Fax Line: (203) 773- 5376. Comments. He is also charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine base (crack) and fentanyl, and one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS JERRELL JAMISON, also known as Rell and Big Bro, 30, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 60 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for distributing narcotics. The allegations in this indictment, combined with charges announced in previous indictments, detail numerous, senseless violent acts committed by members and associates of warring street gangs. DESTINE CALDERON, 26 Feds charge four former employees of failed Bridgeport bank in alleged A federal grand jury has indicted five aerospace executives and a former manager on charges of conspiring to limit workers' professional advancement and compensation, the U.S. Department of. Kimani Williams,. Bridgeport City Councilman Indicted on Election Charges gang. The conspiracy to commit murder offense carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and the conspiracy to commit assault offense carries a maximum term of imprisonment of three years. BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (WTNH) Bridgeport Police Chief Armando J. 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. Main Office: March 2, 2023. Marshals Service, for their collaborative effort in bringing these individuals to justice.. Project Longevity is a comprehensive initiative to reduce gun violence in Connecticuts major cities. A lock ( I thank our counterparts in the Bridgeport States Attorneys Office, who are supervising this investigation with our office, and the Bridgeport Police Department, FBI, ATF, DEA and U.S. Read More. Sen. Dennis A. Bradley Jr., D-Bridgeport, and his former campaign treasurer, Jessica Martinez, were accused in a federal indictment unsealed Tuesday of conspiring in 2018 to defraud Connecticuts public campaign financing program of $179,850. Bridgeport Police Chief, City's Acting Personnel Director Arrested by Abraham Ribicoff Federal Building United States District Court. Attorneys Rahul Kale, Jocelyn C. Kaoutzanis, Peter D. Markle and Karen L. Peck. Feds: Bridgeport man indicted on federal gun possession charge Guy M. Vallaro, Director of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protections Division of Scientific Services. 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. Martinez, who was removed last year as the chair of the citys Board of Education, also surrendered. Dunn was at the courthouse to be sentenced for his involvement in the police chief cheating scandal. 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. Glasser said campaign finance laws are complex and replete with gray areas.. And, this past Wednesday, City Councilman Michael DeFilippo was charged for alleged illegalities involving absentee or mail-in ballots. ERIC HAYES, also known as Heavyweight Champ, 24 Bridgeport Police Chief, personnel director charged with fraud by U.S Connecticut Financial Center The charges stem from his run for the . ERIC HAYES, also known as Heavyweight Champ, 24. Get CT Mirror emails in your inbox daily. Bridgeport Arrest and Public Records - StateRecords.org Bridgeport. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. 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. 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 indictment also charges, Elhadiri, Hamid Kassem, Jaynes, Rachid Saadoun, Peck and Kousa with making a false swearing in an immigration matter. Blick, 19 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. Former Bridgeport Personnel Director David Dunn leaves the United States Court House Federal Building in downtown Bridgeport, Conn., on Tuesday April 13, 2021. 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. A CT bill would expand it. Meriden man indicted on federal cocaine trafficking charges Project Longevity is a comprehensive initiative to reduce gun violence in Connecticuts major cities. Grand jury indicts six from Connecticut aerospace industry of Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Ned Lamont said before the court appearance they had not been notified of the arrest, nor did they know the nature of the investigation. 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. 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. 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. Floor 25 The new indictment supplements a June 1994 Federal indictment against 20 New York Latin Kings leaders. Both men resigned, pleaded guilty and in late May began serving their respective prison terms. Donald, Dangerfield and Hayes were previously detained and are in federal or state custody. Ganim served seven years in federal prison, waged a successful comeback for his old job in 2015 and was reelected in 2019. The indictment quotes an exchange of text messages between Bradley and the unnamed campaign consultant. This is especially true when individuals who are cooperating with the investigation provide information about criminal activity that may be unrelated to the investigations primary focus. This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the FBIs Safe Streets and Violent Crimes Task Forces, ATF, DEA, U.S. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF. It absolutely should be looking at if a police chief cheated on an exam. 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. MARIA DEL CARMEN SANCHEZ POTRERO, also known as Maria Carmela Sanchez, 69, and APOLINAR FRANCISCO PAREDES ESPINOZA, also known as Pancho, 56, both of citizens of Mexico residing in Hartford, were arrested yesterday on federal criminal complaints charging each with offenses stemming from their smuggling of aliens into the U.S., harboring them at their Hartford residence, forcing them to work, and threatening to harm them in various ways if they failed to pay exorbitant fees, interest and other living expenses. An official website of the United States government. Records: Milford EMT accused of kidnapping wanted 2019 case dropped Garf or Gbaby, a member and associate of the O.N.E. The U.S. Attorneys Office and FBI, their policy is to neither deny nor confirm investigations. Spooda, 24. 157 Church Street BRIDGEPORT, Connecticut Connecticut State Sen. Dennis Bradley and Jessica Martinez, a former chair of the Bridgeport Board of Education, have been indicted on federal charges. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 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. Connecticut Financial Center gang; On October 17, 2019, Donald agreed with other East End gang members to shoot and attempt to kill Joshua Gilbert, a member and associate of the O.N.E. The eight defendants 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. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Republicans want tougher penalties for CT domestic abusers He also has covered politics for the Stamford Advocate and the city of Norwalk for The Norwalk Hour. 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. Official websites use .gov Bridgeport Senator Charged With Violating Clean - CT News Junkie South Follow Interstate 95 north to Exit 27 (Lafayette Blvd). District of Connecticut | United States District Court KYRAN DANGERFIELD, 24, U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Connecticut, Indictment Charges Bridgeport Gang Members with Drug Trafficking, Committing 4 Murders, Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, Meriden Man Charged with Cocaine Trafficking Offenses, Jury Finds Waterbury Man Guilty of Narcotics Distribution and Firearm Possession Offenses, Man Who Robbed and Murdered Stamford Jeweler Sentenced to 40 Years in Federal Prison, Indictment Charges Bridgeport Gang Members With Drug Trafficking, Committing 4 Murders. Theyre working off of whether witnesses are giving them information or citizens or people who are jammed up giving them information, Clark said. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. 29 Latin Kings Gang Leaders Are Indicted - The New York Times Upon arrival, investigators discovered that four victims Trevon Wright, Khalil Heard, Jaffar Ali, Jaheim Warren had been shot while sitting inside a black Chevrolet Impala. 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. BRIDGEPORT ?. The mayor does have on his payroll one of the retired FBI agents who investigated him two decades ago, Edward Adams, who endorsed Ganims comeback and was hired as an aide. The fact that none of the three cases seem to be related is not unusual, Clark said. A locked padlock He was ordered released on an unsecured bond of $300,000. 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 . 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. Feds have arrested five Bridgeport officials in the last 10 months. 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. 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. Comments. 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 Sen. Dennis Bradley, D-Bridgeport, co-chairman of the General Assembly's public safety committee, shown at a forum on gaming expansion Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020. Indictment charges five men for involvement in Bridgeport - DEA ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Thats public trust matters. Bridgeport | District of Connecticut | United States District Court Connecticut Financial Center U.S. Attorney Durham stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. 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. Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson is innocent until proven guilty but the Please reload the page and try again. Yamo, 24 The indictment alleges that GHB/Hotz members and associates distributed heroin, crack cocaine, marijuana and Percocet pills; committed numerous acts of violence against rival gang members and other individuals, and celebrated their criminal conduct on social media websites such as Facebook and YouTube. 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. $10,000? the consultant asked, referring to the law firm. Associated Press. Michael Brier, 60, the owner of Recovery Connection Centers of America, Inc., was arrested at his home in Newton, Massachusetts and charged with health care fraud, aggravated identity theft . An official website of the United States government. On May 22, 2015, Kirkland shot and attempted to kill KJ, a member or associate of the 150 gang; On February 7, 2018, Benejan and Blackwell shot and attempted to kill MJ, a member or associate of the 150 gang; On February 27, 2018, Kirkland shot and attempted to kill TH, a member or associate of the East End gang; On October 4, 2018, Kirkland and Benejan shot and attempted to kill MS, a member or associate of the East End gang; January 27, 2020, Gaines, Calderon, Blackwell, Jones, Isreal and Warren shot and attempted to kill members and associates of the East End gang. Bear right onto Lafayette Boulevard, proceed to the third traffic light. Youll never see the wagon train kind of leave town, Clark said. Press Release. LUIS CARRASQUILLO, also known as Cuchi, 52, of Hartford,was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 78 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking cocaine. A man from Meriden has been indicted on federal charges in connection to alleged cocaine trafficking, officials said. 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 . 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. Marshals, and Bridgeport Police are actively investigating multiple Bridgeport-based groups whose members are involved in narcotics trafficking, murder and other acts of violence. 157 Church Street Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut Media NEW HAVEN Bridgeport Councilman Michael DeFilippo has been. We continue to jointly investigate other violent acts in Bridgeport, and the groups, gangs or individuals responsible for them., I would like to express my sincere appreciation to United States Attorney John H. Durham for his strong commitment to public safety in the city of Bridgeport, said Chief Perez. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. RELATED: State Sen. Dennis Bradley, ex-Bridgeport Board of Education chair Jessica Martinez indicted on federal charges HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS Download the FOX61 News APP The indictment charges Gaines, Calderon, Blackwell, Jones, Benejan and Kirkland with one count of conspiracy to engage in a pattern of racketeering activity, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. The indictment charges Isreal, Gaines, Calderon, Blackwell and Jones with one count of assault with a dangerous weapon, attempted murder/aiding and abetting in assault with a dangerous weapon, and attempted murder, all in violation of the Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering (VCAR) statute. Bridgeport Gang Member Sentenced to 14 Years in Federal Prison. The Courthouse is on your left. Have a question about Government Services? Adams also did not respond to a request for his own view of federal investigators strategy in Bridgeport. I represent clients in contentious and complex probate, civil, and criminal matters in . The more money, the more temptations. gang; On December 8, 2019, Wright shot and attempted to kill Arvan Smith, a.k.a. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. I look forward to more successful interagency coordination and express my appreciation to all of the outstanding work by all those involved in this investigation., This investigation is an example of ATFs commitment to working with our law enforcement partners at the Bridgeport Police Department, DEA and FBI, said ATF Special Agent in Charge Brady. 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. Informed of the indictment, Bradley surrendered to federal marshals and appeared in U.S. District Court to face conspiracy and wire fraud charges. District of Connecticut | South Carolina Man Who Trafficked Guns into hired private attorneys to represent Ganim, his chief-of-staff, Daniel Shamas, Perez and Dunn, were arrested for allegedly attempting to fraudulently obtain, 'Candlewood' horror movie drops trailer inspired by local urban legends, Four Fairfield businesses fail February health inspections, CT's best breakfast restaurants for 2023, according to Connecticut Magazine, Warrant: Ex-New Fairfield 'lunch lady' sent nude images to student on Snapchat for months before sex assault, Police make up 19 of Trumbull's top 20 highest paid employees, The Best Private High Schools Near Stamford, The Best Private Preschools Near New Haven, Guide to Legal Cannabis Dispensaries in CT. be sent to the Chief States Attorney, the Secretary of the State and to federal authorities. Eight Bridgeport gang members indicted on drug-trafficking, murder Loose Screw, 20 Gaines is detained in state custody on unrelated charges. The U.S. Attorneys office did not return a request for comment and has a policy of not discussing pending cases. 157 Church Street In 2017, the city recorded 4,731 crimes, a 7.5% increase from the previous year. 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. 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. TREVON WRIGHT, also known as Tre, 19 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. Bridgeport councilman indicted on federal election fraud charges Milford and Madison, Connecticut, United States. As alleged, this shooting is part of a larger ongoing investigation targeting the GHB/Hots, ONE and rival gangs. (Shutterstock) BRIDGEPORT, CT A 33 . A lock ( They turn a rock over, uncover something and follow up with it, said Twardy, a former U.S. Attorney for Connecticut. 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. 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. Officials: Sen. Dennis Bradley, Bridgeport BOE member Jessica Martinez Rep. Vin Candelora, R-North Branford, criticized Attorney General . The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. New Haven, CT 06510, Telephone: (203) 821-3700 Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. During the course of that investigation the city hired private attorneys to represent Ganim, his chief-of-staff, Daniel Shamas, Perez and Dunn, but no charges have been brought against the mayor and Shamas. Newtown Contractor Pleads Guilty to Tax Evasion THOMAS R. SAINT, 67, of Newtown, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty yesterday in Bridgeport federal court to one count of tax evasion. Wright was arrested yesterday. gang; On October 17, 2019, Jones shot and attempted to kill Joshua Gilbert, a member and associate of the O.N.E. Fax Line: (203) 773- 5376. Project Longevity is a comprehensive initiative to reduce gun violence in Connecticuts major cities. Barnum housing project. FILE - Former Police Chief Armando Perez makes a statement in front of the Federal Courthouse in Bridgeport, Conn., Monday, Oct. 5, 2020. 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. He said there does not have to be this one conspiracy or one big racketeering enterprise. ASANTE GAINES, 23 Case Information | District of Connecticut - United States Courts 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. Until the federal government takes its regulatory role seriously and uses the big stick that it has, corporations will attempt to self-regulate Why CT waits for $95 million from OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma. CT man found guilty of narcotics, firearm offenses CM/ECF allows courts to accept filings over the internet, which immediately updates the docket. He is a frequent contributor to WNPR, a former state politics writer for The Hartford Courant and Journal Inquirer, and contributor for The New York Times. Proceed straight to the third traffic light. A federal grand jury had been collecting information for a year or more about Bradley's 2018 Senate campaign, focusing on a March 2018 event at Dolphin's Cove restaurant in Bridgeport. Heemie, 25 Police: Norwalk student lost consciousness after teacher's chokehold The five-count federal indictment names Dominique Greco, 29, of . Perez had been acting chief for two-and-a-half years. 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. BRIDGEPORT, CT A 32-year-old Torrington man was arrested this week following an indictment charging him with assaulting five federal law enforcement officers last year, announced United. A Bridgeport City Council member resigned last month after he became the third elected official indicted on federal election fraud charges this year. have been aligned against rival groups in Bridgeport, including the East End, East Side and PT Barnum gangs, as well as 150, which is a is a geographic gang based on the West Side of Bridgeport. 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. These groups were aligned against rival organizations in Bridgeport, including the Original North End (O.N.E.) and the Greene Homes Boyz, (GHB/Hotz), based in the Charles F. Greene Homes Housing Complex in Bridgeports North End.