District of Connecticut

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that WALTER ARNULFO GUZMAN RIVAS, 39, a citizen of El Salvador last residing in Stamford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to one count of reentry of a removed alien.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in July 2005, Guzman Rivas was deported from the U.S. to El Salvador after being convicted in Texas of three counts of assault on a family member.  He illegally reentered the U.S. and, in 2006, was convicted in Kentucky of two counts of robbery in the second degree, for which he was sentenced to 10-years of incarceration.  He was again deported to El Salvador in July 2009.

In April 2018, Guzman Rivas was arrested by the Stamford Police Department and charged with sex assault, risk of injury and illegal sexual contact offenses.

Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for July 11, 2019, at which time Guzman Rivas faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years for illegal reentry.

The state charges against Guzman Rivas are pending.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division, today announced that ABDUL JALIL HUMPHREY, 26, of Ansonia, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in May 2018, ATF special agents examined a video of Humphrey handling a firearm in the summer of 2017.  Analysis of the video revealed that the firearm was a Taurus, PTIII Millennium G2, 9mm pistol, which had been purchased by Humphrey’s friend at a gun shop in North Carolina on June 21, 2017.

Humphrey’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for sale of a controlled substance and assault in the second degree.  It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

Humphrey was arrested on October 30, 2018.

The offense carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  A sentencing date is not scheduled.

Humphrey is released on a $25,000 bond pending sentencing.

This matter is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the New Haven Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOSE DAVILA, also known as “Flaco,” 34, of Meriden, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Alfred V. Covello in Hartford to 24 months of imprisonment for his role in a heroin and cocaine trafficking conspiracy.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in late October 2016, law enforcement intercepted two parcels containing suspected narcotics that had been mailed from southern California to two different addresses in Meriden.  On November 2, 2016, a court-authorized search of the parcels revealed a total of approximately 6.5 kilograms of cocaine and approximately 1.06 kilograms of heroin.

On November 2, 2016, Davila visited a post office in Meriden to inquire about one of the parcels.  On November 3, 2016, investigators made a controlled delivery of the second parcel to its intended address.  The residents of the house accepted the parcel on behalf of Justin Doherty and contacted Doherty on his cellphone.  Doherty then arrived at the house in a car driven by Davila.  Doherty and Davila were arrested at that time.

The investigation revealed that a third individual coordinated the shipment of the parcels containing cocaine and heroin, and paid Doherty and Davila to accept the parcels on his behalf.  Prior to November 2016, Doherty and Davila received at least three other packages, all of which were mailed from California, on behalf of the same individual.

On December 13, 2017, Davila pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. 

On January 30, 2018, Doherty, of Meriden, pleaded guilty to the same charge.  On July 26, 2018, he was sentenced to 36 months of imprisonment.

The third individual is awaiting trial.

This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Meriden Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rahul Kale.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford has returned a four-count indictment charging CLEMENTE HOLMES, also known as “Cavali” and “Vali,” 29, of Hamden with firearm and narcotics offenses.

The indictment was returned on March 28.  Holmes appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge William I. Garfinkel in Bridgeport pleaded not guilty to the charges.

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

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

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

It is further alleged that, in 2012, Holmes was convicted in state court of sale of narcotics and possession pistol without a permit.

The indictment charges Holmes with one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years; one count of possession of heroin, fentanyl and cocaine base (“crack”) with intent to distribute, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; one count of possession of heroin with intent to distribute, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, an offense that carries maximum term of life imprisonment.

Holmes has been detained since his federal arrest.

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

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that PATRICIA McALINDEN, LCSW, has entered into a civil settlement agreement with the federal and state governments and will pay more than $145,000 to resolve allegations that she violated the federal and state False Claims Acts.

McAlinden is licensed as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of Connecticut and the owner of a private psychology practice in Cheshire.  She is enrolled as a Licensed Behavioral Health Clinician in Independent Practice in the Connecticut Medical Assistance Program (“CMAP”), which includes the state’s Medicaid program.  It is alleged that McAlinden billed Medicaid for psychotherapy services as if she had provided those services when in fact unlicensed individuals provided the services.  The Connecticut Department of Social Services Provider Manual for Licensed Behavioral Health Clinicians in Independent Practice explicitly states, “The department shall not pay for…services provided by anyone other than the provider.”

To resolve the allegations under the federal and state False Claims Acts, McAlinden will pay $145,855.40 in order to reimburse the Medicaid program for conduct occurring from January 2016 to September 5, 2017.

McAlinden has also agreed to a voluntary three-year suspension from the Connecticut Medicaid Program as part of the settlement.

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

“Providers must bill Medicaid and other insurance programs accurately,” said U.S. Attorney Durham.  “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work with our federal and state partners to protect the integrity of the Medicaid program and ensure its recipients receive the healthcare services they need.”

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

This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne Thidemann, and Assistant Attorney General Karla Turekian of the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MICHAEL RICHO, 37, of New Haven and formerly of Wallingford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 12 months and one day of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for fraud and money laundering offenses in connection with a scheme to steal bitcoins in an online phishing scheme.  Judge Bryant also ordered Richo to pay a $10,000 fine and to forfeit various computers and electronic devices, an assortment of precious coins and metals that he bought with the proceeds of his offense, and $352,500 in cash.

According to the court documents and statements made in court, Richo engaged in an online phishing scheme to steal bitcoins from individuals on the dark web.  Bitcoins are a form of electronic currency, and online marketplaces on the dark web typically accept them as a payment method.  Richo carried out the scheme by posting fake links to online marketplaces on dark web forums.  The links directed individuals to fake login pages that looked like the real login pages for the various online marketplaces.  When an individual attempted to log in, Richo stole his or her username and password.  Once he had an individual’s username and password, Richo monitored the individual’s bitcoin balance at the real marketplace.  If the individual later deposited bitcoins with the real marketplace, Richo withdrew the bitcoins before the individual could spend them and caused the stolen bitcoins to be deposited into his own bitcoin wallet.  He then sold the stolen bitcoins to others in exchange for U.S. currency, which was deposited into bank accounts that he controlled or was provided to him through Green Dot Cards, Western Union transfers, and MoneyGram transfers.

In total, Richo obtained more than $365,000 through his scheme.  He also had more than 10,000 stolen usernames and passwords saved on his computer. 

Richo was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on October 5, 2016.  On June 27, 2017, he pleaded guilty to one count of access device fraud and one count of money laundering.      

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MARIO RECINOS, 27, a citizen of Guatemala last residing in Central Falls, R.I., was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 42 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised, release, for trafficking heroin.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an investigation that began after several heroin overdoses in southeastern Connecticut, including two overdose deaths involving a heroin and fentanyl mix that occurred in January 2016.  The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps and controlled purchases of narcotics, revealed that Recinos and others supplied Michael Luciano, of New London, with heroin.  Luciano distributed the drug through a network of street-level dealers in southeastern Connecticut.

Recinos has been detained since his arrest on November 14, 2017.  On that date, investigators executed 12 federal search warrants and seized more than three kilograms of heroin from members of the conspiracy, including more than one-half kilogram from Recinos.

On December 12, 2017, a grand jury in Hartford returned a 25-count superseding indictment charging Recinos, Luciano and 19 other individuals with various heroin trafficking offenses.

On November 9, 2018, Recinos pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.

Recinos faces immigration proceedings when he is released from prison.

On June 27, 2018, Luciano pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin.  On January 29, 2019, he was sentenced to 12 years of imprisonment.

This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Homeland Security Investigations, Connecticut State Police Statewide Narcotics Task Force East and the New London, Norwich, Waterford, Attleboro (Mass.) and Freetown (Mass.) Police Departments.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys S. Dave Vatti and Geoffrey M. Stone.

Gary DeVoe, Branch Manager for the New England Division of an insulation contractor, pleaded guilty today in Bridgeport, Connecticut, for his role in schemes to rig bids and engage in fraud on insulation installation contracts, marking the first conviction in this investigation, the Department of Justice announced. 

According to court documents, from at least as early as October 2011 and continuing until as late as March 2018, DeVoe, of Bethlehem, Connecticut, conspired with other insulation installation contractors to rig bids and engage in fraud on insulation installation contracts in Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts.  Insulation installation contractors install insulation around pipes and ducts on renovation and new construction projects at universities, hospitals, and other public and private entities.  In addition to his guilty plea, DeVoe has agreed to pay restitution. 

“Today’s conviction is the result of a coordinated effort between the Department of Justice and our law enforcement partners to root out collusion and fraud that undermined the competitive process and defrauded hospitals, schools, and other victims out of millions of dollars,” said Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim of the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division.  “Contractors who conspire to deceive and defraud their customers will be prosecuted.”

“This defendant participated in a long-running conspiracy among insulation contractors in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York,” said U.S. Attorney John H. Durham.  “They cooked up collusive bids, shared bid numbers with their competitors and communicated with co-conspirators via encrypted messaging apps, all in an effort to line their own pockets and their companies’ bottom lines.  The real victims are the hospitals, universities and businesses that were duped into paying corruptly inflated bids on $45 million worth of insulation jobs throughout New England.  I commend the FBI, DCIS and the Antitrust Division for uncovering this brazen scheme and their ongoing efforts to bring its perpetrators to justice.”

“Free and open markets are the foundation of a vibrant economy.  For years, the defendant illegally coordinated bids on construction projects in order to enhance his own profits, eliminate competition, and ultimately steal from both public and private customers,”  said Brian C. Turner, Special Agent in Charge of FBI’s New Haven Field Office.  “The FBI is committed to preventing this conduct that restricts all construction firms from receiving an opportunity to bid and receive contracts.  Consumers deserve the benefits of competitive prices, higher quality products, services, and greater innovation.” 

“Collusion and bid rigging seriously undermine the integrity of public contracting processes,” said Special Agent-in-Charge Leigh-Alistair Barzey, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) Northeast Field Office.  “DCIS will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute those who deprive the benefits of competitive contracts and divert tax payer funds.”

The antitrust charge announced today carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $1 million for individuals.  The fraud conspiracy charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.  The fines for the antitrust and fraud conspiracy charges may be increased to twice the gain derived from the crime or twice the loss suffered by the victims of the crime, if either of those amounts is greater than the statutory maximum fine. DeVoe will also be ordered to pay restitution to the victims. 

DeVoe also agreed to resolve civil forfeiture cases connected to the criminal charges.  DeVoe agreed to settle the pending forfeiture action on his home for $131,000 and to forfeit all of his seized bank accounts.

The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Antitrust Division’s New York Office, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut, the FBI’s New Haven Division, and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service.  Anyone with information in connection with this investigation is urged to call the Antitrust Division’s New York Section at 212-335-8035, or visit http://www.justice.gov/atr/contact/newcase.html.

Gary DeVoe, Branch Manager for the New England Division of an insulation contractor, pleaded guilty today in Bridgeport, Connecticut, for his role in schemes to rig bids and engage in fraud on insulation installation contracts, marking the first conviction in this investigation, the Department of Justice announced. 

According to court documents, from at least as early as October 2011 and continuing until as late as March 2018, DeVoe, of Bethlehem, Connecticut, conspired with other insulation installation contractors to rig bids and engage in fraud on insulation installation contracts in Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts.  Insulation installation contractors install insulation around pipes and ducts on renovation and new construction projects at universities, hospitals, and other public and private entities.  In addition to his guilty plea, DeVoe has agreed to pay restitution. 

“Today’s conviction is the result of a coordinated effort between the Department of Justice and our law enforcement partners to root out collusion and fraud that undermined the competitive process and defrauded hospitals, schools, and other victims out of millions of dollars,” said Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim of the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division.  “Contractors who conspire to deceive and defraud their customers will be prosecuted.”

“This defendant participated in a long-running conspiracy among insulation contractors in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York,” said U.S. Attorney John H. Durham.  “They cooked up collusive bids, shared bid numbers with their competitors and communicated with co-conspirators via encrypted messaging apps, all in an effort to line their own pockets and their companies’ bottom lines.  The real victims are the hospitals, universities and businesses that were duped into paying corruptly inflated bids on $45 million worth of insulation jobs throughout New England.  I commend the FBI, DCIS and the Antitrust Division for uncovering this brazen scheme and their ongoing efforts to bring its perpetrators to justice.”

“Free and open markets are the foundation of a vibrant economy.  For years, the defendant illegally coordinated bids on construction projects in order to enhance his own profits, eliminate competition, and ultimately steal from both public and private customers,” said Brian C. Turner, Special Agent in Charge of FBI’s New Haven Field Office.  “The FBI is committed to preventing this conduct that restricts all construction firms from receiving an opportunity to bid and receive contracts.  Consumers deserve the benefits of competitive prices, higher quality products, services, and greater innovation.”

“Collusion and bid rigging seriously undermine the integrity of public contracting processes,” said Special Agent-in-Charge Leigh-Alistair Barzey, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) Northeast Field Office.  “DCIS will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute those who deprive the benefits of competitive contracts and divert tax payer funds.”

The antitrust charge announced today carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $1 million for individuals.  The fraud conspiracy charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.  The fines for the antitrust and fraud conspiracy charges may be increased to twice the gain derived from the crime or twice the loss suffered by the victims of the crime, if either of those amounts is greater than the statutory maximum fine. DeVoe will also be ordered to pay restitution to the victims. 

DeVoe also agreed to resolve civil forfeiture cases connected to the criminal charges.  DeVoe agreed to settle the pending forfeiture action on his home for $131,000 and to forfeit all of his seized bank accounts.

The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Antitrust Division’s New York Office, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut, the FBI’s New Haven Division, and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service.  Anyone with information in connection with this investigation is urged to call the Antitrust Division’s New York Section at 212-335-8035, or visit http://www.justice.gov/atr/contact/newcase.html.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that TIMOTHY ESTRIDGE, 38, of Wallingford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for distributing amphetamines.

This matter stems from an ongoing statewide initiative targeting narcotics dealers who distribute heroin, fentanyl or opioids that cause death or serious injury to users.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 16, 2017, the Wallingford Police Department and emergency medical personnel responded to a Wallingford residence after a 9-1-1 call reported the untimely death of a 38-year-old male.  The caller who reported the death did not leave contact information and was not on scene when responders arrived.  The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.  At the residence, investigators seized evidence of illicit drug use, including a small plastic baggy containing approximately eight suspected oxycodone pills, a glass dish with white powder residue, a broken credit card, pieces of wax folds commonly used as heroin packaging, a used plastic syringe, and prescription pill bottles.

One of the pill bottles recovered was an empty bottle, in Estridge’s name, for 30 10-milligram Adderall pills.

The State of Connecticut Chief Medical Examiner determined the victim’s cause of death to be intoxication of a combination of heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone, alprazolam, amphetamine, and ethanol.

The investigation revealed that, on December 1, 2017, Estridge filled a prescription for Adderall, which contains amphetamine, and subsequently distributed the pills to the victim.

The investigation further revealed that, on multiple occasions between July and December 2017, Estridge possessed and distributed heroin and amphetamines.

Estridge was arrested on April 3, 2018.  On October 17, 2018, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, amphetamine.

Estridge has been detained since October 6, 2018.

This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Task Force and the Wallingford Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Natasha M. Freismuth.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOHN DEPPERT, 64, of Woodstock, pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to one count of theft of government property related to a scheme to steal benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (the “VA”).

According to court documents and statements made in court, Deppert’s sister received disability compensation benefits from the VA through a direct deposit to her bank account.  After Deppert’s sister died in January 2015, Deppert had access to her sister’s bank account, which continued to receive regular deposits of VA benefits.

In September 2017, the VA identified that Deppert’s sister had died and terminated the benefits payments.  In October 2017, Deppert called the VA and, posing as his sister, explained that “she” was not deceased.  As a result, the VA reinitiated the benefits payments to the bank account, and also issued a back payment of benefits.

In April 2018, after the VA again identified that Deppert’s sister had died, a VA employee contacted the telephone number it had for Deppert’s sister.  Deppert, again posing as his sister, answered the call, provided his sister’s date of birth and social security number, and stated that “she” was alive.

In May 2018, Deppert, posing as his sister, left a message on a VA employee’s voicemail system requesting that all future contact be by fax or email.  He subsequently sent a fax with a change of address form attached to the VA.  The coversheet for the fax stated: “I am alive and living in Woodstock Valley, CT!”  Deppert signed his sister’s name on the coversheet.

Through this scheme, Deppert stole $77,292.

Deppert is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant on July 24, 2019, at which time Deppert faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

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

This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, Criminal Investigations Division.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah P. Karwan.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that ROBERT SORRENTINO, DDS and ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGICAL ASSOCIATES P.C. have entered into a civil settlement agreement with the federal and state governments and have agreed to pay more than $252,000 to resolve allegations that they violated the federal and state False Claims Acts.

Sorrentino is the former owner and operator of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical Associates P.C., (“OMSA”), a dental practice in New Haven.  Sorrentino sold his practice and retired in November 2014.

The allegations against Sorrentino and OMSA involve fraudulent billing to Medicaid for oral surgery and maxillofacial services.  The services include deep sedation or general anesthesia services, which were not provided, and the removal of bone or tissue, which were either not performed or were encompassed in services covered under claims for extractions that Sorrentino and OMSA submitted for the same date of service.  The services also include surgical reduction of osseous tuberosity, which were not performed or were medically unnecessary.

To resolve the allegations under the federal and state False Claims Acts, Sorrentino and OMSA have agreed to pay $252,913.26 in order to reimburse the Medicaid program, which covers conduct occurring from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2011.

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

This matter was investigated by the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General.  The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne Thidemann, and Assistant Attorney General Robert Teitelman of the Attorney General’s Office.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOHN ANDERSON, 38, of New Britain, pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 11, 2018, Hartford Police officers responded to a ShotSpotter detection system alert of gunfire in the vicinity of Vernon Street.  At the scene, officers observed Anderson and another man pacing back and forth before entering a vehicle.  When officers approached the vehicle, they saw live ammunition in the center console cup holder.  A subsequent search of the car revealed a loaded Ruger Model EC9S 9mm semi-automatic handgun with an obliterated serial number underneath the seat Anderson had occupied.  Anderson later admitted to ownership of the firearm.

Anderson’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for burglary in the third degree and assault in the second degree.

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

Anderson is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea on June 27, 2019, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

Anderson has been detained since his arrest on October 11.

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

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ENRIQUE LUCIANO, 32, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to 30 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 4, 2018, Luciano approached a car on Cabot Street in Hartford and pointed a gun at the car.  The car was occupied by two undercover Hartford Police detectives investigating drug activity on Cabot Street.  After the detectives identified themselves as police officers, Luciano fled and discarded the gun.  Luciano was apprehended and the firearm, a loaded 9mm Taurus PT 908 handgun with an obliterated serial number, was recovered.

Luciano has a previous federal conviction for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and, in May 2010, was sentenced to 60 months of imprisonment for that offense.  He also has prior convictions in state court for drug offenses.

Luciano has been detained since his arrest.  On December 3, 2018, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.

This investigation was conducted by the Hartford Police Department and the FBI’s Connecticut Violent Crime Task Force.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Miller.

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

U.S. Attorney John H. Durham and Chief State’s Attorney Kevin T. Kane announced that ARTHUR STANLEY, also known as “Wiggs,” 29, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to a mandatory life prison term for committing the July 15, 2011, murder of Keith Washington, 23, of Windsor.  On December 19, 2016, a jury found Stanley guilty of engaging in a violent crime in aid of racketeering.

This matter stems from a joint law enforcement investigation headed by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force into narcotics trafficking by members and associates of the Westhell and Team Grease street gangs and gang-related violent activity.  Officers and inspectors of the Cold Case Homicide Unit of the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney participated in the investigation.

At approximately 9:28 p.m. on July 15, 2011, the Hartford Police Department received a report of shots fired in the vicinity of 67 Oakland Terrace in Hartford.  Officers responding to the scene located an unconscious person lying on the front porch of the residence with an apparent gunshot wound to the head.  The victim, who was subsequently identified as Keith Washington, was transported to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries on July 17, 2011.

According to the trial evidence and testimony, Stanley, a member of the Westhell street gang, attempted to shoot and kill a member of a rival street gang who was talking with Washington on the front porch of 67 Oakland Terrace.  He missed his intended target and shot Washington instead.

Stanley has been in federal custody since April 15, 2014, when he was arrested on gang-related narcotics trafficking charges.  On May 5, 2015, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 280 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”).  Today, Judge Meyer imposed a concurrent 10-year sentence for that offense.

Judge Meyer also ordered Stanley to pay restitution of $12,908.87 to Keith Washington’s family for funeral and related expenses. 

The FBI Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.

This case was prosecuted by U.S. Attorney Durham, Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter S. Jongbloed and New Haven State’s Attorney Patrick Griffin, who was cross-designated as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in this matter.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ERICK CRESPO-ESCALANTE, 49, of Arizona, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 30 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for transporting fentanyl to Connecticut.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 21, 2016, law enforcement officers stopped a tractor-trailer Crespo-Escalante was driving on Route 34 in Derby.  After a search of the cab of the tractor-trailer revealed a box that contained 25 kilograms of fentanyl, Crespo-Escalante was placed under arrest.

The investigation revealed that Crespo-Escalante was transporting the shipment of fentanyl on behalf of his associate, Omar Villarreal, from California to a location in Waterbury.

Crespo-Escalante has been detained since his arrest.  On April 4, 2017, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, fentanyl.

Crespo-Escalante, a citizen of Mexico and lawful permanent resident of the U.S., faces immigration proceedings when he is released from prison.

Villarreal, of La Puente, California, has been detained since his arrest on May 15, 2017.  On August 30, 2018, he pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting the possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, and one count of traveling in interstate commerce to promote an unlawful activity.  He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 8.

This matter has been investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Task Force, which includes participants from the U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, and the New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, North Haven, Branford, Ansonia, Meriden, Derby, Middletown, Naugatuck and Waterbury Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dave Vatti.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MARK ROHRER, 38, of West Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for downloading child pornography from the dark web.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Rohrer had a user account on a dark web internet site that promoted child pornography.  Using Bitcoin, Rohrer downloaded images and videos of child pornography from the website in January 2016.

Images of child pornography were found on Rohrer’s home computers after a court-authorized search of his residence on April 3, 2018.

On September 14, 2018, Rohrer pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography.

Rohrer, who is released on a $50,000 bond pending sentencing, was ordered to report to prison on May 29, 2019.

This matter was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the West Hartford Police Department and Connecticut State Police.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah P. Karwan.

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

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that CHRISTOPHER SAUNDERS, 37, of Waterbury, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 25, 2018, Waterbury Police arrested Saunders on Buckingham Street after he was found in possession of a loaded Glock, Model 21, .45 caliber pistol.  Saunders also possessed several rounds of .223 caliber rifle ammunition in his pocket.

The pistol had been reported stolen in Vermont in April 2017.

In 2013, Saunders was convicted in Florida of felony burglary and theft 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.

Judge Underhill scheduled sentencing for June 25, 2019, at which time Saunders faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

Saunders has been detained since his arrest.

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

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging MARIANO IRIZARRY, 35, of New Haven, with one count of possession of a firearm a by a convicted felon.

The indictment was returned on March 19, 2019.  Irizarry appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven and entered a plea of not guilty to the offense.

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

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

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

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

If convicted of the offense, Irizarry faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

Irizarry was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on February 6.  He is released on a $50,000 bond.

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

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Haven Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Gustafson.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that JAIME LOPEZ, 37, a citizen of Mexico last residing in Norwalk, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to a cocaine trafficking offense.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between March and June 2018, Lopez conspired with his brother, Rafael Lopez-Macias, and others, to traffic large quantities of cocaine.  Lopez was intercepted on a court-authorized wiretap discussing the distribution of cocaine and, in May 2018, he was involved in the purchase of a kilogram of cocaine for approximately $28,000 from a source of supply in New Rochelle, New York.

Lopez has been detained since his arrest on October 11, 2018.

Lopez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.  A sentencing date is not scheduled.

On March 27, 2019, Lopez-Macias, also a citizen of Mexico, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, and one count of reentry of removed alien.  He is detained while awaiting sentencing.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Tyler C. Amon, Special Agent in Charge of EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division in New England, announced that REZART RAKAJ, 35, of Ansonia, and KLITON RAKAJ, 39, of Monroe, were sentenced today in New Haven federal court for offenses related to the illegal and dangerous removal of asbestos at a New Haven property they were renovating in 2015.  U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton sentenced each defendant to one year of probation, a fine of $9,500, and 50 hours of community service.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in November 2015, Rezart Kliton Rakaj, who are brothers, and another family member purchased a commercial property located at 206-220 Wallace Street in New Haven.  Prior to purchasing the property, the realtor informed the purchasers that the property contained asbestos, and that a prior potential purchaser had already obtained a bid of approximately $117,000 for the legal asbestos abatement of the property.  Shortly after the purchase was completed, the defendants chose not to engage a hazardous materials firm to perform lawful asbestos abatement and instead employed workers who spent multiple days demolishing portions of the property, ripping out piping, breaking tiles, and conducting other renovation and construction activities, including the removal of significant quantities of friable asbestos.

On November 20, 2015, inspectors from the City of New Haven Health Department, acting on an anonymous complaint, discovered the illegal asbestos removal project at 206-220 Wallace Street.  The inspection revealed multiple instances of illegal removal of asbestos containing “air cell” pipe wrap and asbestos-containing “mag block” tank and boiler insulation, both of which contain significant quantities of dangerous, friable asbestos.  Inspectors observed workers removing asbestos-containing material and throwing it to the floor.  The workers performed no wetting, used no negative air machines to create the required vacuum effect within workspaces and set up no critical barriers or protective sheeting to guard against the release of dangerous asbestos fibers into the environment.  Though the workers wore dust masks and suits, the masks were not designed for use in asbestos abatement and failed to provide protection against asbestos fibers.  Similarly, because the suits were worn repeatedly over the course of days and not decontaminated and disposed of after use, they did not protect the workers against exposure.  Inspectors also observed and photographed 100-150 standard garbage bags filled with suspected asbestos-containing material.

“These defendants recklessly cut corners and endangered the lives of their workers,” said U.S. Attorney Durham.  “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committing to prosecuting all who deliberately harm the environment and risk public health in order to save money.”

“The illegal removal of asbestos insulation and the associated removal of scrap pipe and boilers from old buildings continues to be a problem throughout the Northeast,” said EPS-CID Special Agent in Charge Amon.  “Inhalation of asbestos fibers can result in lung cancer and it therefore poses significant health risks to all exposed.  EPA will continue to hold accountable those who commit such offenses.”

On November 16, 2018, Rezart and Kliton Rakaj each pleaded guilty to one count of illegal asbestos removal in violation of the Clean Air Act.

In addition to the sentence imposed today, the defendants also face a fine from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

This investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Criminal Investigation Divisio, with the assistance of the City of New Haven Health Department and U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elena L. Coronado and Sarala V. Nagala.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DENROY FABLE, also known as “Kik,” 35, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 37 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for firearm and narcotics offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in late December 2017, members of the FBI’s Connecticut Violent Crime Task Force and the Hartford and Manchester Police Departments were searching for a fugitive wanted in connection with a homicide in Manchester.  Investigators developed information connecting Fable to the fugitive being sought.

On January 2, 2018, investigators stopped Fable’s car in the vicinity of Airport Road in Hartford.  A search of Fable’s jacket revealed a loaded Ruger 9mm handgun and quantities of crack cocaine and marijuana.  After Fable was arrested, investigators searched Fable’s residence on Wethersfield Avenue in Hartford and located the fugitive.  A search of the residence also revealed resale quantities of cocaine, crack and fentanyl/heroin; other evidence of narcotics trafficking, and multiple rounds of assorted ammunition.

Fable’s criminal history includes state convictions for criminal possession of a firearm, and carrying a pistol without a permit.

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

Fable has been detained since his arrest on January 2, 2018.  On November 5, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, cocaine base (“crack”).

This matter was investigated by the FBI’s Connecticut Violent Crime Task Force and the Hartford and Manchester Police Departments.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey M. Stone.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ISMAEL MANGUAL, 43, of Bridgeport, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to heroin distribution and firearm possession offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on August 31, 2017, Milford Police stopped a vehicle Mangual was driving.  Mangual did not have a driver’s license, the car was not registered or insured, and there was a six-year-old boy in the back seat without a car seat or seatbelt.  A subsequent search of the car revealed a loaded Glock 27 .40 caliber handgun, a Glock 30 .45 handgun that had been reported stolen, approximately 140 grams of heroin and a digital scale.  The loaded firearm was found in the rear footwell of the car, close to where the child had been sitting.  Mangual was arrested on state charges on that date.

Mangual pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, and one count of possession a firearm in furtherance of a narcotics trafficking offense.  Judge Arterton scheduled sentencing for June 20, 2019, at which time Mangual faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.

Mangual’s criminal history includes state convictions for robbery and narcotics offenses.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Joseph W. Cronin, Inspector in Charge of the Boston Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, today announced that THOMAS PAPCIN, 48, of Naugatuck, pleaded guilty yesterday in New Haven federal court to one count of mail fraud stemming from a fraudulent coupon scheme.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in order for a coupon producer to obtain holographic coupon paper, the producer is required to provide to the coupon paper vendor the name of the company for whom the producer is producing coupons, as well as a point of contact for the company for whom the producer is producing coupons.  On at least two occasions, Papcin purchased holographic coupon paper from a holographic coupon paper vendor by misrepresenting to the vendor the companies that Papcin was producing coupons for, and by providing fictitious contact information for the companies.  Papcin then used the holographic paper to create fictitious coupons, advertised the coupons online and through e-mail, sold the coupons to customers who believed the coupons were authentic, and shipped the coupons to customers through the mail

Through this scheme, Papcin defrauded his customers of $193,027.25.

Mail fraud carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  Papcin is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall on June 20, 2019.

Papcin is released on a $200,000 bond pending sentencing.

This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Pierpont, Jr.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RAFAEL LOPEZ-MACIAS, 46, a citizen of Mexico last residing in Norwalk, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to narcotics trafficking and immigration offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in June 1998, Lopez-Macias was convicted in California state court of a cocaine trafficking offense.  In February 2001, he was deported to Mexico.  Lopez-Macias illegally reentered the U.S. and, in March 2009, was arrested in Connecticut for a forgery offense.  In November 2009, he was again deported to Mexico.

Lopez-Macias again illegally reentered the U.S. and, between March and June 2018, he was intercepted on a court-authorized wiretap discussing the distribution of cocaine and methamphetamine.  On June 11, 2018, in New Rochelle, New York, Lopez-Macias and a co-conspirator sold a kilogram of cocaine and a sample of methamphetamine for $31,500 to an individual working with law enforcement.

On June 26, 2018, Lopez-Macias traveled from Norwalk to New Rochelle, picked up a kilogram of methamphetamine from his co-conspirator, and began driving back to Norwalk with the narcotics.  While en route to Norwalk, Lopez-Macias was stopped by law enforcement and arrested for an immigration violation.  Officers searched the vehicle and seized the kilogram of methamphetamine.

Lopez-Macias has been detained since his arrest.

Lopez-Macias pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life, and one count of reentry of removed alien, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  A sentencing date is not scheduled.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Brian C. Turner, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Norwich Police Chief Patrick J. Daley today announced that, on March 5, 2019, a federal grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment today charging 13 individuals with trafficking narcotics.  The indictment was unsealed today.

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

KAREEM SWINTON, a.k.a. “K,” 37, of Owings Mills, Maryland
HAROLD BUTLER, a.k.a. “Haas,” 41, of Norwich
EDWIN DEJESUS, 48, of Hartford
JOSHUA GLOVER, 37, of Norwich
LORENZO GRIER, a.k.a. “Toot,” 28, of New Haven
JOEL HALL, a.k.a. “Slugz,” 30, of Norwich
ROBERT GRANT HALL, a.k.a. “Chevy,” 38, of Norwich
GEORGES LABONTE, 24, of Norwich
SHAKERIA NEALY, a.k.a. “Sis,” 39, of Waterbury
CLIVENS PIERRE, 34, of Putnam
ANDRE SMITH, a.k.a. “Dre,” 39, of Woodstock
JERROD STEELE, 30, of Ledyard
DAVID SULLIVAN, a.k.a. “Day-Day,” 37, of Norwich

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, in 2018, the FBI, Norwich Police Department and other law enforcement agencies began investigating a drug trafficking organization that was distributing heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine in southeastern Connecticut.  The investigation, which has included court-authorized wiretaps and controlled purchases of crack cocaine, revealed that Kareem Swinton, who formerly resided in Norwich, trafficked narcotics into the Norwich area, where co-conspirators further distributed the drugs.

Between April 2018 and February 2019, it is alleged that Swinton conspired to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life; Robert Grant Hall conspired to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years; Butler, Glover, Joel Hall, Labonte, Pierre, Smith, Steele and Sullivan conspired to distribute a quantity of cocaine, an offense that carries maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; Swinton, DeJesus, Grier, Joel Hall, Robert Grant Hall and Nealy conspired to distribute a quantity of heroin, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; Butler, Robert Grant Hall and Smith conspired to distribute 28 grams or more of crack cocaine, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years; and Glover, Joel Hall, Labonte, Pierre and Steele conspired to distribute a quantity of crack cocaine, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

The indictment also alleges that Glover, Grier, Joel Hall, Labonte and Pierre each used a telephone to facilitate a drug trafficking felony, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of four years.

Eleven of the 13 defendants were arrested on federal criminal complaints in February.  Swinton and other members of the alleged conspiracy appeared today in Hartford federal court and entered pleas of not guilty to the charges.  Swinton is detained while awaiting trial.

Joel Hall and Jerrod Steele have not been apprehended and are being sought by law enforcement.  Citizens with information about their whereabouts are encouraged to contact the FBI at (203) 777-6311.

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

This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Connecticut State Police and Norwich, Town of Groton and Waterford Police Departments, with the assistance of the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office, Baltimore Police Department and Delaware State Police.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natasha M. Freismuth and S. Dave Vatti.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that THOMAS MALONE, 49, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for embezzling approximately $1 million from a New Haven biotech company that receives federal research grants.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Malone was the chief financial officer (CFO) of Artificial Cell Technologies, Inc. (ACT) of New Haven, a small biotech company that is currently working on developing better ways to deliver malaria and Respiratory Syncytial Virus vaccines to affected populations.  In addition to receiving funding from private investors, ACT has received approximately $4.1 million in grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) since 2008.  As the CFO, Malone’s responsibilities included collecting, posting and depositing investor and grant funds; tracking and reporting grant expenditures; managing accounts payable and cash disbursements; facilitating payroll; reconciling ACT credit card and bank accounts; and providing overall financial management.

In November 2016, ACT’s chief executive officer discovered that Malone was paying himself approximately $660,000 in annual salary, far above the approximately $281,000 in salary he was entitled to receive.  Upon further review of payroll and other financial records, ACT’s CEO discovered that, for several years, Malone had been writing checks to himself that were disguised as bonuses, that he had been giving himself unauthorized additional salary payments, that he had been using the ACT credit card for personal expenditures, and that he had used ACT’s funds to make unauthorized donations to an organization that Malone personally supported.  A subsequent forensic audit revealed that, between 2012 and 2016, Malone had embezzled nearly $1 million from ACT.

Judge Arterton ordered Malone to pay restitution of $1,031,508.07.

Malone was arrested on March 1, 2018.  On October 30, he pleaded guilty to four counts of theft from a program involving federal funds.

Malone, who is released on a $50,000 bond, is required to report to prison on June 19.

This matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas P. Morabito.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, announced that ARRINSON DE LA CRUZ, 39, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to drug charges related to his role in the large-scale importation of cocaine into the U.S.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2016, De La Cruz, who was residing in Wolcott, Connecticut, on a tourist visa, conspired with others to transport approximately 1600 kilograms of cocaine from South America to the U.S.  On August 6, 2016, a private jet, which was registered in the U.S., flew from the Dominican Republic to Venezuela where the cocaine was to be loaded onto the jet.  From there, the jet was to fly Honduras where the cocaine would be loaded onto trucks for transport through Mexico into the U.S.  De La Cruz had worked at an airport in the Dominican Republic and helped to coordinate the travel of the jet through the airport uninterrupted.  A fake flight plan filed with Dominican authorities reported that the plane was traveling to Brazil.  Ultimately, the plane crash-landed in Venezuela, the crew evaded capture by Venezuelan authorities, and the cocaine was diverted back to Colombia.

After the collapse of the cocaine importation scheme, De La Cruz attempted to coordinate additional shipments of drugs into the U.S, and also contacted others in and around Connecticut to sell heroin, cocaine and 2C-B, a synthetic psychedelic drug.

On September 18, 2016, De La Cruz was arrested in Milford, Connecticut, after a search of a car he was traveling in revealed 2C-B that De La Cruz intended to distribute in Massachusetts.

In November 2016 and December 2017, while he was released on bond, De La Cruz continued to conspire to distribute cocaine.  He has been detained since his arrest on December 20, 2017.

De La Cruz pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, on board an aircraft registered in the U.S., five kilograms or more of cocaine, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of life imprisonment; one count of possession with intent to distribute 2C-B, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; an one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.

Judge Hall scheduled sentencing for June 25, 2019.

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

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rahul Kale.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that BENICIO VASQUEZ, 32, of Hartford, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to one count of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on July 19, 2018, Hartford police arrested Vasquez and a subsequent search of his residence revealed a Taurus .357 caliber revolver loaded with six rounds of ammunition.

Vasquez’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for drug and money laundering offenses.

Vasquez has been detained since his arrest.  Judge Bolden scheduled sentencing for June 24, 2019, at which time Vasquez faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force, which includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.  The Hartford Police Department’s Vice and Narcotics Division provided valuable assistance to the investigation.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Gustafson.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that on March 22, 2019, HECTOR ALFONSO, 37, of Manchester, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 153 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for offenses related to a December 2016 shooting in Hartford’s South End, and for violating the conditions of his supervised release from a prior federal conviction.

According to court documents and statements made in court, at approximately 10:00 p.m. on December 21, 2016, Hartford Police officers responded to a report of a person shot at a car wash located at 156 Franklin Avenue in Hartford.  At the car wash, officers encountered an employee of the car wash who was suffering from two gunshot wounds.  The victim was transported to the hospital where he was treated for his injuries and released.

The investigation, which included analysis of a surveillance video, revealed that Alfonso arrived at the car wash shortly before the shooting to acquire a distribution quantity of heroin from Ruben Rodriguez and another individual.  A dispute and subsequent struggle occurred during the transaction, and Alfonso brandished a firearm.  He then shot the employee.

Alfonso was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on May 10, 2017.  A search of his Manchester residence on that date revealed cocaine residue on a toilet seat, cocaine and crack cocaine residue in another part of home, and items used to process and package narcotics for street sale.  He has been detained since his arrest.

On November 20, 2018, Alfonso pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin, and one count of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.

Alfonso’s criminal history includes a federal conviction for possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, cocaine base (“crack”).  In June 2014, he was sentenced to 18 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for that offense.

Judge Arterton sentenced Alfonso to 141 months of imprisonment for the drug and gun offenses, and a consecutive 12 months of imprisonment for violating the conditions of his supervised release that were imposed in 2014.

Rodriguez has been detained since his arrest on September 27, 2017.  On that date, a search of his Meriden residence and vehicle revealed a loaded .40 caliber pistol, numerous rounds of ammunition, approximately 133 grams of heroin, approximately 170 grams of cocaine, and $61,909 in cash.

Rodriguez pleaded guilty to drug and firearm offenses on November 9, 2018.  On March 21, 2019, he was sentenced to 72 months of imprisonment.

This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Hartford Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Leaming.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JONATHAN PRESTON, 27, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 14 months of imprisonment for violating the conditions of his supervised release.

According to court documents and statements made in court, beginning in approximately 2010, Preston operated a scheme in which he used the internet and other sources to obtain personal identifying information of several prominent individuals, including entertainers and professional athletes, and used that information to pose as these individuals to gain access to their credit card accounts.  Through this scheme, Preston and another individual made more than $500,000 in unauthorized purchases and cash withdrawals.

Preston was arrested and subsequently pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.  On May 27, 2014, Judge Shea sentenced Preston to 46 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release.  He was released from federal prison in August 2017.

On February 22, 2019, Preston was arrested by Hartford Police on fraud, larceny and identity theft charges.  The investigation revealed that Preston fraudulently obtained an American Express card for an account belonging to a prominent entertainer’s business, and then used the card to make multiple charges and attempted charges, causing a loss of $13,296.93.

At the conclusion of today’s sentencing proceeding, Judge Shea ordered Preston remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service to begin serving his sentence.

Preston will be on supervised release for 22 months when he is released from prison.

The state charges against Preston are pending.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Deborah R. Slater.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ANTHONY A. VALENTINO, 76, of Palm City, Florida, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to one count of tax evasion.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Valentino is a real estate investor who owns property in Connecticut and New York, including a 100-unit apartment complex in Naugatuck, Connecticut.  From 2011 to 2013, Valentino deposited more than $1.1 million of rental real estate receipts, paid in cash or checks, into his personal bank accounts in Connecticut and New York, and failed to report the receipts on his personal and partnership federal tax returns.

For the 2011 through 2013 tax years, Valentino only reported $42,815 in taxable income on his tax returns, and he failed to report $1,008,125 in taxable income.  As a result, he evaded payment of $302,449 in income taxes.

The investigation also revealed that, in 2013, Valentino made or caused to be made 27 cash deposits totaling $247,100 into his savings account in Connecticut.  Many of the cash deposits, which ranged in amounts from $7,000 to $9,900, were made on the same day at different times, or on consecutive days.

Federal law requires all financial institutions to file a Currency Transaction Report (“CTR”) for currency transactions that exceed $10,000.  To evade the filing of a CTR, individuals will often structure their currency transactions so that no single transaction exceeds $10,000.

Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for June 17, 2019, at which time Valentino faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.

Valentino has paid restitution to the U.S. Treasury of $302,339, but still owes substantial interest and penalties.  He also has agreed to forfeit $100,000 related to his structuring of cash deposits.

Valentino was released on a $50,000 bond pending sentencing.

This matter was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, and the Hartford and Stamford Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter S. Jongbloed.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that NATHAN WOOD, 26, of Hartford, pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to one count of possessing with intent to distribute, and distribution of, cocaine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in June and July 2017, Wood sold distribution quantities of cocaine and heroin to an undercover law enforcement officer in Hartford. 

Wood is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant on June 26, 2019, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

Wood was arrested on September 28, 2018.  He is released on a $50,000 bond pending sentencing.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, announced that LOUIS POCOGRANO, 58, of Guilford, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to one count of tax evasion.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Pocograno owns Poco & Son Lawn Care, LLC, a landscaping and snowplowing business based in Guilford.  Between approximately 2013 and 2016, Pocograno cashed numerous checks from clients that were made payable to him rather than his business, and he failed to report this income to the IRS.  He also used a portion of the cash to pay undocumented workers he employed, and failed to collect and pay over the employment taxes for these employees.

Judge Underhill scheduled sentencing for June 14, 2019, at which time Pocograno faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.  Pocograno has agreed to pay the IRS restitution of $33,383, which represents income tax that is due for the 2013 through 2016 tax years, and an additional $250,364.59, which represents the employment tax that is due for those years, plus interest and penalties.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that THOMAS J. HALLERAN, 37, of Cheshire, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 30 months of imprisonment, followed by six years of supervised release, for distributing narcotics to a woman in Southington who died from an overdose.

This matter stems from an ongoing statewide initiative targeting narcotics dealers who distribute heroin, fentanyl or opioids that cause death or serious injury to users.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on July 25, 2017, Southington Police and emergency medical personnel responded to a residence in Southington where they encountered an unresponsive 31-year-old female on the floor.  The female was pronounced deceased.  Investigators seized five folds of suspected heroin/fentanyl, two empty folds, other drug paraphernalia, and the victim’s cellphone. 

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the State of Connecticut concluded that the victim’s death was caused by the combined effects of fentanyl, acetyl fentanyl, methadone, alprazolam and alcohol.

Analysis of the seized cellphone revealed that Halleran had been supplying heroin/fentanyl to the victim for approximately six weeks, and that he delivered heroin/fentanyl to the victim at her residence on the night of July 24, 2017.

Halleran was arrested on August 16, 2017.  On June 28, 2018, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin and/or fentanyl.

Halleran’s criminal history includes 25 convictions.

This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Task Force and the Southington Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Deborah R. Slater.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that WILLIAM F. ANDERSON, 50, of New Milford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 18 months of imprisonment, followed by two years of supervised release, for tax evasion.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Anderson owns several companies, including W.F. Anderson, LLC, a landscaping and excavation business based in Danbury; 1959, LLC; Retaining Wall Solutions; Wil-Rent; and Jacobs Creek Farm, LLC.  For the 2007 through 2014 tax years, Anderson failed to pay more than $1.2 million in federal income taxes on nearly $4 million in income.  Anderson committed multiple acts of evasion including, using business income to purchase cashier’s checks to keep income out of his accounts, conducting structured transactions to avoid the filing of Currency Transaction Reports (“CTRs”), and misrepresenting on a form that was filed with the IRS in May 2015 that he had less than $1,000 in a business checking account when, in fact, he had written checks for tens of thousands of dollars shortly before the submission of that form to conceal those assets from the IRS.

Federal law requires all financial institutions to file a Currency Transaction Report (“CTR”) for currency transactions that exceed $10,000. To evade the filing of a CTR, individuals will often structure their currency transactions so that no single transaction exceeds $10,000. Structuring involves the repeated depositing or withdrawal of amounts of cash less than the $10,000 limit, or the splitting of a cash transaction that exceeds $10,000 into smaller cash transactions in an effort to avoid the reporting requirements. 

On November 5, 2018, Anderson pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion.

Anderson is required to cooperate with the IRS to pay all outstanding taxes, interest and penalties, which total more than $1.7 million.

Anderson, who is released on a $50,000 bond, was ordered to report to prison on April 24, 2019.

This matter was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David T. Huang.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that EDWARD LUGO, 37, of New Haven, pleaded guilty today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert A. Richardson in Hartford to one count of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. 

According to court documents, on September 19, 2018, Lugo possessed a 9mm Kel-Tec Model P-11 pistol and more than 100 rounds of assorted ammunition.

Lugo’s criminal history includes felony convictions in Connecticut and New York for firearm, weapon, drug, larceny and possession of stolen property 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.

Lugo is scheduled to be sentenced on June 19 at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and up to a $250,000 fine.

This matter is being investigated by the Statewide Narcotics Task Force, New Haven Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Margaret E. Maigret and Sarah P. Karwan.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, Waterbury Police Chief Fernando C. Spagnolo and Naugatuck Police Chief Steven Hunt today announced that 29 individuals have been charged with federal narcotics offenses related to the distribution of heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine in and around Waterbury.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, the arrests stem from a joint investigation headed by the DEA New Haven Task Force and the Waterbury and Naugatuck Police Departments.  The investigation, which began last year and has included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, physical surveillance and controlled purchases of narcotics, revealed that Keith Jordan, also known as “Knowledge,” received large quantities of heroin and cocaine from various suppliers and sold the drugs to street-level distributors in and around Waterbury.

On March 13, 2019, a grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment charging each of the following individuals with conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, various quantities of heroin, cocaine and cocaine base (“crack cocaine”):

KEITH JORDAN, a.k.a. “Knowledge,” 50, of Waterbury
KATINA REED, a.k.a. “Tina,” 46, of Waterbury
DOMINGO ALVES, a.k.a. “Mingo,” 49, of Waterbury
SUNJI CRAMER, 39, of Meriden
CARLOS MORAIS, a.k.a. “Los,” 35, of Waterbury
LARRY HALL, a.k.a. “Chuito” and “Bobo,” 48, of Naugatuck
JEAN CARLOS FABAL-GONZALEZ, 24, of Waterbury
LLIVER ABREU-BAEZ, a.k.a. “Domi” and “Papi,” 27, of Waterbury
JUNIO ACEVEDO, 34, of Waterbury
MICHAEL ALTIERI, 28, of Waterbury
LANCE BAPTISTE, 40, of Waterbury
TIMOTHY BOOKER, a.k.a. “Book,” 60, of Waterbury
TYRELL CAMPBELL, a.k.a. “Bricks,” 29, of Waterbury
ROSEMARY COLON, 35, of Naugatuck
DAMON DAVIS, 24, of Waterbury (currently in state custody)
DAVID FLAHERTY, 48, of Waterbury
VINA FRAZIER, 35, of Waterbury
JERMAINE FOSTER, 48, of New Haven
BIENVENIDO GONZALEZ, a.k.a. “Toto,” 41, of Waterbury
NAZARIEL GONZALEZ, 39, of West Hartford
JOSE GONZALEZ, 30, of Waterbury
JAMES TYRONE HAYES, a.k.a. “Ty,” 49, of Newburgh, New York
OMAR HERNANDEZ, 39, of Waterbury
JORDAN JAMISON, 23, of Waterbury
FRANCISCO LOPEZ, 32, of Waterbury

Twenty-three defendants were arrested yesterday, and one was arrested this morning. One defendant has been in state custody.  Four defendants are currently being sought.

In association with yesterday’s arrests, law enforcement officers seized approximately 3,000 bags of heroin, 400 grams of cocaine, 350 grams of fentanyl/heroin mixed, 400 grams of heroin, 10 grams of crack, 20 pounds of marijuana, fentanyl patches, a one-kilogram press, four handguns, approximately $120,000 in cash and four vehicles.

The indictment alleges that, between approximately February 2018 and March 2019, each defendant conspired to distribute various narcotics.  If convicted of this charge, based on the type and quantity of narcotics involved, Keith Jordan, Reed, Alves, Cramer, Hall, Bienvenido Gonzalez and Abreu-Baez face a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life; Morais, Fabal-Gonzalez, Acevedo, Altieri, Booker, Campbell, Colon, Davis, Flaherty, Frazier, Foster, Nazariel Gonzalez, Hayes, Hernandez, and Lopez face a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years, and Baptiste, Jose Gonzalez, and Jamison face a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

The indictment also charges Keith Jordan, Alves, Hayes and Jamison with one or more counts of possession and/or distribution of heroin.

“It is alleged that members of this drug trafficking organization distributed significant quantities of heroin and cocaine in and around Waterbury,” said U.S. Attorney Durham.  “The opioid epidemic, which in large part has led to the deaths of far too many people from heroin and fentanyl overdoes, continues to destroy lives across our state.  The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to doggedly prosecuting those who choose to profit from this deadly trade.  We thank the DEA Task Force members, including the Waterbury and Naugatuck Police Departments, for their outstanding work in this investigation.  Their efforts literally have saved lives.”

“DEA is committed to investigating and dismantling poly drug trafficking organizations like this one operating in the Waterbury area,” said Special Agent in Charge Boyle.  “This organization was responsible for supplying large quantities of heroin and cocaine throughout the streets of Connecticut.  Let these arrests serve as an example to those who distribute this poison in order to profit and destroy people’s lives, that DEA will aggressively pursue and hold you accountable.  This investigation demonstrates the strength of collaborative local, state and federal law enforcement efforts and our strong partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to seek and bring to justice anyone who engages in these crimes.”

“Waterbury Police are grateful to be working with the DEA on this specific case as well as having a detective assigned to the DEA Task Force,” said Chief Spagnolo.  “The intense work, in collaboration with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, on this investigation will make an impact on the illegal drug trade and will make Waterbury a safer city.”

“This investigation is a perfect example of what can be accomplished when local, state and federal agencies work collaboratively to target large-scale drug trafficking operations,” said Chief Hunt.  “Today’s arrests and seizures have dealt a significant blow to the narcotics being dealt in the Waterbury/Naugatuck area and have ultimately made our communities safer.”

The 23 individuals who were arrested yesterday appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judges Robert M. Spector and Sarah A. L. Merriam in New Haven.  Nineteen of the 23 are currently detained.

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

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

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys S. Dave Vatti and Natasha M. Freismuth.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Joseph W. Cronin, Inspector in Charge of the Boston Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment today charging HENRY FELLELA, JR., 61, of Johnston, Rhode Island, with credit card fraud and identity theft offenses.

As alleged in court documents, in March 2018, Fellela was released from federal prison following a 48-month sentence imposed in the U.S. District Court in Rhode Island for credit card fraud, aggravated identity theft and other offenses.  Between September 2018 and March 2019, while he was on federal supervised release, Fellela stole credit cards from Connecticut residents and used the cards to make thousands of dollars in fraudulent purchases at various retail stores throughout Connecticut.

Fellela has been detained since his arrest on a criminal complaint on March 8, 2019.

The indictment charges Fellela with one count of access device fraud.  If convicted of this charge, because of his prior conviction for the same offense, he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  The indictment also charges Fellela with one count of aggravated identity theft, an offense that carries a mandatory term of imprisonment of two years.

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

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

This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Margaret Maigret and Sarala Nagala.

U.S. Attorney John H. Durham today announced that Nora R. Dannehy has returned to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and will serve as Counsel to the U.S. Attorney.

Ms. Dannehy first joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut in 1991 and served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney until April 2008 when, as the Deputy U.S. Attorney, she became Acting U.S. Attorney upon the resignation of U.S. Attorney Kevin J. O’Connor.  She served as U.S. Attorney until May 2010.

Ms. Dannehy was the 49th U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and the first woman to hold the position in the history of the Office, which was established in 1789.

As an Assistant U.S. Attorney, Ms. Dannehy specialized in the prosecution of complex white collar and public corruption cases.  She also served as the Professional Responsibility Officer for the District.

In September 2008, U.S. Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey appointed Ms. Dannehy to supervise a national investigation concerning the dismissal of nine U.S. Attorneys in 2006.

“Nora Dannehy has superior legal skills and an unmatched reputation for integrity,” said U.S. Attorney Durham.  “During her long tenure in the Justice Department, she led some of the most sensitive investigations ever undertaken by our office.  I am thrilled that Nora has chosen to return to public service and look forward to working with her and relying on her counsel and decades of legal experience to further the cause of justice for the people of Connecticut and our nation.”

Ms. Dannehy departed the U.S. Attorney’s Office in December 2010 when she was appointed Deputy Attorney General for the State of Connecticut.  From October 2013 to March 2019, she was employed by United Technologies Corporation as Associate General Counsel for Global Ethics and Compliance.

Prior to her service with the U.S. Department of Justice, Ms. Dannehy was an associate with the law firm of Day, Berry & Howard from 1988 to 1991.  From 1986 to 1988, she served as a law clerk to Senior U.S. District Judge T. Emmet Clarie.

Ms. Dannehy graduated from Harvard Law School in 1986 and from Wellesley College in 1983.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is charged with enforcing federal criminal laws in Connecticut and representing the federal government in civil litigation.  The Office is composed of approximately 68 Assistant U.S. Attorneys and approximately 57 staff members at offices in New Haven, Hartford and Bridgeport.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LEONID POLLAK, also known as “Lenny,” 58, of Greenwich, pleaded guilty today in New Haven federal court to offenses related to an investment fraud scheme.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Pollak owned a Norwalk-based company that organized trade shows and expositions throughout the U.S.  In mid-2013, Pollak induced an acquaintance to invest money in a new business venture that was supposed to organize similar expositions in Ukraine.  Instead of using the money to build the new business, Pollak spent as much as $250,000 on unrelated business and personal expenses, including his home mortgage loan, groceries and clothing, automobiles, and private school tuition.

Pollak pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and one count of illegal monetary transaction, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall on June 10, 2019.

Pollak was arrested on September 20, 2018.  He is released on a $200,000 bond pending sentencing.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, with the assistance of the U.S. Secret Service and Greenwich Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher W. Schmeisser and Pilar Gonzalez.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that SCOTT PIERSON, 58, of Vernon, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to one count of receipt of child pornography.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in March 2018, the U.S. Department of Transportation – Office of Inspector General received information that Pierson, an Administrative Officer assigned to the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) Bradley Flight Standards District Office in Enfield, was using his FAA-issued laptop computer to access websites known to contain images of child pornography.

On July 19, 2018, investigators conducted a court-authorized search of Pierson’s residence and seized computers and electronic storage devices, including his FAA-issued laptop computer.  Forensic examination of the seized items revealed more than 1,500 images and videos of children, including children younger than 12 years old, engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Pierson has been detained since his arrest on July 19, 2018.

The charge carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  A sentencing date has not been scheduled.

This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Transportation – Office of Inspector General.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren C. Clark.

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

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that Dr. RAMIL MANSOUROV, 49, of Darien, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 87 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for health care fraud and money laundering offenses.

 According to court documents and statements made in court, Mansourov is a physician who operated out of Family Health Urgent Care, located at 235 Main Street in Norwalk.  The medical practice was formerly known as Immediate Health Care, which was owned by Dr. Bharat Patel.  In approximately 2012, Mansourov purchased the practice from Patel and renamed it Family Urgent Health Care, and Patel continued to work at the practice. 

Between 2014 and November 2016, Mansourov billed Medicaid nearly $5 million for home, office and nursing home visits that never occurred.  The investigation revealed that Mansourov used the stolen funds for both personal and business purposes, and that he transferred some of the stolen funds to a bank account in Switzerland.

Judge Arterton ordered Mansourov to pay $4,994,027 in restitution, forfeit $50,000 and surrender his federal controlled substances registration to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Mansourov has been detained since July 13, 2017, when he was apprehended after fleeing to Canada.  On September 17, 2018, he pleaded guilty to one count health care fraud and one count of money laundering.

On June 25, 2018, Patel pleaded guilty to narcotics distribution and health care fraud offenses.  Patel admitted that he wrote hundreds of medically unnecessary prescriptions for oxycodone and hydrocodone, and received $158,523.95 from federal health programs as a result of this and related criminal conduct.  On October 12, 2018, he was sentenced to 54 months of imprisonment.

This investigation was conducted by the DEA’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad and the Norwalk Police Department, with the critical assistance of the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General.  The DEA Tactical Diversion Squad includes officers from the Bristol, Hamden, Milford, Monroe, New Haven, Shelton, Wallingford and Wilton Police Departments.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rahul Kale.

United States Attorney John H. Durham, Special Agent in Charge Phillip Coyne of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, and Connecticut Attorney General William Tong today announced that DR. BASSAM AWWA and his medical practice, CONNECTICUT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ASSOCIATES, P.C. (“CBHA”) have entered into a civil settlement agreement with the federal and state governments in which they will pay $3,382,004 to resolve allegations that they violated the federal and state False Claims Acts.

AWWA, a psychiatrist, is the owner of CBHA, a medical practice located in New London.  The practice provides behavioral health and addiction medicine services to Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.

As part of AWWA and CBHA’s treatment of patients with substance use disorders, AWWA and CBHA regularly conducted urine drug screening tests on urine samples collected from patients treated at the practice.  Although the test screens a patient’s urine for multiple classes of drugs, Medicare considers it a single test that should be billed only once per patient encounter.

The government alleges that AWWA and CBHA submitted claims to Medicare for multiple units of urine drug screening tests, when they knew or should have known that only one unit of service could be billed per patient encounter.  By coding their claims using multiple units, instead of a single unit, the government alleges that AWWA and CBHA submitted false claims to the Medicare program and received payments that they were not entitled to receive.

In addition, the government alleges that AWWA and CBHA submitted claims to Medicare for alcohol tests conducted on patient urine samples that they know or should have known were a component of the urine drug screening test for which AWWA and CBHA were already being paid by Medicare.

Finally, the government alleges that AWWA and CBHA defrauded the Connecticut Medicaid program by submitting claims for definitive urine drug tests (also known as “quantitative” or “confirmation” tests) that were not actually performed, and by improperly submitting claims to Medicaid for specimen validity testing of urine samples.

To resolve the governments’ allegations under the federal and state False Claims Acts, AWWA and CBHA have agreed to pay $3,383,004, which covers claims submitted to the Medicare program from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2015, and claims submitted to the Medicaid program from April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2016.

As part of the settlement, AWWA and CBHA have entered into a three-year billing Integrity Agreement with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that is designed to ensure future compliance with the requirements of federal healthcare programs.

“It is alleged that, for years, these defendants recklessly overbilled Medicare for drug screening tests,” said U.S. Attorney Durham.  “Medical practices and physicians who treat patients for substance abuse must bill their services accurately and honestly, and health care providers who submit false claims to federal health care programs will be held accountable.”

“It is critically important that we protect federal healthcare programs upon which millions of people rely,” said Special Agent in Charge Coyne.  “Thus, we will hold accountable providers who submit false claims to Medicare and receive payments to which they are not entitled.”

“Providers enrolled in the Connecticut Medicaid program are expected and trusted to bill the program accurately and honestly,” said Attorney General Tong.  “For years, the defendants betrayed that trust and overcharged the Medicaid program for certain services they provided to Medicaid recipients.  This settlement holds those who defrauded this taxpayer-funded program accountable.  I want to thank the Connecticut Department of Social Services’ Office of Quality Assurance for assisting with this matter and for their continued efforts in combatting health care fraud.”

This matter was investigated by the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, and the Department of Defense, Office of Inspector General.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard M. Molot, and Assistant Attorney General Gregory O’Connell of the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that FERNANDO RODRIGUEZ, also known as “Sosa,” 28, of Danbury, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on September 12, 2018, Stamford Police arrested Rodriguez after he arrived at a location on Wardwell Street in Stamford to conduct a drug transaction.  A search of a backpack that Rodriguez was holding at the time of his arrest revealed approximately 58 grams of cocaine and 116 grams of marijuana.  A search of a secret storage compartment, or “trap,” within the vehicle that Rodriguez drove to the location revealed an additional 100 grams of cocaine, a Ruger 9mm handgun, and a loaded 9mm magazine.

Rodriguez has been detained since his federal arrest on January 10, 2019.

Judge Underhill scheduled sentencing for June 7, 2019, at which time Rodriguez faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of life imprisonment.

This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Stamford Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen L. Peck.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that PAVAN VASWANI, 40, a citizen of India residing in West Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 18 months of imprisonment, followed by two years of supervised release, for his role in a scheme to defraud the State of Connecticut of more than $5.8 million in taxes due on tobacco products imported into the state.

According to court documents and statements made in court, the State of Connecticut imposes tax on tobacco products imported into Connecticut for distribution within Connecticut. Tobacco amounts purchased, and taxes due, are reported on Forms OP-300, which are filed with the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services.

For several years until 2012, Rishi Malik and a partner operated Connecticut Discounts LLC, a tobacco wholesale business based in Bridgeport.  Through that company, Malik obtained tobacco products from out-of-state suppliers and distributed the products to a network of clients who offered tobacco products for retail sale.  While operating Connecticut Discounts, Malik caused OP-300 forms to be filed with the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services, which underreported the amount of tobacco he imported into the state for distribution.

In June 2012, Malik sold Connecticut Discounts to Vaswani.  Vaswani, with Malik’s assistance, continued the tobacco wholesale business under the name KDV Discounts, LLC.  Between January 2013 and April 2017, KDV acquired almost $12 million in tobacco products, primarily cigars and other products, from suppliers in Pennsylvania, and distributed these products to hundreds of customers in Connecticut that stocked tobacco products for retail sale.  On the OP-300 forms that Vaswani filed with the Department of Revenue Services on behalf of KDV, the amounts reported were a small fraction of what KDV actually acquired.  Through this scheme, Vaswani failed to report approximately $5,821,057 in tax to the State of Connecticut.

In 2014, Malik registered Discount Deals, LLC, with an address in Sciota, Pennsylvania. Malik held out Discount Deals to be a tobacco distribution business.  However, the unit he rented was not a space for a legitimate tobacco business and was maintained to create the appearance that Discount Deals was a legitimate Pennsylvania-based tobacco wholesaler.  Between 2014 and at least April 2017, to subvert other federal regulations regarding interstate transport of smokeless tobacco, Malik used Discount Deals to purchase more than $1.1 million in smokeless tobacco products from Pennsylvania suppliers.  A substantial amount of these smokeless tobacco products were provided to KDV for distribution in Connecticut.  Discount Deals made no tax payments to the State of Connecticut between 2014 and 2017, and approximately $400,000 in smokeless tobacco tax was not reported to Connecticut or other states.

Judge Hall ordered Vaswani and Malik to pay restitution of $5,821,057.

Malik and Vaswani were arrested on January 11, 2018.  On August 21, 2018, Vaswani pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and to violate the Contraband Cigarette Trafficking Act (“CCTA”), and one count of wire fraud.

Malik, 46, a citizen of India residing in Fairfield, pleaded guilty to the same offenses on October 30, 2018.  On February 13, 2019, he was sentenced to 36 months of imprisonment.  Malik faces immigration proceedings when he completes his prison term.

Vaswani, who is released on a $250,000 bond, is required to report to prison on May 30, 2019.

This matter was being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services, Criminal Investigations Division.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer R. Laraia and Michael S. McGarry.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that SUSANNA KURUS, 43, of Garner, North Carolina, pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to one count of wire fraud stemming from an embezzlement scheme.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Kurus formerly resided in Connecticut and was employed as the accounting manager for a company based in Stratford.  Between approximately October 2014 and June 2017, Kurus used the company’s financial accounting software to transfer customer credits to at least six personal debit card accounts, and then used the money for her personal benefit.  Through this scheme, she stole $133,870.55.

Kurus is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea on June 10, 2019, at which time she faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  Kurus is released on a $200,000 bond pending sentencing.

This matter has been investigated by the Connecticut Financial Crimes Task Force, U.S. Secret Service and Stratford Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Miller.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Brian C. Turner, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging ABDURRAHMAN AKHDAR, 26, New Haven, with one count of possession of stolen firearms.

The indictment was returned on February 20, 2019.  Akhdar appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna F. Martinez in Hartford and entered a plea of not guilty to the offense.

The indictment alleges that, on November 30, 2015, Akhdar unlawfully possessed, stored and disposed of a Smith & Wesson .380 caliber pistol and a Colt .45 caliber pistol, both of which had travelled in interstate commerce.  The indictment further alleges that Akhdar knew or had reasonable cause to believe the firearms were stolen.

If convicted of the offense, Akhdar faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

Akhdar is detained pending trial as he is currently serving a state prison sentence.

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

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Hamden Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas P. Morabito.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ROBERT ABEL, 56, of Atlantic Beach, Florida, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 100 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for a Connecticut bank robbery, two armed robberies in Florida and a carjacking in South Carolina.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 11, 2017, Abel, brandishing a long silver blade, robbed a McDonald’s restaurant in East Palm Coast, Florida.  On February 12, brandishing a long knife, he robbed a CVS in St. Augustine, Florida.  Abel stole a total of approximately $733 during these two robberies.

On February 15, Abel stole a car from a woman in South Carolina, ordering the victim not to move or he would shoot her.

On February 17, Abel stole $1,517 during a robbery of a Webster Bank branch in Stratford.  He then attempted to rob a Walgreens Pharmacy in Stratford, but left the store without any money.  Milford Police arrested Abel later that day.

Abel has been detained since his arrest.  On November 6, 2017, he pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Stratford Police Department and Milford Police Department, with the assistance of the Summerville (S.C.) Police Department, St. Augustine Police Department and the Flagler County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas P. Morabito.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that SERAFINO CANINO, 53, of Torrington, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 18 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for tax evasion.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Canino was employed by, and had an ownership interest in, Innovative Concepts Corporation (“ICC”), a company that manufactured and distributed small power and hand tools.  ICC contracted with factories in Asia through intermediaries located in Taiwan.  The intermediaries negotiated with the factories in Asia, ensured the shipment of manufactured products to ICC, and invoiced ICC for the manufacturing of its products.

From 2008 through 2011, Canino engaged in fraudulent billing using two of ICC’s intermediaries in Taiwan.  Canino instructed the intermediaries to charge ICC an inflated price and kick back the overage to Canino using overseas bank accounts and an overseas corporate entity.  Through this scheme, Canino improperly received more than $633,000 in income.  Canino failed to disclose this illegal income to his accountants who prepared his federal tax returns, and he failed to report the income on his 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 tax returns.  The total tax loss to the Internal Revenue Service was $186,358.

Judge Underhill ordered Canino to cooperate with the IRS to pay more than $430,000 in back taxes, interest and penalties.

On September 24, 2018, Canino pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion.

Canino is required to report to prison on June 5, 2019.

This matter was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan L. Wines.