News Release [print-friendly version]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 6, 2006

Diablos Motorcycle Club Member Sentenced to Federal Prison

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 JOSEPH CURTIS, age 43, of Waterbury, Connecticut, was sentenced today by Chief United States District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to 14 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon. CURTIS pleaded guilty to the offense on July 21, 2006. CURTIS faces additional charges in Waterbury State Court stemming from his distribution of both marijuana and cocaine during the course of the investigation.

CURTIS was arrested on December 7, 2005, following a long-term investigation into The Diablos Motorcycle Club in Waterbury and Meriden, Connecticut. The investigation utilized various investigative techniques including controlled purchases of narcotics and firearms by a confidential informant, purchases of narcotics and firearms 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 associated were charged by state authorities.

According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in Court, CURTIS was a full-patch member of the Diablos who made drug sales out of the Philthy Ox Saloon and sold a stolen Sig Sauer .40 caliber firearm to a confidential informant during the course of the investigation. As a previously convicted felon, CURTIS was prohibited by federal law from possessing a firearm. CURTIS has been detained since the date of his arrest.

U.S. Attorney O’Connor commended the joint investigation of this matter conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Connecticut State Police, and the Waterbury Police Department.