Waterbury Man Who Robbed Undercover ATF Agent Sentenced to 7 Years in Federal Prison

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that KEVIN RODRIGUEZ, also known as “Orlando,” 21, of New Haven, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to 84 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for robbing an undercover ATF special agent at gunpoint.

This matter stems from “Operation Samson,” an initiative headed by the ATF and the Bridgeport and New Haven Police Departments that targeted violent criminals, illegal firearm possession and firearm trafficking.  In the spring of 2014, approximately 40 ATF special agents and personnel from Connecticut and across the country were deployed with New Haven and Bridgeport Police to conduct numerous covert operations.

According to court documents and statements made in court, a confidential informant and an ATF special agent working in an undercover capacity arranged to purchase an ounce of crack cocaine from two individuals identified as “Cali” and “Orlando” in Waterbury.  On June 3, 2014, the informant and the undercover agent traveled to a location on West Farm Street in Waterbury to conduct the transaction.  At the location, “Orlando,” who was subsequently identified as RODRIGUEZ, pointed a gun at the undercover agent, “racked” the slide of the pistol thereby readying it to fire, and demanded that the agent give him all of his money.  The agent handed RODRIGUEZ his wallet, which contained $1,300 in government funds that was to be used to conduct the controlled purchase of narcotics.

RODRIGUEZ then entered a vehicle being driven by Calrissian Smith, also known as “Cali.”  Other ATF agents who had been monitoring the transaction immediately arrived at the scene.  After colliding with an ATF vehicle, Smith and RODRIGUEZ fled the scene at a high rate of speed.

RODRIGUEZ was apprehended in Waterbury on June 5, 2014, and Smith was apprehended in Virginia on June 13, 2014.

RODRIGUEZ has been detained since his arrest.  On March 31, 2015, he pleaded guilty to one count use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

On April 20, 2015, Smith pleaded guilty to one count of attempted distribution of 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack cocaine”).  He is detained while awaiting sentencing.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Dayton.