Ramell Holder, Cocaine Conspiracy and Money Laundering, Vermont 2024

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Burlington Man Sentenced to 14 Years for Cocaine Conspiracy and Money Laundering

A 36-year-old man from Burlington, Vermont, has been sentenced to 168 months, or 14 years, in prison for his role in a large-scale cocaine conspiracy and money laundering scheme.

Ramell Holder pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and money laundering. As part of his plea agreement, Holder also agreed to forfeit $24,000, a 2004 Land Rover, and a parcel of land in Richford, Vermont.

According to court documents, Holder’s involvement in cocaine distribution began in 1998 and escalated in 2004, when he was involved with his uncles, Clayton and Edward Sinclair, in distributing drugs. Clayton and Edward Sinclair were later convicted on federal drug conspiracy charges and sentenced to 151 months in prison.

The investigation, led by the DEA, revealed that Holder trafficked between 15 and 50 kilograms of cocaine to Vermont between 2007 and 2012. He also used violence during the offense in a dispute with one of his drug distributors over payment for cocaine.

Holder was initially released on personal recognizance but later detained after allegations surfaced that he committed fraud against Home Depot while on release. At sentencing, Holder’s Guidelines were 262-327 months. The government asked the Court for a 20-year sentence, but the Court imposed a sentence of 168 months, citing Holder’s lack of prior jail time as a mitigating factor.

The case was investigated by a team of agencies, including the DEA, HSI, Border Patrol, U.S. Marshals Service, the Vermont State Police, Burlington PD, South Burlington PD, Colchester PD, Essex PD, Milton PD, and the DEA Financial Investigations Team. Assistant United States Attorney Wendy L. Fuller prosecuted the case.

Holder’s sentence is a result of his involvement in a large-scale cocaine conspiracy that affected the community in Vermont. The investigation and subsequent prosecution highlight the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat drug trafficking and money laundering in the region.

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