Date: 06-25-2015

Case Style: United States of America v. Lacey Bland

Case Number: 3:15-cr-00081-AWT

Judge: Alvin W. Thompson

Court: United States District Court for the District of Connecticut (New Haven County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: Anthony E. Kaplan

Defendant's Attorney: Jennifer Nicole Mellon - FPD

Description: New Haven, CT - Lacey Bland, 35, of New Haven, pleaded guilty in New Haven federal court to making a false statement to law enforcement. According to court documents and statements made in court, BLAND was a potential witness in a federal matter. After BLAND reported concerns about her safety, the U.S. Attorney’s Office sought and obtained authorization to provide Emergency Witness Assistance Program (EWAP) funds for her to change her residence. BLAND subsequently told an employee of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives that she had found a new residence and that a rental check in the amount of $3,600 should to made payable to a person she stated was the landlord’s wife. BLAND also requested $399 in cash for payment to the movers.

An investigation revealed that the “landlord’s wife” was, in fact, an associate of BLAND’s who was unrelated to the landlord or premises to which BLAND stated she was moving. BLAND never received EWAP funds.

The charge of making a false statement to law enforcement carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years and a fine of up to $250,000. BLAND is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford on September 17, 2015.

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Outcome: Woman Admits Making False Statements to Receive Emergency Witness Assistance Program Funds

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

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