Waterbury gang member pleads guilty
A 23-year-old man pleaded guilty this week to multiple federal charges stemming from his participation in a violent Waterbury street gang, officials said.
Ezra Alves, also known as “EJ” and “Ezzy,” 23, of Waterbury, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to one count of racketeering conspiracy, three counts of attempted murder and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, two counts of carrying and using a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, controlled substances, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.
On Sept. 14, 2021, a federal grand jury in Hartford returned a 36-count indictment charging Alves and 15 other alleged 960 gang members with racketeering, narcotics trafficking, firearm possession, murder, attempted murder and assault and obstruction of justice as part of a joint investigation with the FBI, ATF, and Waterbury Police Department to address drug trafficking and violence in Waterbury, court records said.
Alves told investigators he and other 960 gang members were engaged in drug trafficking and violent activity and conspired to shoot and kill members of rival gangs, according to court records.
Court records show that on Sept. 21, 2018, Alves and other 960 members participated in a drive-by shooting of occupied residences on Scott Road in Waterbury to retaliate for the killing of an associate. On Oct. 6, 2018, Alves and other gang members allegedly attempted to kill people they believed were members of a rival gang in a drive-by shooting, which resulted in a person being shot, according to court records, and, on Nov. 18, 2018, Alves and other gang members allegedly participated in a drive-by shooting of rival gang members, which resulted in two people being shot.
Alves has been detained since Nov. 15, 2019. His sentencing is scheduled for June 18, at which time he faces a mandatory minimum of 17 years in prison and a maximum term of life.