Nora R. Dannehy, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that Raymond Pacheco, also known as "Tito," 39, of Fairfield, was sentenced by United States District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by eight years of supervised release, for his role in an extensive cocaine trafficking conspiracy. On May 11, 2009, Pacheco pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.

Larceny for drugs
Marissa Formato, 23, of Fairfield, was charged with larceny in the third degree and forgery in the second degree when she was arrested Saturday afternoon at her home. Formato's mother had called police to say that her daughter had admitted to stealing six checks from her and cashing them at two different banks for a total of $3,000 in order to pay for drugs. The mother called the banks which confirmed the loss of the funds. Formato admitted that she stole the checks from her mother's lock box. Formato was given bond of $1,500 and has a court date of Nov. 24.

Driving under the influence
Kenneth Newlands, 56, of Easton, was charged with driving under the influence and with not having insurance. He was backing out of a parking space at 70 Sanford Street at approximately 11 p.m. on Friday when he hit another vehicle. He did stay on the scene until police came. They noticed that his speech was slurred and there was an odor of alcohol on his breath. He failed a roadside sobriety test and refused to take a breath test when he was back at the police station. Newland was released on $250 bond and has a court date of Nov. 16.

Man attempts to
hamper firefighters
Nicholas S. Shifrin, 23, of Brooklyn, NY, who was apparently visiting Fairfield University, was charged with interfering with an officer and with breach of peace on Sunday.
Shifrin was at the village apartments on campus when a smoke condition activated a fire alarm. Fairfield University security responded; students had evacuated and were outside when the Fairfield Fire department responded. They were working inside when a second contingent of firefighters arrived. According to fire department reports, Shifrin began verbally abusing the firefighters, and then took off his shirt, threw it at the fire truck, and punched the front and rear passenger doors of the fire truck. The firefighters were ordered to stay on the truck to avoid a confrontation. This prevented their assisting in the investigation of the fire and hampered communications. Fairfield University Security Officer Dave Currier subdued Shifrin, restraining him with hand cuffs, and placed him in the back seat of his patrol vehicle. Fairfield Police arrived and arrested Shifrin, who has a court date of Nov. 4.
Assistant Fire Chief Chris Tracy noted that both Fairfield and Sacred Heart Universities are very cooperative and helpful with the fire departments, but occasionally, a rare student will misuse the fire extinguishers or exit signs, not realizing how important these are to fire safety and the safety of their fellow students.