New York Couple Charged with Heroin Trafficking

Shawn Alonso, a New York man, and Tamara Moody, a woman from Queens, New York, are facing federal charges for allegedly possessing over 1 kilogram of heroin with the intent to distribute it in Chittenden County, Vermont.

According to court documents, Alonso and Moody rented a car at LaGuardia Airport on March 17, 2017, and traveled to Chittenden County, where they intended to meet a person to distribute the heroin. Agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration, Essex Police Department, and United States Border Patrol stopped the rental vehicle at approximately 8:15am on March 18, 2017.

When law enforcement removed Alonso from the driver’s seat, a large package of powder fell from his pants. A search of Alonso revealed an additional smaller package of suspected controlled substances. The larger package weighed approximately 1.049 kilograms and field-tested positive for the presence of heroin.

The government alleges that Alonso and Moody possessed with the intent to distribute over 100 grams of heroin and aided and abetted the same. Both defendants appeared today before Chief United States District Court Judge Christina Reiss in Burlington, where Chief Judge Reiss ordered that both be held pending a detention hearing scheduled for Thursday, March 23, 2017.

The United States Attorney emphasizes that the charges contained in the complaint are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty. If either Alonso or Moody is convicted, each faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a maximum possible term of imprisonment of forty years.

The United States is represented in this matter by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jon Ophardt. Alonso is represented by Lisa B. Shelkrot, Esq. of Burlington. Moody is represented by Robert S. Behrens, Esq. of Burlington. The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the Colchester Police Department, the Essex Police Department, and the United States Border Patrol.

The charges are a serious blow to the community, and it’s a testament to the hard work of law enforcement agencies who worked tirelessly to bring these individuals to justice. The people of Vermont deserve to live in a safe and secure community, free from the scourge of heroin trafficking.