Richard Lovallo, a 64-year-old Stamford resident, was arrested on January 24, 2025, on two counts of Risk of Injury/Impairing Morals of a Minor and two counts of Harmful Communication with a Minor. The investigation began on September 16, 2024, after Norwalk Police received a complaint that Lovallo, a middle school substitute teacher, was sending inappropriate messages to students.
Detective Kougioumtzidis of the Special Victims Unit conducted an extensive investigation involving interviews, digital forensics, and search warrants, which identified Lovallo as the suspect. With assistance from Stamford Police, Lovallo was arrested at his home. He is being held on a $150,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on February 7, 2025.
Stratford Police, with assistance from multiple agencies, arrested Devon Dotson of Sedgewick Avenue on January 24, 2025, in connection with a shooting incident that occurred on December 30, 2024, on Dewey Street. The investigation began after two victims reported the shooting to CSP Troop G, stating that someone in a white Hyundai Sonata fired shots at their vehicle. Officers recovered a .45 caliber shell casing at the scene and located the suspect vehicle at Dotson’s residence. Evidence was seized through multiple search warrants executed in early January on the vehicles, Dotson’s residence, and related electronic devices.
Further investigation connected the recovered shell casing to a Glock .45 caliber firearm seized during a Bridgeport Police traffic stop on January 12, 2025. This evidence led Stratford Police to secure a felony arrest warrant for Dotson. He was arrested in Stamford and charged with criminal attempt at assault first degree, reckless endangerment first degree, carrying a pistol without a permit, weapon in a motor vehicle, and illegal transfer of a firearm. Dotson is being held on a $250,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on January 27, 2025.
A collaborative investigation by the Stratford Police Department’s Narcotics, Vice, and Intelligence Unit and the FBI Safe Streets Task Force led to the execution of a search warrant at 95 Kasper Drive in Stratford.
The investigation began in October 2024 after numerous complaints from neighbors regarding suspicious activity at the property. Reports included frequent vehicular and pedestrian traffic, “hand-to-hand” narcotics transactions, and disturbances from an alleged illegal car repair and junkyard operation at the residence.
During the search, authorities discovered heroin, fentanyl, loaded syringes, narcotics packaging materials, and paraphernalia in plain view. The operation resulted in the arrest of 10 individuals, including multiple convicted felons, all charged with various drug-related offenses.
Joseph Villafane, a convicted felon, was charged with the illegal operation of a drug factory, illegal possession of drug paraphernalia, illegal possession of a narcotic substance, and interfering with police. He attempted to flee during the search warrant execution and suffered a non-life-threatening K9 dog bite. He is also wanted by Stratford Police for two warrants for failure to appear, East Haven Police for criminal impersonation, and Milford Police for interfering with police. He is being held on a $70,000 bond.
Jessica Villafane, a convicted felon, was charged with the illegal operation of a drug factory, illegal possession of drug paraphernalia, and illegal possession of a narcotic substance. She is being held on a $20,000 bond.
Alberto Otero, a convicted felon, was charged with the illegal operation of a drug factory, illegal possession of drug paraphernalia, and illegal possession of a narcotic substance. He is being held on a $25,000 bond.
Phillip Lacharite, a convicted felon, was charged with the illegal operation of a drug factory, illegal possession of drug paraphernalia, illegal possession of a narcotic substance, illegal operation of a repair business, and illegal operation of a motor vehicle junkyard. He is being held on a $26,000 bond.
Carey Accavallo was charged with the illegal operation of a drug factory, illegal possession of drug paraphernalia, illegal possession of a narcotic substance, and interfering with police. She is also wanted by Stratford Police for failure to appear. She is being held on a $65,000 bond.
Jessica Luna was charged with the illegal operation of a drug factory, illegal possession of drug paraphernalia, and illegal possession of a narcotic substance. She is also wanted by Southington Police for disorderly conduct. She is being held on a $25,000 bond.
Amanda Gregory was charged with the illegal operation of a drug factory, illegal possession of drug paraphernalia, and illegal possession of a narcotic substance. She is being held on a $25,000 bond.
Christopher Going, a convicted felon, was charged with the illegal operation of a drug factory, illegal possession of drug paraphernalia, illegal possession of a narcotic substance, and interfering with police. He is also wanted by Stratford Police for failure to appear. He is being held on a $50,000 bond.
Garfield Howell, a convicted felon, was charged with the illegal operation of a drug factory, illegal possession of drug paraphernalia, and illegal possession of a narcotic substance. He is being held on a $25,000 bond.
Bryan Flores-Calero, a 19-year-old resident of Norwalk, CT, was arrested on January 23, 2025, on two counts of Sexual Assault in the Second Degree and two counts of Risk of Injury to a Minor. The investigation, led by Detective English of the Special Victims Unit, began after the Norwalk Police Department received a report on November 21, 2024, from a family member who discovered the minor had been sexually abused. An arrest warrant was issued on January 23, 2025, thanks to Detective English’s work, and Norwalk Patrol Officers apprehended Flores-Calero the same day while he was driving his vehicle. He was taken into custody and held on a $50,000 bond, with a court appearance scheduled for February 6, 2025.
The Stratford Library Board is currently requesting donations for its annual book sale. Contributors are urged to recycle their good books to share with others and help the Stratford Library increase their book purchase fund at the same time. The book sale fund-raiser is being organized this year by the SLA Board of Trustees member Shelley Hall of Stratford. Donations of good hard cover books and paperbacks, fiction or non-fiction as well as sound and video recordings, can be brought to the library. A special book collection bin is on site in the Main Lobby. The book sale workers encourage residents to donate their biographies, cookbooks, poetry, plays, travel, mystery, science fiction, children’s books, etc. Premium condition books and children’s materials are especially appreciated this year. No VHS tapes, magazines, Reader’s Digest condensed books or textbooks can be accepted. Donations requiring help to unload cars must call 203.385-4166 prior to their delivery in order for the library to arrange assistance. Donations will be accepted now through May 23, 2025. Current library hours are Monday – Thursday: 10-8, Friday – Saturday: 10-5 and Sunday: 1-5. The book donation bin is located in the library’s Main Lobby adjacent to the Main Street entrance. For further information, call 203.385-4161 or check the library website at: www.stratfordlibrary.org.
The Stratford Library, 2203 Main Street in Stratford, celebrates “National Take Your Child to the Library Day” on Saturday, February 1. The annual event is free and open to the public.
‘Take Your Child to the Library Day’ encourages families to visit their local library and discover everything it has to offer. This year’s theme is “Fun Around the World,” offering different activities throughout the day. From 10am-2pm, children can participate in a fun “Around the World” activity at each of the 7 continents. From 10am-4:30pm, children can stop by anytime for a free book and to play “I Spy Australia.” Additional special events, which require registration on the Library’s website, include Preschool Play Time from 10:15am-11:15am for ages 2-5 and Speedy Silly Games at 2:30pm for ages 5-12. This special day is courtesy of the Carol Pieper Memorial Fund.
For more information, or to register for Play Time or Games, call 203.385.4165 or visit the events page at: www.stratfordlibrary.org.
Report of a 4 car motor vehicle accident on I-95 just prior to Exit 25 Southbound. First responders are on scene reporting a 4 car crash on the right hand side of the Highway.
President of the Bridgeport Police Union Michael Salemme III:
“CHIEF PORTER’S LONELY CORNER”
I write as the President of the Bridgeport Police Union, Local 1159, to address serious concerns regarding Chief Porter’s lack of leadership and the decrease of morale our officers face on a daily basis. Chief Porter is a disgruntled ex-employee who has personal vendettas against some of our officers from his tenure as a captain with the Bridgeport Police Department. He retired, opened a lawsuit against the City of Bridgeport, and was selected chief shortly after.
As the voice of our membership, it is important for me to inform the public that majority of our members are not happy under Chief Porter. Although social media may paint a picture that it is, I assure you that it is not. Last year, a vote of no confidence was brought up at a union meeting. The two members who motioned it and two additional officers who supported it, were all later targeted in either discipline coming forth, stopped on a promotional list, or not chosen for a specialized unit. Right now, most members want to do a “vote of no confidence” against Chief Porter, but are afraid of retaliation
Chief Porter has teamed up with Labor Relations to attack the officers he does not like. He has Attorney Linda Cronin, from Labor Relations, as his personal lawyer who follows the script Porter puts together. Some of our officers go into discipline hearings with no chance of a fair outcome. The officers Porter likes get way less punishment and even charges removed from their discipline. Other officers have had unjust punishments and charges added that don’t apply. This inconsistency of discipline puts the union in a tough spot, which has been pitting officers against each other. Since Chief Porter started in December of 2022, complaints were filed against him with Labor Relations. Some complaints were investigated with no outcomes or had to be outsourced to a private company.
Chief Porter has completely decimated the chain of command by purposely not promoting officers due to who’s name was next on the list. Four Sergeants were recently stopped from being promoted to Lieutenants, two Lieutenants were cut short of being captains, and he eliminated 15 sergeant positions on his own doing. There are many openings in each supervisory rank and only the Chief of Police can promote. These positions are budgeted for and there should be no disparity involved. Our officers worked hard to be promoted and their career development was purposely stopped. Some officers are now looking to retire instead of staying past their 25 years.
The police department is not operating efficiently. Chief Porter has created unnecessary mandates by purposely changing our squad structure around. This has created tired officers and an uptick in book offs. He was repeatedly advised by the union and high-ranking command staff that this would not work, but still did it. Our computer based hiring system (Kronos) has tracked a 30% increase in mandates. It was finally changed for the start of 2025, thanks to John Cueto, who was the assistant chief for a short span.
I have been Union President since November of 2023 and have filed over 20 grievances, some leading to several MPP’s. Most of these grievances will not be heard for at least two years. I have tried working with Chief Porter, but he knows there is no discipline that will happen to him or a monetary figure for violating our contract. Our officers are forced to file lawsuits and CHRO complaints. The tax paying citizens of Bridgeport will face the brunt of paying these bills for grievances, reimbursement of attorney fees, and lawsuits. Every grievance filed cost the city $200 apiece.
I have plenty of documentation of violations of the contract and unjust treatment towards a lot of our officers. Mayor Ganim’s office is well aware of these incidents. Chief Porter has done nothing to move our police department forward. The union will be exercising every avenue to combat this unfair treatment and boost morale in the department.
President Michael Salemme III
And response from Bridgeport Police Chief Roderick Porter:
These are baseless, factually inaccurate allegations that only serve to misinform the public and undermine the faith in the City’s public safety function of the Bridgeport Police Department. It is disheartening that a Union President would circumvent the tenants of labor relations and utilize mass media prior to bargaining in good faith as required by the Connecticut Municipal Employers Relations Act. However, this misinformation campaign will not deter me from continuing to support the good work that my officers perform daily. This narrative continues to discredit the important relationship building that this Department continues to strive for, for the benefit of all residents in the City of Bridgeport. I once again, invite President Salemme and any members of the Union to have a productive discussion over these allegations rather than resorting to this medium, so that together we can reasonably resolve all grievances and address any misinformation .
Bridgeport, CT – Mayor Ganim announced today that the City of Bridgeport has been recognized as the 3rd Place, Medium City winner in the 2025 Childhood Obesity Prevention/Environmental Health and Sustainability Awards. The award, presented by The United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) in partnership with the American Beverage Foundation for a Healthy America (ABFHA), includes a $15,000 grant to further the City Fresh Program’s efforts to enhance childhood health and environmental sustainability.
The grant will bolster City Fresh’s mission to promote access to nutritious food and sustainable practices for families in Bridgeport. Mayor Ganim accepted the award on behalf of the city during USCM’s 93rd Winter Meeting on January 18, 2025, at the Capital Hilton in Washington, DC.
“This recognition and funding from USCM and ABFHA highlight our city’s commitment to improving health and sustainability for our residents,” said Mayor Ganim. “The City Fresh Program is a testament to the power of community-driven initiatives that positively impact the lives of children and families. This grant ensures we can continue to build a healthier Bridgeport.”
Report of a multi car crash on I-95 before Exit 34 on the bridge Southbound. There is only one lane open at this time and first responders are on the scene.
