District of Connecticut

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that ANTHONY WHITLEY, 35, of Hartford and New London, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine and 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”).

According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 3, 2017, a court-authorized search of a New London apartment connected to WHITLEY and his nephew, Bashon Whitley, revealed approximately 14.5 grams of heroin, approximately 27 grams of cocaine, approximately 177 grams of crack cocaine, items used to process and package narcotics for street sale, a .380 caliber semiautomatic handgun, ammunition and $9,180 in cash.  Anthony and Bashon Whitley were arrested on state charges at that time.

Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for October 23, 2018, at which time Anthony Whitley faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.  Whitley has been detained since his arrest on March 3, 2017.

On May 30, 2018, Bashon Whitley pleaded guilty to the same charge.  He is detained while awaiting sentencing.

This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Connecticut State Police Statewide Narcotics Task Force East and New London Police Department.  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 ULPIANO LUGO, 38, of Groton, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Alfred V. Covello in Hartford to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing narcotics to an individual who overdosed shortly thereafter.

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 April 22, 2017, at approximately 7:37 p.m., Groton City Police and emergency medical personnel responded to a residence in Groton and found an unresponsive 37-year-old male in the bedroom of the residence.  The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.  Officers collected from the bedroom one used syringe that was one-third full of an unknown liquid, a bent metal spoon with an off-white residue on the surface, one plastic bag with powder residue, and the victim’s cellphone.

Subsequent analysis of the powder residue revealed the presence of heroin and cocaine, and text messages from the victim’s cellphone confirmed that the victim had ordered narcotics from LUGO in the days before the victim’s death.

On May 8, 2018, LUGO pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin and/or cocaine.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that TYEVHON KING, also known as “Twin,” 31, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 121 months of imprisonment, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for trafficking heroin.

According to court documents and statements made in court, KING was a member of a Bridgeport-based heroin trafficking organization that, between approximately April 2015 and March 2017, received at least 30 kilograms of heroin that had been transported from Mexico, and then distributed the drug in the Bridgeport area.  The investigation, which included multiple controlled purchases of heroin from KING, revealed that KING received and distributed at least three kilograms of heroin.

During the investigation, investigators seized vehicles owned by KING that contained “traps,” typically used to conceal narcotics and other contraband.

On March 16, 2017, a grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment charging KING and six other individuals with heroin trafficking and related offenses.

KING has been detained since his arrest on March 24, 2017.  On February 13, 2018, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin.

This matter is being 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 is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph Vizcarrondo and Alina Reynolds.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MICHAEL D. MIR, 41, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 20 months of imprisonment, followed  by one year of supervised release, for preparing false tax returns and underpaying his own federal taxes.

According to court documents and statements made in court, MIR prepared more than 3300 federal tax returns for the 2012 through 2015 tax years through a tax return preparation practice he operated in Waterbury.  MIR falsified information on numerous returns that he prepared for clients by fabricating business expenses, or by inflating deductible medical and dental expenses.  For the 2012 through 2014 tax years, MIR deposited more than $400,000 in income generated by his tax preparation business into his personal bank account.  However, MIR did not report any income from his tax preparation business on his 2013 personal income tax return, and he reported only $18,500 in income from his tax preparation business on his 2014 return.  MIR did not file a personal income tax return for 2015.

Through MIR’s preparation of false tax returns, and the underpayment of his own taxes, the government lost a total of $406,679.

On March 6, 2018, MIR pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and assisting the filing of a false tax return.

Judge Shea ordered MIR to make full restitution to the government.  The IRS is taking action to recover unpaid taxes from MIR’s clients, and MIR’s restitution figure will be reduced as money is recovered from his clients.

Judge Shea also ordered MIR to perform 75 hours of community service during his term of supervised release.

This matter was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, with the assistance of the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher W. Schmeisser.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ISAIAH GAMBLE, also known as “Fresh” and “Zay,” 23, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 18 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing crack cocaine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an investigation headed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force and the Hartford Police Department’s Vice and Narcotics Division targeting gang violence and narcotics trafficking in Hartford’s North End.   In 2015, there was a spike of gang-related violence between the Hoodstarz and the Dumouts street gangs.  GAMBLE was identified as a member of the Hoodstarz.

In the summer of 2015, investigators made multiple controlled purchases of narcotics from GAMBLE and others in the area of Westland Street in Hartford.  On September 15, 2015, GAMBLE was arrested in possession of crack cocaine that he had arranged to sell to an undercover officer.

On March 2, 2016, GAMBLE pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, cocaine base (“crack”).

After his guilty plea and while released on bond and awaiting sentencing, GAMBLE had been participating in the U.S. District Court’s Support Court program.  On May 2, 2018, Hartford Police arrested GAMBLE and two other individuals after they traveled by car to a location on Westland Street.  A search of GAMBLE’s person revealed an “eight-ball” of crack cocaine, and a search of the car revealed 100 wax sleeves containing suspected fentanyl, quantities of crack and marijuana, a digital scale with white residue, and $3,395 in cash.  GAMBLE was dismissed from Support Court after his arrest and his federal sentencing was scheduled.

On July 10, 2018, while awaiting sentencing in his federal case, GAMBLE was arrested again after a vehicle in which he was a passenger was stopped for motor vehicle violations.  GAMBLE jumped out of the vehicle and began to run toward a residence.  He was stopped before entering the house, and a search of his person revealed crack cocaine.  A search of the vehicle revealed a digital scale covered with a white powder residue.

GAMBLE has been detained since July 16, 2018, when his bond was revoked.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that PETER G. KRUZYNSKI, 51, of Shelton, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 156 months of imprisonment, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for child exploitation offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, KRUZYNSKI used his mobile phone and text messaging to entice a male victim, who was under the age of 16, to engage in sexual activity.  Specifically, KRUZYNSKI sent text messages to the victim asking him to come to KRUZYNSKI’s home, where KRUZYNSKI then engaged in sexual activity with the victim.  In addition, on one occasion in December 2014, when the victim was 17 years old, KRUZYNSKI used his phone to take photographs of the victim engaged in sexually explicit conduct.  KRUZYNSKI then threatened to send the photographs to others if the victim did not continue to engage in sexual activity with KRUZYNSKI or spend time with KRUZYNSKI.  KRUZYNSKI, who was a lawyer, also threatened to use his status to jeopardize the victim’s future career hopes if the victim told others about the abuse.

KRUZYNSKI was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on September 16, 2016.  He has been in custody since October 24, 2016, when his bond was revoked for failing to comply with his release conditions.  On January 3, 2018, he pleaded guilty to one count of enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity.

As part of a civil settlement, KRUZYNSKI has agreed to pay the victim $215,000, and Judge Meyer today ordered KRUZYNKI to pay restitution in that amount.

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

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 NEHAMIAH CARROLL, 27, of Norwich, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 28 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for trafficking heroin.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an investigation that began after several heroin overdoses in southeastern Connecticut, including two overdose deaths involving a heroin and fentanyl mix that occurred in January 2016.  The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps and controlled purchases of narcotics, revealed that Michael Luciano operated a drug trafficking organization that distributed heroin to numerous street-level dealers, including CARROLL, in southeastern Connecticut.

In October and November 2017, investigators surveilled CARROLL as he purchased distribution quantities of heroin from the Luciano organization.  At the time, CARROLL was on state parole for a prior drug offense.  On November 16, 2017, CARROLL was arrested on state charges after investigators observed him making several hand-to-hand drug transactions from a vehicle.  A search of the vehicle revealed approximately five grams of heroin and more than eight grams of crack cocaine.  CARROLL has been detained since his arrest.

On December 12, 2017, a grand jury in Hartford returned a 25-count superseding indictment charging CARROLL, Luciano and 19 other individuals with various heroin trafficking offenses.  On May 1, 2018, CARROLL pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, heroin.

Luciano, of New London, has been detained since his arrest on November 14, 2017.  On June 27, 2018, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, one kilogram or more of heroin.

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

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JUSTIN DOHERTY, 25, of Meriden, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Alfred V. Covello in Hartford to 36 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his role in a heroin and cocaine trafficking conspiracy.

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

On November 2, 2016, Jose Davila, also known as “Flaco,” visited a post office in Meriden to inquire about one of the parcels.  On November 3, 2016, law enforcement made a controlled delivery of the second parcel to its intended address.  The residents of the house accepted the parcel on behalf of DOHERTY and contacted DOHERTY on his cellphone.  DOHERTY then arrived at the house in a car driven by Davila.  DOHERTY and Davila were arrested at that time.

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

On January 30, 2018, DOHERTY pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

DOHERTY has been detained since May 22, 2018, when his bond was revoked.

Davila, of Meriden, previously pleaded guilty to the same charge and awaits sentencing.  The third individual is awaiting trial.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that TURON DAVIS, also known as “Slim,” 40, of Middletown, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 30 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for trafficking narcotics.

This matter stems from a joint investigation headed by the DEA New Haven Task Force into a central Connecticut cocaine and crack cocaine trafficking ring.  The investigation, which included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of crack cocaine and seizures of cocaine and cash proceeds, revealed that Westley Northrup, also known as “Piff,” operated a cocaine and crack cocaine trafficking ring while he was incarcerated in state custody at the Cheshire Correctional Institution.  Carlos Roman, also known as “Frizz,” of Middletown, served as a primary distributor of narcotics for the organization.  Northrup conspired with Roman and others to purchase cocaine from suppliers, convert some of the cocaine to crack cocaine, and then distribute crack and cocaine through a network of dealers in central Connecticut, including DAVIS. 

DAVIS has been detained since his arrest on July 26, 2017.  On March 22, 2018, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base (“crack”).

Northrup and Roman also pleaded guilty to related charges.  On April 12, 2018, Roman was sentenced to 120 months of imprisonment.  Northrup awaits sentencing.

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 DEA New Haven Task Force includes participants from the New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, North Haven, East Haven, Branford, Ansonia, Meriden and Derby Police Departments, and the U.S. Marshals Service.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney H. Gordon Hall.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LUIS REYES-GUTIERREZ, 38, formerly of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 37 months of imprisonment for trafficking heroin.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2014, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force received information that David Alvarado, also known as “Flaco,” was distributing heroin to street-level dealers and drug customers in the area of his residence on Wethersfield Avenue in Hartford.  Between August 2014 and May 2015, investigators made eight controlled purchases of heroin from Alvarado.  A wiretap investigation and other evidence revealed that REYES-GUTIERREZ regularly supplied Alvarado and others with raw heroin from his store, the D-Town Supermarket, located at 467 Wethersfield Avenue.

REYES-GUTIERREZ has been detained since his arrest on November 10, 2016.  On January 25, 2018, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin.

REYES-GUTIERREZ is a citizen of the Dominican Republic and a lawful permanent resident of the U.S.  He faces immigration proceedings when he completes his sentence.

Alvarado has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.

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

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that a federal jury in Hartford has found RAYMOND McLAUGHLIN, also known as “Shakir Ra Ade Bey” and “Shakir Ade Bey,” 45, of East Hartford, guilty of one count of making a false statement on a federal tax form.  The trial before U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea began on July 19 and the jury returned its verdict this afternoon.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in March 2009, McLAUGHLIN and his wife refinanced the mortgage for their East Hartford residence, taking out a $233,371 refinancing loan.  McLAUGHLIN and his wife failed to make a single mortgage payment for approximately six years thereafter while they resided in the home.  In April 2011, the mortgage holder filed a foreclosure lawsuit in state court and, in December 2012, Judge Robert F. Vacchelli granted an Order of Foreclosure against McLAUGHLIN.  Between then and April 23, 2014, Judge Vacchelli denied approximately 44 motions filed by McLAUGHLIN to vacate, reopen or otherwise set aside the foreclosure judgment.

On April 24, 2014, McLAUGHLIN mailed packages containing documents related to his foreclosure proceedings to both the U.S. Treasury Department in Washington, D.C., and the Internal Revenue Service in Austin, Texas.  The packages included IRS Forms 1099-OID and 1099-A for the 2014 tax year, falsely claiming that McLAUGHLIN had paid $332,204.25 in taxable income to Judge Vacchelli and the Connecticut state courts.  The packages also contained an IRS Form 1096 on which McLAUGHLIN stated and declared under the penalties of perjury that he had examined the submissions and that they were true, correct and complete, when, in fact, he knew that he had not made a payment of any kind to either Judge Vacchelli or the courts.  Testimony at trial established that had the IRS treated those documents as true, Judge Vacchelli would have been assessed an additional $110,000 in taxes; and that Judge Vacchelli’s pending reappointment to the Superior Court bench could have been placed in jeopardy.

When he is sentenced, McLAUGHLIN faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.  A sentencing date is not scheduled.

McLAUGHLIN was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on June 2, 2017.  He was released on a $50,000 bond until he failed to appear for the beginning of his trial on July 19.  He surrendered today.  Judge Shea ordered McLAUGHLIN to be detained pending sentencing.

This matter is being investigated by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Henry Kopel.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Douglas Shoemaker, Regional Special Agent-in-Charge, United States Department of Transportation-Office of Inspector General, announced that SCOTT PIERSON, 57, of VERNON, was arrested on July 19, 2018, on a criminal complaint charging him with receipt and possession of child pornography. 

The criminal complaint alleges that in March 2018, the U.S. Department of Transportation-Office of Inspector General received information that PIERSON, an Administrative Officer assigned to the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) Bradley Flight Standards District Office in Enfield, was using his FAA-issued laptop computer to access websites known to contain images of child pornography.  Subsequent investigation revealed that PIERSON also downloaded and maintained hundreds of sexually explicit images and videos of children on his FAA-issued laptop computer and other external devices.

Investigators conducted a court-authorized search of PIERSON’s residence and his office yesterday and seized several items, including computers, cell phones and thumb drives.  PIERSON was arrested during the search.

Following his arrest, PIERSON appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna F. Martinez in Hartford.

The charge of receipt of child pornography carries a minimum term of imprisonment of five years, a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and a fine of up to $250,000.  The charge of possession of child pornography carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

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

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

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

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that, on July 18, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging ERIC WILLIAMS, 37, of Danbury, with one count of providing contraband in prison and one count of making false statements.

WILLIAMS was arrested this morning.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge William I. Garfinkel in Bridgeport, entered a plea of not guilty, and was released on a $50,000 bond.

As alleged in the indictment, WILLIAMS worked in the Food Service Department at the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury (FCI Danbury).  On July 9, 2017, WILLIAMS attempted to smuggle four mobile phones and an electric beard trimmer into the prison by hiding the items in his hat as he entered the facility through the staff entrance.  When a corrections officer arrived at the staff entrance to screen WILLIAMS for admission into the facility, WILLIAMS abandoned the attempt and left his hat containing the contraband in the entrance area.  When a supervisory officer found the hat and asked WILLIAMS if it belonged to him, WILLIAMS denied that it was his hat.

If convicted of the charges, Williams faces a maximum term of imprisonment of six years.

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

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General with cooperation from the Federal Bureau of Prisons.  The case is being 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 jury in Hartford has found JAMES ERIK GODIKSEN, 56, of Clinton, guilty of murder for hire.  The trial before U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant began on July 10, and the jury returned its verdict today.

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

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

GODIKSEN has been detained since his arrest.  He faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. 

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ZACHARY PROVOST, 33, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 96 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for committing a series of robberies in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire in late 2017.

According to court documents and statements made in court:

On November 29, 2017, PROVOST entered the Mobil gas station located at 385 Watertown Avenue in Waterbury, pulled out a knife, had the cashier open the cash register, and took approximately $700 from the register.

On November 30, 2017, PROVOST and another male entered the Cumberland Farms located at 1588 Watertown Avenue in Waterbury.  After a knife was displayed and held to the cashier’s back, PROVOST and the other individual took approximately $50 from the cash register.  They also stole other personal items from the cashier, and a customer’s wallet that contained approximately $150.

On December 1, 2017, PROVOST entered the TD Bank located at 121 Main Street in Southington, presented the teller with a note stating that he had a knife, and demanded that the teller provide him with money.  The teller complied and gave PROVOST $350.

On December 1, 2017, PROVOST entered the Putnam Bank located inside of the Price Chopper at 251 Kennedy Drive in Putnam and presented the teller with a note stating that he had a knife.  The teller provided PROVOST with $1,222.

On December 3, 2017, PROVOST entered the Walgreens located at 225 Boston Turnpike in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, demanded cash from the cashier and lifted his sweatshirt to display a knife.  The cashier provided PROVOST with $545.

On December 4, 2017, PROVOST entered the TD Bank located at 10 Gusabel Avenue in Nashua, New Hampshire, handed the teller a note, and told the teller to give him all of the money in the drawer.  The teller complied and gave PROVOST $2,599.

On December 6, 2017, PROVOST entered the Key Bank located at 232 West Main Street in Avon and gave the teller a note stating “I have a gun, hundreds, fifties and twenties and no ones and no dye pack.”  PROVOST also lifted his sweatshirt to reveal what appeared to be a firearm in his waistband.  The teller provided PROVOST with $1,053.  PROVOST fled the area in a vehicle driven by another man.

On December 8, 2017, PROVOST entered 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, the 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 a vehicle driven by Anthony Vito.

On December 8, 2017, PROVOST entered the Thomaston Savings Bank located at 508 South Main Street in Thomaston and 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.  He fled the area in a vehicle driven by Vito.

On December 9, 2017, PROVOST was arrested by Waterbury Police officers after they responded to a call of an overdose of a woman at a motel in Waterbury.  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, multiple packs of cigarettes.  Officers also seized a red Ford Explorer that had been used during several of the robberies.

Officers were able to revive the overdose victim, who had been staying in the same room as PROVOST.

PROVOST’s criminal history includes multiple state felony convictions for burglary and larceny, and he was on special parole at the time of this robbery spree.

PROVOST has been detained since his arrest.  On April 26, 2018, he pleaded guilty to one count of armed bank robbery.

On June 8, 2018, Vito pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting an armed bank robbery.  He is detained while awaiting sentencing.

Judge Underhill ordered PROVOST to make restitution of $8,299.

This investigation is being 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 is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony E. Kaplan.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury in Bridgeport returned an indictment on July 2, 2018, charging BRANDEN HUERTAS, 36, formerly of Norwalk, with escape from the custody of the Bureau of Prisons.

According to the indictment, on or about June 22, 2018, HUERTAS escaped from the Chase Center in Waterbury.  HUERTAS had been confined to the Chase Center to complete his term of incarceration after being convicted in 2015 of unlawful possession of a firearm.

HUERTAS was arrested on July 18, 2018, and is currently detained.

If convicted, HUERTAS faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years and a fine of up to $250,000.

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

This matter is being investigated by the United States Marshals Service.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren C. Clark.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MICHAEL HENDERSON, also known as “Silly,” 26, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to 105 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his role in a Woodbridge gun shop burglary in 2015.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 17, 2015, at approximately 3:08 a.m., Woodbridge Police responded to a business alarm at Woodbridge Firearms Trading Post LLC, located on Selden Road in Woodbridge.  When officers arrived, they found a car crashed through the front door of the business, but no individuals were in the vicinity of the store.  Four firearms – two .38 caliber handguns, one .32 caliber handgun and one 9mm handgun – were taken from a glass case in the store.  The car had been reported stolen from New Haven on June 15, 2015. 

The investigation revealed that HENDERSON, Eric Lewis-Joyner and others committed the burglary.  HENDERSON’s fingerprint was found on a bottle of cologne that was inside the car, and his DNA was found on the car’s passenger-side door handle.  In the days following the robbery, HENDERSON tried to acquire .32 caliber and .38 caliber ammunition.

The day after the burglary, an unrelated court-authorized search of Eric Lewis-Joyner’s residence in Hamden revealed the stolen 9mm firearm.  Investigators also subsequently recovered from the residence items that Joyner wore during the burglary.  The three other stolen firearms have not been recovered.

HENDERSON has been detained since his federal arrest on October 30, 2015.  While detained, HENDERSON made threats against an ATF special agent investigating this matter, the U.S. magistrate judge who signed HENDERSON’s criminal complaint, and a witness in this case.  He also assaulted a guard at the detention center where he is being held.  The guard suffered a concussion from the assault.

On July 14, 2016, HENDERSON pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement to the ATF.  On October 4, 2017, he pleaded guilty to one count of theft of a firearm from a federally licensed firearms dealer, one count of possession of a stolen firearm, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Judge Bolden ordered HENDERSON to pay restitution in the amount of $52,225.80.

On February 10, 2016, Lewis-Joyner pleaded guilty to one count of burglarizing a federally licensed firearms dealer.  On May 23, 2016, he was sentenced to 33 months of imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and restitution of $52,225.80.

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Connecticut State Police and the Woodbridge, New Haven and Hamden Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rahul Kale.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that a father and son were sentenced today in Bridgeport federal court for profiting from unlawful exports to Pakistan.  U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill sentenced both MUHAMMAD ISMAIL, 67, of Meriden, and KAMRAN KHAN, 38, of Hamden, to 18 months imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release.

According to court documents and statements made in court, from at least 2012 to October 2013, Muhammad Ismail, and his two sons, Kamran and Imran Khan, were engaged in a scheme to purchase goods that were controlled under the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”) and to export those goods without a license to Pakistan, in violation of the EAR.  Through companies conducting business as Brush Locker Tools, Kauser Enterprises-USA and Kauser Enterprises-Pakistan, the three defendants received orders from a Pakistani company that procured materials and equipment for the Pakistani military, requesting them to procure specific products that were subject to the EAR.  When U.S. manufacturers asked about the end-user for a product, the defendants either informed the manufacturer that the product would remain in the U.S. or completed an end-user certification indicating that the product would not be exported.

After the products were purchased, they were shipped by the manufacturer to the defendants in Connecticut.  The products were then shipped to Pakistan on behalf of either the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (“PAEC”), the Pakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (“SUPARCO”), or the National Institute of Lasers & Optronics (“NILOP”), all of which were listed on the U.S. Department of Commerce Entity List.  The defendants never obtained a license to export any item to the designated entities even though they knew that a license was required prior to export.  The defendants received the proceeds for the sale of export controlled items through wire transactions from Value Additions’ Pakistan-based bank account to a U.S. bank account that the defendants controlled.

On March 5, 2018, Muhammad Ismail and Kamran Khan each pleaded guilty to one count of international money laundering, for causing funds to be transferred from Pakistan to the U.S. in connection with the export control violations.  In pleading guilty, Ismail and Kamran Khan specifically admitted that, between January and July 2013, they procured, received and exported to SUPARCO, without a license to do so, certain bagging film that is used for advanced composite fabrication and other high temperature applications where dimensional stability, adherence to sealant tapes and uniform film gage are essential.  The proceeds for the sale of the bagging film was wired from Pakistan to the defendants in the U.S.

Ismail and Kamran Khan are both citizens of Pakistan and lawful permanent residents of the U.S.

On June 1, 2017, Imran Khan, of North Haven, pleaded guilty to one count of violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.  In pleading guilty, KHAN specifically admitted that, between August 2012 and January 2013, he procured, received and exported to PAEC an Alpha Duo Spectrometer without a license to do so.  He is released on a $100,000 bond pending sentencing.

This matter has been investigated by the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacabed Rodriguez-Coss and, in coordination with Trial Attorney Scott McCulloch of the Justice Department’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section (CES).

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that WILLIAM SEMIDEY, also known as “June,” 38, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 51 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in December 2016, the Hartford Police Vice and Narcotics Unit began an investigation into illegal drug activity in Hartford’s South End.  The investigation revealed that Ariel Pagan, also known as “Snoop,” of Vernon, was using SEMIDEY’s Newbury Street residence to store, process, package and distribute narcotics.  In January 2017, an undercover officer posing as a heroin distributor from New Hampshire made four controlled purchases of heroin, in quantities ranging from 150 bags to 1,500 bags, from Pagan.  SEMIDEY was present during the fourth controlled purchase, and Pagan told the undercover officer that the undercover officer should contact SEMIDEY if Pagan was not available in the future.

The undercover officer subsequently arranged to purchase 2,100 bags of heroin from Pagan.  Pagan and SEMIDEY also asked the undercover officer to bring a quantity of fentanyl from New Hampshire and said they would pay for the fentanyl with 500 bags of heroin.  Pagan and SEMIDEY were arrested on January 25, 2017, after they met with the undercover officer in the Newbury Street residence to complete the transaction.  A court-authorized search of the residence revealed approximately 2,600 bags of heroin, approximately 10 grams of unpackaged heroin, and various drug packaging material and paraphernalia.  Investigators also located and seized a loaded 9mm pistol from SEMIDEY’s bedroom, and approximately 400 rounds of 9mm ammunition, and a holster, from the basement.

SEMIDEY admitted that he purchased the pistol on the street for $600.  The firearm had been reported stolen from a Hartford residence.

SEMIDEY’s criminal history includes felony convictions.  In addition, in October 2016, SEMIDEY was arrested by Manchester Police and charged with multiple offenses, including felony assault and risk of injury, arising from a domestic dispute.  These charges are pending.

SEMIDEY has been detained since his arrest on January 25, 2017.  On January 9, 2018, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

On December 6, 2017, Pagan pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 100 grams or more of heroin.  He awaits sentencing.

This matter has been 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 case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Leaming.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced the arrest of 10 men today on federal narcotics trafficking offenses.  The arrests are the result of a seven-month, joint investigation by the FBI, ATF and the Waterbury Police Department into a Waterbury drug ring that is alleged to have been distributing heroin and crack cocaine. 

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, the investigation is part of a joint initiative by federal and state authorities, including the Waterbury State’s Attorney’s Office, targeting violent offenders and narcotics traffickers in Waterbury.  “The level of cooperation between state and federal prosecutors, the FBI, the Waterbury Police Department, and the ATF, has been extraordinary,” said U.S. Attorney Durham.

“This joint investigation is an example of how things are supposed to be done, and the results speak for themselves,” said Waterbury State’s Attorney, Maureen Platt.  Platt said that she, and state prosecutors from her office, expect to continue to work closely with federal prosecutors on this case, and others. 

Acting Waterbury Chief of Police Fernando C. Spagnolo confirmed that officers from his department and the Watertown Police Department, and agents from the FBI and the ATF, arrested the 10 men early Tuesday morning. “We also executed search warrants at five locations associated with members of the drug ring,” Spagnolo added.

The following men were arrested on federal criminal complaints and charged with conspiracy to distribute heroin and cocaine base:  CYRUS BRADFORD, 41, of Waterbury; LEE BROCKETT, 30, of Waterbury; TARELL THOMAS, 29, of Waterbury; ALEXANDER CALDERON, 22, of Oakville; LAVAL THOMAS, 31, of Waterbury; CAMERON WILSON, 21, of Waterbury; FELIX COLON, 20, of Waterbury; THOMAS “TJ” MORUZIN, 28, of New Fairfield; DEMAIN BROCKETT, 20, of Waterbury; and, JASON BROCKETT, 45, of Waterbury.

The defendants are charged with conspiracy to distribute a detectable amount of cocaine base ("crack") and heroin.  If convicted of the charge, they face a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years of imprisonment.

According to court documents and statements made in court, the investigation employed various investigative techniques, including purchases of drugs by confidential sources, seizures of drugs during motor vehicle stops, surveillance, and court-authorized wiretaps on cellular telephones utilized by LEE BROCKETT, ALEXANDER CALDERON, TARELL THOMAS, and CYRUS BRADFORD.  The wiretap phase of the investigation lasted from April to July 2018.

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

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LAPRESE GOLLMAN, 43, of Springfield, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 500 grams or more of cocaine.  The charge stems from a Drug Enforcement Administration investigation into a drug trafficking organization with ties to Connecticut and Massachusetts.

On May 30, 2018, GOLLMAN was arrested in New Haven as he was attempting to purchase four kilograms of cocaine. Investigators seized $100,000 from GOLLMAN. 

The charge carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years. However, because GOLLMAN has a prior conviction for a felony drug offense, he faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

GOLLMAN has been detained since his arrest.  Judge Bolden scheduled sentencing for October 15, 2018.

This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Regional Office and the New Haven and Hamden Police Departments.  This 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 WILLIAM LIEBERMAN, 42, of Boca Raton, Florida, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to 84 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his role in a securities fraud scheme.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between approximately 2010 and July 2016, LIEBERMAN conspired with others, including Christian Meissenn of Connecticut, to defraud investors through a stock “pump and dump” scheme.  LIEBERMAN 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 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”); Hermes Jets, Inc. (stock symbol “HRMJ”), which later became Continental Beverage Brands Corporation (stock symbol “CBBB”); Dolat Ventures, Inc. (stock symbol “DOLV”), and Fox Petroleum, Inc. (stock symbol “FXPT”).

At various times, LIEBERMAN served as the Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board, President, Secretary, and Treasurer of Mammoth Energy Group, Inc.; the President, Chief Executive officer, and Chairman of the Board of Strategic Asset Leasing Inc.; the President, Chief Accounting Officer, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary, and Treasurer of Fox Petroleum, Inc.; and the Chief Executive Officer, President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Chief Financial Officer of Trilliant Exploration Corporation.  In his capacity as an officer of certain of these issuing companies, LIEBERMAN, working with others, issued false and misleading press releases concerning the financial health and prospects of the companies.  He also was aware that co-conspirators were making false and misleading statements to promote the sale of these securities.

As part of the scheme, LIEBERMAN arranged for attorneys, including Corey Brinson of Connecticut and Diane Dalmy of Colorado, to sign false and misleading opinion letters that were designed to provide assurances to securities transfer agents and prospective investors.  At times, he affixed attorneys’ signatures to the opinion letters.  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.

LIEBERMAN and his co-conspirators also conducted matched or coordinated trades of securities amongst themselves or in large blocks at predetermined prices, in order to artificially boost the trading volume of the securities, create the appearance of liquidity, and falsely drive up the share price.

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, LIEBERMAN earned nearly $1.2 million through this scheme. He failed to report this income to the Internal Revenue Service, evading $436,235 in federal income taxes for the 2011 through 2015 tax years.

On May 10, 2017, LIEBERMAN pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, and one count of tax evasion.

Judge Meyer ordered LIEBERMAN to pay $5,301,694 in restitution to the victims of the fraud scheme, and $436,235 to the IRS.

LIEBERMAN, who is released on bond, was ordered to report to prison on August 13.

Meissenn, Brinson, Dalmy and three other individuals also pleaded guilty to various offenses stemming from this scheme.  Brinson, of Hartford, and Dalmy, of Denver, were each sentenced to 36 months of imprisonment on April 13, 2017, and May 15, 2018, respectively.  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.  Meissenn awaits sentencing.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JAMES BOWERS, 32, of New London, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to 72 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm and distributing marijuana while on federal supervised release.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 6, 2008, BOWERS was sentenced in U.S. District Court in New Haven to 120 months of imprisonment and eight years of supervised release for possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon and possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine.  He was released from federal prison in December 2014.

On June 30, 2016, while BOWERS was on supervised release, law enforcement officers conducted a court-authorized search of BOWERS’ New London residence and seized a loaded .45 caliber handgun, more than one kilogram of marijuana packaged for distribution, other items used to process and package marijuana, and $2,600 in cash.  The firearm had been reported stolen in Ohio.

BOWERS has been detained since his arrest on related state charges on June 30, 2016.  On February 17, 2017, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon, and one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

Judge Chatigny sentenced BOWERS to 60 months of imprisonment for the firearm and marijuana offenses, and a consecutive 12 months of imprisonment for violating the conditions of his supervised release.

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Connecticut State Police Statewide Narcotics Task Force-East, which includes members from the Norwich, Groton City and New London Police Departments.  The case was prosecuted by U.S. Attorney Durham.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LAVON YOUNG, 39, of Union City, New Jersey, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to one count of bank robbery.

According to court documents and statements made in court, at approximately noon on January 27, 2018, YOUNG and David C. Earl drove to a Key Bank branch located on East Main Street in Branford, and planned to rob the bank.  They both exited the car wearing dark upper-body clothing.  YOUNG also wore a dark, hooded sweatshirt and a green “scream mask” over his face.  Earl wore a mask over his lower face, sunglasses over his eyes, and a red-hooded sweatshirt under his overcoat.  The two men walked up to the bank entrance and pulled on the doors, but they were locked.  They returned to their car and drove off.

Less than an hour later, YOUNG and Earl drove to a TD Bank branch on Route 81 in Killingworth.  Dressed the same way when they had attempted to enter the Key Bank in Branford, YOUNG and Earl entered the TD Bank, told everyone to get down and demanded money from the tellers or else they would “blow their heads off.”  Earl possessed a pellet gun during the robbery.  A teller handed over multiple stacks of bills, totaling $9,754, and YOUNG and Earl fled.

YOUNG and Earl threw most of the money out of the windows of their car while driving from the bank, and while being pursued by law enforcement.  They were eventually apprehended by East Haven Police.  Investigators successfully recovered $9,479 of the $9,754 taken during the robbery.

YOUNG and Earl have been detained since January 27, 2018.

On May 15, 2018, Earl, 26, of Union City, New Jersey, pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery.

The charge of bank robbery carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  Sentencing dates have not been scheduled.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Connecticut State Police, Branford Police Department and East Haven Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Henry Kopel and Douglas Morabito.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOHN FAUCHER, 41, pleaded guilty today in Bridgeport federal court to one count of possession of contraband in a federal prison.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 12, 2018, FAUCHER, an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury (FCI Danbury), possessed an object designed or intended to be used as a weapon.

FAUCHER is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill on October 3, 2018, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years. 

FAUCHER is currently serving a 46-month sentence for robbing a bank in Manchester, New Hampshire, in October 2016, and attempting to rob a convenience store in Manchester in September 2016.   

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that WESTLEY NORTHRUP, also known as “Piff,” 30, of Meriden, pleaded guilty yesterday in Hartford federal court to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base (“crack”).

This matter stems from a joint investigation headed by the DEA New Haven Task Force that has included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of crack cocaine, and seizures of cocaine and cash proceeds.  The investigation revealed that NORTHRUP operated a cocaine and crack cocaine trafficking ring while he was incarcerated in state custody at the Cheshire Correctional Institution.  The investigation, which included consensually-recorded prison calls, revealed that NORTHRUP conspired with others to purchase cocaine from suppliers, convert some of the cocaine to crack cocaine, and then distribute crack and cocaine through a network of dealers in central Connecticut.

On July 20, 2017, a grand jury in New Haven returned a nine-count indictment charging NORTHRUP and 10 other individuals with various offenses.

NORTHRUP faces a maximum term of imprisonment of life.  He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant on October 24, 2018.

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 DEA New Haven Task Force includes participants from the New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, North Haven, East Haven, Branford, Ansonia, Meriden and Derby Police Departments, and the U.S. Marshals Service.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney H. Gordon Hall.

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 JOSHUA HOLLOWAY, 25, of Hartford, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to two counts of possession with intent to distribute, and 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 February 16, 2017, Farmington Police and emergency medical personnel responded to a residence in Farmington where they encountered an unresponsive 24-year-old male.  Life saving measures were attempted, but the male was pronounced deceased at the scene.  A family member informed investigators that the victim had an opiate addiction.  Officers did not locate evidence related to drug use, but seized the victim’s cellphone.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the State of Connecticut concluded that the victim’s death was caused by “acute heroin and fentanyl toxicities, alcohol and sertraline use.”

Witness interviews and analysis of the seized cellphone revealed that HOLLOWAY supplied heroin/fentanyl to the victim on February 15, 2017, in Hartford.

The investigation revealed that HOLLOWAY also sold heroin/fentanyl to a man in Avon on February 11, 2017.  The purchaser ingested some of the heroin HOLLOWAY sold him and died shortly thereafter of an acute intoxication due to the combined effects of fentanyl, alpazolam and etizolam.

HOLLOWAY was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on January 23, 2018. 

HOLLOWAY is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant on October 11, 2018.  The offense carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, on each count.  HOLLOWAY is released on a $50,000 bond pending sentencing.

This matter has been investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Task Force and the Farmington and Avon Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Miller.

A federal jury in Hartford, Connecticut yesterday returned guilty verdicts against a man for his conduct related to a scheme to convert trade secrets belonging to a defense contractor based in Groton, Connecticut, related to, among others, an innovative naval prototype being developed for the U.S. Navy, Office of Naval Research, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney John H. Durham of the District of Connecticut.

According to evidence admitted at trial, Jared Dylan Sparks, 35, of Ardmore, Oklahoma, an electrical engineer, worked at LBI Inc., a defense contractor that has designed and built unmanned underwater vehicles for the U.S. Navy’s Office of Naval Research and deployable ice buoys used to gather weather data for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).  During the course of his employment with LBI, Sparks collaborated with Charles River Analytics (CRA), a Massachusetts-based software company that developed software to be integrated into LBI’s unmanned underwater vehicles.  In late 2011, CRA sought to expand into the hardware business and eventually agreed with the Office of Naval Research that it would complete the testing for a number of the unmanned vehicles designed and developed by LBI.  Sometime after April 2011, Sparks began exploring employment with CRA, and was eventually hired by that company in January 2012.  Before he left LBI, however, Sparks surreptitiously uploaded thousands of LBI files to his personal account with Dropbox, a cloud-based file-storage application.  Those files included LBI’s accounting and engineering files as well as photographs related to designs and renderings used to fabricate and manufacture LBI’s unmanned underwater vehicles and buoys. 

On Nov. 3, 2016, a grand jury returned a 29-count indictment charging Sparks and Jay Williams of Griswold, Connecticut, with various offenses stemming from this alleged scheme.

The jury found Sparks guilty of six counts of theft of trade secrets, six counts of upload of trade secrets, and one count of transmission of trade secrets.  Each of these offenses carry a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. The jury found Sparks not guilty of multiple counts of the indictment, and Williams not guilty of all the counts in which he was charged. Sparks’ sentencing has not yet been scheduled.

“Jared Sparks stole thousands of documents—including proprietary designs and renderings—from his former employer when he left to work for a competitor,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan.  “Yesterday’s verdict sends a clear message that the Department of Justice is committed to protecting American intellectual property and will aggressively prosecute those who steal it.”

“In order to protect both our country’s national security and the intellectual property of Connecticut’s defense contractors, our office is committed to prosecuting those who steal trade secrets and hope to profit from the theft,” said U.S. Attorney Durham.

“Theft of trade secrets from a Defense contractor harms the U.S. taxpayer and threatens the integrity of the Defense Department's procurement system,” said Special Agent-in-Charge Leigh-Alistair Barzey, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) Northeast Field Office.  “DCIS is committed to working with the DOJ, FBI and other law enforcement partners, to investigate and prosecute those individuals who seek to profit at the expense of our national security.”

"Intellectual property theft cost U.S. businesses billions in revenue annually and robs the nation of jobs and taxes," said FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Fuller. "Preventing intellectual property theft is a priority of the FBI's criminal investigative program. The key to this successful prosecution was due to linking considerable resources and collaboration of the private sector, federal law enforcement partners, the U.S. Attorney's office and the Criminal Division's Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section."

This matter was investigated by DCIS and the FBI with assistance from the Department of Defense’s Computer Forensic Laboratory.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacabed Rodriguez-Coss of the District of Connecticut and Trial Attorneys Kebharu Smith and Joss Nichols of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS), with assistance from the CCIPS Cybercrime Lab. 

WASHINGTON – A federal jury in Hartford, Connecticut yesterday returned guilty verdicts against a man for his conduct related to a scheme to convert trade secrets belonging to a defense contractor based in Groton, Connecticut, related to, among others, an innovative naval prototype being developed for the U.S. Navy, Office of Naval Research, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney John H. Durham of the District of Connecticut.

According to evidence admitted at trial, Jared Dylan Sparks, 35, of Ardmore, Oklahoma, an electrical engineer, worked at LBI Inc., a defense contractor that has designed and built unmanned underwater vehicles for the U.S. Navy’s Office of Naval Research and deployable ice buoys used to gather weather data for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).  During the course of his employment with LBI, Sparks collaborated with Charles River Analytics (CRA), a Massachusetts-based software company that developed software to be integrated into LBI’s unmanned underwater vehicles.  In late 2011, CRA sought to expand into the hardware business and eventually agreed with the Office of Naval Research that it would complete the testing for a number of the unmanned vehicles designed and developed by LBI.  Sometime after April 2011, Sparks began exploring employment with CRA, and was eventually hired by that company in January 2012.  Before he left LBI, however, Sparks surreptitiously uploaded thousands of LBI files to his personal account with Dropbox, a cloud-based file-storage application.  Those files included LBI’s accounting and engineering files as well as photographs related to designs and renderings used to fabricate and manufacture LBI’s unmanned underwater vehicles and buoys. 

On Nov. 3, 2016, a grand jury returned a 29-count indictment charging Sparks and Jay Williams of Griswold, Connecticut, with various offenses stemming from this alleged scheme.

The jury found Sparks guilty of six counts of theft of trade secrets, six counts of upload of trade secrets, and one count of transmission of trade secrets.  Each of these offenses carry a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. The jury found Sparks not guilty of multiple counts of the indictment, and Williams not guilty of all the counts in which he was charged. Sparks’ sentencing has not yet been scheduled.

“Jared Sparks stole thousands of documents—including proprietary designs and renderings—from his former employer when he left to work for a competitor,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General John P. Cronan.  “Yesterday’s verdict sends a clear message that the Department of Justice is committed to protecting American intellectual property and will aggressively prosecute those who steal it.”

“In order to protect both our country’s national security and the intellectual property of Connecticut’s defense contractors, our office is committed to prosecuting those who steal trade secrets and hope to profit from the theft,” said U.S. Attorney Durham.

“Theft of trade secrets from a Defense contractor harms the U.S. taxpayer and threatens the integrity of the Defense Department's procurement system,” said Special Agent-in-Charge Leigh-Alistair Barzey, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) Northeast Field Office.  “DCIS is committed to working with the DOJ, FBI and other law enforcement partners, to investigate and prosecute those individuals who seek to profit at the expense of our national security.”

"Intellectual property theft cost U.S. businesses billions in revenue annually and robs the nation of jobs and taxes," said FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Fuller. "Preventing intellectual property theft is a priority of the FBI's criminal investigative program. The key to this successful prosecution was due to linking considerable resources and collaboration of the private sector, federal law enforcement partners, the U.S. Attorney's office and the Criminal Division's Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section."

This matter was investigated by DCIS and the FBI with assistance from the Department of Defense’s Computer Forensic Laboratory.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacabed Rodriguez-Coss of the District of Connecticut and Trial Attorneys Kebharu Smith and Joss Nichols of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS), with assistance from the CCIPS Cybercrime Lab.  

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOSEPH STEELE, also known as “Joey,” 32, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 36 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for drug and firearm offenses.

According to the evidence disclosed during his trial, on June 14, 2017, the Hartford Police Department’s Vice and Narcotics Unit received information that STEELE was in possession of a firearm while operating a white Cadillac.  Investigators located the Cadillac and conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of Enfield Street and Capen Street.  After STEELE consented to a search of the vehicle, investigators lifted a rear seat cushion and found a stolen .40 caliber semiautomatic pistol, 50 wax folds of fentanyl, and two knotted plastic bags containing approximately 6.5 grams of crack cocaine.

In April 2016, STEELE was convicted in Connecticut Superior Court of possession of a pistol without a permit, and was sentenced to 18 months of incarceration for that conviction.  He was released from state prison in March 2017 and was serving a three-year term of probation when he was found in possession of the stolen firearm, fentanyl and crack.

On April 16, 2018, a jury found STEELE guilty of one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (“crack”), one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.  STEELE was acquitted of one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

STEELE has been detained since his arrest on June 14, 2017.

This investigation was conducted by the Hartford Police Department’s Vice and Narcotics Unit and the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crime Gang Task Force, which includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael J. Gustafson and Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis.

This prosecution stems from Project Longevity, a comprehensive initiative to reduce gun violence in Connecticut’s major cities.  Through Project Longevity, community members and law enforcement directly engage with members of groups that are prone to violence.  A critical component of the Project Longevity strategy is the “call-in,” a face-to-face meeting where Project Longevity partners engage group members and deliver a community message against violence, a law enforcement message about the consequences of further violence and an offer of help for those who want it.  STEELE attended a call-in in May 2017 and declined Project Longevity services that were offered to him.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that FEDERICO CANNON, also known as “Rico,” 36, of Bridgeport, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 26, 2017, CANNON was released from federal prison after serving a 70-month sentence for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.  On July 31, 2017, while CANNON was on federal supervised release, Bridgeport Police received information that CANNON had a gun and was riding in a car in the area of the Trumbull Gardens housing complex in Bridgeport.  Officers located and stopped the vehicle.  After CANNON was removed from the car, officers located a 9mm semi-automatic SAR B6P handgun from the floor below the passenger seat where CANNON had been sitting.  The gun was loaded with 16 rounds of ammunition.

CANNON has been detained since his arrest on July 31, 2017.  Judge Underhill scheduled for December 3, 2018, at which time CANNON faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years on the firearm charge and a maximum term of imprisonment of three years for violating the conditions of his supervised release.

This is CANNON’s third federal conviction for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

In the early morning hours of October 21, 2004, CANNON was in a car with three other individuals driving northbound on Interstate 95 between Norwalk and Bridgeport when they initiated a confrontation with another car occupied by two men.  The confrontation culminated at the bottom of the Exit 25 ramp in Bridgeport when approximately seven or eight shots were fired at the victims’ vehicle.  A subsequent search of the vehicle in which CANNON was a passenger revealed a semi-automatic pistol at CANNON’s feet in the right rear passenger seat of the vehicle.  A jury in New Haven found CANNON guilty and, on April 12, 2006, he was sentenced to 42 months of imprisonment.

In the early morning hours of February 25, 2012, Bridgeport Police stopped a vehicle in which CANNON was a passenger on Caroline Street in Bridgeport.  CANNON initially exited the vehicle and attempted to walk away, but police ordered him back into the car.  After directing the driver out of the vehicle, a Bridgeport Police detective observed a 9mm semi-automatic pistol on the floor of the rear passenger area near where CANNON was sitting.  The firearm was loaded with 10 live hollow-point cartridges and two full-metal jacket cartridges.  A jury in Hartford found CANNON guilty and, on July 11, 2014, he was sentenced to 70 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release. 

CANNON also has a state conviction stemming from a car stop by Bridgeport Police on June 6, 1999.  On that date, officers located a .25 caliber semi-automatic handgun concealed under the right front passenger seat where CANNON had been sitting. 

This matter was investigated by the Bridgeport Police Department’s Tactical Narcotics Team and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rahul Kale.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CRAIG FRANCIS, also known as Horus Durjaya Bey, 45, of Windsor, Connecticut, and Clermont, Florida, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 18 months of imprisonment, followed by one year of supervised release, for filing a false tax return.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in February 2009, FRANCIS, a former Hartford Police officer, E-filed a 2008 federal income tax return that listed falsely inflated amounts of both interest income received and taxable income withheld by the government, and requested a fraudulent refund of $255,904.  On approximately March 1, 2009, the Internal Revenue Service issued the refund before determining that the tax return was fraudulent, and that FRANCIS was actually entitled to a refund of only $4,073.

Shortly after receiving the fraudulent refund, FRANCIS spent or converted to cashier’s checks more than $220,000 of the money he received.  FRANCIS possessed $100,000 in cashier’s checks when the IRS officially notified him of the error on April 7, 2009.  However, FRANCIS cashed the checks and spent the money over the next three months.

As of today, FRANCIS owes the IRS $387,103.07, which includes interest and penalties.

FRANCIS was arrested on June 7, 2017, in Florida.  On February 22, 2018, he pleaded guilty to one count of filing a false tax return.

FRANCIS, who is released on a $250,000 bond, was ordered to report to prison on August 6, 2018.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that, on June 27, 2018, a grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging JOHNATHEN LOPEZ, 28, of Waterbury, with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.  LOPEZ was arrested on July 2, 2018.

As alleged in the indictment and statements made in court, on April 27, 2017, members of the Waterbury Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit arrested LOPEZ after he was found in possession of a Glock 27 .40 caliber handgun.  The firearm, which had been reported stolen during a burglary in Waterbury, is connected to shootings currently under investigation in Waterbury.

The indictment alleges that, prior to April 2017, LOPEZ had been convicted in state court of felony drug and weapon offenses.  It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

If convicted of this charge, LOPEZ faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

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

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

United States Attorney John H. Durham and Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen today announced that ARLENE WERNER, PhD., has entered into a civil settlement agreement with the federal and state governments and has paid more than $126,000 to resolve allegations that she violated the federal and state False Claims Acts.        

WERNER is licensed as a Psychologist in the State of Connecticut and the owner of a private psychology practice in Waterford.  She is enrolled as a provider in the Connecticut Medical Assistance Program (“CMAP”), which includes the state’s Medicaid program.

It is alleged that WERNER billed Medicaid for psychotherapy services that were not provided and that she billed Medicaid for family psychotherapy sessions for multiple family members when she should have billed one family member for individual psychotherapy services.

To resolve the allegations under the federal and state False Claims Acts, WARNER has paid $126,760.09 in order to reimburse the Medicaid program, which covers conduct occurring from January 2011 to July 18, 2016.

“It is imperative that providers accurately bill Medicaid and other insurance programs,” said U.S. Attorney Durham. “Working with our federal and state partners, we will continue to protect the integrity of the Medicaid program to ensure its recipients receive the healthcare services they need.”

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

This case stems from a larger investigation into fraudulent activity in the area of behavioral health services, which has been jointly conducted by the Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Chief State’s Attorney’s Office, and the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General.  Through the Medicaid program, the State of Connecticut provides coverage for mental health and counseling services to citizens who cannot otherwise afford health insurance.  “Behavioral health” includes a wide variety of health care providers who provide care on an outpatient basis, including psychiatrists, psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, licensed marriage and family therapists, licensed professional counselors, and licensed alcohol and drug counselors.

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

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment yesterday alleging that STEPHEN CARBONELLA, 59, of Hamden, embezzled funds from his employer, Webster Bank Corporation, where he served as bank manager of the Orange branch office. 

CARBONELLA was arrested this morning.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah A. L. Merriam in New Haven, entered a plea of not guilty and was released on a $200,000 bond.

According to the indictment and statements made in court, between approximately 2003 and 2017, CARBONELLA withdrew more than $850,000 from account holders’ certificate of deposit (CD) accounts at Webster Bank, without the knowledge or consent of the account holders, and used the embezzled funds for his own purposes.  He also took steps to conceal his misconduct, including by forging signatures and falsifying documents.

The indictment charges CARBONELLA with one count of embezzlement by a bank officer or employee, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 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 and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Pierpont, Jr.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that a grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment today charging ANTHONY DUNCAN, also known as “Heavy D,” 31, of New Haven, with one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

As alleged in the indictment, on November 24, 2017, in New Haven, DUNCAN possessed a loaded Smith and Wesson M&P Shield .40 caliber handgun.  Prior to that date, DUNCAN had been convicted in state court of felony drug, robbery and weapon offenses.

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

If convicted of the charge, DUNCAN faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

DUNCAN has been detained since June 26, 2018, when he was arrested on a federal criminal complaint.      

U.S. Attorney Durham stressed that an indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  A defendant is entitled to a fair trial at which it is the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

This investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the New Haven Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Stolfi Collins.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that FELIX LOPEZ, also known as “Pablo,” 23, of Hartford, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 46 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release for distributing narcotics to a Norwich overdose victim last year.

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 13, 2017, Norwich Police and emergency medical personnel responded to a report of an untimely death at a residence in Norwich.  Responding officers were informed that the decedent, a 20-year-old woman, had an addiction to heroin.  At the scene, officers seized drug and non-drug evidence, including the victim’s cell phone.

The State of Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner subsequently determined that the victim died from acute fentanyl and heroin intoxication. 

The investigation revealed that LOPEZ had sold narcotics in and around Hartford since at least January 2016, and that he supplied heroin and fentanyl consumed by the victim shortly before the victim died.

LOPEZ was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on November 13, 2017.  At the time of his arrest, he possessed a quantity of crack cocaine.

LOPEZ has been detained since his arrest.  On April 5, 2018, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin, cocaine base (“crack cocaine”) and fentanyl.

This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Norwich, Hartford and Manchester Police Departments.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Pierpont, Jr.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that the U.S. Attorney’s Office has reached settlement agreements with Ibiza Restaurant (“Ibiza”) and Mangos, LLC (“Mangos”) in Hamden, to resolve allegations that Ibiza was not operating in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”).  Ibiza leases its premises from Mangos.

The settlement agreements resolve an ADA complaint filed by an individual with physical disabilities alleging that Ibiza did not meet the ADA’s requirements for accessibility.  Ibiza and Mangos are in the process of making the changes to the physical premises of Ibiza as required by the settlement agreements.  Mangos has committed to increasing accessible parking for Ibiza and its other commercial tenant, remediating the sidewalk from the parking area to the tenant business entrances, adding a ramp from the sidewalk to the tenant business entrances and ensuring that the tenant business entrances are accessible.  Ibiza has committed to increasing accessibility in the interior of the restaurant, including constructing an accessible restroom.  Mangos will continue to make improvements over the next year and Ibiza will make improvements over the next 18 months.

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

U.S. Attorney Durham noted that the owners of Ibiza and Mangos have cooperated with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to address the ADA issues without the need for litigation.

Any member of the public who wishes to file a complaint alleging that any place of public accommodation or public entity in Connecticut is not accessible to persons with disabilities may contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at 203-821-3700.

Additional information about the ADA can be found at www.ada.gov, or by calling the Justice Department’s toll-free information line at (800) 514-0301 and (800) 514-0383 (TTY).  More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.justice.gov/crt.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Patricia M. Ferrick, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven returned a 17-count indictment yesterday charging KWASI GYAMBIBI, 40, of Stamford, and KAKRA GYAMBIBI, 37, formerly of New Canaan and currently residing in Maryland, with health care fraud offenses.

KWASI GYAMBIBI was arrested this morning in Stamford.  He was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah A. L. Merriam in New Haven, entered not guilty pleas to the charges, and was released on bond.  KAKRA GYAMBIBI is expected to appear in federal court to answer the charges by July 2, 2018.

As alleged in the indictment, KWASI GYAMBIBI and KAKRA GYAMBIBI are married.  KWASI GYAMBIBI was formerly employed by the State of Connecticut and worked at UConn-Stamford, and KAKRA GYAMBIBI is a physician who worked as a hospitalist at Stamford Hospital.  Advantage Pharmacy was a compounding pharmacy located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.  As a compounding pharmacy, Advantage created compound prescription drugs specifically tailored for individual patients who had a medical need for a compound drug, by mixing together individual ingredients in the exact strength and dosage prescribed by the health care provider to meet the unique needs of a patient.  One tube of a compound drug cream prepared and dispensed by Advantage Pharmacy typically cost health care benefit programs thousands of dollars, and some individual tubes of cream cost more than $10,000 for a one-month supply.  KWASI GYAMBIBI acted as, and eventually became, a sales representative for Advantage Pharmacy.

The indictment alleges that, in 2014 and 2015, KWASI and KAKRA GYAMBIBI engaged in a scheme to defraud the State of Connecticut Pharmacy Benefit Plan, TRICARE and other health care programs by submitting prescriptions for compound pharmacy medications prepared and dispensed by Advantage Pharmacy.  Although the prescriptions were signed by KAKRA GYAMBIBI, she did not treat, examine, or even meet with the patients for whom the prescriptions were written.  Based on these false and misleading claims, the victim health care programs paid Advantage Pharmacy for the compound prescription drugs.  Advantage Pharmacy, in tum, paid commissions of between 15 percent to 25 percent to sales representatives, including KWASI GYAMBIBI’s cousin.

The indictment further alleges that KWASI GYAMBIBI and KAKRA GYAMBIBI also induced the victim health care programs to pay Advantage Pharmacy more than $280,000 for their own compound prescription drugs.

It is alleged that the scheme resulted in more than $1.5 million in losses to the victim health care programs.

The indictment charges each defendant with 16 counts of health care fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud.  Each of the counts carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

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

This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau Investigation.  U.S. Attorney Durham thanked the Office of the Attorney General of the State of Connecticut for their assistance with the investigation.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Sheldon.

This indictment is announced as part of a national health care fraud takedown.  Earlier today, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and other federal law enforcement officials announced the largest ever health care fraud enforcement action involving 601 charged defendants across 58 federal districts, including 165 doctors, nurses and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud schemes involving more than $2 billion in false billings.  Of those charged, 162 defendants, including 76 doctors, were charged for their roles in prescribing and distributing opioids and other dangerous narcotics.  Thirty state Medicaid Fraud Control Units also participated in today’s arrests.  In addition, The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced that, since July 2017, it has excluded 2,700 individuals from participation in Medicare, Medicaid, and all other Federal health care programs, which includes 587 providers excluded for conduct related to opioid diversion and abuse.

“Health care fraud is a betrayal of vulnerable patients, and often it is theft from the taxpayer,” said Attorney General Sessions.  “In many cases, doctors, nurses, and pharmacists take advantage of people suffering from drug addiction in order to line their pockets.  These are despicable crimes. That’s why this Department of Justice has taken historic new steps to go after fraudsters, including hiring more prosecutors and leveraging the power of data analytics.  Today the Department of Justice is announcing the largest health care fraud enforcement action in American history.  This is the most fraud, the most defendants, and the most doctors ever charged in a single operation—and we have evidence that our ongoing work has stopped or prevented billions of dollars’ worth of fraud.  I want to thank our fabulous partners with the FBI, DEA, our Health Care Fraud task forces, HHS, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, IRS Criminal Investigation, Medicare, and especially the more than 1,000 federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officers from across America who made this possible.  By every measure we are more effective at finding and prosecuting medical fraud than ever.”

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, today announced that on June 20, 2018, a grand jury in New Haven returned a 12-count indictment charging ERIC TINGLEY, 42, formerly of Lebanon, Connecticut and currently residing in Las Vegas, Nevada, with using forged prescriptions to acquire thousands of oxycodone and alprazolam tablets from the Connecticut pharmacy where he was employed.

TINGLEY was arrested yesterday in Rhode Island.  Following his arrest, he appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah A. L. Merriam in New Haven and is detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for tomorrow at 2:30 p.m.

As alleged in the indictment, TINGLEY was a licensed pharmacist employed at a pharmacy in Norwich.  Between approximately October 2016 and July 2017, TINGLEY forged approximately 183 prescriptions for oxycodone and approximately 26 prescriptions for alprazolam, and filled the forged prescriptions at the pharmacy where he worked.  Through these forged prescriptions, TINGLEY unlawfully obtained more than 35,000 oxycodone tablets and more than 2,000 alprazolam tablets.  He then distributed the drugs for his own benefit.

The indictment charges TINGLEY with one count of possession with intent to distribute oxycodone and alprazolam, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and 11 counts of obtaining oxycodone and alprazolam by fraud and forgery, and offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of four years on each count.

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

This investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Avi M. Perry and John T. Pierpont, Jr.

This indictment is announced as part of a national health care fraud takedown.  Earlier today, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and other federal law enforcement officials announced the largest ever health care fraud enforcement action involving 601 charged defendants across 58 federal districts, including 165 doctors, nurses and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud schemes involving more than $2 billion in false billings.  Of those charged, 162 defendants, including 76 doctors, were charged for their roles in prescribing and distributing opioids and other dangerous narcotics.  Thirty state Medicaid Fraud Control Units also participated in today’s arrests.  In addition, The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced that, since July 2017, it has excluded 2,700 individuals from participation in Medicare, Medicaid, and all other Federal health care programs, which includes 587 providers excluded for conduct related to opioid diversion and abuse.

“Health care fraud is a betrayal of vulnerable patients, and often it is theft from the taxpayer,” said Attorney General Sessions.  “In many cases, doctors, nurses, and pharmacists take advantage of people suffering from drug addiction in order to line their pockets.  These are despicable crimes. That’s why this Department of Justice has taken historic new steps to go after fraudsters, including hiring more prosecutors and leveraging the power of data analytics.  Today the Department of Justice is announcing the largest health care fraud enforcement action in American history.  This is the most fraud, the most defendants, and the most doctors ever charged in a single operation—and we have evidence that our ongoing work has stopped or prevented billions of dollars’ worth of fraud.  I want to thank our fabulous partners with the FBI, DEA, our Health Care Fraud task forces, HHS, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, IRS Criminal Investigation, Medicare, and especially the more than 1,000 federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officers from across America who made this possible.  By every measure we are more effective at finding and prosecuting medical fraud than ever.”

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that THOMAS J. HALLERAN, 36, of Cheshire, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin and/or 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.

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

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

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

HALLERAN is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford on September 21, 2018.  The offense carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

HALLERAN is detained pending sentencing.

This matter has been investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Task Force and the Southington 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, announced that MOHAMED H. ABDI, also known as “Vic,” 26, of Worcester, Massachusetts, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 135 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for sex trafficking.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between late December 2016 and January 5, 2017, ABDI and his girlfriend used threats, force and coercion to cause a female victim to engage in prostitution.  ABDI and his girlfriend advertised the victim’s prostitution services on Backpage.com and other websites, rented Connecticut hotel rooms where the victim engaged in prostitution, and transported the victim to engage in sexual acts with customers at the hotels and private residences in Connecticut and elsewhere.  In addition, ABDI provided the victim with heroin, but withheld the drug from the victim until after she provided sexual services to additional customers.  ABDI and his girlfriend also warned the victim not to contact police and made threats against the victim and her child.

ABDI has been detained since his arrest on related state charges on January 5, 2017.  On April 4, 2018, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion.

As a condition of his supervised release, ABDI will be required to register as a sex offender.

This matter was investigated by the Connecticut Human Trafficking Task Force, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Connecticut State Police, with the assistance of the Wethersfield Police Department and the Worcester Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anastasia E. King.

U.S. Attorney Durham thanked the State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Tolland and the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office for their cooperation and assistance in the prosecution of this matter.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Boston, announced that TRAVIS W. MCCOY, 24, of Houston, Texas, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to one count of enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between approximately August 2015 and March 2017, while he was attending college and living in New London, McCOY used internet-based video chatting services, including Kik and Google Hangouts, and internet-based gaming systems, such as Xbox Live, to entice four minor males between the ages of 9 and 14 to engage in sexually explicit conduct over video-chatting services, such as Skype.  McCOY either took screen shots of the minors engaged in sexual activity, or requested and received from the minors digital images and videos in which the minors are depicted engaging in sexual activity.  McCOY also sent sexually explicit images and videos of himself to the minor victims.

The investigation revealed that McCOY initially met one of the minor victims at a summer camp in Texas where McCOY had worked as a camp counselor.

The investigation also revealed that McCOY maintained three Dropbox accounts and gave the password to one of the accounts to a person living in Los Angeles as a way to share and receive child pornography.  The Dropbox accounts contained 120 images and 158 videos of child pornography.  There is no evidence that McCOY distributed any of the images or videos he received from the four minor victims he enticed.

Judge Shea scheduled sentencing for September 24, 2018, at which time McCOY faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

McCOY was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on June 28, 2017.  He is detained pending sentencing.

This matter has been investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the New London Police Department and the Houston Police Department.  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 KEITH YOUNG, also known as “Capo,” “Bapo” and “Poncho,” 28, of Hamden, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 180 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for his role in a violent New Haven street gang.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in January 2014, ATF and the New Haven Police Department began “Operation Red Side” through a series of controlled narcotics purchases and firearms seizures.  The investigation revealed that members and associates of the Red Side Guerilla Brims (“RSGB”), a sect of the Bloods street gang based in New Haven, were engaged in narcotics trafficking and related acts of violence, including murder, attempted murder, assaults and armed robberies.  YOUNG was a member and leader of the RSGB.  In addition to distributing crack cocaine and other narcotics in and around New Haven, the investigation indicated that members and associates of the RSGB, under the direction of Jeffrey Benton and others, transported the drugs to Bangor, Maine, and sold them in Bangor and its surrounding communities.  The RSGB also traded narcotics for firearms and used drug addicts as straw purchasers of firearms.  Members then brought the firearms back to New Haven and distributed them to gang members.

YOUNG had a role in three gang-related murders in 2011.  On June 24, 2011, Donell Allick was shot and killed as he stood in his New Haven home.  The investigation revealed that, on that date, Benton, YOUNG, Luis Padilla and Kavon Rogers drove in a car searching for a rival gang leader that Benton intended to murder.  Instead, Benton encountered Allick, with whom Benton was angry over a drug transaction.  After Benton, Padilla and YOUNG exited the car, Benton fired multiple shots through an open kitchen window, killing Allick.  Benton, Padilla and YOUNG then returned the car, where Rogers had been waiting.  Rogers then drove to a location where Benton hid the gun.

In September 2011, RSGB leadership ordered Robert Short, also known as “Santana,” to murder Darrick Cooper, who was a leader of a rival gang and seen as a threat.  In the early morning hours of September 19, 2011, Short lured Cooper to a location in Hamden and shot Cooper in the back of the head as Cooper walked up a staircase.  The investigation revealed that YOUNG had offered to help Short kill Cooper.  YOUNG was with Short and Cooper shortly before Cooper’s murder and, after the murder, YOUNG drove Short to a location to dispose of the firearm used in the murder.

In December 2011, YOUNG and Trevor Murphy, also known as “Snookie,” planned a robbery of drugs and cash from Joseph Zargo, and YOUNG provided a firearm for Murphy to use.  Murphy ordered a quantity of ecstasy from Zargo and, just after midnight on December 23, 2011, Murphy met Zargo on Houston Street in New Haven.  After Murphy took ecstasy pills from Zargo, he pulled out a firearm.  When Zargo reached into his pocket, Murphy shot Zargo once in the chest.  Zargo died later that morning.  After the murder, Murphy fled the scene and met up with YOUNG, who had watched the robbery and murder unfold from a nearby location.

YOUNG has been detained since his arrest on September 30, 2015.  On February 13, 2017, he pleaded guilty to one count of engaging in a pattern of racketeering activity, and one count of money laundering related to the transferring of drug proceeds from Maine to Connecticut through Western Union.

As a result of this investigation, 21 members and associates of the RSGB were convicted of federal charges in Connecticut and Maine.  The investigation has resolved seven murder cases, four attempted murders and four armed robberies that occurred in 2011 and 2012.

Benton, Padilla, Rogers, Short and Murphy pleaded guilty to various offenses stemming from this investigation.  On October 4, 2017, Benton and Short were sentenced to 40 years of imprisonment and 30 years of imprisonment, respectively; on October 5, 2017, Murphy was sentenced to 30 years of imprisonment, and on April 9, 2018, Rogers was sentenced to 12 years of imprisonment.  Padilla awaits sentencing.

This investigation has been conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the New Haven Police Department, the Connecticut Department of Correction, the Connecticut State Police, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Hamden Police Department.  The New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office also provided critical assistance in the investigation.

An instrumental component of the investigation has been the work of the Connecticut State Crime Laboratory in utilizing the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) to analyze ballistics evidence.

This matter is being prosecuted in the District of Connecticut by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jocelyn Kaoutzanis and Peter Markle.  A related case in the District of Maine is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel Casey.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOSE DAVID SILVA PESTANO, 33, a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 87 months of imprisonment for trafficking heroin.

According to court documents and statements made in court, SILVA PESTANO and others conspired to traffic multi-kilogram quantities of heroin from Mexico to the Bridgeport, Connecticut area.  On multiple occasions between approximately April 2015 and March 2017, SILVA PESTANO personally transported more than 30 kilograms of heroin into Connecticut.

On February 14, 2017, SILVA PESTANO was arrested in Nogales, Arizona, after he crossed the border on a motorcycle carrying 11.94 kilograms of heroin in a concealed compartment.

On March 16, 2017, a grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment charging SILVA PESTANO and six other individuals with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, and related offenses.  SILVA PESTANO also was charged in the District of Arizona with possession with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin.  The Arizona case was transferred to the District of Connecticut for further prosecution.

SILVA PESTANO has been detained since his arrest.  On December 22, 2017, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin, and one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin.

SILVA PESTANO will be deported to Mexico when he completes his prison term.

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 is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph Vizcarrondo and Alina Reynolds.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ALAN D. ZALESKI, 57, of New Britain, pleaded guilty today in New Haven federal court to one count of making a false statement to the U.S. Probation Office and the U.S. District Court.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 3, 2011, ZALESKI was sentenced in New Haven federal court to 101 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing machine guns and numerous other unregistered weapons.  He was released from federal prison in December 2015 and began serving this three-year term of supervised release.  As part of his reporting requirements while under court supervision, ZALESKI submits online monthly reports to the U.S. Probation Office and ultimately to the U.S. District Judge responsible for his criminal case.  The online reporting form states that ZALESKI must answer the questions completely and correctly, and further warns ZALESKI that making a false statement may result in federal prosecution.

On his monthly reports to the U.S. Probation Office, ZALESKI has reported that he lives in New Britain.

On March 23, 2018, the FBI interviewed the owner of a property at 863 Shuttle Meadow Avenue in Berlin and learned that ZALESKI has rented this property for years and remains as the current renter.  This was the same location the FBI searched in 2006 over a period of three days in which dozens of automatic machine guns and semi-automatic firearms, multiple rifles and handguns, as well as silencers, fragmentation grenades, chemical grenades, smoke grenades and various homemade pipe bombs and IEDs were located and seized.  In 2006, the property was protected by booby-traps, including tripwires connected to percussion explosives and camouflaged plywood boards on the ground with nails protruding through them.

At no time has ZALESKI reported to the U.S. Probation Office his affiliation with any storage space or rental property, or association to any property located at 863 Shuttle Meadow Avenue in Berlin, thus preventing the U.S. Probation Office’s ability to supervise ZALESKI and ensure that he was in compliance with all of the conditions of his release. 

ZALESKI is scheduled to be sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall on September 20, 2018, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.

ZALESKI is released on bond pending sentencing.

This investigation has been conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas P. Morabito.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ERIC SMITH, also known as “Hood,” 30, of Hartford, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 40 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for distributing heroin and crack cocaine in Hartford.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an investigation headed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force and the Hartford Police Department’s Vice and Narcotics Division targeting gang violence and narcotics trafficking by members and associates of the Orange Street Killas (OSK) in Hartford’s Parkville neighborhood.  The investigation followed a series of reports of shots fired in the area, and a homicide that was committed on Cherry Street in October 2015.  The prosecution was built on court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of narcotics and physical and video surveillance, all of which revealed that OSK members, including SMITH, acquired heroin and crack cocaine and then sold the drugs on the streets of Hartford.

SMITH has been detained since his arrest on February 10, 2017.  On March 30, 2018, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base (“crack”) and heroin.

Sixteen individuals were charged as a result of the investigation.

This matter has been 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 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 JOHN J. PALIE, JR., 62, of Tiverton, Rhode Island, and JOHN J. PALIE III, 42, of Plymouth, Massachusetts, waived their right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to fraud offenses stemming from their having sold titanium to a Connecticut defense subcontractor.

According to court documents and statements made in court, JOHN PALIE, JR. is the owner and Chief Executive Officer of A&P Alloys, Inc. (“A&P”), a company in West Bridgewater, Massachusetts, that acquired and sold specialty metals, including titanium.  JOHN PALIE III was a manager at A&P, having responsibilities for, among other things, the purchase and sale of titanium, and the preparation of titanium orders for shipment and delivery to customers.  In pleading guilty, PALIE JR. and PALIE III admitted that they arranged two separate titanium sales to a Connecticut-based aircraft parts manufacturer that involved false representations about the source and quality of the titanium.  The aircraft parts manufacturer supplies titanium parts to a company that manufactures aircraft engines, including engines for U.S. Air Force fighter jets.

In April and May 2012, PALIE JR. and PALIE III arranged a sale of 11 pieces of titanium to the Connecticut aircraft parts manufacturer, representing that the titanium had been certified as meeting an advanced aerospace quality standard when, in fact, it had never been certified as such.  The order listed the engine manufacturer as the end buyer of the titanium.

In 2013, PALIE JR. and PALIE III arranged another sale of titanium to the Connecticut aircraft parts manufacturer with the engine manufacturer as the end buyer.  In August 2013, PALIE III arranged for 400 pieces of titanium, along with certificates stating that the titanium originated from a particular mill and satisfied an advanced aerospace quality standard, to be delivered to the aircraft parts manufacturer.  Due to concerns about the quality of the titanium, the engine manufacturer directed the aircraft parts manufacturer not to accept the titanium.  PALIE III agreed to replace the 400 pieces with other titanium that satisfied the quality standard in question.  However, instead of replacing the titanium, he arranged for the returned 400 pieces to be sandblasted and re-stamped with the manufacturer’s mark of a different titanium mill so that they appeared to be replacements for the returned pieces.  In November 2013, PALIE III had the falsely labeled pieces, along with false certificates, shipped back to the aircraft parts manufacturer.

The government contends that the losses sustained by the multiple victim companies that purchased fraudulently misrepresented titanium total $1,328,000.

PALIE JR. and PALIE III each pleaded guilty to two counts of mail fraud, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count.  Judge Underhill scheduled sentencing for September 19, 2018.

PALIE JR. and PALIE III are released pending sentencing.

This matter is being investigated by the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the U.S. Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations, and the U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Henry Kopel.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MIRIAM DUBAY, 65, of Purcellville, Virginia, waived her right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to one count of wire fraud related to her embezzlement of over $326,000 from her 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 108 customer cash payments totaling $86,279 instead of depositing the cash into the business’s bank account.

DUBAY is scheduled to be sentenced on September 17, 2018, at which time she faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

DUBAY was released on a $20,000 bond pending sentencing.

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

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ROGER TUSCANO, 48, of Bristol, pleaded guilty today before Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and 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 April 26, 2017, the Southington Police Department and emergency medical personnel responded to a residence for an unresponsive 54-year-old female who had suffered an apparent drug overdose.  Responders attempted lifesaving measures on the victim, including administering naloxone, with minimal effect.  The victim was then transported to the hospital.  At the scene, officers seized drug and non-drug evidence, including four wax folds that contained heroin.

The victim died on April 28, 2017.

The Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that the victim’s death was caused by a combination of heroin and clonazepam.

On May 3, 2017, the Bristol Police Department conducted a court-authorized search of TUSCANO’s residence and seized 175 wax folds of suspected heroin, some of which had the same brand stamp as the wax folds found with the victim on April 26.  Investigators also seized three cellphones from the residence.

The investigation, which included witness interviews and analysis of TUSCANO’s cell phones, revealed that the victim purchased heroin from TUSCANO at a gas station in New Britain on the morning of April 26, 2017.

TUSCANO was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on October 25, 2017.

Chief Judge Hall scheduled sentencing for September 18, 2018, at which time TUSCANO faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  TUSCANO is detained pending sentencing.

This matter has been investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Task Force and the Southington and Bristol Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Pierpont, Jr.