District of Connecticut

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ERICK DELGADO, 39, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to 13 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing fentanyl-laced heroin that led to overdoses in April 2016.

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, in the morning of April 25, 2016, Bridgeport Police and medical personnel responded to a location on Washington Avenue on a report of a possible drug overdose. The overdose victim was revived with two doses of Narcan and was transported to the hospital. A friend of the victim, who was with the victim at the time and contacted medical professionals after the overdose, told investigators that he and the victim purchased heroin from an individual he knew as “Eric” in the area of Brooks Street and Ogden Street in Bridgeport. The victim subsequently identified DELGADO as the source of the heroin he used.

In the evening of April 25, 2016, Monroe Police and emergency medical personnel responded to a report of an unresponsive 48-year-old male at a residence in Monroe. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. A subsequent interview with an acquaintance of the victim revealed that, on April 25, the victim and his acquaintance traveled to the area of Brooks Street and Ogden Street where the victim purchased heroin from DELGADO.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner subsequently determined the victim’s cause of death to be acute fentanyl intoxication.

On May 3, 2016, an individual working with law enforcement contacted DELGADO to arrange the purchase of heroin. When the individual and an undercover officer arrived in the area of Brooks Street and Ogden Street, they were met by DELGADO’s brother, Anoris Delgado, who subsequently provided them with 20 bags of heroin. The undercover officer purchased another 20 bags of heroin from Anoris Delgado on May 20.

DELGADO has been detained since his arrest on June 21, 2016. On October 27, 2016, he pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of heroin.

On October 25, 2016, Anoris Delgado pleaded guilty to the same charge. He awaits sentencing.

This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad, and the Monroe and Bridgeport Police Departments. The Tactical Diversion Squad includes participants from the New Haven, Hamden, Greenwich, Shelton, Bristol, Vernon, Wilton, Milford, Monroe, Fairfield and Manchester Police Departments, and the Connecticut State Police. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas P. Morabito.

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that BRITTANY ESPOSITO, 28, of Wallingford, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Alfred V. Covello in Hartford to six months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing heroin. Judge Covello also ordered ESPOSITO to pay a $1,000 fine.

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 May 14, 2016, Old Saybrook Police and emergency medical personnel responded to a report of a suspected overdose at an apartment on Main Street in Old Saybrook. The victim, a 26-year-old male, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Investigators seized the victim’s iPhone, one empty wax paper fold and several syringes.

The investigation, which included the analysis of numerous text messages, revealed that ESPOSITO purchased heroin for the victim on credit and then provided the heroin to the victim on May 13, 2016.

ESPOSITO was arrested on June 16, 2016. On November 17, 2016, she pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of heroin.

This matter was investigated by the DEA’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad and the Old Saybrook Police Department, with support and assistance of the Middlesex State’s Attorney’s Office. The Tactical Diversion Squad includes participants from the New Haven, Hamden, Greenwich, Shelton, Bristol, Vernon, Wilton, Milford, Monroe, Fairfield and Manchester Police Departments, and the Connecticut State Police.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert M. Spector.

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that the U.S. Attorney’s Office has reached an Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) settlement with the Connecticut Department of Developmental Services (“DDS”) to ensure that DDS provides effective communication for individuals with disabilities.

The settlement agreement resolves three ADA complaints filed by the State’s Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities on behalf of two individuals who are hearing impaired. The complaints allege that DDS failed to provide effective communication during certain programs and meetings by failing to make available sign language interpreters or appropriate auxiliary aids. DDS is working with the U.S. Department of Justice to develop and amend its policies and practices to ensure compliance with the ADA and the Department’s implementing regulations.

“Individuals who have disabilities must not be denied equal access to the services offered by the State of Connecticut because of their disability,” said U.S. Attorney Daly. “We commend DDS for voluntarily agreeing to enter this settlement agreement, and to ensure they are providing effective communication to persons who are hearing impaired.”

The ADA requires “public entities,” including local governments and state agencies, to ensure effective communication with qualified individuals with disabilities. Under this agreement, a person who is deaf or hard of hearing will be able to benefit from the same services as every other person. For individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, auxiliary aids include qualified sign language or oral interpreters, use of relay services, computer-assisted real time transcription, and, for simple communications, the exchange of written notes.

The settlement agreement specifically requires DDS to:

• Conduct a detailed audit of its services to make sure individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing are being provided with effective communication during all programs and services;
• Ensure that appropriate auxiliary aids and services, including qualified interpreters, and specifically tactile interpreters, are made available to all individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing;
• Set aside funding to ensure that auxiliary aids and services are timely provided to clients;
• Ensure its policies and practices are nondiscriminatory, and provide effective communication for people with communication disabilities, including the provision of sign language interpreters;
• Post a notice of the policy in public areas;
• Train staff on the policies.

This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ndidi N. Moses and Vanessa Roberts Avery, with the assistance of the Disability Rights Section of the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.

Individuals who believe that they may have been victims of discrimination can file a complaint with the U.S. Attorney’s Office at 203-821-3700. More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.justice.gov/crt. Additional information about the ADA can be found at www.ada.gov, or by calling the Department’s toll-free information line at (800) 514-0301 and (800) 514-0383 (TDD).

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DONALD BIAGI, JR., 55, of Fairfield, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Alfred V. Covello in Hartford to 18 months of imprisonment, followed by one year of supervised release, for tax evasion.

According to court documents and statements made in court, BIAGI is the sole owner of Don Biagi Landscaping. BIAGI, through Don Biagi Landscaping, generated business income by providing landscaping and snowplowing services to commercial and residential customers in Fairfield County. BIAGI regularly negotiated client checks at banks for cash rather than depositing the checks into his business bank accounts. Between 2008 and 2010, BIAGI cashed approximately 574 client checks, ranging in amounts from $10.52 to $15,604.50, in the total amount of approximately $848,750.

BIAGI, who acted as his own bookkeeper, did not disclose to his tax return preparer the client checks he cashed and some of the client checks he deposited into his business account between 2008 and 2010. As a result, a total of $1,321,305 in business gross receipts were not reported on BIAGI’s federal tax returns for 2008, 2009, and 2010, resulting in his substantially under-reporting his taxable income. BIAGI failed to report approximately 62 percent of his business’s gross receipts in 2008, approximately 47 percent of the gross receipts in 2009, and approximately 60 percent of the gross receipts in 2010.

Judge Covello ordered BIAGI to pay $445,579 in back taxes, and additional penalties and interest that have accrued on his unpaid taxes. BIAGI made a $50,000 payment toward his restitution today.

On September 29, 2016, BIAGI pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion. He was ordered to report to prison on April 1, 2017.

This matter was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter S. Jongbloed.

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that THERESA A. FREEMAN, 65, last residing in Yonkers, N.Y., was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 18 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for defrauding unemployment insurance programs in a “fictitious employer scheme.”

According to court documents and statements made in court, FREEMAN filed incorporation paperwork with the State of Connecticut for “Tribal Organic Products,” which she claimed was an internet business that she operated from an address in Trumbull, Connecticut. The business was, in fact, a fictitious company that did not engage in any business activity. In December 2012, FREEMAN’s son, Sean E. Montiero, filed a claim with the Connecticut Department of Labor for unemployment insurance benefits, claiming that he was laid off from Tribal Organic Products. Between January 2013 and July 2013, Montiero received approximately $13,474 in unemployment insurance benefits from the State of Connecticut.

The investigation revealed that FREEMAN also operated similar fictitious employer schemes that defrauded both the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industries and the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Division of Employment Security of $16,253 and $14,136, respectively.

Judge Arterton ordered FREEMAN to pay restitution in the amount of $43,863.

FREEMAN has been detained since her arrest on May 5, 2016. On September 20, 2016, she pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

FREEMAN has a prior federal conviction in the District of South Carolina for mail fraud stemming from similar conduct. In that case, she was found to have committed the same unemployment benefits fraud offense in South Carolina, Connecticut, Hawaii, Florida and New York, and was sentenced to 15 months of imprisonment.

Montiero has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.

This investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General; Connecticut Department of Labor; Office of the Chief State’s Attorney; Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industries; North Carolina Department of Commerce, Division of Employment Security; and the Yonkers Police Department.

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

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that TIMOTHY W. BURKE, also known as “Bill Burke,” “William Burke,” “Kerry Saunders,” “Pat Riley,” “Jim Caldwell,” “Jim Saunders,” “Tom Morrisey,” “Jimmy,” “Phil Burke,” “Phil,” “Burt,” “James Burke,” and “M. Soler,” 65, formerly of Easton, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to fraud and tax evasion offenses stemming from a long-running fraud scheme that targeted distressed homeowners.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between approximately 2010 and November 2015, BURKE engaged in a scheme to defraud individuals, mortgage lenders and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by falsely representing to homeowners who were in, or facing, foreclosure on their homes that he would purchase their homes and pay off their mortgages. The distressed homeowners agreed to sign various documents, including quitclaim deeds, indemnification agreements, management agreements and third party authorization letters, which BURKE presented to them on the understanding that, by signing the documents, they would be able to walk away from their homes without the burdens of their mortgage or other costs associated with home ownership. BURKE also told homeowners that the process of negotiating with the lenders can take time and that, in the meantime, to ignore any notices regarding foreclosure. After he gained control of these houses, BURKE rented out the properties to tenants by advertising the properties on craigslist.com and other means and falsely representing to tenants that BURKE owned the property.

BURKE or one of his agents then collected rent from tenants, in person, and BURKE used the funds for his own benefit. BURKE failed to negotiate with the homeowners’ mortgage lender or pay expenses associated with the home, including the homeowner’s mortgages and property taxes, and he failed to pay any rental income he was collecting to the homeowners. Many of the properties BURKE purportedly purchased were ultimately foreclosed upon by the mortgage lender.

BURKE undertook extensive efforts to disguise his true identity, and hide his criminal past, from his victims through the use of multiple aliases and business entities, and to conceal the sources of and expenditures from his criminal proceeds. BURKE has been associated with multiple entities, including Quality Asset Management Services, LLC; Birmingham Investments, LLC; the Birmingham Group of Companies; Saunders Associates; New Haven Investments; Realty Partners Group; Preston Associates II; Landlord Maintenance Services, LLC; Turnkey Construction Services LLC; The Complete Handyman, LLC; and Woodbridge Associates.

In addition, between 1994 and 2012, BURKE evaded paying approximately $403,726 in federal taxes.

In 2002, BURKE was indicted by a federal grand jury in New Jersey on charges of conspiracy, mail fraud, and equity skimming. BURKE subsequently pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit both equity skimming and mail fraud, and he was sentenced to 60 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. BURKE was released from federal custody in approximately August 2007 and began his federal supervised release at that time. One of the special conditions of BURKE’s supervised release was that he refrain from employment in the real estate business or mortgage industry. Based on his motion for early termination of his supervised release, the New Jersey federal court terminated his supervised release approximately one year early in August 2009.

Today, BURKE pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and one count of tax evasion, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years. Judge Shea scheduled sentencing for April 18, 2017.

BURKE has been detained since his arrest on November 19, 2015.

This matter is being investigated by Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service, with the critical assistance of the Middletown, Plainville, Easton and Coventry Police Departments, the Connecticut State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David T. Huang and Sarah P. Karwan.

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Matthew J. Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Boston, today announced the five individuals were arrested over the weekend in Hartford and charged with federal heroin trafficking offenses.

As alleged in the criminal complaint, on October 21, 2016, the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office in Alabama conducted a motor vehicle stop of a car hauler that was carrying a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu. A search of the Malibu revealed that it contained a hidden compartment (“trap”), which is commonly used to conceal and transport illegal contraband, including narcotics, firearms and currency. The investigation revealed that the car was registered to ONEL ARANA-GERVACIO.

The complaint further alleges that law enforcement officials obtained court authorization to install tracking devices on the vehicle and, between October 2016 and January 2017, HSI agents observed it at various locations in Connecticut and Rhode Island. On January 17, agents located the vehicle at 1091 Maple Avenue in Hartford. On January 20, surveillance officers observed activity on another vehicle located at the Maple Avenue residence consistent with manipulating a mechanical hidden compartment. Officers then observed ARANA placing two duffel bags into that second vehicle and then driving off in the vehicle with MODESTO BARETT-MEDINA. At approximately 8:30 p.m., a Hartford Police cruiser pulled the car over. The vehicle also contained a hidden trap, but a search revealed no contraband.

ERISON PERALTA, LUZ CRUZ and her daughter, CAROL AMPARO, were then located inside of 1091 Maple Avenue. The complaint alleges that a search of the residence revealed at least six kilograms of heroin, approximately 500 grams of cocaine and a “finger press,” which is used to process bulk quantities of heroin into 10-gram-bags known as “fingers.” Agents also seized drug distribution materials, including sifters, grinders, scales, vacuum sealers and kilo wrappers, which were coated in heroin residue and field-tested positive for the presence of fentanyl. Agents then searched the Malibu, which was located in the garage of 1091 Maple Avenue, and recovered approximately $260,000 in cash from inside the trap.

The complaint charges ARANA, BARETT, PERALTA, CRUZ and AMPARO with possession with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, one kilogram or more of heroin. Both offenses carry a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

CRUZ and AMPARO are also charged with maintaining a drug-involved premises, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

The five defendants appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna F. Martinez in Hartford. ARANA, 39, a citizen of Mexico; BARETT, 47, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, and PERALTA, 39, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, were ordered detained.

CRUZ, 46, and AMPARO, 20, were released on $50,000 bonds.

U.S. Attorney Daly stressed that a criminal complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are entitled to a fair trial at which it is the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Hartford Police Department and the Connecticut State Police, with the assistance of the Baldwin County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Gustafson.

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that, on January 20, DEBRA BIAGI, 50, of Fogelsville, Pa., formerly of Greenwich, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Alker Meyer in New Haven to 48 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for stealing more than $700,000 from her employer and related companies and individuals.

According to court documents and statements made in court, BIAGI was employed by HB Nitkin Group of Greenwich, a privately owned business engaged in real estate management and development. BIAGI served as an assistant to the chairman of the company with responsibilities that included managing the accounts payable for the company.

From approximately February 2014 to December 2015, BIAGI defrauded the company, as well as key company individuals and members of their families who retained financial and banking information at the company. As part of the scheme, BIAGI created fraudulent invoices made out to fictitious companies detailing charges for items such as masonry, carpentry, electrical and plumbing work. She then used victims’ checkbooks to make checks out to the fictitious companies, purportedly to pay the fraudulent invoices. BIAGI then deposited the checks into her personal bank account, at times endorsing the check with an illegible signature to hide her misconduct, and subsequently withdrew the monies for her personal use.

To keep track of which invoices were fictitious and which checks were made to fictitious companies, BIAGI often included her initials “DB” in the fabricated company name listed on the invoice and check. BIAGI then noted the fictitious company as the payee in the relevant accounting records at the company and filed the fabricated invoices as business record. BIAGI also, as needed, misappropriated the signature stamp of the company’s chairman and used it to “sign” the misappropriated checks and to falsely suggest that the paid expenditure was both legitimate and authorized.

In addition, at different times during the scheme, BIAGI simply stole checks from employees of the company and either made the checks to cash, or endorsed to cash checks that already listed a payee.

In total, BIAGI stole $711,074.39 during the course of this scheme.

Judge Meyer ordered BIAGI to make full restitution.

On August 26, 2016, BIAGI pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Greenwich Police Department, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher W. Schmeisser.

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DANIEL GUILLEN, 28, of Wallingford, was arrested yesterday on a federal criminal complaint charging him with distributing fentanyl and anabolic steroids. The charges stem from an ongoing statewide initiative targeting narcotics dealers who distribute heroin, fentanyl or opioids that cause death or serious injury to users.

GUILLEN appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joan G. Margolis in New Haven and was ordered detained.

As alleged in court documents, on August 31, 2016, the Wallingford Police Department and medical personnel responded to a residence after a report of an untimely death of a 30-year-old male. At the scene, officers seized 12 wax paper folds, eight of which contained a powdery substance. The State of Connecticut Forensics Laboratory subsequently reported that the substance tested positive for the presence of fentanyl. The investigation revealed that GUILLEN had provided the drugs to the victim shortly before the victim’s death. The investigation also revealed that GUILLEN sold anabolic steroids.

The complaint charges GUILLEN with possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of fentanyl, an offense that, given GUILLEN’s criminal history, carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years. The complaint also charges GUILLEN with possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, anabolic steroids, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

U.S. Attorney Daly 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 Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad, Wallingford Police Department, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and State of Connecticut Department of Parole and Community Services. The Task Force includes participants from the New Haven, Hamden, Greenwich, Shelton, Bristol, Vernon, Wilton, Milford, Monroe, Fairfield and Manchester Police Departments, and the Connecticut State Police.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Pierpont, Jr.

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ROSEMARIE COLLAZO, 51, of Yonkers, N.Y., waived her right to indictment and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to one count of wire fraud stemming from her theft of more than $700,000 from her employer.

According to court documents and statements made in court, COLLAZO was employed by Abbey National Treasury Services, PLC, in Stamford. As part of her job, COLLAZO assisted in arranging for payments to vendors and others. COLLAZO collected invoices as they came into the company and presented the collected invoices to her supervisor to approve payment. Her supervisor then reviewed the items and signed off on the payments. COLLAZO then entered the payment information into the company’s accounts payable program, which generated payment checks. Next, COLLAZO created packets that included the invoice, an authorization form and the payment check related to the specific invoice. After the packets had been reviewed and the appropriate signatures obtained from her supervisors, COLLAZO mailed the checks to vendors.

Between 2010 and 2016, COLLAZO prepared 144 fraudulent duplicate invoice packages and submitted an equivalent number of checks for authorizing signatures for payments that she knew had already been processed and paid. She then deposited the checks into her personal bank account.

In addition, on at least three other occasions, COLLAZO misappropriated a vendor refund check that had been sent the company, and endorsed the check for deposit into her personal bank account.

In total, COLLAZO stole $772,242 during the course of this scheme.

Judge Underhill scheduled sentencing for April 14, 2017, at which time COLLAZO faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Greenwich Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher W. Schmeisser.

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that THOMAS EDWARD DONALDSON, 54, last residing in Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to 18 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for violating federal sex offender registration laws.

The Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (“SORNA”), which was passed by Congress in 2006 as part of the Adam Walsh Act, provides a comprehensive set of minimum standards for sex offender registration and notification in the United States and seeks to strengthen the nationwide network of sex offender registration and notification programs. In part, SORNA requires registered sex offenders to register and keep their registration current in each jurisdiction in which they reside, work, or go to school.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 8, 2005, DONALDSON was sentenced in Hartford federal court to five years of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for engaging in sexually explicit conversations, from his computer in Maryland, with an undercover agent who he thought was a 13-year-old girl, and then traveling to Connecticut to meet the “girl” to engage in sexual activity. After his release from prison, DONALDSON was found in violation of his supervised release and, on March 13, 2013, was sentenced to an additional three months of imprisonment and one year of supervised release.

DONALDSON had initially complied with Connecticut Sex Offender Registry requirements while he resided in Hartford after his release from prison. However, in late 2013, he failed to respond to an address verification request and a subsequent notice of violation sent by the Sex Offender Registry Unit, and a federal investigation was initiated to locate him.

On February 5, 2016, DONALDSON was arrested in Hartford pursuant to a federal probation violation warrant. After he was apprehended, he was sentenced to an additional six months in prison for again violating his supervised release.

DONALDSON has been detained since his arrest. On October 25, 2016, he pleaded guilty to one count of failing to register as a sex offender.

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

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that COREY BRINSON, 36, of Hartford, waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to a money laundering charge stemming from his involvement in a securities fraud scheme.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between approximately October 2010 and July 2016, BRINSON, a licensed attorney, served as the nominal “securities counsel” for several companies whose securities were marketed and sold to the investing public by Christian Meissenn and Meissenn’s business associates in a stock “pump and dump” scheme. Meissenn and his associates induced investors to purchase securities by making false and misleading representations about the securities and the issuing companies, thereby causing the price of those securities to become falsely inflated. After selling their own shares at a profit, the scheme’s participants allowed the price of the securities to fall, leaving investors with worthless and unsalable stock. As a result, victim investors lost millions of dollars.

As part of the scheme, BRINSON, who did not have any experience with securities and securities markets, signed, or permitted others to affix his signature to, false and misleading attorney opinion letters that were designed to provide assurances to securities transfer agents and prospective investors. Among other things, the opinion letters falsely certified that BRINSON, as an attorney, had adequately reviewed corporate records and filings and was satisfied with the adequacy of the companies’ public disclosures. The opinion letters were then provided to securities transfer agents and prospective investors. BRINSON also received deposits of millions of dollars in proceeds of securities transactions into his Interest on Lawyer Trust Account (“IOLTA”). Rather than use the proceeds to purchase securities and fund operations at the underlying companies, Meissenn and others directed BRINSON to distribute nearly all the money to what proved to be relatives, associates and shell companies associated with Meissenn and his associates.

BRINSON knew that approximately $3 million that passed through his IOLTA were the proceeds of this illegal securities scheme. In exchange for providing his services, BRINSON received approximately five percent of the proceeds that passed through his IOLTA. In addition, BRINSON also received payment for preparing the false opinion letters. As a result of these activities, BRINSON’s personal gain was a total of approximately $200,000.

BRINSON pleaded guilty to one count of engaging in a monetary transaction in property derived from specified unlawful activity, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for April 14, 2017.

BRINSON surrendered his law license in November 2016.

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

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

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that that LISA LANDMAN, 48, of Redding, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to three months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for embezzling more than $400,000 from her employer. Judge Bolden also ordered LANDMAN to serve the first six months of her supervised release in home confinement.

According to court documents and statements made in court, LANDMAN was the bookkeeper for a Connecticut company. Between November 2010 and November 2013, LANDMAN defrauded her employer by authorizing and initiating at least 33 wire transfers from the company’s business bank account into her own personal credit card account. In total, LANDMAN transferred $410,410.02. from the company’s account to her personal credit card account and used the funds for personal purchases including jewelry, clothing, vacations, spa treatments, fitness equipment and entertainment tickets.

On September 19, 2016, LANDMAN pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.

This matter was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service, the Stamford Police Department and the Connecticut Financial Crimes Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nancy V. Gifford.

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that TIMOTHY FORBES, 35, of Allentown, Pa., pleaded guilty today in Bridgeport federal court to federal charges stemming from his role in a violent kidnapping and jewelry store robbery in April 2013.

According to court documents and statements made in court, at approximately 9:00 p.m. on April 11, 2013, Kasam Hennix, William Davis, Christopher Gay and Jeffrey Houston, all of whom were wearing masks and gloves and two of whom were armed with handguns, broke into an apartment on Gravel Street in Meriden, Conn., bound four victims with duct tape and covered their heads with pillowcases, towels and jackets. Hennix, Davis, and Houston then forced two of the victims into a victim’s vehicle and drove to Lenox Jewelers in Fairfield, Conn., where the two victims worked. FORBES traveled to Fairfield in a separate vehicle, and Gay remained in the Meriden apartment to guard the two other victims.

After Hennix, Davis and Houston arrived at the Fairfield store, they stole jewelry, watches and loose diamonds with a total replacement value of more than $3 million. They then fled in the victim’s car, leaving the two victims bound inside the store. Hennix, Davis and Houston abandoned the victim’s vehicle and got into FORBES’ vehicle. One of the defendants called Gay to advise him that they had successfully carried out the robbery and that he should leave the apartment. The defendants then fled the state.

The five defendants were arrested in May 2013.

Investigators determined that FORBES, Houston and Gay had traveled from Pennsylvania to Connecticut on several occasions in the weeks prior to the robbery in order to track the victims’ movements between Lenox Jewelers in Fairfield and their residence in Meriden. In addition, FORBES and Gay placed a GPS on one of the victim’s vehicles in an effort to make it easier to track him.

FORBES pleaded guilty to one count of kidnapping, one count of interference with commerce by robbery and one count of use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford on April 13, 2017, at which time he faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of seven years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

Hennix, of Easton, Pa., Davis, of Allentown, Pa., Houston, of Allentown, and Gay, of the Bronx, N.Y., also pleaded guilty to federal charges. On April 17, 2015, Davis was sentenced to 176 months in prison; on January 27, 2016, Gay was sentenced to 102 months in prison, and, on February 8, 2016, Hennix was sentenced to 171 months of imprisonment. Houston awaits sentencing.

The defendants have been ordered to pay restitution of more than $3.1 million, and have forfeited gemstones, jewelry, watches, a vehicle, and more than $127,000 in cash seized from them at the time of their arrests.

FORBES has been involved in at least three other similar jewelry store robberies, including one that occurred in York, Pa., in July 2012. During that robbery, one of FORBES’ co-defendants shot the owner of the store, permanently disabling him. On March 23, 2016, FORBES was sentenced in the Middle District of Pennsylvania to 14 years of imprisonment for his role in that robbery.

This matter has been investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Fairfield Police Department and Meriden Police Department. U.S. Attorney Daly also acknowledged the assistance provided by the U.S. Marshals Service and FBI in New York and Pennsylvania; the York, Allentown and Bethlehem Police Departments in Pennsylvania, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tracy Lee Dayton and Joseph Vizcarrondo.

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Tyler Amon, Special Agent in Charge of EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division for New England, announced that SCP MANAGEMENT, LLC, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to one count of failing to notify or report to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as required under the Clean Air Act. Following SCP MANAGEMENT’s guilty plea, Judge Underhill immediately imposed sentence and ordered the company to pay a $200,000 fine.

According to court documents and statement made in court, Syntac Coated Products, LLC (“Old Syntac”) operated a manufacturing facility located at 29 Industrial Park Road in New Hartford from 2007 until April 19, 2013, when it sold all of its assets, including its trade name to Syntac Coated Products, LLC (“New Syntac”). Since April 19, 2013, Old Syntac has continued to exist under the name of SCP MANAGEMENT, LLC.

Old Syntac designed and manufactured specialty adhesive films for various applications used in the automotive, electronics and medical industries. In its manufacturing process, the company used three adhesive coating lines. When operating, those coating lines emitted volatile organic compounds (VOCs), some of which were also hazardous air pollutants that are suspected to cause cancer or other serious health effects. Beginning in 2008, the company controlled its emissions of VOCs and hazardous air pollutants from its coating lines with two catalytic oxidizers. Catalytic oxidizers produce chemical reactions that generate heat and promote the oxidation of VOCs to carbon dioxide and water. The company replaced its catalytic oxidizers with a regenerative thermal oxidizer in April 2013.

The Clean Air Act requires the EPA to create a list of the important categories of stationary sources of air pollution, and to establish federal standards of performance for new sources within these categories. These New Source Performance Standards (“NSPS”) apply to newly constructed sources or those that undergo major upgrades or modifications. As required under the NSPS, Old Syntac performed an initial performance test on each catalytic oxidizer in 2008 to demonstrate that VOC emissions from its coating lines were captured and properly controlled. Following the performance tests, the company was required to monitor, record and report the gas temperature upstream and downstream of each incinerator catalyst bed continuously during coating operations in order to demonstrate that the incinerator continued to function properly over time. Every six months, the company was required to submit a report to the EPA that identified any three-hour periods during which the average temperature difference across the catalyst bed in each of its catalytic oxidizers was less than 80 percent of the average temperature difference of the device during the performance test. If no such three-hour periods occurred during the reporting period, the company was required to say so in the report.

Between 2008 and April 2013, Old Syntac used paper temperature charts to record the upstream and downstream temperatures of its catalytic oxidizers during coating operations. Each day, a new temperature chart was installed and the chart for the previous day was removed, reviewed and preserved. On numerous occasions the temperature charts showed that the temperature difference across the catalyst bed was less than 80 percent of the average temperature difference of the device during the performance test. The company also performed tests of its catalyst blocks that indicated the catalysts were likely not destroying all of the VOCs emitted during its production processes. The company failed to file any reports with the EPA, as required under the Clean Air Act, regarding the temperature readings of the oxidizers. Had it done so, EPA could have investigated the company’s compliance further and required additional performance testing.

In addition to paying a $200,000 criminal fine, SCP MANAGEMENT will make a Community Service Payment of $200,000 to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, a nonprofit organization that will use the funds for projects and initiatives benefitting air quality in Connecticut. Additionally, SCP MANAGEMENT has acknowledged that, on one or more occasions between 2008 and April 2013, Old Syntac had the potential to emit hazardous air pollutants in excess of “major source” thresholds. Because of the EPA’s “Once In, Always In” policy concerning major sources of air pollutants, New Syntac or any successor entity will be filing an application for a permit under Title V of the Clean Air Act, which will subject the company to heightened regulatory and reporting requirements going forward.

“When Syntac noticed its catalytic oxidizers may not be functioning properly, it failed to report that information to the EPA,” said U.S. Attorney Daly. “A report would have triggered a regulatory review. Not reporting resulted in a criminal investigation. Hopefully, this prosecution will serve as a warning to corporations that if they ignore signs they are polluting the air we breathe, they risk federal prosecution.”

“To protect the surrounding community, the EPA relied on SCP Management to report on the hazardous air pollutants emitted from their Connecticut facility,” said EPA Special Agent in Charge Amon. “The company knowingly failed to report information that showed its emission control equipment was not operating properly, avoided regulatory oversight under the Clean Air Act and garnered an unfair economic benefit over its competitors.”

This matter was investigated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with assistance from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarala V. Nagala and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Kenyon.

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that that ALVIN LOPES, 40, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 27 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, distributing 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, in March 2016, the Ansonia Police Department and DEA received information that Jamar Jones, also known as “Mitch,” was selling heroin in and around Ansonia and Waterbury, and that some of the heroin distributed by Jones had led to a non-fatal overdose. Officers made multiple controlled purchases of heroin from Jones, and then from LOPES when the investigation revealed that he was working with Jones to distribute heroin.

LOPES has been detained since his arrest on August 10, 2016. On October 14, 2016, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin.

Jones, of Ansonia, also has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.

This investigation has been conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Ansonia Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert M. Spector.

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that DION EDWARD THOMPSON, 39, formerly of East Hartford, pleaded guilty yesterday in Hartford federal court to robbing a U.S. Postal Service employee in Hartford in September 2014.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on September 9, 2014, THOMPSON, and another man who was armed with what appeared to be a firearm, robbed a U.S. Postal Service employee of U.S. Postal Service funds at the Barry Square Post Office, located at 645 Maple Avenue in Hartford. The robbery occurred as the employee was loading the Post Office’s daily proceeds into a postal vehicle, which was parked at the loading dock. Approximately $21,817 in cash, checks and money orders was stolen during the robbery.

THOMPSON pleaded guilty to one count of robbery of a U.S. Postal Service employee, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny on April 20, 2017.

THOMPSON is currently detained.

This investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service with the assistance of the Hartford Police Department and the Colorado Springs (Colo.) Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Deborah R. Slater and Douglas P. Morabito.

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, announced that CHRISTOPHER STEVENS, 25, of East Lyme, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today in New Haven federal court to one count of distribution of heroin. This prosecution is part of 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, early in the morning of June 4, 2016, East Lyme Police and emergency medical personnel responded to a vehicle parked on the side of a road with its engine running and found a 25-year-old male slumped over dead in the driver’s seat, and a young child in the rear seat. Investigators also found a torn wax paper baggy in the man’s hand and several other baggies under his body.

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

The investigation revealed that, shortly before he overdosed, the victim met STEVENS at STEVENS’ East Lyme residence, and STEVENS provided heroin to the victim at that time.

The charge of distribution of heroin carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. STEVENS is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer on April 12, 2017.

This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Tactical Diversion Squad with the assistance of the East Lyme Police Department.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer P. Laraia and Michael E. Runowicz.

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, announced that RAMON L. KILLINGS, also known as “Blade,” 39, of Bridgeport, was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint charging him with distributing heroin. The charge stems from an ongoing statewide initiative targeting narcotics dealers who distribute heroin, fentanyl or opioids that cause death or serious injury to users.

After his arrest, KILLINGS appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge William I. Garfinkel in Bridgeport and was ordered detained.

As alleged in court documents, in the early morning of December 4, 2016, Stratford Police responding to a 911 call encountered a 33-year-old female who had died from a suspected drug overdose in the bedroom of a residence. Responding officers collected wax folds containing suspected heroin, a hypodermic needle and other drug paraphernalia from the bedroom. The investigation revealed that the victim’s boyfriend purchased heroin from KILLINGS the previous evening, and then he and the victim injected the heroin he had purchased.

In December 2016 and January 2017, law enforcement made controlled purchases of heroin from KILLINGS.

It is alleged that, when he was arrested this morning, KILLINGS possessed quantities of heroin and crack cocaine.

The complaint charges KILLINGS with possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

U.S. Attorney Daly 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 Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and the Stratford Police Department. The task force includes personnel from the Norwalk, Stamford, Stratford, Milford and Bridgeport Police Departments, and the Connecticut State Police. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas P. Morabito.

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOSE TORRES SERRANO, 30, of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Alker Meyer in New Haven to 66 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking cocaine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 19, 2015, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (“HSI”) in San Juan, Puerto Rico, contacted HSI agents in Hartford and relayed information that two packages containing an approximate combined weight of 5.27 kilograms of cocaine were destined for locations in Waterbury and Middletown. The investigation revealed that SERRANO was responsible for the shipping of the packages from Puerto Rico and was the intended recipient of both packages. SERRANO, who had travelled from Puerto Rico to receive the packages and distribute the cocaine, was arrested at the Waterbury address on November 20, 2015.

SERRANO has been detained since his arrest. On September 16, 2016, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.

This matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Middletown Police Department and the Connecticut State Police, with the support and assistance of the Middlesex State’s Attorney’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert M. Spector and Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Eugene Calistro, who was cross-designated as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in this matter.

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ERIC ORTIZ, also known as “Nice,” 35, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to 36 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing crack cocaine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in September 2014, the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force and Hartford Police Department initiated an investigation into narcotics distribution, firearms trafficking and acts of violence carried out by members and associates Los Solidos in Hartford’s South End. The investigation, which included the use of court-authorized wiretaps and controlled purchases of heroin, crack cocaine and firearms, resulted in federal charges against approximately 30 individuals.

In October 2014 and again on three occasions in May 2015, ORTIZ sold crack cocaine to an individual working with law enforcement.

ORTIZ was arrested on June 15, 2015. In January 2016, Hartford Police Department’s Vice and Narcotics unit conducting surveillance in the vicinity of Park Street observed ORTIZ, who was released on bond, engaged in the sale of crack cocaine. His bond was revoked on February 3, 2016.

On August 17, 2016, ORTIZ pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, cocaine base (“crack”).

The FBI 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 unit, Major Crimes unit, Shooting Task Force and South Conditions Unit have provided valuable assistance to the investigation, and the U.S. Marshals Service and Capitol Region Emergency Response Team (CREST) assisted with the arrests.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Gustafson.

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 commit 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.

Members of Los Solidos attended call-ins that were held in April 2014 and August 2014.

United States Attorney Deirdre M. Daly and Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen today announced that Family Care Visiting Nurse and Home Care Agency, LLC (Family Care VNA), and David A. Krett and Rita C. Krett, R.N., B.S.N., owners of Family Care VNA, have entered into a civil settlement with the federal and state governments in which they will pay approximately $5.25 million to resolve allegations that they violated the federal and state False Claims Acts. Family Care VNA has offices in Stratford, Woodbridge, Norwalk and Meriden, and provides home health services in Fairfield, New Haven, Hartford and Middlesex Counties.

“Home Health Care providers and other providers who fraudulently bill the Medicaid program drive up the cost of health care for all of us,” said U.S. Attorney Daly. “The U.S. Attorney’s office is committed to working with our state counterparts to vigorously pursue health care providers that submit fraudulent claims to government health care programs.”

“Medicaid providers who choose to participate in the Connecticut Medical Assistance Program have a responsibility to ensure that they are in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and are truthful when they submit claims for payment for services to the Medicaid program,” Attorney General Jepsen said. “We will continue to work to hold accountable those who seek to defraud our taxpayer-funded healthcare programs. I am grateful to our partners in this investigation, especially the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General and Office of Investigations, the Connecticut Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and the Connecticut Department of Social Services Office of Quality Assurance, for their coordination and work in this case, and for the continued cooperation between agencies, both state and federal, as we work to protect our public healthcare programs.”

The allegations against Family Care VNA involve fraudulent billing to Medicaid for certain home health services. The services in question included 60-day assessments, billed pursuant to the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System code S9123. According to the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System, this service must be performed by a registered nurse.

It is alleged that Family Care VNA regularly billed S9123 codes when a registered nurse did not provide the assessments as required by Medicaid. Family Care VNA, with the knowledge and at the direction of its owners, regularly billed S9123 claims to Medicaid knowing a registered nurse had not performed the 60-day assessment as required by Medicaid. Additionally, it is alleged Family Care VNA, with the knowledge of its owners, submitted claims to Medicaid for patients who were or may have been dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, without first following required procedures for submitting claims to Medicare.

To settle allegations under the federal and state False Claims Acts, Family Care VNA, David Krett and Rita Krett have paid $5,253,908.54, which covers the time period from January 1, 2009 through April 30, 2016. Family Care, VNA, David Krett and Rita Krett also have entered into a Corporate Integrity Agreement with the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

This matter was investigated by Lawrence Marini, Forensic Fraud Examiner for the Connecticut Attorney General’s Office, with the assistance of the Connecticut Department of Social Services, and by the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Karla Turekian and Assistant Attorney General Antonia Conti of the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General, and by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne F. Thidemann and Auditor Kevin Saunders of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

U.S. Attorney Daly encouraged individuals who suspect health care fraud to report it by calling the Health Care Fraud Task Force at (203) 785-9270 or 1-800-HHS-TIPS.

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that on January 6, 2017, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment alleging that CARRIE CAESAR, 46, of New Britain, embezzled funds from her employer, Webster Bank Corporation, where she served as bank manager of the Avon branch office.

According to the indictment and statements made in court, between approximately 2003 and 2016, CAESAR withdrew money from account holders’ certificate of deposit (CD) accounts at Webster Bank, without the knowledge or consent of the account holders, used the embezzled funds for her own purposes, and took steps to conceal her misconduct.

The indictment charges CAESAR with one count of embezzlement by a bank officer or employee, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years.

On January 10, 2017, CAESAR appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna F. Martinez in Hartford, entered a plea of not guilty and was released on a $150,000 bond.

U.S. Attorney Daly 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.

The President has designated January as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut continues to prioritize human trafficking offenses, which are among the most heinous crimes the Office prosecutes. Federal prosecutors focus their resources on prosecuting the sex trafficking of minors, but also investigates cases involving the sex trafficking of particularly vulnerable adults and labor trafficking.

In November 2015, we announced the formation of the Connecticut Human Trafficking Task Force. The Task Force is composed of special agents from Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Department of Labor; investigators from the Connecticut State Police; officers from 16 police departments throughout the state; and representatives from State’s Attorneys’ Offices, and is led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarala V. Nagala, Deputy Chief of the Major Crimes and National Security Unit, and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Novick, Chief of the Financial Fraud and Public Corruption Unit.

In recent history, the Office has prosecuted 28 defendants for violations of the human trafficking laws, and in 2016, indicted or obtained guilty pleas from five defendants for sex trafficking. In 2016, in separate cases, Jordan Anate and Romane St. Christopher McKenzie were each sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for engaging in the sex trafficking of minors. In another case, Ramon Gomez pleaded guilty to sex trafficking of a minor in a case where the 17-year-old minor died from an overdose of heroin that was supplied by Gomez.

Members of the U.S. Attorney’s Office routinely participate in trainings for law enforcement officers, hospital workers, school groups and community organizations regarding human trafficking. In January 2017 alone, prosecutors will take part in hotel worker training sponsored by the Connecticut Lodging Association, law enforcement training at the Connecticut Police Officer Standards and Training Academy, and hospital worker training at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford.

Today, as part of National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, I and other members of my Office wore blue in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security’s Blue Campaign, to stand in solidarity with victims of human trafficking worldwide. The U.S. Attorney’s Office thanks our governmental and non-governmental victim services providers, including the Department of Children and Families and the International Institute of Connecticut, for the critical work they do to help individuals transition from victims to survivors.

Human traffickers, particularly those who prey on children, exploit the most vulnerable segments of our society. We will continue to devote significant federal resources to investigate and prosecute those who profit from the abuse and exploitation of our children.

Deirdre M. Daly
U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut
January 11, 2017

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that that JORGE MORALES, also known as “Capone,” 30, of Shelton, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to 46 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing heroin. Judge Bolden also ordered MORALES to serve the first six months of supervised release in home confinement.

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 15, 2016, a 21-year-old woman was found unresponsive at her Bridgeport residence and was transported to the hospital. She has since died. Bridgeport Police recovered two baggies of suspected heroin packaged in glassine baggies from the bed next to where the victim was located. The baggies were marked with a particular brand stamp. A cellular telephone seized from the victim revealed numerous calls and text messages between the victim and MORALES in the days leading up the victim’s overdose.

On April 15, 2016, law enforcement conducted a controlled purchase of heroin, in baggies marked with the same brand stamp, from MORALES.

MORALES has been detained since his arrest on April 20, 2016. On July 13, 2016, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin.

This investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad with the assistance of the Bridgeport, Derby, Shelton, Monroe, Middlebury and Woodbridge Police Departments. The Tactical Diversion Squad includes participants from the New Haven, Hamden, Greenwich, Shelton, Bristol, Vernon, Wilton, Milford, Monroe, Fairfield and Manchester Police Departments, and the Connecticut State Police. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert M. Spector.

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RAUL CHAVEZ, 57, of El Paso, Texas, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Alker Meyer in New Haven to 144 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for trafficking cocaine. CHAVEZ also was ordered to pay a $250,000 fine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, CHAVEZ headed a cocaine trafficking operation that smuggled cocaine from Mexico into El Paso, Texas, and then transported the drug to Connecticut and elsewhere. The investigation revealed that the Chavez organization had been supplying multiple kilograms of cocaine to Hartford-area distributors since approximately 2004. The shipments, which would typically be in the range of 30 to 40 kilograms, were sent regularly from El Paso multiple times per year.

In 2014, the Chavez organization attempted to find an additional source of supply for its Hartford area cocaine customers. In July 2014, a DEA confidential source met Andrew Duron, also known as “Chavo,” in North Carolina. During the meeting, Duron told the confidential source that he wanted to purchase up to 50 kilograms of cocaine for $28,000 per kilogram. On August 14, 2014, Duron, the confidential source and an undercover DEA agent met in New Jersey where Duron agreed to purchase 25 kilograms of cocaine. In subsequent conversations with the confidential source, Duron stated that he wanted an extra $1000 per kilogram as a side deal. They agreed on a total price of $725,000 for 25 kilograms of cocaine.

The investigation revealed that this cocaine shipment was destined for Tyshawn Welborn, also known as “Black,” of Bloomfield, and Todd Vernon of Hartford, the latter of whom prepaid for approximately 13 kilograms of cocaine.

On August 22, 2014, CHAVEZ and others met with Welborn at a restaurant in East Windsor where they discussed the pick-up of money from Welborn the following day and its delivery to a location to be determined.

On August 23, 2014, Duron met the undercover DEA agent at a location in Wethersfield. Duron told the undercover agent that his associates were in Connecticut and that Duron and the undercover agent would need to travel to a store parking lot near Bradley International Airport to verify that the money was in place. Duron and the undercover agent then drove in separate vehicles to a store parking lot on Kennedy Road in Windsor. Duron met with CHAVEZ and another associate in the store. A short time later, a third associate arrived in a Jeep Wrangler, met the undercover agent in the parking lot, showed him a duffel bag and said it contained “half” of the money. Shortly thereafter, investigators arrived at the scene and arrested Duron, CHAVEZ and his associates.

Investigators also recovered from the Jeep a duffel bag containing approximately $284,000 in cash, and a loaded .38 caliber revolver. The cash had been picked up from Welborn earlier that day.

After word reached CHAVEZ’s son, Christopher Chavez, that his father and others had been arrested, Christopher Chavez coordinated the diversion of a shipment of 34 kilograms of cocaine, which was en route to Connecticut, to a high-level drug distributor in Cleveland, Ohio.

CHAVEZ has been detained since his arrest. On March 11, 2016, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.

Duron, Welborn, Vernon and Christopher Chavez also pleaded guilty. On September 22, 2015, Duron, of El Paso, was sentenced to 84 months of imprisonment; on October 7, 2016, Christopher Chavez, of El Paso, was sentenced to 60 months of imprisonment, and on December 21, 2016, Welborn was sentenced to 84 months of imprisonment. Vernon awaits sentencing.

This investigation has been conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force, including personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office and the Bristol, Hartford, Manchester, New Britain, Newington, and Wethersfield Police Departments.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian P. Leaming and Amy C. Brown.

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOHN J. SIMON, JR., also known as “Buzzy Simon,” 69, of Stafford Springs, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 18 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for defrauding U.S. veterans.

According to court documents and statements made in court, from March 2009 to August 2010, SIMON, a Vietnam War veteran, engaged in a scheme to defraud four military veterans by representing that, in exchange for money, he could assist them in obtaining increased benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”). The veterans suffer from service-related disabilities and/or are chronically ill. SIMON falsely represented that the money the veterans provided to him would be used to pay for the services of an attorney or other expenses. With respect to one veteran, SIMON also falsely told him that he would assist the veteran in obtaining Social Security benefits.

SIMON did not initiate any claims for the four veterans and he did not incur any legal or other expenses on behalf of the veterans. Rather, he kept the money for his personal use.

As part of the plea agreement, SIMON has agreed that he defrauded 11 other military veterans and one non-veteran by representing that he could obtain new or increased benefits from the VA or Social Security Administration.

In total, SIMON defrauded 16 victims of approximately $525,521.

SIMON also structured approximately $36,000 in cash deposits into his bank account from October 2009 to June 2010. The funds structured were payments he had received from the fraud scheme. At the time, SIMON knew that the bank was required to issue a report for a currency transaction in excess of $10,000, and that by conducting his financial transactions in amounts less than $10,000.01, he intended to evade the transaction reporting requirements.

Federal law requires all financial institutions to file a Currency Transaction Report (“CTR”) for currency transactions that exceed $10,000. To evade the filing of a CTR, individuals will often structure their currency transactions so that no single transaction exceeds $10,000. Structuring involves the repeated depositing or withdrawal of amounts of cash less than the $10,000 limit, or the splitting of a cash transaction that exceeds $10,000 into smaller cash transactions in an effort to avoid the reporting requirements. Even if the deposited funds are derived from a legitimate means, financial transactions conducted in this manner are still in violation of federal criminal law.

SIMON was arrested on a criminal complaint on May 15, 2013. On October 3, 2016, he pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud and one count of structuring currency transactions.

In October 2010, the IRS seized $210,085.58 from SIMON’s bank account. The seized funds will be used to pay restitution to SIMON’s victims. Judge Shea ordered SIMON to pay $315,435.42 in additional restitution.

This matter was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter S. Jongbloed.

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ALEJANDRO PROSPER, also known as “Pun,” 36, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 57 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for his role in a scheme to distribute oxycodone that was obtained through fraudulent prescriptions.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2012, members of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad began an investigation into a drug trafficking organization that manufactured fraudulent prescriptions for oxycodone and distributed the drug in the greater New Haven area. As part of the conspiracy, members of organization obtained the personal identifying information of medical practitioners and used the information to create fraudulent prescriptions. Conspiracy members also purchased legitimate prescriptions for oxycodone from individuals. The organization then used individuals, or “runners,” to fill the fraudulent prescriptions at pharmacies throughout Connecticut. Once a runner provided his or her personal information to a member of the organization, the runner’s information was kept on file and used to create other fraudulent prescriptions.

PROSPER purchased large quantities of illegally-obtained oxycodone from Julian Cintron and David Thompson, and sold the pills, as well as other narcotics, to his own customers.

The investigation revealed that, between February 2013 and September 2015, the organization stole the personal identifying information of more than 50 doctors and medical professionals and fraudulently obtained more than 80,000 oxycodone pills. Investigators identified more than 800 fraudulent prescriptions passed by members of the organization using more than 270 different “patient” names.

Nearly all of the runners employed by the conspiracy held state-sponsored medical insurance, so the costs of the prescriptions were billed to Medicaid. Members of the drug trafficking organization then sold the oxycodone for $20 to $30 per 30 milligram pill.

On October 18, 2016, PROSPER pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone.

Eleven individuals have been charged as a result of the investigation.

Cintron and Thompson, both of New Haven, pleaded guilty and await sentencing.

The DEA Tactical Diversion Squad includes members from the Bristol, Greenwich, Hamden, Milford, New Haven, Shelton, Vernon and Wilton Police Departments.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amy C. Brown and Robert M. Spector.

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ROBERT MINNIFIELD, also known as “B.O.” and “Slim,” 32, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for distributing crack cocaine. Judge Thompson also ordered MINNIFIELD to perform 100 hours of community service.

This matter stems from a joint investigation by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force and the Hartford Police Vice, Intelligence and Narcotics Unit into gang-related narcotics trafficking in Hartford’s North End. MINNIFIELD and others targeted during the investigation were affiliated with groups and gangs who have been involved in acts of violence. The investigation revealed that MINNIFIELD and others sold crack cocaine in the area of Edgewood Street and Albany Avenue. In June and July 2015, law enforcement made controlled purchases of crack from MINNIFIELD.

On September 23, 2016, MINNIFIELD pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack cocaine”).

MINNIFIELD’s criminal history includes multiple state felony convictions, including convictions for assault, firearm offenses and sale of narcotics. He was on special parole at the time of this federal offense, and is currently serving the balance of his state sentence. He will begin his federal sentence when he is released from state custody.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, 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.

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MARIO PASCUAL AQUINO, 36, formerly of Torrington, pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to one count of theft of public money stemming from his role in a stolen identity tax refund fraud scheme.

According to court documents and statements made in court, AQUINO was involved in a conspiracy to fraudulently obtain U.S. Treasury tax refund checks made payable to individuals other than themselves, whose personal identifying information was stolen by co-conspirators. Typically, the individuals whose identities were stolen were citizens of Puerto Rico.

Between October 2011 and March 2013, AQUINO cashed approximately $650,000 worth of fraudulently-obtained tax refund checks at a check cashing store in Torrington. He also opened his own check cashing store in Hartford, Mega Money Transfers, and, in 2011 and 2012, proceeded to cash more than 300 fraudulently-obtained refund checks valued at a total of $750,926 through that store. Finally, Aquino sold six fraudulently-obtained refund checks valued at a total of $60,929 to an undercover agent. He also provided the undercover agent with a fraudulent Connecticut driver license in the name of an identity theft victim.

AQUINO is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant on April 6, 2017, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, a fine of up to approximately $2.9 million, and an order of restitution.

AQUINO, who most recently resided in Pasadena, Texas, has been detained since his arrest on May 31, 2016.

This matter is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Waterbury Police Department, Hartford Police Department and Pasadena (Tex.) Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarala V. Nagala.

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that JONATHAN RHOADES, 32, formerly of Windsor, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Alker Meyer in New Haven to one count of distribution of child pornography.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in December 2014, a member of the Connecticut State Police’s Computer Crimes squad, operating in an undercover capacity, accessed a peer-to-peer file sharing network and downloaded six videos of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct from an Internet Protocol (IP) address that was subsequently linked to RHOADES’s residence in Windsor.

On March 10, 2015, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant RHOADES’s residence and seized a desktop computer, laptop computer and other items.  Forensic analysis of the seized computers revealed at least 1,535 images and 49 videos of child pornography, most of which featured children younger than the age of five.

RHOADES has been detained since his arrest on related state charges on March 18, 2015.  On November 10, 2015, a federal grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment charging RHOADES with one count of distribution of child pornography.

Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for March 28, 2017, at which time RHOADES faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

This matter has been investigated by the Connecticut State Police and Homeland Security Investigations.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nancy V. Gifford.

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

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

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOHN VOLOSHIN, 60, formerly of New Haven and Woodbridge, pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to one count of wire fraud and also admitted to violating a condition of his federal supervised release.

On May 17, 2012, U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny sentenced VOLOSHIN to 33 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for operating multiple fraud schemes that caused losses of more than $1.5 million to individuals and lenders.  As part of the schemes, VOLOSHIN forged signatures and used fabricated bank account statements, tax returns, mortgage releases and loan applications.  VOLOSHIN was released from prison on May 16, 2014, and began serving a three-year term of supervised release.

Shortly after his release from prison, in an attempt to gain permission from the U.S. Probation Office to travel to London, VOLOSHIN repeatedly lied to and misled his supervising probation officer by concocting a bogus job for a real estate concern in London.  On November 7, 2014, Judge Chatigny sentenced VOLOSHIN to an additional nine months of imprisonment and 27 months of supervised release for violating the terms and conditions of his federal supervised release. 

VOLOSHIN was released from prison on June 8, 2015, and began serving his 27-month term of supervised release.

According to court documents and statements made in court, beginning in the fall of 2015, VOLOSHIN engaged in another fraud scheme by soliciting money from individuals and representing that the money would be fully invested to generate very high returns.  Although VOLOSHIN did invest some of the victims’ money, he used substantial portions of the victims’ money for personal expenses, including a $20,000 payment toward a luxury apartment in Manhattan, and for plastic surgery, fine dining, retail shopping and alcohol.

VOLOSHIN has been detained since his arrest on May 26, 2016.

VOLOSHIN pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of up to $250,000.  He also admitted to one violation of the terms and conditions of his federal supervised release, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of two years.  He is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Chatigny in Hartford on May 4, 2017.   

The matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marc H. Silverman and David T. Huang.

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DAVID QUATRELLA, 61, of Trumbull, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to a conspiracy charge stemming from a scheme to defraud insurance companies into issuing insurance policies on the lives of elderly people for the benefit of QUATRELLA and other investors, also known as a stranger-originated life insurance (“STOLI”) scheme.

According to court documents and statement made in court, between approximately June 2008 and January 2016, QUATRELLA and others, including insurance brokers based in California, New Jersey and Florida, assisted elderly persons in applying for multimillion dollar life insurance policies.  QUATRELLA, who is an attorney, and his co-conspirators offered the insureds the promise of free life insurance for two years, after which QUATRELLA and his co-conspirators would attempt to sell the policy and provide a share of the proceeds to the insured.  The insured was not obligated to pay anything and was commonly told that the premiums were being borrowed from a third-party source.  As part of the scheme, QUATRELLA and others recruited investors to finance the payment of premiums on the life insurance policies, with the understanding that the investors would earn a profit upon the sale of the policy.

QUATRELLA and his co-conspirators then caused to be submitted to various life insurance providers applications containing false and misleading information, and which failed to disclose the third-party premium funding arrangements for the policies.

QUATRELLA and his co-conspirators received large commissions from the providers as a result of the issuance of insurance policies on the lives of the insureds, and QUATRELLA personally profited approximately $272,000 as a result of the scheme.  QUATRELLA and his co-conspirators attempted to sell the life insurance policies to life settlement investment funds or brokers but, in certain cases, they could not find a buyer and the policies lapsed.

QUATRELLA pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.  Judge Thompson scheduled sentencing for April 28, 2017, at which time, QUATRELLA faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.  QUATRELLA also has agreed to forfeit $272,000.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Avi M. Perry.

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Joel P. Garland, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, announced that on December 7, 2016, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging REGAN TIPPETT, 41, of East Lyme, with filing false tax returns. 

According to the indictment and statements made in court, TIPPETT is a partner in the bails bonds company, Statewide Bail Bonds.  It is alleged that, for the 2009 through 2012 tax years, TIPPETT failed to report approximately $260,000 in taxable income that was derived from bail bond fees.

The indictment charges TIPPETT with four counts of filing a false tax return, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment three years on each count.

TIPPETT appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah A. L. Merriam in New Haven and pleaded not guilty to the charges.  He was released on a $50,000 bond.

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

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that the John Dempsey Hospital, which is a part of the University of Connecticut Health Center, has entered into a voluntary resolution agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights (OCR), to ensure effective communication with, and enhance the quality of services for, persons who are deaf or hard of hearing.

This matter was initiated by a complaint filed with the Department of Justice (DOJ) by Connecticut’s Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities alleging violations of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  Specifically, the complaint alleges that an individual who is deaf and communicates using American Sign Language (ASL) was discriminated against and denied an interpreter when John Dempsey Hospital failed to timely provide auxiliary aids and services during an Emergency Department visit for medical treatment.  According to the complainant, she was forced to rely on her boyfriend’s limited ability to interpret her symptoms during the medical examination because her request for an ASL interpreter was denied by hospital staff.  Within two days after discharge, the complainant’s symptoms had escalated, and she ultimately had an emergency appendectomy at another hospital because her appendix had burst. 

Title II of the ADA prohibits public entities, including hospitals, from discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities by excluding such individuals from participation in or denying them the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of a public entity, or subjecting them to discrimination by any public entity.  A public entity is required to furnish appropriate auxiliary aids and services where necessary to afford individuals with disabilities, including applicants, participants, companions, and members of the public, an equal opportunity to participate in, and enjoy the benefits of, a service, program, or activity of a public entity.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office investigates allegations of violations of the ADA and commences enforcement action as and when appropriate.

In coordination with DOJ, HHS-OCR initiated a compliance review of John Dempsey Hospital with regard to the Hospital’s policies and procedures for ensuring effective communication with individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to determine the Hospital’s compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.  Section 504 of the Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.  The investigation raised concerns about the Hospital’s policies and procedures to ensure effective communication with deaf or hard of hearing individuals.

Under the agreement, which resolves both the DOJ complaint investigation and the HHS-OCR compliance review, John Dempsey Hospital is obligated to take critical steps toward improving access to ensure communication with deaf and hard of hearing individuals is as effective as communication with those without disabilities, including revising its policies and procedures, revising its training, and performing initial and ongoing assessments of the need for auxiliary aids and services for patients and their companions who are deaf or hard of hearing.

John Dempsey Hospital also has agreed to pay the complainant $20,000 to resolve the matter.

The agreement is effective for two years, during which time both HHS-OCR and the U.S. Attorney’s Office will monitor the Hospital’s compliance.

“An important component of our federal law enforcement responsibilities is the protection of vulnerable communities, especially people struggling with disabilities,” said U.S. Attorney Daly.  “Enforcement of the ADA is one of many tools we use to help achieve that goal.  We are gratified with the number of ADA settlements that we have reached with public and private entities in Connecticut, and applaud the level of cooperation that these entities have demonstrated.  UConn Heath Center, in particular, has already implemented a number of changes at John Dempsey Hospital that will benefit not only individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing, but others with a broad range of disabilities, and ultimately all hospital patrons and companions.”

A copy of the voluntary resolution agreement may be found at: www.ada.gov/jdh_sa.html.

This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery.

To learn more about the ADA and its application to public entities, places of public accommodation and commercial facilities, call the Justice Department’s toll-free ADA information line at 800-514-0301 (TDD 800-514-0383) or visit www.ada.gov.

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that JOHN O’BRIEN, 53, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty yesterday in New Haven federal court to one count of wire fraud related to his stealing more than $824,000 from clients of his law practice.

According to court documents and statements made in court, O’BRIEN was an attorney with an office located in Fairfield.  Between approximately April 2011 and June 2014, O’BRIEN defrauded four clients by using funds from one client to pay off debts owed in connection with his representation of other clients, and also to pay for personal expenses, including the tuition for one of his children at a private high school.

In approximately May 2012, O’BRIEN accepted $458,343.06 into his Interest on Lawyer Trust Account (“IOLTA”) as proceeds of a reverse mortgage taken by a client (“Client 1”) and his client’s wife, both of whom are now deceased.  The funds from the reverse mortgage were intended to pay debts that would keep the client’s family business sustainable.  Between June 2012 and February 2014, O’BRIEN disbursed only $204,000 to the family business.  In approximately July 2013, O’BRIEN received an additional $194,636.89 from bank accounts held in the name of his client and one of his client’s children.  The funds were supposed to be distributed to the client’s children.  Only $104,008 was distributed.  In approximately April 2014, O’BRIEN accepted $837,250 into his IOLTA as proceeds of a sale of his client’s real property.  Only $470,000 of that amount was disbursed to his client’s heirs.  The first check written from O’BRIEN’s IOLTA account upon receipt of the $837,250 was to a prior unrelated client for a debt owed to that client.  In total, O’BRIEN defrauded Client 1 of $712,221.95.

In May 2011, O’BRIEN deposited $74,250 from a second client (“Client 2”) into his IOLTA.  The money was never disbursed to the client.

In approximately September 2011, O’BRIEN agreed to represent a terminally ill woman (“Client 3”) for estate planning.  Upon this client’s death in January 2013, O’BRIEN received $137,000 from the estate into his IOLTA.  After the deposit, O’BRIEN paid personal expenses from the IOLTA, including his son’s private school tuition and thousands of dollars to his ex-wife.  Only $112,283.20 was distributed to the heirs of O’ BRIEN’s client.  Upon a review of this matter by the Connecticut Bar Statewide Grievance Committee, O’BRIEN produced fraudulent memos allegedly written to the daughter of his client requesting “release” of various amounts.  One of the memos included payment to the family business of Client 1 for a $15,000 lawnmower, which was paid for from Client 3’s estate.  Client 3 did not purchase a lawnmower from the family business of Client 1. 

O’BRIEN represented a client (“Client 4”) in the purchase of the client’s deceased mother’s home in Westport.  In two payments in August 2013 and February 2014, the client transferred to O’BRIEN approximately $199,332 for purchase of the home, which O’BRIEN was supposed to pay to the fiduciary of the estate to complete the sale.  In approximately April 2014, O’BRIEN finally paid the fiduciary of the estate to complete the sale.  The check to the fiduciary of Client 4’s mother’s estate was the first check written from the defendant’s IOLTA upon receipt of the $837,250 in Client 1’s real estate sale proceeds.  Because of the delay in the defendant’s transfer of payment to the fiduciary of the estate, Client 4 incurred approximately $13,558.38 in storage fees for belongings while the property was unavailable for occupancy by Client 4.

While O’BRIEN was engaged in the above conduct, he made withdrawals of thousands of dollars in cash from his IOLTA.  On several occasions, deposits of the same or similar amounts were made into his personal bank account on the same day that the funds were withdrawn from his IOLTA.

O’BRIEN is scheduled to sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall on March 23, 2017, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, a fine of up to approximately $1.6 million, and restitution in the amount of $824,747.13.

O’BRIEN resigned from the Connecticut bar in June 2015.

This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and the Connecticut Financial Crimes Task Force, with assistance from investigators of the Connecticut Statewide Bar Grievance Committee.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarala V. Nagala.

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, today announced that PAUL MIGNANI, 51, of Bethel, was arrested last night on cocaine and heroin distribution offenses.  The charges stem from an ongoing statewide initiative targeting narcotics dealers who distribute heroin, fentanyl or opioids that cause death or serious injury to users.

MIGNANI is charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, heroin and cocaine.  The charge carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  He appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah A. L. Merriam in New Haven and was ordered detained. 

According the complaint, on July 31, 2016, Bethel Police responded to a residence in Bethel on report of a possible heroin overdose and found an unresponsive 54-year-old female.  The victim was pronounced deceased shortly thereafter.  It is alleged that MIGNANI distributed heroin that was consumed by the victim shortly before her death.  In addition, on December 11, 2016, members of the Bethel Police and medical personnel responded to the report of an unresponsive 25-year old female at MIGNANI’s residence.  It is alleged that MIGNANI distributed the controlled substances that were consumed by this victim shortly before her death.

On December 12, 2016, law enforcement conducted a court-authorized search of MIGNANI’s residence and seized approximately three grams of cocaine.  MIGNANI was arrested on related state charges on that date.

U.S. Attorney Daly 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 Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad, and the Bethel Police Department, with assistance from the States Attorney’s Office for the Judicial District of Danbury.  The DEA Task Force includes participants from the New Haven, Hamden, Greenwich, Shelton, Bristol, Vernon, Wilton, Milford, Monroe, Fairfield and Manchester Police Departments, and the Connecticut State Police.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert M. Spector.

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Tyler C. Amon, Special Agent in Charge of EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division in New England, Patricia Ferrick, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Connecticut, Thomas Muskett, Special Agent in Charge of EPA’s Office of Inspector General for the Washington Field Office, and Matthew J. Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations for the Boston Division, today announced that GUIDO A. CORTES-RODRIGUEZ, 64, of West Haven, pleaded guilty yesterday in Hartford federal court to one count of making a false statement to the federal government.

According to court documents and statements made in court, CORTES was a training instructor at North Star Center For Human Development (“North Star”), an organization that offered a variety of training courses and certification to individuals working with lead paint and asbestos.  CORTES was the training manager and a primary instructor for those courses.

North Star’s lead and asbestos training courses were subject to regulation under the training provider accreditation requirements of the federal Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).  TSCA allowed states to obtain U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) authorization to administer and enforce the standards, regulations and other requirements of the TSCA’s lead and asbestos programs, including the approval of training courses.  The State of Connecticut received such authorization for asbestos and lead programs.  Individuals in Connecticut who perform or supervise asbestos abatement activities must be certified by the Connecticut Department of Public Health (CT DPH).  To obtain certification, an individual must successfully complete an approved 40-hour asbestos abatement supervisor initial training course.  North Star applied for and received approval from CT DPH to offer a wide range of lead and asbestos training courses, including asbestos abatement supervisor initial and refresher courses.

On December 16, 2015, CORTES sent notice to the CT DPH that an asbestos abatement supervisor initial training course would be conducted at North Star’s facility in Hartford from December 27, 2015 to January 2, 2016.  Further, he advised that a 32-hour lead abatement worker initial course would be conducted from January 3 to January 6, 2016 at the same location. CORTES was identified as the training manager and primary course instructor for both courses.

An undercover FBI agent attempted to attend the second course under a fictitious identity, seeking a lead abatement worker initial course completion certificate.  The agent skipped the first three days of the course, and attempted to attend on January 6, 2016.  Upon arrival at the facility, the agent learned that no course was being conducted at North Star that day, and further, that no classes had been conducted for weeks.

The agent called the instructor, CORTES, who agreed to meet him at the North Star facility the following day.  When the agent met with CORTES on January 7, 2016, the agent indicated he was interested in trying to get work as soon as possible.  CORTES provided him with a list of items he would need from the agent, including his name, mailing address, Social Security number, passport-type photos and $1,260.

Later that day, the agent returned to CORTES’s office with the listed items and CORTES met with him in a cubicle.  CORTES asked various biographical questions of the agent, filled out paperwork, and provided the agent with three certificates issued to A.R.:  a 40-Hour Asbestos Abatement Supervisor Initial Certification, a 32-Hour Lead Abatement Worker Initial Certification, and an OSHA 10-Hour Construction Safety Training Course.  CORTES accepted $1,260 cash in payment from the agent.  The agent attended no classes conducted by CORTES at North Star, received no training from CORTES in these subject areas, and did not take any examinations.  The false certificates issued by CORTES to the agent were signed by CORTES, bore an individual certificate number, and otherwise appeared to meet the requirements of Connecticut’s approved lead and asbestos accreditation programs, and therefore, the federal accreditation requirements.  Subsequent investigation determined that CORTES provided fraudulent training certificates on multiple occasions.

“Government regulations related to asbestos and lead abatement exist for a very important reason:  To ensure that this work is done properly and safely without endangering the public health,” said U.S. Attorney Daly.  “Individuals who game the system, especially those who illegally profit from it, will be prosecuted.”

“Asbestos and lead removal training providers are entrusted with keeping safe the supervisors, workers and the public that hire them,” said Special Agent in Charge Amon.  “Trainers who cheat and provide false certificates will continue to be a focus for EPA enforcement since they pose too great a risk to the public health.”

CORTES is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny on April 18, 2016, at which time CORTES faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years and a fine of up to $250,000.

This matter has been investigated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Criminal Investigation Division and Office of Inspector General, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Homeland Security Investigations.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anastasia E. King and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Kenyon.

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that ELIO DELIMA, also known as “Victor Cuevas” and “Ely,” 39, of New Haven, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to 105 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for supplying heroin to a New Haven-based drug trafficking ring.

This matter stems from a joint investigation headed by the DEA New Haven Task Force, FBI and New Haven Police Department into the distribution of heroin in New Haven.  The investigation, which included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, physical surveillance and controlled purchases of heroin, revealed that Wilson Vasquez, also known as “Will” and “Pancho,” obtained bulk quantities of heroin from DELIMA and others, processed and packaged the drug with several co-conspirators, and then distributed the drug through a network of street-level distributors operating in the area of Ferry Street, Grand Avenue and Blatchley Avenue in New Haven’s Fair Haven neighborhood. 

During the investigation, law enforcement seized approximately 500 grams of raw heroin, three handguns and five vehicles.  In addition, bank accounts containing more than $300,000 have been frozen.

Seventeen individuals were charged as a result of this investigation.  All 17 pleaded guilty.

DELIMA has been detained since his arrest on July 15, 2015.  On September 15, 2016, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 100 grams or more of heroin.

Vasquez awaits sentencing.

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.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys H. Gordon Hall and Patrick Caruso.

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ALPHONZO DIXON, also known as “Fonz,” 29, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 12 months and one day of imprisonment for violating his conditions of supervised release that followed a 2014 conviction for drug and firearm offenses.

DIXON was originally charged as a result of an FBI New Haven Safe Streets Task Force, New Haven Police Department and Connecticut State Police investigation into drug distribution and related violence being committed by members and associates of the Grape Street Crips in New Haven.  He subsequently pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine.

On April 7, 2014, DIXON, who had been detained since March 26, 2012, was sentenced to 46 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release.  He was released from prison on December 31, 2015.

On September 17, 2016, DIXON and another individual physically assaulted a man at a convenience store in New Haven.

Judge Underhill ordered DIXON to serve 22 months of supervised release when he released from federal custody.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys H. Gordon Hall and Anthony E. Kaplan.

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JUAN CRUZ, 38, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Alker Meyer in New Haven to 84 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for committing six bank robberies in Connecticut and New York last year.

According to court documents and statements made in court, CRUZ robbed the Santander Bank at 215 Grand Avenue in New Haven on October 15, 2015; the Wells Fargo Bank at 205 Church Street in New Haven on October 20, November 7 and November 21, 2015; the Bank of America at 157 Church Street in New Haven on November 9, 2015, and the Citizens Bank at 10 North Pearl Street in Albany, N.Y., on November 20, 2015.  CRUZ stole a total of approximately $18,830 during the robbery spree.

CRUZ was arrested on November 21, 2015, in Chicopee, Mass.  On September 22, 2016, he pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery.  He has been detained since his arrest.

This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Haven Police Department, with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service, Chicopee (Mass.) Police Department and Albany (N.Y.) Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas P. Morabito.

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Matthew J. Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Boston, and Chief Vincent DeMaio of the Clinton Police Department, announced that a federal grand jury in Bridgeport returned an indictment today charging ARTURO CASTRO, 52, of Wilmette, Illinois, with multiple child exploitation offenses.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, in approximately December 2013, CASTRO began communicating with a 15-year-old female in Connecticut through “Chess with Friends,” and online app.  Using the app’s chat option, CASTRO asked the minor victim to send him naked photographs of herself, and subsequently enticed the minor victim to create videos depicting the minor victim engaged in sexually explicit conduct and send those videos to CASTRO.  In March 2014, CASTRO traveled from Illinois to Connecticut and engaged in illicit sexual activity with the minor victim. 

The indictment charges CASTRO with one count of coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life; one count of travel in interstate commerce with intent to engage in illicit sexual activity with a minor, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years; and one count of receipt of child pornography, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

CASTRO was arrested on December 13, 2016, in Wilmette, Illinois.  In a detention hearing earlier today in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, in Chicago, CASTRO was detained pending trial and ordered removed to the District of Connecticut.

U.S. Attorney Daly 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 Homeland Security Investigations in New Haven and Chicago, and the Clinton (Conn.) Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacabed Rodriguez-Coss.

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

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

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment today charging RICHARD BRUNO, 46, of Waterford, with one count of attempted enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity, and one count of production of child pornography.

The indictment alleges that, from April 8, 2016 to May 5, 2016, BRUNO used a cellular phone and internet-based messaging and photograph sharing services to attempt to entice a minor under 18 years of age to engage in sexual activity.  The indictment further alleges that, from November 2015 through May 2016, BRUNO enticed or coerced a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a video depiction of such conduct.

If convicted, BRUNO faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life for attempted enticement of a minor, and a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life for production of child pornography.

BRUNO has been on in state custody since May 19, 2016, when he was arrested on related state charges.

U.S. Attorney Daly 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, Connecticut State Police and New London Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nancy V. Gifford.

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

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that that TYSHAWN WELBORN, also known as “Black,” 38, of Bloomfield, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Alker Meyer in New Haven to 84 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for trafficking cocaine.  WELBORN also was ordered to pay a $200,000 fine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Raul Chavez headed a cocaine trafficking operation that smuggled cocaine from Mexico into El Paso, Texas, and then transported the drug to Connecticut and elsewhere.  The investigation revealed that the Chavez organization had been supplying multiple kilograms of cocaine to Todd Vernon of Hartford since approximately 2004, and WELBORN since approximately 2010.  The shipments, which would typically be in the range of 30 to 40 kilograms, were sent regularly from El Paso multiple times per year.  WELBORN distributed the drug through a network of individuals.

In 2014, the Chavez organization attempted to find an additional source of supply for its Hartford area cocaine customers.  In July 2014, a DEA confidential source met Andrew Duron, also known as “Chavo,” in North Carolina.  During the meeting, Duron told the confidential source that he wanted to purchase up to 50 kilograms of cocaine for $28,000 per kilogram.  On August 14, 2014, Duron, the confidential source and an undercover DEA agent met in New Jersey where Duron agreed to purchase 25 kilograms of cocaine.  In subsequent conversations with the confidential source, Duron stated that he wanted an extra $1000 per kilogram as a side deal.  They agreed on a total price of $725,000 for 25 kilograms of cocaine.

The investigation revealed that this cocaine shipment was destined for WELBORN and Vernon, the latter of whom prepaid for approximately 13 kilograms of cocaine.

On August 22, 2014, WELBORN met Chavez and others at a restaurant in East Windsor where they discussed the pick-up of money from WELBORN the following day and its delivery to a location to be determined.

On August 23, 2014, Duron met the undercover DEA agent at a location in Wethersfield.  Duron told the undercover agent that his associates were in Connecticut and that Duron and the undercover agent would need to travel to a store parking lot near Bradley International Airport to verify that the money was in place.  Duron and the undercover agent then drove in separate vehicles to a store parking lot on Kennedy Road in Windsor.  Duron met with Raul Chavez and another associate in the store.  A short time later, a third associate arrived in a Jeep Wrangler, met the undercover agent in the parking lot, showed him a duffel bag and said it contained “half” of the money.  Shortly thereafter, investigators arrived at the scene and arrested Duron, Raul Chavez and his associates.

Investigators also recovered from the Jeep a duffel bag containing approximately $284,000 in cash, and a loaded .38 caliber revolver.  The cash had been picked up from WELBORN earlier that day.

After word reached Raul Chavez’s son, Christopher Chavez, that his father and others had been arrested, Christopher Chavez coordinated the diversion of a shipment of 34 kilograms of cocaine, which was en route to Connecticut, to a high-level drug distributor in Cleveland, Ohio.

WELBORN was arrested on August 26, 2015.  On August 22, 2016, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.

Raul Chavez, Christopher Chavez, Duron and Vernon also pleaded guilty.  On September 22, 2015, Duron, of El Paso, was sentenced to 84 months of imprisonment and, on October 7, 2016, Christopher Chavez, of El Paso, was sentenced to 60 months of imprisonment.  Raul Chavez and Vernon await sentencing.

This investigation has been conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force, including personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office and the Bristol, Hartford, Manchester, New Britain, Newington, and Wethersfield Police Departments.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian P. Leaming and Amy C. Brown.

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JUAN QUINONES, 43, of Port Chester, N.Y, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 37 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm. 

According to court documents and statements made in court, on September 24, 2015, Stamford Police executed a court-authorized search of a local hotel room where QUINONES was staying and found a loaded Glock .45 caliber pistol and distribution quantities of heroin and crack cocaine.  QUINONES was arrested at that time.

QUINONES was previously convicted of felony drug 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. 

QUINONES has been detained since his arrest.  On September 8, 2016, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

The matter was investigated by the Stamford Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas P. Morabito. 

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that VICTOR RIVERA, 44, of New Haven, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport, to 83 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for his role in a heroin distribution ring.

This matter stems from a joint investigation headed by the DEA New Haven Task Force, FBI and New Haven Police Department into the distribution of heroin in New Haven.  The investigation, which included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, physical surveillance and controlled purchases of heroin, revealed that Wilson Vasquez, also known as “Will” and “Pancho,” obtained bulk quantities of heroin, processed and packaged the drug with several co-conspirators, including RIVERA, and then distributed the drug through a network of street-level distributors operating in the area of Ferry Street, Grand Avenue and Blatchley Avenue in New Haven’s Fair Haven neighborhood. 

During the investigation, law enforcement seized approximately 500 grams of raw heroin, three handguns and five vehicles.  In addition, bank accounts containing more than $300,000 have been frozen.

Seventeen individuals were charged as a result of this investigation.  All 17 pleaded guilty.

RIVERA’s criminal history includes a prior federal conviction in 2004 for his role in a heroin distribution conspiracy.  He received a sentence of 48 months of imprisonment on that conviction, and additional prison terms after twice being found to have violated the conditions of his supervised release.

RIVERA has been detained since his arrest on July 15, 2015.  On September 7, 2016, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 100 grams or more of heroin.

Vasquez awaits sentencing.

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.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys H. Gordon Hall and Patrick Caruso.

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that ISAAC LONG, 37, of New Haven, pleaded guilty yesterday in New Haven federal court to one count of possession of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 19, 2015, LONG was arrested by New Haven police officers after he was found in possession of a loaded Smith and Wesson nine millimeter semi-automatic pistol, and a quantity of crack cocaine that he intended to distribute.

LONG is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford on March 20, 2017, at which time he faces a mandatory term of imprisonment of at least five years, which must be imposed consecutively to a state sentence that LONG is currently serving.

LONG has been detained since his arrest.

The matter has been investigated by the New Haven Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony Kaplan and Jennifer Laraia.

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that TIMOTHY PAPROCKI, 33, of Ledyard, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to one count of distribution of heroin.

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

According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 12, 2016, Groton Town Police responded to a report of a medical emergency involving a 25-year-old male.  The victim, who had used heroin, was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased.  The investigation, which has included witness interviews and the review of cellphone records and text messages, revealed that the victim had arranged to purchase heroin from PAPROCKI.  PAPROCKI then purchased the heroin from Rudy Hernandez and sold it to the victim.

PAPROCKI has been detained since his arrest on April 20, 2016.

Judge Shea scheduled sentencing for March 15, 2017, at which time PAPROCKI faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

On July 6, 2016, Hernandez, of New London, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of heroin.  On November 21, he was sentenced to 34 months of imprisonment.

This matter has been investigated by the DEA’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad and the Town of Groton Police Department.  The Tactical Diversion Squad includes members from the New Haven, Hamden, Greenwich, Shelton, Bristol, Vernon, Wilton, Milford, Monroe, Fairfield and Manchester Police Departments, and the Connecticut State Police.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas P. Morabito.

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Mary B. McCord, Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security, announced that JIANG YAN, 34, of Shenzhen, China, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to approximately 12 months of imprisonment, time already served, for attempting to purchase and export to China without a required license certain sophisticated integrated circuits used in military satellites and missiles, and for conspiring to sell counterfeits of those same integrated circuits to a purchaser in the United States.

According to court documents and statements made in court, YAN, Xianfeng Zuo, and Daofu Zhang each operated businesses in China that bought and sold electronic components, including integrated circuits (“ICs”).  In the summer of 2015, Zuo asked YAN to locate and purchase several advanced ICs made by Xilinx Corp., which owing to their radiation tolerance for uses in space, have military applications in missiles and surveillance satellites.  YAN then asked a U.S. individual to locate the Xilinx ICs and sell them to YAN.  The U.S. individual explained that the ICs cannot be shipped outside the U.S. without an export license, but YAN still wished to make the purchase.  When the U.S. individual expressed concern that the desired ICs would have to be stolen from military inventory, YAN proposed to supply the U.S. source with “fake” ICs that “look the same,” to replace the ones to be stolen from the military.

In November 2015, Zhang shipped from China, to the U.S. individual, two packages containing a total of eight counterfeit ICs, each bearing a counterfeit Xilinx brand label.  After further discussions between YAN and the U.S. individual, YAN, Zhang, and Zuo flew together from China to the U.S. in early December 2015 to complete the Xilinx ICs purchase.

On December 10, 2015, the three conspirators drove to a location near Route 95 in Milford, Connecticut, where they planned to meet the U.S. individual, make payment, and take custody of the Xilinx ICs.  Federal agents arrested all three at the meeting location.

YAN has been detained since his arrest.  On March 7, 2016, he pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to traffic in counterfeit goods, and attempted unlicensed export of export-controlled items.

As part of his sentence, YAN was ordered to forfeit $63,000 in cash seized incident to his arrest.

YAN will be transferred to the custody of the Department of Homeland Security and deported to China.

Zhang and Zuo also pleaded guilty.  They were each sentenced to 15 months of imprisonment on July 8, 2016, and November 4, 2016, respectively.

This matter was investigated by the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Commerce, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Henry Kopel and National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section Trial Attorneys Casey Arrowood and Thea Kendler.

United States Attorney Deirdre M. Daly and Chief State’s Attorney Kevin T. Kane announced that a federal jury in New Haven has found ARTHUR STANLEY, also known as “Wiggs,” 27, guilty of committing the July 15, 2011 murder of Keith Washington, 23, of Windsor.  The trial before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer began on December 5 and the jury returned its verdict this afternoon.

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

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

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

STANLEY has been detained in federal custody since April 2014 when he was arrested on federal narcotics charges.  On October 27, 2015, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging STANLEY with engaging in a Violent Crime in Aid of Racketeering.

Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for March 14, 2017, at which time STANLEY faces a mandatory term of imprisonment of life.  STANLEY previously pleaded guilty to a crack cocaine conspiracy charge, and also will be sentenced for that offense.

This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force and the Cold Case Homicide Unit of the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney.  The FBI 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. Attorneys Peter S. Jongbloed and John H. Durham with the assistance of New Haven State’s Attorney Patrick Griffin, who has been cross-designated as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in this matter.