Michael Cabassa, 48, of Torrington, pleaded guilty in federal court on Monday, Aug. 3, to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and admitted to violating the terms of his supervised release from an earlier federal conviction, according to the U.S. Attorney for Connecticut.
Federal prosecutors said Cabassa was sentenced in 2007 to 20 years in prison and 10 years of supervised release for trafficking crack cocaine. He was released after receiving an executive grant of clemency on Jan. 17, 2025, from former President Joe Biden.
Less than a year later, Connecticut State Police arrested Cabassa after a one-car crash on Dec. 27, 2025. Investigators said he was driving under the influence, and a search of his vehicle uncovered distribution quantities of cocaine and fentanyl.
Because of his previous federal drug conviction, Cabassa now faces up to 30 years in prison on the new drug trafficking charge. He also faces additional penalties for violating the conditions of his supervised release, federal prosecutors said.
Cabassa has remained in federal custody since his arrest on May 21, 2026. A sentencing date has not been scheduled.
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