RUTLAND, VT – Lawrence Jackson, a 53-year-old Rutland man known on the streets as “Boo-Bee,” was convicted yesterday in Burlington’s U.S. District Court on seven federal charges related to drug and firearm trafficking. The seven-day jury trial culminated in a guilty verdict, and Judge Christina Reiss ordered Jackson held without bail pending sentencing. He’s been locked up since his arrest in November 2021, and now faces a lengthy prison term.
Federal prosecutors laid out a case detailing Jackson’s extensive drug operation. Evidence presented showed that on November 23, 2021, authorities caught Jackson red-handed with over 400 grams of powder cocaine and crack cocaine during a raid in Rutland City. A search of his residence turned up a loaded Taurus Judge .410/45 caliber revolver in his bedroom – along with the tools of the trade: scales, packaging materials, and other items used to cook and prepare the narcotics. Two additional firearms were also discovered on the property.
The feds didn’t stop at the November 2021 bust. The trial revealed Jackson had been slinging cocaine as early as August 2020, and crack cocaine in September 2020, feeding the habit of a confidential informant working with law enforcement. The jury also found Jackson guilty of running a conspiracy to distribute cocaine base and over 500 grams of cocaine between January 2021 and his arrest. The prosecution further alleged Jackson used violence to enforce his drug debts, even resorting to striking a man with a firearm who owed him money.
Jackson’s criminal history already bars him from legally possessing firearms, making the gun charge particularly damning. Now, he’s looking at a minimum of 10 years in federal prison, with the potential for a life sentence. The actual sentence will be determined based on federal sentencing guidelines and other factors. This isn’t just about drugs; it’s about a pattern of violent behavior fueling an illegal operation.
U.S. Attorney Nikolas Kerest praised the collaborative effort of multiple agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations, the Rutland City Police Department, the Vermont Drug Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Vermont State Police. Kerest stated, “Lawrence Jackson did a lot of damage to many peoples’ lives in the Rutland area, both by distributing cocaine and with physical violence.” He emphasized the office’s commitment to tackling violent drug crime in Rutland and across Vermont.
Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), added that the investigation revealed Jackson to be a “violent and cruel individual.” Krol said, “Our investigation into Jackson painted a picture of a violent and cruel individual who used his reputation to perpetrate a string of crimes in Rutland.” The HSI, along with its partners, is determined to make communities safer, and this conviction represents a significant step in that direction. The case serves as a warning: federal agencies are watching, and those who traffic drugs and wield firearms illegally will face the full force of the law.
Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Weapons|Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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