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Criminal Justice

College Dorm Sexual Assault: Man Guilty Of Attack At Quinnipiac University College Dorm Sexual Assault: Man Guilty Of Attack At Quinnipiac University
College Dorm Sexual Assault: Man Guilty Of Attack At Quinnipiac University A Connecticut jury has convicted a 23-year-old man of sexually assaulting a "physically helpless" woman in a college dorm room, authorities announced.  Daniel Cervoni, age 23, of Berlin, was charged with sexual assault and faces between nine months and 10 years following his conviction on Wednesday, Nov. 14, the Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice said.  Investigators said Cervoni and three friends were at Quinnipiac University and after a night out returned to the dorms at the New Haven County school. During the night, witnesses told police they saw Cervoni sexually ass…
Man Pleads Guilty To Attacking Woman In New Canaan In Failed Try To Fulfill Rape Fantasy: DA Man Pleads Guilty To Attacking Woman In New Canaan In Failed Try To Fulfill Rape Fantasy: DA
Man Pleads Guilty To Attacking Woman In New Canaan In Failed Try To Fulfill Rape Fantasy: DA A Connecticut man who intentionally crashed his car into a woman and attempted to drown her as part of a rape and kidnapping fantasy admitted this week to multiple felonies related to the attack, authorities announced.  Mynor Romeo Alvarado-Canahui, age 35, of Norwalk, will spend 25 years in prison and register as a sex offender when he's released as part of his plea deal, the State's Attorney said.  Prosecutors told the court that Alvarado-Canahui intentionally crashed his car into a 20-year-old woman as she walked along a remote back country road in New Canaan aro…
Man Guilty In Fatal Shooting Of CT Husband, Father Of 3 Man Guilty In Fatal Shooting Of CT Husband, Father Of 3
Man Guilty In Fatal Shooting Of CT Husband, Father Of 3 A 49-year-old Maryland man was found guilty of gunning down a Connecticut father of three in 2020, authorities said.  Rashad Hardy was found guilty on Aug. 28 of murder, carrying a pistol with a permit, and criminal possession of a firearm, the Connecticut State Attorney's Office said.  Hardy was convicted of killing Ricky Newton, age 36, of New Haven, on Rosette Street in July 2020, police said.  Police found evidence of the slaying while executing a search on an unrelated matter at a group home in Maryland, where Hardy was living at the time, officials continued.…
Accused Murderer Ranted About Pronouns, Trump Before Ex-Wife, Her BF Were Slain In NY Home Accused Murderer Ranted About Pronouns, Trump Before Ex-Wife, Her BF Were Slain In NY Home
Accused Murderer Ranted About Pronouns, Trump Before Ex-Wife, Her BF Were Slain In NY Home New details are offering insight into the mind of an accused murderer just hours before he allegedly gunned down his ex-wife and her boyfriend inside their New York home. The Long Island killings happened in St. James, at a residence on Brasswood Road, at around 11:45 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28. Suffolk County Police said Daniel Coppola, age 50, put his 15-year-old daughter into his car before going inside and shooting his ex-wife, 50-year-old Kelly Coppola, and her boyfriend, 53-year-old Kenneth Pohlman. Earlier Report: Man Kills Ex-Wife, Her BF At St. James Home, Police Say Both vic…
Fairfield County Man Sentenced For Violent Attack, Kidnapping Of Estranged Wife In NY Fairfield County Man Sentenced For Violent Attack, Kidnapping Of Estranged Wife In NY
Fairfield County Man Sentenced For Violent Attack, Kidnapping Of Estranged Wife In NY A Connecticut man has been sentenced to decades in prison for a violent attack and kidnapping of his his estranged wife on Long Island. Fairfield County resident Ubay Muhammad, age 38, of Bridgeport,  went to the victim’s apartment building on Colombia Street in Hempstead wearing dark clothing, glasses, and a mask and snuck into the building in November 2022, according to Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly. The victim left her apartment with her 5- and 8-year-old children and took the elevator to the ground floor where Muhammad attacked her with a 13-inch knife,…
Adult Film Actor From NY Accused Of Distributing Child Pornography Adult Film Actor From NY Accused Of Distributing Child Pornography
Adult Film Actor From NY Accused Of Distributing Child Pornography An adult film actor who resides in New York has been accused of sending and receiving hundreds of videos of child pornography, federal authorities announced. Justin Heath Smith, who uses the stage name “Austin Wolf.” sent images depicting children as young as infants, "including a ghastly video showing a young child bound, beaten, and raped," said Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York. In addition to sharing child pornography via the Telegram app, the 43-year-old Smith was also charged with possessing hundreds of additional videos conta…
'More Playtime': Rex Heuermann Used 'Planning Document' To Guide Gilgo Beach Murders, DA Says 'More Playtime': Rex Heuermann Used 'Planning Document' To Guide Gilgo Beach Murders, DA Says
'More Playtime': Rex Heuermann Used 'Planning Document' To Guide Gilgo Beach Murders, DA Says New details are shedding light on the lengths that accused Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann went to in hopes of getting away with his alleged murder spree. The 60-year-old Long Island resident, of Massapequa Park, was arraigned on two more charges of second-degree murder in Suffolk County Court on Thursday, June 6, in the killings of Jessica Taylor and Sandra Costilla. Heuermann was previously charged with the murders of four Gilgo Beach victims: Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, Amber Lynn Costello, and Maureen Brainard-Barnes. Earlier Report: Gilgo Beach Murders: Suspect …
1 Nabbed In Attempted Carjacking In CT Convenience Store Parking Lot, Police Say 1 Nabbed In Attempted Carjacking In CT Convenience Store Parking Lot, Police Say
1 Nabbed In Attempted Carjacking In CT Convenience Store Parking Lot, Police Say A juvenile was charged with allegedly attempting to carjack an occupied vehicle after forcefully throwing a driver to the ground in an attempt to steal their car. The incident occurred in New Haven County around 10 a.m., Thursday, May 23, in Allentown Fresh at 1941 Dixwell Ave., in Hamden. According to Lt. Raymond Quinn of the Hamden Police, three males were reported to have forcefully thrown an elderly victim to the ground. One of the suspects then sat in the car and attempted to start it; however, the keys were with the victim. Unknown bystanders scared the suspects a…
Man Tries To Traffic 15-Year-Old Girl In Multiple CT Towns, Police Say Man Tries To Traffic 15-Year-Old Girl In Multiple CT Towns, Police Say
Man Tries To Traffic 15-Year-Old Girl In Multiple CT Towns, Police Say A man has been arrested after authorities said he was caught planning to traffic a teen girl for money in Connecticut. The New Haven County incident was investigated by the FBI and Meriden Police Department, leading to the arrest of 35-year-old Gary Taylor on Thursday, March 21. During the investigation, Taylor spoke to who he believed to be a 15-year-old girl. As he spoke to the girl, police said Taylor expressed interest in trafficking her in nearby towns for money. Police said he then traveled to Meriden to meet up with the girl, only to be arrested and charged with the following: …
Arrest Made In Stamford Hit-Run That Killed Local Woman Arrest Made In Stamford Hit-Run That Killed Local Woman
Arrest Made In Stamford Hit-Run That Killed Local Woman A Fairfield County man has been charged in a hit-run crash last year that killed a 74-year-old woman. The crash occurred in Stamford around 6:15 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, on West Main St., near the junction with Alvord Lane. Stamford Police Sgt. Jeffrey Booth said at the time of the crash, Marie Jean-Charles, a 74-year-old Stamford resident, was crossing West Main Street from north to south.  She was struck in the eastbound travel lanes by a vehicle traveling at what is believed to be a high rate of speed, Booth said. Jean-Charles was pronounced dead at the scene. …
CT Street Takeover Participant Charged For Threatening Police, Other Crimes CT Street Takeover Participant Charged For Threatening Police, Other Crimes
CT Street Takeover Participant Charged For Threatening Police, Other Crimes A Connecticut teen was charged with rioting, threatening police, and other crimes for his part in a street takeover event. New Haven County resident Adalberto Oceguera, age 18, of West Haven turned himself in to Connecticut State Police on Thursday, March 7 for taking part in several street takeover events including one in Meriden on Saturday, May 6, 2023. According to State Police, during an extensive and ongoing investigation into numerous street takeover events, Oceguera was identified as a co-conspirator in the damage of a Meriden Police cruiser which occurred on May 6. During the even…
25-Year-Old Nanny Admits Stealing $25K In Items From Stamford Family 25-Year-Old Nanny Admits Stealing $25K In Items From Stamford Family
25-Year-Old Nanny Admits Stealing $25K In Items From Stamford Family A nanny has been charged with larceny after she allegedly stole expensive items from her employer in Fairfield County. Maria Fermin, age 25, of Stamford, was charged on Monday, Dec. 4 after the family began noticing missing items from their home, said Capt. Tom Scanlon of the Stamford Pollice. The family first noticed an expensive camera lens missing, then a tennis bracelet, a purse, and $15,000 cash, Scanlon said. The family suspected Fermin because they observed Meta photos where Fermin was wearing items identical to the ones they were missing.  Financial Crimes Investigator Vaness…
24-Year-Old Suspect Nabbed For Norwalk Shooting, Police Say 24-Year-Old Suspect Nabbed For Norwalk Shooting, Police Say
24-Year-Old Suspect Nabbed For Norwalk Shooting, Police Say A Bridgeport man has been charged with the shooting of another man in Norwalk months after the incident took place. Norwalk Police arrested Samuel Branch, age 24, on a fugitive warrant along with the US Marshals on Wednesday, Jan. 18 in Bridgeport. On Thursday, May 12, 2022, members of the patrol division responded to a shooting in the area of 43 North Main Street. They located a crime scene however no victims were on the scene, said Lt. Joe Dinho of the Norwalk Police. A victim later arrived at Norwalk Hospital by private vehicle suffering from non-life-threatening injuries.&nbs…
CT Man Sentenced For Violating Federal Sex Offender Registration, Notification Act CT Man Sentenced For Violating Federal Sex Offender Registration, Notification Act
CT Man Sentenced For Violating Federal Sex Offender Registration, Notification Act A Connecticut man will spend time in prison after admitting to failing to register as a sex offender on at least two occasions, federal officials announced. New Haven County resident Christopher Poskus, age 47, of Waterbury, was sentenced to 16 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release after pleading guilty in October 2021 to two counts of failing to register as a sex offender. US Attorney Leonard Boyle said that in 2010, Poskus was convicted in state court of possession of child pornography and was sentenced to 14 years in prison, suspended after seven years, and 10 yea…
Norwalk Man Charged For Broad-Daylight Shooting Putting Dozens In Danger Norwalk Man Charged For Broad-Daylight Shooting Putting Dozens In Danger
Norwalk Man Charged For Broad-Daylight Shooting Putting Dozens In Danger After a months-long investigation, a Fairfield County man has been arrested for an alleged dangerous daytime shooting that put dozens of residents in jeopardy. Kenneth Jeffries, age 25, of Norwalk, was arrested Friday, Dec. 10, for the Tuesday, Sept. 7 stalking shooting on Summer Street in Stamford. According to Capt. Richard Conklin, of the Stamford Police, Jeffries fired five gunshots at two men walking in the parking lot at 920 Summer St. around 3:30 p.m. “This is a very busy intersection where you will usually find a line of people at Dairy Queen, people waiting at the bus stop, and at…
CT Police Department Mourns Loss Of Beloved K9 CT Police Department Mourns Loss Of Beloved K9
CT Police Department Mourns Loss Of Beloved K9 Police in Connecticut are mourning the loss of a K9 who served with a local police department for years. On Wednesday, Oct. 20, the Vernon Police Department announced the death of Thor, an 8-year-old Belgian Malinois/German Shepherd. We regret to announce the passing of Police K-9 Thor, an 8-year-old Belgian Malinois/German Shepherd mix who served with... Posted by Vernon, CT Police Department on Wednesday, October 20, 2021 The department said Thor died on Saturday, Oct. 16, "after a long battle with an autoimmune disorder and pneumonia."  His handler of seven years, Officer Bryan Sem…
Felon With Charges Pending In Connecticut Busted With Loaded Weapon In NY Felon With Charges Pending In Connecticut Busted With Loaded Weapon In NY
Felon With Charges Pending In Connecticut Busted With Loaded Weapon In NY A convicted felon and known gang member with additional felony charges pending in Connecticut was busted with a loaded weapon by local and federal law enforcement officials in Westchester County. Dante McAllister was stopped by Mount Vernon Police detectives and ATF Task Force officers at approximately 10:45 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22 outside a Franklin Avenue apartment building. At the time he was stopped, police said that McAllister, who has a prior violent felony conviction in New York, was in possession of a loaded Smith & Wesson firearm hidden in the right front pocket of his jacke…
Michael Skakel Won't Be Retried By State For Martha Moxley Greenwich Murder Michael Skakel Won't Be Retried By State For Martha Moxley Greenwich Murder
Michael Skakel Won't Be Retried By State For Martha Moxley Greenwich Murder Kennedy cousin Michael Skakel will not be retired for the death of Martha Moxley in the Belle Haven section of Greenwich in 1975. In a stunning announcement, Connecticut Chief State’s attorney Richard Colangelo said on Friday, Oct. 30, that he would not retry Skakel because he could not prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. While speaking before Stamford Superior Court Judge Gary White, Colangelo said a recent review of the case showed that of the 51 potential witnesses, 17 had died. He also said he had reviewed all the evidence and could find nothing new to use in a trial. N…
Wilton Welcomes Two New Police Officers Who Grew Up In Neighboring Local Towns Wilton Welcomes Two New Police Officers Who Grew Up In Neighboring Local Towns
Wilton Welcomes Two New Police Officers Who Grew Up In Neighboring Local Towns Two new police officers, both from neighboring towns in Fairfield County, were sworn into the Wilton Police Department on Tuesday, Sept. 8.  The new recruits will attend the Connecticut Police Academy in Meriden both virtually and in-person over the next 26 weeks. Officer Navin Nair of New Canaan, a recent graduate of Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont with a bachelor's degree in psychology, was an artillery cannon crew member of the National Guard since 2017. Nair was sworn in by his brother, Officer Neil Nair of the Darien Police Department.  Navin Nair is also a member…
COVID-19: Number Of Arrests In CT At Historic Low During Pandemic COVID-19: Number Of Arrests In CT At Historic Low During Pandemic
Covid-19: Number Of Arrests In CT At Historic Low During Pandemic With most confined to their Connecticut homes during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, crime is hitting historic lows statewide. In April, there were 2,734 arrests in Connecticut, down 46 percent from the month before (5,041), according to the state’s Office of Policy and Management’s (OPM) Criminal Justice Public Policy and Planning Division. In the month of March, when the pandemic first struck, there were 5,041 people arrested, which itself represented a historic low. Court arraignments also fell from 1,741 to 671 (61 percent) from March to April. From May 1, 2019 to May 1 this…
College Student Wanted For String Of Killings Apprehended College Student Wanted For String Of Killings Apprehended
College Student Wanted For String Of Killings Apprehended A college student from Fairfield County wanted for a string of killings, a home invasion and a kidnapping been apprehended. Peter Manfredonia, 23, a 2015 Newtown High School graduate, was apprehended in Hagerstown, Maryland Wednesday night, May 27 after five days on the run. Connecticut State Police announced it was at the scene in Maryland and said there were "no injuries to any law enforcement personnel or Manfredonia." More information will be provided on Thursday, May 28, Connecticut state police said. Since the first of the two homicides in Connecticut happened on Friday, May 22…
Five From Connecticut Among Six Nabbed For Fentanyl Trafficking Ring Bust Five From Connecticut Among Six Nabbed For Fentanyl Trafficking Ring Bust
Five From Connecticut Among Six Nabbed For Fentanyl Trafficking Ring Bust Six people have been nabbed for allegedly being part of a large-scale, elaborate heroin and fentanyl trafficking organization that has been broken up, according to U.S. Attorney for Connecticut John Durham. Durham announced that the six, five of whom are from Connecticut, were arrested on federal narcotics distribution and money laundering charges for their role in the drug distribution ring, which operated throughout the state of Connecticut. Those charged: Domingo Guzman, 43, of Waterbury; Armando Gonzalez, 38, of New Britain; David Cintron, 24, of Manchester; Daniel Estremera, 40, of …
New Distribution Of More Than $378M Allotted To Madoff Ponzi Scheme Victims New Distribution Of More Than $378M Allotted To Madoff Ponzi Scheme Victims
New Distribution Of More Than $378M Allotted To Madoff Ponzi Scheme Victims Thousands of Bernie Madoff’s Ponzi Scheme victims will be receiving their portions of the fifth distribution of more than $378 million this week. U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman announced that the Madoff Victim Fund will be distributing $378.5 million to more than 26,000 of his victims involved in the fraud scheme. To date, approximately $2.7 billion has been distributed to Madoff’s victims. Berman said that the fifth payment will bring the victims’ total recovery to 73.65 percent of their losses.  Ultimately, more than $4 billion will be returned due to losses suffered in Madoff’s Ponz…
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…
COVID-19: ACLU Sues CT To Release Inmates During Pandemic COVID-19: ACLU Sues CT To Release Inmates During Pandemic
Covid-19: ACLU Sues CT To Release Inmates During Pandemic The ACLU of Connecticut filed a lawsuit in Superior Court seeking an emergency action to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) by reducing the density of inmates who are incarcerated. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of the Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and four men who are incarcerated, including one with an autoimmune condition, one who is over the age of 60, one who is scheduled for release next month, and one who is being held for want of a $5,000 bond and has only one lung. “People who are incarcerated in Connecticut are in imminent danger from COVID-19…
Teen Busted With Stolen Gun, High-Capacity Clip, Police Say Teen Busted With Stolen Gun, High-Capacity Clip, Police Say
Teen Busted With Stolen Gun, High-Capacity Clip, Police Say A 19-year-old Fairfield County teen who was already facing gun charges was busted again for allegedly having a stolen gun and for possession of pot. Elvis Almengot-Castillo, of Stamford, was arrested on Monday, Feb. 24, after officers with the Stamford Police Narc Squad received a tip the teen was selling drugs and was in possession of a gun, said Stamford Police Capt. Richard Conklin. After receiving a search warrant, members of the squad stopped Almegot-Castillo and conducted a search where they came up with $300 in cash, but no drugs or guns, Conklin said. Officers then escorted Almeng…
Police Refute Speculation About Human Trafficking At Danbury Fair Mall Police Refute Speculation About Human Trafficking At Danbury Fair Mall
Police Refute Speculation About Human Trafficking At Danbury Fair Mall Police are refuting rumors of human trafficking incidents at a popular area mall. There have been multiple postings on social media alleging that there was a human trafficking problem at the Danbury Fair Mall, Danbury Police Det. Lt. Mark Williams said.  The posts reportedly falsely allege that the incidents of human trafficking have been confirmed by both the Danbury Police and mall officials.  Williams said that “there is no validity to these allegations at this time.” According to Williams, over the weekend, there was one complaint of a suspicious man who was allegedly follo…
Bridgeport Man Charged In Deadly December Shooting Bridgeport Man Charged In Deadly December Shooting
Bridgeport Man Charged In Deadly December Shooting A third suspect from Fairfield County is in police custody in connection to the fatal shooting of a Connecticut woman last month. Gonzalo Diaz, 44, of Bridgeport, was arrested on Union Avenue on Tuesday, Jan. 8, for his alleged role in the fatal shooting of Denise Rogers-Rollins in Waterbury in December, police said. He is believed to be the third and “final” suspect from Bridgeport to be arrested for their roles in the fatal incident. Police investigators responded to a Wall Street home shortly after midnight on Saturday, Dec. 7, where there was a report of shots fired in the building, pol…
Man Sentenced For Committing Multiple Robberies In Fairfield County, Elsewhere In CT Man Sentenced For Committing Multiple Robberies In Fairfield County, Elsewhere In CT
Man Sentenced For Committing Multiple Robberies In Fairfield County, Elsewhere In CT A Fairfield County man with a lengthy rap sheet will spend a decade in prison after being sentenced for committing multiple robberies at Subway and several bank branches in Connecticut. Alvin Robertson, 56, of Bridgeport, has been sentenced to 120 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after robbing three banks and two Subway stores last year. Last year, Robertson was found guilty of robbing a Subway store on Ethan Allen Highway on May 20 in Ridgefield, and then a second Subway store on Monroe Turnpike in Monroe on July 22. Robertson then targeted a People’s Unite…
Former Drama Student Found Not Guilty By Reason Of Insanity In University Of Hartford Stabbing Former Drama Student Found Not Guilty By Reason Of Insanity In University Of Hartford Stabbing
Former Drama Student Found Not Guilty By Reason Of Insanity In University Of Hartford Stabbing A college student in Connecticut who was charged with stabbing two other students has been found not guilty by reason of insanity. San Diego, California resident Jake Wascher, 21, was facing charges that include first-degree assault and criminal attempt to commit murder following an incident on campus that led to a temporary lockdown earlier this year. A judge ruled that prosecutors had proved that Wascher committed the crimes of first-degree assault and carrying a dangerous weapon after the attack on March 31. However, he also determined that Wascher’s lawyer proved that he lacked crimina…
Bridgeport Police Officer Fired After Being Arrested Six Times In Two Years Bridgeport Police Officer Fired After Being Arrested Six Times In Two Years
Bridgeport Police Officer Fired After Being Arrested Six Times In Two Years An officer who has been arrested six times in the past two years has been fired by Bridgeport Police Chief Armando Perez. Officer Steven Figueroa firing, on Wednesday, Aug. 21, comes on the heels of his latest arrest for an alleged sexual assault and an exhaustive Internal Affairs investigation. “After consideration of all information available through an investigation, it is clear that Steven Figueroa is wholly unfit to serve as a police officer,” said Perez. “This officer violated his oath of office and the public trust. As of this afternoon, Steven Figueroa has been terminated as a membe…