Constitution State News

Dayquain Sinisterra, also known as "Quan," has been sentenced to 35 years in federal prison for his involvement with the violent Waterbury street gang known as the 960 gang. U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley handed down the sentence, which includes three years of supervised release following imprisonment.

The announcement was made by Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; Maureen T. Platt, State’s Attorney for the Waterbury Judicial District; Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the FBI; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of ATF Boston Field Division; and Waterbury Police Chief Fernando C. Spagnolo.

Authorities have been investigating drug trafficking and related violence in Waterbury, focusing on groups like the 960 gang. In September 2021, a federal grand jury indicted Sinisterra and 15 other members on charges including racketeering, narcotics trafficking, firearm possession, murder, attempted murder and assault, and obstruction of justice.

Sinisterra pleaded guilty on March 13, 2024, to several charges: one count of racketeering conspiracy, six counts of attempted murder and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, and three counts involving firearms during violent crimes.

He admitted to participating in violent activities aimed at rival gangs:

- On September 21, 2018: Retaliating for an associate's murder through drive-by shootings on Lounsbury Street and Scott Road.

- On October 6, 2018: Attempting to kill suspected rival gang members in a drive-by shooting.

- On October 11, 2018: A drive-by shooting resulted in the death of Fransua Guzman and paralyzed another victim.

- On November 1 and November 18: Shooting incidents involving rival gang members.

Sinisterra has been detained since November 2018.

The investigation was conducted by multiple agencies including the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and local police departments. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Geoffrey M. Stone, John T. Pierpont Jr., Natasha M. Freismuth along with cross-designated Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys Don E. Therkildesen Jr., Alexandra Arroyo.

This prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) aiming to reduce gun violence through community trust-building strategies initiated by the Justice Department in May 2021. It is also associated with Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF), which targets criminal organizations using coordinated law enforcement efforts.