Meriden Man Charged With Cocaine Trafficking Offenses: Feds

MERIDEN, CT — A Meriden man has been charged with federal cocaine trafficking offenses, according to officials.

Miguel Acevedo, 40, was indicated by a federal grand jury in New Haven on Wednesday, U.S. Attorney for Connecticut Vanessa Roberts Avery announced.

Acevedo was arrested on June 7, 2021 by Meriden police on state crack cocaine distribution and firearm possession charges, according to officials. On that date, investigators seized from Acevedo approximately 390 grams of cocaine and $281,000 in cash, officials said.

Then in December 2022, while he was released on bond in his state case, investigators made two controlled purchases of cocaine from Acevedo. He was arrested Feb. 14 on a federal complaint.

A search of his residence on Feb. 14 found approximately 50 grams of cocaine and more than $3,000 in cash, according to officials.

The indictment charges Acevedo with two counts of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, cocaine, and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Each charge carries a maximum term of 20 years in prison, according to officials.

“The indictment also seeks the forfeiture of the cash and two vehicles owned by Acevedo and the cash that was seized on the date of his arrest,” officials wrote in a news release. “U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Acevedo, who had been released on bond after his federal arrest, appeared on March 1 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Maria E. Garcia in New Haven for a bond violation hearing and was ordered detained.

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