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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: Westchester Juror Among Those Awarding E. Jean Carroll $83.3M In Damages Trump Defamation Case: Westchester Juror Among Those Awarding E. Jean Carroll $83.3M In Damages
Trump Defamation Case: Westchester Juror Among Those Awarding E. Jean Carroll $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…
Former Doctor From Fairfield County Sentenced For Illegally Prescribing Controlled Substances Former Doctor From Fairfield County Sentenced For Illegally Prescribing Controlled Substances
Former Doctor From Fairfield County 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…
COVID-19: Springfield Woman Admits To Fraud Related To Pandemic COVID-19: Springfield Woman Admits To Fraud Related To Pandemic
Covid-19: Springfield Woman Admits To Fraud Related To Pandemic A Western Massachusetts woman admitted to a $1.2 million unemployment fraud scheme that she ran during the COVID-19 pandemic to illegally obtain unemployment benefits. Audri Ford-Victory, age 61, of Springfield, pleaded guilty in US District Court to one count of wire fraud in connection to her involvement in a scheme with a co-conspirator to profit from the pandemic. Prosecutors said that Ford-Victory and her co-conspirator submitted more than 100 fraudulent Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) claims resulting in more than $1.2 million in payments. Approximately half of the PUA claims…
Man From Region Sentenced For Multi-Drug Trafficking Conspiracy Man From Region Sentenced For Multi-Drug Trafficking Conspiracy
Man From Region Sentenced For Multi-Drug Trafficking Conspiracy A Massachusetts man was sentenced to five years in prison in connection with fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine trafficking conspiracy. Robert Young, 50, of Worcester, was sentenced on Thursday, Nov. 18, by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman. According to court documents, in October 2018, Young pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin, cocaine, cocaine base, and fentanyl. In April 2017, law enforcement began investigating drug sales made by Young and co-conspirator Daniel Donald on Groton Street in Worcester, the US Attorney's Office said. On Nov.…
Felon Sentenced For Possession Of Gun, Ammo In Region Felon Sentenced For Possession Of Gun, Ammo In Region
Felon Sentenced For Possession Of Gun, Ammo In Region A Massachusetts man was sentenced to 40 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Nicholas Briggs, age 22, of Worcester, was sentenced on Monday, Aug. 30 by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman to prison time as well as three years of supervised release.  According to US Attorney's Office, in May, Briggs pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Briggs was arrested in July 2020, for carrying a loaded Glock pistol.  He is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to prior convictions punishab…
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…
Mistrial Declared In Case Of Attempt To Blow Up Jewish Nursing Home Mistrial Declared In Case Of Attempt To Blow Up Jewish Nursing Home
Mistrial Declared In Case Of Attempt To Blow Up Jewish Nursing Home A mistrial has been declared in the case of a local man accused of trying to blow up a Jewish nursing home. On Monday, Nov. 23, U.S. District Court Judge Mark Mastroianni dismissed the jury in the trial against John M. Rathbun, of East Longmeadow, after they failed to reach a verdict on two out of three charges facing Rathbun, according to WWLP. Rathbun allegedly made an explosive device and left it outside Ruth’s House, an assisted living facility in Longmeadow, on April 2. No one was injured in the incident. Rathbun’s lawyer has asked for his client’s release. A judge is scheduled to he…
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…
Latin Kings 'Judge' Pleads Guilty To Racketeering Latin Kings 'Judge' Pleads Guilty To Racketeering
Latin Kings 'Judge' Pleads Guilty To Racketeering A “judge” within the Latin Kings' Crown Council pleaded guilty to racketeering, Tuesday, Sept. 15, in U.S. District Court. Hector “King Demon” Vega, 34, was arrested in 2019 along with 61 other gang leaders in a major sweep of the region. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly known as RICO conspiracy, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Connecticut, said. The Latin Kings is a national, well-organized street gang with its own laws, government, justice system, and treasury.  While investigating the gang, law enfor…
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…
Ex-con From Stamford Gets 18 Months In Prison For Illegally Owning/Selling A Pistol Ex-con From Stamford Gets 18 Months In Prison For Illegally Owning/Selling A Pistol
Ex-con From Stamford Gets 18 Months In Prison For Illegally Owning/Selling A Pistol The illegal possession of a firearm has landed a Stamford man 18 months in prison. Kevin Genis, 27, was sentenced July 23 in U.S. District Court to 18 months in prison as well as three years of parole. He was facing a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Genis’ sentence stems from a May 28, 2019 incident in which he sold an undercover law enforcement agent a Century Arms International 7.62 caliber AK pistol and 10 rounds of ammunition for $900, the state Attorney’s Office said. With prior felony convictions to his name, Genis is not allowed to possess a firearm or ammunition that has mo…
Springfield Police Officer Sentenced To Anger Management Classes Following Clash in Lobby Springfield Police Officer Sentenced To Anger Management Classes Following Clash in Lobby
Springfield Police Officer Sentenced To Anger Management Classes Following Clash in Lobby Springfield Police Officer Jefferson Petrie has pleaded guilty to assaulting a civilian back in 2017. Petrie pleaded guilty in March, court records show, when he agreed to take anger management classes and stay 100 yards from the victim, Jerry Bellamy. In exchange for complying with the sentence, Petrie’s charges will be dismissed after one year, MassLive reported. Bellamy, however, is not done with the courts. He is suing Petrie and three other officers in U.S. District Court that alleges assault and batter, false arrest, malicious prosecution, and civil rights violation, according to cour…