Oscar Maldonado, Heroin and Fentanyl Trafficking, Vermont 2023

Heroin and Fentanyl Trafficking Ring Crumbles in Vermont

Burlington, Vermont – A recent wave of convictions in a high-profile heroin and fentanyl trafficking case has brought to justice three New York City residents, who conspired to distribute these deadly substances, as well as cocaine and cocaine base, in Vermont.

Oscar Maldonado, 41, Jamal Jones, 34, and Curtis Christian, 31, all of New York City, were recently sentenced in United States District Court in Rutland following their guilty pleas to charges that they conspired to distribute heroin, fentanyl, cocaine and cocaine base, or actually distributed those substances.

According to court records, Maldonado conspired with others, including Joshua Preston, 34, of Johnson, to distribute narcotics in Vermont between about 2017 and March 2020. Maldonado sent the drugs to Vermont via couriers that included Jones and Christian. Many of those drugs were delivered to Preston, who redistributed them in Vermont.

Preston was arrested in 2020; Maldonado, Christian and Jones were arrested in 2021 after their indictment in this case. Preston previously pleaded guilty and is serving a 48-month sentence.

Maldonado was handed a 24-month prison term, to be followed by a three-year term of supervised release. The court ordered him to surrender to the Bureau of Prisons on March 14 to begin serving his sentence. Jones received a one-year and one-day prison sentence, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Christian was given two years of probation.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the DEA Task Force. Maldonado was represented by Assistant Public Federal Defender Steven Barth. Jones was represented by Devin McLaughlin, Esq. and Christian by John Mabie, Esq. The prosecutor was Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Waples.

The defendants’ crimes will have a lasting impact on the community, and we are relieved that those responsible have been brought to justice. This case serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of narcotics trafficking and the importance of continued law enforcement efforts to combat it.

Defendant Information:

• Oscar Maldonado: 41, New York City, guilty plea, sentenced to 24 months imprisonment, 3 years supervised release, surrendered to Bureau of Prisons on March 14.
• Jamal Jones: 34, New York City, guilty plea, sentenced to 1 year and 1 day imprisonment, 3 years supervised release, already incarcerated.
• Curtis Christian: 31, New York City, guilty plea, sentenced to 2 years probation.

Criminal Charges:

• Conspired to distribute heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and cocaine base.
• Actually distributed heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and cocaine base.

City and State:

Burlington, Vermont

Exact Date:

• Arrest: 2021
• Indictment: 2021
• Sentencing: March 14, 2023

Sentence or Outcome:

• Oscar Maldonado: 24 months imprisonment, 3 years supervised release.
• Jamal Jones: 1 year and 1 day imprisonment, 3 years supervised release.
• Curtis Christian: 2 years probation.

About the Case

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the DEA Task Force. The prosecutor was Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Waples.

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