http://www.eagletribune.com/local/x130095302/Federal-agents-search-Methuen-home-office
By Brian Messenger
bmessenger@eagletribune.com The Eagle Tribune Wed Apr 25, 2012, 02:36 AM EDT
METHUEN — Federal agents searched a home office on Tyler Street yesterday and collected evidence as part of a criminal investigation.
Authorities confirmed no further details about the search at 42 Tyler St. The home is owned by Peter and Lisa Picone, who run Epic International Electronics, Inc. — an electronic components distributor — out of their three-bedroom, ranch-style house.
Agents were seen yesterday carrying boxes of materials from inside the home into a police trailer. Several unmarked vehicles were parked in the driveway and along the street. Also parked outside was the Methuen Police Department’s Mobile Command Unit.
“It’s an ongoing criminal investigation,” said Methuen police Captain Randy Haggar from outside the home yesterday. Haggar said the U.S. Department of Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) asked Methuen police to assist with executing a search warrant.
Haggar deferred further comment to DCIS. Yesterday, Spokeswoman Bridget Serchak confirmed DCIS took part in the search but declined to elaborate due to an “active investigation.”
Authorities arrived at 42 Tyler St. yesterday morning and remained there after 2:45 p.m.
Agents working the scene wore jackets and shirts identifying them as employees with DCIS, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
DCIS is the criminal investigative arm of the Department of Defense Inspector General.
According to department’s website, DCIS is charged with “investigating terrorism; preventing the illegal transfer of sensitive defensive technologies to proscribed nations and criminal elements; investigating companies that use defective parts in weapons systems and equipment used by the military; stopping cyber crimes and computer intrusions; and investigating cases of fraud, bribery and corruption.”
Peter and Lisa Picone formed Epic International Electronics in August 2009.
Peter Picone serves as president and director and Lisa Picone as treasurer and secretary, according to information on the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website.
Located at 42 Tyler St., the company is “a leading independent distributor of passive and active electronic components,” according to its website, epicie.com.
Among the parts Epic sells are capacitors, fuses, microprocessors, inductors, resistors, integrated circuits, semiconductors and transistors. Epic has warehouse locations in the United States, Europe and Asia, according to the company website.
Before forming Epic, Peter and Lisa Picone both served as directors of Tytronix, Inc. They founded the company in 2005. It was dissolved in 2010.
Several of the Picones’ neighbors said yesterday they did not know who lived at 42 Tyler St. The Picones purchased the home in December 2005 for $447,900.
Peter Picone attended Methuen High School, according to his Facebook page.