Glastonbury Man Admits Using the Internet to Persuade Children to Engage in Sexual Activity

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that William Paul Patrick, 67, of Glastonbury, waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty today before United States Magistrate Judge Holly B. Fitzsimmons in Bridgeport to one count of using an interstate facility to persuade a minor to engage in sexual activity.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in late 2008, the FBI and the Connecticut Computer Crimes Task Force began investigating Patrick’s suspected possession and distribution of child pornography. On May 8, 2009, law enforcement agents conducted a court-authorized search of Patrick’s Glastonbury residence and seized several computers, detachable hard drives, and computer-related components. Subsequent analysis of the seized computers and hard drives revealed numerous images and videos depicting child pornography.

Forensic review of the seized items also revealed videos, e-mails, and text files that indicated that Patrick had communicated with individuals in the Philippines for the purposes of arranging Internet sex shows involving minors. In one e-mail, Patrick offered money for a sex show involving multiple individuals and a 7-year-old girl. Patrick provided explicit instructions to the adult and the minors about the nature and duration of the sex acts he wanted to view and offered them cash rewards if they could perform certain acts on the child.

Patrick also engaged in another Internet chat session with an adult and a young child, who indicated that she was 9 years old. During the chat session, Patrick asked that the girl engage in sexual acts and be photographed while nude. Patrick provided $100 to an individual in the Philippines to facilitate his request, and he subsequently received pornographic photographs of the child.

In addition, Patrick recorded a number of sexual encounters between other minors that occurred over a live streaming web cam.

Patrick was arrested on January 22, 2010. He has been released on bond under electronic monitoring by the United States Probation Office since shortly after his arrest.

Patrick is scheduled to be sentenced by Senior United States District Judge Warren W. Eginton on September 19, 2012, at which time Patrick faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

This matter has 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 Hamden Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Deborah Slater and Ray Miller.

The Connecticut Computer Crimes Task Force investigates crimes occurring over the Internet, including computer intrusion, Internet fraud, copyright violations, Internet threats and harassment, and online crimes against children. The task force also provides computer forensic review services for participating agencies. The task force is housed in the main FBI Office in New Haven. For more information about the task force, please contact the FBI at 203-777-6311.

U.S. Attorney Fein noted that this prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood Initiative, which is aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

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

New Haven Man Sentenced to More Than Three Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Cocaine

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that VIRGIL JEFFERIES, 22, also known as “Mook” and “Murder Mook,” of New Haven, was sentenced today by Senior United States District Judge Ellen Bree Burns in New Haven to 41 months of imprisonment, followed by one year of supervised release, for distributing cocaine.

This matter stems from a joint law enforcement investigation conducted by the FBI New Haven Safe Streets Task Force, the DEA New Haven Task Force, the New Haven Police Department and the Hamden Police Department. Through the use of court-authorized wiretaps, investigating officers identified and dismantled a large drug trafficking organization that was centered in the Newhallville section of New Haven and Hamden, and was responsible for the distribution of crack cocaine and cocaine throughout the Greater New Haven area.

According to court documents and statements made in court, from June 2010 through October 2010, JEFFERIES was intercepted several times over a wiretap ordering distribution quantities of cocaine and crack cocaine from other members of the drug trafficking organization, which he then sold to his own customer base for profit.

On November 4, 2011, JEFFERIES pleaded guilty to one count of using a telephone to facilitate a narcotics trafficking felony.

Forty-seven individuals have been charged in federal court with various narcotics offenses as a result of this investigation.

U.S. Attorney Fein noted that federal prisoners are required to serve at least 85 percent of their sentenced term of imprisonment and are not eligible for parole.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New Haven Safe Streets Task Force (composed of members of members of the New Haven, Ansonia, Milford, Hamden and East Haven Police Departments, the Connecticut State Police and the Connecticut Department of Correction), the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Task Force (composed of members of the New Haven, West Haven, Meriden, Ansonia, Hamden and Branford Police Departments), along with substantial participation by members of the New Haven and Hamden Police Departments. The United States Marshals Service also has assisted the investigation.

The investigation was funded in significant part by the United States Attorney’s Office Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force and supported by the Office’s Project Safe Neighborhoods and Anti-Gang programs.

This matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Christopher M. Mattei and Robert M. Spector.

New Haven Man Sentenced to Two Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Crack

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RAYMOND RICE, 41, of New Haven, was sentenced today by Senior United States District Judge Ellen Bree Burns in New Haven to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing crack cocaine.

This matter stems from a joint law enforcement investigation conducted by the FBI New Haven Safe Streets Task Force, the DEA New Haven Task Force, the New Haven Police Department and the Hamden Police Department. Through the use of court-authorized wiretaps, investigating officers identified and dismantled a large drug-trafficking organization that was centered in the Newhallville section of New Haven and Hamden, and was responsible for the distribution of crack cocaine and cocaine throughout the Greater New Haven area.

According to court documents and statements made in court, from June 2010 through October 2010, RICE was intercepted several times over a wiretap ordering distribution quantities of crack cocaine from other members of the drug trafficking organization, which he then sold to his own customer base for profit.

On April 21, 2011, RICE pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base (“crack cocaine”).

Forty-seven individuals have been charged in federal court with various narcotics offenses as a result of this investigation.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New Haven Safe Streets Task Force (composed of members of members of the New Haven, Ansonia, Milford and East Haven Police Department, and the Connecticut State Police and the Connecticut Department of Correction), the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Task Force (composed of members of the New Haven, West Haven, Meriden, Ansonia, Hamden and Branford Police Departments), along with substantial participation by members of the New Haven and Hamden Police Departments. The United States Marshals Service also has assisted the investigation.

The investigation was funded in significant part by the United States Attorney’s Office Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force and supported by the Office’s Project Safe Neighborhoods and Anti-Gang programs.

This matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Christopher M. Mattei and Robert M. Spector.

New Haven Man Sentenced to Three Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Crack

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that CHARLES NICHOLS, 45, of New Haven, was sentenced today by Senior United States District Judge Ellen Bree Burns in New Haven to 36 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing crack cocaine.

This matter stems from a joint law enforcement investigation conducted by the FBI New Haven Safe Streets Task Force, the DEA New Haven Task Force, the New Haven Police Department, and the Hamden Police Department. Through the use of court-authorized wiretaps, investigating officers identified and dismantled a large drug-trafficking organization that was centered in the Newhallville section of New Haven and Hamden and was responsible for the distribution of crack cocaine and cocaine throughout the Greater New Haven area. According to court documents and statements made in court, for a period of approximately two weeks in August and September 2010, NICHOLS purchased distribution quantities of crack cocaine from other members of the drug trafficking organization, and then redistributed some of the crack to others.

On November 10, 2011, NICHOLS pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute cocaine base (“crack cocaine”).

Forty-seven individuals have been charged in federal court with various narcotics offenses as a result of this investigation.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New Haven Safe Streets Task Force (composed of members of members of the New Haven, Ansonia, Milford, Hamden, and East Haven Police Departments, and the Connecticut State Police and the Connecticut Department of Correction), the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Task Force (composed of members of the New Haven, West Haven, Meriden, Ansonia, Hamden, and Branford Police Departments), along with substantial participation by members of the New Haven and Hamden Police Departments. The United States Marshals Service also has assisted the investigation.

The investigation was funded in significant part by the United States Attorney’s Office Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force and supported by the Office’s Project Safe Neighborhoods and Anti-Gang programs.

This matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Christopher M. Mattei and Robert M. Spector.

Former Farmington Resident Admits Robbing Branford Bank

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JAMES BIEU, 51, formerly of Farmington, pleaded guilty today before Senior United States District Judge Ellen Bree Burns in New Haven to one count of bank robbery.

According to court documents and statements made in court, at approximately 11:40 a.m. on January 3, 2011, BIEU entered the Peoples United Bank located in a Super Stop & Shop grocery store at 22 Leetes Island Road in Branford. He then approached a bank teller and demanded, “Give me good money or die.” The teller gave BIEU $8,439.

Judge Burns has scheduled sentencing for April 20, 2012, at which time WOODWARD faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

BIEU has been incarcerated since January 29, 2011, after he was arrested by the West Haven Police Department.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the Branford, Hamden and West Haven Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth A. Latif.

New Haven Man Sentenced to More Than Eight Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Crack

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JAVON MOORNING, also known as “Lil Red,” 32, of New Haven, was sentenced today by Senior United States District Judge Ellen Bree Burns in New Haven to 100 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing crack cocaine.

This matter stems from a joint law enforcement investigation conducted by the FBI New Haven Safe Streets Task Force, the DEA New Haven Task Force, the New Haven Police Department and the Hamden Police Department. Through the use of court-authorized wiretaps, investigating officers identified and dismantled a large drug-trafficking organization that was centered in the Newhallville section of New Haven and Hamden, and was responsible for the distribution of crack cocaine and cocaine throughout the Greater New Haven area.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between December 2009 and April 2010, law enforcement officers conducted three controlled purchases of crack cocaine, totaling more than 26 grams, from MOORNING. At the time MOORNING was serving a term of special parole.

MOORNING’s criminal history includes multiple state convictions for narcotics trafficking and other offenses.

On April 13, 2011, MOORNING pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of cocaine base (“crack cocaine”).

Forty-seven individuals have been charged in federal court with various narcotics offenses as a result of this investigation.

This matter has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New Haven Safe Streets Task Force (composed of members of members of the New Haven, Ansonia, Milford and East Haven Police Department, and the Connecticut State Police and the Connecticut Department of Correction), the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Task Force (composed of members of the New Haven, West Haven, Meriden, Ansonia, Hamden and Branford Police Departments), along with substantial participation by members of the New Haven and Hamden Police Departments. The United States Marshals Service also has assisted the investigation.

The investigation was funded in significant part by the United States Attorney’s Office Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force and supported by the Office’s Project Safe Neighborhoods and Anti-Gang programs.

This matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Christopher M. Mattei and Robert M. Spector.