BURLINGTON, VT – Quenton Dodson, 36, of Ypsilanti, Michigan, will spend the next eight years in federal prison after being sentenced to 96 months’ imprisonment followed by four years of supervised release. Dodson was convicted of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine, and being a felon in possession of firearms, a U.S. Attorney’s Office statement confirmed Friday.
Dodson’s trip to Vermont wasn’t a vacation. The career criminal, already having served nearly eight years in a Michigan prison for shooting three people during a drug dispute, arrived in 2021 with a clear mission: peddle poison. Burlington Police Department detectives quickly caught on, conducting a series of controlled buys that established Dodson as a significant player in the local drug trade. The investigation culminated in January 2022 with raids on two Burlington apartments – Dodson’s on Farrell Street and another on Ledgewood Circle linked to an alleged accomplice.
The Farrell Street apartment yielded a king’s ransom for a drug dealer: over $10,000 in cash, some of it directly linked to the controlled purchases. Alongside the money, investigators found approximately 20 grams of fentanyl, 65 grams of methamphetamine, 20 grams of cocaine, and a fully loaded handgun. The Ledgewood Circle search proved even more fruitful, uncovering nearly three pounds of methamphetamine – some bearing Dodson’s fingerprints – and yet another loaded firearm. Dodson’s past clearly hadn’t deterred him from arming himself while slinging drugs.
U.S. Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest minced no words, stating, “This case demonstrates that Vermont should not be perceived as a friendly destination for those preying on the addictions of others.” Kerest emphasized the collaborative effort between the Burlington Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in shutting down Dodson’s operation before his weapons could be used.
Burlington Police Chief Jon Murad echoed Kerest’s sentiment, highlighting the department’s commitment to a dual approach – providing treatment for those struggling with addiction while simultaneously prosecuting those responsible for supplying the drugs. “This case shows our collective resolve to ensure accountability for traffickers who prey on the suffering of others and harm our community,” Murad said. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael P. Drescher, with Dodson represented by Mark Kaplan, Esq.
The prosecution of Dodson is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal program focused on reducing violent crime and gun violence. The Department of Justice relaunched PSN in 2021, emphasizing community partnerships and strategic enforcement. For those seeking more information on PSN, visit Justice.gov/PSN. Dodson’s case serves as a stark reminder that even in smaller states, the federal government will pursue those who seek to profit from the misery of others.
Related Federal Cases
- Letitia James Secures Preliminary Injunction Against Trump Administ… · Nevada
- Letitia James, Revocation of Temporary Protected Status, New York, … · Nevada
- Letitia James, Dismantling AmeriCorps Funding, New York NY, 2023 · Nevada
- Letitia James Demands ICE Identity Disclosure, New York, 2023 · Nevada
- Letitia James Defends Humanitarian Parole Program, New York NY, 2024 · Illinois
Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Weapons|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News