7 Maine People Arrested During A Tenant’s Eviction In Portland

Seven people are facing charges after the enforced eviction of a tenant from a Portland apartment house.

Maine Drug Agents and Portland Police Arrested 7 People at a Congress St. Apartment

The following people were arrested when police executed a 'High-Risk' search warrant at 658 Congress Street, apartment 402 in Portland:

• Bruce Cavallaro, 46, of Portland is charged with criminal trespass.
• Michael Walbridge, 35, of Portland is charged with criminal trespass, unlawful possession of methamphetamine, and violation of probation.
• Chanta Gaddist, 38, of Yarmouth is charged with criminal trespass, carrying a concealed weapon, and violation of bail.
• James Williams, 50, of Portland is charged with criminal trespass and carrying a concealed weapon.
• David Covington, 38, of Portland is charged with criminal trespass.
• Monica Miller, 30, of Portland, is charged with criminal trespass.
• Erica Mathies, 25, of Portland, is charged with criminal trespass.

The Portland Police Special Reaction Team was tasked with safely securing the apartment and detaining any occupants before the agents searched the residence.

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Other Tenants in the Congress St Building Complained of Alleged Drug Activity

Maine Drug Agents and Portland Police have been focusing an investigation on tenant Bruce Cavallaro and other people who frequented apartment 402 after receiving numerous calls from tenants and visitors to the building. They complained of being intimidated and harassed by the group, who allegedly engaged in selling drugs and threatening others with weapons, including firearms.

The Portland Building's Landlord Tried to Evict His Tenant, Suspected of Selling Drugs

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 Cavallaro and others from the apartment. Cavallaro was served with the Writ of Possession on February 7, 2025, and ordered everyone to vacate the apartment within 48 hours. When they failed to do that, a search warrant was drafted and the seven occupants were detained, arrested, and transported to the Cumberland County Jail. A search of the residence resulted in the seizure of quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and crack cocaine, as well as additional evidence of drug trafficking.

Officials say this investigation is ongoing and additional charges are possible.

We'll update this story as more details become available.