District of Connecticut

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ERIC RUNDSTROM, 45, of Wallingford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to one count of receipt and possession of child pornography.

According to court documents and statements made in court, an FBI investigation revealed that Rundstrom had accessed an online website to connect with others interested in collecting and sharing images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children.  Investigators discovered a link to an online file hosting account associated with Rundstrom where hundreds of images and videos of child pornography had been stored, including images of adult males sexually abusing prepubescent females.

Rundstrom was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on February 14, 2019.

Judge Arterton scheduled sentencing for June 3, 2020, at which time Rundstrom faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  Rundstrom is released on a $25,000 bond pending sentencing.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anastasia E. King.

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 RICARDO REYES, also known as “Rick the Ruler,” 40, of Hartford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to offenses related to the possession and trafficking of narcotics and firearms.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2018, the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Gang Task Force began investigating Reyes, 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.  On September 9, 2018, Reyes was arrested by Hartford Police on state charges after they found him in possession of a firearm and approximately 250 bags of heroin/fentanyl.  Between January and June 2019, while Reyes was released on bond in his state case, investigators 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.  On April 22, 2019, 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.  Later that day, investigators conducted a traffic stop of Reyes’ vehicle in New Britain and seized the two firearms.  A search of the vehicle also revealed approximately 450 bags of suspected heroin/fentanyl, more than one pound of marijuana, and $1,160 in cash.  Reyes was charged with state offenses, released on bond, and resumed his drug trafficking activity.

Reyes and several co-defendants were arrested on a federal criminal complaints on June 17, 2019.  On that date, investigators seized two additional guns that had been purchased by Klosek, one that was in Reyes’ car and one that was in a Rowe Avenue residence that Reyes’ used as a stash location.  Investigators also seized approximately 3,500 bags of fentanyl from the stash house, and approximately $6,000 from Reyes’ residence.

Reyes has been detained since his federal arrest.  On June 27, 2019, a grand jury Hartford returned a 32-count indictment charging Reyes and 14 associates with various narcotics trafficking and firearm possession offenses.

Reyes pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 40 grams or more of fentanyl and 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”), and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  Judge Shea scheduled sentencing for June 5, 2020, at which time Reyes faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

Reyes’ criminal history includes state drug convictions, and a federal conviction for dealing firearms without a license.  The previous federal case involved Reyes and an associate, who had a valid state firearm permit, purchasing at least 13 firearms and selling them to drug dealers.  Reyes was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for that offense.

On March 2, 2020, Klosek pleaded guilty to one count of dealing firearms without a license, and one count of making a false statement during the acquisition of a firearm.  Klosek, who was addicted to heroin/fentanyl, admitted that he had purchased a total of 47 handguns, and that he had sold or “loaned” the guns he had purchased to support his drug addiction.  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 Violent Crimes 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 MICHAEL VADAKIN, 29, of Derby, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 12 months and one day of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for possessing child pornography.  Vadakin must serve the first four months of his supervised release in home confinement.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Vadakin was arrested on December 13, 2018, after an investigation revealed that he had used the Kik smartphone application to possess and share images and videos of children being sexually abused.  Forensic analysis of a tablet seized during a search of Vadakin’s residence revealed additional images of child pornography.

The investigation also revealed that, in an attempt to hide his criminal behavior, Vadakin regularly downloaded the Kik app and deleted the app after each use.  He also used fake user names and switched user names in an effort to remain anonymous on Kik and the internet.

On September 6, 2019, Vadakin pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography.

Vadakin, who was released on bond, was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service at the conclusion of today’s court proceeding.

This investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with assistance from the Derby Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anastasia E. King. 

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, and Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division, today announced that DANIEL SCOTT, 31, of Norwich, has been charged in a federal criminal complaint with making threatening communications.

As alleged in the complaint, on March 2, 2020, law enforcement received information from a woman in the Bronx, New York, that Scott had made threatening calls and sent threatening texts to her after she had communicated to Scott that she was not interested in having a romantic relationship with him.  Texts and voicemails reviewed by investigators contained specific threats to harm the victim.  One text included a promise by Scott that, on March 2, he would travel to the gym where she was employed and “…shoot tha whole gym up an end all of us….”

On the afternoon of March 2, Scott appeared at the victim’s workplace in the Bronx.  The victim called 9-1-1 and Scott was arrested by the New York Police Department.  Scott is currently detained in New York on domestic violence-related charges.

It is alleged that Scott has two prior federal convictions for narcotics distribution offenses, and he is currently on federal supervised release.

The charge of making threatening communications carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.

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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) with the assistance of the New York Police Department.  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 ELKIE CRUMP, also known as “40,” 37, was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint charging him with possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, fentanyl.

As alleged in the complaint, Crump formerly resided on Davis Drive in Bristol and currently resides in West Hartford as a condition of his state parole.  In December 2019, the DEA’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad and Bristol Police Department began an investigation into Crump after receiving information that Crump was distributing fentanyl in and around Bristol.  On three occasions in January and February 2020, investigators conducted controlled purchases of fentanyl from Crump.

Crump was arrested this morning in West Hartford.  It is alleged that he possessed a distribution quantity of fentanyl at the time of his arrest.

Crump appeared this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert A. Richardson in Hartford and was ordered detained.

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.

The DEA Tactical Diversion Squad includes officers from the Bristol, Hamden, Meriden, New Britain, West Haven and Watertown Police Departments.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Conor Reardon.

New Haven, Conn. – United States Attorney John H. Durham joined Attorney General William P. Barr, FBI Director Christopher A. Wray, and Chief Postal Inspector Gary R. Barksdale today in announcing the largest coordinated sweep of elder fraud cases in history.  This year, prosecutors charged more than 400 defendants, far surpassing the 260 defendants charged in cases as part of last year’s sweep.  In each case, offenders allegedly engaged in financial schemes that targeted or largely affected seniors.  In total, the charged elder fraud schemes caused alleged losses of over a billion dollars.

“Americans are fed up with the constant barrage of scams that maliciously target the elderly and other vulnerable citizens,” said Attorney General William P. Barr.  “This year, the Department of Justice prosecuted more than 400 defendants, whose schemes totaled more than a billion dollars. I want to thank the men and women of the Department’s Consumer Protection Branch, which coordinated this effort, and all those in the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and Criminal Division who worked tirelessly to bring these cases. The Department is committed to stopping the full range of criminal activities that exploit America’s seniors.”

This interactive map provides information on the elder fraud cases highlighted by today’s sweep announcement.   Three defendants were charged in the District of Connecticut.

Elder Fraud Hotline

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

Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force

The Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force prosecuted more than one quarter of the defendants charged as part of the announced sweep.  Established in June 2019, the Strike Force is composed of the Department’s Consumer Protection Branch and six U.S. Attorneys’ Offices (Central District of California, Middle and Southern Districts of Florida, Northern District of Georgia, Eastern District of New York, Southern District of Texas), along with FBI special agents, Postal Inspectors, and numerous other law enforcement personnel.  Prosecutors in Strike Force districts brought cases against more than 140 sweep defendants.  FBI and the Postal Inspection Service served as lead agencies in the Strike Force and committed substantial investigative resources to pursuing elder fraud cases as part of Strike Force efforts. The Strike Force has held dozens of meetings with industry, victim groups, and law enforcement at the federal, state, and local levels to identify the most harmful schemes victimizing American seniors and to bolster preventive measures against further losses.

For the second year, the Department of Justice and its law enforcement partners also took comprehensive action against the money mule network that facilitates foreign-based elder fraud. Generally, perpetrators use a “money mule” to transfer fraud proceeds from a victim to ringleaders of fraud schemes who often reside in other countries. Some of these money mules act unwittingly, and intervention can effectively end their involvement in the fraud. The FBI and the Postal Inspection Service took action against over 600 alleged money mules nationwide by conducting interviews, issuing warning letters, and bringing civil and criminal cases. Agents and prosecutors in more than 85 federal district participated in this effort to halt the money flow from victim to fraudster. These actions against money mules were in addition to the criminal and civil cases announced as part of this year’s elder fraud sweep.

These outreach efforts have helped to prevent seniors from falling prey to scams and have frustrated offenders’ efforts to obtain even more money from vulnerable elders.

The charges announced today are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

U.S. Attorney John H. Durham, Special Agent in Charge Phillip Coyne of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, Special Agent in Charge Brian C. Turner of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Connecticut Attorney General William Tong today announced that DR. CRISPIN ABARIENTOS and his wife, DR. ANTONIETA ABARIENTOS, have entered into a civil settlement agreement with the federal and state governments in which they will pay $4,927,903 to resolve allegations that they violated the federal and state False Claims Acts.

Crispin and Antonieta Abarientos owned and operated Middlesex Rheumatology in Middletown, a medical practice that specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of arthritis, autoimmune diseases and related conditions.  Crispin Abarientos was the treating physician at the practice and Antonieta Abarientos was a part owner of the practice.

One of the medications that Crispin Abarientos prescribed to his Middlesex Rheumatology patients was Remicade, an injectable prescription medication used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.  When treating Medicaid patients with Remicade, Crispin Abarientos was required to submit a claim to Connecticut Medicaid for Remicade on behalf of each member patient.  Medicaid then sent payment to Caremark Massachusetts Specialty Pharmacy in Massachusetts, which delivered the quantity of Remicade contained in the claim directly to Middlesex Rheumatology for the Medicaid patient without any out-of-pocket cost to the practice.

The government alleges that Crispin and Antonieta Abarientos submitted false claims to Medicaid for the delivery to Middlesex Rheumatology of Remicade that Crispin Abarientos represented was to be provided to his Medicaid patients, when he knew that those Medicaid patients were not being treated with Remicade.  Crispin Abarientos then proceeded to infuse the fraudulently obtained Remicade he had obtained for free from Medicaid, into Medicare patients and patients covered by the Connecticut State Employees Health Plan, submit claims for reimbursement for the cost of the Remicade to those insurance programs, and keep the profits for himself and the practice.

To resolve the allegations under the federal and state False Claims Acts, Crispin and Antonieta Abarientos have agreed to pay $4,927,903, which covers claims submitted to the Medicaid program from September 2013 through January 2018, and claims submitted to the Medicare program and the Connecticut State Employees Health Plan from July 2013 through June 2017.

In a related federal criminal case, Crispin Abarientos pleaded guilty to health care fraud and, on October 30, 2019, was sentenced to 37 months of imprisonment.

“Physicians who participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs must bill their services honestly, and the failure to do so increases the cost of health care for all of us,” said U.S. Attorney Durham.  “Health care providers who submit false claims to federal health care programs face serious consequences.”

“We take very seriously our responsibility to safeguard taxpayers by eliminating fraud, waste and abuse in our public health care programs, and I appreciate the continued partnership with the Connecticut U.S Attorney's Office to protect public funds," HHS-OIG Special Agent in Charge Coyne.

“We will not tolerate medical professionals stealing precious dollars from our federal health care programs,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Turner.  “Together with our state and federal law enforcement partners, we will continue to swiftly investigate these schemes, to ensure that waste, fraud and abuse in our Medicaid program is uncovered and those responsible are punished accordingly.”

This matter was investigated by the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard M. Molot, and by Assistant Attorney General Michael Cole of the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DEJUAN WARD, also known as “Hot Boi,” 23, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 97 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his role in a violent street gang.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2016, the New Haven Police Department’s Shooting Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) began investigating numerous unsolved shootings that had occurred in New Haven and Hamden.  Ballistic examination of recovered cartridge cases determined that three firearms were used in 18 shootings committed in or around New Haven in 2016.  The investigation revealed that the firearms were possessed by members and associates of the Goodrich Street Boys (“GSB”), a New Haven street gang, and that GSB members also were involved in a number of other shootings in 2016, many of them retaliatory against rival gang members.

GSB members distributed heroin, cocaine and marijuana, and used social media to post pictures and videos of themselves with firearms, and used social media to threaten rivals, including individuals who might cooperate with law enforcement.

On August 3, 2017, a grand jury in New Haven returned a 13-count indictment charging Ward and five other GSB members with racketeering, attempted murder, firearm and narcotics trafficking offenses.  The indictment alleged that, between September 2015 and May 2016, GSB members and associates were involved in six gang-related shootings that caused injuries to five individuals.

Ward was involved in at least one attempt to murder a rival gang member, and he regularly sent or posted pictures and videos of himself with firearms in an effort to intimidate rivals and show off for the group.  On August 1, 2016, Ward posted a video of himself brandishing a revolver with an obliterated serial number.  The firearm was subsequently found in a van after a triple homicide in Wallingford on December 30, 2016.

GSB members shot two individuals on April 3, 2016, on the belief that one of the shooting victims had been cooperating with police after a GSB shooting in 2014.  In addition, GSB members shot at rival gang members and other individuals on February 6, 2016, in a densely populated residential area; March 13, 2016, during a heavily attended St. Patrick’s Day parade in downtown New Haven; May 27, 2016, during which one individual was shot in the stomach and head and another was shot in the hand; and July 21, 2016, during which an innocent bystander was shot in the chest through her bedroom window.

Ward has been detained since January 2017.  He previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Ward is the last of six GSB members to be sentenced.  On October 24, 2019, Michael Via, also known as “Mike Live,” was sentenced to 78 months in prison; on October 30, 2019, Michael Belle, also known as “MB,” was sentenced to 87 months in prison; on October 31, 2019, Milton Westley, also known as “Reese,” was sentenced to 156 months in prison; on November 4, 2019, Clifford Brodie, also known as “Cliff G,” was sentenced to 168 months in prison, and on January 13, 2020, Sedale Pervis, also known as “Scope,” was sentenced to 144 months in prison.

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.

U.S. Attorney Durham further noted that federal law prohibits any retaliation against a federal witness.  If persons retaliate against a federal witness “because of attendance at or testimony in a criminal case, the maximum term of imprisonment which may be imposed for the offense under this section shall be the higher of that otherwise provided by law or the maximum term that could have been imposed for any offense charged in that case.”  Because the maximum term charged in the case was life imprisonment, anyone who tampers with a federal witness in this case faces life imprisonment.

This prosecution was 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.

This investigation was conducted by ATF and the New Haven Police Department.  The FBI, Hamden Police Department and New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office provided critical assistance in the investigation.

An instrumental component of this investigation has been the work of the Connecticut State Crime Laboratory in utilizing the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) to analyze ballistics evidence.

This matter was prosecuted in the District of Connecticut by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter D. Markle, Rahul Kale and Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that, on February 28, RAFAEL ARROYO, 35, of Hartford, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 84 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for narcotics distribution and firearm possession offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on July 26, 2018, a court-authorized search of Arroyo’s Broad Street apartment revealed approximately 400 bags of packaged heroin, a distribution quantity of cocaine, a Star S.A. 9mm semiautomatic pistol, an H&R “Sportsman” .22 caliber long rifle revolver, a Group Industries 9mm firearm, assorted ammunition, and three bulletproof vests.

Arroyo has been detained since his arrest.  On September 23, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine, and one count possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Arroyo’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for drug and firearm offenses.

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

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Brian C. Turner, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced that NORMAN KLOSEK, also known as Rich Klosek, 35, of Enfield, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to offenses related to his illegal sale of numerous firearms.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in the spring of 2019, the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Gang Task Force initiated court-authorized wiretaps on a member of the Los Solidos street gang who was distributing fentanyl and cocaine in and around Hartford.  Intercepted communications revealed that Klosek, who had a valid state pistol permit, was acting as a “straw purchaser” of firearms for a target of the investigation who, based on his criminal history, cannot lawfully purchase or possess firearms.

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

The investigation revealed that Klosek, who had an escalating drug addiction, first purchased and registered a firearm with the State of Connecticut on November 6, 2018.  Since that date, Klosek purchased 45 handguns in addition to the two guns he had purchased on April 22, 2019.  Twenty-five of the guns had been purchased between March 8 and April 22, 2019.

On April 24, 2019, a search of Klosek’s residence revealed empty gun boxes and receipts for firearm purchases, but no firearms.  Klosek was arrested the following day in Hartford.  He possessed fentanyl/heroin at the time of his arrest.  Klosek admitted that he was addicted to drugs and that he had sold or “loaned” the guns he had purchased.

To date, approximately 10 of the 47 handguns purchased by Klosek have been recovered by law enforcement.  One gun was recovered after it was used in a shooting in Hartford on August 22, 2019.

Klosek pleaded guilty to one count of dealing firearms without a license, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, and one count of making a false statement during the acquisition of a firearm, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  Judge Arterton scheduled sentencing for May 26, 2020.

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

On June 27, 2019, a grand jury Hartford returned a 32-count indictment charging 15 members and associates of Los Solidos with various narcotics trafficking and firearm possession offenses.  As to these defendants, 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.

The FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes 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 KURTIS GASKINS, 46, of Waterbury, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to violating the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 1992, Gaskins was convicted in Massachusetts of sexual assault offenses.  Gaskins failed to register as a sex offender in Connecticut when he moved to Connecticut in November 2018, and failed to update his sex offender registration in Massachusetts.

On October 9, 2019, the U.S Marshals Service located and arrested Gaskins in Waterbury.

Judge Arterton scheduled sentencing for May 18, 2020, at which time Gaskins faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  Gaskins is released on a $10,000 bond pending sentencing.

This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel J. Gentile.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ZIMER KALICI, 56, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to two years of probation, the first three months of which Kalici must serve in home confinement, for theft of Social Security benefits.

According to court documents and statements made in court, individuals are not eligible for Social Security benefits when they permanently relocate to live outside of the U.S., and eligibility for Social Security benefits terminates upon death.  An investigation by the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General (“SSA OIG”) revealed that Kalici’s father, a Social Security benefits recipient, relocated from the U.S. to Macedonia in 2009, and died in January 2010.  Kalici did not report his father’s death to the Social Security Administration and, between 2009 and 2018, deposited approximately $52,417.84 worth of Social Security checks intended for his father into his own personal bank account.

In November 2018, during an interview with SSA OIG investigators, Kalici stated that his father was still alive and had left the U.S. for Macedonia in May 2018.  Kalici subsequently provided SSA OIG with a false funeral internment certificate that represented his father had died on November 26, 2018.

Judge Meyer ordered Kalici to pay full restitution.

On September 23, 2019, Kalici pleaded guilty to one count of theft of public money.

Kalici also must perform 250 hours of community service while on probation.

This case was investigated by the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret M. Donovan.

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 DONALD CARIATI, JR., 44, of Meriden, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today in New Haven federal court to obstructing the IRS.

According to court documents and statements made in court today, Cariati owns and operates Cariati Developers Inc. (“CDI”), a snowplow and hauling business based in Wallingford.  Between 2013 and 2017, Cariati paid several CDI employees with company checks asserting that they were independent contractors or subcontractors in order to evade the responsibility to withhold and pay over taxes to the IRS.  However, Cariati and CDI failed to issue Forms 1099 to these “subcontractors” for particular years.  Cariati also informed certain individuals that they were being paid off the books, meaning that their pay was not reported to the IRS.

In late 2015, the IRS began an audit of CDI.  During the course of this audit, Cariati caused fraudulent invoices to be made available to an IRS revenue agent.  The invoices were purported to have been created in 2013 and purported to substantiate that individuals were appropriately considered subcontractors.

The investigation also revealed that, in 2014, CDI paid an invoice related to products for Cariati’s cigarette boat.  During the IRS audit, Cariati caused his accountant to provide to the IRS a false invoice to make it appear that the purchase was a business expense and not a personal expense.

As part of his plea agreement, Cariati agrees that the tax loss in this case is between $550,000 and $1.5 million.

Cariati pleaded guilty to one count of obstructing or impeding the due administration of the Internal Revenue laws, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of three years.  He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea on June 4, 2020.

This matter is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Laraia. 

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Brian C. Turner, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven returned a six-count indictment yesterday charging JOSEPH NADER, 53, of Torrington, with fraud offenses.

As alleged in the indictment, Nader was the Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) of a company located in Naugatuck.  From approximately 2013 to February 2017, Nader defrauded the company by making false representations to the company’s owners concerning the company’s financial position.  He also created a false bank statement depicting a balance of over $185,000 in a company account, when the balance was significantly less, and then provided that false bank statement to an outside accounting firm for preparation of the company’s year-end financial statements.  Because Nader misrepresented the company’s financial position, the company issued bonuses to him and other employees in amounts they would not otherwise have received had the true financial position of the company been known. 

In addition, the indictment alleges that Nader sent false invoices and pack lists to a customer of the company to reflect products purportedly purchased by the customer, causing the customer to pay more than $100,000 for products that had not been purchased or shipped.

It is also alleged that Nader manipulated the company’s payroll system to cause the company to make excessive payments to him.

The indictment charges Nader with six counts of wire fraud, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count.

This matter has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford.  An arraignment date is not scheduled.

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

This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Laraia and Michael McGarry. 

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Brian C. Turner, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced that MICHAEL VERZELLA, 41, of Branford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to a fraud offense related to his theft of at least $240,000 from his non-profit employer and numerous individuals serviced by his employer.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Verzella was employed as the Supervisor of Recreation and Operations at Chapel Haven Schleifer Center (“Chapel Haven”), a private, non-profit entity that provides services and residential housing to individuals with developmental and social disabilities.  As an employee of Chapel Haven, Verzella possessed a Chapel Haven credit card that was supposed to be used to pay for expenses related to Chapel Haven, including the purchasing of tickets to off-site events that students and community members of Chapel Haven could attend.  These events included trips to dances, bingo nights, plays, shopping malls, and sporting events.

In pleading guilty, Verzella admitted that, between January 2012 and February 2018, he used his Chapel Haven credit card to purchase tickets for sporting and entertainment events that he attended with friends and family.  He then submitted fraudulent purchase orders for these expenses to the Chapel Haven business office, representing them to be for recreational events for the students and community members of Chapel Haven.  He also used the credit card to purchase gift cards for his personal use.  Through this scheme, Verzella defrauded Chapel Haven of approximately $175,872.

In addition, Verzella directed Chapel Haven employees he supervised to collect cash from Chapel Haven students and community members to attend in-house events at Chapel Haven, even though the fees for attending such events were already included in the tuition for students and billed by invoice to community members.  Verzella kept at least $68,000 in collected cash for himself.

Verzella has agreed to pay total restitution of $450,062.08, which includes expenses Chapel Haven incurred while investigating his criminal conduct.

Verzella pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for May 22, 2020.

Verzella was arrested on a criminal complaint on December 20, 2018.  He is released on a $100,000 bond pending sentencing.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Haven Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah P. Karwan and Maria del Pilar Gonzalez.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that NATHANIEL DeJESUS, 20, of Hartford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to fentanyl and crack cocaine distribution offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in July 2019, after a spate of gun violence in Hartford, the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes 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, law enforcement made controlled purchases of crack cocaine and fentanyl from DeJesus.

DeJesus was arrested on state charges on August 28, 2019.  At the time of his arrest he possessed fentanyl and crack packaged for distribution.

On September 13, 2019, DeJesus was arrested on federal narcotics distribution charges.  On that date, a search of his Andover Street residence revealed approximately 73 grams of fentanyl, more than two grams of crack, and items used to process and package narcotics for street sale.

DeJesus pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base (“crack”).  Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for May 22, 2020, at which time DeJesus faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

DeJesus has been detained since September 13, 2019.

The FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes 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 John T. Pierpont, Jr.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that NELSON FERRY, also known as “300,” 29, of East Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 87 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for distributing fentanyl and crack cocaine.

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

Ferry led one of the drug trafficking organizations and operated a “trap house” at 149 Wethersfield Avenue in Hartford as a distribution point for drug customers.  Between February and April 2018, investigators made several controlled purchases of fentanyl and crack cocaine from Ferry’s associate at or near the trap house.  On May 22, 2018, Ferry’s associate was shot and seriously wounded in an apparent robbery of the trap house.  After the shooting, intercepted communications revealed that Ferry solicited his brother-in-law, Dannie Darling, to locate and likely harm the shooter.  In order to prevent violence, investigators followed Ferry, sent uniformed police officers into targeted areas, and stopped Darling in his vehicle to identify him.

Ferry has been detained since his arrest on June 19, 2018.  A search of his residence on that date revealed approximately 50 grams of fentanyl, assorted drug paraphernalia and more than $2700 in cash.

On August 12, 2019, Ferry pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 40 grams or more of fentanyl and 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”).

Darling pleaded guilty to related charges and, on January 22, 2020, was sentenced to 51 months of imprisonment.

On January 27, 2020, Randy Parkman, 43, of Hartford, pleaded guilty to federal robbery and firearm offenses related to the May 22, 2018, shooting at the Wethersfield Avenue trap house.  He awaits sentencing.

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

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Leaming.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DONALD BURNS, 62, of Milford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 30 months of imprisonment, followed by two years of supervised release, for his role in a large-scale marijuana trafficking conspiracy.

According to court documents and the evidence presented during a trial of one of Burns’ codefendants, in 2016, the Federal Aviation Administration began investigating a Piper single-engine aircraft, owned by Burns, that was making regular flights between Stratford, Connecticut, and northern California via the southwest United States.  On June 28, 2017, Burns flew the aircraft from northern California to Lubbock, Texas.  The next day, Burns flew the aircraft from Texas to Arkansas, and then to West Virginia and Connecticut, where he landed in the evening at Sikorsky Airport in Stratford.  After it landed, a law enforcement search of the plane revealed approximately 400 pounds of marijuana in vacuum-sealed packages, and Burns was arrested.  Investigators determined that the marijuana was intended for Robert Capelli, Scott Bodnar, Terrell Givens and others to distribute in Connecticut.

The investigation revealed that, for more than two years, Capelli and his associates earned millions of dollars by trafficking nearly two tons of marijuana from California to Connecticut.   Members of the conspiracy also laundered more than $6 million to purchase marijuana in California, maintain properties for distribution in Connecticut, pay Burns to transport the marijuana, and for other expenses related to the conspiracy.

On May 6, 2019, Burns, of Milford, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana.  He also agreed to forfeit the Piper aircraft.

Burns, who is released on bond, is required to report to prison on May 26.

On July 25, 2019, a jury found Capelli, of Milford, guilty of one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, 100 kilograms or more of marijuana, and one count of possession with intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana.  He was found not guilty of one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments, and one count of money laundering.  On December 3, 2019, he was sentenced to 95 months of imprisonment.

As part of this case, Capelli also has forfeited $55,000.

On May 2, 2019, Bodnar, of Ansonia, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana, and one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments.  On September 4, 2019, he was sentenced to 55 months of imprisonment and ordered to forfeit his 2012 Toyota Camry.

On May 3, 2019, Givens, of Beacon Falls, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana, and one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments.  On September 11, 2019, he was sentenced to 55 months of imprisonment and ordered to forfeit his 2009 Jaguar XF and jewelry valued at approximately $8,000.

This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Task Force, the Federal Aviation Administration’s Law Enforcement Assistance Program (LEAP), the Customs and Border Protection’s Air and Marine Operations Center, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Stratford, Derby and West Haven Police Departments, and the Second Judicial Drug Task Force in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rahul Kale and Marc Silverman.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that WILLIAM CLAUDIO-SUAREZ, also known as “Willy,” 34, formerly of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for his role in a New Haven-based drug trafficking organization.

According to court documents and statements made in court, an investigation headed by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force and New Haven Police Department revealed that Malbin Rubiera-Herrera, also known as “Chaca,” acquired fentanyl, heroin and cocaine from sources in Connecticut and New Jersey and distributed the drugs through a network of associates in the greater New Haven area.  Between October and December 2018, investigators made controlled purchases of narcotics from Rubiera-Herrera.  Subsequent court-authorized wiretaps revealed a widespread narcotics trafficking conspiracy that involved the trafficking of kilogram-quantities of fentanyl, heroin and cocaine into Connecticut.

The investigation revealed that Claudio-Suarez distributed narcotics, and also acted as broker for a large shipment of cocaine to Rubiera-Herrera.  In March 2019, after Claudio-Suarez had moved to New Jersey, Claudio-Suarez and Rubiera-Herrera were intercepted on recorded calls coordinating the delivery of two kilograms of cocaine to Rubiera-Herrera for redistribution in Connecticut.  Ultimately, one of the kilograms of cocaine was sold prior to reaching Connecticut, and the other was seized after a traffic stop in New Jersey.

On June 5, 2019, a grand jury returned a superseding indictment charging Claudio-Suarez, Rubiera-Herrera and 12 other individuals with fentanyl, heroin and cocaine trafficking offenses.

Claudio-Suarez has been detained since his arrest on a state probation violation on April 29, 2019.  On October 21, 2019, he pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with the intent to distribute, 500 grams or more of cocaine and a quantity of heroin.

A search of Rubiera-Herrera's residence at the time of arrest on April 30, 2019, revealed approximately 300 grams of fentanyl.  He pleaded guilty on June 20, 2019, and awaits sentencing.

This matter is being investigated by the DEA New Haven Task Force and the New Haven Police Department, with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Marshals Service, Connecticut State Police, Connecticut Department of Correction, East Haven Police Department, Easton Police Department, Orange Police Department, and the Cape May County (N.J.) Prosecutor's Office, Gangs, Guns and Narcotics Task Force.

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.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis and S. Dave Vatti.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JORGE ALBERTO RODRIGUEZ RODRIGUEZ, 33, a citizen of Honduras last residing in Stamford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to unlawful reentry of a removed alien.

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

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

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

Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for May 18, 2020, at which time Rodriguez Rodriguez faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years for illegal reentry.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that BRIAN HERNDON, 45, of New Britain, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 84 months of imprisonment, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for possession child pornography and for violating the conditions of his supervised release from a prior federal conviction.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on January 12, 2009, Herndon was sentenced in New Haven federal court to 72 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for possessing child pornography.  He was released from federal prison in May 2014.  On September 1, 2015, U.S. Probation officers searched Herndon’s residence and seized a laptop.  Subsequent forensic examination of the laptop revealed approximately 2,269 images and 74 videos depicting the sexual abuse of children.

Herndon pleaded guilty to the offense on November 21, 2019.

Judge Shea ordered Herndon to pay a total of $5,000 to two victims whose images he possessed.

Herndon, who had been released on bond, was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service at the conclusion of today’s court proceeding.

This investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter S. Jongbloed.

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, today announced that the U.S. Attorney’s Office has reached a settlement agreement with the Comfort Inn in Guilford, to resolve allegations that the hotel was 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 Comfort Inn refused to allow him to stay at the hotel with his service animal and that the Comfort Inn was not accessible for individuals with mobility disabilities who use wheelchairs.  The hotel is in the process of making the changes required by the settlement agreement, which includes the implementation of a new policy prohibiting staff members from requiring documentation or certification for service animals.  The policy permits service animals in all areas of the hotel where guests and members of the public are allowed to go.  The Comfort Inn will train its staff on the new policy and will post signs indicating that service animals are welcome at the hotel.  Additionally, the Comfort Inn will make changes to its facility to increase accessibility, including designating accessible parking spaces, creating an accessible route to the designated accessible entrance, adding accessible seating in the hotel’s breakfast area, modifying the lobby toilet rooms, and adding accessible features to its accessible guest rooms. 

Under federal law, private entities that own or operate places of “public accommodation,” including hotels and inns, are prohibited from discriminating on the basis of disability.  The ADA authorizes the Justice Department 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 thanked the owners of the Comfort Inn for their cooperation and their willingness to improve accessibility at their hotel without the need for litigation. 

This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney David C. Nelson and 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).  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 JACHIM BROWN, also known as “Ameer Edwards,” 29, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 260 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for committing several violent armed robberies in 2017 during which he shot and wounded two individuals.

According to court documents and statements made in court:

On September 27, 2017, Brown, wearing a mask and pointing a gun, entered Nikita’s Bar, located on Iranistan Avenue in Bridgeport, and pointed a gun at the only employee who was working at the time.  Brown directed the employee to location behind the bar to retrieve a key to a safe.  After the employee complied, Brown opened the safe and stole approximately $2,450.  During this robbery, the car of Brown’s half-brother, Eric Chambers, can be seen on surveillance video driving past the entrance to the bar.  Chambers had previously worked security at the bar.

In the early morning hours of November 9, 2017, Brown, again brandishing a gun, robbed an employee of Avenue Restaurant who was couriering approximately $2,000 in cash to Bishop’s Corner Café on Boston Avenue in Bridgeport.  Surveillance video outside Bishop’s Corner again revealed Chambers’ car in close vicinity to the robbery.  On November 13, 2017, the same employee, who had delegated his money courier responsibilities to another security guard after the November 9 robbery, was again confronted by Brown.  When Brown realized that the employee did not have the cash, he shot the employee in the thigh.

On November 14, 2017, Brown, wearing a mask and brandishing a gun, entered the Bar Restaurant, located on Main Street in Stratford, and walked directly to a bin near the cash register that typically contained approximately 80 envelopes with cash payments for employees of the Bar Restaurant and other establishments.  Brown grabbed the bin, pointed his gun at one employee’s head, and turned and fired at a second employee who had his hands raised, hitting the second employee in his stomach.  Surveillance video revealed that Brown had been dropped off behind the restaurant by Chambers.

On November 16, 2017, at about 9:35 a.m., Bridgeport Police responded to a call of an armed robbery in progress at EbLens, located on Pequonnock Street in Bridgeport.  After Brown exited the store, a Bridgeport Police officer chased him on foot.  As Brown attempted to get into Chambers’ car, he turned and fired at the police officer.  The officer returned fire, tackled Brown and placed him under arrest.

At the time of his arrest, Brown possessed a Raven P25 .25 ACP caliber handgun.  Forensic analysis of the firearm revealed that it had also been used in the shootings of the two individuals on November 13 and 14.

Brown has been detained since his arrest.  On May 29, 2019, he pleaded guilty to four counts of Hobbs Act robbery and one count of discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

On March 19, 2019, a jury found Chambers, 36, of Bridgeport, guilty of four counts of aiding and abetting in Hobbs Act robbery.  He awaits sentencing.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bridgeport Police Department and Stratford Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rahul Kale, Jocelyn Kaoutzanis and Peter Markle.

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 KENTWAN ROBINSON, also known as Thomas Robinson, 27, of Ansonia, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 37 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing fentanyl and crack cocaine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in November 2018, the Drug Enforcement Administration received information that Robinson was distributing fentanyl in the Bridgeport area.  On three occasions between November 2018 and January 2019, investigators conducted controlled purchases of fentanyl from Robinson at various locations.  During one of the transactions, Robinson also sold a quantity of crack cocaine.

Robinson was arrested at his Ansonia residence on February 6, 2019.  At the time of his arrest, he possessed approximately 10 grams of fentanyl that he intended to distribute and approximately $1,800 in cash.

Robinson has been detained since his arrest.  On July 31, 2019, he pleaded guilty to two counts of distribution of fentanyl, one count of distribution of fentanyl and cocaine base (“crack”), and one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

Robinson’s criminal history includes convictions for drug, larceny and weapons offenses.  He also has charges pending in Ohio after it is alleged that, on December 28, 2018, he drove his car from Ohio State Police at a high rate of speed.  After the car crashed, Robinson attempted to flee on foot before he was apprehended.  A search of the car revealed a loaded 9mm handgun with an extended magazine and a “selector switch,” a device used to convert a semi-automatic pistol to a rapid-fire automatic weapon.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that STEVEN C. GOLD, 47, of Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, pleaded guilty today in Bridgeport federal court to fraud and conspiracy offenses stemming from his participation in two separate scheme that defrauded his Illinois-based company of more than $9 million.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Gold and John T. Finkle III were employed by JST, a supplier of electronic components based in Waukegan, Illinois.  Finkle, of East Haven, was primarily employed in sales for JST and Gold operated the accounting and billing systems for the company.  Between approximately February 2015 and December 2018, Finkle conspired with Kenneth Pedroli, and Gold, to defraud JST through a scheme involving purchases of electronic components that Pedroli made from JST for a business he operated in Islandia, New York.  As part of the scheme, Finkle instructed Pedroli to place his orders and list prices at a fraction of JST’s published prices.  After Pedroli’s orders were submitted to JST at the discounted prices, the products were shipped from JST to Pedroli.  Finkle instructed Pedroli to pay only a portion of the invoiced price and to make the payments directly to Finkle, which Pedroli did.  Finkle deposited the payments into his personal checking account, and provided a portion of the funds to Gold, who manipulated the accounting records of JST to make it appear that Pedroli had paid JST for the products he received.

JST was defrauded of $3,359,058.69 through this scheme.

During the investigation of the scheme involving Finkle and Pedroli, investigators uncovered an additional $6,060,151 that Gold had stolen from JST by accessing and manipulating JSTs accounting system.  Gold used the stolen funds to pay for personal expenses that included vacations, online gambling, home improvement costs, furniture, clothes, restaurants, college tuition, and car payments.  He also unlawfully transferred hundreds of thousands of dollars in JST funds to his wife’s company.

Gold pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and one count of wire fraud.  Both offenses carry a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall on May 20, 2020.

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

Finkle and Pedroli previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud.  On November 22, 2019, Finkle was sentenced to 24 months of imprisonment and, on December 12, 2019, Pedroli was sentenced to three years of probation.

This investigation has been conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Miller of the District of Connecticut, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacqueline Stern of the Northern District of Illinois.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division, announced that JOSEPH RYAN, 56, of Trumbull, was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint charging him with knowingly providing firearms to a convicted felon.

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

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

The charge of knowingly providing a firearm to a convicted felon carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  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.

Ryan appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge William I. Garfinkel in Bridgeport and was released on a $100,000 bond.

Martin, 24, of Ansonia, 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.  He is awaiting sentencing.

This investigation is being 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, announced that ANDRES JACOME RODRIGUEZ, 42, a citizen of Mexico last residing in Danbury, was sentenced today U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 22 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally reentering the U.S. after being deported, and for violating the conditions of his supervised release from a prior federal conviction.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Jacome Rodriguez has used multiple names, dates of birth and two false social security numbers while residing in the U.S. over the course of approximately 20 years.  During that time, he sustained multiple convictions in four separate states.

On October 3, 2017, Jacome Rodriguez was deported to Mexico following a larceny conviction in Danbury superior court.  On October 9, 2017, Jacome Rodriguez was apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol in Brownsville, Texas.  He was subsequently prosecuted and convicted in the Southern District of Texas for unlawful presence of a removed alien, and was sentenced to 163 days of imprisonment, time served, and three years of supervised release.  He was again deported to Mexico on March 21, 2018.

On January 29, 2019, Jacome Rodriguez was arrested by the Danbury Police and charged with assault in the third degree, disorderly conduct, risk of injury to a child, cruelty to animals and possession of a controlled substance.  He has been detained since his arrest.

On July 16, 2019, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging Jacome Rodriguez with illegal reentry by a removed alien.  On November 8, 2019, he pleaded guilty to the offense.

The violation of supervised release matter was transferred from the Southern District of Texas to the District of Connecticut for further prosecution, and Jacome Rodriguez admitted to the violation during today’s court proceeding.

Judge Meyer sentenced Jacome Rodriguez to 18 months of imprisonment for illegally reentering the U.S., and a consecutive four months of imprisonment for violating the conditions of his supervised release.

The state charges against Jacome Rodriguez are pending.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that BRIEN PENNELL, 31, of Stamford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to 180 months of imprisonment, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for using the internet to download and view child pornography.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in February 2008, Pennell was convicted in state court of sexual assault and possession of child pornography offenses.  Pennell served 30 months in prison and was sentenced to 15 years of probation for those offenses.

On February 2, 2018, after an investigation revealed that an IP address registered to Pennell was being used to share images and videos of child pornography via the Kik application, Connecticut probation officers conducted a compliance search of Pennell’s residence and vehicle and seized various electronic media, including a smart phone and a tablet, both of which were located in a hidden compartment under the steering wheel of the vehicle.

Subsequent analysis of the seized electronic devices, Pennell’s Kik account and a Dropbox account he maintained, revealed 148 videos and 40 images of child pornography, some of which depict the sexual abuse of children younger than 12.

Pennell has been detained since his federal arrest on March 20, 2018.  On June 26, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography.

Pennell faced an enhanced mandatory minimum prison term in this case based on his criminal history.

This matter was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with the assistance of Connecticut’s Office of Adult Probation and the Stamford Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nancy V. Gifford.

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

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MARIO ANTONIO HERRERA, also known as Antonio Morales, 36, a citizen of El Salvador last residing in East Hartford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to illegally reentering the U.S. after being deported.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 26, 2010, Herrera was deported from the U.S. to El Salvador.  Herrera’s removal followed his conviction in Manchester Superior Court in July 2008 for assault in the second degree.  Herrera’s criminal history also includes Connecticut convictions for carrying a dangerous weapon, reckless endangerment, and other offenses.

On July 1, 2019, Herrera, using the name Antonio Morales, was arrested by the East Hartford Police Department and charged with disorderly conduct and interfering/resisting arrest.

Herrera has been detained since his arrest.  Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for May 14, 2020, at which time Herrera faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOSE MANUEL SANTOS, 37, of Bridgeport, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to enticing a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Santos was employed as a bus/van driver in Connecticut with responsibilities that included transporting children going to and from a middle school in Wallingford.  In October 2018, law enforcement received information that Santos was sexually soliciting a 13-year-old girl who was a passenger on his route.  Analysis of the minor victim’s cell phone revealed more than 200 text messages or calls between Santos and the victim, a sexually explicit photo of Santos that Santos sent to the minor victim, and multiple messages in which Santos coerced the victim to send him a sexually explicit photo of her.

Santos has been detained since his arrest on November 2, 2018.  After his arrest, Santos communicated with others in an attempt to prevent the minor victim from testifying against him.

Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for May 21, 2020, at which time Santos faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of life imprisonment.

This matter is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Connecticut Department of Correction.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nancy V. Gifford and Brian P. Leaming.

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 KWASI GYAMBIBI, 41, of New Canaan, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 12 months of imprisonment, followed by one year of supervised release, for health care fraud.

According to court documents, statements made in court and the evidence presented during his trial last year, Advantage Pharmacy was a compounding pharmacy located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.  As a compounding pharmacy, Advantage created compound prescription drugs specifically tailored for individual patients who had a medical need for a compound drug, by mixing together individual ingredients in the exact strength and dosage prescribed by the health care provider to meet the unique needs of a patient.  One tube of a compound drug cream prepared and dispensed by Advantage Pharmacy typically cost health care benefit programs thousands of dollars, and some individual tubes of cream cost more than $11,000 for a one-month supply.  Gyambibi’s wife, Kakra Gyambibi is a physician who worked as a hospitalist at Stamford Hospital, and Kwasi Gyambibi acted as, and eventually became, a sales representative for Advantage Pharmacy.

In 2014 and 2015, Kwasi and Kakra Gyambibi engaged in a scheme to defraud the State of Connecticut Pharmacy Benefit Plan, TRICARE and other health care programs by submitting prescriptions for compound pharmacy medications prepared and dispensed by Advantage Pharmacy.  Although the prescriptions sent to Advantage Pharmacy contained Kakra Gyambibi’s signature, Kakra Gyambibi did not treat, examine, or even meet with the patients for whom the prescriptions were written.  Based on these false and misleading claims, the victim health care programs paid Advantage Pharmacy for the compound prescription drugs.  Advantage Pharmacy, in tum, paid commissions of between 15 percent to 35 percent to sales representatives, including Kwasi Gyambibi’s close cousin, whom Kwasi Gyambibi considered his brother.

It is alleged that Kwasi and Kakra Gyambibi also induced the victim health care programs to pay Advantage Pharmacy more than $292,000 for their own compound prescription drugs.

The investigation has revealed that this scheme resulted in more than $1.6 million in losses to the victim health care programs.

Kwasi Gyambibi was arrested on an indictment on June 28, 2018.  On January 9, 2019, a grand jury in New Haven returned a 19-count superseding indictment.  On February 22, 2019, Kwasi Gyambibi was found guilty of two counts of health care fraud related to fraudulent prescriptions for compound drugs that were submitted to Advantage Pharmacy in March 2015, and found him not guilty of seven counts of health care fraud.  The jury could not reach a verdict on the other 10 counts in the indictment.

Kwasi Gyambibi, who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on March 20, 2020.

On January 18, 2019, Kakra Gyambibi pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud.  On June 12, 2019, she was sentenced to three months of imprisonment.

Judge Meyer will issue a restitution order at a later date.  The government is seeking $1,650,332.35 in restitution.

This investigation was conducted by the New Haven Division of the FBI.  U.S. Attorney Durham thanked the Office of the Attorney General of the State of Connecticut, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Fraud Section, and the Jackson, Mississippi Division of the FBI for their assistance with the investigation.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David J. Sheldon and Christopher W. Schmeisser.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Tyler C. Amon, Special Agent in Charge of EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division in New England, announced that COLLEGIATE ENTREPRENEURS, INC., a Massachusetts-based house painting company, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford for violating the Toxic Substances Control Act and subsequently falsifying records.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Collegiate Entrepreneurs, Inc., LLC, of Braintree, Massachusetts, provides house-painting services in Connecticut and other New England states.  Some of the houses painted by Collegiate Entrepreneurs in 2015 contained lead-based paint.  For those jobs, the company was subject to the lead-based paint requirements of the Toxic Substances Control Act and the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule.

Under the RRP Rule, Collegiate Entrepreneurs was required to ensure that its certified renovators complied with provisions governing training and supervision of painters, post-renovation cleaning, physical presence on-site, and preparation of required records.  The company was also responsible for ensuring that all renovation activities were performed in compliance with RRP Rule work practice standards governing occupant protection, containment of the work area, prohibited and restricted practices, waste from renovations, cleanup of the work area, and post-renovation cleaning verification.  Collegiate Entrepreneurs knowingly failed to ensure such compliance by its renovators during the 2015 painting season.

On October 13, 2015, in response to a federal grand jury subpoena, an employee of Collegiate Entrepreneurs produced records for 12 painting jobs in Connecticut that involved lead-based paint.  Included in the production were records that appeared to have been prepared and signed by certified renovators to document that RRP Rule work practice standards and training requirements had been met at each lead paint job.  Records for at least 10 of the 12 jobs were false.  The signatures of the certified renovators were forged and the records falsely represented that the jobs were performed in compliance with the RRP Rule.

On November 19, 2019, Collegiate Entrepreneurs pleaded guilty to one count of falsification of records and one count of violating the Toxic Substances Control Act.

Judge Chatigny today ordered Collegiate Entrepreneurs to serve five years of probation and pay a fine of $50,000.

While on probation, Collegiate Entrepreneurs is prohibited from engaging in projects that involve the remediation of lead paint and are subject to the RRP Rule.

Collegiate Entrepreneurs also will pay $30,000 in restitution to a victim homeowner in West Hartford, Connecticut.

“Collegiate Entrepreneurs purposely violated the requirements of safely removing lead from homes and in doing risked the health of families whose houses were being renovated,” said EPA-CID Special Agent in Charge Amon.  “EPA remains focused on holding accountable companies and individuals that cut corners and fail to put public health and safety first.”

This investigation was conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Criminal Investigation Division.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Miller.

Two former executives of the Indonesian subsidiary of the French power and transportation company Alstom S.A. and a former executive of the Japanese trading company Marubeni Corporation have been charged in a superseding indictment unsealed today for their alleged participation in a scheme to pay bribes to foreign government officials in Indonesia.

Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney John H. Durham of the District of Connecticut and Assistant Director in Charge Paul D. Delacout of the FBI’s Los Angeles Office made the announcement.

Reza Moenaf, 63, the former president of Alstom’s subsidiary in Indonesia; Eko Sulianto, 63, the former director of sales of Alstom’s subsidiary in Indonesia; and Junji Kusunoki, 57, the former deputy general manager of Marubeni’s Overseas Power Project Department, were each charged with conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and conspiracy to commit money laundering.  Kusunoki was charged with six counts of violating the FCPA and four counts of money laundering, and Sulianto and Moenaf were each charged with two counts of violating the FCPA and one count of money laundering. 

According to the indictment, the defendants, together with others, paid bribes to officials in Indonesia – including, among others, a high-ranking member of the Indonesian Parliament and the president of Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN), the state-owned and state-controlled electricity company in Indonesia – in exchange for assistance in securing a $118 million contract, known as the Tarahan project, for Alstom’s subsidiaries in Connecticut and Indonesia and for Marubeni to provide power-related services for the citizens of Indonesia.  To conceal the bribes, the defendants allegedly retained two so-called “consultants” purportedly to provide legitimate consulting services on behalf of the power company and its subsidiaries in connection with the Tarahan project.  The indictment, however, alleges that the primary purpose for hiring the consultants was to use the consultants to pay bribes to Indonesian officials.

The first consultant retained by the defendants allegedly received hundreds of thousands of dollars in his Maryland bank account to be used to bribe the member of Parliament.  The consultant then allegedly transferred the bribe money to a bank account in Indonesia for the benefit of the official.  According to court documents, emails between the defendants and their co-conspirators discussed in detail the use of the first consultant to funnel bribes to the member of Parliament and the influence that the member of Parliament could exert over the Tarahan project.

The superseding indictment alleges that in the fall of 2003, the defendants and their co-conspirators determined that the first consultant was not effectively bribing key officials at PLN.  One email between Moenaf, Sulianto and their co-conspirators described PLN officials’ “concern that if we have won the job, whether their rewards will still be satisfactory or this agent only give them pocket money and disappear.”  In another email, Moenaf asserted that the consultant “has no grip on the PLN Tender team at all” and “is more or less similar to [a] cashier which I feel we pay too much.”  As a result, the co-conspirators allegedly retained a second consultant to more effectively bribe PLN officials.  The defendants and their co-conspirators were successful in securing the Tarahan project and subsequently made payments to the consultants for the alleged purpose of bribing the Indonesian officials, the indictment alleges.

An indictment is merely an accusation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The charges against Moenaf, Sulianto, and Kusunoki are part of a wide-ranging investigation into alleged corrupt practices by employees of Alstom and Marubeni.  Five other individuals, as well as Alstom and Marubeni, have pleaded guilty in the case so far, and Lawrence Hoskins, a former senior vice president at Alstom, was found guilty on Nov. 6, 2019, following a jury trial, of 11 counts of conspiracy, violating the FCPA, and money laundering. 

The FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office is investigating the case with assistance from the FBI’s Meriden, Connecticut, Resident Agency.  The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs assisted in the investigation.  Senior Deputy Chief Daniel S. Kahn and Assistant Chief Lorinda Laryea of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney David E. Novick of the District of Connecticut are prosecuting the case.

The department appreciates the significant cooperation provided by its law enforcement colleagues in Indonesia, Switzerland's Office of the Attorney General, as well as authorities in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Singapore and Taiwan.

The Fraud Section is responsible for investigating and prosecuting all FCPA matters.  Additional information about the Justice Department’s FCPA enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/fcpa.

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

WASHINGTON – Two former executives of the Indonesian subsidiary of the French power and transportation company Alstom S.A. and a former executive of the Japanese trading company Marubeni Corporation have been charged in a superseding indictment unsealed today for their alleged participation in a scheme to pay bribes to foreign government officials in Indonesia.

Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney John H. Durham of the District of Connecticut and Assistant Director in Charge Paul D. Delacout of the FBI’s Los Angeles Office made the announcement.

Reza Moenaf, 63, the former president of Alstom’s subsidiary in Indonesia; Eko Sulianto, 63, the former director of sales of Alstom’s subsidiary in Indonesia; and Junji Kusunoki, 57, the former deputy general manager of Marubeni’s Overseas Power Project Department, were each charged with conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and conspiracy to commit money laundering.  Kusunoki was charged with six counts of violating the FCPA and four counts of money laundering, and Sulianto and Moenaf were each charged with two counts of violating the FCPA and one count of money laundering. 

According to the indictment, the defendants, together with others, paid bribes to officials in Indonesia – including, among others, a high-ranking member of the Indonesian Parliament and the president of Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN), the state-owned and state-controlled electricity company in Indonesia – in exchange for assistance in securing a $118 million contract, known as the Tarahan project, for Alstom’s subsidiaries in Connecticut and Indonesia and for Marubeni to provide power-related services for the citizens of Indonesia.  To conceal the bribes, the defendants allegedly retained two so-called “consultants” purportedly to provide legitimate consulting services on behalf of the power company and its subsidiaries in connection with the Tarahan project.  The indictment, however, alleges that the primary purpose for hiring the consultants was to use the consultants to pay bribes to Indonesian officials.

The first consultant retained by the defendants allegedly received hundreds of thousands of dollars in his Maryland bank account to be used to bribe the member of Parliament.  The consultant then allegedly transferred the bribe money to a bank account in Indonesia for the benefit of the official.  According to court documents, emails between the defendants and their co-conspirators discussed in detail the use of the first consultant to funnel bribes to the member of Parliament and the influence that the member of Parliament could exert over the Tarahan project.

The superseding indictment alleges that in the fall of 2003, the defendants and their co-conspirators determined that the first consultant was not effectively bribing key officials at PLN.  One email between Moenaf, Sulianto and their co-conspirators described PLN officials’ “concern that if we have won the job, whether their rewards will still be satisfactory or this agent only give them pocket money and disappear.”  In another email, Moenaf asserted that the consultant “has no grip on the PLN Tender team at all” and “is more or less similar to [a] cashier which I feel we pay too much.”  As a result, the co-conspirators allegedly retained a second consultant to more effectively bribe PLN officials.  The defendants and their co-conspirators were successful in securing the Tarahan project and subsequently made payments to the consultants for the alleged purpose of bribing the Indonesian officials, the indictment alleges.

An indictment is merely an accusation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The charges against Moenaf, Sulianto, and Kusunoki are part of a wide-ranging investigation into alleged corrupt practices by employees of Alstom and Marubeni.  Five other individuals, as well as Alstom and Marubeni, have pleaded guilty in the case so far, and Lawrence Hoskins, a former senior vice president at Alstom, was found guilty on Nov. 6, 2019, following a jury trial, of 11 counts of conspiracy, violating the FCPA, and money laundering. 

The FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office is investigating the case with assistance from the FBI’s Meriden, Connecticut, Resident Agency.  The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs assisted in the investigation.  Senior Deputy Chief Daniel S. Kahn and Assistant Chief Lorinda Laryea of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney David E. Novick of the District of Connecticut are prosecuting the case.

The department appreciates the significant cooperation provided by its law enforcement colleagues in Indonesia, Switzerland's Office of the Attorney General, as well as authorities in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Singapore and Taiwan.

The Fraud Section is responsible for investigating and prosecuting all FCPA matters.  Additional information about the Justice Department’s FCPA enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/fcpa.

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

U.S. Attorney John H. Durham, Waterbury State’s Attorney Maureen Platt, ATF Boston Field Division Special Agent in Charge Kelly D. Brady, FBI New Haven Division Special Agent in Charge Brian C. Turner, and Waterbury Police Chief Fernando C. Spagnolo, today announced that JERMAINE GILBERT, 21, of Waterbury, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to racketeering, firearm possession and drug trafficking offenses stemming from his participation in a violent Waterbury street gang.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from a long-term investigation into drug trafficking and numerous acts of violence being committed by members of “960,” a street gang operating in Waterbury’s north end.  During the investigation, ATF, FBI and Waterbury Police investigators have analyzed dozens of shooting incidents between 960 members and members of rival gangs.  Some of the shootings resulted in innocent bystanders being killed or seriously wounded.

In pleading guilty, Gilbert, a member of 960, admitted that he and other members and associates of 960 engaged in narcotics distribution and acts of violence, including murder and assaults.  Gilbert specifically admitted that, on October 6, 2018, he and other 960 members intended to shoot a rival gang member who they believed had been disrespectful to 960, but instead wounded an innocent bystander.  On October 11, 2018, Gilbert and his associates conspired to shoot another rival gang member, but instead killed an innocent bystander and paralyzed a second innocent bystander.  On November 18, 2018, Gilbert and other 960 members shot and wounded the rival gang member who was their intended target on October 6, 2018.  During this shooting, another innocent bystander was wounded.

Gilbert has been detained since his arrest on May 17, 2019.  At the time of his arrest, he possessed a .22 caliber Beretta pistol, a 9mm Taurus pistol, multiple rounds of ammunition, and heroin that he intended to distribute.

Gilbert pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of life, one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, which carries a mandatory consecutive prison term of at least five years.

“Through a reinvigorated Project Safe Neighborhoods program in Waterbury, the ATF, FBI and Waterbury Police have identified several reckless gang members who wreaked havoc in the city and killed or maimed not only each other, but, more important, multiple innocent bystanders,” said U.S. Attorney Durham.  “I thank our law enforcement partners, specifically   Chief Spagnolo, for their committed efforts, and the Waterbury State’s Attorney for agreeing to bring the force of both the state and federal justice systems to help put an end to this mindless violence and remove these bad actors from the community for a long time.  Clearly, this investigation is ongoing.”

“The Waterbury State’s Attorney’s Office would like to express their gratitude to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the federal law enforcement agencies involved for their hard work and commitment in helping to end the violence brought about by gang activity in this area,” said Waterbury State’s Attorney Platt.  “We would also like to commend the professionalism and dedication of the Waterbury Police Department in this multi-agency investigation and prosecution.”

“ATF will continue working with our local, state and federal law enforcement counterparts to vigorously combat drug traffickers and the threat they pose to our citizens by illegally possessing firearms in furtherance of their illegal drug trade,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Brady.  “This is another example of ATF’s commitment to rid our communities of dangerous criminals, drugs and illegal firearms.”

“The Waterbury Police Department and all of the law enforcement partners have done a phenomenal job in rooting out those members of a violent street gang responsible for the senseless shootings of innocent residents of the community,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Turner.  “We at the FBI are committed to assisting Waterbury Police in every way possible to destroy gang-related crimes in and round the city.”

“The Waterbury Police Department is proud of its partnerships with the ATF and FBI and appreciative of the strong support from the U.S. Attorney and Waterbury State’s Attorney and the members of their respective offices,” said Waterbury Police Chief Spagnolo.  “These committed partnerships are the backbone in making our community a safer place and keeping it that way through targeting violent crime problems in our City, along with education and community outreach.”

This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Waterbury Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael J. Gustafson, Patrick F. Caruso and Natasha M. Freismuth, and Assistant State’s Attorneys Cynthia S. Serafini and Don E. Therkildsen, who have been cross designated as Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys in this matter.

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, today announced that EMILIO RODRIGUEZ, also known as “Millz,” 26, of New London, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 37 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his role in a southeastern Connecticut drug trafficking ring.

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

The investigation revealed that Rodriguez received heroin from Royshawn Allgood, also known as “Boy Roy,” and Anthony Whyte, also known as “Jack Mac,” then distributed the drugs to his own customers.

On March 5, 2019, a grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment charging Rodriguez, Allgood and 22 other individuals with various offenses.  On August 6, 2019, a superseding indictment included charges against an additional two defendants.

Rodriguez has been detained since his arrest on March 11, 2019.  On October 17, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin.

Allgood pleaded guilty to related charges and, on January 3, 2020, was sentenced to 71 months of imprisonment.  Whyte is awaiting trial.

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 PEDRO ALVARADO, 43, of Hartford, pleaded guilty today in New Haven federal court to one count of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon.

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 Violent Crimes 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, law enforcement made two controlled purchases of marijuana from Alvarado.  On July 24, 2019, a court-authorized search of Alvarado’s residence revealed a loaded Smith & Wesson, Model 422, .22 caliber handgun, and approximately two pounds of marijuana.

Alvarado’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for risk of injury, assault, larceny and narcotics offenses.  Federal law prohibits the possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute.  It is also 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.

Alvarado faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years when he is sentenced by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall.  A sentencing date has not yet been set.

Alvarado is released on a $75,000 bond pending sentencing.

The FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes 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 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 JAYSON BRUNO, 36, of Bristol, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 48 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for gun and drug offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, law enforcement identified Bruno as a significant cocaine trafficker in Bristol.  On April 17, 2019, investigators arrested Bruno after a court-authorized search of his Colony Street residence revealed a 9mm semi-automatic pistol, a stolen .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol, approximately 55 grams of cocaine, approximately 30 grams of crack cocaine, and items used to process and package narcotics for distribution.

Bruno’s criminal history includes multiple state felony convictions related to the possession and sale of narcotics.  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.

Bruno has been detained since his arrest.  On November 13, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (“crack”) and cocaine.

This investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force and the Connecticut State Police Statewide Narcotics Task Force.  The DEA Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Windsor Locks and Willimantic Police Departments.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey M. Stone.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that the government has reached a settlement agreement under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”) with Progressive Casualty Insurance Company (“Progressive”) to ensure equal access for individuals with disabilities at all Progressive Casualty Insurance Company locations across the country.

Title III of the ADA prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities by businesses that serve the public.  Among other things, the ADA requires insurance agencies, financial institutions, accountants, lawyers, doctors and other businesses to provide accessible formats that are necessary for effective communication for individuals who are blind or have low vision.

This matter stems from an ADA complaint filed by an individual who is blind who alleged that Progressive failed to provide account information in an accessible format.  The complainant alleges that, as a result of Progressive’s failure to provide the account information in an accessible format, his insurance with Progressive was cancelled.  In resolving the complaint, Progressive has agreed to provide effective communication, including appropriate auxiliary aids and services, at all of its insurance agency locations in the U.S., and to amend its policies, practices and training to ensure the removal of barriers to access at its locations.  Progressive also will compensate the complainant in the amount of $1,000.

“Individuals who have disabilities must not be denied equal access to the services offered by insurance companies simply because of their disability,” said U.S. Attorney Durham.  “Since the commencement of this investigation, Progressive has worked cooperatively to develop and amend its policies and practices to comply with the ADA and the Justice Department’s implementing regulations.  This settlement reflects Progressive’s commitment to equal access and effective communication with its customers who have disabilities.”

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 a business that serves the public, or a public entity, in Connecticut is not accessible to persons with disabilities may contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at 203-821-3700.

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

2020 marks the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.  The Justice Department plays a central role in advancing the nation’s goal of equal opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for people with disabilities.  The Justice Department will continue to use its enforcement and technical assistance tools to eliminate unlawful discrimination against individuals with disabilities.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that SENTRELL BOOKHARDT, also known as “Scab,” 33, of Norwalk, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 84 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm and violating the conditions of his supervised release from a prior federal conviction.

According court documents and statements made in court, on January 28, 2014, Bookhardt was sentenced in Hartford federal court to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for possessing a machine gun with an extended magazine loaded with 27 rounds of ammunition.  He was released from federal prison in May 2018.

On March 29, 2019, while on federal supervised release, Bookhardt was arrested by Norwalk Police after he was found in possession of a loaded .38 caliber revolver and crack cocaine packaged for distribution.  The investigation revealed that Bookhardt had been selling crack for several months prior to his arrest.

Bookhardt has been detained since his arrest.  On November 20, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

In addition to his prior federal conviction, Bookhardt’s criminal history includes state convictions for criminal possession of a firearm, carrying a pistol without a permit, weapon in a motor vehicle, possession of narcotics, and risk of injury to a minor.

Judge Dooley sentenced Bookhardt to 60 months of imprisonment for the firearm offense, and a consecutive 24 months of imprisonment for violating the conditions of his supervised release.

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

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, today announced that CHRISTIAN PATTERSON, 20, of Hartford, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, fentanyl and cocaine base (“crack”). 

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 Violent Crimes 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 28, 2019, investigators made a controlled purchase of fentanyl and crack from Patterson.

Patterson was arrested on September 13, 2019.  He has been detained since December 11, 2019, when his bond was revoked.

Judge Bolden scheduled sentencing for May 5, 2020, at which time Patterson faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

The FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes 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 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 HAKEEM BASIR, 56, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking heroin. 

This matter stems from a joint investigation headed by the DEA New Haven Task Force, FBI and New Haven Police Department into a New Haven-based drug trafficking organization that acquired and distributed heroin and cocaine.  The investigation revealed that Basir distributed heroin at locations in Waterbury and Hartford.

During the investigation, law enforcement officers seized more than 500 grams of heroin, more than 300 grams of fentanyl, more than one kilogram of cocaine, three firearms, over $90,000 in cash, vehicles, jewelry and precious metals.

On April 19, 2018, a grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging Basir and 18 other individuals with narcotics trafficking offenses.  Basir and several other members of the conspiracy were arrested on April 25, 2018.

Basir has been detained since his arrest.  On August 9, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.

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 Connecticut Department of Correction, Milford Police Department and East Haven Police Department have assisted the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney H. Gordon Hall.

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 VERONICA HUITZIL, 39, of Bridgeport, waived her right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to preparing false tax returns for clients.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Huitzil, who operated a tax return preparation practice in Bridgeport, assisted in the preparation and filing of more than 3,700 federal tax returns for the 2014 through 2018 tax years.  Many of the filed tax returns claimed dependents who were not dependents, deducted thousands of dollars in business losses for fictitious businesses, and included inflated or fabricated medical expenses, charitable contributions and employee business expenses.

Huitzil pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and assisting the filing of a false tax return, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of three years.

In pleading guilty, Huitzil agreed that losses suffered by the IRS as a result of her fraud totaled $898,665.

As a result of Huitzil’s fraudulent conduct, many of her clients’ filed tax returns will need to be amended.  The amount of Huitzil’s restitution may be reduced as her clients resolve their own tax liability with the IRS.

Huitzil is released pending sentencing, which is scheduled for May 6, 2020.

This matter is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher W. Schmeisser.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DANTE BARNES, also known as “Tre,” 31, of Farmington, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking fentanyl and other narcotics.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in January 2019, law enforcement received information that Barnes and Jaquan Leggett, also known as “Tipsy,” were trafficking narcotics in Hartford.  The investigation revealed that Barnes and Leggett were using Leggett’s residence on Lenox Street in Hartford to package and store fentanyl and other drugs.  Between January and March 2019, investigators conducted multiple controlled purchases of fentanyl and cocaine from Barnes in Hartford and Farmington.

Barnes and Leggett were arrested on March 5, 2019.  On that date, a search of Barnes’ Farmington residence revealed 440 bags of fentanyl, approximately 23 grams of unpackaged fentanyl, approximately 32 grams of crack cocaine, items used to package narcotics for street sale, and $24,160 in cash.  A search of Leggett’s Hartford residence revealed 169 bags of fentanyl, approximately two grams of unpackaged fentanyl, approximately four grams of crack cocaine, approximately two grams of cocaine, and items used to process and package narcotics for street sale.

Barnes has forfeited the cash that was located and seized at the time of his arrest, and a 2007 Audi A6 3.2Q.

On October 28, 2019, Barnes pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.  He has been detained since December 5, 2019, when his bond was revoked.

On October 28, 2019, Leggett pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base (“crack”).  He has been detained since his arrest.

This matter has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes 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 was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Leaming.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that KEVIN GENIS, 27, of Stamford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 28, 2019, law enforcement conducted a controlled purchase of a Century Arms International 7.62 caliber AK pistol and 10 rounds of ammunition from Genis for $900.

In November 2015, Genis was convicted in state court of three counts of possession with intent to sell narcotics.  It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for May 4, 2020, at which time Genis faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

Genis has been detained since his arrest on June 27, 2019.

This matter has been investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Stamford Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maria del Pilar Gonzalez and Brendan Keefe.

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, pleaded guilty today in New Haven federal court to two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.

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 is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven on May 5, 2020, at which time he faces mandatory term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of life imprisonment.

Cogdell also faces additional penalties if he is found to have violated the conditions of his supervised release.

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

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

John H. Durham. United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that BRIAN GREGAN, 33, of Windsor Locks, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for soliciting and receiving child pornography.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in June 2017, Gregan and a 13-year-old boy communicated through the Kik messaging application.  After the boy informed Gregan that he was 14 years old, they engaged in sexually explicit communications.  Gregan sent several sexually explicit pictures of himself to the boy, and he solicited sexually explicit images from the boy.  In response to these solicitations, the boy sent sexually explicit pictures and a video of himself to Gregan.

The investigation also revealed that, in 2016, Gregan met a 15-year-old girl online.  He requested sexually explicit photographs and videos from the girl.  Analysis of Gregan’s Apple iPad revealed a sexually explicit video of the girl made when the girl was under the age of 18.

Gregan was arrested on related state charges on April 6, 2018.  On October 7, 2019, he pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of receipt of child pornography.

Gregan, who is released on a $50,000 bond with internet and location monitoring conditions, is required to report to prison on April 7, 2020.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Manchester Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel.

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

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that TYRESE HARGROVE, also known as “T.Y.,” 38, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 48 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for his role in a New Haven drug trafficking ring.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in June 2017, the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force initiated an investigation into a New Haven drug trafficking organization headed by Jermayne Butler.  The investigation, which included physical surveillance, 13 controlled purchases of narcotics, and court-authorized wiretaps on multiple phones, revealed that members of the organization were distributing crack cocaine and oxycodone in the New Haven area.

Hargrove purchased distribution quantities of crack cocaine from Butler and then sold the drug in smaller quantities to his own customers.  During the investigation, law enforcement made four controlled purchases of crack from Hargrove.

On February 8, 2018, a grand jury in New Haven returned a 30-count indictment charging Hargrove, Butler and 17 other individuals with various offenses.  Hargrove pleaded guilty on November 16, 2018.

Butler pleaded guilty on August 9, 2019, and awaits sentencing.     

This matter is being investigated by the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force, which includes members from the New Haven Police Department, Milford Police Department, West Haven Police Department and Connecticut Department of Correction.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick F. Caruso and David C. Nelson.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that BRIAN MATOS, also known as “Buddha,” 30, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 57 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for trafficking cocaine and fentanyl.

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

During the investigation, on June 10, 2018, City of Hartford surveillance cameras captured another member of the organization, Hector Santiago, pistol-whipping a victim.  Santiago was eventually located and arrested by Hartford Police, but no gun was located.  After the incident, intercepted communications revealed that Matos helped to locate, recover and stash the gun used during the assault.

Matos has been detained since his arrest.  On November 7, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribution of, cocaine, heroin and fentanyl.

Matos’ criminal history includes state convictions for firearm and narcotics.

Santiago, also known as “Bebo,” pleaded guilty to related federal charges and, on November 18, 2019, was sentenced to 69 months of imprisonment.

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

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Leaming.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RAEKWON OVERSTREET, 24, of Waterbury, 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 illegally possessing a firearm.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on January 29, 2019, while he was on state parole following a conviction for conspiracy to commit robbery in the first degree, Overstreet attended a Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) call-in meeting in Waterbury.  PSN call-in meetings, which in Waterbury are run by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Waterbury Police Department, are held monthly for individuals who are recently released from prison.  Speakers from a variety of social service providers and educational institutions offer assistance to the attendees in the form of jobs, mental health treatment, anger management and educational opportunities.  Members of law enforcement also present a firm message that gun possession is unacceptable in light of its direct connection to gun violence, which exacts a heavy toll on the residents of Connecticut’s cities.

On February 19, 2019, as part of a special parole compliance check, law enforcement officials searched Overstreet and found that he had in his possession a loaded Springfield 9mm firearm.  The gun was stolen in Waterbury in 2005.

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.

Overstreet has been detained since his arrest on February 19, 2019.  On September 30, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.

This matter has been investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives and the Waterbury 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.