District of Connecticut

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Brian Wood, Special Agent in Charge, Diplomatic Security Service, New York Field Office, today announced that JOSE LUIS RODRIGUEZ, 46, a citizen of the Dominican Republic residing in Waterbury, has been charged by indictment with passport fraud and identity theft offenses.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, in June 2025, an individual who had been recently released from prison (the “victim”) applied for a Connecticut identification card at the Waterbury branch of the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (“DMV”).  When processing the victim’s application, the DMV determined that there was already an active driver’s license for the victim that had been issued in 2001 and renewed multiple times.  An investigation determined that Rodriguez was the unlawful holder of the driver’s license and had assumed the victim’s identity.

It is further alleged that on March 5, 2020, Rodriguez used the name, date of birth, and place of birth of the victim to apply for a U.S. passport in Waterbury.  He received the passport and used it for travel and identification purposes.

Rodriguez was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on December 30, 2025, after he submitted the false passport to the U.S. Department of State and falsely represented himself as a U.S. citizen.

On January 13, 2025, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging Rodriguez with one count of making a false statement in a passport application and one count of using a passport secured by a false statement, charges that carry a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years on each count, and one count of aggravated identity theft, an offense that carries a mandatory consecutive term of imprisonment of two years.

Rodriguez has been detained since his arrest.  He appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Dave Vatti in Bridgeport and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

U.S. Attorney Sullivan 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 the U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service, with the assistance of the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles and the Waterbury Police Department.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Chen.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that on January 21, 2026, MICHELE RENE MUZYKA, 61, of Cheshire, waived her right to be indicted and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to an offense related to her illegal distribution of controlled substances.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between approximately January 2024 and June 2025, Muzyka, an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), unlawfully distributed amphetamines and benzodiazepines to individuals who did not have a legitimate medical need.  During office visits, Muzyka did not conduct medical examinations of certain patients and did not confirm conditions that would medically require treatment using these controlled substances.  Muzyka charged patients $200 in cash for the office visits in which she prescribed Schedule II and IV controlled substances, including to an undercover agent who posed as a Medicaid beneficiary.  Although she was enrolled as a Medicare and Medicaid provider, Muzyka declined to accept the undercover agent’s Medicaid plan and instead charged her $200 cash fee.  Medicaid paid $287.58 for the unlawful prescriptions written for the undercover agent.

Muzyka was arrested on June 23, 2025.

Muzyka pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute, distribution of, and dispensing of controlled substances, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  She is released on a $75,000 pending sentencing, which is scheduled for April 30.

This investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General, with assistance from the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, Drug Control Division.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine E. Boyles.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that LUIS PETERSON ROHR FERREIRA BORGES, 25, a citizen of Brazil, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver in Hartford to assault on a federal officer.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Ferreira Borges has a case pending in Connecticut Superior Court stemming from an arrest on September 16, 2023.  In that case, he is charged with assault of public safety, emergency medical, public transit or health care personnel; assault in the third degree; breach of peace in the second degree; interfering with an officer; and intimidation based on bigotry or bias in the first degree.  On October 10, 2023, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued an arrest warrant for Ferreira Borges charging him with being present in the United States in violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

On June 25, 2025, federal law enforcement officers, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations officers, apprehended Ferreira Borges in the area of Zion Street in Hartford.  Ferreira Borges was non-compliant and resisted arrest.  After being placed in a government vehicle, he kicked, flailed, and screamed obscenities at the ERO officers.  As the vehicle traveled to the federal building on Main Street in Hartford, Ferreira Borges began raising and moving his leg, which was inches away from the ERO officer who was driving the vehicle, and Ferreira Borges stated he was going to kick the officer in the neck.  Ferreira Borges then started to bite another ERO officer who tried to control him, and spit on the ERO officer who was driving the vehicle.

Ferreira Borges has been detained since his arrest.  Judge Oliver scheduled sentencing for April 16, at which time Ferreira Borges faces a maximum term of imprisonment of one year.

This matter is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

PAUL R. STEED, 59, of Stamford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 63 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for fraud and tax offenses stemming from his theft of more than $28 million from his former employer Mars, Inc.

The announcement was made by David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; P.J. O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Thomas Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England; and U.S. Department of Agriculture Inspector General John Walk.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between approximately 2011 and 2023, Steed was employed by Mars Wrigley, a subsidiary of Mars. Inc. (“Mars”), working remotely from his home in Stamford.  Steed served in several positions at the company and last served as Global Price Risk Manager for Mars Wrigley’s Global Cocoa Enterprise.  As part of his employment, Steed was responsible for managing Mars Wrigley’s participation in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) Sugar-Containing Products Re-Export Program.  In approximately 2016, Steed created a company, MCNA LLC, to mimic an actual Mars entity, Mars Chocolate North America.  He then diverted more than $15 million in Mars assets to a bank account he set up in MCNA’s name mainly by directing sugar refineries purchasing Mars’s re-export credits, obtained through the USDA program, to pay MCNA LLC as if it were a legitimate Mars entity.

Mars had an ownership interest in Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (“ICE”), a financial services company that operated financial exchanges and clearing houses, and received quarterly dividends in connection with that ownership.  In 2017, Steed directed Computershare Limited (“Computershare”), a company that ICE utilized for stock-related services, to pay MCNA LLC for Mars’s dividends from its ownership shares in ICE.  As a result, more than $700,000 in dividend payments were diverted to the MCNA LLC account.  In 2023, after Steed had used a fraudulent letter purportedly from the Mars Treasurer authorizing him to trade ICE shares, Steed directed Computershare to sell Mars’s ICE shares entirely.  Computershare issued a check in the amount of more than $11.3 million, which Steed deposited into the MCNA LLC account.

In addition, from 2013 through 2020, Steed used a company he owned called Ibera LLC to invoice Mars for services Mars did not receive.  Mars paid Ibera LLC more than $700,000 through this scheme.

Steed failed to report and pay taxes on his stolen income on his 2014 through 2023 federal tax returns.

Judge Dooley ordered Steed to pay restitution of $28,410,489 to Mars, Inc., and $10,310,680 in back taxes to the IRS.

The government has seized, and Steed has agreed to forfeit, more than $18 million from bank accounts controlled by Steed, and the government is seeking to forfeit, or alternatively liquidate for restitution, a Greenwich home that Steed purchased with nearly $2.3 million in stolen funds.  Steed also sent approximately $2 million to Argentina, where he is a dual citizen, has family ties, and has a family ranch.

“Justice is served by the imposition of this sentence,” said U.S. Attorney Sullivan.  “Thanks to the thorough investigative efforts by FBI, IRS-CI, and USDA-OIG special agents, Mr. Steed’s criminal conduct was quickly exposed.  These agents not only identified the money that he stole, they successfully seized millions of dollars that will be returned to the victim company.”

“Today’s sentencing is a great example of what happens when the FBI, and our partners at the IRS, USDA-OIG, and the USAO combine to bring our investigative resources to bear on a complex, multi-faceted fraud scheme involving tens of millions of dollars,” said FBI New Haven Special Agent in Charge P.J. O’Brien.  “Utilizing forfeiture statutes, expert forensic accounting techniques and court authorized search warrants, investigators recovered millions in embezzled funds and ensured that over nine years of back taxes, totaling millions of dollars, would be paid.  The FBI remains committed to working closely with our private sector and government partners to prevent and address waste, fraud, and abuse.”

“Today’s sentencing sends a strong message to all those who think that corporate embezzlement is a victimless crime:  We will find you and we will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law,” said IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Thomas Demeo.  “Steed utilized his position of trust and authority within the Mars corporation to siphon off millions of dollars for his own personal gain and self-enrichment.  Not only did he steal from the Mars Corporation, but he also stole from every American family when he chose to conceal his ill-gotten gains from the IRS resulting in less tax revenue that could be used to enhance public welfare.”

“Mr. Steed exploited an important USDA program intended to support American exporters to market U.S. agricultural products in international commerce for personal fraudulent gain,” said Inspector General John Walk.  “The USDA Office of Inspector General is pleased to support the work of our law enforcement partners including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations Division, U.S. Marshals Service, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to help deliver justice and protect taxpayer dollars.  I commend USDA OIG Special Agent-in-Charge Charmeka Parker and all our special agents and employees who supported the investigative effort.”

Steed was arrested on March 26, 2025.  On September 11, 2025, he pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud.

Steed, who is released on a $5 million bond, is required to report to prison on March 5.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General, with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David E. Novick.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ELBERT LLORRENS, 33, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 44 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for unlawfully possessing a firearm as a felon.

According to court documents and statements made in court, an investigation determined that, on February 25, 2024, after a traffic dispute, Llorrens fired a gunshot into an occupied vehicle on Vine Street in New Haven.  West Haven Police arrested Llorrens on March 1, 2024, after finding Llorrens in possession of a loaded Smith & Wesson, model SD40 VE, .40 caliber pistol.  Subsequent analysis of the firearm using the National Integrated Ballistic Identification Network (“NIBIN”) linked it to three separate gunfire incidents, including the Vine Street shooting on February 25, 2024.

In March 2017, Llorrens was sentenced in Hartford federal court to 60 months of imprisonment and five years of supervised release for committing multiple carjackings and armed robberies, and he was on federal supervised release when he possessed the firearm.

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

Llorrens has been detained since March 1, 2024.  He pleaded guilty to the offense on March 5, 2025.

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the New Haven Police Department, and the West Haven Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel E. Cummings.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MARIA HIGGINS, 36, of Manchester, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver in Hartford to 34 months of imprisonment and two years of supervised release for offenses stemming from two embezzlement schemes and related tax evasion.

According to court documents and statements made in court, from mid-2018 to April 2022, Higgins was employed as a bookkeeper for New England Kitchen & Bath LLC in Glastonbury.  Higgins stole from the business by issuing company checks payable to herself, often including the words “commission” or “bonus” in the memo line of the check, and used a signature handstamp of the company’s owner to issue the checks; initiating wire transfers to bank accounts in her name; creating a fictitious supplier and billing the company for fictious expenses; using company debit cards to pay for personal expenses; and overseeing a construction proposal for a legitimate client project, expensing incurred costs of the project through the company, and having the client pay her directly.  Higgins stole $504,807 through this scheme.

From February 2023 to April 2024, Higgins was employed as an accounting manager for PVC Solutions, Inc., in Danbury, a company that produces and distributes PVC products.  Higgins stole from the company by issuing company checks payable to herself; creating duplicate vendor payment templates to initiate wire transfers to her personal bank account; creating fictitious suppliers to bill the company on her behalf; and paying personal expenses through the company’s bank account.  Higgins manipulated the company’s accounting records to conceal her criminal activity.  Higgins stole $356,181 through this scheme.

Higgins failed to report approximately $768,650 of her stolen income on her personal federal income tax returns for the 2018 through 2023 tax years, resulting in a loss of $167,831 to the IRS.

Judge Oliver ordered Higgins to pay full restitution to New England Kitchen & Bath, PVC Solutions, Inc., and the IRS.

On September 9, 2025, Higgins pleaded guilty to one count of interstate transportation of stolen money and one count tax evasion.

Higgins, who is released on a $50,000 bond, is required to report to prison on February 21.

This investigation was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher W. Schmeisser.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that MARCOS ISMALEJ IXPANCOC, also known as Marcos Hernandez Lopez and Jose Ernandez, 39, a citizen of Guatemala recently residing in Stamford, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver in Hartford to 30 days of imprisonment for illegally reentering the United States after being deported.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in October 2006, Ixpancoc was apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol in Arizona.  He identified himself to U.S. Border Patrol as Marcos Hernandez Lopez, claimed to be a citizen of Mexico, and was issued a voluntary return to Mexico.  In August 2012, Ixpancoc was again apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol in Texas.  He identified himself as Jose Ernandez and claimed to be a citizen of Guatemala.  He was removed to Guatemala in September 2012.  In June 2023, Ixpancoc submitted to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) an application for legal permanent residency and work authorization under his true name and listed a home address in Stamford.  The fingerprints that USCIS collected in connection with those applications matched those collected when he was apprehended and removed under the names Marcos Hernandez Lopez and Jose Ernandez in 2006 and 2012.  These applications, which Ixpancoc signed under penalty of perjury, contained several false statements.

On November 1, 2025, Ixpancoc was arrested by Homeland Security Investigations.  He pleaded guilty to illegal reentry on December 4.

Ixpancoc, who has been detained since his arrest, will be removed to Guatemala when he completes his prison term.

This matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that HARRISON ELBA, 35, formerly of Glastonbury, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 108 months of imprisonment, seven years of supervised release, and a $5,000 fine for possessing with intent to distribute dimethylpentylone, commonly known as “bath salts.”

According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 19, 2019, Judge Underhill sentenced Elba to five years of probation for his role in a narcotics distribution conspiracy.  In June 2023, Judge Underhill granted Elba’s motion for early termination of his probation, which claimed his rehabilitation was “complete.”

In 2023, an investigation revealed that Elba possessed with intent to distribute bath salts at the John Fitch Distilling Company, a business he operated in South Windsor.  On May 2, 2023, investigators seized approximately 10 kilograms of the drug from the business.  Elba was arrested on September 14, 2023, and was detained until October 9, 2024, when he was released on bond.

On January 10, 2025, Elba pleaded guilty pursuant to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and admitted additional conduct, including:

• Between April and June 2023, Elba operated a drug manufacturing facility in Bloomfield where he and others manufactured and distributed psilocybin mushrooms and THC products, along with large quantities of bagged marijuana intended for distribution.
• In approximately March 2021, Elba arranged to purchase 200 pounds of marijuana from two individuals in Vermont.  Instead of making the purchase, Elba and others travelled to Vermont to rob the two individuals.  Elba met the individuals in a hotel room, confirmed their possession of the marijuana, and left as his associates entered the room and took the marijuana by force.
• In approximately November 2022, Elba received and distributed 10 kilograms of cocaine.
• In 2023, Elba picked up approximately six guns belonging to one his associates and delivered them to another person who could store them.
• In December 2024, Elba arranged for the mailing of a book to an inmate at the Wyatt Detention Facility in Rhode Island, knowing that certain pages of the book were laced with synthetic cannabinoids.

The investigation further revealed that while he was released on bond, Elba is alleged to have engaged in a scheme to smuggle drugs, cellular phones, and other contraband into a federal correctional institution (FCI) in Ray Brook, New York using drones.  On January 10, 2025, shortly after Elba pleaded guilty and continued to be released on bond, he communicated with an FCI Ray Brook inmate and said “I literally just got out of my guilty plea.  I pled guilty.  My guidelines were 97 to 121.  My judge is like the best judge in Connecticut.  He sentenced me five years ago….  I thought I might go back to jail today….”  Elba and the inmate also discussed the drone smuggling scheme.

Elba has been detained in state custody since April 23, 2025, on charges related to his operation of the Bloomfield drug factory.

The drone smuggling scheme is currently under investigation by federal authorities.

This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad with the assistance of the South Windsor Police Department, Bloomfield Police Department, Glastonbury Police Department.  The DEA New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad is composed of personnel from the DEA, and the Bristol, West Haven, Fairfield, Glastonbury, Seymour, and Torrington Police Departments.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Konstantin Lantsman and Katherine Boyles.

David X. Sullivan, Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Matthew Modafferi, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Area Field Office, announced that MIGUEL CRUZ QUILES, 34, of East Hartford, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to an offense stemming from his theft of more than $250,000 from the U.S. Postal Service.

According to court documents and statements made in court, beginning in 2012, Cruz Quiles was employed in various positions by the U.S. Postal Service, including as a window clerk providing customer service and as a USPS human resources safety clerk.  In 2024, Cruz Quiles issued himself more than 250 fraudulent money orders from the service counters at the Blue Hills Post Office in Hartford and the Bishops Corner Post Office in West Hartford.  Most of the fraudulent money orders were issued in the amount of $1,000.  To execute this scheme, Cruz Quiles used the authorization credentials of another USPS employee to access the USPS computer system at the service counter and fraudulently coded the transactions to conceal his theft.  Some of the transactions occurred when the post office service counter was closed to the public.  He then cashed the money orders or deposited them into his personal bank accounts.

On December 9, 2024, Cruz Quiles issued to himself 30 fraudulent money orders each in the amount of $1,000.

Cruz Quiles pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government property, admitting that he unlawfully cashed or deposited at least $250,320 in government funds.

Judge Underhill scheduled sentencing for April 15, at which time Cruz Quiles faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  Cruz Quiles is released on a $50,000 bond pending sentencing.

This investigation has been conducted by the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Chen.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced ANGELO DELMARO, 49, of Farmington, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to eight months of imprisonment and two years of supervised release for tax evasion.  Delmaro also must perform 200 hours of community service while on supervised release.

According to court documents and statements made in court, since at least 2012, Delmaro has owned and operated commercial roofing businesses in Connecticut, initially doing business as “Value Roofing,” then “Roofing Services of New England,” and most recently as “Roofing Services.”  The businesses also provided paving services.  None of Delmaro’s companies registered with the Connecticut Secretary of State or had a federal Taxpayer Identification Number.  From 2012 to 2022, Delmaro’s companies earned approximately $12.7 million in customer receipts, but Delmaro paid his workers in cash, never filed income or payroll tax returns for himself or the business, and took several steps to conceal income and operating expenses from the IRS.

As part of his tax evasion scheme, Delmaro and others associated with his business cashed checks from customers at various check cashing businesses instead of depositing them into bank accounts.  Delmaro provided the check cashers with addresses associated with UPS mailboxes rather than his home address.  When the check cashers filed Currency Transaction Reports (“CTRs”), the IRS only had a UPS mailbox location to try to identify source of income.  

Delmaro also had customers file false Forms 1099 made out to a family member, rather than his business, or made out to Delmaro himself, making income attribution more difficult.  At times, when a customer requested that Delmaro provide a completed Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification, Form W-9, Delmaro worked with his father to prepare a false W-9 that included the name and social security number of his father and a UPS mailbox address.  Delmaro sometimes provided customers with W-9 forms using false identities, such as “Harvey Rubino” or “Tony Stano,” which the customers used on the 1099.  Delmaro’s father used an alias, which differed from the name and information Delmaro provided to the customer.

Judge Nagala ordered Delmaro to pay restitution of $630,869 to the IRS.

Delmaro pleaded guilty on September 24, 2025.

This investigation was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division and the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General.  The was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher W. Schmeisser.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that EZEKIEL BAILEY, 33, of Brooklyn, New York, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver in Hartford to 24 months of imprisonment and one year of supervised release for using stolen identities to defraud the U.S. Postal Service.

According to court documents and statements made in court, the U.S Postal Inspection Service began an investigation after receiving reports that an individual had been passing, and attempting to pass, bad checks to purchase thousands of dollars in postage stamps from U.S. Post Offices in Connecticut and surrounding states.  The investigation revealed that Bailey had used the identities of three separate victims, fake driver’s licenses, and checks linked to empty bank accounts that had been created in the victims’ names, to purchase or attempt to purchase $134,297 in stamps from U.S. Post Offices in Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, Massachusetts, and elsewhere.

On January 20, 2023, Bailey was arrested on related state charges after he attempted to purchase 25 books of postage stamps for $300 at post office in Stonington.  He possessed two fake driver’s licenses in the names of identity theft victims at the time of his arrest.  He was charged federally on November 26, 2024.

On September 15, 2025, Bailey pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft, an offense that carries a mandatory term of imprisonment of two years.

This investigation was conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel George.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JULIUS JORDAN PRIESTER, 25, of Wichita, Kansas, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to one year of probation and ordered to pay a $500 fine for assaulting a crew member on a flight from Bradley International Airport last year.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 27, 2025, Priester was a passenger on American Airlines Flight 3359 that departed from Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, at approximately 9:30 p.m. bound for Chicago.  Thirty minutes to an hour into the flight, Priester stood up, began to take off his shirt, then ran to the back of the plane yelling “Help me.”  He then grabbed a flight attendant (“the victim”), who was seated, shouted “you’re coming with me,” and forcefully brought the victim to the ground.  Priester then attempted to drag the victim up the aisle. With the assistance of another flight attendant, Priester was returned to his seat where he continued to act erratically and made incoherent statements.  The captain declared an emergency and the flight was diverted back to Bradley Airport.  After the plane landed safely at Bradley, Priester was removed by Connecticut State Police and taken by ambulance to a local hospital for evaluation.

Priester was detained in federal custody until July 8, 2025, when he was released on bond.  On October 1, 2025, he pleaded guilty to interference with flight crew members and attendants.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Connecticut State Police.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Lembo and Neeraj Patel.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MARQUES ISIAH LINDSAY, 37, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 60 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for unlawfully possessing a firearm.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on September 17, 2023, Bridgeport Police attempted to stop a vehicle in which Lindsay was a passenger in the area of Washington Terrace in Bridgeport.  When the vehicle pulled over, Lindsay exited from the back seat and attempted to flee on foot.  Lindsay was quickly apprehended and a search of his person revealed a loaded Glock 26 9mm handgun with an extended magazine, another extended magazine, and $420 in cash.

Lindsay’s criminal history spans approximately 20 years and includes felony convictions in state court for drug, robbery, 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.

Lindsay has been detained since his arrest.  On October 1, 2025, he pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

This investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Bridgeport Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Gresham.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced CARLOS EGBERTO JIMENEZ-TUN, also known as Carlos Egberto-Jimenez, 28, a citizen of Guatemala, has been charged by federal criminal complaint with illegally reentering the United States after being deported.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, in April 2019, Jimenez was encountered by U.S. Border Patrol in Texas as part of a criminal alien smuggling investigation.  U.S. Border Patrol determined that Jimenez was in the U.S. illegally and he was deported to Guatemala in July 2019.  In September 2019, U.S. Border Patrol encountered Jimenez in Texas again.  He was arrested for being in the U.S. illegally and was deported to Guatemala in November 2019.

Jimenez subsequently unlawfully reentered the U.S.  Between November 2023 and October 2025, Jimenez was arrested, convicted, and sentenced multiple times in Connecticut Superior Court for larceny, failure to appear in court, interfering and resisting arrest, and violating probation.

Jimenez was arrested today in Bridgeport by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations following his release from state custody.  He appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Dave Vatti in Bridgeport and was ordered detained.

If convicted of the charge of unlawful reentry, Jimenez faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 2 years.

U.S. Attorney Sullivan 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 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that WILLIE FRANCO, 37, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to 280 months of imprisonment and 10 years of supervised release for narcotics trafficking and firearm possession offenses, and for violating the conditions of his supervised release from a prior federal conviction.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in August 2016, Franco was sentenced in Hartford federal court to 80 months of imprisonment, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for distributing crack cocaine and heroin.  That investigation also revealed that, in January 2015, Franco distributed heroin to an individual in East Haven who died after ingesting the drug.  Franco was released from federal prison in December 2020.

In 2021, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force and Drug Enforcement Administration began investigating resumed narcotics trafficking activity by Franco and his then girlfriend, Daniella Fox.  The investigation revealed that, beginning in approximately February 2021, parcels originating in Arizona and California that likely contained narcotics had been mailed to addresses associated with Franco and Fox.  Investigators also determined that two overdose deaths in August 2021 in Branford and Guilford, and one overdose death in September 2021 in Milford, were connected to Franco’s drug activities.

In early March 2022, investigators intercepted a U.S. Postal Service parcel destined for an address in East Haven associated with Franco and Fox.  A court-authorized search of the parcel revealed approximately one kilogram of cocaine and one kilogram of fentanyl.  On March 7, 2022, investigators made a controlled delivery of the intercepted parcel to the East Haven address.  Franco and Fox, who were waiting in a car that was parked on the street, were arrested after Fox retrieved the package.  A subsequent search of Franco and Fox’s New Haven residence resulted in the seizure of more than one kilogram of fentanyl, a quantity of crack cocaine, digital scales and other narcotics packaging paraphernalia, a loaded Glock .40 pistol with an obliterated serial number, a drum extended magazine for a rifle, a bulletproof vest, ammunition, and more than $300,000 in cash.

Subsequent analysis of cellphones seized from Franco revealed hundreds of videos depicting Franco’s drug trafficking activity and possession of firearms.  In certain cellphone recordings intended for his drug suppliers, Franco complains that the fentanyl is not strong enough and says he needs fentanyl strong enough to kill people.

Franco has been detained since his arrest.  On February 26, 2025, a jury found him guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 500 grams or more of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

This investigation was conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the New Haven Police Department, East Haven Police Department and Connecticut State Police.  The Task Force includes members from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Postal Service – Office of the Inspector General, the Connecticut State Police, the Hartford Police Department, and the Plainville Police Department.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Konstantin Lantsman and Hal Chen.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that KUTTINO JAMAL SCOTT, 24, of Miami, Florida, pleaded guilty yesterday in New Haven federal court to an offense stemming from his role in a scheme that defrauded individuals who use the electronic payments system Zelle.

According to court documents and statements made in court, law enforcement has been investigating crimes against users of digital payment applications, including Zelle.  Typically, a scheme victim receives a fraudulent text message, purporting to be from the victim’s bank, asking the victim to confirm whether a Zelle transaction was authorized.  When the victim denies the transaction, the victim receives a response that a bank representative will be in contact.  The victim then receives a phone call from an individual impersonating a bank representative, who informs the victim that an unauthorized transaction has occurred and that they need to work together to reverse the transaction.  Without the victim’s knowledge, the fraudsters will link the victim’s actual phone number or email address via Zelle to a bank account that does not belong to the victim.  The victim is then instructed to “reverse” the fictional fraudulent transaction by making a Zelle payment to what they believe is their own account, but is, in fact, an account controlled by the fraudsters.

From approximately February 2021 through August 2023, Scott and others, including Kader Gahmaal Biwaki Edmond, defrauded numerous victims, including victims in Connecticut, of a total of more than $250,000 through this Zelle scheme and other fraud schemes.

Scott was arrested on August 31, 2023.

Scott pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years.  He is scheduled to be sentenced on April 13.  He is released on a $100,000 bond pending sentencing.

Edmond pleaded guilty to the same charge and, on August 19, 2024, was sentenced to three years of imprisonment.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward Chang.

Victims can report Zelle fraud to their bank or credit union, or to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), which is run by the FBI and serves as the country’s hub for reporting cybercrime, at www.ic3.gov.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, and Bristol Police Chief Mark Morello today announced that the following 11 individuals have been charged with federal offenses stemming from a long-term investigation into narcotics trafficking in Bristol and elsewhere in central Connecticut:

JOSHUA OCASIO, also known as “J” and “Jim,” 30, of Middletown
JOSE ROSADO-ORTIZ, 29, of Manchester
RYAN JASSOR, 30, of Phoenix, Arizona
DEBRA JANKOWSKI, 44, of Avon
TONI RISUCCI, 29, of Watertown
JAMES WARKOSKI, 58, of Plymouth
RYAN RIBACK, 24, of Plainville
KYLE MASTROIANNI, 32, of Bristol
ROBERT PINETTE, 39, of Bristol
GRIFFIN DEPREY, 28, of Plainville
QURAN MUHAMMAD, 30, of East Windsor

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, the DEA New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad and Bristol Police Department have been investigating a narcotics trafficking enterprise headed by Ocasio.  The investigation revealed that Ocasio, with the assistance of Rosado-Ortiz and Jassor, who formerly resided in Connecticut, acquired and distributed fentanyl, cocaine, crack-cocaine, counterfeit pills pressed with fentanyl, and pharmaceuticals including oxycodone, Adderall, and Xanax.  Ocasio employed, and frequently rented vehicles for, Jankowski, Risucci, Warkoski, Riback, Mastroianni, Pinette, and Deprey as “drug runners” to conduct drug transactions on his behalf.  Muhammad helped facilitate narcotics transactions for Ocasio and also distributed drugs that he acquired from Ocasio to his own customer base.

It is alleged that the investigation has connected five overdose deaths in Bristol and one overdose death in Berlin, which occurred between April 2024 and May 2025, to Ocasio’s drug trafficking network.

Ocasio and Rosado-Ortiz were arrested on a federal criminal complaints on December 4, 2025.  On that date, a search of Ocasio’s residence revealed approximately $440,000 in cash and watches and jewelry valued at approximately $270,000.  A search of Rosado-Ortiz’s residence revealed approximately two kilograms of cocaine, one kilogram of crack cocaine, 250 grams of fentanyl, 200 grams of methamphetamine, 2,500 oxycodone pills, 500 Xanax and Adderall pills, tabs of LSD, one ounce of ketamine, 25 empty kilogram wrappers that field tested positive for the presence of cocaine, an AR-15 style rifle, a ghost gun, $10,000 in jewelry, and $7,260 in cash.

On January 7, 2026, a federal grand jury in Bridgeport returned an indictment charging each of the defendants with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, controlled substances.  If convicted of this charge, based on the type and quantity of drug attributed to each defendant, Ocasio, Rosado-Ortiz, Risucci, Riback, and Mastroianni face a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life; Jankowski, Pinette, and Deprey face a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years; and Jassor, Warkoski, and Muhammad face a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

In addition, the indictment charges Ocasio with possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, fentanyl and cocaine resulting in death and serious bodily injury, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.  This charge stems from the overdose death of a 20-year-old woman in Bristol on October 26, 2024.

The indictment also charges Rosado-Ortiz with possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, which carries a mandatory consecutive term of imprisonment of at least five years. 

The indictment seeks the forfeiture of the cash and jewelry seized on December 4, 2025, $30,338 that was seized from Ocasio in February 2025, and multiple vehicles.

“As alleged, Joshua Ocasio operated a sophisticated drug trafficking network that, quite literally, destroyed lives in Bristol and surrounding communities in central Connecticut,” said U.S. Attorney David X. Sullivan.  “I thank the members of the DEA New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad, the Bristol Police Department, and the many other police departments that have worked on this long-term investigation which resulted in dismantling this drug network and bringing Mr. Ocasio and his associates to justice.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners continue to target those who profit from the illegal distribution of fentanyl and other dangerous narcotics.  This investigation clearly established an indisputable connection to a drug-related death that necessitates the charging of this 20-year mandatory minimum offense.”

“DEA is committed to investigating and dismantling large-scale poly drug trafficking organizations like this one operating throughout central Connecticut,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget.  “This organization was allegedly responsible for the distribution of fentanyl, cocaine, crack cocaine, counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl and pharmaceuticals which can be linked to several overdose deaths in the state.  This investigation demonstrates the strength of collaborative local, state and federal law enforcement efforts in Connecticut and our strong partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to seek and bring to justice anyone who engages in these crimes.”

“The Bristol Police Department commends the DEA, every member of this Task Force, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their relentless pursuit of justice and their unwavering commitment to dismantling illicit drug trafficking networks,” said Bristol Police Chief Mark Morello.  “These efforts hold accountable those whose actions poison our communities and contribute directly to loss of life.  Because of this work, the City of Bristol and the State of Connecticut are safer.  The Bristol Police Department remains resolute in its mission to protect and serve the community with integrity and professionalism, and we will continue these enforcement efforts every day to protect our community and save lives.”

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

This investigation is being conducted by the DEA New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad, the Bristol Police Department, the Middletown Police Department, the Manchester Police Department, the Fairfield Police Department, the Connecticut State Police, and the East Central Narcotics Task Force.  The Connecticut Forensic Laboratory and the New Britain, Berlin, Newington, Canton, Hamden, and Glastonbury Police Departments have assisted the investigation.  The DEA New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad is composed of personnel from the DEA, and the Bristol, West Haven, Fairfield, Glastonbury, Seymour, and Torrington Police Departments. 

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brendan Keefe and Natasha Freismuth.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JASON GIBSON, 45, of Ledyard, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to possession of child pornography.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in February 2020, Gibson was convicted in state court of possession of child pornography and sentenced to 10 years of incarceration, suspended after 30 months, and 10 years of probation.  He was released from state custody in January 2021.  In April 2023, Gibson’s probation was revoked for violating the conditions of his release and he was sentenced to 90 months of incarceration, suspended after six months, and 94 months of probation.  He was released from state custody in August 2023.

On March 6, 2024, state probation officers made a routine home visit to Gibson’s residence and seized an unapproved cellphone that also contained a dark web application.  Subsequent analysis of the phone revealed more than 200 child sex abuse images and videos, and numerous text messages with links to access child pornography on the dark web.  On April 2, 2025, probation officers made another home visit to Gibson’s residence and seized an external hard drive.  Analysis of the hard drive revealed more than 18,000 images and 1,400 videos depicting child sex abuse.  Gibson has been detained since that date.

Gibson pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  The penalties in this matter are enhanced because of Gibson’s prior state convictions.  A sentencing date is not scheduled.

This investigation is being conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the New Haven Police Department, with the assistance of the Town of Groton Police Department, the Watertown Police Department, the Westport Police Department, and the Connecticut Court Support Services Division – Adult Probation Services.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Gordon through 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.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that JIMMY ARCE, also known as “Boe,” “Slim,” and “Jimbo,” 42, of Bridgeport, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 60 months of imprisonment and four years of supervised release for trafficking fentanyl in southwestern Connecticut.

According to court documents and statements made in court, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force and Stamford Police Department identified Arce as a distributor of fentanyl in southwestern Connecticut.  During the investigation, investigators regularly observed Arce supplying Omar Parra with fentanyl for redistribution, and made controlled purchases of the drug from Parra.

Arce was arrested on May 14, 2024.  Related searches of Arce’s residence and vehicle revealed a quantity of fentanyl, scales with narcotics residue, and a bulletproof vest.

On October 21, 2025, Arce pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.

Arce, who is released on a $200,000 bond, is required to report to prison on March 12.

Parra, also known as “D” and “Dee,” of Stamford, has pleaded guilty and is detained while awaiting sentencing.

This investigation has been conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, the Stamford Police Department, the Bridgeport Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals Service, with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Connecticut State Police, and the Norwalk, Danbury, and Darien Police Departments.  The DEA HIDTA Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Bridgeport Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Norwalk, Stamford, Stratford, Milford, and Danbury Police Departments.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patricia Stolfi Collins and Geoffrey M. Stone.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that VICTORIA KATES, 35, of New Britain, sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to three months of imprisonment and two years of supervised release for fraudulently obtaining COVID-19 relief funds.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provided emergency financial assistance to Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.  One program created by the CARES Act was a temporary federal unemployment insurance program for pandemic unemployment assistance (“Pandemic Unemployment Assistance”).  Pandemic Unemployment Assistance provided unemployment insurance (“UI”) benefits for employed individuals who were not eligible for other types of UI due to their employment status.  The CARES Act also created a new temporary federal program called Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (“FPUC”) that provided additional weekly benefits to those eligible for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance or regular UI.  The Connecticut Department of Labor (CT-DOL) administers UI benefits for residents of Connecticut.

From March 2020 through May 2021, Kates defrauded the CT-DOL of $217,056 by filing fraudulent unemployment applications with the CT-DOL on behalf of her family, acquaintances, and others.  Kates prepared and submitted the original applications and, in certain instances, submitted required weekly recertifications of the applicant’s purported continued unemployment status.  Kates took a portion of the payouts as a fee.

As an example, in August 2020, Kates submitted an online unemployment application to the CT-DOL for a friend that made several false representations, including that the applicant was a self-employed driver who worked 40 hours per week when, in fact, the applicant was neither self-employed nor worked the hours represented.  Kates also used her home address as the applicant’s address.  Based on the original application and weekly certifications, the CT-DOL made $27,993 in payments, with Kates taking at least $1,000 to $1,500 as a fee.  When the CT-DOL demanded proof of legal wages and proof of address, Kates created and provided to the CT-DOL a fraudulent IRS form showing the applicant’s purported gross wages for 2019 and a cropped photograph of a business envelope to make it appear that the applicant had lived at the represented address.

Another source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).  The PPP allowed qualifying small businesses and other organizations to receive unsecured loans at an interest rate of 1% to be used by businesses on payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent and utilities.  The PPP allowed the interest and principal to be forgiven if businesses spent the proceeds on these expenses within a certain period of time of receipt and used at least a certain percentage of the amount to be forgiven for payroll.

The PPP was overseen by the Small Business Administration, which has authority over all PPP loans.  Individual PPP loans, however, were issued by private approved lenders, which received and processed PPP applications and supporting documentation, and then made loans using the lenders’ own funds, which were guaranteed by the SBA.

In 2021, Kates applied for and received $16,250 through the PPP loan program by making false representations, including overstating her yearly gross income.  Kates also provided a false IRS filing to support the income figure on the application.  She subsequently provided additional fraudulent information to obtain forgiveness of the loan.

Judge Nagala ordered Kates to pay $233,306 in restitution.

On April 2, 2025, Kates pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud.

Kates, who is released on a $40,000 bond, is required to report to prison on March 10.

This matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of the Inspector General.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher W. Schmeisser.

Individuals with information about allegations of fraud involving COVID-19 are encouraged to report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721, or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and P.J. O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that a federal grand jury in Bridgeport has returned a 15-count indictment charging SEAN SAYER, 22, of Naugatuck, with child exploitation offenses.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, on March 20, 2025, an eight-year-old boy (“minor victim”) in Oregon contacted Sayer by text message and asked Sayer if he was @fornight_legends on TikTok.  Sayer responded affirmatively and, over the next three days, exchanged with the minor victim more than 1,300 messages in which Sayer repeatedly and aggressively demanded sexually explicit images and videos of the minor victim in exchange for playing Fortnite with him online.  The minor victim sent Sayer at least 15 videos constituting child sexual abuse material or child pornography.

Sayer was arrested on June 18, 2025.  It is alleged that a forensic review of Sayer’s cellphone has screenshots of Snapchat conversations Sayer had with numerous additional minor victims who Sayer coerced or enticed to send him sexually explicit photos of themselves.  To date, investigators have identified approximately 89 separate minor victims.

It is further alleged electronic devices seized from Sayer revealed more than 5,000 videos and 1,000 images containing child sexual abuse material, including images and videos depicting sexual violence against prepubescent minors.

The indictment, which was returned on January 7, 2026, charges Sayer with 12 counts of production of child pornography, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and a maximum term of 30 years of imprisonment on each count; one count of coercion and enticement of a minor, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life; one count of distribution of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; and one count of possession of child pornography, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

Sayer is currently released on a $150,000 bond.  He is under location monitoring by the U.S. Probation Office and is prohibited from accessing the internet and communicating with, and having contact with, minors.

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

This investigation is being conducted by the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, with the assistance of the Eugene (Ore.) Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary G. Vitale.

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.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MICHAEL MIHALKO, 42, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to 18 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for trafficking methamphetamine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2022, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service identified a series of parcels suspected to contain controlled substances that were being mailed to the Norwich residence of Joseph Wilk, Jr. and a P.O. Box in Norwich that Wilk opened.  On November 21, 2022, investigators conducted a court-authorized search of a suspicious USPS Priority Express parcel mailed from California to the P.O. Box and found that it contained more than one pound of pure methamphetamine.  Investigators determined that Mihalko had been tracking the package.

On December 8, 2022, Wilk picked up the package in Norwich and drove to his residence.  Shortly thereafter, Norwich police officers arrived at his residence.  After Wilk gave his consent, investigators searched his home and seized approximately 2.575 kilograms of methamphetamine, approximately 16 grams of ecstasy, items used to process and package narcotics, two handguns, and $1,740 in cash.

The investigation revealed that several parcels suspected to contain narcotics were mailed to Wilk between May and December 2022.  After Wilk received methamphetamine that had been mailed to him, he would deliver some of it to Mihalko, who at the time was living in the Boston area, and distribute some of his to his own customers in Southeastern Connecticut and Rhode Island.  Investigators subsequently interviewed Mihalko who admitted that he was responsible for sending the intercepted parcel and numerous others.

On October 12, 2023, Mihalko pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.  He has been detained since September 15, 2025, after he violated the conditions of his release and his bond was revoked.

Wilk pleaded guilty to the same charge and has been sentenced.

This investigation was conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force and the Norwich Police Department.  The Task Force includes members from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Postal Service – Office of the Inspector General, and the Hartford, Plainville, and Meriden Police Departments.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher J. Lembo and Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis.

David X. Sullivan,  United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RAFAEL VINCENTE VINCENTE, also known as “Rafael Vicente Vicente,” “Vincente Carlos Vincente,” “Carlos Vincente,” “Carlos Vicente,” “Rafael A Vincente,” and “Rafael A Vicente,” 41, a citizen of Guatemala last residing in New London, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to 78 months of imprisonment for illegally reentering the U.S. after being deported, and attempting to engage in sex with a minor.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in October 2004, Vincente, who has never held legal immigration status in the U.S., was convicted in Connecticut Superior Court of negligent homicide and evading responsibility for a motor vehicle accident resulting in death, and was sentenced to a 10-year term of incarceration, suspended after 13 months.  In July 2005, he was deported to Guatemala.

Vincente subsequently reentered the U.S. and, on June 7, 2024, was arrested by Groton Town Police after he was caught in an undercover law enforcement operation in which he responded to an advertisement on Skip the Games, a website commonly used to advertise commercial sexual activity, and traveled to a hotel in Groton to meet a 15-year-old girl for sex.

Vincente has been detained since his federal arrest on November 21, 2024.  On September 4, 2025, he pleaded guilty to illegal reentry, and admitted that he attempted to entice, patronize, or solicit a minor in violation of federal law.

This matter was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Gordon.

U.S. Attorney Sullivan thanked the State’s Attorney’s Office for the Judicial District of New London for its cooperation in the prosecution of this case.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that IFH Holdings Group, Inc., doing business as IGNITE Fitness Holdings, formerly known as ECP-PF Holdings Group, Inc. (“IGNITE”), has paid $2,067,726.03 to settle allegations that it applied for and received a Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loan that it was not eligible for.  IGNITE owns and operates more than 130 Planet Fitness locations in the United States and Canada, and has its principal place of business in Milford, Connecticut.

Congress created the PPP in March 2020 under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.  The PPP was administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA) and was intended to support small businesses struggling to pay employees and other expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic.  When applying for PPP loans, borrowers were required to certify that they were eligible for the requested loans and that the information they provided was true and accurate.

In December 2020, Congress approved funding for a second round of forgivable PPP loans, which became available to borrowers beginning in January 2021.  This “second-draw” loan program included additional eligibility requirements.  One of the eligibility requirements for receiving a second-draw PPP loan was that the entity could have no more than 300 employees, with certain limited exceptions.  The second draw PPP loan application required the applicant to certify, among other things, that it had fewer than 300 employees.

In February 2021, IGNITE applied for a second-draw PPP loan for $2,000,000, certifying that it was eligible for a “per-location” exception to the employee-count size standard.  However, this exception did not apply to IGNITE.  After receiving this PPP loan, IGNITE sought and received forgiveness of the total loan amount of $2,007,726.03, including $2,000,000 in principal and $7,726.03 in interest.  The government alleges that IGNITE was not eligible for the PPP loan it received and had forgiven because it had more than 300 employees and no exception to the employee-count size standard applied to IGNITE.

This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Kaczmarek, with assistance from SBA’s Office of General Counsel.

Individuals with information about allegations of fraud involving COVID-19 are encouraged to report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721, or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DARWIN FRANCISCO QUITUIZACA-DUCHITANGA, also known as Darwin Duchitanga-Quituizaca and Juan Mendez-Gutierrez, 40, a citizen of Ecuador, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to 12 months and one day of imprisonment for illegally reentering the United States after being deported.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in December 2003, Quituizaca, using the alias Juan Mendez-Gutierrez, was encountered by U.S. Border Patrol.  He was issued a voluntary return to Mexico after he claimed to be a citizen of Mexico.

In March 2018, the Connecticut State Police arrested and charged Quituizaca, under the alias Darwin Duchitanga-Quituizaca, with charges related to a fatal motor vehicle accident on I-91 in North Haven in March 2017.  On August 30, 2018, ICE encountered Quituizaca in Meriden and arrested him on an administrative warrant while he was at liberty awaiting trial in his state case.  In September 2018, an immigration judge ordered Quituizaca removed from the U.S. to Ecuador, but he was subsequently transferred to state custody to face his pending charges.  In January 2019, Quituizaca was convicted in Connecticut Superior Court of manslaughter second degree and sentenced to 30 months of imprisonment.  He was subsequently released from state prison on an unknown date.  On August 15, 2023, ICE encountered and arrested Quituizaca on an administrative warrant of removal in Meriden.  He was removed to Ecuador in September 2023.

Quituizaca illegally reentered the U.S. and, on June 28, 2025, ICE arrested Quituizaca on an administrative warrant in Meriden.

Quituizaca has been detained since his arrest.  On July 30, 2025, he pleaded to unlawful reentry.

This matter was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel George

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. 

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that TERRELL KIMBLE, 45, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to 18 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for defrauding Amazon.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Kimble was employed by Amazon as a Regional Fleet Specialist and an Area Manager, based in Connecticut.  Amazon operated an employee reward program called Peak, administered through a procurement portal called Coupa.  Coupa allowed certain employees, including Area Managers, to reward other employees on their work team for superior performance by ordering an item from Amazon for the employee at no cost.  Between approximately July 2021 and December 2022, Kimble placed more than 200 Coupa orders fraudulently representing that they were to reward employee performance, but had the products, mainly high-end electronic goods, delivered to his mother’s residence for his own use.  The electronic items included Apple iPad Pro, Apple AirPods Pro, and Apple Watch devices, and Nintendo Switches.

Judge Williams ordered Kimble to pay $167,115.69 in restitution to Amazon.

Kimble was arrested on August 15, 2024.  On June 30, 2025, he pleaded guilty to wire fraud.

Kimble’s criminal history includes 14 prior convictions.

Kimble, who is released on a $250,000 bond, is required to report to prison on March 20.

This matter was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and the Connecticut Financial Crimes Task Force, with the assistance of the Windsor, West Hartford, and Hartford Police Departments.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Miller.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, P.J. O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Stamford Police Chief Timothy Shaw today announced that JOSE ISRAEL TENESACA MEJIA, 21, a citizen of Ecuador residing in West Haven, has been charged with federal child exploitation offenses.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, on April 29, 2025, the Stamford Police Department secured an arrest warrant charging Tenesaca Mejia with felony risk of injury and interfering with an officer.  Tenesaca Mejia subsequently fled Connecticut with a 14-year-old girl (the “minor victim”).  On October 28, 2025, the FBI in New Haven contacted the FBI in Minneapolis and relayed information about Tenesaca Mejia’s active arrest warrant, and that his iPhone had been tracked to a specific location in Minneapolis.  Investigators surveilled the vicinity of the location, identified both Tenesaca Mejia and the minor victim, and arrested Tenesaca Mejia.

It is further alleged that preliminary analysis of Tenesaca Mejia’s iPhone revealed videos and images of Tenesaca Mejia engaged in sexual conduct with the minor victim.  Investigators also identified numerous images and videos of suspected child pornography that Tenesaca Mejia had downloaded using the Telegram app.

On December 5, 2025, Tenesaca Mejia was charged by federal criminal complaint with sexual exploitation of children, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years, and with possession of child pornography, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

Tenesaca Mejia has been detained since his arrest.  He appeared yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert A. Richardson in Hartford.

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

This investigation is being conducted by FBI New Haven, FBI Minneapolis, the Stamford Police Department, and the Hennepin County (Minn.) Sheriff's Office.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel E. Cummings.

U.S. Attorney Sullivan thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the District of Minnesota and the State’s Attorney’s Office for the Judicial District of Stamford/Norwalk for its 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.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that EMILY RODRIGUEZ, also known as “Emy,” 30, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 87 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for participating in a violent carjacking and stalking.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in the early morning hours of June 18, 2023, two all-terrain vehicles (“ATVs”) were stolen from Rodriguez’s Waterbury residence.  At the time, Rodriguez was living with Ricardo Verdejo.  After the theft, Rodriguez, Verdejo, and others posted messages on Facebook seeking to identify the individuals responsible for the theft and offering money for information about the location of the stolen vehicles.  Rodriguez, Verdejo, Michael McCann-Ortiz and, Luis Cruz, then mistakenly identified an individual (“Victim 1”), who they incorrectly believed was involved in the theft.

Later that night, Victim 1’s friend, (“Victim 2”), picked up Victim 1 from work and drove him home.  As they arrived at Victim 1’s residence, three vehicles followed them and surrounded the victims.  Verdejo, who carried an assault-style rifle, McCann-Ortiz, Cruz, and others exited the vehicles and approached the victims while Rodriguez watched.  Verdejo and his associates demanded the return of the stolen ATVs, threatened to kill the victims, and physically assaulted them.  Verdejo smacked one victim in the head and then used the barrel of the rifle to strike both victims in the face. McCann-Ortiz repeatedly threatened to kill the victims, and punched and kicked one victim, causing serious bodily injury. Cruz, who was recovering from a leg injury, used a crutch to repeatedly strike one of the victims.

Rodriguez, Verdejo, McCann-Ortiz, and Cruz then stole Victim 2’s vehicle, which was owned by Victim 2’s relative, and other items and cash belonging to the victims.  In the following days, Rodriguez, Verdejo, and their associates continued to harass and threaten the victims via Facebook and by using Victim 2’s phone, to which they had obtained the passcode.

Rodriguez was arrested on March 21, 2024, and has been detained since April 18, 2024.  On May 27, 2025, she pleaded guilty to stalking resulting in serious bodily injury or involving the use of a dangerous weapon.

Verdejo, McCann-Ortiz, and Cruz also pleaded guilty and have been sentenced.

This investigation was led by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and Waterbury Safe Streets Gang Task Force, and the Waterbury Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathan J. Guevremont and David T. Huang.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that NICHOLAS KINGSLEY, 42, of Agawam, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to firearm possession offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 16, 2024, Enfield Police arrested Kingsley after a traffic stop and he was found in possession of three privately made firearms (“ghost guns”) and 45 rounds of ammunition.  On April 18, 2024, while Kingsley was detained in state custody, HSI special agents conducted a search of his vehicle in Agawam and seized 14 fully assembled firearms, several Glock machine gun conversion devices, and more than 2,000 rounds of various caliber ammunition.

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

Kingsley pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of firearms by a felon, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years; unlawful possession of a machine gun, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years; and unlawful possession of a weapon in violation of the National Firearms Act, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

Kingsley has been detained since his arrest.  He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 16, 2026.

This matter has been investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Enfield Police Department, and the Agawam Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Lembo.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, P.J. O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that on December 18, 2025, RAYMOND NEUBERGER, 41, of Easton, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to threatening Fairfield Police officers.

According to court documents and statements made in Court, on April 24, 2025, Neuberger sent text messages to an individual in which he threatened to kill Fairfield Police officers.  Later, Neuberger stopped his vehicle in the middle of Post Road in Fairfield and screamed profanities and made an obscene gesture at a Fairfield Police officer.  He then drove to the Fairfield Police Department, encountered the same police officer, and again yelled profanities and made an obscene gesture.  After these incidents, Neuberger continued to make threats in calls to the Fairfield County Regional Dispatch Center and to the Fairfield Police.

Neuberger then sent several threatening text messages to another individual, including messages stating “I’m going to kill all the Fairfield cops,” “Tell Fairfield PD I’m close to snapping,” and “I’m armed.” 

Neuberger pleaded guilty to transmitting interstate communications containing a threat to injure, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.  A sentencing date is not scheduled.

Neuberger was arrested on related state charges on April 29, 2025, and is currently detained in federal custody.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Fairfield Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Konstantin Lantsman.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), New England, and Vernon Police Chief Marc Petruzzi today announced that RICHARD BURRIS, 22, of Bolton, has been charged by federal criminal complaint with child exploitation offenses.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, in September 2025, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (“NCMEC”) made a CyberTipline report to the Vernon Police Department involving a child exploitation video that was shared via the Kik messenger application on September 7, 2025, using an IP address subscribed to a restaurant in Vernon.  The report also relayed that the same IP address was connected to a CyberTip submitted by the X social media platform involving a child exploitation video shared using the platform on March 20, 2025.  An investigation determined that Burris was the only employee of the restaurant who worked on both of those dates.

It is further alleged that on December 12, 2025, investigators executed a state search warrant at Burris’s residence and seized his iPhone and other items.  Preliminary analysis of the phone revealed numerous child sex abuse images and videos, including images and videos that Burris recorded of a prepubescent minor victim.  Investigators also accessed Burris’s Telegram account, which he used to share child sex abuse images and videos with another Telegram user.

Burris was arrested on December 19.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Robert A. Richardson in Hartford and was ordered detained.

The complaint charges Burris with production of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and a maximum term of 30 years of imprisonment; receipt and distribution of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; and possession of child pornography, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

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

This investigation is being conducted by HSI and the Vernon Police Department, which the assistance of the Connecticut State Police, the Connecticut Center for Digital Investigations, and the U.S. Marshals Service.  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.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RAEKWON OVERSTREET, 30, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to 125 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for firearm possession and drug distribution offenses, and for violating the conditions of his supervised release that followed a prior federal conviction.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 4, 2020, Overstreet was sentenced in New Haven federal court to 30 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.  He was released from federal prison on June 24, 2022.

After Overstreet was released from prison, Waterbury Police began investigating Overstreet and others, including his cousin Tyreese Ferrucci, for trafficking narcotics.  Overstreet was arrested on October 5, 2022.  On that date, a court-authorized search of his Aetna Street residence revealed more than 2,000 baggies of fentanyl/heroin, a quantity of crack cocaine, a loaded firearm, assorted ammunition, narcotics paraphernalia, and $5,575 in cash.  On that date, investigators also searched a location on Fieldwood Road in Waterbury that Overstreet, Ferrucci and others used to store narcotics.  Ferrucci was arrested at that location after he was found in possession of two loaded handguns.  The search of the location revealed approximately 1,200 baggies of fentanyl/heroin, a quantity of crack cocaine, narcotics paraphernalia, ammunition, and $2,120 in cash.

Overstreet has been detained since his arrest.  On July 30, 2025, he pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Ferrucci pleaded guilty to possession of firearms by a felon and, on December 5, 2023, was sentenced to 63 months of imprisonment.

This investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Waterbury Police Department and the Connecticut State Police.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natasha Freismuth and Alexis Beyerlein.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that ANALIA MOUNTZOURES, 49, of East Lyme, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to three years of probation for a tax offense.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Mountzoures operated Mountzoures Cleaning, a business with approximately 10 employees that provided cleaning services to more than 200 commercial and residential clients in southeastern Connecticut.  During the 2018 through 2023 tax years, Mountzoures often paid her employees in cash, did not report their wages to the state or federal government, did not file required IRS forms related to her employees, did not issue W-2 forms, did not withhold employee taxes as required, and did not pay federal employment taxes and withholding.  She also provided her tax return preparer with false information that resulted in personal tax returns that significantly underreported her gross receipts, income, and taxes due and owing.

As an example, Mountzoures’ 2023 tax return reported gross receipts of $12,095 and total taxes before credits as $1,450.  In fact, Mountzoures’ gross receipts were approximately $628,072 and the tax due was approximately $96,650.

Judge Dooley ordered Mountzoures to pay restitution of $380,167.60 to the IRS.

On April 23, 2025, Mountzoures pleaded guilty to aiding and assisting a false tax return.

This investigation was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher W. Schmeisser.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that BURNEST GEYER, JR., 32, of Shelton, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to 150 months of imprisonment and 10 years of supervised release for engaging in a pattern of activity involving the sexual abuse or exploitation of minors, including attempting to produce child pornography.

According to court documents and statements made in court, law enforcement began investigating Geyer after learning he had told an individual that he possessed child pornography videos, and that he had communicated with a second individual through Telegram, an encrypted phone messaging application, about his child pornography collection.  During a Telegram communication in July 2024, Geyer shared his laptop screen and showed pictures and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children.

Geyer was arrested on October 8, 2024.  On that date, investigators conducted a court-authorized search of his residence and seized his iPhone and other items.  Analysis of the Telegram app on the iPhone revealed more than 3,000 images and videos depicting child pornography, including the sexual abuse of infants and toddlers.

The investigation further revealed that Geyer engaged in numerous conversations with others on Telegram and WhatsApp, including more than 50 adult content creators, regarding his interest in the sexual abuse of minors.  Geyer offered to pay the content creators to sexually exploit their children over video calls with him.  In certain conversations, Geyer said he had engaged in the sexual abuse of minors.

On July 28, 2025, Geyer pleaded guilty to receipt and distribution of child pornography.  He has been detained since August 5, 2025, when his bond was revoked.

This matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with the assistance of the Watertown, Bridgeport, Shelton, and Westport Police Departments.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Gordon.

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.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Thomas Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, and P.J. O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that JEFFREY ARSENAULT, 63, of Greenwich, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to tax evasion.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Arsenault was the managing member and majority owner of Old Greenwich Capital Advisors LLC (“OGCA”), which is the investment manager of Old Greenwich Capital Partners LP (“OGCP”), a private equity fund of funds.  From 2013 through 2022, OGCP received investment distributions of at least $9.1 million, which should have been distributed to OGCP investors, reinvested, or used to pay authorized expenses.  Instead, Arsenault used approximately $5.2 million of the total to pay his personal expenses or other unauthorized expenses, including payments for college tuition and golf club dues.

From 2019 through 2022, Arsenault, through OGCA, also received approximately $2.2 million in net income for performing consulting services for third party investment firms.  Although he knew that he was entitled to only 70 percent of the net income based on his OGCA partnership agreement, he kept all of it and used that money for his personal expenses.

From 2013 to 2016, Arsenault failed to report the proceeds from his embezzlement scheme on his individual federal income tax returns, resulting in income tax due and owing of approximately $1,160,161.  From 2017 through 2022, Arsenault failed to file any individual tax returns, resulting in total tax due and owing of approximately $1,002,709.

As part of his embezzlement and tax evasion scheme, from 2017 to 2020, Arsenault booked false intercompany loans between OGCA and OGCP to conceal his misappropriation of investor funds, which caused OGCA and OGCP to file false Forms 1065 and provide Arsenault false Schedule K-1s.  From 2019 to 2022, Arsenault mischaracterized and concealed from his accountants financial activity, including deposits and wire transfers into his personal bank account, which caused them to prepare false accounting records and tax returns for OGCA.

Arsenault has agreed to pay restitution of $2,162,870 to the IRS.  He has also agreed to pay restitution of $4,668,523.75 to victims in a related civil case, Securities and Exchange Commission v. Jeffrey Arsenault, 3:24cv1633.

Arsenault is released on a $50,000 bond pending sentencing, which is not scheduled.  Tax evasion carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.

This investigation is being conducted by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Cherry.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that KASEY CHARLES HAWORTH, 30, of Farmington, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to approximately 25 months of imprisonment, time already served, and three years of supervised release for threatening to kill members of Congress and other public officials.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in October 2023, the U.S. Capitol Police reviewed a series of posts on the social media platform X explicitly threatening to kill and maim various public officials, including two members of Congress.  Investigators determined that Haworth was the user of the X account and, on October 24, 2023, the U.S. Secret Service and Farmington Police interviewed him at his residence and confirmed that he had written the posts.  On October 30, 2023, Haworth made additional threatening X posts, including one stating “Anyone working in law enforcement in the USA that tries to shoot me will be killed by me, if you see me trying to take back my government don’t try to stop me or you will be the one who dies and thats it!”

Haworth was arrested on November 2, 2023, and has been detained since his arrest.  On October 20, 2025, he pleaded guilty to making threatening communications.

Judge Hall ordered, as part of his supervised release, that Haworth continue mental health treatment, not have any contact with victims, and allow his electronic devices to be monitored by the U.S. Probation Office.

This matter was investigated by the U.S. Capitol Police with the assistance of the U.S. Secret Service and the Farmington Police Department.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Thomas Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, today announced that DAVID L. JOHNSON, 66, of Greenwich, has been charged in a five-count indictment with offenses stemming from his embezzlement from a deceased individual’s estate.

As alleged in the indictment, Johnson operated an antiques business, Antique Treasures LLC, and an auction business, Greenwich Auction, both based in Stamford.  In approximately October 2018, an individual (“the victim”) executed a power of attorney, will, and trust naming Johnson as the victim’s agent, executor, and successor trustee, respectively.  Johnson was not a beneficiary of the victim’s estate or trust.  The victim died at the age of 87 in August 2020.  After the victim’s death, Johnson stole more than $436,000 from one of the victim’s federal tax refund checks, more than $217,000 from an investment account, and more than $308,000 from the proceeds of the sale of artworks, all of which belonged to the victim’s estate. 

On December 17, 2025, a federal grand jury in Bridgeport returned an indictment charging Johnson with one count of money laundering, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; one count of interstate transport of stolen property, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years; and three counts of engaging in monetary transactions derived from specific unlawful activity, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years on each count.

Johnson appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Dave Vatti in Bridgeport, pleaded not guilty to the charges in the indictment, and was released on a $250,000 bond.

U.S. Attorney Sullivan 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 Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David T. Huang.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that on December 15, 2025, RODNEY CANADA, also known as “Supreme,” 48, of Stamford, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 110 months of imprisonment and four years of supervised release for trafficking narcotics in southwestern Connecticut.

According to court documents and statements made in court, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force and Stamford Police Department identified Canada as the leader of a drug trafficking organization that was distributing large quantities of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine in Stamford and elsewhere in southwestern Connecticut.  An investigation in 2024, which included court-authorized wiretaps and controlled purchases of narcotics, revealed that Canada and others orchestrated the street level distribution of narcotics through other members of the conspiracy.  Investigators intercepted more than 5000 text messages and calls in which Canada coordinated his drug trafficking activities.

Canada and several associates were arrested on May 14, 2024.  On that date, investigators conducted court-authorized searches at locations in Stamford, Norwalk, Bridgeport, and Darien, and seized approximately three kilograms of cocaine, nearly 400 grams of raw fentanyl, more than 500 bags of fentanyl, five firearms, a bulletproof vest, and seven vehicles. 

Canada has been detained since his arrest.  On February 28, 2025, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin.

Canada’s criminal history spans more than 30 years and includes numerous convictions, including two prior federal narcotics trafficking convictions, in 2001 and 2013, for which he served a total of approximately 14 years in federal prison.

This investigation has been conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, the Stamford Police Department, the Bridgeport Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals Service, with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Connecticut State Police, and the Norwalk, Danbury, and Darien Police Departments.  The DEA HIDTA Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Bridgeport Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Norwalk, Stamford, Stratford, Milford, and Danbury Police Departments.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patricia Stolfi Collins and Geoffrey M. Stone.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ANTHONY DELMARO, 49, of Woodbridge, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to 15 months of imprisonment and two years of supervised release for tax evasion.  Delmaro is required to perform 200 hours of community service while on supervised release.

According to court documents and statements made in court, since at least 2012, Delmaro has owned and operated a commercial roofing businesses in Connecticut, most frequently doing business as “Kings Roofing.”  The business also provided paving services.  Until Delmaro was notified of this investigation, Kings Roofing was not registered with the Connecticut Secretary of State and did not have a federal Taxpayer Identification Number.  From 2012 to 2022, Kings Roofing earned approximately $20.9 million in customer receipts, but Delmaro paid his workers in cash, never filed income or payroll tax returns for himself or the business, and took several steps to conceal income and operating expenses from the IRS.

As part of his tax evasion scheme, Delmaro and others associated with his business cashed checks from customers at various check cashing businesses instead of depositing them into bank accounts.  Delmaro provided the check cashers with addresses associated with UPS mailboxes rather than his home address.  When the check cashers filed Currency Transaction Reports (“CTRs”), the IRS only had a UPS mailbox location to try to identify source of income.  When not using a check casher, Delmaro made business-related deposits into his personal bank account.

Delmaro also had customers file false Forms 1099 made out to a family member, rather than his business, or made out to Delmaro himself, making income attribution more difficult.  Delmaro sometimes provided customers with an alias, “Sonny Rubino,” which they used on the 1099.  If a customer refused to pay unless Delmaro provided a Form W-9 identifying his taxpayer identification number and address, Delmaro often provided a W-9 completed with his father’s name and Social Security number and an address associated with a UPS mailbox.  Delmaro’s father used an alias, which differed from the name and information Delmaro provided to the customer.

As an example, for the 2022 tax year, Delmaro cashed $3,710,628 in checks made payable to Kings Roofing at check cashing businesses, received $439,700 in business-related deposits into his personal bank account, and caused 24 Forms 1099-NEC totaling $1,908,095 to be filed with false information.

The investigation also revealed that from 2019 to April 2025, Delmaro received more than $500,000 in Husky Health Low Income Medical benefits.  Husky Health is a Connecticut Medicaid program, jointly funded by the federal government and by the State of Connecticut and administered by the Connecticut Department of Social Services.

Judge Nagala ordered Delmaro to pay restitution of $1,129,669 to the IRS, and $578,259 to the Connecticut Medicaid program.

Delmaro pleaded guilty to the offense on August 19, 2025.

Delmaro, who is released on a $50,000 bond, is required to report to prison on March 17, 2026.

This investigation was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division and the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher W. Schmeisser.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that TASHIA BRIDGES, also known as “Cheena,” 35, of Torrington and Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 84 months of imprisonment and four years of supervised release for her role in a drug trafficking conspiracy that operated out of New Britain car dealership.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2024, the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and New Britain Police Department conducted an investigation into a drug trafficking organization, headed by Wilfredo Ortiz and Michael Luisi, that was operating out of Supreme Automotive, a car dealership located at 494 Main Street in New Britain.  The investigation included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, physical and electronic surveillance, and controlled purchases of narcotics, primarily cocaine.

The investigation revealed that Bridges regularly purchased approximately 400 to 500 grams of cocaine from Luisi and then sold crack and powder cocaine to her own customers.

Bridges, Ortiz, Luisi, and several other co-conspirators were arrested on November 14, 2024.  On that date, investigators conducted court authorized searches of Supreme Automotive and other locations connected to the drug trafficking organization and seized more than five kilograms of cocaine, more than 200 grams of fentanyl, approximately 30 grams of heroin, a kilogram press, seven firearms, ammunition, approximately $75,000 in cash, and 26 vehicles.  Searches of Bridges’ residences in Torrington and Waterbury revealed nearly 250 grams of crack cocaine, a small quantity of powder cocaine, a digital scale, a 9mm firearm with an obliterated serial number, and more than $14,000 in cash.

On March 6, 2025, Bridges pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.  She has been detained since September 11, 2025, when her federal bond was revoked after she was arrested by the Connecticut State Police and charged with drug distribution and related offenses.

Ortiz and Luisi have pleaded guilty and await sentencing.

This investigation has been conducted by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, the U.S. Marshal Service, the Connecticut State Police, the Connecticut Department of Correction, the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles Police, and the New Britain, Hartford, West Hartford, Waterbury, Naugatuck, East Hartford, Brookfield, Milford, Norwich, Orange, North Haven, Meriden, Berlin, and Manchester Police Departments. 

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natasha Freismuth, Reed Durham, and David Nelson.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MALIK WRIGHT, 22, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to 60 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised for a firearm possession offense.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in July and August 2024, Waterbury Police made a controlled purchase of narcotics from Wright and observed him conducting additional hand-to-hand drug sales.  On August 29, 2024, investigators saw Wright stash a satchel in the tire area of an abandoned car in a vacant lot near Coe Street and High Street, and then conduct another apparent drug sale.  Officers took Wright into custody and located the satchel, which contained fentanyl and cocaine, a scale, and a loaded .40 caliber handgun with a 23-round magazine.

Wright has been detained since his arrest.  On August 6, 2025, he pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Waterbury Police Department, and the Connecticut State Police.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Natasha Freismuth through Project Safe Neighborhoods (“PSN”), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and other violent crime, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that YASIR G. HAMED, 60, of Woodbridge, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 32 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for defrauding a COVID-19 pandemic relief program of more than $2.3 million.

According to court documents and statements made in court, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provided emergency financial assistance to Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.  One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses through the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”).  The PPP was overseen by the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”), and individual PPP loans were issued by private lenders, which received and processed PPP applications and supporting documentation, and then made loans using the lenders’ own funds, which were guaranteed by the SBA.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Hamed, an accountant, had an ownership interest or representative relationship with several New Haven-based businesses, including Access Consulting and Professional Services Inc.; Connecticut Medical Transportation Inc.; Arabic Language Learning Program Inc.; Institute for Global Educational Exchange Inc.; Access Medical Transport Inc.; Ikea Car & Limo Inc.; Center of the World Tours, North America LLC.; and Sudanese American Friendship Association Inc.  Between June 2020 and September 2021, Hamed submitted fraudulent PPP loan applications on behalf of these companies, overstating employee numbers and average monthly payroll, and making other fraudulent representations.  As part of the applications, he submitted false tax filings that had never been filed with the IRS.

Hamed also submitted PPP loan applications on behalf of companies owned by his clients.  In at least one instance, Hamed convinced the owner of a business, which he knew was not active and had no employees, to seek PPP funding.  Hamed prepared the paperwork for the PPP application and then took a significant portion of the loan proceeds.

Through this scheme, Hamed obtained than $2.3 million in PPP loans for his businesses and for his clients, receiving more than $1 million in loan proceeds for himself and his family, and significant kickbacks from his clients.  Hamed used the funds for personal expenses, including education expenses for a family member, and for a down payment on a $880,000 house in Woodbridge that he purchased in October 2020.

Judge Underhill ordered Hamed to pay $2,384,772 in restitution.

Hamed was arrested on November 13, 2024.  On May 9, 2025, he pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of engaging in illegal monetary transactions

Hamed, who is released on a $500,000 bond, is required to report to prison on January 28.

This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher W. Schmeisser.

Individuals with information about allegations of fraud involving COVID-19 are encouraged to report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721, or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Brian Wood, Special Agent in Charge, Diplomatic Security Service, New York Field Office, announced that MARLON DAMIAN WHITE, also known as Damian Marlon White, 47, a citizen of Jamaica last residing in Hartford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver in Hartford to making a false statement in a U.S. passport application.

According to court documents and statements made in court, White was admitted to the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident in 1995.  In subsequent years, he was convicted of various offenses, including a state conviction in New York for assault in the second degree, and a federal conviction in the Southern District of New York for a narcotics distribution offense for which he was sentenced to 24 months of imprisonment.  After his federal conviction, White lost his status as a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. and, in February 2006, was deported to Jamaica.

White returned to the U.S. and, on May 6, 2024, used a false name, false birth date, and false place of birth to apply for a U.S. passport in Hartford.  During the application process, White provided a counterfeit birth certificate and driver’s license falsely representing that he was born in and resided in California. 

Judge Oliver scheduled sentencing for March 10, at which time White faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  He has been detained since his arrest on October 9, 2025.

This matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Chen.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Thomas Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, announced that DAVID ADAMS, 65, of Old Saybrook, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to nine months of imprisonment for violating the conditions of his supervised release.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 27, 2018, Adams was sentenced in Hartford federal court to 90 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for failing to pay more than $4.8 million in federal income taxes over the course of more than 20 years.  He was released from prison in April 2024.  While on supervised release, Adams failed to pay restitution as ordered, and failed to disclose to the U.S. Probation Office his access to a bank account that he used to spend more than $100,000 attending UConn basketball games and other live sporting events, eating at expensive restaurants, going on shopping sprees, and providing money to a friend.

After Adams admitted to the violations, Judge Bolden revoked his supervised release and sentenced him to nine months of imprisonment with no supervised release to follow.  Adams is required to report to prison on January 12.

Adams’ criminal history includes two additional federal convictions.  In 1986, he was convicted of credit card fraud for submitting more than $588,000 in fraudulent credit card sales drafts through his floral business over a three-month period in 1985.  In 1992, he was convicted of failing to file tax returns for the 1984 through 1986 tax years.

This matter was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan L. Wines.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that GREGORY GRANT, 34, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 36 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for trafficking methamphetamine pills.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between approximately January 2022 and March 2024, Grant’s co-conspirator, Tyrone Brown, mailed parcels containing methamphetamine pills from Georgia to addresses in New Haven associated with Grant and others.  Investigators identified approximately 79 suspicious parcels shipped from Brown to Grant during that time.  In January 2023, investigators conducted a court-authorized search of an intercepted parcel and found 16 ziplock sandwich bags containing a total of more than four kilograms of methamphetamine pills, and a firearm.  The investigation also revealed that Grant made multiple payments to Brown during the conspiracy.

Grant has been detained since his arrest on March 27, 2024.  He pleaded guilty on March 12, 2025.  Brown also pleaded guilty and, on December 2, 2025, was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment.

This investigation was conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force, which includes members from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Postal Service – Office of the Inspector General, and the Hartford, Plainville, and Meriden Police Departments.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel J. Gentile.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JUAN JOSE CARRASCO CARDENAS, 40, a citizen of Mexico last residing in Meriden, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to six months of imprisonment for illegally reentering the United States after being deported.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in January 2002, Carrasco Cardenas was encountered by U.S. Border Patrol and was issued a voluntary return to Mexico.  In May 2009, U.S. Border Patrol encountered Carrasco Cardenas illegally entering the country in Arizona.  He was charged in the District of Arizona with improper entry of an alien, sentenced to five days of imprisonment and, in June 2009, was issued a voluntary return to Mexico.  In January 2018, Carrasco Cardenas was arrested in Saline County, Kansas, and charged with various offenses related to the trafficking of marijuana.  He was convicted of a state marijuana distribution offense and sentenced to 30 months in jail.  He was removed to Mexico in October 2019.

On August 27, 2025, Carrasco Cardenas was arrested by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in Meriden.  He pleaded guilty to illegal reentry on September 18.

Carrasco Cardenas, who has been detained since his arrest, will be removed to Mexico when he completes his prison term.

This matter was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that VINCENZO MINUTOLO, 39, of Shelton, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 21 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for fraudulently obtaining COVID-19 relief funds.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in March 2020, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which provided emergency financial assistance to Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.  One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).  In April 2020, Congress approved more than $300 billion in additional PPP funding.  The PPP allowed qualifying small businesses and other organizations to receive unsecured loans at an interest rate of 1%.  PPP loan proceeds were to be used by businesses on payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent and utilities. The PPP allowed the interest and principal to be forgiven if businesses spent the proceeds on these expenses within a certain period of time of receipt and used at least a certain percentage of the amount to be forgiven for payroll.

The PPP was overseen by the Small Business Administration, which has authority over all PPP loans.  Individual PPP loans, however, were issued by private approved lenders, which received and processed PPP applications and supporting documentation, and then made loans using the lenders’ own funds, which were guaranteed by the SBA.

Minutolo claimed an ownership interest or representative relationship with City Sounds Productions LLC (“City Sounds”).  Between March and September 2021, Minutolo defrauded the PPP loan program of more than $145,000 by providing false information on loan applications for City Sounds, including overstating the yearly gross income for City Sounds; misrepresenting that similar PPP loans had not been or would not be sought when he had, in fact, sought and obtained, and intended to seek and obtain, such loans; and providing fraudulent IRS tax filings and tax payment vouchers for City Sounds that had, in fact, never been filed with the IRS.  Similarly, on the forgiveness applications he submitted, Minutolo materially misrepresented having complied with all the requirements of the PPP rules.

In addition, the CARES Act created a new temporary federal unemployment insurance program for pandemic unemployment assistance (“Pandemic Unemployment Assistance”).  Pandemic Unemployment Assistance provided unemployment insurance (“UI”) benefits for employed individuals who are not eligible for other types of UI due to their employment status.  The CARES Act also created a new temporary federal program called Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (“FPUC”) that provided additional weekly benefits to those eligible for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance or regular UI.  The Connecticut Department of Labor (CT-DOL) administers UI benefits for residents of Connecticut.

Between March 2020 and April 2021, Minutolo defrauded the CT-DOL of more than $140,000 by providing the CT-DOL with fraudulent Pandemic Unemployment Assistance applications seeking unemployment insurance payments in others’ names, including individuals who had died, and individuals who did not know that their name and sometimes other personal information was being used.  One fraudulent application was for Minutolo’s grandfather, who died in 2014, and included a telephone number associated with Minutolo.  Minutolo continued to make online weekly certifications to the CT-DOL attesting that the information contained in his grandfather’s application, and other applications, were true in order to receive continued unemployment insurance benefits.

Judge Dooley ordered Minutolo to pay $244,612 in restitution.

On February 28, 2025, Minutolo pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud.  Released on a $50,000 bond, he is required to report to prison on January 22.

This matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of the Inspector General.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher W. Schmeisser.

Individuals with information about allegations of fraud involving COVID-19 are encouraged to report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721, or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form. 

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MODESTE ADODO, 29, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 60 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for trafficking narcotics.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2022, the FBI Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force, while investigating gang activity in Bridgeport, conducted controlled purchases of narcotics from Adodo, a member and purported leader of the 150 gang based on Bridgeport’s West Side.  A subsequent wiretap investigation determined that Christian Pichardo was supplying Adodo and other distributors with fentanyl, heroin, crack and powder cocaine, and opioid pills.  Some of the drugs seized during the investigation had been cut with fentanyl analogues, nitazines, and xylazine.  Nitazines are synthetic opioids stronger than fentanyl, and xylazine is a large animal tranquilizer.  A wiretap also intercepted Adodo discussing his possession of firearms, and transferring a firearm to a gang associate.

Adodo was arrested on August 5, 2024.  On September 16, 2025, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.  Adodo, who is released on a $100,000 bond and currently residing in New Haven, is required to report to prison on February 10.

Pichardo pleaded guilty and, on July 14, 2025, was sentenced to 12 years of imprisonment.

This matter has been investigated by the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bridgeport, Stratford, and Norwalk Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen L. Peck through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that KIERRA BLOUNT, 35, formerly of Stamford and currently residing in Plymouth, North Carolina, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to 30 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for fraud and mail theft offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Blount, at times while employed by the U.S. Postal Service in Stamford, stole mail and obtained stolen mail for the purpose of obtaining checks that were payable to other individuals.  In approximately November 2021, Blount opened a bank account using the name and social security number of an individual without the identity theft victim’s knowledge.  Blount and others fraudulently changed the payee names on stolen checks to the name of the identity theft victim, forged the victim’s signature on the back of the checks, and deposited them into the bank account Blount opened.  From November 2021 until the account was closed in April 2022, Blount and others deposited approximately $156,000 in fraudulent checks into the account.  Some check deposits were reversed by the bank, and Blount and others used approximately $81,000 for their own purposes.

On June 20, 2023, investigators conducted a court-authorized search of Blount’s Stamford residence and seized a significant amount of stolen mail and other items related to this scheme, including debit cards in the names of other individuals, checks totaling more than $285,000, and sheets of paper containing personal information of other individuals, including names, dates of birth, addresses, email addresses, and security question answers.  Subsequent analysis of cell phones seized from Blount on that date revealed images of stolen checks, personal identifying information for more than 50 individuals, and communications using the Telegram app with unknown individuals involved in the scheme.

Blount was charged by indictment on March 26, 2024, and was arrested on June 17, 2024.  On August 29, 2025, she pleaded guilty to bank fraud and unlawful possession of stolen mail.

Blount, who is released on a $75,000 bond, is required to report to prison on April 8.

This matter was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Connecticut Organized Financial Fraud (CUT OFF) Task Force, which includes personnel from the Stamford, Milford, Westport, Fairfield, West Haven, West Hartford, and Bridgeport Police Departments.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shan Patel.

A former senior oil and gas trader was sentenced today in Bridgeport, Connecticut, to 15 months in prison for his role in a nearly eight-year-long scheme to bribe Brazilian government officials and to launder money to secure business for Arcadia Fuels Ltd. (Arcadia) and Freepoint Commodities LLC (Freepoint), two companies where he worked. He was also fined $300,000.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Glenn Oztemel, 66, of Westport, Connecticut, paid over $1 million in bribes to officials at Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. (Petrobras), the Brazilian state-owned oil and gas company, in exchange for inside Petrobras information — including competitor bids and confidential pricing information from other U.S. companies — that gave Arcadia and Freepoint a competitive advantage in winning lucrative fuel oil contracts from Petrobras.

The evidence at trial showed that Oztemel and his co-conspirators caused Arcadia and Freepoint to make corrupt payments — disguised as purported consulting fees and commissions — to a third-party intermediary and agent, Eduardo Innecco, knowing that Innecco would pay a portion of those funds to Brazilian officials, including a Houston-based Petrobras trader, Rodrigo Berkowitz. To conceal the scheme, Oztemel, Innecco and their co-conspirators used coded language like “breakfast” and “freight deviation” to refer to the bribes and communicated using personal email accounts, encrypted messaging applications, disposable phones and fictitious names like “Spencer Kazisnaf” and “Nikita Maksimov.”

In September 2024, Oztemel was convicted of conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), conspiracy to commit money laundering, three counts of violating the FCPA and two counts of money laundering.

In a related matter, in December 2023, Freepoint admitted to bribing officials in Brazil in violation of the anti-bribery provisions of the FCPA. Freepoint entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut. As a part of the resolution, Freepoint agreed to pay more than $98 million in criminal penalties and forfeiture.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney David X. Sullivan for the District of Connecticut; and Assistant Director in Charge Akil Davis of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office made the announcement.

The FBI Los Angeles Field Office’s International Corruption Squad investigated the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and authorities in Brazil, Latvia, Switzerland, and Uruguay provided assistance with the investigation.

Trial Attorneys Allison McGuire and Clayton P. Solomon of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael McGarry for the District of Connecticut are prosecuting the case.

The Criminal Division’s Fraud Section is responsible for investigating and prosecuting FCPA and Foreign Extortion Prevention Act (FEPA) matters. Additional information about the Justice Department’s FCPA and FEPA enforcement efforts can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/fcpa.