22, 2016, an individual entered the Shell gas station at 696 Main Street in Ansonia, attempted to rob the store and stabbed a store employee in his back.  After the victim was stabbed, the victim saw a metal blade on the ground and the assailant holding a black handle in his hand.  The assailant then ran from the store.  The victim suffered a small puncture wound in his lower back.

Investigators collected the knife handle and a hat and sweatshirt that the assailant discarded as he ran from the store.  DNA collected from these items matched DNA that was collected from Singleton after investigators had identified Singleton as a suspect.

The investigation revealed that Singleton also robbed or attempted to rob a Dunkin Donuts in New Haven on March 8, 2016; a Valero in North Haven on March 9, 2016; a Papa John’s in New Haven on March 17, 2016; a Shell in New Haven on March 17, 2016, and a 7-11 in New Haven on March 21, 2016.

On November 7, 2019, Singleton pleaded guilty to one count of attempted Hobbs Act robbery.  At the time of his guilty plea, Singleton was serving a state sentence for possessing a sawed-off shotgun and an attempted robbery in late 2016.

Singleton has been detained in federal custody since January 24, 2020.

This matter was investigated by the FBI’s Connecticut Violent Crime Task Force and the Ansonia, New Haven and North Haven Police Departments.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony E. Kaplan and Maria del Pilar Gonzalez.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MICHAEL BOBOWSKI, 45, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 32 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervise release, for distributing d-methamphetamine hydrochloride, also known as “meth,” “ice” and other street names.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in August and September 2018, investigators conducted two controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Bobowski at his former residence in Hartford.  The investigation revealed that, between May and October 2018, Bobowski conspired to distribute between 100 and 150 grams of d-methamphetamine hydrochloride.

Bobowski was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on October 4, 2018.  A search of his residence on the date of his arrest revealed approximately 106 grams of ice and more than $3,000 in cash.

On December 20, 2018, Bobowski pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 50 grams or more of d-methamphetamine hydrochloride.

Bobowski, who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on December 16, 2020.

This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Task Force, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, and Middletown Police Department, with the assistance of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer R. Laraia. 

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford has returned a three-count indictment charging WILLIE JACKSON, 25, of New Haven, with firearm possession and narcotics distribution offenses.

The indictment was returned on September 29, 2020.  Jackson appeared today via videoconference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert A. Richardson and entered a plea of not guilty to the charges.  Jackson has been detained since his arrest on related state charges on March 27, 2020.

This prosecution is part of a coordinated federal, state and local law enforcement effort to address rising gun violence in New Haven.  Participating in this effort are the New Haven Police Department; the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The indictment alleges that, on February 26, 2020, Jackson possessed and distributed a quantity of crack cocaine and, on March 27, 2020, possessed a loaded Ruger SR40 .40 caliber handgun and a quantity of heroin that he intended to distribute.

It is alleged that Jackson’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for assault, robbery 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.

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

If convicted, Jackson faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years on the firearm charge, and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years of each of the controlled substances charges.

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

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Haven Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan Keefe.

U.S. Attorney Durham 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.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Phillip Coyne, Special Agent in Charge for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, and David Sundberg, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that CORTNEY DUNLAP, 36, of Avon, was arrested yesterday on a federal criminal complaint charging him with health care fraud and making false statements relating to health care matters.

As alleged in court documents and statements in court, Dunlap, a licensed professional counselor, engaged in a scheme to defraud the Connecticut Medicaid program by submitting fraudulent claims for psychotherapy sessions that were never provided.  Specifically, Dunlap billed Medicaid for having provided more than 24 hours of psychotherapy services on 67 different dates between January 1 and April 4, 2020.  He also billed Medicaid for having provided 60-minute psychotherapy sessions to each of 44 patients every day from February 13 to March 19, 2020.  In addition, he billed Medicaid for providing psychotherapy services while he was on a cruise to the Bahamas in July 2019.

It is also alleged that Dunlap billed Medicaid for fraudulent psychotherapy services for employees of Inspirational Care, Inc., a company Dunlap owns that has provided in-home and community-based services to individuals with disabilities.  Through Inspirational Care and a subsidiary, KEYS Program, Inc., Dunlap has operated group homes in five locations in Connecticut, including residences for women and children who may be victims of domestic abuse or violence.  Dunlap required residents of the group homes to provide copies of Medicaid identification cards for themselves and their children when they signed housing agreements.  He then fraudulently billed Medicaid for psychotherapy services that were never provided to residents of two group homes in Hartford, and their children. 

It is further alleged that, in February 2020, Dunlap was employed as a guidance counselor at New Haven Adult and Continuing Education, a program administered by New Haven Public Schools.  Dunlap accessed a computer database to obtain students’ dates of birth and Social Security numbers, then used that information to identify students who were insured by Medicaid.  He then billed Medicaid for psychotherapy services that were never provided to those students.

The complaint alleges that the Connecticut Medicaid program suspended Dunlap as a Medicaid provider on approximately April 28, 2020, and, on May 7, 2020, federal law enforcement agents executed a court-authorized search of Dunlap’s offices located on Brainard Road in Hartford.  Dunlap subsequently hired a licensed clinical social worker and used that person’s Medicaid provider number to bill for psychotherapy services that were not provided.

Dunlap appeared yesterday via video conference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert A. Richardson and was released on a $100,000 bond.

U.S. Attorney Durham stressed that a complaint is only a charge and 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 Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the Office of the Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Office of the Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Education, the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Connecticut Chief State’s Attorney’s Office, the Connecticut Attorney General’s Office and the Connecticut Department of Social Services.

U.S. Attorney Durham thanked the U.S. Marshals Service and Avon Police Department for their assistance in arresting Dunlap.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Sheldon with the assistance of Auditor Susan N. Spiegel.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that NORMAN KLOSEK, also known as Rich Klosek, 36, of Enfield, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 46 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally purchasing and selling numerous firearms.

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

Intercepted communications also revealed Reyes was acquiring and trafficking firearms, and that Klosek, who had a valid state pistol permit, was acting as a “straw purchaser” of firearms for Reyes.  Klosek was addicted to heroin/fentanyl, and he purchased and transferred the firearms to support his drug addiction.

On April 22, 2019, Reyes picked up Klosek in Enfield and drove to the Newington Gun Exchange, a licensed gun dealer in Newington, where Klosek purchased two handguns.  During the purchase, Klosek completed and signed an ATF Form 4473 form in which he falsely represented that he was the actual purchaser of the firearms and was not acquiring the firearms for another person.  He also represented that he was not an unlawful user, or addicted to, any controlled substances.  Klosek provided the guns to Reyes after the purchase.  Later that day, investigators conducted a traffic stop of Reyes’ vehicle and recovered the two firearms.

Reyes and several co-defendants were arrested on federal criminal complaints on June 17, 2019.  On that date, investigators seized two additional guns that had been purchased by Klosek.

The investigation revealed that Klosek first purchased and registered a firearm with the State of Connecticut on November 6, 2018.  Since that date, Klosek purchased a total of 47 handguns.  Twenty-five of the guns were purchased in a six-week period between March 8 and April 22, 2019.

On April 24, 2019, a search of Klosek’s residence revealed empty gun boxes and receipts for firearm purchases, but no firearms.  Klosek was arrested the following day in Hartford.  He possessed fentanyl/heroin at the time of his arrest.

To date, approximately 10 of the 47 handguns purchased by Klosek have been recovered by law enforcement.  One gun was recovered after it was used in a shooting in Hartford on August 22, 2019.  In September 2020, handguns purchased by Klosek were recovered as part of criminal investigations in Brimfield, Massachusetts, and Riverside, California.

On March 2, 2020, Klosek pleaded guilty to one count of dealing firearms without a license and one count of making a false statement during the acquisition of a firearm.

Klosek, who is released on a $50,000 bond, is required to report to prison on November 17, 2020.

On June 27, 2019, a grand jury Hartford returned a 32-count indictment charging Reyes and 14 other members and associates of Los Solidos with various narcotics trafficking and firearm possession offenses.  Reyes has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.

The FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang 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 the New Britain Police Department have provided valuable assistance to the investigation.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Leaming.

Yesterday, the Justice Department announced that more than 14,200 defendants were charged with federal firearms-related offenses during Fiscal Year (FY) 2020.  “The number one priority of government is to keep its citizens safe,” said Attorney General Barr.  “By preventing firearms from falling into the hands of individuals who are prohibited from having them, we can stop violent crime before it happens.  Violating federal firearms laws is a serious crime and offenders face serious consequences.  The Justice Department is committed to investigating and prosecuting individuals who illegally buy, sell, use, or possess firearms.”

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JORDAN FLYTHE, also known as “T,” 28, of New Britain, pleaded guilty today to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, fentanyl and cocaine base (“crack”).

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

According to court documents and statements made in court, 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.    

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

Flythe has been detained since his federal arrest on February 26, 2020.

Flythe is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant on January 20, 2021, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

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

WILFRED J. ALBANESE, 50, formerly of Waterbury, Connecticut and Blue Springs, Missouri, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 42 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for fraud and identity theft offenses stemming from the sale of numerous used vehicles with altered odometers.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between approximately August 2014 and October 2015, Albanese, while residing in Missouri, sold approximately 43 vehicles with altered odometers to unsuspecting purchasers.  As part of the scheme, Albanese purchased high-mileage used vehicles and then used a variety of means to alter or reduce the mileage shown on the vehicles’ odometers.  He also concealed mechanical issues with those vehicles by removing “check engine” lights from the instrument panels, providing buyers with phony maintenance receipts and vehicle history reports, and concealing rust and other damage to the vehicle through paint or other means.  Albanese obtained Certificates of Title for the used vehicles he purchased.  Under the assumed identities of the persons listed on those Certificates of Title, he advertised and sold the vehicles to customers on Craigslist.org.  Most of the victim purchasers resided in Missouri.

Judge Shea ordered Albanese to pay $51,600 in restitution.

On May 22, 2019, a grand jury in the Western District of Missouri returned a 20-count indictment charging Albanese and his accomplice with offenses related to this scheme.  Albanese was located and arrested in New London, Connecticut, on July 18, 2019.  The case was subsequently transferred from the Western District of Missouri to the District of Connecticut for further prosecution.

Albanese has been detained since his arrest.  On July 15, 2020, he pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.

Albanese’s criminal history includes 12 convictions for fraud, larceny, burglary and other offenses.

This matter has been investigated by the U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Office of Odometer Fraud Investigation, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol, with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Natasha Freismuth of the District of Connecticut, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Casey of the Western District of Missouri.

NHTSA estimates that odometer fraud in the U.S. results in consumer losses of more than $1 billion annually.  Individuals with information relating to odometer tampering should call NHTSA’s odometer fraud hotline at (888) 327-4236 or (202) 366-4761.  More information on odometer fraud is available on the NHTSA website at https://www.nhtsa.gov/odometer-fraud.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that GERARD SENIOR, 21, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny to 30 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing cocaine, crack and heroin.

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

Numerous conversations and text messages intercepted during the investigation revealed that Senior was distributed cocaine, crack and heroin.

On July 9, 2019, a grand jury in New Haven returned a 15-count indictment charging Senior and 24 other individuals with federal narcotics offenses related to the distribution of crack cocaine, cocaine and heroin.  Two defendants were added in a superseding indictment that was returned on November 25, 2019.

Senior has been detained since his arrest on July 10, 2019.  On November 22, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, cocaine base (“crack”) heroin,

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

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony E. Kaplan, Peter D. Markle, Elena L. Coronado and Tara E. Levens.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that HENLY FELIZ SANTIAGO, 43, a citizen of the Dominican Republic last residing in Torrington, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to 48 months of imprisonment for trafficking heroin and cocaine

According to court documents and statements made in court, in January 2018, law enforcement in Indiana seized approximately three kilograms of heroin that was being transported to Santiago, and investigators subsequently learned that Santiago was involved in the cross-country transportation of heroin and cocaine to Connecticut.  On January 20, 2018, an Orange County (N.Y) Sheriff conducted a motor vehicle stop of a tractor-trailer at a toll barrier on Interstate 87 in Newburgh, New York.  Saul Onzures of El Paso, Texas, was driving the truck and Francisco Castillo, also of El Paso, was a passenger in the truck.  A search of the truck revealed 10 kilograms of cocaine that was destined for Santiago in Torrington.

Santiago has been detained since his arrest on November 8, 2018.  On January 15, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribution of, one kilogram or more of heroin.

Santiago faces immigration proceedings at the conclusion of his prison term.

Onzures and Castillo pleaded guilty to related charges and were sentenced to prison terms of 27 months and 25 months, respectively.

This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MARK FELNER, 31, of Clinton, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for engaging in sexual activity with an underage victim in 2015 and 2016, and receiving pornographic images from the minor victim.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on multiple occasions in 2015, Felner, who was 26 at the time, traveled from Connecticut to North Carolina to engage in illegal sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl.  In 2015 and 2016, when Felner and the minor victim were not physically together, the victim, at Felner’s instruction, sent pornographic images of herself through social media messaging services.

Felner was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on October 8, 2019.  A memory card seized from Felner at the time of his arrest revealed pornographic images that he had received from the minor victim.

On July 15, 2020, Felner pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography.

Felner, who is released on a $50,000 bond, is scheduled to report to prison on January 7, 2021.

Felner will be required to register as a sex offender as a result of his conviction.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New London and East Lyme Police Departments.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Margaret Donovan and Neeraj 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.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DANIEL FRANCOIS, also known as “Bear,” 30, of Norwich, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 65 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing firearms.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 20, 2019, Francois was arrested after he provided quantities of crack cocaine and marijuana to an undercover ATF special agent in exchange for two Davis model P-380 .380 caliber pistols.  A subsequent search of Francois’ person and vehicle also revealed approximately 20 grams of heroin.

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

Francois has been detained since his arrest.  On December 2, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Ledyard and Norwich Police Departments, with the assistance of Connecticut State Parole.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret M. Donovan.

This prosecution has been brought though 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.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ARNO SMITH, 57, of Hartford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to a federal robbery offense connected to a carjacking in 2018.

According to court documents and statements made in court, at approximately 11:00 p.m. on July 26, 2018, Smith approached a woman who was sitting in her 2006 Honda in a Hartford parking lot and pressed what the woman believed to be a gun against her neck.  Smith then grabbed the victim’s purse and the victim got out of the car.  Smith pointed the weapon at the victim, told her to walk away, and then drove away in the car.

After the robbery, Smith attempted to use the victim’s credit card at two locations in Bristol.

The investigation also revealed that Smith robbed the Price Chopper supermarket located at 121 Farmington Avenue in Bristol on July 27; the Price Chopper supermarket located at 410 Queen Street in Southington on September 4; the U-Haul Moving and Storage located at 755 Capitol Avenue in Hartford on September 5; the Home Depot located at 55 Granby Street in Bloomfield on September 15; the Lowe’s Home Improvement located at 31 Buckland Hills Drive in South Windsor on September 16; the Days Inn located at 185 Ella Grasso Turnpike in Windsor Locks on September 18, 2018, and the U-Haul Moving and Storage located at 3197 Main Street in Hartford on September 19.

Smith was arrested on state charges on September 20, 2018.  He was sitting in the victim’s car at the time of his arrest.

Smith pleaded guilty to one count of Hobbs Act robbery, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  A sentencing date is not scheduled.

Smith has been detained since his arrest.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Violent Crimes Task Force and the Hartford, Bristol, Southington, Bloomfield, South Windsor, Windsor Locks, Farmington and West Hartford Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Gustafson.

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.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, David Sundberg, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and New Canaan Police Chief Leon Krolikowski announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment today charging BRIAN GRINNELL, 35, of Lakewood, Ohio, with distribution of child pornography.

As alleged in court documents, 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 using the account name “alexisswimmer99” 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 alexisswimmer99, she unfriended and blocked the alexisswimmer99 account.

It is further alleged that Grinnell, under the username “alexisswimmer9,” 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?”

It is alleged that Grinnell then proceeded to post another video of the minor victim on TikTok.

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

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

U.S. Attorney Durham 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 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.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that LAQUASIA SAMMS, also known as “Quasia,” 26, of New Haven, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to making false statements before a federal grand jury in connection with an investigation into the kidnapping and murder of two individuals, and the related murder of a third individual, in November 2015.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 16, 2015, Samms was present when an illegal firearm transaction was occurring in her apartment on Shelton Avenue in New Haven.  Damian Connor and Tamar Lawrence were also present in the apartment.  When an individual left the apartment with firearms that he had not paid for, the individual whose firearms were taken held Connor and Lawrence against their will.  Connor and Lawrence were robbed of money and valuables, and then forced to travel in Connor’s car to Hamden where Connor said he could get more money.  They were followed in another vehicle by Devante Williams and another individual.  After the vehicles arrived at 676 Mix Avenue in Hamden, Connor and Lawrence were shot and killed.  Williams was shot and killed a short time later in the area of Sherman Court in New Haven.

During the kidnapping, and after the three victims were murdered, Samms sent several text messages to another individual about what was happening and her reaction to the events.

On March 19, 2019, Samms appeared before a grand jury in New Haven.  During her testimony, Samms repeatedly claimed that she did not remember sending any text messages related to the gun transaction, the kidnapping, or the murder of the three individuals.

In pleading guilty, Samms admitted that she sent the text messages, and that she withheld other information that was sought by the federal grand jury.

Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for December 28, 2020, at which time Samms faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.

On December 9, 2019, the grand jury returned an indictment charging Edward Michael Parks, also known as “Lee” and “Trouble,” 34, of Raleigh, North Carolina, with kidnapping and murdering the two individuals in Hamden, and killing the third victim in New Haven to stop him from advising law enforcement what had occurred.  Parks is awaiting trial, and U.S. Attorney Durham stressed that an indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Hamden Police Department and New Haven Police Department.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony E. Kaplan, Peter D. Markle and Jocelyn C. Kaoutzanis, and Assistant State’s Attorney Seth Garbarsky, who has been cross-designated as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in this matter.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DIAVION HUTCHINGS, also known as “Avi,” 19, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to two years of probation for obstructing justice.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in February 2019, the New Haven Police Department conducted a video-recorded interview with an individual who had just been arrested.  During the interview, the individual provided information that led to the state arrest of Hutchings’ significant other (“L.W.”).  A copy of the interview video was provided to L.W.’s lawyer.

In April 2019, a federal grand jury returned an indictment against the individual whose interview was video recorded.

On April 24, 2019, Hutchings viewed the interview video at the office of L.W.’s lawyer, and recorded at least 15 separate portions of the interview using her iPhone.  Hutchings transmitted portions of the recordings that she made of the interview video to others via text message and through the use of Facebook Live.  In those transmissions, Hutchings communicated threats of harm toward the individual who provided information about L.W.

Hutchings was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on June 3, 2019.  On June 29, 2020, she pleaded guilty to one count of obstruction of justice.

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maria del Pilar Gonzalez and Sarah P. Karwan.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that ABBAS MOHAMMADI, DDS, and his businesses, COLUMBIA DENTAL, P.C. and COLUMBIA ORAL MAXILLOFACIAL IMAGING, L.L.C., have entered into a civil settlement agreement with the federal and state governments and paid $300,000 to resolve allegations that they violated the federal and state False Claims Acts.

Mohammadi, a dentist and oral surgeon, is the owner of Columbia Dental, P.C. (“CDPC”), which operates 15 dental clinics throughout Connecticut, and Columbia Oral Maxillofacial Imaging Imaging, L.L.C. (“COMILLC”), a dental imaging facility in Manchester.  Mohammadi and both corporations are enrolled as providers in the Connecticut Medical Assistance Program (“CMAP”), which includes the state’s Medicaid program.  It is alleged that, from January 2012 through February 2016, Mohammadi, CDPC and COMILLC billed Medicaid for dental restoration services that were not provided or were not medically necessary.  It is also alleged that, from January 2014 through November 2015, Mohammadi, CDPC and COMILLC billed Medicaid for x-ray services that were not provided by individuals who had been certified by the Dental Assisting National Board to take x-rays.

To resolve the allegations under the federal and state False Claims Acts, Mohammadi, CDPC and COMILLC paid $300,000 in order to reimburse the Medicaid program. 

A complaint against Mohammadi, CDPC and COMILLC was filed in the U.S. District Court in Connecticut (U.S. ex rel. Mahoney v. Columbia Dental, P.C.. et al., No. 3:15-CV-918) under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provisions of the both the federal and state False Claims Acts, which allow private parties to bring suit on behalf of the government.  The whistleblower provisions of both the federal and state False Claims Acts provide that the whistleblower is entitled to receive a percentage of the proceeds of any judgment or settlement recovered by the government.  The relator (whistleblower), Ms. Brittany Ames Mahoney, a former employee at CDPC, will receive a share of the proceeds of the settlement in the amount of $45,000.  The Court issued judgment in favor of the U.S. and the State of Connecticut against Mohammadi, CDPC and COMILLC in the amount of $300,000 pursuant to the terms of the settlement agreement.

This investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne F. Thidemann, and by Assistant Attorney General Joshua L. Jackson of the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General.

This matter is announced in coordination with a Department of Justice nationwide enforcement action involving more than 300 defendants in criminal and civil cases across 51 federal districts.  The defendants, including more than 100 doctors, nurses and other licensed medical professionals, are alleged to have submitted more than $6 billion in false and fraudulent claims to federal health care programs and private insurers.

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.

John H. Durham, 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, on September 15, 2020, a federal grand jury in Hartford returned a six-count indictment charging the following individuals with offenses related to their involvement in an extensive commercial burglary spree:

PAIGE JAMES, also known as “Ishaya James,” 27, of Hartford
JAHLIIL PARROTT, also known as “Stretch,” 23, of Windsor
ANDRES BARCLETT, also known as “Coolie,” 26, of Hartford
AYSIA RYAN, 21, of Windsor
WILLIAM TISDOL, 20, of Hartford
JORDAN BRAITHWAITE, 23, of New Britain
JEZENIA MILLER, 21, of Hartford
TASHANIQUE BLIZZARD, 25, of Hartford

The indictment stems from “Operation American Steal,” a long-term multi-agency investigation into numerous “grab and go” thefts from various retail fashion stores in Connecticut and nearby states.  A “grab-and-go” scheme is a type of theft where one or more perpetrators enter a retail store, grab as many items of clothing or other goods as they can carry, leave the store without paying for the merchandise, and depart in a waiting getaway vehicle.

The indictment alleges that the eight defendants were part of a network of individuals who burglarized Polo Ralph Lauren, T.J. Maxx, Balenciaga, Burberry, Macy’s, Marshalls, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Tommy Hilfiger and other stores in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York.  They then transported the stolen merchandise to Connecticut and sold the items on the internet or the street.

The indictment charges each of the defendants with one count of conspiracy to transport and possess stolen property, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.  In addition, James, Parrott, Barclett, Braithwaite and Blizzard are each charged with one or more counts of interstate transportation of stolen property, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years on each count.

Blizzard, Braithwaite, Miller and Tisdol have been arrested, and James, Parrott, Barclett, and Ryan are being sought by law enforcement.

Citizens with knowledge of the whereabouts of James, Parrott, Barclett and Ryan, or with information that may be helpful the investigation of this matter, are encouraged to call the FBI at 203-996-4132 or 860-993-5499. 

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

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that HECTOR B. CHUKWUEMEKA OKWUOSA, LADC, and his business, MY FATHER MY SON REHABILITATION AND COUNSELING CENTER LLC, have entered into a civil settlement agreement with the federal and state governments and paid $230,000 to resolve allegations that they violated the federal and state False Claims Acts.

Okwuosa is a state Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor and the owner of My Father My Son, a now dissolved private behavioral health practice that provided in-home mental health and substance abuse counseling in the greater New Haven, Hartford and Bridgeport communities.  Okwuosa is enrolled as a Licensed Behavioral Health Clinician in Independent Practice in the Connecticut Medical Assistance Program (“CMAP”), which includes the state’s Medicaid program.  It is alleged that, on numerous occasions, Okwuosa and My Father My Son billed Medicaid for behavioral health services as if a licensed individual had provided the services when in fact an unlicensed individual rendered the services.

To resolve the allegations under the federal and state False Claims Acts, Okwuosa and My Father My Son paid $230,000 in order to reimburse the Medicaid program for conduct occurring from March 1, 2017 to May 5, 2018.

Under the False Claims Act, the government can recover up to three times its actual damages, plus penalties of $11,665 to $23,331 for each false claim.

This case stems from a larger investigation into fraudulent activity in the area of behavioral health services, which has been jointly conducted by the Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Chief State’s Attorney’s Office and the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General, with support from the Connecticut Department of Social Services.

This case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne Thidemann, and Assistant Attorney General Joshua L. Jackson of the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General.

This matter is announced in coordination with a Department of Justice nationwide enforcement action involving more than 300 defendants in criminal and civil cases across 51 federal districts.  The defendants, including more than 100 doctors, nurses and other licensed medical professionals, are alleged to have submitted more than $6 billion in false and fraudulent claims to federal health care programs and private insurers.

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.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that YASIL SANTOS, also known as “Lilo,” 25, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for distributing fentanyl and crack cocaine.

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 two members of the Latin Kings operated separate drug trafficking organizations that distributed fentanyl, heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine.  The organizations used multiple locations to process, package, store and distribute narcotics, and possessed firearms in furtherance of their drug trafficking activities.

Nelson Ferry led one of the drug trafficking organizations.  Ferry, with the assistance of Santos and others, processed and packaged heroin/fentanyl at his East Hartford residence, and he operated a “trap house” at 149 Wethersfield Avenue in Hartford as a distribution point for drug customers.  Santos worked with Ferry to distribute heroin/fentanyl and crack cocaine from the Wethersfield Avenue trap house.

Santos has been detained since his arrest on July 24, 2018.  On September 24, 2019, 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”).

Santos’ criminal history includes two state convictions for firearm offenses.

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

This matter is being 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.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that HECTOR LUNA, 32, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 30 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for his role in a cocaine trafficking ring.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service into a drug trafficking organization that was receiving shipments of cocaine from Puerto Rico and California, and distributing the drug in and around Hartford.  The investigation revealed that a U.S. Postal Service letter carrier was facilitating the shipment of parcels containing kilograms of cocaine through the USPS to addresses that were on his delivery route in Hartford.  The letter carrier distributed cocaine to his own drug customers, and also delivered parcels to other large-scale cocaine traffickers in the Hartford area.  Luna received parcels of cocaine from the letter carrier and delivered them to other co-conspirators.

Luna was arrested on May 21, 2019.  On June 4, 2019, a grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment charging Luna and 18 co-defendants with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and related offenses.  On November 17, 2020, Luna pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.

Luna, who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on November 11, 2020.

The Drug Enforcement Administration’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 Geoffrey M. Stone.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that HAROLD GORDON, 71, of Templeton, Massachusetts, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to five years of probation for defrauding a Connecticut art dealer.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in approximately October 2012, Gordon began communicating by phone and email with a respected art dealer and appraiser (the “victim”) in Connecticut, to induce the victim to purchase a tall antique desk, commonly known as a “secretary desk.”  In these communications, Gordon falsely represented to the victim that the desk was decorated and dedicated as a Civil War memorial for a Connecticut soldier who died at the Battle of Antietam while fighting for the Union Army.  These misrepresentations included Gordon’s claims that the surviving soldiers in the fallen soldier’s Connecticut regiment had crafted the desk to serve as a war memorial for the deceased soldier’s family; that other than cleaning the vintage clock, Gordon had done nothing else to refurbish or decorate the desk; and that Gordon had purchased the desk from a descendant of the deceased Connecticut soldier.

In early March 2014, the victim examined the secretary desk at Gordon’s Massachusetts residence, and then took several subsequent steps to confirm the desk’s authenticity, such as taking a portion of the desk apart.  The victim then purchased the desk from Gordon for $64,500.  At Gordon’s request, the victim provided the payment in three separate checks.

In February 2015, the victim sold the desk to the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art in Hartford.  After completing this transaction, the victim sent Gordon an additional payment of $25,000 because the victim had made a significant profit from the sale.

In February 2018, various third parties made inquiries to the victim about the authenticity of the secretary desk.  The victim contacted Gordon, who admitted that he had refurbished and decorated the desk himself, created the false narrative about the desk’s history, and targeted the victim to purchase it due to the victim’s respected stature in the American folk art community.  The victim then made full restitution to the Wadsworth Atheneum.

Judge Meyer ordered Gordon to pay restitution of $84,500 to the victim.

On January 29, 2019, Gordon pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Chen.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPMorgan), a New York, New York-based global banking and financial services firm, has entered into a resolution with the Department of Justice to resolve criminal charges related to two distinct schemes to defraud: the first involving tens of thousands of episodes of unlawful trading in the markets for precious metals futures contracts, and the second involving thousands of episodes of unlawful trading in the markets for U.S. Treasury futures contracts and in the secondary (cash) market for U.S. Treasury notes and bonds.

JPMorgan entered into a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) in connection with a criminal information filed today in the District of Connecticut charging the company with two counts of wire fraud.  Under the terms of the DPA, JPMorgan will pay over $920 million in a criminal monetary penalty, criminal disgorgement, and victim compensation, with the criminal monetary penalty credited against payments made to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) under a separate agreement with the CFTC being announced today and with part of the criminal disgorgement credited against payments made to the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) under a separate agreement with the SEC being announced today.

“For over eight years, traders on JP Morgan’s precious metals and U.S. Treasuries desks engaged in separate schemes to defraud other market participants that involved thousands of instances of unlawful trading meant to enhance profits and avoid losses,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian C. Rabbitt of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.  “Today’s resolution — which includes a significant criminal monetary penalty, compensation for victims, and requires JP Morgan to disgorge its unlawful gains — reflects the nature and seriousness of the bank’s offenses and represents a milestone in the department’s ongoing efforts to ensure the integrity of public markets critical to our financial system.”    

“JPMorgan engaged in two separate years-long market manipulation schemes,” said U.S. Attorney John H. Durham of the District of Connecticut.  “Not only will the company pay a substantial financial penalty and return money to victims, but this agreement requires JPMorgan to self-report violations of the federal anti-fraud laws and cooperate in any future criminal investigations.  I thank the FBI for its dedication in investigating these deceptive trading practices and other sophisticated financial crimes.”

“For nearly a decade, a significant number of JP Morgan traders and sales personnel openly disregarded U.S. laws that serve to protect against illegal activity in the marketplace,” said Assistant Director in Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. of the FBI’s New York Field Office.  “Today's deferred prosecution agreement, in which JP Morgan Chase and Co. agreed to pay nearly one billion dollars in penalties and victim compensation, is a stark reminder to others that allegations of this nature will be aggressively investigated and pursued.”

According to admissions and court documents, between approximately March 2008 and August 2016, numerous traders and sales personnel on JPMorgan’s precious metals desk located in New York, London, and Singapore engaged in a scheme to defraud in connection with the purchase and sale of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium futures contracts (collectively, precious metals futures contracts) that traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange Inc. and Commodity Exchange Inc., which are commodities exchanges operated by the CME Group Inc.  In tens of thousands of instances, traders on the precious metals desk placed orders to buy and sell precious metals futures contracts with the intent to cancel those orders before execution, including in an attempt to profit by deceiving other market participants through injecting false and misleading information concerning the existence of genuine supply and demand for precious metals futures contracts.  In addition, on certain occasions, traders on the precious metals desk engaged in trading activity that was intended to deliberately trigger or defend barrier options held by JPMorgan and thereby avoid losses.

One of the traders on the precious metals desk, John Edmonds, 38, of Brooklyn, New York, pleaded guilty on Oct. 9, 2018, to one count of commodities fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, commodities fraud, commodities price manipulation, and spoofing, and his sentencing, at this time, has not been scheduled before U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny of the District of Connecticut.  Another one of the traders on the precious metals desk, Christian Trunz, 35, of New York, New York, pleaded guilty on Aug. 20, 2019, to one count of conspiracy to engage in spoofing and one count of spoofing in connection with his precious metals futures contracts trading at JPMorgan and another financial services firm, and his sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 28, 2021, before U.S. District Judge Sterling Johnson of the Eastern District of New York. 

Finally, as part of the investigation, the department obtained a superseding indictment on Nov. 15, 2019 against three former JPMorgan traders, Gregg Smith, Michael Nowak, and Christopher Jordan, and one former salesperson, Jeffrey Ruffo, in the Northern District of Illinois that charged them for their alleged participation in a racketeering conspiracy and other federal crimes in connection with the manipulation of the precious metals futures contracts markets.  An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Also according to admissions and court documents, between approximately April 2008 and January 2016, traders on JPMorgan’s U.S. Treasuries desk located in New York and London engaged in a scheme to defraud in connection with the purchase and sale of U.S. Treasury futures contracts that traded on the Chicago Board of Trade, which is a commodities exchange operated by the CME Group Inc., and of U.S. Treasury notes and bonds traded in the secondary cash market (the U.S. Treasury futures, notes, and bonds, collectively, U.S. Treasury Products).  In thousands of instances, traders on the U.S. Treasuries desk placed orders to buy and sell U.S. Treasury Products with the intent to cancel those orders before execution, including in an attempt to profit by deceiving other market participants through injecting false and misleading information concerning the existence of genuine supply and demand for U.S. Treasury Products.

As part of the DPA, JPMorgan, and its subsidiaries JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (JPMC) and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (JPMS) have agreed to, among other things, continue to cooperate with the Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut in any ongoing or future investigations and prosecutions concerning JPMorgan, JPMC, JPMS, and their subsidiaries and affiliates, and their officers, directors, employees and agents.  As part of its cooperation,  JPMorgan, JPMC, and JPMS are required to report evidence or allegations of conduct which may constitute a violation of the wire fraud statute, the anti-fraud, anti-spoofing and/or anti-manipulation provisions of the Commodity Exchange Act, the securities and commodities fraud statute, and federal securities laws prohibiting manipulative and deceptive devices.  In addition, JPMorgan, JPMC, and JPMS have also agreed to enhance their compliance program where necessary and appropriate, and to report to the government regarding remediation and implementation of their enhanced compliance program.

The department reached this resolution with JPMorgan based on a number of factors, including the nature and seriousness of the offense conduct, which spanned eight years and involved tens of thousands of instances of unlawful trading activity; JPMorgan’s failure to fully and voluntarily self‑disclose the offense conduct to the department; JPMorgan’s prior criminal history, including a guilty plea on May 20, 2015, for similar misconduct involving manipulative and deceptive trading practices in the foreign currency exchange spot market (FX Guilty Plea); and the fact that substantially all of the offense conduct occurred prior to the FX Guilty Plea. 

JPMorgan received credit for its cooperation with the department’s investigation and for the remedial measures taken by JPMorgan, JPMC, and JPMS, including suspending and ultimately terminating individuals involved in the offense conduct, adopting heightened internal controls, and substantially increasing the resources devoted to compliance.  Significantly, since the time of the offense conduct, and following the FX Guilty Plea, JPMorgan, JPMC, and JPMS engaged in a systematic effort to reassess and enhance their market conduct compliance program and internal controls.  These enhancements included hiring hundreds of new compliance officers, improving their anti-fraud and manipulation training and policies, revising their trade and electronic communications surveillance programs, implementing tools and processes to facilitate closer supervision of traders, taking into account employees’ commitment to compliance in promotion and compensation decisions, and implementing independent quality assurance testing of non-escalated and escalated surveillance alerts.  Based on JPMorgan’s, JPMC’s and JPMS’ remediation and the state of their compliance program, the department determined that an independent compliance monitor was unnecessary. 

Today, the CFTC announced a separate settlement with JPMorgan, JPMC, and JPMS in connection with a related, parallel proceeding.  Under the terms of that resolution, JPMorgan agreed to pay approximately $920 million, which includes a civil monetary penalty of approximately $436 million, as well as restitution and disgorgement that will be credited to any such payments made to the department under the DPA.  Also, the SEC announced today a separate settlement with JPMS in connection with a related, parallel proceeding regarding trading activity in the secondary cash market for U.S. Treasury notes and bonds.  Under the terms of that resolution, JPMS agreed to pay $10 million in disgorgement and a civil monetary penalty of $25 million.

The FBI’s New York Field Office investigated this case.  Assistant Chief Avi Perry and Trial Attorney Matthew F. Sullivan of the Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Francis of the District of Connecticut prosecuted the case.  

Individuals who believe that they may be a victim in this case should visit the Fraud Section’s Victim Witness website at https://www.justice.gov/criminal-vns/case/jpmorgan-dpa or call (888) 549-3945.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.  Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPMorgan), a New York, New York-based global banking and financial services firm, has entered into a resolution with the Department of Justice to resolve criminal charges related to two distinct schemes to defraud: the first involving tens of thousands of episodes of unlawful trading in the markets for precious metals futures contracts, and the second involving thousands of episodes of unlawful trading in the markets for U.S. Treasury futures contracts and in the secondary (cash) market for U.S. Treasury notes and bonds.

JPMorgan entered into a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) in connection with a criminal information filed today in the District of Connecticut charging the company with two counts of wire fraud.  Under the terms of the DPA, JPMorgan will pay over $920 million in a criminal monetary penalty, criminal disgorgement, and victim compensation, with the criminal monetary penalty credited against payments made to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) under a separate agreement with the CFTC being announced today and with part of the criminal disgorgement credited against payments made to the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) under a separate agreement with the SEC being announced today.

“For over eight years, traders on JP Morgan’s precious metals and U.S. Treasuries desks engaged in separate schemes to defraud other market participants that involved thousands of instances of unlawful trading meant to enhance profits and avoid losses,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian C. Rabbitt of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.  “Today’s resolution — which includes a significant criminal monetary penalty, compensation for victims, and requires JP Morgan to disgorge its unlawful gains — reflects the nature and seriousness of the bank’s offenses and represents a milestone in the department’s ongoing efforts to ensure the integrity of public markets critical to our financial system.”    

“JPMorgan engaged in two separate years-long market manipulation schemes,” said U.S. Attorney John H. Durham of the District of Connecticut.  “Not only will the company pay a substantial financial penalty and return money to victims, but this agreement requires JPMorgan to self-report violations of the federal anti-fraud laws and cooperate in any future criminal investigations.  I thank the FBI for its dedication in investigating these deceptive trading practices and other sophisticated financial crimes.”

“For nearly a decade, a significant number of JP Morgan traders and sales personnel openly disregarded U.S. laws that serve to protect against illegal activity in the marketplace,” said Assistant Director in Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. of the FBI’s New York Field Office.  “Today's deferred prosecution agreement, in which JP Morgan Chase and Co. agreed to pay nearly one billion dollars in penalties and victim compensation, is a stark reminder to others that allegations of this nature will be aggressively investigated and pursued.”

According to admissions and court documents, between approximately March 2008 and August 2016, numerous traders and sales personnel on JPMorgan’s precious metals desk located in New York, London, and Singapore engaged in a scheme to defraud in connection with the purchase and sale of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium futures contracts (collectively, precious metals futures contracts) that traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange Inc. and Commodity Exchange Inc., which are commodities exchanges operated by the CME Group Inc.  In tens of thousands of instances, traders on the precious metals desk placed orders to buy and sell precious metals futures contracts with the intent to cancel those orders before execution, including in an attempt to profit by deceiving other market participants through injecting false and misleading information concerning the existence of genuine supply and demand for precious metals futures contracts.  In addition, on certain occasions, traders on the precious metals desk engaged in trading activity that was intended to deliberately trigger or defend barrier options held by JPMorgan and thereby avoid losses.

One of the traders on the precious metals desk, John Edmonds, 38, of Brooklyn, New York, pleaded guilty on Oct. 9, 2018, to one count of commodities fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, commodities fraud, commodities price manipulation, and spoofing, and his sentencing, at this time, has not been scheduled before U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny of the District of Connecticut.  Another one of the traders on the precious metals desk, Christian Trunz, 35, of New York, New York, pleaded guilty on Aug. 20, 2019, to one count of conspiracy to engage in spoofing and one count of spoofing in connection with his precious metals futures contracts trading at JPMorgan and another financial services firm, and his sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 28, 2021, before U.S. District Judge Sterling Johnson of the Eastern District of New York. 

Finally, as part of the investigation, the department obtained a superseding indictment on Nov. 15, 2019 against three former JPMorgan traders, Gregg Smith, Michael Nowak, and Christopher Jordan, and one former salesperson, Jeffrey Ruffo, in the Northern District of Illinois that charged them for their alleged participation in a racketeering conspiracy and other federal crimes in connection with the manipulation of the precious metals futures contracts markets.  An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Also according to admissions and court documents, between approximately April 2008 and January 2016, traders on JPMorgan’s U.S. Treasuries desk located in New York and London engaged in a scheme to defraud in connection with the purchase and sale of U.S. Treasury futures contracts that traded on the Chicago Board of Trade, which is a commodities exchange operated by the CME Group Inc., and of U.S. Treasury notes and bonds traded in the secondary cash market (the U.S. Treasury futures, notes, and bonds, collectively, U.S. Treasury Products).  In thousands of instances, traders on the U.S. Treasuries desk placed orders to buy and sell U.S. Treasury Products with the intent to cancel those orders before execution, including in an attempt to profit by deceiving other market participants through injecting false and misleading information concerning the existence of genuine supply and demand for U.S. Treasury Products.

As part of the DPA, JPMorgan, and its subsidiaries JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (JPMC) and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (JPMS) have agreed to, among other things, continue to cooperate with the Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut in any ongoing or future investigations and prosecutions concerning JPMorgan, JPMC, JPMS, and their subsidiaries and affiliates, and their officers, directors, employees and agents.  As part of its cooperation,  JPMorgan, JPMC, and JPMS are required to report evidence or allegations of conduct which may constitute a violation of the wire fraud statute, the anti-fraud, anti-spoofing and/or anti-manipulation provisions of the Commodity Exchange Act, the securities and commodities fraud statute, and federal securities laws prohibiting manipulative and deceptive devices.  In addition, JPMorgan, JPMC, and JPMS have also agreed to enhance their compliance program where necessary and appropriate, and to report to the government regarding remediation and implementation of their enhanced compliance program.

The department reached this resolution with JPMorgan based on a number of factors, including the nature and seriousness of the offense conduct, which spanned eight years and involved tens of thousands of instances of unlawful trading activity; JPMorgan’s failure to fully and voluntarily self‑disclose the offense conduct to the department; JPMorgan’s prior criminal history, including a guilty plea on May 20, 2015, for similar misconduct involving manipulative and deceptive trading practices in the foreign currency exchange spot market (FX Guilty Plea); and the fact that substantially all of the offense conduct occurred prior to the FX Guilty Plea. 

JPMorgan received credit for its cooperation with the department’s investigation and for the remedial measures taken by JPMorgan, JPMC, and JPMS, including suspending and ultimately terminating individuals involved in the offense conduct, adopting heightened internal controls, and substantially increasing the resources devoted to compliance.  Significantly, since the time of the offense conduct, and following the FX Guilty Plea, JPMorgan, JPMC, and JPMS engaged in a systematic effort to reassess and enhance their market conduct compliance program and internal controls.  These enhancements included hiring hundreds of new compliance officers, improving their anti-fraud and manipulation training and policies, revising their trade and electronic communications surveillance programs, implementing tools and processes to facilitate closer supervision of traders, taking into account employees’ commitment to compliance in promotion and compensation decisions, and implementing independent quality assurance testing of non-escalated and escalated surveillance alerts.  Based on JPMorgan’s, JPMC’s and JPMS’ remediation and the state of their compliance program, the department determined that an independent compliance monitor was unnecessary. 

Today, the CFTC announced a separate settlement with JPMorgan, JPMC, and JPMS in connection with a related, parallel proceeding.  Under the terms of that resolution, JPMorgan agreed to pay approximately $920 million, which includes a civil monetary penalty of approximately $436 million, as well as restitution and disgorgement that will be credited to any such payments made to the department under the DPA.  Also, the SEC announced today a separate settlement with JPMS in connection with a related, parallel proceeding regarding trading activity in the secondary cash market for U.S. Treasury notes and bonds.  Under the terms of that resolution, JPMS agreed to pay $10 million in disgorgement and a civil monetary penalty of $25 million.

The FBI’s New York Field Office investigated this case.  Assistant Chief Avi Perry and Trial Attorney Matthew F. Sullivan of the Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Francis of the District of Connecticut prosecuted the case.  

Individuals who believe that they may be a victim in this case should visit the Fraud Section’s Victim Witness website at https://www.justice.gov/criminal-vns/case/jpmorgan-dpa or call (888) 549-3945.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.  Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that that Dr. SHEIKH AHMED, 57, of Orange, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to six months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally prescribing oxycodone and failing to pay employee withholding taxes to the IRS.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Ahmed is a pediatrician who operated a medical practice, under the name East Hartford Medical Center, at 580 Burnside Avenue in East Hartford.  Despite being a pediatrician, Ahmed’s practice did not only focus on children.  Between December 2017 and May 2018, Ahmed prescribed controlled substances, including Oxycodone, to two individuals outside the scope of professional medical practice.  The individuals paid Ahmed $500 to issue prescriptions for 30-day supplies of Oxycodone, and Ahmed agreed to increase the patients’ dosage in the future, without discussion as to the medical justification for the increase.  Ahmed counseled the patients about the need to increase dosages gradually to avoid scrutiny from pharmacies regarding the prescribed medications.  Ahmed also had the patients bypass normal financial intake procedures and took cash payments directly from the patients.  Ahmed failed to perform sufficient examinations to assess the patients’ pain levels prior to issuing the prescriptions.

The investigation also revealed that Ahmed failed to pay over to the Internal Revenue Service $117,893 in employee withholding taxes from five of his businesses, including East Hartford Medical Center, between 2013 and 2016.

Ahmed was arrested on November 28, 2018.  On November 8, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of prescribing outside the scope of medical practice, and one count of willful failure to pay withholding taxes.

Ahmed has made full restitution to the IRS.

Ahmed, who is released on a $200,000 bond, is required to report to prison on November 10.

This investigation was conducted by the DEA’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, and the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Chief State’s Attorney.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony E. Kaplan and Christopher W. Schmeisser.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOAQUIN VERAS, 46, of Stamford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, one kilogram or more of heroin.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in March and May 2019, investigators made two controlled purchases of approximately 100 grams of heroin each from Veras.  Investigators then arranged to purchase a kilogram of heroin from Veras for $58,000.

On May 16, 2019, Veras was arrested in possession of approximately one kilogram of heroin.  A search of a Stamford apartment that Veras used as a stash location revealed another kilogram of heroin, a quantity of cocaine, items used to process and package narcotics for sale, and $7,000 in cash.

Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for December 23, 2020, at which time Veras faces a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

Veras has been detained since his arrest.

In August 2011, Veras was sentenced in the Southern District of New York to 57 months of imprisonment for conspiring to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.

This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force and the Stamford Police Department.  The Task Force includes personnel from the DEA, Connecticut State Police and Norwalk, Stamford, Stratford, Milford, Bridgeport and Trumbull Police Departments.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Vizcarrondo.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that SHANNON WICKER, also known as “Bishop,” 34, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for possessing a firearm in association with his drug trafficking activity.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 16, 2019, law enforcement in New Haven conducted a court-authorized search of a Chapel Street apartment and found a loaded .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol; quantities of heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine and marijuana; items used to process and package narcotics for street sale, and other items.  Wicker, who was present during the search, was arrested on related state charges at that time.

Wicker’s criminal history includes multiple state felony convictions, including convictions for weapon in a motor vehicle, sale of illegal hallucinogens or narcotics, sale of a controlled substance, possession of narcotics, tampering with evidence, and failure to appear.

Wicker has been detained since his federal arrest on November 6, 2019.  On January 15, 2020, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.

This matter was investigated by the New Haven Police Department, Connecticut State Police, Connecticut Department of Correction, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret M. Donovan.

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.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ERRIE McCLENDON, also known as “Buck,” 29, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 41 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 11, 2019, New Haven Police received information that McClendon was in possession of a firearm in Goffe Street Park in New Haven.  After officers arrived at the park and identified McClendon, they approached him and instructed him to remove his hand from his sweatshirt pocket.  McClendon then removed a handgun from his pocket and tossed it toward a bystander.  The bystander, refusing to catch the gun, put his hands in the air and the gun fell to the ground.  McClendon then struggled with the officers, but was eventually subdued.  A loaded Ruger, model P85, 9mm pistol with an obliterated serial number, was recovered from the scene.

Prior to May 2019, McClendon had been convicted in state court of 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.

McClendon has been detained since June 19, 2019, when he was arrested on a state probation violation charge.  On November 13, 2019, he pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the New Haven Police Department.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter D. Markle and Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis.

This prosecution has been brought though 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.