District of Connecticut

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 Circle Hotel in Fairfield, 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 Circle Hotel was not accessible for individuals with physical disabilities.  The hotel is in the process of making the changes required by the settlement agreement, including designing and constructing accessible guest rooms, an accessible route to the new guest rooms, and a new accessible restroom in the hotel’s lobby area.  The settlement agreement also requires the Circle Hotel to add accessible parking spaces, an accessible route from the new accessible parking spaces to the designated accessible entrance, and accessible seating in the hotel’s lobby, breakfast and patio areas.  The hotel will continue to make improvements over the next two years.

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

U.S. Attorney Durham noted the cooperation of the owners of the Circle Hotel throughout this investigation and applauded their willingness to improve accessibility at their hotel without the need for litigation.

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

Any member of the public who wishes to file a complaint alleging that any place of public accommodation or public entity in Connecticut is not accessible to persons with disabilities 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 ARCADIO DONES, also known as “Gordo,” 45, of Hartford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to fentanyl distribution and firearm possession offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, law enforcement received information that Dones was distributing fentanyl from a restaurant parking lot in Hartford’s North Meadows neighborhood.  On three occasions in September 2018, investigators conducted controlled purchases of fentanyl from Dones.

Dones was arrested on September 27, 2018.  On that date, a court-authorized search of his residence revealed a loaded Smith and Wesson .40 caliber pistol, more than 200 rounds of ammunition, approximately 200 grams of fentanyl, more than one kilogram of cocaine, a drug ledger, numerous items used in the processing and packaging of narcotics for street sale, $2,110 in cash, and other items.  Investigators also seized more than $2,200 in cash from Dones’ person and vehicle.

Dones’ criminal history includes state felony convictions for narcotics, firearm, aggravated battery, robbery and larceny offenses.

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

Dones pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

Judge Arterton scheduled sentencing for April 29, 2020.

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

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 Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division, announced that RODNEY BECKMAN, 44, of Hartford, pleaded guilty today in New Haven federal court to distributing crack cocaine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on July 17, 2019, Beckman sold approximately 11 grams of crack in exchange for $750 to an ATF special agent working in an undercover capacity in Hartford.  Beckman was arrested on July 26, 2019, in Hartford after he sold the undercover agent an additional 40 grams of crack for $2,100.

Beckman pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”), an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.

Beckman, who is released on a $50,000 bond, is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford on April 28, 2020.

This matter has been investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Miller.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that a federal jury in New Haven today found FRANCISCO LOPEZ, 33, of Waterbury, guilty of heroin distribution offenses.  The trial before U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall began on January 28.

According to the evidence disclosed during the trial, this matter stems from a joint investigation headed by the DEA New Haven Task Force and the Waterbury and Naugatuck Police Departments.  The investigation, which included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, physical surveillance and controlled purchases of narcotics, revealed that a Waterbury-based drug trafficking organization was receiving large quantities of heroin and cocaine from various suppliers and distributing narcotics in and around Waterbury.  Intercepted communications indicated that, on two occasions in December 2018, Lopez ordered 150 grams of heroin from two other members of the conspiracy.

Three hundred grams of heroin is enough to produce 12,000 individual bags of heroin that can be sold for approximately $5 each on the street.

The jury found Lopez guilty of one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, 100 grams or more of heroin, and one count of using a telephone to facilitate a drug trafficking crime.

On March 13, 2019, a grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment charging Lopez and 28 other individuals with various offenses related to the distribution of heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine.  Lopez has been detained since his arrest on March 20, 2019.

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

Judge Hall scheduled sentencing for April 27, 2020, at which time Lopez faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 44 years.

All 29 defendants in this case have been convicted.

This investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force, Waterbury Police Department and Naugatuck Police Department, with the critical assistance of the U.S. Secret Service, New York Field Office.  The DEA New Haven Task Force includes participants from the U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, and the New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, North Haven, Branford, Ansonia, Meriden, Derby, Middletown, Naugatuck and Waterbury Police Departments.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys S. Dave Vatti and Nathaniel J. Gentile.

Langan Insulation LLC and its co-owner pleaded guilty today in Bridgeport, Connecticut, for their roles in schemes to rig bids in violation of the antitrust laws and engage in criminal fraud on insulation contracts, bringing the total to five convictions in this ongoing investigation, the Department of Justice announced. 

According to court documents, from October 2011 until March 2018, Langan Insulation LLC, located in North Haven, Connecticut, and Thomas F. Langan, of East Haven, Connecticut, conspired with other insulation contractors to rig bids and engage in fraud on contracts for installing insulation around pipes and ducts on construction projects at universities, hospitals, and other public and private entities in Connecticut.  The conspirators discussed prices and agreed on bids that inflated prices to their customers by approximately 10 percent.  In order to conceal their actions, the conspirators perpetrated the bid-rigging and fraud schemes using phones for which the registration masked the identity of the users and an encrypted disappearing messaging app.

“Today’s two guilty pleas, from a company and its senior executive, underscore our ongoing efforts to hold companies and individuals accountable for engaging in bid rigging and fraud,” said Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim of the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division.  “We will aggressively pursue and hold accountable those individuals and entities who inflict millions of dollars in harm, particularly on vulnerable institutions, such as taxpayer-funded schools and hospitals, and other businesses.”

“This collusive scheme defrauded hospitals, universities and businesses across New England of millions of dollars,” said U.S. Attorney John H. Durham for the District of Connecticut.  “The guilty pleas today demonstrate that the Department of Justice will seek to hold both individuals and companies accountable for rigging bids.  I thank the FBI, DCIS, and the Antitrust Division for their ongoing efforts to bring the participants in this conspiracy to justice.”

“Today is another example to show that individuals who engage in fraud schemes of any kind will not be tolerated,” said Special Agent in Charge Brian C. Turner of FBI’s New Haven Field Office.  “The FBI, along with DOJ and our law enforcement partners, will remain diligent in combatting fraud and collusion so that justice is served.”

“Bid rigging and other violations of antitrust laws seriously damage the integrity of the U.S. Defense Department's procurement process,” said Special Agent in Charge Leigh-Alistair Barzey of the Department of Defense OIG’s Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Northeast Field Office.  “The guilty pleas announced today are the direct result of a joint investigative effort and demonstrate the DCIS’ ongoing commitment to work with the USAO-CT and the FBI to investigate and prosecute individuals and companies that engage in criminal conduct that undermines the competitive bidding process.”

The antitrust charge announced today carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a criminal fine of $1 million for individuals, and a criminal fine of $100 million for corporations.  The fraud conspiracy charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a criminal fine of $250,000 for individuals, and a criminal fine of $500,000 for organizations.  The fines for the antitrust and fraud conspiracy charges may be increased to twice the gain derived from the crime or twice the loss suffered by the victims of the crime, if either of those amounts is greater than the statutory maximum fine.  In addition to their guilty pleas, Langan Insulation LLC and Thomas F. Langan have agreed to pay restitution to the victims.

The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Antitrust Division’s New York Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut, the FBI’s New Haven Division, and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service.  Anyone with information in connection with this investigation is urged to call the Antitrust Division’s New York Office at 212-335-8000, or visit http://www.justice.gov/atr/contact/newcase.html.

Langan Insulation LLC and its co-owner pleaded guilty today in Bridgeport, Connecticut, for their roles in schemes to rig bids in violation of the antitrust laws and engage in criminal fraud on insulation contracts, bringing the total to five convictions in this ongoing investigation, the Department of Justice announced. 

According to court documents, from October 2011 until March 2018, Langan Insulation LLC, located in North Haven, Connecticut, and Thomas F. Langan, of East Haven, Connecticut, conspired with other insulation contractors to rig bids and engage in fraud on contracts for installing insulation around pipes and ducts on construction projects at universities, hospitals, and other public and private entities in Connecticut.  The conspirators discussed prices and agreed on bids that inflated prices to their customers by approximately 10 percent.  In order to conceal their actions, the conspirators perpetrated the bid-rigging and fraud schemes using phones for which the registration masked the identity of the users and an encrypted disappearing messaging app.

“Today’s two guilty pleas, from a company and its senior executive, underscore our ongoing efforts to hold companies and individuals accountable for engaging in bid rigging and fraud,” said Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim of the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division.  “We will aggressively pursue and hold accountable those individuals and entities who inflict millions of dollars in harm, particularly on vulnerable institutions, such as taxpayer-funded schools and hospitals, and other businesses.”

“This collusive scheme defrauded hospitals, universities and businesses across New England of millions of dollars,” said U.S. Attorney John H. Durham for the District of Connecticut.  “The guilty pleas today demonstrate that the Department of Justice will seek to hold both individuals and companies accountable for rigging bids.  I thank the FBI, DCIS, and the Antitrust Division for their ongoing efforts to bring the participants in this conspiracy to justice.”

“Today is another example to show that individuals who engage in fraud schemes of any kind will not be tolerated,” said Special Agent in Charge Brian C. Turner of FBI’s New Haven Field Office.  “The FBI, along with DOJ and our law enforcement partners, will remain diligent in combatting fraud and collusion so that justice is served.”

“Bid rigging and other violations of antitrust laws seriously damage the integrity of the U.S. Defense Department's procurement process,” said Special Agent in Charge Leigh-Alistair Barzey of the Department of Defense OIG’s Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Northeast Field Office.  “The guilty pleas announced today are the direct result of a joint investigative effort and demonstrate the DCIS’ ongoing commitment to work with the USAO-CT and the FBI to investigate and prosecute individuals and companies that engage in criminal conduct that undermines the competitive bidding process.”

The antitrust charge announced today carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a criminal fine of $1 million for individuals, and a criminal fine of $100 million for corporations.  The fraud conspiracy charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a criminal fine of $250,000 for individuals, and a criminal fine of $500,000 for organizations.  The fines for the antitrust and fraud conspiracy charges may be increased to twice the gain derived from the crime or twice the loss suffered by the victims of the crime, if either of those amounts is greater than the statutory maximum fine.  In addition to their guilty pleas, Langan Insulation LLC and Thomas F. Langan have agreed to pay restitution to the victims.

The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Antitrust Division’s New York Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut, the FBI’s New Haven Division, and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service.  Anyone with information in connection with this investigation is urged to call the Antitrust Division’s New York Office at 212-335-8000, or visit http://www.justice.gov/atr/contact/newcase.html.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DOMINQUE PERRY, 24, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to 12 months and one day of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for stealing a federal law enforcement vehicle and equipment.  Judge Chatigny also ordered Perry to serve four months of home confinement while on supervised release.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on January 29, 2019, Perry and another individual stole a 2016 Honda Accord from a residence in Newington.  The vehicle was the property of a federal law enforcement agency, and contained fully loaded firearm magazines for multiple weapons, ammunition, handcuffs and other restraints, a ballistic vest and its component parts, and raid jackets.  After stealing the vehicle, Perry drove the Accord to a location in Bloomfield where he and his associate removed the vehicle’s tires and rims.  Perry and his associate subsequently sold the tires and rims, and advertised the sale of loaded firearm magazines, ammunition, ballistic vest and other items.

The vehicle and its tires and rims have been recovered, but some of the law enforcement equipment that was in the car has not been located.  Judge Chatigny ordered Perry to pay $1,560 in restitution for the missing equipment.

Perry was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on February 6, 2019, and was released on bond.  He has been detained in state custody on unrelated auto theft charges since August 2019.

On October 18, 2019, Perry pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of theft of government property.

This matter is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with the assistance of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Newington and Hartford Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by U.S. Attorney Durham.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LUIS NIEVES-FELICIANO, 41, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 46 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for drug and firearm offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 4, 2019, agents with the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (“DRS”) arrived at Broad Street Liquors, located at 1949 Broad Street in Hartford, to conduct a routine permit/cigarette inspection.  When they entered, Nieves-Feliciano, an employee of the store, was standing behind the counter.  Nieves-Feliciano immediately concealed items, struggled with DRS agents, and eventually fled the store.

The DRS agents then contacted Hartford Police and a court-authorized search of the store revealed a loaded Kel-Tec, Model P11, 9mm semiautomatic pistol, approximately 45 grams of cocaine packaged for distribution and a quantity of marijuana packaged for distribution, all of which was located on or behind the store’s counter.  A second 9mm pistol, a box of ammunition, approximately 112 grams of cocaine, approximately $13,000 in cash, and personal items and documents belonging to Nieves-Feliciano, were located in the basement of the store.

The search of the store also revealed several cigarette packs that had fraudulent tax stamps.

Nieves-Feliciano’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for narcotics, firearm, assault and robbery offenses.

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

Nieves-Feliciano has been detained since May 15, 2019, when he was arrested on a federal criminal complaint.  On October 21, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and one count of possession of firearms by a previously convicted felon.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Gang Task Force, which includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.  The Connecticut Department of Revenue Services provided valuable assistance to the investigation.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Leaming.

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, on January 31, 2020, a federal jury in New Haven found DEWAYNE JOYNER, also known as “Weezy,” 35, of Bridgeport, guilty of heroin distribution offenses.

According to the evidence presented during the trial, during the summer of 2017, members of the ATF, DEA and Bridgeport Police Department, who were investigating narcotics trafficking in Bridgeport’s East End neighborhood, learned that Joyner was selling heroin.  In September 2017, investigators conducted controlled purchases of heroin from Joyner.  The investigation revealed that Joyner was staying at a hotel in Bridgeport, and was storing narcotics in his hotel room.

Joyner was arrested on September 12, 2017.  At the time of his arrest, a search of his person revealed a quantity of heroin, $1,326 in cash, four cellphones and his hotel room key.  A search of the hotel room revealed more than 250 grams of heroin and items used to process and package narcotics for street sale.

The jury found Joyner guilty of one count of one count of possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, one count of possession with intent to distribute a quantity of heroin, and two counts of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, a quantity of heroin.  Joyner was found not guilty of one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, a quantity of heroin.

Joyner, who has been detained since his arrest, faces at least five years of imprisonment when he is sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer.  A sentencing date is not scheduled.

This matter has been investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force and the Bridgeport Police Department.  The DEA Task Force includes personnel from the DEA, Connecticut State Police and Norwalk, Stamford, Stratford, Milford, Bridgeport and Trumbull Police Departments.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph Vizcarrondo and Sarala Nagala.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MICHAEL A. STEVENS, 26, of Brooklyn, New York, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to one count of conspiracy to falsely make, forge, counterfeit and pass Federal Reserve Notes.

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

The investigation revealed that, in late April 2019, Stevens and others passed hundreds of dollars in counterfeit currency at retail locations in New Britain and Vernon.

Investigators also learned that there was an active federal warrant for Stevens’ arrest in the Eastern District of Virginia.  On February 21, 2019, a federal grand jury in Richmond, Virginia, returned as indictment charging Stevens and four other individuals with counterfeiting offenses.  The case against Stevens was transferred to the District of Connecticut for further prosecution.

In pleading guilty, Stevens admitted that, in January 2019, he and others passed approximately $21,800 in counterfeit currency at locations in Fredericksburg and Richmond, Virginia.

Judge Shea scheduled sentencing for April 24, 2020, at which time Steven faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.  Stevens who had been detained since May 7, 2019, was released today on a $50,000 bond.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JULIAN DE JESUS CASTILLO, 35, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for possessing weapons while incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, Connecticut (FCI Danbury).

According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 8, 2018, Castillo, while an inmate at FCI Danbury, possessed a razor blade and a 7.5 inch piece of flat metal that had sharpened edges and a point at one end.  The razor blade was discovered taped to the underside of Castillo’s assigned bunk and the metal blade was concealed at the base of a pillar adjacent to Castillo’s bunk.  The objects were designed or intended to be used as weapons.

On September 24, 2019, Castillo pleaded guilty to possession of contraband in a federal prison.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that WILIAN ALEXANDER ORELLANA-LUNA, 40, a citizen of El Salvador last residing in West Haven, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to reentry of a removed alien.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Orellana-Luna had encounters with the U.S. Border Patrol in Texas in March 2013, November 2015 and February 2019.  He was removed to El Salvador after each encounter.

On October 22, 2019, Orellana-Luna was arrested by West Haven Police and charged with evading responsibility resulting in injury or property damage.  A biometric match alerted Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that Orellana-Luna, who had been released after his arrest, was present in Connecticut.  ICE arrested Orellana-Luna on December 5, 2019.

Immediately following the guilty plea proceeding, Judge Underhill sentenced Orellana-Luna to time served.  Orellana-Luna was then released into ICE custody for removal to El Salvador.

This investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).  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 LUIS PITT, also known as “Macho,” 24, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 144 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for a kidnapping and violent assault he committed with four other members of the Almighty Latin Kings Nation (“Latin Kings”).

According to court documents and statements made in court, on January 26, 2018, Anthony Carillo and Josue Franco lured an individual (“the victim”) to a residence on Benton Street in Hartford.  When the victim entered the residence, Pitt and Jonathan Otero were waiting. Carillo, Franco, Pitt and Otero then threatened, assaulted and tortured the victim, prevented him from leaving the residence, and demanded a ransom.  After the victim was restrained, Pedro Carillo arrived at the residence and participated in the ongoing assault and torture of the victim, which included burning him with cigarettes, pistol-whipping him and throwing a dart into his foot.

The defendants forced the victim to call someone to deliver money in exchange for his release.  The victim then called his father.  Franco grabbed the phone and told the victim’s father if he did not deliver $500 they were going to kill his son.  After the call, Otero put a bullet in the victim’s hand and told him he would use that bullet to shoot him in the head if the victim could not get the ransom money.  The victim was then transported to different locations in Hartford in an effort to collect ransom before he was eventually released.

The victim was treated at a hospital for a fractured cheekbone, a facial laceration, a concussion and other injuries.

Pitt has been detained since his arrest on October 4, 2018.  On September 25, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, and one count of using, carrying and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

The other four defendants pleaded guilty to related charges and were sentenced last month.  On December 10, Otero was sentenced to 154 months of imprisonment; on December 16, Franco was sentenced to 132 months of imprisonment; on December 18, Anthony Carillo was sentenced to 125 months of imprisonment, and on December 19, Pedro Carillo was sentenced to 161 months of imprisonment.

This matter was 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 Hartford Police Department’s Major Crimes Division has provided critical assistance to the investigation.

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 JEFFREY BRAZIER, 50, of Hamden, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to 46 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing crack cocaine.

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

Investigators identified Brazier as a significant distributor of both heroin and crack cocaine.

On July 9, 2019, a grand jury in New Haven returned a 15-count indictment charging Brazier and 24 others with federal narcotics offenses related to the distribution of crack cocaine, cocaine and heroin.

Brazier has been detained since his arrest on July 10, 2019.  On November 12, 2019, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base (“crack”) and heroin.

Brazier’s criminal history spans more than 30 years and includes convictions for narcotics distribution and assault offenses.  At the time of his arrest in this case, he was on parole out of New York for a drug-related offense.

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

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that the government has reached a settlement agreement under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”) with Lawrence + Memorial Hospital (“L+M”) in New London, an affiliate of Yale New Haven Health Services Corporation, regarding L+M’s provision of effective communication to its deaf and hard of hearing patients.

This matter was initiated upon receipt of a complaint filed with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut by Disability Rights Connecticut.  Disability Rights Connecticut filed the complaint on behalf of an individual (“the complainant”) who is profoundly deaf and uses American Sign Language as her primary means of communication.  The complainant alleges that she was referred to the hospital for an appointment and, when she arrived at the hospital at the scheduled time, there was no interpreter present despite the hospital having provided her with an interpreter at a past appointment. At the time of appointment, the complainant requested an interpreter.  The hospital did not provide an interpreter for the complainant at any time during her appointment.  Because she was not provided with a qualified interpreter, the complainant alleges she was not able to effectively communicate with the hospital’s staff, including the healthcare providers providing her care. 

Title III of the ADA requires places of public accommodation to provide appropriate auxiliary aids and services, such as qualified interpreters, where necessary to ensure effective communication with individuals with disabilities.  Places of public accommodation are prohibited from requiring an individual with a disability to bring another individual to interpret for him or her.  Similarly, places of public accommodation may not charge a surcharge to individuals with disabilities for measures, including auxiliary aids and services, like interpreters, that are required to provide the individual with a disability with nondiscriminatory treatment under the ADA.  As a hospital, L+M is a public accommodation under Title III of the ADA and its facility is a place of public accommodation.

The settlement agreement resolves the complaint received by the government that L+M violated Title III of the ADA by failing to provide effective communication to the complainant.  The terms of the settlement agreement require L+M to assess patients and/or companions to determine if auxiliary aids or services are required for effective communication.  Whenever it is necessary to ensure effective communication for those individuals, L+M will provide appropriate auxiliary aids and services, including qualified interpreters, free of charge to patients or companions who are deaf or hard of hearing.  L+M will also record the need for auxiliary aids and services for patients or companions in the patient’s medical record so that hospital personnel can provide the auxiliary aids and services at the patient’s subsequent visits.  The hospital will notify the public regarding its policy on the availability of auxiliary aids and services by posting signs in the hospital facility, putting notice on its website, and including information in its patient handbook.  L+M will also develop and implement a grievance resolution procedure regarding effective communication and provide training regarding the provision of auxiliary aids and services to all L+M hospital personnel who have direct contact with patients or companions.

In addition, L+M will compensate the complainant in the amount of $8,500.

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

“This matter demonstrates the commitment of this office to ensuring that deaf and hard of hearing individuals are able to effectively communicate with their healthcare providers,” stated U.S. Attorney Durham.  “From the beginning of this investigation, Lawrence + Memorial has demonstrated a commitment to addressing the Americans with Disabilities Act issues raised in this matter and we are pleased to have reached this comprehensive settlement agreement with the hospital.”

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

Any member of the public who wishes to file a complaint alleging that the office of a health care provider or any other 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 BRIAN VELEZ, 31, of Hartford, pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

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

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

Velez is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant on May 20, 2020, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

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

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

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that two men involved in a New Haven-based drug trafficking organization were sentenced today in Hartford federal court.  U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant sentenced MARVIN SPRUILL, 27, of West Haven, to 57 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release, and CARNELL EDWARDS, 49, of Bridgeport, to 30 months of imprisonment and five years of supervised release.

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 and around New Haven.  Both Spruill and Edwards purchased crack from other members of the conspiracy and sold the drug in smaller quantities to their own customers.

Butler, Spruill, Edwards and several other members of the organization were arrested on federal criminal complaints on February 6, 2018.  On February 8, 2018, a grand jury in New Haven returned a 30-count indictment charging 19 individuals with various offenses.

Spruill and Edwards each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, cocaine base “crack.”

Butler also pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.

This matter has been 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 NATHANIEL RODRIGUEZ, 24, of Enfield, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.

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

The gun had been reported stolen in Massachusetts in 2017.

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

Rodriguez has been detained since March 29, 2019, when he was arrested in Enfield in an unrelated case.

Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for April 22, 2020, at which time Rodriguez faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

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

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that Sarah P. Karwan will serve as the Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division.

Ms. Karwan succeeds the Honorable William J. Nardini, who now serves as a U.S. Circuit Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

Ms. Karwan joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office in 2007 and, during her time as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, has prosecuted a wide variety of criminal cases.  Ms. Karwan most recently has served as Chief of the District’s Major Crimes Unit, supervising the prosecution of cases involving immigration, human trafficking and child exploitation, civil rights and hate crimes, government program fraud, and environmental crimes.  Ms. Karwan also has served as Deputy Chief of the District’s Financial Fraud and Public Corruption Unit, and as an Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (“OCDETF”) attorney.

As an AUSA, Ms. Karwan has served as both the District’s Professional Responsibility Officer and Election’s Officer, and as a member of the hiring committee.

Prior to her time in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Ms. Karwan was in private practice for approximately six years and specialized in securities litigation.

Ms. Karwan graduated from the College of William and Mary in 1997, and from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 2000. 

“I am thrilled that Sarah Karwan will lead our Criminal Division,” said U.S. Attorney Durham.  “During her more than 12 years as an AUSA, Sarah has done it all, prosecuting violent criminals, drug traffickers, financial fraudsters, corrupt public officials, and a wide variety of other wrongdoers.  Given the breadth of her experience and her exceptional lawyering skills, she certainly will be a standout as our new Criminal Chief.”

The District’s Criminal Division comprises four program-based units:  Violent Crimes and Narcotics, Financial Fraud and Public Corruption, National Security and Cybercrime, and Major Crimes.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is charged with enforcing federal criminal laws in Connecticut and representing the federal government in civil litigation.  The Office is composed of approximately 68 Assistant U.S. Attorneys and approximately 54 staff members at offices in New Haven, Hartford and Bridgeport.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that TERRELL HUNTER, also known as “Rell” and “Killer,” 38, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to life in prison for his role in the kidnapping, robbery and the execution-style murder of Charles Teasley, 35, of West Hartford, in January 2009.

According to evidence presented during trial, on January 12, 2009, Hartford Police responded to Colebrook Street in response to a 911 call concerning a dead body being found in the back seat of a vehicle parked on the street.  Upon arrival, Charles Teasley was found dead in the back seat of his own vehicle, a 1999 Acura TL.  He had suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his head and face, and his hands were zip-tied behind his back.

The investigation revealed that Hunter, Harold Cook, Gerund Mickens and Jesus Ashanti were involved in committing armed robberies of persons they believed to be drug dealers operating in the greater Hartford area.  On January 9, 2009, an individual advised Cook that he had arranged to conduct a cocaine transaction with Teasley.  The individual provided the particulars of the planned transaction to Cook so that Teasley could be kidnapped and robbed of drugs and money.  After Teasley arrived at the arranged location, Cook, Mickens, Hunter and Ashanti kidnapped Teasley by using zip-ties to bind his hands and forcing him back into the rear seat of his own vehicle.  In the vehicle, they threatened Teasley at gunpoint, assaulted him and forced him to make a telephone call directing his girlfriend to bring to Cook, Mickens, Hunter and Ashanti a safe that Teasley had kept at his and his girlfriend’s West Hartford residence.  They drove to the residence and acquired the safe.  Cook, Mickens and Hunter then drove Teasley to the Colebrook Street area of Hartford, and Ashanti followed them in a separate car.  On the way, Cook and Hunter shot Teasley in the head causing his death.  After arriving on Colebrook Street, Cook, Mickens and Hunter left the Acura and Teasley’s body, and then fled the area in the car driven by Ashanti.

Cook, Mickens and Hunter have been detained since their arrests on April 4, 2017.  On August 21, 2018, a jury found them guilty of one count of kidnapping resulting in death, one count of using a firearm during a kidnapping and causing a death, and one count of using a firearm during a Hobbs Act robbery and causing a death.

Earlier this month, Judge Underhill sentenced both Cook and Mickens to life in prison.

Ashanti pleaded guilty to related charges on July 16, 2018, and awaits sentencing.

This investigation has been conducted by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Gang Task Force, Hartford Police Department and the Cold Case Homicide Unit of the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney.  The Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CLETUS JONES, 39, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to 27 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a loaded handgun.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on January 23, 2018, Hartford Police officers responded to a two-car motor vehicle accident near Elizabeth Park.  At the scene, officers learned that Jones had gone into the park and placed something near a tree.  A search of the area uncovered a loaded Taurus .38 semi-automatic handgun.  Subsequent analysis of the gun revealed Jones’ DNA profile.

Jones’ criminal history includes felony convictions for possession of narcotics, failure to appear in the first degree, robbery in the first degree and carjacking.  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.

Jones has been detained since his arrest on August 2, 2018.  On August 7, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon.

This matter was 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 Michael J. Gustafson.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RANDY PARKMAN, 43, of Hartford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to robbery and firearm offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 22, 2018, Parkman shot and seriously wounded an individual during a robbery at 149 Wethersfield Avenue in Hartford.  At the time, the location was being used as a “trap house” by a drug trafficking organization.

On October 22, 2018, Parkman was arrested at an apartment where he had been staying.  On that date, a search of the apartment revealed a Taurus, Model 444, .44 caliber revolver, which had been reported stolen from a motor vehicle in Hartford in August 2018.

Parkman has been detained since his arrest.

Parkman pleaded guilty to one count of interference with commerce by robbery, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and one count of possession and discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

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

This matter is being 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 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 LEE FERGUSON, 62, of Farmington, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 20 months of imprisonment, followed by one year of supervised release, for stealing more than $3.3 million from his employees.

Judge Shea also ordered Ferguson to pay a $200,000 fine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Ferguson owns and operates Ferguson Electric and Ferguson Mechanical, both headquartered in Plainville.  Between approximately 2013 and 2017, Ferguson caused to be deducted approximately $1.60 to $3.15 per hour from each of his employee’s fringe benefits package as a “third party administrator fee” for the employees’ pension plans.  Ferguson knew that the funds were not used to cover any administrative fees for the employees’ pension plans.  Instead, this “third party administrator fee” was paid over to TPA of Connecticut, a company that Ferguson established and controlled.  TPA of Connecticut, in turn, sent the monies to DJS Associates, a Florida company that Ferguson formed for the purported purpose of performing business-consulting services for him and his companies.  However, no such services were performed and Ferguson used the funds for personal expenses.

Through this scheme, Ferguson stole a total of $3,357,516 from more than 300 employees.  He has made full restitution.

On July 31, 2019, Ferguson pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering.

Ferguson, who is released on a $50,000 bond, is required to report to prison on April 28.

This investigation was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General, and U.S. Department of Labor – Employee Benefits Security Administration, Boston Regional Office.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas P. Morabito.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that EDGAR MANDUJANO-AGUILAR, 31, a citizen of Mexico, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to one count of reentry of a removed alien.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Mandujano-Aguilar had encounters with the U.S. Border Patrol on two occasions in 2006, both of which resulted in his voluntary return to Mexico.

In December 2010, U.S. Border Patrol encountered Mandujano-Aguilar in Yuma, Arizona.  He was charged and convicted in the District of Arizona with illegal entry, sentenced to time served and, on December 29, 2010, was removed to Mexico.

In February 2011, March 2011 and October 2011, U.S. Border Patrol encountered Mandujano-Aguilar at locations close to the southern border of the U.S.  He was returned to Mexico after each encounter.

On March 16, 2016, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested Mandujano-Aguilar in Massachusetts.  He was charged and convicted in the District of Massachusetts with illegal reentry of a removed alien, sentenced to time served and, on June 9, 2016, was removed to Mexico.

On November 15, 2019, Mandujano-Aguilar was arrested in Waterbury for interfering with an officer.  He has been detained in federal custody since December 18, 2019.

Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for April 20, 2020, at which time Mandujano-Aguilar faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that CHANNA SONTAG, LPC, and her business, CHILDREN’S BEHAVIORAL THERAPY LLC, have entered into a civil settlement agreement with the federal and state governments and will pay more than $39,000 to resolve allegations that they violated the federal and state False Claims Acts.

Sontag is a state Licensed Professional Counselor and the owner of Children’s Behavioral Therapy LLC, a private behavioral health practice in Waterbury.  Sontag was enrolled as a Licensed Behavioral Health Clinician in Independent Practice in the Connecticut Medical Assistance Program (“CMAP”), which includes the state’s Medicaid program.  It is alleged that, on numerous occasions, Sontag billed Medicaid for 60 minutes of one-on-one individual psychotherapy services when, in fact, she had performed individual psychotherapy services for less time.

To resolve the allegations under the federal and state False Claims Acts, Sontag and Children’s Behavioral Therapy LLC will pay $39,471.22 in order to reimburse the Medicaid program for conduct occurring from November 3, 2014 to March 15, 2017.  Sontag has also agreed to a voluntary five-year suspension from the Connecticut Medicaid Program as part of the settlement.

Under the False Claims Act, the government can recover up to three times its actual damages, plus penalties of $11,181 to $22,363 for each false claim.

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

This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne Thidemann, and Assistant Attorney General Karla Turekian 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 CYRUS BRADFORD, 43, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking heroin and crack cocaine

According to court documents and statements made in court, in the fall of 2017, the FBI, ATF and Waterbury Police Department began an investigation into drug trafficking by suspected members of “Addicted to Money,” also known as “ATM,” a violent street gang operating in Waterbury.  The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps, physical surveillance and controlled purchases of heroin and crack, revealed that Bradford supplied distribution quantities of narcotics to members and associates of ATM.

The investigation resulted in federal charges against Bradford and 10 other individuals.

Bradford has been detained since his arrest on July 17, 2018.  On July 23, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, heroin and 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”).

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOEL C. RILEY, 48, of Wallingford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for bankruptcy fraud.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between approximately April 2015 and July 2016, Riley fraudulently applied for and obtained loans and lines of credit in the name of another individual (“the victim”), without the victim’s knowledge or permission, using her name and personal information.  By December 2016, the outstanding debt on those loans was approximately $211,142, and Riley did not have the intent or the ability to repay the debt.

On December 15, 2016, Riley visited an attorney claiming that he had power of attorney for the victim.  Riley informed the attorney that the victim was ill and that Riley wanted to file a bankruptcy petition on her behalf.  The attorney told Riley that the attorney needed to meet with the victim to confirm her identity.

After several delays, on June 6, 2017, Riley and a woman claiming to be the victim (“the imposter”) met with the attorney at his office.  Riley had recruited the imposter to impersonate the victim and provided the imposter with the victim’s Connecticut driver’s license, which Riley had taken from the victim without her knowledge or permission.  During the meeting with the attorney, the imposter presented the driver’s license as identification.  The parties subsequently reviewed and signed a Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition, which the attorney filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut.  The petition listed unsecured debts of approximately $277,000.

Later in June 2017, the victim tried to use a department store credit card and learned that a bankruptcy petition had been filed in her name, without her knowledge and authorization.  On June 28, 2017, the victim met with the attorney and stated that she did not file for bankruptcy.  That same day, Riley sent an email to the attorney stating “I clearly owe you more than an apology and clearly have not been in the right frame of mind. I need to make this right. And I know that exposes myself. You have done so much for me and I betrayed that. Please let me know what I can do to resolve this.”  The attorney then notified the bankruptcy court. 

The victim testified in bankruptcy court that her identification had been missing from her wallet when the petition was filed.  She further testified that, other than a student loan, all of the other unsecured debt listed in the bankruptcy petition was not her debt and that Riley had impersonated her in the past in order to obtain credit.  On July 21, 2017, the bankruptcy court dismissed the false bankruptcy petition in the victim’s name.

At the time he fraudulently obtained the loans, Riley was employed by the Connecticut Judicial Branch as a human resources manager.

Riley was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on May 7, 2018. 

Judge Thompson ordered Riley to pay restitution of $211,142 to the victim financial institutions.

In addition to this criminal conduct, the investigation revealed that in at least 19 separate instances over more than a decade, Riley obtained or attempted to obtain loans from financial institutions using the identities of family members without their knowledge or permission.

Riley, who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on March 25.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that SALVATORE PERRY, 45, of Shelton, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to 30 days of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing oxycodone.  Judge Bolden ordered Perry to serve his first six months of supervised release in home confinement.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between September 2017 and November 2018, law enforcement made five controlled purchases of 30mg oxycodone pills from Perry.  Perry sold between 30 and 60 pills each transaction.  Perry had obtained the pills from at least two other individuals who had prescriptions for the drugs.

Perry was arrested on December 4, 2018.  On that date, investigators searched his residence and seized oxycodone pills, along with Perry’s cell phone, which contained evidence of the drug sales.

On October 24, 2019, Perry pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, oxycodone.

Perry who is released on a $250,000 bond, is required to report to prison on February 7.

This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah P. Karwan.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JAYREN JAKAR WYNN, 30, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 92 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm, 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 7, 2015, Wynn was sentenced in Hartford federal court to 14 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for distributing crack cocaine in The Hill neighborhood in New Haven.  He was released from federal prison in July 2016.

On July 12, 2018, New Haven Police detectives performed a traffic stop of a vehicle that Wynn was operating.  A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed a loaded Hi-Point CF380 handgun and a quantity of marijuana.

In addition to his prior federal conviction, Wynn’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for assault and firearm offenses.  It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

Wynn has been detained since July 12, 2018.  On August 29, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and admitted that he violated the conditions of his federal supervised release.

Judge Bryant sentenced Wynn to 78 months of imprisonment for possessing a firearm, and a consecutive 14 months of imprisonment for violating his supervised release.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force and the New Haven Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Stolfi Collins.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DANNIE DARLING, 32, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 51 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing heroin 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 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.

Nelson Ferry, also known as “300,” 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.  Darling, who is Ferry’s brother-in-law, purchased distribution quantities of fentanyl/heroin from Ferry and, at times, delivered narcotics to another member of the organization.

On May 22, 2018, a member of Ferry’s organization was shot and seriously wounded in an apparent robbery of the Wethersfield Avenue trap house.  After the shooting, intercepted communications revealed that Ferry solicited 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.

Darling has been detained since his arrest on June 19, 2018.  On September 9, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin and fentanyl.

Darling’s criminal history includes multiple convictions and he previously served a 78-month sentence in state custody.

Ferry has pleaded guilty and 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, today announced that LLERALD CARRASQUILLO, 28, of Hartford, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in early 2019, law enforcement learned that an individual who was addicted to opioids had traded firearms with Carrasquillo in exchange for fentanyl and heroin.  In May and June 2019, investigators made two controlled purchases of fentanyl from Carrasquillo at his Hartford residence.  On July 10, 2019, a court-authorized search of the residence revealed a quantity of fentanyl, two 9mm handguns and ammunition.  One of the handguns was lawfully registered to Carrasquillo’s wife, but Carrasquillo has admitted that he had received the other handgun from the addicted individual in exchange for fentanyl.

Carrasquillo’s criminal history includes two felony convictions for possession with intent to distribute 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.

On October 29, 2019, Carrasquillo pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.

Carrasquillo, who is released on a $10,000 bond, is required to report to prison on March 23, 2020.

This matter has been investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with the assistance of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Connecticut State Police and Windsor Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas P. Morabito.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that DYZHAE RICHARDSON, 23, of Hartford, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to narcotics distribution and firearm possession offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 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, investigators made two controlled purchases of heroin/fentanyl from Richardson in August and September 2019.

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

Richardson has been detained since his arrest.

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

Richardson pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin, fentanyl and cocaine base (“crack”), which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and one count possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

Judge Arterton scheduled sentencing for April 14, 2020.

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, today announced that CARLOS DELGADO, also known as “Los,” 50, of Mansfield, has been convicted of drug trafficking and firearm possession offenses.

According to the evidence presented during a trial before U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven, in 2018, law enforcement began investigating an eastern Connecticut drug trafficking organization headed by Delgado.  The investigation revealed that Delgado was having kilogram quantities of cocaine shipped through the U.S. Mail from Puerto Rico to various locations in eastern Connecticut.  He and his associates distributed the drugs, and mailed cash proceeds from narcotics sales back to individuals in Puerto Rico.  During the investigation, investigators seized two packages containing $26,860 and $9,900 in cash, respectively, that Delgado had mailed to addresses in Puerto Rico.

Delgado was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on July 9, 2018.  On that date, a search of Delgado residence, vehicle and a third location revealed more than one kilogram of heroin, four firearms, narcotics packaging materials, and approximately $74,000 in cash.

Delgado has been detained since his arrest.

On January 21, 2021, the jury found Delgado guilty of one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, five kilograms or more of cocaine; and one count of possession with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin.  The jury found Delgado not guilty of one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Today, the jury found Delgado guilty of one count of possession of firearms by a previously convicted felon.

Judge Hall scheduled sentencing for April 16, 2020, at which time Delgado faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of life in prison.

This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force, Connecticut State Police, Willimantic Police Department, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  The DEA Task Force includes participants from the Bristol, East Hartford, Hartford, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Willimantic and Windsor Locks Police Departments, and the Food and Drug Administration.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natasha M. Freismuth and Patrick F. Caruso.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JESUS OMAR VAZQUEZ-MARTINEZ, 35, 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 heroin.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in May 2018, the DEA’s Hartford Task Force and Willimantic Police Department, while investigating a heroin/fentanyl overdose death that occurred in August 2017, received information that Xavier Diaz, also known as “Coco,” was operating a heroin distribution ring in Willimantic.  The investigation revealed that drug purchasers called a phone shared by Diaz, Vazquez-Martinez and other members of the conspiracy to place an order for heroin.  Thereafter, a “runner” would meet the purchaser to complete the transaction.

The investigation connected the August 2017 overdose death, and several non-fatal overdoses, to drugs distributed by the Diaz organization.

Diaz and other members of his organization were arrested on October 15, 2018.  On that date, a search of Diaz’s residence revealed more than 100 grams of heroin, a stolen firearm, and ammunition.  In addition, a search of a storage unit connected to the organization revealed more than $20,000 in cash.

Vazquez-Martinez has been detained since his arrest on state narcotics charges in April 2018.  On October 28, 2019, he pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.

Diaz pleaded guilty to the same charge and, on November 25, 2019, was sentenced to five years of imprisonment.

The DEA’s Hartford Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Windsor Locks and Willimantic Police Departments.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Natasha M. Freismuth.

In 2017, almost 50,000 Americans died from opioid overdoses.  It’s a sad reality that New England as a whole has been particularly hard hit by opioids. In fact, per capita, of the 12 states across the country with the most opioid overdose fatalities, all six of our states make the list. Much of that is due to illicitly produced fentanyl.

To maintain and build upon a recent decline in opioid overdose deaths nationwide, law enforcement must have all the necessary tools at their disposal. One such tool is the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) 2018 order making all fentanyl-related drugs illegal in the United States. Unfortunately, that order was temporary and will expire in just a few weeks. The Senate recently passed bipartisan legislation approving a 15-month extension of the temporary order. While this is a step in the right direction and the House should follow suit and pass the Senate’s bill, a longer term solution is needed. A permanent ban on all fentanyl analogues would send a strong message to the cartels and sophisticated drug operations that pedal illicit fentanyl that the United States is serious about addressing this crisis and their actions will not be tolerated.

Illicit fentanyl is manufactured in labs in China and Mexico. It is 50 times more powerful than heroin and 100 times more powerful than morphine. So powerful, in fact, that only a couple milligrams – the size of a few grains of salt – can kill the average person.

Fentanyl, however, is unique. Because it is made in labs using chemicals, its structure is easily manipulated. And the drug cartels that manufacture and traffic this poison into our neighborhoods understand American laws and know how to exploit them. They know that by changing a single molecule in the chemical structure of fentanyl, they have essentially created a new drug. One that, unlike fentanyl, is not illegal in the United States. These drugs, known as “fentanyl analogues,” do as fentanyl does: create more addicts and kill more Americans. Yet, the analogues – which can be up to 100 times more potent than fentanyl and 10,000 times more potent than morphine – will all become legal if Congress fails to act.

The DEA’s 2018 decision to temporarily schedule – that is, to make illegal – all fentanyl-related substances was a response to the extraordinary legal loophole exploited by drug traffickers. In April 2019, China also outlawed all fentanyl-related substances. This is extraordinary progress, with one caveat. Unlike China’s law, the United States’ has an expiration date.

On Feb. 6, 2020, the DEA’s temporary order expires, and all drugs seized by U.S. investigators over the past two years that have tested positive as fentanyl analogues will no longer be illegal. If Congress fails to pass the SOFA legislation it will have a dramatic impact not just on the prosecutors and law enforcement officers who spend their lives investigating and prosecuting drug dealers, but on communities already hard hit by the opioid epidemic, many of which are right here in New England.

Despite recent reductions in opioid deaths across New England for the first time in decades, prosecuting drug dealers – particularly those who peddle heroin and fentanyl – remains a top priority for each of our offices. But our federal resources are not infinite; we need all the help we can get. Passing this legislation would provide invaluable support to us as prosecutors and the entire law enforcement community as we continue to combat the opioid crisis in New England and all throughout America.

A number of organizations have voiced opposition to the proposed legislation, arguing that the bill does not “embrace public health approaches to the overdose crisis.” We agree that a comprehensive approach to the crisis is needed, and a permanent fentanyl analogue ban should be viewed as part of a holistic effort. But time is running out: there is no doubt that drug traffickers are eagerly awaiting the temporary order’s expiration to start flooding our communities with these dangerous drugs. The passage of this legislation is quite literally a matter of life and death.

There should be nothing partisan about declaring fentanyl analogues illegal, any more than there is partisanship about the dangers of ricin or cyanide. And there is certainly nothing partisan about saving lives and bringing justice to those who profit from addiction and even death. For the safety of our New England communities, we urge Congress to pass legislation making permanent the DEA’s temporary scheduling of all fentanyl-related drugs.

Christina E. Nolan is the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont
Aaron L. Weisman is the United States Attorney for the District of Rhode Island
Scott W. Murray is the United States Attorney for the District of New Hampshire
Andrew E. Lelling is the United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts
Halsey B. Frank is the United States Attorney for the District of Maine
John H. Durham is the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut

New Haven – U.S. Attorney John H. Durham today announced that the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut collected $22,755,127.63 in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2019.  $6,357,454.91 was collected in criminal actions and $16,397,672.72 was collected in civil actions.

Overall, the Justice Department collected a total of just over $9.3 billion in civil and criminal actions in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2019. 

“This past fiscal year, the talented men and women of our Connecticut office helped to recover more than $22 million for victims of crime and to help us fund important federal, state and local law enforcement efforts,” said U.S. Attorney Durham.  “We are committed to seeking justice for victims, taking back ill-gotten gains from lawbreakers, and protecting the integrity of important government programs.”

The largest civil collections in the District of Connecticut were from affirmative civil enforcement cases, in which the United States recovered government money lost to fraud or other misconduct, or collected fines imposed on individuals and/or corporations for violations of federal health, safety, civil rights or environmental laws.  In addition, civil debts owed to several federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Internal Revenue Service, Small Business Administration and Department of Education, were collected by the U.S. Attorney’s Office from debtors located in Connecticut.

All of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s criminal recoveries in fiscal year 2019 were the result of successful enforcement against criminal defendants who committed various types of crime, with the largest recoveries in cases involving wire and securities fraud. 

Nationally, the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and victims of federal crimes.  The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss.  While restitution is paid directly to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are also collected by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and paid to the department’s Crime Victims’ Fund, which distributes the funds to state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.

Additionally, the U.S. Attorney’s office in the District of Connecticut, working with partner agencies and divisions, collected $3,776,349 in asset forfeiture actions in FY 2019.  Of this amount $1,606,053 was collected in civil cases and $1,841,763 was collected criminal cases. $328,533 was collected administratively.  Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is charged with enforcing federal criminal laws in Connecticut and representing the federal government in civil litigation.  The Office is composed of approximately 68 Assistant U.S. Attorneys and approximately 54 staff members at offices in New Haven, Hartford and Bridgeport.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that HAROLD COOK, also known as “Oink,” 42, of Bloomfield, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to life in prison for his role in the kidnapping, robbery and the execution-style murder of Charles Teasley, 35, of West Hartford, in January 2009.

According to evidence presented during trial, on January 12, 2009, Hartford Police responded to Colebrook Street in response to a 911 call concerning a dead body being found in the back seat of a vehicle parked on the street.  Upon arrival, Charles Teasley was found dead in the back seat of his own vehicle, a 1999 Acura TL.  He had suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his head and face, and his hands were zip-tied behind his back.

The investigation revealed that Cook, Gerund Mickens, Terrell Hunter and Jesus Ashanti were involved in committing armed robberies of persons they believed to be drug dealers operating in the greater Hartford area.  On January 9, 2009, an individual advised Cook that he had arranged to conduct a cocaine transaction with Teasley.  The individual provided the particulars of the planned transaction to Cook so that Teasley could be kidnapped and robbed of drugs and money.  After Teasley arrived at the arranged location, Cook, Mickens, Hunter and Ashanti kidnapped Teasley by using zip-ties to bind his hands and forcing him back into the rear seat of  his own vehicle.  In the vehicle, they threatened Teasley at gunpoint, assaulted him and forced him to make a telephone call directing his girlfriend to bring to Cook, Mickens, Hunter and Ashanti a safe that Teasley had kept at his and his girlfriend’s West Hartford residence.  They drove to the residence and acquired the safe.  Cook, Mickens and Hunter then drove Teasley to the Colebrook Street area of Hartford, and Ashanti followed them in a separate car.  On the way, Cook and Hunter shot Teasley in the head causing his death.  After arriving on Colebrook Street, Cook, Mickens and Hunter left the Acura and Teasley’s body, and then fled the area in the car driven by Ashanti.

Cook, Mickens and Hunter have been detained since their arrests on April 4, 2017.  On August 21, 2018, a jury found them guilty of one count of kidnapping resulting in death, one count of using a firearm during a kidnapping and causing a death, and one count of using a firearm during a Hobbs Act robbery and causing a death.

On January 13, 2020, Judge Underhill sentenced Mickens to life in prison.  Hunter awaits sentencing and also faces a mandatory term of life imprisonment.

Ashanti pleaded guilty to related charges on July 16, 2018, and also awaits sentencing.

This investigation has been conducted by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Gang Task Force, Hartford Police Department and the Cold Case Homicide Unit of the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney.  The Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JEREMY RODRIGUEZ, 22, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 121 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking fentanyl and other drugs.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in August 2017, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force launched an investigation into a drug trafficking organization that was selling large amounts of heroin, fentanyl, cocaine and crack cocaine in Hartford.  Julio Oliveras, also known as “Cuzzo Jay,” was identified as the leader of the organization.  The investigation, which included approximately six months of court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of narcotics and physical surveillance, revealed that Oliveras supplied wholesale quantities of narcotics to Rodriguez and other Hartford-area drug dealers, and used multiple locations in Hartford to process, store and distribute narcotics. 

Rodriguez stashed and sold narcotics at his Spring Street residence and a Bedford Street location.

Oliveras, Rodriguez and other members of the organization were arrested on July 19, 2018.  On that date, investigators executed 10 search warrants and seized approximately 2.7 kilograms of fentanyl, one kilogram of heroin, approximately 500 grams of crack cocaine, 100 grams of cocaine, eight firearms, more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition, cash, and other evidence of narcotics trafficking activity.

Rodriguez was arrested at his Spring Street residence.  A search of his home at the time of his arrest revealed approximately 115 grams of unpackaged fentanyl, approximately 1,500 bags of fentanyl with a net weight of 23 grams, and a .45 caliber pistol with an obliterated serial number.  A search of the Bedford Street location revealed a .357 caliber revolver.

On August 2, 2018, a grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment charging Oliveras, Rodriguez and 14 co-defendants with various offenses.

Rodriguez has been detained since his arrest.  On October 23, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin, fentanyl, cocaine base (“crack”) and cocaine.

The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Windsor Locks and Willimantic Police Departments.  Agencies assisting the investigation include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Connecticut Department of Correction, and the East Hartford, New Britain, Newington and West Hartford Police Departments.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ANTOINE SNELL and TREYQUANE SNELL, both 21 of Bridgeport, were sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to prison terms of 64 months and 72 months, respectively, for committing a violent robbery and carjacking of a food delivery driver in Ansonia.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 21, 2016, Antoine and Treyquane Snell, who are twin brothers, and a juvenile male, placed a food order with an Ansonia restaurant to be delivered to a location on Dwight Street.  After the driver arrived at the location, the three males ordered the driver out of his car, attacked him and stole the car.  The victim suffered serious injuries, including multiple broken bones in his face and bleeding in his brain.

On August 14, 2019, the each brother pleaded guilty to one count of Hobbs Act robbery.

The juvenile involved in the robbery and carjacking was charged, convicted and sentenced in state court.

Antoine and Treyquane Snell will serve three years of supervised release when they are released from prison.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Ansonia Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Douglas P. Morabito and Maria del Pilar Gonzalez.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that STEVEN A. FINKLER, 55, of New Haven, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to credit card fraud and identity theft offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in August 2017, Finkler stole credit cards from two of his employer’s customers and used the cards to make more than 40 fraudulent charges in Connecticut and New York.  The charges included Finkler’s purchase of jewelry for his girlfriend, Apple products and electronic devices, and other high-end consumer and retail goods for either himself or his friends. The total loss to the victims was $20,892.75.

In September 2018, Finkler, using another individual’s identity, opened a membership at a fitness center with gym locations throughout Connecticut.  Finkler also used the same stolen identity to create accounts with mobile device payment applications.  Between September 2018 and May 2019, Finkler visited multiple gym locations and stole credit cards from lockers and other locations while the victims were located elsewhere in the gym.  Using the stolen credit cards, and the mobile device payment applications, he made approximately $144,000 in fictitious charges to bank accounts that he created and controlled.  He then returned the credit cards to the victims’ wallets before the victims returned to the locker room.  At least 49 individuals were victimized through this scheme.

Finkler pleaded guilty to one count of access device fraud (credit card fraud), one count of wire fraud, and two counts of aggravated identity theft.  Judge Underhill scheduled sentencing for April 1, 2020, at which time Finkler faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of two years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.

Finkler also has agreed to pay restitution in the amount of $145,682.08.

Finkler has been detained since his arrest on August 15, 2019.

Finkler has a criminal history that spans 35 years and includes numerous convictions, including five federal convictions stemming from various fraud schemes.

This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Secret Service, Connecticut Financial Crimes Task Force, and the Wallingford, Avon, North Haven, Madison, Glastonbury and Branford Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarala Nagala and Margaret Donovan.

U.S. Attorney Durham noted that Steven Finkler has also used the name “Andrew Finkler,” as well as other aliases.  Individuals who believe they have been victimized by this scheme, or by this defendant, are encouraged to call the U.S. Secret Service at 203-865-2449.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Michael C. Mikulka, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging LUIS F. ESTRADA, 46, of Bridgeport, with making false statements and submitting false documents to the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”).

The indictment was returned on January 2, 2020.  Estrada appeared yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven, entered a plea of not guilty to the charges, and was released on a $75,000 bond.

As alleged in the indictment, Estrada is the owner of a construction company named L.L.E. Construction, LLC.  In February 2018, Estrada and L.L.E. Construction entered into a written contract to perform roof repairs and other construction services at a property located on Main Street in Bridgeport.  In February and March 2018, Estrada was provided with three checks totaling $11,000 for performing the work.  On March 1, 2018, a compliance officer with OSHA visited the property and observed what he believed to be various safety infractions by construction workers who were making the roof repairs.  The officer then initiated an on-site inspection into the suspected infractions.  Estrada was not present at the Main Street property at the time, but spoke to the compliance officer by mobile phone.

It is further alleged that, on May 22, 2018, OSHA compliance officers served Estrada with a subpoena that demanded documents and records related to L.L.E. Construction’s work at the Main Street property in February and March 2018.  On July 30, 2018, Estrada hand-delivered a written response stating that he “did not do any work for the ‘LLE Roofing Project,’” that “[t]here is no payroll because [he] did not work on the ‘LLE Roofing Project,’” and that he “do[es] not have any contract or any documents regarding the ‘LLE Roofing Project.’”

The indictment charges Estrada with one count of making false statements to the U.S. Department of Labor, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, and one count of falsification of records in a federal investigation, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

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

This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret M. Donovan.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that SHANNON WICKER, also known as “Bishop,” 34, of New Haven, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.

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

Wicker has been detained since his federal arrest on November 6, 2019.

Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for April 8, 2020, at which time Wicker faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

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

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

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JULIO OLIVERAS, also known as “Cuzzo Jay,” 34, of Hartford and New Britain, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 186 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for narcotics trafficking and firearm possession offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in August 2017, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force launched an investigation into a drug trafficking organization that was selling large amounts of heroin, fentanyl, cocaine and crack cocaine in Hartford.  Oliveras was identified as the leader of the organization.  The investigation, which included approximately six months of court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of narcotics and physical surveillance, revealed that Oliveras and his associates supplied distribution quantities of narcotics to several Hartford-area drug dealers, and used multiple locations in Hartford to process, store and distribute narcotics. 

Oliveras and other members of the organization were arrested on July 19, 2018.  On that date, investigators executed 10 search warrants and seized approximately 2.7 kilograms of fentanyl, one kilogram of heroin, approximately 500 grams of crack cocaine, 100 grams of cocaine, eight firearms, more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition, cash, and other evidence of narcotics trafficking activity.  The drugs and firearms were found at a stash house Oliveras maintained, a storage unit he rented, and the residences of his associates.

On August 2, 2018, a grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment charging Oliveras and 15 co-defendants with various offenses.

Oliveras has been detained since his arrest.  On October 22, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, 400 grams or more of fentanyl and a quantity of cocaine, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Windsor Locks and Willimantic Police Departments.  Agencies assisting the investigation include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Connecticut Department of Correction, and the East Hartford, New Britain, Newington and West Hartford Police Departments.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CHAIM STERN, 71, of Flushing, New York, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today in Bridgeport federal court to embezzlement and tax offenses related to his operation of nursing homes in Bridgeport and Waterbury.

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

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

Stern pleaded guilty to one count of theft or embezzlement from an employee benefit plan, one count of theft or embezzlement in connection with healthcare, and one count of willful failure to pay tax.  Stern is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven on April 8, 2020, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

As part of his plea agreement, Stern has agreed to make restitution to Pension Plan participants in the amount of approximately $4.1 million; to participants in the Health Plan with unpaid claims; and to the IRS in the total amount of approximately $2.4 million.

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

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ERICK SUAREZ, 31, of New Britain, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 97 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking cocaine from Puerto Rico to Connecticut through the U.S. Mail.

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

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

Suarez was arrested on April 12, 2018.  On April 18, 2018, a grand jury returned an indictment charging Suarez, Rodriguez and five other individual with conspiracy to distribute cocaine.  Suarez pleaded guilty on September 10, 2019.

Suarez has been detained since his arrest.

Rodriguez has pleaded guilty and is detained while awaiting sentencing.

The DEA’s Hartford Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Windsor Locks and Willimantic Police Departments.  The DEA Puerto Rico Caribbean Corridor Strike Force and U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Newark Division, San Juan (P.R.) Office, have assisted the investigation.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey M. Stone.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that TYSHAWN COLEMAN, 30, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 46 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing ammunition.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in the early morning hours of August 5, 2017, Hartford Police stopped a car after a witness had reported that the car was involved in a fatal shooting on Edgewood Street less than 30 minutes earlier.  Coleman was sitting in the front passenger seat.  An officer conducted a pat-down of Coleman and retrieved two clear zip-lock bags from his pocket.  One of the bags contained marijuana, and the other contained a .45 caliber bullet. 

Prior to August 2017, Coleman had sustained two felony convictions for conspiracy to commit murder, three felony convictions for accessory to first-degree assault, one felony conviction for first degree assault, and one felony conviction for sale of a controlled substance.

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.

Coleman has been detained since his arrest.  On October 24, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of ammunition by a convicted felon.

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

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 MARIANO IRIZARRY, 36, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 30 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for firearm and drug offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in the early morning hours of January 1, 2019, New Haven Police officers assigned to a New Year’s Eve crime prevention detail responded to a disturbance and a report of an individual with a gun in front of a nightclub on Hamilton Street in New Haven.  At the scene, a bystander identified Irizarry as being in possession of a gun.  After ignoring various commands from officers, Irizarry opened the driver’s side door of his vehicle and made furtive movements in the area of the steering wheel.  He then closed the door and surrendered to officers.  A subsequent search of the area beneath the steering wheel revealed a loaded .40 caliber Glock 27 pistol.

The firearm had been reported stolen in a residential burglary in New Haven in March 2015.

Irizarry’s criminal history includes felony drug convictions in 2000 and 2010, and a felony conviction in August 2000 for illegal sexual contact with a minor.

Irizarry was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on February 6, 2019, and was released on a $50,000 bond.  On June 17, 2019, he sold four bags of heroin, some of which contained fentanyl, to an individual working with law enforcement.  He has been detained since his arrest on June 27, 2019.

On September 30, 2019, Irizarry pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and one count of distributing a controlled substance while on pretrial release.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the New Haven Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Gustafson.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that SEDALE PERVIS, also known as “Scope,” 27, of New Haven, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 144 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.

On August 3, 2017, a grand jury in New Haven returned a 13-count indictment charging Pervis 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.

The investigation revealed that Pervis oversaw, managed and facilitated numerous shootings for which GSB members were responsible.

Pervis 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.  In pleading guilty, Pervis admitted that a firearm that he had been holding was going to used in two shootings.  As to one of the shootings, Pervis and other GSB members conspired to kill an individual who they believed had been disrespectful to a GSB member.  On May 27, 2016, GSB members ambushed the individual and his friend as the pair were walking on a busy street in New Haven.  The individual, who survived the attack, identified GSB member Milton Westley as an assailant.  Westley first shot the victim in the stomach.  After the victim collapsed to the ground, Westley stood over him and shot him in the head.  Another GSB member shot the second victim in the hand as he attempted to shield his face.

The victim who was shot in the stomach and head continues to recover from his injuries.  He was in a coma for several weeks and had to learn to walk and talk again.  This victim had been shot at by GSB members twice prior to May 27, 2016.

GSB members also shot at rival gang members 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; and July 21, 2016, during which an innocent bystander was shot in the chest through her bedroom window.

GSB members also 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.

The investigation further revealed that Pervis and other GSB members were involved in the acquisition and distribution of heroin, cocaine and marijuana. 

Pervis has been detained since May 1, 2017.

Pervis is the fifth GSB member 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, and on November 4, 2019, Clifford Brodie, also known as “Cliff G,” was sentenced to 168 months in prison.  A sixth GSB member, Dejuan Ward, also known as “Hot Boi,” has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.

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 is a part of the Justice’s Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program and Project Longevity.  PSN is a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone.  Project Longevity is a comprehensive initiative to reduce gun violence in Connecticut’s major cities.  Through Project Longevity, community members and law enforcement directly engage with members of groups that are prone to commit violence and deliver a community message against violence, a law enforcement message about the consequences of further violence and an offer of help for those who want it.

This investigation is being conducted by ATF and the New Haven Police Department.  The FBI, Hamden Police Department and New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office have 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 is being 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, announced that DEVON WILLIAMS, 30, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to eight months of imprisonment, followed by one year of supervised release, for preparing false tax returns

According to court documents and statements made in court, Williams formerly owned and operated Perfect Preparers, LLC, a tax preparation business based in New Haven.  Between approximately 2014 and 2017, Williams prepared numerous federal tax returns for clients that contained inflated deductions, including false deductions for unreimbursed employee expenses, charitable donations, and mortgage interest.  Some returns contained false Schedule C (sole proprietorship business) information.  Losses suffered by the IRS as a result of his fraud totaled at least $550,000.

Judge Hall ordered Williams to pay restitution of $550,000.

On October 3, 2019, Williams pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and assisting the preparation of a false tax return.

As a result of Williams’ fraudulent conduct, many of his clients’ filed tax returns will need to be amended.  Williams’ clients are required to resolve their own tax liability with the IRS.

Williams, who is released on a $150,000 bond, is required to report to prison on March 4, 2020.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DON MEEKER, 33, of West Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 73 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for his role in a Meriden carjacking

According to the evidence presented during Meeker’s trial, on January 1, 2016, two men from out of state who were driving a rented 2015 Volkswagen Passat were victims of an armed carjacking in the vicinity of Hobart Street and Myrtle Street in Meriden.  The victims reported that they had asked an individual, later identified as Kyle Valentine, for directions at a gas station. Valentine told the victims to follow a car in which Valentine was a passenger.  After traveling a few minutes, the car stopped.  Valentine and Elbert Llorrens then exited the car and approached the Passat.  Llorens pointed a handgun at one of the victims who was sitting in the passenger seat of the car, opened the door and stated “I want everything.”  The victims exited the car and Llorens and Valentine stole their wallets and cell phones and then drove away in the Passat.

The investigation revealed that Meeker drove the car that the carjacking victims followed, and that Meeker provided the handgun to Llorens.  After the robbery, Meeker, Llorens and Valentine spilt the money stolen from the victims.

On December 12, 2017, a jury found Meeker guilty of one count of taking a motor vehicle from a person by force and violence or by intimidation.

Llorens and Valentine, both of New Haven, previously pleaded guilty and have been sentenced.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the East Haven, Meriden, Milford, New Haven and West Haven Police Departments.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Douglas P. Morabito and Patrick F. Caruso.