District of Connecticut

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that TERRENCE DAVIS, 41, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sarah F. Russell in New Haven to 60 months of imprisonment and four years of supervised release for trafficking narcotics.

According to court documents and statements made in court, members of the FBI’s Safe Streets Gang Task Force developed evidence that Davis was selling fentanyl and crack cocaine from a hotel in Branford.  On October 15, 2025, investigators made a controlled purchase of narcotics from Davis.  On October 17, 2025, a court-authorized search of Davis’ hotel room revealed nearly 700 grams of cocaine, more than 70 grams of fentanyl, drug packaging materials, and $13,867 in cash.  Davis was arrested on state charges at that time and was subsequently released on bond.

This matter was adopted for federal prosecution and, on January 7, 2026, Davis was charged by indictment.  He was arrested federally on January 8, 2026, and, on that date, a search of the same hotel room where Davis was staying revealed approximately 60 grams of fentanyl, 25 grams of crack cocaine, and seven grams of powder cocaine.

Davis has been detained since his arrest.  On June 30, 2026, he pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and 500 grams or more of cocaine.

This matter was investigated by the FBI’s Safe Streets Gang Task Force, the New Haven Police Department, and the Connecticut State Police.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathan Guevremont and Christopher Lembo with the assistance of Law Student Intern Molly McCammon.

This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion.  The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad.  Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement toward identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders.  In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.

HSTF New Haven comprises agents and officers from the FBI, DEA, HSI, ATF, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, U.S. Department of Labor, and Connecticut State Police, with prosecutions led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut.

KONSTANTINOS “KOSTA” DIAMANTIS, 70, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 84 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for extortion, bribery, conspiracy, and false statement offenses related to his conduct as director of Connecticut’s Office of School Constructions Grants and Review (“OSCGR”), the state agency responsible for the grant administration of all Connecticut public school construction projects seeking state funding.

Diamantis failed to appear for his sentencing and is currently being sought by law enforcement.

According to court documents and the evidence introduced during his trial, Diamantis demanded and received bribes from contractors in connection with multi-million dollar school construction projects he supervised as director of OSCGR.  In exchange for those bribes, and promises to pay bribes, Diamantis used his official position to assist Acranom Masonry, Inc. (“Acranom”) to obtain and maintain contracts to perform work on state-funded school construction projects.  Diamantis helped Acranom resolve a dispute concerning Hartford’s Weaver High School renovation project around 2018; obtain an additional work on that same project; and, in approximately 2019, obtain the masonry contract for the emergency rebuilding of the Birch Grove Primary School in Tolland.  In numerous electronic messages between Diamantis and Acranom principals John Duffy and Salvatore Monarca, the three discussed their plan to pay Diamantis in exchange for his official action on behalf of Acranom.  Diamantis also demanded payment in exchange for his actions and threatened to remove Acranom from the Weaver and Birch Grove projects if he was not paid.

Diamantis also demanded and received bribes from Antoinetta Roy in her capacity as the owner of Construction Advocacy Professionals, LLC (“CAP”).  In exchange for those bribes, Diamantis used his official position to assist CAP in obtaining contracts to provide construction administrator and related services on state school construction projects, including a 2019 contract on the Birch Grove project in Tolland, a 2019 contract to assist New Britain in obtaining state reimbursement for school construction projects, and a 2019 contract related to the renovation project at Hartford’s Bulkeley High School.  Roy paid Diamantis via cash and check, and hired Diamantis’s daughter at an inflated salary.

To conceal this conduct, on three different occasions in 2023, Diamantis made multiple false statements to federal agents investigating the matter.

Diamantis was arrested on May 16, 2024.  On October 22, 2025, a federal jury in Bridgeport found him guilty of two counts of extortion, two counts of conspiracy to commit extortion, two counts of bribery, two counts of conspiracy to commit bribery, and 13 counts of making false statements.

“As the jury unanimously found, Kosta Diamantis abused his office to extort contractors and demand bribes, and then repeatedly lied to federal investigators to cover up his corrupt behavior,” said David E. Novick, First Assistant U.S. Attorney.  “Rather than face the court at sentencing, this former criminal attorney and influential state official chose to mock the judicial system by becoming a fugitive.  I thank the FBI and IRS-Criminal Investigation agents who diligently investigated this matter.  Together with our law enforcement partners, we will continue working until Diamantis is returned and justice is fully served.”

“Public officials hold a privileged position of public trust,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge P.J. O’Brien. “When an official abuses that trust for personal gain and enrichment, it harms taxpayers, undermines confidence in government, and diverts attention and resources from the communities those programs are meant to serve.  A conviction for egregious public corruption offenses carries significant consequences.  Failing to appear for sentencing, and attempting to flee from justice, does not change the jury’s verdict or our commitment to ensure accountability.  We will aggressively pursue all options to return Mr. Diamantis to the United States to be held accountable for his offenses.  FBI New Haven will continue to work with our federal and local law enforcement partners to pursue justice and help restore the public trust whenever public officials participate in corrupt acts.”

“Today’s sentencing of Konstantinos Diamantis demonstrates IRS-CI’s commitment to ensuring that all those who abuse their positions of power to enrich themselves at the cost of the American public are brought to justice,” said Thomas Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office.  “In one final self-serving act, Diamantis chose to flee the country in an effort to evade the sentence that the court ordered today.  IRS-CI will continue working with our federal and global law enforcement partners to track down this international fugitive and ensure that he is returned to the United States where he will face justice.”

Judge Underhill will determine restitution after additional court proceedings.

Duffy, Monarca, and Roy pleaded guilty to related charges and await sentencing.

This investigation has been conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan N. Francis and David E. Novick.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that MADISYN PETTAWAY, 31, of Newark, New Jersey, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to an offense related to her attempted deposit of a stolen U.S. Treasury check at a Connecticut credit union.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on August 27, 2024, Pettaway, using a stolen identity and a fraudulent New Jersey driver’s license, opened an account at a branch of Charter Oak Federal Credit Union.  On September 13, 2024, Pettaway attempted to deposit a U.S. Treasury check in the amount of $410,085.48 at the credit union.  Charter Oak FCU ultimately did not accept the deposit.

In June 2025, Pettaway opened another account at a branch of Charter Oak FCU using a fraudulent identity.  On July 28, 2025, East Lyme Police arrested Pettaway and charged her with state offenses.  Pettaway possessed a fake New York driver’s license and three debit cards in the name of the fraudulent identity at the time of her arrest.  She was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on August 20, 2025.

Pettaway pleaded guilty to bank fraud, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years.  She is released on a $100,000 bond pending sentencing, which is scheduled for December 21.

This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the East Lyme Police Department, and the Montville Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward Chang.

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”).  The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people.  The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.

AHMAD KHALIL ELSHAZLY, 29, of West Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to 92 months of imprisonment and a lifetime of supervised release for attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham(ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization.

According to court documents and statements made in court, beginning in approximately September 2018, Elshazly, a U.S. citizen, expressed a desire to travel to Syria to fight on behalf of ISIS.  In numerous conversations online and in person, he swore (“bay’at”) allegiance to ISIS and its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.  In October 2019, just after al-Baghdadi’s death, Elshazly sent a message pledging allegiance to the new leader of ISIS, saying “I pledge my allegiance...to the Khilafah (the successor of the leadership) of the Muslims Abu Ibrahim Al Husseini Al Hashami Al Qurashi…”  Elshazly also created and administered a pro-ISIS Discord server that he used to post hundreds of ISIS and other extremist propaganda memes and videos.

On December 14, 2019, Elshazly paid $500 to a person he believed was an ISIS facilitator who would be able to smuggle him out of the U.S. to Turkey.  He believed this would enable him to connect with an ISIS member who, in turn, would assist him with traveling to ISIS within Syria.  The next day, Elshazly was arrested after he arrived in Stonington, Connecticut, where he expected to board a boat to begin his trip.

“There is no higher priority than the security of our nation and its citizens,” said David X. Sullivan, U.S. Attorney of the District of Connecticut.  “My office and our law enforcement partners will continue to tenaciously work to investigate, apprehend, and bring to justice anyone who threatens us.  I greatly appreciate the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and all the participating agencies for their tireless dedication to protect public safety and to bring this case to a successful conclusion.  We can accomplish great things when we work together.”

“Twenty-five years after the attacks of 9-11, the FBI New Haven Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) remains steadfast in its resolve to prevent, detect, and deter acts of terrorism as one of our highest priorities,” said FBI New Haven Division Special Agent in Charge P.J. O’Brien.  “The JTTF is committed to rigorously investigating all those who pledge allegiance to foreign terrorist organizations and threaten our national security both in the homeland and around the world.  The JTTF is the gold standard of law enforcement partnership, and we are grateful for the support of all our partners who enabled this highly successful outcome and are embedded with us every day to ensure the safety of our communities and the nation.”

Elshazly has been detained since his arrest.  On November 30, 2022, he pleaded guilty to conspiring to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization.  While detained, Elshazly has had numerous disciplinary infractions.  In August 2025, officers searched his cell and found a handwritten plan for a coordinated uprising at the detention facility, complete with diagrams of the housing unit, instructions for breaching secured areas, and tactics for confronting the Correctional Emergency Response Team.

This matter was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) with the assistance of the Stonington Police Department, the New Haven Police Department, and the Connecticut State Police.  The FBI’s JTTF includes  participants from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), IRS Criminal Investigation, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, U.S. Department of State, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Connecticut State Police, Connecticut Department of Correction, Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Department, Norwich Police Department, Hartford Police Department, Stamford Police Department, Norwalk Police Department, Town of Groton Police Department, UConn Police Department, Yale Police Department, Stonington Police Department, New Haven Police Department, and New York Police Department.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel and Trial Attorney John Cella from the Counterterrorism Section of the Justice Department’s National Security Division.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; P.J. O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the FBI, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging SHEROD MANICK, 25, and NYGERE EVANS, 21, both of New Haven, with offenses related to armed robberies in Hamden and East Haven earlier this year.

The indictment was returned on September 1, 2026.  Evans, who was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on August 21, 2026, appeared today in New Haven federal court and pleaded not guilty to the charges.  He has been detained since his arrest.  Manick was arrested and arraigned on September 4, 2026, and is also detained.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, in the early morning hours of March 16, 2026, Manick and Evans, brandishing and threatening to use firearms, robbed Dix Convenience located at 1586 Dixwell Avenue in Hamden.  Manick and Evans stole approximately $600 in cash, approximately $500 in vape smoking devices, and cannabis products during the robbery.  They then took a store employee’s car keys and fled the scene in his car.  The vehicle was later located and recovered in New Haven.

It is further alleged that on April 3, 2026, Manick and Evans, brandishing and threatening to use firearms, robbed ZaZa City, a convenience store located at 855 Foxon Road in East Haven.  Manick and Evans stole approximately $4,150 in cash and several cannabis products from the store and then fled on foot.

The indictment charges Manick and Evans with one count of conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by robbery, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; two counts of interference with interstate commerce by robbery, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count; and two counts of carrying, using, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violent, an offense that carries a mandatory consecutive term of imprisonment of at least seven years.

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

This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the FBI New Haven Violent Crime Gang Task Force, the Hamden Police Department, the East Haven Police Department, and the New Haven Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher J. Lembo and Rahul Kale.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that BRADLEIGH RIVAL, 23, of Stamford, has been charged by federal criminal complaint with offenses stemming from his alleged role in a conspiracy involving the theft, altering, and negotiating of U.S. Treasury checks stolen from the U.S. Mail.

As alleged in court documents, in 2024, the Connecticut Organized Financial Fraud Task Force began an investigation after learning that several social security checks issued to individuals in Connecticut and New York had been stolen from the mail.  The investigation revealed that more than 100 stolen U.S. Treasury checks with a total value of several hundred thousand dollars had been deposited into the bank account of one individual.  Rival had exchanged Apple Cash payments with the bank account holder, and was identified as a participant in a conspiracy to acquire checks stolen from the mail, “wash” or alter the named payee on the checks, deposit them into bank accounts of individuals they recruited, and withdraw the stolen funds at ATMs, through mobile apps, by making purchases at stores with cash back capabilities, or by using debit cards to purchase U.S. Postal Service money orders.  Analysis of Rival’s social media accounts has revealed included numerous photos of Rival in possession of large amounts of cash stolen during the scheme.

On September 16, 2026, Rival was arrested on a federal criminal complaint charging him with bank fraud, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years, theft or possession of stolen mail, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, and aggravated identity theft, an offense that carries a mandatory consecutive term of imprisonment of two years.  He is currently released on a $200,000 bond.

This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Connecticut Organized Financial Fraud Task Force (CUTOFF), the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs Office of the Inspector General, and the Stamford Police Department.  The CUTOFF Task Force includes personnel from the Stamford, Westport, West Haven, and Bridgeport Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel E. Cummings.

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”).  The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people.  The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.

Ahmad Khalil Elshazly, 29, of West Haven, Connecticut, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in the District of Connecticut to 92 months in prison and lifetime supervised release for attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization.

According to court documents and statements made in court, beginning in approximately September 2018, Elshazly, a U.S. citizen, expressed a desire to travel to Syria to fight on behalf of ISIS. In numerous conversations online and in person, he swore “bay’at” allegiance to ISIS and its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. In October 2019, just after al-Baghdadi’s death, he sent a message pledging allegiance to the new leader of ISIS, saying “I pledge my allegiance...to the Khilafah (the successor of the leadership) of the Muslims Abu Ibrahim Al Husseini Al Hashami Al Qurashi…” Elshazly also created and administered a pro-ISIS Discord server that he used to post hundreds of ISIS and other extremist propaganda memes and videos.

On Dec. 14, 2019, Elshazly paid $500 to a person he believed was an ISIS facilitator who would be able to smuggle him out of the U.S. to Turkey. He believed this would enable him to connect with an ISIS member who would assist him with traveling to ISIS within Syria. The next day, Elshazly was arrested after he arrived in Stonington, Connecticut, where he expected to board a boat to begin his trip.

Elshazly has been detained since his arrest. On Nov. 30, 2022, he pleaded guilty to attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization. While detained, Elshazly has had numerous disciplinary infractions. In August 2025, officers searched his cell and found a handwritten plan for a coordinated uprising at the detention facility, complete with diagrams of the housing unit, instructions for breaching secured areas, and tactics for confronting the Correctional Emergency Response Team.

This matter was investigated by the FBI’s JTTF with the assistance of the Stonington Police Department, the New Haven Police Department, and the Connecticut State Police. The FBI’s JTTF includes participants from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), IRS Criminal Investigation, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, The State Department, Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Connecticut State Police, Connecticut Department of Correction, Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Department, Norwich Police Department, Hartford Police Department, Stamford Police Department, Norwalk Police Department, Town of Groton Police Department, UConn Police Department, Yale Police Department, Stonington Police Department, New Haven Police Department and New York Police Department.

This case was prosecuted by Trial Attorney John Cella of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel for the District of Connecticut. 

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that the Affirmative Civil Enforcement (ACE) Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut recovered more than $9.2 million since June 2026 through settlement agreements resolving allegations that various companies violated the False Claims Act by providing false information to obtain millions of dollars in pandemic-related Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans for which they were not eligible.

“PPP loans were intended to help eligible small businesses experiencing economic uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Sullivan.  “These settlements reflect our office’s strong commitment to protecting government programs and American taxpayers from fraud.  We will continue to aggressively pursue and hold accountable individuals and businesses that disregard federal program requirements.”

Congress created the PPP in March 2020 under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.  The PPP was administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA), and was intended to support small businesses struggling to pay employees and other expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic.  When applying for PPP loans, borrowers were required to certify that they were eligible for the requested loans and that the information they provided was true and accurate.  In December 2020, Congress approved funding for a second round of forgivable PPP loans, which became available to borrowers beginning in January 2021.  This “second-draw” loan program included additional eligibility requirements.  Applicants for second-draw loans were required to certify, among other things, that they had fewer than 300 employees.  Applicants were required to include the employees of any foreign and domestic affiliated entities.

The District of Connecticut has entered into settlement agreements with the following companies to resolve allegations related to false certifications on their PPP loan and forgiveness applications:  

Beaver Paper & Graphic Media, Inc. (“Beaver Paper”) and its affiliated companies have paid $2,933,219.96 to resolve False Claims Act (“FCA”) allegations related to a $1,203,787 second-draw PPP loan.  Beaver Paper, headquartered in Duluth, Georgia, is a company that distributes sublimation paper, tissue, and graphic fabrics for the dye-sublimation and digital print industry.  It is owned by Delaware-based Koehler Invest Inc.  Koehler America Inc. is an affiliate of Beaver Paper and is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut.  Koehler Paper SE, Beaver Paper GmbH, and Koehler Holding SE & CO., KG are German corporations that are affiliated with and/or share certain management with Beaver Paper.

The government contends that, together with its affiliates, Beaver Paper had more than 300 employees in March 2021 and therefore was ineligible for the second-draw PPP loan.  The government alleges that Beaver Paper applied for the second-draw loan despite its accountants’ advice that it was ineligible due to its size, and excluded its affiliates’ employees on the application despite knowing it was required to include them.  After receiving forgiveness of the loan, the government contends that Beaver Paper and its affiliates opted to keep the loan proceeds rather than following their accountants’ advice to return the money.  Instead of repaying the loan, Beaver Paper considered the forgiven loan funds a financial liability until it believed the risk of a government audit expired.  This settlement resolves allegations originally brought by a lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut under the qui tam provisions of the FCA, captioned U.S. ex rel GNGH2 Inc. v. Koehler America, Inc., et al. (Docket No. 3:24cv1463). The relator, GNGH2 Inc., will receive $293,322 as its share of the recovery.

Fabbrica LLC (“Fabbrica”) has agreed to pay $2,581,250 to resolve FCA allegations relating to a $2,000,000 second-draw PPP loan.  Fabbrica is a company that produces building façade systems and has its principal place of business in Windsor, Connecticut.  Fabbrica is an indirect subsidiary of a global construction company headquartered in Italy.  The government alleges that, in March 2021, Fabbrica falsely certified on a second-draw PPP loan application that it had fewer than 300 employees.  The government contends that Fabbrica knew or should have known that it was ineligible for the second-draw loan because Fabbrica and its foreign affiliates collectively employed more than 300 individuals.  This settlement resolves FCA allegations that were originally brought in lawsuits filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut under the qui tam provisions of the FCA, captioned U.S. ex rel. GNGH2 Inc. v. Fabbrica LLC (Docket No. 3:24cv1004), and U.S. ex rel. Blockquote Inc. v. Fabbrica LLC (Docket No. 3:24-cv-1362).  The relator, GNGH2 Inc., will receive $258,125 as its share of the recovery.

United Abrasives, Inc. has paid $3,088,605.45 to resolve FCA allegations related to a second-draw PPP loan.  United Abrasives, a North Windham company, manufactures industrial-grade abrasives and accessories.  It is a subsidiary of SAIT Finanziaria S.p.A., a company headquartered in Italy.  The government alleges that, in February 2021, United Abrasives applied for a second-draw PPP loan for $1,983,555, falsely certifying it had fewer than 300 employees.  At the time, United Abrasives and its affiliates collectively employed more than 300 employees.  The government contends that United Abrasives should have known that it did not satisfy the size standards for the second-draw loan.  This settlement resolves FCA allegations that were originally brought in a lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut under the qui tam provisions of the FCA, captioned U.S. ex rel. Daniel Foster. v. United Abrasives, Inc. (Docket No. 3:25cv1732).  The relator, Daniel Foster, will receive $308,860 as its share of the recovery. 

Connecticut Pharmacy, LLC (“Connecticut Pharmacy”), Connecticut Pharmacy East Rock LTC LLC (“East Rock”), Scott Wolak, and Bryan Lentini agreed to pay, on an ability to pay basis, $400,000 pursuant to the FCA to settle allegations that they made false representations in connection with the forgiveness of two first-draw PPP loans and two second-draw PPP loans.  Connecticut Pharmacy and East Rock are pharmacies that service primarily a senior population of nursing homes, group homes, and hospice-at-home patients. Connecticut Pharmacy has its principal place of business in Norwalk, Connecticut.  East Rock has its principal place of business in Wallingford, Connecticut.  Wolak and Lentini are Connecticut residents and the majority owners of both Connecticut Pharmacy and East Rock.

Connecticut Pharmacy received a $531,700 first-draw PPP loan in April 2020 and a $448,150 second-draw PPP loan in January 2021.  East Rock received a $374,100 first-draw PPP loan in April 2020 and a $334,277 second-draw PPP loan in February 2021.  Connecticut Pharmacy and East Rock applied for forgiveness of those loans, and the loans were subsequently forgiven, including accrued interest, by the SBA.  The government alleges that Connecticut Pharmacy, East Rock, Wolak and Lentini falsely certified on their loan forgiveness applications that the funds were used for authorized purposes, including payroll costs.  Connecticut Pharmacy, East Rock, Wolak and Lentini in fact used the majority of the PPP funds to repay outstanding business loans borrowed by a separate Wolak and Lentini-owned company, which was not an authorized use of either first-draw or second-draw PPP loans.  This settlement resolves allegations originally brought by a lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut under the qui tam provisions of the FCA, captioned U.S. ex rel Gettings and Chan v. Connecticut Pharmacy East Rock LTC, et al. (Docket No. 3:22cv348). The relators, Angela Gettings and Kawa Chan, will receive $60,000 as their share of the recovery.

National Mental Health Corps, formerly known as Health360, Inc. (“Health360”) and Particia Harrity have paid $217,978 pursuant to the FCA to settle allegations that they made false representations in connection with the receipt and forgiveness of a PPP loan.  Health360, located in Newtown, Connecticut, was a non-profit entity with a stated mission to promote health equality in underserved communities.  Harrity was its Chief Executive Officer.  In May 2020, Health360 received a PPP loan in the amount of $137,638.  Health360 applied for forgiveness of that loan in October 2020 and the loan was subsequently forgiven, including accrued interest, by the SBA.

Prior to SBA forgiving the loan, Health360 received several grants from AmeriCorps and from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  AmeriCorps is a federal agency that manages and funds, through grants, national service programs focused on education and health.  AmeriCorps provides grants to entities such as Health360 to recruit and place AmeriCorps volunteers, generally known as “members” into national service programs.  As part of that process, AmeriCorps members are provided with modest living allowances/stipends.

The government alleges that Health360 and Harrity committed fraud in several ways related to the PPP loan.  Harrity falsely represented that the AmeriCorps members were its “employees” and she also falsely inflated Health360’s average monthly payroll by including the stipend payments made to the AmeriCorps members as wages.  In addition, Health360 “double-dipped” from federal funds by falsely claiming that the PPP loan proceeds had been used to pay employee payroll after already having sought and received reimbursement for those same costs from federal grant money provided by AmeriCorps and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The government’s investigations were led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sara Kaczmarek, Anne Thidemann, and Richard Molot.  U.S. Attorney Sullivan also recognized attorneys Christopher McClintock, Caitlin Kelly, and Franka Cepele of the SBA Office of General Counsel for their assistance with these investigations.

In addition, the Connecticut Pharmacy matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Investigations and the Health360 matter was investigated by the AmeriCorps Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General.

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”).  The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people.  The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that LEI ZHOU, also known as “Lei Lei,” 43, of Flushing, New York, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to 42 months of imprisonment for offenses related to a series of vehicle thefts from a Greenwich car dealership utilizing personal information from identity theft victims.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Zhou and others used stolen personal and financial information and stolen or counterfeit identity cards from multiple identity theft victims to apply for loans to purchase or lease at least six luxury vehicles with a total value of more than $650,000 from a car dealership in Greenwich.  They then transported the vehicles to New York and sought to resell them.

As an example, on October 4, 2022, Zhou, using a stolen identity, obtained $114,175.31 in financing to purchase a 2021 Chevrolet Corvette from the Greenwich dealership.  Zhou also submitted a forged $14,000 check in the name of another identity theft victim as a down payment toward the purchase.  He then transported the Corvette to New York for resale.

Most of the vehicles were repossessed before they could be resold.

Zhou has been detained since his arrest on August 30, 2024.  On May 22, 2026, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.

Zhou, a citizen of China and lawful permanent resident of the U.S., has a criminal history that includes convictions for menacing with a weapon, aggravated harassment, and attempted robbery, and a federal conviction in the Southern District of New York related to the trafficking of methamphetamine.

This matter has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Greenwich Police Department and the New York City Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elena L. Coronado.

ROBERT CAPPELLETTI, 60, of Middlebury, has been charged in a nine-count indictment with fraud and money laundering offenses related to employment as the executive director of housing authorities in Meriden and Groton.

The announcement was made by David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; P.J. O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the FBI; and Shawn Rice, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Region.

On September 22, 2026, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging Cappelletti with five counts of wire fraud and four counts of making illegal monetary transactions, and Cappelletti was arrested today.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven, pleaded not guilty to the charges in the indictment, and was released on a $500,000 bond pending trial.

As alleged in the indictment, from approximately 2009 to May 2025, Cappelletti served as the executive director of the Meriden Housing Authority (“MHA”), which provides public housing for low-income families in Meriden, and as a board member of the Maynard Road Corporation (“MRC”), a non-profit corporation that supported development and redevelopment projects for the MHA.  From approximately 2016 to January 2025, as part of a shared services agreement with the MHA, Cappelletti also served as the executive director of the Groton Housing Authority (“GHA”), which provides public housing for low-income families in Groton.  In 2022, Cappelletti fraudulently borrowed $16,200,000 from a victim lender, purportedly on behalf of the MRC.  As part of the loan transaction, Cappelletti executed a promissory note on behalf of the MRC and a guarantee of the promissory note on behalf of the MHA without obtaining authorization from either entity’s board of directors.  Cappelletti falsely represented to the lender that the MRC and the MHA authorized the loan transaction, which he substantiated with fraudulent resolutions from the MRC and the MHA purporting to authorize the loan.

The indictment alleges that, in July 2022, the victim lender wired $13,961,750, which represented the amount of the loan after costs and fees, into a MRC bank account.  Thereafter, Cappelletti directed a series of financial transactions designed to enrich himself and conceal his fraudulent conduct.  Through those transactions, Cappelletti converted a portion of the money for his own use, including depositing approximately $450,000 into his personal investment account and paying $374,752.87 toward the mortgage on his personal residence.

The indictment further alleges that even though the GHA and the Greater Groton Realty Corporation (“GGRC”), a non-profit corporation that supports development and redevelopment projects for the GHA, were not parties or guarantors of the loan, Cappelletti used his position as GHA’s executive director to direct a series of payments toward the loan using GHA funds.  Cappelletti misrepresented to the GHA and GGRC that the payments were related to a forthcoming bond for a development project in Groton and would be reimbursed, and he submitted forged invoices to justify the payments and conceal his scheme.

Wire fraud carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count, and making illegal monetary transactions carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years on each count.

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

This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General,  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathaniel J. Gentile and Raymond Miller.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that on September 18, 2026, a federal jury in New Haven found RYAN FIELDS, 52, of Port Neches, Texas, guilty of federal offenses related to illegally selling misbranded and unapproved prescription drugs.

According to the evidence introduced during the trial and other court proceedings, from September 2021 to June 2023, Fields and Lisa Mahan, who formerly resided in Glastonbury, Connecticut, operated two websites, pinnedaminos.com and projectaminos.com, as well as a private Facebook group called Pinned Aminos, through which they illegally sold and distributed to customers throughout the U.S. misbranded prescription drugs.  They did not require customers to provide a valid prescription, and some of the drugs they sold and distributed were unapproved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for human consumption.  The drugs they sold also included drugs they illegally imported from foreign manufacturers.

To avoid detection and mislead the FDA, the pinnedaminos.com website had a disclaimer that falsely stated that the products for sale were “intended for laboratory and research use only,” and “not intended for human ingestion.”  In addition, the labeling on the drugs sold and delivered to customers falsely stated that the drugs were “research compounds” and/or “not for human consumption.”  Contrary to these representations, Fields and Mahan knew and intended that the drugs they sold were for human use, and through emails and posts on the Pinned Aminos Facebook group, they provided customers with information on the health benefits of the drugs they sold and directions on dosage.

Fields unlawfully shipped over 10,000 parcels to customers throughout the country and collected more than $1.4 million from customers.  Fields and Mahan used the proceeds to pay themselves, purchase cars, and purchase a residence in Texas.

Fields and Mahan were arrested on August 23, 2023.

The jury found Fields guilty of one count of conspiracy to introduce misbranded or unapproved drugs into interstate commerce and to smuggle goods into the United States, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

The jury also ordered the forfeiture of Fields’ Texas residence and a vehicle he purchased with proceeds from the conspiracy.

Fields is released on bond pending sentencing, which is not scheduled.

On April 6, 2026, Mahan, 56, pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge.  On August 13, 2026, she was sentenced to three years of probation.

This matter has been investigated by the Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations; the Drug Enforcement Administration; and Homeland Security Investigations.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Neeraj N. Patel and Justyn P. Stokely.

U.S. Attorney Sullivan thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas for their assistance in this matter.

Two men pleaded guilty this week to offenses stemming from their participation in an embezzlement conspiracy involving Success Village Apartments, Inc., located in Bridgeport and Stratford.

The announcement was made by David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; P.J. O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the FBI; Thomas Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England; and Justin Page, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Success Village Apartments, Inc. (“SVA”) is a residential cooperative located in Bridgeport and Stratford.  SVA comprises 96 separate buildings containing 924 residential units.  CHARLES A. PITCHER served as the general manager of Success Village Apartments, Inc. (“SVA”) and also owned and controlled Real Estate Company of New England LLC and Pitcher Enterprises LLC.  CARMINE GENTILE is a part owner of Umbrella Mechanical LLC (“Umbrella”), a New Jersey-registered company that provided commercial and residential plumbing, heating, and air conditioning services.  In May 2022, Pitcher was appointed as the general manager of SVA for an annual fee of $250,000.  In approximately June 2022, Umbrella began providing plumbing services to SVA, including work on the piping and boilers that provided heat and hot water to SVA residents.

Between approximately June 2022 and September 2024, Pitcher, Gentile, and others, including an individual identified as “Person-1” in the Criminal Information charging Pitcher, engaged in an embezzlement conspiracy through which vendors, including Umbrella, would submit fraudulent invoices and requests for payment to SVA, either for work that was not performed or at artificially inflated prices that overstated the amount of money owed by SVA.  Pitcher and Person-1 agreed that, in exchange for the vendors’ receipt of work and payments from SVA, the vendors would divert between approximately 10 to 30 percent of the payments received from SVA to Pitcher and Person-1.  Gentile and others prepared and caused to be prepared fraudulent invoices and requests for payment to SVA that were not the result of a competitive bidding process, contained objectively unreasonable markups for certain goods and services, contained charges for goods and services that were not rendered, contained amounts to be billed to SVA that were chosen by Pitcher and Person-1, and were otherwise fraudulently inflated, including by not accounting for the money that was remitted to Pitcher and Person-1.

In addition to the $250,000 Pitcher received annually from SVA, he also received purported “consulting fees” from SVA even though he provided no services to SVA in exchange for the fees.  Pitcher typically provided a portion of these fees to Person-1.  

Umbrella received approximately $2,631,769.71 in payments from SVA, more than $526,000 of which was diverted to Pitcher and Person-1.  In total, Pitcher received more than $403,150 in diverted SVA funds, which were associated with over $3,664,000 in payments made by Umbrella and other vendors, and at least $232,479.35 in fraudulent “consulting fees.”

On September 14, 2026, Gentile, 37, of Freehold, New Jersey, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver in Hartford to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  As part of his plea agreement, Gentile has agreed to a forfeiture money judgment in the amount of at least $750,000 and agreed to pay restitution in the amount of at least $1,500,000.  He is released on a $100,000 bond pending sentencing.

On September 15, 2026, Pitcher, 58, of Trumbull, pleaded guilty before Judge Oliver to the same charge, and he has agreed to a forfeiture money judgment in the amount of at least $635,629.35 and agreed to pay restitution in the amount of at least $2,500,000.  He is released on a $250,000 bond pending sentencing.

This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul A. Riley.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Thomas Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, today announced that a federal grand jury in Bridgeport has returned an indictment charging JUAVEEL WRIGHT, 34, of Shelton, with five counts of theft of government property related to the depositing of altered federal tax refund checks with a combined value of more than $520,000.

The indictment was returned on September 2, 2026.  Wright appeared yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Dave Vatti in Bridgeport, pleaded not guilty to the charges, and was released on a $200,000 bond.  

As alleged in the indictment, between February and July 2024, Wright obtained U.S. Treasury tax refund checks that were issued to other persons or organizations.  Wright altered, or caused the alteration of, five tax refund checks so that he was listed as the payee with his address in Shelton.  He deposited the five checks into his brokerage account and received more than $440,000 for the first four checks.  The brokerage firm did not issue funds for the fifth check after determining it had been altered.  Wright transferred most of the funds to two bank accounts and withdrew the money primarily as cash.  He also used some funds to purchase stocks in his brokerage account.

Theft of government property carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years on each count.

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

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

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”).  The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people.  The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Thomas Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, announced that WILLIAM LAVIMONIERE, 66, of Plainfield, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to tax evasion.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 10, 2012, Lavimoniere was sentenced in Hartford federal court to 33 months of imprisonment for fraud and tax offenses stemming from his embezzlement of more than $348,000 from a non-profit corporation that served Connecticut adults and students who have disabilities.  In November 2012, Lavimoniere divorced his wife to transfer assets, including their residence, to her to avoid collection by the IRS.  Lavimoniere was released from federal prison in April 2015.

For the 2008 through 2011 tax years, Lavimoniere had an outstanding tax assessment balance of $213,267, not including penalties and interest.  Lavimoniere only paid approximately $7,007 toward the assessment.  In December 2023, the IRS ceased civil collection of the outstanding assessment because the collection statute expired.

After Lavimoniere was released from prison, he operated a trucking and furniture installation business named WJL Handling LLC (“WJL”).  For the 2016, 2017, 2018, 2023, and 2024 tax years, Lavimoniere earned substantial income from WJL but willfully failed to file federal tax returns.  For the 2019 through 2022 tax years, Lavimoniere filed tax returns that underreported income from WJL.  Lavimoniere made significant structured cash withdrawals to avoid financial reporting thresholds, paid his employees “under the table,” and used his business bank account to pay personal expenses.  He also continued to live in his former residence with his ex-wife and deposited cash into her bank account, which she then used to pay the mortgage and other household expenses.

The government has calculated that Lavimoniere owes $246,417 in restitution to the IRS, and Lavimoniere has agreed to cooperate with the IRS to pay all outstanding taxes, interest, and penalties.

Tax evasion carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.

Lavimoniere is released on a $75,000 bond pending sentencing, which is scheduled for December 9.

This matter is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather L. Cherry.

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”).  The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people.  The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that NELSON ROMERO-MARTINEZ, also known as “Nelson Dario Martinez,” “Nelson Martinez,” “Jose Del Arca,” and “Jose Delarca,” 48, a citizen of Honduras, has been charged by federal criminal complaint with unlawful reentry of a removed alien.

The criminal complaint alleges that Romero-Martinez unlawfully entered the United States in approximately 1999.  In 2005, Romero-Martinez was arrested by East Hartford Police for assault offenses related to his stabbing two individuals at a child’s birthday party.  In 2006, Romero-Martinez was arrested by Manchester Police for unlawful restraint arising from a domestic physical altercation.  In January 2007, Romero-Martinez was convicted and sentenced in state court to five years of imprisonment for these offenses.  After he was released from prison, he was removed to Honduras in January 2010.

The complaint further alleges that Romero-Martinez subsequently tried to reenter the U.S. through Texas in 2012 and again in 2013.  He was charged each time in the Southern District of Texas with immigration offenses, sentenced, and removed to Honduras.  Romero-Martinez again unlawfully reentered the U.S. and, in March 2016, was arrested by Norwich Police for a traffic violation.  He was removed to Honduras in April 2016.

The complaint further alleges that Romero-Martinez unlawfully reentered the U.S. and, on August 5, 2023, was arrested by Bridgeport Police in connection with an incident in which he stabbed a man in the chest.  In October 2023, Romero-Martinez was charged in the District of Connecticut with illegal reentry and, in March 2024, he was released on bond in his federal case.  U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) took custody of Romero-Martinez pursuant to an immigration detainer and, in April 2024, he was removed to Honduras.

The complaint further alleges that Romero-Martinez again unlawfully reentered the U.S.  On August 5, 2025, Romero-Martinez was arrested by New Haven Police and charged with offenses related to an incident in which Romero-Martinez pointed a gun at a family member during a domestic dispute in the presence of several children.  In February 2026, Romero-Martinez was convicted in Connecticut Superior Court of a threatening offense and sentenced to 11 months of imprisonment, execution suspended.  Earlier this year, he also pleaded guilty to assault in the first degree related to the Bridgeport stabbing in 2023, and had been detained while awaiting sentencing in that case.

Romero-Martinez was transferred into federal custody and he appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven.  If convicted of the charge of unlawful reentry, Romero-Martinez faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

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

This matter is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Angel M. Krull.

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

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RAMION BAKER, also known as “Ray Ray,” 46, of Stamford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 162 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for trafficking narcotics in southwestern Connecticut.

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

Baker and Canada were close associates who conspired to distribute fentanyl, crack cocaine, and PCP.  Baker stored and packaged drugs at his Stamford residence on Hoyt Street, and also paid another individual to store drugs at their residence.

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

A search of Baker’s residence revealed more than 300 grams of cocaine, a distribution quantity of fentanyl, a .38 caliber revolver, and $4,543 in cash.

At the time of Baker’s federal arrest he had been released on bond and awaiting sentencing in three state robbery cases.  In August 2024, Baker was sentenced in state court to an effective sentence of 10 years of imprisonment for the three robberies.  

Baker’s criminal history also includes state convictions for robbery and assault, and a federal crack cocaine trafficking conviction in 2010.

On December 17, 2025, Baker pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Judge Shea ordered a portion of Baker’s federal sentence to be served consecutively to his state sentences, giving Baker a total effective federal sentence of approximately 222 months of imprisonment.

Canada pleaded guilty and, on December 15, 2025, was sentenced to 110 months of imprisonment.

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

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

U.S. Attorney David X. Sullivan today announced that two Connecticut residents have pleaded guilty to fraud offenses as part of a nationwide enforcement action led by the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division, the Small Business Administration, and the SBA Office of Inspector General targeting fraud in the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut was a key participant in this surge effort. 

From June 12 to September 1, federal prosecutors across the country facilitated fraud enforcement actions spanning over 160 criminal defendants, including approximately 80 newly charged defendants, reaching approximately $245 million dollars in intended loss to American taxpayers.

“Our office is methodically working with our investigative partners to uncover and prosecute those who took advantage of important COVID relief programs for their financial gain,” said U.S. Attorney Sullivan.  “The charges we are announcing today demonstrate our unwavering commitment to holding individuals accountable for exploiting funds meant to support legitimate small businesses and workers during a national crisis.”

“Pandemic loan relief was meant to keep American small businesses alive during government lockdowns – not line the pockets of fraudsters,” said Attorney General Todd Blanche.  “The defendants charged during our summer surge allegedly fabricated businesses, submitted false payroll and revenue claims, stole identities, and concealed foreign ties on their applications – but they will now be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

“This summer surge shows what is possible when dedicated public servants across the country work together with a single purpose,” said Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the National Fraud Enforcement Division.  “Our mission is clear: protect taxpayer funds, safeguard the integrity of federal relief programs, and deliver justice to those who exploited them. We will remain steadfast every day –standing shoulder-to-shoulder with our partners – to identify fraud, pursue those responsible, and restore confidence in the programs meant to help American small businesses thrive.”

“Today’s announcement represents the largest-ever action against perpetrators of SBA fraud, with 870,000 suspended borrowers tied to $39 billion in suspected fraudulent PPP and COVID EIDL activity. In partnership with Vice President Vance and the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, we’re putting fraudsters on notice: the federal government will no longer turn a blind eye to those who stole from taxpayers and exploited programs designed to sustain small businesses during the pandemic,” said SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler. “With demand letters going out to suspected fraudsters, we’re also sending a clear message that they must repay their debts or face Treasury collections and possible federal law enforcement. Under this Administration, the free ride is over. We are restoring accountability, recovering taxpayer dollars, and protecting SBA programs for the legitimate small businesses they were created to serve.”

“Operation No Doze brings a focused and coordinated approach to pursuing fraud in SBA’s pandemic relief programs,” said SBA Inspector General William Kirk.  “By concentrating our investigative resources and working closely with SBA and our law enforcement partners, we are strengthening our ability to identify fraud, recover taxpayer funds, and hold accountable those who exploited programs created to help small businesses in a time of extraordinary need. This initiative makes clear that the passage of time does not diminish our commitment to accountability.”

In the District of Connecticut, two defendants each waived their right to be indicted and pleaded guilty in Hartford federal court to one count of wire fraud and one count of making a monetary transaction in property derived from unlawful activity related to PPP fraud involving more than $2.6 million in losses:

U.S. v. Robert Cocca
According to court documents, Robert Cocca, 37, of Shelton, claimed an ownership interest or representative relationship with The Candleman LLC, Complete Property Management LLC, and Durakote Finishing Systems LLC, and other business entities.  Between March 2020 and April 2021, Cocca defrauded the PPP loan program and victim lenders by submitting loan applications that overstated the yearly gross income of his businesses, overstated the number of individuals employed by his businesses, provided purportedly false IRS tax filings supporting the business’ gross income and number of employees; and provided other fabricated documentation to support the loan applications.  Similarly, on the loan forgiveness applications he submitted, Cocca made additional misrepresentations that he had complied with all the requirements of the PPP rules.  Through this scheme, Cocca fraudulently received $1,813,374.77 in PPP funds. Cocca pleaded guilty on July 1, 2026.  Released on a $50,000 bond, he is currently scheduled to be sentenced on November 12.

U.S. v. Kurt R. Zimmerman
According to court documents, Kurt R. Zimmerman, 45, of Stratford, claimed an ownership interest or representative relationship with KRZ Remodeling LLC and Valiant Candle Company LLC.  Between June 2020 and March 2023, Zimmerman defrauded the PPP loan program and victim lenders by submitting loan applications that overstated the yearly gross income of his businesses, overstated the number of individuals employed by his businesses, provided purportedly false IRS tax filings supporting the business’ gross income and number of employees; and provided other fabricated documentation to support the loan applications.  Similarly, on the loan forgiveness applications he submitted, Zimmerman made additional misrepresentations that he had complied with all the requirements of the PPP rules.  Through this scheme, Zimmerman fraudulently received $867,907 in PPP funds.  Zimmerman pleaded guilty on August 6, 2026.  Released on a $50,000 bond, he is currently scheduled to be sentenced on January 5, 2027.

These cases are being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General.  The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher W. Schmeisser.

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”).  The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people.  The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CESAR RUBEN YLLESCAS, 52, a citizen of Peru, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 15 months of imprisonment for illegally reentering the U.S.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between 1995 and 2015, Yllescas was arrested, convicted, and sentenced multiple times in Connecticut Superior Court and Chicopee, Massachusetts District Court for narcotics offenses, threatening, assault, failure to appear in court, and illegal operation of a motor vehicle.  In June 2016, Yllescas was deported to Peru.  He subsequently reentered the U.S., was convicted in federal court of unlawful reentry and, in December 2019, was sentenced to 10 months of imprisonment.  In May 2020, Yllescas was again deported to Peru.

Yllescas again illegally reentered the U.S. and, on March 20, 2026, he was arrested by the West Springfield, Massachusetts Police Department for motor vehicle-related charges and on an outstanding warrant for failure to appear in court in 2015 for a violation of probation.  After Yllescas was released on bond on those state charges, he was arrested by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations on March 23, 2026, in West Springfield.

Yllescas has been detained since his arrest.  On June 23, 2026, he pleaded guilty to unlawful reentry of a removed alien.

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

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

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that KEVIN KOLENDA, 69, of Norwalk, pleaded guilty today in Bridgeport federal court to an offense related to his operation of a fraudulent prize insurance business.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Kolenda has owned and operated Hole-in-Won LLC, Compliance HIW LLC, Hole-in-Won Worldwide, and Hole-in-Won.com (“Hole-in-Won”), which together have provided prize insurance to customers who offered promotions or prizes at events, including golf tournaments and fishing contests.  Through its website, www.hole-in-won.com, and other promotional materials, Hole-in-Won claimed to be “the most successful prize insurance company in the world” and to have “paid out 1000’s of awards” to winners throughout the world.

The investigation revealed that, in reality, Kolenda had for years defrauded dozens of organizations and individuals out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.  As part of the scheme, victims, often charitable or civic organizations, obtained insurance from Kolenda and Hole-in-Won for one or more prizes at an event.  For example, the host of a golf tournament might include a lucrative prize, such as a new car, for any player who hits a hole in one on a specific hole.  The victim would complete an insurance contract and pay the insurance premium to Kolenda and Hole-in-Won, and Kolenda and Hole-in-Won would promise to pay out the insurance claim for the cost of the insured prize if there was a winner at the event.  If no one won the insured prize at the event, Kolenda and Hole-in-Won would keep the premium.

If someone won the insured prize, however, Kolenda used various fraudulent techniques to avoid payment of the claim.  For example, Kolenda, often using various aliases to hide his involvement in the scheme, referred victims to the Hole-in-Won “claims department” at an office in Washington, D.C., which did not exist; made frequent excuses to victims as to why Hole in-Won was delayed in paying out the claim; and threatened victims with bogus legal action and reputational harm if they continued to seek payment of the claim.  Ultimately, Kolenda would simply stop responding to correspondence from victims and refused to pay out the cost of the insured prizes.  The victim hosts or organizations, or their partners, often paid for the cost of the insured prizes themselves in order to avoid reputational harm and potential legal action.

During the many years Kolenda engaged in his illegal conduct, neither Kolenda nor his entities were licensed to sell insurance products, and, in many states, insurance departments issued cease and desist orders in an effort to stop his illegal sales, warnings that Kolenda ignored. In fact, Kolenda and his businesses have been instructed to cease and desist from selling prize insurance coverage via cease and desist orders, judgments, and other legal documents in Connecticut, Iowa, North Carolina, Washington, Massachusetts, Oregon, Nevada, Virginia, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, California, and Arkansas.  In 2011, he was convicted in Connecticut Superior Court of larceny in the first degree and attempt to commit larceny in the third degree and ordered to pay restitution and serve a three-year term of probation. In 2013, he was convicted in Missoula County Justice Court in Montana of one count of acting as an insurance producer without a license and was fined $10,000.  In 2014, he was convicted in King County Superior Court in Washington of two counts of engaging in an unauthorized insurance transaction and one count of theft in the first degree and was sentenced to 90 days in prison, and he was again convicted in King County Superior Court in 2016 of attempted theft in the first degree and attempted engaging in an unauthorized insurance transaction, and was sentenced to 15 months of imprisonment.

Kolenda pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill on December 15.

Kolenda was arrested on April 5, 2024.  While released on bond pending trial, Kolenda violated the conditions of his release by, among other things, continuing to sell prize insurance without an appropriate license to do so, and his bond was revoked.  He has been detained since March 6, 2026.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel P. Gordon and Christopher W. Schmeisser.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Thomas Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, announced that SEATHRA ZMEENA ORR, 39, of Stamford, waived her right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to tax evasion.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Orr worked as a content creator, creating and placing photographic and video content on the internet, including through the paid subscription website OnlyFans.  For the 2019 through 2022 tax years, Orr earned more than $3 million in income from posting content on OnlyFans, and OnlyFans issued Orr Forms 1099 that reported non-employee compensation in the amounts of $164,669.96, $801,395, $1,339,900, and $822,400, respectively.  However, Orr willfully failed to pay any taxes for those years, failed to file tax returns, and willfully evaded payment of her taxes by using multiple business names, applying for and receiving 12 Employee Identification Numbers (EINs) for these “businesses,” opening 11 “business” bank accounts and eight “personal” bank accounts, and moving money between those accounts without a legitimate business purpose.  She also purchased and used cashier’s checks, and used her business bank accounts, to make at least $1.3 million in personal expenditures, including paying rent for her apartment, purchasing luxury vehicles, and buying more than $110,000 in jewelry.

“Many content creators are earning significant income through a variety of online platforms, but it is without question that we all have still have a legal obligation to pay required taxes,” said U.S. Attorney Sullivan.  “This prosecution should serve as a warning that no matter how or where you earn your money, you are not absolved from paying taxes on it.  Any attempt to intentionally hide earnings and evade the payment of taxes will lead to serious criminal consequences.”

“Today’s guilty plea should send a strong message to all content creators, pay your fair share of taxes or we will find you and ensure that you are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Demeo.”  Advances in technology have allowed anyone the opportunity to become an overnight sensation and potential millionaire, but all content creators must remember that all income is taxable income.  Paying taxes is the responsibility of every American, no matter what they choose to do for work. When you don’t pay your taxes, you hurt every single American citizen by reducing available funds for schools, road repairs, and social welfare programs.”

Tax evasion carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.

The government has calculated that Orr owes more than $1.1 million in restitution to the IRS, and Orr has agreed to pay at least $476,970 in restitution.  A final restitution order will be determined by the court.

Orr is released on a $100,000 bond pending sentencing, which is not scheduled.

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

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, P.J. O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Hartford Police Chief James C. Rovella today announced that TYQUAN DECHALUS, also known as “Ty Ty” and “Kuzzo Ty,” 26; MICHAEL PHILLIP SQUIREWELL, also known as “Hoola,” “Hoola Gang,” and “Trench Monkey,” 30; DWAYNE GRAHAM, also known as “Bizzy,” 24; NICKOLAZ ROBINSON, also known as “Luck” and “Lucky,” 23; and DIAMOND FUENTES, also known as “Didi” and “Lil Belly,” 19; all of Hartford, have been federally charged for their alleged involvement in a kidnapping and ransom demand in January 2026.

As alleged in the indictment, Dechalus, Squirewell, Graham, Robinson, and Fuentes conspired to kidnap and hold for ransom a victim in Hartford.  On January 26 and 27, 2026, Dechalus, Squirewell, and Robinson exchanged text messages in which they discussed needing money and marijuana and then targeted the victim.  On January 28, 2026, Graham had Fuentes lure the victim to a residence on Laurel Street in Hartford where the victim was kidnapped at gunpoint and pistol whipped.  Dechalus, Graham, Squirewell, and Robinson then broke into the victim’s residence looking for marijuana and money.  They then demanded money from the victim’s family in exchange for his safe return.  Fuentes then picked up money left for the kidnappers by the victim’s family.

Hartford Police arrested Dechalus, Squirewell, and Graham on state charges on January 28, 2026.  It is alleged that Dechalus and Squirewell each possessed a firearm, and Dechalus possessed a distribution quantity of cocaine, when they were arrested.

On September 9, 2026, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging each of the five defendants with conspiracy, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, and with kidnapping, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of life.  Dechalus is also charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, which carries a mandatory consecutive sentence of at least five years.  Squirewell is also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, and Fuentes is charged with receiving and possessing ransom money, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

Robinson and Fuentes were arrested on September 10, 2026, entered pleas of not guilty to the charges, and were released on bonds of $150,000 and $50,000, respectively.  Dechalus is currently in state custody and Graham is in federal custody having been previously charged with an unrelated firearm offense.  Squirewell is currently being sought by law enforcement.

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

This investigation is being conducted by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and the Hartford Police Department.  The Task Force includes members from the Connecticut State Police, the Connecticut Department of Correction, and the East Hartford, Hartford, New Britain, West Hartford, Wethersfield, and Newington Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sean P. Mahard and Reed Durham.

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

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ROMAN SANTIAGO JR., 43, formerly of Danbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford 120 months of imprisonment and 10 years of supervised release for trafficking cocaine from Puerto Rico using the U.S. Mail.  Judge Nagala also ordered Santiago to pay a $15,000 fine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, from September 2024 to February 2025, Santiago engaged in a narcotics trafficking conspiracy that involved the shipment of cocaine from Puerto Rico to Connecticut through the U.S. Mail.  During the investigation, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service intercepted multiple packages that were mailed from Puerto Rico to various addresses in Connecticut.  Each package was intended for Santiago and contained approximately two kilograms of cocaine.

Santiago was arrested on February 12, 2025.  At time of his arrest, a search of his Danbury residence and a storage unit he rented revealed a package of cocaine that had been mailed from Puerto Rico, additional quantities of cocaine and fentanyl, $276,298 in cash, and other items.

In total, investigators seized more than 11 kilograms of cocaine during the investigation.

On April 21, 2026, Santiago pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.

Judge Nagala ordered Santiago to forfeit the seized cash, and several pieces of jewelry with an total approximate value of $264,000, and his 2020 Dodge Ram pickup truck.

Santiago, who is released on a $50,000 bond and residing in New Britain, is required to report to prison on November 16.

This matter was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force, and the Danbury Police Department.  The Task Force includes members from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Postal Service – Office of the Inspector General, the Connecticut State Police, the Hartford Police Department, and the Plainville Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathan Guevremont and Christopher Lembo.

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

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MICHAEL SIMES, 51, of Newtown, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 10 months of imprisonment and one year of supervised release for offenses related to his failure to file tax returns and to pay more than $3.1 million in taxes, penalties, and interest owed.

According to court documents and statements made in court, for the 2013 tax year and the 2016 through 2022 tax years, Simes, an attorney, failed to file U.S. Individual Income Tax Returns, resulting in a tax loss to the IRS of $1,876,307 on gross income of more than $5.6 million.  For the 2016 through 2020 tax years, Simes requested filing extensions until October of each year, but still failed to file and pay the taxes he owed.

In addition, Simes filed tax returns for the 2012, 2014, and 2015 tax years, but he paid only a fraction of taxes reported as due, thereby incurring substantial penalties and interest.

Simes was ordered to pay restitution of the presently outstanding balance of $2,871,676.

On March 9, 2026, Simes pleaded guilty to three counts of failure to file a tax return.  Released on a $40,000 bond, he is required to report to prison on January 20, 2027.

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

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOSE BARET, 35, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley to 84 months of imprisonment and four years of supervised release for trafficking narcotics.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in March and April 2024, law enforcement made two controlled purchases of fentanyl from Baret.  Baret was arrested on state charges on April 10, 2024.  On that date, investigators searched Baret’s vehicle, his Goodrich Street residence, a hotel room he used in Windsor, and a storage facility he rented in Hartford, and seized approximately 364 grams of fentanyl, 82 grams of methamphetamine, 272 grams of crack cocaine, 407 grams of powder cocaine, seven oxycodone pills, narcotics processing and packaging materials, two handguns, firearm magazines and ammunition, and $4,511 in cash.

On February 4, 2026, Baret pleaded guilty in federal court to possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, 40 grams or more of fentanyl, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and heroin.  He has been detained since May 23, 2024, when he was arrested in Lebanon, New Hampshire, on separate charges.

Baret has forfeited the seized firearms, cash, and his Honda Ridgeline SUV.

This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Hartford Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey M. Stone.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Jeff Grimming, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), New England, and Connecticut State Police Colonel Daniel Loughman announced that RYAN FITZGIBBONS, 44, of Killingly, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to a fraud offense stemming from his theft of more than $775,000 from nonprofit organizations in Windham and Middlefield.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Fitzgibbons was employed as the executive director of the Holy Family Home & Shelter (“HFHS”), a charitable non-profit group in Windham serving individuals and families experiencing homelessness by providing emergency and temporary housing.  Between approximately November 2021 and June 2023, Fitzgibbons stole approximately $734,683 from HFHS by making unauthorized wire transfers from the HFHS bank account to his personal accounts, unauthorized purchases and ATM withdrawals using the HFHS debit card, and writing checks from the HFHS account to himself and to “cash.”  Fitzgibbons attempted to cover up his criminal behavior by providing false transactions and donation accounting reports to HFHS board members.  As part of his scheme, in September 2022, Fitzgibbons failed to report to the HFHS board a $392,000 donation HFHS received from the estate of an individual.  Fitzgibbons was terminated from HFHS in September 2023.

In approximately April 2024, Fitzgibbons was hired as the executive director of the Durham Middlefield Youth & Family Services ("DMYFS"), a charitable nonprofit based in Middlefield serving children and families by fostering a healthy community through prevention, intervention, treatment and community-building.  Fitzgibbons used the DMYFS bank account to make approximately $40,769 in unauthorized purchases that he falsely justified as “marketing,” “wages,” and “software.”  He was terminated from the position in August 2024.

Fitzgibbons pleaded guilty to wire fraud, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  He also has agreed to pay $775,452.21 in restitution.

Fitzgibbons is released on a $100,000 bond pending sentencing, which is scheduled for December 2.

This investigation is being conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and the Middlefield Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie T. Levick.

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

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, P.J. O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the FBI, and West Hartford Police Chief Vernon Riddick, Jr., today announced that JAMIE PATTERSON, also known as “Diddy,” 28, of New Britain, has been charged by indictment with firearm possession and drug distribution offenses.

Patterson appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Maria E. Garcia in New Haven and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, on June 12, 2026, West Hartford Police observed Patterson engaging in suspected drug sales on New Park Avenue in West Hartford.  Later that day, officers attempted to stop Patterson’s vehicle but he fled at a high rate of speed.  Law enforcement tracked Patterson’s vehicle to Middletown, where Patterson was taken into custody.  A search of Patterson’s person revealed a 9mm pistol and distribution quantities of fentanyl and cocaine.

It is alleged that Patterson’s criminal history includes state convictions for drug and firearm offenses, and federal convictions in May 2023 for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

Patterson has been detained since June 12, 2026.  On August 26, 2026, a federal grand jury in Hartford returned an indictment charging him with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years; possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, an offense that carries a mandatory consecutive sentence of at least five years.          

Patterson, who is on federal supervised release, faces additional penalties if he is found in violation of his supervised release.

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

This investigation is being conducted by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and the West Hartford Police Department.  The Task Force includes members from the Connecticut State Police, the Connecticut Department of Correction, and the East Hartford, Hartford, New Britain, West Hartford, Wethersfield, and Newington Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Reed Durham.

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

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that TAYLOR DZICZEK, 44, formerly of Chicopee, Massachusetts, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to 90 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for a bank robbery spree in 2021 and 2022.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between September 2021 and August 2022, Dziczek committed the following 14 robberies and one attempted robbery of banks and credit unions in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire:

• September 9, 2021            Arrha Credit Union, West Springfield, Mass.
• September 20, 2021          American Eagle Credit Union, Enfield, Conn.
• October 4, 2021                People’s United Bank, Brattleboro, Vt.
• October 15, 2021              Webster Bank, East Windsor, Conn.
• October 21, 2021              People’s United Bank, Brattleboro, Vt. (attempt)
• October 22, 2021              Webster Bank, Somers, Conn.
• November 5, 2021            Workers Credit Union, Athol, Mass.
• November 19, 2021          Liberty Bank, Avon, Conn.
• November 20, 2021          Savings Bank of Walpole, Keene, N.H.
• December 16, 2021         Greenfield Cooperative Bank, Montague, Mass.
• January 6, 2022               KeyBank, East Windsor, Conn
• January 21, 2022             Franklin First Credit Union, Greenfield, Mass.
• May 26, 2022                   People’s United Bank, Plainville, Conn.
• June 3, 2022                    TD Bank, Nashua, N.H.
• August 17, 2022               Liberty Bank, Meriden, Conn.

During each robbery, Dziczek typically turned off his cellphone and drove his car with the license plates removed to the bank or credit union.  He then entered the bank or credit union wearing a hooded sweatshirt, surgical mask, and baseball cap, and handed the teller a note demanding cash in large denominations and claiming to have a gun.

During the investigation, Dziczek was identified as a suspect who robbed the Peoples United Bank, located at 117 East Street in Plainville, Connecticut, on May 26, 2022.  On that date, Dziczek entered the bank, approached the teller counter and gave the teller a note stating words to the effect of, “I have a gun. Don‘t call 911. Don‘t set off any alarms.“  When the teller stated she did not have any more money, Dziczek pulled what appeared to be a black firearm from the front pocket of his sweatshirt and made additional statements including “Give me all the money,” “I have a gun,” and “Don‘t be a hero.”

Dziczek removed some of the paper money wrappers from the money he received from the teller and discarded them at the bank before he fled the scene.   Plainville Police detectives collected the discarded money wrappers as evidence.  

On October 21, 2022, FBI special agents surveilled Dziczek while he was in the MGM Casino in Springfield, Massachusetts, and retrieved an energy drink can with a black straw from which Dziczek was observed drinking.  Laboratory analysis connected DNA found on the straw to DNA found on discarded money wrappers from the Plainville bank robbery.

Dziczek has been detained since his arrest on December 1, 2022.  On September 26, 2025, he pleaded guilty to three counts of bank robbery.

Judge Nagala ordered Dziczek to pay restitution in the total amount of $82,567.

This investigation was conducted by the FBI New Haven Division’s Violent Crimes Task Force, FBI Boston Division, FBI Albany Division, Connecticut State Police, Massachusetts State Police, Athol (Mass.) Police Department, Avon (Conn.) Police Department, Brattleboro (Vt.) Police Department, Chicopee (Mass.) Police Department, East Windsor (Conn.) Police Department, Enfield (Conn.) Police Department, Greenfield (Mass.) Police Department, Keene (N.H.) Police Department, Meriden (Conn.) Police Department, Montague (Mass.) Police Department, Nashua (N.H.) Police Department, Plainville (Conn.) Police Department, Somers (Conn.) Police Department, and Springfield (Mass.) Police Department.  The Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of Scientific Services provided valuable assistance to the investigation.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel E. Cummings, and Stephanie T. Levick.  U.S. Attorney Sullivan thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Districts of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Vermont and for their close cooperation in investigating and prosecuting this matter.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that FELIX NARVAEZ, 55, of Waterbury, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 60 months of imprisonment and four years of supervised release for a firearm possession offense.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between September and November 2024, Waterbury Police made multiple controlled purchases of cocaine from Narvaez.  Narvaez was arrested on state charges on November 7, 2024.  On that date, investigators searched his residence and vehicle and seized a loaded Ruger P90 .45 A.C.P handgun. cocaine that Narvaez intended to distribute, nearly $3,000 in cash, and other items.

Narvaez’s criminal history includes state felony convictions for firearm, assault, and controlled substances offenses.

Narvaez has been detained since his arrest.  On April 9, 2026, he pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Waterbury Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natasha M. Freismuth and Mary G. Vitale.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that KYLE CHAMBERS, 31, of Granby, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to offenses related to his unlawful possession and trafficking of firearms.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 30, 2024, the FBI received multiple tips about Chambers’ possession of explosives at his residence on Salmon Brook Road in Granby and his intention to detonate explosives on New Year’s Eve.  On December 31, 2024, Chambers was arrested on related state charges after a court-authorized search of his residence revealed dozens of firearms, ghost guns, machinegun conversion devices, ammunition, materials that tested positive for explosive substances, a 3D printer, and other items.  The investigation subsequently revealed that Chambers had sold guns to other individuals and regularly coordinated the purchase and sale of firearms and firearm-related materials with others.

Chambers pleaded guilty to firearm trafficking conspiracy, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years; unlawful possession of a machinegun, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years; and possession of an unregistered firearm muffler/silencer in violation of the National Firearms Act, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for November 25.

Chambers has been detained since his arrest.

This matter is being investigated by the FBI and the Granby Police Department, with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John T. Pierpont, Jr. and Justyn P. Stokely.

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

This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion.  The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad.  Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement toward identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders.  In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.

HSTF New Haven comprises agents and officers from the FBI, DEA, HSI, ATF, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, U.S. Department of Labor, and Connecticut State Police, with prosecutions led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that JOSE ISRAEL TENESACA MEJIA, 22, a citizen of Ecuador unlawfully present in the U.S. and last residing in West Haven, pleaded guilty yesterday in Hartford federal court to child exploitation offenses.

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

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

Tenesaca Mejia pleaded guilty to production of child pornography, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years, and to possession of child pornography, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

Tenesaca Mejia has been detained since his arrest.  A sentencing date is not scheduled.

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

U.S. Attorney Sullivan thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the District of Minnesota and the State’s Attorney’s Office for the Judicial District of Stamford/Norwalk for its cooperation in the investigation and prosecution of this case.

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

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

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that HEATHER MURDOCK, 58, of Ellington, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Sarah F. Russell in New Haven to fraud and tax offenses stemming from an embezzlement scheme.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Murdock was employed as the bookkeeper and office manager at a Hartford law firm, identified in court documents as “Firm A.”  Between approximately 2010 and 2022, using Firm A’s bookkeeping software, Murdock generated hundreds of false checks made payable to herself and on which she forged the signature of Firm A’s owner.  To conceal her embezzlement, Murdock doctored the bookkeeping system entries to make it appear that the checks had been issued to legitimate vendors.  Murdock deposited the forged checks into her own bank account.  Murdock stole approximately $578,279 through this scheme.

Murdock also stole cash rental payment made by tenants of properties owned by Firm A’s owner.  To conceal her theft, Murdock generated false checks from Firm A’s bank account payable to the account in which Firm A’s owner received rental income, making it appear that the expected deposits of rental income had been made, and doctored references in the firm’s bookkeeping system.  Murdock stole approximately $175,559 through this scheme.

Murdock failed to pay federal income taxes on the embezzled funds, substantially underreported her income in 2011 and 2012, and did not file any tax returns for the 2013 through 2022 tax years.  As a result, Murdock’s underreported tax obligations total $225,991.

Murdock pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years, and one count of tax evasion, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.  She has also agreed to pay $753,838.70 in restitution to the victim, and $225,991 in back taxes, plus penalties and interest, to the IRS.

Judge Russell scheduled sentencing for December 1.  Murdock is released on a $40,000 bond pending sentencing.

This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elena L. Coronado.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that RUDOLPH GIRDHARI, 36, of Norwalk, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 123 months of imprisonment and a lifetime of supervised release for possessing child sex abuse material.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in May 2012, Girdhari was convicted in state court of possession of child pornography in the second degree, and was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment, execution suspended after two years, and 20 years of probation.  In 2022 and 2023, an FBI investigation of individuals trading child sex abuse images and videos on Wickr, an encrypted communication service, determined that an email address connected to Girdhari was being used to access two child pornography trading networks on Wickr.

On May 2, 2024, investigators conducted a court-authorized search of Girdhari’s residence and seized numerous electronic devices including phones, tablets, computers, hard drives, and thumb drives.  Analysis of the seized devices revealed more than 2,000 images and videos of child sex abuse.

Girdhari has been detained since May 16, 2024, when he was arrested for violating his state probation.  On December 3, 2025, he pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of child pornography.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Office of Adult Probation and the Norwalk Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anastasia E. King.

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

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

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Thomas Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, Jeff Grimming, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), New England, and Justin Page, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division, today announced that SI MAN LAM, 43, of Brooklyn, New York, has been arrested on a federal criminal complaint charging her with offenses related to her trafficking counterfeit luxury and designer brand watches imported from China.

As alleged in court documents, between April 2020 to July 2022, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized approximately 74 parcels addressed to the Waterbury residence of Izedin Kimca, or his aliases, that contained counterfeit luxury watches, including counterfeit Rolex, Audemars, and Panerai watches, having a total estimated manufacturers’ suggested retail price of more than $16 million had the watches been authentic.  In addition, between February 2021 to April 2022, CBP seized approximately 22 parcels addressed to the Worcester, Massachusetts residence of Denis and Klevis Nako that contained counterfeit luxury watches, including counterfeit Rolex and Cartier watches, having a total estimated manufacturers’ suggested retail price of more than $3 million had the watches been authentic.  Between February and June 2021, CBP seized seven packages that were addressed to Lam’s New York residences and contained approximately 378 counterfeit Rolex, Cartier, and other luxury watches having a total estimated manufacturers’ suggested retail price of approximately $6.4 million.

It is further alleged that Kimca, Denis Nako, and Klevis Nako operated various websites, Instagram pages, and Facebook pages through which they advertised and sold counterfeit luxury watches that they had imported from China.  During the investigation, law enforcement made multiple undercover transactions in which they purchased counterfeit Rolex watches from several of the Instagram accounts for approximately $200 to $300 per watch.  The proceeds of the sales were deposited into bank accounts belonging to or connected to Kimca, Denis Nako, and Klevis Nako.  Between January 2021 and April 2024, more than $800,000 in funds were transferred from these accounts to Lam.  Investigators identified Lam as the individual who was responsible for shipping the watches that were purchased over Instagram, including several of the watches purchased during the undercover investigation. 

Kimca, Denis Nako, and Klevis Nako were arrested on April 3, 2024.  It is alleged that, on April 5, 2024, law enforcement agents interviewed Lam at JFK Airport after she arrived from a trip to Hong Kong.  Lam claimed that she worked as a home health care aid and denied having knowledge of the importation and sale of counterfeit goods.  Working with others, Lam continued to sell and ship numerous counterfeit watches until approximately May 2026.  Analysis of bank accounts associated with Lam revealed that between December 2020 and October 2025, she made more than $2.7 million in payments to freight forwarding companies.

Lam was arrested on August 26, 2026.  On that date, investigators conducted a court-authorized search of her residence and seized approximately $900,000 in cash.  She subsequently appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Dave Vatti in Bridgeport and was ordered detained.

The complaint charges Lam with trafficking in and conspiring to traffic in counterfeit goods and services, offenses that carry a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, and conspiracy to commit money laundering, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

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

Kimca, Denis Nako, and Klevis Nako pleaded guilty to related charges.  Klevis Nako has been sentenced, and Kimca and Denis Nako await sentencing.

This matter is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division; Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.  U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the New Haven Police Department, the Watertown Police Department, and the New York Police Department have assisted the investigation.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Neeraj N. Patel and Shan Patel.

This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion.  The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad.  Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement toward identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders.  In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.

HSTF New Haven comprises agents and officers from the FBI, DEA, HSI, ATF, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, U.S. Department of Labor, and Connecticut State Police, with prosecutions led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, today announced that IRVIN JAVIER VILLEGAS, 49, of Bridgeport and Ansonia, has been charged by indictment with narcotics distribution and firearm possession offenses.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, in April 2026, law enforcement made two controlled purchases of heroin and fentanyl from Villegas.  Villegas was arrested on related state charges on April 27, 2026.  On that date, a court-authorized search of his Ansonia residence on Silver Hill Road revealed approximately 1.2 kilograms of cocaine, approximately 400 grams of heroin, and a .40 caliber Glock 23 pistol.

It is alleged that Villegas’ criminal history includes state felony convictions for drug, robbery, weapon, and larceny offenses.  It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

On August 12, 2026, a grand jury in New Haven returned and indictment charging Villegas with possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and 500 grams or more of cocaine, an offense that, based on Villegas’ previous conviction for a serious violent felony, carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, an offense that carries a mandatory consecutive sentence of at least five years; and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years. 

On August 24, 2026, Villegas appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Dave Vatti in Bridgeport and pleaded not guilty to the charges in the indictment.  He is released on a $250,000 bond pending trial.

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

This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bridgeport Police Department, and the Ansonia Police Department.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Gresham.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, announced that ALTON SMALL, also known as “Poodah,” “Tiemare,” and “Tie,” 31, of West Haven, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to narcotics distribution and firearm possession offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, a Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven District Office (NHDO) Task Force investigation identified Small as the leader of a drug trafficking organization that was distributing fentanyl and cocaine in the greater New Haven area.  The investigation included the seizure of approximately two kilograms of cocaine in Ansonia on January 30, 2025, multiple controlled purchases of narcotics between March and June 2025, and other investigative techniques.  Investigators also connected an overdose death to Small’s drug trafficking activity.

Small was arrested on June 18, 2025.  On that date, investigators searched several locations connected to Small and seized more than one kilogram of powder cocaine, more than 150 grams of crack cocaine, more than 200 grams of fentanyl, two loaded firearms, and additional ammunition.

On August 20, 2026, while released on bond, Small was arrested by West Haven Police for narcotics possession and distribution offenses.

Small pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and one count of possession a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  At sentencing, which is scheduled for November 17, he faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

Small’s bond was revoked today and he is detained pending sentencing.

The NHDO Task Force includes members from the DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Connecticut State Police and the New Haven, Waterbury, East Haven, Branford, West Haven, Ansonia, Meriden, Naugatuck, and Shelton Police Departments.  The U.S. Postal Inspection Service has assisted the investigation.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shan Patel.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that YOVANI DE JESUS ALVAREZ MURILLO, 42, a citizen of Honduras, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today in New Haven federal court to unlawful reentry of a removed alien.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Alvarez was first encountered in the U.S. in February 2005 when he was arrested by the New York State Police in Tarrytown, New York, and charged with driving while ability impaired by the consumption of alcohol.  In August 2008, Greenwich Police arrested Alvarez, under the name “Geovany Alvares-Murillo,” on a charge of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs/alcohol.  In December 2008, Stamford Police arrested Alvarez, under the names “Geovany Alvarez-Murillo” and “Geovany Alvares-Murillo,” for two counts of failure to appear in the second degree.  In November 2009, Stamford Police arrested Alvarez, under the name “Geovany Alvares-Murillo,” on a charge of larceny in the third degree.  In December 2011, Stamford Police arrested Alvarez, under the name “Geovany Alvares,” on a charge of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs/alcohol.  In June 2012, Stamford Police arrested Alvarez, under the name “Geovany Alvares-Murillo,” on a charge of failure to appear in the first degree. In October 2012, Stamford Police arrested Alvarez, under the name Geovany Alvares-Murillo, on a charge of forgery in the second degree.  Alvarez was convicted of, and sentenced for, these offenses.

In October 2012, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) interviewed Alvarez while he was serving a sentence in the custody of Connecticut Department of Correction.  During the interview, Alvarez admitted that had illegally entered the U.S. in approximately 2002 by crossing the border from Mexico.  Alvarez was removed to Honduras in October 2013.

Alvarez illegally reentered the U.S. and, in August 2021, under the name “Geovany Alvares-Murillo,” was arrested by Stamford Police on a charge of breach of peace in the second degree.  He was convicted of the offense and ordered to pay a $150 fine.  In May 2023, Alvarez, under the name “Geovany Alvares Murillo,” was arrested by Stamford Police on a charge of criminal trespass in the third degree.  He was convicted of the offense and was ordered to pay a $300 fine.

In November 2024, Connecticut State Police arrested Alvarez, under the name “Geovanny Alvares,” on a charge of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.  In August 2025, Stamford Police arrested Alvarez, also under the name “Geovanny Alvares,” for operating a motor vehicle without an ignition interlock device (breathalyzer).  Alvarez was convicted of these offenses on May 14, 2026, in Stamford Superior Court, and served a 60-day state sentence.  Alvarez was arrested federally upon his release from state custody on July 13, 2026, and has been detained since his arrest.

Alvarez is scheduled to be sentenced in Hartford on November 17, 2026, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

This matter is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael S. Deel and Neeraj N. Patel.

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

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that AMONDA MENDEZ, also known as “M-Dot” and “Dot,” 35, of Stamford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver in Hartford to 150 months of imprisonment and eight years of supervised release for selling narcotics and a firearm while on federal supervised release.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in June 2016, Mendez was sentenced in Hartford federal court to 10 years of imprisonment and four years of supervised release for narcotics trafficking and firearm possession offenses.  She was released from federal prison in January 2025.  Between April and July 2025, law enforcement made multiple controlled purchases of crack cocaine and fentanyl, and one purchase of a loaded .40 caliber pistol, from Mendez.  The pistol had been reported as stolen.

Mendez was arrested on July 28, 2025.  On that date, a search of her person revealed approximately 48 grams of crack cocaine and $1,934 in cash, a search of her Stamford residence revealed approximately 163 grams of crack, and a search of another Stamford residence connected to Mendez revealed $2,456 in cash.

Mendez has been detained since her arrest.  On May 27, 2026, she pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack”).

Judge Oliver sentenced Mendez to 120 months of imprisonment for the narcotics trafficking offense, and a consecutive 30 months of imprisonment for violating the conditions of her supervised release.

This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Stamford Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Gresham.

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

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOHN O’ROURKE, also known as JOHN CASEY, 27, a citizen of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver in Hartford for unlawfully reentering the United States.

According to court documents and statements made in court, O’Rourke has used several other aliases including “John O’Rouke,” “Michael Casey,” “John Joyce,” “Robert Davanzo,” “David Collins,” and “James McCormack.”  On October 7, 2024, U.S. Border Patrol apprehended O’Rourke, under an alias, and four other individuals near Fort Covington, New York, close to Canadian border.  An investigation revealed that O’Rourke did not have legal status in the United States and, on October 15, 2024, he was removed by foot from New York to Canada.

O’Rourke subsequently unlawfully reentered the U.S.  On February 18, 2025, O’Rourke was arrested under the name John Casey in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and charged with state offenses including evading responsibility and breach of peace. On March 2, 2026, O’Rourke was arrested under the name John Casey in Pleasonton, California, on an arrest warrant issued by a judge in Torrington, Connecticut, charging O’Rourke with larceny in the first degree, making home improvements without a valid home improvement certificate, and mispresenting or impersonating a registered contractor. O’Rourke also has a pending state case in Danbury, Connecticut for larceny. 

Additional investigation revealed that O’Rourke has pending cases stemming from arrests under various aliases in Suffolk County, New York, in November 2023; Everett, Washington, in September 2025; Linden, New Jersey, in December 2025; and Snohomish County, Washington, in January 2026.  He also is being sought by law enforcement in Surrey, England.

O’Rourke has been detained in state custody since his arrest on March 2, 2026.  On May 14, 2026, he pleaded guilty in federal court to unlawful reentry of a removed alien.

O’Rourke’s pending state cases in Danbury, Torrington, and Bridgeport are expected to be resolved next month.  Judge Oliver sentenced O’Rourke to 10 days of federal imprisonment consecutive to his state sentences, after which he will be transferred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody and removed to the United Kingdom.

This matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Neeraj. N. Patel and Michael S. Deel.

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

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and P.J. O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced that RAYMOND NEUBERGER, 42, of Easton, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to 39 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for threatening Fairfield Police officers.  Judge Williams also ordered Neuberger to pay a $15,000 fine.

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

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

Neuberger also put a threatening letter in the mailbox of a neighbor who is an FBI special agent.  The letter stated, “BACK THE BUREAU OFF BEFORE ITS TOO LATE – Ray Neuberger.”

“Threatening police officers and federal agents who put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe is intolerable behavior, and this sentence is warranted,” said U.S. Attorney Sullivan.  “Our office will continue to act swiftly to protect those who serve and uphold public safety.”

“Today’s sentencing holds Raymond Neuberger accountable for his criminal conduct and reflects the serious consequences of his actions,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge P.J. O’Brien.  “This outcome is the result of the dedicated work of the investigators, prosecutors, and law enforcement partners who remained committed to pursuing justice.  The FBI will continue to work alongside our partners who remain committed to investigating those who commit serious crimes, and ensure that victims and their families are not forgotten in the pursuit of justice.”

Neuberger was arrested on related state charges on April 29, 2025.  On December 18, 2025, he pleaded guilty in federal court to transmitting interstate communications containing a threat to injure.

Neuberger, who had been released on bond, was remanded to custody at the conclusion of today’s court proceeding.

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

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, today announced that TREVON SEYMORE, 32, of Waterbury, has been charged by indictment with fentanyl distribution and firearm possession offenses.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, in March and April 2026, members of the DEA New Haven District Office (NHDO) Task Force made controlled purchases of fentanyl from Seymore and an associate.  On July 22, 2026, investigators executed search warrants at multiple locations, including a residence on Wolcott Street in Bristol where Seymore was staying, and his vehicle.  A search of Seymore’s vehicle revealed approximately 2,090 wax paper folds containing fentanyl, and a loaded .40 caliber Glock 22 pistol with an obliterated serial number.

Seymore was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on July 22, 2026.  On August 4, 2026, a grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging Seymore with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, an offense that carries a mandatory consecutive term of imprisonment of at least five years.

Seymore appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven and pleaded not guilty to the charges in the indictment.  He is released on a $150,000 bond pending trial.

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

The NHDO Task Force includes members from the DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Connecticut State Police, and the New Haven, Waterbury, East Haven, Branford, West Haven, Ansonia, Meriden, Naugatuck, and Shelton Police Departments.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Lembo and Nathan Guevremont.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that OTILIO GREEN, 44, of Hamden, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 72 months of imprisonment and seven years of supervised release for a child exploitation offense.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between January and March 2025, Synchronoss, a cloud storage provider for Verizon Wireless, submitted eight CyberTipline reports documenting 43 images and five videos of suspected child pornography uploaded to an account associated with Green.  A subsequent court-authorized search of Green’s cloud storage account revealed additional images and videos of suspected child sex abuse material.  The investigation further revealed that, for at least two years prior to his arrest on April 4, 2025, Green used the Telegram app, which he accessed through a hidden folder on his cellphone, and other online platforms to communicate with others to receive numerous sexually explicit images and videos depicting children.

At the time of the offense, Green was employed as an officer with the Yale University Police Department.

Judge Shea ordered Green to pay $5,000 pursuant to the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015, and $5,000 pursuant to the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act of 2018.

On February 27, 2026, Green pleaded guilty to receipt of child pornography.  Released on a $200,000 bond, he is required to report to prison on September 14.

This investigation was conducted by HSI New England, the Connecticut State Police, and the Connecticut Center for Digital Investigations, with the assistance of the Hamden Police Department and the Yale Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nancy V. Gifford with the assistance of Law Student Intern Noah Sullivan.

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

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

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

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ELIZABETH JORDAN, 43, of West Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to 144 months of imprisonment and five years of supervised release for enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 12, 2024, Jordan, after sustained pressure from Joshua Bailey, engaged in sexual activity with a minor who was 17 and livestreamed the activity to Bailey using Facebook messenger.  A subsequent search of Bailey’s phone revealed a series of screenshots of Jordan and the minor engaged in sexual activity.  

Jordan and Bailey have been detained since August 2024 when they were arrested for related state offenses.  On November 3, 2025, they each pleaded guilty in federal court to enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity.

Judge Nagala also ordered Jordan to pay $10,000 pursuant to the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act of 2018.

On March 27, 2026, Judge Nagala sentenced Bailey to 144 months of imprisonment and ordered him to pay $5,000 pursuant to the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015, and $10,000 pursuant to the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act of 2018.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the West Haven Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward Chang with the assistance of Law Student Intern Reva Kale.

U.S. Attorney Sullivan thanked the State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Ansonia/Milford for its cooperation in investigating and prosecuting this matter.

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

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

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, today announced that JOSE COLON, also known as “Uncle Benny,” 61, of Hartford, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Sarah F. Russell in New Haven to a cocaine trafficking charge.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in January and February 2026, an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force revealed that Colon attempted to purchase several kilograms of cocaine and was in possession of a large amount of cash to complete a purchase.  On February 19, 2026, investigators arrested Colon and two associates at Colon’s residence on Pearl Street in Hartford.  A court-authorized search of the residence revealed approximately $52,000 in cash.

Colon pleaded guilty to attempting to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.  Judge Russell scheduled sentencing for November 12.

Colon has been detained since his arrest.

Colon’s criminal history includes a federal heroin trafficking conviction in October 2015, and he is currently on state probation following a conviction for sexual assault in the second degree.

This investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force, which includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Enfield, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, and Windsor Locks Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Reed Durham.

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

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Thomas Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, and Michael Carpenter, Special Agent in Charge of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), today announced that EDISON JOVANNY DUTA PINDO, 43, a citizen of Ecuador unlawfully residing in the United States, has been charged in a seven-count indictment with offenses related to the theft of U.S. Treasury funds.

The indictment alleges that Pindo, who resided in Danbury, maintained accounts at Newtown Savings Bank in his name and in the name of Home Services Pro LLC, a business that was registered with the State of Connecticut.  On April 23, 2024, Pindo deposited a fraudulent U.S. Treasury check in the amount of $53,780.49, made payable to Home Services Pro LLC and Edison Jovanny Duta, into the Home Services Pro LLC account.  The following day he made two withdrawals, each in the amount of $15,000, from Newtown Savings Bank branches in Brookfield and Bethel.

The indictment further alleges that, on May 14, 2024, Pindo deposited a fraudulent U.S. Treasury check in the amount of $150,597.28, made payable to Home Services Pro LLC and Edison Jovanny Duta, into the Home Services Pro LLC account.  That same day, he transferred $50,000 from the business account to his personal account.

On December 3, 2025, a grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging Pindo with two counts of bank fraud, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years on each count, three counts of making illegal monetary transactions, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years on each count, and two counts of passing counterfeit obligations, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count.

Pindo has been detained since he was located and arrested in Danbury on July 16, 2026.  

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

This investigation is being conducted by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, with the assistance of the Danbury Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather L. Cherry.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and P.J. O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the FBI, announced that MATTHEW CRUZ, 36, of West Hartford, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver in Hartford to narcotics distribution and firearm possession offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in February and March 2025, members of the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force made a series of controlled purchases of narcotics from Cruz.  On March 27, 2025, a court-authorized search of Cruz’s residence on Newington Road in West Hartford revealed thousands of bags of packaged fentanyl and loose fentanyl totaling more than 600 grams, approximately 184 grams of heroin, quantities of cocaine and crack, drug processing and packaging materials, six firearms, ammunition, gun magazines, and nearly $14,000 in cash.

Cruz’s criminal history includes multiple felony convictions for state drug offenses.  It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

Cruz pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 100 grams or more of heroin, and other controlled substances, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.  At sentencing, which is scheduled for October 29, Cruz faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

Cruz has been detained since his arrest.

This investigation has been conducted by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and the Hartford and West Hartford Police Departments.  The Task Force includes members from the Connecticut State Police, the Connecticut Department of Correction, and the East Hartford, Hartford, New Britain, West Hartford, Wethersfield, and Newington Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Reed Durham.

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

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JULIO CESAR FERNANDEZ-SALAZAR, 45, a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 18 months of imprisonment for illegally reentering the U.S. as a removed alien.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Fernandez-Salazar has used numerous aliases, including Julio Fernandez, Julio Cesar Salazar, J. Cesar Fernandez-Salazar, Paulo Cesar Salazar, Alejandro Lugo, Jorge Ortigoza, and Julio C. Fernandez-Salazar.  Fernandez-Salazar was first convicted of an immigration violation in October 2007 in the District of Arizona, was sentenced to 45 days of imprisonment, and was voluntarily returned to Mexico.  Prior to this conviction, he had already twice been removed from the United States and had twice returned illegally.  

Fernandez-Salazar again unlawfully returned to the U.S.  In June 2009, he was convicted in Tempe Municipal Court in Arizona of failure to appear and driving with a suspended license and was again deported to Mexico.  In July 2009, U.S. Border Patrol encountered and arrested Fernandez-Salazar near the U.S./Mexico border and he was again deported to Mexico.

Fernandez-Salazar illegally reentered the U.S. and, in October 2014, was convicted in Mesa Municipal Court in Mesa, Arizona, of driving under the influence.  In April 2017, he was convicted in Maricopa County, Arizona, of unlawful imprisonment and solicitation to commit misconduct involving weapons.  In April 2018, he was convicted in the U.S. District Court in Arizona of unlawful reentry and was again deported to Mexico.

On November 27, 2024, Fernandez-Salazar was arrested by the Connecticut State Police in Colchester and charged with illegal operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and drugs, and other offenses.  He was subsequently released on bond.

On July 18, 2025, the U.S. District Court in New Haven issued a criminal complaint charging Fernandez-Salazar with unlawful reentry.  He was located and arrested in Arizona on February 25, 2026, and has been detained since that date.  On May 21, 2026, he pleaded guilty in the District of Connecticut to unlawful reentry of a removed alien.

This matter was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher J. Lembo and Daniel P. Gordon.

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

DIMITRI BEIX, 28, a Dominican and French citizen and resident of Dominica, pleaded guilty yesterday in Hartford federal court to an offense related to his role in the illegal trafficking and export of firearms and firearm components from the United States to Dominica.

U.S. Attorney David X. Sullivan; Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg of the Justice Department’s National Security Division; Special Agent in Charge James Guanci of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement, Boston; Acting Special Agent in Charge Jeff Grimming of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), New England; Acting Inspector in Charge J. Buck Buckley of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division; Special Agent in Charge Thomas A. Greco, ATF Boston Field Division; and Special Agent in Charge Thomas Demeo of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, made the announcement.

According to court documents and statements made in court, from at least January 2021 through September 2024, Beix led a scheme to smuggle firearms, firearm components, and ammunition from the U.S. to Dominica without first having obtained the required licenses or authorization from the U.S. Department of Commerce, in violation of the Export Control Reform Act.  Beix used a network of suppliers, buyers, and shippers in Connecticut and elsewhere in the U.S. to facilitate his illicit procurement of firearms.  Beix provided to his U.S. suppliers a list of firearm parts to purchase on his behalf via eBay and other retailers.  Beix, using his own eBay accounts, also purchased more than 100 firearm parts himself and had the items shipped to individuals in the United States.  Firearms and parts were then shipped to Beix in Dominica.

In February 2023, Dominica authorities intercepted three parcels shipped from the U.S. to Beix in Dominica. The parcels contained six handguns, Glock slides, trigger assemblies, sight assemblies, rifle magazines, pistol magazines, AM15 rifle parts, a suppressor kit, ammunition, and other firearm components. 

Beix pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

Beix has been detained since November 27, 2024, when he was arrested in Sint Maarten at the request of the United States.  He was extradited to the United States in February 2026.

This investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security; Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division.  HSI Caribbean, the Dominica Customs Excise Division, and the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force have assisted the investigation.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Konstantin Lantsman and Sean P. Mahard, and Trial Attorney Yifei Zheng of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.  The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and Sint Maarten authorities provided significant assistance in securing the defendant’s arrest and extradition to the United States.

This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion.  The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad.  Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement toward identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders.  In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.

HSTF New Haven comprises agents and officers from the FBI, DEA, HSI, ATF, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, U.S. Department of Labor, and Connecticut State Police, with prosecutions led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MOETIES BROWN, 32, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver in Hartford to 120 months of imprisonment and four years of supervised release for narcotics distribution and firearm possession offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2024, the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and Bridgeport Police Department learned that Brown was selling narcotics in the vicinity of his residence on Maple Street in Bridgeport.  On November 20, 2024, investigators observed Brown and others engaging in suspected drug sales.  Brown was arrested on state charges after a search of his person revealed a distribution quantity of marijuana, and a search of his vehicle and residence revealed more than 100 grams of fentanyl, two handguns, and ammunition.

Brown’s criminal history includes nine felony convictions, including convictions for committing five gunpoint robberies of delivery workers and cashiers.

Brown has been detained since his federal arrest on May 9, 2025.  On May 19, 2026, he pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon.

This investigation was conducted by the FBI Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force, the Bridgeport Police Department, and the Stratford Police Department.  The Task Force is composed of personnel from the FBI, Connecticut State Police, and the Bridgeport, Fairfield, Norwalk, Trumbull, and Westport Police Departments.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mary G. Vitale and Daniel George.

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

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal jury in Hartford has found ONAI KEDAR WILBERT WRIGHT, 27, of Bridgeport, guilty of child exploitation offenses.

According to the evidence introduced during the trial, on March 14, 2025, an Online Covert Employee (OCE) with the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force in Cleveland, Ohio, monitored a live video stream on the internet application “Fambase” and observed Wright engaging in sexually explicit activity with a 15-year-old female (“minor victim”).  Analysis of mobile communications and geo-location data, and information from AirBnB, led investigators to a residence located in Norwich, Connecticut, where they took Wright into custody.  The minor victim and two adult females were also present in the residence.

An investigation revealed that Wright met the minor victim when she was 14, and that they sometimes recorded themselves engaging in sexual activity and shared the recordings with each other.  Wright also created an OnlyFans account, uploaded sexually explicit videos of the minor victim to the account, and pressured the minor victim to create content for the account.  In early March 2025, Wright and the minor victim traveled to Ohio with the intent on creating more sexually explicit online conduct.  On March 6, 2025, police in Vermilion, Ohio, acting on a tip, conducted a welfare check on the minor victim.  Vermilion Police subsequently contacted the FBI.

Today, the jury found Wright guilty of one count of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in prostitution or criminal sexual activity, one count of production of child pornography, two counts of receipt of child pornography, and one count of transportation of child pornography.

At sentencing, which is not scheduled, Wright faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

Wright been detained since his arrest on related state charges on March 14, 2025.

This investigation has been conducted by the FBI in New Haven and Cleveland, with the assistance of the Norwich Police Department, Bridgeport Police Department, Cromwell Police Department, Ansonia Police Department, the New London State’s Attorney’s Office, the Vermilion (Ohio) Police Department, and the Norwalk (Ohio) Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Angel M. Krull and Katherine E. Boyles.

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

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

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury in Bridgeport has returned an indictment charging HARRY BATCHELOR, JR., 29, of Bridgeport, with illegal transport and disposal of used oil.

The indictment alleges that on or about May 12, 2025, Batchelor and others violated federal and state environmental laws by transporting to, and disposing of, 11 55-gallon drums containing used oil, among other substances, at an abandoned property at 203-205 Homestead Avenue in Hartford.  The location was not an approved recycling or disposal facility for used oil.  The drums leaked used oil onto the neighboring property of a non-profit community organization at 255 Homestead Avenue, which necessitated an environmental cleanup by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

The indictment was returned on July 22, 2026.  Batchelor, who is currently detained in federal custody for alleged violations of his supervised release from a prior federal conviction, appeared today in Hartford federal court and entered a plea of not guilty to the charge.

If convicted of the offense, Batchelor faces a maximum term of imprisonment of two years.

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

This matter is being investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency – Criminal Investigation Division and the Department of Transportation – Office of Inspector General, with assistance provided by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Chen.