Waterbury Man Sentenced to More Than 5 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Meth

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, announced that KEVIN WALLIN, 63, last residing in Waterbury, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Alfred V. Covello in Hartford to 65 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, for trafficking methamphetamine (“meth”).

“Meth is a highly-addictive drug that consumes its user and has ravaged other parts of the country,” stated U.S. Attorney Daly.  “Federal, state and local law enforcement continue to work hard to thwart meth distribution and abuse here in Connecticut.  The DEA and Connecticut State Police should be commended for disrupting this coast to coast meth trafficking operation.”

“DEA and our law enforcement partners are committed to investigating individuals and organizations that distribute methamphetamine in our communities,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Ferguson.  “Methamphetamine is an insidious drug that wreaks havoc in our communities and destroys lives.”

According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Connecticut State Police’s Statewide Narcotics Task Force.  The investigation, which included the use of court-authorized wiretaps, controlled purchases of meth, physical surveillance and the use of an undercover officer, revealed that Chad McCluskey and his girlfriend, Kristen Laschober, of California, sent shipments of meth to WALLIN over the course of approximately four years.  After receiving the shipments, WALLIN distributed the drug to other dealers and also sold it to his own customers.  Some of the shipments were sent on consignment with the understanding that WALLIN would pay McCluskey and Laschober with proceeds generated from his distribution of the drug.

For a time during the conspiracy, WALLIN received between one and three pounds of meth from McCluskey and Laschober on a monthly basis.  On six occasions between September 2012 and January 2013, WALLIN sold meth to the undercover officer.

WALLIN has been detained since his arrest on January 3, 2013.  A court-authorized search of WALLIN’s residence on that date revealed meth, drug paraphernalia and drug packaging materials.

On April 2, 2013, WALLIN pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine (“meth”).

McCluskey and Laschober pleaded guilty to the same charge and were sentenced to prison terms of 65 months and 60 months, respectively.

This matter was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick Caruso and H. Gordon Hall.