Derby Man Charged with Distributing Meth

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced that ANDRE MESSAM, 46, of Derby, was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint charging him with possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

As alleged in the complaint, on May 10, 2023, the FBI’s Transnational Organized Crime Task Force conducted a controlled purchase of approximately 55 grams of methamphetamine from Messam.  Laboratory analysis of the methamphetamine determined that it was 100 percent pure.

This morning, Messam fled from law enforcement officers who attempted to stop his car in North Haven.  He was located and arrested at a rental car agency on the Berlin Turnpike in Newington.  Messam possessed approximately $7,200 in cash at the time of his arrest.

Following his arrest, Messam appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Maria E. Garcia in New Haven and was ordered detained.

If convicted of the charge in the complaint, Messam faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that a criminal complaint is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This investigation is being conducted by the FBI’s Transnational Organized Crime Task Force, which includes members from the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, and the Brookfield and New Milford Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel J. Gentile.