The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that on July 29, 2020, United States District Judge Christina Reiss sentenced Rory Jackson, 36, of Queens, New York to 18 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, to be followed by five years of supervised release. Before sentencing Jackson, Judge Reiss, earlier this year, also sentenced his co-defendants Rachael Gauthier, of Brattleboro, Vermont; Jocelyn Pond, of West Brattleboro, Vermont; and Justine Pond, of Putney Vermont, all for distribution of fentanyl; and Sarah Cassell, of Brattleboro, Vermont, for distribution of heroin. Gauthier was sentenced to one year and one day in prison. Jocelyn Pond was sentenced to time served. Justine Pond was sentenced to 5 years’ probation, and Sarah Cassell was sentenced to time served.
All five defendants were arrested in connection with the April 10, 2019 search of 48 Central Street in Brattleboro, and as part of a multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional law enforcement effort that focused on drug trafficking in the Brattleboro area. The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Vermont Drug Task Force provided crucial investigative assistance in this five-defendant case. In addition, the April 2019 enforcement surge in the Brattleboro area involved the participation of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Department of Homeland Security - Homeland Security Investigations; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the United States Marshals Service; the Brattleboro Police Department; the Vermont State Police; CBP Air/Marine Unit; and New Hampshire Drug Task Force.
U.S. Attorney Christina E. Nolan commended the inter-agency cooperation underlying this case and the broader Brattleboro enforcement effort. “Our office continues to prioritize the prosecution of trafficking of deadly narcotics in our Vermont communities, and appreciate the hard work of our law enforcement partners."
The United States was represented in this matter by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicole Cate and Nikolas Kerest. Jackson was represented by Richard Bothfeld, Esq. Gauthier was represented by David Watts, Esq. Jocelyn Pond was represented by Katina Ready, Esq. Justine Pond was represented by Thomas Sherrer, Esq. Sarah Cassell was represented by Heather Ross, Esq.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
