Dunn also faces 18 to 24 months in prison. The last time the FBI made national headlines in Bridgeport was during Ganims previous administration. Together we identified, targeted, investigated and arrested alleged violent criminals. He was ordered released on an unsecured bond of $300,000. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. (Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media via AP, File). Benejan was arrested on February 19. Merriam via videoconference and was ordered detained. 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. The same week Perez and Dunn reported to jail, on May 25, Bradley and Martinez, Bradleys campaign treasurer, were arrested for allegedly attempting to fraudulently obtain $179,850 in state campaign grants in 2018. Marshals, and Bridgeport Police are actively investigating multiple Bridgeport-based groups whose members are involved in narcotics trafficking, murder and other acts of violence. Attorneys Rahul Kale, Jocelyn C. Kaoutzanis, Peter D. Markle and Karen L. Peck. CM/ECF keeps out-of-pocket expenses low, gives concurrent access to case files by multiple parties, and offers . Michael DeFilippo, 35, of Bridgeport pleaded not guilty Wednesday before a federal magistrate in New Haven. (U.S.) Department of Justice investigations are often far reaching and go down several paths if the evidence leads in multiple directions, said Mattei, formerly chief of the financial fraud and public corruption unit for the U.S. Attorneys Office in Connecticut. TRAVON JONES, also known as Budda, 19 February 6, 2023. Have a question about Government Services? An official website of the United States government. 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. Lock Lock 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. 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 Federal authorities on Thursday arrested the police chief and the personnel director of Bridgeport, Conn., on charges of fraud, alleging the two rigged the process that led to the chief's hiring . Have a question about Government Services? Get CT Mirror briefings with enterprise reporting, investigations and more in your inbox daily. The indictment, which was returned on August 5 and unsealed today following the arrest of four of the five defendants, charges, MARQUIS ISREAL, 24 Pollard was charged by indictments in both the District of Connecticut and in the District of South Carolina. Garf or Gbaby, a member and associate of the O.N.E. 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. 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. Sen. Cathy Osten, D-Sprague, a major proponent of the gambling bill, was named as the acting co-chair of the committee. A federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging MIGUEL ACEVEDO, 40, of Meriden, with cocaine trafficking offenses. The Connecticut Department of Public Safety provides crime statistics for the City of Bridgeport. Twenty one Bridgeport gang . Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF. South Follow Interstate 95 north to Exit 27 (Lafayette Blvd). The East End gang has been aligned with other groups, including the PT Barnum Gang, the East Side gang and 150, which is a geographic gang based on the West Side of Bridgeport. Heard sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his back, shoulder and wrist. Hes not going any place, Glasser told the judge. Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, and Meriden Police Chief Roberto Rosado today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging MIGUEL ACEVEDO, 40, of Meriden, with cocaine trafficking offenses. Feb 16, 2023. gang; On October 17, 2019, Jones shot and attempted to kill Joshua Gilbert, a member and associate of the O.N.E. An official website of the United States government. Sen. Dennis Bradley was indicted today in federal court. 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. Bradleys appearance in court was viewable on Zoom, as the federal courts have been closed to the public during the COVID-19 pandemic. New Haven, CT 06510, Telephone: (203) 821-3700 These indictments should be a clear message that we will not allow our communities to continue being plagued by violence., Addressing gang violence head on continues to be a top priority for the FBI and our law enforcement partners, said FBI Special Agent in Charge Sundberg. 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. DEA and its local, state and federal partners are dedicated to bringing to justice those that commit these crimes.. Attorneys Rahul Kale, Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis, Peter D. Markle and Karen L. Peck. Have a question about Government Services? Theres got to be something else going on here, said former state Rep. Christopher Caruso, who had a reputation as a good-government policymaker during his 20-year tenure in office, this week following DeFilippos arrest. Now Trumbullers can enjoy Fairfield, Milford, Stratford, Bridgeport, Westport beaches at nominal fees. 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. 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. He first ran the city from 1991 until 2003 when he was convicted of running a pay-to-play operation out of City Hall. Fax Line: (203) 773- 5376. 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. ASANTE GAINES, 23 The charges stem from his run for the . 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. Bridgeport resident Lamain Heard was sentenced this week to 37 months in federal prison in connection with an illegal firearm case, according to prosecutors. The eight-count superseding indictment, which was returned on February 16 and unsealed today, charges, MARQUIS ISREAL, a.k.a. 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. They turn a rock over, uncover something and follow up with it, said Twardy, a former U.S. Attorney for Connecticut. BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT - 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 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 Each of the defendants was arrested by criminal complaint on Oct. 6, 2011. 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. 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. We are the 169 Strong. 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. 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. This indictment should serve as a warning that we will not tolerate gang related violence and those who cause it., Drug trafficking, along with the violence that all too often accompanies it, is a serious threat to the safety and security of our communities, said DEA Special Agent in Charge Boyle. A locked padlock The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Brien McMahon Federal Building United States District Court 915 Lafayette Boulevard Bridgeport, CT 06604 203-579-5861 | Clerk's Office 203-579-5867 | Fax. Once you get in there and start uncovering things, you just keep going with it. . Bridgeport Board of Education member Jessica Martinez exits her arraignment in federal court in New Haven, Conn. on Tuesday, May 25, 2021. 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. The victims vehicle had approximately 23 entry bullet holes in the drivers side and windshield area. The U.S. Attorneys Office and FBI, their policy is to neither deny nor confirm investigations. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector via videoconference and is detained. 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 . 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. 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 man from Meriden has been indicted on federal charges in connection to alleged cocaine trafficking, officials said. The East End gang has been aligned with other groups, including the PT Barnum Gang, the East Side gang and 150, which is a geographic gang based on the West Side of Bridgeport. ASANTE GAINES, a.k.a. February 23, 2023 Hartford Man Sentenced to More Than 6 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Cocaine 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. TYRONE MOORE, also known as Ty Ralph Lauren, 19 $10,000? the consultant asked, referring to the law firm. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. #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. 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 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. Griffin was first arrested by FBI agents in New Haven on Dec. 10. 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. Perez is sworn in as Bridgeport police chief by Mayor Joseph Ganim in a ceremony at City Hall in Bridgeport, Conn. on Tuesday, November 13, 2018. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 2023 The Conneticut News Project. Associated Press. 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. 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 Directions: View Larger Map North Follow Interstate 95 south to Exit 27 (Lafayette Blvd). Together we identified, targeted, investigated and arrested alleged violent criminals. Brian Lockhart is a reporter with the Connecticut Post, covering politics and policy. 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. 3. Batchelor was arrested this morning. BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (WTNH) Bridgeport Police Chief Armando J. Pueblo Felon Sentenced to 190 Months in Federal Prison for Drugs and Weapons Charges . Official websites use .gov Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. The victims vehicle had approximately 23 entry bullet holes in the drivers side and windshield area. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph. DIOMIE BLACKWELL, a.k.a. Main Office: A lock ( Connecticut Financial Center GHB/Hotz and O.N.E. A federal grand jury has indicted 13 people on charges stemming from killings and drug dealing in and around the P.T. And, after each indictment, observers have been left wondering, are investigators done? 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. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A Bridgeport man is facing a federal charge after local police allegedly found him in possession of a loaded handgun in April, the U.S. attorney's office announced Thursday. Joseph Peter Ganim (born October 21, 1959) is an American Democratic politician, former attorney, and convicted felon who is currently serving as the mayor of Bridgeport, Connecticut.He was elected mayor of the city six times serving from 1991 to 2003, when he resigned after being convicted on federal felony corruption charges. 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 . 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). Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Floor 25 CONNECTICUT A tax preparer who served clients in Connecticut is facing federal fraud charges. Spooda, 24. 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. The settlement approved by U.S. District Judge Travis McDonough on Monday calls for the U . Looks like the state is trying to pass a law that towns cannot charge more than double the rate for beach parking passes that it charges residents. BRIDGEPORT Four alleged members of a city gang have been indicted by a federal grand jury on racketeering and murder charges as part of an ongoing federal, state and local law. This prosecution is a part of the Justices Departments Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), Project Longevity and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) programs. gang. Bradleys lawyer is James Glasser, the former chief of the criminal division in the U.S. Attorneys office. 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. Francis asked for a higher bond. CT bill proposes relief from coerced debt for domestic violence victims, CT continues to prosecute some marijuana cases despite legalization, Karen Hobert Flynn, Common Cause leader and CT reformer, dies, Labor asks CT to regulate Amazon warehouse quotas, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. 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. 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. In arguing for his release on a lower bond, Glasser said Bradley has been aware he was the target of a criminal investigation for some time and should not be viewed as a flight risk. As gun violence continues to menace not only Bridgeport but other Connecticut cities, the U.S. Attorneys Office and our law enforcement partners will employ the full weight of federal law to neutralize these violent groups and remove their members who murder and maim from the community. A Bridgeport City Council member resigned last month after he became the third elected official indicted on federal election fraud charges this year. On January 30, 2018, Donald shot and killed Eric Heard, a.k.a. Ganim served seven years in federal prison, waged a successful comeback for his old job in 2015 and was reelected in 2019. 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. U.S. Attorney Durham noted that, in the past year, 22 members of the GHB/Hotz, O.N.E. During the past 10 months federal authorities, who have been scrutinizing Bridgeports Democrat-dominated government since at least early 2018, have charged five municipal officials in a smorgasbord of scandals. Official websites use .gov Bridgeport. Santi, 24 Wright was shot in the side of his chest, and has been left paralyzed. The indictment was returned Monday by a grand jury and ordered unsealed in U.S. District Court in New Haven, where Bradley arrived in handcuffs. 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. 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 . Gov. The losers challenged the results, alleging voting improprieties, and Superior Court Judge Barbara Bellis ultimately ordered one do-over election for November 2017 and then, after concluding it too had been tainted, another for April 2018. Tolland County resident David Kamal, age 60, of Stafford, formerly of Hebron, was charged in an 11-count indictment and will face years in prison if found guilty, US Attorney Leonard Boyle announced. Clark said all five of the recent Bridgeport arrests meet the mission objective of the FBIs anti-corruption program. TYIESE WARREN, a.k.a. 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. Ken Dixon. Only a couple of people, and theyre not going to be talking.. Rep. Vin Candelora, R-North Branford, criticized Attorney General . (Shutterstock) BRIDGEPORT, CT A 33 . Lock 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. TREVON WRIGHT, also known as Tre, 19 CM/ECF allows courts to accept filings over the internet, which immediately updates the docket. DEA and its local, state and federal partners are dedicated to bringing to justice those that commit these crimes.. Main Office: Attorneys Jocelyn C. Kaoutzanis, Rahul Kale, Peter D. Markle and Karen L. Peck. 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 other defendants were previously charged with federal offenses and are detained pending trial. Bear right onto Lafayette Boulevard, proceed to the third traffic light. 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 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. These crimes rob the neighborhoods of safety and hold law abiding citizens of Connecticut hostage to drug-fueled lawlessness. 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. Todays announcement was made by John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; Joseph T. Corradino, States Attorney for the Fairfield Judicial District; Bridgeport Acting Police Chief Rebeca Garcia; David Sundberg, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division; and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England. I applaud the collaborative efforts of the Bridgeport Police Department, ATF, FBI and DEA in bringing those who are alleged to be responsible for this reckless and violent incident to stand trial for their actions.