Hartford Man Sentenced to 57 Months in Federal Prison for Illegal Ammunition Possession

The United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut announced that Jaquan Leggett, also known as “Tipsy,” 24, of Hartford, was sentenced today by Senior United States District Judge Ellen Bree Burns in New Haven to 57 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for illegally possessing ammunition.

This matter stems from Operation Northern Strike, a 15-month joint law enforcement investigation targeting members and associates of geographically-based street gangs engaging in criminal activity in Hartford’s Upper Albany and Northeast neighborhoods. The investigation included the use of court-authorized wiretaps on multiple telephones, controlled purchases of narcotics, and physical surveillance. As a result of the investigation, 35 individuals were charged with various federal drug and firearms violations.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Leggett was intercepted multiple times over a wiretap discussing his and other individuals’ possession of firearms. On July 28, 2010, Hartford Police received information that Leggett and a co-defendant were in possession of firearms at 155-157 Adams Street, where they resided. Investigators then stopped a motor vehicle being driven by Leggett in the vicinity of 155-157 Adams Street. Leggett was instructed to exit the vehicle. During a search of Leggett’s person, investigators found a .38 caliber bullet in Leggett’s pants pocket. A subsequent search of 155-157 Adams Street resulted in the seizure of nine firearms and assorted ammunition from the basement.

Prior to July 2010, Leggett had sustained at least two felony convictions. 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.

On September 8, 2011, Leggett pleaded guilty to one count of possession of ammunition by a convicted felon.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Gang Task Force—which includes representatives of the FBI, Connecticut State Police, and Hartford Police Department—and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Brian P. Leaming and Geoffrey M. Stone.

Middletown Man Sentenced to 41 Months in Federal Prison for Possessing Child Pornography

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that William Santiago, Jr., 27, of Middletown, was sentenced today by Senior United States District Judge Alfred V. Covello in Hartford to 41 months of imprisonment, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for possessing child pornography.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Santiago used a peer-to-peer Internet file sharing program to download images of child pornography. On October 15, 2009, agents with the Connecticut Computer Crimes Task Force conducted a court-authorized search of Santiago’s residence and seized Santiago’s laptop computer and other computer-related evidence. Forensic analysis of the seized computer revealed at least 15 images files and 22 video files depicting child pornography, including images of children under the age of 12 engaged in sexual conduct.

On November 9, 2011, Santiago waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Hartford Police Department, and the Connecticut Computer Crimes Task Force, which includes federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Paul McConnell and Deborah Slater.

This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, and the District of Connecticut’s Operation Constant Vigilance, which are aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation.

The Connecticut Computer Crimes Task Force, which is housed at the main FBI office in New Haven, investigates crimes occurring over the Internet, including online crimes against children, and provides computer forensic review services for participating agencies. For more information about the task force, or to report child exploitation crimes, please contact the FBI at 203-777-6311.

To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.

Hartford Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Marijuana Trafficking

The United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut today announced that FLOYD RILEY, also known as “F,” 29, of Hartford, was sentenced today by Senior United States District Judge Ellen Bree Burns in New Haven to 12 months and one day of imprisonment, followed by two years of supervised release, for distributing marijuana.

This matter stems from “Operation Northern Strike,” a 15-month joint law enforcement investigation targeting alleged members and associates of geographically-based street gangs engaging in criminal activity in Hartford’s Upper Albany and Northeast neighborhoods. The investigation included the use of court-authorized wiretaps on multiple telephones, controlled purchases of narcotics, and physical surveillance. As a result of the investigation, 35 individuals were charged with various federal drug and firearms violations.

According to court documents and statements made in court, RILEY resided at 133-135 Mansfield Street in Hartford, which served as a hub of drug trafficking activity during the course of the investigation. The investigation revealed that RILEY was involved in the distribution of marijuana and, on one occasion, delivered more than 16 grams of crack cocaine to another member of the conspiracy.

On October 27, 2011, RILEY pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana.

Not all of the defendants charged as a result of this investigation are alleged to be gang members or associates.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Gang Task Force—which includes representatives of the FBI, Connecticut State Police and Hartford Police Department—and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Brian P. Leaming and Geoffrey M. Stone.

Jury Finds Springfield Man Guilty of Using the Internet and Traveling to Attempt to Engage in Sex with a Minor

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a jury in Hartford has found EUGENE C. BOISVERT, 40, of Springfield, Massachusetts, guilty of one count of using the Internet to attempt to persuade a minor to engage in sexual activity, and one count of interstate travel to attempt to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor. The trial began on May 4, and the jury returned the verdicts this afternoon after deliberating for approximately six hours.

According to the evidence at trial, between June 26 and August 6, 2010, BOISVERT engaged in approximately 40 Internet conversations with a person he believed to be a 14-year-old girl, but who was, in fact, an undercover Milford Police officer working with the Connecticut Computer Crimes Task Force and posing as the girl. BOISVERT repeatedly enticed and persuaded the “girl” to engage in sexual activity with him by telling the girl that she was his girlfriend, that she could trust him to never hurt her, and by suggesting that he would marry her one day.

The Internet “chats” also revealed that BOISVERT knew it was illegal for him to engage in a sexual relationship with a minor and was concerned about being caught by law enforcement. In one chat that occurred on July 27, 2010, BOISVERT said that he “was scared you (the “girl”) were trying to set me up with the comps [sic]” and that he “never had a gf (girlfriend) 14 before but I am ok with it...just don’t be tricking me with the cops.”

BOISVERT eventually arranged with the “girl” to meet for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity. On the morning of August 6, 2010, BOISVERT traveled from Springfield to a location in Milford, Connecticut, where he had previously arranged to meet the “girl,” and was arrested.

“I want to commend the FBI, Milford Police, and all the members of the Connecticut Computer Crimes Task Force who are patrolling the Internet in an effort to protect children from harm,” stated U.S. Attorney Fein.

When he is sentenced by United States District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant, BOISVERT faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years on the Internet enticement count, and a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years on the interstate travel count. A sentencing date has not been scheduled.

BOISVERT has been detained since his arrest.

This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, and the District of Connecticut’s “Operation Constant Vigilance,” which are aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Connecticut Computer Crimes Task Force, which includes federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the Milford Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Deborah R. Slater and Krishna R. Patel.

The Connecticut Computer Crimes Task Force, which is housed at the main FBI office in New Haven, investigates crimes occurring over the Internet, including online crimes against children, and provides computer forensic review services for participating agencies. The task force currently includes members from the FBI, U.S. Secret Service, and the Hamden, Hartford, Milford, and New Haven Police Departments. For more information about the task force, or to report child exploitation crimes, please contact the FBI at 203-777-6311.

As part of its public outreach efforts, the Department of Justice has launched a website that highlights the work of the U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country. This new site, the “Briefing Room,” is available at www.justice.gov/usao/briefing_room/index.html and offers news, videos, photos, statistics, and other information on significant issues. Each month, the Briefing Room will feature a different Department of Justice priority area. The inaugural edition of the Briefing Room is dedicated to Project Safe Childhood (“PSC”). The site includes press releases on significant PSC cases, statistics on convictions and sentences in PSC cases, and prevention and Internet safety resources.

Hartford Man Sentenced to 37 Months in Federal Prison for Marijuana Trafficking

The United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut today announced that AARON HIPPOLYTE, also known as "Eric Hippolyte" and "Hip," 29, of

Mansfield Street, Hartford

, was sentenced today by Senior United States District Judge Ellen Bree Burns in New Haven to 37 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his distributing marijuana.

                             

This matter stems from "Operation Northern Strike," a 15-month joint law enforcement investigation targeting alleged members and associates of geographically based street gangs engaging in criminal activity in Hartford's Upper Albany and Northeast neighborhoods. The investigation included the use of court-authorized wiretaps on multiple telephones, controlled purchases of narcotics, and physical surveillance. As a result of the investigation, 35 individuals were charged with various federal drug and firearms violations.

According to court documents and statements made in court, HIPPOLYTE conspired with others in the distribution of marijuana, using

133-135 Mansfield Street

in Hartford as a point of distribution. The investigation revealed that HIPPOLYTE regularly acquired multiple pound quantities of marijuana from a source of supply, which he then sold in smaller quantities to his own customers from the

Mansfield Street

location.

On August 5, 2010, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at

133-135 Mansfield Street

and recovered a small amount of marijuana in a room associated with HIPPOLYTE and approximately $6000 in U.S. currency from HIPPOLYTE's person.

On November 17, 2010, HIPPOLYTE pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana.

HIPPOLYTE has been detained since his arrest on August 5, 2010.

Not all of the defendants charged as a result of this investigation are alleged to be gang members or associates.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Gang Task Force—which includes representatives of the FBI, Connecticut State Police, and Hartford Police Department—and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Brian P. Leaming and Geoffrey M. Stone.

This article was sponsored by Police Books.