Related Federal Cases
- Philadelphia Man Gets 2 Years for Philly-Led Cocaine, Fentanyl, Heroin Ring · Pennsylvania
- Rutland Man Sentenced To Nine Years For Heroin And Crack Cocaine Distribution · Vermont
- ‘Hood’ and Kyle Forman Indicted for Heroin & Cocaine Distribution · Vermont
- Sheri Fitzgerald Pleads Guilty to Hosting Heroin Dealer in Rutland County · Florida
- Brian Folks Convicted in Heroin-Fueled Sex Trafficking Ring · Colorado
Five Indicted in Rutland Heroin, Cocaine Ring
A federal-state-local operation early yesterday morning resulted in the arrests of five Rutland residents who were later presented in United States District Court for arraignment on indictments charging violations of the federal Controlled Substances Act.
The five defendants and their respective charges are as follows: Ernest Murray, 51, faces charges of Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin, Cocaine, and 28 Grams or more of Crack Cocaine; and Distribution of Crack Cocaine (three counts). Eric Dixon, 44, is charged with Distribution of Crack Cocaine and/or Heroin (four counts). Terrence Chenault, 30, faces charges of Distribution of Crack Cocaine and/or Heroin (three counts). Andrew Harris, 24, is charged with Distribution of Heroin (one count), while Morgaine Chuderski, 25, faces charges of Distribution of Crack Cocaine (two counts).
All five defendants entered pleas of not guilty. The government moved to detain each of the five pending trial. United States Magistrate Judge John M. Conroy ordered Chenault detained pending trial, and scheduled detention hearings next week with respect to the other four defendants.
United States Attorney Tristram J. Coffin emphasizes that the charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty. If convicted, Murray faces imprisonment for a term between five and forty years on the conspiracy charge, and all defendants face up to twenty years on each of the distribution charges.
Any actual sentences in the event of conviction will be determined pursuant to the advisory federal sentencing guidelines and the federal statutory sentencing factors.
United States Attorney Coffin commended the collaborative investigation led by the Vermont Drug Task Force with assistance from the Rutland City Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the United States Marshals Service.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph Perella and Craig Nolan. It is expected that the trial will proceed in the coming weeks and months as the prosecution builds its case against the five defendants.
As this case continues to unfold, the Grimy Times will provide updates and analysis, keeping our readers informed of the developments in the courtroom and the impact on the community.
RELATED: Rutland Cocaine Ring: NY & SC Men Indicted
RELATED: Brown and Thompson Face Life Sentences in Cocaine Distribution Plot
Key Facts
- State: Vermont
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Cybercrime|Public Corruption|Weapons|Human Trafficking|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
