US v. Alexander Kolitsas, et al.
Case Description:
On August 16, 2022, a federal grand jury sitting in New Haven returned an indictment charging ALEXANDER KOLITSAS, 28, of Wolcott; BRYANT BERMUDEZ, 31, of East Hartford; ROBERTO ALICEA, 30, of New Britain; FRANCISCO AYALA, 22, of Ansonia; and THEODORE ROOSEVELT OWENS, 21, of Hartford with nine counts relating to their participation in a stolen catalytic converter trafficking ring. On November 14, 2023, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an eight-count superseding indictment bringing additional charges against Kolitsas and adding the following individuals: YANQUEE RODRIGUEZ, also known as “Yankster Rodriguez,” 27, of West Hartford; MERVIN FIGUEROA, 26, of New Haven; and MICHAEL ALMODOVAR, also known as “Eme El Colorado,” 30, of New Haven.
Kolitsas entered a guilty plea on October 7, 2024 and is scheduled for sentencing on April 21, 2025;
Bermudez entered a guilty plea and is scheduled for sentencing on May 15, 2025;
Alicea was sentenced on September 5, 2023 to 54 months of imprisonment;
Ayala was sentenced on July 18, 2023 to 30 months of imprisonment;
Owens was sentenced on July 12, 2023 to 37 months of imprisonment;
Rodriguez entered a guilty plea and is scheduled for sentencing on February 20, 2025;
Figueroa entered a guilty plea on October 9, 2024 and is scheduled for sentencing on April 7, 2025;
Almodovar was sentenced on July 10, 2024 to 14 months of imprisonment.
All court dates are at the U.S. District Court, 450 Main Street, Hartford, Connecticut before Judge Nagala in Courtroom One. These proceedings are open to the public.
Court Documents:
Judgment Order - Francisco Ayala
Judgment Order - Theodore Owens
Judgment Order - Roberto Alicea
Judgment Order - Michael Almodovar
Plea Agreement - Theodore Owens
Plea Agreement - Bryant Bermudez
Plea Agreement - Francisco Ayala
Plea Agreement - Roberto Alicea
Plea Agreement - Michael Almodovar
Plea Agreement - Yanquee Rodriguez
Plea Agreement - Alexander Kolitsas
Plea Agreement - Mervin Figueroa
Press Releases:
U.S. ATTORNEY Press Release -- New Britain Man Admits Stealing and Selling Catalytic Converters
U.S. ATTORNEY Press Release - Ansonia Man Admits Stealing and Selling Catalytic Converters
East Hartford Man Admits Role in Catalytic Converter Theft Ring
U.S. ATTORNEY Press Release -- Leader of Catalytic Converter Theft Ring Pleads Guilty
U.S. ATTORNEY Press Release -- New Haven Man Admits Role in Catalytic Converter Theft Ring