The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont today announced federal criminal charges against Michael Prescott, 52, of Chittenden County, Vermont. Prescott is charged with distributing heroin on March 2 and March 7, 2016.
Prescott was arrested by law enforcement on July 18, 2016, appeared before Chief U.S. District Judge Christina Reiss in Burlington the same day, and entered a not guilty plea to the charges. At a detention hearing on July 19, 2016, Judge Reiss ordered Prescott detained pending his criminal trial. Judge Reiss denied the defendant’s motion to reconsider the detention order on August 9, 2016. If he is convicted, Prescott’s sentence will be advised by the federal sentencing guidelines. The pending charges against the defendant are merely accusations, and he is presumed innocent until and unless he is proven guilty.
United States Attorney Miller noted that this case is part of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Vermont Heroin Initiative, which is a coordinated effort by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to combat heroin distribution in Vermont.
This case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. The United States is represented by Assistant United States Attorney Timothy C. Doherty, Jr. Prescott is represented by Federal Public Defender Michael Desautels.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
