BURLINGTON, VT – Marvin Byrd, 29, of Hartford, Connecticut, is facing serious federal charges after being indicted by a Vermont grand jury for his role in a fentanyl distribution network operating in the state’s Northeast Kingdom. The indictment alleges a conspiracy to distribute the deadly opioid between March and August of 2023. Byrd, known on the streets as “TJ,” was arraigned on March 11, 2024, and remains in custody pending further court proceedings.
According to court documents, Byrd partnered with Britny Parris and others to flood Orleans County with fentanyl. Parris allegedly allowed Byrd to use her Barton, Vermont, residence as a base of operations – a place to store, package, and push the drugs. The operation wasn’t a small-time affair; Byrd allegedly coordinated multiple transactions, often relying on Parris and others to handle the final street-level distribution. The feds have been building this case for over a year, with an initial criminal complaint filed way back in August 2022.
This isn’t Parris’s first brush with the law in this case. She already pleaded guilty in November 2023 to maintaining a drug-involved premises – essentially admitting she knowingly let her home be used for drug activity. She’s currently awaiting sentencing, and her cooperation, or lack thereof, could impact Byrd’s case. The Northeast Kingdom, a largely rural area, has seen a growing struggle with opioid addiction, making cases like this a high priority for law enforcement.
If convicted, Byrd is looking at up to 20 years behind bars and a hefty $1,000,000 fine. However, the final sentence will be up to the judge, taking into account federal sentencing guidelines and other factors. This isn’t a slam dunk; Byrd is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and his defense team – Sara Puls and A.J. Ruben – will undoubtedly put up a fight.
U.S. Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest highlighted this case as part of a broader, ongoing effort to crack down on drug and gun trafficking in the Northeast Kingdom. The investigation was a collaborative effort, bringing together the Northeast Vermont Drug Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, and the Newport Police Department. It’s a multi-agency push showing the feds are serious about stemming the flow of narcotics into the region.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Lasher is leading the prosecution. The investigation continues, and authorities haven’t ruled out the possibility of additional arrests. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates as they become available. The opioid crisis continues to devastate communities, and the federal government is clearly attempting to make an example of those allegedly profiting from the misery.
Related Federal Cases
- Christian Torres-Santiago, Fentanyl Trafficking, Vermont 2022 · Connecticut
- Christian Torres-Santiago, Fentanyl Distribution, Vermont 2024 · Alabama
- Brendan Salmon, Fentanyl Distribution, Vermont 2024 · Connecticut
- Dante Flowers Jr., Drug & Firearm Conspiracy, Vermont 2023 · Connecticut
- Edward Munday, Covid Loan Fraud, Vermont 2023 · Connecticut
Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free
Browse More
