United States Drug Enforcement Administration

SEP 17 - WATERBURY, Conn. - John J. Arvanitis, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England and Deirdre M. Daly, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that Kenneth DeVries, also known as “Lyme,” 53, of Waterbury, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Alfred V. Covello in Hartford to 27 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for his role in a meth distribution ring.

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Connecticut State Police’s Statewide Narcotics Task Force.  The investigation, which included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of meth, physical surveillance and the use of an undercover officer, revealed that Kevin Wallin of Waterbury received shipments of meth from individuals in California on consignment with the understanding that he would pay his sources with proceeds generated by his distribution of the drug.  After receiving the shipments of meth, he distributed the drug to other dealers and sold it to his own customers.

On six occasions between September 2012 and January 2013, Wallin sold meth to the undercover officer.

DeVries resided in an apartment located across the hall from Wallin’s apartment.  At Wallin’s direction, DeVries sold meth to Wallin’s customers when Wallin was unavailable.

DeVries has been detained since his arrest on January 3, 2013.  On June 17, 2013, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing (“meth”).

Wallin and three other defendants have also pleaded guilty and await sentencing.