Middletown Man Pleads Guilty to Trafficking Meth, Preparing False Tax Returns

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that EUGENE CARLIN, 58, of Middletown, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to drug trafficking and tax offenses.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on two occasions in July 2018, law enforcement made controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Carlin.  The investigation revealed that, for over a year, Carlin worked with others to distribute methamphetamine in the Middletown area.

The investigation further revealed that Carlin ran a tax preparation business from his home, and that he helped clients to prepare and file false tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service.

In 2007, Carlin was convicted in Hartford federal court of tax evasion, and aiding in the preparation of false tax returns.  That matter also involved Carlin helping clients of his tax preparation business to file false returns.  In August 2007, Carlin was sentenced to 12 months and one day of imprisonment, and six months of home confinement.  He also agreed to refrain, permanently, from preparing tax returns for other people.

Today, Carlin pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and one count of aiding in the preparation of false tax returns.  He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson on January 16, 2019, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 43 years.

Carlin also has agreed to forfeit $100,000, which represents his proceeds from the sale of methamphetamine.

This matter is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Task Force and Middletown Police Department, with the assistance of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.  The Task Force includes participants from the New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, North Haven, Branford, Ansonia, Meriden, Derby and Middletown Police Departments, the U.S. Marshals Service and the IRS – Criminal Investigation Division.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Avi M. Perry.