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U.S. District Court

Thief Who Stole $1.5M Worth Of Luxury Cars In NJ, Rockland, Long Island, CT Gets 3½ Years Thief Who Stole $1.5M Worth Of Luxury Cars In NJ, Rockland, Long Island, CT Gets 3½ Years
Thief Who Stole $1.5M Worth Of Luxury Cars In NJ, Rockland, Long Island, CT Gets 3½ Years 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: The last of four men who admitted stealing more than $1.5 million worth of luxury cars in New Jersey, Rockland County, Long Island and Connecticut was sentenced to nearly 3½ years in federal prison. Malik Baker, 30, of Vauxhall, and his three co-conspirators stashed at least 10 of the vehicles at a central location in Irvington, NJ, U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Philip Sellinger said. The Essex County-based quartet often used one stolen vehicle to swipe another, he added. In one instance, Sellinger said, the crew swiped a Maserati GranTurismo at the Jersey Shore in Manalapan an…
Trump Defamation Case: E. Jean Carroll Awarded $83.3M In Damages Trump Defamation Case: E. Jean Carroll Awarded $83.3M In Damages
Trump Defamation Case: E. Jean Carroll Awarded $83.3M In Damages For the second time in less than a year, a Manhattan federal jury has ordered former President Donald Trump to pay columnist E. Jean Carroll, a longtime Hudson Valley resident, millions of dollars in damages for repeatedly defaming her. The seven men and two women – including Hudson Valley residents from Westchester, Putnam, and Rockland counties – awarded Carroll a combined $83.3 million after deliberating for three hours on Friday, Jan. 26. The other jurors were from New York County (Manhattan) and the Bronx. Specifically, jurors decided that Trump should pay Carroll $11 million to fund a…
CT Dealership Accused Of Deceiving Customers, Charging 'Junk Fees': Attorney General CT Dealership Accused Of Deceiving Customers, Charging 'Junk Fees': Attorney General
CT Dealership Accused Of Deceiving Customers, Charging 'Junk Fees': Attorney General A car dealership in Connecticut is being accused of deceiving customers about the prices of its used cars and charging "junk fees" without consumers' consent, officials announced. These accusations were part of a complaint filed in US District Court against Hartford County auto dealer Manchester City Nissan by Connecticut Attorney General William Tong and the Federal Trade Commission, Tong's office announced on Thursday, Jan. 4.  The complaint alleges that the dealership, located in Manchester at 30 Tolland Turnpike (Route 83), would often lie to customers about the prices of…
Ring Member Admits Snatching $1.5M Worth Of High-End Vehicles In CT, Elsewhere In Tristate Ring Member Admits Snatching $1.5M Worth Of High-End Vehicles In CT, Elsewhere In Tristate
Ring Member Admits Snatching $1.5M Worth Of High-End Vehicles In CT, Elsewhere In Tristate The last of four men caught stealing more than $1.5 million worth of luxury cars in Connecticut, Rockland County, Long Island and New Jersey took a guilty plea on Thursday, Oct. 19 federal authorities announced. Like his pals, Malik Baker, age 29, of Vauxhall, New Jersey, took a deal from the government, pleading guilty in federal court in Newark on Thursday to conspiring to transport stolen vehicles in interstate commerce and receiving a stolen vehicle that had crossed state lines after being stolen. US District Judge Esther Salas scheduled Baker's sentencing for Thursday, March 7, 2024. …
Fairfield County Gang Member Admits Role In 2019 Murder Fairfield County Gang Member Admits Role In 2019 Murder
Fairfield County Gang Member Admits Role In 2019 Murder A 20-year-old man has admitted to his role in a Fairfield County gang and the murder of a victim in 2019. Tyrone Moore, of Bridgeport, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, July 5, to one count of conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity stemming from his involvement in the "East End gang," according to Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States attorney for the District of Connecticut. Avery said in pleading guilty to the charge, Moore admitted that he and another East End member fatally shot Shawn Warren, a member of rival "O.N.E. gang," on July 12, 2019. The US Attorney's Office s…
CT Man Sentenced For Trafficking Fentanyl, Heroin CT Man Sentenced For Trafficking Fentanyl, Heroin
CT Man Sentenced For Trafficking Fentanyl, Heroin A Connecticut man will spend years in federal prison after being sentenced for his role in a drug-trafficking operation, authorities announced. New Haven resident Quentine Davis, age 31, was sentenced by US District Judge Janet Bond Arterton to 63 months behind bars, followed by three years of supervised release after admitting to trafficking fentanyl and heroin throughout the region. US Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery said that the DEA New Haven Task Force launched an investigation late in 2019 into the distribution of heroin and fentanyl in New Haven and Waterbury. The investigation - wh…
Ex-Trumbull Doc Sentenced For Illegally Prescribing Controlled Substances Ex-Trumbull Doc Sentenced For Illegally Prescribing Controlled Substances
Ex-Trumbull Doc Sentenced For Illegally Prescribing Controlled Substances A former doctor in Connecticut will spend nearly four years in prison and will pay more than $200,000 after admitting to illegally distributing prescription medication. Fairfield County resident David Ciancimino, age 63, of Trumbull, was sentenced by US District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to 46 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release for distributing drugs out of his Shelton office to patients who did not require them. US Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery said that in October 2020, law enforcement officials launched an investigation into the suspicious distribu…
Fairfield County Man Sentenced For Role In Heroin-Trafficking Operation Fairfield County Man Sentenced For Role In Heroin-Trafficking Operation
Fairfield County Man Sentenced For Role In Heroin-Trafficking Operation A Fairfield County man will spend years behind bars after being sentenced for allegedly trafficking heroin in Connecticut, federal officials announced. Stratford resident Nadyar Malaka, age 35, was sentenced in Hartford federal court to 48 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin in July 2021. In addition to his prison term, US District Judge Michael Shea also ordered Malaka to pay a $50,000 fine and to forfeit $52,111.45 and a 2012 Porsche Panamera 4.…
CT Woman Sentenced For Stealing $103K From Bank Customer CT Woman Sentenced For Stealing $103K From Bank Customer
CT Woman Sentenced For Stealing $103K From Bank Customer A former Bank of America manager will spend time behind bars after being sentenced for stealing more than $100,000 from a vulnerable customer at the branch she was employed, federal authorities announced. Hartford County resident Lee Blanchette, age 59, of Farmington, was sentenced in district court to 12 months and one day in prison, followed by three years of supervised release for stealing from the customer. US Attorney Leonard Boyle said that Blanchette, a relationship manager at Bank of America, had the authority to cause temporary ATM cards to be activated and assigned to a customer’s…
Ex-Police Chief In Fairfield County Sentenced For Rigging Exam Ex-Police Chief In Fairfield County Sentenced For Rigging Exam
Ex-Police Chief In Fairfield County Sentenced For Rigging Exam A former Fairfield County police chief arrested last year for rigging a police chief's exam has been sentenced. Bridgeport's former police chief AJ Perez was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison on Monday, April 12. “I hold no malice to anyone, I did this to myself, I panicked,” Perez told U.S. District Judge Kari Dooley during his sentencing hearing. Perez, 65, was accused along with his former personnel director David Dunn of rigging the police chief's exam so Perez would secure the job in 2018. In addition to a year and a day in prison, the judge ordered Perez to serve four yea…
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…
Accountant For Restaurant Owner In Westchester, Fairfield Counties Admits To Federal Tax Charge Accountant For Restaurant Owner In Westchester, Fairfield Counties Admits To Federal Tax Charge
Accountant For Restaurant Owner In Westchester, Fairfield Counties Admits To Federal Tax Charge A Long Island accountant who worked for a pizzeria owner with locations in Fairfield and Westchester counties is facing prison time after he admitted to tax offenses. Suffolk County resident James Guerra, age 58, of Dix Hills, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to one count of willful failure to collect and pay over withholding taxes following his arrest for turning a blind eye to his boss failing to pay taxes. U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut John Durham said that Guerra worked as an accountant for Bruno DeFabio, who owned these restaurants in Westchester and Fairfield coun…
CT Man Sentenced For Narcotics Distribution CT Man Sentenced For Narcotics Distribution
CT Man Sentenced For Narcotics Distribution A Connecticut man has been sentenced to 70 months in prison for distributing narcotics. Hartford County resident McClendon Jones, age 40, of Bloomfield, was sentenced on Friday, Jan. 8, by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley to the prison time, followed by four years of supervised release, said U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut John H. Durham. According to court documents and statements made in court, on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2019, Jones sped away from investigators who were conducting a traffic stop in Hartford and his car sideswiped a city transit bus.   He eventually lo…
Man Pleads Guilty To 7-Stop Crime Spree, Carjacking Man Pleads Guilty To 7-Stop Crime Spree, Carjacking
Man Pleads Guilty To 7-Stop Crime Spree, Carjacking The man who stuck a gun into a woman’s neck carjacked her vehicle and went on a crime spree has pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court on Tuesday, Oct. 6. Arno Smith, 57, of Hartford, pleaded guilty to one charge of a Hobbs Act robbery, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Connecticut, said. Hobbs applies in instances of interstate or foreign attempted or real robbery. Between the time of the carjacking and his arrest, Smith robbed 7 places including grocery stores, rental facilities, retailers, and an inn, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. The carjacking took place on July 26 around 11 p.m. in a Har…
Crash Leads To Ex-New Haven Convict's Arrest Crash Leads To Ex-New Haven Convict's Arrest
Crash Leads To Ex-New Haven Convict's Arrest An ex-convict is facing jail time after a car crash led police to find a firearm in his possession. Chaze Yopp, 27, of New Haven, pleaded guilty on Wednesday, Sept. 9, in U.S. District Court to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Connecticut said. He is out on a $25,000 bond pending sentencing, which has not yet been scheduled. Yopp drew suspicion in January after New Haven Police tried to pull over an SUV, in which he was a passenger, for multiple motor vehicle violations, court documents said. Instead of stopping, the SUV took off and crashed into …
Black Hartford Police Lieutenant Accuses Department Of Racism; Sues City, Chief, Others Black Hartford Police Lieutenant Accuses Department Of Racism; Sues City, Chief, Others
Black Hartford Police Lieutenant Accuses Department Of Racism; Sues City, Chief, Others A black Hartford Police lieutenant is suing the City of Hartford, Chief of Police, and other city law enforcement officials accusing them of racism and bigotry. On Aug. 19, Hartford Police Lieutenant Paul West, an 18-year police veteran, filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court against the city, Police Chief Jason Thody, Assistant Chief Rafael Medina, Deputy Chief Sonia Watson, Deputy Chief Dustin Rendock, Captain Ian Powell, and Lieutenant Kevin O’Brien. The lawsuit claims that starting in 2018, West’s grievances about the harassment he and other officers had faced within the department were…
Member of 'Chaca' Drug Ring Gets Two Years In Prison Member of 'Chaca' Drug Ring Gets Two Years In Prison
Member of 'Chaca' Drug Ring Gets Two Years In Prison A member of a 14-man, New Haven area drug trafficking ring has been sentenced to two years in prison. Christian “Pantera” Rivera-Torres, 41, of New Haven, was sentenced on Friday, Aug. 28, in U.S. District Court to 24 months of prison on the charge of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with the intent to distribute, heroin, the U.S. Attorney’s Office Connecticut said. Police became suspicious of Rivera-Torres while investigating another man, Malbin “Chaca” Rubiera-Herrera, for drug trafficking, While making controlled purchases of narcotics from Rubiera-Herrera in 2018, law enforcemen…
Man Who Smuggled Kilos Of Heroin To Connecticut By Mail Sentenced To Prison Man Who Smuggled Kilos Of Heroin To Connecticut By Mail Sentenced To Prison
Man Who Smuggled Kilos Of Heroin To Connecticut By Mail Sentenced To Prison An Arizona man who smuggled heroin to Connecticut in car-haulers and commercial delivery has been sentenced to four years in prison by U .S. District Court Judge Victor Bolden. Juan Carlos Gonzalez-Rubio, 41, a Mexican citizen who was living in Arizona, was sentenced on Friday, Aug. 21, to 48 months in prison for trafficking narcotics into Connecticut, the U.S. Attorney’s office, Connecticut said. In 2018 the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Task Force and New Haven Police began investigating the trafficking or large quantities f heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine from Mexico, to Ari…
COVID-19: Courthouse Restrictions Issued COVID-19: Courthouse Restrictions Issued
Covid-19: Courthouse Restrictions Issued As COVID-19 cases grow in Fairfield County, restrictions have been issued that limit access to district courthouses and probation facilities. In a statement from Stefan R. Underhill, chief U.S. District Judge, people who have visited certain areas and countries within the past 14 days are asked not to enter courthouses. The areas include:  China South Korea Japan Italy Iran New Rochelle, New York, other than in a car or train Any location that is under quarantine In addition, anyone who lives or has had close contact with someone who has been in one of the locations listed above…
Discrimination Lawsuit Against Bridgeport Housing Authority Resolved By Justice Department Discrimination Lawsuit Against Bridgeport Housing Authority Resolved By Justice Department
Discrimination Lawsuit Against Bridgeport Housing Authority Resolved By Justice Department Federal authorities have reached a settlement with the Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport to resolve discrimination allegations. The Justice Department announced that the Housing Authority (HACB), doing business as Park City Communities, has settled after complaints that they violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act and the Fair Housing Act. The agreement filed this week in U.S. District Court, requires HACB to institute broad reforms to safeguard the rights of individuals with disabilities, including revising its policies and processes for handling reas…
NY, CT Spar Over Dumping In Long Island Sound NY, CT Spar Over Dumping In Long Island Sound
NY, CT Spar Over Dumping In Long Island Sound Connecticut and New York disagree about whether Long Island Sound should be a toxic dumping ground. A federal court battle over Connecticut’s dumping of sediment in the eastern portion of Long Island Sound is expected to heat up this summer. Connecticut defends dredging as a method of keeping harbors and navigation routes open. it argues that its new underwater dump site helps the economy. It also protects survival of the submarine base in New London and a submarine construction business at Electric Boat's shipyard. Connecticut argues that dumping dredged material in the eastern sound is e…
Blumenthal Gets Court Win In Lawsuit On Trump Gifts From Foreign Nations Blumenthal Gets Court Win In Lawsuit On Trump Gifts From Foreign Nations
Blumenthal Gets Court Win In Lawsuit On Trump Gifts From Foreign Nations President Donald Trump’s administration took another hit this week, as a judge ruled in favor of Sen. Richard Blumenthal and other lawmakers who allege that his businesses are in violation of federal mandates. A U.S. District Court judge ruled against the president’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit this week that claims his businesses are in violation of the Constitution’s ban on gifts or payments from foreign governments. The lawsuit was brought by the Connecticut Senator and 200 other members of the Senate and House of Representatives. The lawsuit alleges that Trump’s businesses are in violat…
Bridgeport Man Admits To Heroin Distribution, Firearm Possession Bridgeport Man Admits To Heroin Distribution, Firearm Possession
Bridgeport Man Admits To Heroin Distribution, Firearm Possession A man from Bridgeport has admitted to distributing heroin and possession of a firearm, according to John H. Durham, U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut. Ismael Mangual, 43, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven on Thursday, March 28. Court documents and statements show that on August 31, 2017, Milford Police conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle Mangual was driving. Upon further investigation, it was revealed that Mangual did not have a license, and the vehicle was not registered or insured. There was also a six-year-old child in the back seat…
Man Faces Decades In Prison After Admitting To Robbing Three Banks Man Faces Decades In Prison After Admitting To Robbing Three Banks
Man Faces Decades In Prison After Admitting To Robbing Three Banks A Connecticut man is facing two decades behind bars after admitting to robbing three banks. New Haven resident Vincent Jones, 50, pleaded guilty on Friday, Feb. 1 to one count of bank robbery at U.S. district court in Bridgeport. Jones admitted to attempting to rob the Key Bank on Main Street in East Haven; robbing Webster Bank on Boston Post Road in Orange of $5,469 on July 31, 2017, and robbing the Bank of America located on Boston Post Road in Milford of $6,578 on Aug. 8 last year. U.S. Attorney John Durham said that Jones has been detained since his arrest on Aug. 9 last year, when he …
Youth Sports Photographer, Ex-CT Resident Admits To Possessing Child Porn Youth Sports Photographer, Ex-CT Resident Admits To Possessing Child Porn
Youth Sports Photographer, Ex-CT Resident Admits To Possessing Child Porn A 27-year-old Northern Westchester man who worked as a youth sports photographer has admitted to possession of child pornography. Emil Kaufman of Yorktown Heights pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography in district court in Springfield, Massachusetts on Wednesday, Aug. 29.  Kaufman was arrested in Great Barrington, Mass., on June 26, 2013 after an investigation into a peer-to-peer file-sharing network, which Kaufman used to download and share child pornography, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Massachusetts.  A subsequent examination of Kaufman’s MacBook Pr…