United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

Project Safe Neighborhoods: JOINT FEDERAL AND STATE GUN TRAFFICKING INVESTIGATION IN BRIDGEPORT RESULTS IN 17 ARRESTS

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; John C. Smriga, State’s Attorney for the Fairfield Judicial District; Eugenio A. Marquez, Acting Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Boston Field Division, and Joseph Gaudett, Acting Chief of the Bridgeport Police Department, today announced that 17 individuals have been charged with various offenses related to firearms trafficking in Bridgeport.  Yesterday, law enforcement officers executed arrest warrants on eight individuals for federal firearms offenses, and on nine individuals for state firearms offenses.

Beginning in January 2009, as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, members of the Bridgeport Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) began an investigation into gun trafficking that was centered in the PT Barnum Public Housing Complex and surrounding neighborhoods on the west side of Bridgeport.  Approximately 32 firearms were purchased during the course of the investigation.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to attacking the illegal proliferation of guns in our cities in order to stem the violence that inevitably results,” U.S. Attorney Fein stated.  “I want to commend all of the agents and officers involved in this investigation, the federal agencies who have devoted resources, the Bridgeport Police and the Fairfield State’s Attorney’s Office.  Their dedicated efforts contribute to the success of Project Safe Neighborhoods and help to make Bridgeport’s communities safe.”

“Violent crime plagues cities across the country,” stated ATF Acting Special Agent in Charge Marquez. “Bridgeport is safer today because of this investigation.  We will continue to work with our local, state and federal partners to make our neighborhoods safe.”

“This operation is a direct result of the hard work of the ATF Task Force, the Bridgeport Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service, in addressing gun violence in Bridgeport,” stated Acting Chief Gaudett.  “This investigation is particularly significant because it has assisted in getting more than 30 guns off the streets of Bridgeport, including assault rifles and sawed-off shotguns.”

Charged with federal offenses as a result of the investigation are:

EDGARDO CRUZ, also known as “Edgar,” 25, of the Marina Village Housing Complex in Bridgeport, who is charged with one count of possession of ammunition by a previously convicted felon.  If convicted of the charge, CRUZ faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

JOSE TORRES, also known as “Tito,” 24, of Hanover Street, Bridgeport, who is charged with one count of illegally engaging in the business of dealing in firearms.  If convicted of the charge, TORRES faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years and a fine of up to $10,000.

FRANK FLEMING, also known as “Eugene” and “Fish,” 43, of Federal Street, Bridgeport, and MICHAEL HAMPTON, also known as “Country,” 29, who are each charged with one count of making a sawed-off rifle and one count of transferring a sawed-off rifle.  If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000, on each count.

GZAREACKT TORRES, also known as “Geraldo,” 24, of the PT Barnum Housing Complex, who is charged with one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a previously convicted felon.  If convicted of the charge, TORRES faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

JUAN SILVANO CRUZ, 43, a citizen of Mexico residing on Burr Road in Bridgeport, who is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by an alien.  If convicted of this charge, CRUZ faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and fine of up to $250,000.

WADER DORCE, also known as “Wa Wa,” 37, of the PT Barnum Housing Complex, Bridgeport, who is charged with one count of illegally engaging in the business of dealing in firearms.  If convicted of the charge, DORCE faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years and a fine of up to $10,000.

FRANCISCO TORRES, 42, of the PT Barnum Housing Complex, Bridgeport, who is charged with possession of a firearm and ammunition by a previously convicted felon.  If convicted of the charge, TORRES faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

JOSE TORRES, FLEMING, and GERALDO TORRES are currently incarcerated in state custody on unrelated charges.

U.S. Attorney Fein stressed that charges are not evidence of guilt.  The charges are only allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Bridgeport Police Department, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Marshals Service, and New Haven Police Department.  These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Felice Duffy and Douglas Morabito, and Assistant State’s Attorney Michael DeJoseph.

The Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative is aimed at reducing gun and gang violence, deterring illegal possession of guns, and improving the safety of residents in 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