Wednesday, February 12, 2025
MDEA Press Release
Portland, Maine- The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and Portland Police Department announce the arrests of seven people during the execution of a “High-Risk” Search Warrant at 658 Congress Street, apartment 402 in Portland.
A “High-Risk” Search warrant was executed by the Portland Police Special Reaction Team (SRT) in order to safely secure apartment 402 and detain any occupants of the apartment prior to the agents search of the apartment.
Arrested by Portland Police:
Bruce Cavallaro, 46 of Portland for, Criminal Trespass
Bail set: Unsecured bail
Michael Walbridge, 35 of Portland for, Criminal Trespass, Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine, Violation of Probation.
Bail set: No bail, Probation Hold
Chanta Gaddist, 38 of Yarmouth for, Criminal Trespass, Carrying a Concealed Weapon, Violation of Bail.
Bail set: No bail due to bail violation charge.
James Williams, 50 of Portland for, Criminal Trespass, Carrying a Concealed Weapon
Bail set: Unsecured Bail
David Covington, 38 of Portland for, Criminal Trespass
Bail set: Unsecured Bail
Monica Miller, 30 of Portland for, Criminal Trespass
Bail set: Unsecured Bail
Erica Mathies, 25 of Portland for, Criminal Trespass
Bail set: Unsecured Bail
Over the past two months, Portland Police responded to over a dozen “Calls for Service” to 658 Congress Street, a multi-resident apartment building. The calls included, but were not limited to suspected drug trafficking, threatening display of weapons, to include firearms, and disorderly persons. Residents of the building and visitors reported being intimidated and harassed by groups of people who frequented apartment 402.
During this time, agents from the Maine Drug Enforcement’s Cumberland District Task Force were investigating illegal drug trafficking from apartment 402. During the investigation it was revealed the apartment renter, Bruce Cavallaro, and others were distributing illegal drugs from apartment 402 as well as the common hallways and the front and rear entrances of the apartment building.
The building’s landlord filed for and was granted a “Writ of Possession” from the Cumberland County District Court on February 2, 2025, as part of an official eviction of Bruce Cavallaro and others from 658 Congress Street, apartment 402. Cavallaro and others refused to vacate the apartment previously when evicted. Cavallaro was served the Writ of Possession on February 7, 2025, ordering him and others to vacate the apartment within 48 hours.
Based on the agent’s drug trafficking investigation as well as Cavallaro and others refusal to leave the apartment, and the safety of the building residents, a search warrant was drafted and issued for apartment 402.
At approximately 1:30 pm today, the Portland Police SRT made an initial entry into 658 Congress Street and safely secured apartment 402. During the entry, the seven aforementioned people were detained, subsequently arrested and transported to the Cumberland County Jail without incident.
A subsequent search of the apartment resulted in the seizure of quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine and crack cocaine, as well as additional evidence of drug trafficking.
The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges will be reviewed based on evidence seized during the search.
Assisting agents in this investigation and search warrant were members of the Portland Police Department, and agents of the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The MDEA stands committed to working with all federal, state, county, and local law enforcement partners in order to continue to identify and disrupt drug trafficking organizations who are attempting to distribute illicit drugs like fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine in the State of Maine.
If you or someone you know suffers from substance, use disorder, please call 211 or text your zip code to 898-211 for a list of resources available in your area.
If you have information about this investigation or the illegal sale of drugs in your community, you are urged to contact the Maine Drug Enforcement office closest to you or by texting MDEA to TIP411 (847411) or by calling the MDEA tip-line at 1-800-452-6457.