HARTFORD, CT — Federal officials have charged five Hartford residents in connection with an alleged January kidnapping in which a man was lured to a Laurel Street residence, assaulted at gunpoint, and held for ransom, federal prosecutors said Monday.
Tyquan Dechalus, 26; Michael Phillip Squirewell, 30; Dwayne Graham, 24; Nickolaz Robinson, 23; and Diamond Fuentes, 19, were indicted by a federal grand jury Sept. 9 on conspiracy and kidnapping charges, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut.
Federal prosecutors allege that on Jan. 26 and 27, Dechalus, Squirewell and Robinson exchanged text messages discussing a need for money and marijuana before targeting the victim.
On Jan. 28, prosecutors allege, Graham had Fuentes lure the victim to a Laurel Street residence in Hartford, where the victim was kidnapped at gunpoint and pistol-whipped.
Dechalus, Graham, Squirewell and Robinson then allegedly broke into the victim's home while searching for marijuana and money, according to the indictment.
Prosecutors said the group subsequently demanded money from the victim's family in exchange for his safe return. Fuentes allegedly retrieved money the family left for the kidnappers.
Hartford police arrested Dechalus, Squirewell and Graham on state charges Jan. 28.
Federal authorities allege Dechalus and Squirewell each possessed a firearm when they were arrested. Dechalus also allegedly possessed a quantity of cocaine intended for distribution.
All five defendants face conspiracy charges carrying a maximum five-year prison sentence and kidnapping charges carrying a maximum sentence of life imprisonment if convicted.
Dechalus faces additional charges of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
The drug charge carries a maximum 20-year prison sentence, while the felon-in-possession charge carries a maximum of 15 years.
The firearm charge connected to the alleged drug trafficking offense carries a mandatory consecutive sentence of at least five years, prosecutors said.
Squirewell also faces a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
Fuentes is additionally charged with receiving and possessing ransom money, an offense carrying a maximum 10-year prison sentence.
Robinson and Fuentes were arrested Sept. 10 and pleaded not guilty. They were released on bonds of $150,000 and $50,000, respectively.
Dechalus remains in state custody, while Graham is in federal custody in connection with a previously filed, unrelated firearm case.
Federal authorities said Squirewell is being sought by law enforcement.
The investigation is being conducted by the FBI's Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and Hartford police. The task force includes personnel from Connecticut State Police, the state Department of Correction and police departments in East Hartford, Hartford, New Britain, West Hartford, Wethersfield and Newington.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sean P. Mahard and Reed Durham are prosecuting the case.
For more information on the case, click on this link.
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