The indictment charges 14 people with allegations related to the production of counterfeit pills and drug trafficking

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Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; Brian D. Boyle, Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent for New England; Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Michael J. Krol, Acting Special Agent for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), New England; announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging the following 14 people with offenses related to large-scale trafficking in fentanyl and methamphetamine pills disguised as legitimate prescription drugs, as well as other controlled substances:

WILLIS TAYLOR, 66, of West Haven AQUARIUS GUMBS, aka “Q”, “Ice” and “Diamond”, 48, of New Haven SEAN PEPE, 38, of East Haven GORDON LAURIA, 52, of New Haven PAUL PAOLELLA, 52, of East Haven PETER ABLONDI TAYLOR, 20, of North Branford MARK APOTRIAS, 54, of North Branford THOMAS JOSLIN, 63, of East Haven DAVID KING, 58, of East Haven RICHARD GREATSINGER, 26 , of West Haven CHRISTOPHER CAHILL, 55, of Florida MARKOS PAPPAS, aka “Speedy”, 49, of New Haven LISA FAUSEL, 59, of Milford JULIO ECHEVARRIA, aka “Warrior, 42, of New Haven

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, this case stems from an investigation by the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force and DEA New Haven’s Tactical Diversion Squad targeting the manufacture and distribution of pills. counterfeit oxycodone containing fentanyl and counterfeit Adderall. tablets containing methamphetamine and the distribution of heroin and cocaine in the New Haven area.

The investigation revealed that Willis Taylor, with the help of Paul Paolella, Gordon Lauria and others, coordinated the manufacture of the counterfeit pills, which Taylor distributed to Sean Pepe and Taylor’s son, Peter Ablondi Taylor, for subsequent distribution. Pepe provided pills to Christopher Cahill and others. Willis Taylor also arranged counterfeit pill transactions between second and third parties, including Mark Apotrias, Thomas Joslin and David King, and used Aquarius Gumbs as a source of supply for some of these transactions. Gumbs also distributed controlled substances to its own clients, including Richard Greatsinger. Marcos Pappas, Lisa Fausel and Julio Echevarria also conspired to distribute controlled substances.

During the investigation, investigators seized over two kilograms of fentanyl, including thousands of counterfeit Oxycodone tablets; approximately two kilograms of methamphetamine, including thousands of counterfeit Adderall pills; three kilograms of cocaine and other drugs; four tablet presses; an industrial mixer; five guns; and over $200,000 in cash.

Thirteen of the defendants were arrested on federal criminal complaints last week. Pepe is currently in state custody.

On April 4, 2023, the grand jury returned an indictment charging each defendant with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute controlled substances. If convicted of this offence, depending on the type and amount of controlled substances attributable to each defendant, Willis Taylor and Paolella face a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 10 years and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. ; Pepe, Pappas and Fausel face a mandatory minimum prison sentence of five years and a maximum prison sentence of 40 years; and the other defendants face a maximum prison sentence of 20 years. Additionally, the indictment charges Willis Taylor, Gumbs, Pepe, Paolella, and Greatsinger with one or more counts related to possession and distribution of controlled substances.

The indictment also charges Gumbs and Pepe with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, an offense which carries a maximum prison sentence of 15 years, and possession of a firearm in the prosecution for a crime of drug trafficking, an offense carrying a mandatory consecutive sentence of at least five years.

The case is being investigated by the DEA New Haven’s Tactical Diversion Squad, the FBI’s New Haven Safe Streets/Gang Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the US Marshals Service. The DEA Tactical Diversion Squad is made up of personnel from the DEA and police services from Manchester, Glastonbury, West Haven, Hamden, Newington and Bristol. The FBI task force includes participants from the FBI, Connecticut State Police, Connecticut Department of Corrections, and police departments in New Haven, Milford, East Haven, West Haven, and Wallingford.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah P. Karwan and Tara E. Levens, coordinating with the New Haven and Milford State Attorney’s Offices.

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