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Date: 12-22-2021
Case Style:
Case Number: 3:19-cr-00239-AWT
Judge: Alvin W. Thompsoon
Court: United States District Court for the District of Connecticut (Hartford County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: United States Attorney’s Office
Defendant's Attorney:
Description: Hartford, Connecticut criminal defense attorney represented defendant charged with drug possession, identity fraud and money laundering.
Oniel Wilks, 42, a citizen of Jamaica, was charged with narcotics, identity fraud and money laundering offenses.
In November 2018, members of the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force arrested several individuals, including Louie McDowell, who were distributing large quantities of heroin, fentanyl and crack cocaine in an around Bridgeport. The investigation subsequently revealed that McDowell was being supplied with heroin, fentanyl and cocaine by Wilks, who was using a false identity and living in California. Wilks, who had been removed from the U.S. to Jamaica in February 2014 and then illegally reentered the U.S., used stolen identifying information of an individual to apply for and receive a Florida driver’s license in 2015, and a U.S. passport in 2016. Investigators determined that Wilks had used his fraudulent passport to travel overseas, including to Japan and Thailand.
In April 2019, Wilks, using his stolen identity, was stopped by law enforcement officers in southern California with five kilograms of suspected cocaine in the car he was driving. As the investigation into Wilks’ drug trafficking activities continued, in July 2019, investigators seized a package containing six kilograms of cocaine that was being mailed from California to Connecticut. On August 5, 2019, Wilks was arrested and court-authorized searches of two residences and a vehicle connected to him revealed approximately four kilograms of fentanyl, items used to process and package narcotics, false identifications and more than $160,000 in cash.
The jury found Wilks guilty of one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, five kilograms or more of cocaine and 400 grams or more of fentanyl; one count of making a false statement in a passport application; one count of aggravated identity theft; and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Judge Thompson scheduled sentencing for March 16, 2022, at which time Wilks faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 12 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.
Wilks also will forfeit a 2014 Dodge Ram truck, a 2019 Toyota Rav4, a 2017 Acura MDX, diamonds originally valued at more than $50,000, a watch he purchased for more than $12,000, and approximately $180,000 seized from a bank account.
Wilks has been detained since his arrest.
McDowell has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.
REENTRY OF DEPORTED ALIENS (Reentry of Removed Alien)
(1)
CONSPIRACY TO DISTRIBUTE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE; Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Controlled Substances
(1s)
FALSE STATEMENT IN APPLICATION/USE OF PASSPORT (Making a False Statement in a Passport Application)
(2)
FALSE STATEMENT IN APPLICATION/USE OF PASSPORT
(2s)
FRAUD WITH IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS (Aggravated Identity Theft)
(3)
FRAUD WITH IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS; Aggravated Identity Theft
(3s)
MONEY LAUNDERING - CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE - SELL/DISTR/DISP; Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering
(4s)
This investigation has been conducted by the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration, Connecticut State Police, and the Bridgeport, Stratford, Norwalk, Seymour and Trumbull Police Departments. The investigation has been assisted by law enforcement in California, including the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (“HIDTA”) Task Force Group 44, the Orange County Sheriff’s Regional Narcotics Suppression Program, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and the Culver City Police Department.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen L. Peck and A. Reed Durham.
Outcome: 12/22/2021 145 Renewed Oral MOTION for Rule 29 Judgment of Acquittal by Oniel Wilks. (Ferguson, L.) (Entered: 12/22/2021)
12/22/2021 146 Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Alvin W. Thompson: Jury Trial as to Oniel Wilks held on 12/22/2021 and concluded. Motion Hearing as to Oniel Wilks held on 12/22/2021. Renewed Oral MOTION for Rule 29 Judgment of Acquittal made by Oniel Wilks (ECF No. 145 ) - TAKEN UNDER ADVISEMENT. 18 minutes (Court Reporter C. Thompson.) (Ferguson, L.) (Entered: 12/22/2021)
12/22/2021 147 Marked Exhibit List by USA as to Oniel Wilks (Ferguson, L.) (Entered: 12/22/2021)
12/22/2021 148 Marked Stipulated Joint Exhibit List by USA, Oniel Wilks as to Oniel Wilks (Ferguson, L.) (Entered: 12/22/2021)
12/22/2021 149 Marked Court Exhibit List as to Oniel Wilks (Ferguson, L.) (Entered: 12/22/2021)
12/22/2021 150 Marked Witness List by USA as to Oniel Wilks (Ferguson, L.) (Entered: 12/22/2021)
12/22/2021 151 JURY VERDICT with foreperson's signature redacted as to Oniel Wilks. Guilty on Count 1s, 2s, 3s, 4s. (Ferguson, L.) (Entered: 12/22/2021)
12/22/2021 152 NOTICE OF E-FILED CALENDAR as to Oniel Wilks: THIS IS THE ONLY NOTICE COUNSEL/THE PARTIES WILL RECEIVE. ALL PERSONS ENTERING THE COURTHOUSE MUST PRESENT PHOTO IDENTIFICATION. Sentencing set for 3/16/2022 at 02:00 PM in South Courtroom, 450 Main St., Hartford, CT before Judge Alvin W. Thompson. (Ferguson, L.) (Entered: 12/22/2021)
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
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