Concord - United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced that Richard Duncan, 41, of Proctor, Vermont, was sentenced to 87 months in prison on Monday for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to court documents, on August 8, 2018, law enforcement officers encountered Duncan following multiple 911 calls regarding his erratic driving. After leading officers on a high-speed pursuit in his vehicle through Claremont and Newport, New Hampshire, Duncan abandoned his vehicle and continued his flight from law enforcement on foot. A short time later, Duncan was secured and placed under arrest. From Duncan’s vehicle, law enforcement subsequently recovered a Springfield Armory XD handgun, Model XD-9, 9-mm caliber pistol, S/N GM731259, which had a loaded magazine. In addition to the firearm, officers observed numerous glassine bags containing cocaine and additional loaded magazines. At the time of the offense, Duncan was under parole supervision by the State of Vermont for a prior felony conviction.
Duncan previously pleaded guilty on Feb. 28, 2019.
“Armed drug traffickers present a substantial hazard to the general public," said U.S. Attorney Murray. “This 87-month sentence should serve as a warning to those who choose to violate federal drug and gun laws. We will not hesitate to bring federal charges against drug traffickers who use firearms when engaging in criminal activity."
“Working with our law enforcement partners to combat violent crime and to keep guns out of the hands of criminals is ATF’s top priority," said Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. “Today’s sentencing is another example of the importance of law enforcement partnerships and their effectiveness in protecting the safety and security of communities."
This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Claremont Police Department, Newport Police Department, and New Hampshire State Police, with valuable assistance provided by the Sullivan County Attorney’s Office and the Vermont State Police.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Cam Le.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
