Three New London Men Charged with Federal Offenses Stemming from 2012 Homicide

United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut Deirdre M. Daly, New London Police Chief Margaret Ackley; and Federal Bureau of Investigation New Haven Division Special Agent in Charge Patricia M. Ferrick today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment yesterday charging three New London men with various offenses stemming from the September 2012 homicide of Javier Reyes, 36, of New London.

As alleged in the indictment, OSCAR VALENTIN, also known as “Tato,” 40, operated and managed a narcotics distribution enterprise at the “Green Garages,” a series of garage bays located as 12/14 Walker Street in New London. In the summer of 2011, VALENTIN was the intended victim of a murder-for-hire plot orchestrated by former members of his enterprise in an attempt to take over narcotics distribution at the Green Garages. In September 2012, VALENTIN hired NESTOR PAGAN, also known as “Ernie” and “Naeem Medina,” 31, ANDREW AVILES, also known as “P.A.” and “Papo,” 26, and others, to assault Javier Reyes in an attempt to maintain his position as head of the Green Garages conspiracy. On the evening of September 12, 2012, Reyes was stabbed multiple times outside of his apartment at 187 Huntington Street in New London, and died a short time later.

“This indictment alleges that Oscar Valentin orchestrated the brutal attack of Javier Reyes as part of his criminal drug dealing enterprise, while Nestor Pagan, Andrew Aviles, and others executed Valentine’s order,” stated U.S. Attorney Daly. “The investigation and prosecution of violent offenders is a top priority of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners. I commend our partners, the New London State’s Attorney’s Office, the New London Police Department, the FBI, the State Police, the Department of Correction, HSI, and Secret Service, for their thorough investigation that has led to these serious charges.”

“The New London Police Department is thankful to the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s office for their close working relationship on this case, and the combined effort of the Connecticut State Police Major Crime Squad, Homeland Security, and Secret Service for their efforts leading to this indictment,” stated New London Police Chief Ackley. “New London Detective Curcuro has been quietly working on this case with the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s office since September 2012 and we look forward to a continued working relationship.”

“Narcotics trafficking and the inescapable violent crimes associated with it plague our cities,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Ferrick. “Holding those accountable for crimes which impact quality of life for city residents is important to the FBI and to all our law enforcement partners. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the New London Police Department in working to bring some sense of relief to the victim’s family and the residents of New London. I’d like to thank the Connecticut State Police’s Eastern District Major Crime Squad, the Connecticut Department of Correction, Homeland Security Investigations, and the U.S. Secret Service, and the hard-working officers and agents assigned to this investigation, for they remain resolute in their pursuit of justice.”

The four-count indictment charges VALENTIN, PAGAN, and AVILES with one count of conspiracy to commit a violent crime in aid of racketeering, specifically an assault that resulted in serious bodily injury, and one count of committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering. The three defendants are also charged with using a facility in interstate commerce, namely a cellular telephone, with the intent to commit a crime of violence.

The indictment also charges VALENTIN and PAGAN with one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.

If convicted of the charges, each defendant faces a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

VALENTIN has been in federal custody since his arrest on narcotics charges on April 3, 2013. PAGAN has been in federal custody since his arrest on unrelated firearms charges on December 13, 2012. AVILES is in state custody on unrelated charges.

U.S. Attorney Daly 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 matter is being investigated by the New London Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the Connecticut State Police’s Eastern District Major Crime Squad, the Connecticut Department of Correction, Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Secret Service, and the New London State’s Attorney’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony Kaplan and Sarah Karwan, and Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Paul Narducci.

A principle of the Justice Department’s Smart on Crime initiative is the prioritization of prosecutions to focus on the most serious cases. To learn more about the Smart on Crime initiative visit http://www.justice.gov/ag/smart-on-crime.pdf.