U.S. Attorney for the District of Vermont
Recent News About U.S. Attorney for the District of Vermont
-
A New Jersey man received an 18-month prison sentence for transporting nine Irish nationals who crossed illegally into Vermont from Canada. Authorities say he endangered unrestrained children during transport near Richford before being stopped by Border Patrol agents.
-
A Connecticut man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Vermont on charges related to possession with intent to distribute cocaine base and fentanyl. Authorities say Dayquan Smith pleaded not guilty after being found with drugs, cash, and firearms during a search in Bethel.
-
The United States Attorney’s Office for Vermont will observe National Police Week starting May 10 by honoring local law enforcement personnel across federal, state, county, and local levels. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt thanked more than a thousand police professionals working statewide for their dedication despite daily risks.
-
Seven Canadian nationals have been indicted for allegedly running a 'Grandparent Scam' targeting elderly people across more than forty states including Vermont. Authorities say victims lost large sums after being tricked into handing over bail money by scammers posing as relatives or lawyers.
-
A Cuban man has been indicted for allegedly reentering Vermont illegally after prior removal from the U.S., according to federal authorities. He faces up to two years if convicted as part of ongoing enforcement initiatives targeting unlawful entry.
-
William Corey Warner from Rutland has been sentenced to over eight years in prison after pleading guilty to drug trafficking charges involving cocaine and crack cocaine. The sentencing follows multiple incidents where large quantities of drugs were seized during traffic stops in both Vermont and Massachusetts.
-
Ian Blochwitz from Buffalo received a ten-year sentence after pleading guilty to transporting a minor across state lines for sexual abuse purposes in Vermont and New York. Authorities commended law enforcement efforts while emphasizing ongoing initiatives against child exploitation.
-
Cedric Wormely has been sentenced for running an online romance scam that targeted women in Vermont and elsewhere. He received prison time plus restitution payments after pleading guilty to wire fraud charges.
-
A Michigan man received a five-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to distributing crack cocaine in Burlington. Authorities highlighted collaborative law enforcement efforts addressing drug-related crimes affecting Vermont communities.
-
A Burlington woman has been sentenced for distributing cocaine base following an investigation led by Homeland Security Investigations. Federal prosecutors highlight ongoing partnerships with local agencies as part of broader efforts against drug crimes.
-
Theodore Bland has pleaded guilty in federal court after admitting responsibility for murdering two men during drug trafficking activities around Lamoille County last year. He faces life imprisonment pending sentencing this fall.
-
A Bronx man has been indicted in Vermont for allegedly possessing cocaine with intent to distribute after being arrested last September. Federal prosecutors say Errol Richards faces up to twenty years if convicted but remains presumed innocent at this stage.
-
A Detroit man received a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to distributing cocaine while on federal supervised release in Vermont. Authorities say Terry Dawayne Catchings continued his involvement with drugs despite prior warnings from judges about harsher penalties.
-
Victor Allen has been charged with distributing controlled substances after an investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies in Chittenden County. Authorities seized drugs and other items during searches related to his case. He faces up to twenty years if convicted but remains presumed innocent until proven guilty.
-
A New York man has been charged with wire fraud and money laundering involving alleged theft from a Vermont medical practice. Van Jackson pleaded not guilty during his arraignment in federal court on April 17.
-
Mohamed Mubarak was convicted on multiple firearm and identity theft charges following a jury trial in Burlington federal court. Authorities said he used another person's identification without consent to buy guns despite being barred due to prior felonies. The case reflects ongoing efforts by federal prosecutors in Vermont to address violent crime.
-
A New Hampshire man has been charged with enticing a minor following an incident in Montpelier involving alleged violence against a child victim. Federal authorities stress community protection as part of broader initiatives targeting child exploitation crimes.
-
A Pownal woman has been sentenced to nearly four years in prison after pleading guilty to participating in a drug distribution conspiracy involving cocaine base and fentanyl around Bennington. Authorities say her actions included selling drugs, supporting violence within the group, helping continue operations after arrests were made—and attempting obstruction during prosecution.
-
A Montpelier man has been sentenced to twenty years in prison after pleading guilty in a child exploitation case involving distribution of abusive images online. Federal authorities highlight collaborative investigative work across multiple agencies leading up to this conviction.
-
Two Hartford men have been indicted in Vermont on charges related to drugs and firearms following an incident near North Troy earlier this month. Authorities say large quantities of narcotics were recovered after a high-speed attempt to evade law enforcement.