East Haven Man, West Haven Man Indicted On Drug And Gun Charges

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and John J. Arvanitis, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, today announced that a federal grand jury sitting in Hartford has returned a 10-count indictment charging MATTHEW VOLOSHIN, 28, of East Haven and JESSE WRUBEL, 27, of West Haven, with drug and firearms offenses in connection with their alleged involvement in a New Haven area marijuana trafficking conspiracy. 

This matter stems from a DEA Task Force investigation that included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of marijuana and physical surveillance.  On June 4, 2013, VOLOSHIN and WRUBEL were arrested on state charges.  Search warrants executed in association with their arrests revealed two loaded handguns and approximately $50,000 that were found at VOLOSHIN’s residence, and three handguns and approximately 40 pounds of marijuana that were found at an East Haven garage rented by VOLOSHIN.  Three of the five firearms were stolen.  Law enforcement also seized approximately 20 pounds of marijuana, approximately $15,000 and a loaded nine millimeter rifle from WRUBEL.

The indictment was returned on January 30, and VOLOSHIN and WRUBEL were arrested on the federal charges on February 7.  They are currently detained.

The indictment charges VOLOSHIN and WRUBEL with conspiracy to distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana, and multiple marijuana distribution offenses.  The conspiracy charges carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years.

The indictment also charges both defendants with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, which carries a consecutive sentence of five years.  VOLOSHIN is also charged with possessing three stolen firearms, a charge that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

U.S. Attorney Daly 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 matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Task Force.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Caruso.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov