The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that Carl Martin, 34, and Mirnes Julardzija, 33, were arrested on October 23. Both defendants appeared yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge John M. Conroy in Burlington. Martin was ordered detained pending detention and probable cause hearings on Oct. 28, 2019. Julardzija was released pending a probable cause hearing on Nov. 12, 2019.
According to a federal criminal complaint filed today, Martin sold cocaine to an undercover agent of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in September of 2019. The complaint further alleges that Martin subsequently traded cocaine to the undercover agent in exchange for a semiautomatic pistol in October of 2019.
A separate federal criminal complaint alleges that Julardzija aided and abetted Martin’s September, 2019 cocaine sale to the undercover agent.
If convicted of possessing a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime, Martin faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a minimum sentence of five years, and up to a $250,000 fine. Martin and Julardzija also face a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison if convicted of distributing cocaine. The actual sentences however, would be determined by the Court with guidance from the advisory Federal Sentencing Guidelines. The United States Attorney emphasizes that the charges in the complaints are merely accusations, and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty.
United States Attorney Christina Nolan commended the investigative efforts of federal, state, and local law enforcement. She stated: “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to prioritize combatting gun and violent crime in connection with the drug trade. The mix of drugs and guns creates grave public safety risks, particularly where, as here, it occurs in areas of high pedestrian foot traffic. Those who traffic guns in connection with the drug trade should consider themselves targets for federal investigation and prosecution." U.S. Attorney Nolan also thanked the Burlington Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the South Burlington Police Department, the Vermont State Police, and the U.S. Marshals Service for their assistance with this matter.
“The ATF has an unwavering commitment to remove illegal firearms and narcotics from our neighborhoods. Everyone deserves a community where they feel safe," stated ATF Boston Field Division Special Agent-in-Charge Kelly D. Brady. “ATF is committed to working with our law enforcement partners and we will continue to use all of our resources to take armed criminals off our streets and put them behind bars where they belong."
Burlington Police Chief Brandon Del Pozo commented: “Allegedly trading cocaine for a firearm is the type of behavior that makes Vermont a more dangerous place on several levels. We’re grateful for a partnership with ATF and the U.S. Attorney’s Office that protects Vermonters from these dangers."
The United States is represented in this matter by Assistant U.S. Attorney Wendy Fuller. Carl Martin is represented by Mark Oettinger. Kevin Henry represents Mirnes Julardzija.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
