Michael P. Drescher, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Vermont | Vermont Daily Chronicle
The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Vermont has announced that the last defendants involved in a drug distribution conspiracy in Chittenden County have been sentenced. This case, which centered around trafficking fentanyl and cocaine, concluded with sentencing in the United States District Court for the District of Vermont.
Court documents revealed that Christopher Purvis managed a drug distribution operation from October 2022 to December 30, 2022. The operation utilized a residence owned by Tyler Orvis in Milton, Vermont to store drug packaging materials. On December 6, 2022, law enforcement officials seized drugs and a firearm from Russell Mitchell, Alexis Sutton, and Dorothy Wilde in Jericho, Vermont. Additionally, Sierra Fuentes was identified as having sold drugs and transported proceeds related to the conspiracy.
Chief United States District Judge Christina Reiss issued sentences based on recommendations from the United States Sentencing Guidelines:
- Christopher Purvis received 72 months followed by five years of supervised release.
- Russell Mitchell was sentenced to 54 months followed by three years of supervised release; however, this was later commuted to 20 months by executive order.
- Tyler Orvis received time served (approximately 24 months) followed by six years of supervised release.
- Dorothy Wilde also received time served (approximately eight months) followed by three years of supervised release.
- Alexis Sutton was sentenced to six months followed by six years of supervised release.
United States District Judge Mae D’Agostino sentenced Sierra Fuentes to time served (approximately 14 months) followed by three years of supervised release.
Acting United States Attorney Michael P. Drescher expressed gratitude towards various law enforcement agencies for their assistance during the investigation. These included DEA offices in Burlington and Hartford, Milton Police Department, Lamoille County Sheriff’s Department, Morristown Police Department, United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, Massachusetts State Police, and Massachusetts Bureau of Prisons.
Assistant United States Attorney Zachary Stendig represented the government in this case. Defense representation included Mark Kaplan for Tyler Orvis; Federal Public Defender Michael Desautels for Christopher Purvis; Richard Bothfeld for Alexis Sutton; John Mabie for Dorothy Wilde; and William A. Vasiliou II for Sierra Fuentes.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The program focuses on building trust within communities while supporting organizations that work to prevent violence before it occurs.
