Michael P. Drescher Acting United States Attorney for the District of Vermont | U.S. Attorney for the District of Vermont
A Connecticut man has been sentenced to over 11 years in prison for his involvement in drug trafficking and firearms offenses. Brendan Salmon, aged 36, from Hartford, Connecticut, received a sentence of 132 months imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release. The sentencing was delivered by United States District Judge Geoffrey W. Crawford on June 23, 2025.
Salmon had previously pleaded guilty to charges of conspiring to distribute fentanyl, cocaine base, and cocaine between mid-2022 and November 2023. He also admitted to causing a straw purchase of a firearm in September 2022.
Court records reveal that Salmon operated under the street name "Nice" and began distributing drugs in Stowe, Vermont during the spring of 2022. His operation expanded into Morristown and Hardwick as his activities continued into the following year. Law enforcement intercepted two couriers from Connecticut along Interstate 89 in separate operations during 2023. These stops resulted in the seizure of over 2,700 bags of fentanyl and more than half a kilogram of crack and powder cocaine. Both couriers were convicted related to these seizures.
In addition to drug trafficking, Salmon was involved in acquiring firearms from drug customers in Vermont. Some customers purchased guns for him at local firearms dealers. He was arrested following a search warrant executed at a residence in Hardwick in November 2023 and has remained detained since then.
Acting United States Attorney Michael P. Drescher praised the efforts of various law enforcement agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration, Vermont State Police, Lamoille County Sheriff’s Department, Morristown Police Department, and Stowe Police Department for their collaboration on this case.
The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul Van de Graaf and Jason Turner while Mark Kaplan represented Salmon.
