Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that Miguel Acevedo, 42, from Meriden, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for cocaine trafficking offenses. U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley handed down the sentence in Bridgeport.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Acevedo was arrested by Meriden Police on June 7, 2021, on charges related to crack cocaine distribution and firearm possession. Investigators seized approximately 390 grams of cocaine and $281,000 in cash at that time.
In December 2022, while out on bond for his state case, investigators conducted two controlled purchases of cocaine from Acevedo. He was later arrested on a federal criminal complaint on February 14, 2023. During a search of his residence and business locations in Meriden, authorities found about 40 grams of cocaine and over $3,000 in cash. They also seized an SUV and a minivan owned by Acevedo; the minivan contained a hidden compartment with six kilograms of cocaine, drug paraphernalia, and a loaded firearm.
After being released on a $60,000 appearance bond cosigned by three sureties, Acevedo was observed engaging with known drug associates within 24 hours of his release. His bond was revoked on March 1, 2023.
Acevedo pleaded guilty on September 13, 2024, to one count of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine and another count involving five kilograms or more of cocaine.
The state charges from his June 2021 arrest are still pending. The cash seized during that arrest has already been forfeited.
Acevedo's criminal history includes a previous federal narcotics trafficking conviction in 2008 for which he served a five-year sentence.
The investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force along with the Meriden Police Department. The DEA New Haven Task Force comprises members from several law enforcement agencies including the U.S. Marshals Service and Connecticut State Police among others.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren C. Clark and David C. Nelson prosecuted the case under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program which aims to disrupt drug traffickers through coordinated efforts among various law enforcement bodies.