On 06/15/2022, at approximately 7:40pm, the Connecticut State Police Bureau of Special Investigations, with assistance from the Emergency Services Unit Tactical Team, Eastern District Major Crime Squad, Western District Major Crime Squad, uniformed Troopers from Troops H, F, K, the Domestic Highway Enforcement Team and the Portland Police Department, executed a search warrant at the Ruthless 4 Life Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Clubhouse at 115 Airline Avenue in Portland, CT. The investigation was initiated several months ago by the Statewide Organized Crime Task Force and the Statewide Narcotics Task Force North Central Office because of numerous complaints made by members of the public regarding large gatherings at the location where open drug and alcohol use was causing significant quality of life issues for the community. Of note, the use of an adjoining Little League baseball field
was impacted, sometimes resulting in cancelled games and practices due to the illicit activity in the immediate vicinity. The investigation concluded that Ruthless 4 Life was utilizing their Portland charter clubhouse to facilitate the sale of controlled substances. It was determined that numerous dealers, some traveling in from out of state, would rent space in the clubhouse to sell large quantities of controlled substances. These events occurred weekly, and the nearby community was significantly impacted by the activity. The search warrant was executed while one of the events in question was occurring. At the time of the warrant execution, approximately 90 people were present and police were able to safely detain all parties without incident.
The operation resulted in the following seizures:
- Proceeds of illegal activity amounting to $51,470 in U.S. currency
- 118 pounds of marijuana
- 8.5 pounds of psilocybin mushrooms
- Several thousand grams of THC based products
- Several thousand hallucinogenic based products
- Two illegally possessed firearms
Additionally, the following individuals were arrested at the scene and will appear on later dates at GA9 Middletown Superior Court:
Shane M. Adams (DOB: 03/28/1976) of Middletown, CT was charged with 53a-48/21a-278(b)(1) – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell and was released on bond.
Jonathan Alexander (DOB: 07/15/1988) of Ludlow, MA was charged with 21a-278(b)(1) – Possession with Intent to Sell Hallucinogenic, 21a-278(b)(1) – Sale of Hallucinogenic, and 21a-278(b)(1) - Possession with Intent to Sell over 1kg of Cannabis and was released on bond.
David A. Burt (DOB: 12/22/1990) of Wallingford, CT was charged with 53a-48/21a-278(b)(1) – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell and was released on bond.
Stephen Carkin (DOB: 04/21/1987) of Foxboro, MA was charged with 21a-278(b)(1) – Possession with Intent to Sell Hallucinogenic, 21a-278(b)(1) – Sale of Hallucinogenic, and 21a-278(b)(1) - Possession with Intent to Sell over 1kg of Cannabis and was released on bond.
Tessa Cote (DOB: 12/18/1994) of Ludlow, MA was charged with 21a-278(b)(1) – Possession with Intent to Sell Hallucinogenic, 53a-48/21a-278(b)(1) – Conspiracy to Sell Hallucinogenic, and 21a-278(b)(1) - Possession with Intent to Sell over 1kg of Cannabis and was released on bond.
Tessie Deschaine (DOB: 01/25/1980) of Terryville, CT was charged with 21a-278b – Possession with Intent to Sell Cannabis/Cannabis Products and was released on bond.
Michael Gambardella (DOB: 05/16/1989) of West Haven, CT was charged with 21a-278(b)(1) – Possession with Intent to Sell Hallucinogenic, 21a-278(b)(1) – Sale of Hallucinogenic, and 21a-278(b)(1) - Possession with Intent to Sell over 1kg of Cannabis and was released on bond.
Sherry L. Geisler (DOB: 01/19/1975) of Springfield, MA was charged with 53a-48/21a-278(b)(1) – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell and was released on bond.
John Grillo (DOB: 11/19/1962) of Quincy, MA was charged with 21a-278(b)(1) – Possession with Intent to Sell Hallucinogenic and was released on bond.
Jian Guo (DOB: 07/15/1988) of Maspeth, NY was charged with 21a-278(b)(1) – Possession with Intent to Sell over 1kg Cannabis and was released on bond.
Holloman-Ellis, Ian-Isaiah (DOB: 04/21/1995) of Middletown, CT was charged with 21a-278(b)(1) – Possession with Intent to Sell over 1kg of Cannabis.
Kody Kellry (DOB: 12/01/1996) of Simsbury, CT was charged with two counts of 21a-278(b)(1) – Illegal Sale of a Controlled Substance, 21a-278b – Illegal Sale of Cannabis, and 53a-48/21a-278(b)(1) – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell and was released on bond.
Erica Kruieger (DOB: 01/25/1975) of Plainville, CT was charged with 53a-48/21a-278(b)(1) – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell and was released on bond.
Kevin J. Malley (DOB: 09/24/1963) of East Hampton, CT was charged with 53a-48/21a-278(b)(1) – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell and was released on bond.
William T. Maynard (DOB: 03/29/1971) of East Hampton, CT was charged with 53a-48/21a-278(b)(1) – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell and was released on bond.
Kevin O’Malley (DOB: 09/23/1971) of Newington, CT was charged with two counts of 21a-278(b)(1) – Illegal Sale of a Controlled Substance and 21a-278b – Illegal Sale of Cannabis and was released on bond.
Rory Hyde (DOB: 08/06/1984) of Wesley Chapel, FL was charged with 53a-48/21a-278(b)(1) – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell, 53a-48/21a-278(b)(1) – Conspiracy to Sell Hallucinogenic, 53a-48/21a-278(b)(1) – Possession with Intent to Sell over 1kg Cannabis, two counts of 29-35(a) – Possession of a Pistol without a Permit, and two counts of 29-38 – Weapons in a Motor Vehicle and was released on bond.
Rashann Rankins (DOB: 09/17/1973) of Rocky Hill, CT was charged with 21a-278(b)(1) – Possession with Intent to Sell over 1kg Cannabis and was released on bond.
Victor Rook (DOB: 11/13/1983) of Wallingford, CT was charged with 21a-278(b)(1) – Possession with Intent to Sell over 1kg Cannabis and 21a-278(b)(1) – Possession with Intent to Sell Hallucinogenic and was released on bond.
Christopher Ronnow (DOB: 05/05/1997) of Bridgeport, CT was charged with 21a-278(b)(1) – Possession with Intent to Sell over 1kg Cannabis and was released on bond.
Abigail Trifono (DOB: 04/04/1992) of Plainville, CT was charged with 21a-278(b)(1) – Illegal Sale of a Controlled Substance and 21a-277 – Illegal Sale of Hallucinogenic and was released on bond.
Jose M. Velez (DOB: 06/27/1964) of North Haven, CT was charged with 53a-48/21a-278(b)(1) – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell and was released on bond.
David Viengngeune (DOB: 08/18/1981) of Woonsocket, RI was charged with two counts of 21a-278(b)(1) – Illegal Sale of a Controlled Substance and was released on bond.
Tiffany Wagher (DOB: 09/20/1983) of Sturbridge, MA was charged with as charged with 21a-278(b)(1) – Possession with Intent to Sell Hallucinogenic and 21a-278(b)(1) - Possession with Intent to Sell over 1kg of Cannabis and was released on bond.
Aaron Weiss (DOB: 05/18/1965) of East Hartford, CT was charged with 53a-48/21a-278(b)(1) – Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Sell and was released on bond.
Most of the individuals arrested were processed and released at the scene. Therefore, there are only 4 individuals with booking photos.
At this time, the warrant has been sealed.