Crime & Safety

Indictment: Drug Kingpin Hired Men to Murder New London Man

A struggle over control of a New London cocaine enterprise called the "Green Garages" turned deadly, and three city men have been charged in relation to the murder and distribution of narcotics.

Three New London men are facing life in prison after a federal grand jury returned an indictment Monday charging them in relation to the murder of Javier Reyes and the operation of a drug enterprise called the "Green Garages."

Reyes, 36, was stabbed to death outside his Huntington Street apartment on Sept. 12, 2012. Oscar Valentin, of New London, allegedly ordered the hit on Reyes, who was attempting to overthrow Valentin as the leader of a narcotics enterprise called the Green Garages, according to the indictment.

Court documents state that Valentin, 40, also known as Tato, was running the drug operation out of a series of garage bays on Walker Street in New London. In the summer of 2011, he was the intended victim of a murder-for-hire plot orchestrated by former members of his enterprise in an attempt to take over the Green Garages, according to the indictment.

About a year later, Valentin reportedly hired two New London men — Nestor Pagan, 31, also known as “Ernie” and “Naeem Medina,” and Andrew Aviles, 26 also known as “P.A.” and “Papo” — and others to assault Reyes in an attempt to maintain his position as head of the Green Garages conspiracy.

“This indictment alleges that Oscar Valentin orchestrated the brutal attack of Javier Reyes as part of his criminal drug dealing enterprise, while Nestor Pagan, Andrew Aviles and others executed Valentine’s order,” stated Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut. 

The four-count indictment charges Valentin, Pagan and Aviles with one count of conspiracy to commit a violent crime in aid of racketeering, specifically an assault that resulted in serious bodily injury, and one count of committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering. The three defendants are also charged with using a facility in interstate commerce, namely a cellular telephone, with the intent to commit a crime of violence.

The indictment also charges Valentine and Pagan with one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. If convicted of the charges, each defendant faces a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

Valentin has been in federal custody since his arrest on narcotics charges on April 3, 2013. Pagan has been in federal custody since his arrest on unrelated firearms charges on Dec. 13, 2012. Aviles is in state custody on unrelated charges.

“The New London Police Department is thankful to the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s office for their close working relationship on this case, and the combined effort of the Connecticut State Police Major Crime Squad, Homeland Security and Secret Service for their efforts leading to this indictment,” stated New London Police Chief Margaret Ackley. “New London Detective Curcuro has been quietly working on this case with the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s office since September 2012 and we look forward to a continued working relationship.”

“Narcotics trafficking and the inescapable violent crimes associated with it plague our cities,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Patricia M. Ferrick. “Holding those accountable for crimes which impact quality of life for city residents is important to the FBI and to all our law enforcement partners. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the New London Police Department in working to bring some sense of relief to the victim’s family and the residents of New London."

U.S. Attorney Daly stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.