Vanessa Roberts Avery, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut
Miguel Acevedo, a 42-year-old resident of Meriden, Connecticut, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for cocaine trafficking offenses. The sentencing was announced by Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut. U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley delivered the sentence in Bridgeport, which includes 120 months of imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release.
The case against Acevedo began on June 7, 2021, when Meriden Police arrested him on charges related to crack cocaine distribution and firearm possession. Authorities seized approximately 390 grams of cocaine and $281,000 in cash during his arrest.
In December 2022, while released on bond from state charges, investigators conducted two controlled purchases of cocaine from Acevedo. He was subsequently arrested on a federal criminal complaint on February 14, 2023. A search of his residence and business led to the discovery of about 40 grams of cocaine and over $3,000 in cash. Investigators also seized an SUV and a minivan owned by Acevedo; the latter contained six kilograms of cocaine hidden in a trap along with drug paraphernalia and a loaded firearm.
Following his arrest, Acevedo was initially released on a $60,000 appearance bond but was detained again after his bond was revoked due to suspicious activities observed at his home involving known drug associates.
On September 13, 2024, Acevedo pleaded guilty to charges including possession with intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine as well as possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.
Acevedo's legal troubles are not new; he has a prior conviction from 2008 for federal narcotics trafficking that resulted in a five-year prison sentence.
The investigation into Acevedo's activities was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force alongside the Meriden Police Department. This task force comprises various law enforcement agencies including DEA members from multiple police departments across Connecticut.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren C. Clark and David C. Nelson prosecuted this case under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program aimed at dismantling drug traffickers and other criminal organizations through collaborative efforts between federal, state, and local law enforcement bodies.
