United States Drug Enforcement Administration

MERIDEN, Conn. - Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MIGUEL ACEVEDO, 41 of Meriden, pleaded guilty today in New Haven federal court to cocaine trafficking offenses.

According to 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.  On that date, a search of his residence on South Avenue in Meriden and his business on West Main Street in Meriden revealed approximately 40 grams of cocaine and more than $3,000 in cash.  At the time of his arrest, investigators also seized two vehicles owned by Acevedo, an SUV and a minivan.  A search of the minivan revealed a hidden trap that contained six kilograms of cocaine, drug paraphernalia, and a loaded firearm.

After his arrest, Acevedo was released on a $60,000 appearance bond, cosigned by three sureties.  Within 24 hours of his release, Acevedo was observed meeting with several visitors at his home and receiving a paper bag from one visitor who was a known drug associate.  Acevedo has been detained since March 1, 2023, when his bond was revoked.  On July 25, 2023, U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley granted the government’s motion to forfeit Acevedo’s appearance bond.

Acevedo pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, cocaine, and one count of possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.  At sentencing, which is not scheduled, he faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

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

Acevedo’s criminal history includes 2008 federal narcotics trafficking conviction for which he was sentenced to 60 months of imprisonment.

This investigation has been conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force and the Meriden Police Department.  The DEA New Haven Task Force includes members 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 by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren C. Clark 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.