Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DON MEEKER, 30, of West Haven, was arrested today on an indictment charging him with a carjacking offense.
A federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment yesterday alleging that, on January 1, 2016, MEEKER used threats of violence to steal a 2015 Volkswagon Passat from two victims in Meriden.
After his arrest, MEEKER appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joan G. Margolis in New Haven and was ordered detained.
The indictment charges MEEKER with one count, of taking a motor vehicle from a person by force and violence or by intimidation, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years.
Elbert Llorens and Kyle Valentine, both of New Haven, previously pleaded guilty to charges related to their roles in this carjacking. Both are detained and await sentencing.
As to MEEKER, U.S. Attorney Daly stressed that an indictment 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 matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the East Haven, Meriden, Milford, New Haven and West Haven Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas P. Morabito.