District of Connecticut

John H. Durham United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JAMES DICKERSON, also known as “Jim Jim,” 35, of Hamden, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 21 months of imprisonment for violating the conditions of his supervised release. 

According to the evidence presented during his trial in April 2013, a joint law enforcement investigation conducted in 2010 by the FBI New Haven Safe Streets Task Force, DEA New Haven Task Force, New Haven Police Department and Hamden Police Department identified and dismantled a large drug trafficking organization centered in the Newhallville section of New Haven and Hamden.  During the investigation, Dickerson was intercepted multiple times over a court-authorized wiretap arranging to purchase distribution quantities of crack cocaine.  Dickerson also sold crack cocaine to an undercover police officer.

On April 25, 2013, Dickerson was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”), and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base.  On January 24, 2014, he was sentenced to 168 months of imprisonment.  After an appeal, Dickerson was resentenced, on February 29, 2016, to approximately 63 months of imprisonment, time already served, and three years of supervised release.

After his release from prison, Dickerson violated multiple conditions of his supervised release.  On August 18, 2017, he was arrested in Hamden for larceny based on his possession of a stolen motorcycle.  On December 12, 2017, he was arrested in Hamden for possessing cocaine and marijuana.  On May 6, 2018, he was arrested in Cheshire for a variety of offenses stemming from a car chase.  These cases were resolved in state court on September 11, 2018.

Dickerson is currently incarcerated in state custody and has a maximum release date of April 30, 2020.

Judge Meyer ordered Dickerson to begin serving the 21-month federal sentence after his release from state prison.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William J. Nardini.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Boston, and Christopher W. Fonda, Supervisory Immigration Officer for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Office of Fraud Detection and National Security, today announced that five individuals have been charged with federal offenses related to their participation in fraudulent marriages so that non-U.S. citizens would receive U.S. immigration benefits.

On November 19, 2018, a federal grand jury returned indictments charging CARL JARRETT, 35, of Bridgeport; KENOL NOEL, 34, of Bridgeport; RICKY OWEN, 39, of Bridgeport, and MARVIN WILLIAMS, 59, of New York, New York, with submitting false immigration documents after entering multiple “marriages” with non-U.S. citizens and sponsoring those non-citizens’ applications for lawful permanent residence in the U.S., also known as “green card” status.

As alleged in the indictments, Jarrett, Noel and Owen each entered into two “marriages,” and in documents submitted in support of the green card applications of their second “spouses,” failed to disclose their prior marriages, and failed to disclose their having also sponsored green card applications for their first “spouses.”  It is alleged that Williams entered a total of four such “marriages,” and sponsored the green card applications of all four “spouses.”

The grand jury also returned an indictment charging DWIGHT HENRY, 44, a citizen of Jamaica residing in Queens, New York, with conspiracy to commit immigration/marriage fraud, and making false statements in an immigration document.  The indictment alleges that Henry conspired with Jodian Stephenson, of Bridgeport, and another individual, and entered into a sham marriage so that he could obtain green card status.

The five defendants were arrested this week.  Jarrett, Williams and Henry are released under various bond conditions, and Noel and Owen are currently detained.

If convicted of the charges against them, Noel faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years; Jarrett, Owen and Williams face a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years, and Henry faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

In June 2018, Stephenson was charged by indictment with leading a conspiracy to arrange several fraudulent marriages between U.S. citizens and non-citizens.  Her case is pending.

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 Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service, Office of Fraud Detection and National Security.  The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Henry K. Kopel.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that HARRY BRIGHT, also known as “Buddy Bright,” 79, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to three months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for a child exploitation offense.  Judge Shea ordered Bright to serve his first two months of supervised release in home confinement.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in November 2017, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) contacted Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) to report that NCMEC had been notified by Facebook’s Trust and Safety team that Bright was enticing a 15-year-old female through Facebook instant messaging to engage in sexual activity, and was planning on traveling to the Philippines on December 4, 2017, to meet the minor victim.  The investigation revealed that Bright started communicating with the minor victim in late August 2017, sent her sexually explicit messages and requested that she send him nude photographs of herself.  In September 2017, Bright sent the minor victim nude pictures of himself.

The investigation further revealed that Bright had engaged in sexually explicit conversations with other minor females in the Philippines through Facebook, and that he sent one of those minor victims a nude picture of himself.

Bright was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on December 4, 2017.  On May 31, 2018, he pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of obscene matter to a minor.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacabed Rodriguez-Coss.

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 CHRISTIAN MEISSENN, also known as “Christian Nigohossian,” 46, of Suffield, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to three months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his role in a securities fraud scheme.

The sentence was based, in part, on Meissenn’s serious health condition.  Judge Meyer ordered Meissenn to serve his three-year term of supervised release in home confinement.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between approximately 2009 and July 2016, Meissenn and others conspired to defraud investors through a stock “pump and dump” scheme.  Meissenn and his co-conspirators induced investors to purchase securities by making false and misleading representations in calls, emails and press releases concerning the securities and the issuing companies, thereby causing the price of those securities to become falsely inflated.  The issuing companies, most of which were essentially shell companies controlled by Meissenn’s associates, included Terra Energy Resources Ltd. (stock symbol “TRRE”); Mammoth Energy Group, Inc. (stock symbol “MMTE”), a company that later became Strategic Asset Leasing Inc. (stock symbol “LEAS”); Trilliant Exploration Corporation (stock symbol “TTXP”); Electric Motors Corporation (stock symbol “EMCO”); Hermes Jets, Inc. (stock symbol “HRMJ”), which later became Continental Beverage Brands Corporation (stock symbol “CBBB”); and Fox Petroleum, Inc. (stock symbol “FXPT”).  The conspirators then sold positions in those securities that were held by conspirators and their designees at the falsely inflated prices, thereby enriching the members of the conspiracy.

As part of the scheme, attorneys signed false and misleading opinion letters that were designed to provide assurances to securities transfer agents and prospective investors.  The opinion letters falsely certified that the attorneys had adequately reviewed corporate records and filings for the issuing companies and were satisfied with the adequacy of the companies’ public disclosures.

After selling their own shares at a profit, the conspirators allowed the price of the securities to fall, leaving investors with worthless and unsalable stock.  As a result, more than 12,000 victim investors collectively lost nearly $19 million.

Between 2011 and 2015, Meissenn earned approximately $4.4 million through this scheme.  He failed to report this income to the Internal Revenue Service, resulting in a tax loss to the government of $1,527,834.

The investigation revealed that Meissenn also failed to file tax returns in 2009 and 2010.  In connection with a Connecticut Department of Banking investigation in 2013, Meissenn signed and filed a notarized affidavit falsely stating that he had a negative net worth and had not filed taxes due to lack of income.

On November 8, 2016, Meissenn pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, and one count of tax evasion.

Judge Meyer ordered Meissenn to pay restitution of $5,301,694 to victims, and $1,527,834 to the IRS.

The government has received victim impact statements from more than 800 victims of this scheme.

Meissenn, who is released on bond, was ordered to report to prison on January 10, 2019.

Six other individuals pleaded guilty to various offenses stemming from this scheme. 

On September 27, 2017, Damian Delgado, also known as “Michael Neumann,” of Orlando, Florida, was sentenced to 84 months of imprisonment.  On May 7, 2018, Brian Ferraioli, of Sayville, N.Y., and Thomas Heaphy, Jr., of East Moriches, N.Y., were each sentenced to 72 months of imprisonment for their roles in this scheme and an unrelated investment fraud scheme.  On July 13, 2018, William Lieberman of Boca Raton, Florida, was sentenced to 84 months of imprisonment.

Two attorneys involved in the scheme, Corey Brinson, of Hartford, and Diane Dalmy, of Denver, were each sentenced to 36 months of imprisonment on April 13, 2017, and May 15, 2018.  However, Dalmy faces a resentencing proceeding on December 7, 2018, because she misled the court about her financial assets, and hid approximately $47,000 in cash to avoid paying restitution to victims.

This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, with assistance from the Connecticut Department of Banking, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and Hartford and Stamford Police Departments.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Avi M. Perry.

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 SUSANNA KURUS, 43, of Garner, North Carolina, with six counts of wire fraud stemming from an embezzlement scheme.

The indictment was returned on November 15, 2018.  Kurus appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna F. Martinez in Hartford, entered a plea of not guilty to the charges, and was released on a $200,000 bond.

As alleged in the indictment and statements made in court, Kurus formerly resided in Connecticut and was employed as the accounting manager for a company based in Stratford, Connecticut.  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 in excess of $130,000.

The charge of wire fraud carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count.

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 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, announced that LOUIS GOLDBERG, 71, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven for his role in a tax avoidance scheme.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Goldberg owns Good Copy Printing Center Inc. (GCP), a printing company located in New Haven.  GCP employed Goldberg’s nephew, Ira Malkin, as a principal salesman, and Malkin earned substantial commissions from GCP based on sales made to customers.  Between approximately 2003 and 2012, Goldberg had some knowledge that GCP paid many of Malkin’s personal expenses.  With Malkin’s consent, GCP reduced his commissions by the amount of personal expenses the company paid.  GCP then reported to the IRS through filed W-2 forms that Malkin had earned substantially less income than he truly earned.  By reporting lower commissions paid, GCP also improperly reduced the amount of Medicare Payroll Taxes it reported and paid to the IRS.

In addition, GCP handled printing jobs for Comcast, which included GCP mailing out flyers and paying the relevant postage expense with the expectation that GCP would subsequently be reimbursed for that expense.  Goldberg knew that Malkin had GCP pay the postage expense for the Comcast mailings, had Comcast reimburse Malkin for the cost of the mailings, and then had GCP reduce Malkin’s earned commissions by the amount of postage paid by GCP.  Through this arrangement, between approximately 2009 and 2012, GCP further underreported Malkin’s income on W-2 forms filed with the IRS.  By reporting lower income, GCP again improperly reduced the amount of Medicare Payroll Taxes it reported and paid to the IRS.

Between 2003 and 2012, GCP underreported a total of $40,490 in Medicare taxes.

Judge Hall sentenced Goldberg to one year of probation for his role in this scheme.

Goldberg has paid the IRS approximately $105,000 in restitution, which includes the $40,490 in Medicare taxes he owed, interest and a substantial fraud penalty.

On September 7, 2018, Goldberg pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and assisting in the filing of a false tax return.

On February 27, 2018, Malkin pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion and admitted that he failed to pay $484,581 in federal income taxes on more than $1.5 million in unreported income.  On August 9, he was sentenced to six months of imprisonment and six months of home confinement.  Malkin has repaid the IRS all of his back taxes, but still owes more than $700,000 in interest and penalties.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford has returned an indictment charging CHRISTOPHER FELICIANO, 28, of Enfield, with possession with intent to distribute, and distribution, of heroin and fentanyl.

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.

Feliciano has been detained since his arrest on unrelated state charges earlier this year, and the indictment was returned on November 14, 2018.  Feliciano appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven and entered a plea of not guilty to the charge.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, at approximately 8:55 a.m., on October 8, 2017, Enfield Police and emergency medical personnel responded to a residence in Enfield and found an unresponsive 24-year-old male in the home.  The victim was pronounced deceased.  Officers searched the immediate area and located narcotics paraphernalia.  Officers also seized the victim’s phone.  An analysis of Facebook messages and telephone contacts revealed that the victim had ordered heroin/fentanyl from Feliciano the day before the victim was found deceased.

The charge carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. 

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

This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Enfield Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JONATHAN ZAYAS, 25, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking heroin.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2015, the FBI’s Bridgeport State Streets Task Force, Bridgeport Police Department and Connecticut State Police Statewide Narcotics Task Force initiated an investigation into several heroin distributors operating in Bridgeport.  The investigation, included court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of heroin and physical surveillance, revealed that Kareem Roseboro, also known as “Swiss,” was supplying heroin to other distributors.  Roseboro and others used the Stylz Barbershop, located on State Street in Bridgeport, as a hub for their narcotics distribution activity.

The investigation further revealed that Roseboro supplied Harry Blake, also known as “Harry-O” and “O,” with large quantities of heroin.  Zayas regularly purchased heroin from Blake, and sold the heroin to his own customers in the Bridgeport and Stratford area.

During the course of the investigation, investigators seized multiple “bricks” of heroin, items used in the processing and packaging of heroin, and five firearms.  A brick of heroin contains 100 individual dose bags.

On June 6, 2016, a grand jury in Bridgeport returned an eight-count indictment charging Zayas, Roseboro, Blake and four other Bridgeport residents with heroin trafficking offenses.  The seven defendants were arrested on June 7, 2016.

Zayas has been detained since his arrest.  On December 29, 2016, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 100 grams or more of heroin.

Roseboro and Blake have been convicted of related offenses and await sentencing.

This matter was investigated by the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and the Bridgeport Police Department, with the assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Connecticut State Police, Stratford Police Department, Stamford Police Department and the Trumbull Police Department K-9 Unit.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alina P. Reynolds and H. Gordon Hall.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, today announced that a federal grand jury in Bridgeport has returned an indictment charging GELIN STERLING, 30, of Berlin, with 18 counts of aiding in the preparation of false tax returns.  

The indictment was returned on November 20, 2018, and Sterling was arrested on November 27.  Following his arrest, he appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna F. Martinez in Hartford and was released on a $100,000 bond.

As alleged in the indictment, Sterling owned and operated Sterling Tax Plus, LLC, a tax preparation business.  For the 2014 through 2017 tax years, Sterling prepared tax returns for multiple clients that included false mileage expenses, false charitable donations, and other false income items.

The charge of aiding in the preparation of a false tax return carries a maximum term of imprisonment of three years on each count.

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.

The matter is assigned to U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport.

This case is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division and the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services.   This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer R. Laraia.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that VANESSA VENCE-SMALL, 50, of New Windsor, New York, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Alker Meyer in New Haven to 30 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for embezzling more than $1.1 million from a Darien auto dealership.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Vence-Small was the controller of Felix F. Callari, Inc., doing business as Continental BMW of Darien, an automobile dealership.  From October 2014 to June 2017, Vence-Small made 65 unauthorized electronic fund transfers, totaling $904,659.29, from the dealership’s bank account to her personal American Express account.  She also issued and signed 28 checks drawn on the dealership’s bank account, in the total amount of $207,777.78, to pay various third parties, including credit card companies, contractors who performed work at her residence, and a different dealership from which she purchased a car.  She also incurred on company accounts an additional $31,452.08 in unauthorized credit card charges and reimbursements.

The investigation revealed Vence-Small’s personal expenses included first-class air travel and vacations to Australia, Hawaii, Mexico and Jamaica; payments to contractors to remodel and landscape her home, and the purchase of a $50,000 Ford Mustang.

Judge Meyer ordered Vence-Small to pay full restitution.  She has made approximately $200,000 in restitution payments to date.

On February 22, 2018, Vence-Small pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.

Vence-Small, who is released on a $100,000 bond, was ordered to report to prison on February 4, 2019.

This matter was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service, the Darien Police Department and the Connecticut Financial Crimes Task Force.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Chen. 

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned a three-count indictment charging KEVIN McFARLANE, also known as “Jabari McBurn” and “Dexter Creque,” 41, of New Haven, with firearm possession and crack cocaine distribution offenses.

The indictment was returned on November 19, 2018.  McFarlane appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna F. Martinez in Hartford and entered a plea of not guilty to the charges.  He has been detained since his arrest on related state charges on July 11, 2018.

The indictment alleges that, on July 8, 2018, in New Haven, McFarlane possessed crack cocaine that he intended to distribute, and a Glock model 43 9mm semiautomatic handgun.

The indictment further alleges that McFarlane was convicted in Connecticut state court, in October 2004, of sale of a hallucinogen/narcotic, and in Florida state court, in October 2007, of murder 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.

The indictment charges McFarlane with one count of possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”), an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years; one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, an offense that carries a mandatory consecutive term of imprisonment of at least five years.

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 Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad and the New Haven Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Stolfi Collins.

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, and Steven Stuller, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, announced that MARCEL VAN WOLVELAERD, 63, of Guilford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to six months of imprisonment, followed by two years of supervised release, for submitting false documents to the U.S. Postal Service.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Van Wolvelaerd owns and operates CableComm, LLC.  From approximately 2007 through 2014, the U.S. Postal Service (“USPS”) contracted with CableComm to perform repair and maintenance work at various USPS facilities.  In 2017, Van Wolvelaerd sought payment on certain repair and maintenance work done in Connecticut.  Prior to making payment, the USPS requested that Van Wolvelaerd show proof of his costs.  In response, Van Wolvelaerd submitted to the USPS a certified claim that included several invoices detailing his costs, including three false invoices from an electric company.  Two of the invoices falsely inflated CableComm’s costs, and the third was entirely fictitious.

The investigation also revealed that Van Wolvelaerd provided Robert Giulietti, a USPS facilities project manager, with $59,000 in cash in exchange for CableComm’s receiving USPS contracts.

On December 12, 2017, Van Wolvelaerd pleaded guilty to one count of submitting false claims to the U.S. Postal Service.

“The U.S. Postal Service manages approximately 30,000 contract actions and spends more than $13 billion on contracted supplies and services each fiscal year,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Stuller.  “The Office of Inspector General supports the Postal Service by aggressively investigating allegations of misconduct within the contracting process.  In this instance, we worked hand-in-hand with the United States Attorney’s Office to help ensure a reasonable case-related resolution.  We applaud the exceptional work by the investigative and prosecutorial team knowing it will have a positive impact on the entire contracting process.”

In February 2014, Giulietti pleaded guilty to bribery, fraud and tax offenses.  On May 30, 2014, he was sentenced to 42 months of imprisonment and ordered to pay $882,064 in restitution and $291,026 in back taxes, interest and penalties.

Van Wolvelaerd, who is released on a $20,000 bond, was ordered to report to prison on January 3, 2019.

This matter was investigated by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Clark.

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 Dr. SHEIKH AHMED, 55, of Orange, was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint charging him with offenses related to the illegal prescribing of oxycodone, and illegal certification of patients for state medical marijuana cards.

Following his arrest, Ahmed appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven and was released on a $200,000 bond.

As alleged in the criminal complaint, Ahmed is a pediatrician who operates a medical practice, under the name East Hartford Medical Center, at 580 Burnside Avenue in East Hartford.  Despite being a pediatrician, Ahmed’s practice does not appear to focus on children.

It is alleged that, between approximately October 2017 and May 2018, the DEA conducted an investigation of Ahmed using both a cooperating individual and an undercover agent who, equipped with recording devices, made visits to Ahmed’s practice in order to obtain prescriptions for Oxycodone.  During the visits, Ahmed sought and received cash payment, typically $500, for a prescription.  Ahmed did not conduct an appropriate medical examination when prescribing the oxycodone, and he made comments involving what dosage would be least likely to attract the attention of regulators, and what pharmacy was the least careful about monitoring prescriptions.

The complaint also alleges other dangerous and inappropriate ways Ahmed acted in prescribing oxycodone to the cooperating individual and undercover agent.

It is further alleged that, in March 2018, the cooperating individual sought and received a medical marijuana card from Ahmed, paying Ahmed $500 for an oxycodone prescription and $250 for a medical marijuana card.  During the visit, Ahmed checked his computer for a qualifying diagnosis permitted by the Connecticut’s Medical Marijuana Program and selected “Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.  Ahmed did not consult with the individual about whether he suffered from any condition that would render his use of marijuana medically appropriate.

The complaint alleges that Ahmed has certified approximately 165 patients for medical marijuana cards.  Ahmed has used the diagnosis “Complex Regional Pain Syndrome” to justify a marijuana certification for 33 patients, and the majority of the certifications list a diagnosis of “Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.” 

The complaint charges Ahmed with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and aiding and abetting the possession of controlled substances outside the scope of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose.  The offenses carry a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

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

This investigation is being conducted by the DEA’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad, which includes officers from the Bristol, Milford, Monroe, New Haven, Shelton, Wallingford and Wilton Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony E. Kaplan.

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 JUSTIN C. FREEMAN, 46, of Manchester, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to a federal tax charge related to his filing false tax returns that substantially underreported his income.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Freeman is an attorney who owns and operates his own law practice, The Law Offices of Justin C. Freeman, based in Hartford.  For the 2010, 2011 and 2012 tax years, Freeman signed individual federal income tax returns that significantly underreported the income he received from his law practice.  The returns were subsequently filed by his tax preparer.

For 2010, Freeman reported $476,228 in total income, but actually earned $860,041.93.  For 2011, he reported $410,002 in total income, but actually earned $1,093,147.43.  For 2012, he reported $529,673 in total income, but actually earned $696,559.43.

Freeman pleaded guilty to one count of filing a false tax return.  Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for February 20, 2019, at which time Freeman faces a maximum term of imprisonment of three years and a fine of up to approximately $840,000.  He has paid $419,259 in back taxes, and has agreed to cooperate with the IRS to pay all outstanding taxes, interest and penalties.

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

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 DAVID ADAMS, 58, of Old Saybrook, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 90 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for failing to pay more than $4.8 million in federal income taxes.

“This defendant engaged the IRS in a decades-long wild goose chase to prevent the agency from collecting the taxes he was required by law to pay,” said U.S. Attorney Durham.  “He hid income, repeatedly lied to IRS collections officers, filed frivolous claims for due process hearings, and bounced numerous checks.  He also misled, and then attempted to implicate, his accountant.  All the while, he had the ability to pay and lived more lavishly than the vast majority of Americans.  Our nation’s tax collection system requires all of us to pay what we owe, or else our society cannot function.  This is an appropriate sentence for an individual who failed to pay his taxes for a good portion of his working life, and likely will never pay all that he owes the citizens of this country.”

“For years, Mr. Adams obstructed IRS efforts to collect back taxes through a series of criminal acts,” said IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge O’Connell.  “As a successful entrepreneur, he earned millions and amassed significant wealth, yet willfully chose to evade his significant tax obligations.  Honest taxpayers bear the brunt of this crime, through reduced government services and a greater tax burden.  IRS-CI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to hold tax cheats accountable, by prosecuting those who undermine the integrity of our tax system.” 

According to court documents and statements made in court, in the early 1980s, and then continuing from 1996 onward, Adams was substantially delinquent in filing his tax returns and paying amounts owed to the IRS.  Starting at least as early as the 1982 tax year, Adams repeatedly engaged with IRS collections officers tasked with trying to get Adams into compliance with the tax laws.  Although IRS collections officers repeatedly advised Adams about his obligations to pay estimated taxes, he continually failed to pay those taxes on time or in sufficient amounts. 

As part of this tax fraud scheme, Adams engaged the services of a certified public accountant to prepare his personal tax returns beginning in approximately 1993, and then gave the accountant false information about his estimated payments, about his income, and then blamed the accountant for making errors on his returns as an excuse for why he should not be required to pay the tax due.

In 2002, Adams sold an online floral business, for which he owed over $1.3 million in tax.  Adams failed to pay that tax liability and instead hung the return up in collections, in a collections due process hearing, and in tax court, while blaming his accountant for purported “errors” when none were made.  As of today, Adams still has a seven-figure balance on that tax year.

In June 2011, Adams sold his partnership interest in another online floral business and received $4,708,419.20 wired into his personal bank account as part of the net proceeds owed to him as a result of the sale.  Although he knew that he owed substantial taxes on that amount, Adams concealed the income from his accountant and failed to declare the income on his 2011 tax return.  At the same time, Adams represented to an IRS revenue officer who was responsible for collecting Adams’s delinquent tax payments and securing Adams’s overdue tax returns, that he had hoped to have funds to pay down his back tax liability (including tax liability associated with the 2002 sale), but that nothing had been “panning out.”  Adams failed to disclose to the revenue officer that he had received $4,708,419.20 in cash less than three weeks earlier.

In June 2012, Adams received an additional $1,320,609.59 into his personal bank account as net proceeds of the 2011 sale.  Although he knew that he owed substantial taxes on that amount, Adams failed to disclose the income to his accountant, and failed to declare it on his tax return for that year.

Adams also misled the U.S. District Court and U.S. Probation Office in the case by failing to disclose on his financial affidavit a bank account containing more than $500,000.

In total, Adams engaged in a more than 20-year effort to inhibit the IRS’s efforts to collect back taxes from him.  Among other things, he bounced checks to the IRS; told IRS collections officers that payment had been sent when it had not; promised to pay delinquent tax liabilities in full and then delayed payment, made only partial payment, failed to pay at all, or paid off one liability while leaving another liability unpaid; claimed that he lacked funds to pay his delinquent tax but failed to disclose that he had access to enough cash to fully pay back his tax liabilities; filed false and fraudulent returns with the IRS; overstated the amounts of estimated taxes paid to the IRS, and failed to declare more than $6 million in income to the IRS.

Adams was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on April 14, 2016.  On October 10, 2017, he pleaded guilty to two counts of tax evasion, three counts of making and subscribing a false tax return, and one count of attempting to interfere with the administration of the IRS laws. 

Judge Bryant ordered Adams to pay back taxes, interest and penalties for tax years 2002, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, and 2012, which total $4,872,172.91.  Interest and penalties will continue to accrue until his tax obligation is paid.

At the conclusion of today’s sentencing proceeding, Adams, who had been released on bond, was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

U.S. Attorney Durham noted that federal prisoners are required to serve at least 85 percent of their sentenced term of imprisonment and are not eligible for parole.

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

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that MANUEL ASHLEY, also known as “Fresh,” 27, of Hartford, pleaded guilty yesterday in Hartford federal court to firearm and drug offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 31 and June 1, 2017, Ashley sold approximately 90 bags containing a mixture of heroin and fentanyl to another individual.

Hartford Police arrested Ashley on June 6, 2017, after he sold a stolen .380 caliber pistol to another individual.  On that date, a search of his Babcock Street residence revealed 44 bags containing a mixture of heroin and fentanyl.  

Ashley’s criminal history includes multiple state felony convictions.  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.

Ashley pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant on February 27, 2019.

Ashley has been detained since his arrest.

This investigation was conducted by the Hartford Police Department’s Vice and Narcotics Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force.  The Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Stolfi Collins.

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, Brian C. Turner, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Hartford Police Chief David Rosado, today announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford has returned a four-count indictment charging RANDY PARKMAN, 41, of Hartford, with robbery and firearm offenses.

The indictment was returned on November 6, 2018.  Parkman appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah A. L. Merriam in New Haven and entered a plea of not guilty to the charges.  He has been detained since his arrest on October 22, 2018.

As alleged in court documents, on May 22, 2018, Parkman shot and seriously wounded an individual during a robbery at 149 Wethersfield Avenue in Hartford.  At the time, the location was being used as a “trap house” by a drug trafficking organization.  Parkman was arrested at his residence on October 22, 2018.  On that date, a search of the home revealed a Taurus, Model 444, .44 caliber revolver, which had been reported stolen from a motor vehicle in Hartford in August 2018.

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

The indictment charges Parkman with one count of interference with commerce by robbery, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and one count of possession and discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.  The indictment also charges Parkman with one count of possession of ammunition by a convicted felon and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, offenses that carry a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years on each count.

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

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MIRIAM DUBAY, 66, of Purcellville, Virginia, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 33 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for embezzling more than $326,000 from her Connecticut employer.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Dubay, who formerly resided in Shelton, was the bookkeeper for a small, family-owned business in Shelton.  Dubay was the only accounting person for the business, and she had access to the company’s bank accounts, check stock, accounting books and records, and petty cash.  She also was responsible for depositing business checks and cash payments from customers into the company’s bank account.

From at least as early as April 2010 and continuing through October 2016, Dubay engaged in a scheme to defraud her employer by writing checks on company check stock made out to “cash” and either forging the signature on the checks by hand or by using a fraudulently obtained signature stamp.  Dubay either deposited the checks into her personal bank account or cashed the checks at the bank where her employer maintained its business account.  Dubay forged 168 separate checks totaling $239,851.68.

As part of this embezzlement scheme, Dubay also stole 103 customer cash payments, totaling $86,279, instead of depositing the cash into the business’s bank account.

Judge Underhill ordered Dubay to make full restitution to her victim employer.

On June 26, 2018, Dubay pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.

Dubay, who is released on a $20,000 bond, was ordered to report to prison on January 16, 2019.

This matter was investigated by the Shelton Police Department, the U.S. Secret Service and the Connecticut Financial Crimes Task Force.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan L. Wines.

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 ALVIN ROBERTSON, 55, of Bridgeport, with three counts of bank robbery and two counts of interference with commerce by robbery.

The indictment was returned on October 16, 2018.  Robertson appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge William I. Garfinkel in Bridgeport and entered a plea of not guilty to the charges.  He has been detained since his arrest on related state charges on September 27, 2018.

The indictment alleges that Robertson robbed a Subway store located at 9 Ethan Allen Highway in Ridgefield on May 20, 2018; a Subway store located at 447 Monroe Turnpike in Monroe on July 22, 2018; a People’s United Bank branch located at 470 Monroe Turnpike in Monroe on August 29, 2018; a People’s United Bank branch located at 763 Straits Turnpike in Watertown on September 21, 2018, and a People’s United Bank branch located at 1135 Farmington Avenue in Berlin on September 25, 2018.

If convicted, Robertson faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count.

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 Watertown, Ridgefield, Monroe and Berlin Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas P. Morabito.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that HECTOR ALFONSO, 37, of Manchester, pleaded guilty yesterday in New Haven federal court to drug and firearm offenses related to a shooting that occurred in Hartford’s South End in December 2016.

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 has included analysis of a surveillance video, revealed that, shortly before the shooting, Alfonso and Michael Rivera arrived at the car wash 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 April 26, 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.

Alfonso pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and one count of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, an offense that carries a mandatory consecutive term of imprisonment of at least seven years.  Alfonso is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton on February 12, 2019.

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.

Alfonso faces additional penalties for violating the conditions of his supervised release from his prior federal conviction.

Michael Rivera, 35, of Hartford, and Ruben Rodriguez, 38, of Meriden, have pleaded guilty to related charges and are detained while awaiting sentencing.

When Rodriguez was arrested on September 29, 2017, a search of his 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.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Hartford Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Leaming.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ANTHONY VITO, 28, formerly of Stoughton, Massachusetts, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 48 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for serving as the getaway driver for an armed bank robbery and two commercial robberies in December 2017.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 8, 2017, Vito drove Anthony Provost to the Mobil Gas Station and Dunkin Donuts located at 750 Straits Turnpike in Middlebury.  Provost first threatened the cashier at the Mobil station with what appeared to be a firearm, and instructed her to open the cash register and provide her with all of its contents.  The cashier complied and provided him with $578.  The cashier also complied with Provost’s demand that she give him cigarettes valued at approximately $131.  Provost then went to the cashier at the Dunkin Donuts, lifted his shirt to display what appeared to be a firearm and demanded money.  During the robbery, when a customer entered the premises, Provost pointed the firearm at her and told her to keep her hands out of her pocketbook.  The cashier gave Provost approximately $350.  Provost then fled the premises in the vehicle driven by Vito.

Vito then drove Provost to the Thomaston Savings Bank located at 508 South Main Street in Thomaston.  At the bank, Provost handed the teller a note stating “Robbery 20’s, 50’s, 100’s, quiet.”  Provost also displayed what appeared to be a firearm.   After the teller gave him money, Provost told her to get money from the other teller.  The teller complied, and Provost left the bank with $1,471.  Provost and Vito then fled the scene.

On December 9, 2017, Provost was arrested by Waterbury Police officers in a motel room that was occupied by Vito and another individual.  At the scene, officers recovered a silver and beige handled CO-2 powered BB gun, a black ski mask, a gray ski mask, $542 in cash, and multiple packs of cigarettes.  Officers also seized a red Ford Explorer that had been used during several of the robberies.  Vito was arrested shortly thereafter.

Provost and Vito have been detained since their arrests.

On June 8, 2018, Vito pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting an armed bank robbery.

On April 26, 2018, Provost pleaded guilty to one count of armed bank robbery and admitted that he committed these robberies and several others in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire late last year.  On July 19, 2018, he was sentenced to 96 months of imprisonment.

This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Waterbury, Southington, Thomaston, Putnam, Avon, Middlebury, Shrewsbury (Mass.) and Nashua (N.H.) Police Departments.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony E. Kaplan.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that SHAQUILLE RICHARDSON, 25, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 117 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for robbery and firearm offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 30, 2016, at approximately 1:41 a.m., New Haven Police officers were dispatched to Ferry Street after a report that a person had been shot.  At the scene, officers found two victims.  One victim had been shot in the left elbow and was bleeding heavily, and the other victim was bleeding from the nose. 

The investigation, which has included witness interviews, DNA evidence, ballistics evidence and footage from a surveillance video, revealed that Richardson and Thomas Johnson attacked the two victims after they exited a convenience store in an attempt to steal marijuana and money from the victims.  Johnson shot one of the victims in his elbow and Richardson struck the other victim in the face with a gun.

Officers apprehended Richardson near the scene of the robbery.  When Richardson was found, he was bleeding from a gash to his hand where one of the victims had slashed him with a knife in self-defense.  Johnson was arrested on July 28, 2016, during a motor vehicle stop.  At the time of his arrest, Johnson possessed the firearm he used during the robbery.

Richardson has been detained since his arrest.  On January 31, 2018, he pleaded guilty to one count of Hobbs Act Robbery and one count of carrying a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

Johnson, of New Haven, pleaded guilty to related charges on April 4, 2018.  On October 11, 2018, he was sentenced to 156 months of imprisonment.

This matter was investigated by the New Haven Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter D. Markle and Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that STEPHEN T. GIONFRIDDO, 68, of Middletown, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to fraud charges stemming from a scheme in which he embezzled more than $500,000 from his former employer, and then stole nearly $400,000 from his brother to pay back his employer.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Gionfriddo was hired by a Rocky Hill law firm as a paralegal in approximately August 2013.  Beginning in approximately December 2013, Gionfriddo caused the firm’s bookkeeper to prepare checks payable to various of Gionfriddo’s creditors by misrepresenting that the funds were needed to pay client expenses.  Gionfriddo also intercepted numerous checks payable to the law firm or to the firm’s clients, endorsed the checks over to himself, and then deposited the checks into his personal bank account for his own use.

In July 2017, Gionfriddo forged the signature of one of the firm’s partners on a Notice of Certificate Maturity in order to cancel a certificate of deposit (CD) in the name of one of the firm’s clients, and then mailed the form.  When the $112,748.21 distribution check representing the proceeds of the client’s CD was mailed to the firm, Gionfriddo intercepted it, forged the signature of the payee, and converted it to his own use.

Through this scheme, Gionfriddo stole $543,372.21 from the law firm and its clients.

In late September 2017, the principals at the law firm confronted Gionfriddo about the theft of funds, and Gionfriddo promised to repay the firm.  On October 3, 2017, Gionfriddo called the Thrift Savings Plan (“TSP”), a defined contribution plan for federal employees, and impersonated his brother, who had worked for the federal government and maintains a TSP account.  During the call, Gionfriddo obtained information about how to effect a hardship withdrawal of money from the account and have it sent to a bank account he controlled.  Gionfriddo also was advised on that call that TSP would issue a Form 1099 in January as a result of the hardship withdrawal.

On October 4, 2017, Gionfriddo faxed a form requesting a withdrawal of $195,000 from his brother’s TSP account for “medical expenses.”  Gionfriddo directed the TSP to deposit the funds into a bank account that he controlled.

In an effort to conceal this scheme from his brother, Gionfriddo contacted the U.S. Postal Service and had his brother’s mail held for the entire month of January.

Gionfriddo also stole from his brother’s bank and investment accounts in the total amount of $201,518.

Gionfriddo was arrested on a criminal complaint on June 12, 2018.

Gionfriddo pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud and one count of wire fraud.  Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for February 12, 2019, at which time Gionfriddo faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count.

Gionfriddo was convicted of federal wire fraud and mail fraud offenses in 2006 for embezzling more than $633,000 from clients while acting as their attorney.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan L. Wines.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that JOSE LUIS MERINO HERNANDEZ, also known as “Jose Mendez,” 50, pleaded guilty yesterday in Hartford federal court to one count of reentry of removed alien.  Merino Hernandez is a citizen of Mexico last residing in Waterbury.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in January 2005, Merino Hernandez was removed from the U.S. to Mexico after he sustained convictions in New York.  He illegally reentered the U.S. and was encountered by ICE while he was incarcerated in New York in November 2010.  He was removed to Mexico in January 2011.

U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents encountered Merino Hernandez in Tucson, Arizona, three times in May and June 2011.  After the third encounter, Merino Hernandez was charged in the District of Arizona with illegal reentry.  He was convicted of the offense, sentenced to 120 days of imprisonment, and removed to Mexico in October 2011.

On June 9, 2018, Merino Hernandez was arrested in Waterbury and charged with four counts of risk of injury of a minor, one count of interfering/resisting arrest, one count of breach of peace and one count of assault 3rd degree.  He has been detained since his arrest.  On September 10, 2018, he pleaded guilty in state court to one count of reckless endangerment in the first degree.

Merino Hernandez is scheduled to be sentenced in Hartford federal court on February 11, 2019, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of two years.

This matter has been investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), with the assistance of the Waterbury Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Deborah R. Slater.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment yesterday charging ROCKY SAMAS, also known as “Twin,” 47, of Bridgeport, with one count of possession with intent to distribute at 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”), and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

As alleged in court documents, between August and October 2018, investigators conducted three controlled purchases of crack cocaine from Samas in Bridgeport.  On November 6, 2018, Samas was arrested on a federal criminal complaint.  On that date, investigators searched his Bridgeport residence and seized quantities of crack and powder cocaine.

If convicted, Samas, who has a prior federal narcotics conviction, faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life on the crack cocaine charge, and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years on the powder cocaine charge.

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 Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, and the Stamford and Bridgeport Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Vizcarrondo.

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 SCOTT MATHEWS, 34, of North Branford, with one count of distribution of heroin and fentanyl.

The indictment was returned on November 7, 2018.  Mathews appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah A. L. Merriam in New Haven, entered a plea of not guilty to the charge, and was released on a $100,000 bond.

This matter stems from an investigation into the overdose death of a 39-year-old man at a hotel in Meriden in November 2017.

The indictment alleges that, on November 8, 2017, Mathews distributed heroin and fentanyl.

If convicted of this charge, Matthews faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

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

This investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Meriden Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Natasha Freismuth.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MIGUEL ANGEL ARCOS-VASQUEZ, also known as “Dimas Fernando Herrarte,” 27, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 12 months and one day of imprisonment for illegally reentering the U.S. after being deported.  Arcos-Vasquez is a citizen of Guatemala last residing in Norwalk.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in November 2011, Arcos-Vasquez attempted to enter the U.S. at the Mexican border using the identity of a Mexican citizen.  He was denied entry into the U.S. and returned by foot to Mexico.

In March 2014, Arcos-Vasquez was arrested by the Stratford Police Department for a burglary offense.  In April 2014, he also was charged with failure to appear.  He was not encountered by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at this time.

In approximately 2015, Arcos-Vasquez returned to Guatemala voluntarily.  In January 2016, he attempted to enter the U.S. three times through Texas, but was removed to Mexico after each attempt.

On January 24, 2017, Arcos-Vasquez was arrested by the Stamford Police Department on charges of threatening in the first degree.  On January 27, 2017, under the name of Dimas Herrarte-Ramirez, he was charged by the Norwalk Police Department with sale of a hallucinogen/narcotic and criminal possession of a firearm.  He has been detained since that time, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement was notified.

On October 19, 2017, Arcos-Vasquez was sentenced in state court to five years of incarceration, execution suspended after two years.  His state prison term is scheduled to expire in January 2019.

Judge Hall ordered Arcos-Vasquez to begin serving his federal sentence upon his release from state prison.

On August 17, 2018, Arcos-Vasquez pleaded guilty in federal court to illegally reentering the U.S. after being deported.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that TYESHON KING, 31, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by two years of supervised release, for illegally possessing firearms.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 24, 2017, members of the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and Bridgeport Police Department conducted a court-authorized search of King’s Bridgeport residence and seized a loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol and a loaded .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol that had been reported stolen in Bridgeport in 2015.  Investigators also seized items used to process and package narcotics for street sale.

King’s criminal history includes a state conviction in May 2007 for attempted assault in the first degree.  He received a sentence of 15 years of incarceration, suspended after three years, on that conviction.

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.

King has been detained since his federal arrest on July 13, 2017.  On August 30, 2018, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon.

This matter was investigated by the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force, DEA’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, and Bridgeport Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph Vizcarrondo and Dave Vatti.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that THOMAS M. MURTHA, 62, of Birmingham, Michigan and formerly of Newtown, Connecticut, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 78 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for stealing nearly $2 million from clients, friends and family members.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Murtha operated a law practice under the name Maher & Murtha LLC in Bridgeport.  Beginning in approximately November 2011, Murtha stole approximately $2 million from more than 20 individuals, including law clients, friends and family members.  More than $516,000 of the stolen funds were for the benefit of an individual with mental health issues.  As part of the scheme, Murtha submitted false or forged documents to victims.  He also incurred charges on credit cards in the names of others without their knowledge or permission.

The investigation revealed that Murtha used some of the stolen funds in connection with the purchase of a $725,000 house in Birmingham, Michigan, and on other lavish expenses, including the purchase and care of show horses.

Judge Shea ordered Murtha to pay total restitution of $1,994,467.15.  Murtha also has agreed to forfeit his interests in the house in Michigan and a 2.11 carat diamond engagement ring that the government has seized.

In September 2016, Murtha resigned from the bar after three grievance complaints were filed against him.  He was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on April 5, 2017, and a grand jury returned a multi-count indictment against him on August 16, 2017.  On May 30, 2018, he pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.

Murtha, who is released on bond, was ordered to report to the U.S. Marshals Service on November 26, 2018, to begin serving his sentence.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Greenwich Police Department, with the assistance of the Connecticut Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer R. Laraia and David T. Huang.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that, on November 13, 2018, TALVIN HINTON, 42, of Bridgeport, pleaded guilty in Bridgeport federal court to one count of distribution of heroin.

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 September 23, 2017, the Stratford Police Department and emergency medical personnel responded to a suspected overdose of a 25-year-old female at a Stratford home.  The victim was transported to the hospital where she was pronounced deceased.  At the scene, officers collected nine bags of suspected heroin and other evidence of drug use.

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

The investigation revealed that Hinton was the source of the narcotics purchased by the victim shortly before she died.

Between January and March 2018, investigators made four controlled purchases of heroin from Hinton.  He was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on March 20, 2018.

Hinton is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport on February 5, 2019, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

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

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 Natasha M. Freismuth.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that PAUL WILLIAM MUZYKA, 49, of North Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 54 months of imprisonment, followed by two years of supervised release, for his role in a large-scale fencing operation.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Muzyka and George J. Connelly, Jr., operated a licensed secondhand store, Ace Amusements, located at 42 Kimberly Avenue in New Haven.  At Ace Amusements, Muzyka and Connelly knowingly purchased stolen property from “boosters,” who typically were shoplifters with opioid addictions.  The boosters stole the goods from retail stores such as Home Depot, Target, CVS, and Lowe’s, and sold the goods at Ace Amusements for approximately one-third of their retail prices.  Muzyka and Connelly then resold the stolen goods at Ace Amusements, and also online at websites such as eBay.  Muzyka and Connelly also sold property to resellers, who then resold the property online using online websites.

The investigation revealed that individuals who purchased stolen items at Ace Amusements made at least $1.5 million in sales on eBay from 2007 to 2016.

Judge Shea ordered Muzyka to forfeit $73,143.91 that was seized from him during the investigation.

On March 16, 2016, Muzyka pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit the interstate transport of stolen property and one count of interstate transport of stolen property.  He was ordered to report to prison on February 4, 2019.

On May 23, 2018, Connelly was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit the interstate transport of stolen property, and two counts of interstate transport of stolen property.  On October 1, he was sentenced to 78 months of imprisonment and was ordered to forfeit an interest of $86,220.85 in a house he owns on Tuttle Drive in New Haven, $10,338.68 that was seized from his and Ace Amusements’ bank accounts, and $13,078.67 in cash that was seized from his person and from various locations inside Ace Amusements on January 25, 2016.

This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Connecticut State Police, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Connecticut Department of Correction, Connecticut Chief State’s Attorney’s Office, and the New Haven, North Haven, Milford, West Haven, Wallingford, Hamden and Orange Police Departments.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John T. Pierpont, Jr. and David T. Huang.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DANIEL FLEISCHAUER, 32, of North Branford, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between approximately 2013 and 2017, Fleischauer communicated with minor females on internet applications, including Kik and Cypher.  At times, the communications involved sexual topics.  During these communications, Fleischauer sent sexually explicit images of himself to minor females, and he requested, and received, images and videos of minor females engaged in sexually explicit conduct.  Fleischauer believed that one of the minors with whom he engaged in this conduct was under the age of 12.

Fleischauer has been detained since his arrest on December 13, 2017.

Judge Hall scheduled sentencing for February 7, 2019, at which time Fleischauer faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

This matter is being investigated by the Connecticut Human Trafficking Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations, with the assistance of Kik Interactive.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anastasia E. King.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Brian C. Turner, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bridgeport Police Chief Armando J. Perez announced, today announced that 16 individuals have been charged with federal offenses related to the distribution of heroin, cocaine, crack and opioids in southern Connecticut.

According to allegations made in court, in the summer of 2017, members of the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and Bridgeport Police Department began investigating individuals who were distributing narcotics in and around Bridgeport.  The investigation has included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of narcotics, physical and video surveillance, and the execution of multiple search and seizure warrants.  These law enforcement efforts have resulted in the seizure of narcotics, eight firearms – including three assault rifles and a destructive device – more than $360,000 in cash, and other items.

On November 14, 2018, a grand jury in New Haven returned three indictments charging 16 individuals.  The majority of the defendants were arrested last week on federal criminal complaints, and one defendant was arrested today. 

The following individuals are charged in an indictment with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin:

LOUIE McDOWELL, 45, of Seymour
ANTONIO SMALL, a.k.a. “Tone” and “Bert,” 27, of Naugatuck
EVAN SHEFFIELD, a.k.a. “Smooth,” 32, of Bridgeport
CHRISTOPHER RODRIGUEZ, a.k.a. “Rico,” 30, of Hamden
JESSE PAPCUN, a.k.a. “Steve,” 30, of Stratford
ALLISON McAULIFFE, 28, of Fairfield
SHAWN JOBBAGY, 27, of Bridgeport
ALLISON COLAVITO, 31, of Trumbull

This indictment specifically charges McDowell and Small with conspiring to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life; Sheffield and Rodriguez with conspiring to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years; and Papcun, McAuliffe, Jobbagy and Colavito with conspiring to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin, and an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

The indictment also charges McDowell with possession with intent to distribute cocaine and heroin, Sheffield with possession with intent to distribute heroin and crack cocaine, and McAuliffe, Jobaggy and Colavito with use of telephone to facilitate a drug trafficking offense.

On November 6, 2018, a search of McDowell’s residence in Seymour revealed approximately one kilogram of cocaine, more than 100 grams of heroin, narcotics paraphernalia, five firearms, ammunition, and $129,203 in cash.  A search of a safe deposit box maintained by McDowell revealed an additional $217,000 in cash.  Investigators also seized $2,960 in cash and heroin from Sheffield’s Bridgeport residence, $1,770 in cash and a Rolex watch from Small’s Naugatuck residence, and narcotics, firearms and other weapons from Papcun’s Stratford residence.

The following individuals are charged in an indictment with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute various controlled substances, including cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin and oxycodone:

KEVIN JONES, II, a.k.a. “Ox” and “Scott,” 26, of Bridgeport
LUIS MARTINEZ, a.k.a. “Macho,” 53, of Stratford
SHAWN WOODARD, 27, of Bridgeport
DONALD LAWLOR, 38, of Norwalk
PHILLIP CHIAIA, 31, of Norwalk
JULIAN DELEPINE, 41, of Wilton
KEVIN JONES, SR., 54, of Farmington

If convicted of the charge, Jones II faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years, and the other six defendants face a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

The indictment also charges Jones II with possessing with intent to distribute cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin and oxycodone.  On November 6, 2018, a search of his person and residence revealed narcotics, $2,823 in cash, jewelry and an ounce of gold.  In addition, a search of Martinez’s Stratford residence revealed $11,132 in cash.

HARVEL CARTER, a.k.a. “Tec,” 25, of Bridgeport, is charged by indictment with one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin, and one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin.  Both offenses carry a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

On November 6, 2018, a search Carter’s residence revealed heroin, two loaded handguns, and $1,406 in cash.

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

This matter is being investigated by the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and the Bridgeport Police Department, as well as the DEA, Connecticut State Police, and the Stratford, Norwalk, Seymour and Trumbull Police Departments.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen L. Peck and Anthony E. Kaplan.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that FRANKLIN OMAR RODRIGUEZ, 37, a citizen of Honduras last residing in Norwalk, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 29 months of imprisonment for illegally reentering the U.S. after being deported.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in December 2005, Rodriguez was convicted in Carroll County, Georgia, of statutory rape and was sentenced to time served and three years of probation.  In February 2009, he was convicted, in Carroll County, of failure to register as a sex offender and two counts of false identification documents, and was sentenced to 10 years of incarceration, execution suspended after two years.  In July 2009, he was convicted in Douglas County, Georgia, for possessing drugs, driving under the influence and driving with a suspended license, and was sentenced to 18 months of incarceration.  Rodriguez used aliases when he was arrested for these offenses.

In February 2011, Rodriguez was deported from the U.S. to Honduras.

Rodriguez illegally reentered the U.S. and, on January 13, 2017, was arrested by Stamford Police for the sale of illegal drugs, possession of narcotics with intent to sell, and interfering/resisting arrest.

On December 8, 2017, Rodriguez pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of reentry of a removed alien.

The state case is pending in Stamford Superior Court, where Rodriguez is scheduled to be sentenced on November 21.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Brian C. Turner, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced that MICHAEL KMEC, 40, of Marlborough, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to one count of wire fraud related to an embezzlement scheme.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Kmec began working at Connecticut College in New London in 2006.  In 2014, Kmec was promoted to Director of Auxiliary Services of the college.  In that position, he oversaw the print shop, bookstore, vending machines, transportation, laundry services and residence halls.  He also oversaw the Camel Card program, which is an identification and debit card used at the college.  As part of his responsibilities, Kmec oversaw approval of various third-party reimbursements for services to the college.

Beginning in approximately 2014 and ending when he was terminated by Connecticut College in April 2018, Kmec defrauded the college through various embezzlement schemes, including receiving funds from the college through fraudulent billing schemes, diverting checks to the college to a bank account he controlled, diverting money from the Camel Card program to bank accounts he controlled, and misappropriating a college laptop.  He also fraudulently deposited more than 80 reimbursement checks that a contractor for the college had issued to Connecticut College students into a bank account he controlled.

Through these schemes, Kmec stole $173,010.

Kmec is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea on February 12, 2019, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Cherry.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that BRIAN PAGE, 44, of Guilford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to one count of failure to surrender for service of his federal sentence.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 17, 2017, Judge Thompson sentenced Page to 97 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for his role in a scheme to distribute oxycodone that was obtained through fraudulent prescriptions.  Judge Thompson ordered Page, who was released on a $200,000 bond, to surrender for service of his sentence on November 17, 2017.

Page was subsequently designated by the Bureau of Prisons to the Federal Correctional Institute at Fort Dix, New Jersey.

Page did not surrender to FCI Fort Dix on November 17, 2017.  The U.S. Marshals Service located and arrested Page at a hotel in Branford on December 7, 2017.

The charge of failure to surrender for service of a federal sentence carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, which must be imposed consecutively to the underlying sentence.  Judge Thompson scheduled sentencing for February 5, 2019.

Page has been detained since his arrest.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis and Anthony E. Kaplan.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Mickey D. Leadingham, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division, and East Hartford Police Chief Scott M. Sansom announced that DANIEL VAZQUEZ, also known as “Chino,” 21, of East Hartford, pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

This matter stems from an investigation headed by the ATF and East Hartford Police Department into drug trafficking and related acts of violence by a group of individuals operating out of the Mayberry Village housing complex in East Hartford.

According to court documents and statements made in court, sometime in or before 2014, Vazquez and others were robbed at gunpoint while they were attempting to purchase marijuana that they intended to redistribute.  On July 6, 2016, Vazquez saw the person who had robbed him driving a car at the intersection of Tolland Street and Moore Avenue in East Hartford and shot at him.  Vazquez was arrested on that date, and a search of his residence revealed a Ruger LC93 9mm handgun, which he had used in the shooting, and a Taurus 9mm handgun.

The investigation revealed that Courtney Johnson had moved from East Hartford to Minot, North Dakota.  In late June 2016, Lawrence Christie, an East Hartford resident who was staying with Johnson in Minot, contacted Vazquez and asked him to drive from Connecticut to North Dakota to assist Christie in purchasing firearms.  Vazquez and another associate then drove to North Dakota where they stayed with Johnson.  In Minot, Vazquez, Christie, Johnson and others, sometimes using counterfeit currency, purchased firearms from sellers who had advertised the guns for sale on a website.  Vazquez and others then transported five firearms from North Dakota to Connecticut.  Two of the five guns purchased in North Dakota were found in Vazquez’s residence on July 6.

To date, investigators have traced a total of nine firearms that were obtained in North Dakota and transported to Connecticut.  Some of the guns have been used in shootings in the Hartford area.  Investigators also purchased and seized quantities of heroin, cocaine and marijuana during the investigation.

Vazquez is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson on February 5, 2018, at which time he faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of seven years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

Vazquez has been detained since his arrest on July 6, 2016.  He previously pleaded guilty in state court to possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle and was sentenced to 18 months of incarceration.

Johnson, 23, and Christie, 28, have pleaded guilty to firearm and drug offenses related to this scheme and await sentencing.

This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the ATF and East Hartford Police Department, with the assistance of the Connecticut Department of Correction and the Minot Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Stolfi Collins.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MICHAEL USZAKIEWICZ, 52, of Prospect, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 16 months of imprisonment, followed by one year of supervised release, for his role in a bribery scheme.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Uszakiewicz was the owner of K&M Fire Protection in Southington.  Javed Choudhry was employed by a construction company based in Stamford.  Between approximately 2011 and 2014, Uszakiewicz and other contractors paid a total of $250,000 to $500,000 in bribes to Choudhry to receive millions of dollars in contracts on construction projects in Stamford.

On April 17, 2018, Uszakiewicz pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

As part of the resolution of this case, Uszakiewicz forfeited $1,121,106.

Judge Thompson ordered Uszakiewicz, who is released on a $100,000 bond, to report to prison on January 4, 2019.

On May 16, 2017, Choudhry, of Glastonbury, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of filing a false tax return.  On September 6, 2018, he was sentenced to eight months of imprisonment and four months of home confinement, and was ordered to pay back taxes of approximately $47,500, plus interest and penalties.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that ALBA LORENGIE FILOMENO-GOMEZ, 23, of New London, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 18 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for her role in a cocaine trafficking ring.

This matter stems from a DEA New Haven Task Force and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service-led investigation into a New Britain man who is alleged to have coordinated the shipment of multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine through the U.S. Mail from Puerto Rico to various locations in Connecticut.  More than 12 kilograms of cocaine were seized during the investigation.

Filomeno-Gomez, on behalf of the organization, accepted packages containing kilogram quantities of cocaine that had been mailed from Puerto Rico.  She also couriered narcotics and narcotics proceeds between Connecticut and a narcotics distributor in Scranton, Pennsylania.

Filomeno-Gomez was arrested on October 25, 2017.  On July 17, 2018, she pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess 500 grams or more of cocaine.

This matter is being investigated by the DEA New Haven Task Force, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Middletown and New Britain Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney H. Gordon Hall.

United States Attorney John H. Durham, Special Agent in Charge Brian C. Turner of the FBI’s New Haven Division, and Special Agent in Charge Kristina O’Connell of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England today announced that, on November 6, 2018, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned two indictments charging a total of five individuals connected with a southeastern Connecticut energy cooperative with offenses related to the theft of federal funds.  The indictments were unsealed today.

As alleged in both indictments, the Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Corporation (“CMEEC”) is a cooperative public corporation that permits municipal electric utilities in Connecticut to join together to furnish electric power in the municipalities’ areas of operation.  CMEEC’s members included the City of Norwich, the City of Groton, the Borough of Jewett City, the Second Taxing District of the City of Norwalk, the Third Taxing District of the City of Norwalk, and the Town of Bozrah.  As the owners of CMEEC, each member town executed an agreement through its respective municipal electric utility outlining the terms and conditions under which the CMEEC members participated together in CMEEC.  The CMEEC membership agreement provides that excess revenues are designated as “CMEEC Margin,” and that the excess revenues are to be returned to the member towns to help keep electricity costs stable for ratepayers.

Between 2010 and 2015, CMEEC received more than $9 million dollars from the U.S. Department of Energy.  CMEEC member towns also received funds from federal grants.

Charged in the first indictment are:

• DREW RANKIN, 57, of Columbia.  Rankin is the chief executive officer of CMEEC.
• JAMES SULLIVAN, 52, of Norwich.  Until October 2015, Sullivan was a City of Norwich representative and the chairperson of the CMEEC Board of Directors.
• JOHN BILDA, 54, of Norwich.  Bilda is the City of Norwich representative on the CMEEC Board of Directors and an employee of the City of Norwich.
• EDWARD DeMUZZIO, 77, of Groton.  DeMuzzio was a City of Groton representative and the secretary of the CMEEC Board of Directors.
• EDWARD PRYOR, 62, of Groton.  Pryor is the chief financial officer of CMEEC.

The first indictment alleges that Rankin, Sullivan, Bilda, DeMuzzio and Pryor planned, organized and directed lavish trips outside of Connecticut, including trips to the Kentucky Derby in 2015 and 2016, and to a luxury golf resort in West Virginia in 2015.  These trips did not relate to CMEEC business or CMEEC Member business, but were intended to personally benefit, compensate and reward the co-conspirators, their family members, friends and associates.  Costs for the trips, which totaled more than $800,000, included travel expenses, private chartered airfare, first-class hotel accommodations, meals, tickets to sporting events, golf fees, souvenirs and gifts.

It is alleged that the co-conspirators did not seek the approval of the CMEEC Board of Directors for these trips and did not include the costs for the trips as budget expenses in the annual general administrative budgets proposed to and approved by the CMEEC Board of Directors.  The co-conspirators directed that the funds used to pay for the trips come from the CMEEC Margin account, without a vote of the CMEEC Board of Directors and without the written consent of the member towns as required by the CMEEC membership agreement.  It is further alleged that, in January 2015, without a vote of the CMEEC Board or consent of the member towns, Pryor directed that a new “contra-margin” account be created for the costs of the Kentucky Derby trips to come from the CMEEC Margin account.

The indictment alleges that the CMEEC Board of Directors had committees, including the compensation committee, which was responsible for determining the compensation of Rankin as CMEEC’s chief executive officer.  Bilda and DeMuzzio were representatives on the compensation committee.  On February 25, 2016, Bilda made a motion at a CMEEC Board of Directors meeting to modify the compensation package of Rankin retroactive to January 1, 2016.  The motion was seconded by DeMuzzio.  The modification increased Rankin’s overall compensation.

It is further alleged that, in response to reporter inquiries about the Kentucky Derby and golf trips, Rankin underreported the costs of the trips, omitted the names of attendees who were not CMEEC employees or board members, and made other false statements related to how the trips were funded.  After the trips were known to the general public, CMEEC canceled a reservation it had made for the 2017 Kentucky Derby, and was refunded only approximately $90,000 of the $298,960 it had prepaid for the trip in May 2016.

The indictment charges each defendant with one count of conspiracy, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, and three counts of theft concerning a program receiving federal funds, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

The second indictment charges Rankin and Sullivan with engaging in a conspiracy to pay for Sullivan’s personal expenses with CMEEC funds.  It is alleged that Sullivan submitted his personal expenses on a regular basis via “expense reports” that Rankin approved and directed to be paid out of CMEEC funds.  Sullivan’s personal expenses were charged to the CMEEC’ account for lobbying expenses, even though Sullivan was not a registered lobbyist for CMEEC.  Between January 2012 and August 2015, Rankin authorized the payment of numerous personal expenses for Sullivan, including airfare for dozens of flights Sullivan took, trips for Sullivan and his family members to attend the Kentucky Derby in 2013, 2014, and 2015, and airfare for a flight for Sullivan’s wife to travel to Key West, Florida, in December 2014.

The second indictment charges Rankin and Sullivan with one count of conspiracy and three counts of theft concerning a program receiving federal funds.

“CMEEC has received millions of dollars in grants from the U.S. Department of Energy,” said U.S. Attorney Durham.  “Instead of protecting these funds and returning excess revenue to member towns and ratepayers, these defendants are alleged to have used the CMEEC Margin Account as a secret slush fund to pay for lavish junkets for themselves and their family and friends, as well as for other inappropriate expenses.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to working with our federal law enforcement partners to safeguard public funds and prosecute those who steal from the public.”

“At a time when there are Connecticut residents struggling to afford basic necessities such as food, housing and electricity, the FBI and its law enforcement partners will continue to hold public officials, and those with responsibility for public funds, accountable for fraud, waste and abuse of those funds,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Turner.

“The criminal conduct alleged in the indictment is yet another example of those abusing high-level corporate positions to personally benefit at the expense of others,” said IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge O’Connell.  “The funds CMEEC allegedly misappropriated for these extravagant trips was motivated by greed, to the detriment of the member towns and ratepayers.  IRS will continue to support these important white-collar investigations, working alongside our federal partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”

Each of the five defendants appeared this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven, entered a plea of not guilty to the charges, and was released on a $100,000 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 Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, with the assistance of the U.S. Department of Energy.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Douglas P. Morabito and Sarah P. Karwan.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a grand jury sitting in Hartford returned an indictment yesterday charging JOSE TORRES, 32, of Hartford, with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.

The indictment alleges that, on September 7, 2018, TORRES unlawfully possessed a loaded Hi-Point Model JHP .45 caliber pistol in Hartford.

It is further alleged that TORRES’s criminal history includes felony convictions in March 2008 for possession with intent to distribute narcotics and first-degree robbery and, in March 2013, for second-degree robbery.

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, TORRES faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

TORRES has been detained in state custody since his arrest on September 7.

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 case 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 Michael J. Gustafson.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven returned a seven-count indictment today charging ALLAN MANN, JR., also known as “Hailee Randolph DeSouza” and Hailey R. DeSouza,” 66, with false statement offenses related to his living in the U.S. under an assumed name for approximately 30 years.

As alleged in court documents, Allan Mann abducted his 21-month-old son, Jermaine Allan Mann, on June 24, 1987, during a court-ordered visit in Toronto, Canada.  Allan Mann, who is a Canadian citizen, and his son subsequently entered the U.S.  Allan Mann changed his name to Hailee Randolph DeSouza, changed the name of his son, and acquired counterfeit birth certificates for him and his son.  Allan Mann has never applied for nor received citizenship status in the U.S.

The indictment alleges that, in June 1990, Mann, using the name Hailee Randolph DeSouza, applied for and received a Social Security Number.  In support of this application, Mann presented his counterfeit birth certificate.  In May 2018, Mann, using his alias, applied for a replacement Social Security card.

It is further alleged that Mann has participated in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) Section 8 subsidized housing program at various times since 2004.  Mann most recently resided in Section 8 subsidized housing in Vernon, Connecticut.  Mann has made multiple false statements on HUD forms he signed in connection with his participation in the Section 8 program.  HUD has paid tens of thousands of dollars in housing assistance payments on Mann’s behalf.

The indictment alleges that Mann also made multiple false statements on applications to participate in the State of Connecticut’s Medicaid program.  Since January 2014, Medicaid has paid tens of thousands of dollars for Mann’s medical expenses.

The indictment charges Mann with four counts of making a false statement, and three counts of making a false statement in a healthcare matter.  Each charge carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.

Mann has been detained since October 26, 2018, when he was arrested on a criminal complaint.

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 U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services –Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of State – Bureau of Diplomatic Security, Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General, Toronto Police Service, Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Vernon Police Department.  The Missing Children Society of Canada and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children have provided critical assistance to the investigation.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah Karwan and Hal Chen.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ANDREW CUNNINGHAM, 38, formerly of Windsor, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to one count of count of enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in March 2017, Cunningham began communicating with a 13-year-old female on Omegle, a website and mobile application designed to pair strangers for text and video chats.  Cunningham first told the minor victim that he was 17, and later stated he was 25.  Cunningham and the minor victim then communicated via text messaging and phone calls for approximately one week.  During that time, Cunningham enticed the minor victim to send him sexually explicit images of herself, and attempted to lure her to travel to Connecticut.

Cunningham has been in state custody since May 2, 2017, when he was arrested on related state charges.  He pleaded guilty in state court to illegal sexual contact with a minor and enticement of a minor, and is currently serving a three-year state sentence.

Cunningham was a registered sex offender and was on probation at the time of the offense.  In 2014, Cunningham traveled to Illinois and engaged in sexual activity with a 14-year-old girl.  He had told the girl he was 25 years old when, in fact, he was 34 at the time.  In 2015, he was convicted in Illinois of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a minor and was sentenced to five years in prison and two years of mandatory supervised release.  He was released from prison in December 2016.

Judge Arterton scheduled sentencing for February 15, 2019, at which time Cunningham faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that a grand jury sitting in Hartford returned an indictment today charging WILLIAM SCOTT, 39, of Springfield, Massachusetts, with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.

The indictment alleges that, on July 2, 2018, Scott unlawfully possessed a loaded Smith and Wesson .380 caliber pistol in Hartford.

It is further alleged that Scott’s criminal history includes felony convictions in Massachusetts in 2003 and 2012 for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and, in 2012, for unlawful possession of a firearm.

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, Scott faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

Scott has been detained in state custody since his arrest on July 2, 2018.

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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Hartford 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, announced that a grand jury sitting in Hartford returned an indictment today charging ARNO SMITH, 56, of Hartford, with carjacking.

The indictment alleges that, on July 26, 2018, Smith used threats of violence to steal a 2006 Honda Accord from a victim in Hartford.

Smith was arrested on related state charges on September 20, 2018, and has been detained since his arrest.

If convicted of the charge of carjacking, Smith faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years.

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’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force and the Hartford 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.

WASHINGTON – A former precious metals trader at a United States bank (Bank) pleaded guilty in a proceeding unsealed yesterday to commodities fraud and a spoofing conspiracy in connection with his participation in fraudulent and deceptive trading activity in the precious metals futures contracts markets.

Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney John H. Durham of the District of Connecticut and Assistant Director in Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. of the FBI’s New York Field Office made the announcement.

John Edmonds, 36, of Brooklyn, New York, pleaded guilty under seal on Oct. 9 in the District of Connecticut to an information charging him with one count of commodities fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, commodities fraud, commodities price manipulation and spoofing.  Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 19 before U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny of the District of Connecticut. 

“For years, John Edmonds engaged in a sophisticated scheme to manipulate the market for precious metals futures contracts for his own gain by placing orders that were never intended to be executed,” said Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski.  “The Criminal Division is committed to prosecuting those who undermine the investing public’s trust in the integrity of our commodities markets through spoofing or any other illegal conduct.”

“This defendant was involved in manipulating the precious metals commodity markets for several years, and I thank the FBI for its diligent investigation of this matter and its commitment to hold accountable those who use technology to their advantage to cheat these markets.” said U.S. Attorney Durham.  “The investigation of deceptive trading practices by others involved in this scheme is ongoing.”

"With his guilty plea, Edmonds admitted he intended to introduce materially false and misleading information into the commodities markets,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge Sweeney. “By conspiring with his trading partners to place spoof orders, he blatantly attempted to profit off of an unfair market that he helped create.  The FBI will continue to work with our partners to insure financial markets remain a level playing field for all investors."

As part of his plea, Edmonds admitted that from approximately 2009 through 2015, he conspired with other precious metals traders at the Bank to manipulate the markets for gold, silver, platinum and palladium futures contracts traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange Inc. (NYMEX) and Commodity Exchange Inc. (COMEX), which are commodities exchanges operated by CME Group Inc.  Edmonds and his fellow precious metals traders at the Bank routinely placed orders for precious metals futures contracts with the intent to cancel those orders before execution (the Spoof Orders), he admitted.  This trading strategy was admittedly intended to inject materially false and misleading liquidity and price information into the precious metals futures contracts markets by placing the Spoof Orders in order to deceive other market participants about the existence of supply and demand.  The Spoof Orders were designed to artificially move the price of precious metals futures contracts in a direction that was favorable to Edmonds and his co-conspirators at the Bank, to the detriment of other market participants.  In pleading guilty, Edmonds admitted that he learned this deceptive trading strategy from more senior traders at the Bank, and he personally deployed this strategy hundreds of times with the knowledge and consent of his immediate supervisors.

This case is the result of an ongoing investigation by the FBI’s New York Field Office.  Trial Attorney Matthew F. Sullivan of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Avi M. Perry of the District of Connecticut are prosecuting the case.

Individuals who believe that they may be a victim in these cases should visit the Fraud Section’s Victim Witness website for more information.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that EDWARD WILLIAMS, 58, of Hartford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to bank fraud and identity theft offenses stemming from a mail theft and check cashing scheme.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Williams stole checks in a variety of ways and altered or filled out the checks to make them payable to him, his co-conspirators, or stolen identities that he has used.

The victims of this scheme include a Windsor resident who had written a check payable to American Express, mailed the check with his American Express bill, and later discovered that the check had been altered and cashed for $985.30; a West Hartford couple who had left a holiday card containing a $15 check for their newspaper delivery person outside of their mailbox, and later discovered it had been altered and cashed for $870; a West Hartford resident who learned that she had a box of checks she ordered stolen after Williams attempted to cash one of the checks for $400; and an individual who had personal checks stolen from a book he kept at his business, and was subsequently informed that Williams had deposited four of the checks totaling more than $5,000 into a bank account Williams had opened.

In total, between August 2016 and June 2017, Williams, or his co-conspirators, successfully cashed $33,756.07 in fraudulently obtained checks.  He, or others working with him, also attempted to cash $16,068.96 in fraudulently obtained checks.

Williams pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years, and one count of aggravated identity theft, and offense that carries a mandatory consecutive term of imprisonment of two years.  A sentencing date is not scheduled

Williams has been detained since his arrest on October 18, 2017.

Williams’ criminal history includes numerous convictions, including convictions for forgery, larceny and burglary offenses.

This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, with the assistance of several police departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarala V. Nagala and Elena L. Coronado.

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 WILLIAM F. ANDERSON, 50, of New Milford, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today in New Haven federal court to one count of 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.  In pleading guilty, Anderson admitted that he failed to pay more than $1.2 million in federal income taxes for the 2007 through 2014 tax years.  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. 

Anderson is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport on January 28, 2019, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.  Anderson also has agreed to cooperate with the IRS to pay all outstanding taxes, interest and penalties.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DENROY FABLE, also known as “Kik,” 35, of Hartford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to firearm and narcotics offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, beginning in late December 2017, members of the FBI’s Connecticut Violent Crime Task Force and the Hartford and Manchester Police Departments were involved in a search of a fugitive who was 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 pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, and offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, cocaine base (“crack”) and heroin, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  Judge Hall scheduled sentencing for January 28, 2019.

Fable has been detained since his arrest.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, announced that JOSE MANUEL SANTOS, 36, of Bridgeport, was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint charging him with transfer of obscene materials to a minor, and enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity.

As alleged in the complaint, earlier this week, law enforcement received information that Santos, a school bus/van driver, was sexually soliciting a 13-year-old girl who was a passenger on his route.  The mother of the minor victim provided the victim’s cell phone to investigators.  Preliminary analysis of the cell phone revealed a sexually explicit photo of Santos that Santos sent to the minor victim, and text messages from Santos, including a text message asking the minor victim to send him a sexually explicit photo of her.

Santos appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven and is detained.

The charge of transfer of obscene materials to a minor carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  Enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

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

This matter is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nancy V. Gifford.