Get the weekly rundown Sign up to receive our weekly Legal Insider newsletter Email* Submit

New Haven — The owner of 2Wives Brick Oven Pizza in New London and No Anchor Fine Food & Provisions in Noank has been arrested on federal narcotics and money laundering charges.

The government has charged Amy Sarcia, 49, of Pawcatuck with distribution of narcotics, use of a telephone to facilitate trafficking, money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Tom Carson, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Connecticut, said the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration made the arrest.

2Wives, on Huntington Street, has been open since 2009. Sarcia opened No Anchor last year on Pearl Street in Groton, in the spot that previously was Sherman's Market. She also is the property manager for a number of apartments in New London.

Sarcia appeared Thursday afternoon in U.S. District Court in New Haven alongside Jackie Hernandez, 41, of 887 Bank St. New London, who was charged with the same offenses. Carson said the two are alleged to be involved in the same drug trafficking organization, and others have been charged, as well.

A complaint was filed against each of them on Tuesday, U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector said. Because they were charged by criminal complaint, Spector noted that for the case to proceed to trial, either an indictment or a guilty plea would need to be filed. He did not ask either Sarcia or Hernandez to enter a plea on Thursday.

Spector released Sarcia on the conditions that she appear in court for a preliminary hearing on March 14, restrict her travel to within Connecticut, avoid all contact with anyone who may be a victim, submit to random drug testing and not possess any firearms. The judge appointed Sarcia's husband as third-party custodian, meaning he has a duty to report any violation of those conditions.

Spector placed Hernandez on house arrest until her next court date on Feb. 25, at which time he said further information will provide cause to either detain her or grant her conditional release. Spector said he needed someone who could stand up in court and say they would co-sign a bond for her.

In December, state police charged Hernandez with possession of a controlled substance and possession of narcotics with intent to sell. According to state Judicial Branch records, she is free on a $75,000 bond and is due back in New London Superior Court on March 11.

Hernandez was pulled over by state police from Troop F on Interstate 95 north in Old Lyme on December 23, 2018 and charged with sale of a narcotic substance and possession of a controlled substance, according to her state court file. On Thursday, State's Attorney Michael L. Regan changed Hernandez's charges to possession of cocaine and possession of cocaine with intent to sell.

The prosecutor for the federal case alleges that after the state arrest, Hernandez contacted someone to arrange for the removal of evidence from her apartment.

No other information on the charges against Sarcia or Hernandez was immediately available, as the affidavit remains under seal. Spector said this is because a defendant is still at large.

Sarcia posted on Facebook shortly after 5 p.m. on Thursday, "Sorry for all the craziness friends but dont believe everything you hear/read."

e.moser@theday.com

l.boyle@theday.com