Category: Local News

Deirdre M. Daly, Acting United States Attorney for the District of
Connecticut, announced that RICHARD UVA, also known as “Big Baldy,”
44, of Trumbull, formerly of Stamford, pleaded guilty today before
United States Magistrate Judge Thomas P. Smith in Hartford to one
count of conspiring to violate the federal Racketeer Influenced and
Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act stemming from his involvement in
organized-crime controlled gambling businesses.
According to court documents and statements made in court, after a
long-term investigation led by the FBI Fairfield County Organized
Crime Task Force, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal
Investigation and the Stamford Police Department, UVA, Dean DePreta
and 18 other individuals were charged with various offenses related to
their involvement in an illegal Internet sports bookmaking operation
and illegal card gambling clubs in Stamford and Hamden.  UVA and
DePreta are alleged associates of the Gambino organized crime family.
The investigation, which included the use of court-authorized
wiretaps, revealed that UVA assisted DePreta’s operation of a
large-scale sports bookmaking business in which gamblers placed bets
with offshore Internet sports-gambling websites, particularly
www.44wager.com based in Costa Rica.  UVA served as the “master agent”
for the bookmaking operation.
In addition, DePreta, UVA and others operated a card gambling club at
2965 State Street in Hamden, where a house percentage, commonly
referred to as a “rake,” was collected from every hand played.  UVA
supervised the club’s operation.
In pleading guilty, UVA also admitted that he committed acts of
extortion while participating in this racketeering enterprise.  UVA
collected “tribute” payments from independent sports bookmakers
operating in Connecticut, which payments were subsequently delivered
to Gambino Family associates in New York.
UVA is scheduled to be sentenced by United States District Judge
Vanessa L. Bryant on October 24, 2013, at which time he faces a
maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  He also has agreed to
forfeit $250,000.
UVA has been released on bond since his arrest on June 13, 2013.
DePreta has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.
FBI analysis of the sports-betting web site utilized by the
co-defendants has determined that the total gross revenues of the
Stamford-based gambling operation were nearly $1.7 million from
October 2010 to June 2011.
To date, the defendants who have pleaded guilty have agreed to forfeit
more than $1.3 million.
This matter is being investigated by the FBI Fairfield County
Organized Crime Task Force, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal
Investigation, the Stamford Police Department, the Bridgeport Police
Department and the Connecticut State Police.  This case is being
prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Hal Chen and Peter
Jongbloed.

11:37am–#Bridgeport CT–Report of another car accident on Park Street.  This time in front of 138 Park Street

2:42am–#Fairfield CT–Church Hill Road resident reporting to police that their car tires have been slashed.

9:56pm–#Bridgeport CT–Tonight’s car fire is reported to be at the intersection at Central Avenue and Trowel Street.  Firefighters on the way.

1:26am–#cttraffic–Report of a rollover accident on the Merritt Parkway southbound between exits 52 and 53 originally reported on the northbound lanes.

11:07pm–#Bridgeport CT–Second ambulance sent to an accident at Connecticut Avenue and Central Ave.

9:36pm–#Bridgeport CT–Report of a 3 car accident on Park Avenue near Olive Street.

(Bridgeport, CT – Aug. 1, 2013) —  Police narcotics officers and state and federal partners made nearly two dozen felony drug arrests during the Gathering of the Vibes, confiscated significant quantities of drugs and seized almost $24,000.

“In total, the event was very successful. The feedback from people who attended was very positive,” said Police Chief Joseph L. Gaudett Jr. “A small fraction of the people came with bad intentions, and law enforcement had to intervene.”

Over the course of the four-day music festival, police arrested 23 people on felony drug charges and seized $23,837 and four vehicles. Investigators also seized significant amounts of illegal drugs and food items infused with hallucinogens and other drugs. More than 20,000 people attended the event.

The items included drug-laced lollipops and rice cereal treats, among others.

Police also seized amounts of marijuana, hashish, ecstasy, Ketamine (an animal tranquilizer),Xanax, narcotic painkillers, cocaine, LSD, heroin and hallucinogenic mushrooms.

The totals amounts are being calculated.

“This was a collaborative effort. Vibes security and law enforcement worked exceptionally well together this year ensuring that the people who came to enjoy the music could do just that,” said Gaudett. “A lot of work happened behind the scenes, with the cooperation of organizers, to make this event as safe as possible.”

Police continue to work with organizers to minimize disruption to people in the community who host this event.

4:12pm–#Fairfield CT–A nine year old boy was approached by a man who appeared to be sleeping in the bushes at 691 Old Post Road by the basketball courts.  The boy is now safe at home.

8:58pm–#Bridgeport CT–Report of a two car accident with injuries on East Main and Jane Street.