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. Floor 25 A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. 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. 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. Connecticut Financial Center Batchelor was arrested this morning. 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. 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 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 federal grand jury this week indicted Miguel . TREVON WRIGHT, also known as Tre, 19 Bradley, 37, is a lawyer and former city school board member who was elected to the Senate in 2018. Main Office: 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 . ERIC HAYES, also known as Heavyweight Champ, 24 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. This is a carousel. DIOMIE BLACKWELL, a.k.a. 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. Comments. TREVON WRIGHT, also known as Tre, 19 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. 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. JACQUON BENEJAN, a.k.a. A federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging MIGUEL ACEVEDO, 40, of Meriden, with cocaine trafficking offenses. Saying, Okay, you got me. Donald, Wright, Dangerfield and Hayes were originally charged by indictment in January 2021, and the original indictment included overt acts related to four murders. CM/ECF allows courts to accept filings over the internet, which immediately updates the docket. Official websites use .gov gang; On October 17, 2019, Jones shot and attempted to kill Joshua Gilbert, a member and associate of the O.N.E. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Michael DeFilippo, 35, of Bridgeport pleaded not guilty Wednesday before a federal magistrate in New Haven. Santi, 24 A lock ( 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 . Bridgeport City Council member Michael DeFilippo, May 17, 2019. BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - 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. This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the FBIs Safe Streets and Violent Crimes Task Forces, ATF, DEA, U.S. New Haven, CT 06510, Telephone: (203) 821-3700 A locked padlock The last time the FBI made national headlines in Bridgeport was during Ganims previous administration. Attorneys Rahul Kale, Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis, Peter D. Markle and Karen L. Peck. BRIDGEPORT >> Ten individuals were indicted Wednesday for their alleged involvement in the largest fentanyl bust in state history. 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. I also want to thank all of our federal and state partners. Twenty one Bridgeport gang . Secure .gov websites use HTTPS 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. 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 . 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. The new indictment supplements a June 1994 Federal indictment against 20 New York Latin Kings leaders. Feb. 28, 2023. The U.S. Attorneys Office and FBI, their policy is to neither deny nor confirm investigations. 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. Connecticut Financial Center Connecticut Financial Center 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. 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. Each of the defendants was arrested by criminal complaint on Oct. 6, 2011. Hes not going any place, Glasser told the judge. CHARLES ANTHONY BONILLA, also known as 30 Cal and Ant, 22 ASANTE GAINES, a.k.a. Comments. Marshals, and Bridgeport Police are actively investigating multiple Bridgeport-based groups whose members are involved in narcotics trafficking, murder and other acts of violence. Pollard was charged by indictments in both the District of Connecticut and in the District of South Carolina. Bridgeport's crime data in 2017 includes 21 murders, 77 rapes, 565 robberies, 652 aggravated assaults, 484 burglaries, 2,152 larcenies, 716 motor vehicle thefts, and . GHB/Hotz members and associates also 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. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Get CT Mirror emails in your inbox daily. BRIDGEPORT, CT A Bridgeport resident is $13,650 richer this week after claiming a winning lottery ticket she purchased locally, the Connecticut Lottery announced . Marshals Service, Bridgeport Police Department, Connecticut State Police and the Bridgeport States Attorneys Office, with the assistance of the U.S. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. They appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Holly B. Fitsimmons via video conference and are detained. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. 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, and one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine base (crack) and fentanyl, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. U.S. Attorney Durham noted that, in the past year, 21 members of the East End, O.N.E. 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. A federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging MIGUEL ACEVEDO, 40, of Meriden, with cocaine trafficking offenses. "AJ" Perez has resigned after being arrested and charged with fraud by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United. gang; On January 26, 2020, Wright and JW, an East End associate who is now deceased, shot and killed Myreke Kenion and shot and attempted to kill DAndre Brown, both associates of the GHB/Hotz gang; On June 24, 2020, Dangerfield, JW and a juvenile shot and killed Tyler Ballew, a member and associate of the O.N.E. 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. I am grateful to Mr. Durham and his staff as well as the federal agents for their commitment to the greater Bridgeport community, and pledge the full resources of my office to continue these efforts., The Bridgeport Police Department is committed to an ongoing partnership with varying agencies to focus on violent crime incidents that have occurred in our city and to prevent similar incidents from reoccurring, said Acting Chief Garcia. 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. 2023 The Conneticut News Project. Together we identified, targeted, investigated and arrested alleged violent criminals. On January 30, 2018, Donald shot and killed Eric Heard, a.k.a. 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. Fax Line: (203) 773- 5376. March 4, 2023 at 6:30 a.m. A man from Meriden has been indicted on federal charges in connection to alleged cocaine trafficking, officials said. Clark said all five of the recent Bridgeport arrests meet the mission objective of the FBIs anti-corruption program. All Rights Reserved. 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. . 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. 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. Acting U.S. Attorney Boyle noted that, in the past year, 24 members of the East End, O.N.E. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph. His accused accomplice, 73-year-old David Dunn, Bridgeport's former acting personnel director, also pleaded guilty to the same charges. Merriam via videoconference and was ordered detained. They turn a rock over, uncover something and follow up with it, said Twardy, a former U.S. Attorney for Connecticut. I represent clients in contentious and complex probate, civil, and criminal matters in . He appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah A.L. 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. 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. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Get CT Mirror briefings with enterprise reporting, investigations and more in your inbox daily. 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. Proceed straight to the third traffic light. 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. We are very surprised this matter was charged in the first place, Glasser said. 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. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. CT proposal causes confusion, concern. #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. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF. 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 . 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. Pounds / Hearst Connecticut Media, Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut Media, 2023 Hearst Media Services Connecticut, LLC, Monroe SPCA volunteers 'humbled' as hundreds file to adopt pets, Stratford calls claims in former cop's lawsuit 'preposterous', Bridgeport police deploy Taser at scene of assault, official says, M&T urged to end 'banking desert' in Bridgeport neighborhoods, Former girls soccer coach pleads guilty to sex assault of player, Monroe SPCA volunteers race deadline to find homes for animals, Fairfield man charged in alleged high-speed chase, shootout, announced the creation of a special, multi-agency anti-public corruption task force, in late 2018 city officials received an anonymous letter, February 2019, federal authorities subpoenaed, reported the FBI was also looking at the 2018 search for a police chief, in late May began serving their respective prison terms. He also has covered politics for the Stamford Advocate and the city of Norwalk for The Norwalk Hour. Armando "A.J." And, after each indictment, observers have been left wondering, are investigators done? (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. This prosecution is a part of the Justices Departments Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), Project Longevity and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) programs. Once you get in there and start uncovering things, you just keep going with it. . A lock ( And, this past Wednesday, City Councilman Michael DeFilippo was charged for alleged illegalities involving absentee or mail-in ballots. 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.