John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury in Hartford has returned an indictment charging JOHN CAVANAUGH, also known as “Big John," 67, of East Windsor, and THOMAS TROUGHTON, 54, of Agawam, Massachusetts, with offense related to the illegal distribution of prescription narcotics.
The indictment was returned on Aug. 21, 2019.
Cavanaugh and Troughton were originally arrested on criminal complaints on August 13. Cavanaugh appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven and enter a plea of not guilty to the charges. Cavanaugh is released on a $100,000 bond pending trial.
Troughton was arraigned yesterday and also entered a plea of not guilty. He is detained pending trial.
As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, in 2018 and 2019, investigators conducted surveillance of Cavanaugh and observed him conducting what appeared to be hand-to-hand drug deals on numerous occasions. In July 2019, investigators stopped narcotics customers after they conducted drug deals with Cavanaugh and seized pills from these customers. The investigation revealed that Troughton was a source of supply of pills for Cavanaugh.
The indictment charges with Cavanaugh and Troughton with one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. The indictment also charges Cavanaugh with four counts of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, oxycodone, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count.
U.S. Attorney Durham stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Hartford Task Force and the Windsor Locks Police Department. The Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Manchester, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, Windsor Locks and Willimantic Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey M. Stone.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
