STATE POLICE INVESTIGATION OF DRIVING SCHOOL

LEADS TO FORGERY AND FRAUD ARREST

In early 2008, State Police Detectives developed information regarding possible fraud and illegal activity by employees and owners of a driving school with several locations in Connecticut. State Police Detectives, assisted by the DMV Compliance Review Unit, initiated a criminal investigation into the allegations.

State Police Detectives developed information and leads that led Detectives to submit search and seizure warrant applications to Superior Court.  The court issued the search warrants and on 05/01/2008, State Police Detectives, assisted by the DMV Compliance Review Unit, executed the search warrants at the Academy of Driving, 774 Straights Turnpike, in Watertown and the Academy of Driving, 23 Woodtick Road, in Waterbury where items of evidence were seized.

After an extensive examination of the seized evidence and interviewing of witnesses, State Police Detectives discovered evidence and information regarding documents that had been altered or forged. State Police Detectives submitted five applications for arrest warrants for the accused in this case.  Arrest warrants were issued by the court for the arrest of the five accused in this case.

The subjects arrested include the owners of the driving school as well as three former employees.

ARRESTED #1: Joaquim SOUSA (AKA “Jack”)  (DOB: 12/04/1955) AGE: 52

                          289 Burr Hall Road

                         Middlebury, CT

CHARGES:  Conspiracy to Commit Forgery 2^nd degree (104 Counts)

                Falsely Certifying as to Administration of Oath (2 Counts)

                Criminal Impersonation (2 Counts)

BOND: $10,000 non-surety   COURT: GA# 4 - Waterbury on 11/7/2008

ARRESTED #2: Sharon SOUSA  (DOB: 12/04/1956)  AGE: 51

                          289 Burr Hall Road

                         Middlebury, CT. 

CHARGES:  Conspiracy to Commit Forgery 2^nd degree (104 Counts)

                Forgery 2^nd Degree (1 Count)

                False Statement in the 2^nd Degree (1 Count)

                Criminal Impersonation (1 Count)

BOND: $10,000 non-surety   COURT: GA# 4 - Waterbury on 11/7/2008

ARRESTED #3: Megan RELYEA  (DOB: 03/26/1978)  AGE: 30

                          222 Bradley Avenue

                         Waterbury, CT 

CHARGES:  Forgery 2^nd Degree (4 Counts)

BOND: $10,000 non-surety   COURT: GA# 4 - Waterbury on 11/7/2008

ARRESTED #4: Shannon ROHNER  (DOB: 10/26/1981)  AGE: 26

                          54 Morningside Avenue

                         Waterbury, CT

CHARGES:  Forgery 2^nd Degree (5 Counts)

BOND: $10,000 non-surety   COURT: GA# 4 - Waterbury on 11/7/2008

ARRESTED #5: Jennifer ANGELICOLA (DOB: 09/04/1978)  AGE: 30

                           3 Simon Avenue

                           Waterbury, CT

CHARGES:  Forgery 2^nd Degree (95 Counts)

BOND: $10,000 non-surety   COURT: GA# 4 - Waterbury on 11/7/2008

####END####

LT. J. Paul Vance