Ezra Alves Pleads Guilty to Racketeering, Waterbury CT, 2021

Waterbury, CT – In a shocking turn of events, 23-year-old Ezra Alves, also known as “EJ” and “Ezzy,” has pleaded guilty to multiple federal offenses stemming from his involvement with the violent Waterbury street gang, 960.

Ezra Alves, a key member of the 960 gang, pleaded guilty 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 court documents and statements made in court, Alves and other 960 members were engaged in drug trafficking and violent activity, and conspired to shoot and murder members of rival gangs. The gang’s violent behavior was allegedly fueled by a desire for revenge against rival gangs.

The 960 gang’s crimes included a drive-by shooting on Scott Road in Waterbury, a drive-by shooting on October 6, 2018, and a drive-by shooting on November 18, 2018, which resulted in gunshot wounds to two individuals.

Alves faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 17 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life. He has been detained since November 15, 2019.

This investigation is being conducted by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force, ATF, and Waterbury Police Department, with the assistance of the Watertown Police Department, New Milford Police Department and Connecticut Department of Correction. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Geoffrey M. Stone, John T. Pierpont, Jr. and Natasha M. Freismuth, and Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Don E. Therkildesen, Jr. and Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney Alexandra Arroyo of the Waterbury State’s Attorney’s Office.

This prosecution is a part of the Justice’s Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) programs.

Alves is set to be sentenced on June 18, 2024, before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley.