Finally, I want to stress that while this is a significant and substantial prosecution that will assist in quelling violence in Bridgeport, our work is far from over. A CT bill would expand it. A federal jury in New Haven has found RAMON OQUENDO, also known as Mimo, 46, of Waterbury, guilty of narcotics trafficking and firearm possession offenses. Now Trumbullers can enjoy Fairfield, Milford, Stratford, Bridgeport, Westport beaches at nominal fees. HARRY BATCHELOR, also known as Bookie, 24. Dunn was at the courthouse to be sentenced for his involvement in the police chief cheating scandal. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Francis, a member of the financial fraud and public corruption unit, told U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert Spector that the case involves a loss of $84,140, which is the public grant Bradley obtained for his primary in 2018, and an intended additional loss of $95,170, the general election grant Bradley never received. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. First, then-police chief Armando Perez and then-personnel director David Dunn were charged in September for conspiring to help the former cheat to get the job. "AJ" Perez has resigned after being arrested and charged with fraud by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United. A new legislative proposal, House Bill 6616, would extend the program to people 20 and younger regardless of immigration status starting in January 2024, and then to those 25 and younger beginning . Among the violent acts committed by the gang, the indictment alleges that: If convicted, Donald, Wright and Dangerfield face a maximum term of imprisonment of life, and Hayes faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. State Senator Dennis Bradley, D-Bridgeport, exits his arraignment on wire fraud charges in federal court in New Haven, Conn. on Tuesday, May 25, 2021. But you should be looking at this guy, too. That helps them (defendants) when it comes to sentencing., And, Twardy noted, in his experience, The larger the city, the more money. Bridgeport Directions: View Larger Map North Follow Interstate 95 south to Exit 27 (Lafayette Blvd). Secure .gov websites use HTTPS During the time of his arrest, Jorge Ruiz had an . Clark said from his own experience with the FBI, there will never be a point when the agency announces it has exhausted all avenues of inquiry. Get CT Mirror emails in your inbox daily. Drug dealers and street gangs value their own profits over human life, and are responsible for fueling drug addiction and much of the violent crimes across New England. The U.S. Attorneys office did not return a request for comment and has a policy of not discussing pending cases. In August 2021, investigators intercepted phone calls in which Landdy Rodriguez of Waterbury, who was allegedly running a drug trafficking network, arranged for Oquendo allegedly to give fentanyl to other drug distributers including Sylvester "Bug" Vann, also of Waterbury, and Pedro Diaz of Pennsylvania, officials said. KYRAN DANGERFIELD, 24, Attorneys Rahul Kale, Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis, Peter D. Markle and Karen L. Peck. Through Project Longevity, community members and law enforcement directly engage with members of groups that are prone to commit violence and deliver a community message against violence, a law enforcement message about the consequences of further violence and an offer of help for those who want it. BOSTON (AP) The former manager of a Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles branch has agreed to plead guilty to federal extortion charges for allegedly taking bribes . In separate appearances, both pleaded not guilty. JESUS NIEVES, also known as Pop, 39, formerly of Waterbury, Connecticut, and Springfield, Massachusetts, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 63 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for supplying heroin to a member of a Waterbury-area drug trafficking ring. The superseding indictment, which was returned on May 3 and unsealed yesterday, charges, KEISHAWN DONALD, 20 An official website of the United States government. An official website of the United States government. The five defendants are also charged with conspiracy to commit murder/conspiracy to commit assault with a dangerous weapon. Among the violent acts committed by the defendants, the indictment alleges that: As to the January 27, 2020, shooting, at 12:11 p.m. on that date, Bridgeport Police responded to the area of 172 Golden Hill Street in Bridgeport after a Shot Spotter activation detected approximately 20 shots being fired in front of the state courthouse located there. I also thank the forensic examiners at the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protections Division of Scientific Services for their timely and expert analysis pertaining to DNA and ballistic evidence that has been critical to this investigation. East End members celebrated their criminal conduct on social media websites such as Facebook and YouTube, and committed acts of intimidation and made threats to deter potential witnesses to their crimes and to protect gang members and associates from detection and prosecution by law enforcement authorities. He appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah A.L. Both men resigned, pleaded guilty and in late May began serving their respective prison terms. It was unclear how a state campaign finance investigation, which typically are resolved with civil fines or a referral to state prosecutors, became the subject of a federal indictment. Brian A. All Rights Reserved. The department is duty bound to investigate all such leads and bring charges where appropriate.. U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Connecticut, Total of 22 Bridgeport gang members charged federally in the last year, Indictment Charges 8 Gang Members with Drug Trafficking, Multiple Attempted Murders, Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, Jury Finds Waterbury Man Guilty of Narcotics Distribution and Firearm Possession Offenses, Meriden Man Charged with Cocaine Trafficking Offenses, Man Who Robbed and Murdered Stamford Jeweler Sentenced to 40 Years in Federal Prison, Indictment Charges 8 Gang Members With Drug Trafficking, Multiple Attempted Murders. Lock Garf or Gbaby, a member and associate of the O.N.E. The indictment also charges Isreal with one count of using and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, an offense that carries a mandatory consecutive sentence of at least 10 years. Once the court appearance was concluded, Senate President Pro Tem Martin M. Looney, D-New Haven, immediately stripped Bradley of his committee assignments and his title as a deputy majority leader. In terms of how the chain of events got started in Bridgeport, what is known is that in late 2018 city officials received an anonymous letter alleging cash from municipal scrap metal sales was being misappropriated and contracts rigged within the public facilities department. The indictment is part of on-going investigations by local, state and federal law enforcement targeting drug-driven violence in cities like Bridgeport and Hartford. Through Project Longevity, community members and law enforcement directly engage with members of groups that are prone to commit violence and deliver a community message against violence, a law enforcement message about the consequences of further violence and an offer of help for those who want it. Lock Marshals Service, for their collaborative effort in bringing these individuals to justice.. Bradleys lawyer is James Glasser, the former chief of the criminal division in the U.S. Attorneys office. DEA and its local, state and federal partners are dedicated to bringing to justice those that commit these crimes.. Garf, 24 PSN is a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone. The federal charges against these five defendants are the result of an extensive investigation conducted by a partnership of law enforcement entities formed to address the surge in violent crime in the city of Bridgeport, said U.S. Attorney Durham. The Connecticut investigation, begun more than a year ago, was modeled on Federal, state and local task force operations that broke up violent drug gangs in the state, including the Jungle Boys. Isreal, Calderon, Blackwell and Jones were arrested today. Main Office: Isreal and Warren are members of the Original North End (O.N.E.), a Bridgeport gang whose members have been allies with GHB/Hotz members since approximately 2017. and GHB/Hotz gangs have been charged with federal offenses as a result of this ongoing investigation. ASANTE GAINES, a.k.a. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. So the FBI absolutely should be looking at election fraud, Clark said. They appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Holly B. Fitsimmons via video conference and are detained. Kimani Williams,. A lock ( In the case of DeFilippo, the federal charges against him were directly related to a very public, nearly 4-year-old court battle over the September 2017 Democratic Party primary he won. Lock The indictment alleges that the East End gang distributed heroin, crack cocaine, marijuana and Percocet pills; used and shared firearms; and committed murder and other acts of violence against rival gang members and other individuals. They turn a rock over, uncover something and follow up with it, said Twardy, a former U.S. Attorney for Connecticut. And, this past Wednesday, City Councilman Michael DeFilippo was charged for alleged illegalities involving absentee or mail-in ballots. BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (WTNH) The former Bridgeport Police Chief and the acting personnel director for the city were both in court on Monday and pleaded guilty to federal charges. The indictment, which was returned on August 5 and unsealed today following the arrest of four of the five defendants, charges, MARQUIS ISREAL, 24 Guy M. Vallaro, Director of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protections Division of Scientific Services. Main Office: Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Fax Line: (203) 773- 5376. The arrest comes on a day when the Senate was set to debate final passage of a bill legalizing sports betting and online gambling, an issue under the jurisdiction of the committee that Bradley had co-chaired, the Public Safety and Security Committee. Gun violence, group member violence, drug activity, etc., have been an expressed concern of the residents within our communities; therefore, we have taken an even greater proactive approach by applying resources to and collaborating with these agencies, and are now witnessing the benefits of these partnerships. Attorneys Jocelyn C. Kaoutzanis, Rahul Kale, Peter D. Markle and Karen L. Peck. When people dont know the answer to whats the end game that means the systems working, said Michael Clark, a retired FBI agent who is a senior lecturer with the University of New Havens criminal justice department. Fetti, a member and associate of the GHB/Hotz gang; On September 18, 2019, Wright shot and attempted to kill Marquis Isreal, a.k.a. Marshals, and Bridgeport Police are actively investigating multiple Bridgeport-based groups whose members are involved in narcotics trafficking, murder and other acts of violence. Pueblo Felon Sentenced to 190 Months in Federal Prison for Drugs and Weapons Charges . CT proposal causes confusion, concern. Republicans want tougher penalties for domestic abusers, including life in prison without release. Among the violent acts committed by the gang, the indictment alleges that: If convicted, Donald, Wright, Dangerfield, Hayes, Jones, Moore and Bonilla face a maximum term of imprisonment of life, and Batchelor faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF. February 23, 2023 Hartford Man Sentenced to More Than 6 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Cocaine gang. Press Release. A ban on most winter-time evictions and limits on late-charges for rent. 157 Church Street #Bridgeport CT- On Thursday February 16, 2023, the Bridgeport Police Department arrested 46-year-old Bridgeport resident Jorge Ruiz (DOB 01/19/1977) for multiple armed robberies that occurred throughout the City of Bridgeport and other municipalities in the State of Connecticut. Loose Screw, 20 This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the FBIs Safe Streets and Violent Crimes Task Forces, ATF, DEA, U.S. The new indictment supplements a June 1994 Federal indictment against 20 New York Latin Kings leaders. Ms. White said 16 new defendants had been named in it, with the remainder named in both. 157 Church Street Jan. 10, 2001 . In 2017, the city recorded 4,731 crimes, a 7.5% increase from the previous year. On January 27, 2020, at 12:11 p.m., Bridgeport Police responded to the area of 172 Golden Hill Street in Bridgeport after a Shot Spotter activation detected approximately 20 shots being fired in front of the state courthouse located there. A lock ( Two private attorneys with insight into the inner workings of federal probes Stanley Twardy Jr. and Christopher Mattei said it is not unusual for authorities to start with one area of interest, and eventually branch out to others. Bridgeport City Council member Michael DeFilippo was indicted on election fraud charges. As part of an ongoing investigation into gang-related drug trafficking and related violence in Bridgeport, a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned a superseding indictment charging eight Bridgeport gang members with conspiring to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity, including drug trafficking and multiple attempted murders. DIOMIE BLACKWELL, a.k.a. The charges stem from his run for the . It absolutely should be looking at if a police chief cheated on an exam. I also want to thank all of our federal and state partners. Thats public trust matters. The five-count federal indictment names Dominique Greco, 29, of . ROBERT RALLO, 59, of New York, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 480 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release District of Connecticut Federal Home Loan Mortgage Co., 752 Boston Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 6608 Find homes for sale, market statistics, foreclosures, property taxes, real estate news, agent reviews, condos, neighborhoods on Blockshopper.com Proceed straight to the third traffic light. Have a question about Government Services? A federal indictment returned Thursday against Thompson means that's never going to happen, no matter the outcome of the court proceedings to follow. The two were convicted earlier this year and are now serving time behind bars. DESHAWN BAUGH, 20, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 108 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for District of Connecticut A federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging five Bridgeport men with multiple offenses stemming from their alleged involvement in an afternoon shooting in front of a state courthouse in Bridgeport in January. The complaint centered on Bradleys using a party hosted by his law firm, Bradley, Denkovich & Karayiannis, to kick off his campaign for the Democratic nomination for Senate in 2018, when he won the first of his two terms. JACQUON BENEJAN, a.k.a. The alleged brazen violent acts by these individuals showed their blatant disregard for life of innocent people entering and exiting the court house. As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, in an effort to address escalating violence in Bridgeport, the FBI, ATF, DEA, U.S. Floor 25 Have a question about Government Services? Blick, 19 A man from Meriden has been indicted on federal charges in connection to alleged cocaine trafficking, officials said. According to a 24-page indictment, Bradley and a co-defendant Jessica Martinez, his former campaign treasurer and Bridgeport Board of Education member are accused of scheming to obtain. East End members celebrated their criminal conduct on social media websites such as Facebook and YouTube, and committed acts of intimidation and made threats to deter potential witnesses to their crimes and to protect gang members and associates from detection and prosecution by law enforcement authorities. NORWALK A math coach at Brookside Elementary School is facing multiple charges after she demonstrated a "martial arts chokehold" on three students last week, causing one of them . He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector via videoconference and is detained. Lock . He first ran the city from 1991 until 2003 when he was convicted of running a pay-to-play operation out of City Hall. A locked padlock Martinez, who was removed last year as the chair of the citys Board of Education, also surrendered. The more temptations, the more people cross the line.. Bellis had also ordered a transcript of that second ruling for a third primary, issued Nov. 30, be sent to the Chief States Attorney, the Secretary of the State and to federal authorities. Finally, the indictment charges Benejan with one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, which carries a mandatory consecutive sentence of at least five years. As alleged, this shooting is part of a larger ongoing investigation targeting the GHB/Hots, ONE and rival gangs. There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. gang. Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, Jury Finds Waterbury Man Guilty of Narcotics Distribution and Firearm Possession Offenses, Meriden Man Charged with Cocaine Trafficking Offenses, Mexican Nationals Charged with Offenses Stemming from Smuggling and Labor Trafficking Scheme, Sex Offender Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Child Exploitation Offense, Man Who Robbed and Murdered Stamford Jeweler Sentenced to 40 Years in Federal Prison, Hartford Man Sentenced to 9 Years in Federal Prison for Role in Violent Robberies of AT&T Stores, South Carolina Man Who Trafficked Guns into Connecticut Sentenced to 8 Years in Federal Prison, Armed Waterbury Gang Member Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison for Drug Distribution Offense, Newtown Contractor Pleads Guilty to Tax Evasion, Hartford Man Sentenced to More Than 6 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Cocaine, Man Who Supplied Heroin to Waterbury Drug Ring Sentenced to More Than 5 Years in Federal Prison, Bronx Man Guilty of Fentanyl and Cocaine Trafficking Offenses. The victims vehicle had approximately 23 entry bullet holes in the drivers side and windshield area. In fact in February 2015 the U.S. Attorneys Office in Connecticut announced the creation of a special, multi-agency anti-public corruption task force and followed that up with a handful of billboard advertisements including in Bridgeport promoting the effort and a tip phone line. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Bradley illegally used personal funds for the kickoff, and his campaign falsified records of campaign donations to cover that up, the indictment said. A federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging four Bridgeport men with racketeering, drug trafficking and murder, bringing the number of gang members implicated in the. Arv Barkley, an associate of the O.N.E. As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, in an effort to address escalating violence in Bridgeport, the FBI, ATF, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Bridgeport Police Department, Connecticut State Police and the Bridgeport States Attorneys Office, with the assistance of the Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory and the Waterbury Police Department. The State Elections Enforcement Commission, which administers the Citizens Election Program, denied Bradley the general election grant after an investigation prompted by two complaints, one by an opponent, Aaron Turner, and another by Maria Pereira. Gaines is detained in state custody on unrelated charges. Donald, Wright, Dangerfield and Hayes are members or associates of the East End gang, which began as a local street gang based in the East End of Bridgeport, but currently has members and associates who are either incarcerated or living throughout Bridgeport and surrounding towns. Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut Media NEW HAVEN Bridgeport Councilman Michael DeFilippo has been. A rain garden is an area dug slightly below the surrounding area that can catch and collect rainfall and keep it from carrying pollutants downstream. Gaines, Calderon, Blackwell, Jones, Benejan and Kirkland are members of the Greene Homes Boyz, (GHB/Hotz), based in the Charles F. Greene Homes Housing Complex in Bridgeports North End. An official website of the United States government. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The other defendants were previously charged with federal offenses and are detained pending trial. Marshalsand Bridgeport Police are actively investigating members of multiple Bridgeport-based groups, including members of the Greene Homes Boys or Hots (GHB/Hots), a group based in the Charles F. Greene Homes Housing Complex in Bridgeports North End, whose members are involved in narcotics trafficking and numerous acts of violence, including murder. Ned Lamont said before the court appearance they had not been notified of the arrest, nor did they know the nature of the investigation. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window). But are they done? He said there does not have to be this one conspiracy or one big racketeering enterprise. A federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging the four Bridgeport men with conspiring to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity, including drug trafficking, murder and . Saying, Okay, you got me. Wright was shot in the side of his chest, and has been left paralyzed. Brian Lockhart is a reporter with the Connecticut Post, covering politics and policy. The assault offense carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and the attempted offenses carry a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. A federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging MIGUEL ACEVEDO, 40, of Meriden, with cocaine trafficking offenses. I'm all for this one. Michael DeFilippo, 35, of Bridgeport pleaded not guilty Wednesday before a federal magistrate in New Haven. A Connecticut man is facing a host of federal charges for alleged tax fraud, obstruction, and identity theft offenses, officials announced. How much was the bill for BDK lasts night? He also has covered politics for the Stamford Advocate and the city of Norwalk for The Norwalk Hour. As part of an ongoing investigation into gang-related drug trafficking and related violence in Bridgeport, a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned a superseding indictment charging an additional four Bridgeport men with conspiring to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity, including drug trafficking, murder and attempted murder. The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of Scientific Services forensic analysts utilized the NIBIN and CODIS databases to provide timely forensic investigative leads to federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, said Dr. It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce. DeFilippo prevailed each time. 157 Church Street A Election Fraud Has Long Been An Issue In . Please reload the page and try again. These crimes hold law abiding citizens of Connecticut hostage to drug-fueled lawlessness. Have a question about Government Services? Fax Line: (203) 773- 5376. A federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging MIGUEL ACEVEDO, 40, of Meriden, with cocaine trafficking offenses. The indictment accuses him of filing false documents to the elections commission to obtain the primary grant. Feb. 28, 2023. Brien McMahon Federal Building United States District Court 915 Lafayette Boulevard Bridgeport, CT 06604 203-579-5861 | Clerk's Office 203-579-5867 | Fax. While investigators do not reveal what prompts them to open a case, City Council member Maria Pereira raised questions about Bradleys 2018 Senate campaign finances and fundraising in a complaint filed with the State Elections Enforcement Commission. Floor 25 U.S. Attorney Durham stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Fax Line: (203) 773- 5376. This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the FBIs Safe Streets and Violent Crimes Task Forces, ATF, DEA, U.S. Todays arrests should serve as a warning that we will not tolerate gang related violence and those who cause it., This indictment and these arrests are the result of the around the clock investigative work by city, state and federal law enforcement despite the ongoing challenges in our communities, said FBI Special Agent in Charge Sundberg. Informed of the indictment, Bradley surrendered to federal marshals and appeared in U.S. District Court to face conspiracy and wire fraud charges. He is married and the father of a six-month-old child. This is unacceptable and will not be allowed to happen. Ganim has not commented on DeFilippos arrest the councilman was sometimes a vocal critic of his and did not respond to questions for this article about his thoughts on the five indictments. A federal grand jury this week indicted Miguel Acevedo, 40, on two counts of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, the U.S. attorney's office, the Drug Enforcement Administration for New . DIOMIE BLACKWELL, 23 The U.S. Attorneys Office and the Bridgeport States Attorneys Office are jointly supervising the investigation, and federal and state prosecutors worked seamlessly to ensure that appropriate charges were brought. FILE - Former Police Chief Armando Perez makes a statement in front of the Federal Courthouse in Bridgeport, Conn., Monday, Oct. 5, 2020. Garf or Gbaby, a member and associate of the O.N.E. PHILIP FROST, 33, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert M. Chatigny in Hartford to 180 months of imprisonment, followed by 15 years of supervised release, for a child exploitation offense. Bridgeport Board of Education Chair Jessica Martinez listens as fellow board member Chris Taylor gives his reasons for voting for her ouster during a special meeting of the board in Bridgeport, Conn. on Monday, March 2, 2020. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Marshals Service, Bridgeport Police Department, Connecticut State Police and the Bridgeport States Attorneys Office, with the assistance of the Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory and the Waterbury Police Department. Once you get in there and start uncovering things, you just keep going with it. . who endorsed Ganims comeback and was hired as an aide. Bridgeport's police chief and its acting personnel director were arrested on federal charges of fraud in an alleged scheme to rig the city's examination process for the chief in 2018 to. A lock ( In early April 2019 Hearst Connecticut Media reported the FBI was also looking at the 2018 search for a police chief which resulted in Ganim making friend and then-acting chief Perez permanent top cop.