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Walden Man Charged with Fentanyl Offense After High-Speed Chase
A 29-year-old man from Walden, Vermont, has been charged with a fentanyl trafficking offense after a high-speed chase that spanned over 130 miles across two states.
According to the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont, Antonio Vergara was arrested on October 26, 2022, and made his initial appearance before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle on October 28, 2022. Vergara was ordered detained pending trial.
The police attempted to stop Vergara as he was driving on Interstate 91 in Massachusetts, but he fled at speeds of over 120 miles per hour. He was eventually apprehended in Newbury, Vermont, where police discovered 5,500 bags of fentanyl in the car he was driving. An additional 5,000 bags of fentanyl were found in the median near the location where Vergara was stopped.
The total weight of the fentanyl seized by law enforcement was over 200 grams. Vergara faces charges of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. If convicted, he faces up to 40 years of imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, and a five-year mandatory minimum term of imprisonment.
United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the collaborative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Vermont State Police in investigating the case. Major Dan Trudeau of the Vermont State Police stated, "This case is a great example of how State, Federal, and Local law enforcement is working together to combat the influx of dangerous drugs, and associated violence, from coming into Vermont."
Vergara is represented by the Office of the Federal Public Defender and Evan Barquist, Esq. The Assistant United States Attorney handling the prosecution is Nate Burris.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation, and Vergara is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat the flow of illicit drugs into Vermont.
Key Facts
- State: Vermont
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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