Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: US FBI

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LUIS CRUZ, also known as “Goldo,” 27, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 97 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his participation in both a violent carjacking and a Waterbury-based narcotics trafficking ring.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in the early morning hours of June 18, 2023, two all-terrain vehicles (“ATVs”) were stolen from a Waterbury residence.  After the theft, Cruz posted on Facebook offering $5,000 to anyone providing information about the location of the stolen vehicles.  Cruz and others then mistakenly identified an individual (“Victim 1”), who they incorrectly believed was involved in the theft.  Later that night, Victim 1’s friend, (“Victim 2”), picked up Victim 1 from work and drove him home.  As they arrived at Victim 1’s residence, three vehicles followed them and surrounded the victims.  Cruz and his associates, one of whom carried an assault-style rifle, exited the vehicles and approached the victims.  Cruz and his associates demanded the return of the stolen ATVs, threatened to kill the victims, and physically assaulted them.  Cruz, who was recovering from a leg injury, used a crutch to repeatedly strike one of the victims.

Cruz and his associates then stole Victim 2’s vehicle, which was owned by Victim 2’s relative, and other items and cash belonging to the victims.

Also in 2023, Cruz was one of 17 individuals charged with federal offenses as a result of an investigation into two drug trafficking organizations based in the city of Waterbury.  One organization operated in the area of William Street and the other operated in the area of Maple Avenue.  The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps on multiple phones, video surveillance, GPS tracking of vehicles, and numerous controlled purchases of narcotics, revealed that the two organizations distributed cocaine, crack, and fentanyl through a network of sellers.  The organizations shared sources of supply and worked together to further their operations.

During the investigation, Cruz, who was involved in the William Street organization, was intercepted multiple times over a wiretap discussing the distribution of narcotics.  Cruz distributed cocaine, and also stored narcotics for the organization at various hotels.

Cruz and several codefendants were arrested on November 29, 2023.  In association with the arrests, investigators executed multiple search warrants and seized approximately 700 grams of crack cocaine, more than 900 vials (“caps”) of crack, approximately 200 grams of loose fentanyl, more than 1,600 dose bags of fentanyl/heroin, two stolen firearms, numerous rounds of ammunition, and more than $39,000 in cash.

On September 10, 2024, Cruz pleaded guilty to carjacking resulting in serious bodily injury, and conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

Cruz has been detained since his arrest.

These investigations were led by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and Waterbury Safe Streets Gang Task Force, and the Waterbury Police Department.  The carjacking case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathan J. Guevremont and David T. Huang, and the narcotics trafficking case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natasha M. Freismuth and Shan Patel through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program.  Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

Source: US FBI

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ANTHONY PENA, also known as “Tony,” 24, of Miami Gardens, Florida, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to 132 months of imprisonment, followed by two years of supervised release, for participating in a violent kidnapping in Danbury last summer.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in the late afternoon of August 25, 2024, Danbury Police received multiple 911 calls from witnesses who observed several males assaulting another male and forcing him into a white work van.  Responding officers encountered the van on Clapboard Ridge Road, near the intersection of East Gate Road, and attempted to stop it.  The van accelerated at a high-rate of speed and crashed approximately one mile away on Cowperthwaite Street.  Pena, Angel Borrero, and two associates, all dressed in black, exited the van and fled on foot.  Officers arrived at the location of the disabled van and located a male and female victim, both bound with duct tape, in the back of the van.  The male victim had significant injuries to his face and arm.  Both victims were transported to the hospital for further evaluation.  The victims reported that the Lamborghini Urus they were operating was rear-ended by a Honda Civic on Damia Drive in Danbury, and a white work van cut in front of their vehicle.  The victims were then forcibly removed from their vehicle, dragged into the van, and bound with duct tape.  When the male victim resisted, he was punched in the face and hit repeatedly with a baseball bat, both outside and inside the van, by Pena and others.  The victims were told several times that they would be killed.

Pena, Borrero, and the two associates were apprehended in various locations within a quarter-mile radius from where the van crashed.  Two other associates, and the Honda Civic, were located at a short-term rental home in Roxbury.  A baseball bat was found inside the car.  The victims’ Lamborghini, with a blood-stained baseball bat inside the car, was found abandoned in the woods off the roadway on East King Street.

The kidnapping was intended to facilitate the extortion of the victims’ son, who is suspected of participating in the theft of hundreds of millions of dollars in cryptocurrency.

Pena has been detained since his arrest.  On January 10, 2025, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy and kidnapping.

Borrero and three others involved in the offense also pleaded guilty and await sentencing.

This matter is being investigated by the FBI New Haven Violent Crimes Task Force and the Danbury Police Department.  The Task Force includes members from the Connecticut State Police and several local police departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen L. Peck and John T. Pierpont, Jr.

U.S. Attorney Sullivan thanked the State’s Attorney’s Office for the Judicial District of Danbury for its close cooperation in investigating and prosecuting this matter.

Source: US FBI

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that BRANDON SPENCE, also known as “Spun,” 37, of East Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 56 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing fentanyl and cocaine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 5, 2019, Spence was sentenced in Hartford federal court to 24 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for unlawfully possessing a firearm as a felon.  He was released from federal prison in February 2020.  On December 7, 2020, Hartford Police surveillance cameras captured Spence and another individual engaged in a dispute.  Spence pulled out a firearm, shot the individual in the leg, and then stole the victim’s vehicle.  On May 28, 2021, Spence was sentenced to an additional 24 months of imprisonment for violating the conditions of his federal supervised release.

In March and April 2024, the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force made controlled purchases of fentanyl and crack cocaine from Spence.  Spence was arrested on April 3, 2024.  On that date, a court-authorized search of his residence and vehicles revealed distribution quantities of fentanyl, crack cocaine, and marijuana.

On January 28, 2025, Spence pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, cocaine and fentanyl.  He has been detained since his arrest.

This investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and the Hartford Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shan Patel.

Source: US FBI

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RAMON APELLANIZ, also known as “Kristopher Rockefeller” and “Kris,” 40, of Middletown, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to a health care fraud offense related to a Medicaid fraud scheme.

The Connecticut Medical Assistance Program (CTMAP) is a Connecticut Department of Social Services-administered program that provides medical assistance to low income persons.  CTMAP’s benefit packages, referred to as “HUSKY” or “Connecticut Medicaid,” are jointly funded by the State of Connecticut and the federal government.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Apellaniz previously operated The Gemini Project, LLC (“Gemini”), a Newington-based business that offered counseling to patients with mental, behavioral, and emotional disorders.  According to the State of Connecticut’s public license database, Apellaniz is not a licensed provider.  In 2020, Apellaniz was charged by the state with larceny, health care fraud, and identity theft offenses related to his providing services to numerous Medicaid beneficiaries as a non-licensed provider, and Gemini billing Medicaid for those services, or for services that were not rendered at all.  Medicaid paid Gemini and Apellaniz $909,268 for the false claims.  Apellaniz pleaded nolo contendere and, on April 17, 2024, was sentenced in Hartford Superior Court to eight years in prison, execution suspended after 15 months, and five years of parole.  He was released from Department of Correction custody on November 19, 2024.

Suhail Aponte was the sole principal and registered agent of Minds Cornerstone LLC, dba Minds Cornerstone Behavior Therapy Services (“Minds Cornerstone”), an Autism Specialist Group, which was registered with the State of Connecticut in June 2021.  Aponte also in not a licensed provider.  Although Apellaniz does not appear on any of Minds Cornerstone’s Medicaid enrollment forms, had no ownership interest in the company, and had no signatory authority to any of its bank accounts, he conspired with Aponte and ran the company under a pseudonym, including while he was incarcerated in state custody.

Beginning in approximately November 2021, Apellaniz and Aponte used Minds Cornerstone to defraud the Connecticut Medicaid Program by submitting fraudulent claims for applied behavior analysis (“ABA”) services to children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (“ASD”).  The scheme involved billing for Medicaid for services purportedly rendered to patients when company payroll records indicate employees were not compensated for the associated services; direct supervision services purportedly provided by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (“BCBA”) of a behavioral technician, when the corresponding procedure code for behavioral technician services was not billed; services purportedly rendered to patients who were actually in an inpatient hospital; and services purportedly rendered when parents of patients and former employees of Minds Cornerstone confirmed those services did not occur.

Between November 2021 and January 2025, Apellaniz and Aponte submitted or caused to be submitted to Medicaid fraudulent claims that resulted in a loss of approximately $1,876,617 to the Connecticut Department of Social Services.

The investigation revealed that Apellaniz used some of the funds Minds Cornerstone received to pay a portion of the restitution he owes as a result of his state prosecution.

From approximately May 2022 until November 2024, Aponte was also employed by the State of Connecticut in the Office of Policy and Management.

Apellaniz pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  Judge Underhill scheduled sentencing for August 15.  Apellaniz has been detained since his arrest on January 16, 2025.

Aponte pleaded guilty to the same charge on April 30 and awaits sentencing.

Apellaniz and Aponte have agreed to the forfeiture of approximately $469,000 in funds seized during the investigation, as well their interest in additional bank accounts and two parcels of land in Hartford. 

This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG), and the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Connecticut Chief State’s Attorney’s Office, with the assistance of the Connecticut Department of Social Services.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David T. Huang.

Source: US FBI

TEXARKANA, ARKANSAS – A Doddridge, Arkansas man was sentenced yesterday to 198 months in federal prison for distributing child pornography to be followed by 10 years of supervised release.  The Honorable Chief Judge Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing, which was held in the U.S. District Court in Texarkana.

According to court documents, Nathaniel Gareth Doggett, age 22, used an online social media platform to distribute child pornography to a minor.  Doggett’s crime came to light after a CyberTip was submitted to the FBI by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.  When interviewed by FBI agents, Doggett admitted to downloading and distributing child pornography, including files of pre-pubescent children, through the social media application.   

Doggett was indicted by a Grand Jury in the Western District of Arkansas in June of 2023 and entered a plea of guilty in August of 2025.  His conviction requires him to register as a sex offender.

U.S. Attorney Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Miller County Sheriff’s Office, the El Dorado Police Department, and the Arkansas State Police investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Devon Still and Graham Jones prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.

This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

Source: US FBI

Drug Trafficking

Kennett McLeod, 45, of Ethete, Wyoming, was sentenced to 64 months and eight days with three years of supervised release to follow for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. According to court documents, on June 12, 2024, the Wyoming Highway Patrol conducted a traffic stop on McLeod’s vehicle and smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from the car. A K9 drug dog alerted to controlled substances, and a search was conducted. Troopers located 56 grams of methamphetamine, 39 grams of fentanyl, and marijuana. During questioning, McLeod admitted to purchasing large quantities of drugs from Colorado and selling them. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, and Wyoming Highway Patrol investigated the crime. Assistant. U.S. Attorney Timothy W. Gist prosecuted the case. U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence in Cheyenne on May 16. Case No. 24-CR-00162

Illegal Re-Entry of a Previously Deported Alien

Juvencio “Juan” Aldana-Vasquez, 51, of Mexico, was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment and will be deported for illegal reentry into the United States. According to court documents, on July 26, 2024, Aldana-Vasquez was encountered at the Laramie County jail after an arrest by the U.S. Marshal’s Task Force for sexual abuse of a minor. ICE was notified and they determined that Aldana-Vasquez had previously been removed from the U.S. and had not applied for permission to reenter after being formally removed in March 2019. ICE investigated the crime, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook prosecuted the case. U.S. District Court Judge Kelly H. Rankin imposed the sentence in Cheyenne on May 16. Case No. 25-CR-00070

Javier Gomez-Salazar, 31, of Mexico, was sentenced to time served and will be deported for illegal reentry into the United States. According to court documents, on Oct. 28, 2024, Gomez-Salazar was arrested by the Jackson Police Department for driving under the influence of alcohol. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was contacted, the defendant’s fingerprints were examined against their database, and a match was found. They determined that Gomez-Salazar had previously been removed from the U.S. and had not applied for permission to reenter after being formally removed in June 2019. ICE investigated the crime, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook prosecuted the case. U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence in Cheyenne on May 12. Case No. 25-CR-00042

Erick Orozco-Renova, 29, of Mexico, was sentenced to 30 months of imprisonment and will be deported for illegal reentry into the United States. According to court documents, on July 8, 2024, Orozco-Renova was arrested for interference with a police officer and booked into the Laramie County Jail. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was contacted, and the defendant’s fingerprints were examined against their database, and a match was found. They determined that Orozco-Renova had previously been removed from the U.S. and had not applied for permission to reenter after being formally removed in December 2022. ICE investigated the crime, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook prosecuted the case. U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence in Cheyenne on May 13. Case No. 25-CR-00066

Leonardo Leon-Jaime, 42, of Mexico, was sentenced to eight months and then will be deported for illegal reentry into the United States. According to court documents, on Feb. 22, Leon-Jaime was arrested in Campbell County for driving under the influence of alcohol. ICE was contacted when he admitted to being a citizen of Mexico. They determined that Ramos-Perez had previously been removed from the U.S. and had not applied for permission to reenter after being formally removed in December 2017. ICE investigated the crime, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariel Calmes prosecuted the case. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl imposed the sentence in Cheyenne on May 15. Case No. 25-CR-00043

Source: US FBI

EL DORADO – A Smackover, Arkansas man was sentenced on March 19, 2025, to 180 months in prison without the possibility of parole for receiving child pornography.  The Honorable Chief Judge Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing, which was held in the U.S. District Court in El Dorado.

According to court documents, Eric David Ponder, age 46, used an online peer-to-peer program to download child pornography to two different electronic devices.  Ponder’s crime came to light when an Ozark Police detective discovered illegal online activity from Ponder’s use of the peer-to-peer program.  El Dorado Police detectives and agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation then served a search warrant at Ponder’s residence and discovered the two devices Ponder used to access and receive child pornography. 

In 2014, Ponder was convicted for Distributing, Possessing, or Viewing Sexually Explicit Conduct Involving a Child in Benton County, Arkansas, and was sentenced to five years in the Arkansas Department of Correction.  Ponder was a registered sex offender when he committed the federal offense.

Ponder was indicted by a Grand Jury in the Western District of Arkansas in March of 2024 and entered a plea of guilty in September of 2024.   

U.S. Attorney Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, El Dorado Police Department, Ozark Police Department, and Smackover Police Department investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Devon Still and Trent Daniels prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.

This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.