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US Attorney for Connecticut

Greenwich Investment Firm Founder Stole Millions In Clients' Cash: Feds Greenwich Investment Firm Founder Stole Millions In Clients' Cash: Feds
Greenwich Investment Firm Founder Stole Millions In Clients' Cash: Feds A 49-year-old Connecticut man faces potentially decades in prison after he allegedly defrauded and stole $3.5 million of his client's money for years, federal authorities said.  Justin C. Murphy, 49, of Stamford, is charged with 15 counts of wire fraud, five counts of money laundering, and three counts of tax evasion, the US Attorney for Connecticut announced on Tuesday, Nov. 5.  Murphy ran the Greenwich-based investment firm Mara. The company also went by Mara Investment Group, LLC, Mara Investment Management LP, and Mara Investments Global Management LLC.  Federal inv…
CT Man Had More Than 2,000 Images Of Child Porn On His Phone: Feds CT Man Had More Than 2,000 Images Of Child Porn On His Phone: Feds
CT Man Had More Than 2,000 Images Of Child Porn On His Phone: Feds A 31-year-old Connecticut man is facing potentially decades in prison after police say they found thousands of images of child sexual abuse material and discussed shared it on social media, authorities said.  Burnest Geyer, of Shelton in Fairfield County, was charged with receipt and distribution of child pornography and possession of child pornography, the US Attorney for Connecticut said.  Police began investigating Geyer after linking him to a Telegram account that discussed sharing videos and photos of child sexual abuse material, the federal prosecutor said. He even…
Businessman Gets Year In Prison For Tax Evasion, Must Pay $237K: Feds Businessman Gets Year In Prison For Tax Evasion, Must Pay $237K: Feds
Businessman Gets Year In Prison For Tax Evasion, Must Pay $237K: Feds A Connecticut businessman who admitted to hiding cash from the government for a decade was sentenced to a year and a day in prison and had to pay more than $200,000, federal authorities said.  Vishal Dhar, age 56, of New Canaan in Fairfield County, pleaded guilty to tax evasion in May and was sentenced on Monday, Oct, 7, the US Attorney for Connecticut said. He must serve two years of probation after he is released.  Dhar was accused of operating multiple entities such as Grey Brown, Inc. (a holding company for several restaurants operating under the name “Oaxaca Taqueria”), West …
Drug Dealer Admits To Role In 27-Year-Old Woman's Overdose Death: Feds Drug Dealer Admits To Role In 27-Year-Old Woman's Overdose Death: Feds
Drug Dealer Admits To Role In 27-Year-Old Woman's Overdose Death: Feds A 40-year-old Connecticut man admitted in court this week that he supplied a 27-year-old woman with some of the drugs that led to her overdose death, authorities said.  Jimmy Lassus, of Wethersfield in Hartford County, pleaded guilty on Monday, Sept. 30, to the distribution of fentanyl and oxycodone, the US Attorney for Connecticut said. He faces up to 20 years in prison.  Investigators said Lassus sold oxycodone and fentanyl to a 27-year-old Meriden woman who died of an overdose in her bed on Oct. 6, 2023. The two exchanged multiple texts about drugs leading up to …
CT Man Accused Of Ripping Off Amazon Workers CT Man Accused Of Ripping Off Amazon Workers
CT Man Accused Of Ripping Off Amazon Workers A Connecticut man accused of stealing dozens of high-end goods from Amazon workers faces federal charges.  Terrell Kimble, age 44, of Hartford, is charged with four counts of wire fraud, and was released after posting a $250,000 bail, the US Attorney for Connecticut said.  Kimble worked as a regional fleet specialist for Amazon and oversaw a rewards program called Coupa that would give high-performing workers high-end electronics like Apple iPads, AirPods, Apple Watches, and Nintendo Switches.  Federal prosecutors said Kimble kept those gifts for himself and had the items se…
Murder Conviction: CT Woman Admits To Role In 2020 Killing Of Father Of 3 Murder Conviction: CT Woman Admits To Role In 2020 Killing Of Father Of 3
Murder Conviction: CT Woman Admits To Role In 2020 Killing Of Father Of 3 A Connecticut woman pleaded guilty Tuesday, June 6, to helping cover up the kidnap and murder of a Massachusetts man on Christmas Eve 2020, federal authorities said.  Hartford County resident Shamari Smith, 34, of Manchester, faces up to three years after admitting to misprision of felony in the kidnap and killing of Francisco "Paco" Roman, the US Attorney for Connecticut said.  Authorities accused Smith of helping sell Roman's things after his killing despite knowing what had happened to the 28-year-old father of three.  Investigators said Calvin Roberson and Brandon B…
Sex Offender Accused Of Sharing Child Porn In CT Sex Offender Accused Of Sharing Child Porn In CT
Sex Offender Accused Of Sharing Child Porn In CT A 32-year-old registered sex offender living in Connecticut has been accused of sharing child porn, authorities said.  Jonathan Williams, 32, of Hartford, was charged on Thursday, June 2, with child exploitation, the US Attorney for Connecticut said.  Williams was convicted of sexual exploitation of a minor in 2015 in North Carolina, the prosecutor said.  Officials began investigating Williams after they found an account they said belonged to him on a messenger app where people were sharing child porn, authorities said. Police searched Williams' home on Wednesday and found a…
Out-Of-State Tax Preparer Set Up Shop In Connecticut To File False Returns Out-Of-State Tax Preparer Set Up Shop In Connecticut To File False Returns
Out-Of-State Tax Preparer Set Up Shop In Connecticut To File False Returns A Florida tax preparer who flew to Connecticut every year to work on people's federal returns will spend next year's tax season behind bars, authorities said on Tuesday, May 30.  Keyante Paul, age 34, was sentenced to 12 months in federal prison after she pleaded guilty in February to aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false income tax return, the US Attorney for Connecticut said. Paul ran Keys Tax Services and would set up shop in the New London County town of Norwich each year to prepare tax returns for clients that included false "adjustments," which reduced what the …
Drug Dealer, Child Predator: CT Man Who Admitted To Multiple Crimes Gets 20 Years Drug Dealer, Child Predator: CT Man Who Admitted To Multiple Crimes Gets 20 Years
Drug Dealer, Child Predator: CT Man Who Admitted To Multiple Crimes Gets 20 Years A judge sentenced a 40-year-old admitted Connecticut drug dealer who confessed to having a sexual relationship with multiple teenagers to more than two decades behind bars, authorities said. But his legal troubles are far from over.   New Haven County resident Christopher Liscio, of Wallingford, in January pleaded guilty to: Enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity Conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute oxycodone Possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine He was sentenced to 251 months in prison followed by 10 ye…
Oxycodone Scheme Sentence: CT Man Headed To Jail Oxycodone Scheme Sentence: CT Man Headed To Jail
Oxycodone Scheme Sentence: CT Man Headed To Jail A 46-year-old Connecticut man who admitted to running an oxycodone scheme that used stolen prescription pads will spend the next year behind bars, officials said.  Hartford County resident Jayson Kemp, of East Windsor, was sentenced on Tuesday, May 9, to a year and a day in prison and three years of probation in the case, the US Attorney for Connecticut said.  Kemp admitted to using stolen prescription pad pages from multiple medical providers to get oxycodone, the prosecutor said. He would also sell sheets of the books for thousands of dollars each.  Investigators said Kemp…
Mail Theft: CT Postal Carrier Charged With Stealing Packages, Distributing Cocaine Mail Theft: CT Postal Carrier Charged With Stealing Packages, Distributing Cocaine
Mail Theft: CT Postal Carrier Charged With Stealing Packages, Distributing Cocaine A US Postal Service mail carrier in Connecticut faces potentially decades in prison after federal agents say he stole mail and distributed cocaine.  New Haven County resident Shawn R. Fuller, age 36, of Hamden, is charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine and three counts of theft of mail by a postal employee, the US Attorney for Connecticut said. Fuller was released on a $100,000 bond, the prosecutor said. Fuller, who worked at a post office in Meriden, was under investigation for stealing mail when investigators said they saw him open two packages on April 1…
Armed Robberies: Man Gets Nearly 10 Years For Heists In Fairfield County, Elsewhere Armed Robberies: Man Gets Nearly 10 Years For Heists In Fairfield County, Elsewhere
Armed Robberies: Man Gets Nearly 10 Years For Heists In Fairfield County, Elsewhere A judge sentenced a 33-year-old Connecticut man who admitted to two 2019 armed robberies to more than nine years in federal prison on Monday, April 24, authorities said.  Fairfield County resident Latrell S. Moore, of Bridgeport, pleaded guilty to multiple charges in the case in March 2022, the US Attorney for Connecticut said. His 118-month sentence is in addition to the 43 months he's already spent behind bars awaiting his trial, the judge ruled.  Investigators said Moore stole $400 in an armed robbery of a Dunkin Donuts on Lordship Boulevard in Stratford in Fairfield …
Child Porn: CT Sex Offender Admits To Exploitation Charge Child Porn: CT Sex Offender Admits To Exploitation Charge
Child Porn: CT Sex Offender Admits To Exploitation Charge A 37-year-old registered sex offender in Connecticut admitted to having thousands of videos and images of child porn, many featuring infants, federal authorities said.  New Haven County resident Joseph Amadeo, of North Branford, pleaded guilty on Wednesday, April 19, to one count of receipt of child pornography, the US Attorney for Connecticut said. He was released on $100,000 bail pending sentencing, which is scheduled for July 12 in Hartford.  Related: CT Sex Offender Arrested On Child Porn Charges Federal agents began investigating Amadeo in 2020 after linking him to an o…
Drug Murder: Two CT Felons Charged In Brutal 2012 Slaying, Feds Say Drug Murder: Two CT Felons Charged In Brutal 2012 Slaying, Feds Say
Drug Murder: Two CT Felons Charged In Brutal 2012 Slaying, Feds Say Federal officials have charged two men currently serving prison terms for other crimes with kidnapping and killing a Connecticut man in 2012, authorities said.  Melkuan Scott, age 32, and Arthur Stanley, age 33, both formerly of Hartford, were indicted in February on charges of kidnapping resulting in death and causing death with a firearm, the US Attorney for Connecticut announced on Tuesday, April 11. They have both pleaded not guilty.  Investigators said Scott and Stanley kidnapped Serafin Velez in Hartford on Feb. 16, 2012, and shot and killed him near 1 Waverly Park, the…
COVID-19 $500K Fraud Scheme: CT Man Who Conspired With State Rep Gets 8-Year Sentence COVID-19 $500K Fraud Scheme: CT Man Who Conspired With State Rep Gets 8-Year Sentence
Covid-19 $500K Fraud Scheme: CT Man Who Conspired With State Rep Gets 8-Year Sentence A 50-year-old Connecticut man convicted of using his businesses to swindle nearly $500,000 in COVID-19 relief fund cash with the help of a former state representative will spend the next eight years behind bars, authorities said.  New Haven County resident John Trasacco, of West Haven, was sentenced to 96 months in prison on Monday, April 3, after being convicted of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud in December, the US Attorney for Connecticut said. The judge also ruled Trasacco must pay $143,994 in restitution. Trasacco was accused of working with Michael DiMass…
Human Smuggling Ring: Mexican Nationals Extorted Workers They Smuggled Into CT, Feds Say Human Smuggling Ring: Mexican Nationals Extorted Workers They Smuggled Into CT, Feds Say
Human Smuggling Ring: Mexican Nationals Extorted Workers They Smuggled Into CT, Feds Say Two Mexican citizens smuggled several people to Connecticut for tens of thousands of dollars, and once they reached the state, the victims were extorted and forced to work off an impossible debt, federal authorities said.  Maria Del Carmen Sanchez, age 69, and Apolinar Francisco Paredes Espinoza (aka "Pancho"), age 56, helped illegally bring 10 people from Mexico to Hartford beginning in September, the US Attorney for Connecticut said. Federal investigators arrested them on Wednesday, March 1.  Sanchez and Paredes charged each person between $15,000 and $20,000, a debt they would …
Violent Robberies: 20-Year-Old CT Man Admits To Role In String Of AT&T Store Heists Violent Robberies: 20-Year-Old CT Man Admits To Role In String Of AT&T Store Heists
Violent Robberies: 20-Year-Old CT Man Admits To Role In String Of AT&T Store Heists A 20-year-old Connecticut man who pleaded guilty to several robberies of AT&T stores in the region where he and three others sometimes beat and pistol-whipped employees was the first of the crew to be sentenced this week.  Hartford County resident Deshawn Baugh of Hartford was sentenced to nine years in federal prison after pleading guilty to Hobbs Act robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm during a violent crime, the US Attorney for Connecticut said. He must pay $124,842.45 in restitution, the prosecutor said. Baugh, along with three others, went on a robbery spr…
CT Wife, Mom Sentenced To 2 Years In Prison On Drug Charges: Feds CT Wife, Mom Sentenced To 2 Years In Prison On Drug Charges: Feds
CT Wife, Mom Sentenced To 2 Years In Prison On Drug Charges: Feds The wife of an accused drug dealer and mother of a convicted drug dealer will spend the next two years in prison after she admitted to selling drugs for her husband after he was arrested, federal prosecutors in Connecticut announced on Wednesday, Feb. 1.  Maria Maldonado, age 50, of Hartford, pleaded guilty to drug charges last year, the US Attorney for Connecticut said. She is out on a $75,000 bond and must report to prison on March 1.  Trouble for Maldonado began in 2021 when the DEA raided her and her husband's home and found 13,000 wax folds of fentanyl, more than 300 loose gr…
CT Tax Preparer Helped Falsify Dozens Of Clients' Returns: Feds CT Tax Preparer Helped Falsify Dozens Of Clients' Returns: Feds
CT Tax Preparer Helped Falsify Dozens Of Clients' Returns: Feds A Connecticut tax preparer is out on bond after a federal court charged him with more than two dozen counts of helping his client falsify tax returns over several years, authorities announced on Tuesday, Jan. 31.  David Etienne, age 48, pleaded not guilty to 25 counts of tax fraud on Monday and was released on a $100,000 bond, the US Attorney for Connecticut announced.  From 2015 through 2019, Etienne ran tax preparation services at Los Maestros Inc, Los Maestros Group, Tax Experts USA, and Tax Experts USA Inc. Prosecutors alleged he helped clients prepare numerous federal ta…
Bank Robbery Spree: Stamford Man Accused Of 3 Heists In 2 Weeks Bank Robbery Spree: Stamford Man Accused Of 3 Heists In 2 Weeks
Bank Robbery Spree: Stamford Man Accused Of 3 Heists In 2 Weeks A 50-year-old Stamford man with a history of heists robbed three banks in two weeks in 2020, federal authorities announced.  Francesco "Frankie" Pensiiero faces decades in prison in convicted of three counts of bank robbery, the US Attorney for Connecticut Vanessa Roberts Avery said.  Prosecutors allege that Pensiiero walked into the Chase Bank located at 2855 Main Street in Stratford, showed the teller a gun, and handed them a note that read, "this is a robbery give me all your money." The teller gave him $1,000, and he ran off.  Later that day, police say Pensiie…
CT Man Shared Child Porn Over Instant Messaging App: Feds CT Man Shared Child Porn Over Instant Messaging App: Feds
CT Man Shared Child Porn Over Instant Messaging App: Feds A New London County man was arrested this week after police said he sent someone child porn over an instant messaging app last year.  Joel Huntsman, who also goes by the names Jay Huntsman, Joel Feser, and Jay Blackburn, 34, of Preston, is charged with distribution of child pornography following a monthslong investigation, the US Attorney for Connecticut said.  The FBI began investigating Huntsman in June 2022 after someone sent a tip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that someone — later identified as the Huntsman — was sharing child pornography throu…
Hartford Man Busted For Heroin, Fentanyl Possession, Having Stolen Gun Sentenced Hartford Man Busted For Heroin, Fentanyl Possession, Having Stolen Gun Sentenced
Hartford Man Busted For Heroin, Fentanyl Possession, Having Stolen Gun Sentenced A 33-year-old Hartford who admitted to having heroin, fentanyl, and a stolen pistol was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in federal prison on Monday, Jan. 23, authorities announced.  Robert Allen pleaded guilty to one count of possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in 2020, the US Attorney for Connecticut said. He must also serve three years of probation following his release.  Police pulled over Allen driving along Woodland Avenue in November 2019 and found a loaded .38 caliber Ruger and 48 wax paper sleev…