United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

Project Safe Neighborhoods: WATERBURY MEN PLEAD GUILTY TO FEDERAL FIREARMS CHARGES

Kevin J. O’Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that two Waterbury men have pleaded guilty to federal firearms charges stemming from a joint law enforcement investigation into the Latin Kings in Waterbury last year.

On Wednesday, January 30, REYDE REYES, 30, of Waterbury, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to one count of being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm.  According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, on July 30, 2007, REYES knowingly possessed a Raven Arms model P-25, .25 caliber semi-automatic pistol after having been convicted of two felony offenses in Connecticut state court.  Judge Underhill has scheduled sentencing for April 12, 2008, at which time REYES faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and fine of up to $250,000.  REYES, who is a citizen of the Dominican Republic, also faces possible deportation as a result of his conviction.

On Thursday, January 31, ANDREW AGUILAR, 20, of Waterbury, pleaded guilty before United States Magistrate Judge Thomas P. Smith in Hartford to one count of transferring a firearm to a known convicted felon.  According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, on seven different occasions between June and September 2007, AGUILAR transferred seven different firearms to an individual whom he knew to be a convicted felon.  Specifically, he sold one Norinco, Model 84S-1, 5.56x45 caliber assault rifle; one Romarm, Model SAR-1, 7.62x39mm caliber assault rifle; one Poly Technologies, Model AK-47/S, 7.62x39mm assault rifle; one Marlin, Model 336, 30-30 caliber rifle; one Hopkins and Allen, Model Blue Whistler, .32 caliber revolver; one Norinco, Model MAK-90 Sporter, 7.62x39mm assault rifle; and one Ruger, Model 10/22, .22 caliber rifle.  One of those firearms contained an obliterated serial number, and the transfer of another firearm occurred in conjunction with the sale of approximately 125 grams of powder cocaine.  AGUILAR is scheduled to be sentenced by United States District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant on April 17, 2008, at which time AGUILAR faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

The charges against REYES and AGUILAR stem from “Operation Royal Flush,” an investigation into the Latin Kings in Waterbury spearheaded by the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in conjunction with the Waterbury Police Department’s Gang Task Force and the Connecticut Department of Correction.  The investigation, which commenced in January 2007, included the controlled purchases of firearms and illegal narcotics from more than 50 suspected members of the Latin Kings.  Eighteen individuals, including REYES and AGUILAR, were arrested and charged with various federal drug trafficking and weapons violations.  Approximately 70 individuals are being prosecuted on state charges stemming from the investigation.

This investigation was funded in significant part through the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) and gang initiatives.

These matters are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Robert M. Spector, Edward R. Kang and S. Dave Vatti.

The Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative is aimed at reducing gun violence, deterring illegal possession of guns, and improving the safety of residents of Connecticut’s cities. Participants in the initiative include community members and organizations as well as federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov