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US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut

CT Pharmacy Filled Illegitimate Prescriptions For Controlled Substances: Feds CT Pharmacy Filled Illegitimate Prescriptions For Controlled Substances: Feds
CT Pharmacy Filled Illegitimate Prescriptions For Controlled Substances: Feds A Connecticut pharmacy business and its owner have paid $120,000 as part of a settlement after issuing illegitimate prescriptions for controlled substances to people displaying red flags of addiction, federal officials announced.  Cornerstone Pharmacy, Inc., which did business in New Haven as Whalley Drug, and its owner, Yong Kwon, entered into a civil settlement agreement with the federal government to resolve allegations that they violated the Controlled Substances Act, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut announced on Monday, April 22.  According to fed…
$248K Scheme: Wilton Man Gets Prison Time For Selling Fake Paintings $248K Scheme: Wilton Man Gets Prison Time For Selling Fake Paintings
Wilton's Nicholas Hatch Sells Over $248K Of Fake Paintings A 29-year-old Connecticut man will spend more than a year in prison for selling hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of counterfeit paintings, federal officials said. Fairfield County resident Nicholas Hatch of Wilton was sentenced to 14 months in prison for selling counterfeit works of art purported to have been painted by artist Peter Max, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut announced on Wednesday, April 17. Earlier Report - $248K Scheme: Wilton Man Admits Selling 145 Fraudulent Paintings To Victims According to federal officials, Hatch had been the owner of N…
Man Admits Selling Over $34K In Catalytic Converters To CT Warehouse Man Admits Selling Over $34K In Catalytic Converters To CT Warehouse
Man Admits Selling Over $34K In Catalytic Converters To CT Warehouse A 30-year-old Connecticut man has admitted to his role in a statewide stolen catalytic converter trafficking ring, federal officials announced. New Haven resident Michael Almodovar, also known as "Eme ElColorado," pleaded guilty on Wednesday, March 27 to charges related to his role in a stolen catalytic converter trafficking ring in Connecticut, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut announced.  According to federal officials, Almodovar's conviction follows an investigation into the theft of catalytic converters from vehicles across the state. This inve…
CT Man Lies About Knowing Terrorist Organization Associates During Citizenship Process CT Man Lies About Knowing Terrorist Organization Associates During Citizenship Process
CT Man Lies About Knowing Terrorist Organization Associates During Citizenship Process A 33-year-old Connecticut man has admitted to lying about knowing anyone involved with a terrorist organization during his citizenship process, federal officials announced.  New Haven resident Mohamed Najm Kamash, also known as Mohamed Najm Mohamed Ali Kamash, pleaded guilty on Monday, March 25 to making a false statement in a naturalization proceeding, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut announced on Tuesday, March 26.  According to federal officials, Kamash immigrated to the IS from Iraq in 2014 and became a lawful permanent resident.  O…
CT Man Enticed Minors To Send Him Explicit Photos Over Phone App: Feds CT Man Enticed Minors To Send Him Explicit Photos Over Phone App: Feds
CT Man Enticed Minors To Send Him Explicit Photos Over Phone App: Feds A 43-year-old Connecticut man has been hit with child exploitation charges after enticing young girls to send him sexually explicit images and videos over a phone application in return for money, federal officials announced. Tolland County resident Daryl Todd of Vernon was arrested on Thursday, March 7, and charged with child exploitation offenses, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut announced.  According to federal officials, Todd's arrest followed an investigation conducted by the FBI's Child Exploitation Task Force that determined he had used Snapchat to co…
Over $800K Scheme: Stamford Man Gets Prison Time For Stealing From Family Trust Over $800K Scheme: Stamford Man Gets Prison Time For Stealing From Family Trust
Over $800K Scheme: Stamford Man Gets Prison Time For Stealing From Family Trust A 69-year-old Connecticut man will spend time in prison for stealing over $800,000 from his relatives' family trust that he administered, officials announced.  Fairfield County resident Curtis Solsvig of Stamford was sentenced on Tuesday, March 5 to 18 months in prison for his wire fraud scheme, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut announced. According to federal officials, in 1996, Solsvig began serving as a trustee of a married couple's trust intended to benefit their two children. Beginning in 2011, Solsvig, a relative of the victims, began stealing around $…
CT Man Admits Robbing 2 Businesses, Pistol-Whipping Clerks: Feds CT Man Admits Robbing 2 Businesses, Pistol-Whipping Clerks: Feds
CT Man Admits Robbing 2 Businesses, Pistol-Whipping Clerks: Feds A man faces decades in prison after admitting to robbing two Connecticut businesses and pistol-whipping clerks at both, federal officials announced.  New Haven County resident Kenneth Strothers of Meriden, age 27, pleaded guilty on Monday, Feb. 26 to federal robbery charges, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut announced on Tuesday, Feb. 27.  According to federal officials, Strothers was the focus of an FBI investigation into several armed robberies that happened in Connecticut in early 2021. This investigation determined that Strothers had committed at least t…
Over $955K Scheme: Former CT Office Manager Gets Years In Prison For Embezzlement Over $955K Scheme: Former CT Office Manager Gets Years In Prison For Embezzlement
Over $955K Scheme: Former CT Office Manager Gets Years In Prison For Embezzlement A 53-year-old former office manager from Connecticut will spend years in prison for embezzling nearly $956,000 from the family-owned construction business she worked for, officials announced. New Haven County resident Erin Sullivan of Cheshire, age 53, was sentenced on Wednesday, Feb. 21 to 24 months in prison for her embezzlement scheme and tax fraud, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut announced. According to federal officials, Sullivan was employed as the office manager for the Orange-based construction business she worked for. Beginning at least as early as 2016, Su…
Mail Theft: Former CT Postal Carrier Admits Stealing Packages, Feds Say Mail Theft: Former CT Postal Carrier Admits Stealing Packages, Feds Say
Mail Theft: Former CT Postal Carrier Admits Stealing Packages, Feds Say A 37-year-old former Connecticut postal carrier has admitted to stealing packages while on the job, federal officials announced.  New Haven County resident Shawn Fuller of Hamden, who once worked as a US Postal Service carrier in Meriden, pleaded guilty to a mail theft offense on Friday, Feb. 16, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut announced.  Earlier Report - Mail Theft: Meriden Postal Carrier Charged With Stealing Packages, Distributing Cocaine According to federal officials, while working as a mail carrier, Fuller was investigated for stealing package…
Former Greenwich HS Teacher From Ridgefield Admits Possessing Child Porn, Feds Say Former Greenwich HS Teacher From Ridgefield Admits Possessing Child Porn, Feds Say
Former Greenwich HS Teacher From Ridgefield Admits Possessing Child Porn, Feds Say A 44-year-old man who worked as a teacher at a Connecticut high school has admitted to possessing images and videos containing child pornography, federal officials said. Fairfield County resident Nicholas Skirkanich of Ridgefield pleaded guilty on Wednesday, Feb. 21 to a child pornography possession charge, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut announced.  According to federal officials, in October 2022, an online service provider submitted a CyberTip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that indicated a TikTok video containing child sex abu…
$479K Scheme: Man Admits Helping To Steal From Retired Victim's Bank Account In CT $479K Scheme: Man Admits Helping To Steal From Retired Victim's Bank Account In CT
$479K Scheme: Man Admits Helping To Steal From Retired Victim's Bank Account In CT A 44-year-old man has admitted to his role in a scheme to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from a retired woman his accomplice had been working for in Connecticut, federal officials announced. New York resident Mavani Coleman of Brooklyn, age 44, pleaded guilty in Hartford federal court on Wednesday, Feb. 14 to one count of bank fraud, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut announced. According to federal officials, the scheme began in 2018, when Coleman's accomplice, New Haven resident Gregory Ivy, began working odd jobs for a retired woman in Connecticut. In Octobe…
Greenwich Attorney Admits Possessing Child Porn Depicting Sexual Abuse Of Infants Greenwich Attorney Admits Possessing Child Porn Depicting Sexual Abuse Of Infants
Greenwich Attorney Admits Possessing Child Porn Depicting Sexual Abuse Of Infants A 37-year-old attorney from Connecticut faces decades in prison after admitting to accessing and possessing child pornography, including images depicting the sexual abuse of infants.  Fairfield County resident Christopher Bates, Jr. of Greenwich pleaded guilty to a child exploitation offense on Wednesday, Feb. 7, according to the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut.  Earlier Report - Greenwich Man Charged With Child Porn Offenses, Including Possessing Images With Infants  According to federal officials, Bates' arrest resulted from an international law i…
$1.6M Scheme: CT Psychologist Admits Submitting Fraudulent Medicaid Claims $1.6M Scheme: CT Psychologist Admits Submitting Fraudulent Medicaid Claims
$1.6M Scheme: CT Psychologist Admits Submitting Fraudulent Medicaid Claims A 75-year-old psychologist from Connecticut has admitted to submitting false Medicaid claims as part of a more than $1.6 million scheme, federal officials announced.  Hartford County resident Michael Pines of Avon, a Glastonbury-based psychologist, pleaded guilty to healthcare fraud charges on Wednesday, Jan. 31, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut announced.  According to federal officials, Pines, who owned and operated Michael B. Pines, Ph.D., P.C., provided psychotherapy to young children, adolescents, and adults and had been individually enrolled…
$600K Fraud: CT Tax Preparer Gets Prison Time For Including Fake Expenses In Returns $600K Fraud: CT Tax Preparer Gets Prison Time For Including Fake Expenses In Returns
$600K Fraud: CT Tax Preparer Gets Prison Time For Including Fake Expenses In Returns A Connecticut man will spend years in prison for including false expenses on income tax returns for clients, federal officials announced.  David Etienne, a 49-year-old New London County tax return preparer based in Norwich, was sentenced to two years in prison on Wednesday, Jan. 17 for a tax fraud offense, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut announced.  According to federal officials, Etienne worked through several businesses, including Los Maestros Inc., Los Maestros Group, Tax Experts USA, and Tax Experts USA Inc. Between the 2012 and 2021 tax…
CT Man Steals Tens Of Thousands Of Dollars From Tech Company: Here's His Sentence CT Man Steals Tens Of Thousands Of Dollars From Tech Company: Here's His Sentence
CT Man Steals Tens Of Thousands Of Dollars From Tech Company: Here's His Sentence A Connecticut man has received his sentence after stealing tens of thousands of dollars in products from a technology company, federal officials announced.  New London County resident Myron Ware of Colchester, age 49, was sentenced on Wednesday, Jan. 3 to three years of probation for defrauding a computer technology company, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut announced. According to federal officials, between 2017 and 2020, Ware would identify companies and organizations that had previously bought computer parts and components from the Texas-based company tha…
CT Man Uses Victims' IDs To Steal Pandemic Unemployment Benefits: Here's His Sentence CT Man Uses Victims' IDs To Steal Pandemic Unemployment Benefits: Here's His Sentence
CT Man Uses Victims' IDs To Steal Pandemic Unemployment Benefits: Here's His Sentence A 31-year-old Connecticut man will spend years in prison for using the identifying information of more than 40 victims to steal pandemic unemployment benefits, federal officials announced.  New Haven County resident Olajuwon Harrington of Waterbury, also known as “OJ Harrington,” was sentenced to four years in prison on Wednesday, Jan. 10 for stealing pandemic unemployment benefits, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut announced.  According to federal officials, Harrington used the identifying information of real victims without their knowledge t…
$100K Scheme: CT Man Fraudulently Obtained COVID Relief Funds, Used For Personal Expenses $100K Scheme: CT Man Fraudulently Obtained COVID Relief Funds, Used For Personal Expenses
$100K Scheme: CT Man Fraudulently Obtained COVID Relief Funds, Used For Personal Expenses A Connecticut man has admitted to fraudulently obtaining $100,000 in COVID-19 relief funds meant for his small business and instead using it for personal expenses, federal officials said.  Tolland County resident John Matava of Coventry, age 59, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, Jan. 2 to charges related to his scheme to obtain COVID-19 relief funds, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut announced.  According to federal officials, in April 2020, Matava applied for a $100,000 Paycheck Protection Program loan from Celtic Bank for his purported business, J.…
CT Man Tries To Join ISIS, Fly To Syria: Here's His Sentence CT Man Tries To Join ISIS, Fly To Syria: Here's His Sentence
CT Man Tries To Join ISIS, Fly To Syria: Here's His Sentence A 30-year-old Connecticut man will spend more than a decade in prison for trying to travel to Syria to fight for ISIS, federal officials announced.  New Haven County resident Kevin McCormick of Hamden was sentenced on Thursday, Dec. 21 to 12 years in prison for trying to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut announced.  Earlier Report - 'I Gotta Fight Bro': Hamden Man Tried To Join ISIS, Fly To Syria, He Admits According to …
Man Who Planned Stamford Jewelry Store Heist That Caused Owner's Death Gets Prison Time Man Who Planned Stamford Jewelry Store Heist That Caused Owner's Death Gets Prison Time
Man Who Planned Stamford Jewelry Store Heist That Caused Owner's Death Gets Prison Time A 66-year-old New York man will spend decades in prison for planning a Connecticut jewelry store robbery that resulted in the death of the business's owner. White Plains resident Thomas Liberatore was sentenced on Monday, Dec. 18 to 32 years in federal prison for his involvement in the March 2020 robbery of Marco Jewelers in Stamford that left the owner dead, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut announced.  Earlier Report - Get-Away Driver During Murder Of Stamford Jeweler Sentenced According to federal officials, on the day of the robbery, March 28, 2020…
Man Kills Accomplice To Stop Him From Snitching On 2 Murders In CT: Here's His Sentence Man Kills Accomplice To Stop Him From Snitching On 2 Murders In CT: Here's His Sentence
Man Kills Accomplice To Stop Him From Snitching On 2 Murders In CT: Here's His Sentence An illegal firearms dealer will spend the rest of his life in prison for kidnapping and murdering two people in Connecticut before killing his accomplice to stop him from confessing to authorities.  North Carolina resident Edward Michael Parks of Raleigh, age 37, also known as "Lee" and "Trouble," was sentenced on Monday, Dec. 11 to three consecutive life sentences for killing two men in New Haven County and killing a third man to stop him from telling law enforcement about the murders, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut announced.  Earlier Report -&nbs…
CT Woman Robs Bank Inside Stop & Shop Supermarket: Here's Her Sentence CT Woman Robs Bank Inside Stop & Shop Supermarket: Here's Her Sentence
CT Woman Robs Bank Inside Stop & Shop Supermarket: Here's Her Sentence A 28-year-old woman will spend more than two years in prison for robbing a bank inside a Stop & Shop supermarket in Connecticut, officials announced.  Former Middlesex County resident Jalania Pantano of Middletown, age 28, was sentenced on Tuesday, Dec. 5 to 30 months in prison for robbing a bank in Hartford County in July 2022, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut announced. Earlier Report - Middletown Duo Nabbed For Robbing People's United Banks Inside Stop & Shop Supermarkets According to federal officials, on July 20, 2022, Pantano a…
3 More Charged In CT Catalytic Converter Trafficking Ring Ran Out Of Recycling Warehouse: Feds 3 More Charged In CT Catalytic Converter Trafficking Ring Ran Out Of Recycling Warehouse: Feds
3 More Charged In CT Catalytic Converter Trafficking Ring Ran Out Of Recycling Warehouse: Feds Three Connecticut men have been charged in connection with a catalytic converter trafficking ring that has already resulted in the arrests of five other people, federal officials announced.  The indictment of the three men was announced on Wednesday, Nov. 29 by the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut. The three defendants are identified as:  Yanquee Rodriguez, age 27, of West Hartford, also known as "Yankster Rodriguez"; Mervin Figueroa, age 26, of New Haven; Michael Almodovar, age 30, of New Haven, also known as "Eme ElColorado".  Additionally, 29-year-old&…
Former CT Resident May Lose US Citizenship For Lying About Role In Prisoner Abuse: Feds Former CT Resident May Lose US Citizenship For Lying About Role In Prisoner Abuse: Feds
Former CT Resident May Lose US Citizenship For Lying About Role In Prisoner Abuse: Feds A former Connecticut resident originally from Bosnia and Herzegovina may face prison time and the loss of her US citizenship for allegedly lying about her role in abusing prisoners during the Bosnian War, federal officials announced.  West Virginia resident Nada Radovan Tomanic, age 51, who once lived in Hartford, was arrested on Thursday, Nov. 29 on charges related to her alleged lying to obtain US citizenship, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut announced.  According to officials, Tomanic served with the Zulfikar Special Unit of the Army …
Wilton Contractor Admits To Tax Offense: Provided False Invoices To IRS Wilton Contractor Admits To Tax Offense: Provided False Invoices To IRS
Wilton Contractor Admits To Tax Offense: Provided False Invoices To IRS A contractor from Fairfield County faces prison time after admitting to providing fabricated invoices and letters to the Internal Revenue Service, federal officials announced.  Wilton resident David Anspach, age 67, pleaded guilty to a tax offense in Hartford federal court on Wednesday, Nov. 15, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut announced.  According to federal officials, Anspach operates a construction and remodeling business. As a result of a civil audit of Anspach's 2013 tax return, the IRS found that his business receipts were un…
$720K Scheme: Former Stamford Attorney Defrauds Clients, Gets Jail Time $720K Scheme: Former Stamford Attorney Defrauds Clients, Gets Jail Time
$720K Scheme: Former Stamford Attorney Defrauds Clients, Gets Jail Time A former real estate attorney based in Fairfield County will spend time in prison after stealing more than $700,000 from his clients for both his own use and for paying debts owed to others.  Westerly Rhode Island resident William McCullough, age 63, was sentenced on Wednesday, Nov. 15 to 12 months and one day in prison for stealing more than $700,000 from clients of his Stamford-based law practice, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut announced.  Earlier Report - Former Stamford Attorney Admits Defrauding Clients Of More Than $700K According to fede…
CT Woman Admits Trafficking Crystal Meth: Also Caught With Crack Cocaine, Pills, Feds Say CT Woman Admits Trafficking Crystal Meth: Also Caught With Crack Cocaine, Pills, Feds Say
CT Woman Admits Trafficking Crystal Meth: Also Caught With Crack Cocaine, Pills, Feds Say A 43-year-old Connecticut woman could spend decades in prison after selling crystal meth to undercover agents, leading to her being caught with several types of illegal drugs at her residence, officials announced. New London County resident Jill Mulligan of North Stonington, age 43, pleaded guilty to methamphetamine possession charges on Wednesday, Nov. 1, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut announced.  According to federal officials, in April and May 2023, the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force made three controlled purchas…
CT Woman Admits To Child Porn Possession: Has Previous Sexual Assault Conviction, Feds Say CT Woman Admits To Child Porn Possession: Has Previous Sexual Assault Conviction, Feds Say
CT Woman Admits To Child Porn Possession: Has Previous Sexual Assault Conviction, Feds Say A Connecticut woman who has already been convicted of sexually assaulting a minor faces at least a decade in prison after admitting to possessing child pornography, officials announced.  Former New London County resident Sheldon Thomson, age 35, who last resided in Norwich, pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography on Tuesday, Oct. 31, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut announced.  According to federal officials, Thomson, who now identifies as female, had been on probation following her 2007 conviction of first-degree sexual assault involvin…
$874K Scheme: Former Danbury Postmaster Defrauded Postal Service, Solicited Bribes: Feds $874K Scheme: Former Danbury Postmaster Defrauded Postal Service, Solicited Bribes: Feds
$874K Scheme: Former Danbury Postmaster Defrauded Postal Service, Solicited Bribes: Feds A 50-year-old Massachusetts man who once served as postmaster for a Fairfield County post office has admitted to defrauding the US Postal Service out of over $874,000 as part of a bribery, kickback, and embezzlement scheme that he operated, officials announced. Former Brookfield resident Ephrem D. Nguyen, age 50, pleaded guilty to a fraud offense related to his scheme on Friday, Oct. 13, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut announced.  According to federal officials, Nguyen, who now lives in Quincy, Massachusetts in Norfolk County, had been employed b…
Yale University, Professor To Pay $1.5M To VA: Failed To Share Patent Royalties, Feds Say Yale University, Professor To Pay $1.5M To VA: Failed To Share Patent Royalties, Feds Say
Yale University, Professor To Pay $1.5M To VA: Failed To Share Patent Royalties, Feds Say Yale University and a professor who teaches there have agreed to pay over $1.5 million to the federal Department of Veterans Affairs after failing to share patent royalties for inventions, officials said. Yale University and one of its professors, John Krystal, will pay $1,507,743.67 as part of a settlement with the Department of Veterans Affairs after failing to let the institution know about certain patents and not sharing royalties earned on them, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut announced on Thursday, Sept. 21.  According to federal officials,…
CT Man Gets Prison Time For Tax Evasion: Ordered To Pay Over $160K To IRS CT Man Gets Prison Time For Tax Evasion: Ordered To Pay Over $160K To IRS
CT Man Gets Prison Time For Tax Evasion: Ordered To Pay Over $160K To IRS A 61-year-old Connecticut man will spend time in prison for filing a false tax return and providing false documentation to an Internal Revenue Service attorney, federal officials announced.  Tolland County resident David Kamal, age 61, of Stafford, was sentenced on Monday, Sept. 11 to eight months in prison for tax evasion, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut announced.  Earlier Report - CT Man Charged With Tax Fraud, Obstruction, ID Theft Offenses According to federal officials, Kamal, a former Hebron resident, purposefully evaded taxes for the 2012 tax…
CT Hearing Aid Dealer Gets Years In Prison For Submitting False Medicaid Claims CT Hearing Aid Dealer Gets Years In Prison For Submitting False Medicaid Claims
CT Hearing Aid Dealer Gets Years In Prison For Submitting False Medicaid Claims The 54-year-old owner of a Connecticut hearing aid dealer will spend several years in prison for submitting false claims to the state's Medicaid program for services and equipment that were not provided or were medically unnecessary.  New Haven County resident Dennis Dellaghelfa, age 54, of Waterbury, was sentenced on Wednesday, Sept. 6 to four years in prison for health care fraud, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut announced.  According to federal officials, Dellaghelfa, a licensed hearing instrument specialist, is the owner of Waterbury-based hea…