New Haven Teen Charged with Obstructing Justice
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DIAVION HUTCHINGS, also known as “Avi,” 19, of New Haven, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall to obstruction of justice.
Pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the court proceeding occurred via videoconference.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in February 2019, the New Haven Police Department conducted a video-recorded interview with an individual who had just been arrested. During the interview, the individual provided information that led to the state arrest of Hutchings’ significant other (“L.W.”). A copy of the interview video was provided to L.W.’s lawyer.
In April 2019, a federal grand jury returned an indictment against the individual whose interview was video recorded.
On April 24, 2019, Hutchings viewed the interview video at the office of L.W.’s lawyer, and recorded at least 15 separate portions of the interview using her iPhone. Hutchings transmitted portions of the recordings that she made of the interview video to others via text message and through the use of Facebook Live. In those transmissions, Hutchings communicated threats of harm toward the individual who provided information about L.W.
Hutchings was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on June 3, 2019.
Judge Hall scheduled sentencing for September 23, 2020, at which time Hutchings faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.
Hutchings is released on a $10,000 bond pending sentencing.
This matter is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maria del Pilar Gonzalez and Sarah P. Karwan.
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