Tag:

John Durham

CT Gang Member Known As 'Hood' Sentenced For Gun, Drug Offenses CT Gang Member Known As 'Hood' Sentenced For Gun, Drug Offenses
CT Gang Member Known As 'Hood' Sentenced For Gun, Drug Offenses A Latin Kings gang member who sold crack cocaine to undercover investigators in Connecticut will spend nearly a decade in prison after being sentenced on drug and weapon charges. Jason Figueroa, a convicted felon from Hartford also known as “Hood” and “Hoodie” was sentenced in district court this week to 87 months in prison after pleading guilty last year on multiple charges. Specifically, Figueroa, 31, pleaded guilty on Nov. 23 last year to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of cocaine base, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. U.…
CT Gang Member Known As 'Mafia' Sentenced For Distributing Fentanyl CT Gang Member Known As 'Mafia' Sentenced For Distributing Fentanyl
CT Gang Member Known As 'Mafia' Sentenced For Distributing Fentanyl A Connecticut gang member known as “Mafia” with a rap sheet that spans decades will spend more than three years in prison after admitting to distributing fentanyl. New Haven resident Anthony “Mafia” Esposito, age 52, was sentenced this week in federal court to 46 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release for narcotics trafficking and firearm possession offenses, U.S. Attorney John Durham announced. Durham said that in 2018, the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force began investigating Ricardo Reyes, also known as “Rick the Ruler,” a member of the Los Solidos stree…
CT Man Caught With Heroin, Crack Was Carrying Loaded Gun, Feds Say CT Man Caught With Heroin, Crack Was Carrying Loaded Gun, Feds Say
CT Man Caught With Heroin, Crack Was Carrying Loaded Gun, Feds Say A federal grand jury has returned an indictment against a Connecticut man charging him with narcotics distribution and firearm possession offenses. Ronnell Rogers, 27, of New Haven, was arrested on Thursday, Jan. 28, and entered a not guilty plea during a court appearance and was ordered to be held without bail, said John Durham, U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut. As alleged in the indictment, on Sunday, Jan. 17, Rogers possessed distribution quantities of heroin and crack cocaine, and a loaded Smith & Wesson .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol. It is further alleged tha…
CT Man Admits To Gun Possession, Drug Distribution Charges CT Man Admits To Gun Possession, Drug Distribution Charges
CT Man Admits To Gun Possession, Drug Distribution Charges A Connecticut man has pleaded guilty to drug distribution and firearm possession offenses. Benjamin Gladstone, age 29, of Hartford, pleaded guilty on Monday, Feb. 8, in connection with a 2019 drug case, said John Durham, U.S. States Attorney for the District of Connecticut.  According to court documents and statements made in court, in April 2019, Hartford Police made two controlled purchases of marijuana from Gladstone at his Collins Street residence.   During a following court-authorized search of Gladstone’s residence, investigators found a loaded Taurus 9mm handgun with …
CT Gang Member Known As 'Rick the Ruler' Sentenced For Drug, Firearm Offenses CT Gang Member Known As 'Rick the Ruler' Sentenced For Drug, Firearm Offenses
CT Gang Member Known As 'Rick the Ruler' Sentenced For Drug, Firearm Offenses A Connecticut man has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for trafficking narcotics and firearms. Ricardo Reyes, also known as “Rick the Ruler,” age 41, of Hartford, was sentenced to prison on Thursday, Feb. 11, to be followed by five years of supervised release, said John Durham, U.S. States Attorney for the District of Connecticut. According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2018, the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force began investigating Reyes, a member of the Los Solidos street gang, who was distributing fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and crack in the area of Park…
Duo Nabbed For Kidnapping, Murder Of Massachusetts Man Found In Connecticut Duo Nabbed For Kidnapping, Murder Of Massachusetts Man Found In Connecticut
Duo Nabbed For Kidnapping, Murder Of Massachusetts Man Found In Connecticut Two men have been charged for their alleged involvement in the kidnapping and murder of a Massachusetts man whose body was found in a burning vehicle in Connecticut. Bradon Batiste, 33, of Spring, Massachusetts, and Calvin Roberson, 38, of Waterbury, were arrested Thursday, Feb. 11, for the Dec. 26 death of a Massachusetts man found in Hartford, said John Durham, U.S. States Attorney for the District of Connecticut.  Batiste was arrested in Athens, Georgia, and Roberson was arrested in Waterbury.  Shortly before 9 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 26, Hartford police and fire personnel resp…
Dealer In Fairfield County Known As 'Macho' Accused Of Distributing Opioids, Heroin, Cocaine Dealer In Fairfield County Known As 'Macho' Accused Of Distributing Opioids, Heroin, Cocaine
Dealer In Fairfield County Known As 'Macho' Accused Of Distributing Opioids, Heroin, Cocaine A Fairfield County man has been sentenced to 5 years in federal prison for narcotics distribution and ammunition possession offenses. Luis Martinez, also known as “Macho,” 55, of Stratford, was sentenced Tuesday, Jan. 26, to prison time, followed by three years of supervised release, said John Durham, U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut.  According to court documents and statements made in court, in the summer of 2017, members of the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and Bridgeport Police Department began investigating individuals who were distributing narcotics in and…
CT Man Known As 'Scoot' Sentenced For Role In Drug Ring, Feds Say CT Man Known As 'Scoot' Sentenced For Role In Drug Ring, Feds Say
CT Man Known As 'Scoot' Sentenced For Role In Drug Ring, Feds Say A 30-year-old man had been sentenced to 21 months in prison for his role in a Connecticut-based drug trafficking ring. Tyrese Stanley, also known as “Scoot,” of New Haven, was sentenced Tuesday, Jan. 26, to prison time, followed by four years of supervised release, said John Durham, U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut. Stanley was also ordered to serve the first three months of his supervised release in home confinement. According to Durham, the matter stems from an investigation headed by the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force and New Haven Police Department that targe…
CT Man Sentenced For Making Hoax Threats, Feds Say CT Man Sentenced For Making Hoax Threats, Feds Say
CT Man Sentenced For Making Hoax Threats, Feds Say A Connecticut man was sentenced to nine years in prison for making numerous hoax threats, and for violating the conditions of his supervised release that followed his earlier federal convictions for sending threatening communications. Gary Joseph Gravelle, also known as Roland Prejean, 53, of New Haven, was sentenced on Wednesday, Jan. 27, followed by three years of supervised release, said John Durham, U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut.  According to court documents and statements made in court, on Friday, July 19, 2013, Gravelle was sentenced in Bridgeport federal court t…
Felon From Fairfield County Sentenced For Making Threat While Armed, Feds Say Felon From Fairfield County Sentenced For Making Threat While Armed, Feds Say
Felon From Fairfield County Sentenced For Making Threat While Armed, Feds Say A Fairfield County man has been sentenced to 48 months in prison for the illegal possession of a handgun and for making threats while armed. Marques Milton, 36, of Bridgeport, also known as “Biz,” was sentenced Tuesday, Jan. 26, to prison time followed by three years of supervised release, said John Durham, U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut. According to court documents and statements made in court, on Thursday, March 1, 2018, Bridgeport police officers arrested Milton in connection with a gunpoint threatening incident that occurred in February 2018.   At the time of …
CT Woman Sentenced For Theft Of Social Security Benefits CT Woman Sentenced For Theft Of Social Security Benefits
CT Woman Sentenced For Theft Of Social Security Benefits A Connecticut woman has been sentenced to three months in prison for illegally receiving Social Security benefits. Omayra Santiago, 44, of Waterbury, was sentenced on Thursday, Jan. 28, to prison time followed by three years of supervised release, said John Durham, U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut.d According to court documents and statements made in court, for approximately 13 years, Santiago received monthly Social Security benefits from the Social Security Administration in the form of Supplemental Security Income.   Santiago was the representative payee of her ch…
CT Man Known As 'Buck' Charged For Murder Of 21-Year-Old CT Man Known As 'Buck' Charged For Murder Of 21-Year-Old
CT Man Known As 'Buck' Charged For Murder Of 21-Year-Old A 30-year-old man already behind bars for distributing heroin is facing life in prison or the death penalty after being charged with a drug-related murder of a man in Hartford nearly seven years ago. Antwane Williams-Bey, also known as “Buck,” has been charged for his role in the murder of Valentin Santos Jr., 21, in Hartford, on Aug. 12, 2013. U.S. Attorney John Durham said that on Sept. 24 last year, a federal grand jury indicted Williams-Bey with murder for the shooting death of Santos, allegedly in relation and to further his drug trafficking. Durham said that the murder was done “deli…
CT Man Sentenced For Dealing Fentanyl CT Man Sentenced For Dealing Fentanyl
CT Man Sentenced For Dealing Fentanyl A Connecticut man has been sentenced to five years in prison for distributing fentanyl. Mike Cruz, age 31, of Manchester, also known as Mike Flores, and “Mega,” also age 31, was sentenced to the prison term on Thursday, Jan. 14, followed by four years of supervised release, and a $10,000 fine, said John Durham, U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut. According to court documents and statements made in court, in January 2020, law enforcement received information that Cruz was distributing large quantities of narcotics from his Manchester apartment.  In Feb. 2020, investigat…
CT Contractor To Pay $3.2 Million To Resolve Criminal, Civil Investigation CT Contractor To Pay $3.2 Million To Resolve Criminal, Civil Investigation
CT Contractor To Pay $3.2 Million To Resolve Criminal, Civil Investigation A Connecticut electrical contractor has been fined $3.2 million for alleged fraud connected with public construction contracts. Ducci Electrical Contractors, Inc., of Farmington, was ordered to pay the fine, along with internal reforms to as part of a criminal and civil investigation into its business practices, said John Durham, U.S. States Attorney for the District of Connecticut. According to the state attorney, in April 2007, the state of Connecticut Department of Transportation selected Ducci Electrical to be the prime contractor for a construction contract valued at $79,234,692 to rep…
CT Accountant Sentenced For Tax Evasion, Obstruction Offenses CT Accountant Sentenced For Tax Evasion, Obstruction Offenses
CT Accountant Sentenced For Tax Evasion, Obstruction Offenses A Connecticut man has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for tax evasion and obstruction offenses. New Haven County resident Louis DeMaio, age 70, of Guilford, was sentenced Tuesday, Jan. 12, to prison time, followed by one year of supervised release, said John Durham US Attorney for the District of Connecticut. According to court documents and statements made in court, DeMaio was employed as an accountant in East Haven and, from approximately 2010 to 2018, also operated Almatt LLC, a temporary employment agency that provided day laborers to construction companies.   Although …
Felon Sentenced For Possessing Firearms In Fairfield County Felon Sentenced For Possessing Firearms In Fairfield County
Felon Sentenced For Possessing Firearms In Fairfield County A convicted felon with a lengthy rap sheet is heading back to prison after being sentenced on new weapons charges. Bridgeport resident Antonio Johnson, 27, was sentenced to 66 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty in 2019 for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. U.S. Attorney John Durham said that Johnson, whose criminal history includes convictions for conspiring to commit robbery and witness tampering, provided DeWayne “Weezy” Joyner a handgun that was to be used during an armed robbery. Durham said that in September 2017, Joyner …
Ex-CT Teacher Who Posed As Teen Sentenced For Soliciting, Receiving, Distributing Child Porn Ex-CT Teacher Who Posed As Teen Sentenced For Soliciting, Receiving, Distributing Child Porn
Ex-CT Teacher Who Posed As Teen Sentenced For Soliciting, Receiving, Distributing Child Porn An ex-teacher from Connecticut has been sentenced to 70 months in prison for soliciting, receiving, and distributing child pornography. Dylan Koerner, 29, of New Britain, formerly of West Hartford, was sentenced Monday, Jan. 4, said U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut John Durham. In addition to the 70 months in prison, Koerner was also sentenced to three years of supervised release. According to court documents and statements made in court, between July 2019 and October 2019, Koerner used a false identity and posed as a teenager on Kik, an internet mobile application, to solicit…
Mexican National Connected To CT Drug Ring Sentenced Mexican National Connected To CT Drug Ring Sentenced
Mexican National Connected To CT Drug Ring Sentenced A Mexican national connected to a large Connecticut drug ring has been sentenced to prison. Lorenzo Morales-Arambula, also known as “Viejo,” 59, a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced Tuesday, Dec. 22, to 156 months of imprisonment for trafficking cocaine and heroin, said U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut John Durham. Morales-Arambula's sentencing stems from a joint investigation headed by the DEA New Haven Task Force, FBI, and New Haven Police Department that included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of heroin and cocaine, and seizures of bulk heroin and c…
CT Man Admits Having Unregistered Firearms CT Man Admits Having Unregistered Firearms
CT Man Admits Having Unregistered Firearms A New Haven man waived his right to a trial and pleaded guilty to possessing unregistered firearms. Rapheal Dancer, 38, of Wallingford, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty on Thursday, Dec. 17, to possessing unregistered firearms, in violation of the National Firearms Act, said John Durham, U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut. According to court documents and statements made in court, on Friday, Jan. 24, federal law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at Dancer’s Wallingford residence and found several firearms regulated under the National Firearms Act (NFA…
Manchester Drug Mill Boss Busted With $70K, Psychedelics, Fentanyl Manchester Drug Mill Boss Busted With $70K, Psychedelics, Fentanyl
Manchester Drug Mill Boss Busted With $70K, Psychedelics, Fentanyl An ex-convict is facing up to life in prison after he was allegedly caught with a huge stash of hallucinogenic drugs and cash among other illegal items. Luis Ciuro, 36, of East Haven, waived his right to be indicted and pled guilty as part of a plea deal on Friday, Nov. 20, according to the office of U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut John Durham.  Ciuro is currently being held in custody pending sentencing in February.  Previously, Ciuro served 84 months in prison after reportedly conspiring to sell crack cocaine in 2008.  According to court documents, Mancheste…
Former Fairfield County Resident Sentenced For Distributing Heroin, Having Destructive Devices Former Fairfield County Resident Sentenced For Distributing Heroin, Having Destructive Devices
Former Fairfield County Resident Sentenced For Distributing Heroin, Having Destructive Devices A former Fairfield County resident is heading to prison after being sentenced for his role in a drug distribution ring and for possessing “destructive devices.” Jesse Papcun, also known as “Steve,” 32, formerly of Stratford, was sentenced in Hartford district court to 37 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release for distributing heroin in Connecticut. In 2017, members of the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and Bridgeport Police Department began investigating individuals who were distributing narcotics in and around Bridgeport,” U.S. Attorney John Durham said. …
CT Trio Admit To Illegally Scuttling Abandoned Vessels On Long Island Sound CT Trio Admit To Illegally Scuttling Abandoned Vessels On Long Island Sound
CT Trio Admit To Illegally Scuttling Abandoned Vessels On Long Island Sound Three men from Connecticut are facing up to a year in prison and fines after admitting to scuttling abandoned boats in the Long Island Sound. Southbury resident John Magness, 71, Peter Albrecht, 70, of Norwalk, and Carlos Santos, 60, of Westbrook, pleaded guilty to a federal charge related to the destruction of several sailboats and motorboats between the Black Rock Harbor and the Pennfield Reef Lighthouse in Long Island Sound. U.S. Attorney John Durham said that Magness was the owner of Bluefish Cove Marina in Bridgeport who was attempting to sell the property two years ago. Magness and A…
CT Nurse Admits To Illegally Writing Prescriptions For Oxycodone, Xanax CT Nurse Admits To Illegally Writing Prescriptions For Oxycodone, Xanax
CT Nurse Admits To Illegally Writing Prescriptions For Oxycodone, Xanax A registered nurse in Connecticut is facing prison time for allegedly writing hundreds of illegal prescriptions that were used to obtain thousands of Oxycodone and Xanax pills. Cheshire resident Lisa Alexander, 54, pleaded guilty in New Haven district court to a charge stemming from her writing prescriptions or controlled substances that were not used for legitimate medical purposes. U.S. Attorney John Durham said that prior to her arrest, Alexander was a licensed Advanced Practice Registered Nurse and held a DEA controlled substance registration that allowed her to prescribe Schedule II th…
NY Man Sentenced For Trafficking Heroin In Connecticut NY Man Sentenced For Trafficking Heroin In Connecticut
NY Man Sentenced For Trafficking Heroin In Connecticut An extensive investigation into drug trafficking in Connecticut led to the arrest of a drug dealer who will spend the better part of a decade behind bars. Brooklyn resident Brian Hanna, known as “Zo,” age 52, was sentenced to 72 months in prison, followed by four years of supervised release for trafficking heroin in Connecticut. Hanna’s arrest came following a joint investigation headed by the DEA New Haven Task Force and the Waterbury and Naugatuck Police Departments into a heroin and cocaine trafficking operation headed by Keith Jordan of Waterbury. U.S. Attorney John Durham said that th…
Dealer Known As 'Smooth' Sentenced For Trafficking Drugs In Parts Of Fairfield County Dealer Known As 'Smooth' Sentenced For Trafficking Drugs In Parts Of Fairfield County
Dealer Known As 'Smooth' Sentenced For Trafficking Drugs In Parts Of Fairfield County A drug dealer will spend nearly a decade behind bars after admitting to trafficking narcotics in parts of Fairfield and New Haven counties. Bridgeport resident Evan Sheffield, also known as “Smooth,” was sentenced to 97 months in prison, followed by four years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to trafficking heroin, fentanyl, and crack cocaine. U.S. Attorney John Durham said that in the summer of 2017, members of the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and Bridgeport Police Department began investigating a drug trafficking ring that distributing narcotics in and around Bridg…
Man Sentenced For Trafficking Heroin, Cocaine In Connecticut Man Sentenced For Trafficking Heroin, Cocaine In Connecticut
Man Sentenced For Trafficking Heroin, Cocaine In Connecticut A citizen of the Dominican Republic last known to be living in Litchfield County is facing deportation after being sentenced for trafficking heroin and cocaine in Connecticut. Henly Feliz Santiago, 43, who was last residing in Torrington, was sentenced this week in Bridgeport District Court to 48 months in prison following his guilty plea in January last year. Specifically, Santiago pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribution of, one kilogram or more of heroin.  At the conclusion of his prison sentence, Santiago will face immigratio…
CT Woman Sentenced For Embezzling More Than $580K CT Woman Sentenced For Embezzling More Than $580K
CT Woman Sentenced For Embezzling More Than $580K A Connecticut woman will spend more than three years. behind bars after embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from her former employer over the course of several years. Simsbury resident Pamela Hill, 55, was sentenced in New Haven District Court to 41 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for embezzling approximately $584,000 between 2013 and 2018. "While serving as a controller for a company, Hill wrote company checks to herself, applied signature stamps with the owner’s signature to the checks, and deposited the checks into her own bank account,” U.S. Attorn…
Convicted CT Burglar Admits To Illegal Possessing Weapon Convicted CT Burglar Admits To Illegal Possessing Weapon
Convicted CT Burglar Admits To Illegal Possessing Weapon A previously convicted burglar could face 10 additional years behind bars for illegally possessing a firearm while in prison, said United States Attorney John Durham.  Tyrell Cox-Henderson, 27, of New Haven, was reportedly found in possession of a Smith & Wesson .357 caliber revolver on April 10 of 2019.  He had previously been convicted of the felony of third-degree burglary, making him eligible for a felony charge of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.  Moreover, because the weapon was found on his person while he was incarcerated, he was additionall…
Man Admits Using Fake Credit Cards To Steal Thousands At 15 CT Lowe's Locations Man Admits Using Fake Credit Cards To Steal Thousands At 15 CT Lowe's Locations
Man Admits Using Fake Credit Cards To Steal Thousands At 15 CT Lowe's Locations A fraudster admitted to using fake credit cards in multiple states - specifically Connecticut - to steal thousands of dollars from Lowe’s. New York City resident Larell David, 30, of Manhattan, pleaded guilty in Bridgeport this week to a scheme through which he defrauded the home improvement store out of more than $183,000. Specifically, David was charged with one count of access device fraud. U.S. Attorney John Durham said that between July 2017 and March 2018, David produced more than 100 counterfeit credit cards in the name of “Kevin Douglas,” which were encoded with legitimate credit c…
Long Island Woman Sentenced For ID Theft, Credit Card Fraud Scheme Long Island Woman Sentenced For ID Theft, Credit Card Fraud Scheme
Long Island Woman Sentenced For ID Theft, Credit Card Fraud Scheme A Long Island woman on supervised release after being convicted of running scams in Kentucky will spend years in prison and was ordered to pay more than a million dollars in restitution for an identity and credit card fraud scheme. Amityville resident Lisa Reid, 47, has been sentenced to 90 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release after she targeted dozens of victims as part of an elaborate scheme that ran for nearly two years. In addition to her time behind bars, Reid was also ordered to pay $1,009,235.69 in restitution to her victims. U.S. Attorney John Durham said…
Healthcare Provider In Fairfield County Ordered To Pay $354K For Improper Billing Healthcare Provider In Fairfield County Ordered To Pay $354K For Improper Billing
Healthcare Provider In Fairfield County Ordered To Pay $354K For Improper Billing A healthcare organization that provides substance abuse and mental health services in Fairfield County, has agreed to pay more than $350,000 in restitution for overcharging for certain services. U.S. Attorney John Durham said that Recovery Network of Programs Inc. (RNP) has entered into a civil settlement with the government to pay $354,367 to resolve allegations that it caused overpayments for urine drug testing services to be paid by the Connecticut Medicaid Program. RNP provides behavioral health and substance use disorder services to Medicaid beneficiaries. An audit by the State of Co…