U.S. Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest | U.S. Department of Justice
Umar Koon, a 46-year-old resident of The Bronx, New York, has been sentenced to six months in prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine base, and cocaine. This decision was made by United States District Judge William K. Sessions III in Burlington. Following his imprisonment, Koon will be subject to three years of supervised release. He is scheduled to surrender to the Bureau of Prisons on January 21, 2025.
The investigation into Koon's activities began in the summer of 2023 when the Northwestern Vermont Drug Task Force and the Federal Bureau of Investigation received information about his alleged drug sales in Chittenden County. From September to November 2023, authorities conducted seven controlled purchases of fentanyl and cocaine base from Koon using a confidential informant. His arrest occurred on November 14 after he returned from New York City to Burlington by bus. A search warrant led to the discovery of distribution quantities of drugs and $1500 in cash.
Initially held without bail on state charges, Koon was released on December 6, 2023, before being indicted by a federal grand jury the following day on multiple counts related to narcotics distribution. Federal agents arrested him at his Bronx residence on December 12. Subsequently, Vermont dismissed its state case in favor of federal prosecution.
Koon's legal representation is provided by Mark Kaplan, Esq., while Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Waples serves as the prosecutor.
