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U.S. Attorney John Durham

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CT Man Sentenced For Credit Card Fraud, Identity Theft Offenses CT Man Sentenced For Credit Card Fraud, Identity Theft Offenses
CT Man Sentenced For Credit Card Fraud, Identity Theft Offenses A career criminal with a rap sheet spanning nearly four decades will spend more time behind bars after being sentenced for a fraud scheme that swindled dozens out of nearly $150,000, federal prosecutors announced. Steven Finkler, also known as Andrew Finkler, last known to reside in New Haven, has been sentenced to 96 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to credit card fraud and identity theft offenses last year. Specifically, Finkler, age 56, pleaded guilty to one count of access device fraud (credit card fraud), one count of wire fraud, an…

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by Zak Failla
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CT Man Accused Of Attempting To Sex Traffic Minor, Distributing Child Pornography CT Man Accused Of Attempting To Sex Traffic Minor, Distributing Child Pornography
CT Man Accused Of Attempting To Sex Traffic Minor, Distributing Child Pornography A Connecticut man is facing charges for allegedly attempting to sex traffic a minor and distributing child and incest pornography on social media, federal prosecutors said. Bristol resident Robert Marlin Sellers, age 60, was arrested this week and charged in a federal criminal complaint with child exploitation offenses related to his attempt to engage in commercial sex with a minor, U.S. Attorney John Durham announced. Investigators launched an investigation into Sellers late in 2020 after receiving a tip that Sellers was sharing videos of child sex abuse on a website that is focused on inc…

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by Zak Failla
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CT Man Charged With Federal Narcotics, Firearm Offenses CT Man Charged With Federal Narcotics, Firearm Offenses
CT Man Charged With Federal Narcotics, Firearm Offenses A convicted felon in Connecticut is back in custody and facing federal drug and weapon charges after being busted by the DEA, officials said. Hartford resident Christopher Alamo was arrested on Thursday, Jan. 14 on federal narcotics distribution and firearm possession charges and is currently being detained pending his next court appearance on Tuesday, Jan. 19. U.S. Attorney John Durham said that the DEA’s Hartford Task Force identified Alamo as an alleged distributor of heroin and cocaine in Connecticut, New York, and in other states. On Wednesday, Jan. 13, Alamo was arrested following a …

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by Zak Failla
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Gang Members In Fairfield County Charged With Drug Trafficking, Committing Four Murders Gang Members In Fairfield County Charged With Drug Trafficking, Committing Four Murders
Gang Members In Fairfield County Charged With Drug Trafficking, Committing Four Murders Four “East End” gang members in Fairfield County are facing murder, drug, and racketeering charges as part of a federal investigation into crime in Connecticut. To address escalating violence in Bridgeport, the FBI, ATF, DEA, U.S. Marshals, and Bridgeport Police Department launched an investigation into the gang who are involved in narcotics trafficking, murder, and other acts of violence, leading to the new arrests of several members. The latest indictment alleges that the East End gang distributed heroin, crack cocaine, marijuana, and Percocet pills; used and shared firearms; murdere…

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by Zak Failla
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Former CT Resident Admits To Possessing Child Sex Abuse Images Former CT Resident Admits To Possessing Child Sex Abuse Images
Former CT Resident Admits To Possessing Child Sex Abuse Images A former Connecticut resident convicted of sexually abusing a minor in 1996 will spend at least a decade behind bars after admitting to possessing child pornography. Michelle Lynn Gschlect, who lived in New Haven, formerly known as Richard Gschlect, pleaded guilty in district court this week to one count of child pornography following her arrest in 2019. U.S. Attorney John Durham said that in August 2016, Gschlect was convicted in state court of sexual assault related to the aggravated sexual abuse of a minor. In July 2015, Gschlect was also convicted in state court of possessing child porn…

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by Zak Failla
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Business Owner, Professional Poker Player In Fairfield County Admits To Tax Evasion Business Owner, Professional Poker Player In Fairfield County Admits To Tax Evasion
Business Owner, Professional Poker Player In Fairfield County Admits To Tax Evasion A professional poker player from Fairfield County who ran a construction business admitted to a near million dollar tax evasion scheme. Shelton resident Guy Smith, 62, who operates Centerline Interiors LLC, which specializes in commercial interior construction, pleaded guilty this week to one count of tax evasion after failing to pay tax on more than $1 million in gambling winnings. Smith is also a professional poker player who has participated in poker tournaments at casinos in Connecticut and other locations around the U.S. and The Bahamas. Smith withdrew funds from both his business…

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by Zak Failla
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Fairfield County Man Charged After Declaring Bankruptcy Despite Life Insurance Payout Fairfield County Man Charged After Declaring Bankruptcy Despite Life Insurance Payout
Fairfield County Man Charged After Declaring Bankruptcy Despite Life Insurance Payout A Bridgeport man could face five years in prison after neglecting to mention while under oath that he was the beneficiary of a $100,000 life insurance policy for his mother, who died nine days after he filed for bankruptcy. Anthony Faustini, 57, was $86,862 in debt according to the office of the Connecticut U.S. Attorney. He reportedly filed for bankruptcy on March 12 of 2018; nine days later, his mother passed away.  On April 18 of that year, Faustini testified in bankruptcy court. When he was specifically asked whether "anybody died and left you any money," Faustini said "no" under o…

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by Christina Coulter
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CT Sex Offender Admits To Receiving Child Porn CT Sex Offender Admits To Receiving Child Porn
CT Sex Offender Admits To Receiving Child Porn A registered sex offender in Connecticut is heading back to prison after being busted for attempting to sexually entice a teenager, possessing child porn while living in a halfway house, and taking elaborate steps in an attempt to cover it up. Philip Frost, formerly of Waterbury, will spend at least 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to possessing child pornography following a conviction for a child exploitation offense. U.S. Attorney John Durham said that in March 2016, Frost was convicted in state court of possessing child pornography.  On October 1 last year, while Frost was …

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by Zak Failla
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Postal Supervisor From Fairfield County Admits To Stealing Packages Postal Supervisor From Fairfield County Admits To Stealing Packages
Postal Supervisor From Fairfield County Admits To Stealing Packages A former U.S. Postal Service supervisor from Fairfield County is facing jail time after admitting to stealing packages filled with expensive electronics from a Connecticut post office. Stratford resident Zoheb Deura, 34, pleaded guilty this week in Bridgeport district court to embezzlement of mail by a U.S. Postal Service employee. Between February and April, U.S. Attorney John Durham said that while still employed as a supervisor at the U.S. Post Office in Middletown, Deura stole numerous packages, including packages containing an Apple computer, PlayStation and Nintendo gaming devices, an…

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by Zak Failla
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Man Sentenced For Defrauding Connecticut Art Dealer Man Sentenced For Defrauding Connecticut Art Dealer
Man Sentenced For Defrauding Connecticut Art Dealer A 71-year-old Massachusetts man who attempted to pull a one-over on a respected Connecticut art dealer and appraiser has will avoid prison after he admitted to attempting to dupe him by falsely representing an alleged desk from the Civil War during a sale. Worcester County resident Harold Gordon, of Templeton, was sentenced to five years probation after pleading guilty last year to one count of wire fraud after he attempted to scam his victim out of nearly $65,000. In October 2012, Gordon began a transaction with a Connecticut art dealer in an attempt to induce him to purchase a secret…

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by Zak Failla
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Stamford Man Admits To Trafficking Heroin In Connecticut Stamford Man Admits To Trafficking Heroin In Connecticut
Stamford Man Admits To Trafficking Heroin In Connecticut A drug dealer in Connecticut may spend the rest of his life in prison after admitting to distributing heroin in Fairfield County. For the second time, Stamford resident Joaquin Veras - who has a previous conviction for drug trafficking - pleaded guilty to distributing heroin in Connecticut. Specifically, Veras, 46, pleaded to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, one kilogram or more of heroin. He previously was sentenced in August 2011 to 57 months in prison for conspiring to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin. U.S. Attorney John Durham said that in M…

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by Zak Failla
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Fairfield County Drug Dealer Known As "Weezy' Sentenced For Distributing Heroin Fairfield County Drug Dealer Known As "Weezy' Sentenced For Distributing Heroin
Fairfield County Drug Dealer Known As "Weezy' Sentenced For Distributing Heroin A Fairfield County drug dealer who goes by the nickname “Weezy” will spend more than a decade being bars after found guilty by a federal grand jury of distributing heroin in Connecticut. Bridgeport resident Dewayne "Weezy" Joyner was sentenced to 180 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release after he was found guilty in New Haven federal court of possessing and distributing heroin in the area, U.S. Attorney John Durham announced. In the summer of 2017, members of the ATF, DEA, and Bridgeport Police Department, who were investigating narcotics trafficking in Bridgeport’s…

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by Zak Failla
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CT Man Admits To Using App To Receive, Distribute Child Porn CT Man Admits To Using App To Receive, Distribute Child Porn
CT Man Admits To Using App To Receive, Distribute Child Porn A 29-year-old Connecticut man will spend mandatory time behind bars after admitting to posing as a teenager, then disseminating and receiving child pornography through a social media app. New Britain resident Dylan Koerner, formerly of West Hartford, pleaded guilty on Monday, Sept. 21 to the distribution of child pornography through Kik. U.S. Attorney John Durham said that between July and October last year, Koerner used a false identity, posed as a teenager on the mobile app to solicit child pornography from other Kik users he believed to be minor females. Koerner also admitted to distrib…

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by Zak Failla
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CT Dealer Sentenced For Trafficking Fentanyl, Other Drugs, Possessing Shotgun CT Dealer Sentenced For Trafficking Fentanyl, Other Drugs, Possessing Shotgun
CT Dealer Sentenced For Trafficking Fentanyl, Other Drugs, Possessing Shotgun A 28-year-old man will spend more than a decade in prison for drug trafficking and possessing an illegal short-barrel shotgun, federal prosecutors announced. Hartford resident Danny Castillo, 28, has been sentenced to 128 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for trafficking fentanyl, other drugs, and possessing a short-barrel shotgun. In August 2018, the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and the Hartford Police Department received a tip that Castillo and his associate, Pascual Ivan Medina, were distributing fentanyl in and around the city. The investigatio…

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by Zak Failla
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Stamford Man Sentenced For Distributing Child Sexual Abuse Images, Other Offenses Stamford Man Sentenced For Distributing Child Sexual Abuse Images, Other Offenses
Stamford Man Sentenced For Distributing Child Sexual Abuse Images, Other Offenses A Stamford man will spend the better part of a decade behind bars for possessing and distributing child porn. Stamford resident Alexander Oliveira, 32, was sentenced in New Haven district court to 96 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release for child exploitation charges. U.S. Attorney John Durham said that an undercover FBI special agent communicated with Oliveira on an internet message board and through email during their investigation.  During those conversations, Oliveira discussed his interest in child pornography, Durham said. On one occasion, Oliveira to…

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by Zak Failla
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Man Sentenced For Role In Fairfield County Drug Ring Man Sentenced For Role In Fairfield County Drug Ring
Man Sentenced For Role In Fairfield County Drug Ring A Fairfield County man will spend two years in prison for his role in a drug trafficking organization in southern Connecticut. Norwalk resident Donald Lawlor, 40, was sentenced in Hartford federal court to 24 months in prison, followed by a year of supervised release after pleading guilty last year to one count of use of a telephone to facilitate a narcotics trafficking offense. 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 suspects who were distributing narcotics in and…

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by Zak Failla
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Fairfield County Tax Preparer Sentenced For Defrauding IRS Of Nearly $1M Fairfield County Tax Preparer Sentenced For Defrauding IRS Of Nearly $1M
Fairfield County Tax Preparer Sentenced For Defrauding IRS Of Nearly $1M A tax preparer in Fairfield County will spend months in prison after admitting to preparing hundreds of false tax returns for clients. Veronica Huitzil, 39, was sentenced in Bridgeport district court to six months in prison, followed by one year of supervised release after pleading guilty to preparing false tax returns and defrauding the IRS out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Huitzil, of Bridgeport, operated a tax return preparation practice in Bridgeport, assisting in the preparation and filing of more than 3,700 federal tax returns for the 2014 through 2018 tax years, U.S. Attorney …

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by Zak Failla
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Felon From Fairfield County Had Loaded Rifle With Obliterated Serial Number, Feds Say Felon From Fairfield County Had Loaded Rifle With Obliterated Serial Number, Feds Say
Felon From Fairfield County Had Loaded Rifle With Obliterated Serial Number, Feds Say A convicted felon from Fairfield County is facing prison time after being caught in possession with a loaded rifle that had an obliterated serial number. Norwalk resident Tyrome Sawyer - also known as “Tyrone Sawyer,” and “Crack” - was charged in New Haven federal court with unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. It is alleged that on April 19 last year, Sawyer, 30, possessed a loaded Hi-Point model 995, 9mm rifle with an obliterated serial number, in Norwalk. Prior to that bust, Sawyer had been previously convicted in state court of felony firearm, drug and escape offe…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Five Charged After Probe Of Fairfield County Murder, Other Violent Acts Five Charged After Probe Of Fairfield County Murder, Other Violent Acts
Five Charged After Probe Of Fairfield County Murder, Other Violent Acts Five suspects are facing charges for their roles in a 2018 Fairfield County murder and string of other violent acts, federal officials announced. U.S. Attorney John Durham announced that the investigation into a Bridgeport murder in 2018 led to the arrests of five in Connecticut. The arrests came as part of a multi-jurisdictional law enforcement investigation into the Original North End (ONE), a group based out of the Trumbull Gardens area of Bridgeport. Those charged include: Henry “Mills” Flow, 21, of Bridgeport; Shakale Brantley, also known as “Charlie Wilson,” “Kellz,” and “Man Man…

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by Zak Failla
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Bridgeport Man Sentenced For Firearm Offenses Related To Drug Trafficking Bridgeport Man Sentenced For Firearm Offenses Related To Drug Trafficking
Bridgeport Man Sentenced For Firearm Offenses Related To Drug Trafficking A convicted felon from Fairfield County will spend a decade behind bars after admitting to new weapons charges after he was busted with an illegal semi-automatic pistol and heroin while on supervised release from federal prison. Bridgeport resident Lynwood Cogdell, 32, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty in New Haven federal court to two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, U.S. Attorney John Durham announced. He had been initially charged on a six-count indictment. On May 1, 2015, Cogdell pleaded guilty in federal court …

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by Zak Failla
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Fairfield County Substance Abuse Treatment Provider Pays $295K For Improper Billing Fairfield County Substance Abuse Treatment Provider Pays $295K For Improper Billing
Fairfield County Substance Abuse Treatment Provider Pays $295K For Improper Billing A substance abuse treatment center with locations in Fairfield County has agreed to pay nearly $300,000 to settle allegations of improper billing over the course of several months. Connecticut Counseling Centers (CCC), which operates methadone clinics in Danbury and throughout Connecticut, will pay the state and federal government $295,211 in a settlement involving overpaying for drug testing, U.S. Attorney John Durham announced. According to Durham, CCC is a healthcare organization that provides outpatient substance abuse and mental health services in Connecticut, with clinics located in F…

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by Zak Failla
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Couple Accused Of Committing Armed Robberies At Five CT Gas Stations In March Couple Accused Of Committing Armed Robberies At Five CT Gas Stations In March
Couple Accused Of Committing Armed Robberies At Five CT Gas Stations In March A career criminal is facing new charges for alleged armed robberies at five Connecticut gas stations while using a teenager as a lookout. New Haven resident William Rosario Lopez, 34, and New Britain resident Solimar Rodriguez Gonzalez, 19, have been charged with federal offenses for their roles in multiple armed robberies of gas stations last month. U.S. Attorney John Durham said that on Wednesday, March 18, Rosario Lopez entered the Shell gas station on Hartford Turnpike in Vernon wearing a black mask.  He pointed a silver pistol at the store clerk, grabbed him by his collar and mar…

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by Zak Failla
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CT Man Charged With Threatening To Kill Congressman CT Man Charged With Threatening To Kill Congressman
CT Man Charged With Threatening To Kill Congressman A Connecticut man is facing federal charges for allegedly threatening to murder California Congressman Adam Schiff with his bare hands. Robert Phelps, 62, of Torrington, was arrested and charged in federal court with one count of threatening to assault and murder a U.S. official, U.S. Attorney John Durham announced. He was taken into custody on Friday, March 13, and charged on Monday, March 16. It is alleged that on Nov. 12, last year, the office of U.S. Representative Adam Schiff, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee who headed the House's team in impeachment proceedings of Pre…

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by Zak Failla
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Ex-CFO Manipulated Documents To Overcharge Customers, Feds Say Ex-CFO Manipulated Documents To Overcharge Customers, Feds Say
Ex-cfo Manipulated Documents To Overcharge Customers, Feds Say The former chief financial officer of a Connecticut company has been indicted by a federal grand jury charging him with fraud offenses. Torrington Joseph Nader, 53, the CFO of RAM Specialty Fabrications, a company specializing in sheet metal fabrication services in Naugatuck, was charged in a six-count indictment by a federal grand jury in New Haven, U.S. Attorney John Durham announced. It is alleged that from 2013 through February 2017, while serving as CFO, Nader defrauded his company by making false representations to the company’s owners regarding the company’s financial status.&nb…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Former Bus Driver Admits To Child Enticement Former Bus Driver Admits To Child Enticement
Former Bus Driver Admits To Child Enticement An area school bus driver admitted to sexually soliciting a teenage girl who was a passenger on his route, U.S. Attorney John Durham announced. Bridgeport resident Jose Manuel Santos, 37, pleaded guilty in New Haven district court to enticing a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity for his relationship with a 13-year-old girl.  At the time of his arrest, Santos was a bus and van driver in Connecticut who transported children going to and from a middle school in Wallingford. U.S. Attorney John Durham said that in October 2018, police received information that Santos was sexua…

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by Zak Failla
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Norwalk Man On Federal Supervised Release Sentenced For Possessing Gun Norwalk Man On Federal Supervised Release Sentenced For Possessing Gun
Norwalk Man On Federal Supervised Release Sentenced For Possessing Gun A convict from Fairfield County is heading back to prison for violating conditions of his supervised release by possessing an illegal weapon and crack cocaine. Sentrell Bookhardt, also known as “Scab,” 33, of Norwalk was sentenced in Bridgeport district court to 84 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release for illegally possessing a firearm and violating the conditions of his supervised release from a prior federal conviction. U.S. Attorney John Durham said that in January 2014, Bookhardt was sentenced in Hartford federal court to 60 months in prison, followed by three …

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by Zak Failla
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Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty After Arrest In Stamford For Possessing Loaded Gun, Heroin Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty After Arrest In Stamford For Possessing Loaded Gun, Heroin
Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty After Arrest In Stamford For Possessing Loaded Gun, Heroin A convicted felon from Fairfield County admitted to new weapons charges after he was busted with an illegal semi-automatic pistol and heroin while on supervised release from federal prison. Bridgeport resident Lynwood Cogdell, 32, pleaded guilty in New Haven federal court to two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, U.S. Attorney John Durham announced. He had been initially charged on a six-count indictment. On May 1, 2015, Cogdell pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of possessing a firearm by a convicted felon, Durham said.  On …

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by Zak Failla
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FCI Danbury Inmate Sentenced To More Time For Having Objects Designed To Be Used As Weapons FCI Danbury Inmate Sentenced To More Time For Having Objects Designed To Be Used As Weapons
FCI Danbury Inmate Sentenced To More Time For Having Objects Designed To Be Used As Weapons An inmate at a Fairfield County prison will spend more time behind bars for possessing weapons while in custody. Julian De Jesus Castillo, 35, was sentenced to two more years in state prison after he pleaded guilty in September last year in Hartford federal court to possession of contraband in federal prison after he was busted with weapons in February 2018. On Feb. 8, 2018, Castillo, who is an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, was caught with a razor blade and a 7.5-inch piece of flat metal that had sharpened edges and a point on one end. U.S. Attorney John Durham…

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by Zak Failla
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49-Year-Old Bridgeport Man One Of Two Crack Dealers Sent To Prison 49-Year-Old Bridgeport Man One Of Two Crack Dealers Sent To Prison
49-Year-Old Bridgeport Man One Of Two Crack Dealers Sent To Prison A Fairfield County man is one of two crack dealers in the area who will spend time in prison. Carnell Edwards, 49, of Bridgeport, has been sentenced to 30 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release; and West Haven resident Marvin Spruill, 27, has been sentenced to 57 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for dealing crack. Both Edwards and Spruill pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base “crack.” The leader of the trafficking organization, Jermayne Butler, is awaiting sentencin…

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by Zak Failla
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Former Employee Admits To Making 40 Charges In NY/CT With Credit Cards Stolen From Customers Former Employee Admits To Making 40 Charges In NY/CT With Credit Cards Stolen From Customers
Former Employee Admits To Making 40 Charges In NY/CT With Credit Cards Stolen From Customers A convicted felon with a rap sheet dating back to the 1980s will spend more time behind bars after admitting to credit card fraud, identity theft and a host of other charges. Steven Finkler, 55, of New Haven, pleaded guilty in Bridgeport district court to one count of access device fraud, one count of wire fraud, and two counts of aggravated identity theft. U.S. Attorney John Durham said that in August 2017, Finkler stole credit cards from two of his employer’s customers and used the cards to make more than 40 fraudulent charges in Connecticut and New York. The charges included Finkler…

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by Zak Failla
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Fairfield County Drug Dealer To Serve Prison Time For Distributing Oxycodone Fairfield County Drug Dealer To Serve Prison Time For Distributing Oxycodone
Fairfield County Drug Dealer To Serve Prison Time For Distributing Oxycodone A Fairfield County drug dealer will spend a short stint in prison after admitting to selling oxycodone pills to undercover agents investigating him for drug distribution. Salvatore Perry, 45, of Shelton, has been sentenced to 30 days in prison, followed by three years of supervised release after he pleaded guilty in Bridgeport district court to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of oxycodone in the area last year. Between September 2017 and November last year, undercover law enforcement officers made five controlled purchases of 30mh oxycodone pills fro…

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by Zak Failla