Hartford Group Charged with Kidnapping and Related Offenses

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, P.J. O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Hartford Police Chief James C. Rovella today announced that TYQUAN DECHALUS, also known as “Ty Ty” and “Kuzzo Ty,” 26; MICHAEL PHILLIP SQUIREWELL, also known as “Hoola,” “Hoola Gang,” and “Trench Monkey,” 30; DWAYNE GRAHAM, also known as “Bizzy,” 24; NICKOLAZ ROBINSON, also known as “Luck” and “Lucky,” 23; and DIAMOND FUENTES, also known as “Didi” and “Lil Belly,” 19; all of Hartford, have been federally charged for their alleged involvement in a kidnapping and ransom demand in January 2026.

As alleged in the indictment, Dechalus, Squirewell, Graham, Robinson, and Fuentes conspired to kidnap and hold for ransom a victim in Hartford.  On January 26 and 27, 2026, Dechalus, Squirewell, and Robinson exchanged text messages in which they discussed needing money and marijuana and then targeted the victim.  On January 28, 2026, Graham had Fuentes lure the victim to a residence on Laurel Street in Hartford where the victim was kidnapped at gunpoint and pistol whipped.  Dechalus, Graham, Squirewell, and Robinson then broke into the victim’s residence looking for marijuana and money.  They then demanded money from the victim’s family in exchange for his safe return.  Fuentes then picked up money left for the kidnappers by the victim’s family.

Hartford Police arrested Dechalus, Squirewell, and Graham on state charges on January 28, 2026.  It is alleged that Dechalus and Squirewell each possessed a firearm, and Dechalus possessed a distribution quantity of cocaine, when they were arrested.

On September 9, 2026, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging each of the five defendants with conspiracy, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, and with kidnapping, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of life.  Dechalus is also charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, which carries a mandatory consecutive sentence of at least five years.  Squirewell is also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, and Fuentes is charged with receiving and possessing ransom money, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

Robinson and Fuentes were arrested on September 10, 2026, entered pleas of not guilty to the charges, and were released on bonds of $150,000 and $50,000, respectively.  Dechalus is currently in state custody and Graham is in federal custody having been previously charged with an unrelated firearm offense.  Squirewell is currently being sought by law enforcement.

U.S. Attorney Sullivan stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This investigation is being conducted by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and the Hartford Police Department.  The Task Force includes members from the Connecticut State Police, the Connecticut Department of Correction, and the East Hartford, Hartford, New Britain, West Hartford, Wethersfield, and Newington Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sean P. Mahard and Reed Durham.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.