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US Attorney's Office

Danbury Man Accused Of Trafficking Large Quantities Of Fentanyl Danbury Man Accused Of Trafficking Large Quantities Of Fentanyl
Danbury Man Accused Of Trafficking Large Quantities Of Fentanyl A Fairfield County man has been charged by indictment with fentanyl trafficking. Jairo Abreu, age 31, of Danbury, was indicted on Tuesday, March 12, said Vanessa Roberts Avery, US Attorney for the District of Connecticut, As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, an investigation by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and Hartford Police Department revealed that Abreu was trafficking fentanyl into Hartford.  Abreu was arrested on state charges on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023. Following his arrest, a search of his Danbury residence revealed approximately three k…
4 Bridgeport Gang Members Convicted, 8 Murders, 20 Attempted Murders Solved 4 Bridgeport Gang Members Convicted, 8 Murders, 20 Attempted Murders Solved
4 Bridgeport Gang Members Convicted, 8 Murders, 20 Attempted Murders Solved Four gang members have been found guilty of racketeering related to their involvement in a violent Connecticut street gang. Bridgeport residents found guilty on Tuesday, Dec. 5 included: Keishawn Donald, age 22 Trevon Wright, also known as “Tre,” age 22 Eric Hayes, also known as “Heavyweight Champ,” age 26 Travon Jones, also known as “Budda,” age 21 According to the evidence presented during a month-long trial, the FBI, ATF, DEA, US Marshals Service, and Bridgeport Police have been investigating multiple Bridgeport-based gangs whose members are involved in narcotics trafficking, murder, a…
Ridgefield 25-Year-Old Sentenced For Crushing Officer During Jan. 6 Capitol Riot Ridgefield 25-Year-Old Sentenced For Crushing Officer During Jan. 6 Capitol Riot
Ridgefield 25-Year-Old Sentenced For Crushing Officer During Jan. 6 Capitol Riot A 20-something Connecticut man who used a riot shield as a weapon and pinned an officer between doors has been sentenced for his actions during the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot. Fairfield County resident Patrick Edward McCaughey III, age 25, of Ridgefield, was sentenced on Friday, April 14, to seven-and-a-half years in prison on nine offenses, said Matthew M. Graves, US Attorney for the District of Columbia. The 25-year-old McCaughey was found guilty following a bench trial in September 2022 along with co-defendants Tristan Chandler Stevens, age 26, of Pensacola, Flori…
$65M Ponzi Scheme: Former NY Hedge Fund Manager Admits To Lending Fraud $65M Ponzi Scheme: Former NY Hedge Fund Manager Admits To Lending Fraud
$65M Ponzi Scheme: Former NY Hedge Fund Manager Admits To Lending Fraud A former bond trader and hedge fund manager in New York could spend decades in federal prison for defrauding his friends and lending institutions out of over $65 million. Nassau County resident Jeffrey Parket, age 59, of Great Neck, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and bank fraud in federal court in Manhattan on Wednesday, Feb. 15. According to the US Attorney’s Office in the Southern District, Parket swindled his victims out of millions of dollars between 2016 and December 2021 by lying about his financial condition and pledging fake collateral in order to obtain short-term loans. He claime…
FBI Probing Veteran's Claim That George Santos Stole Dying Dog's Charity Money, Report Says FBI Probing Veteran's Claim That George Santos Stole Dying Dog's Charity Money, Report Says
FBI Probing Veteran's Claim That George Santos Stole Dying Dog's Charity Money, Report Says The bad news just keeps coming for embattled New York Rep. George Santos, who is now the subject of an FBI investigation into accusations he stole charity money intended to help a Navy veteran’s dying service dog, Politico reports.  Richard Osthoff, of Howell, New Jersey, told the outlet that two FBI agents reached out to him on Wednesday, Feb. 1, as part of an investigation by the US Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of New York. Earlier Report: Bye George: Embattled Nassau Rep Santos Stepping Down 'Temporarily' From Committee Assignments Osthoff told Politico he gave the agents …
Greenwich Man Charged With Child Porn Offenses, Including Possessing Images With Infants Greenwich Man Charged With Child Porn Offenses, Including Possessing Images With Infants
Greenwich Man Charged With Child Porn Offenses, Including Possessing Images With Infants A Fairfield County man is facing charges after investigators found that his laptop contained about 1,000 images depicting the sexual abuse of children, including infants.  Christopher Bates Jr., age 36, of Greenwich, was arrested on a federal complaint charging him with child pornography offenses on Tuesday, Dec. 13, according to Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States attorney for the District of Connecticut. Investigators found that an IP address at Bates' home was being used to access the dark web to view images that depicted the sexual abuse of children, Roberts Avery reported. …
CT Man Admits Attempting To Travel To Syria To Fight For ISIS CT Man Admits Attempting To Travel To Syria To Fight For ISIS
CT Man Admits Attempting To Travel To Syria To Fight For ISIS A 25-year-old Connecticut man has admitted he tried to travel to Syria to fight on behalf of ISIS. New Haven County resident Ahmad Khalil Elshazly, of West Haven, pleaded guilty Wednesday, Nov. 30, to attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization, United States Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery announced. In September 2018, Elshazly expressed a desire to travel to Syria and the surrounding area and fight on behalf of ISIS, the US Attorney's Office said. In conversions both online and in person, he pledged allegia…
NY Man Admits To Opening Capitol Door, Directing Rioters Inside On Jan. 6 NY Man Admits To Opening Capitol Door, Directing Rioters Inside On Jan. 6
NY Man Admits To Opening Capitol Door, Directing Rioters Inside On Jan. 6 A New York man pleaded guilty to pulling open a door to the US Capitol Building to let rioters inside during the attack on the building on Jan. 6, 2021. Long Island resident Eric Gerwatowski, age 32, of New Hyde Park in Nassau County, admitted to opening the door after US Capitol Police had closed it to prevent more rioters from entering the building, according to an announcement by US Attorney Matthew M. Graves from Tuesday, Nov. 22. After opening the door, Gerwatowski turned to his fellow rioters, shouted "let's go!", and directed the mob into the building, disrupting a joi…
Fairfield County Man Nabbed For Murder Of 29-Year-Old Fairfield County Man Nabbed For Murder Of 29-Year-Old
Fairfield County Man Nabbed For Murder Of 29-Year-Old A Fairfield County man has been charged in the shooting death of a 29-year-old man and the wounding of two others. Joseph DeJesus, formerly known as Joseph Reyes, age 38, of Stratford, was arrested on Tuesday, Oct. 25 for the Saturday, Oct. 8 shooting death of Dominique Jones, of Bridgeport, said Capt. Kevin Gilleran, of the Bridgeport Police. DeJesus was apprehended by members of the US Marshals Violent Fugitive Task Force, along with members of the Bridgeport and Stratford Police Department, Gilleran added. Earlier report: 1 Dead, 2 Wounded In Bridgeport Shooting, Police Say He was…
Woman Who Owns Fairfield County Grocery Store Sentenced For $400K Tax Offense Woman Who Owns Fairfield County Grocery Store Sentenced For $400K Tax Offense
Woman Who Owns Fairfield County Grocery Store Sentenced For $400K Tax Offense An owner of a Fairfield County grocery store was sentenced for a tax fraud offense that caused the IRS a loss of more than $400,000. Lizbel Sanchez, of Brookfield, was sentenced on Tuesday, Oct. 18, to two years of probation and ordered to pay a $400,000 fine, according to Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States attorney for the District of Connecticut. Sanchez pleaded guilty on April 14 to one count of willful failure to collect or pay over taxes, Avery reported. Earlier report - Woman Who Operates A C-Town In Danbury Admits To Failure To Pay Taxes Sanchez is a minority owner…
Ex-Yale Med School Worker Who Stole $40 Million In Electronics Sentenced Ex-Yale Med School Worker Who Stole $40 Million In Electronics Sentenced
Ex-Yale Med School Worker Who Stole $40 Million In Electronics Sentenced A former Yale University School of Medicine employee who stole $40 million in computer and electronic hardware from the university has been sentenced. Jamie Petrone, age 43, a former resident of Naugatuck, was sentenced on Thursday, Oct. 13, to nine years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for wire fraud and filing a false tax return, according to Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States attorney for the District of Connecticut. She pleaded guilty to the charges on March 28. Earlier report - Former Yale Med School Employee Admits Stealing, Selling $40 Million In Elec…
Bernie Madoff Ponzi Scheme Victims To Get $372M More In Distributions, Feds Announce Bernie Madoff Ponzi Scheme Victims To Get $372M More In Distributions, Feds Announce
Bernie Madoff Ponzi Scheme Victims To Get $372M More In Distributions, Feds Announce Thousands of Bernie Madoff’s Ponzi scheme victims will be receiving their portions of the latest distribution of more than $370 million. US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams announced that the Madoff Victim Fund will be distributing approximately $372 million to 40,000 victims worldwide who were involved in the fraud scheme. Earlier Report: Madoff Ponzi Scheme Victims To Get Nearly $500M More In Distributions To date, approximately $4 billion has been distributed to Madoff’s victims. Williams said that this eighth payment will bring the victims’ total re…
CT Man Admits Trafficking Cocaine Through US Mail CT Man Admits Trafficking Cocaine Through US Mail
CT Man Admits Trafficking Cocaine Through US Mail A 35-year-old Connecticut man has admitted to trafficking cocaine through the United States Mail. Jean Mangual-Castro, of West Haven, pleaded guilty on Monday, Sept. 12, to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, according to Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States attorney for the District of Connecticut. Investigators found that Mangual-Castro orchestrated shipments of cocaine from Puerto Rico through the US Mail, Avery said. Authorities identified a suspicious package that had been delivered to Mangual-Castro's …
CT Resident Sentenced For Recruiting, Transporting Teen Girl To Engage In Commercial Sex CT Resident Sentenced For Recruiting, Transporting Teen Girl To Engage In Commercial Sex
CT Resident Sentenced For Recruiting, Transporting Teen Girl To Engage In Commercial Sex A 24-year-old man has been sentenced after he admitted to bringing a 16-year-old girl to a Connecticut hotel to engage in commercial sex acts. Joel Lindsay, who last resided in East Hartford, was sentenced on Thursday, Sept. 22, to more than 11 years in prison after pleading guilty to sex trafficking of a minor on Oct. 15, 2021, according to Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut. Lindsay conspired with an associate, Joseph Pina, to recruit and transport a 16-year-old girl to engage in commercial sex acts in October of 2019, the US Attorney's Offi…
21-Year-Old ‘All Around Great Guy’ From NY Charged For Alleged Role In Jan. 6 Riots 21-Year-Old ‘All Around Great Guy’ From NY Charged For Alleged Role In Jan. 6 Riots
21-Year-Old ‘All Around Great Guy’ From NY Charged For Alleged Role In Jan. 6 Riots A 21-year-old New York man is among the latest group of suspects facing charges for their alleged roles in breaching the US Capitol building on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. Long Island’s Jon Lizak, of Cold Spring Harbor in Suffolk County, was arrested by federal investigators on Thursday, Sept. 15. Lizak and four other defendants illegally entered the Capitol as a group before moving through multiple corridors and rooms, including the office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the US Attorney’s Office said. The group reportedly exited the building a half hour later. That’s when a 23-year-old ma…
New England Teacher On Leave After 8 Middle School Boys Keep Log Of His Alleged Harassment New England Teacher On Leave After 8 Middle School Boys Keep Log Of His Alleged Harassment
New England Teacher On Leave After 8 Middle School Boys Keep Log Of His Alleged Harassment A log of alleged harassment by their teacher dubbed the “Pedo Database” that was created by eight middle school boys in New England is now part of an official investigation into the teacher, The Boston Globe reports.  The Rhode Island teacher, who works at Davisville Middle School in North Kingstown, has been placed on administrative leave amid a probe into numerous claims of inappropriate behavior, including that he made female students dance for him, the outlet reports. One of the former students, now a 15-year-old high school student, told The Boston Globe that he and several other male…
Connecticut Man Admits To Cyberstalking, Threatening Massachusetts Woman Connecticut Man Admits To Cyberstalking, Threatening Massachusetts Woman
Connecticut Man Admits To Cyberstalking, Threatening Massachusetts Woman A 31-year-old Connecticut man has admitted to threatening, harassing, and intimidating a Massachusetts woman through email and social media.  Marshall Nicholas Fain, of New Haven, pleaded guilty on Wednesday, Aug. 31, to one count of cyberstalking and one count of transmitting threats through interstate commerce, United States Attorney Rachael Rollins announced on Wednesday, Sept. 7. Fain was arrested and charged on Feb. 2, the US Attorney's Office said. According to the report, Fain was in a relationship with the victim for about two years, and the relationship ended in August 2…
Ex-NY Cop Gets Record-Setting Sentence For Assaulting Officer During Jan. 6 Riots Ex-NY Cop Gets Record-Setting Sentence For Assaulting Officer During Jan. 6 Riots
Ex-NY Cop Gets Record-Setting Sentence For Assaulting Officer During Jan. 6 Riots A retired NYPD officer from the Hudson Valley received the longest prison sentence to date among those convicted of taking part in riots at the US Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. Orange County resident Thomas Webster, age 56, of the village of Florida, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison Thursday, Sept. 1, after a jury convicted him of assaulting a Washington, DC police officer with a deadly weapon. In May 2022, the jury found him guilty of five felonies and one misdemeanor for his actions during the Capitol breach. Earlier Report: Ex-Cop From Orange County Convicte…
CT Man Charged With Mailing Threatening Letters To Journalists, Judges, Public Figures CT Man Charged With Mailing Threatening Letters To Journalists, Judges, Public Figures
CT Man Charged With Mailing Threatening Letters To Journalists, Judges, Public Figures Federal authorities have charged a Connecticut man for the fourth time with mailing threatening letters to journalists, judges, and other public figures. New Haven County resident Garrett Santillo, age 43, of Hamden, was arrested on Wednesday, July 6, on a federal criminal complaint charging him with mailing numerous threatening letters to individuals in Connecticut and elsewhere. As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, between approximately March and June, Santillo mailed more than 100 letters containing threatening and hateful statements, including threats of violence,…
Connecticut Man Sentenced  For Distributing Fentanyl Connecticut Man Sentenced  For Distributing Fentanyl
Connecticut Man Sentenced For Distributing Fentanyl A 34-year-old man has been sentenced to years in prison for distributing fentanyl in Connecticut. New Haven County resident Darryl Small, age 34, of Hamden, was sentenced to seven years in prison followed by five years of supervised release, according to Vanessa Roberts Avery, the United States attorney for the District of Connecticut. He pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 40 grams or more of fentanyl on Monday, March 7, Avery said. Authorities started investigating Small after receiving information that he was distributing h…
Man From Region Sentenced For Child Exploitation Offenses Man From Region Sentenced For Child Exploitation Offenses
Man From Region Sentenced For Child Exploitation Offenses A 49-year-old Massachusetts man was sentenced to years in prison after pleading guilty to child exploitation offenses. David Cerasuolo, a resident of Plainville in Norfolk County, was sentenced to eight years in prison and five years of supervised release, according to Rachael S. Rollins, the United States attorney for the District of Massachusetts. Cerasuolo pleaded guilty to one count of attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor and one count of possession of child pornography on Friday, March 4, the US Attorney's Office said Beginning in June of 2020, Cerasuolo us…
CT Resident Admits To Child Exploitation Offense CT Resident Admits To Child Exploitation Offense
CT Resident Admits To Child Exploitation Offense A 41-year-old Connecticut resident has admitted to a child exploitation charge. Former Litchfield County resident Kevin Curley pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography, according to Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States attorney for the District of Connecticut. In 2020, Homeland Security Investigations began investigating Curley's involvement in an online community of people who sent and received child pornography images and videos through a hidden service website that operated on a network that concealed the IP addresses and identities of the network's users, the ann…
14 Charged After Federal, State, Local Investigation Into CT Drug Trafficking 14 Charged After Federal, State, Local Investigation Into CT Drug Trafficking
14 Charged After Federal, State, Local Investigation Into CT Drug Trafficking Fourteen people have been nabbed following a long-term investigation by federal, state, and local law enforcement in connection with a narcotics trafficking ring in Connecticut. The individuals were arrested throughout New Haven County on Wednesday, May 25 on federal narcotics trafficking charges related to the distribution of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, and oxycodone in and around Waterbury, US Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery said. Those arrested included: Javier Gonzalez, age 50, of Waterbury Francisco Gonzalez, age 51, of Waterbury Christopher Cammilletti, age 30, of South…
Former CT Resident Sentenced For Distributing Fentanyl While Released On Bond Former CT Resident Sentenced For Distributing Fentanyl While Released On Bond
Former CT Resident Sentenced For Distributing Fentanyl While Released On Bond A convicted felon who was busted with an illegal assault rifle in Connecticut has been sentenced to additional prison time after admitting to distributing fentanyl while released on bond, the US Attorney’s Office announced. Brian “Whites” Velez, age 33, formerly of Hartford and West Hartford, has been sentenced to 57 months in prison, followed by four years of supervised release for illegally possessing a firearm and then distributing drugs while released on bond. US Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery said that in November 2018, Velez led police on a short car chase in Hartford’s South End befo…
Fairfield County Man Accused Of Sending Child Pornography On Kik Fairfield County Man Accused Of Sending Child Pornography On Kik
Fairfield County Man Accused Of Sending Child Pornography On Kik A Fairfield County man is accused of sending sexually explicit images of children using the instant messaging app Kik. Jake Flewellyn, age 24, of Norwalk, was hit with federal charges Thursday, May 12, accusing him of distributing child pornography, the US Attorney’s Office said. It came one day after he surrendered to police. Prosecutors said Flewellyn was busted in April 2022 after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) was tipped off that a Kik user was sending videos of child pornography through its service. That report came four months after Kik had deactivate…
CT Man Sentenced For Role In Cocaine Trafficking Ring Involving Postal Worker CT Man Sentenced For Role In Cocaine Trafficking Ring Involving Postal Worker
CT Man Sentenced For Role In Cocaine Trafficking Ring Involving Postal Worker A Connecticut man is heading to federal prison for his role in a cocaine trafficking ring that involved a US Postal worker. Kendall Hooks, age 50, of Hartford, was sentenced to more than 5 years behind bars Wednesday, May 11, in federal court in Hartford. It came nearly nine months after he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, the US Attorney’s Office said. The charges stemmed from an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in Hartford and the US Postal Inspection Service that revea…
First Black Woman To Serve As US Attorney For District Of Connecticut Takes Command First Black Woman To Serve As US Attorney For District Of Connecticut Takes Command
First Black Woman To Serve As US Attorney For District Of Connecticut Takes Command A longtime lawmaker in Connecticut has checked off a new milestone. Vanessa Roberts Avery, age 47, of West Hartford, has been sworn in as the US Attorney for the District of Connecticut, making her the first Black woman to fill that position. “It is an honor to return to this office, in the city where I was raised, to serve as Connecticut’s U.S. Attorney,” Avery announced.  “I look forward to working with the many talented members of this office, as well as our dedicated law enforcement partners, to enforce federal criminal and civil laws, protect our communities, and ensure justice …
Connecticut Man Sentenced For Producing Child Pornography Connecticut Man Sentenced For Producing Child Pornography
Connecticut Man Sentenced For Producing Child Pornography A 52-year-old Connecticut man was sentenced to decades in prison for producing child pornography. Ronald Daniel, of Hartford, was sentenced on Monday, May 2, to 27 years in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release, according to Leonard Boyle, United States attorney for the District of Connecticut. He pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of production of child pornography on Feb. 24, 2021, the US Attorney's Office said.  According to court documents, Daniel took cell phone photos of himself engaging in sexual contact with a prepubescent child on at least two occas…
New England Man Accused Of Traveling To Meet Minor For Sex New England Man Accused Of Traveling To Meet Minor For Sex
New England Man Accused Of Traveling To Meet Minor For Sex A New England man has been accused of traveling across state lines with the intent to engage in a sexual act with a minor, federal authorities in New York announced. Martin Connearney, age 32, of Lenox, Massachusetts, in Berkshire County, was arrested Thursday, May 5 and charged with traveling across state lines with the intent to engage in a sexual act with a minor, the Department of Justice's US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York and the FBI's Albany Field Office announced. The criminal complaint alleges that between Wednesday, April 6, 2022 and Wednes…
Fairfield County Man Accused Of Victimizing Girls For Sex Through Snapchat Fairfield County Man Accused Of Victimizing Girls For Sex Through Snapchat
Fairfield County Man Accused Of Victimizing Girls For Sex Through Snapchat A Fairfield County man is facing serious prison time for allegedly using social media apps to target underage girls for sex. Alexander Dilella, age 22, of Stratford, was arrested Wednesday, May 4, on multiple federal charges related to child exploitation, the US Attorney’s Office said. Federal prosecutors claim Dilella communicated with the girls - some as young as 13 or 14 - using Snapchat, Omegle, and FaceTime and enticed them to engage in illegal sexual activity. In one exchange with a 14-year-old victim, he referred to the girl as a “child porn slave” and demanded that she send him a s…
Fairfield County Resident Sentenced For Defrauding Investors, Ordered To Pay $1.5 Million Fairfield County Resident Sentenced For Defrauding Investors, Ordered To Pay $1.5 Million
Fairfield County Resident Sentenced For Defrauding Investors, Ordered To Pay $1.5 Million A man from Fairfield County will spend three years in federal prison for defrauding investors. Samuel Klein, age 66, of Greenwich, was sentenced to 36 months behind bars Tuesday, May 3. It followed a guilty plea in which Klein admitted to making false representations to an investor in his company, Visual Group LLC, in 2018, the US Attorney’s Office said. He allegedly told the victim that their $200,000 check would be invested in distressed debt despite knowing that not all of the money would be used for that purpose, prosecutors said. Distressed debt is another term for bonds that are b…