Kieta Armstead, Cocaine Base Possession with Intent to Distribute, Vermont 2020

A federal judge has handed down a 98-month prison sentence to Kieta Armstead, 42, of New York, New York, for possessing with intent to distribute more than 28 grams of cocaine base. The sentence was handed down on February 14, 2020, by U.S. District Judge Christina Reiss.

According to the U.S. Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont, the incident occurred in Chittenden County, Vermont, in May 2019. During a subsequent search of his hotel room, officers found additional quantities of heroin, fentanyl, cocaine base, and cocaine.

The defendant pleaded guilty to the charges pursuant to a plea agreement. The conviction marks Armstead's third in the District of Vermont for violating the federal Controlled Substances Act.

U.S. Attorney Christina Nolan commended the collaborative investigation of the DEA and the Burlington Police Department, stating: 'With this significant sentence, we reiterate a simple and important message: do not come to Vermont to sell deadly drugs. If you do, law enforcement will target you for criminal charges and serious consequences. This is especially true for repeat offenders.'

The U.S. Attorney's office emphasized the importance of law enforcement efforts in the Green Mountain State. 'Let this significant sentence serve as a warning to those traffickers who are coming from out of state like Mr. Armstead to deal these poisons to the citizens of Vermont,' said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Boscia. Armstead is represented by Mark A. Kaplan, Esq.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-vt/pr/kieta-armstead-sentenced-98-months-possession-intent-distribute-cocaine-base