Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Legal professional for the District of Connecticut, introduced that LAQUASIA SAMMS, often known as “Quasia,” 28, of New Haven, was sentenced right this moment by U.S. District Decide Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 90 days of imprisonment, adopted by two years of supervised launch, for making false statements earlier than a federal grand jury in reference to an investigation into the kidnapping and homicide of two people, and the associated homicide of a 3rd particular person, in November 2015.
In keeping with court docket paperwork and statements made in court docket, on November 16, 2015, Edward Michael Parks was in Samms’ condominium on Shelton Avenue in New Haven to conduct an unlawful sale of firearms. Samms, Damian Connor, and Tamar Lawrence had been additionally current within the condominium. When one other particular person left the condominium with firearms that he had not paid for, Parks, who was armed, held Connor and Lawrence in opposition to their will. Parks collected cash and valuables from Connor and Lawrence, after which compelled them to journey in Connor’s automotive to Hamden the place Connor mentioned he may get extra money. They had been adopted in one other car by Devante Williams and one other particular person. After the autos arrived at 676 Combine Avenue in Hamden, Parks shot and killed Connor and Lawrence. Parks then left the scene with Williams and others within the second car and returned to New Haven.
When Parks appeared to imagine that Williams was anxious concerning the murders of Connor and Lawrence, Parks shot and killed Williams within the space of Sherman Court docket in New Haven.
In the course of the kidnapping, and after the three victims had been murdered, Samms despatched a number of textual content messages to a different particular person about what was taking place and her response to the occasions.
On March 19, 2019, Samms appeared earlier than a grand jury in New Haven. Throughout her testimony, Samms repeatedly claimed that she didn’t bear in mind sending any textual content messages associated to the gun transaction, the kidnapping, or the homicide of the three people.
On October 1, 2020, Samms pleaded responsible, admitting that she despatched the textual content messages, and that she withheld different data that was sought by the federal grand jury.
Samms, who’s launched on bond, is required to report back to jail on Could 11.
On January 19, 2023, a jury discovered Parks, often known as “Lee” and “Hassle,” of Raleigh, North Carolina, responsible of two counts of kidnapping leading to demise, and one depend of witness tampering by killing. At sentencing, he faces a compulsory time period of imprisonment of life.
This investigation has been carried out by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Hamden Police Division and New Haven Police Division.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathaniel J. Gentile and A. Reed Durham, and Assistant State’s Legal professional Seth Garbarsky, who has been cross-designated as a Particular Assistant U.S. Legal professional on this matter.