Burlington Man Sentenced to 46 Months for Drug Dealing, Firearms Possession
May 18, 2015 – Daniel Ayala, 24, of Burlington, Vermont, was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute heroin, cocaine base, and marijuana. Ayala also conspired to possess firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to court records, Ayala sold drugs in the Burlington area from April 2012 to his arrest on August 4, 2014. When law enforcement searched his apartment on Spruce Street in Burlington, they found cocaine packaged for sale, a loaded semi-automatic handgun, and digital scales, among other evidence.
Ayala faced a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison on each count. However, the United States Sentencing Guidelines recommended a prison term between 57 and 71 months. Despite this, U.S. District Court Judge William K. Sessions III decided on a more lenient sentence of 46 months.
The judge considered Ayala’s difficult childhood and lack of a serious criminal record when making his decision. Ayala’s lawyer, Steven Barth of the Federal Public Defender’s Office, represented his client in court.
The investigation was a collaborative effort between the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, the Vermont Drug Task Force, the Burlington Police Department, and the South Burlington Police Department. Acting United States Attorney Eugenia A.P. Cowles commended the efforts of the involved agencies.
Ayala will also serve three years of supervised release following his prison term. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy C. Doherty, Jr.
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Related Federal Cases
- Philly Dealer Gets 8 Years in Burlington Drug Blitz · Pennsylvania
- Kevin Tocker-Rose Sentenced for Heroin Dealing · New York
- Alburgh Selectman & Wife Jailed for Drug Trafficking · Vermont
- Bronx Dealer Gets 15 Years for Barre Shootout & Drug Run · New York
- Milton Drug Kingpin Romero Sentenced to 90 Months · Vermont
Key Facts
- State: Vermont
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Weapons|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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