United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TRANSFERS $97,868.73 TO THREE LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS

Kevin J. O’Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, June W. Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in New England, and John F. Bardelli, United States Marshal for the District of Connecticut, today announced that the Brookfield, Danbury and New Milford Police Departments will share $97,868.73 in forfeited drug proceeds. The monies represent the departments’ share of the net proceeds of the settlement of a federal civil forfeiture case that stemmed from a crack cocaine manufacturing and distribution operation based out of a residence in Brookfield, Connecticut.

In 2003, the Danbury and Brookfield Police Departments learned through confidential informants and concerned citizens that Skyler Arnold, and his father Thomas, were involved in the manufacture, sale, and use of crack cocaine in the greater Danbury area. With further assistance provided by the New Milford Police Department, law enforcement engaged in surveillance of the Arnolds’ residence located at 21 Merwin Brook Road in Brookfield where they observed a high volume of short-term activity consistent with an illegal drug operation. Through the use of confidential informants, law enforcement made controlled purchases of cocaine from Skyler Arnold at the Merwin Brook Road residence where Thomas Arnold and others were observed engaging in the manufacture and use of crack cocaine.

In January 2004, law enforcement officers executed a State of Connecticut search warrant at 21 Merwin Brook Road and seized approximately five grams of cocaine, two bags of marijuana and drug paraphernalia consistent with the manufacture and use of crack cocaine. Skyler Arnold and Thomas Arnold were arrested on state drug charges. Skyler Arnold was also charged with possession of a stolen firearm.

In June 2004, with their state criminal cases pending in Danbury Superior Court, law enforcement learned that the sale of cocaine had resumed at the Arnolds’ Merwin Brook Road residence. In the following months, law enforcement enlisted the assistance of another confidential informant and made further controlled purchases of crack cocaine from Skyler Arnold at the residence. In August 2004, pursuant to a state search warrant executed at the Best Inn in Danbury, where Skyler Arnold was discovered selling cocaine, and at 21 Merwin Brook Road, where Thomas Arnold was discovered in possession of cash and drug paraphernalia, the Arnolds were arrested again on additional state drug charges.

In August 2004, the Drug Enforcement Administration adopted the case for federal forfeiture and the United States Attorney’s Office filed the verified complaint August 25, 2004. On July 12, 2006, the 21 Merwin Brook Road property was forfeited to the United States, and subsequently was sold for approximately $250,000 by the United States Marshals Service. After expenses, there are $244,671.87 of net sale proceeds. Thomas Arnold’s mother, who resides in New Canaan, has a one-half interest in the property as an innocent owner and will receive $122,335.93.

Of the remaining one-half interest, the Brookfield Police Department will receive approximately $48,934.37, and the Danbury and New Milford Police Departments will each receive $24,467.18. The federal asset forfeiture fund also will receive 20 percent of the remaining one-half interest, or $24,467.18.

Thomas and Skyler Arnold are currently incarcerated.

“It is always gratifying to turn something negative into a positive,” U.S. Attorney O’Connor stated. “The federal government is pleased to transfer to the Brookfield, Danbury and New Milford Police this money that will be used to fund future law enforcement activity. Everyone should know that when you commit drug trafficking crimes, you not only risk losing your freedom, you risk losing your property, as well.”

Under federal forfeiture laws, the Branford, Danbury and New Milford Police Departments are required to use the funds for law enforcement purposes.

“Seizing drug assets from these drug criminals strikes a unique double-blow by attacking not only their initial profit incentive but also denies revenue to continue the illegal enterprise,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Stansbury. “Then we take that very money meant to fuel drug dealing to add to the efforts of police departments that were instrumental in dismantling the criminal group.”

These forfeited funds were transferred to local, state and federal law enforcement through the Department of Justice’s “Equitable Sharing Program,” which is administered by the United States Marshal Service. Each agency that participates in the program is required to use the funds for law enforcement purposes.

“There is nothing more satisfying for the U.S. Marshals Service than to provide additional resources to the law enforcement agencies of Connecticut in their ongoing battle against illegal drug distribution,” stated U.S. Marshal Bardelli. “This is an effort in which we all do what we can to eliminate the awful consequences of illicit drug use.”

U.S. Attorney O’Connor praised the work of several detectives and officers of the Brookfield, Danbury and New Milford Police Departments, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, and for their efforts in this case. U.S. Attorney O’Connor also noted that work of Assistant U.S. Attorney David X. Sullivan, who handled the forfeiture proceedings for the Government. The criminal cases against the Arnolds were prosecuted by Danbury State’s Attorney Stephen Sedensky, III.

The Department of Justice asset forfeiture program has three primary goals: To punish and deter criminal activity by depriving criminals of property used or acquired through illegal activities, to enhance cooperation among federal state and local law enforcement, and to produce revenues to enhance forfeitures and strengthen law enforcement.

The Department of Justice Equitable Sharing Program is designed to enhance cooperation among federal, state and local law enforcement through the sharing of proceeds resulting from federal forfeiture. State and local law enforcement agencies receive equitable sharing revenues by participating with federal law enforcement in joint investigations that lead to the forfeiture of property. The amount that is shared with state and local law enforcement is usually based on each agency’s level of participation in the case.

CONTACT:

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