District of Connecticut

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JUAN CARLOS FIGUEROA, 40, of Norwalk, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to 35 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for trafficking cocaine and methamphetamine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between March and June 2018, Figueroa and others trafficked kilogram quantities of narcotics, including cocaine and methamphetamine, from a source of supply in New Rochelle, New York, into Norwalk and the surrounding area.  On May 31, 2018, Figueroa and a co-conspirator, Rafael Lopez-Macias, traveled to New Rochelle to obtain two kilograms of cocaine from a source.

Figueroa has been detained since his arrest on October 11, 2018.  On that date, a search of his residence revealed a drug press machine and other items used to process and package narcotics.

On May 6, 2019, Figueroa pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.

On March 27, 2019, Lopez-Macias, a citizen of Mexico, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, and one count of reentry of removed alien.  On July 3, 2019, he was sentenced to 120 months of imprisonment.

This matter has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Connecticut State Police, and the New Rochelle, Norwalk and Stamford Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony E. Kaplan and Lauren C. Clark.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ERIC BURRUSS, also known as “E,” 40, of New Haven, 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 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.

Burruss supplied crack cocaine to one of the drug trafficking organizations.

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

Burruss has been detained since his arrest on July 10, 2019.  On September 25, 2019, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”).

Burruss’ criminal history dates to 1996 and includes nine felony convictions, including five for drug-related offenses and one for a firearm 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, announced that ELVIN GONZALEZ, 38, Norwich, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to 30 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on August 9, 2018, East Hartford Police arrested Gonzalez after he was found in possession of a Charter Arms .44 caliber revolver and a quantity of marijuana.

Gonzalez’s criminal history includes state convictions for sale of hallucinogen/narcotics and escape, and a federal conviction for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.  In August 2005, he was sentenced to 120 months of imprisonment for the federal firearm offense.

On September 3, 2019, Gonzalez pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Gonzalez, who is released on a $50,000 bond, is required to report to prison on January 17.

This matter was investigated by the East Hartford Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  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 JORDAN RODOFSKY, 57, of Bridgeport, 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 distributing oxycodone.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between May and September 2018, law enforcement made controlled purchases of various quantities of oxycodone from Rodofsky.  During one transaction, on August 7, 2018, investigators purchased 96 30mg oxycodone pills from Rodofsky for $3,400.

Rodofsky was arrested on September 11, 2018.  On June 12, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, oxycodone.

Rodofsky, who is released on a $150,000 bond, was ordered to report to prison on March 12, 2020.

This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer R. Laraia.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that GERUND MICKENS, also known as “Breeze,” 44, 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 Mickens, Harold Cook, 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, Hunter and Cook 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.

Cook and Hunter each awaits sentencing and faces a mandatory term of life imprisonment without parole.

On July 16, 2018, Ashanti pleaded guilty to 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 robbery and causing a death.  He 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, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging CARLOS BARNES, also known as “Buddha,” 28, of New Haven, with possession of firearms by a previously convicted felon.

The indictment was returned on January 2, 2020.  Barnes appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven and entered a plea of not guilty to the offense.  Barnes has been detained since his arrest by Hamden Police on related state charges on October 12, 2019.

The indictment alleges that, on October 12, 2019, Barnes possessed a Taurus Millennium G2 9mm handgun and a Springfield XD-40 .40 caliber handgun with an obliterated serial number.  Prior to that date, Barnes was convicted in state court of carrying a pistol without a permit, sale of illegal drugs, and robbery in the first degree.

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.

If convicted, Barnes faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 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 Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Hamden Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret M. Donovan.

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 Jason J. Molina, Acting Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), today announced that JASON KELLER, 34, originally of Dearborn Heights, Michigan, has been charged in a two-count indictment with child enticement and child pornography offenses.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, in September 2018, Keller, using the moniker “Eddie Buttered Toast,” contacted a 14-year-old female in Connecticut and claimed he was a 17-year-old boy from Chicago.  At the time, Keller was living in the Philippines.  Keller then sent the minor victim a series of grooming emails that eventually coaxed the minor victim into sending photos of herself engaged in sexually explicit conduct to Keller.  Some of the emails Keller sent to the minor victim included sexually explicit images of himself.

On December 19, 2018, a grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging Keller with one count of enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity, and one count of receipt of child pornography.  Keller was located and arrested in the Philippines in June 2019.  He was subsequently removed from the Philippines and returned to the U.S. on December 12, 2019.

On January 9, 2020, Keller appeared in New Haven federal court for a bond hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector, who ordered Keller detained pending trial.

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

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

This matter is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the U.S. Marshals Service, International Investigations Branch, with the assistance of the Philippine Bureau of Immigration, Fugitive Search Unit.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Clark.

U.S. Attorney Durham thanked the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs for its assistance in this matter.

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

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LATOYA McKREITH, 37, of Chicopee, Massachusetts, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 15 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for trafficking cocaine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 30, 2018, McKreith and Laprese Gollman were arrested after they drove to New Haven in an attempt to purchase four kilograms of cocaine.  Investigators seized approximately $100,000 from Gollman at the time of his arrest.

On February 12, 2019, McKreith pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, 500 grams or more of cocaine.  McKreith, who was released on bond, was remanded to custody of the U.S. Marshals Service at the conclusion of the sentencing proceeding.

Gollman, of Springfield, Massachusetts, also pleaded guilty and, on October 15, 2018, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by eight years of supervised release.

This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Task Force and the New Haven and Hamden Police Departments.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that JAMIE MIDDLEBROOK, 20, of New Haven, has been convicted of firearm possession and drug trafficking offenses.

According to the evidence presented during a trial before U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven, in the afternoon of November 1, 2019, New Haven Police detectives patrolling the area of Grand Avenue and Hamilton Street saw Middlebrook standing on a corner.  As the police cruiser approached Middlebrook, he ran through a parking lot.  During a pursuit, detectives observed Middlebrook duck down and place a firearm behind the tire of a pickup truck on the ground in the parking lot.  The firearm, a loaded SCCY CPX-1, 9mm pistol, was recovered, and Middlebrook was apprehended after a foot chase a few blocks away from the parking lot.  Investigators subsequently retrieved a bag that Middlebrook left on the corner where he was standing before he fled.  The bag contained approximately 19 grams of marijuana packaged for individual sale.

Middlebrook’s criminal history includes a state felony conviction, in 2018, for sale of a crack cocaine.  In November 2019, Middlebrook was serving two separate terms of conditional discharge stemming from state convictions.

Yesterday, the jury found Middlebrook guilty of one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, and not guilty of one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  Today, before the jury returned a verdict on the third count of the indictment, which charged Middlebrook with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, Middlebrook pleaded guilty to the offense.

Judge Hall scheduled sentencing for April 6, 2020 at which time Middlebrook faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years.

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

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 JAMES ERIK GODIKSEN, 57, formerly of Clinton, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for hiring an individual to murder Godiksen’s former spouse.  Judge Bryant also ordered Godiksen to pay a $10,000 fine.

According to the evidence presented during a trial in this matter, while he was incarcerated at New Haven Correctional Center in 2016, Godiksen reached out to other inmates seeking a person who would be willing to kill Godiksen’s former wife.  Between September 10 and September 14, 2016, Godiksen and an ATF special agent acting in an undercover capacity spoke multiple times by phone.  During these conversations, Godiksen offered to pay the undercover agent $5,000 to murder his “ex-wife,” and provided the agent with a physical description of his former wife, her phone number, her home address, her place of work and the route she typically drove to work.  He also told the undercover agent how he would like his former wife to be murdered.  Godiksen stated to the undercover agent “I want her killed, if that’s possible . . . . Head cut off would be nice.”

Godiksen also offered the undercover agent additional money if he encountered his former wife’s current boyfriend and killed him, too.

Godiksen was arrested on September 14, 2016, after he met with the undercover agent and provided him with a “down payment” of $80, some of which was to be used to purchase a knife.  Godiksen has been detained since his arrest.

On July 20, 2018, a jury found Godiksen guilty of one count of murder for hire.

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Clinton Police Department and Connecticut Department of Correction.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rahul Kale and Dave Vatti.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LUIS QUINTANA, 28, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 27 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for threatening a tow truck operator with a gun.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on July 29, 2018, Quintana pointed a firearm at a tow truck operator who had started the process of towing Quintana’s car, which had been improperly parked in a private lot on Garden Street in Hartford.  After the tow truck operator removed the car from the tow hitch and Quintana walked away, the victim’s partner called police.  Officers responded to the scene, apprehended Quintana who was nearby, and retrieved a loaded Ruger P95 9mm millimeter handgun that Quintana had discarded as police arrived.

Quintana’s criminal history includes felony convictions for possession of narcotics with intent to sell, and carrying a pistol without a permit.

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

Quintana has been detained since his federal arrest on October 24, 2018.  On August 16, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

This investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Connecticut Violent Crime Task Force and the Hartford Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren Clark and Michael 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 RODNEY COTE, 54, of Waterford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to nine months of imprisonment, followed by six months of home confinement and three years of supervised release, for distributing oxycodone.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in February 2018, law enforcement learned that Cote was obtaining a monthly prescription for 120 80mg oxycodone pills and selling the pills for cash.  The investigation revealed that Cote had been filling the monthly prescription for at least three years.  On four occasions between May and July 2018, investigators made controlled purchases of 120 pills from Cote in exchange for $2,000.  On September 20, 2018, investigators purchased 240 pills for $5,000.  Cote was arrested on November 7, 2018, after he agreed to sell another 240 pills.

On March 4, 2019, Cote pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, oxycodone.

As part of his sentence, Cote was ordered to forfeit $19,700.

Cote, who is released on a $75,000 bond, was ordered to report to prison on April 7, 2020.

This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ANA NUNEZ, also known as Ana Pagoaga, 48, of Naugatuck, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to filing false tax returns.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Nunez owned and operated Nunez MultiServices, LLC, a tax return preparation service located in Naugatuck.  From tax year 2011 and continuing at least through tax year 2014, Nunez falsified information on tax returns she prepared for clients and caused the returns to be filed with the Internal Revenue Service.  On the returns, Nunez routinely inflated income or created fictitious income; falsified expenses, including education and child care expenses, and falsified deductions, such as business mileage.

Nunez pleaded guilty to two counts of aiding and assisting the filing of a false tax return, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of three years on each count.  A sentencing date is not scheduled.

This matter is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Susan L. Wines and John T. Pierpont, Jr.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ANGEL RODRIGUEZ, also known as “Red,” 26, formerly of Manchester, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 84 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing fentanyl.

According to court documents and statements made in court, law enforcement identified Rodriguez as a significant distributor of fentanyl.  On February 4, 2019, investigators arranged a controlled purchase of 200 grams of fentanyl from Rodriguez in exchange for $13,000.  Rodriguez was arrested on that date after he met the purchaser an automotive business on Wethersfield Avenue in Hartford in possession of approximately 200 grams of fentanyl.  At the time of his arrest, Rodriguez also possessed a loaded 9mm pistol and approximately $2,600 in cash.  A subsequent search of Rodriguez’s Manchester residence revealed more than 200 grams of marijuana, a .45 caliber rifle, three boxes of ammunition, and other firearm-related items.

200 grams of fentanyl is the equivalent of approximately 8,000 doses.

On October 15, 2019, Rodriguez pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, fentanyl, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Rodriguez, who is currently released on a $100,000 bond and residing in Hartford, is required to report to prison on March 25, 2020.

This matter was 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 case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Leaming.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that DOUGLAS ALEXANDER RIVAS, 37, a citizen of El Salvador, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to illegal reentry by a removed alien. 

According to court documents and statements made in court, in March 2003, Rivas was convicted in Connecticut state court of misdemeanor offenses, including criminal trespass in the first degree, criminal mischief in the second degree, and reckless endangerment in the first degree.  For these convictions, he received an 11-month suspend sentence and three years of probation.  In March 2007, Rivas was removed to El Salvador.

Rivas subsequently illegally reentered the U.S.

On April 25, 2017, Rivas was arrested, in Florida, in connection with the shooting death of a 36-year old man at the El Paraiso Restaurant in Bridgeport on September 25, 2016.  He has been detained since his arrest.

Judge Underhill scheduled sentencing for March 30, 2020, at which time Rivas faces a maximum term of imprisonment of two years.

On November 8, 2019, in relation to the 2016 shooting death, Rivas pleaded guilty in state court to manslaughter in the first degree, and criminal possession of a firearm.  He awaits sentencing for these offenses.

This matter has been investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Chen.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that GARY JOSEPH GRAVELLE, also known as Roland Prejean, 52, last residing in New Haven, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to seven charges related to his threatening to kill, injure and intimidate people and explode property in Connecticut and elsewhere.  He also admitted that he violated the conditions of his supervised release that followed his earlier federal convictions for sending threatening communications.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in September 2018, Gravelle used the U.S. mail, e-mail and telephone to threaten to harm people and explode property in Connecticut, Vermont and Washington.  Certain letters that Gravelle mailed contained a white powdery substance and statements that the substance was Anthrax, a biological agent and toxin.  Gravelle made threats to various mental health providers and facilities in New Haven, U.S. Probation Officers, a U.S. District Court Judge, an international airport in Vermont, a federal prison in Washington, occupants of a building in Old Saybrook, a credit union in Bristol, and organizations and religious centers in Connecticut.  He also sent a letter threatening to kill the President of the United States.

Gravelle pleaded guilty to five counts of maliciously conveying false information about an explosive, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years on each count; one count related to the sending of hoax Anthrax letters, and offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, and one count of making threats against the President, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.

On July 19, 2013, Gravelle was sentenced in Bridgeport federal court to 70 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for mailing numerous threatening letters in 2010.  Gravelle was released from prison in 2015 and, in September 2018, was still under federal supervision. 

In pleading guilty, Gravelle also admitted that he failed to comply with conditions of his supervised release, namely not violating any federal or state law by engaging in the threatening conduct in September 2018.

Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for March 26, 2020.

Gravelle has been detained since his arrest on September 8, 2018.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Secret Service, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service, with the assistance of the U.S. Bureau of Prisons, Connecticut State Police, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, and many local police and fire departments, including departments from Bristol, Guilford, Groton, Hartford, Middletown, New Haven, Old Saybrook, Southington and Stamford, Yale University, and Burlington, Vermont.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter S. Jongbloed.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that, on January 3, 2020, ANTHONY AMATO, 31, of Milford, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and heroin.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on August 26, 2019, the Milford Police Department and emergency medical personnel responded to a Milford rooming house on a report of a drug overdose at the location.  Inside the residence, a 28-year-old male was pronounced deceased.  At the scene, investigators interviewed witnesses and collected evidence related to narcotics use, including needles and wax folds, some of which contained suspected heroin.

The investigation revealed that the overdose victim and Amato, who resided in another room in the rooming house, were together in the afternoon of August 24, 2019.  On August 29, 2019, a court-authorized search of Amato’s room revealed multiple ripped wax folds and other narcotics-related evidence.  Some of the wax folds were marked with the same stamp as the wax folds found in the victim’s room.  Laboratory analysis of the wax folds revealed fentanyl and heroin residue.

Subsequent review of text communications between Amato and the victim revealed that Amato provided the victim with heroin in August 24, 2019.

Amato’s criminal history includes multiple convictions for narcotics-related charges in Connecticut, including a conviction for sale of narcotics for which he is currently on state probation.

Amato has been detained since his federal arrest on September 10, 2019.  Judge Underhill scheduled sentencing for March 30, 2020, at which time Amato faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

This investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force and the Milford Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria del Pilar Gonzalez.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that THERESA FOREMAN, 58, of St. Cloud, Florida, formerly of Madison, Connecticut, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to 12 months and one day of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for a wide-ranging tax evasion scheme.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Foreman operated Equinox Home Care, LLC, a home healthcare staffing agency based in Stratford, Connecticut.  Beginning as early as 2012, Foreman took money out of the company by depositing or cashing, and causing to be deposited or cashed, checks written to individuals who did not actually work for Equinox Home Care.  Between May 2012 and December 2013, approximately $413,000 in payroll checks to these “ghost employees” were deposited into accounts controlled by Foreman’s brother. During the same period, approximately $465,000 was withdrawn from the accounts in cash, cash back from deposits, or checks payable to Foreman.  Foreman also had employees cash company checks and return the funds to her, and she cashed or caused to be cashed mileage reimbursement checks made out to other individuals and used the funds for her own benefit.

The investigation also revealed that between August 2014 and November 2015, Foreman made or caused to be made 101 cash deposits totaling $580,580 to a bank account in a family member’s name.

Foreman failed to report the amounts that she received through this scheme on her federal tax returns for 2012, 2013, and 2014.  Foreman also owed tax for the 2010 and 2011 tax years and, on a statement submitted to the IRS in March 2013, provided false information about her income and assets.  On the statement, Foreman falsely indicated that she had no monthly income. She also failed to declare ownership of a property in Saint Cloud, Florida, which she had purchased jointly with her brother in March 2012; failed to declare a bank account held in the name of her adult son, but which she controlled and used; and failed to declare recent purchases of a 2012 Chevrolet Corvette and a 2013 Cadillac Escalade.

Foreman’s conduct for the 2010 through 2014 tax years resulted in a loss of $641,941.46 to the Internal Revenue Service.  Judge Bolden ordered Foreman to pay all back taxes, plus penalties and interest.

On March 4, 2019, Foreman pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion.

Foreman, who is released on a $10,000 bond, is required to report to prison on February 28, 2020.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MILTON VEREEN, also known as “M.D.,” 40, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 12 months and one day of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for distributing oxycodone.

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.  Vereen was an oxycodone distributor who sometimes redistributed oxycodone supplied to him by Butler and, at other times, supplied Butler with oxycodone.

Butler, Vereen 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.

On April 25, 2019, Vereen pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, oxycodone.  Vereen, who is released on a $50,000 bond, is required to report to prison on March 17, 2020.

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

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ROYSHAWN ALLGOOD, also known as “Boy Roy,” 30, of New London, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 71 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for his role in a southeastern Connecticut drug trafficking ring.

This matter stems from an investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Connecticut Statewide Narcotics Taskforce East, Connecticut Department of Correction and the New London, Waterford, City of Groton and Stonington Police Departments, into the distribution of narcotics and illegal possession of firearms in southeastern Connecticut.  The investigation included court-authorized wiretaps and controlled purchases and seizures of heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine, and firearms.  Allgood received narcotics from another member of the conspiracy and then distributed the drugs to users and other street-level distributors.

Allgood and 10 co-conspirators were arrested on February 21, 2019.  On March 5, 2019, a grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment charging Allgood and 23 other individuals with various offenses.  On June 4, 2019, Allgood pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, 100 grams or more of heroin, and 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”).

Allgood, who was released on bond, was remanded to custody of the U.S. Marshals Service at the conclusion of the sentencing proceeding.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that the U.S. Attorney’s Office has reached a settlement agreement with the AmericInn by Wyndham Hotel in Griswold to resolve allegations that the hotel had not been operating in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”).

The settlement agreement resolves an ADA complaint filed by an individual with disabilities alleging that the AmericInn by Wyndham Hotel, Griswold, owned and managed by Champion Griswold, LLC, was not accessible for individuals with physical disabilities.  The hotel is in the process of making the changes required by the settlement agreement, which include significant improvements to designated accessible guest rooms, accessible public restrooms, eating and recreation areas and the addition of signage for parking spaces, for individuals with disabilities.  The hotel will continue to make improvements over the next three years.

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

U.S. Attorney Durham noted that the AmericInn by Wyndham, Griswold Hotel’s management has worked quickly and cooperatively with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to address the ADA issues without litigation.

Any member of the public who wishes to file a complaint alleging that a hotel or any other place of public accommodation 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.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Brian C. Turner, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced that GEORGE HAJATI, 41, of Cromwell, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today in Bridgeport federal court to one count of wire fraud stemming from an auto loan fraud scheme.  Hajati also admitted that he violated the conditions of his supervised release that followed a prior federal conviction.

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

Between approximately April 2016 and July 2019, Hajati defrauded victim lenders of $654,952.56 through this scheme.

Hajati was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on July 2, 2019.

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

Hajati is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford on March 6, 2020, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years for the fraud offense, and two years of imprisonment for violating the conditions of his supervised release.

Hajati is released on a $560,000 bond pending sentencing.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, today announced that WILLIAM S. PALMIERI, 56, of Bethany, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to two counts of willful failure to pay income taxes.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Palmieri is an attorney with a practice specializing in civil rights law.  Between 2006 and 2014, Palmieri reported to the Internal Revenue Service, but did not pay, all the income taxes he owed, even though he had the ability to make substantially greater tax payments during that time.

As of December 2017, Palmieri owed $227,709 in taxes, interest and penalties.

Judge Underhill scheduled sentencing for March 12, 2020, at which time Palmieri faces a maximum term of imprisonment of two years, a fine, and restitution to the IRS.

Palmieri is released on bond pending sentencing.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that THOMAS J. CONNERTON, 67, of Stamford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 108 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for operating an investment scheme that defrauded more than 70 individuals, including several women he met on a dating website, of more than $2 million.

According to the evidence presented during his trial, Connerton was the founder, president, and CEO of Safety Technologies, LLC (“Safety Tech”), a Connecticut company that had its principal place of business at various times in Simsbury, Madison, Westport and Stamford.  Safety Tech was founded in 2006, purportedly for the purpose of developing and commercializing what was represented to be a highly durable puncture and cut resistant material that was to be used in the surgical glove market and other related markets.  Safety Tech had not obtained any patents from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and Connerton did not register Safety Tech’s securities with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

Beginning in approximately June 2009, Connerton induced victim-investors to provide him funds and to purchase Safety Tech securities by falsely representing that the valuation of Safety Tech was realistically in the tens or hundreds of millions of dollars, that a lucrative deal to sell or license his glove technology was imminent, and that he would use their funds for research and development, product testing, and to bring the product to market.  Connerton offered his investors small amounts of equity in Safety Tech through “Subscription Agreements” or investments contracts through which he sold what he described as “Units.”

Several of the victim-investors were women who were drawn into the scheme after Connerton met them on a popular dating website.

Connerton made numerous other false representations to victim-investors, including stating in September 2015, “I will go on the record to state that there is not a single investor that will lose one dollar invested in Safety Technologies.”

Even though Connerton represented to victim-investors and potential victim-investors that the funds they invested would be used to fund research and development, for product testing, for business expenses and for legal fees, he used invested funds to pay personal expenses including, on two separate occasions, to purchase two diamond engagement rings from Tiffany & Co.  Connerton also used funds to repay loans to an earlier investor.

Through this scheme, Connerton defrauded more than 70 victim-investors of more than $2.2 million.

The investigation also revealed that Connerton engaged in monetary transactions in an attempt to conceal from the FBI and the SEC the nature and source of funds received by Safety Tech from the sale of Safety Tech securities.  Connerton negotiated checks and purchased bank checks in order to move the fraudulent proceeds from one account to another.

The investigation further revealed that Connerton willfully failed to pay $293,033 in federal income taxes between 2003 and 2015.

On September 17, 2018, a jury found Connerton guilty of 12 counts of wire fraud, one count of mail fraud, 16 counts of securities fraud, four counts of money laundering and one count of tax evasion.

The government is seeking full restitution for the victim-investors and forfeiture of the two engagement rings that Connerton purchased with proceeds of the fraud scheme.  Connerton also owes more than $500,000 in back taxes, interest and penalties.  Restitution will be determined after additional court proceedings.

Connerton has been detained since his arrest on March 9, 2017.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division.

U.S. Attorney Durham also acknowledged the important assistance of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael S. McGarry and Lauren C. Clark.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment yesterday charging BABAR KHAN, 41, and KHATIJA KHAN, 38, both of South Windsor, with offenses related to scheme through which individuals seeking immigration services were defrauded.

The Khans were arrested today.  They appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert A. Richardson and were released on $50,000 bonds.

As alleged in the indictment, Babar and Khatija Khan, who are married, operated JLLAS CORP. and EIMAAN LLC, which were created to provide services to clients involved in proceedings with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”).  Between approximately May 2015 and January 2018, the Khans recruited clients who sought some form of immigration status, relief or benefit.  Many of these clients are aliens residing in the U.S. without legal status and had limited education, a limited ability to understand English, and little to no knowledge of the documents that the Khans were filing with USCIS on their behalf. 

The indictment alleges that Khatija Khan represented herself as an attorney with a background in immigration matters, even though she was not an attorney.  The Khans prepared petitions and applications for their clients that contained information that they knew to be false.  They also fabricated false documents to support their clients’ applications with USCIS without their clients’ knowledge.  They then mailed, or caused to be mailed, these fraudulent applications and documents to USCIS, where they were received and made part of the official Alien file of each respective client.

It is alleged that many of the Khans’ clients received no relief from USCIS despite paying the Khans significant amounts of money.

The indictment charges Babar Kahn with one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, two counts of mail fraud and one count of filing a false tax return.  Khatija Khan is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and one count of mail fraud.  The conspiracy and fraud charges carry a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and the tax charge carries a maximum term of imprisonment of three years.

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

This matter is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, with assistance from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Chen.

Individuals who believe they have been victimized by this scheme contact Ines Cenatiempo, Victim-Witness Coordinator of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, at Ines.Cenatiempo@usdoj.gov or by phone at 203-821-3757.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that PEDRO CARILLO, also known as “P,” 25, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 161 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, Carillo’s brother, Anthony Carillo, and another associate, Josue Franco, lured an individual (“the victim”) to a residence on Benton Street in Hartford.  When the victim entered the residence, Jonathan Otero and Luis Pitt were waiting.  Anthony Carillo, Franco, Otero and Pitt 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.

Pedro Carillo’s criminal history includes two felony assault convictions and he was on probation for those offenses when he committed this violent assault.  In June 2017, he was seriously wounded in a gang-related shooting.

Pedro Carillo is currently detained.  On September 13, 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 also pleaded guilty to related charges.  On December 10, 2019, Otero was sentenced to 154 months of imprisonment; on December 16, 2019, Franco was sentenced to 132 months of imprisonment, and on December 18, 2019, Anthony Carillo was sentenced to 125 months of imprisonment.  Pitt is detained while awaiting sentencing.

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 Hartford Police Department’s Major Crimes Division has provided critical 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, John C. Demers, Assistant Attorney General for National Security, and Brian C. Turner, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that KEVIN IMAN McCORMICK, 26, of Hamden, has been charged by indictment with attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization.

McCormick was arrested on October 21, 2019, and charged by federal criminal complaint.  On October 30, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging McCormick with the offense.  The affidavit in support of the criminal complaint was unsealed today.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, in October 2019, McCormick made several statements to others expressing a desire to travel to Syria and to fight for ISIS.  In one conversation, McCormick stated “I gotta fight bro, because those people, Abu Masa and ISIL, they fought for me bro, I know it, I can feel it, in my heart. So it’s my time to fight . . . It just is what it is bro, it’s just my – it’s just my time to go bro.”  When McCormick was asked to elaborate on where he would like to travel, McCormick responded, “I don’t know, I don’t know bro – it’s gotta be like Syria. Where ISIL is at….whichever place is easiest, whichever place I can get there the fastest, the quickest, the easiest, and where I can have a rifle and I can have some people bro. That’s what I need, I need a rifle and I need some people, I need Islamic law, I need, that’s what I need, because if I have these things, it’s going to be very hard to kill me.”

It is also alleged that, on October 12, 2019, McCormick attempted to board a flight from Connecticut to Jamaica, but was prevented by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. McCormick subsequently told an individual that he wanted to travel to Jamaica, and then onward to Syria to join ISIS.  He also indicated that he wanted to acquire weapons.

It is further alleged that, on October 19, 2019, McCormick made a video during which he pledged allegiance to ISIS and its leader, Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi.  Also on that date, he purchased a plane ticket from Toronto, Canada, to Amman, Jordan.  On October 21, 2019, McCormick was arrested after he traveled to a small private airport in Connecticut where he expected to board a plane that would fly him to Canada.

McCormick has been detained since his arrest.

The charge of conspiring to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization 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 each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) with the assistance of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

The FBI’s JTTF includes participants from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Connecticut State Police, Connecticut Department of Correction, Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Department, Norwich Police Department, Hartford Police Department, Stamford Police Department, Norwalk Police Department, Town of Groton Police Department, UConn Police Department, Yale Police Department, and New York Police Department.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas P. Morabito and Trial Attorney Justin Sher from the Counterterrorism Section of the Justice Department’s National Security Division.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CAREEMA LEWIS, 33, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to three years of probation for stealing mail while employed by the U.S. Postal Service.  Judge Bolden ordered Lewis to perform 100 hours of community service while she is on probation.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between September 2018 and January 2019, while she was employed as a postal worker at the U.S. Post Office in Plymouth, Lewis stole numerous pieces of mail, specifically, greeting cards that contained gift cards or other items of value.  When confronted by investigators in January 2019, Lewis admitted that she stole “between 20 and 50” gift cards from the mail.  Lewis subsequently surrendered approximately 10 gift cards that she had stolen from greeting cards, and approximately 17 pieces of stolen mail that she had in her vehicle and her purse.

On September 26, 2019, Lewis pleaded guilty to one count of theft of mail by a postal employee.

Restitution will be determined after additional court proceedings.

This matter was investigated by the U.S. Postal Service Office of the Inspector General and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret M. Donovan.

Individuals who believe they are a victim of mail theft may file a complaint by calling 888-USPS-OIG or by clicking this link.

John C. Demers, Assistant Attorney General for National Security, John H. Durham, U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Brian C. Turner, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the FBI, today announced that Kevin Iman McCormick, 26, of Hamden, Connecticut, has been charged by indictment with attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization.

McCormick was arrested on Oct. 21, 2019, and charged by federal criminal complaint. On Oct. 30, 2019, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging McCormick with the offense.  The affidavit in support of the criminal complaint was unsealed today.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, in October 2019, McCormick made several statements to others expressing a desire to travel to Syria and to fight for ISIS.  In one conversation, McCormick stated “I gotta fight bro, because those people, Abu Masa and ISIL, they fought for me bro, I know it, I can feel it, in my heart. So it’s my time to fight . . . It just is what it is bro, it’s just my – it’s just my time to go bro.”  When McCormick was asked to elaborate on where he would like to travel, McCormick responded, “I don’t know, I don’t know bro – it’s gotta be like Syria. Where ISIL is at….whichever place is easiest, whichever place I can get there the fastest, the quickest, the easiest, and where I can have a rifle and I can have some people bro. That’s what I need, I need a rifle and I need some people, I need Islamic law, I need, that’s what I need, because if I have these things, it’s going to be very hard to kill me.”

It is also alleged that, on Oct. 12, 2019, McCormick attempted to board a flight from Connecticut to Jamaica, but was prevented by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. McCormick subsequently told an individual that he wanted to travel to Jamaica, and then onward to Syria to join ISIS.  He also indicated that he wanted to acquire weapons.

It is further alleged that, on Oct. 19, 2019, McCormick made a video during which he pledged allegiance to ISIS and its leader, Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi.  Also on that date, he purchased a plane ticket from Toronto, Canada, to Amman, Jordan.  On Oct. 21, 2019, McCormick was arrested after he traveled to a small private airport in Connecticut where he expected to board a plane that would fly him to Canada.

McCormick has been detained since his arrest.

The charge of attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

An indictment is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) with the assistance of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

The FBI’s JTTF includes participants from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Connecticut State Police, Connecticut Department of Correction, Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Department, Norwich Police Department, Hartford Police Department, Stamford Police Department, Norwalk Police Department, Town of Groton Police Department, UConn Police Department, Yale Police Department, and New York Police Department.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas P. Morabito and Trial Attorney Justin Sher from the Counterterrorism Section of the Justice Department’s National Security Division.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that TORRENCE GAMBLE, also known as “Bones” and “Bone,” 46, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 92 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for his participation in a New Haven drug trafficking ring.

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

Butler, Gamble 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.

Gamble’s criminal history includes multiple convictions related to the sale of drugs, and a conviction for criminal possession of a firearm.

Gamble has been detained since his arrest.  On August 12, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, cocaine base. (“crack”).

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

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JERMAINE SCOTT, also known as “Maine G,” 39, formerly of New Britain, was sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Alfred V. Covello in Hartford to 57 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in the morning of March 29, 2017, New Britain Police responded to a residence in New Britain after a report that Scott had shot and seriously wounded his girlfriend and two of his girlfriend’s children at the residence.  The victims subsequently reported that Scott, who was lying in bed, became angry when he thought the children were being too loud as they were getting ready for school.  After an argument ensued, Scott retrieved a gun from behind the headboard of the bed, chased his girlfriend’s 17-year-old daughter into the bathroom and shot her in the stomach and thigh.  He then shot his girlfriend’s 12-year-old son in his leg, and then his girlfriend in her stomach.  Scott then fled the residence.

All three victims survived their injuries

Investigators conducted a search of the residence and recovered a .40 caliber pistol, four spent .40 caliber bullet shell casings, and more than 63 rounds of .40 caliber ammunition.

Scott was apprehended in Middletown on September 18, 2017.  On May 16, 2019, he pleaded guilty in New Britain Superior Court to three counts of assault in the first degree.  On July 24, 2019, he was sentenced to a 30-year term of imprisonment, no portion of which is suspended.

Scott has a criminal history that spans 20 years and includes convictions for firearm, drug, burglary, larceny and other offenses.

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

On September 4, 2019, Scott pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Scott’s federal sentence will run concurrently with his state sentence.

This matter was investigated by the New Britain Police Department, the U.S. Marshals Service Violent Fugitive Task Force, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ROBERTO ACOSTA-TORRES, 59, of Hartford, was arrested today and charged in a federal criminal complaint with production of child pornography and possession of child pornography.

Acosta appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert A. Richardson in Hartford and is detained pending a detention hearing that is scheduled for December 23.

As alleged in the complaint, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Acosta’s Hartford residence earlier today and seized a Sony camcorder and two thumb drives.  Preliminary analysis of the thumb drives revealed hundreds of videos of child pornography, including at least two videos of Acosta sexually abusing a minor victim.

The charge of production of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years.  The charge of possession of child pornography carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

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

This matter is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Hartford and Manchester Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nancy V. Gifford.

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

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ANTHONY CARILLO, also known as “Boogie,” 21, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 125 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, Carillo and Josue Franco lured an individual (“the victim”) to a residence on Benton Street in Hartford.  When the victim entered the residence, Jonathan Otero and Luis Pitt were waiting.  Carillo, Franco, Otero and Pitt then threatened, assaulted and tortured the victim, prevented him from leaving the residence, and demanded a ransom.  After the victim was restrained, Carillo’s brother, 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.

Anthony Carillo and others then drove the victim to different locations in Hartford in an effort to collect ransom.  Carillo eventually released the victim.

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

Anthony Carillo has been detained since his arrest on October 4, 2018.  On September 24, 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 also pleaded guilty to related charges.  On December 10, 2019, Otero was sentenced to 154 months of imprisonment, and on December 16, 2019, Franco was sentenced to 132 months of imprisonment.  Pitt and Pedro Carillo are detained while awaiting sentencing.

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 Hartford Police Department’s Major Crimes Division has provided critical 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 CLEMENTE HOLMES, also known as “Cavali” and “Vali,” 30, of Hamden, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for firearm and narcotics offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in January 2019, law enforcement made two controlled purchases of narcotics from Holmes at his Goodrich Street residence.  On January 22, 2019, a court-authorized search of the residence revealed distribution quantities of fentanyl, heroin and crack cocaine, as well as a loaded 9mm handgun.  Holmes was arrested on state charges on that date.

In February 2019, investigators made a controlled purchase of crack cocaine from Holmes, who had posted bond after his state arrest.

Holmes was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on February 26, 2019.  At the time of his arrest, a search of his residence revealed more heroin packaged for distribution.  He has been detained since his arrest.

In 2012, Holmes was convicted in state court of sale of narcotics and possession of a  pistol without a permit.

On September 3, 2019, Holmes pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon, one count of possession of heroin, fentanyl and cocaine base (“crack”) with intent to distribute, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New Haven Safe Streets Gang Task Force and the East Haven, Hamden and New Haven Police Departments.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel J. Gentile.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ABDUL JALIL HUMPHREY, 26, of Ansonia, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 12 months and one day of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm.

According to court documents and statements made in court, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) began investigating Humphrey in 2017 after a report that Humphrey had stolen a firearm out of a car in Stratford.  During the investigation, Humphrey s denied stealing this firearm.  In May 2018, ATF special agents examined a video of Humphrey handling a firearm in the summer of 2017.  Analysis of the video revealed that the firearm was a Taurus, PTIII Millennium G2, 9mm pistol, which had been purchased by Humphrey’s friend at a gun shop in North Carolina on June 21, 2017.

Humphrey’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for sale of a controlled substance and assault in the second degree.  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.

Humphrey was arrested on October 30, 2018.  On August 19, 2019, he pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Humphrey, who is released on a $25,000 bond pending, is required to report to prison on February 18, 2020.

This matter was investigated by the ATF and New Haven Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that the U.S. Attorney’s Office has reached settlement agreements with the Market Place Kitchen & Bar (the “Market Place”) in Newtown and its landlord, Mesa Contractors, to resolve allegations that the restaurant facility and its premises did not comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”).

The settlement agreements resolve an ADA complaint filed by an individual with disabilities alleging that the Market Place was not fully accessible for individuals with physical disabilities.  The Market Place and Mesa Contractors are in the process of making the changes required by the settlement agreements.  As part of its settlement agreement with the government, the Market Place will provide accessible dining tables throughout its restaurant facility, ensure equivalent service for individuals in the restaurant’s bar area, ensure access to the restaurant’s patio area, post accessible signage, and ensure that the restaurant’s restrooms meet accessibility requirements.  As part of its settlement agreement with the government, Mesa Contractors will increase accessible parking spaces in the parking lot at 32 Church Hill Road in Newtown.

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

U.S. Attorney Durham noted that the owners of Market Place Kitchen & Bar and Mesa Contractors cooperated throughout this investigation and he thanked their commitment to make changes in order for their facilities to comply with the requirements of the ADA.

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.

The Department of Justice today announced that Ahmad Khalil Elshazly, 22, of West Haven, Connecticut, has been charged by a federal criminal complaint with attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization.

Elshazly was arrested yesterday.  He appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven and was ordered detained.

“As alleged in the complaint, Elshazly was bent on supporting ISIS.  Worried that his efforts here would be too small and that he would be stopped at the airport, he planned to travel overseas aboard a container ship to join and fight for ISIS,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers.  “The National Security Division is committed to identifying and holding accountable those who continue to seek to provide material support to foreign terrorist organizations.”

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners are committed to targeting and stopping those who wish to cause mayhem, both in the U.S. and abroad, before they are successful,” said U.S. Attorney John H. Durham for the District of Connecticut.  “I thank the FBI’s JTTF and all the agencies involved in the lengthy investigation that culminated in yesterday’s arrest.  Their work has saved lives.”

“It is crucial the citizens of Connecticut, and across the country, know we at the FBI and our task force partners are unwavering in our work to successfully identify and disrupt potential terrorist activities, as this case demonstrates,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Brian C. Turner of the New Haven Division.  “Through nonstop intelligence gathering and great investigative techniques, we will continue to pursue those who seek to bring harm to U.S. citizens and dismantle potential terrorist actions wherever they may be.”

As alleged in the criminal complaint, beginning in approximately September 2018, Elshazly, a U.S. citizen, has made numerous statements to others, both in person and through online messaging applications, expressing a desire to travel to Syria and the surrounding area to fight on behalf of ISIS.  In February 2019, Elshazly stated that he had saved approximately $1,000 with the intention of using the money to travel to Jordan to transit to Syria to be with ISIS.

It is further alleged that, in October 2019, during a meeting with other individuals, Elshazly made numerous statements supporting ISIS, including, “…they say, War has started and we are marching to it…..but all doors are closed, closed. I am talking to myself now, asking myself, How do I get there? How can I help Muslims? How can I do anything?”  He further stated, “God willing! May this country [United States] burn the same way they burned Muslims! May they burn in fire at the end!”  Elshazly made these statements in a public venue.  When he was asked to lower his voice when talking loudly, Elshazly proclaimed “I am not scared.”

During the same meeting, it is alleged that Elshazly said, “…I want to go to the caliphate and fight there. I can kill maybe…like a hundred kaffir. I can kill them. A hundred kaffirs. If I do something here how many kaffirs could I kill? One, two, three and then I get shot and I die. It is more benefitting if I go there, I could kill more and will get more faithful rewards.”

It is further alleged that, in December 2019, Elshazly sent another individual a series of YouTube videos explaining how various high-powered firearms and other weaponry work.

It is alleged that, because he was concerned about being stopped by law enforcement at an airport, Elshazly arranged to travel by ship to Turkey.  Elshazly provided another individual with $500 that Elshazly believed would be used to pay for a portion of his trip.  On Dec. 15, 2019, Elshazly was arrested after he arrived in Stonington, Connecticut, where he expected to board a boat to begin his trip.

The charge of attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

A complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) with the assistance of the Stonington Police Department, New Haven Police Department and Connecticut State Police.  The FBI’s JTTF includes participants from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Connecticut State Police, Connecticut Department of Correction, Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Department, Norwich Police Department, Hartford Police Department, Stamford Police Department, Norwalk Police Department, Groton Police Department, UConn Police Department, Yale Police Department, New York Police Department, and the US Marshals Service.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas P. Morabito and Trial Attorneys Justin Sher and Jennifer Burke from the Counterterrorism Section of the Justice Department’s National Security Division.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, John C. Demers, Assistant Attorney General for National Security, and Brian C. Turner, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that AHMAD KHALIL ELSHAZLY, 22, of West Haven, has been charged by a federal criminal complaint with attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization.

Elshazly was arrested yesterday.  He appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven and was ordered detained.

As alleged in the criminal complaint, beginning in approximately September 2018, Elshazly, a U.S. citizen, has made numerous statements to others, both in person and through online messaging applications, expressing a desire to travel to Syria and the surrounding area to fight on behalf of ISIS.  In February 2019, Elshazly stated that he had saved approximately $1,000 with the intention of using the money to travel to Jordan to transit to Syria to be with ISIS.

It is further alleged that, in October 2019, during a meeting with other individuals, Elshazly made numerous statements supporting ISIS, including, “…they say, War has started and we are marching to it…..but all doors are closed, closed. I am talking to myself now, asking myself, How do I get there? How can I help Muslims? How can I do anything?”  He further stated, “God willing! May this country [United States] burn the same way they burned Muslims! May they burn in fire at the end!”  Elshazly made these statements in a public venue.  When he was asked to lower his voice when talking loudly, Elshazly proclaimed “I am not scared.”

During the same meeting, it is alleged that Elshazly said, “…I want to go to the caliphate and fight there. I can kill maybe…like a hundred kaffir. I can kill them. A hundred kaffirs. If I do something here how many kaffirs could I kill? One, two, three and then I get shot and I die. It is more benefitting if I go there, I could kill more and will get more faithful rewards.”

It is further alleged that, in December 2019, Elshazly sent another individual a series of YouTube videos explaining how various high-powered firearms and other weaponry work.

It is alleged that, because he was concerned about being stopped by law enforcement at an airport, Elshazly arranged to travel by ship to Turkey.  Elshazly provided another individual with $500 that Elshazly believed would be used to pay for a portion of his trip.  On December 15, 2019, Elshazly was arrested after he arrived in Stonington, Connecticut, where he expected to board a boat to begin his trip.

 “The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners are committed to targeting and stopping those who wish to cause mayhem, both in the U.S. and abroad, before they are successful,” said U.S. Attorney Durham.  “I thank the FBI’s JTTF and all the agencies involved in the lengthy investigation that culminated in yesterday’s arrest.  Their work has saved lives.”

“As alleged in the complaint, Elshazly was bent on supporting ISIS,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers.  “Worried that his efforts here would be too small and that he would be stopped at the airport, he planned to travel overseas aboard a container ship to join and fight for ISIS.  The National Security Division is committed to identifying and holding accountable those who continue to seek to provide material support to foreign terrorist organizations.”

“It is crucial the citizens of Connecticut, and across the country, know we at the FBI and our task force partners are unwavering in our work to successfully identify and disrupt potential terrorist activities, as this case demonstrates,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Turner.  “Through nonstop intelligence gathering and great investigative techniques, we will continue to pursue those who seek to bring harm to U.S. citizens and dismantle potential terrorist actions wherever they may be.”

The charge of conspiring to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

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

This matter is being investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) with the assistance of the Stonington Police Department, New Haven Police Department and Connecticut State Police.  The FBI’s JTTF includes participants from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Connecticut State Police, Connecticut Department of Correction, Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Department, Norwich Police Department, Hartford Police Department, Stamford Police Department, Norwalk Police Department, Town of Groton Police Department, UConn Police Department, Yale Police Department, and New York Police Department.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas P. Morabito and Trial Attorneys Justin Sher and Jennifer Burke from the Counterterrorism Section of the Justice Department’s National Security Division.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ROBERTO ANTHONY TORRES, also known as “Toni,” 52, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 72 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing heroin.

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

Between January and April 2019, Torres was intercepted numerous times on recorded calls ordering distribution quantities of heroin from Rubiera-Herrera.  After one call, investigators observed Rubiera-Herrera and Torres completing the transaction at Torres’ New Haven residence.

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

Torres has been detained since his arrest on June 10.  On September 24, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with the intent to distribute, 100 grams or more of heroin.

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

In July 2016, Torres was sentenced in Bridgeport federal court to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing heroin.  He was released from prison in April 2017.

Judge Meyer sentenced Torres to 48 months of imprisonment for distributing heroin, and a consecutive 24 months of imprisonment for violating the conditions of his supervised release.

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

The DEA New Haven Task Force includes participants from the U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, and the New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, North Haven, Branford, Ansonia, Meriden, Derby, Middletown, Naugatuck and Waterbury Police Departments.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOSUE FRANCO, also known as “Sway,” 24, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 132 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, Franco and Anthony Carillo lured an individual (“the victim”) to a residence on Benton Street in Hartford.  When the victim entered the residence, Jonathan Otero and Luis Pitt were waiting.  Franco, Otero, Pitt and Carillo 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.

Franco and others then drove the victim to different locations in Hartford in an effort to collect ransom.

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

Franco has been detained since his arrest on October 16, 2018.  On September 19, 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 also pleaded guilty to related charges.  On December 10, 2019, Otero was sentenced to 154 months of imprisonment.  Pitt, Anthony Carillo and Pedro Carillo are detained while awaiting sentencing.

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 Hartford Police Department’s Major Crimes Division has provided critical 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 a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an eight-count indictment charging JAMES COOPER, also known as “Jimi” and “Bamboo,”48, and MINISHA SUMLER, also known as “Mish,” 30, both of New Haven, with narcotics trafficking offenses.

The indictment was returned on December 10, and both defendants were arrested yesterday.  Cooper is detained, and Sumler was released today on a $25,000 bond.

As alleged in court documents, between August and November 2019, law enforcement made multiple controlled purchases of distribution quantities of heroin and fentanyl from Cooper and Sumler.

The indictment charges Cooper and Sumler with one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl, and with additional counts of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin and fentanyl.  If convicted, Cooper and Sumler face a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count of conviction.

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

This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force and the Hamden Police Department.  The 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. Attorney Nathaniel J. Gentile.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced CARL MANCINI, 43, of Wolcott, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today in New Haven federal court to one count of tampering with a consumer product.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Mancini was employed as a licensed pharmacist by a Connecticut company that prepared home or hospice care intravenous infusions for a variety of medical conditions, including pain management.  As part of his duties, Mancini was responsible for formulating infusions of the correct concentration for specific patients pursuant to the orders of their physician.  Between approximately January and June 2019, Mancini accessed a secure area of his workplace and took vials of hydromorphone hydrochloride and morphine sulfate pentahydrate that were intended to be used to formulate infusion for patients.  He used a syringe to withdraw the narcotics from the vials and reinjected saline into the vial so that it would appear as if the narcotics were not missing.  In order to hide his tampering, Mancini used specialized crimping tools to reseal the vials.  He then returned the vials to the secure area at his workplace.

Mancini tampered with dozens of vials through this scheme.  Laboratory testing of a sample of vials Mancini tampered with revealed that virtually all of the active drug had been removed and replaced with saline.

Mancini is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford on March 11, 2020, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

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

This matter is being investigated by the Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations, the Cromwell Police Department and the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, Drug Control Division.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Miller.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, today announced that JENNIFER O’BRIEN, 51, of South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, waived her right to be indicted and pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to failing to file federal tax returns.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between 2012 and 2014, O’Brien served as Power of Attorney for her mother and had control over funds intended for her mother’s benefit.  At the time, O’Brien was known as Jennifer Brokaw and resided with her mother in Hebron, Connecticut.  While O’Brien used some of her mother’s money for her mother’s benefit, she misappropriated more than $510,000 for her own use.  She also failed to file federal income tax returns for the 2012, 2013 and 2014 tax years, resulting in a loss of $139,007 to the IRS.

O’Brien pleaded guilty to three counts of willful failure to file tax returns, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of one year on each count.  O’Brien also will be required to cooperate with the IRS to pay all back taxes, interest and penalties.

O’Brien is released pending sentencing, which is not scheduled.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Brian C. Turner Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned a 10-count indictment charging ANTHONY TEIXEIRA, 50, of Danbury, with wire fraud offenses related to an embezzlement scheme.  The indictment was returned on December 11, 2019, and Texiera was arrested yesterday.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, for more than 25 years, Teixeira was employed by Joseph Merritt & Company (“JMC”), a Hartford-based printing company.  Teixeira most recently oversaw the JMC branch located in Danbury.  Between approximately January 2012 and February 2019, Teixeira defrauded JMC and its customers by presenting sales orders, or test sales orders, to customers as though they were actually invoices.  Customers, believing they were paying JMC for the work, then delivered payments into accounts that Teixeira controlled.  Teixeira also stole printing-related inventory from JMC inventory and sold it online, but manipulated invoices to deceive JMC’s systems into thinking the company had sold the inventory.  The loss attributable to Teixeira through these schemes is approximately $1.1 million.

The indictment charges Teixeira with 10 counts of wire fraud, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count.

Teixeira is released on a $50,000 bond.

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

This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Danbury Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Pierpont, Jr.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Joseph W. Cronin, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division, announced that IGNACIO BRUNO, 33, of South Windsor, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to 102 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking cocaine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Bruno coordinated the shipment of cocaine through the U.S. Mail from suppliers in Puerto Rico to various addresses in Connecticut and elsewhere in the northeastern U.S.  Bruno’s co-conspirator, Juan Lugo Del Valle, mailed some of the parcels at Bruno’s direction from Puerto Rico.  Bruno paid certain Connecticut residents to use their residences to receive cocaine parcels that had been mailed.  During the course of the investigation, law enforcement personnel seized multiple kilograms of cocaine that were attributable to Bruno.

Bruno has been detained since his arrest on April 12, 2018.  On September 18, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 500 grams or more of cocaine.

“Today’s sentencing should give fair warning to those who use the U.S. Mail to distribute cocaine and other illegal narcotics, that Postal Inspectors will investigate and seek prosecution of those individuals,” said Inspector in Charge Cronin.  “We will vigorously pursue traffickers who put our communities at risk by allowing these highly addictive drugs into our state.”

Lugo Del Valle pleaded guilty to the same offense and, on November 19, 2019, was sentenced to 60 months of imprisonment.

This matter was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Hartford and Southington Police Departments.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney S. Dave Vatti.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that, on December 4, 2019, a federal grand jury in Bridgeport returned an indictment charging VAUGHN THOMAS, also known as “Fettiboy LV,” 20, of Bridgeport, with retaliating against a federal grand jury witness.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, between September and November 2019, while he was incarcerated in state custody, Thomas solicited other inmates to murder a federal grand jury witness.  He also wrote letters to non-incarcerated individuals instructing them to murder the witness, and made phone calls to make sure his instructions were followed.

The indictment charges Thomas with one count of obstructing justice by attempting to kill a witness, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and one count of obstructing justice by threatening to engage in conduct intended to cause bodily injury to a witness, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. 

Thomas has been in state custody since May 15, 2019.  He appeared yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge William I. Garfinkel in Bridgeport and entered a plea of not guilty to the charges.

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

This matter is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Connecticut State Police and Bridgeport Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rahul Kale.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that LATRICE M. COLVIN, 33, of Bridgeport, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 30 days of imprisonment, followed by seven months of home confinement and two years of supervised release, for operating a credit card fraud scheme.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between September 2015 and July 2017, Colvin used the internet, including the dark web, to obtain the personal identifying info of numerous victims.  She then contacted credit card companies and used the victims’ information to change the mailing address on certain accounts to her own address, and also to apply for and obtain fraudulent credit cards in the names of victims.  After fraudulently obtained cards were mailed to her residence, she used them and to buy merchandise in person and online, and to obtain cash advances at ATMs.

Thirty-seven individuals, many of whom were elderly, were victimized through this scheme.  Judge Arterton ordered Colvin to pay restitution of $27,718.35 to the financial institutions that covered the loss of the victimized individuals.

On July 9, 2019, Colvin pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud.

Colvin, who is released on a $25,000 bond, is required to report to prison on February 11, 2020.

This matter was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Deborah R. Slater.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that HUSAIN REDMOND, also known as “Pullie,” 39, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 63 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his role in a New Haven drug trafficking ring.

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

Redmond was intercepted on a wiretap communicating with Butler.  The conversations confirmed that Butler supplied crack cocaine to Redmond, who sold the drug to customers in and around New Haven.

Butler, Redmond 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.

Redmond has been detained since his arrest.  On August 5, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, cocaine base. (“crack”).

Butler pleaded guilty to the same offense on August 9, 2019.  He awaits sentencing.         

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division, and New Haven Police Chief Otoniel Reyes today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment yesterday charging TYTHRONE FORD, 26, of Bridgeport, and TREIZY LOPEZ, 23, of New Haven, with robbery and firearm offenses stemming from the attempted robbery of a New Haven restaurant, during which an employee was shot, in April 2015.

This matter stems from a “cold case” investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the New Haven Police Department.  It is alleged that, on April 11, 2015, Ford and Lopez entered the Smokin’ Wings restaurant, located on Congress Avenue in New Haven, and demanded money at gunpoint.  Lopez subsequently discharged a firearm, shooting a female employee in the stomach.

The indictment charges Ford and Lopez with one count of Hobbs Act robbery, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  In addition, Lopez is charged with carrying, using, brandishing and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.  Ford is charged with the unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

Ford was arrested yesterday and is detained.  Lopez is currently incarcerated in state custody after being convicted of offenses related to a violent robbery in Bridgeport in April 2015.

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

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter D. Markle, Jocelyn C. Kaoutzanis, and Nathaniel J. Gentile.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that SIMON HESSLER, 47, formerly of Ellington, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today in Bridgeport federal court to one count of production of child pornography. 

According to court documents and statements made in court, between July 2016 and November 2018, Hessler engaged in sexually explicit conduct with a minor female, and he used a used a cellular phone to produce images of the sexual abuse.  The minor victim was under the age of 12 at the time of Hessler’s conduct.  Hessler kept dozens of these images on a USB drive.  Forensic analysis of the USB drive also revealed hundreds of other images and videos of suspected child pornography, including images depicting sadistic or masochistic conduct, and thousands of images of child erotica.

The charge of production of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years.

Hessler is also facing charges in two state jurisdictions.  In the Hartford Judicial District, he is charged with commercial sex abuse of a minor under the age of 15, and attempt to commit sexual assault in the first degree.  In the Tolland Judicial District, he is charged with four counts of risk of injury to a minor, and sex assault in the fourth degree.  Under the terms of his federal plea agreement, Hessler will not argue for a sentence less than the statutory maximum of 30 years, to run concurrent with any sentence to be imposed in the state courts.

Hessler is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill on March 4, 2020.

Hessler has been detained in state custody since November 13, 2018.

This matter is being investigated by the Connecticut State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nancy V. Gifford.

U.S. Attorney Durham thanked the Hartford and Tolland State Attorney’s Offices for their cooperation in the investigation and prosecution of this case.

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

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