United States Drug Enforcement Administration

MERIDEN, Conn. - Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, and Meriden Police Chief Roberto Rosado have announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging MIGUEL ACEVEDO, 40, of Meriden, with cocaine trafficking offenses.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, on June 7, 2021, Meriden Police arrested Acevedo on state crack cocaine distribution and firearm possession charges.  On that date investigators seized from Acevedo approximately 390 grams of cocaine and $281,000 in cash.  In December 2022, while he was released on bond in his state case, investigators made two controlled purchases of cocaine from Acevedo.

Acevedo was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on February 14, 2023.  A search of his residence on that date revealed approximately 50 grams of cocaine and more than $3,000 in cash.

The indictment, which was returned on March 1, charges Acevedo with two counts of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, cocaine, and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine.  Each charge carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

The indictment also seeks the forfeiture of the cash and two vehicles owned by Acevedo and the cash that was seized on the date of his arrest.

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

Acevedo, who had been released on bond after his federal arrest, appeared on March 1 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Maria E. Garcia in New Haven for a bond violation hearing and was ordered detained.

The state charges against Acevedo stemming from his June 2021 arrest are pending.  The cash that was seized in June 2021 was previously forfeited.

This investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force and the Meriden Police Department.  The DEA New Haven Task Force includes participants from the DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Connecticut State Police and the New Haven, Waterbury, East Haven, Branford, West Haven, Ansonia, Meriden, Naugatuck, and Shelton Police Departments.

This case is being prosecuted through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program.  OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.  Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.