News Release [print friendly page]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 28, 2007

Diablos Motorcycle Gang Member Sentenced

June W. Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration in New England and Kevin J. O’Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that WAYNE FRANO, age 39, of Meriden, Connecticut, was sentenced today by Chief United States District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to approximately one month of imprisonment, time already served, followed by six months of home confinement and four years of supervised release, during which time FRANO is to have no contact with the Diablos Motorcycle Gang. Judge Chatigny also ordered FRANO to pay a fine in the amount of $2,500. On July 31, 2006, FRANO pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, cocaine.

FRANO was arrested on December 13, 2005, following a long-term investigation into the Diablos Motorcycle Gang in Waterbury and Meriden, and he was detained until January 2006. The investigation utilized various investigative techniques including controlled purchases of narcotics by a cooperating witness, purchases of narcotics by law enforcement officers acting in an undercover capacity, extensive physical surveillance, and a wiretap. The investigation resulted in federal charges being lodged against 12 full-patch members and known associates of the Diablos. Additional Diablos members and associates were charged by state authorities.

According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, FRANO was a full-patch member of the Diablos Motorcycle Gang and lived upstairs from the group’s Meriden clubhouse throughout 2005, when members of the group regularly distributed cocaine and marijuana. On June 2, 2005, FRANO sold .24 grams of cocaine to a cooperating witness.

U.S. Attorney O’Connor praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Connecticut State Police, and Waterbury Police Department, which conducted a joint investigation for approximately 18 months.