District of Connecticut

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that an investigation of a Bridgeport murder in 2018 and other violent acts has resulted in federal charges against the following five individuals:

HENRY FLOY, a.k.a. “Mills,” 21, of Bridgeport
SHAKALE BRANTLEY, a.k.a. “Charlie Wilson,” “Kellz,” and “Man Man,” 20, of Bridgeport
ANTOINE SISTRUNK, 21, of Charlotte, North Carolina (formerly of Bridgeport)
TA’RON PHARR, a.k.a. “250,” 20, of Bridgeport
JAYLEN WILSON, a.k.a. “Jay-Dot,” 21, of Ansonia and Derby       

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, in an effort to address escalating violence in Bridgeport, the FBI, ATF, DEA and Bridgeport Police are actively investigating members of the Original North End (“ONE”), a group based in the Trumbull Gardens area of Bridgeport whose members are involved in narcotics trafficking and numerous acts of violence, including murder.  In the early morning hours of August 13, 2018, a man was shot and killed and a woman was shot and seriously wounded while both were seated in a car parked on Union Avenue in Bridgeport.  Surveillance video showed that the shots were fired from a white Jeep Grand Cherokee that had pulled up next to the car and then fled the scene.  Approximately three hours later, a white Jeep Grand Cherokee was found burning in Indian Wells State Park in Shelton.  The vehicle had been reported stolen from Newburgh, New York, on August 9, 2018.  A purse belonging to the Jeep’s owner, which was in the Jeep at the time of the theft, was subsequently recovered on Grandview Avenue in Bridgeport, and the owner’s debit card was unlawfully used or attempted to be used at retail locations in Trumbull and Bridgeport.

It is alleged that Floy, Brantley, Pharr and Wilson stole the Jeep and drove it back to Bridgeport.  It is further alleged that ONE members murdered the male victim on August 13, 2018, and seriously wounded his female companion.  After the murder, Floy, Brantley and Sistrunk attempted to destroy the Jeep and other evidence used in the murder in order to hinder the investigation and prosecution of the murder.

On March 18, 2020, a federal grand jury in Bridgeport returned an indictment charging Floy, Brantley and Sistrunk with one count of accessory after the fact to murder, in violation of the Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering (VICAR) statute.  The defendants were subsequently arrested on this charge and the investigation continued.

The investigation revealed, as alleged, that Brantley and other ONE members planned and executed robberies of drug dealers.  Specifically, in October 2018 in Bridgeport, and in November 2018 in Stratford, Brantley and others attacked and stole marijuana from a marijuana dealer.  After Brantley was arrested in March 2020, and while he was incarcerated, Brantley attempted to solicit others to kill the victim of the marijuana robberies in order to prevent Brantley’s prosecution for those offenses.

On July 8, 2020, a grand jury in New Haven returned a superseding indictment adding Pharr and Wilson as defendants, and adding additional charges.  Pharr and Wilson were arrested on state charges on July 7 and are currently detained.

The superseding indictment charges Floy, Brantley and Sistrunk with one count of accessory after the fact to VICAR murder, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years.  In addition, Floy, Brantley, Pharr and Wilson are charged with one count of interstate transportation of stolen property, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

The superseding indictment also charges Brantley with two counts of interference with commerce by robbery, one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery, one count of solicitation of witness tampering, and one count of tampering with a witness by threat.  Each of these charges carry 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 each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the FBI’s Safe Streets and Violent Crimes Task Forces, ATF, DEA, Bridgeport Police Department, Connecticut State Police and the Bridgeport State’s Attorney’s Office, with the assistance of the Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory and the Waterbury Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter D. Markle, Karen L. Peck, Rahul Kale and Jocelyn C. Kaoutzanis.

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, announced that JENNA DEFELICE, 35, of New Haven, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson to conspiring to distribute heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine.

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

According to court documents and statements made in court, an investigation conducted by the DEA’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad revealed that Defelice’s associate, Musa Hill, was obtaining cocaine from a source in the Bronx, New York, and heroin from a source in New Haven.  He converted some of the cocaine he received into crack cocaine, and then sold the narcotics to customers.  He also provided narcotics to Defelice who distributed them to customers on his behalf.

During the investigation, law enforcement made controlled purchases of crack, heroin and hundreds of counterfeit oxycodone pills from Hill.  The vast majority of the counterfeit pills contained fentanyl.

Defelice was arrested on June 25, 2019, and is currently released on a $100,000 bond.

Defelice pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, controlled substances, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  Judge Thompson scheduled sentencing for October 1, 2020.

On November 20, 2019, Hill pleaded guilty to the same offense.  On March 5, 2020, Judge Thompson sentenced him to 72 months of imprisonment.

This case has been investigated by the DEA Tactical Diversion Squad, which includes officers from the Bristol, Hamden, Meriden, Monroe, New Britain, New Haven, Wallingford, Watertown and West Haven Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer R. Laraia and H. Gordon Hall.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOSEPH GRIFFIN, 43, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 138 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for distributing fentanyl and for violating the conditions of his supervised release from a prior federal conviction. 

Judge Shea sentenced Griffin to 120 months of imprisonment for distributing fentanyl, and a consecutive 18 months of imprisonment for violating his supervised release. 

According to court documents and statements made in court, Griffin was arrested on January 17, 2019, in Hartford, after investigators made a controlled purchase of more than five grams of fentanyl from him.  Griffin possessed an additional two grams of fentanyl at the time of his arrest.

In January 2019, Griffin was on federal supervised release for a 2009 conviction for distributing crack cocaine.  Griffin was sentenced, as a career offender, to 10 years of imprisonment and five years of supervised release for that offense.  He was released from federal prison in December 2017.

On November 13, 2019, Griffin pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, fentanyl.  He also admitted that he violated the conditions of his supervised release.

Griffin’s criminal history includes convictions for robbery, narcotics, larceny and assault offenses.  While on supervised release, in addition to his federal arrest, Griffin was arrested three times for domestic violence offenses.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Hartford Police Department and U.S. Marshals Service.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David T. Huang and First Assistant U.S. Attorney Leonard C. Boyle.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ROBERT ALLEN, 30, of Hartford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden to fentanyl distribution and firearm possession offenses.

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

According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 23, 2019, Hartford Police conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle Allen was driving on Woodland Street.  A search of the car revealed a loaded Ruger LCP .380 caliber handgun and approximately 48 wax paper sleeves containing a mixture of heroin and fentanyl.  The firearm had been reported stolen in Louisiana.

Allen’s criminal history includes state convictions for assault, firearm, drug, larceny and witness tampering offenses.  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.

Allen pleaded guilty to one count of possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.  A sentencing date is not scheduled.

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

This case has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Connecticut Violent Crime Task Force and the Hartford Police Department.  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, announced that WILSON VELEZ, also known as “Wiso,” 35, of Newington, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 192 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for gang-related narcotics and firearm offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an investigation headed by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and the Hartford Police Department’s Vice, Intelligence and Narcotics Division targeting gang violence and narcotics trafficking in Hartford.  Velez was a member of the Almighty Latin Kings Nation (“Latin Kings”) and had achieved the rank of a Regional Officer for Connecticut, the second highest-ranking Latin King in the state.  The investigation revealed that Velez was distributing large quantities of heroin and fentanyl.  Velez employed other Latin Kings and associates, his 18-year-old nephew and other family members, and others, including a juvenile, to process, package and distribute the drugs from apartment buildings on Hamilton Street and Elliot Street in Hartford.  During the investigation, law enforcement conducted multiple controlled purchases of narcotics from Velez and other members of the drug trafficking organization.

On April 28, 2017, Velez orchestrated the armed confrontation of a rival drug dealer who was selling drugs in the area of Franklin Avenue and Barker Street.  On that date, Velez and four other Latin Kings were involved in a gunfire exchange that left multiple participants wounded.

Velez was arrested on federal narcotics offenses on December 7, 2017, and was subsequently released on bond.  While released, he continued his criminal activity, and also notified other gang members to the ongoing federal investigation.  He has been detained since April 5, 2018, when his bond was revoked.

On May 1, 2018, a grand jury returned a 41-count indictment charging Velez and nine other members and associates of the Latin Kings.  On February 22, 2019, Velez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin and/or 400 grams or more of fentanyl, and one count of conspiracy to use and carry a firearm in relation to, and furtherance of, a drug trafficking crime.

U.S. Attorney Durham noted that federal prisoners are required to serve at least 85 percent of their prison term and are not eligible for parole.

The FBI 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.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that ROBERT J. MOSLEY, 53, of Bridgeport, has been charged by federal criminal complaint with child pornography offenses.

Mosley, who has been detained in state custody on a parole violation since January 28, 2020, appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge William I. Garfinkel via video conference. 

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

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

The criminal complaint charges Mosley with receipt of child pornography and solicitation of child pornography, offenses that carry a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.  Mosley is also charged with possession of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  The penalties in this case are enhanced based on Mosley’s alleged criminal history.

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

This matter is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Connecticut State Police, with the assistance of the Connecticut Department of Correction Division of Parole and Community Services.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel J. Gentile and Law Student Intern Nelson Barrette.

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 ROCKY SAMAS, also known as “Twin,” 48, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for distributing crack and powder cocaine.

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

According to the evidence disclosed during a trial in this matter, between August and October 2018, investigators conducted three controlled purchases of crack cocaine from Samas in Bridgeport.  On November 6, 2018, Samas was arrested on a federal criminal complaint.  On that date, investigators searched his Bridgeport residence and seized approximately 46 grams of crack cocaine, approximately 120 grams of powder cocaine, approximately $14,000 in cash, and two digital scales.

On December 11, 2019, Samas was found guilty of one count of possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”), and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

Samas’ criminal history includes multiple drug convictions, including a federal conviction in 2005 for possession with intent to distribute and distribution of crack and powder cocaine.  On September 21, 2005, he was sentenced to 240 months of imprisonment for those offenses.  He was subsequently resentenced pursuant to changes in the federal sentencing guidelines for crack cocaine offenses and was released from federal prison in December 2011.

Samas, who is released on a $200,000 bond, is required to report to prison on August 11, 2020.

This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, and the Stamford and Bridgeport Police Departments.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maria del Pilar Gonzalez, Hal Chen and Joseph Vizcarrondo.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that on July 2, 2020, TREMAINE DOWDELL, 27, of Norwich, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas O. Farrish to a federal firearm offense stemming from an assault and shooting in New London last year.

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

According to court documents and statements made in court, on September 14, 2019, Dowdell and three associates assaulted a man outside of the H&T Mart on Ocean Avenue in New London.  Surveillance video captured Dowdell removing a gun from his pants and firing a single shot toward the victim of the assault.  The bullet missed the victim.  When police arrived a short time later, officers found a .40 caliber cartridge casing at the location where Dowdell fired the gun.

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

On October 3, 2019, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging Dowdell with one count of possession of ammunition by a convicted felon.  After actively evading law enforcement, Dowdell was found and arrested at a residence in Sprague on November 5, 2019.  He possessed a loaded .25 caliber handgun and approximately 33 grams of crack cocaine at the time of his arrest.

Dowdell pleaded guilty to possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton on September 24, 2020.

Dowdell is currently detained.

This matter is being investigated by the New London Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the Norwich Police Department and Connecticut State Parole.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel J. Gentile and Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Paul Narducci of the New London State’s Attorney Office.

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 Norwich Police Chief Patrick J. Daley today announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford has returned an indictment charging nine individuals with narcotics offenses related to their alleged involvement in a statewide drug ring.

The indictment was returned on June 30 and unsealed yesterday after six of the defendants were arrested.

This matter stems from a joint investigation led by the FBI and the Norwich, New London and Hartford Police Departments into a narcotics distribution network that stretched from southeastern Connecticut to the Hartford, New Britain and Waterbury areas.  The investigation has included court-authorized wiretaps, surveillance, search warrants, and seizures of cocaine and crack cocaine.

The four-count indictment charges each of the following individuals with conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, various quantities of cocaine and/or cocaine base (“crack cocaine”):

LUIS CARRASQUILLO, a/k/a “Cuchi,” 49, of Hartford
JASHUA CARASQUILLO, a/k/a “Chuy,” 25, of Hartford
AARON CLAYTON, a/k/a “Ace,” 52, of New Britain
DARRICK SHELBY, a/k/a “Butch, and “Butchy Brown,” 60, of Norwich
HECTOR UMPIERRE, 57, of Waterbury
DARRIN HARRIS, 44, of Norwich
JERMAINE NEWELL, 34, of Waterbury
FRANK BIGGS, 62, of Hamden
KELLY MCGILL, 50, of Norwich

The indictment alleges that, between November 2019 and March 2020, each defendant conspired to distribute various narcotics.  If convicted of this charge, based on the type and quantity of narcotics involved, seven of the nine defendants face a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of at least five years.  Based on his criminal history, Luis Carrasquillo faces a mandatory term of imprisonment of 15 years.  Harris and Newell face a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

On March 17, 2020, law enforcement conducted court-authorized searches of the residences of Luis Carrasquillo, Jashua Carrasquillo and Aaron Clayton and seized approximately three kilograms of cocaine and nearly $100,000 in cash.  No arrests were made at the time due to concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Luis Carrasquillo, Jashua Carrasquillo, Clayton, Shelby, Umpierre and Newell were arrested yesterday.  Harris, Biggs and McGill are being sought by law enforcement. 

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 Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Norwich, New London and Hartford Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Margaret Donovan and Maria del Pilar Gonzalez.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that SHAVAR BELLAMY, also known as “Lil B,” “LB” and “Little Black,” 34, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking crack cocaine.

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

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.

Bellamy, who resided in Fitchburg during the investigation, regularly received crack cocaine from co-conspirators in Connecticut and distributed the drug in the Fitchburg area.  He also wire-transferred proceeds of his drug sales to his Connecticut associates.

On July 9, 2019, a grand jury in New Haven returned a 15-count indictment charging Bellamy and 24 other individuals with various offenses.

Bellamy has been detained since May 30 2019, when he was arrested on state drug charges in Massachusetts.  On November 22, 2019, he pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”).

Bellamy’s criminal history includes multiple convictions.

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 and Elena L. Coronado.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MEEM JANNAT, 24, of Brooklyn, New York, formerly of Waterbury, pleaded guilty today before U.S. Magistrate Judge William I. Garfinkel to one count of one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud stemming from her role in a counterfeit check scheme.

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

According to court documents and statements made in court, 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.

Through this scheme, the co-conspirators defrauded at least 12 banks of a total of approximately $240,000.  In pleading guilty, Jannat agreed that the loss attributable to her role in the scheme is $50,389.05.

Jannat is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant on October 21, 2020, at which time she faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years.

Jannat was arrested on January 14, 2019.  She is released on a $100,000 bond pending sentencing.

Bonilla, Cruz and Perez previously pleaded guilty to related charges and 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, and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, today announced that SUBURBAN PHARMACY LTC INC., (“Suburban Pharmacy”), a pharmacy located in West Hartford, Connecticut, has entered into a civil settlement with the federal government in which it will pay a penalty of $150,000 to resolve allegations that it violated civil provisions of the Controlled Substances Act.

The allegations against Suburban Pharmacy include claims that it failed to keep complete and accurate records regarding the receipt and dispensing of controlled substances, and that it failed to maintain effective controls against the diversion of controlled substances.

Suburban Pharmacy dispenses prescription drugs, including controlled substances, to approximately 200 long-term care centers, assisted living facilities, group homes, and other in-patient facilities.  In October 2018, the DEA commenced an investigation of Suburban Pharmacy following a reported loss of more than 6,000 dosage units of alprazolam 2mg, a Schedule IV controlled substance.  An internal investigation indicated that employee theft likely contributed to the loss.  The DEA then conducted an audit of Suburban Pharmacy’s inventory of controlled substances, which revealed a total discrepancy of more than 22,000 doses of controlled substances.  The government alleges that this discrepancy is due in part to lax controls against diversion, and the failure to maintain accurate inventories of the controlled substances Suburban Pharmacy received, sold, dispensed, or otherwise disposed of.

Congress passed the Controlled Substances Act (“CSA”) to combat the illegal distribution and abuse of controlled substances, including prescription medications.  Under the CSA, entities registered with the DEA who purchase, distribute, dispense, transfer or sell controlled substances must comply with strict inventory and documentation requirements.  Regulations promulgated under the CSA require that each DEA registrant, including pharmacies, maintain complete and accurate records of each substance manufactured, received, sold, delivered, dispensed or otherwise disposed of by the registrant for two years.  These requirements play a vital role in ensuring the appropriate handling, accounting and distribution of controlled substances.

“It is no secret that there has been a tremendous amount of damage caused by prescription drug abuse in our state and across the country,” said U.S. Attorney Durham.  “Pharmacies must keep accurate records and maintain strong controls when handling controlled substances.  Those that fail to do so open the door to the potential for diversion of drugs by pharmacy employees, the illegal distribution and abuse of these drugs, and a federal investigation.”

“DEA registrants are responsible to handle controlled substances and ensure that complete and accurate records are being properly kept and accounted for in compliance with the Controlled Substances Act,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle.  “Failure to do so increases the potential for diversion and jeopardizes the public health and safety.  Today’s settlement demonstrates DEA’s pledge to ensure that DEA registrants maintain the records required under the CSA and are able to account for all the controlled substances they purchase.”

This investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Office of Diversion Control and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Kaczmarek.

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 CHRISTOPHER RASCOLL, 48, of Blauvelt, New York, has been charged by federal criminal complaint with making anti-Semitic death threats to a resident of Stratford, Connecticut.

Rascoll was arrested on June 26 in New York City.  He appeared yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge William I. Garfinkel in Bridgeport and was ordered detained.

As alleged in the criminal complaint, on December 23, 2019, the first day of Hanukkah, Rascoll began sending the victim, who is Jewish, threatening text messages.  In several messages, which continued into May 2020, Rascoll threatened to murder or seriously injure the victim.  He also threatened to blow up the victim’s house and car.  Some of Rascoll’s threatening text messages contained anti-Semitic references to the Holocaust.  On December 23, 2019, Rascoll sent a message that included the words “Suns about to go down. It would be a shame if your house were used to light the menorah. Or turned in a gas chamber.”  On April 8, 2020, Rascoll wrote “I’m going to kill you. You better be gone because if you’re in [the victim’s housing community] Easter weekend I’m going to stick you in an oven. Or I’m going to shoot you.”

The complaint charges Rascoll with one count of interference with the right to fair housing, a hate crime, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years; and two counts of threatening communications, an offense that carries a maximum term of five years of imprisonment on each count.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JULIO MARTINEZ, 41, of New Britain, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 46 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his role in the illegal purchase of two 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 that Norman Klosek of Enfield was acting as a “straw purchaser” of firearms for Reyes.  Klosek, who was addicted to heroin/fentanyl, purchased and then illegally sold, or “loaned,” a total of 47 handguns to support his drug addiction. 

On April 22, 2019, multiple intercepted communications revealed that Reyes and Carlos Soto, also known as “Puchie,” were brokering a gun deal where Martinez arranged to purchase two firearms from Reyes and Soto for $800.  On that date, Reyes picked up Klosek in Enfield and drove to a licensed gun dealer in Newington where Klosek, who had a valid state firearm permit, purchased two handguns.  Klosek then provided the guns to Reyes.  After the purchase, law enforcement observed Reyes, Soto and Martinez at a location on High Street in New Britain.  Martinez then left the High Street location and traveled by car to a nearby grocery store.  Investigators believed that Martinez was in possession of the two firearms, but Martinez, in fact, had traveled to the grocery store to use an ATM to retrieve cash for the firearms purchase.  Investigators stopped and searched Martinez as he attempted to exit the store.  The search revealed $850 in cash.  Later that day, investigators conducted a traffic stop of Reyes’ vehicle in New Britain and seized the two firearms.

Martinez, 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.

On June 27, 2019, a grand jury Hartford returned a 32-count indictment charging Martinez, Reyes, Soto and 12 associates with various narcotics trafficking and firearm possession offenses.

Martinez has been detained since his arrest.  On December 18, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to unlawfully possess firearms by a felon.

Martinez’s criminal history includes multiple firearm and drug convictions and, in April 2019, he was on special parole for stealing a firearm during a burglary.

Reyes, Klosek and Soto have pleaded guilty and await sentencing.

To date, approximately 10 of the 47 guns 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.

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.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DIAVION HUTCHINGS, also known as “Avi,” 19, of New Haven, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall to obstruction of justice.

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

According to court documents and statements made in court, 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.

Judge Hall scheduled sentencing for September 23, 2020, at which time Hutchings faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

Hutchings is released on a $10,000 bond pending sentencing.

This matter is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The case is being 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, announced that GEORGE HAJATI, 41, of Cromwell, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson to 21 months of imprisonment for violating the conditions of his supervised release from a prior federal conviction.  Judge Thompson ordered the sentence to run consecutively with a 27-month federal sentence imposed on Hajati last week, for a total effective sentence of 48 months of imprisonment.

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, Hajati was previously convicted of federal conspiracy and fraud offenses related to a Hartford-area mortgage fraud scheme that defrauded various lenders of more than $1 million.  In August 2015, Judge Thompson sentenced Hajati to 12 months and one day of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release.  He was released from federal prison in August 2016.

After his release from prison, and while he was on supervised release, Hajati owned and operated a used car dealership located at 1075 Newfield Street in Middletown known as Car Nation, LLC, Car Nation CT, LLC, and Middletown Motorcars.  In connection with automobile loan applications for multiple borrowers, Hajati, and employees at his direction, submitted documents and statements to victim lenders that falsely represented the borrower’s employment, salary, sources of income, and the fact and amount of a down payment.  The false documents included fictitious or altered borrower pay stubs and income verification letters purportedly from the Social Security Administration.  Hajati falsely indicated that borrowers made salaries they did not make, worked at jobs they did not work, received income from the Social Security Administration they did not receive, and made down payments they did not make.  In some instances, the borrower was not aware of, and did not consent to, Hajati using his or her personal identifying information to obtain automobile loans in these ways.

Between approximately April 2016 and July 2019, Hajati defrauded victim lenders of $654,952.56 through this scheme.  Hajati is required to pay full restitution.

Hajati was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on July 2, 2019.  On December 20, he pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.

On June 25, 2020, Hajati was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny to 27 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for operating the auto loan fraud scheme.  Judge Chatigny also ordered Hajati to serve the first six months of his supervised release in home confinement, and to perform 120 hours of community service.

Hajati, who is released on a $560,000 bond, is required to report to prison on September 25, 2020.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David T. Huang and Conor M. Reardon.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that the U.S. Attorney’s Office has reached a settlement agreement with Bradford Child Care Services, Inc., which owns Tender Care Learning Centers (“Tender Care”), to resolve allegations that Tender Care was not operating in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”).  Tender Care provides child care services at more than 20 locations in Connecticut and western Pennsylvania.

The settlement agreement addresses an ADA complaint filed by the parents of a child with epilepsy alleging that Tender Care established a policy to prevent staff from administering prescribed emergency rescue medication.  Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Tender Care will implement new nondiscriminatory policies, practices and procedures regarding the administration of medication for children with disabilities who wish to attend their day care centers, camp, before care program, after care program or any other educational programs owned or operated by Tender Care in the United States.  Tender Care also will train its managers, teachers and other staff on compliance with Title III of the ADA.  Additionally, Tender Care will evaluate each request for reasonable modifications on an individualized basis, relying on objective evidence and current medical standards and will adopt, maintain and enforce an Emergency Anti-Seizure Medication Administration (EASMA) Policy and Procedure.  The revised materials for parents of children with disabilities will be posted in a general location at the center and will post to its website the nondiscrimination policy approved by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Tender Care also has agreed to pay a total of $20,000 in compensatory damages to certain individuals identified during the government’s investigation of this matter.

Under federal law, private entities that own or operate places of “public accommodation,” including learning centers and other places of education and recreation, are prohibited from discriminating on the basis of disability.  The ADA authorizes the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate complaints and undertake periodic reviews of compliance of covered entities.  The Justice Department is also authorized to commence a civil lawsuit in federal court in any case that involves a pattern or practice of discrimination or that raises issues of general public importance, and to seek injunctive relief, monetary damages, and civil penalties.

U.S. Attorney Durham noted that the counsel and management of Tender Care were cooperative with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and are committed to addressing the issues raised by the ADA investigation without litigation.

This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ndidi N. Moses of the District of Connecticut in coordination with the Disability Rights Section of the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.

Any member of the public who wishes to file a complaint alleging that any place of public accommodation or public entity in Connecticut is not accessible to persons with disabilities may contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at 203-821-3700.  Additional information about the ADA can be found at www.ada.gov, or by calling the Justice Department’s toll-free information line at (800) 514-0301 and (800) 514-0383 (TTY). 

The Justice Department also has a Civil Rights Reporting Portal, an online tool that allows the public to report a civil rights violation.  The Reporting Portal – located at www.civilrights.justice.gov – is fully accessible to people with disabilities.  It is also available in both English and Spanish, with more languages to be added in the future.

Individuals who believe that they may have been victims of civil rights violations should contact the department by visiting www.civilrights.justice.gov.  Those who believe they are a victim of criminal violation of their civil rights, such as misconduct by law enforcement officers, a hate crime, or human trafficking, should contact their local FBI office.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DYZHAE RICHARDSON, 23, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for narcotics distribution and firearm possession offenses.

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

According to court documents and statements made in court, 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.  During the investigation, investigators made two controlled purchases of heroin/fentanyl from Richardson in August and September 2019.  Richardson was on state probation at the time of these drug sales.

Richardson was arrested on September 13, 2019.  On that date, a court-authorized search of his residence revealed a loaded Taurus G2C 9mm handgun, additional loose rounds of 9mm ammunition, approximately 100 wax folds of heroin, a quantity of crack cocaine and approximately $2,500 in cash.  A search of Richardson’s person also revealed approximately $1,000 in cash.

Richardson’s criminal history includes felony convictions for narcotics and firearm possession 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.

Richardson has been detained since his arrest.  On January 21, 2020, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin, fentanyl and cocaine base (“crack”), and one count possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.

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 as 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 JONATHAN VELEZ, also known as “Jay” and “King Jay,” 26, of Springfield, Massachusetts, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden to 78 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking 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, in October 2016, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force began an investigation of an organization that was trafficking large quantities of heroin, fentanyl and other narcotics in Connecticut and western Massachusetts.  The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of narcotics and physical surveillance, revealed that members of the organization were receiving bulk quantities of heroin and fentanyl from out-of-state suppliers.  They then stored, processed and packaged the heroin/fentanyl in multiple locations, including apartments located at 280 Collins Street in Hartford where some members of the organization also resided, and then distributed the drug in the Hartford area, and also the Springfield and Holyoke, Massachusetts area.  A significant amount of drug trafficking activity occurred at the Neighborhood Supermarket, located at 316 Farmington Avenue in Hartford.

Fourteen individuals have been charged with various narcotics, firearms and immigration offenses as a result of this investigation.  During the investigation, law enforcement seized approximately 10 kilograms of heroin and fentanyl, much of which was packaged for resale in hundreds of thousands of bags.  Seven firearms were also seized.

Velez was intercepted numerous times on wiretaps discussing narcotics trafficking activity, and in April 2017, investigators made a controlled purchase of heroin from Velez in Springfield.  The investigation also revealed that, although Velez was on Massachusetts state probation and prohibited from traveling outside of Massachusetts, he regularly traveled to Hartford to obtain large quantities of heroin from other members of the organization.  For example, on June 3, 2017, Velez traveled to Hartford to purchase 200 grams of heroin in exchange for $13,000.

The investigation further revealed that the drug trafficking organization was using xylazine, a horse tranquilizer, as an additive to the heroin and fentanyl it distributed.  In June 2017, investigators intercepted a package containing 72 (100 mg) vials of xylazine that had been shipped from Puerto Rico to Velez’s residence.

Velez has been detained since his arrest on June 29, 2017.  On that date, a search of his Springfield residence revealed approximately 116 grams of compressed heroin, numerous wax folds of heroin, and a loaded .38 caliber revolver.

On August 6, 2018, Velez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.

Velez’s criminal history includes multiple criminal convictions, including three prior convictions for felony narcotics offenses.

The DEA’s Hartford Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Windsor Locks and Willimantic Police Departments.  Agencies assisting the investigation include the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Marshals Service and Connecticut State Police.

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 JESUS SEGUINOT, also known as “Chuchi,” 30, of New Haven, 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 drug distribution and gun possession offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 16, 2018, New Haven Police officers executed a state search warrant at Seguinot’s apartment on Congress Avenue and seized approximately 65 grams of cocaine, approximately 114 grams of marijuana, other items used to process and package drugs for distribution, and $5,480 in cash.  Seguinot was arrested on state charges at that time.

On April 20, 2018, Stamford Police officers arrested Seguinot in Stamford after they found him in possession approximately 80 grams of cocaine and crack cocaine, a quantity of marijuana, a digital scale, drug packaging materials, and $1,613 in cash.

On May 17, 2018, a search of Seguinot’s new residence on Stevens Street in New Haven revealed approximately 20 grams of crack cocaine, drug packaging materials, a scale with white residue, a .38 caliber bullet on his bedroom nightstand, and a loaded .38 Special Taurus revolver with an obliterated serial number.  He was arrested on state charges on May 26, 2018.

Prior to May 2018, Seguinot had been convicted in state court of felony drug, weapon and other offenses.  It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

On July 22, 2018, Seguinot sold a quantity of cocaine to another individual for $20 on Liberty Street in New Haven.  He was arrested on state charges on July 27, 2018.

Seguinot has been detained since his federal arrest on April 11, 2019.  On November 14, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

This investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New Haven Police Department and Stamford Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Stolfi Collins.

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 our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that GEORGE HAJATI, 41, of Cromwell, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny to 27 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for operating an auto loan fraud scheme while he was on federal supervised release from a prior federal conviction.  Judge Chatigny also ordered Hajati to serve the first six months of his supervised release in home confinement, and to perform 120 hours of community service.

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, Hajati owned and operated a used car dealership located at 1075 Newfield Street in Middletown known as Car Nation, LLC, Car Nation CT, LLC, and Middletown Motorcars.  In connection with automobile loan applications for multiple borrowers, Hajati, and employees at his direction, submitted documents and statements to victim lenders that falsely represented the borrower’s employment, salary, sources of income, and the fact and amount of a down payment.  The false documents included fictitious or altered borrower pay stubs and income verification letters purportedly from the Social Security Administration.  Hajati falsely indicated that borrowers made salaries they did not make, worked at jobs they did not work, received income from the Social Security Administration they did not receive, and made down payments they did not make.  In some instances, the borrower was not aware of, and did not consent to, Hajati using his or her personal identifying information to obtain automobile loans in these ways.

Between approximately April 2016 and July 2019, Hajati defrauded victim lenders of $654,952.56 through this scheme.  Hajati is required to pay full restitution.

Hajati was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on July 2, 2019.  On December 20, he pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.

Hajati was previously convicted of federal conspiracy and fraud offenses related to a Hartford-area mortgage fraud scheme that defrauded various lenders of more than $1 million.  In August 2015, Hajati was sentenced in Hartford federal court to 12 months and one day of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release.  He was released from federal prison in August 2016, and was on supervised release at the time of the auto loan fraud.

Hajati’s supervised release hearing is scheduled for June 29, at which time he faces a maximum additional sentence of two years of imprisonment.

Hajati who is released on a $560,000 bond, is required to report to prison on September 25, 2020.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David T. Huang and Conor M. Reardon.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, announced that KEVIN BRAZA, 48, of Westbrook, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall to one count of tax evasion.

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

According to court documents and statements made in court, Braza operates K.E. Braza Construction, a construction and excavation business based in Old Saybrook,  For the 2013 through 2017 tax years, Braza failed to report to the IRS approximately $565,161 in income earned through his business, and through gambling winnings.  As a result, he failed to pay a total of $184,579 in federal income taxes.

Judge Hall scheduled sentencing for September 16, 2020, at which time Braza faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.

Braza has paid full restitution, including penalties and interest, of $394,474.

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

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Cherry.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RAY QUAN SANTOS, 22, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 13 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for stealing and selling firearms.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an investigation of motor vehicle thefts and motor vehicle break-ins in and around Hartford County.  The property stolen from vehicles included firearms, ammunition and firearm-related items.  The investigation revealed that Santos and others stole firearms and other items from vehicles, including vehicles that were parked outside of residences in Newington and Ellington, and then sold the firearms to other individuals.

Santos was arrested on related state charges on May 1, 2019, and was charged by federal criminal complaint on May 22, 2020.  Santos had been detained from the date of his state arrest until he was released on bond in his federal case on September 16.  On December 19, he pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of possession of a stolen firearm.

On December 23, 2019, Santos was arrested in Rocky Hill after he crashed a stolen vehicle he was driving on I-91, and subsequently attempted to run from police.  The vehicle had been reported stolen in East Hartford on December 22.  Santos has been detained since January 29, 2020, when his bond was revoked.

State charges against Santos are pending.

This investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Connecticut State Police, and the Hartford, Newington and Windsor Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas P. Morabito.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RANDY PARKMAN, 43, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 204 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for robbery and firearm offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 22, 2018, Parkman shot and seriously wounded an individual after he robbed that individual of drugs and money at 149 Wethersfield Avenue in Hartford.  At the time, the location was being used as a “trap house” by a drug trafficking organization.  After the shooting, Parkman sold the gun he used.

In August 2018, Parkman stole a Taurus, Model 444, .44 caliber revolver from a motor vehicle in Hartford.  It is alleged that he then used the stolen gun on October 5, 2018, in a shooting incident at 183 Wethersfield Avenue, and then again on October 8, 2018, when he shot and wounded an individual in Hartford’s South Green Park.

On October 22, 2018, Parkman was arrested at an apartment where he had been staying.  Investigators recovered the stolen .44 caliber firearm during a search of the apartment

Parkman has been detained since his arrest.  On January 27, 2020, he pleaded guilty to one count of interference with commerce by robbery, and one count of possession and discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

Parkman’s criminal history includes numerous felony convictions for larceny, burglary and other offenses.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’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 Major Crimes Division, Shooting Task Force and Vice, Intelligence and Narcotics Division provided valuable assistance to the investigation.

This case was being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian P. Leaming and 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 EYISIEL ORTEGA, also known as “EG,” “D” and “E,” 21, of East Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden to 90 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for drug distribution and gun possession offenses.  Judge Bolden ordered Ortega to serve the first six months of his supervised release in home confinement.

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

This matter stems from an investigation headed by the ATF and East Hartford Police Department into drug trafficking and related acts of violence by a group of individuals operating out of the Mayberry Village housing complex in East Hartford.  The investigation revealed that certain members of the group had obtained firearms in North Dakota and transported them to Connecticut.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between September and November 2017, investigators conducted controlled purchases of crack cocaine from Ortega.  Ortega was arrested on November 7, 2017.  On that date, a court-authorized search of his residence revealed a loaded .380 caliber Ruger LCP semi-automatic pistol, 20 loose rounds of ammunition, approximately 30 grams of crack cocaine, a quantity of fentanyl and $4,530 in cash.  The firearm had been reported stolen in Georgia. 

Ortega has been detained since his arrest.  On November 25, 2019, Ortega pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (“crack”), and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

This investigation is being conducted by the ATF and East Hartford Police Department, with the assistance of the Connecticut Department of Correction and the Minot (N.D.) Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Stolfi Collins.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JACKIE HERNANDEZ, 42, of Norwich, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for her role in a southeastern Connecticut drug trafficking ring.

This matter stems from an investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Connecticut Statewide Narcotics Taskforce East, Connecticut Department of Correction and the New London, Waterford, City of Groton and Stonington Police Departments, into the distribution of narcotics and illegal possession of firearms in southeastern Connecticut.  The investigation included court-authorized wiretaps and controlled purchases and seizures of heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine, and firearms.  Hernandez, who served as a drug courier for another member of the conspiracy, would transport kilogram-quantities of cocaine from a source in New York to Connecticut.

In December 2018, Hernandez was arrested on related state charges after she was found in possession of approximately one kilogram of cocaine.

Hernandez was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on February 21, 2019.  On March 5, 2019, a grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment charging Hernandez and 23 other individuals with various offenses.  On August 6, 2019, a superseding indictment included charges against an additional two defendants.

On September 13, 2019, Hernandez pleaded guilty to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.

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, announced that STEVEN KENT STRANGE, 50, of Bailey, North Carolina, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today to one count of wire fraud related to his defrauding his former employer’s charity matching gift program of nearly $600,000.

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

According to court documents and statements made in court, Strange was employed by Collins Aerospace in North Carolina, which, at the time, was a business unit of United Technologies Corporation (“UTC”), based in Farmington, Connecticut.  UTC had a Matching Gift Program, through which the company matched an employee donation, up to $25,000 annually, to a charity.  In 2008, Strange established the Housing Development Foundation of North Carolina, Inc. (“the Housing Development Foundation”), and listed his residence at the principal office for the charity.  Strange began working for Collins Aerospace in 2014.

Between approximately 2015 and September 2019, Strange defrauded UTC’s Matching Gift Program by submitting to UTC fraudulent records of donations purportedly made by him and by certain employees that worked with him at Collins Aerospace.  The records included fabricated cashiers checks of payments supposedly made to the Housing Development Foundation, when no such payments had been made.  As a result, UTC transferred approximately $585,000 in matching funds to the Housing Development Foundation, and an additional $5,257 to third party vendors to process the requests.  A review of the Housing Development Foundation’s bank records reveal that a large portion of the Foundation’s expenditures appears to be Strange’s personal expenditures.

Strange is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford on September, 14, 2020, at which time Strange faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, a maximum fine of more than $1.1 million, and restitution of $591,877.

Strange is released on bond pending sentencing.

This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher W. Schmeisser.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MICHAEL A. STEVENS, 26, of Brooklyn, New York, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to approximately one year of imprisonment, time already served, and three years of supervised release, for counterfeiting offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 7, 2019, Enfield Police arrested Stevens and another individual after they attempted to pass counterfeit currency at a Dick’s Sporting Goods store in Enfield.  A subsequent search of their vehicle revealed more than $600 in counterfeit currency, 33 pages of paper with uncut $50 and $20 counterfeit notes, an unopened box of paper, and a printer.

The investigation revealed that, in late April 2019, Stevens and others passed hundreds of dollars in counterfeit currency at retail locations in New Britain and Vernon.  Investigators also learned that there was an active federal warrant for Stevens’ arrest in the Eastern District of Virginia.  On February 21, 2019, a federal grand jury in Richmond, Virginia, had returned as indictment charging Stevens and four other individuals with counterfeiting offenses.  The case against Stevens was transferred to the District of Connecticut for further prosecution.

On January 31, 2020, Stevens pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to falsely make, forge, counterfeit and pass Federal Reserve Notes.  In pleading guilty, Stevens admitted that, in January 2019, he and others passed approximately $21,800 in counterfeit currency at locations in Fredericksburg and Richmond, Virginia.

Stevens was detained from May 7, 2019, to January 31, 2020, when he was released on bond.  Approximately three weeks after his release, Stevens and others were arrested in New York after police found $3,800 in counterfeit notes in an envelope under Stevens’ car seat.  He has been detained since March 6, 2020, when his bond was revoked.

This investigation was conducted by the U.S. Secret Service with the assistance of several local police departments.  The case in the District of Connecticut was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Gustafson.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOEL CRUZ-BERRIOS, also known as “Krack,” 23, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to approximately 15 months of imprisonment, time already served, and three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing firearms.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in January 2019, Cruz-Berrios arranged to trade firearms with an individual in Stamford.  On January 22, 2019, Stamford Police officers arrested Cruz-Berrios, Nyejire Redmond and Victor Berrios-Sanchez after they traveled from New Haven to a parking garage in Stamford.  At the time the arrests, Berrios-Sanchez possessed a loaded .22 caliber revolver, a .25 caliber semi-automatic handgun and three .25 caliber rounds of ammunition, and Redmond possessed a loaded .45 caliber automatic handgun that had been reported stolen in New Britain in December 2018.  Redmond was sitting in the backseat of the vehicle next to a sleeping, unrestrained child who was approximately two years old. 

Cruz-Berrios has three prior convictions, and he was on probation from a prior felony conviction when he was arrested in this case.

Cruz-Berrios has been detained in state custody since March 13, 2019.  On November 4, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of firearm by a convicted felon.

Redmond previously pleaded guilty to possessing a stolen firearm and, on April 16, 2020, was sentenced to approximately 15 months of imprisonment, time served.  Berrios-Sanchez, of New Haven, pleaded guilty in state court to firearm offenses and was sentenced to 31 months of incarceration.

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Stamford Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria del Pilar Gonzalez.

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.

United States Attorney John H. Durham, Chief State’s Attorney Richard J. Colangelo, Jr., FBI Special Agent in Charge David Sundberg, Stamford Police Chief Timothy Shaw and Greenwich Police Chief James J. Heavey, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven returned a superseding indictment yesterday charging ROBERT RALLO, 56, of Brooklyn, New York, THOMAS LIBERATORE, 62, of White Plains, New York, and PAUL PROSANO, also known as “Tony Pro,” 60, of Brooklyn, with federal offenses in connection with the March 28 robbery of Marco Jewelers in Stamford, Connecticut.  During the robbery, the owner of Marco Jewelers was shot and killed.

As alleged in court documents, on March 28, 2020, at approximately 2:48 p.m., Stamford Police Officers responded to Marco Jewelers, located at 16 Sixth Street in Stamford.  When officers arrived, they found evidence of a robbery and encountered the storeowner, Mark Vuono, lying on the ground in front of an open safe.  Emergency medical personnel arrived and pronounced Vuono deceased.

It is further alleged that investigators collected and analyzed surveillance video from Marco Jewelers, surrounding businesses and Stamford city cameras.  Video obtained from Marco Jewelers revealed that, on March 28, Prosano drove Rallo and Liberatore in a black Jaguar to Marco Jewelers.  Rallo and Liberatore then entered the store.  Rallo, armed with a handgun, engaged in a physical altercation with Vuono, while Liberatore stole items from the display cases.  Vuono, who also possessed a firearm, and Rallo struggled next to a large open safe.  During the more than three-minute struggle, Rallo reached into the safe and pulled out a third firearm, a .357 Magnum revolver.  Rallo subsequently shot and killed Vuono with the .357 revolver.

It is alleged that, following the robbery, law enforcement located the black Jaguar in Staten Island and maintained surveillance on the vehicle.  On March 30, at approximately 5:30 p.m., a black BMW X3, driven by Prosano, pulled up beside the black Jaguar.  Rallo exited the rear door of the BMW and entered the driver’s door of a black Jaguar.  The two vehicles then left the area and rapidly accelerated.  The Jaguar crashed on Tompkins Street.  Rallo attempted to flee on foot, but was quickly apprehended.  The BMW crashed into a tree and parked car at the intersection of Daniel Low Terrace and Corson Avenue.  Prosano also attempted to flee and was apprehended.

A search of the BMW revealed 63 rings, eight bracelets, two tie pins, an earring and a cufflink, and a search of Prosano’s residence revealed 23 pairs of earrings and three rings.  It is alleged that these items were stolen from Marco Jewelers on March 28.  Liberatore also was arrested on March 30.

The defendants have been detained in New York on state parole violation charges since their arrests.

The superseding indictment charges Rallo, Liberatore and Prosano with interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act robbery), an offense that carries a maximum term imprisonment of 20 years, and with interstate transportation of stolen property, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

The indictment also charges Rallo, aided and abetted by Liberatore, with using a firearm to cause a death during a robbery.  If convicted of this offense, Rallo and Liberatore face a mandatory term of imprisonment of life, or death if the government seeks the death penalty in this matter.

It is alleged that prior to the Marco Jewelers robbery, on March 18, 2020, Liberatore drove a Honda Civic he had stolen from a car dealer in Yonkers, New York, to Byram Jewelers in Greenwich, Connecticut.  He entered the store at approximately 4:45 p.m. and asked a store employee to show him engagement rings.  He then pointed a pistol at the employee, stole several rings, smashed a display case with his pistol and stole other items before exiting the store.

On June 3, 2020, Liberatore was charged in a separate indictment with one count of interference with commerce by robbery, one count of possession and brandishing of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and one count of interstate transportation of a stolen vehicle.  If convicted of the firearm charge, Liberatore faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years, which must be imposed consecutively to any other sentence.

It is alleged that each defendant has an extensive criminal history and the three men met while serving their respective sentences within the New York State Department of Corrections.

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 investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Stamford Police Department and Greenwich Police Department, with the assistance of the New York Police Department, Yonkers (N.Y.) Police Department and New Rochelle (N.Y.) Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis and Rahul Kale.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, today announced that a grand jury New Haven returned an indictment yesterday charging WILTON REYNOSO, also known as Manuel Jose Echevarria-Lugo, 47, a citizen of the Dominican Republic residing in Waterbury; TYSON QUINONES, also known as “Ty,” 34, of Waterbury; and DEESHAWN PITTMAN, also known as “Low,” 30, of New Haven, with trafficking heroin.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, in late 2019, the DEA New Haven Task Force began an investigation into the distribution of heroin in New Haven.  The investigation, which included thousands of intercepted communications over court-authorized wiretaps, revealed that Pittman and others were distributing heroin and crack cocaine to a large customer base in New Haven County.  Pittman was supplied with heroin by Quinones, who also distributed heroin and cocaine to his own customers in and around Waterbury.  Quinones was supplied with heroin from Reynoso, who received large quantities of heroin from a source in New York.

On June 13, 2020, investigators sought to arrest the three defendants after intercepting a series of calls that, as alleged, indicted that Reynoso and Quinones were planning to conduct a 200-gram heroin transaction, with a portion of the drugs possibly destined for Pittman.  On that date, Pittman was arrested at his residence, a search of which revealed approximately 50 grams of a mixture of suspected heroin and fentanyl, and more than $15,000 in cash.  Quinones was arrested at the anticipated meeting place.  A subsequent search of his residence revealed a stolen, loaded 9mm pistol.  Reynoso fled from the meeting scene in his vehicle, which was found abandoned nearby.  He was arrested a short time later after he returned to the vehicle.  A search of a location in Waterbury that Reynoso used to store, process and package narcotics revealed more than kilogram of a mixture of suspected heroin and fentanyl.

Each of the defendants, who are detained, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams of more of heroin, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.

U.S. Attorney Durham noted that the investigation is ongoing, and additional charges are possible.  He further noted 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.

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 H. Gordon Hall and John T. Pierpont, Jr.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that the U.S. Attorney’s Office has reached a settlement agreement with 165 Main Street, Inc., doing business as the Strand Theater in Seymour, to resolve allegations that the theater facility is not in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”).

The settlement agreement resolves an ADA complaint filed by an individual with disabilities alleging that the Strand Theater’s facility is not fully accessible for individuals with physical disabilities.  The theater is in the process of making the changes required by the settlement agreement, which include remediating the designated accessible entrance, adding accessible signage, remediating the accessible toilet room, ensuring accessible wheelchair seating, and acquiring assistive listening devices for use by theater patrons.

Under federal law, private entities that own or operate places of “public accommodation,” including theaters, are prohibited from discriminating on the basis of disability.  The ADA authorizes the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate complaints and undertake periodic reviews of compliance of covered entities.  The Justice Department is also authorized to commence a civil lawsuit in federal court in any case that involves a pattern or practice of discrimination or that raises issues of general public importance, and to seek injunctive relief, monetary damages, and civil penalties.

U.S. Attorney Durham noted the cooperation of the owners of the Strand Theater for their cooperation with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and their commitment to addressing the issues raised by the ADA investigation without litigation.

This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica H. Soufer of the District of Connecticut in coordination with the Disability Rights Section of the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.

Any member of the public who wishes to file a complaint alleging that any place of public accommodation or public entity in Connecticut is not accessible to persons with disabilities may contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at 203-821-3700.  Additional information about the ADA can be found at www.ada.gov, or by calling the Justice Department’s toll-free information line at (800) 514-0301 and (800) 514-0383 (TTY). 

Earlier this week, the Justice Department announced the launch of the Civil Rights Reporting Portal. This new online tool will make it easier for the public to report a civil rights violation.  The new Civil Rights Reporting Portal – located at www.civilrights.justice.gov – will consolidate over 30 unique reporting pathways.  The portal will dramatically ease the burden on victims of civil rights violations to identify the proper reporting channel.  The form is fully accessible to people with disabilities.  It is also available in both English and Spanish, with more languages to be added over the next year.

Individuals who believe that they may have been victims of civil rights violations should contact the department by visiting www.civilrights.justice.gov.  Those who believe they are a victim of criminal violation of their civil rights, such as misconduct by law enforcement officers, a hate crime, or human trafficking, should contact their local FBI office.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DURE DANCY, 25, of Hartford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna F. Martinez to possession of a firearm by a felon.

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

According to court documents and statements made in court, 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 is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant on October 28, 2020, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

Dancy has been detained since his arrest.

This case has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and the Hartford Police Department.  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, announced that MANUEL A. GOMEZ, 30, of Hartford, pleaded guilty today in New Haven federal court to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

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 is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall on September 9, 2020, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

Gomez has been detained since his arrest.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MALIQUE MARTIN, 25, of Ansonia, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 12 months and one day of imprisonment, followed by two years of supervised release, for illegally dealing firearms and ammunition.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in August and September 2019, members of ATF and the New Haven Police Department made controlled purchases of four firearms and corresponding ammunition from Martin.  Two of firearms Martin sold – an AR-1 Patriot semiautomatic rifle and a Bersa 9mm pistol – had obliterated serial numbers.  During one of the sales, Martin noted that the bullets he provided could pierce a bulletproof vest.

Martin was arrested on October 2, 2019.  On January 16, 2020, he pleaded guilty to one count of dealing firearms without a license and one count of possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.

Martin, who is released on bond, is required to report to prison on July 21, 2020.

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

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that the U.S. Attorney’s Office has reached a settlement agreement with the Connecticut Department of Transportation (“ConnDOT”), to resolve allegations that the rail station in New London is not accessible to individuals with mobility disabilities, as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”). 

The settlement agreement requires ConnDOT to remediate the New London Rail Station to make it accessible for individuals with disabilities.  As part of the settlement agreement, ConnDOT must ensure that:

• there are accessible routes to the station
• the station has at least one accessible entrance
• there are accessible doors to the station along the accessible routes
• any stairs that are part of a method of egress from the station are accessible
• train brochure display areas within the station are accessible
• the station has accessible toilet rooms
• signage within the station is accessible
• there are accessible routes to the accessible boarding platforms
• the station has accessible ramps

Under federal law, public entities are prohibited from discriminating on the basis of disability.  The ADA authorizes the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate complaints and undertake periodic reviews of compliance of covered entities.  The Department is also authorized to commence a civil lawsuit in federal court in any case that involves a pattern or practice of discrimination or that raises issues of general public importance, and to seek injunctive relief, monetary damages, and civil penalties.

This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica H. Soufer of the District of Connecticut in coordination with the Disability Rights Section of the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.

Any member of the public who wishes to file a complaint alleging that any place of public accommodation or public entity in Connecticut is not accessible to persons with disabilities or does not permit service animals may contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at 203-821-3700.  Additional information about the ADA can be found at www.ada.gov, or by calling the Justice Department’s toll-free information line at (800) 514-0301 and (800) 514-0383 (TTY). 

Earlier today, the Justice Department announced the launch of the Civil Rights Reporting Portal. This new online tool will make it easier for the public to report a civil rights violation.  The new Civil Rights Reporting Portal – located at civilrights.justice.gov – will consolidate over 30 unique reporting pathways.  The portal will dramatically ease the burden on victims of civil rights violations to identify the proper reporting channel.  The form is fully accessible to people with disabilities.  It is also available in both English and Spanish, with more languages to be added over the next year.

Individuals who believe that they may have been victims of civil rights violations should contact the department by visiting civilrights.justice.gov.

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 Norwich Police Chief Patrick J. Daley announced that ANTOINE WALKER, 40, of Norwich, was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint charging him with firearm and controlled substances offenses.

Walker appeared this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah A. L. Merriam in New Haven and was ordered detained.

As alleged in the complaint, on June 10, 2020, Norwich Police conducting a drug trafficking and murder investigation executed a court-authorized search of Walker’s residence.  Officers searched the garage at the residence and found approximately 130 grams of suspected fentanyl, approximately 88 dose bags of suspected fentanyl, nearly two pounds of suspected marijuana, items used to process and package drugs for street sale, and a loaded .38 Special Smith and Wesson revolver.  A search of the residence revealed approximately 15 grams of suspected crack cocaine together with a digital scale.  Walker was arrested on state charges at that time.

It is further alleged Walker is a previously convicted felon and, in October 2013, he was sentenced in Southern District of New York to 80 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for armed robbery and bank robbery offenses.  Walker is currently on federal supervised release.

The complaint charges Walker with possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  He may also face enhanced penalties based on the quantity and type of drugs seized, his alleged prior convictions, and if he is found in violation of the conditions of his supervised release.

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 investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Norwich Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Margaret M. Donovan and Maria del Pilar Gonzalez.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JORGE OQUENDO, also known as “G,” 35, of Hartford, pleaded guilty today in New Haven federal court to one count of possession with intent to distribute phencyclidine (PCP).

According to court documents and statements made in court, in May 2019, the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and Hartford Police Department received information that Oquendo was distributing a large quantity of packaged and liquid PCP from his Wilson Street residence.  Investigators subsequently made a controlled purchase of PCP from Oquendo at his residence.  On May 22, 2019, investigators attempted to arrest Oquendo after he drove to a parking lot on Prospect Avenue in West Hartford.  When multiple law enforcement vehicles closed in on Oquendo, he quickly accelerated, struck and damaged one police vehicle, drove across the parking lot, and then smashed his car into a second law enforcement vehicle that was blocking the exit to Prospect Avenue.  A task force officer who occupied the second police vehicle was injured in the crash and briefly lost consciousness.  Oquendo was apprehended and placed under arrest shortly thereafter.

At the time his arrest. Oquendo possessed a clear plastic bag containing smaller zip lock bags, each containing a black leaf substance soaked in PCP.  A subsequent search of Oquendo’s residence revealed approximately 50 grams of black leaves soaked in PCP, more than seven grams of liquid PCP, items used to process and package narcotics for street sale, and approximately $14,000 in cash.

Oquendo is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall on September 9, 2020, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

Oquendo has been detained since his federal arrest on May 31, 2019.

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.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DESI WILLIAMS, 39, of Waterbury, pleaded guilty today to possession of a firearm as a convicted felon, and while he was on supervised release following a prior federal conviction for the same offense.

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

According to court documents and statements made in court, in the afternoon of January 28, 2019, Waterbury Police officers attempted to stop a car Williams was driving at the intersection of Brass Mill Drive and Union Street for motor vehicle violations.  When an officer approached the car on foot, Williams accelerated and fled from the scene.  During a subsequent pursuit, Williams rammed three police vehicles before crashing his car into a utility pole on Walnut Street.  Williams ran from the car, jumped over a fence and was eventually apprehended on Ives Street.  A search of Williams’s car revealed a loaded Smith & Wesson .22 caliber revolver.

In 2016, Williams was convicted in federal court of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and he was on federal supervised release in January 2019.  Prior to 2016, Williams was convicted in state court of felony robbery, burglary and failure to appear offenses.

When he is sentenced, Williams faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, and additional penalties for violating the conditions of his supervised release.  A sentencing date is not scheduled.

Williams has been detained since January 28, 2019.

This matter has been investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Waterbury Police Department.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter D. Markle and Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis.

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 TYLON CEASAR, 20, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant to 16 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for distributing heroin and illegally selling a firearm.

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 five occasions in November and December 2018, law enforcement made five controlled purchases of heroin and crack cocaine from Ceasar in the vicinity of his Putnam Street residence.  Some of the purchased heroin contained fentanyl.  Ceasar also sold a firearm to a government witness on January 3, 2019.

Ceasar was arrested on criminal complaint on January 17, 2019.  Investigators seized a small quantity of crack from Ceasar’s residence at the time of his arrest.  After his arrest, Ceasar was released on bond under a condition that he wear a GPS monitoring device.

Ceasar has been detained since August 14, 2019, after, as the government alleges and Judge Bryant today found, he shot at another person and accidently struck an associate on August 13.  The state charges against Ceasar stemming from this incident were dismissed.

On November 6, 2019, Ceasar pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of distribution of heroin.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’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 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, announced that BRIAN EVANS, 21, of Hartford, pleaded guilty today to fentanyl distribution and firearm possession offenses.

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

According to court documents and statements made in court, 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.

Evans pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of fentanyl, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer on September 4, 2020.

Evans has agreed to forfeit the firearms and cash that were seized from him at the time of his arrest.

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 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 LYNWOOD COGDELL, 32, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing firearms in association with his narcotics distribution activities.

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 March 15, 2016, Cogdell was sentenced in federal court to 36 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.  He was released from federal prison in June 2018.

On August 10, 2018, while on supervised release, Cogdell was arrested by Stamford Police after he was found in possession of a loaded .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol and 150 folds of heroin that he intended to distribute.

On April 15, 2019, Cogdell was arrested by Connecticut State Police in Bridgeport after he was found in possession of a loaded .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol and 58 folds of heroin/fentanyl that he intended to distribute.

Cogdell has been detained since April 15, 2019.  On February 6, 2020, he pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.

This investigation was conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service, Stamford Police Department, Bridgeport Police Department and Connecticut State Police.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren C. Clark.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, Phillip Coyne, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), David Sundberg, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Wallingford Police Chief William J. Wright today announced that a Wallingford doctor has been charged with federal controlled substances and health care offenses related to the illegal distribution of prescription medication.

On June 4, 2020, Dr. ANATOLY BRAYLOVSKY, 49, of Wallingford, was arrested on a criminal complaint.  JENNIFER BOUSQUET, 36, of Wallingford, also was arrested for her involvement in the alleged scheme.  Braylovsky and Bousquet appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector via videoconference.  Braylovsky was ordered detained and Bousquet was released on a $150,000 bond.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, Braylovsky is an internal medicine physician who has operated the Family Practice of Greater New Haven, LLC, located on North Main Street in Wallingford.  Braylovsky’s practice accepted patients who are insured by Medicare, Medicaid and commercial insurance plans.  Since approximately 2014, the DEA and the Wallingford Police Department have received complaints about Braylovsky’s prescribing practices.  In early 2016, investigators from both the DEA Diversion Control Division and the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection’s Drug Control Division notified Braylovsky that they were concerned about his prescribing practices and informed him that some of his patients had a criminal history.  Through subsequent Connecticut Prescription Monitoring Program inquiries, investigators found that Braylovsky continued to prescribe a high quantity of opioid-based pills, as well as Alprazolam and Adderall, to a number of patients.  Investigators also received information that some of Braylovsky’s patients, including Bousquet, received medically unnecessary prescriptions for these drugs and were then selling the pills for profit; that Braylovsky was selling prescriptions for large amounts of cash; and that some patients who had their prescriptions filled provided pills to Braylovsky.

It is alleged that, in approximately October 2019, HHS-OIG joined the investigation when it was discovered that Bousquet and other patients of Braylovsky were using their Medicaid or Medicare insurance to pay for medically unnecessary prescriptions.  For at least three years, Bousquet has received from Braylovsky monthly prescriptions for 170 oxycodone 30mg pills, 75 Adderall 20mg pills, and 30 alprazolam 2mg pills.

It is further alleged that, during the investigation, law enforcement utilized a confidential source, who was both a patient of Braylovsky and an associate of Bousquet, to pay Braylovsky cash in exchange for receiving a prescription for oxycodone.  On four occasions between October 2019 and January 2020, the source visited Braylovsky’s office, gave him $1,600 in cash, and received a prescription for 150 oxycodone 30mg pills.  Even though Braylovsky performed no physical examination and did not discuss the source’s health, Braylovsky billed Medicaid for each office visit.  In addition, the source provided Braylovsky with $1,600 in cash for a prescription during an office visit on March 18, 2020, and delivered $1,600 to Braylovsky’s car after a telehealth appointment on April 30, 2020.  The appointment was conducted via FaceTime due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  After each prescription was filled, DEA agents took the oxycodone pills into evidence.  Medicaid paid for each filled prescription.

Between approximately January 2016 and May 2020, Medicare and Medicaid have paid more than $1.6 million for schedule II medications, including oxycodone, prescribed by Braylovsky.  During that time, Medicare and Medicaid have also paid Braylovsky’s practice more than $590,000 for routine office visits.

Braylovsky and Bousquet are each charged with possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.  Braylovsky is also charged with health care fraud and with making false statements relating to health care matters.

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 investigation is being conducted by the DEA New Haven Task Force, HHS-OIG’s Office of Investigations, FBI, Connecticut State Police, Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection – Drug Control Division, Connecticut Department of Public Health, Wallingford Police Department and Easton Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Pierpont, Jr.

No words are sufficient to express the sadness and outrage we feel about George Floyd’s death, or to address the history that has led to that horrific event.  As to all persons who are charged with a crime, in our country, the officers involved have a right to a fair trial.  At the same time, we are all fully aware of the fact that the death of Mr. Floyd was not the first completely unnecessary death of a black or brown person at the hands of law enforcement.  We also need to fully recognize that the officers involved in his death are not the only officers in this country who pose a danger to the citizens they police.

Based on my many years of experience in the criminal justice system, I know that these officers in Minneapolis do not represent all law enforcement officers, the vast majority of whom honor their uniform, abide by their oath of service, and act decently and appropriately day in and day out.  Attempting to console our communities and those who are sad, or angry, or disaffected with words and examples of all the progress made to this point, however, can ring hollow in troubled times.

While cities around America have experienced acts of violence, property damage and theft in the wake of Mr. Floyd’s death, I am encouraged, and we all should be encouraged, by the widespread peacefulness of demonstrations and thoughtful acts of civil disobedience that we have experienced here in Connecticut.  I am heartened by images of police officers and state troopers across Connecticut engaging with those who are peacefully protesting, escorting them along demonstration routes and ensuring that the protesters are not only heard, but listened to, and understood. 

We are fortunate that, to date, the worthy demonstrations in Connecticut have not been infected with out-of-state agitators and local opportunists.  I like to believe that our state’s relative peace is primarily a reflection of the amount of work that Connecticut’s police departments and community leaders have invested in trying to make things better for all of our citizens. 

George Floyd’s death is yet another, unfortunate example of how much we still need to improve.  Hopefully, technology will help us get closer to where we need to be.  The video recorded on May 25 in Minneapolis is both a tragic reminder of the work that still needs to be done, and how bad things were before technological advances provided needed sunshine to everyday policing in America.  The prolific use of cellphone video, body cameras, dash cams and surveillance video now ensure that repugnant events are recorded and made known.  When police officers fail in their jobs, video recordings now bring consequences that, in the past, officers have too rarely faced.

When police officers seriously fail and abuse their authority, our criminal justice system must hold them accountable.  And if a police department’s leadership fosters a culture that permits this kind of abusive behavior, the Justice Department stands ready to step in and work to correct it.  Our office has prosecuted bad cops who violated their sworn oath to protect and serve their community, and we have investigated and helped to repair broken police departments.  We will not hesitate to continue to do so.

I am proud of the progress that, overall, has been made with policing in America generally and Connecticut in particular, but brutal police actions like those in Minneapolis erase years of goodwill established between law enforcement and community in an instant.  It is natural to demand perfection in law enforcement.  However, as no profession is devoid of wrongdoers, we cannot expect perfection in all instances.  But having the authority to carry a weapon, a mandate to keep the peace, and a responsibility to protect the public separates the job of a police officer from any other and, more important, requires them to be held to a higher standard.

The eradication of centuries of racial bias, discrimination and profiling is an ongoing challenge not only for law enforcement, but for all Americans.  Connecticut’s U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to finding and promoting ways to make change happen.  Until all communities welcome the presence of a peace officer, not fear him or her, and we achieve perfection in law enforcement, we cannot rest.

U.S. Attorney John H. Durham
June 5, 2020

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that YAMIL DIAZ, 48, last residing in Waterbury, has been charged by federal criminal complaint with violating the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).

Diaz made his initial appearance today before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill via videoconference.  He has been detained since February 24, 2020.

As alleged in court documents, on May 8, 2019, Diaz was convicted in circuit court for Coffee County, Alabama, of attempted sexual abuse of a child less than 12 years of age.  For that offense, he received a sentence of 10 years of incarceration, suspended after serving seven months, and two years of supervised probation.  He was also ordered to register as a sex offender and comply with the requirements of SORNA.

It is alleged that, in September 2019, a court in Coffee County issued an arrest warrant for Diaz for violating his probation.

On February 24, 2020, the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force located Diaz in Waterbury and arrested him on the outstanding Alabama warrant.

It is alleged that Diaz has failed to register as a sex offender in Connecticut, where he has resided since at least December 2019, and failed to update his sex offender registration in Alabama.

If convicted of violating SORNA, Diaz faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Chen.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOHNATHEN LOPEZ, 30, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny to 23 months of imprisonment, time already served, and three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm. 

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 27, 2017, members of the Waterbury Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit arrested Lopez after he was found in possession of a loaded Glock 27 .40 caliber handgun.

Lopez’s criminal history includes felony drug and weapon 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.

Lopez has been detained since his federal arrest on July 2, 2018.  On March 9, 2020, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

This matter was investigated by the Waterbury Police Department’s Gang Task Force, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natasha Freismuth and Patrick Caruso.

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 JERMAINE FOSTER, 49, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall to 20 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for trafficking 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 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 Brian Hanna, of Brooklyn, New York; Pedro Santos, of Waterbury, and Domingo Alves, of Waterbury, and selling to drug to other distributors and street-level customers.  Jordan also purchased and distributed cocaine.

During the investigation, a wiretap identified Larry Hall, of Naugatuck, as Santos’ heroin supplier.  Foster was intercepted on the wiretap purchasing bulk quantities of heroin that he sold at a profit to street-level dealers.

On March 13, 2019, a grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment charging Foster, Jordan, Hanna, Santos, Hall and 24 other individuals with various offenses related to the distribution of heroin, fentanyl, cocaine and crack cocaine.

Foster and several codefendants were arrested on March 20, 2019.  In association with the arrests, 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.

On November 6, 2019, Foster pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, 100 grams or more of heroin.

Foster, who is released on a $150,000 bond, is required to report to prison on October 14, 2020.

Jordan, Hanna, Santos and Hall pleaded guilty to related charges and await 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 KEITH SANFORD, 33, of Litchfield, pleaded guilty today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna F. Martinez to one count of theft of government property stemming from his embezzlement of nearly $40,000 in postal money orders while working for the U.S. Postal Service.

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

According to court documents and statements made in court, between July 2017 and December 2018, Sanford was employed by the U.S. Postal Service and worked on a rotating basis at the Granby, West Granby and East Hartland Post Offices.  Between April and December 2018, Sanford issued 139 postal money orders totaling $39,937.02 to himself and, in certain instances, his associates, without remitting payment for them.  Sanford received all of the proceeds from this scheme.

Sanford is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant on September 9, 2020, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  He is released on a $25,000 bond pending sentencing.

This matter has been investigated by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria del Pilar Gonzalez.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that the U.S. Attorney’s Office has reached a settlement agreement with the Quality Inn Mystic-Groton in Stonington to resolve allegations that the hotel was not operating in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”).

The settlement agreement resolves an ADA complaint filed by an individual with disabilities who relies on a service animal and who was a guest of the Quality Inn Mystic-Groton.  The complainant alleged that the hotel, which offers free breakfast to all of its guests, refused to permit him to enter the dining room with his service animal during breakfast service. 

Under federal law, private entities that own or operate places of “public accommodation,” including hotels, are prohibited from discriminating on the basis of disability.  The ADA requires that a public accommodation, such as a hotel, modify its policies, practices, or procedures to permit the use of a service animal by an individual with a disability.  Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.  The ADA requires hotels and other places of public accommodation to permit individuals with disabilities to be accompanied by their service animals in all areas of the place of public accommodation where members of the public, customers, patrons or invitees are allowed to go.

The settlement agreement requires the Quality Inn Mystic-Groton to permit service animals in all areas of the hotel that members of the public and other hotel guests are allowed to go, including in its dining room during meal service.  Additionally, the hotel will post signage indicating “Service Animals Welcome,” will implement a “Service Animal Policy,” and will train its managers and employees regarding the policy.  Further, the hotel will compensate the complainant in the amount of $1,000.

The ADA authorizes the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate complaints of disability discrimination and to undertake periodic reviews of compliance of covered entities.  The Justice Department is also authorized to commence a civil lawsuit in federal court in any case that involves a pattern or practice of discrimination or that raises issues of general public importance, and to seek injunctive relief, monetary damages, and civil penalties.

U.S. Attorney Durham noted that the owners and operators of the Quality Inn have worked cooperatively with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to address the matters raised in the complaint without the need for litigation.

This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica H. Soufer of the District of Connecticut in coordination with the Disability Rights Section of the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.

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

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that EDGARD MARTINEZ, 39, of Tolland, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill to 29 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for trafficking cocaine and illegally possessing a firearm.

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

According to court documents and statements made in court, in March 2019, law enforcement arranged two controlled purchases of cocaine in Bridgeport from Martinez and his associate, Desny Sosa-Hernandez.  On March 20, 2019, after investigators coordinated the purchase of 300 grams of cocaine from Martinez and Sosa-Hernandez, Martinez drove from his residence in Tolland to pick up Sosa-Hernandez at his residence in Waterbury.  The pair then intended to drive together to Bridgeport to consummate the drug transaction.  When Martinez arrived at Sosa-Hernandez’s residence, investigators apprehended Martinez and Sosa-Hernandez and seized a brown paper bag containing 300 grams of cocaine inside Martinez’s vehicle.  A subsequent search of Martinez’s residence revealed a .45 caliber handgun, a quantity of cocaine, and items used to process and package narcotics.  A search of Sosa-Hernandez’s residence revealed shoeboxes containing a total of $18,111 in cash.

Martinez’s criminal history includes a felony narcotics conviction for which he received a four-year sentence.

Martinez has been detained since his federal arrest on March 28, 2019.  On September 3, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, cocaine, and one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon. 

On November 6, 2019, Sosa-Hernandez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, cocaine.  He is released on a $100,000 bond while awaiting sentencing.

This matter has been investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force (HIDTA) and Milford Police Department.  The Task Force includes participants from the Connecticut State Police and the Milford, Norwalk, Stamford, Stratford and Bridgeport Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel J. Gentile.